The Lady in the Park by David Reynolds

Jim Domino, a senior police officer, resigns from the Force after an incident when he defied procedure for all the right reasons. He sets up in business as a private investigator while maintaining a friendly relationship with his former partners in crime-fighting. Gradually he builds up a reliable team of investigators and, using daring but unorthodox methods, fearlessly pursues the puppet-masters of organised crime.
The basic structure of The Lady in the Park will be familiar to readers of crime fiction, but David Reynolds tells his story in a way I have not encountered before. To begin with, Reynolds set up the excellent Quick Reads initiative, which aims to provide well written novels at a literacy level suitable for emerging, or reluctant, readers. For this reason, his prose is simple, clearly expressed and easy to follow.
Also, Jim is multi-faceted, in a positive way. Many fictional detectives have inner demons - substance addiction, or a dark personal history. Not Jim. He gets on well with his two daughters and regularly helps out with babysitting and the school run. I love that he uses the innocent perceptions of his grandson Danny to guide his investigations. He watches what he eats and exercises daily. A widower still mourning the loss of his wife, he has a mutually satisfactory relationship with Vic, a female lawyer.
Although Jim is a nice guy he knows how to handle himself in a fist fight. The mystery he dedicates himself to solving is genuinely puzzling, the crimes he tackles are evil and the criminals he encounters are vile.
I was given this book in return for an honest review. I honestly think it’s a cracking and delightfully accessible read.

The Lady in the Park