Burned and Broken by Mark Hardie. Advance Reader Copy (ARC) from the publisher, Sphere, included. No affiliate links used. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

When the remains of a policeman are found in a burnt out car DS Pearson and DC Russell know they will be under extra scrutiny as they try to solve the case. The powers that be will want answers that don’t damage the reputation of the police force.

Simultaneously, a young woman who has recently left the care system is trying to find out what happened to her best friend.

Are both cases linked? As Pearson and Russell uncover new details and evidence they wonder just how much information their bosses need to know.

My main issue was the pacing. Some chapters were full of fast moving information, while others seemed to drag on as little or nothing happened. I know the mix of tempos is meant to mirror the difficulties the police face when working on a case, but as a reader the balance was a little off. The prologue sucked me in, but it didn’t always hold my attention which makes tension building difficult.

Despites its flaws; Hardie has created a good working relationship between DS Pearson and DC Russell. A relationship that makes me want to see where Hardie takes them next and how his writing style develops.

Burned and Broken by Mark Hardie is published by Sphere, an imprint of the Little, Brown Book Group and is available in hardback and ebook format. The paperback edition will be published on the 4th May.

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