Stepping away from my usual reading today, and it’s a real pleasure to share my review of The Associate by Victoria Goldman. This is the second of her Shanna Regan murder mysteries, independently published – on her own imprint of Three Crowns Publishing UK – on 25th July, now available for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited) and in paperback (if you prefer to buy your paperbacks somewhere other than Amazon, you can also purchase from Waterstones or order via your favourite high street bookshop). I did receive a pre-release e-copy from the author, but the one I read was my own, purchased (and pre-ordered) via Amazon.
For full disclosure, I will mention that I’ve known the author for almost ten years now – since the time when we were both rather nervous new bloggers, and met up to support each other at one of the first London book launches I’d ever attended. We’ve rather lost touch in recent years, but I knew she’d always had a passion for writing her own books – and when she finally overcame every obstacle in her path, showing the most extraordinary tenacity and determination, her first book, The Redeemer, was finally published in July of last year. I thought it was simply stunning – a highly original storyline, such well-handled contemporary and cultural issues, the compelling human stories and the intense grip of the narrative (you can read my full review again here). And I was delighted to see that others agreed – so many excellent reviews, and after an honourable mention in the Capital Crime/DHH Literary Agency New Voices Award 2019, it was also shortlisted for Best Debut Crime Novel of 2022 in the Crime Fiction Lover Awards. And although I must apologise for not being able to read this one hot off the presses, I was very much looking forward to spending more time in the company of Shanna Regan…
A missing architect. An interfaith charity project. Vandalism and online threats. Can racist slogans lead to kidnap – or even murder?
When an architect vanishes in East London, her concerned fiancé asks journalist Shanna Regan to find her. The missing woman has been leading an interfaith Jewish-Muslim charity project that’s become the target of malicious damage and racist threats.
After Shanna witnesses a teenage girl fall to her death, she’s convinced the architect’s disappearance is also linked to a local youth outreach project. And then another woman is reported missing.
Amid rising local tensions, danger appears to be lurking around every corner. Even the safest sanctuaries seem to be hiding the darkest secrets. As Shanna uncovers a tangled web of lies, she puts her own life on the line. Will she find the missing architect before it’s too late?
The Associate is the compelling and thought-provoking sequel to The Redeemer.
When I read the author’s first book, I was particularly impressed by its freshness and originality, with Shanna’s own story every bit as engaging as the mystery that unfolded. And this one, from its explosive opening scene as she arrives for her appointment at the synagogue in Emberley Green, hooked me in immediately – and it really didn’t lessen its grip until the very end.
As a freelance journalist, she’s surprised to be asked to help find a missing person – Louisa Phillips, an architect working with an interfaith charity project, Shalom-Salaam, seeking to strengthen the bonds between the Jewish and Muslim communities. It might just be relationship issues that have driven Louisa to disappear, but Shanna can’t resist the challenge while pursuing related stories she’s been asked to investigate. There’s a high incidence of general unease and violence within the community – stabbings, shootings, deaths – and the situation only escalates as she follows various leads and her well-honed instincts, often finding herself facing personal threat and danger as events take a distinctly darker turn.
I found the whole context for this story absolutely fascinating – I’d never really considered before the potential for interfaith co-operation, the Middle East tensions becoming something rather different when individuals from both faiths find themselves unwelcome outsiders, facing equal prejudice and racism in the country where they’d hoped to find sanctuary. The escalation in opposition and associated violence is so well explored, the themes of alienation and belonging, and with absolute authenticity – but it also considerably complicates the picture, when the disappearance that initially prompted Shanna’s involvement might not be remotely related.
The whole story really is quite perfectly paced, and so well written – as the reader, I felt right at the heart of the story, sharing Shanna’s journey. There’s some relief to be found in the threads of her day-to-day life – her living arrangements, her friendships, her long-distance relationship, her family complications – as the atmosphere steadily thickens, the tension relentlessly increases, and the confusion increases. There’s misdirection aplenty, so many heart-in-mouth moments – she does have rather a tendency to place herself in the path of danger, but that’s something I really liked – and this was a story where the final outcome was wholly satisfying but totally impossible to predict. And the characterisation is so excellent – as well as Shanna herself, the individuals who cross her path are very real and so well drawn, complex and with layers of secrets to be uncovered, making you feel at times that she’s the only person without a hidden agenda.
There was so much I enjoyed about this book – the insights into the multi-cultural community with all its associated issues, the engaging personal stories along the way, and the intensity and unpredictability of the story that unfolded. Highly original, thought provoking, and compelling – and very highly recommended.
Praise for Victoria Goldman’s books
‘Faye Kellerman, behold your British counterpart!’ – Jewish Journal
‘A tense & twisty crime thriller’ – Adam Hamdy, author of The Other Side of Night
‘An intriguing, atmospheric page turner … had me hooked!’ – Janice Hallett, author of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
‘Astute, important & compelling’ – Sarah Hilary, author of Black Thorn
‘If you’re looking for something different in crime fiction, this is well worth your time’ – Susi Holliday, author of The Street
About the author
Victoria Goldman MSc. is a freelance journalist, editor and proofreader. The first Shanna Regan murder mystery, The Redeemer, was given an honourable mention in the Capital Crime/DHH Literary Agency New Voices Award 2019, and was shortlisted for Best Debut Crime Novel of 2022 in the Crime Fiction Lover Awards.
Victoria lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and two sons: she is a book & stationery addict, crochet novice and nature lover (especially the local wild parakeets).
For more information, follow Victoria on Twitter, on Facebook, or visit her website – you can sign up here for her Readers’ Club.
