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His name is Winston Leonard Spencer Hargreaves, but Detective Inspector Hargreaves of Wiltshire Police is ‘Spence’, even to the Chief Constable. Spence loves his daughter, his work and his solitude. For decades he had worshipped the god of the blues and prayed in the church of St Eric of Clapton the divine. However, his world is rocked by the murder of a local school Deputy Headmaster. Is it sex, professional jealousy, is it the vengeance of a wronged wife, a gay lover spurned or nothing more than a random attack or robbery gone wrong? Spence and his meticulous DS Nigel Ferguson are soon relishing the complexities of another case. But this time they are facing things even Spence had never experienced. Soon the investigation will lead Spence and his team into a strange world of obsession, fantasy and fetish whose tentacles spread far and wide across southern England…
A L Masters’ first novel, “Malicious Obsession’, is a page turner. Evocative and moody, Masters successfully explores his characters and their strange world. ‘Spence’ Hargreaves is up there with the best. The reader is drawn in as the tension mounts and heads towards an uncertain resolution.
Chris Dunshea
Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia
Masters has that ability to keep his readers guessing right to the end. Great characterisation and the sense of theatre is compelling. Couldn’t put it down and looking forward to ‘Spence’ Hargreaves’ next case.
Lou Statos
Noosa, Queensland, Australia
Loved this book, couldn’t put it down! A L Masters’ “Malicious Obsession” is up there with the best. It has been passed around my book group and all agree it is a great read. Looking forward to the next case of Detective Inspector ‘Spence’ Hargreaves.
Susan Kirk
Dundas, NSW, Australia
Spence Hargreaves has been luxuriating in a local blues festival, held in wintry Malmesbury. It is not quite his god, Eric, but it was pretty good. But then his world is turned upside down as he and his Superintendent receive a bizarre communication. Follow Spence Hargreaves and his team as they are hurled into their latest investigation. ‘Spence’ finds himself drawn into the deluded world of a serial-killer, and this time things get very personal. Will Spence and his team be able to unravel the sick world into which they have been thrust? As things deteriorate, it seems that only disaster looms as a media frenzy threatens to jeapordise the investigation while the killer teases and plays with Spence’s mind.
A L Masters has that ability to keep his reader guessing right to the end. He creates well-drawn characters and maintains the tension, combining this with the unexpected and moments of humour. Can’t wait for the next one.
Christopher Stone
Swindon, Wiltshire, UK
A L Masters has succeeded in creating a classic detective character in ‘Spence’ Hargreaves. As riveting a climax as I have read for some time!
Edward Cole
Oxford, UK
A L Masters’ new crime thriller has everything necessary to keep you on the edge of your seat. Set in Southern England, DI ‘Spence’ Hargreaves and his team investigate a brutal murder that leads them into a web of jealousy and obsession, the likes of which they have not encountered before. A clever and entertaining read. Looking forward to DI Hargreaves’ next case.
Graham Reed
Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia