In Cold Daylight – Pauline Rowson

In Cold Daylight by Pauline Rowson is currently in the top ten for World Book Day’s “Books to Talk About“, as the voting continues to find the book to talk about 2008.

In a nutshell: Marine artist Adam Greene’s fire fighter friend Jack Bartholomew has just died following an explosion as he entered a fire in a derelict building.  But was it an accident or was it arson?  A note that Jack sent Adam before he died includes a puzzle and Adam sets off to find out the truth that Jack had been so near to discovering for himself.  At the same time, Adam’s marriage is hitting the rocks and experiences in his past are about to enter his present…

This is a page turning easy read that keeps you guessing to the end.  There are plenty of characters for whom life is not what it seems on the face of it; indeed, it is only Adam’s cat that encourages trust.  Lies and deceit are present in abundance.  In Cold Daylight manages to mix the worlds of fire fighting, chemistry and biotechnology, politics and the security services making a satisfying mystery tale.

It’s good, in more ways than one that Rowson finds herself on the shortlist with this novel.  World Book Day also sees the publishing of Quick Reads “written for adults who find books difficult or unengaging, or for avid readers, simply wanting a short, fast read“.  Rowson’s style certainly lends itself to this objective and those who feel able to try a full length novel will find In Cold Daylight right up their street.  Those who love a mystery will love it too.