Death at the White Hart

DEBUT Chibnall, who crafted a compelling whodunit as the creator of TV’s Broadchurch series, brilliantly continues in that vein with his first novel. Detective Sergeant Nicola Bridges has moved with her husband and son from Liverpool to the village of Fleetcombe in a last-ditch effort to preserve her marriage. While she was consumed by her big-city job, her husband was cheating and growing emotionally distant; she hopes that sleepy Fleetcombe will bring a slower pace of work so that she can focus on her family. This proves to be wishful thinking when Bridges receives a call about a dead body on a nearby motorway. It’s Jim Tiernan, owner of the White Hart pub, who knew most of the villagers’ secrets. Initially, Bridges is frustrated. Homicides are rare in Fleetcombe, her resources are few, and her subordinate, Detective Constable Harry Ward, is inexperienced. Witnesses prevaricate, and a motive seems elusive. However, Bridges and Ward are persistent in investigating this case, no matter where it leads.