BOOK REVIEW: Out Of The Frying Pan

TITLE: Out Of The Frying Pan
AUTHOR: Judy Upton
PUBLISHED BY: Hobart Books

A crime novel with a difference! Wonderful, it makes a refreshing change.

The action takes place in Brighton, a lovely seaside resort and a favourite place of mine. Vonnie Sharpe is a laidback artist specialising in sculpture. Her usual daily routine is challenged when her flatmate, Gina, is carjacked during a bank robbery. More disturbing is that the car is found abandoned on the South Downs but there’s no sign of Gina, the quiet young girl who worked in the local chip shop.

Vonnie calls on the help of her artist friends; a singer, an actor and a busker and with their support she tracks down the bank robber who insists he left Gina unharmed in her car.

Through art classes, language schools and escape rooms, Vonnie narrows down her list of suspects taking readers on a journey with plenty of twists and turns on the way. When a ransom note arrives Vonnie discovers that the kidnappers want her to make the cash drop and deliver the money. Vonnie soon realises she doesn’t know who she can trust and time is running out for her to find her friend, Gina.

I enjoyed reading this mystery novel; it is a cosy read but at the same time fast-paced and it kept me guessing until the final pages, in fact it was really hard to put down.

It is well-written, easy to read and charming in its delivery and content. There is plenty of observational humour to enjoy which definitely enhances the plot and I found the characters believable and well-rounded. Readers will be eager to find out what happens next in this contemporary, mystery plot.

Reviewer - Anne Pritchard