Review: The Last Bird

The Last Bird by Ewan Nordmark

My rating:         Thriller

An intelligent thriller set around the university at Santa Cruz, The Last Bird tells of the disturbance caused by two seemingly unrelated deaths in the student body. The perspective flits between various characters - victims and offenders, witnesses and investigators - though it comes back to rest upon Neil Janus, of the campus police department, often enough to make him a sort of focus.

I found the premise intriguing, and the layers of mystery unfolded in a way which was both suspenseful and strangely beautiful. This being a university, it is peopled by a vibrant cast of insecure students and arrogant professors, and even Neil dabbles in poetry, scribbling stanzas in the margins of his police notebook. Most of the relationships shown are complex dances between troubled individuals, and nothing is quite as it seems.

A very enjoyable read - I'll be looking out for more from this author.