Despite the title, the murder of a politician at home is not the main plot, though it still has to be investigated by the team and resolved. The plot is relatively simple, two amateurs running around asking questions to find a murderer and break up a dog napping ring.

But, best laid plans and all that, things go awry when she stumbles upon the body of Barry, who worked alongside her in the local pub.For as Hillary knows only too well, cops don't like it when they themselves come under investigation! Her hobbies include walking her now ageing dog, wildlife-watching, reading and (reluctantly) gardening.

This is just the beginning of a series of strange occurrences including stolen diggers, giant haystacks, haunted playground swings, and human remains that drag Julia, kicking and screaming, into another serious(ish) investigation. The detectives: DI Hillary Greene An attractive woman in her 40s, Hillary Greene is a police officer of many years’ experience, and came up through the ranks. Greene solves it in a moment of brilliance but I had already guessed the murderer several chapters earlier. The author was trying to establish a romantic relationship between our two protagonists, but it missed the mark. Ronnie was under investigation for selling illegal endangered animal parts at the time of his death.

Reading this book was a bit like being on a rollercoaster ride with all the twists, turns and the odd occasional stomach churning moment. Hillary is easy to like and I, for one, couldn't help but identify with and root for her when events take a darker turn.

This was not one that worked for me at all, but other reviewers have enjoyed it, so don’t let me dissuade you from giving it a try.The book can be read as a standalone, but I suggest reading the series from the beginning, so you get DI Hillary Greene's back story and hopefully like her as much as I do.