Having not read much crime fiction before, I was unsure of what to expect from Bright Spark by Lincoln author Gavin Smith. I was pleasantly surprised by the very picaresque start to the novel.
I expected it to be action-packed and harsh, gritty descriptions of not so pleasant things. As the novel moves from the protagonist’s childhood of the 1970s to the present day mean streets of Lincoln this does begin to happen.
Ex Lincoln policeman Gavin Smith has combined his experience of being on the force with his knowledge of the streets of Lincoln to write a crime novel that will have readers wondering what really happens behind their neighbour’s closed door.
Gavin Smith released Bright Spark, set in Lincoln, in 2012.
The action is set in modern day Lincoln with an arson attack resulting in the death of a mother and her two children. The prime suspect, the father Dale Murphy, is missing.
Has he run guiltily from the crime scene or is there something more sinister in his disappearance? That is the question the reader tries to uncover throughout the novel.
The main protagonist of the novel is Detective Inspector Rob Harkness. He views his recent promotion to be validation of this unique way solving cases. He is a heavy drinker and womaniser and often seems to bunk off work to ‘think’ about cases while napping on a sofa in the basement of the police station.
Harkness’ methods seem to come from an era when the police were less accountable for their actions and did what it took to get the case solved. Despite his faults it becomes apparent that Harkness really does care about solving the case and seeing that justice is done to the right person – Think a less violent or respected Gene Hunt from Life on Mars.
Interspersed between Harkness’ narration of the case are chapters narrated by those linked to the arson attack. These include Firth, an ex-con who had a grudge with Dale Murphy, Sharon, the lawyer who is defending him, and Sharon’s mother, Marjorie, who coincidentally lived next door to the Murphys.
There are also sections where we are given viewpoints from other minor characters linked to the story. Although these chapters provide some interesting background information on the main players in the case, there are so many of them that it can leave the reader confused as to where they are in the main storyline. They also detract from the action of the story, which in some parts is few and far between.
The action of the story does seem to slow down towards the middle of the novel when it becomes more concentrated on the back stories of the characters.
For me this part did seem a bit slow. But by then I was hooked into finding out who really did start the fire. Once you make it past this middle section you are rewarded with an action-packed ending. There are a couple of good twists did not leave me disappointed.
Although set in Lincoln, this does not become a very big feature of the novel and the story could be set in any small, northern city. Most of the action seems to take place in the residential part of Burton Road and a fictional pub uphill somewhere.
Overall I enjoyed this novel. Although, at 456 pages long, it could have done with a reduction in the number of characters and their lives introduced to the reader and was a bit thin on action in some parts.
But at 99p it is great value for money and a nice easy read for the approaching holiday season. It is a good first crime for anyone more used to reading lighted fiction than gritty crime as the novel switches from blunt, factual descriptions to characters musings on their lives and relationships.
It is currently only available in Kindle format and would recommend it for over 18s only, as it does have a couple of gruesome descriptions of murder and autopsies.
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Jen Marchant is a lifelong Lincoln resistant and literature enthusiast. After graduating from Bishop Groseteste University she set up and co-chairs Lincoln Book Group which meets once a month in the Bailgate area. She is a regular blogger and spends most of her free time baking or crocheting.
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The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
A 65-year-old man will appear in court in connection with alleged racial abuse of the Horncastle Town manager during a football game.
Peter Chapman, 65, of Chapel Lane, Spalding, is accused of racially abusing Horncastle manager Allan Ross during Pinchbeck United’s match with Lutterworth Town on October 31.
Allan had gone to watch his former club Pinchbeck as a supporter, when Chapman is believed to have looked chairman Gary Coomes in the eyes and allegedly said: “I see you’ve let a wog in the stadium.”
He will be in court for the offence of racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.
Lincolnshire FA launched an investigation into the incident, and have been working closely with Lincolnshire Police and Kick It Out throughout the case.
Racially abused watching a football match today. Reported to the police who are unable to do anything. 🤷🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/FxU6ofAnAm
Allan Ross had previously told The Lincolnite that the support he has been given from the public has helped him cope.
He said: “I had a message from the (Pinchbeck) chairman apologising that more wasn’t done at the time. I have a lot of respect for Gary as a football man, chairman and person and I’m glad action was taken.
“I feel better in myself after the huge support I’ve had from the general public across the country.
“It has been phenomenal and now I know others also feel it shouldn’t be accepted and I’m going to fight for people to stand up and speak out.”
Over 17 bags and larger items, including discarded children’s toys, have been cleaned up from the streets of the Sincil Bank area of Lincoln.
Around 14 stalwart volunteers from the Sincil Bank RiverCare and Litterpick Group attended the clean up event on Saturday, February 27. They worked in individuals or pairs due to the current coronavirus restrictions
The rubbish was then taken away by Biffa, which the group had previously arranged with the city council.
Volunteers Sarah Firth and Barbie Gooding helping to make Sincil Bank a clean area of the city. | Photo: Nick Rawsthorne
Stephen Lait is one of the volunteers for the Sincil Bank RiverCare and Litterpick Group. | Photo: Nick Rawsthorne
The group’s next clean up event is due to take place later this month, with an exact date to be finalised in due course.
Volunteers at the latest clean up included Nick Rawsthorne, who helps to publicise the events and take photos to illustrate the team’s work.
Volunteer Amy Firth picking up litter in the Sincil Bank area of Lincoln. | Photo: Nick Rawsthorne
He said: “We would ask that locals help support us by taking their litter home and disposing of it in an appropriate way.
“Many thanks for the hard work of all the volunteers who gave up their own time for no reward.”
Corrine Dore helping to keep Lincoln tidy. | Photo: Nick Rawsthorne
The Sincil Bank RiverCare and Litterpick Group help to keep the drains clear and protect local wildlife, as well as making the local community a cleaner place to live.
Work to repair a large bank slip on Marsh Road in Orby, near Skegness, will get underway from next week.
Subject to weather, the work is expected to take up to two weeks, starting from Monday, March 8.
Marsh Road, between the A158 and A52, will be closed 24/7 for the duration of the works.
The diversion route will be via A1028 Ulceby Cross / A1104 Alford / B1449 Bilsby / A52, and vice versa.
The diversion route for the Orby repair works will be the same as the one for Roman Bank in Skegness. | Photo: Lincolnshire County Council
This route is the same as the one used during the Roman Bank improvement works in Skegness, also starting on March 8.
Karen Cassar, Assistant Director – Highways, said: “There was a bank collapse on Marsh Road, between Orby Holme Field Lane and Skegness Stadium, last month which led to us putting out temporary traffic signals to ensure people’s safety when using the road.
“Next week, we’ll be taking the opportunity to repair the bank now, while we’re still in lockdown and there are fewer cars on the road, before restrictions start lifting and the coast gets busier.
“This will involve installing new sheet piles to support the road, along with rebuilding this section of carriageway.
“Because Marsh Road is part of the diversion route for our on-going works to Roman Bank in Skegness, the diversion route for that scheme will change to mirror the one for these works for two weeks.
“I want to thank everyone for their continued patience while we carry out these essential repairs.”