A Twist in the River by Stig Abell
A Twist in the River is the fourth in the atmospheric, immersive Jake Jackson mystery series by British author Stig Abell: journalist, editor, and co-presenter of a weekday breakfast show on Times Radio, among many job titles held in a diverse career. Following the publication of several works of nonfiction, the author began this compelling series with 2023’s Death Under a Little Sky, which was followed by more novels that can be enjoyed independently. This newest work’s atmosphere and tone is apparent from the preface alone, which includes an extraction of T.S. Eliot’s poem Dry Salvages which reflects on a river that is “strong brown god — sullen, untamed and intractable.”
A Small Town’s Peace Is Shattered by Tragedy
After receiving a munificent inheritance, Jake Jackson has chosen early retirement from his career as a detective with the London Metropolitan Police Force (along with his failed marriage) to enjoy his Uncle Arthur’s landed riverside estate ‘Little Sky’ with its library of mysteries, detective stories and thrillers. Progress on small home improvements, including an indoor bathroom, are in the works thanks to his inherited money. A long-distance runner, Jake savors the quiet, remote location ten miles from the charming town of Meryton that lacks internet access. There are adequate shops, schools, churches and cottages along with an all-important second-hand bookstore. He has settled in nicely and is contemplating marriage to his pregnant girlfriend Livia, the local veterinarian whose daughter Diana adores him. The local leisurely pace well suits him — but as all devoted readers of British mysteries know, bucolic villages are a hotbed of gossip strewn with dead bodies desperately in need of professional or amateur sleuthing.
Claire Davidson is a fit young nurse, married with two children, who disappeared after going for a drive, then taking a walk or run along a riverbank. After two days, her husband Steve reports her missing and becomes increasingly distraught after her phone and shoes are found on the bank. Did she step in the inviting river to cool off only to be swept downstream by an unanticipated swift current, or could it be possible she was a victim of foul play? The townspeople, including Jake and Livia, join the search that subsequently locates her corpse at the titular twist in the river. After appropriate questioning, her bereft husband is absolved of suspicion.
Eerily, another woman is soon discovered dead in the river, and when followed by another, it soon becomes evident there may be a clever serial killer in the village who manages to murder without leaving traces of his crimes.
Detectives, Both True and False
Suspense heightens and much as the river undulates, the well-written plot twists and turns as Jake Jackson is compelled by Chief Inspector McAllister to assist the investigation before more women die. Complicating Jake’s detecting efforts is Dani Jones, a TikTok influencer who refers to herself as “Detective Dani” who follows crime reports and claims to solve them while posting her findings online, and whose trailing of Jake not only annoys him but also impedes his progress.
Author Stig Abell includes multiple references to vintage and contemporary mystery and crime fiction authors and their works in this action-packed, intricate puzzle of a novel. A Twist in the River quickly accelerates from a tranquil pace to a frantic, heart-pounding race with an increasingly bold killer. Armchair detectives will certainly have their skills challenged on this one!
Stig Abell believes that discovering a crime fiction series to enjoy is one of the great pleasures in life. His first novel, Death Under A Little Sky, introduced Jake Jackson and his attempt to get away from his former life in the beautiful area around Little Sky, followed by Death in a Lonely Place and The Burial Place. Stig is absolutely delighted that there are more on the way.
Away from books, he presents the breakfast show on Times Radio, a station he helped to launch in 2020. Before that he was a regular presenter on Radio 4’s Front Row and was the editor and publisher of the Times Literary Supplement. He lives in London with his wife, three children and two independent-minded cats called Boo and Ninja (his children named them, obviously).
