Book review: A Violent Heart by David Fennell
Misogyny, systemic apathy, and the battle against societal indifference.
CCB rating: 4/5
Genres: Crime fiction, thriller
A gutsy police procedural, A Violent Heart by David Fennell, unflinchingly exposes the dark underbelly of policing toward those on the fringes of society in a perfectly paced story that you simply can’t - and won’t - put down.
Here are my thoughts.
Let’s drop the synopsis:
Elena Zoric, a sex worker and addict, is murdered, her body concealed and left near a stream in North London. Her phone lies nearby, the last number dialled was to a former NCA Investigator, a woman who had saved her from sex trafficking: Met DI, Grace Archer.
When questioned by North London police, a devastated Archer has no answer as to why Elena would call her moments after her death. Archer wants to lead the investigation, but it's out of her catchment area, and she is warned of it by her new boss, the charmless old-school copper, Chief Inspector Les Fletcher.
The thirty-year-old remains of a woman are found in the attic of an abandoned house. Archer takes over the case and discovers the victim died in similar circumstances to Elena Zoric. Archer pushes for an alliance with her North London colleagues, but it seems they have other priorities than looking into the murder of "a drugged-up prostitute". An incensed Archer goes rogue and searches for proof that the same man murdered both women.
CCB thoughts:
Before digging in, it's worth noting that A Violent Heart is the fourth instalment in David Fennell's popular Grace and Quinn series, following The Art of Death, See No Evil and The Silent Man. In his author's note, Fennell describes A Violent Heart as a "reset for our heroes" and considers it a "standalone mystery", making it an excellent entry point for new readers. If you haven't yet read the previous books, as I hadn't done (soon to be rectified!), don't let that deter you from diving into an utterly engrossing story.
Fennell's A Violent Heart is a gritty police procedural that plunges readers into the dank underbelly of North London, where justice is marred by unconscious bias, violence, and corruption against society's most vulnerable, in this case, sex workers.
We join the deeply empathetic and fiercely determined DI Grace Archer and her partner, DS Harry Quinn, on their relentless quest for the truth. The novel opens with a horrifying event: the death of Elena Zoric, a young woman brutally murdered in a way that made my skin crawl and clutch my chest. Her last act of attempted salvation was to call Archer, the police officer who had once rescued her from the horrors of sex trafficking. Tragically, the call went unanswered (a turn that broke my heart). This early establishment of the relationship between Archer and Elena sets the stage for a complex and tension-filled investigation in which personal stakes collide with professional duty.
The case, however, is anything but straightforward. Archer and Quinn soon find themselves at odds with their odious new boss, Chief Inspector Les Fletcher, who swiftly reminds them that Elena’s murder lies outside their jurisdiction (*insert groan here*). Fletcher's character is a stark reminder of the entrenched 'old boys club' within the police force. His misogynistic, flippant attitude - exemplified by his dismissal of Elena as just "a drugged-up prostitute" - echos the systemic apathy Archer and Quinn must battle throughout the investigation. As a reader, you can't help but share in Archer's frustration and anger towards many of the male characters in the book, whose inaction and indifference towards the victims are infuriating.
Despite Fletcher's explicit orders, Archer's and Quinn's determination shines through and drives them to pursue the case on their own terms. And quite rightly so! Archer's personal connection to Elena not only fuels their quest for justice but also leads them to uncover a haunting connection to another case: the thirty-year-old remains of a woman found in the attic of an abandoned house, killed in eerily similar circumstances. This juxtaposition of these past and present crimes depicts the ongoing failure to protect vulnerable women. It spotlights Fennell's critique of societal indifference and institutional corruption, making the novel a poignant reflection of current societal issues. Time jumps can be confusing if not executed correctly. Thankfully, this isn’t true for Fennell, who delivers a dual timeline with perfect cohesion.
Fennell's skill in creating a tight, suspenseful narrative must be applauded. He has a striking ability to maintain a sense of urgency, keeping readers on edge as Archer specifically navigates bureaucratic obstacles and dangerous encounters with those who would prefer her to sit back and remain compliant. The chapters are short and sharp, compelling the reader to keep turning the pages.
Although I like Quinn, one of the strengths of A Violent Heart is the portrayal of Archer. Her journey is fraught with challenges, and her investment in the case adds depth to her character, transforming the investigation from a mere criminal case into a profoundly personal crusade. Archer's resilience and moral compass stand out against ethical ambiguity and institutional failure. Her personal struggles, including her battle with PTSD and the guilt she feels for not being able to save Elena, make her a deeply human and relatable character, highlighting Fennell's ability to blend character-driven storytelling with a gripping plot. Even without prior knowledge of Archer’s backstory, she emerges as a compelling protagonist, driven by an unwavering sense of duty and commitment to those society has cast aside. Fennell presents Archer as a character of balanced vulnerability, tenacity, and resilience, making her someone readers will quickly root for.
Mallory Jones, a true-crime podcaster reintroduced from See No Evil, also stands out as a formidable and enigmatic character. Battling her own demons following the murder of her brother and the brutal attack on her brother-in-law, flatmate, and podcast producer, Boo, Jones becomes an invaluable (if slightly tricky) ally to Archer in the hunt for the killer. Beneath Jones’ sharp intellect and pragmatic approach lies a fierce loyalty to those she loves - traits also found in Archer - leaving the reader with little doubt that she will leave no stone unturned in her battle against evil.
Jones and Archer share a powerful dynamic rooted in their mutual understanding of trauma and loss. Initially, their relationship is fraught, with Archer approaching it tentatively - a tension that teeters on a razor's edge. While the friction between a detective and an overzealous journalist or podcaster/blogger is a familiar trope in crime fiction, Fennell handles it skillfully, and it isn’t cheesy or overworked. As the story progresses, the tension between the two characters gradually gives way to mutual respect. Both characters are far more alike than they possibly realise. This evolving partnership between the two formidable women is one of the novel's highlights, and I hope Fennell continues to develop it throughout the series.
What sets this gripping crime thriller apart is Fennell's ability to craft a narrative as thrilling as it is emotionally charged. Regarding pacing, Fennell excels at creating a narrative that mirrors Archer, Quinn and Jones' escalating desperation as they race against time to unearth the truth. The stakes are high from the first page and remain so throughout the remaining 383. The tension never lets up, making A Violent Heart an unputdownable read.
A Violent Heart is a high-octane thriller that offers more than a compelling police procedural. With a collection of solid, empathetic characters and a plot that tackles uncomfortable realities, it's a must-read for fans of crime fiction who appreciate a story that resonates emotionally and nods to complex societal issues. Fennell's deft handling of challenging characters and morally ambiguous situations makes this book a knockout that will leave the reader eager for the next chapter in the Grace and Quinn story.
Now, please excuse me. I am off to buy the previous three books…
Recommended for fans of:
Steve Cavanagh, Karin Slaughter, and M. W. Craven
Peter James' Roy Grace series and M. J. Arlidge's DI Helen Grace series
A fast-paced book you can finish in a day
Content warnings:
Murder, crimes against women, misogyny.
Buy the book:
You can purchase A Violent Heart here and at your local bookstore.
Publisher: Zaffre Books | Page count: 384
Discover what others thought:
Thank you to Random Things Tours for inviting me on this book tour and Zaffre Books for allowing me access to the book via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.
About the author:
David Fennell was born and raised in Belfast. He left for London at age eighteen and worked as a chef, waiter, and bartender for several years before starting a career in writing for the software industry. David played rugby for Brighton and studied Creative Writing at the University of Sussex. He is married and lives in Brighton.
Will you grab a copy of A Violent Heart? If you do, please let me know what you think in the comments below.
As always, happy reading!
Until next time,Â
Sian | Criminally Creepy Books