Publication Date August 27, 2024

Talking To Strangers by Fiona Barton

Overall, I’ve been entertained by Fiona Barton’s mysteries (The Child and Local Gone Missing come to mind), so I was pleased to receive a copy of Talking To Strangers in exchange for my honest review. 

Local Gone Missing featured Detective Elise King, and The Child featured intrepid reporter Kate Waters. The good news is that Elise is back! This time, the story (which starts rather slowly for a good chunk of the book) follows a reporter who is determined to get the story no matter what, and a female Detective King who is back on the job in a small town filled with lots of “interesting” characters, many of whom tell the story from their own point of view. So right off, I knew my husband would not like this book: he hates alternating POV, and he isn’t a big fan of books with LOTS of characters. I, on the other hand, am fine with both of those, and I really like stories that look closely at how women tend to be treated…for example, crime victims who have a history of being active on dating sites and end up being blamed for their own victimhood. Lots of good plotting, and although several reviewers have said they knew early on who had committed the crime, I didn’t – but that’s not unusual, I am terrible at uncovering the mystery in the books I read! 

I look forward to more books about Elise King. Kate Waters, not so much. But that’s just me. Four stars. Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for my honest review.