Love Like Blood

Mark Billingham Little Brown. Out Thursday Detective Tom Thorne tackles the disturbing subject of honour killing as a colleague ropes him into an off-thebooks investigation that for her, has taken a very personal toll. As Thorne probes the disappearance of a pair of Asian teenagers he tackles a wall of secrecy. Despite the horrific subject matter, drawn from painful reality, a rich seam of mordant wit accompanies the impeccable plotting and police detail. The result is an intelligent and entertaining thriller that treats its subject with sensitivity, and includes gasp-inducing moments of drama with ingenious twists. DEIRDRE O’BRIEN