When Beatrice goes for a all one morning, the last thing she expects to find is a body in a field. And not just any body, but that of a young girl she knows. Amber Inglin is the star in Beatrice’s play The Duchess of Malfi. What follows is a complex, lyrical tale that is by turns sordid, and amusing.

Robinson’s debut Birds of Wonder showcases the truth that everything is truly connected, that everyone touches one another through shared events, even if the connection is two, three, or more people removed. Told through six different viewpoints, we are guided through the events leading to Amber’s demise.

I enjoyed the overall concept of this story, and the beautiful writing. Each character had their own quite distinctive personality, crafted with care. Many of these characters were not likable, and not meant to be. Edward is a good example! This dude was downright creepy, but believable. Where things really shine were the interpersonal dynamics. Hard topics such as rape, abuse, and forced pornography are dealt with, illuminating aspects society might prefer to ignore.

Though this was less a ‘procedural’ novel, I found the crime and motivation interesting. Where things unraveled for me was with Jes. She’s incredibly unprofessional, and does several things that would seriously jeopardise this case once it’s in court. A good lawyer would rip it to shreds. If that were the point of the story, it’d be fine. But that didn’t seem to be the point. And in the end, the solving of the crime itself seemed underwhelming.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Standing Stone Books for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.