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In Deborah Crombie's latest work the murder of an antique dealer's wife will test Gemma James's ability in leading a major investigation. She has recently been promoted at Scotland Yard and she is ready to prove herself. She has kept her pregnancy a secret from her bosses and she is about to start a new stage in her life. Duncan Kincaid has been Gemma's partner, friend, and most recently lover for the last few years. They have shared a lot and are now getting ready to bring a new life to the world. They are going to move together into a nice house and merge their two families into one. They are both nervous about it but they want to make it work. Gemma's case will bring serious repercussions to their relationships but it will serve as a testing point for Duncan and her. The story begins with a flashback from almost thirty years ago involving a small girl that befriends a Trinidadian family moving into her Notting Hill neighborhood. It involves a very turbulent time in British history and it enhances the main story line in explaining the killer's motivation. Every once in a while Crombie continues the narrative giving subtle hints as to the relevance with the lead story. As each chapter moves along, a piece of the puzzle keeps getting filled. The main story starts during the Christmas season in Notting Hill. Dawn is the wife of Karl Arrowood. She is unhappy with her marriage to her much older husband and has an affair with Alex Dunn, another antique dealer. She has recently learned that she is pregnant and she suspects it is her lover's child. Before she can do anything about it she has her throat slit near the front of her home. Gemma is put in charge of the investigation and suspects that Dawn's husband might be responsible or knows something about the murder. Kincaid tags along in the investigation should Gemma need his assistance. It is her show and he intends to take a back seat to the inquiry. The thing that is bothering him is that there was a similar murder with a different antique dealer a few months ago. He wonders if the case might be related; Gemma is not thoroughly convinced. She first suspects that it might involve a random victim but evidence will lead her somewhere more sinister. In the course of the investigation the reader learns of Arrowood's past and how it might lead to the investigation. We also meet Alex Dunn's circle of friends who had disapproved of his affair with the married woman. Crombie enriches the story with making new friends for Gemma who will help James in the transition of moving to her new home. She is leaving her past kicking and screaming but is looking forward towards the future. Fans of the author will also be satisfied with the little events in Duncan and Gemma's life such as their first Christmas together and other things specific to their characters. And Justice There is None is a superb novel in which the past comes back to haunt the present. The book contains a strong plotting structure with a powerful ending. The story line is not predictable and it gives the readers a lot to think about after finishing the book. Crombie has established herself as one of the best mystery novelists right now and this book will help her maintain her niche. Waiting for Deborah Crombie's next novel will be pure torture.
Reviewed by Angel L. Soto, October 2002
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