Better the Blood
The past never truly stays buried. Welcome to the dark side of paradise.
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Simon & Schuster Ltd
Published:18th Aug '22
Should be back in stock very soon
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£8.99(9781398512245)
In Better the Blood, Detective Hanna Westerman faces a chilling investigation that intertwines her cultural heritage with a dangerous quest for justice.
In Better the Blood, Detective Senior Sergeant Hanna Westerman navigates the complexities of being a Māori officer in Auckland’s Central Investigation Branch. Balancing her demanding career with single motherhood, she finds herself drawn into a chilling investigation when a mysterious video leads her to a hidden crime scene. There, she discovers a man hanging in a concealed room, a grim message from a killer who seems to have a personal vendetta against her. With limited evidence, Hanna realizes that the key to solving the case may lie in her own heritage.
As the investigation unfolds, the tension between her duty as a detective and her cultural identity intensifies. The murders that follow reveal a dark connection to her past, forcing Hanna to confront the ghosts that have haunted her family for years. The narrative delves deep into Māori culture, providing an authentic backdrop to the unfolding mystery and highlighting the struggles that come with navigating two worlds. With each twist, the stakes rise, and Hanna must grapple with the potential danger not only to herself but also to her loved ones.
Better the Blood is a gripping debut that combines elements of crime and cultural exploration, offering readers a unique perspective on the complexities of identity and justice. As the plot thickens, the reader is left questioning how far one will go to protect their family and their heritage in a world where the past is never truly buried.
‘Stunning. Better the Blood is a tremendous debut, and Hana Westerman, the Maori detective at the center of the story, instantly becomes one of the great characters in crime fiction on any continent. This novel has it all: a gripping mystery, complex and memorable characters, and timely social and cultural commentary. Don’t miss it’ -- David Heska Wanbli Weiden, author of Winter Counts
'Better the Blood touches on themes that have become increasingly urgent in recent years including the far-reaching impacts of colonialism and the often uneasy integration of identity and heritage into modern multicultural society. A tensely plotted, gritty crime novel that has the courage to force us all to rethink our relationship with the past' Vaseem Khan
‘As page-turning as it is eye-opening. An excitingly fresh perspective upon a world you thought you knew’ Ambrose Parry
‘Packed with intricate detail about Maori history and culture, this tense and involving story ushers in a remarkable new detective’ Geoffrey Wansell, Daily Mail
‘This thought-provoking debut is a compelling, insightful and highly addictive read’ My Weekly
‘So chilling’ Crime Monthly
‘[A] stellar series launch . . . Immersed in modern-day technologies and with a keen sensitivity to cultural issues, this is a finely crafted page-turner. Bennett is a writer to watch’ Publishers Weekly (starred review)
'Bennett unflinchingly weaves together layers of fallout from New Zealand’s bloody colonization, enduring Maori culture, and gripping procedural details. Hopefully this compelling debut heralds the start of a long-running series' Booklist
ISBN: 9781398512214
Dimensions: 234mm x 153mm x 24mm
Weight: unknown
336 pages