Review
Author: Sharon Bolton
Reviewed by: SHA
Issue: March 2017
Daisy in Chains in an intriguing, satisfying mystery novel by award-winning British writer Sharon Bolton. Hamish Wolfe is an attractive doctor now imprisoned in Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) on the Isle of Wight. Wolfe is a serial killer, convicted of the brutal murders of four overweight women in Somerset, but has steadfastly proclaimed his innocence despite convincing evidence presented at trial. The popular Wolfe has a legion of supporters, including an odd fan club actively seeking his release. He and his backers are reaching out to defense attorney Maggie Rose, noted for her success in obtaining the release of killers and using her experiences to craft bestselling books. She rebuffs the attempts for her to take his case, but visits him in prison, becomes intrigued and ultimately decides to investigate the murders for which he was convicted. So begins the interesting story of Maggie's efforts on Wolfe's behalf, her budding relationship with DC Peter Weston of the Somerset police, the original officer on the case, the backstories of the murdered women, Wolfe's Fat Club at Oxford, and his life of incarceration at HMP Isle of Wight. Bolton suffuses her prose with copies of letters, emails, newspaper articles, and online commentary which enhances the read as she laces the prose with clues and misdirection to cover what becomes a suspenseful and entertaining British-flavored trip for the reader.