Modern Crimes

Modern Crimes by Chris Nickson is the first book in A WPC Lottie Armstrong Mystery series. Charlotte "Lottie" Armstrong is a WPC (Women's Police Constable) in Leeds, England. It is 1924 and Lottie is one of two female constables at the Millgarth Police Station. Lottie and her partner, Cathy Taylor are assigned the case of a missing, pregnant eighteen-year-old Jocelyn Hill. Jocelyn disappeared from Mrs. Allen's home for unwed girls where she was staying (forced to stay by her mother). When the case leads them to Ray Coleman, the pair are forced to turn the case over to male detective. Female constables are only allowed to investigate cases involving women and children. Lottie gets a great opportunity when she gets to tag along with Constable Tennison to question Mr. Coleman. It is the first time that a male and female constable have been paired together. Constable Tennison discovers Lottie's ability to ask intelligent and probing questions (and to know when a suspect is lying). This provides Lottie the opportunity to work with CID (Criminal Investigation Division) and Sergeant McMillan. This case will take Lottie across Leeds from one of the richest homes to an establishment that makes Sgt. McMillan extremely uncomfortable. Lottie will need to keep her wits about her as she sets out to find the perpetrator and fight against male prejudice. See how WPC Charlotte Armstrong fares in Modern Crimes.

Modern Crimes is an intriguing story that captured my attention from the very first page and held it until the very end. The novel is well-written, easy to read, and has a good pace. I found Modern Crimes to be well researched. The author did a splendid job at capturing time and place. I liked that Lottie Armstrong is a strong main character with keen intelligence. I give Modern Crimes 4.5 out of 5 stars. Modern Crimes has a good mystery that will keep most readers guessing until the reveal. The only thing that I found disappointing was the ending (I cannot say more without spoiling it for you). Modern Crimes is a British novel so it contains British terminology and slang. I cannot wait to read the next book in A WPC Lottie Armstrong Mystery series (it will be out in the fall of 2017).