LAST Thursday crime writer Judith Cutler talked about her novels at David s Bookshop in Letchworth GC. Her favourite, she said, was Life Sentence, which introduces a new detective who has a bagful of problems. Fran Harman has risen to the top ranks at Ken

LAST Thursday crime writer Judith Cutler talked about her novels at David's Bookshop in Letchworth GC. Her favourite, she said, was Life Sentence, which introduces a new detective who has a bagful of problems.

Fran Harman has risen to the top ranks at Kent Constabulary, has a national reputation and is near what should be an idyllic retirement. Instead she is burnt out, driving to care for her elderly and unlikeable parents in Devon every weekend and coping with two demanding roles all week.

In the nick of time her boss Mark recognises her problem, sorts her out and they very conveniently fall into passionate middle-aged love..

Fran is a goody two shoes, Mark too good to be true and the characters cardboard. But for all that the book is hard to put down.

Thanks to David's Bookshop, Letchworth GC. 4/5