Dark Game by Rachel Lynch

I just finished reading Dark Game, the first book in Rachel Lynch’s DI Kelly Porter series, and I’m still trying to catch my breath. It’s gritty, moves quickly, and has enough surprises to keep even the most experienced crime fiction reader on their toes. This British police procedural has a strong female lead and a dark underbelly, so you might want to check it out.

Plot Summary

DI Kelly Porter has to leave the Met because of a scandal. She goes back to her childhood home in the Lake District, which she thought she would never have to visit again. But the quiet Cumbrian town isn’t as peaceful as it looks. Kelly is given a cold case: the kidnapping and murder of ten-year-old Lottie Davies. The crime still haunts the community. In addition to this, she’s looking into the death of a local businessman who was found in a compromising situation and a case involving a young illegal immigrant and her newborn baby.

As Kelly looks into the cases more, they start to connect, showing a dark web of people trafficking, prostitution, money laundering, and corruption that goes far beyond the beautiful hills of Cumbria. The deeper she goes, the more dangerous it gets, not just for her but also for the people who are in the way.

Themes

Dark Game is really about the tension between what things look like and what they really are. For example, how a beautiful town can hide terrible secrets. It also talks about family relationships, grief, and how police work can affect your emotions. Kelly’s strained relationship with her sister and mother makes her look more vulnerable than she really is. There is also a commentary on immigration and exploitation, but some of the words and ideas about EU migrants didn’t seem right and made it less real.

What Worked

• Kelly Porter herself: She is a strong leader who is tough, principled, and refreshingly human. I liked that she wasn’t shown as perfect; her personal problems add depth without being too obvious.
• The setting: Lynch does a great job of showing off the Lake District, contrasting its natural beauty with the darkness of the crimes being looked into.
• The pacing: The story moves quickly enough to keep you interested, with several threads that come together in a satisfying (if a little dramatic) ending.
• The procedural detail: It felt real, and I was interested in how the investigation worked.

What Didn’t Quite Work

At times, the plot felt a little too full. Because there were three big cases going on at the same time, some threads, like the cold case, didn’t get much attention until the end. I also had a hard time with how the book portrayed EU citizens, which seemed wrong and didn’t fit with the rest of the book’s thoughtful tone. And while I like a dramatic ending, the fact that a key witness wasn’t protected made it hard to believe.

Who Would Like This

Dark Game is great for people who like crime fiction with strong characters and a strong sense of place and aren’t afraid of a little grit. People who like stories with many layers and investigations that are morally complicated will find a lot to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

Dark Game is a great start to what looks like a fun series. Rachel Lynch writes a gripping police procedural with a memorable main character and a story that is both disturbing and addictive, even though she makes a few mistakes. I will definitely read book two, if only to find out what happens next with Kelly Porter.

Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.