Grave's End: the brilliant third book in the DS Alexandra Cupidi investigations Paperback – 18 Mar. 2021

A welcomed new release from the under-appreciated author William Shaw. Grave’s End marks the 3rd book in the DS Alex Cupidi police procedural series.A series perhaps merits you read them in a chronological order but I honestly feel this novel can be approached afresh as a stand-alone.What I enjoy is the comfort I find in these pages; a confidence in the author to deliver, a familiarity about location and character but that feeling one has about certain items of clothing.A new coat doesn’t seem to be mine at first; a borrowed item until a few weeks later it fits in every sense. Same with shoes but these can take a while to bed in for comfort. I digress, what I mean is these books read like familiar favourites, like the twelfth or fiftieth in the series. Yet not tired and repetitive but comfortable and they take me to a world I love to spend time in and enjoy being part of through the pages.Shaw achieves this from the book one and with each successive title released where other authors I only became hooked by the forth or fifth one published.The plot is up to date and meaningful; dare I say original. There are a number of competing interests when green field sites are designated for a significant house building project. A rural campaigner fighting against this large scale operation, trying to champion the environment, especially the many badger setts that would need re-locating, goes missing. When he turns up dead it seems his fight against local badger-baiters or opposition to the local housing scheme could have led to him being silenced.One normally marvels at an author’s dedication to long hours of research and story building outside one’s own general knowledge. Well, this work seems to focus initially on the life and behaviour of badgers. I learned more here than in a series of Spring Watch. They seem to play not just a physical and emotional barrier to the planning laws being enacted, where wildlife flourish and prosper but a deeper meaning is served in their habits, their society and secrets hidden from view and buried underground. So they serve not just as an interesting aspect of the book but an intrinsic part of the novel’s direction and meaning.At first I thought Mr Shaw perhaps had been drinking too much Spitfire in his writing shed; but then I realised Badger beers herald from Dorset. Perhaps he gets it mail ordered to Sussex.In any case this link with the environment that comes from Zoë, the police offers daughter is a gentle reminder of the conflicting aspects of progress against maintaining traditional country values. Also incomers, townees, against countryside ways. Privilege against aspiration, political influence and money verses history, heritage and tradition.Somehow, Shaw interweaves these many aspects of conflict, issues held in tension that may be sufficient motive for murder. The storytelling is of the highest quality and the development of plot well drawn out and laced with the prospect of failure and personal danger. Reality is hinted at but this is crime fiction so I can promise you a reasonable neat conclusion to the investigation. How we get there may be obvious at times and for others perhaps rushed but what isn’t in doubt is the simple pleasure this journey becomes for the reader.William Shaw is a modest writer of great talent; he continues to produce great novels which engage one’s social consciousness while satisfying one’s desire for escapism and adventure.A must read this year of uncertainty and fear.

I preordered this, having read the other three in the series; yes, as others have said, the first (Birdwatcher) is not listed as Alex Cupidi, but it is essentially. This is a good addition, with the character development a very enjoyable element. Like others, I appreciate the attention to the setting, although it is not an area I know at all; the badger detail is well done, not overplayed. I will not reiterate the plot as others have done this effectively; although I do like these books and the author’s writing, my criticism is that the number of murders and the very difficult situations that Alex gets herself into are beginning to require just a little too much suspension of disbelief. I think the author could write an even more effective crime novel by paring down the body count; if he’s not careful, these could become the literary equivalent of Midsomer Murders whereas I think it could be closer to Morse. Sometimes less really is more.Without a spoiler, the last “situation” that Alex finds herself in was so obvious and did not suggest the intelligent and perceptive police officer that she is clearly meant to be.That apart, I like the relationship development in this, hope that does continue and I read this in no time at all as, despite the slight niggles above. I’d recommend reading this series in order although it can stand alone too. I shall definitely read the next.

I’ve read all of William Shaw’s books now, he’s an excellent author, characters are so well drawn you feel you know them and the plot lines and writing is absolutely terrific and taut. Definitely recommend

I recently discovered this author and am now totally hooked.I read Salt Lane first and then went back to read Birdwatcher. Definitely recommend you read Birdwatcher first as it builds the characters for the following books e.g William South has a superb backstory but you'd not know if not read Birdwatcher - otherwise he almost seems a bit random in the following books. Love these books and got a thrill from learning the author is a friend of CJ Sansom, who is one of my favourite authors.

I generally enjoy William Shaw's writing and this is a reasonable addition to the Cupidi series. Some of the story is told from the perspective of a badger impacted by a potential housing development. It could be really naff but Shaw does pull it off adroitly. The plot moves along nicely, Shaw throws in a few antiBrexit asides, as well as criticisms of the government and the public school system without it ever turning into a rant. The only downside is the body count which while not that high for the genre does seem to mount at the expense of less than compelling motive. For all that, I'll stick with it.

I have read the earlier books in this series & ‘The Birdwatcher’ & enjoyed them all. This I think could be the best yet. I liked the very short chapters written from a badgers point of view, some people may find that odd, but it is very clever! I love the characters. I fell in love with the character William South in ‘The Birdwatcher’ & really hoped he would find his way back into the books. I also really like Alex Cupidi & her daughter Zoe, Alex’s colleague Jill Ferriter is also very good. I live in Kent, so I know some of the areas that feature in the book, which I find interesting. I highly recommend this book & all the others written by William Shaw.

Book arrived on time and in the condition I expected (second hand item).I habe just read it. Very enjoyable

I love the characters in Shaw's DS Cupidi series and the area it's set in makes the stories even more intriguing. It's not an area I know but I would be interested to visit sometime. As soon as the next book is available, I'll be ordering it!!

I love this author and will get his books when ever they come out. Love the British detectives.

The whole series of books so far have been so good. Keeping me engrossed from the first page. Love the mother and daughter relationship and not forgetting Bill. The story lines are intriguing and totally different. Looking forward to reading the next book.

Another excellent story in William Shaw's Dungeness series. Dungeness and the wider geography of East Kent provide a backdrop to the story. The mystery is as always seen from Alexandra Cupidi's viewpoint and is all the better for not showing the "other side" and not revealing the thoughts and actions of the perpetrators of the crime. Great characters, wonderful wildlife and a superb location for the stories. Cupidi is principled, bold and fearless, which sometimes leads her into danger, but makes for a very exciting climax to the book.

I really like Cupidi...a fabulously relatable & interesting character. This book is not as pithy & satisfying as Shaw's previous books - the story is a bit forgetable but overall enjoyable.

The third in this series continues the pleasing mix of plot, character and location. I look forward to the next one.