Speak No Evil: Detective Sebastian Clifford, Book 2

I read the first in this series even though I don’t like PI mysteries. I’m so glad I did. I love the characters, Seb is a complex character, but in a good way. Although I didn’t care for Birdie right away, by the middle the first book I was a fan.This book was full of those twists I love in these books. Sally Rigby has created another little world full of mystery, adventure, and humor.

This was my second book written by Sally Rigby, Loved her storyline and her character development. I purchased the audio version that is read by Jonathan Keeble, which I thought was great!! I can’t wait to start my next Sally Rigby book.

I received a free advance arc copy, from the author for my honest review, also purchased it from amazon.com and something I like to do to support one of my favorite indy authors.'Speak No Evil' was better than the first book but really it's the character DC Lucinda Bird AKA Birdie, that makes it so good, she just takes over the storyline, Twiggy's a great support character and still think a series based with the two, would be way better.This has elements of the two being a cold case team, then add Twiggy to the team, think it would be better than having them as private investigators. When I read the following quote from Speak No Evil, regarding what Sebastian Clifford wants to do with owning a PI company and be easy to make him a DC again with Market Harborough Police Dept."I don't want to end up spending my time working on potential divorce proceedings and following parties from hours on end. That would not be fulfilling for me. If I take on any PI work, then being selective on cases would be paramount."With 'Speak No Evil', Birdie and Clifford unofficial solve who left a little girl named Lilly, 12 months ago on a busy Market Harborough street and has the elements in it, that shows they make a great cold case team. The both cases in the two book series so far have been complex, going forward seems like it would make more sense to either have them working on complex cases to solve that would take a lot of man power to solve, working on cold cases also verse PI work.Since the authors own words regarding what Sebastian Clifford wants from PI work would need to be meaningful fulfilling work and won't run the risk of working on a case. Of either having them help Birdie's old boss with a case or me as a reader realizing the case should be something for the Market Harborough too solve.With that said, it's still enjoyable reading even if not a good fit having Seb Clifford as a main character, with how the author left it and guess she realizes how important Birdie is to the series.

:Ex-police officer Sebastian Clifford decided to limit his work as a private investigation until Detective Constable Bird/Birdie asks for his help. Twelve months ago, a young girl was abandoned on the streets of Market Harborough in shocking circumstances. Since then the child has barely spoken. With the police unable to trace her identity, they have given up. The social services team in charge of the case worry that the child has an intellectual disability. Birdie and her aunt, who is fostering he girl, disagree and believe she is gifted and intelligent, that something bad happened, and that she is living in constant fear. Clifford trusts Birdie’s instinct. They work together to find out who the girl is, so she can be free from the past. As secrets are uncovered, the pair realize the child is not the only one in danger. – This is an intriguing mystery with twists. I thought it was interesting that Clifford is the son of a viscount. Birdie is a fun character. She and Clifford work well together, as she does with her police partner, Twiggy. I thought the discussion regarding other cases was a waste, but overall this is a great book.

Despite being billed as "the second Seb Clifford novel," Rigby's style sets up his younger partner, Birdie, as the protagonist. Clifford, from an aristocratic family, was revealed in the first book as recently separated from the police when his elite unit was disbanded. Armed with an extraordinary memory, he's now formed his own private investigation service and moved from the London area close to Bird's location. (I admit to struggling when it comes to British geography.)A child is found on a bench in the village, a sign around her neck - the title of the book. Quiet, frightened and not speaking, Bird's aunt steps in to foster her. The police investigation ends without finding her family. Bird accompanies her into town one day and the young girl freaks out. Denied permission to reopen the case, Bird uses her own time and her relationship with Clifford to investigate. Along the way there's friction between her partner and Clifford; Clifford encounters family troubles - while his brother is in line to be Viscount, Daddyd can't understand why Seb is still doing that plebian police work; his brother is suddenly clinically depressed - but he and Bird trade banter non stop.The case gets resolved. But in doing so a serious flaw appears: Clifford is not the main character. I'm not sure how this made it to print in this form. Wasn't anyone editing it? It's a good story: it would easily appear as a British mystery on public tv, but if it were produced direct.from the book it would become obvious that the book features Bird more than Clifford.

I loved the characters in this book. I also loved this storyline, which was different than the normal. I thought the story was well written and paced but found a couple of inconsistencies. One of those was when Birdie was going to ask for leave. Previously, she was told that she couldn't reopen Lacy's case because they were short staffed. She was granted the leave with no problem. These things are why I won't give 5 stars. I liked everything else about this book, though. I recommend Sally Rigby if you like this genre.

Rigby's story lines are very good, but you'll come back for the characters. I can't wait to see where they go next. My reading time is limited and precious, and Rigby is on my list!

As is usual with all Sally Rigby books the characters are standouts in a solid storyline with some twists and turns. Her invention of Birdy is a pice of literary gold. Fun, care, flippancy and so much backstory just creeping through in the background. It’s easy to form an immediate bond with the nice folks in this series and to feel it when something bad happens to them. Sometimes predictable but always well written this is a terrific read.

Another very good story from Sally, where does she get the ideas from. She writes flowingly, easy to follow, but very interesting stories. You still wonder who did what and why. This story about a child left in a town centre a year previously and an incident that causes DC Birdie to look at where she came from is unusual and keeps you wondering what went on, throughout. Very good.

Just finished the second in the series. Birdie asks Deb to help her find out more about the little girl her Aunt is fostering. Abandoned in the town, 12 months prior, Lacey (name given to her), is making progress from her silence when first she came to live with her Aunt.I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend.

Love this series, only book two but it is excellent, well thought out characters and splendid plot. You could read it as a stand-alone but much more reading if you start with book one. Looking forward to book 3. Thoroughly recommend, try it I’m sure you won’t be disappointed

It’s only the second book in this series but already the characters Clifford and Birdie are gelling well together. Story has a great pace and you really feel for the little girl. Looking forward to book number three.Having never read any of Sally Rigby’s books before Web of Lies I now realise that I need to catch up on her Cavendish and Walker series. Such an entertaining writer.