The Moment Before Impact Hardcover – 22 Oct. 2020

A compelling read. A “who dunnit” with unusual complex characters. Set in real life cambridge but a long way from the university.

A brilliant read as always with Alison Bruce

Alison Bruce is a bright and engaging person but I had forgotten she is also a wonderful writer and storyteller since the DC Goodhew series ended. This is the best thing yet from her pen and captivated me from start to finish.The Moment Before Impact, is an original crime murder mystery which is brilliantly conceived, meticulous plotted and thoroughly researched. As a stand alone thriller nothing is known, characters are hazy impressions. The author has to start literally with a blank page; hard work lies ahead; ideas may work or need to be set aside and discarded. The saving grace though for Alison is the rich background of Cambridge; a place close to her heart and described with warmth, proximity and belonging.This is an important ingredient for this novel as it rests and resonates from close childhood friendships and later student associations. Holding the piece together is the role of Celia Henry who has known the major players in this drama for many years. A former investigatory journalist with close links to the local police, her contacts enable her to take a leading role in what becomes a race against time.The defining moment in the book is the aftermath of a fatal drink driving accident. Celia attended everyday of the trail and is around when Nicci returns ‘home’ after being released from prison. Nicci is left broken and everyone continues to blame her for the crash. The problem is she accepts this new reality. Disowned by her family and not welcome in her old neighbourhood she is content to do little and feel guilty despite her sentence being served.Then another moment changes her focus. Remembering little of the impact and the medical intervention that saved her life she has a distinct memory of someone seeking to punish her at the ‘crash site’.Befriended by Celia, who believes her hidden memories are real they embark on a fresh look at the circumstances surrounding the events leading up to the car leaving the road.The book unfolds in a back to front fashion to throw light on what actually happened that fateful night. This makes for a tension filled journey with suspicion about everyone and little sympathy initially for Nicci the driver who caused the crash.What writing a novel is like I cannot say, but I recognise a good book and the hard work that went into making it special. It is no surprise to me the name on the stunning cover; indeed that is why I bought it in the first place.This is a book that makes reading so enjoyable and easy to recommend this title to others.

Five young students go to watch a music festival but the evening ends in tragedy as their car crashes and two are left dead. Nicci was the driver and she serves time in prison for this however, on release, she tries to rebuild her life. A chance encounter makes her suddenly have flashbacks and they seem to contradict the official report of the accident. As Nicci and her neighbour Celia start to look into the past they discover a link with a series of crimes more recent - but have they got the right suspect?I have to be honest and say that I found the first part of the book, before the accident, irritating in the extreme and I nearly gave up but I'm glad I didn't as the story bursts into life. It ends up as a very entertaining and addictive read with a great twist.

After loving Alison Bruce's DC Gary Goodhew series, its a delight to see her return with another atmospheric Cambridge crime novel, one which I dearly hope is the beginning of a new series. This is a intelligently plotted story of twists and turns that revolves around a car accident that tragically resulted in the deaths of Charlie and Ellie. A young forensic student, Nicci Waldock, the driver, is convicted, on what appears to be overwhelming forensic evidence and interviews, and spends 3 years in prison. Upon release, she returns home and the Mill Road community, which includes the black Celia Henry, a former reporter, now a part time lecturer. Celia attends the court trial to bear witness, she had known all those involved in the case. A haunted and traumatised Nicci struggles to fit back in, until she allows Celia to help her, and she finds comfort in setting up a business removing tattoos.When Nicci's troubling memories begin to resurface and challenge the official versions of the accident, Celia decides to investigate the accident with Nicci, bringing in an old friend, DI Briggs, who gives them the old police files to look at. Jack Bailey, an architect, returns to his old home after the collapse of his marriage to Sadie, and the devastating information about his daughter, Maya. Jack had lost his younger brother, Charlie, and has never forgiven Nicci. We learn of the drinking at a pub that ended in the accident, the strange currents and conflict between Ellie, siblings Rob and Gemma Hayward, Callum, Nicci and Charlie. The story sees Celia and Nicci's investigation begins to slowly throw light on an accident that starts to move in completely unexpected directions. As Jack begins to harbour doubts about what occurred, he joins Celia and Nicci in their inquiries in a case that begins to look a lot less like an accident and more like murder.Alison expertly weaves an enthralling and compulsive narrative with plenty of tension and suspense, where the location, the streets of Cambridge, emerges as a central character in itself. A particular highlight for me are the skilful characterisations, such as a Nicci determined not to make any assumptions, a woman who it turns out has been let down, lied about, used and abused, she is no longer the naive and trusting person she used to be. Celia is a rock solid presence, she is dogged in her determination and drive, her abilities and contacts are pivotal in ensuring the success of what turns out to be a dangerous investigation. This is a great crime read, dark, entertaining and engaging, which I recommend to crime and mystery readers. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.