Carved in blood by Michael Bennett

The third in the Hana Westerman thriller series, Carved in blood expands on the characters and New Zealand setting first introduced in the highly recommended Better the blood (Ngaio Marsh Award 2023), followed by Return to blood. I would advise readers to start the series with the first book to better get to know Hana Westerman, her daughter Addison and ex-husband Jaye.

In Carved in blood, Hana is excited by the announcement of her daughter’s engagement. Jaye is thrilled and to celebrate the occasion he goes to a bottle shop to purchase champagne. While there he is shot twice by a balaclava wearing man in what appears to be a random attack. Hana is determined to find the shooter and joins DI Elisa Grey as a consultant in the Police Force. A young Maori man, Toa Davis, is immediately suspected as the driver of the getaway car and goes on the run. Hana, with the help of Addison, begins to uncover links to organised crime. Was Jaye’s shooting random or targeted? Is Hana herself in danger?

Although important in describing family relationships and Maori customs, I found the beginning of Carved in blood rather slow. However, once Hana begins to investigate the shooting the action speeds up and the story becomes compelling. She and DI Elisa Grey face members of the drug dealing underworld. Hana is also haunted by Erwin Rendall, a crime boss whom she had confronted in Return to blood, when rescuing her nephew from a life of crime.

Family is very important in Carved in blood. The loving relationship between Addison and Jaye’s wife Melissa and her two daughters and the friendship between Melissa and Hana and the way they gather around to help each other as Jaye lies in hospital is inspiring.

Once again, Bennett has written an engrossing police procedural, with strong themes of Maori culture and racism. I look forward to the next in the series.

Themes: Murder, Detectives, Maori culture.

Pat Pledger