It’s a hot summer in the corn belt of rural Iowa. Chloe Miller’s body is discovered among a field of potentially award-winning corn. Black Hawk County’s police investigate. Despite established conventions being followed here – a newly promoted (female) detective with a dysfunctional family and resentful (male) colleagues, along with pressure from above – there are enough points of difference to set this novel apart.
Riley Fisher is the new sergeant. She lives with her brother, Ethan – divorced, drug-addled and dissolute. Ethan’s daughter, Maddie, is closer to her aunt than her father. Within the police department, Riley’s nemesis is Jackson Cole – overlooked for the sergeant’s position. The partner assigned to her, Logan Wood, is one of the few men to stand by her.
Chloe’s husband is involved in agricultural research and it’s this subplot that distinguishes the narrative. Smaller farms are being swallowed by Big Ag. A local cooperative has the chance to be successful with their latest crop, but the adverse publicity after the discovery of Chloe’s brutalised body on their land threatens to derail their plans. Complicating this is the upcoming election for state governor, with the incumbent pushing for a lucrative agricultural contract with China and his challenger having possible links with eco-warriors. Black Hawk County also has a drug problem, which seems somehow linked to the murder. Chloe and Riley were school friends and trauma from Riley’s past life resurfaces.
The narrative drive in The Fields is electrifying, accelerating towards the conclusion. Loose ends are mostly tied up, but enough questions remain to indicate further Riley Fisher adventures are coming. These will be eagerly anticipated.
Reviewed by Bob Moore
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Erin Young is the pseudonym of acclaimed historical novelist, Robyn Young, author of eight internationally bestselling novels. She has been published in 19 languages in 22 countries, selling two million books worldwide. She lives and writes in Brighton, England.
Erin Young’s debut thriller, The Fields, was inspired by an article she read about the menacing power of Big Agriculture. A decision to set the novel in Iowa, corn-capital of the world, led her to make a fascinating journey across the state – from chance encounters with cops and farmers, and an audience with a local mayor, to shooting Glocks and getting caught in supercell storms.
Having grown up in a fishing village in Devon, Erin feels drawn to the claustrophobic dramas of rural small-towns and the secrets they hide.
Erin also writes historical fiction as Robyn Young.
Robyn’s first novels, ‘The Brethren Trilogy’, set during the crusades and following the story of Knight Templar, Will Campbell, became an international success, published in 21 countries in 19 languages, selling over 2 million copies. She was a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller. Robyn went on to write the highly acclaimed Insurrection Trilogy, which tells the story of Robert Bruce and his struggles against King Edward I of England. Her latest series, ‘New World Rising’, follows Jack Wynter, from the bloody turmoil of the Wars of the Roses, through the chaos and splendour of Renaissance Europe.
Visit Robyn Young’s website.
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