John Yorke in his book on writing, Into the Woods, reminds us that the most compelling characters are walking contradictions, Robin Hood, the thief with a strong sense of justice, for example. When writing with two main protagonists, they are often two, contradictory halves and this is certainly the case with Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw, the investigating duo in The Puppet Show.
The emotional story arc between the two is equally satisfying as Poe’s protective nature looks on aghast at the thirst for adventure he has awakened in the previously cosseted geek girl.
And to be honest, you could read a novel about these two going to the supermarket and it would be a blast, such is Craven’s easy writing style and engaging voice. But add them to a dark, disturbing investigation and you have a story that will not let you go. The Immolation Man has been setting fire to people in stone circles dotted around the Lake District and there is a pattern that links him to Poe’s past And the great and good of the area.
I loved the way the victims were all older men; the polar opposite of the usual victims in crime fiction. The story is also embedded in the landscape of Cumbria without being too heavy-handed. The fells with their drystone walls and changing weather all came to life on the page.
One of the real strengths of The Puppet Show is that it is a great book to recommend to readers new to the genre. I can imagine a younger audience would lap up Tilly and Poe’s adventures and come back asking for more, like the rest of us!
Reviewed by Jon Mayhew
Jon Mayhew lives in the North west of England with various dogs, chickens and his long-suffering family. He is an award-winning children’s author and writes crime fiction as JE Mayhew. Find out more at the links below.