Husband and wife writing team Nicci French have gone back to their Frieda Klein series and produced "Thursdays Child" where therapist Freida Klein is one again wandering around leaving a trail of destruction trying to solve a crime the police aren't very bothered by.
In my review of their previous novel i wished for a little growth for the character of Freida, i was fed up of her despondent moods and inability to think before she acts. In this there is a little change, Freida seems much stronger and thinks things through a little more before diving in, however, none of this would be possible without her band of supporting characters who are much smarter than the good doctor Klein and much of the time, more likable (Sasha, Reuben, Chloe and of course, Josef).
Freida is one of those characters that i enjoy following but i'm not sure if i like her, shes very complex but incredibly closed off and I've never met an actual person who would approach things the way she is written to.
Thursdays Child is a big improvement on Waiting for Wednesday, It has the classic grit that I've come to expect from Nicci French but this time, a slight shift in Frieda's character meant you didn't fear for her safety, but instead focused on her intently solving the crime.Yes the ever present and at this point, never ever ever seen Dean Reeves is lurking and his actions do directly affect the plot of Freida's life once again, in a huge way, but he doesn't take over the novel. This novel however did make me quite strongly dislike Freida's on/off love interest Sandy, he lost any redeeming features he had!
Friday on my Mind, book 5# in the series, is out now so hopefully i'll get to that soon!
I'd give this one a 4 star, its a solid Nicci French novel, but its important to read the first three in the series before you pick this one up!
