Eight Days by Jack Benton

 I have talked about the Slim Hardy series here before and have really liked each book alot.

I just finished book 6 in the series. 

This may be the best book in this series and they are all excellent.

About:

"After nearly a year out of the game, former soldier turned private detective John "Slim" Hardy takes what he hopes will be an easy comeback case in the quiet Devonshire town of Launceston. 

The disappearance in mysterious circumstances of local schoolgirl Emily Martin left police clueless. Eight days later, her sudden reappearance left them equally baffled. Apparently unharmed, Emily claimed no memory of her period of abduction, and in time, the investigation faded. The disappearance in mysterious circumstances of local schoolgirl Emily Martin left police clueless. Eight days later, her sudden reappearance left them equally baffled. Apparently unharmed, Emily claimed no memory of her period of abduction, and in time, the investigation faded. Her eight days missing has changed Emily, so much so that Georgia is unsure the girl is even her daughter at all ...

From the author of The Man by the Sea and The Clockmaker's Secret, comes another stunning mystery, one which will keep you guessing to the last page."

Slim Hardy is a "heavy drinker and a disgraced soldier turned bumbling detective". He is actually a really good detective and is hired for cases others cannot solve.

With each Slim Hardy book I read, I say "This is the best one." The truth is they are all excellent and this book is exceptional. It reads quickly. The writing is clear. The story builds. You are sure you know what is going on and then something changes. Slim continues to struggle with his own demons while trying to solve this case everyone else has given up on. He knows someone isn't telling the truth, but he has to figure out who. Full of secrets and hidden agendas, with more than one twist at the end.

I really recommend this entire series.

About the author: "Jack Benton is the mystery writing pen name of British science fiction writer Chris Ward.

Chris Ward is a native of Cornwall, England, but currently lives and works in Nagano, Japan. He is the author of multiple series across several speculative genres, as well as writing under pen names in several more."

His website: http://www.amillionmilesfromanywhere.net/tokyolost

You can join his newsletter through his website. It comes out every two to three weeks and is pretty entertaining. He shares the latest in living and teaching in an elementary school in Japan, the latest on his young daughter cool scenery. He also shares information on his books and other authors. I enjoy it.

https://gbmysteries.blogspot.com/search?q=man+by+the+sea