Originally posted to I Should Read That

I hadn’t read anything by Powell before, but he just won the British Science Fiction Award for his full-length space opera Embers of War. I wanted to give him a try, and Ragged Alice look great! It is a totally different kind of book from his space opera, but it showcases his excellent writing. Ragged Alice follows DCI Holly Craig as she returns to her hometown in Wales to investigate gruesome murders. The catch? Holly can essentially see people’s souls and thereby their guilt.

I ended up really enjoying this book. Powell does an amazing job of taking a well-worn crime fiction trope and twisting it on its head. Holly Craig, at first glance, seems like the stereotypical fictional detective. She’s a solitary person, an alcoholic, and running from her past. However her paranormal talents, although a light touch, add an incredibly interesting layer to her character and the story. She's such a captivating person and I really loved reading her point of view.

I did feel that the police bits were more interesting than the paranormal bits, especially when more layers of the story are uncovered. However, I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a short and thrilling read.

CW: Gruesome murder