Anna Willet weaves a compelling cold case murder yarn in The Ideal Couple. 

This is the fourth book in the Veronica Pope series, but is a fully free-standing read. There are a few references to past events and one big teaser about Veronica’s backstory that the author tantalizes is with near the end, but nothing that distracts from this excellent book.

In the Australian outback, a six-hour drive from Perth, a tiny mining town was the setting for a presumed double murder three years ago. DI Pope and her partner, Jim, are dispatched to see if they can find the bodies of a lost couple, and whether they can unravel the mystery of what really happened. 

Veronica and Jim, aided by their small team and some local cops, find several hanging threads that were overlooked in the original search and rescue operation that failed to find the missing couple. Ms. Willett gives the reader just enough information to be mesmerized by the unfolding story as the detectives lift the messy cover from a town that hides its secrets – and its bodies – all too well.

The plot is fast-paced, with plenty of possible branches and lush characters. You can taste the dusty red sand and feel Veronica’s anxiety as the truth comes into focus. This is a masterful piece of suspense that you can’t put down. The writing is tight and the editing is flawless, making it as pleasurable a read as you can want.

I loved this book and highly recommend it.