Like Clockwork: A Clare Hart Mystery by Margie Orford

Clare Hart is writing about human trafficking and is disgusted by the subject matter.  The fact that her twin was one of their victims and is alive but spiritually wounded makes the crime hit home for her.  It gets even closer when murdered young girls are turning up in her neighborhood.  Is it because of what she is writing about or has that crime reached the shores of her hometown?

Witness Impulse and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 22nd.  Check your local bookstore for a copy.

This story is set in Cape Town and Kate lives near Sea Point, where abused young girls bodies are showing up.  She and her police friend are desperate to stop the abuse and the murders and they work diligently on the case.  The problem is that the men they think maybe involved are in the upper leagues of money and have political influence, too.  They have to be cautious about how they phrase their questions and they'll have to have good proof to take them down.

Human trafficking is an ugly thing.  Even reading about it bothers me.  Clare is working against the clock.  Another victim has been kidnapped and she only has a small window of time to find her.  When she determines where she thinks she's being held, she goes in after her.  It's through underground tunnels (one of my fears) and when a madman is at the other end, it's very very dangerous.

This isn't a happily ever after type story.  It's a hard look at men, women, sex, and perversions.  My favorite part of this story is an odd twist at the end when one of the victims gets even with her sexual predator.  It's very ironic and a fitting injury for someone who can't control his desires.

This is a complex police procedural with unsettling details.  It kept my attention to the end.  It also brings a face to human trafficking.  This one will make you think.