Second in this series about Manchester-based PI Kate Brannigan, this has her investigating 3 separate cases: one fizzles out as someone else solves it for her, while the other two - missing conservatories, and a friends lost property deposit - which both involve highly confusing mortgage scams - are excruciatingly boring. She spends most of the book driving around, on stake-out, or eating Chinese food, when she's not explaining all the technology which was clearly super-snazzy at the time, but 21 years later is as dated as the fashion. I laughed out loud when Kate explains how her laptop can hold a whopping 60 novels worth of text.There's no great suspense, a little bit of danger and action, and a lot of snark. The first in the series was more entertaining so I hope the next books improve ( since I've already bought them - fortunately at book fair prices...)
Kate Brannigan is on the trail again, doing what she does best, and, as usual under pressure. What seems like a little favour for a friend soon turns out to be a major financial fraud. Long before she gets anywhere near the truth she finds herself in danger, an attempt on her life. This is one of the fastest-paced novels I've read in a long time. Val is on top form as she has Kate racing round the North West looking for clues and stirring up muddy waters as she does. I loved this, a cracking good crime story.
What do You think about Kick Back (2006)?
This is the second book in the Kate Brannigan series and Kate has to deal with two cases of fraud and along the way find out who is trying to killer her. It's an entertaining read, though it does get bogged down a bit, unlike the previous book in the series.This book is nearly 20 years old and shows how times have changed with debate about getting a mobile phone and there is mention of the M63, but this road no longer exists. Where would a private investigator be without a mobile phone in this day and age.
—Balthazar Lawson
This book featured private investigator Kate Brannigan and had a couple storylines; Kate was looking into some land sales and some missing conservatories. I thought the writing was good, but that being said I am not sure I understood all of the details of the property transfers and financials and there were a lot of characters to keep straight with my somewhat sporadic reading of this book. I never really connected with Kate as a protagonist. I have really enjoyed other books by this author, but don't think I will read any more in this series. MAYBE if I had read #1 in the series first, I would have had a better experience: this book was picked up at a library sale because I liked the author.
—Sharon
