When Mark Billingham took a break from his immensely popular crime series featuring DI Tom Thorne three years ago, his hardcore fans were not happy. I do not think any of them expected him to start up a new series that not only has top-notch murder mystery vibes but also features perhaps the most clever and witty dialogue he has ever produced.

The third installment in this most recent series, THE SHADOW STEP, is a complex and bouncy novel that floats on the dynamic personality of DS Declan Miller, as well as the terrific relationships and distinctly British characters who surround him. His snarky wit makes him a modern-day version of Sherlock Holmes if Holmes was a pure extrovert.

"THE SHADOW STEP is so much fun to read, and Declan Miller is one of the most uniquely crafted characters I have read in quite a while. I look forward to spending more time with him, hopefully in the very near future."

Miller also lives to dance in his downtime, which he did for many years with his wife, Alex, who he lost in the previous novel. The book’s title is taken directly from a popular dance move. Miller not only continues to meet up with his dance club, he also interacts with the ghost of his late wife in some very unique scenes throughout the novel.

A poor sad-sack of an individual, the happy-go-lucky Barry Cheshire, comes upon a man with two dangerous dogs in the park while he is walking his small pooch, Ruby. He threatens Barry while his voracious pets come at Ruby. As a result, the stranger slips into the nearby lake and dies from what is attributed to banging his head on a rock.

Barry is taken into police custody and questioned by Miller and his team before being released. The victim in this accidental death is Ezra Simmons, a known drug dealer who was working for a local crime king and queen with whom Miller has a vicarious relationship. Barry will continue to find himself, perhaps unfairly, at the center of more murderous acts while Miller defends his innocence as he attempts to find out who is actually behind this recent crime spree.

Miller has a close-knit circle of friends, which includes local Parks Department worker Imran, who assists him in proving Barry’s innocence in the first suspicious death. Their interactions, as well as pretty much anyone the extremely likable Miller comes into contact with, keep this novel moving along at a peppy clip. When the gentleman who Barry’s ex-wife is dating ends up becoming the next victim, Miller will find it exceedingly more difficult to prove that Barry’s connections to these untimely deaths are purely coincidental.

THE SHADOW STEP is so much fun to read, and Declan Miller is one of the most uniquely crafted characters I have read in quite a while. I look forward to spending more time with him, hopefully in the very near future.