The Decoy by Tony Strong

(Doubleday, £9.99).

I must admit to smugness; but on this occasion I'm proud of it. I have now reviewed all three of Tony Strong's novels.

When I did the first one I said he would be up there in the top rank of murder mystery writers and this latest one is another corker.

Claire Rodenburg is an actress, out of work, away from home and with no work visa. New York can be an expensive place to live, and even more so when there is no prospect of a job.

Marcie Matthews, her erstwhile agent, can't get legitimate work for her, but she does have contacts. Claire starts work as a teaser for a private detective. It is her job to approach men who are cheating on their wives, and to record her encounters with them as evidence.

One of her clients, Stella Vogler, is found murdered. A particularly gruesome murder, with post-mortem torture, and naturally her husband, who was being investigated by Claire, is a suspect.

A whole world of deception enfolds Claire as New York's finest start to investigate. No one and nothing is as it appears. A police psychologist enrols Claire as a decoy, so she can try and outwit the husband, Christian Vogler, and get a conviction.

Using the internet and other devices she pursues the shadowy figure of the murderer, but his ingenuity confounds her and her shadowy band of policemen.

Tony Strong has written a frighteningly realistic murder mystery novel.

There is enough blood and gore to make any one reach for a bucket, but it is matter of fact and sets the scene.

If you love the genre this is the book for you. If you aren't you will hate the vivid writing.

If you are ambivalent give it a go. You won't be disappointed.

Annie Dendy