Pete Bassett, AVARICE

AVARICE is the second of the six novels written so far by Peter Bassett to feature DI Munro and DS West. Munro is an older man verging on retirement and somewhat despairing about life, and Munro is a younger woman who is desperately searching for purpose. Slowly, they begin a professional relationship and friendship which supplies what each of them needs. Both characters are well developed as is a rather large supporting cast.

Set in the north-west of Scotland, these stories feature solid police work, lots of humor (some of which is uniquely Scottish and may remain mysterious to Americans) and well developed plots. I would skip SHE, the first book in the series and begin with Avarice. Nothing substantial will be lost and the later books are far superior.