He's Gone (Robyn Bailley)

I'm always on the look out for good new British crime fiction and someone recommended He's Gone by Alex Clare. To be honest, this meant I bought it without looking at too much of the detail, and my first reaction on taking a closer look was one of disappointment.The reason for this negative reaction is that it has become such a cliché for police officers in crime novels to have a personal problem - and the protagonist here, DI Robyn Bailley, looked likely to be exactly such a cliché. But I am pleased to say I couldn't have been more wrong.Firstly, He's Gone works superbly as a police procedural. It's always difficult to get the balance between giving too much detail (because in the end, most police procedure is boring) and making the whole thing trivially easy. The crimes - a missing toddler, a 3-year-old murder and a series of burglaries - are handled by Clare in a way that simply keeps the interest throughout. It's an excellent book on that level alone.But then there's the personal problem. Because Robyn Bailley was DI Roger Bailley a couple of weeks early and is beginning the transition. It's hard to imagine any job where it would be harder to be transgender, and this is made doubly so when the first case causes the investigating team themselves to be under the media spotlight. Just for once, this feels like a personal problem that isn't thrust on the main character to tick a box - it's a major part of the narrative, and like the police procedural aspect, Clare handles it beautifully.The only negative I'd say is that while many of the characters are well rounded, the mother of the missing toddler is a two-dimensional, cardboard cutout of a nasty person with no saving graces, which is a shame.Overall, though, Clare's book is the best crime fiction discovery of the year for me and I'm rushing out to buy the sequel.

Alex Clare has evidently done much research into the situation of trans people. This novel takes us convincingly into the vulnerable mind and emotions of a trans woman who still has all her physical male characteristics. The police colleagues who had respected her leadership role are now confused or openly antagonistic. Press briefings are a nightmare. This sometimes gets in the way of the crime plot as the psychology of Robyn is paramount in the narrative. However, as the novel develops, the balance improves. As the first of a series, I shall be interested to follow the development of character and story. A brave and very interesting first novel.

I love a good whodunnit and this one hits the mark with great twists and turns. It's refreshing for the lead detective not to be a cishet old white bloke for a change! Robyn's recent transition is an important element of the storytelling but doesn't take over either - it's skilfully and relevantly woven in to the overall crime novel.

This was a very enjoyable police procedural, with a hugely sympathetic protagonist and a likeable supporting cast. The story was tightly plotted, and at the halfway mark, I had to pause and think to myself, 'Well, surely the book's over now, where else can it possibly go?' But then it really did go and the second half was even more enjoyable for my inability to see what was coming - it's always good to be taken by surprise. DI Robyn Bailie has a lot going on in her life - returning to work while in the early days of gender transition, and having to deal with all the stresses and strains of prejudice at work, difficult family relationships and the general awkwardness of being a woman in a male-dominated profession. Looking forward to reading the sequel!

A great crime novel, interweaved with the personal challenges experienced by a senior transgender police officer leading a high profile child abduction case. The treatment of gender dysphoria in the book is thoughtful and provides a unique insight into the lives of transgender people, helping to raise its profile in a very positive way. With unexpected twists and carefully crafted characters, you will find yourself racing through the pages and looking ahead to when you will be able to meet DI Robyn Bailey again.

Alex Clare's first novel is a gripping police procedural that begins on the day that DI Roger Bailley walks through the doors of Meresbourne police station for the first time as Robyn. She knows she is doing what is right for her, but she has to contend with her colleagues, her boss, the press and the public in her new identity - and on her first day as a woman she has to deal with the emotive case of a missing child. Alex Clare navigates identity politics and the practicalities of transgender life while also delivering the pacy plot of a classic whodunnit. I'm glad to hear there will be more DI Bailley novels to come!

A very solid UK-set police procedural; the kind of thing that would work well as an adaptation for TV (the 2 hour Sunday night ITV movie kinda thing). An interesting protagonist with an evolving personal story supports the overlapping investigations.Though this isn't my go-to genre, this is nevertheless my favourite novel of this type that I've read since Sarah Hilary's first Marnie Rome novel from a few years ago.Looks like Robyn Bailley will join the small roster of Brit cops (David Mark's Aector McEvoy is also on the list) that I keep an eye on...--- Torc The Prospect of This City: Being a novel of the Great Fire

Topical and immaculately researched, HE'S GONE follows the fates of Robyn, a transgender policewoman. This character is so authentic and we can really empathise with her, whether it's her struggles with colleagues or family, or less well known problems like what women do with their handbags! In the hands of a lesser writer, the smaller details might have seemed trite, but Clare gives Robyn real nuance. In terms of the plot I felt too much was going on and the payoffs came too close together, but overall Robyn is so great and the writing so visual, I have full belief the series will get better and better. Will definitely read more and recommend to others.