The Nail Salon by Natalie Tambini (HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter)

If you like a twisty suburban housewife mystery, you'll enjoy The Nail Salon. The world of external perfection is eroding, and past unresolved traumas can have disastrous effects. 

All of Melanie's clients have confidence in her as the proprietor of a local nail salon. She is aware of everyone's secrets. DCI Sue Fisher, despite having personal issues, looks into the case of a missing young girl. Before this case is solved, there are a lot of startling turns.

From the beginning of the novel, you know who the antagonist is. It's not necessarily a riddle you're attempting to solve. You're reading along as the investigators progressively piece together the clues and track down the murderer. It's less about who did it and more about why. The author takes their time describing each character's backstory and how it pertains to who they are today. I especially liked the comment about how everyone has been a victim at some point in their lives, and even murderers need to be treated with compassion.

Very nicely written, with a new, convincing plot and some fantastic characters. There are several surprises to keep you wondering what will happen next in the plot. 

Nail-biting and unputdownable.

4/5