The Birdwatcher by William Shaw is terrific. Billy South was a child in Ireland during the troubles, where he has a history he would like to forget. Now a copper in southern Kent, he polices his bleak coastal area and watches birds. His life is turned on its head when his neighbor and fellow birdwatcher is murdered. Past and present collide in this back and forth narration, each section riveting. He is joined by a newly arrived transfer from the London Met named Alexandra Cupidi with her daughter Zoe. Crime solving is mixed with character development and well hidden twists.