Almost worth a third star, but for a relatively short novel, the start is too slow and the end doesn't have enough bang. Definitely more "crime" than "mystery", with convincing constabulary procedure and no frills prose. If you're a big fan of that classic British TV series, The Bill, this might be your cup of tea. There are some good action scenes, but the overall plot and climax lacked dramatic effect, especially for a book with a juicy title like "Ransom Town".