Slacks for Ella Funt

I think I’ve only read one of Elizabeth George’s other books, which I don’t remember being very impressed by. So I think I picked this one up only because I thought it was a good title. It seems like she was going out on a limb here. As it pertains to her ongoing series, this book is about the murder of the detective’s wife. Instead of starting with the murder and proceeding with solving it, per usual mystery format, she starts with Joel, the young boy who shoots the victim, and tells the events that led to the murder.
Joel is a poor black kid living in the London projects with his aunt, sister, and brother. They all have issues. I’m sure the author was trying to be gritty and authentic in writing about the lives of these characters, but it doesn’t work. All of the black characters are somewhat offensive stereotypes. Even worse, the third person omniscient voice seems condescending to both the characters and the readers.