The Spiral is an extremely intriguing novel revolving round Erma, a researcher at an Australian university, who hopes to become an associate professor very soon although she's still only 28. Iain Ryan introduces his readers to Erma when she is on her way back to Australia from Spain for a disciplinary hearing. One of Erma's colleagues and her friend, Kanika, is conducting research into fourteen women who have gone missing from the campus. Kanika attends the hearing with Erma where Erma is accused of inappropriate relationships with some students. Erma hired Jenny to conduct research into the book Erma is writing but Jenny has been stalling and their relationship has deteriorated making Erma suspect that Jenny is behind the allegations. Erma goes out looking for Jenny and eventually finds Jenny's sister, Gloria, who tells her that Jenny is missing. Readers know from the write up that Erma is shot twice in a targeted attack leaving lots of questions to be answered. Who shot Erma and why, what has happened to the women who have disappeared? It's going to be a great read getting the answers to all these questions.