So - I went to look her up and she's American?? That could explain a lot.

Yeah. It's all stuff she's researched, so it remains cerebral instead of having any viscerality?

And crime stories are about justice. Like, that's the point of them. [cf that whole conversation in 'Thrones, Dominations' between Peter & Harriet. Also about why he detects, which is also about justice.]

Exactly! The whole joy of them is watching justice at least pursued seriously and most of the time resolved within the context of that universe.