5 Stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am a huge fan of the DI Barton series and so was over the moon to see a new book in the series – and I love the touch of it being about a book club.
Ross Greenwood never disappoints, his books deliver a gorgeous mix of clever humour, creative and engaging characters, well crafted thrillers and the knowledge that everything is safe in the hands of Detective Inspector Barton and the team.
In The Book Club Killer, what appears to be a warm and friendly book club for old friends with festive cheer, laughter and easy chatter – soon takes a sinister turn as one member of the club (unbeknownst to them) is facing their final chapter… Now I love a book club but this one in The Bell Pub isn’t one that I’d want to join!
After the first body has been discovered, it soon becomes clear that their cosy little club isn’t all that it seems. Enter John Barton to save the day – even though he has got one leg into retirement this is a case that needs the Barton belly to solve it before the body count mounts.
Once it becomes obvious that one of the club members must be the culprit, the cracks in their perfect little circle split wide open. Each of them has something to hide, and the killer is smart enough to keep just ahead of the truth. Everyone swears they’re innocent, but their alibis feel a little too neat, their memories a little too practiced and as Barton knows all too well, murder in this village is never straightforward. In a town where everyone knows everyone, it just might be the person you least expect holding the darkest secret of all.
As well as being a great thriller, I love the human element of these books. It’s the relationships between the team, and Barton’s home life, that really bring these stories to life. Barton is hellbent on retiring but I don’t want him to!
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Ross Greenwood and Boldwood Books for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Blurb: A new, edge-of-your-seat DI Barton thriller from bestselling author Ross Greenwood.
The next chapter could be your last…
The annual December gathering of the local book club is usually a relaxed affair, a chance for old acquaintances to catch up. But this year, the convivial evening takes a sinister turn. Detective Inspector Barton is called to investigate and quickly uncovers a web of dark secrets and long-held resentments hidden beneath the club’s friendly facade.
When murder is confirmed, Barton finds himself in a race against time to unmask the killer before they strike again. But with every clue he uncovers, the truth becomes more twisted than he could ever have imagined.
In a group where everyone knows everyone, trust is a dangerous game, and this cold-blooded killer is ready to fool them all…
Barton is Back! Ross Greenwood returns to his bestselling series, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Ian Rankin.
Read and Rated 