5 Stars from me ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I don’t know how he does it but Michael Wood just gets better and better. His is a true and authentic voice in the crime thriller / police procedural / psychological genre with an instantly recognisable writing style that captures the reader from the very first page.
This, the 3rd in the Dr Olivia Winter series, is the best so far, in it Wood has mastered the craft and brings each and every person to vivid life – albeit usually straight before dispatching them in an often gruesome death.
But watch where you step as there are stray paths that are absolutely littered with loose ends and red herrings are artfully and liberally supplied.
The story focuses tightly around the search for a brutal serial killer and has snippets about other serial killers throughout as various members of the team are researching them. Much like’s Michael’s other books, this is an intelligently written thriller, his sharp mind is evident throughout and I think that – and his enviable skills with prose – is what sets his books apart from other thrillers.
If you are new to Michael Wood then you are in for a treat as there is now quite the back collection to catch up on – may I suggest you book some time off work and snuggle up with the DCI Matilda Darke series, and also take some time to listen to Chapter One on audible.
My thanks to the author (for existing, oh and for writing – long may it continue), HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Blurb:
A FAMILY SLAIN
When Detective Inspector Foley is called out to a crime scene, nothing could have prepared him for the level of brutality inflicted on the victims. And with terrifying similarities to another recent murder case, he fears there might be a serial killer running loose in London.
A PATTERN OF MURDER
With no suspects and no DNA at the crime scenes, Foley enlists the help of Forensic Psychologist Dr Olivia Winter to catch the killer before they strike again.
AN UNSTOPPABLE KILLER
As the killings become more frequent Olivia and Foley must focus on what could drive the killer to murder entire families. With his job and reputation on the line, is Foley risking everything by putting his trust in Olivia, a woman whose own past echoes an eerie similarity to the investigation?
Read and Rated 