This is a very gripping story with a lot going on as the team try to untangle the web and uncover the clues. However, there are complications at every turn and all is not as it seems as we join the team on an adrenaline pumping journey through the twists and turns of the case. As more murders are committed and people are running away and going missing this is one very gripping book that is impossible to put down. A young man who is the son of a serial killer confessing to the murder of a young woman in her kitchen. The police don’t believe him and release him. When another young woman is found dead, things take a turn. Was the young man telling the truth? Soon, one of their own is in danger. The mystery was decent, but coincidences were everywhere - the expert who just happened to have studied the murderer that the suspect was obsessed it, who was actually the murderer himself and was also obsessed with Evans, who he tried to murder. Plus all the incompetence from seemingly everyone, that was still somehow able to be salvaged at the end. And at least three people, in three separate situations, venturing somewhere alone, despite knowing there is a serial killer on the loose! Three people, two of whom are cops! Whilst we have the duo on the hunt for the “real” murderer we have a subplot which I really enjoyed and wanted more exposure involved Zane Pruitt and Kevin Stoner. I have to say Stoner was my favourite character (ok Orac is a very close second) in the book and what he endured at the hands of Pruitt made me so angry! I hope he gets more book time; you see Stoner goes from hiding who is, to accepting who he is, I do love me a bit of character growth like that!

First, this author has some serious writing skills. It’s well paced, has good flow & a real sense of place. It simply comes down to a matter of taste & what you enjoy reading. The rest of the team are as normal and real as they can be, there's a joining soon character *fingers crossed* can't mention the name or there will be spoilers. Let me preface my review with the fact that this is my first ever reading of a police procedural crime story, which is not my particular cup of tea. But, the psychological thriller storyline is intriguing, so I decided to “cowgirl up” and read it. This is a tough review to write. I won’t get into the story as the publicity blurb above outlines the plot. Instead, I’ll try to explain why this wasn’t for me. Poor Daniel Kinder has turned himself into the police confessing to a brutal murder. The only problem is, the police don't think he did it. Daniel is convinced he is the son of vicious murderess, Francis Thayer, and as her tainted blood runs through his veins, he has inherited a propensity to kill. Unfortunately he also suffers fugue states and has no idea what he does during these episodes so he thinks, obviously, he murders women.

The Jackman and Evans Series in Order (10 Books)

If this is what commercial fiction is--what it most typically and essentially is, maybe the literary snobs have a point

Perfect for fans of Rachel Abbott, Robert Bryndza, Mel Sherratt, Angela Marsons, Colin Dexter, or Ruth Rendell. I really liked what Joy Ellis did with the female character of Marie, she looks like any woman you can meet on the street, unlike other female detectives I came across lately, Marie has exceptionally normal eyes and hair color, she is a biker and a devoted friend, tough and vulnerable, has high morals and that's what makes you like her very much. On a final note, the audiobook is narrated by the incomparable Richard Armitage. His range of voices is excellent even for the women, which is quite something given he has such a deep baritone.

Ellis is married to her partner, Jacqueline, who is a retired police officer, [4] and they live in the Lincolnshire Fens with several Springer spaniels. [2] [5] Awards [ edit ] There are some things in here that aren't perfect, I think you can see Ellis's writing style developed after this book which I believe was originally the first in the series. The police procedural aspects are, despite her having a partner who used to be in the forces a bit weak and in my copy a couple of sentences were oddly repeated in obvious editing errors. The series is narrated by Richard Armitage, which made listening a pleasure. From his tone to the unique voices he provided, he enhanced the overall tale. A white (blond, in fact) male journalist is described as a 'new up-and-coming voice' or something like that and the police record a suspect's interrogation on a literal tape (surely they don't still use those). The story itself is immediately engaging and twists and turns leaving me guessing without groaning in exasperation at the ridiculousness of it all which has happened a few times recently. Ellis has a bright approach to her writing which moves the story on at a very enjoyable pace while allowing her characters to grow depth and colour.