Lee Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "serial-killer"

Murder Mile by Lynda La Plante

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A fast-faced, gripping thriller about a murder investigation in the midst of the Winter of Discontent.

‘Murder Mile’ is the fourth book in Lynda La Plante’s ‘Tennison’ series (following ‘Tennison’, ‘Hidden Killers’ and ‘Good Friday’), the story of the early career of Jane Tennison before she becomes the senior detective we meet in ‘Prime Suspect’, so flawlessly brought to life with a performance by Helen Mirren and scripts by Lynda La Plante.

Now promoted to Detective Sergeant and working on the Murder Squad, we meet up with Jane again in 1979, nearing the end of a night shift and looking forward to shortly taking a few days off. But then she and her partner receive a call – a young woman has been found, beaten and unconscious. On arrival at the scene, Jane finds that the young woman is dead.

The twists and turns of the murder investigation lead to more victims, revelations and the pursuit of a prime suspect that Jane’s DCI is convinced is their killer. But Jane is unconvinced the case is as clear-cut as it first seems. Following the evidence and her own gut feeling, she ultimately uncovers revelations that turn the case on its head.

The details of the forensics are fascinating, most notably because of the time period in which the novel is set. This was before DNA fingerprinting/profiling (developed in 1984/85 and first used in a criminal investigation in 1986-87, resulting in a conviction in 1988), but many other forensic techniques are used by the team – significantly analysis of blood, fibres, and fingerprints.

Another notable theme of the series is prejudice, both in wider society and within the police force itself. The sexism has been evident since Jane first joined the police and will continue through her police career. Homophobia plays a significant role in ‘Murder Mile’ and we witness the effect this has on several characters.

Jane continues to develop as a character; her confidence has grown and she is proving herself as a detective, while her independence is more evident than before. A character remarks at one point that, “at this rate, she’ll be the first plonk (a derogatory term for a female police officer) in the Met to make DCI and run a murder squad,” a comment met with scorn by a senior detective, but which cannot fail to raise a smile. The interactions between the team always come across as authentic and human, with the occasional snatches of humour helping them deal with the horrors of the crime scenes and the emotions of the victims’ families.

Building to an intense and brilliant finale, ‘Murder Mile’ is an enthralling read from the first page to the last, concluding the investigation and leaving you anxious to learn what will come next for Jane. It proves to be pure escapism, as the three previous novels were, and I cannot wait to read Book 5!



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Irène by Pierre Lemaitre

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


'Irène' (originally 'Travail Soigné') is Pierre Lemaitre's debut novel and the first to feature Commandant Camille Verhœven. It is a dark and brutal novel, following Verhœven's investigation into multiple murders committed by a killer who becomes known as the Novelist.

We meet Camille as he interviews a victim of violent crime, before he receives a call from one of his officers - two young woman have been brutally murdered and dismembered, and the crime scene is unlike anything the team have encountered before. Shocked by the level of violence and bloodshed, the team painstakingly analyse the evidence and follow the leads, reaching numerous dead-ends. The killer is proving to be elusive, devious and clever; Camille is convinced he will kill again and has killed before. A fake fingerprint, deliberately left at the scene, soon leads them to another brutal murder committed eighteen months previously. It is in this crime that Camille recognises the killer's MO - he is recreating murders that have taken place in novels.

We are also introduced to Camille's private life - his wife Irène is heavily pregnant with their first child. Camille's growing focus on the case begins to put a strain on their relationship, not to mention his already strained relationship with his father.

The French judicial system is vastly different to that in the United Kingdom - the lead investigator and his superiors answer to an appointed juge d'instruction, who manages the investigation. Nevertheless, Camille proves to be somewhat a maverick, approaching the killer directly via a personal ad to encourage him to talk about his work and draw him out. The pressure of the case soon takes its toll, with press intrusion mounting and the discovery of more victims, threatening to spill over into Camille's own life.

Written with detailed precision, 'Irène' is fast-paced, gripping and an instant classic. It felt reminiscent of 'Messiah' (both Boris Starling's novel and the TV series starring Ken Stott), in its brutality, its dark atmosphere and its intrusion into the investigating team's personal lives. As a lover of crime fiction, Lemaitre and the killer's tributes to murders in crime novels, as well as the investigation into the possibility of more imitations, were thrilling - dealt with expertly so as to contribute to the novel's plot and the killer's psychology rather than detract from it.

With a fantastic twist, rocketing towards a brutal, shocking conclusion, 'Irène' is a superb thriller that stays with you long after the final page and leaves you wanting more - it shan't be long before I pick up the second novel, 'Alex', and delve into Camille Verhœven's world once again.



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Tooth and Nail by Ian Rankin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A gripping police procedural that takes Rebus to London to hunt a serial killer.

It has been far too long since I last read a Rebus book. Rankin's first two novels in the series, 'Knots and Crosses' and 'Hide and Seek', as well as the short story collection, 'A Good Hanging', were brilliant, so quite why it has taken so long for me to revisit the series I do not know.

'Tooth and Nail' (originally 'Wolfman' on its first publication) finds Rebus travelling from Edinburgh to London, requested to assist in the investigation of a series of murders, the perpetrator of which the press have named the Wolfman. He arrives by train, hearing the news that a third victim has been discovered, and heads straight for the crime scene.

With insights into both the killer's psyche and the police investigation, this is a superb psychological thriller, with Rebus at its heart as the fish-out-of-water detective who isn't quite sure who has summoned him to London and if he can truly make a contribution to the investigation. Rebus is soon approached by a psychologist offering to produce a profile of the Wolfman. Rebus accepts, though his suggestion to meet for dinner to discuss her profile isn't solely motivated by professional interest.

As well as contending with the case and the attitudes of the police team, who see his contribution as interference, Rebus also reacquaints himself with his ex-wife and their daughter, Samantha, who moved to London from Edinburgh. Personal and professional pressures collide and Rebus soon finds that his rash actions may have unforeseen consequences.

I couldn't put 'Tooth and Nail' down - it is well-written and tightly plotted, with a masterfully executed conclusion. Rebus is an icon of crime fiction - flawed but brilliant - and I will be eagerly devouring further novels in the series.



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The Visitor by Lee Child

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jack Reacher becomes embroiled in the FBI's hunt for a serial killer in the fourth in Lee Child's series.

Following the events of 'Tripwire', Reacher is attempting to live a normal life, with a fixed address and in a steady relationship with Jodie, returning from the previous novel. But when Reacher sees injustice, he cannot resist righting the wrong in his own way. He soon finds himself arrested - but the FBI appear to suspect him of another crime. Two women are dead, both ex-Army, found immersed in baths of paint, causes of death unknown. The FBI's Behavioural Science Unit's profile indicates the perpetrator is someone a lot like Reacher.

Drawn deeper into the investigation against his will, Reacher initially resists cooperating, but soon becomes driven to find the killer responsible as the body count rises. But he also finds himself facing his own personal challenge - he misses his days of freedom, which he has turned his back on because of his feelings for Jodie.

With each development, the killer still seems to be far ahead - clever, resourceful and cunning - but Reacher strives on, fitting the pieces together. But will he be in time to save the next victim?

The third in the series, 'Tripwire', was brilliant, but 'The Visitor' may have even topped that. Intense and thrilling, the novel builds to a tense climax with a satisfying and perfectly illustrated twist. With action-packed scenes, psychological insights, gang wars and even a crime-busting partner for Reacher in the form of Harper, the FBI agent assigned to watch his every move, this is a mash-up of thriller sub-genres with Reacher as the (anti-) hero at its heart. His methods may at times be questionable, but he is always on the side of justice.

Reacher's personal struggles develop a greater emotional depth and give the reader further insight into the character we first met in 'Killing Floor' shortly after he left the Army. I will soon be diving eagerly into 'Echo Burning' to find out what's next.



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Invisible by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A fast-paced serial killer thriller by James Patterson and David Ellis.

Emily "Emmy" Dockery, a Research Analyst with the FBI, is currently suspended - having been accused of making improper advances towards her superior after she rejected his own improper advances – but she has been dedicating her time to working on a case of her own. Her sister died earlier in the year in a house fire, which was ruled an accidental death. Emmy, however, is not convinced. She has reviewed cases of multiple fires across the US, all of which resulted in fatalities, all deemed accidental. From all of these cases, a pattern emerges - one that points to there being a cunning and devious serial killer operating across the country, undetected.

Calling on ex-agent and her ex-boyfriend Harrison "Books" Bookman, Emmy is determined to be taken seriously and finally get the chance to get justice for her sister and all the other victims. But this isn’t going to be an easy task – up against a boss determined to avoid allegations of sexual harassment and multiple law enforcement agencies who do not believe a crime has taken place.

Meanwhile, the killer is always a few steps ahead and, as Emmy, Books and the team close in, becomes ever more dangerous.

Emmy is an endearing character - spunky, emotionally scarred, always determined to do the right thing, sometimes a little too reactive and so driven by what is immediately in front of her to consider the ramifications of her words and actions. For me, her relationship with Books was one of the most enjoyable elements of the novel - it clicked with me from their first interaction and I hoped they'd somehow rekindle their relationship. The sub-plot of the sexual harassment by her boss is particularly timely, something I hope we’ll see explored further in the future.

As well as the investigation of the case from Emmy's perspective, we also learn about the crimes from the perspective of the killer through transcripts of recordings. Narcissistic, manipulative and resourceful, this is a killer who will challenge the FBI agents and may outwit them to the end.

This devious, twisted journey delivers multiple climatic moments told through Patterson’s trademark short, sharp chapters, in the build-up to the final twist; ‘Invisible’ is a gripping psychological thriller.

Emmy returns in James Patterson and David Ellis’ sequel 'Unsolved', which promises to pit her against another devious and invisible killer.



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Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Strike and Robin take on an investigation into a cold case – the 1974 disappearance of a doctor, believed to be the victim of a serial killer.

While visiting his dying aunt in Cornwall, Strike is approached by Anna, who asks him to consider investigating the disappearance of her mother, Margot Bamborough, four decades before. Strike knows the possibility of success is unlikely to impossible after such a length of time and without the resources available to the police, who were themselves unable to solve the crime. Nevertheless, his interest is piqued. Robin, now Strike’s partner in the detective agency and currently navigating her divorce, travels to Falmouth to meet with Anna and her wife, Kim, alongside Strike. They agree to work on the case for twelve months.

There were several lines of inquiry followed by police during their investigation into Margot’s disappearance, chief among them and the widely regarded opinion that she fell victim to serial killer the Essex Butcher – but there was not sufficient evidence to charge Dennis Creed, now incarcerated in Broadmoor, with Margot’s murder. Already juggling multiple cases, the agency begins its own investigation, reviewing the shaky police investigation, which had been led by two detectives before it went cold. The first detective, Talbot, had been suffering a breakdown, becoming ever more obsessed with tracking down the Essex Butcher and believing he could solve Margot’s disappearance by occult means.

Across the next year, Strike and Robin track down the original witnesses, chase down old leads and uncover new revelations, whilst juggling the agency’s caseload and their personal challenges, not least of all the complications of their own relationship. The spectre of the Occult is never far behind them in this labyrinthine mystery of long shadows, buried lies and twisted secrets.

‘Troubled Blood’, the fifth novel in the series, is instantly engrossing, the narrative propelled by the entwining plots and sub-plots. Keeping a story so tautly plotted throughout over nine-hundred pages is a feat in itself, each scene and character described in exquisite detail, the images and the emotions expertly conjured. Galbraith’s ‘Strike’ series is pitched perfectly between classic and modern, of such high quality that the result reads like a cocktail of the masters of the genre – a blend of Agatha Christie and Lynda La Plante, with a dash of Stephen King, while the voice of the storyteller is always, unmistakably, J.K. Rowling.

I loved the previous four books in the series and this is my favourite so far. Strike and Robin are such endearing characters – both full of compassion and moral integrity, striving to uncover the truth through skilled investigation and enquiring intellect – in some ways so similar and in others vastly different. These two characters and their relationship are the driving force behind the series as much as the individual investigations within each novel. We may have all experienced a relationship like theirs at some point in our lives; so enriching, yet so complicated.

The solution to the mystery is sublime, the twist hidden in plain sight and so brilliantly orchestrated; a deeply satisfying conclusion to an epic novel packed with suspense, investigative research, multiple cases, emotion and heartbreak, laughter, and the lingering shadows of evil.

‘Troubled Blood’ is a thrilling and absorbing mystery from the pen of a master storyteller. I very much hope we get to see this one adapted for TV like the previous four, and cannot wait to devour book six – this is crime fiction at its absolute finest.



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Broken by Martina Cole

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A gritty, disturbing thriller that follows the hunt for a group of paedophiles and a serial killer.

Kate Burrows is facing the most harrowing case of her career. A young boy abandoned at a building about to be demolished is only the beginning, as more children begin to go missing and meet harm, with evidence suggesting their mothers are culpable in their abandonment.

Meanwhile, her relationship with Patrick Kelly is under intense strain. Despite his assurances that he has gone legitimate, unknown to Kate he is a silent partner in a strip club, where one of the staff is found murdered. It soon becomes clear that another, more ruthless, gang is moving in on his turf.

As the investigation becomes one of child murder, with more children in danger, while she finds herself drawn into an increasingly volatile gangland disagreement, the lines are becoming increasingly blurred. Uncovering evidence of a highly organised paedophile ring, Kate is determined to bring all those involved to justice, by whatever means necessary.

Martina Cole’s police detective, Kate Burrows, following her investigation into the crimes of the Grantley Ripper in ‘The Ladykiller’, returns to investigate an even more horrific case of serial murder and once again lift the lid on the dark side of the sex industry. Martina Cole is never one to shy away or sugar-coat, her style effortlessly lending itself well to the telling of this emotive story. It covers many angles in stark detail – the mothers (rarely is a father in evidence) who struggle with their own children as they are barely able to look after themselves, this seemingly never-ending cycle of neglect and abuse through the generations; those who try to help and those who exploit, exploring a level of societal responsibility as well as the sheer horror that some of these people are in the care of young children.

In comparison, the predicaments of the gangsters pale and you feel little sympathy for them, though the subplot is, relatively, light relief from the main storyline of the police investigation. It also complements the main plotline from a different perspective – you often hear a lot of justification for pornography and defence for those running the sex industry, yet corruption, exploitation and abuse are never far away, often the dark truth behind its lucrative existence.

Kate is a tough character, uncompromising in her beliefs and steadfastly the moral heart of the story. Here we see her at her most vulnerable. Her relationship with Patrick is touching, their love for each other evident despite their differing experiences and views of the world, and we witness their relationship at both its most challenged and its strongest as the novel develops.

‘Broken’ is an intense read that explores difficult subject matter - including descriptions of abuse inflicted on children - though these subjects are handled respectfully; a detailed exploration of the tragedy of broken lives.

Harrowing and gripping in equal measure, ‘Broken’ is a masterfully plotted police thriller that swims through the murky underworld of organised crime, one that will stay with you long after you finish reading.



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Unsolved by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In a gripping sequel to ‘Invisible’, Emmy returns to hunt another elusive serial killer.

Emily "Emmy" Dockery, Research Analyst with the FBI, has acquired a modicum of fame for detecting and hunting down a serial killer several years earlier. Yet admitting serial killers of whom no one is aware may be continuing to kill is embarrassing for the FBI, so Emmy’s work remains unauthorised as she continues to trawl through data, searching for the patterns that may indicate more previously undetected predators.

Emmy’s fiancé, Harrison "Books" Bookman, has retired from the FBI and now runs a struggling bookstore. Called upon by his old mentor and now FBI director, Books finds himself tasked with investigating leaks about a moral crusader terrorist to a local reporter – which the FBI suspects Emmy to be responsible for.

With no one believing in her theories and feeling as if everyone is turning against her, Emmy is determined to hunt down the killer whom she’s been tracking for months – one who is always one step ahead, none of his murders believed to be homicides, and who has now turned his sights on her. Emmy finds herself up against an adversary more dangerous than any she’s previously encountered, in a cat and mouse game she may be unable to wriggle free from.

Told in Patterson’s trademark short, lightning-paced chapters, ‘Unsolved’ is an FBI procedural jam-packed with twists and turns and plenty of sleight-of-hand writing to keep you guessing and second-guessing as the plot races towards its conclusion. The clues are all there, yet you still may not see the well-executed twists coming until they are right upon you; throughout, we gain detailed insights into the killer’s psyche without giving too much away before each revelation.

I find Emmy a very endearing character – her determination to ferret out the truth, even when she is the only one who has faith in what the data suggests, and her willingness to go against the male-dominated FBI hierarchy is admirable. Yet we find her more damaged, her scars and her obsessiveness having a detrimental effect on her health and her life.

I adore Emmy and Books’ relationship - they bring the emotion to the story, whereas the case itself is heavily procedural, as we don’t often get an insight into the experience of the victims or their families. Despite the challenges to their relationship, their differences of opinion, and what feels like an almost inevitable conflict and disintegration within their relationship, there is an unshakable bond between them that keeps them in each other’s orbit and you hope will keep them coming back stronger.

Like its predecessor, ‘Unsolved’ is a gripping, page-turning thriller. I do hope we will get a third chapter in Emmy and Books’ story, complete with another of Emmy’s analytical hunts for a serial killer.



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The City Under Siege by Michael Russell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The hunt for a serial killer hiding in the shadows of war.

Journeying between home and London in the midst of the Blitz, Inspector Stefan Gillespie is requested to assist in investigating the murder of an Indian nationalist.

His brutal murder bears startling similarities to murder in Ireland which Stefan himself previously reviewed, as well as to several other murders of gay men in England.

The killer strikes again - this time on the island of Malta, currently suffering attacks from the German and Italian air forces. As the hunt for a killer moves to this island under siege, danger lurks around every corner as well as from the skies above.

'The City Under Siege' is the sixth book in Michael Russell's Stefan Gillespie series of historic crime thrillers set during the Second World War. An immersive, slow-burning police procedural, set in 1941, it captures you from the opening scenes, the narrative woven seamlessly, driven by the investigation into a series of brutal murders. The historical and political landscape of the War share centre-stage with the police investigations in each novel, part of the magic and brilliance of the series. Paranoia, distrust and the shady world of espionage forever lurk in the corners.

Stefan is deeply morally driven, something that may at times be at odds with the desires of his superiors in Ireland's Special Branch. Taking the path for justice is not always the easiest to tread, particularly in times of war, a war in which Ireland is insistent on displaying the face of neutrality. The subplot of Stefan's personal life also continues to develop from previous novels - his son growing up, much of which Stefan is missing. It is through the fleeting glimpses of this family life that we can feel Stefan's distance and dislocation, and his quiet struggle to come to terms with that.

Through the investigation into the murders, attitudes of the period towards homosexuality are explored - attitudes that allow a killer to operate almost unnoticed and avoid apprehension, to go on to kill again. Chillingly, we can recognise some of that culture still unchanged to this day. It was also particularly interesting to explore the perspective of India, which is relatively rarely seen in the context of the War, as well as aspects of the nation's position as a colony of the British Empire, including colonial policing and the nationalist movement for independence.

The depiction of Malta during this period is vivid, conjuring the beauty of the island as well as the terror presented from the skies and surrounding nations, and the dark underbelly of the cities. Well-written, detailed and impeccably researched, the novel does not shy away from the brutality of either the crimes or the ongoing war, all contributing to a tense and sometimes bleak atmosphere, maintaining finely-drawn suspense and a gripping psychological depth that leave you yearning for more. This may be my favourite of the six books so far, though the series is of such high quality it's difficult to make that distinction.

Engrossing and atmospheric, 'The City Under Siege' is historical crime fiction at its finest, a riveting portrait of a time departed, bathed in intrigue and mystery.

The seventh in the series, 'The City Underground', is due to be published this summer, with an eighth also promised!



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The Laughing Policeman by Elizabeth J. Brown

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A supernatural horror thriller which explores how the past may never truly be buried.

DC Stephen Anderson is celebrating with his colleagues on closure of a major case and the successful conviction of two members of criminal family, the Boswells. But his life soon descends into tragedy when the Boswells' revenge mission results in the brutal murders of his wife and daughter.

Intent on bringing retribution upon the Boswells by any means, Stephen pursues his own mission. His friend and colleague, Charlie Haynes, may be his only hope for salvation.

But in the midst this brutal battle, an ancient and relentless evil is unleashed, hell bent on havoc and destruction in its own bloodthirsty quest.

'The Laughing Policeman' is the debut novel by Elizabeth J. Brown, and the first in the Brimstone Chorus series. A tale of demonic possession, family secrets and mystery, wrapped in a concoction of dramatic action, slasher-style violence, folkloric history and superstition, climatic revelations and a dose of witchcraft, this is a thrilling horror novel that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

The build-up to the possession is impressively staged, with the vibe of a traditional police story mixed with personal dilemmas that explode into supernatural horror. The insights into the lives of the criminal family of Travellers were reminiscent of a Martina Cole thriller, setting the scene and developing the cast of characters. Meanwhile, the demon itself was in the vein of characters a certain Robert Englund might play, humorous moments of bickering and banter with its host juxtaposed with the horror and the ensuing violence.

I particularly enjoyed the time spent in the 80s, getting to know Stephen, Charlie, and the Boswells, while the return of younger generations of the family to the UK thirty-four years later, reigniting the bloodshed, brings the themes of family and friendship full circle, the legacy of the curse resurrected and the demon intent on its endgame. Ciara and Addy’s history adds a different component to the second half of the novel, bringing the emotion to the fore for both Stephen and Charlie as we race towards the finale.

‘The Laughing Policeman’ is gripping debut novel and I'm eager to see where the series will take us in the future. In the meantime, prequel novella 'The Foundling' is also available, which I must get my hands on!



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