Book Review: Local Killer by Paul Trembling – crime fiction published by Resolute Books

Today I’m pleased to be sharing with you my review of crime novel ‘Local Killer‘ by Paul Trembling.

Local Killer by Paul Trembling – book cover image of crime novel published by Resolute Books 2023

This tale of Alison, Crime Scene Investigator on the trail of a psychopathic killer whom nobody else even knows exists, is compelling. I’ve read Paul Trembling before in this genre, and know how good he is, with ingenious twists in the plot near the end, but this story was much more chilling and terrifying than ever before.

Paul Trembling, former Crime Scene Investigator, now crime fiction author, and author of the ‘Local Killer’ series.

I notice that pleased reviewers quite often like to say, ‘This book kept me turning pages late into the night.’ Not this one, for me, I’m afraid. It was late at night. I was turning pages. And I knew I should put the book down now. I did not fancy going to bed having just read about the calculations, preparations and plans of the most callous, inhuman killer imaginable.

Paul Trembling carried me to the place where the main protagonist was trapped in a situation that seems utterly impossible to escape, awaiting a death and a disposal which means multiple crimes will go unpunished, written off by the police as ‘disappearances’ – including that of Alison herself.

This author brought me very close to the mind of a psychopathic killer and it was a truly terrifying experience.  This story takes us into the dark heart of humanity, reminding us once again how ill-advised it is to make assumptions about people on the basis of their external appearance and the stories they choose to tell about themselves.

But the goal and purpose of all crime fiction is that truth, and justice, will prevail. Take heart from that!

The book was extremely clever. I began by not liking Alison particularly, then my empathy for her grew and eventually I was totally on her side and gunning for her, together with her new special companion Sam, hoping against hope for her success in exposing the truth, in the face of an indifferent and rigid response by the police investigating the crime.

Highly recommended to crime fiction lovers.  

Local Killer, crime fiction by Paul Trembling, published 2023 by Resolute Books

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