Before He kills Again

[Anne-Marie]

I had, strangely, forgotten how brilliantly Margaret Murphy writes as Margaret Murphy, having enjoyed Ashley Dyer and A.D Garrett so much. I would gladly have read this in one sitting, but that being said, the anticipation of having to put it down and wait to open the book to read the next exciting bit added to the enjoyment.

There was violence, not too overpowering but certainly gasp making. There was some swearing, but not too much and in context (I only mention it because I know some people like a heads up on such things.) There was sexism and misogyny, police corruption, and cover ups a plenty. But the main protagonist, Cassie, is more than a match for this, whilst at the same time taking on a violent criminal. She did have her faults, bad temper, no filter, but her characters flaws are partly explained by her back story, and her treatment by some of her colleagues. She is one of the more feisty female leads I’ve come across, but thoroughly enjoyable and likeable.

The plot is quite complex, with lots of side stories going on, but this enhances rather than detracts from the horror of the main events. It gives a feeling of normality on one hand , with the domestic scenes and office banter, against quite horrendous crimes being committed. I found this reflected nicely the “any normal person might be hiding a monster inside” string of the plot. The psychologist strand, with Alan Palmer and Amy Sefton, presenting two possible suspects, had me second guessing. Throw a third suspect into the pot, and you have one thrilling, rollercoaster of a book. Having said that, it was more like a Hall of Mirrors, where nothing is quite as it appears. Great stuff.

The characters are well written and the relationships believable. Even minor characters like Alex, have the possibility of being more. Some characters you could really dislike, some you wanted to give a slap to, but even the obnoxious characters were interesting to read.

There are so many possibilities for the characters and situations to develop that I can see a way ahead for a series. Hopefully so! This is edge of the seat, nail biting crime writing at it’s best.