I picked this one up because it was written by the woman who wrote the Woman in Black and the Man in the Portrait, both Victorian style "horror" stories that I really liked. This one concerns her detective Simon Serrailler and the blurb on the back says this is "her most gripping psychological thriller yet."Don't agree. I realized after I started it that I've read one of this series before, but I don't remember it (does that tell you something????). But "psychological thriller" this is not. It's really a basic detective story with a police detective that has some adjustment problems (to be a policeman? to be an artist? to be both? how to get along with stepmom - even though he's an adult) and a killer who has a "thing" for killing prostitutes. Pretty typical.The writing isn't anything to write home about either. Just plain ole template style detective story.I don't want to disparage the book for those who enjoy the Serrailler series. I just didn't find that it was as good as it was described. This is the first book in a while which I have read in such a short space of time because I just wanted to keep reading the whole way through. I loved Woman in Black but hadn't read anything else until this book. I love her style of writing and I didn't guess who the killer was at all. I loved Simon Serrailler and reading about his family although Abi was the most interesting character for me. The book is fast and intriguing with captivating characters and so easy to read. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series!
Liked the writing but not the ending. Not solved by good police work but by accident.
—JJASOwN
Really like this series. One of my favorites.
—Kent
Another excellent thriller.
—Gaorie
I do enjoy a good murder.
—Arnold
