About the Book
The hunt is on for a serial killer in this thrilling festive crime novel
It looks like a regular advent calendar.
Until DC Becky Greene starts opening doors…and discovers a crime scene behind almost every one.
The police hope it’s a prank. Because if it isn’t, a murderer has just surfaced – someone who’s been killing for twenty years.
But why now? And why has he sent it to this police station?
As the country relaxes into festive cheer, Greene and DS Eddie Carmine must race against time to catch the killer. Because there are four doors left, and four murders will fill them…
It’s shaping up to be a deadly little Christmas.
My Review
Having read Susi’s previous series, The Banktoun trilogy and a handful of short stories I was looking forward to reading her latest novel. I hope that this book will be the start of a new series because it has great potential.
The investigation starts when an advent calendar arrives by post to the police station. But this is a calender with a difference, behind each door is the photograph of a murder scene and previously unconnected cases now appear otherwise.
There are four narrators – Eddie,Becky, Carly and the photographer. Eddie is a cop with a conscience who still feels regret over a cold case from years ago. As soon as he sees one of the photos he initially feels remorse but then hopes that he can finally find closure. Becky is new to the team and eager to prove herself. There is indication of trouble in her past but no details are given. Carly has major issues, her marriage is on the rocks and she is a heavy drinker. The photographer is on a mission, clever but increasingly desperate.
This was a book that was very easy to read and impossible to put down. I could feel the desire to find who was responsible for the murders as quickly as possible. Preferably before the break for Christmas. At times intimidating, it made me think how dangerous certain everyday things could be. I’m not saying more about that but I am glad that my house number is what it is!
One of the more convincing parts of the novel were the visits to the parent of the cold case victim. The grief and anger felt by the parent as well as the police was how I imagine it to be.
It’s a very readable novel with a case that is different that has to be solved by a team that are hard-working, and have a good team spirit. There was no officer who didn’t belong or begrudge another’s success in the team. I found it very refreshing.
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