A.A. Chaudhuri – Steph's Book Blog

About The Book

Madeline Kramer has finally got her life back on track at top City law firm Sullivan, Blake, Monroe. But when two armed, masked men burst into a conference room one lunchtime, kidnapping a trainee and a partner, Maddy’s life is plunged into disarray once more—particularly when charismatic DCI Jake Carver, who caught a heartless killer when they last met and with whom Maddy shared a mutual chemistry, is called to the scene.

Things become more complicated when a disturbing video reveals two more trainees have been taken. What initially appears as a random kidnapping for mercenary gain soon evolves into something far more complex, the horrifying events of thirty years ago motivating the abductors and having colossal implications for those in the present…

Against a backdrop of sleaze, sex, lies and murder in The Abduction, Maddy and Carver must work together to unravel the truth, and ensure that no crimes—past or present—are left unpunished.

My Review

With thanks to the publisher for the copy received. The Abduction is the second book in the Kramer and Carver series and I recommend you read them in order. There are a few references to the previous investigation throughout this book.

When colleagues are abducted from the firm Maddy now works for, everybody is shocked and they are relieved that the most of the ransom demand is swiftly agreed to. But there is a reason for the abduction, a secret from university that some are determined will stay that way. They are unprepared though, for how determined the group of kidnappers are to have all of their demands met.

However, not everything is as it initially appears and the author does a good job of bringing all the threads together into a gripping storyline with a tale of revenge, guilt, trauma and some throughly obnoxious characters.

Kramer and Carver didn’t feature heavily, instead most of story is revealed by the other characters. Whilst there were a handful I had sympathy for, one in particular who shall remember nameless, the overwhelming feeling was how easy it was to manipulate others into doing what was wanted.

A clever novel that I hope isn’t a true reflection of those who work in law.

About The Book

Making it as a lawyer has always been a cutthroat business.

A killer is targeting former students of The Bloomsbury Academy of Law. The victims – all female – are gruesomely butchered according to a pattern corresponding with the legal syllabus. Even more disconcerting are riddles sent by the killer to investigating officer, Chief Inspector Jake Carver, offering clues as to who is next and where they will die.

Up-and-coming lawyer Madeline Kramer, a former classmate of a number of the slain, soon finds her life turned upside down by the savagery. And when she decides to help Carver track down the killer, she places herself in mortal danger. Can Maddy and Carver unscramble the complex riddles and save the lives of those destined to die?

A. A. Chaudhuri’s Ripper-like mystery, The Scribe, throws down a challenge even hardened crime thriller fans will be unable to resist.

My Review

With thanks to the publisher for the copy received. The Scribe is the first in a new series of books that features a police officer and a lawyer. They start to work together when women that Maddy knows are found dead with differing messages carved onto their bodies.

It was a fascinating and gripping novel to read. I certainly read a lot of crime fiction but I can’t remember reading one where you get to know the victim just before their death. I found it created empathy and gave me a connection with them. Rather than just seeing them after their death. The flashbacks are also interesting, they don’t always work but they do so here. They gave a brief insight into the victims and their tutor. As they progress you do see the more unlikeable side to a few of them.

Carver and Maddy are strong characters and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. You see glimpses of their family lives but it doesn’t overpower the main storyline. I liked both of them and the other officer, Drake a lot. James and Elizabeth Stirling I absolutely detested, and I always admire an author who makes me feel that way about a character. They were amongst many that I suspected of being the killer.

This is a series I will definitely follow in the future. I want to know what happens next for both of them.