Emma (SCR)
Written on Feb 3, 2018
This is the first in a new series following Detective Dan Riley. I really like Detective Dan. He's genuine. He's a good Copper and he really cares about making a difference. Dan's grief is overwhelming at times just like it is in life. Two years may have passed but grief doesn't care about the passing of time. The thing about grief is that you can think you're doing great, you're getting on with life and then the simplest of things can knock you down. A smell for example can evoke a memory that will sucker punch you and its like you've lost that person all over again. For Dan Rachel hasn't left him. He hasn't dealt with his grief which as a Copper could be quite dangerous. I am looking forward to seeing more of his character as the series progresses.
The book switches perspective from Dan to our killer. I have to say I rather enjoyed the chapters from the killer's POV. It was very interesting to see inside her head. Sometimes she was rather normal but other times she had such a different view of the world to what I have that it was quite an eye opener. At times you actually feel sorry for her and what she has been through which can only come from very skilled writing.
Anna-Lou does an excellent job of pulling you in from the very first chapter. The beginning is very fast paced and I raced through the first half of the book. There was a lot going on and I was intrigued. The middle was a little slow and at times I just wanted to speed through. But the end was worth the wait.
I also really liked Davis. She is an excellent copper and I can see her rising through the ranks. I hope we get to see a little more of her as the series progresses. Touchy is also an enjoyable character who I look forward to seeing again.
I can't wait for Detective Dan's next case and I think I will try to check out some of Anna-Lou's other books in the meantime.