Who's Next?: A completely gripping and unputdownable crime thriller

by Chris Merritt

Stumbling to the ground, he claws at the earth around him, trying to stabilise himself, but his attacker is on him in seconds. As he stares at the lights of the bustling streets on the other side of the park gates, he doesn’t even have time to yell for help before everything goes black.

When the body of wealthy businessman Charles Stott is found dead on Wimbledon Common, covered in bruises just feet away from his luxury home, Detective Dan Lockhart is called to investigate the shocking scene. Examining the sickeningly disfigured body before him, Lockhart knows he’s dealing with a brutal killer and, as he bends down to take a closer look, he notices something on the victim’s neck: a small, crudely drawn symbol in black ink. It seems the murderer has marked his victim, but why? Dan needs to get inside the perpetrator’s mind, so he contacts psychologist Dr Lexi Green.

As the ensuing media circus puts pressure on Dan and Lexi’s investigation, another victim is found and the headlines are quick to report a serial killer is on the loose. The body of a successful lawyer has been discovered in a park with the same purple bruising and hand-drawn symbol on his neck. Dan fears that more victims will follow.

As the case intensifies, Dan uncovers a new lead on his missing wife, Jess, who disappeared eleven years ago. Determined to follow it up, he must choose between tracking down a serial murderer and finding Jess. Can he make the impossible decision before the killer strikes once more?

Fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Cara Hunter will love this thrilling new series from Chris Merritt. From an explosive start to a heart-stopping finale, you will not want to put this book down! 

• ISBN10: 1838880224
• ISBN13: 9781838880224
• Publish Date: 11 September 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Bookouture
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 430
• Language: English

Reviews

[zooloo1983]

Well, I am going to start my review at the end and what a bloody kicker that was! Please tell me we have the 3rd book in the works, on its way, and soon? Also, even though he said no words at all, I have one name to scream loudly…ZAC!!! Woohoo, he made an appearance, I do love that he is in the same world as Dan!

Anyhoo, story, well that was a messed up and clever twist, two storylines running parallel to each other, but could they be linked? I thought I had guessed the perpetrator in one storyline, I thought I was on the money, ding ding ding Nope nowhere near!

It was great to have Dan and Lexi back, a lot more focus on Dan’s army days and his PTSD. I felt his fear and pain through the pages. Still on the hunt for his missing wife Jess, yet, still there is something simmering with Lexi. The only thing I had an issue with was that Dan was a bit dismissive towards to Lexi and her theories. I mean has she let him down yet? Lexi, oh Lexi you crazy American!! Gung-ho is definitely not her forte but you have to love this girl. Wanting to be a part of MIT in her capacity, overstretching herself and then dealing with such an awful private patient. Urgh!

It is a strong second book, nowhere near as dark as Knock Knock but a different kind of book. One which changes a lot of how we see serial killers and twists that on its head. I love the path that Chris chose to go down for this tale of woe. Because as with every serial killer, there is a reason and this was a reason for such woe.

The number of pages might put you off, because we know 449 is a lot, but don’t! It does not feel like I have read that many pages. The story flows, I didn’t feel like there was any lull in the book. Every paragraph had a purpose to further the story, further the character development, to further the case. It particularly upped the anty in the closing chapters, I was panicked!!

It was nice to see the team again, Max just steals the limelight again as she works the case old school. Khan, well he had a bum deal this time, and we were introduced to Stagg, who works for a different unit but I hope he comes back again! Such a strong cast of characters both leading and minor, it just makes the series pop!

Looking forward to the next outing!!

[Emma (SCR)]

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews Thank you to Bookouture for letting me take part in this tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley. I read the first book int his series earlier this year and really loved it. I really like Dan Lockton and I enjoyed the psychological bits from Dr Green too. I found her profiling fascinating. I used to watch Criminal Minds and it reminded me of this a little.

This time we are working a case of brutal murders that have Dan and his team stumped! I was so suspicious of everyone that I just didn’t know who the murder was. We also see some chapters from the murderers POV. I love reading multiple POVs so this was fun for me. I love, love getting inside different characters heads.

I guessed something early on that I won’t ruin but I think it was a good thing to highlight. I won’t say any more on it because it will totally ruin it but I was very pleased about it.

I was very frustrated in this book for Dr Green. She had some solid ideas and she just got dismissed. Like why ask for her opinion if you are just going to dismiss it. That really irritated me.

Dan is having really personal issues in this book that kept his eye off the game too.

This book highlighted some serious issues like PTSD and sexual assault. I think its good that these are highlighted and the real fall outs of these. I was glad that Chris was honest about how these people were affected. There were some other personal issues too that are discussed. Chris is realistic in his stories which I like.

There is a real mix of the personal and the case. I think this is good for those who do want to read the whole series as you have something to come back for time and time and not just another case. Don’t get me wrong I like the cases too but it’s the personal aspects that bring people back and really make it a series. I honestly can’t wait to read the next one!