At Dusk (Alex Troutt Thriller, #5)

by John W Mefford

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

“At Dusk” by John W. Mefford is the fifth book in the Alex Troutt series. I have been following the series from the beginning and stories get better with each installment. In this installment, Alex finds herself partnered with Terri, a female detective from the Boston PD. This partnership came about as a result of a recent murder that closely resembles a cold case that the FBI had been investigating. These two have found themselves in a race against time as they investigate what appears to be the work of a serial murderer.

This case took a different turn from the cases that Alex is used to investigating. The killer appears to be a highly intelligent sociopath. The author opened my eyes to the type person he was and how his life developed from childhood to adulthood. I also saw how his appetite for killing evolved from animals to humans. He had a specific type when it came to his victims, which is the case sometimes when it came to serial killers. The reason behind his predilection became clear as the story progressed. It almost made me feel sorry for him.

In conducting their investigation, Alex and Terri found that they were not dealing with one but two predators. This added some complexity to the case which made them realise they had their work cut out for them. However, one thing I have discovered from reading this series is that no matter how complex the case may appear, Alex with the help of her dynamic team usually gets the job done. As the investigation progresses, she once again finds that her professional life colliding with her personal life and not in a good way.

What I enjoy about this series is that the focus is not solely on solving the cases. The author provides insight into the lives of the characters, allowing for readers to become invested in them. Now that I am on book 5 I have to say that my respect for Alex has increased exponentially. I admire her dedication to her job and her children. I could empathize with her internal struggle as it relates to her relationship with Brad. I kept hoping and praying that she would make the right decision where this was concerned because after all that she has been through she deserves some happiness.

The story was fast paced. It didn’t take me long to figure the role each suspect played, however, what kept the story moving along was trying to figure out what their next move would be.

Verdict: Another great addition to the series. Recommended for fans of mystery and thrillers.