Simon & Schuster UK

ISBN: 9781471156366

Pages: 500

TBSB Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Fact One: This is book 9 in the Robert Hunter Series.
• Fact Two: You do not need to read the others before reading this one. 

(Albeit the backstory into Robert Hunter would be beneficial to understanding certain elements of his character, it does not detract from the storyline and as such the Robert Hunter Series can be read as stand alone stories.)

• Fact Three: If you are a new reader to Chris Carter…I highly recommend starting with his first Robert Hunter book.

In a world where violent and unspeakable crimes are happening all around us, I for one find it hard to understand at times how reading something as disturbing and dark as Chris Carter’s latest novel can be so exciting. This latest edition to the Robert Hunter Series, is no exception to my statement above. In fact, after reading the first 10 chapters, I actually asked myself what on earth I was reading! It was shocking, horrifying and disturbingly dark, and yet I still found myself enthralled and utterly hooked! This is exactly what Chris Carter does best! He captures your attention from the start and keeps you on his thrill ride until the end.

The story starts with the UVC duo, Robert Hunter and Carlos Garcia. Two characters who could not be more unalike when it comes to tactfulness and patience, but who as a team certainly work well together. The outrageousness and brash attitude Garcia has as an approach to their cases, appears to work well with the methodicalness and quieter attitude Hunter demonstrates. Together they bounce off each other and have a unique dynamic that brings out the best in each other.

The duo arrive at a crime scene and are greeting with the following statement from a long serving Lieutenant…. 

“If before I die I’m allowed to choose just one thing I could unsee…That right in there would be it”

…It is at this moment that the tone for the rest of the book is set. 

This crime scene starts the journey into finding a psychopath who believes murder is a necessity for an end goal – it’s merely a form of art. 

The duo end up joining forces with the FBI and two new characters are added to the mix. Special Agent Larry Williams and Special Agent Erica Fisher are equally a formidable duo but from the start they are reluctant to engage with Hunter and Garcia. However these are extenuating circumstances and the newly put together team of four quickly realise that the serial killer “is creating his own gallery of the dead”.

In true Chris Carter style there are plenty of twists along the way and there are outcomes and character deaths that you don’t see coming. I loved the fast pace and the detail given when it was required! For me, Chris Carter is an auto buy author and I love the characters he has allowed me to create inside my mind. I am a huge Robert Hunter fan! If only he was real!

I will end this review with just two words in readiness for the upcoming release May 2019…

…Lucien Folter!!