Genre: Crime fiction

Stars: 5

Links: Amazon UK and Amazon.com

The Blurb:

No birth announcement could top the headlines from the day Janie and Jack Perkins entered the world. As twins born to a mother in a coma—courtesy of a bullet from their father—the sensational story of their birth never quite died down. While Jack still craves the flash of a camera, Janie seeks sanctuary behind the lens—as a crime scene photographer.

Thanks to Janie’s line of work, she’s comfortable around gruesome murders. But when old photos of her mother’s body arrive in the mail, they open deep-seated wounds and raise chilling new questions about who was really responsible for that deadly night.

Did Janie’s father spend decades in jail as an innocent man? Did an infamous serial killer actually take her mother’s life? With photos in hand, Janie brings the truth into focus. But when her investigation ends up invoking the wrath of the long-dormant killer, she must race to piece together the final evidence—before she becomes the target.

My Review:

Great, well-written crime fiction, this is one that keeps punching you with the unexpected every time you think it’s veering on predictability.

I thought the mix of Janie Perkins’ narration of present-day events combined with the third-person relay of events from 30 years ago made for great story-telling. From the opening chapter, where Grady shoots his expectant girlfriend, this novel is non-stop mystery and action. What really happened that night 30 years ago? Who was the ‘third man’ present, if he really existed at all? And who was the Haiku Killer? Stir in strange neighbours, drug dealers, ghosts from the past and some romance and you’re still not there.

It’s been a while since I was last surprised by a crime novel, but this delightfully fresh and original writing has done just that. Recommended.

*I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.