REVIEW: Crossing the Line

REVIEW: Crossing the Line

BLOG BLAST: PUBLICATION DAY.  Overdue Book Reviews is one of several blogs participating in a blog blast to push the U.S. publication of Kerry Wilkinson’s Crossing the Line (Jessica Daniel #8).

Pick up your copy today:  Amazon

I received an advanced review copy (ARC) from the publisher but in no way did this influence my voluntary review of the book. All thoughts and opinions in this post are my own and I do not stand to profit from this promotion.


 

Crossing the Line

By: Kerry Wilkinson

Publishing Information: Bookouture (December 12, 2017),

e-book, 367 pages

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense, Fiction

 

FROM THE PUBLISHER 

A serial killer with a past. A detective with a secret…

Twenty-five years ago, the Stretford Slasher murdered eight women and was locked behind bars for life. But after the notorious serial killer dies in prison, there is a new series of attacks bearing all the hallmarks of the originals. Victims are being targeted in broad daylight and people are scared to go out…

 

Recently promoted Detective Inspector Jessica Daniel is heading up the investigation. To unmask the culprit, Jessica must first unravel the truth behind decades of secrets. With so many leads, she enlists the help of Detective Superintendent Niall Hambleton – the man who arrested the Stretford Slasher.

 

Will Jessica be able to connect the crimes before someone else gets hurt? And how far will she go to solve the case?


Fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Bryndza and Rachel Abbott will be hooked by this pacey, addictive crime thriller, guaranteed to keep you turning the pages until the unforgettable ending. 


MY REVIEW

Here’s another great read from Bookoutur!

Crossing the Line is the 8th book in the Jessica Daniels series. However, each of the books can be read as a standalone novel.  If you would like to begin with the first book of the series, The Killer Inside, you can pick up your copy here: amazon.

Jessica Daniel has recently been reinstated and promoted to Detective Inspector at the Greater Manchester Police when a series of bizarre, and possibly related, attacks occur across the city.  Jessica rushes to figure out what’s behind the attacks while simultaneously fielding off the press, coming to terms with some deeply personal troubles, and attempting to apprehend the stations dry-erase pen thief so she can update the whiteboard.

While some of the characters may not have been striking, Jessica’s dry wit, cynicism, and humorous defense leaps off the page.  She’s uncomfortable in her new role at work as she doesn’t much stand on ceremony.  The last thing she needs is an internal police scandal, but her calm and cool efficiency helps keeps the ol’ police cogs turning as smoothly as possible.

The grim humor from her perspective made this a unique detective noir.  Usually this sort of “old-and-cantankerous before their time” role is played by a middle aged man who suffers substance abuse and has a string of broken relationships in his past.  Jessica is nothing like that. I was pleased that Jessica wore this role so well.  She’s been around a while and has a wealth of experience to back up her intuition and hard work.  Her crotchety and smart-ass acts are expected of her and seem like a second cloak she’s worn for a long time, however they barely cover the warm and caring interior that she has for others.

The plot, however far-fetched at times, was well balanced and tightly woven together.  It wasn’t ground-breaking for crime fiction, but the characters were likable and the writing was well done.  The element of battling crime as well as bad PR was a creative twist that was well incorporated.

One of my favorite story telling elements is when the setting becomes it’s own character.  Kerry Wilkinson’s setting of Manchester was perfectly characterized; it was nuanced and detailed. I don’t read many books that take such perverse pleasure in their setting.  Manchester didn’t apologize for it’s northerness: it’s never done so before and can’t be bothered to do so now.

As the story closes, you’re left with just the right amount of closure to feel satisfied but enough anticipation for the next novel to be impatient for its release.

Pick up your copy today:  Amazon


ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Kerry Wilkinson has had No.1 bestsellers in the UK, Canada, South Africa and Singapore, as well as top-five books in Australia. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States.

As well as his million-selling Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written the Silver Blackthorn trilogy – a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults – a second crime series featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.

Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry has spent far too long living in the north of England, picking up words like ‘barm’ and ‘ginnel’.

When he’s short of ideas, he rides his bike or bakes cakes. When he’s not, he writes it all down.

Upcoming US releases:
Behind Closed Doors (Jessica Daniel 7): Out now | Amazon
Two Sisters (standalone): Out now | Amazon
The Girl Who Came Back (standalone): Out now | Amazon
Crossing The Line (Jessica Daniel 8): December 2017 | Amazon
Scarred For Life (Jessica Daniel 9): late-2017
One Cloudy Night (standalone): Spring 2018
The Death And Life Of Eleanor Parker (standalone): June 2018
For Richer, For Poorer (Jessica Daniel 10): 2018
Nothing But Trouble (Jessica Daniel 11): 2018

 

Author Social Media Links:

Website: http://kerrywilkinson.com 

Facebook: http://facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks


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