#BookReview: The Death Watcher by Chris Carter @simonschusterUK @SimonSaysBooks @librofm #TheDeathWatcher #ChrisCarter #HighlyRecommended #RobertHunter #ThrillerThursday

Book Synopsis:

When a routine autopsy on what looked like a straightforward hit-and-run leads the LA Chief Medical Examiner, Dr Carolyn Hove, to discover some puzzling inconsistencies, she calls in Detective Robert Hunter of the LAPD Ultra Violent Crimes Unit. Not only did Dr Hove discover that the death wasn’t caused by a hit-and-run, but she also found indications that the victim had been severely tortured prior to death.

What no one realises is that what Dr Hove has stumbled upon is just the tip of the iceberg and it will lead Hunter and his partner, Carlos Garcia, on the trail of a twisted and clever killer who hides in plain sight. A serial killer no one even knew existed – a killer who has always operated under the radar, expertly disguising every gruesome murder as an accidental death.

But with no leads as to why the victim was targeted, the investigation comes to a standstill, until another body is discovered with an alternative cause of death.

What becomes clear is that this serial killer isn’t going to stop – unless Hunter and Garcia can get to him.

But how do you investigate a murder when you have no victims? How do you catch a killer who leaves behind no crime scene? How do you stop a ghost who no one can prove even exists?

My Review:

The Death Watcher is a dark, gripping thriller from a author for me.  I’ve been recommended this author multiple times, so I’m pleased that I finally got a chance to experience his books. It’s going to be a difficult book to review as I really don’t want to give anything away.  

I was immediately thrown into the story and into the, rather terrifying, murder investigation Hunter and Garcia find themselves with.  This book is slightly different to other crime novels that I have read as there aren’t initially a lot of suspects so instead the investigation focuses on why the murder might be choosing his victims which I found quite fascinating to follow.  I liked that the investigation seemed to unfold at a realistic pace and it was great to see the detectives using their brains to solve the crime rather than just relying on technology.  

The story had a great pace to it and soon became very gripping as the reader learns more about the victims, the murderer and their history.  I listened to this on audiobook and soon found myself walking the long way to work as I wanted to find out what would happen next.  The descriptions of torture are quite graphic and definitely won’t be for the faint hearted.  I’ve read quite a few dark crime novels and even I felt queasy at times.  There was lots of twists and red herrings that kept me guessing and I didn’t figure out what was going on until the end which I always love.  

Huge thanks to Simon and Schuster for providing me with an ALC through Libro fm.  

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About The Author:

Born in Brazil of Italian origin, Chris Carter studied psychology and Criminal behaviour in the USA. As a member of the District Attorney’s Criminal Psychology team, and working together with the Police Department in numerous cases, he interviewed and studied many criminals, including serial and multiple homicide offenders with life imprisonment convictions. He now lives in London, UK.