Atkinson’s Adversary is the third book in the Reaper series. I haven’t actually read the second one yet, and though there were some references to events or characters that I didn’t fully grasp, I was taken aback by the engaging and fast-paced storyline.

Some of my favourite characters include Sarah, whose boundary-crossing and inappropriate humour made me smirk more than once. John Smith and his clueless personality are always interesting. I like how events tend to happen to John Smith and yet he remains passive or curious.

Most of the storyline is about the new Chief Inspector William Crawshaw, a misogynist whose ugly personality seems to create clashes between characters. The negativity surrounding Crawshaw attracts a dark entity from another realm, which has worrying consequences for the Reaper and the firm Atkinson, Smith, and Dewhirst. Though Crawshaw wasn’t an endearing character, whenever he was mentioned in the story things happened or sped-up; which I liked.

I also respect the way the books in the Reaper series are written. There is something about the speech and character interaction that is pleasant to read. I would certainly consider reading another in this series.