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The Enemy Inside #1
The Enemy Inside
While exploring darkness in others, be careful not to expose your own.
That's what Chicago detective Alicia Raymond discovers when she's assigned to investigate the gruesome torture and murder of a middle-aged trucker with a horrible secret.
Before she can get a lead on one crime, however, the bodies start piling up and Alicia, better known as Berg, finds herself the unexpected target of the very same legal system she has dedicated her life to.
While simultaneously under attack from a formidable past, an enemy that seems to know too much, and a conniving killer, Berg is forced to confront her own her obsessive need to track down killers at the expense of everything else in her life; her increasing craving for violence just to feel normal; and her potentially devastating feelings for her partner, the charming and handsome Detective Inspector Jay O’Loughlin.
The more Berg works her original case, the more she learns about the sheer viciousness of the trucker’s past, and the more she questions if his murderer should even be punished by a justice system that only seems determined to free the guilty. When she also finds herself sympathizing with a sadistic butcher exacting revenge for a decades-old crime, she realizes the most dangerous secret of all might just be her own state of mind.
While Berg struggles with her morality, a killer is determined to recruit her and use her for a devastating end game.
As Berg’s carefully constructed life falls apart and she struggles to maintain a grip on reality, she faces a surrender to the evil inside or finally acknowledge the brutal past she would rather bury.
The Enemy Inside is the first in the Edge of Darkness series, which challenges the concept of justice, asks if vengeance sometimes justifies murder, and explores whether you can ever heal from a broken past.
That's what Chicago detective Alicia Raymond discovers when she's assigned to investigate the gruesome torture and murder of a middle-aged trucker with a horrible secret.
Before she can get a lead on one crime, however, the bodies start piling up and Alicia, better known as Berg, finds herself the unexpected target of the very same legal system she has dedicated her life to.
While simultaneously under attack from a formidable past, an enemy that seems to know too much, and a conniving killer, Berg is forced to confront her own her obsessive need to track down killers at the expense of everything else in her life; her increasing craving for violence just to feel normal; and her potentially devastating feelings for her partner, the charming and handsome Detective Inspector Jay O’Loughlin.
The more Berg works her original case, the more she learns about the sheer viciousness of the trucker’s past, and the more she questions if his murderer should even be punished by a justice system that only seems determined to free the guilty. When she also finds herself sympathizing with a sadistic butcher exacting revenge for a decades-old crime, she realizes the most dangerous secret of all might just be her own state of mind.
While Berg struggles with her morality, a killer is determined to recruit her and use her for a devastating end game.
As Berg’s carefully constructed life falls apart and she struggles to maintain a grip on reality, she faces a surrender to the evil inside or finally acknowledge the brutal past she would rather bury.
The Enemy Inside is the first in the Edge of Darkness series, which challenges the concept of justice, asks if vengeance sometimes justifies murder, and explores whether you can ever heal from a broken past.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2013
2 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Skye
9 books16 followersVanessa Skye has always had a love of words and spent her school years writing poetry, speeches and fictional essays.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism and studying Psychology at Charles Sturt University, Vanessa got a job at Rural Press—Australia's largest publisher of regional and agricultural news and information—where she worked as a journalist in the Central West of NSW for four years.
Thousands of stories later, Vanessa decided to move back to Sydney and try her hand at public relations while studying a Master of Arts in Communication.
Skip forward a few years and Vanessa once again found herself joyfully studying various psychology subjects while managing a Sydney public relations firm. Enthralled with examining the motivations behind people’s actions, Vanessa realized what she really wanted to do in life was combine her love of words with her fascination for human behavior.
So Vanessa quit public relations to begin the significantly more impoverished life of a professional writer.
Inspired by a recurring dream, Vanessa wrote her crime fiction debut, The Enemy Inside, which challenges the concept of justice, asks if the need for vengeance sometimes justifies murder, and explores whether you can ever heal from childhood abuse. The second book in this Edge of Darkness series, Broken, soon followed. The third and final book in this series, Bloodlines, was released on January 15, 2015.
Vanessa’s first paranormal romance book, Koven, was released in May 2015.
In 2016, Vanessa released the first book in a new adult fantasy series, Phoenix.
In her spare time, Vanessa wrote a short story, The Piece, which was published in February 2012 by Dark Prints Press as a part of the One That Got Away dark fiction anthology.
Vanessa now works as a full time writer, lives in Sydney’s northern beaches and tries to immerse herself in salt water at least once a day.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism and studying Psychology at Charles Sturt University, Vanessa got a job at Rural Press—Australia's largest publisher of regional and agricultural news and information—where she worked as a journalist in the Central West of NSW for four years.
Thousands of stories later, Vanessa decided to move back to Sydney and try her hand at public relations while studying a Master of Arts in Communication.
Skip forward a few years and Vanessa once again found herself joyfully studying various psychology subjects while managing a Sydney public relations firm. Enthralled with examining the motivations behind people’s actions, Vanessa realized what she really wanted to do in life was combine her love of words with her fascination for human behavior.
So Vanessa quit public relations to begin the significantly more impoverished life of a professional writer.
Inspired by a recurring dream, Vanessa wrote her crime fiction debut, The Enemy Inside, which challenges the concept of justice, asks if the need for vengeance sometimes justifies murder, and explores whether you can ever heal from childhood abuse. The second book in this Edge of Darkness series, Broken, soon followed. The third and final book in this series, Bloodlines, was released on January 15, 2015.
Vanessa’s first paranormal romance book, Koven, was released in May 2015.
In 2016, Vanessa released the first book in a new adult fantasy series, Phoenix.
In her spare time, Vanessa wrote a short story, The Piece, which was published in February 2012 by Dark Prints Press as a part of the One That Got Away dark fiction anthology.
Vanessa now works as a full time writer, lives in Sydney’s northern beaches and tries to immerse herself in salt water at least once a day.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 17, 2015
It seems I am on a bit of a crime, mystery, thriller spree at the moment. Totally unintentional, but totally awesome so far.
The Enemy Inside is a brilliant story. It has likable, real and flawed characters. This was probably the best aspect. I loved that there was no Hollywood-ising of them. They had fantastic good qualities and some pretty intense bad ones, it was like reading about real people, not just characters in a book.
Berg (our female lead) was fiercely strong and pigheaded with her police investigations. Yet in the next breath vulnerable and struggling to cope with her inner demons. So realistic.
Her partner Jay, the guy who has screwed every woman in a 10 block radius of the precinct (except Berg) was surprisingly easy to like.
The two made a great team of detectives and forged their way towards solving the grisly murders that kept cropping up as the story progressed.
Again, this book showcased some amazing insights into the forensic detail on a crime scene and the procedural processes for handling a murder.
Where this might put some off, the grisly murders, while not overtly graphic they are discussed in detail. There are some events including sodomy and rape and abuse of women. As well as a quick peek into the D/s lifestyle but only for a little bit.
The ending was great. I had picked up on some of the clues but not all. It was a mind blowing experience to see how the whole thing came together.
If you want to try your hand at a serial killer cop drama, pick up The Enemy Inside today! You won't regret it.
The Enemy Inside is a brilliant story. It has likable, real and flawed characters. This was probably the best aspect. I loved that there was no Hollywood-ising of them. They had fantastic good qualities and some pretty intense bad ones, it was like reading about real people, not just characters in a book.
Berg (our female lead) was fiercely strong and pigheaded with her police investigations. Yet in the next breath vulnerable and struggling to cope with her inner demons. So realistic.
Her partner Jay, the guy who has screwed every woman in a 10 block radius of the precinct (except Berg) was surprisingly easy to like.
The two made a great team of detectives and forged their way towards solving the grisly murders that kept cropping up as the story progressed.
Again, this book showcased some amazing insights into the forensic detail on a crime scene and the procedural processes for handling a murder.
Where this might put some off, the grisly murders, while not overtly graphic they are discussed in detail. There are some events including sodomy and rape and abuse of women. As well as a quick peek into the D/s lifestyle but only for a little bit.
The ending was great. I had picked up on some of the clues but not all. It was a mind blowing experience to see how the whole thing came together.
If you want to try your hand at a serial killer cop drama, pick up The Enemy Inside today! You won't regret it.
February 6, 2015
A respected detective with the Chicago Police Department’s Special Crimes Unit, Berg, formally known as Detective Alicia Raymond and partner, the irrepressible womaniser, Jay O’Loughlin, are assigned to investigate the murder of a truck driver. As the gruesome remains of dead truckies begin to mount, the pieces start to fall into place and it becomes clear that the deaths are related to a case they have been working on involving a string of missing women.
Personally though, Berg isn’t doing so well – she often feels as though she is losing control of her life. She is still hurting and vulnerable from a childhood, the likes of which many of us may not know and the only thing that appears to keep her going is her gorgeous canine friend Jesse and the shameful secret she keeps - until Jay accidentally stumbles upon it.
As he tries to break though the walls she has built up around her, she slowly allows them to crumble. It is when he puts his life on the line to try and catch the killer that both these flawed characters will need to finally answer some burning questions held deep within.
I have been reviewing books now for about two years and am still astounded at the amount of talent there is amongst our Australian authors which I always go out of my way to promote. In saying this, Australian crime author, Vanessa Skye, is yet another to add to my growing list of must-read authors as I was blown away by her writing.
Published in August 2013, The Enemy Inside is Vanessa’s debut novel and the first in the promising Edge of Darkness crime series featuring her strong female antihero, Detective Berg (otherwise known as Alicia Raymond) and I was so drawn into the story that, if I didn’t need sleep in order to function properly the next day, I probably would have read straight through the night.
Vanessa’s character development is impeccable and I found myself rooting for the emotionally battered Berg as well as becoming just a little infatuated with the sexy and compassionate character of Jay O’Loughlin as they raced against time to catch a killer. Their characterisation is both deep and rich and their personal lives are balanced perfectly with the demands of the case, introducing many different themes, which I won’t go into so as not to give anything away.
The atmosphere and emotion add to the richness of the landscape that these characters live in and Vanessa keeps the suspense tight, revealing nothing until she absolutely wants to, so much so that I was left second-guessing myself as to the identity of the killer as Berg struggled to keep her own demons at bay.
It’s also clear that Vanessa has done a lot of research into the workings of crime scenes, forensics, the roles of detectives and the police departments in which they work and I found myself totally absorbed in the world that Berg and Jay inhabit.
This is an entertaining and thrilling work of fiction with Vanessa keeping her storyline original and stitching up her narrative structure perfectly. So, if you enjoy a riveting police investigation with plenty of suspense and a memorable cast of characters to keep the pages turning, whilst on a deeper level giving insight into the many aspects of human nature as well as the world around us, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to you. Ultimately, it’s a story about conquering your own worst enemy – yourself!
I can’t wait to see what Vanessa has in store for Berg and Jay in the second in the series, Broken.
Personally though, Berg isn’t doing so well – she often feels as though she is losing control of her life. She is still hurting and vulnerable from a childhood, the likes of which many of us may not know and the only thing that appears to keep her going is her gorgeous canine friend Jesse and the shameful secret she keeps - until Jay accidentally stumbles upon it.
As he tries to break though the walls she has built up around her, she slowly allows them to crumble. It is when he puts his life on the line to try and catch the killer that both these flawed characters will need to finally answer some burning questions held deep within.
I have been reviewing books now for about two years and am still astounded at the amount of talent there is amongst our Australian authors which I always go out of my way to promote. In saying this, Australian crime author, Vanessa Skye, is yet another to add to my growing list of must-read authors as I was blown away by her writing.
Published in August 2013, The Enemy Inside is Vanessa’s debut novel and the first in the promising Edge of Darkness crime series featuring her strong female antihero, Detective Berg (otherwise known as Alicia Raymond) and I was so drawn into the story that, if I didn’t need sleep in order to function properly the next day, I probably would have read straight through the night.
Vanessa’s character development is impeccable and I found myself rooting for the emotionally battered Berg as well as becoming just a little infatuated with the sexy and compassionate character of Jay O’Loughlin as they raced against time to catch a killer. Their characterisation is both deep and rich and their personal lives are balanced perfectly with the demands of the case, introducing many different themes, which I won’t go into so as not to give anything away.
The atmosphere and emotion add to the richness of the landscape that these characters live in and Vanessa keeps the suspense tight, revealing nothing until she absolutely wants to, so much so that I was left second-guessing myself as to the identity of the killer as Berg struggled to keep her own demons at bay.
It’s also clear that Vanessa has done a lot of research into the workings of crime scenes, forensics, the roles of detectives and the police departments in which they work and I found myself totally absorbed in the world that Berg and Jay inhabit.
This is an entertaining and thrilling work of fiction with Vanessa keeping her storyline original and stitching up her narrative structure perfectly. So, if you enjoy a riveting police investigation with plenty of suspense and a memorable cast of characters to keep the pages turning, whilst on a deeper level giving insight into the many aspects of human nature as well as the world around us, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to you. Ultimately, it’s a story about conquering your own worst enemy – yourself!
I can’t wait to see what Vanessa has in store for Berg and Jay in the second in the series, Broken.
September 17, 2013
I'm a girlie and fluffy and all that, but I do love a good cop show. You know how CSI and the likes keep you riveted about the world of crime and cops and other TV shows/movies have serial killers and all that lovely hoopla? Well, The Enemy Inside has all this, and more!
I couldn't believe how easy this book was to read. Not the subject matter, but the way Ms Skye puts her words down on the page? Absolutely riveting! I went into this book a bit scared that it would be tedious (after all, my ereader gave me 300+ pages on this). But then what happened is I started reading, blinked, and I was already at page 50! Amazing! The words flow so well, and Ms Skye paints such a concise and broad picture of the cop life in Chicago. Kudos!
I do admit I had a hard time connecting with Berg at times; the whole 'she gets home in the morning and then goes to wash the blood resulting from her nighttime escapade'. Nothing sinister a la Dexter, but Berg is pushing after something and we wonder what that is, what she is looking for so desperately.
But the details in this book were astounding. The suspense, literally keeping you glued to your book copy. I had a hard time letting go, and it's not often I say this for a book, especially one that's not fluffy and is rather quite hard in its subject matter.
And speaking of 'hard', Ms Skye doesn't hold her punches, but she toes the line as to keeping the subject matter from veering into sickeningly disturbing territory. I've started countless serial killer mysteries and had to stop because one read through the killer's POV and I felt sick. Not the case here - the depravity is there, but just short of being disturbing. Another kudos here. Gritty and in your face without being over the top - I'd say that's a stroke of Vanessa Skye's mastery as an author. I, for one, am definitely waiting for her next book!
I loved this book, and that's saying something coz it's not my usual style or my 'enjoyment' fare in reading. Really glad I took a chance on this one!
I couldn't believe how easy this book was to read. Not the subject matter, but the way Ms Skye puts her words down on the page? Absolutely riveting! I went into this book a bit scared that it would be tedious (after all, my ereader gave me 300+ pages on this). But then what happened is I started reading, blinked, and I was already at page 50! Amazing! The words flow so well, and Ms Skye paints such a concise and broad picture of the cop life in Chicago. Kudos!
I do admit I had a hard time connecting with Berg at times; the whole 'she gets home in the morning and then goes to wash the blood resulting from her nighttime escapade'. Nothing sinister a la Dexter, but Berg is pushing after something and we wonder what that is, what she is looking for so desperately.
But the details in this book were astounding. The suspense, literally keeping you glued to your book copy. I had a hard time letting go, and it's not often I say this for a book, especially one that's not fluffy and is rather quite hard in its subject matter.
And speaking of 'hard', Ms Skye doesn't hold her punches, but she toes the line as to keeping the subject matter from veering into sickeningly disturbing territory. I've started countless serial killer mysteries and had to stop because one read through the killer's POV and I felt sick. Not the case here - the depravity is there, but just short of being disturbing. Another kudos here. Gritty and in your face without being over the top - I'd say that's a stroke of Vanessa Skye's mastery as an author. I, for one, am definitely waiting for her next book!
I loved this book, and that's saying something coz it's not my usual style or my 'enjoyment' fare in reading. Really glad I took a chance on this one!
March 4, 2015
This book is an amazing debut. It is a rare thing for a whodunnit to have me completely bamboozled until right at the end, but this did, and it did it well. The plot is so well-crafted, with twists and red herrings aplenty, that the pace races along and you find yourself really caring for Berg and Jay.
In fact, I fell a little bit in love with Jay. Unlike the macho cop you expect, he is gentle and truly cares about his partner's downward spiral, the cause of which he doesn't understand. When it is revealed, it is horrendous, but he doesn't shy away. Even when all seems hopeless, his support for Berg is unwavering.
I loved this book, and the best thing is that there will be a sequel. I cannot wait! I'd highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good thriller.
In fact, I fell a little bit in love with Jay. Unlike the macho cop you expect, he is gentle and truly cares about his partner's downward spiral, the cause of which he doesn't understand. When it is revealed, it is horrendous, but he doesn't shy away. Even when all seems hopeless, his support for Berg is unwavering.
I loved this book, and the best thing is that there will be a sequel. I cannot wait! I'd highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good thriller.
July 6, 2015
*** I work for the publisher that released this novel, but I honestly enjoyed reading "The Enemy Inside". Written by an Aussie author, it's a well paced read, a little bit gritty with some fairly heavy adult content.
…Give it a go
C
…Give it a go
C
August 4, 2013
Exciting Update! Blogtour And Free Ebook Giveaway : The Enemy Inside by Vanessa Skye (@vanessaskye)
Blog Post: http://headouttheoven.blogspot.com/20...
The Enemy Inside (The Writer's Coffee Shop)
Vanessa Skye
Expected Publication Date Aug 8 2013
Crime - Fiction
4.5 out of 5 Stars
Chicago Detective Alicia Raymond, aka Berg, hides her depression and a brutal past with dangerous, anonymous sex and an obsessive desire to track down killers. Bringing murderers to justice is the only thing she has in her life worth living for.
Her partner, Detective Inspector Jay O’Loughlin, has a few secrets of his own. He knows Berg isn’t as perfect as her faultless veneer, but as his intense attraction to her grows, can he overlook it?
Captain Louise Leigh assigns them to investigate the gruesome murder of a trucker and repeat sex offender. But before they can get a lead on the killing, another trucker’s body is found on the highway. Soon the bodies pile up, and it’s a race against time to find the killer before their Chief, Consiglio, uses them as scapegoats to fulfill his political aspirations.
When Berg’s DNA is found on one victim, her career looks to be over. In the course of clearing her name, she and Jay grow even closer, so when her sordid sex life is exposed, their precarious relationship comes under fire. With nothing to lose, Jay and Berg forge ahead and defy direct orders to continue working on the cases, until Jay disappears.
Desperate to find him, Berg stops at nothing to unearth what links the murders together, eventually uncovering a sadistic vigilante exacting revenge for a thirty-year-old gang rape. The sheer viciousness of the rape makes Berg question her place in a justice system that increasingly allows the guilty to go unpunished.
Berg fears for Jay’s life, but her demons are overwhelming. As events spiral out of control, Berg is forced towards a final confrontation with the killer where she will face the ultimate test: surrender to the evil inside her or finally confront the past she would rather bury.
It's not often that I come across a book (or movie) that I can't guess the ending of or actions the characters would choose to make. And I am very happy that The Enemy Inside is that kind of a story.
Vanessa Skye has come up with an extremely complex plot, one that keeps you guessing until almost the end. It's great that the characters don't have the obvious reactions that are the usual fodder of the predictable - and extremely boring - crime books. This very complexity is what makes them come alive and root for both Berg and Jay (and also want to kick him where the sun don't shine at times).
I understand why Berg acts the way she does, although I must say I honestly thought she was beating someone up at first. That action would have been probable as well, as you have a hint of her having gone through some sort of traumatic experience. Ms Skye does a fantastic job of making you care for Berg and want her to beat both the vigilante and that little voice which continuously taunts her.
Jay first seems to be "sex on legs" (reminded me of Pep Streebeck in the 1987 Dragnet movie) and then develops into a more complex person you feel for, although he can be extremely irritating at times - just like a true male! He's one I could happily have a love/hate relationship with.
All in all, this is a book I couldn't put down easily, and when I was forced to, kept replaying and forming new possibilities in my mind. I just saw that the next instalment will be out soon and I can't wait to read it!
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Contributed by Ramona
Blog Post: http://headouttheoven.blogspot.com/20...
The Enemy Inside (The Writer's Coffee Shop)
Vanessa Skye
Expected Publication Date Aug 8 2013
Crime - Fiction
4.5 out of 5 Stars
Chicago Detective Alicia Raymond, aka Berg, hides her depression and a brutal past with dangerous, anonymous sex and an obsessive desire to track down killers. Bringing murderers to justice is the only thing she has in her life worth living for.
Her partner, Detective Inspector Jay O’Loughlin, has a few secrets of his own. He knows Berg isn’t as perfect as her faultless veneer, but as his intense attraction to her grows, can he overlook it?
Captain Louise Leigh assigns them to investigate the gruesome murder of a trucker and repeat sex offender. But before they can get a lead on the killing, another trucker’s body is found on the highway. Soon the bodies pile up, and it’s a race against time to find the killer before their Chief, Consiglio, uses them as scapegoats to fulfill his political aspirations.
When Berg’s DNA is found on one victim, her career looks to be over. In the course of clearing her name, she and Jay grow even closer, so when her sordid sex life is exposed, their precarious relationship comes under fire. With nothing to lose, Jay and Berg forge ahead and defy direct orders to continue working on the cases, until Jay disappears.
Desperate to find him, Berg stops at nothing to unearth what links the murders together, eventually uncovering a sadistic vigilante exacting revenge for a thirty-year-old gang rape. The sheer viciousness of the rape makes Berg question her place in a justice system that increasingly allows the guilty to go unpunished.
Berg fears for Jay’s life, but her demons are overwhelming. As events spiral out of control, Berg is forced towards a final confrontation with the killer where she will face the ultimate test: surrender to the evil inside her or finally confront the past she would rather bury.
It's not often that I come across a book (or movie) that I can't guess the ending of or actions the characters would choose to make. And I am very happy that The Enemy Inside is that kind of a story.
Vanessa Skye has come up with an extremely complex plot, one that keeps you guessing until almost the end. It's great that the characters don't have the obvious reactions that are the usual fodder of the predictable - and extremely boring - crime books. This very complexity is what makes them come alive and root for both Berg and Jay (and also want to kick him where the sun don't shine at times).
I understand why Berg acts the way she does, although I must say I honestly thought she was beating someone up at first. That action would have been probable as well, as you have a hint of her having gone through some sort of traumatic experience. Ms Skye does a fantastic job of making you care for Berg and want her to beat both the vigilante and that little voice which continuously taunts her.
Jay first seems to be "sex on legs" (reminded me of Pep Streebeck in the 1987 Dragnet movie) and then develops into a more complex person you feel for, although he can be extremely irritating at times - just like a true male! He's one I could happily have a love/hate relationship with.
All in all, this is a book I couldn't put down easily, and when I was forced to, kept replaying and forming new possibilities in my mind. I just saw that the next instalment will be out soon and I can't wait to read it!
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Contributed by Ramona
September 2, 2013
From Goodreads:
While exploring darkness in others, be careful not to expose your own.
That’s what Chicago detective Alicia Raymond discovers when she’s assigned to investigate the gruesome torture and murder of a middle-aged trucker with a horrible secret.
Before she can get a lead on one crime, however, the bodies start piling up and Alicia, better known as Berg, finds herself the unexpected target of the very same legal system she has dedicated her life to.
While simultaneously under attack from a formidable past, an enemy that seems to know too much, and a conniving killer, Berg is forced to confront her own darkness: her obsessive need to track down killers at the expense of everything else in her life; her increasing craving for violence just to feel normal; and her potentially devastating feelings for her partner, the charming and handsome Detective Inspector Jay O’Loughlin.
The more Berg works her original case, the more she learns about the sheer viciousness of the trucker’s past, and the more she questions if his murderer should even be punished by a justice system that only seems determined to free the guilty. When she also finds herself sympathizing with a sadistic butcher exacting revenge for a decades-old crime, she realizes the most dangerous secret of all might just be her own state of mind.
While Berg struggles with her morality, a killer is determined to recruit her and use her for a devastating end game.
As Berg’s carefully constructed life falls apart and she struggles to maintain a grip on reality, she faces a choice: surrender to the evil inside or finally acknowledge the brutal past she would rather bury.
The Enemy Inside is the first in the Edge of Darkness series, which challenges the concept of justice, asks if vengeance sometimes justifies murder, and explores whether you can ever heal from a broken past.
My Thoughts:
As soon as I read the summary of this book, I wanted it in my hands immediately. I love a little mystery and intrigue, and I love a female detective on the case. As much as I used to read light and fluffy to get my mind off my job (which is covering stories like this for the news), the older I get, the more I get into darker, serious stories.
Berg has a deep, dark past that many of us may not be able to relate with, but we can all understand why she has the troubles she does. Why she isn’t trusting, why she isn’t in a relationship, and why she punishes herself. One thing I loved about this book was that Berg was able to relate to the victims in the cases she was trying to solve. Because of her troubled past, these cases were a little more near and dear to her heart than the other detectives. Granted, it may have made her get in a little too deep, and she could have easily gone over the ledge, she was the best person for the job.
The Enemy Inside is an absolutely page turner. I started reading this book a little too close to deadline for my own preference, but I didn’t need much time with it. I found myself staying up late, even getting up a little early, reading while getting ready for work, and on my lunch break, and even getting in some quality reading time at the stop lights on my commute. I couldn’t put the book down. Skye’s writing is riveting. It’s deep and dark and real and you won’t want to put the book down.
I have to say I was quite surprised when I was checking out other reviews on this book and saw there’s not a lot of chatter going on about it. There were some very good reviews on Goodreads, but I don’t know how this book hasn’t reached the book world radar. It is a phenomenal, on the edge of your seat read. I hope that it gets the attention it deserves and the credit that Skye deserves for her crime fiction debut. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book.
I give The Enemy Inside 5 out of 5 bookmarks.
While exploring darkness in others, be careful not to expose your own.
That’s what Chicago detective Alicia Raymond discovers when she’s assigned to investigate the gruesome torture and murder of a middle-aged trucker with a horrible secret.
Before she can get a lead on one crime, however, the bodies start piling up and Alicia, better known as Berg, finds herself the unexpected target of the very same legal system she has dedicated her life to.
While simultaneously under attack from a formidable past, an enemy that seems to know too much, and a conniving killer, Berg is forced to confront her own darkness: her obsessive need to track down killers at the expense of everything else in her life; her increasing craving for violence just to feel normal; and her potentially devastating feelings for her partner, the charming and handsome Detective Inspector Jay O’Loughlin.
The more Berg works her original case, the more she learns about the sheer viciousness of the trucker’s past, and the more she questions if his murderer should even be punished by a justice system that only seems determined to free the guilty. When she also finds herself sympathizing with a sadistic butcher exacting revenge for a decades-old crime, she realizes the most dangerous secret of all might just be her own state of mind.
While Berg struggles with her morality, a killer is determined to recruit her and use her for a devastating end game.
As Berg’s carefully constructed life falls apart and she struggles to maintain a grip on reality, she faces a choice: surrender to the evil inside or finally acknowledge the brutal past she would rather bury.
The Enemy Inside is the first in the Edge of Darkness series, which challenges the concept of justice, asks if vengeance sometimes justifies murder, and explores whether you can ever heal from a broken past.
My Thoughts:
As soon as I read the summary of this book, I wanted it in my hands immediately. I love a little mystery and intrigue, and I love a female detective on the case. As much as I used to read light and fluffy to get my mind off my job (which is covering stories like this for the news), the older I get, the more I get into darker, serious stories.
Berg has a deep, dark past that many of us may not be able to relate with, but we can all understand why she has the troubles she does. Why she isn’t trusting, why she isn’t in a relationship, and why she punishes herself. One thing I loved about this book was that Berg was able to relate to the victims in the cases she was trying to solve. Because of her troubled past, these cases were a little more near and dear to her heart than the other detectives. Granted, it may have made her get in a little too deep, and she could have easily gone over the ledge, she was the best person for the job.
The Enemy Inside is an absolutely page turner. I started reading this book a little too close to deadline for my own preference, but I didn’t need much time with it. I found myself staying up late, even getting up a little early, reading while getting ready for work, and on my lunch break, and even getting in some quality reading time at the stop lights on my commute. I couldn’t put the book down. Skye’s writing is riveting. It’s deep and dark and real and you won’t want to put the book down.
I have to say I was quite surprised when I was checking out other reviews on this book and saw there’s not a lot of chatter going on about it. There were some very good reviews on Goodreads, but I don’t know how this book hasn’t reached the book world radar. It is a phenomenal, on the edge of your seat read. I hope that it gets the attention it deserves and the credit that Skye deserves for her crime fiction debut. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book.
I give The Enemy Inside 5 out of 5 bookmarks.
August 6, 2013
Wow. This book was very different from what I was expecting, but it was a thrilling read from start to finish nonetheless. I don't know how I would categorise this. It isn't just your usual crime fiction, it has elements of many other genres. Romance is probably one of them but for the most part the book is about the crimes and the mystery surrounding them. The two main characters also have damaged pasts which seems to be a common theme in books today. For a debut novel this was incredibly well written and had me hooked after just a few pages. The cover stood out to me and when I read the description I couldn't wait to read this book.
Alicia 'Berg' Raymond is our main character and one I liked very much. I enjoyed learning more about this character and what made her the way she is in terms of how she does her job and how she lives her life. Jay O'Loughlin is her partner (in the police sense) and at the start of the book he also has a dark past that he is keeping secret but eventually himself and Berg have a heart to heart and we learn all about these two characters pasts. These two characters both felt very real, I would say at times the book felt more like a true story than something that came from an author's imagination.
It isn't just these two characters either, Vanessa Skye has created other believable characters. Especially Captain Leigh and Chief Consiglio. Having read many crime books I am well aware of the politics surrounding the police force and how those high up want results and want them fast but Consiglio especially was a horrible character who just wanted any results rather than the actual right one. His political career came before anything else. Leigh was an interesting character also.
One thing also worth mentioning is that Skye does not shy away from using very vivid descriptions. When the bodies of murdered victims were found she went into incredible detail about how they had been mutilated and how they looked in death. I feel immune to such descriptions having read so many books like this but some people might feel a bit squeamish at some of the scenes in this book! And there are a lot of them. The murders come thick and fast and had me guessing throughout the whole book as to who was responsible for them. I certainly did not see the ending coming as it was one hell of a twist which I always love because sometimes the ending of books like this can be so obvious that it ruins the book. Not the case here however. There were just so many twists and turns that the book was just, as I said in the opening paragraph, a thrilling read from start to finish.
I will definitely be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series in the hope that it is even half as good as this one!
Follow the author on Twitter: https://twitter.com/vanessaskye
And thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Net Galley
Alicia 'Berg' Raymond is our main character and one I liked very much. I enjoyed learning more about this character and what made her the way she is in terms of how she does her job and how she lives her life. Jay O'Loughlin is her partner (in the police sense) and at the start of the book he also has a dark past that he is keeping secret but eventually himself and Berg have a heart to heart and we learn all about these two characters pasts. These two characters both felt very real, I would say at times the book felt more like a true story than something that came from an author's imagination.
It isn't just these two characters either, Vanessa Skye has created other believable characters. Especially Captain Leigh and Chief Consiglio. Having read many crime books I am well aware of the politics surrounding the police force and how those high up want results and want them fast but Consiglio especially was a horrible character who just wanted any results rather than the actual right one. His political career came before anything else. Leigh was an interesting character also.
One thing also worth mentioning is that Skye does not shy away from using very vivid descriptions. When the bodies of murdered victims were found she went into incredible detail about how they had been mutilated and how they looked in death. I feel immune to such descriptions having read so many books like this but some people might feel a bit squeamish at some of the scenes in this book! And there are a lot of them. The murders come thick and fast and had me guessing throughout the whole book as to who was responsible for them. I certainly did not see the ending coming as it was one hell of a twist which I always love because sometimes the ending of books like this can be so obvious that it ruins the book. Not the case here however. There were just so many twists and turns that the book was just, as I said in the opening paragraph, a thrilling read from start to finish.
I will definitely be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series in the hope that it is even half as good as this one!
Follow the author on Twitter: https://twitter.com/vanessaskye
And thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Net Galley
August 5, 2013
Passion for Pages
I don’t understand why there aren’t more people raving about this book! I don’t understand how this book has gotten so little attention! Why isn’t it on more people’s reading radar?!
Even though I have a fascination with murder mysteries, I don’t usually read them. Why? Because authors rarely write them in a way that I find interesting. I like the detail that goes into the crime scene. I like the blood and gore—although if you asked anyone if that was true they’d laugh and tell you I’m the first to cover my eyes and gag if I see too much blood while watching a surgery on Grey’s. Yes, it’s true. I don’t like to actually see the blood and gore, but I do like to read about it. If you’re going to give me a murder mystery then I want exactly like! Don’t skim the details. It’s the reason I’m picking up your book in the first place.
Vanessa Skye did a fabulous job in her debut novel. Fab-u-lous. I could not put this one down. From the second I started reading I was hooked and refused to come up for air until I had read the very last word in this exciting, captivating novel. I was kept guessing from one suspect to the next and just one I thought I had it figured out I was wrong. I love that! I love that I wasn’t able to easily point the finger at one character so easily and come out right. It means Vanessa did her job as an author of a mystery so incredibly well! There is just so much detail and thought put into this book that I cannot for one second believe this is a debut novel from this woman. I’m blown away by that.
I’m also so confused on how I feel about Burg. I mean the girl has demons and rightly so. But she’s also walking a very fine line of being totally fucked up. I couldn’t help but sympathize with her and hate everything she went through as a child, but at the same time I’m sitting here reading everything she puts herself through as an adult and almost be in an erotic awe of her, but at the same time completely terrified. She’s a walking time bomb you can’t help but feel bad for and want to help even though you’ll be completely blown away when she finally explodes. You’ll know what I mean when you read this book—especially the very last section. No, not IF you read it, WHEN you read it. Yes, I’m demanding you go and buy this book as soon as it’s available. Really, you’ll thank me.
I don’t think I can say much more without actually full on gushing. It really has everything a fan of a murder mystery could want. The suspense, the detail into everything that happened, the whodunit air, the brilliant fucking writing! Can you tell this book is definitely being added to one of my all-time faves?
Well done, Vanessa Skye!
I don’t understand why there aren’t more people raving about this book! I don’t understand how this book has gotten so little attention! Why isn’t it on more people’s reading radar?!
Even though I have a fascination with murder mysteries, I don’t usually read them. Why? Because authors rarely write them in a way that I find interesting. I like the detail that goes into the crime scene. I like the blood and gore—although if you asked anyone if that was true they’d laugh and tell you I’m the first to cover my eyes and gag if I see too much blood while watching a surgery on Grey’s. Yes, it’s true. I don’t like to actually see the blood and gore, but I do like to read about it. If you’re going to give me a murder mystery then I want exactly like! Don’t skim the details. It’s the reason I’m picking up your book in the first place.
Vanessa Skye did a fabulous job in her debut novel. Fab-u-lous. I could not put this one down. From the second I started reading I was hooked and refused to come up for air until I had read the very last word in this exciting, captivating novel. I was kept guessing from one suspect to the next and just one I thought I had it figured out I was wrong. I love that! I love that I wasn’t able to easily point the finger at one character so easily and come out right. It means Vanessa did her job as an author of a mystery so incredibly well! There is just so much detail and thought put into this book that I cannot for one second believe this is a debut novel from this woman. I’m blown away by that.
I’m also so confused on how I feel about Burg. I mean the girl has demons and rightly so. But she’s also walking a very fine line of being totally fucked up. I couldn’t help but sympathize with her and hate everything she went through as a child, but at the same time I’m sitting here reading everything she puts herself through as an adult and almost be in an erotic awe of her, but at the same time completely terrified. She’s a walking time bomb you can’t help but feel bad for and want to help even though you’ll be completely blown away when she finally explodes. You’ll know what I mean when you read this book—especially the very last section. No, not IF you read it, WHEN you read it. Yes, I’m demanding you go and buy this book as soon as it’s available. Really, you’ll thank me.
I don’t think I can say much more without actually full on gushing. It really has everything a fan of a murder mystery could want. The suspense, the detail into everything that happened, the whodunit air, the brilliant fucking writing! Can you tell this book is definitely being added to one of my all-time faves?
Well done, Vanessa Skye!
July 13, 2013
The Enemy Inside is a very good police procedural and an excellent crime fiction. I've enjoyed reading about the hunt for the killer, the forensics and the slow detective work. The killings themselves are so vicious and psychotic that you can't help but get a chill just reading about them... But you hear BUT, right?
This is a great debut book for Vanessa Skye, but in my opinion characterisation of the main heroes did not go deep enough for me to truly connect to Berg and Jay.
Both have deep psychological issues and both are leading self-destructive lives.
Berg is more messed up and she inflicts physical pain on herself in a variety of ways just to escape the mental pain and guilt and darkness and feelings or worthlessness she is fighting on a daily basis. She was abused as a child and she is basically still punishing herself for something that she had no power to stop in the past.
When Jay accidentally finds out about her sex and BDSM addiction he just recommends her to go to sex addicts anonymous groups concentrating on sex issue instead of the root of her problems. I'm sorry but that's sloppy as hell. She self-harms basically no matter how, but she does. Berg needs therapy and self-harmers support group not the sex addict group! That just threw me.
Jay himself is a good man but he makes misguided decisions and both of them suffer for that.
What I found most interesting is the identity of the killer and the political intrigues behind the police relationship with the press. I also guessed the identity of the killer wrong first, and only two quarters of the way through I understood who it was, so that was pretty good.
Overall, a recommended read for anyone interested in crime fiction, but with few slight reservations.
This is a great debut book for Vanessa Skye, but in my opinion characterisation of the main heroes did not go deep enough for me to truly connect to Berg and Jay.
Both have deep psychological issues and both are leading self-destructive lives.
Berg is more messed up and she inflicts physical pain on herself in a variety of ways just to escape the mental pain and guilt and darkness and feelings or worthlessness she is fighting on a daily basis. She was abused as a child and she is basically still punishing herself for something that she had no power to stop in the past.
When Jay accidentally finds out about her sex and BDSM addiction he just recommends her to go to sex addicts anonymous groups concentrating on sex issue instead of the root of her problems. I'm sorry but that's sloppy as hell. She self-harms basically no matter how, but she does. Berg needs therapy and self-harmers support group not the sex addict group! That just threw me.
Jay himself is a good man but he makes misguided decisions and both of them suffer for that.
What I found most interesting is the identity of the killer and the political intrigues behind the police relationship with the press. I also guessed the identity of the killer wrong first, and only two quarters of the way through I understood who it was, so that was pretty good.
Overall, a recommended read for anyone interested in crime fiction, but with few slight reservations.
September 11, 2013
In this gritty and dark police procedural, debut author Vanessa Skye takes us inside the major crimes division of the Chicago PD. With a female lead, Skye takes us on a journey through the underworld inhabited not only by sadists, rapists and murderers but by the police who try to stop them.
Skye does a creditable job of introducing a strong cast of police who each has their own set of secrets they'd like to keep hidden from their colleagues. She kept me guessing to the end as she intersected criminals with police, aspiring politicians, a challenged justice system and a mystery that is strong enough to fuel the story. This novel has the feel of the first in a long series and I was gratified to learn our author is planning several more mysteries for her very damaged heroine and her love interest partner/colleague. I hope in subsequent outings that we can get a bit deeper inside Alicia Berg's head so that she develops more as a character who can take charge of her own destiny.
It's wonderful to see a fellow female, Australian writer doing great things. I'll certainly be back for book number two and hope it's as gripping as the first.
Skye does a creditable job of introducing a strong cast of police who each has their own set of secrets they'd like to keep hidden from their colleagues. She kept me guessing to the end as she intersected criminals with police, aspiring politicians, a challenged justice system and a mystery that is strong enough to fuel the story. This novel has the feel of the first in a long series and I was gratified to learn our author is planning several more mysteries for her very damaged heroine and her love interest partner/colleague. I hope in subsequent outings that we can get a bit deeper inside Alicia Berg's head so that she develops more as a character who can take charge of her own destiny.
It's wonderful to see a fellow female, Australian writer doing great things. I'll certainly be back for book number two and hope it's as gripping as the first.
August 22, 2013
What an excellent book. First time author Vanessa Skye has really nailed it.
Personally I'm not the greatest crime fiction reader, but after the first few pages I was hooked. Simply put, the story revolves around detectives from the Chicago Police Department attempting to solve a series of seemingly unrelated truck driver murders.
The main characters, Detectives Berg and Jay, aren't the normal cop heroes. As the book progresses each is revealed to have a darker, borderline side - particularly Berg - exploring areas of sexuality and violence that other authors would perhaps shy away from. However, Vanessa captures and explores these character traits in a way that elicited sympathy from this reader rather than revulsion.
The plot itself is brilliant and the murders gruesome; weaving a storyline that continually keeps the reader engrossed, shocked and trying to work out who did it. Throw in a political, publicity seeking nasty bastard Police Chief and an ending with a classic twist that few will guess and you have a great book.
Congratulations Vanessa Skye. I hope there is more to follow?
Personally I'm not the greatest crime fiction reader, but after the first few pages I was hooked. Simply put, the story revolves around detectives from the Chicago Police Department attempting to solve a series of seemingly unrelated truck driver murders.
The main characters, Detectives Berg and Jay, aren't the normal cop heroes. As the book progresses each is revealed to have a darker, borderline side - particularly Berg - exploring areas of sexuality and violence that other authors would perhaps shy away from. However, Vanessa captures and explores these character traits in a way that elicited sympathy from this reader rather than revulsion.
The plot itself is brilliant and the murders gruesome; weaving a storyline that continually keeps the reader engrossed, shocked and trying to work out who did it. Throw in a political, publicity seeking nasty bastard Police Chief and an ending with a classic twist that few will guess and you have a great book.
Congratulations Vanessa Skye. I hope there is more to follow?
March 1, 2014
Detectives Alicia Raymond and Jay O'Loughlin are on the trail of a serial or spree killer(s). Higher ups don't want to believe them due to political reasons. What is the missing link in the cases?
Except for some facts or possibilities it seems the police would have considered earlier on, the evidence and hypothesizing of the detectives and other law enforcement involved with the case read easily and authentically in this multi-leveled and at times darkly mysterious narrative.
Characters are true to life, flawed, and mostly likeable.
Overall, an exciting read.
Except for some facts or possibilities it seems the police would have considered earlier on, the evidence and hypothesizing of the detectives and other law enforcement involved with the case read easily and authentically in this multi-leveled and at times darkly mysterious narrative.
Characters are true to life, flawed, and mostly likeable.
Overall, an exciting read.
November 21, 2013
Loved this book! Not only was I completely surprised by identity of the killer, but I was amazed--and happily so--at how the author used every single detail in the climax of the story. Nothing was filler or fluff--there is a reason for everything. Love that. Unpredictable with lots of twists and turns and a satisfying, if ominous-sounding, conclusion, the author has set up what looks to be an amazing series. I can't wait for the next one!
September 3, 2013
This is a gripping thriller along the lines of Jeffrey Deaver with the zinging one liners and underlying darkness of Raymond Chandler. I read the book in three sittings and was kept guessing right up until the end. It's hard to believe that this is a first novel, can't wait for the other books in the trilogy.
August 17, 2013
For any fans of the crime/mystery genres, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. The story has a real edge to it, and the character development through the novel speaks to the author's understanding of the frailties of the human condition. Already looking forward to the next novel in the series.
November 1, 2013
I am not a big reader...in fact by the time I get to read a book in the evening, I am usually too tired. However, I became deeply engrossed in The Enemy Inside and it kept me captivated till the end. Vanessa's descriptions of both the characters and each scene make you feel like you are there with them in the story. I am really looking forward to the next chapter of Berg's life. :)
October 24, 2013
Vanessa Skye had a hold on me till the end, what a wonderfully layered, shocking and satisfying journey. I was pulled into the story line and importantly, the hero character. Now having finished the book, Im eager to continue, eager for the next one.
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August 19, 2013Review coming soon to www.sarahaisling.com
August 23, 2013
I LOVED this book! Dark, raw and gritty... definitely kept me up at night! Can't wait for book 2 to drop!
January 4, 2015
Preliminary thoughts: The suspense is amazing, the dialogue is phenomenal, and I would swear that I was watching an episode of CSI or Criminal Minds on television as it played out in my mind.
Vanessa Skye has hit a home run with her debut novel, The Enemy Inside. I was enthralled and on edge throughout most of the book, and I loved every second of it. The writing is superb, but the dialogue for each and every character through the book's entirety certainly stole the show. It was natural, with feeling, and what I envision a screenwriter would write for a movie or television.
The entire plot is riveting, and I really connected with the main characters, Alicia Berg and Jay O'Loughlin. Both are detectives and partners with the Chicago Police Department and specialize in homicide. When a number of truck drivers turn up tortured and murdered on a highway after picking up hitchhikers, it is up to Berg and Jay to find who they believe is a serial killer, but their superior fights them the entire way and would like nothing better than to see them fired.
Both Jay and Berg have their own pasts they are dealing with. Jay deals with his issues through one-night stands, and Berg deals with her past through private clubs. When I came upon this particular section of the book, I was already engrossed in the mystery and suspense of the murders, trying my best to figure out the who the killer was. The last thing I wanted was to be thrown into an erotica novel, and I'm so pleased that this book didn't take that direction. That was simply a behavior resulting from deeper issues that are revealed and play an important piece of the puzzle in the main plot.
The Enemy Inside is very graphic and macabre in the descriptions of the torture to the murder victims, so be aware of that going into this one if you have a squeamish stomach. The really scary part for me was for the main characters and what their fates were or weren't. The entire book is a methodical plot of a psychopath on the trail of revenge and vigilante justice, keeping me on edge until the end, and then it really scared me! That epilogue and ending? Wow!! While this one was difficult for me to put down while it was in my hand, it wasn't a read all the way through for me. I will certainly read the second book in the series to see where Alicia and Jay will go next personally and professionally. I recommend The Enemy Inside for fans of crime t.v. and psychological thrillers.
Vanessa Skye has hit a home run with her debut novel, The Enemy Inside. I was enthralled and on edge throughout most of the book, and I loved every second of it. The writing is superb, but the dialogue for each and every character through the book's entirety certainly stole the show. It was natural, with feeling, and what I envision a screenwriter would write for a movie or television.
The entire plot is riveting, and I really connected with the main characters, Alicia Berg and Jay O'Loughlin. Both are detectives and partners with the Chicago Police Department and specialize in homicide. When a number of truck drivers turn up tortured and murdered on a highway after picking up hitchhikers, it is up to Berg and Jay to find who they believe is a serial killer, but their superior fights them the entire way and would like nothing better than to see them fired.
Both Jay and Berg have their own pasts they are dealing with. Jay deals with his issues through one-night stands, and Berg deals with her past through private clubs. When I came upon this particular section of the book, I was already engrossed in the mystery and suspense of the murders, trying my best to figure out the who the killer was. The last thing I wanted was to be thrown into an erotica novel, and I'm so pleased that this book didn't take that direction. That was simply a behavior resulting from deeper issues that are revealed and play an important piece of the puzzle in the main plot.
The Enemy Inside is very graphic and macabre in the descriptions of the torture to the murder victims, so be aware of that going into this one if you have a squeamish stomach. The really scary part for me was for the main characters and what their fates were or weren't. The entire book is a methodical plot of a psychopath on the trail of revenge and vigilante justice, keeping me on edge until the end, and then it really scared me! That epilogue and ending? Wow!! While this one was difficult for me to put down while it was in my hand, it wasn't a read all the way through for me. I will certainly read the second book in the series to see where Alicia and Jay will go next personally and professionally. I recommend The Enemy Inside for fans of crime t.v. and psychological thrillers.
December 10, 2014
I received an advance copy from NetGalley. Review originally posted on my blog: https://heatherreviews.wordpress.com/...
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This book is a wild ride from start to finish. Detective Alicia Raymond is battling some serious demons from her past when the case of a dead trucker lands on her desk. Along with her partner, Jay – who she has some complicated feelings for – they try to unravel the increasingly complicated mystery surrounding a series of dead truckers and missing hitchhikers.
This book completely sucked me in. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read the blurb, but this is one of the best crime novels I’ve read. There’s such depth to all the characters, and a real horror that grips you as we find out more about each of them. Everyone’s got a dark secret hidden away.
The overall plot is very clever. I’m usually quite good at guessing who is behind the crime, but this novel kept me guessing. Each time I thought I was there, the story took a turn and I found myself back at square one.
A fantastic read for any crime fiction fan.
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This book is a wild ride from start to finish. Detective Alicia Raymond is battling some serious demons from her past when the case of a dead trucker lands on her desk. Along with her partner, Jay – who she has some complicated feelings for – they try to unravel the increasingly complicated mystery surrounding a series of dead truckers and missing hitchhikers.
This book completely sucked me in. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read the blurb, but this is one of the best crime novels I’ve read. There’s such depth to all the characters, and a real horror that grips you as we find out more about each of them. Everyone’s got a dark secret hidden away.
The overall plot is very clever. I’m usually quite good at guessing who is behind the crime, but this novel kept me guessing. Each time I thought I was there, the story took a turn and I found myself back at square one.
A fantastic read for any crime fiction fan.
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