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Circumstantial Danger
Circumstantial Danger
Dive into an edgy, dark, spicey, and delightfully twisted literary thriller. Get lost in the drama of an All-American couple as they slowly mirror the deranged and damaged individuals who’ve infiltrated their lives. All while an active serial killer investigation is stretching everyone's nerves to the point of snapping.
Kevin, the lead detective in the biggest case of his life, becomes entangled in a steamy web of deceit with an alluring co-worker, Taylor, who has a dark past. His wife, Heather, learns of the affair and finds out Taylor is misrepresenting herself. She’s arrested, and Kevin is suspended from the police force. Heather files for a divorce.
Meanwhile, the killer has kidnapped another girl, and law enforcement is pulling their collective hairs out. Their only clue is carpet fiber from various car makes and models.
The detective finds himself trapped by a selfish, manipulative, violent, sick, beautiful woman, much younger than him and far more dangerous. She drags him into her toxic lair and attacks his wife in the process.
The FBI warns Heather of imminent danger, as her attacker is a ruthless psychopath.
The threads of the serial killer, a detective living with a disturbed beauty, and an estranged wife fighting for her life weave together a dark, twisted tale. The narrative hurtles through forensic evidence, a high-stakes divorce trial, and the criminal psychology of both the serial killer and Taylor—all in the relentless pursuit of justice.
The legal battles, mental evaluations, and the killer’s God complex create a tension-filled journey. A few drops of tongue-in-cheek humor wet the pages here and there. Life unravels, and the line between right and wrong blurs, leading to a shocking finale where the means justify the end, at least to those who survive.
Dive into an edgy, dark, spicey, and delightfully twisted literary thriller. Get lost in the drama of an All-American couple as they slowly mirror the deranged and damaged individuals who’ve infiltrated their lives. All while an active serial killer investigation is stretching everyone's nerves to the point of snapping.
Kevin, the lead detective in the biggest case of his life, becomes entangled in a steamy web of deceit with an alluring co-worker, Taylor, who has a dark past. His wife, Heather, learns of the affair and finds out Taylor is misrepresenting herself. She’s arrested, and Kevin is suspended from the police force. Heather files for a divorce.
Meanwhile, the killer has kidnapped another girl, and law enforcement is pulling their collective hairs out. Their only clue is carpet fiber from various car makes and models.
The detective finds himself trapped by a selfish, manipulative, violent, sick, beautiful woman, much younger than him and far more dangerous. She drags him into her toxic lair and attacks his wife in the process.
The FBI warns Heather of imminent danger, as her attacker is a ruthless psychopath.
The threads of the serial killer, a detective living with a disturbed beauty, and an estranged wife fighting for her life weave together a dark, twisted tale. The narrative hurtles through forensic evidence, a high-stakes divorce trial, and the criminal psychology of both the serial killer and Taylor—all in the relentless pursuit of justice.
The legal battles, mental evaluations, and the killer’s God complex create a tension-filled journey. A few drops of tongue-in-cheek humor wet the pages here and there. Life unravels, and the line between right and wrong blurs, leading to a shocking finale where the means justify the end, at least to those who survive.
312 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 10, 2024
Book Review Day!
Circumstantial Danger
Richard Devall
I read this novel in one night, was it worth it?... Absolutely!
It has been awhile since I have read a book this intense! This is the creepiest serial killer I have read about in fiction because of the lack of a pattern, clues or anything. This serial killer breaks the mold by acting out in a way even the FBI can't figure out. The killer's scenes is enough to cause nightmares, like serious chills 😱
Detective Martin is a seriously flawed character, his decisions throughout this book was extremely frustrating, but his struggles really humanized him to add grounding to this story. I am on the fence about Martin, to like him or dislike him..? His estranged wife Heather was seriously put through the ringer, but she was highly resilient and kept pushing forward.
The overall tone of the book was dark, twisted and lots if drama. It has spots if humor mixed in to give the reader some relief so they don't feel overwhelmed with bleakness. The book reads like an excellent TV crime drama (one I would watch). The ending had my jaw drop open 😳 If you enjoy real crime or crime drama, pick this one up!
Circumstantial Danger
Richard Devall
I read this novel in one night, was it worth it?... Absolutely!
It has been awhile since I have read a book this intense! This is the creepiest serial killer I have read about in fiction because of the lack of a pattern, clues or anything. This serial killer breaks the mold by acting out in a way even the FBI can't figure out. The killer's scenes is enough to cause nightmares, like serious chills 😱
Detective Martin is a seriously flawed character, his decisions throughout this book was extremely frustrating, but his struggles really humanized him to add grounding to this story. I am on the fence about Martin, to like him or dislike him..? His estranged wife Heather was seriously put through the ringer, but she was highly resilient and kept pushing forward.
The overall tone of the book was dark, twisted and lots if drama. It has spots if humor mixed in to give the reader some relief so they don't feel overwhelmed with bleakness. The book reads like an excellent TV crime drama (one I would watch). The ending had my jaw drop open 😳 If you enjoy real crime or crime drama, pick this one up!
December 15, 2024
‘A detective with an identity crisis’ – a ‘can’t put it down’ thriller!
Virginia author Richard DeVall has worked as both a 1st Class Steam Engineer and a General Contractor, and now in his retirement he is a full time writer. His books to date - THE SACKING OF TRILOUX NORTH, OLD LETTERS & NEW DEMONS; BAREFOOT UNDER THE MOON, PABLO’S APPRENTICE, THE HYPNOTIST’S ASSISTANT, DANCING WITH REVENGE, AN ELUSIVE STORM, 99 TEARS, A COINCIDENTAL GLITCH, and now CIRCUMSTANTIAL DANGER.
Pairing the traumatic elements of a fractured marriage with the mindset of a bizarre serial killer provides a most involving thriller. While many readers can relate to the Detective’s divorce and the response of his wife, few authors can balance the concurrent presence of a psychologically disturbed serial killer’s impact. As DeVall states, ‘The threads of the serial killer, a detective living with a disturbed beauty, and an estranged wife fighting for her life weave a dark, twisted tale. The story hurtles through forensic evidence, a high-stakes divorce trial, and advanced criminal psychology.’
For a journey into the interstices of a creative mind whose generosity of talent includes significant doses of wit and sarcasm, slowly read this amazing thriller. It is a true discovery! Highly Recommended.
Virginia author Richard DeVall has worked as both a 1st Class Steam Engineer and a General Contractor, and now in his retirement he is a full time writer. His books to date - THE SACKING OF TRILOUX NORTH, OLD LETTERS & NEW DEMONS; BAREFOOT UNDER THE MOON, PABLO’S APPRENTICE, THE HYPNOTIST’S ASSISTANT, DANCING WITH REVENGE, AN ELUSIVE STORM, 99 TEARS, A COINCIDENTAL GLITCH, and now CIRCUMSTANTIAL DANGER.
Pairing the traumatic elements of a fractured marriage with the mindset of a bizarre serial killer provides a most involving thriller. While many readers can relate to the Detective’s divorce and the response of his wife, few authors can balance the concurrent presence of a psychologically disturbed serial killer’s impact. As DeVall states, ‘The threads of the serial killer, a detective living with a disturbed beauty, and an estranged wife fighting for her life weave a dark, twisted tale. The story hurtles through forensic evidence, a high-stakes divorce trial, and advanced criminal psychology.’
For a journey into the interstices of a creative mind whose generosity of talent includes significant doses of wit and sarcasm, slowly read this amazing thriller. It is a true discovery! Highly Recommended.
December 10, 2024
This is an exploration of the fine line between justice and chaos, pulling readers into a web of moral dilemmas. Richard Devall balances well the pursuit of a serial killer with the personal life of Detective Kevin Martin. The tension is real as Kevin goes through the complexities of his crumbling marriage, a heated affair with his new partner, and the psychological side of the case.
The characters are so well-developed, you feel their every triumph and mistake. Heather’s strength and resilience shine in the face of betrayal, while the serial killer’s chilling methods and God complex are realistic. The legal battles, forensic evidence, and criminal psychology are presented with precision.
The characters are so well-developed, you feel their every triumph and mistake. Heather’s strength and resilience shine in the face of betrayal, while the serial killer’s chilling methods and God complex are realistic. The legal battles, forensic evidence, and criminal psychology are presented with precision.
January 12, 2025
I loved the characters: upright detective who loses his head in a sexual dalliance; wronged wife who takes things into her own hands; psychopath young woman who actually has very good reasons for being that way; and finally, classic serial killer who is clever and eludes capture long enough to make a good story. This author sets most of his stories in Virginia, but that's fine with me as it's interesting enough, with its Civil War echoes and Washington right up the pike. Highly recommended.
December 10, 2024
A Thrilling Ride
This is actuin thriller as it ought be written. Up there with Donald Hamilton and Lee Child. The characters are nuanced, the plot driven, and the moral dilemmas keep the reader thinking. This is one you won't want to put down.
This is actuin thriller as it ought be written. Up there with Donald Hamilton and Lee Child. The characters are nuanced, the plot driven, and the moral dilemmas keep the reader thinking. This is one you won't want to put down.
January 29, 2025
I'm upset with myself for finishing this book. A convoluted storyline with random characters introduced with no real information about them. The sex scenes were gratuitous, and over the top.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews