The Twisted Web

D.I. Hannah Robbins #4

by Rebecca Bradley

A social media shaming. A killer with a message. A deadly combination.

When the body of a man is left in the city centre set up as a realistic police crime scene, DI Hannah Robbins is forced to enter a world that can break a person, a case and a reputation.

Social media platforms light up and Hannah is pitted against the raging online monster and a killer who has already lost everything.

Can she catch the killer and put him behind bars or will she become part of his sadistic game?

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Audiobook, Detective, Thriller

403 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2018

About the author

Rebecca Bradley is a retired police detective who lives in the UK with her family and her two cockapoo's Alfie and Lola. They keep her company while she writes. Rebecca needs to drink copious amounts of tea to function throughout the day and if she could, she would survive on a diet of tea and cake while committing murder on a regular basis, in her writing of course.

To download a FREE novella of THREE WEEKS DEAD visit her website at rebeccabradleycrime.com

You can always chat with her on Twitter where she can be found spending far too much of her time at @RebeccaJBradley

Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆ A Suspenseful and Gripping Crime Fiction.

The Twisted Web is the Fourth book in the DI Hannah Robbins Series, but unfortunately my first book.
I can't believe I have only just discovered this Author!!
Although this is a standalone, I wish I had read the previous books as I felt I was missing out on some of the stories, it took longer for me to gel with the characters.

What stood out for me about this book was the fresh use of social media. It made this book current and real. You see crimes have always been there, but we was never made aware of them. But since social media platforms have rocketed, everyone knows everything.
That's what I liked about this book.
The reality of social media and the impact it has on the criminals, victims, their loved ones and the police.

I want to applaud Rebecca for bringing the impact of social media into a police procedural crime fiction, it certainly gave a fresh new light onto a genre I adore reading.

DI Hannah Robbins has been called to a crime scene. However before they get there the crime pictures have already been leaked onto the web.
When they get there they discover the killer has already set up the scene to make it look like the police have abandoned it leaving the body taped off.... however this isn't the case!
Someone is framing the police. The body wasn't murdered there, just dumped there.
But Next to the body was a #.... #MyKindOfThing ..... what does it mean?

I thoroughly enjoyed the fast moving pace.
Rebecca's writing style was fantastic it instantly drew me in.
It was enticing mix of gripping suspense, a chilling and twisting plot with believable scenarios, which made for an engrossing storyline, leaving me on tender hooks.
The characters were well thought-out, strong and engaging.
The police procedurals were cleverly researched and executed seamlessly.

If you enjoy your Crime Fiction to be gritty, fast paced, compulsive reading, suspenseful and to be based on current issues then you will really enjoy the reality of The Twisted Web!
The title is simply perfect for the book.

Thank you to Emma at Dampebbles Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.


My Review is also on my Blog Website :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/1...

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

No I didn't read two books in one day. I finished the last couple of chapters then started the next one. This was much more exciting - bodies weirdly displayed in public places making some twisted point.

The stories in this series are very good but are just not that gripping. I think I enjoyed the first book the best. The bad guy in this one just didn't work for me. Sometimes they are so twisted I feel like they're some sort of caricature of a real villain. Let's face it, there are plenty of killers out there and some even make a 'fun' game of it but in reality not many go to great lengths, and risk, for some stupid display.

[Pam G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book on audible. It is no.4 in the Hannah Robbins series. I hadn’t read the previous three books. This didn’t matter in terms of the plot, but there are some references to the back story which I didn’t get because I hadn’t read the others.
It is very obvious that the author, Rebecca Bradley, is a former police officer because of the fantastic attention to detail in the police procedures. The book is well written, well paced with characters I immediately warmed to, especially Hannah and Aaron.
I also enjoyed the chapters featuring the criminal, although this meant you knew the guilty party from the onset.
The narrator, Colleen Prendergast was good, despite her Nottinghamshire accent sounding more like a Brummie one!
The only reason I didn’t give the book 5 stars was because I felt the plot was too far fetched and that the motive wasn’t strong enough to turn a normal well adjusted person into a double murderer.
I am now going to read the others in the series.

[ReadandRated · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 Stars from me

I have greatly enjoyed the DI Hannah Robbins series and was eager to read the latest instalment – The Twisted Web.

It was good to see Aaron back, I really like his character and the positive way in which Asperger syndrome is portrayed within these novels. Baxter on the other hand, the man is an arse and it is teastament to Rebecca Bradley that she can conjure up such strong opinion from readers with these two.

The storyline was fresh and clever, playing on society’s current social media obsession and highlighting how easily something can be blown out of all proportion and have a devestating effect on a person’s life. The hidden and passive nature of social media often makes it a very dangerous tool and this was the main thrust of The Twisted Web.

I felt sorry for the main character and a level of despair on his behalf. Although he took things somewhat to extremes, it is easy to see how he felt he had no other real options. Were his actions in vain though?

i have already downloaded Three Weeks Dead and am looking forward to it!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The story focuses on the damage that can be inflicted by social media but for me that was just a side show. I loved the main character Hannah, the wonderful combination of writing and narration really brought her to life and I am going to have to read the series.

[K.J. Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so enjoy the DI Hannah Robbins series by Rebecca Bradley. I usually keep an eye out for when my favourite series have books due out, but I'd missed this one. Fortunately, for me, I'm on the ARC team for Rebecca Bradley and I had a lovely gift a week or so ago of a copy of the latest in the series in my inbox.
As in the previous books, Hannah is faced with a killer causing mayhem on the streets of Nottingham. I have to admit that I don't remember quite so many killers being on the local news when I was back home in the East Midlands, but I'm not going to complain when it creates great books like this. This time he has an axe to grind about social media and is attempting to turn a mirror on itself so that it will learn the error of its ways. I think we already know that that is not going to end well.
One of the things I love about these books is that they are very Nottingham. It's not just the local landmarks and places, but also the language. Of course, Hannah has a bacon cob for breakfast (or rather she doesn't she lets it sit there while she gets on with work, which is a little mad). I am from somewhere not too far away myself, so perhaps I have more a fondness for this kind of things than others might. Having said that, I do like to feel that books really belong to where they claim to be from and this one does it and then some.
Unlike some crime books, we the reader know who's done it and why from the beginning, but I like reading about Hannah trying to work that out and put a stop to it. I can't wait for the next in the series and to read more about DI Hannah Robbins and her team.

[Banjobob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Rebecca Bradley in her DI Hannah Robbins series. I just can't get enough of this author. She gets inside my head.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a huge and rather embarrassing confession to make. Yes I know, my ‘confessions’ are fast becoming a habit. Anyway back to the point. Although I have Rebecca’s other books in my ever expanding ‘to be read’ pile, ‘The Twisted Web’ is actually the first of hers that I have read. Blooming nora, now I am asking myself ‘why the hell have I not read one before now?’ ‘The Twisted Web’ certainly appealed to me and I couldn’t wait to dive straight into the book. Blimey oh riley I absolutely loved ‘The Twisted Web’ but more about that in a bit.
I immediately took to the character of Detective Inspector Hannah Robbins and by the time I got to the end of the book, I had begun to think of her as a friend. Robbins is a dedicated police officer, who strives to do the best that she can for the victims of crime and for those families, who are affected by crime. Robbins is a strong, fair minded, determined, at times stubborn woman. Robbins sounds like an ideal boss to work for because she is kind, supportive and she wouldn’t ask you to do anything that she wouldn’t be willing to do herself. In fact she sometimes takes on the more distressing or tough jobs so that her team don’t have to. If Robbins finds out that you have made a mistake then she will tell you in no uncertain terms what she thinks but at the same time she will back you all the way if you find yourself in trouble.
Oh my goodness gracious me, ‘The Twisted Web’ is one hell of a well written read. The author grabs your attention from the start and the story starts in such a way that will stick in my memory for a long time to come. The story certainly hits the ground running and maintains the pace throughout. I loved the fact that the finer details of the police investigation were described and I found it very interesting to learn about how the police approach and carry out an investigation. The author is a former police officer herself and that adds to the authenticity of the story. I was hooked on this storye from the moment I picked up the book and began to read. I binge read this book over the course of the day, which worked in the book’s favour because it gave me a real sense of the urgency and intensity of the police investigation. It didn’t seem to take me long to get through the book but in reality a few hours had passed by. I had mixed feelings about finishing the book. Don’t get me wrong I was pleased to finish because it meant that I knew how the story ended but at the same time I was sad to finish the book because I was enjoying it so much that I just wanted the book to continue on and on. I found it nigh on impossible to put the book down and I sulked if I had to break off from reading it for any reason. It was as if I was an addict in need of a fix. The author uses such powerful and vivid descriptions that I really did feel as though I was an invisible member of Hannah’s team. I even found that I began to interact with the book by throwing in the odd suggestion of what Hannah and her team should do next or by telling certain characters how disgusted I was by their behaviour. I know the book is fictional but if I am convinced by the author’s writing style, the storylines and the characters then the story becomes real for me. Reading ‘The Twisted Web’ is much like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with the odd twist and turn along the way. There were certain times when I almost had to read through my fingers as I feared what was going to happen next.
I loved the fact that the story is set in Nottingham as it is a place with which I am familiar. I studied at university in Nottingham and I lived in the city for three years. It was lovely to read about places that I had visited or to reacquaint myself with certain areas of the city.
‘The Twisted Web’ is certainly topical as it is about the dangers of social media and shows just how low people can sink- by that I mean the fact that people post videos or photos that show a crime in progress or the aftermath of the crime with no consideration shown towards the victim(s) or the police.
In short I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Twisted Web’ and I am rather annoyed at myself for not reading Rebecca’s other books before now. Not to worry though because it means that I have three treats (books) in store. I can guarantee that her other books will not be on my ‘to be read’ mountain for much longer. I can’t wait to read what the author comes up with next. Rebecca Bradley is definitely up there on my list of ‘must read’ authors and ‘The Twisted Web’ is right up there on my top 20 reads of 2018 list. I would definitely recommend this author and her books to other readers. In fact I urge you to read them and I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is an extremely well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

First things first - complete honesty. This is the first book I have read of the Hannah Robbins series, although I have read other books by the author, and so I was intrigued to read it and get a flavour of what the series was all about. It is easy to read as a standalone novel, although you will undoubtedly benefit from having read the other books first as you will know the characters better and there are a few situations in the books which are referenced but not necessarily fully explained that will probably mean more to those who know the series. That said, because not too much was made of them, it didn't detract from the story or prevent me from being fulled immersed in what I was reading.

In the very beginning we are introduced to a character who is going to have a key role to play in this story, although, from the outset, it is hard to see why. It soon all becomes clear as following the first murder, more of the back ground of the character is revealed and what you read may surprise you but not necessarily shock.

A ma is murdered and left on the steps of the town centre, the area cordoned off, to all intents and purposes making it look like an abandoned crime scene. The pictures are soon all over the web, people demanding answers of the police. Although it is not the police who have left a body unattended, and this victim will only be the first. Another high profile murder, once more leaked to the internet sees Hannah Robbins and her team under mounting pressure to catch a killer whose reason for murder remains carefully hidden. But perhaps not carefully enough ...

Although this is my first book by the author, I was quickly pulled into the story by a fluid and engaging writing style. The style of murders intrigued me and the mystery which the team were yet to solve kept me wanting to read on, curious as to how far the killer will go and how the police will ever stop them. Now, as a reader, it is no surprise as to who the killer is, nor their motives, but the way in which Rebecca Bradley has portrayed them, the slow unravelling of their psyche and their escalating murder spree is quite tense and well observed. It was a strange mixture as I felt both empathy, to a degree, and hatred for the perpetrator.

I really liked Hannah and her team and as a character, in spite of having a lot on her mind, Hannah was someone I warmed to very quickly. I was happy to follow her through the investigation and loved her friendship with Aaron Stone. It is a great partnership, although somewhat tested in this book due to Aaron's personal circumstances. It is not helped by the DCI, Kevin Baxter, who seems determined to sideline Aaron as soon as possible, something Hannah will not allow. Her fierce loyalty, not only to Aaron but to her team, was something I was drawn to, as well as her determination and confident and yet still vulnerable nature.

This is a difficult book to say too much about as you really need to read it to understand. Everything is spelt out very clearly, the pacing and tension driving the story along to a heart stopping conclusion. It touches upon the theme of social media, of lives played out on instantly screen for immediate gratification, rather than thinking about the person behind the story and respecting each other's privacy. Of the impact of people's journalism and how we must record and report everything, even last night's dinner. Highly topical and a subject which will continue to grow and create debate as technology progresses. I think the author did a great job of clarifying how this damages not only victims and families, but also police investigations, adding another layer of pressure in an already tense job.

There are some moments of great peril in this book, those elements where the author takes you to the edge of your seat, and the conclusion is as white knuckle as you could hope for. With great characters and an intriguing, if not entirely new, premise, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from the author.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always good to return to a series and the one that features Hannah Robbins and her team is a favourite one. In this new investigation they have to solve a crime that's gone viral on twitter before they've had the chance to investigate. But as well as the crime that needs to be solved quickly because of the added pressure from social media there is also the return of Aaron, and Hannah's attempts to protect him from Baxter, their superior officer.
There are many reasons I enjoy this series. The characters all feel real, they have personal issues that don't take over the story, they eat junk food and the crimes that need to be solved are always topical and interesting. I have read novels that are centered around social media sites before but there is usually at least one site I'm unfamiliar with or it's too technical. Here it is all described honestly and simply. Some of the team use it, some don't and they are shocked how quickly things can escalate. Especially Baxter, whose shortcomings are increasingly evident.
Baxter is a character who I love to hate. I find him cold, unfriendly and given the opportunity a bit of a bully. Many times, when I read police procedural novels a superior officer is like this but can be as caricature. Here that isn't the case. He is simply an officer who appears to have forgotten how to police and is just interested in paperwork and controlling people.
Everybody else I like. I see Pasha developing in later books and I hope Aaron's health improves.
I would like to thank Rebecca for including me as part of her launch team and for the book received.


[Carol Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first read by this author Rebecca Bradley in this case, I listen to the audio version and will certainly look out for her books again. Most enjoyable and it's one of the first books that I have read that you know who the culprit is from the very beginning. At the.moment Social Media is all the rage and why if people take offense when they put something on Social Media that somebody has criticized beats me if you can't take criticism don't use it we all have opinions. Prime example.in this story, this poor soul tried to do someone a favour like saving a life and Social Media bloggers only put what they thought would get attention doesn't matter if somebody gets hurt in the process, because that somebody has to do something about it!!! don't they. What he does, does not bear thinking about and here enters D I Hannah Robbins to sort it out and try to find out the causes and reasons behind it all. Will not spoil the story but the police do a great job, lots of thoughts and surmises and she has a good rapport with her staff. Can she get to the bottom and see other points of view. It was very engaging and the narration was superb, but at the same time, I would not like to read too many where you know who the culprit is from the very beginning. I do like to use the little grey cells and have a guess

[djpaterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Twisted Web is book 4 in the Detective Hannah Robbins series, and can certainly be read as a standalone, although for fans of a series, you might want to start with book 1, Shallow Waters, if you want to enjoy the characters’ progression – and don’t want to find out prematurely about the odd character’s death!
The murder of a real-crime blogger followed by the very public dumping of his body drops the police into their very own social media nightmare, where viral posts can drive public opinion faster than you can say police media liaison officer.
I love Rebecca’s police procedurals – they have the authenticity that being a retired police detective can bring, but her skill in slipping police methodology into the story without it feeling laboured is excellent, and there’s always something new and interesting that I’ve never come across before!
Although we have a good idea who the perpetrator is early on - and through the use of mixed first and third-person narrative we have the jump on the police in that respect - there is still a great reveal towards the end that I didn’t see coming.
Another fab (and well-paced) book from Rebecca, which is excellently narrated by Colleen Prendergast.

[Melanie Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I pick up the newest book in this series it feels like I’m reading about a good friend. This fourth book feels like I’ve seen a slightly feistier version of Hannah, and at times she made me chuckle.

With a baffling murder committed, and their victim left displayed in a mock up crime scene, they immediately find themselves on the back foot investigating such a shocking crime. With their victim trending on social media, the pressure is on.

The bigwigs are feeling the heat from the media and hounding Hannah and the team for results, then suddenly another body is found, in remarkably similar circumstances.

Luckily Aaron is back, much to Baxter’s annoyance, and although Hannah is overjoyed to have him back, she is naturally apprehensive after his recent heart attack. Now Baxter is trying to use this as a way to kick him off the team, little does he know how loyal Hannah is to her colleague and friend!

I won’t say much more, to avoid spoilers, so the only thing left to say really is BUY THIS BOOK!! I have no hesitation in recommending this, another brilliant instalment in the DI Hannah Robbins series

[Trevor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Twisted Web

Having read all three books in the DI Hannah Robbin’s series and having enjoyed them all I was very much looking forward to the fourth in the series.
I have to say that I wasn't disappointed, in fact I think that this book is in my opinion the best of the lot.
It has all the original characters that we have got to know so well.
The story is set around social media which sparks of the first murder and develops from there.
I don't want to give too much of the story line away all I can say is this a must read book.
It would be better to read all three books in the series to get to know the characters but having said that it can also be read a stand alone.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I had heard excellent things about this book and was delighted to get my hands on a copy – and I have to say, I fully agree with the positive comments – it was very good indeed!

I really enjoyed the plot and I thought that the characters were excellent, DI Robbins is a great characters and I loved her interaction in the book. The plot was gripping and really held my attention throughout and I read it in a few enjoyable hours!

4.5 stars from me rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon, I really enjoyed it – very highly recommended!

[Kim J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watching the author evolve!

I can see that (at the time) this new author was stumbling just a wee bit to figure out how to write these books, and have them come to.lifw. wee Rebecca Bradley has gotten steady on her feet and she is just getting better at what she does! This book caught me up from the beginning, and was so gripping it didn't let me go! The characters are amazing, I love (just about all) them! The emotions she is portraying are felt on every page. The cases and bow they work are mostly factual, and you can feel how a police department is running!.I can't wait to dive into the next book, and neither should you!

[j truswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cracking read

This is another cracking read from Rebecca Bradley it is the fourth book I've read of hers and they keep getting better .The story is well written and set at such a good pace that it's hard to put the book down once you start . All the characters are great especially Hannah Robbins and her colleague Aaron who have a great relationship and work well together. I thought the plot was well written and researched and was interesting about the dangers of social media. Also to have it set in my home town of Nottingham makes this book and this author even more special and I will definitely be reading the next instalment of this series.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting story

This series is always fast paced and enjoyable. Both the characters and storyline keep your interest. The author tackled a hot topic this time regarding social media. It really makes you sit up and think how technology can ruin lives. I really enjoy the interaction between DI Robbins and her team. They are portrayed as real people with real issues. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Antigone Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caught in the Web

The web can be a dangerous place. A man whose life was shattered by internet fueled inaccuracies takes it upon himself to pay them back with bodies. Hannah and her team must stop him before the body count rises.

This was a satisfying read. Fast paced it highlights the harm that internet attention can cause.The killer is not the most logical or sympathetic. Still and engaging read.

[Jo Fountain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant

I have read all her books and coming from Nottingham I find it strange reading about my local areas, places and streets. All the books are great and you care about the characters as individuals but also as the working team they make up.

I really do hope there will be more books to come!

[Fiona Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read from Rebecca Bradley following the work of Notts Police Detective Hannah Robbins and the world of social media. Well worth a read and can be read as a stand alone or as part of the series.

[Chip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet.

[Sue Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chilling

An incredible look at today's social media and the way it influences lives. The whole plot of this book was amazing. Clearly the best of the series.

[Sandie Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blog Tour coming in November, see my review at www.sandiesbookshelves.blogspot.co.uk

[Donna B. Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great book. I enjoyed it a lot. Well written. Would recommend to others!! I am anxious to read her next book.

[diana hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Twisted Wen

The tainted web is Avery good read with some interesting twists and turns,as usual I can recommend you read it

[storme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slooow. Not much happened of interest in first 80% of book. Then all too quickly crime solved. Not recommended.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre social media plot, nothing interesting which is very disappointed since I like the first 2 books.

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---

‘So, he talks about crime online and is murdered and left to be found in what is made to look like a crime scene?’ Ross asked, clarifying the situation in his own mind. A situation we all needed to get our heads around.

‘That appears to be the gist of it, Ross...'

I can't come up with a plot summary as succinct as that, no matter how hard I try. As far as hooks go, they don't come much better than that. This is my second Rebecca Bradley novel, and it's the second one with a killer hook. In many ways, a killer hook -- like knowing -- is half the battle.

It's up to DI Hannah Robbins and her team to find this murderer, and from the get-go, the cards are stacked against them. To begin with, social media was aware of the body before the police were (despite the number of CCTV cameras in the area the body was dumped), and Twitter was demanding action. Which means -- like in so many aspects of society today -- the pressure on those seeking to do the work in a professional, careful manner works against them. The online mob (and the politicians that fear getting on their wrong side) demand instant action, instant results and instant justice. Good police work rarely gives you instant anything.

Robbins' team is in a little bit of flux at the moment -- they have a relatively new DCI, who isn't thrilled with the makeup of the team and doesn't trust Robbins' leadership (possibly not her ability at all -- I'm not sure) as well as a newish DC who has started to prove herself (but is still trying to); they're short a vital member due to a recent heart-attack; and Robbins herself is recovering from an injury and isn't quite herself while being distracted by some family drama. But like any good team of professionals, they band together, adapt and get to work. I can easily see versions of this book where the internal problems distract the team from the investigation enough that the killer strikes again (which doesn't mean that the killer doesn't strike again here, but it's not for this reason).

Robbins seems to do a pretty solid job running things, using her personnel and herself efficiently and wisely -- from this particular armchair, the procedural part of this novel is the way things are supposed to go. No maverick detective bucking the system, going their own way, or bending any rules of evidence. How many "police procedurals" can claim that? Through that careful, ticking every box kind of approach -- the stuff that Rebus can't be bothered with, Bosch only gives lip service to, and Peter Grant submits to (grumbling the entire way) -- Robbins team gets the job done. Not that serendipity doesn't play a role, but that happens.

While delivering on that front, Bradley gives us a lot of really good character moments and subtle emotional beats. The observations about witnesses trying to insert themselves into things, the effect that a crime can have on the family of a victim, what goes on in a postmortem, and so on -- elevated this from merely a solid procedural. (not that there's anything wrong with a solid procedural)

One death permanently changed the life of many people.

Those affected by a murder often felt as though their life had also been taken once a loved one had been snatched so ruthlessly. But a court, should a murder ever go to trial, only ever counted one life. The media only counted and reported on the one life. Investigating the murder, you soon came to realise it was a hell of a lot more than one life. You don’t live in a vacuum. You are more than yourself in the world.

There were a couple of times, however, that she ruined the moment (well, diminished it greatly) by following a nice bit of description and showing us what was going on by following it up with an unessential and clunky sentence telling us what she'd just shown. Displaying a little more trust in her readers would help things. But overall, I was really impressed with the way she described the thinking and emotions behind the actions of her characters -- even the tertiary ones.

Her characters are fully-developed and well-rounded. Even many of those we meet for only a few paragraphs. I'm a newbie to this series, but by the end, I thought I had a pretty good handle on almost everyone in Robbins' world, as well as the killer and their family. That's not easy to accomplish in a book like this that really had a lot more going on than just the murder inquiry. I really want to find out how things progress with a few of these people, and would jump on book five in this series tomorrow if it were available for that reason alone (well, okay, December -- but only because I've got the rest of this month tightly scheduled).

I spent most of the novel annoyed by how much time we were spending with the killer -- typically, novelists don't pull this part off well, or at least with enough value added to make it worth my while (and several novelists and novels that are my favorites have this problem). Getting his perspective on the reaction to his crimes and on the official investigation didn't seem to add much to the book, and took time away from the more interesting characters and actions. Because, really, almost all of his reactions were what the reader would've guessed if Bradley hadn't given us this. But, I have to admit by the end, Bradley made almost all of it worthwhile -- it was some pretty clever plotting on her part and a subtle bit of character work -- and turned what was a weak point (for me, not for others) into a strength.

I was impressed with Dead Blind when I read it a few months back -- but this The Twisted Web is so much better. Maybe because she's had more time to create this world and knows her characters better, maybe it's just the world she's created. Either way, this book has insured that I'm going to be on the lookout for whatever she's doing next (and, time permitting, I'll grab the first three in this series). The Twisted Web delivers it all -- some reflection on the driving forces behind our contemporary culture (and a well-deserved critique!), a solid police procedural, a villain with a credible motivation, a crime spree one can actually imagine happening, a couple of legitimate surprises, and human characters (as opposed to cardboard cutouts or stereotypes) driving it all.


My thanks to damppebbles blog tours for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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