DI Matt Barnes and the squad have two separate cases to investigate. One is to identify and apprehend an opportunist rapist who strangles his victims to ensure that his description cannot be given to the police. The second perpetrator is apparently a homophobic serial killer who uses carpenters’ chisels to dispatch his chosen prey. But nothing is ever what it seems. As the Special Crime Unit begin their inquiries, an east end gangster, Ray Cooper, sends two enforcers to the home of a recent recruit to the team, DC Kelly Day, to lean on her and tell her that they need any information on the killer that has unknowingly murdered Ray’s sister. Their incentive to have Kelly on side is that they threaten to kill her mother if she does not comply. DCS Julia Stone has asked Matt to step up to fill the shoes of now retired DCI Tom Bartlett, and although Matt does not want promotion, he has to consider the integrity of the team. Nothing stays the same, life moves on, and so perhaps he will take on the extra responsibility, but not before he has closed the cases that are currently being investigated.
I write the type of original, action-packed, violent crime thrillers that I know I would enjoy reading if they were written by such authors as: Lee Child, David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly and their ilk. Over twenty years in the Prison Service proved great research into the minds of criminals, and especially into the dark world that serial killers - of who I have met quite a few - frequent.
I live in a cottage a mile from the nearest main road in the Yorkshire Wolds, enjoy photography, the wildlife, and of course creating new characters to place in dilemmas that my mind dreams up.
What makes a good read? Believable protagonists that you care about, set in a story that stirs all of your emotions.
If you like crime fiction, then I believe that 'Deadly Reprisal' and 'A Reacher Kind of Guy - Aftermath' will push all the right buttons for you.
Great to meet up with one of my favourite DI's once again.
This is a great series and I always want more after finishing a book from this author, and this is no different! Sadly I read it to quickly, not intentionally but found it impossible to put down. Matt Barnes at his most persistent, determination isn't lost when reading this this story, the author cleverly transfers the characters frustrations at their lack of headway into two gruesome crimes. Both crimes unrelated but shocking in their intensity and violence, Barnes and his team are run ragged by a cleverly written fast paced storyline that takes no prisoners, be prepared if your of a nervous disposition because it's certainly graphic in parts, though plausible and realistic!
Two fantastic plots that grab your imagination, a great cast of varied and diverse characters, some you're implicitly drawn to, others had me grinding my teeth! Police procedural throughout is well written and totally realistic, l loved it and looking forward to number 8, the next DI Matt Barnes!
From the first chapter which was a massive wow! (and I was certainly not expecting) it blew me away. Two stories running side by side, which had me gripped! I love Matt Barnes and how cool he is and how he puts it all together. Hurry up with the next one please.
Definitely need more of these excellent books from Michael Kerr. This one races ahead with Matt Barnes and team chasing two serial killers and it rarely slows down. Have read all of the Matt Barnes series and probably all of Kerr’s and this is one of the best.
Been waiting for the next instalment of DI Barnes. Enjoyed every page, brutal, honest. Read this one in three sittings, now just have to wait for the next chapter....