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Denver Detective Nick Lynch’s world is crumbling. Shattered by his daughter’s murder, Nick is drinking himself into oblivion, his marriage is in tatters, and he’s on the verge of being fired. He used to be a great detective, but now he’s an afterthought.
To get back on track, he’s handed a layup case: a john rolled and murdered by a prostitute and pimp. But Nick soon realizes that the pieces don’t add up. And when a video of the murder hits the dark web, his worst fears are realized—a serial killer is making snuff films, selling his videos to the highest bidders.
Nick races to figure out who could be making these deadly masterpieces. But when the killer’s final epic film hits close to home, Nick has to risk everything to catch the killer.
To get back on track, he’s handed a layup case: a john rolled and murdered by a prostitute and pimp. But Nick soon realizes that the pieces don’t add up. And when a video of the murder hits the dark web, his worst fears are realized—a serial killer is making snuff films, selling his videos to the highest bidders.
Nick races to figure out who could be making these deadly masterpieces. But when the killer’s final epic film hits close to home, Nick has to risk everything to catch the killer.
266 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2021
About the author
E.L. McKenzie
12 books4 followersE. L. McKenzie writes the Nick Lynch crime thrillers. Seven novels of crime, power, and a country on the edge, for readers of Michael Connelly, James Patterson, and John Sandford. The series follows FBI Special Agent Nick Lynch and President Jenny McFadden through the worst cases in America. Runner, Book Eight, arrives September 14, 2026.
He writes from a 2nd Avenue apartment in the East Village, where he and his wife Linda moved after years in Colorado. He writes in the daytime and watches the street. The city gets the evenings.
Everything is at elmckenzie.com.
He writes from a 2nd Avenue apartment in the East Village, where he and his wife Linda moved after years in Colorado. He writes in the daytime and watches the street. The city gets the evenings.
Everything is at elmckenzie.com.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 26, 2021
Let me start off by saying that I do not normally read books that are particularly violent. Every once in a while, however, an author of such a book reaches out and I take on the challenge. That is what happened in this case.
While it is difficult for me to remain objective when it comes to books with a topic as horrifying as this one, I must say that the story has surprisingly few loopholes despite its complexity. Nearly all characters have a purpose and fit together in one way or another. The surroundings and details of many different situations were described very well.
That said, there were inconsistencies that affected the quality of the writing. The children in the book are not very realistically written considering what is going on in their lives and how their relationship with their parents is portrayed. Some characters do not seem to have a reason for how they act, and somehow nearly all relationships pictured are falling apart. I also found the jumps in time in the beginning of the book a little difficult to follow.
I do believe that this might be a book that people with a stronger stomach might appreciate, but it was not for me.
This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
While it is difficult for me to remain objective when it comes to books with a topic as horrifying as this one, I must say that the story has surprisingly few loopholes despite its complexity. Nearly all characters have a purpose and fit together in one way or another. The surroundings and details of many different situations were described very well.
That said, there were inconsistencies that affected the quality of the writing. The children in the book are not very realistically written considering what is going on in their lives and how their relationship with their parents is portrayed. Some characters do not seem to have a reason for how they act, and somehow nearly all relationships pictured are falling apart. I also found the jumps in time in the beginning of the book a little difficult to follow.
I do believe that this might be a book that people with a stronger stomach might appreciate, but it was not for me.
This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 29, 2022
This book isn't for everyone. It deals with "snuff" films - pornographic movies in which someone dies. While the author's depictions are not needlessly graphic, some readers will nevertheless be disturbed.
I struggled with the time-hopping throughout the book, even as I understood why it was done. The plot feels uneven at times, and the ending has an almost rushed feel to it as if the author had an invisible time limit to wrap things up.
I kept reading how the main character is a genius detective, but he didn't impress me with how he solved the case. I wanted more action and less process.
The Doctor is one of the strongest villains I have come across recently, however, and the author has crafted a memorable character in Lynch. He has promised more books in this series and I will be interested to see how Lynch evolves.
I struggled with the time-hopping throughout the book, even as I understood why it was done. The plot feels uneven at times, and the ending has an almost rushed feel to it as if the author had an invisible time limit to wrap things up.
I kept reading how the main character is a genius detective, but he didn't impress me with how he solved the case. I wanted more action and less process.
The Doctor is one of the strongest villains I have come across recently, however, and the author has crafted a memorable character in Lynch. He has promised more books in this series and I will be interested to see how Lynch evolves.
May 22, 2023
Crazy Good Page Turner
To begin with, this was an exceptional book that had me hooked from page one. The twists and turns in the story kept me glued and emotionally invested in the story, and trying to figure out the identity of the villain or villains. This could be a movie, with Tom Ellis as Nick Lynch. Now I’m a forever fan of this author and can’t wait to read his next book. Five big stars
To begin with, this was an exceptional book that had me hooked from page one. The twists and turns in the story kept me glued and emotionally invested in the story, and trying to figure out the identity of the villain or villains. This could be a movie, with Tom Ellis as Nick Lynch. Now I’m a forever fan of this author and can’t wait to read his next book. Five big stars
February 23, 2024
What A GREAT NOVEL!
I enjoyed the storyline, the characters, so believable. Not for the faint of heart, but I believe EVERY SCENE was necessary to make this book a real page turner. My kind of genre. I got so involved with the storyline that i wanted to help Nick straighten out. Lol. I liked the ending too.adding this author to my favorites.
I enjoyed the storyline, the characters, so believable. Not for the faint of heart, but I believe EVERY SCENE was necessary to make this book a real page turner. My kind of genre. I got so involved with the storyline that i wanted to help Nick straighten out. Lol. I liked the ending too.adding this author to my favorites.
March 11, 2022
Excellent first time novel
This book has it all. Grit, intrigue, mystery, murder, family drama plus a time line that helps to keep the flow and progress of the investigation interesting. This is a new and exciting addition to the world of mystery dramas.
This book has it all. Grit, intrigue, mystery, murder, family drama plus a time line that helps to keep the flow and progress of the investigation interesting. This is a new and exciting addition to the world of mystery dramas.
February 2, 2023
Disturbing yet captivating story of detectives out to find a serial murderer in the beautiful Colorado mountains. I enjoyed the challenges faced by the police and their dealing with state politics and politicians. Good read.
August 10, 2024
great read
Fantastic and and great characters. I’m going to continue with the next book in the series immediately! Enjoy, I did.
Fantastic and and great characters. I’m going to continue with the next book in the series immediately! Enjoy, I did.
June 24, 2026
Worth a read
Enjoyed the plot but struggled to keep tabs on all the characters at time. Will read the next in the series to see how the lead characters develop.
Enjoyed the plot but struggled to keep tabs on all the characters at time. Will read the next in the series to see how the lead characters develop.
July 4, 2026
Very well written..Very different to the normal serial killer stories. Felt a bit queezy reading this although I'm not asquemish person normally. Well done and thank you for keeping me riveted.
July 8, 2026
Rollercoaster of a crime story
Jam packed with plot twists, intrigue, police and family drama.
Enjoyed reading and have purchased the next 3 books. Enjoy.
Jam packed with plot twists, intrigue, police and family drama.
Enjoyed reading and have purchased the next 3 books. Enjoy.
July 31, 2026
Pure evil
He decided who should die and how to force others to kill because of an insult, but he crossed the wrong cop. Good story, but never gets out of first gear
He decided who should die and how to force others to kill because of an insult, but he crossed the wrong cop. Good story, but never gets out of first gear
August 9, 2026
Well written book, with quite a few twists and turns that were unexpected. Would read more
September 21, 2026
Really good police procedural. Extremely detailed. Flawed people finding their way. Complex relationships.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews