I’m not good with change. I was ridiculously excited when I read that Robert Bryndza had a new book coming out and then I read that he had changed publisher and that the new book didn’t feature the tortured heroine Erika Foster. It didn’t bode well…
When I was sent Nine Elms for review about six weeks ago I toyed with the idea of putting it aside and reading it just before publication date. That decision lasted all of about 24 hours and then I just had to drive straight in. My only regret about that choice is that I’ve had to wait six weeks to share this gripping crime drama with you all.
When Kate Marshall was a young police detective she was instrumental in catching the Nine Elms Cannibal serial killer. A case that changed her life forever and ended her career with the police force. Life is now a quiet one lived on the shore with daily swims in the open water and a job as a criminology lecturer.
When a couple of young women with no apparent links are found dead it becomes clear that there is a copycat killer out there, emulating the crimes of the Nine Elms killer. Finding herself drawn back into the investigation Kate begins her own searches ably assisted by her university assistant Tristan. They soon find themselves in the middle of a living nightmare – one that might be a little too graphic for some more delicate readers. Bryndza doesn’t hesitate in his descriptions of some quite graphic crimes and situations.
Like his other books Bryndza wins on the creation of his characters. Most of his stories feature tough independendent women who all have a fatal flaw – some weakness that prevents them from being totally amazing. Having to be stronger and better than the men they work with in order to achieve the same recognition. Kate Marshall is another one of these damaged women. Her past unfolding as the story progresses and her secrets laid bare.
It isn’t a perfect book. Some of the action feels a little far fetched – mostly to do with the geographical distances that the characters were having to cover in quite short periods of time. Clearly this violent-crime filled universe is also traffic free! That said don’t let this put you off. NIne Elms is a fast paced crime thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat right to the very last page. Luckily this is the first in a new series so hopefully there will be another Kate & Tristan adventure very soon!
Supplied by Net Galley and Sphere in exchange for an honest review.
UK Publication Date: Nov 1st 2019. 416 pages.
#NineElms #NetGalley
Categories: 5 Stars Book Review
angelnet69
Prolific reader, enthusiastic theatre and movie-goer and ex-Olivier Awards judge who spent twenty years working in the music industry in London. Sharing my house with a gorgeous cockapoo called Harry who has taken over completely.
I love sharing my favourite books with friends - nearly always spoiler-free as I hate reading a synopsis of the whole book in other reviews.
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