The Reckoning by Kerry Watts

Recently, I was asked to read this book, from an author completely new to me.

The Blurb:

A series of grisly murders drags D.I. Grant Noble back from compassionate leave following the tragic death of his wife.

Ross Blake sees the injustice of the world all around him and sees no other option but to begin evening the score. The slayings initiate a shocking sequence of events that will lead directly back to Grant's door.

But can he battle his own demons and protect what's left of his family?

My Review:

This is the first book I have read by this author, and I loved it. I will definitely be looking out for more.

DI Grant Noble is called back in to work from compassionate leave following the death of his wife, to look into a very gruesome murder. The victim is a convicted paedophile, recently released from prison, and when Noble and team realise this is the third similar murder in recent weeks, they know they are dealing with a serial killer.

We know who the perpetrator is from the outset - Ross Blake, a young man who was abused by his own father and pretty much ignored by his junkie mother. Blake is a well written character, and we see the love that he has for his dog and his grandmother. It's very hard not to feel sympathy for Ross - he is clearly damaged, and his victims are evil men.

Grant Noble is another great character. He is very recently widowed, struggling with his OCD and anxiety attacks. Some of his actions out strain on his relationship with his daughter Katie, who is trying to process her own grief.

There is a lot going on in this book. The action moves along at a cracking pace and the body count increases. The murder scenes are described graphically and are not for the faint hearted! There are also several subplots going on - one involving Grant, one Katie and one with Scott, her boyfriend. These helped add interest and the complete package easily kept my attention. Would recommend.

You can buy The Reckoning here:

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reckoning-Kerry-Watts-ebook/dp/B079Q42D12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522573614&sr=8-1&keywords=the+reckoning+kerry+watts

US https://www.amazon.com/Reckoning-Kerry-Watts-ebook/dp/B079Q42D12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522573527&sr=8-1&keywords=the+reckoning+kerry+watts

And in all good bookshops!

Abel's Revenge by Ross Greenwood

The Blurb:

This is a story about a city. As with all others, it’s a place of violence. There are murderers, and they live among us.
This is also a tale about a couple — sometimes friends, occasionally lovers, but always partners. Dan and Olivia are fighting modern battles; the ones parents have over a lack of money, time or peace. 

An escalating serial killer terrifies the streets and homes. The body count rises as their relationship crumbles. Society reveals its dark side, and no one is safe. Dan and Olivia experience this first-hand as danger closes in. 

Will Abel's reign of terror ever end?
Who will live, and who will die? 

My Review:

This book didn't grab me as I thought it would. It is told from various perspectives, but mainly Dan, his partner Olivia and Abel, a killer terrifying a city.

I really enjoyed Abel's chapters (and would have liked more of them), and those from other minor characters, but, for me, the chapters from Dan and Olivia's points of view broke the rising tension (and I would have liked less of them). That said, Dan and Olivia's characters are well fleshed out and their struggling relationship is well described. I found Dan quite annoying though! Abel remained mysterious through most of the book. I also enjoyed the descriptions of a city in chaos and freefall, caused by the fear of Abel, as more and more crimes are attributed to him, regardless of whether he has committed them or not.

For me, this book was saved by the ending. The action increased and then there was a surprise twist that I just didn't see coming, and it helped explain some of the earlier story.

There is potential for a follow up book, and I would certainly be interested to read it, if that was the case, to see how  things develop.

You can purchase Abel's Revenge here:

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ABELS-REVENGE-gripping-serial-thriller-ebook/dp/B079ZTLM6T/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1522168636&sr=1-1&keywords=abels+revenge

US: https://www.amazon.com/ABELS-REVENGE-gripping-serial-thriller-ebook/dp/B079ZTLM6T/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1522168786&sr=8-1

And in all good bookshops!