An Eye for an Eye - Carol Wyer

Reading Challenge Category: Free ARC from NetGalley

Official Blurb:

A killer running rings around the police. A detective spiralling out of control.
DI Kate Young is on leave. She’s the force’s best detective, but her bosses know she’s under pressure, on medication and overcoming trauma. So after her bad judgement call leads to a narrowly averted public disaster, they’re sure all she needs is a rest.
But when Staffordshire Police summon her back to work on a murder case, it’s a harder, more suspicious Kate Young who returns. With a new ruthlessness, she sets about tracking down a clinical, calculating serial killer who is torturing victims and leaving clues to taunt the police. Spurred on by her reporter husband, Young begins to suspect that the murderer might be closer than she ever imagined.
As she works to uncover the truth, Young unravels a network of secrets and lies, with even those closest to her having something to hide. But with her own competence—and her grip on reality—called into question, can she unmask the killer before they strike again?

My Thoughts:

I didn’t think I would enjoy this as how could any detective live up to Natalie Ward or Robyn Carter? The author had surpassed herself with the writing of these two characters; how could any new one live up to such high standards?
She does!
At first, I thought there were too many similarities between Kate and Robyn. She has a tragic past and often imagines her partner’s advice. However, as the book progresses, you realise there is something more similar about the two, but at the same time, they couldn’t be further apart. I guessed the main character’s twist at about 30% of the way into the book, but I think by ‘knowing’ it made it more interesting to see if I was right with my guess.
The small tidbits given about the train massacre are real teasers, just when you think you are getting more detail that slight reminiscence is snatched away and you are left wanting more. At first, I couldn’t understand why this one event had such a profound impact on Kate's life. However, as the details emerge, I felt like crying for her. It was beautifully accomplished and written that you really feel for the character after not long knowing her!
The investigation that Kate is involved in was just utterly brilliant. It was so horrific and detailed that it made me start questioning the author’s mentality once again. This is precisely the kind of gruesome horror you want from a crime book. It was just perfect. It was all very intricately woven together as well, even though I did guess who the killer was, I didn’t know why and it was still great being along for the ride.
About 60% of the way into the book, it really picks up speed, and I just couldn’t put it down, I needed to know how everything would unfold and what answers we would get. There is certainly a set up for future books, and a bigger story that I can see is going to be interwoven into the series. I am really looking forward to what else Kate Young has to offer. Despite my reservations, she has overtaken Robyn Carter in my favourite characters of Carol Wyer’s books (Natalie Ward is still at the top, but I think that is all down to ‘The Blossom Twins’, can anything ever top that?!?) A five star read without a doubt!

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