They locked him up seven years ago. He’s still killing.

Executives from Detroit’s automakers are being mutilated, and all signs point to a serial killer known as the Doctor. But there’s a problem with that. Detroit Police put him away a long time ago.

Fiery FBI agent Abby Kane is tasked with figuring out how this madman can kill again. When she visits the Doctor behind bars, he swears he’s innocent and not the psychopath everyone thinks he is. Oddly enough, Abby believes him.

To prove the Doctor’s innocence, Abby investigates the case that put him behind bars and discovers evidence of a cover-up. She soon finds herself marked as enemy number one by the city’s power players. Even the executives who are being targeted by the killer want her silenced. The pressure only intensifies when Abby believes the real killer is connected to the automakers. Can Abby untangle the web of lies before she’s silenced for good?

6 Hour Read Time – 94 Chapters – 324 Pages

So, I’m going to start by saying that I got this book on Kindle ‘Free Books’ as a set of 6. So, I have used Amazon to find the original page length of each book but it may not be accurate to what it is in the 6 book read.

You know I’m on my quest to read more lengthy crime series and this seemed like a good bed.

I am also simultaneously trying to finish Hunted on the Fens (DI Galena Book 3) by Joy Ellis and Bonds of Destiny (The Shifter Fae Book 3) by Tessa Hale. But I was not in the mood for either of those today, so I started on this instead.

My first impressions (Chapters 1-5) is that Abby Kane has many onion layers I need to peel. She comes in as an already established character with a backstory to match and it is clear that she means business. Wilkinson seems like an all-round guy and there is clearly room for something to brew between the two characters.

I’m now at chapter 38 and let me tell you, this book is juicy. As the first in a series, there is always a little bit of expectation, and this doesn’t fall short on that. The plot is actually quite addictive, and it’s making me think a lot. It’s not an original plot but it’s done so well that it feels refreshing.

I am finding a slight blip in how it is written. It’s written in first person from Abby Kane’s point of view but sometimes it’s hard to distinguish that or to work out who is talking.

At chapter 63 now and honestly, I didn’t know in what direction this book was heading but I’m enjoying it more and more with each page. We have what I would call a dual narrative. We have Abby Kane and then there was another point of view of two people, Katherine, and Preston Carter. I honestly couldn’t understand why I was getting their perspective. Of course, I knew it would have some importance to the central plot, but I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

This plot is neatly tied, but it’s done in a way that doesn’t make it seem obvious or stand out in any way. I haven’t felt this way about a book since I read The Vanishing Girls which is the first book in the Josie Quinn series by Lisa Regan.

It’s a rush of adrenaline and excitement that comes from finding a great book. I just know that I will enjoy the series based on my enjoyment of this book. I still have 31 chapters left to read but I can now see all the parts slowly coming together. What is still up in the air is how it will end!

A surprising detail to this book that I enjoyed was how much book was left after the climatic chapters. Usually following the climactic chapters we get maybe one more chapter and perhaps an epilogue but here there was a substantial amount to keep reading. It just added an element to my read that I greatly enjoyed.

I mentioned at the beginning of this review that the character of Abby Kane was like an onion with lots of unexplored layers. Upon finishing the book I would also class the plot as an onion because there were so many interwoven layers to it that kept me captive throughout. Just when I thought I’d got to the end of the layers, something new popped out.

Generally the crime books I read have seasoned characters with grown up families or young characters open to exploring life. With Abby Kane, she has young children and a dominating mother-in-law, so the dynamics of her life outside work are different and somewhat challenging. It creates a different narrative and it’s clear by the end of the book that Kane is aware she needs to focus on her family more and not run straight first into danger.

Just as a warning a fair amount of people die in this book. I know that crime has many sub-sections, and many crime readers shy away from certain aspects. So, maybe if you like a more strict approach to murder, this book isn’t for you.

I think also, the fact that Kane’s job takes her away from her home is interesting because most of the time, especially with detective books, the crimes are all set in the place the character lives. Kane is an FBI agent and from my understanding in this book, gets sent all over to help assist in other cases. In the case of this book she was sent to Detroit. It definitely gave me Criminal Minds vibes, though a lot less gruesome!!

My week has been super busy, so I ended up reading this in 2 sittings. It took me just under 6 hours to read in total. I know I mentioned earlier about how I found the point of views a little confusing. That element did continue but I think as I became more familiar with the style of reading, it bothered me less.

Out of the boxset of the 6 books I got, this one is the longest in terms of chapters. Sometimes excessive chapters put me off but in the case of this book I think they were needed to explore all that was happening. I don’t think it would have had the same impact if there were less chapters and more content. I think that would have made it a more problematic and confusing read.

As a book it isn’t that long, it stands at 324pg – regardless of reading ability, you may disagree with me on what constitutes as ‘long’ – and I would have easily been able to read the book in one sitting had I had the time.

Going forward with the series I am exciting to see what will happen. I feel like I’ve barely brushed the surface of Kane’s character. I saw her go through so much in this book but there is so much more she is able to give. For the moment, I can see many avenues for her to go down but I’ve tried not to speculate too much because I would like to go into the next book without any expectations.

I give this book: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐