Source: Netgalley
BLURB
The lifeless body sat, hands bound, silver tape over his mouth. Patches of blood had soaked into the cheap carpet around him. Zac had spent years gaining scientific insight into the mind: human motivation and behaviour. And this scene wasn’t right…
It’s been five years since Detective Zac Boateng’s daughter was murdered and her killer was never found. Now Zac is back working for the Metropolitan Police and is more determined than ever to bring the city’s killers to justice.
When a man is found brutally murdered in a rundown south London shop, all fingers point to the highly intelligent and manipulative Darian Wallace. Two years ago, the victim helped send him to prison. And he’s just been released.
Still grieving, Zac knows it will take everything he’s got to catch this dangerously clever killer. But just as he feels he’s getting closer, he realises all is not quite as it seems and he makes a devastating personal discovery.
Zac has a choice to make – risk letting this killer escape or watch his daughter’s murderer get away again…
An absolutely gripping thriller for fans of Mark Billingham, Peter James and Lee Child. The Murder List is one fast-paced thriller you won’t be able to put down.
MY THOUGHTS
Detective Zac Boateng’s world is crushed when his daughter, Amelia is killed in a hit-and-run. Five years later and Zac is investigating the brutal murder of a man in South London. Their only suspect is a man who has just been released from prison, Darian Wallace. And he knows how to play the police. But Zac isn’t the only person who is after him. As he and his team try to track Wallace down, Zac’s own, private investigations into his daughter’s murder takes an unexpected turn. Is he about to uncover the identity of his daughter’s killer? But at what cost?
The Murder List is an exhilarating debut novel by Chris Merritt. From the emotional, opening scene, in which Zac witnesses the murder of his daughter, we follow the characters on a pacy and tense ride. This book has all the ingredients that make a good crime novel, and I really enjoyed it. Zac’s personal life was one of the main focuses of the book as he is still grieving the loss of his daughter. The grief that Zac feels is portrayed very well in Chris’ writing, and I really liked the relationship that he had with his wife and son which gave his character a very human and relatable touch. Zac was a fantastic protagonist, and I’m interested to see how his character will develop in future books, especially as Chris does leave us on a cliff hanger.
What I really enjoyed about this book was the characterisation; I really connected with Zac’s character, especially as he attempts to find out who killed his daughter and I could feel his anger as he fights to get justice. We also step into the mind of the suspect, Darian Wallace, and in these scenes, I really felt the tension rise.
The Murder List is a strong debut by Chris Merritt. The plot makes for a hugely gripping and exciting read; I was kept engaged all the way through. If you enjoy dark crime thrillers with plenty of suspense and intrigue then I highly recommend this book.
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication date: 21st March 2018
Print length: 318 pages
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