An Eye for an Eye: Detective Kate Young, Book 1
My rating
5 / 5
Copy shared by Damppebbles Book Tours
Author
Carol Wyer
Publisher
Published in paperback, digital and audio formats by Thomas & Mercer on 1st February 2021
Genre
Crime/Thriller/Mystery
Number of Pages
426
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Book Blurb
A killer running rings around the police. A detective spiraling 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 Review
I was hooked. Day and night. I was to read this book as part of a blog tour for damppebbles for February. But I started reading the book in mid-January thinking it’s a long story (426 pages), so I’ll read a few pages every day and finish it by the first week of February. As I’m writing this review, let me tell you it’s only the 22nd of January. That was how fast I finished the book because I couldn’t stop reading it.
Thanks to a digital format, I read in every spare minute. Either on my laptop (at work) or my Kindle(at home) or by phone(when commuting). I think it was vital I share this little bit of information about the interest I developed in the book before I jump into the review.
A classic whodunit story, it was immersive all the way. I loved the pace of the novel. It was fast, and it never dropped. And the author narrated the story so that you could follow the investigation very closely and deduce the killer in your way. I was thrilled to find the murderer a few pages before the ultimate reveal.
I loved the plot that had not two but three parallel stories running. And yet, it was never confusing. One was the central murder mystery of Alex Corby, an eminent businessman, being investigated by DI Kate Young. Another story involved Kate, where she kept hallucinating about a past train incident where a gunman killed several innocent passengers, and Kate believed she was responsible. The third storyline begins a couple of chapters into the story about a guy called Ian.
All the three stories are weaved in effortlessly and wonderfully, and never once did I feel like skipping a few lines to get to what would happen next. I think that’s an achievement for the author. To keep the reader hanging on to every word.
I loved Kate. She was compassionate and yet a solid female lead. I could so relate to her passion for her job and her undying love for her husband. I even loved the other women characters in the story- Emma-Kate’s teammate, Fiona-the grieving widow, and even Gwen-Fiona’s mother. The emotions the characters went through were detailed beautifully.
After I finished the book, I went back to find out more about the author, and I must say I wasn’t surprised to find out that she was already an award-winning and bestselling author for the USA today.
Final Verdict
I am so thankful to Emma of damppebbles.com for introducing me to this author in my favorite genre. Without damppebbles, I wouldn’t have found out this gem of a book. Without a doubt, I rate the book a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars. I loved it immensely.
Who Should Read This
Murder Mystery enthusiasts and thriller fans must read this book. But be warned it has themes of pedophilia, S&M, and some gruesome murders and bloody details. Readers averse to these themes, please don’t pick this novel.
Carol Wyer
USA Today bestselling author and winner of The People's Book Prize Award, Carol Wyer writes feel-good comedies and gripping crime fiction.
A move from humour to the 'dark side' in 2017, saw the introduction of popular DI Robyn Carter in LITTLE GIRL LOST and demonstrated that stand-up comedian Carol had found her true niche.
To date, her crime novels have sold over 750,000 copies and been translated for various overseas markets.
Carol has been interviewed on numerous radio shows discussing ''Irritable Male Syndrome' and 'Ageing Disgracefully' and on BBC Breakfast television. She has had articles published in national magazines 'Woman's Weekly', featured in 'Take A Break', 'Choice', 'Yours' and 'Woman's Own' magazines and the Huffington Post.
She currently lives on a windy hill in rural Staffordshire with her husband Mr Grumpy... who is very, very grumpy.
When she is not plotting devious murders, she can be found performing her comedy routine, Smile While You Still Have Teeth.
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