A Cut for a Cut (Detective Kate Young #2)

Book Blurb

DI Kate Young can’t trust anybody. Not even herself.

In the bleak countryside around Blithfield Reservoir, a serial murderer and rapist is leaving a trail of bloodshed. His savage calling card: the word ‘MINE’ carved into each of his victims.

DI Kate Young struggles to get the case moving—even when one of the team’s own investigators is found dead in a dumpster. But Kate is battling her own demons. Obsessed with exposing Superintendent John Dickson and convinced there’s a conspiracy running deep in the force, she no longer knows who to trust. Kate’s crusade has already cost her dearly. What will she lose next?

When her stepsister spills a long-buried secret, Kate realizes she’s found the missing link—now she must prove it before the killer strikes again. With enemies closing in on all sides, she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to bring them down. But time is running out, and Kate's past has pushed her to the very edge. Can she stop herself from falling?

My Review

Laura is attacked while walking home from her Yoga class. The attacker violates her, after rendering her unconscious and then suffocates her to death with a message carved on her back “MINE”.

Detective Kate Young is assigned the case and she starts working on all possible avenues trying to uncover the perpetrator when another woman, one who belongs to the Police Force is found in a similar condition, dumped in a waste bin. DI Kate’s team of three has now to work under double pressure.

Kate’s step-sister Tilly, is in the town, with her son Daniel. Tilly has been a victim of a similar attack and Kate cannot help but imagine how difficult it must be to cope after this kind of an attack. Meanwhile, another woman is attacked but fortunately, she remains breathing, and that sets DI Young on a positive trail of the killer.

Parallel to this case, Kate is working secretly on her husband’s case, trying to uncover evidence to prove her superior Superintendent John Dickson is responsible for the death of her husband and is involved in underage sex acts.

This book is the second book in DI Kate young series. Although the two are connected, you can read this as a standalone novel as the author has discussed the previous case sporadically in this book.

I loved the last book, immensely. And I wasn’t disappointed with the second either. It was packed with action. There was never a moment of dullness throughout the story. My love for crime thrillers just multiplied with this book.

My detective lens swept over all the characters and I kept hoping it wasn’t someone I liked from the story. Kate’s battle with grief and her job were played out flawlessly, and Kate’s last scene in the story spooked me.

And yet I think that the author could’ve done away with some repetitive information about the last case and Dickson. That would’ve made the story shorter and crisper. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Final Verdict

It was an exciting, thrilling, and gripping read that ran ahead at full speed.

I look forward to reading the next installment in the series.

I would like to thank Damppebbles and the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Who Should Read This

Murder Mystery enthusiasts and thriller fans must read this book. But be warned it has themes of rape.