ISBN-13: 9780552159814
Publisher: Corgi Books
Publication Date: 26 April 2012
Format: Paperback, 512 pgs
Source: Personal Library
Publisher: Corgi Books
Publication Date: 26 April 2012
Format: Paperback, 512 pgs
Source: Personal Library
I enjoyed reading Sharon Bolton's (aka S. J. Bolton) Dead Scared (not realising that it is part of a series then) so much that I decided to read the rest of the series. This series feature DC Lacey Flint and DI Mark Joesbury and Now You See Me is the first installment. She has a few stand-alone as well - Sacrifice, Awakening and Blood Harvest and I've added them to my to-read list.
In this story, we are introduced to DC Lacey Flint and are told she has never worked a murder case before. It was only by chance that Lacey stumbled upon the victim when she saw the woman leaning against her car, bleeding profusely from a savage wound across her throat as well as her abdomen. Lacey didn't think it was a robbery, since her diamond earrings and wristwatch are still in tact. Anyway, Lacey became the witness as she had contact with the woman, as she tried to reach out to Lacey during her last struggle.
DI Mark Joesbury, who is working with the Specialist Crime Directorate dealing with major crimes (including undercover works) is not officially tasked to the case since he was convalescing from his previous case but he has his plans. The investigation team managed to track down the identity of the dead woman - Geraldine Jones, but other than this information there isn't any leads, until a freelance journalist contacted Lacey and claimed she received a letter from the so-called killer, and that Lacey's name was mentioned in it.
Lacey then pieced the letter quite similar to the notorious killer of the nineteenth century - Jack the Ripper, given the writing style and the signature. Lacey also pieced Geraldine's murder as the same day (31 August) where Jack murdered one of his victims - Polly Nichols, in 1888. Both Polly and Geraldine's injuries were identical.
As the story progresses, we all know that the victim won't stop at Geraldine Jones, since there were four more victims under Jack's murderous hands, thus this Jack copycat wouldn't stop at one too. Like the original Ripper, the copycat killer seems to have a rough anatomical knowledge, is clever and quick.
Speaking of the victims, I couldn't help but flinched at some of the descriptions of the human anatomy over the post-mortem scenes as part of the police procedural. And yes, there are some descriptions of how the victims are being murdered so this is not for the fainthearted readers. Having read many crime thrillers and how the murderers acted, I was still in a shock over the violence of this killer is capable of.
Aside from having a compelling storyline, I think it is equally important to have engaging characters, and Lacey and Mark are fine examples. Lacey may have a sad past and is flawed (there's a little history of her being so), but she gave me the impression of an observant and a very brave woman. Why I said so is because in Dead Scared, she was an undercover and disguised as a student to solve a case in an University, and this time around she used herself as a bait to lure out the killer. As for Mark, he may seem like an obnoxious man but beneath his rank and his attitude, he is actually a man who cares a lot for his fellow colleagues. I've liked him from the beginning, despite the cool vibes he's been giving Lacey but of course, that might be his pride talking and I'm looking forward to see how their relationship will grow from here.
Now You See Me is an intense, well crafted thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat right up to the end (I was totally blown away by the ending. How would I even describe it? I felt I was taking an emotional roller coaster ride. Intense, shocked and yes, even sadness for the killer.) Flipping that last page had had me at a loss for words; and my mind couldn't stop thinking over the horrific events and the shocking truth behind everything.
What can I say? I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller and I cannot wait to get to the rest of this series. Highly recommended.
Posts
I love this author and this series! Her books just keep getting better in my opinion! Enjoy :)
Samantha - I'm glad to have found this series! I think Sharon Bolton has been added on my favourite authors list. :)
I've read her supernatural stand-alones Blood Harvest and Sacrifice which have plenty of suspense, but I think I like the Lacey Flint series better. I agree with Samantha about her books getting better, and her latest,A Dark and Twisted Tide, is really good.
Jenclair - I'll have to check out her standalones, but I've a feeling I'll still prefer the Lacey Flint series. I like Lacey and Mark already. :)
I agree, I think engaging characters is a must. This sounds like such a good series. I really need to make time to read it.
Wendy - Indeed they are, Wendy. I hope you'll read them. I think this is one good series we shouldn't miss, especially for crime thrillers fans. :)
Excellent review! This sounds exactly like my cup of tea. I am adding it to my list. Thank you.
Irene - I think you'll enjoy this series.