WOW. This is an first-rate read for so many reasons. It's definitely a horror/suspense story, complete with serial killer, but it's proof you don't have to make it graphic or gory for it to be a great read. Content-wise, there's minimal profanity, no sexual content (not even a sexual element to the serial killer), and no graphic violence or dead-body descriptions. It's an expertly plotted mystery with plenty of twists and intriguing narration from multiple points of view.
The story is told by Tom Kennedy (dad), Jake (kid), killer, and multiple detectives. I love the addition of Jake's perspective, and the question of a supernatural element. In reading an interview with Alex North, he was inspired to write a story that incorporated things kids say some times that they have no business knowing or things that seem rather disturbing. Jake is a kid wise beyond his years, highly intelligent and comes across as a kid you might find in a Stephen King novel. North writes well from every perspective, with the ability to give each character a unique and realistic voice.
Through Tom and Jake, North explores the impact of loss and trauma on family ties, and things grief can do if we let it. North also delves into the complex relationships of fathers and sons, and overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles together. This struggle is worked beautifully into the suspense and mystery without being a distraction to the plot in any way.
I would automatically read anything else written by Alex North. I would HIGHLY recommend this read to fans of Alex Grecian's The Yard series. While this isn't historical fiction, it's the best murder mystery I've read since Grecian's series, and has a lot of the same elements with the multi-POV narration.
The story is told by Tom Kennedy (dad), Jake (kid), killer, and multiple detectives. I love the addition of Jake's perspective, and the question of a supernatural element. In reading an interview with Alex North, he was inspired to write a story that incorporated things kids say some times that they have no business knowing or things that seem rather disturbing. Jake is a kid wise beyond his years, highly intelligent and comes across as a kid you might find in a Stephen King novel. North writes well from every perspective, with the ability to give each character a unique and realistic voice.
Through Tom and Jake, North explores the impact of loss and trauma on family ties, and things grief can do if we let it. North also delves into the complex relationships of fathers and sons, and overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles together. This struggle is worked beautifully into the suspense and mystery without being a distraction to the plot in any way.
I would automatically read anything else written by Alex North. I would HIGHLY recommend this read to fans of Alex Grecian's The Yard series. While this isn't historical fiction, it's the best murder mystery I've read since Grecian's series, and has a lot of the same elements with the multi-POV narration.