‘Thirty-seven years in the force, and if I was allowed to choose just one thing to erase from my mind, what’s inside that room would be it.’
 
That’s what a LAPD Lieutenant tells Detectives Hunter and Garcia of the Ultra Violent Crimes Unit as they arrive at one of the most shocking crime scenes they have ever attended. 

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In a completely unexpected turn of events, the detectives find themselves joining forces with the FBI to track down a serial killer whose hunting ground sees no borders; a psychopath who loves what he does because to him murder is much more than just killing – it’s an art form.
 
Welcome to The Gallery of the Dead.

My Review

Welcome to post number nine on this fab #blogathon. I will be reviewing one book per month.

I’ve always said that the Robert Hunter series gets better and better, but with Book 9, Gallery Of The Dead, we have jumped into a different realm. Book 8 was not my personal favourite, especially after the brilliance of Book 6, An Evil Mind, but I think we may even have outdone that one. I’m also glad that the victims are not all young, attractive women, as that makes me slightly uncomfortable.

In Gallery Of The Dead, Robert and sidekick Carlos Garcia must work with two FBI agents. It doesn’t start off well as Garcia and Agent Fisher take an instant dislike to each other. The suspense is at times unbearable, and I just couldn’t stop reading. Just a bit more, and a bit more. Is that the time? Good thing I’m retired.

The first victim’s body is discovered in her own home and is one of the most shocking scenes Robert and Garcia have ever witnessed. But is this the killer’s first victim? The FBI are already tracking someone that may be the same killer. However, the victims have no connection to each other. Different ages, different sexes and discovered in three separate states. And it seems that the method of killing has less relevance than the victims themselves. But what links them?

There are clues, like the messages left in Latin, but what do they mean? It looks like the killer is creating works of art, his own ‘gallery of the dead’, but we don’t know whether the setting is the art, or the victims themselves. Everyone has a theory, but they could all be wrong.

Agent Fisher is an interesting character, moody, acerbic, and forthright to the point of rudeness. The FBI works alone, and while she admires Hunter’s brilliant mind, she treats Garcia like an unwanted addition to the ‘team’. But they must all work together before the killer finds his next target. And they have no idea who or where that might be.

Gallery Of The Dead is so sophisticated and well-plotted, and I got my wish with Hunter, say no more. And that ending! That taster of what’s to come in the next book Hunting Evil! I can’t wait.

Many thanks to @Tr4cyF3nt0n for inviting me to be part of the #CompulsiveReaders #blogathon.

About the Author

Born in Brazil of Italian origin, Chris Carter studied psychology and criminal behaviour at the University of Michigan. As a member of the Michigan State District Attorney’s Criminal Psychology team, he interviewed and studied many criminals, including serial and multiple homicide offenders with life imprisonment convictions. He now lives in London. Visit his website www.chriscarterbooks.com