A killing like no other.
A killer more twisted than he’s ever seen before.
A case that will test him to the limit.
Has Robert Hunter finally met his match?

‘Do you believe the Devil exists, Detective?’ the officer at the end of the line asks. ‘Because if you don’t . . . I’m sure you will once you get here.’

Robert Hunter is called to the most vicious crime scene he has ever attended. It is made even more disturbing when the autopsy reveals a poem, left by the killer, inside the body of their victim.

Soon, another body is found. The methods and signature of the murder differs, but the level of violence used suggests that the same person is behind both crimes. Hunter’s fears are confirmed when a second part of the poem is found.

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But this discovery does more than just link the two killings – it suggests that this is the work of a serial murderer.

With no forensic evidence to go on, Robert Hunter must catch the most disciplined and systematic killer that he has ever encountered, someone who thrives on the victims’ fear, and to whom death is a lesson that needs to be taught.

My Review

Welcome to post number twelve – the penultimate book on this fab #blogathon. I have been reviewing one book per month.

“A killing like no other.
A killer more twisted than he’s ever seen before.
A case that will test him to the limit.
Has Robert Hunter finally met his match?“

I’m thinking the author (apologies Chris) has forgotten some of the earlier books when he says ‘a killer more twisted than he’s ever seen before’. We’ve had some of the most gruesome killings ever written in any book I’ve ever read. Killings that make Gwyneth Paltrow’s head in a box in Seven look like a walk in the park. Even Hannibal Lecter ripping the guy’s face off in the lift in Silence of the Lambs seems mild in comparison.

In Genesis the first two murders are very inventive and original, while the third one is just plain weird (part of it that is). It’s rare for anything in Chris’s books to make me laugh, but I came close – clack clack.

Is there a link between the victims? Robert and Carlos can’t find anything. And what about the lines from a poem left with each victim? Are they part of a whole and what do they mean? Again, there’s nothing on the internet. Not a poem, a song, or something from a film. There is no forensic evidence either, the killer is far too smart.

But what makes Genesis so clever is that when a link is finally found – even Robert has struggled – it is something that no-one could have guessed. Or who.

I am getting close to the end of the series now and Genesis was one of my favourites. I’m really going to miss Robert Hunter and Carlos Garcia.

PS I still struggle with the killer leaving things inside the body of the victim when it’s a woman.

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