When a routine autopsy on what looked like a straightforward hit-and-run leads the LA Chief Medical Examiner, Dr Carolyn Hove, to discover some puzzling inconsistencies, she calls in Detective Robert Hunter of the LAPD Ultra Violent Crimes Unit. 

Not only did Dr Hove discover that the death wasn’t caused by a hit-and-run, but she also found indications that the victim had been severely tortured prior to death.

What no one realises is that what Dr Hove has stumbled upon is just the tip of the iceberg and it will lead Hunter and his partner, Carlos Garcia, on the trail of a twisted and clever killer who hides in plain sight. A serial killer no one even knew existed – a killer who has always operated under the radar, expertly disguising every gruesome murder as an accidental death.

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But with no leads as to why the victim was targeted, the investigation comes to a standstill, until another body is discovered with an alternative cause of death.

What becomes clear is that this serial killer isn’t going to stop – unless Hunter and Garcia can get to him.

But how do you investigate a murder when you have no victims? How do you catch a killer who leaves behind no crime scene? How do you stop a ghost who no one can prove even exists?

My Review

Welcome to post number 13 on this fab #blogathon. I have been reviewing one book per month and this is the final one.

Number 13 – unlucky for some, but not for me. This is absolutely my favourite without a doubt. The horror of the murders have been toned down somewhat (they are still gruesome), but the message behind them is what really matters. Yes there’s torture, and killing, but it goes much deeper than that.

Our first victim was found by the side of the road, having been hit by a truck. His injuries fit that scenario. But LA Chief Medical Examiner, Dr Carolyn Hove, has found some strange inconsistencies that point to the victim having been tortured first. He died well before the hit-and-run. So she brings in Detective Robert Hunter of the LAPD Ultra Violent Crimes Unit and his partner Carlos Garcia.

But then another autopsy, this time carried out by a student in her finals, also reveals some inconsistent findings, because it looks like the victim was long dead before he supposedly jumped off a bridge and committed suicide.

But what did the two victims have in common, apart from being loners with no partners or children. They didn’t know each other either. It’s really going to take some digging to find a connection, and are they the only two? This is all too sophisticated to be the killer’s first crimes. So are Robert and Carlos looking for a serial killer?

Absolutely brilliant. Shame it’s the last in the series so far as I’m really going to miss our intrepid heroes.

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