‘Repent in this life, rejoice in the next…’
A murder made to look like suicide. Another that appears an accident. DI Barton investigates the tragedies that have shattered a family’s lives, but without obvious leads the case goes nowhere. Then, when the remains of a body are found, everything points to one suspect.
Barton and his team move quickly, and once the killer is behind bars, they can all breathe a sigh of relief. But death still lurks in the shadows, and no one's soul is safe. Not even those of the detectives…
How do you stop a killer that believes life is a rehearsal for eternity, and their future is worth more than your own…?
Ross Greenwood writes gritty, heart-pounding thrillers, with twists aplenty, and unforgettable endings. Perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Stuart MacBride.
I'm delighted to be hosting the blog tour for The Soul Killer today. Many thanks to Ross Greenwood, Boldwood Books and Rachel Gilbey from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me and for my advance digital copy of the novel.
The Soul Killer is the second book in Ross Greenwood's DI Barton trilogy but the first I have read. There are plenty of mentions of the previous case - and book - The Snow Killer included without interrupting the flow of the plot meaning new readers are soon up to speed without frustrating those returning to the series - I'm now very curious to find out more so I know I'll definitely be reading it at some point!
The Soul Killer follows two characters throughout; the killer and the detective. The start of the book takes us back to the villain's youth and as is so often the case, it's not a happy one. A quick trip through his formative years, from his early school days through to his first steps in the adult world reveals a troubled past which helps explain his gradual descent into madness. It's actually a rather sad tale in many ways and although his chilling voice means it's not really easy to empathise with him, it is at least possible to question whether he is driven by nature or nurture.
The chapters featuring DI John Barton and his team finds them still coming to terms with the aftermath of The Snow Killer. The pressures of their job are shown to weigh heavily on them throughout the book, particularly on Barton himself, with the impact exerting its toll on his family too. I really enjoyed the interplay between the officers, especially the mentoring role that Barton naturally inhabits when working with the talented, fiercely ambitious yet rather artless Clavell.
As the novel progresses, the disturbing identity of the killer is finally revealed to readers but it's not until much later that the police work out the truth. In the meantime, they are continually outsmarted by this clever but increasingly deranged murderer. It's clear that his actions will eventually catch up with him but the rising death toll makes for a tense and exciting thriller with the killer's next move never obvious. Although serial killers are obviously not as common in real life as they are in fiction, Ross Greenwood's knowledgeable descriptions of a murder investigation and the gruesomely accurate post-mortem details ensure The Soul Killer always has an authentic feel to it.
The Soul Killer is a shocking account of how religion and faith can become twisted and the killer's belief that his actions here will grant him everlasting life in heaven, coupled with his obsessive love for his girlfriend means he is a memorably horrifying character. The well-structured plot is fast-paced and compelling with some genuinely jaw-dropping scenes. Gripping, dark and addictive - I can't wait to read The Ice Killer when it's released later this year!
Don't miss the rest of the blog tour, details are below.
About the Author
Ross Greenwood is the author of six crime thrillers. Before becoming a full-time writer he was most recently a prison officer and so worked everyday with murderers, rapists and thieves for four years. He lives in Peterborough.
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