Detective Robert Hunter of the LAPD's Homicide Special Section receives an anonymous call asking him to go to a specific web address - a private broadcast. Hunter logs on and a horrific show devised for his eyes only immediately begins.
The LAPD, together with the FBI, use everything at their disposal to electronically trace the transmission down, but this killer is no amateur, and he has covered his tracks from start to finish. And before Hunter and his partner Garcia are even able to get their investigation going, Hunter receives a new phone call. A new website address. A new victim. But this time the killer has upgraded his game so that anyone can take part . . .
It's my pleasure to be taking part in the Chris Carter blogathon. This month's book is One by One. Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for my digital copy of the book and to Tracy Fenton from Compulsive Readers for inviting me to take part.
Chris Carter has become the go-to name for anybody who loves dark, gritty thrillers. They're certainly not for the squeamish and each book features unimaginably horrible ways to die at the hands of a twisted serial killer. Although the rhythm of the novels are now familiar to returning readers – especially the cliffhangers at the end of several of the chapters – the identity of the killer and the motive behind their actions is always a perplexing mystery.
When Hunter picks up the phone and is directed by a calm voice to type in an IP address, he and his partner, Carlos Garcia bear witness to a horrific crime and it's just the start of a sadistic killing spree. The killer contacts Hunter before each subsequent death but after the first murder, he also invites other people to become involved and as well as being a traditional cat and mouse style thriller, One by One is also a disturbing, damning exploration of human behaviour.
At a time when the public is encouraged to believe their votes can control the lives of others – whether that's choosing who gets a break in the musical business, has the chance of meeting the love of their life, or is compelled to endure a gruelling task in the jungle – it's not too much of a stretch to believe they can also be persuaded to decide how somebody dies. While many people are either naïve or cynical enough to be convinced that the horrors on their screen are a clever hoax, it doesn't take too much of a trawl on social media to realise others revel in the misery of others. Chris Carter chillingly captures the cold indifference of people seeking their next dopamine hit online and the inevitable result is almost as mentally torturous to those investigating as it is cruelly excruciating to the killer's victims.
The partnership between Hunter and Garcia is a highlight of this series and there's an almost telepathic level of understanding between them. Their camaraderie and respective strengths compliment one another well and although there is no doubt that Hunter is the brains behind them, Garcia is no slouch and his dogged determination and readiness to follow Hunter's train of thought means his importance to their working relationship shouldn't be understated. It's all the more terrifying therefore, when the killer is able to prove just how close he is able to get to them. In this battle for the upper-hand, Hunter and Garcia are often in second place; their sense of frustration at their impotence is almost palpable. The addition of Michelle Kelly to proceedings works really well too and this former hacker turned FBI cyber expert makes a real impression; the usual strained relations between the police and FBI are foregone here in the face of their apparent helplessness.
One by One is a nerve-wracking, compelling read from start to finish. It is, of course, unflinchingly grisly but Chris Carter ensures readers will be moved by the plight of the victims and perhaps just as vitally, by the motivation that drives the killer. Highly recommended.
One by One is published by Simon & Schuster, purchasing links can be found here.
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