‘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.
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.
The Chris Carter blogathon continues with Gallery of the Dead, the ninth book in the Robert Hunter series. Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and Tracy Fenton from Compulsive Readers for inviting me and for my digital copy of the novel.
Chris Carter books could never be accused of being slow paced and true to form, Gallery of the Dead briefly introduces Linda Parker who returns home to her cat, Mr Boingo after a long and exhausting day modelling. Of course, her evening quickly comes to a terrifying conclusion and the next time we see her, she is lying dead at the centre of a horrific crime scene. Gruesome murders are a staple of the Robert Hunter series and at first, Linda's death looks to be up there with the worst of them. However, in spite of the bloody sight which greets the investigating officers, the story behind her murder isn't quite so straightforward. It proves, however, to be a twisted and fiendishly puzzling case with a serial killer who keeps everyone guessing what his next move will be.
It quickly transpires that this killer has already come to the attention of the FBI, who have given him the moniker, the Surgeon. There are undeniable similarities between previous murders but the stark differences add more layers of complexity to the investigation. Hunter and Garcia have to join forces with Special Agents Fisher and Williams and the dynamics between them are a standout feature of this thriller. This is a dark case but there is a lot of humour in Gallery of the Dead, thanks especially to Carlos Garcia who reveals a rather sassy side to himself here. He isn't impressed by Special Agent Fisher's dismissive attitude and makes his feelings crystal clear. Their sarcastic exchanges continue throughout the book and as well as being funny, underline the uneasy relations between the two separate branches of law enforcement. Chris Carter's nuanced understanding of his characters in Gallery of the Dead is excellent and Fisher is a case in point; she is frequently rude or snarky but in spite of her caustic attitude, I really liked her. She is utterly determined to track down the killer but there is a softer side to her too.
It isn't necessary to have read the previous books in the series but returning readers will enjoy the ongoing development of the characters. Tracy Adams makes a welcome return, and her patience and understanding is finally rewarded; Hunter has been determinedly self-reliant for so long, it's fascinating to see him finally take some risks and open up to another person. He also has his humorous moments and I'm sure I'm not the only reader who looks forward to the moment where he explains away his seemingly boundless knowledge with a simple, "I read a lot." He is sorely tested by his adversary here though and he is perplexed by a psychopath who leaves macabre messages in Latin but whose victims vary in gender, age and location – just how does he choose who will be next?
The intense final chapters are shocking and emotional as events come to a dramatic head. There is also a breathtaking development right at the end of Gallery of the Dead which has left me desperate to read the next book in the series, Hunting Evil.
With its compulsive plot and first-rate characterisation, Gallery of the Dead is a thought-provoking, exciting thriller from start to finish, I highly recommend it.
Gallery of the Dead is published by Simon & Schuster, purchasing links can be found here.
Follow the blogathon, details are below.
About the Author
Comments
Post a Comment