A review by kbranfield
The Killer in Me by Olivia Kiernan

4.0

4.5 stars.

The Killer in Me by Olivia Kiernan is a suspense-laden mystery. Although this newest release is the second installment in the Frankie Sheehan series, it can be read as a standalone. However, I highly recommend the previous novel as well.

Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan is uneasy when her sister-in-law Tanya West asks her to look into Seán Hennessy's case. Tanya is working with Justice Meets Justice, a non-profit organization that investigates possible miscarriages of justice. Although convicted of murdering his parents and the attempted murder of his younger sister, Seán has always maintained his innocence. Recently released from prison, he is also cooperating with a documentary which is airing weekly. Hoping to find evidence that Seán was wrongly convicted, Tanya believes Frankie might find evidence that will exonerate him.

Reluctantly agreeing to review the case, Frankie is soon busy with a current investigation into the vexing murders of Geraldine and Alan Shine. Their bodies appear to be carefully staged with puzzling clues left at the scene.  Working closely with her partner Barry "Baz" Harwood and the rest of her team, Frankie is frustrated by a lack of evidence. The few clues they uncover lead to dead ends which leaves them struggling to understand why the couple was targeted for murder.  When a third body is discovered, Frankie is under even more pressure to unmask the killer(s). She, Baz and the rest of the squad feverishly work around the clock to find the evidence they need to find out the murderer's identity.

In between working the current investigation,Frankie combs through Seán's case files. She is troubled by some of the information she finds and she begins to believe Seán may be telling the truth.  Frankie thinks she might know what happened that terrible day, but will she find the evidence she needs to prove her theory?

The Killer in Me is a meticulously-plotted and tension filled mystery. Frankie is a multi-layered and fascinating character. The storyline is intriguing and the investigations are interesting and fast-paced. As the pieces of the puzzle rapidly fall into place, Olivia Kiernan brings this perplexing mystery to a twist-filled, jaw-dropping conclusion.  Readers of the genre are sure to enjoy this latest addition to the Frankie Sheehan series.