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A review by kba76
The Killer's Christmas List by Chris Frost
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
When a well-known MP is found dead at the foot of the Angel of the North it marks the start of DI Tom Stonem’s new job in Newcastle. Their initial hunch is that the MP’s wife may have done it, and when his mistress is found dead only days later it seems they might be onto something. However, in the pocket of the MP’s jacket was a Christmas list - with the first two items linked to these deaths. Is there a chance that there could be a serial killer taunting them?
The story itself unravels at quite a pace, and there’s plenty of details you might expect from a police procedural. However, there’s lots of extra sections from the point of view of a child and we’re never sure how these link to events. Confusing, and definitely acting as a way of keeping us off the scent a while.
As the murders unfolded I found myself thinking the links between them seemed awfully convenient. There was more than a suggestion that someone was toying with the police…and that it was someone who was intent on causing pain.
Once we get to the final twist I found myself wondering how I’d overlooked some key details, and thinking they were incredibly lucky to come out of this as they did. There’s no suggestion this is part of a series, but the revelations about Stonem and the ending certainly indicated this could be a possibility.
The story itself unravels at quite a pace, and there’s plenty of details you might expect from a police procedural. However, there’s lots of extra sections from the point of view of a child and we’re never sure how these link to events. Confusing, and definitely acting as a way of keeping us off the scent a while.
As the murders unfolded I found myself thinking the links between them seemed awfully convenient. There was more than a suggestion that someone was toying with the police…and that it was someone who was intent on causing pain.
Once we get to the final twist I found myself wondering how I’d overlooked some key details, and thinking they were incredibly lucky to come out of this as they did. There’s no suggestion this is part of a series, but the revelations about Stonem and the ending certainly indicated this could be a possibility.