Broken Angels

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Book Review: Broken Angels by Gwyn Bennett

Introduction
In the thrilling novel Broken Angels by Gwyn Bennett, readers are taken on a chilling journey into the dark depths of ritualistic crime. The story revolves around Dr. Harrison Lane, the Head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime unit, as he investigates the murder of a young boy. With a unique blend of suspense, religious themes, and personal demons, Broken Angels offers a captivating narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Summary
The book opens with the discovery of a young boy's lifeless body in a woodland clearing. The boy is surrounded by candles and bears disturbing symbols on his chest, suggesting a satanic ritual. Driven by his conviction that the killer has ties to a religious group, Harrison embarks on a relentless pursuit to unravel the truth.As Harrison delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a personal connection that brings forth haunting memories from his past. A cemetery visit triggers a chilling recollection of his mother dressed in a black cloak, just before her untimely death. Meanwhile, another child goes missing, intensifying the race against time to catch the killer before another innocent life is taken.

Review
Broken Angels delivers a solid reading experience that combines elements of mystery, suspense, and psychological depth. The writing style is engaging, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the story from the very beginning. The well-paced narrative keeps the tension high, making it difficult to put the book down.

One notable aspect of this novel is the originality of its protagonist, Dr. Harrison Lane. As the head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime unit, Harrison brings a fresh perspective to the crime-solving genre. His expertise in religious rituals and symbolism adds a captivating layer to the investigation. This unique character concept sets Broken Angels apart from other crime novels and opens up the potential for intriguing storylines in future installments of the series.

Additionally, the author successfully weaves religious themes throughout the book, creating an atmosphere of mystery and darkness. The satanic rituals and references to scripture add depth and complexity to the plot, keeping readers engaged and intrigued as they try to decipher the killer's motive.

While Broken Angels stands as a strong standalone novel, it is worth mentioning that it is part of an eight-book series. This discovery provides an unexpected delight for readers who find themselves eager to continue following Dr. Harrison Lane's journey in the subsequent books.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Broken Angels by Gwyn Bennett is a thrilling crime novel that combines elements of mystery, suspense, and religious symbolism to create a captivating reading experience. With its well-paced narrative, engaging writing style, and original protagonist, this book is sure to keep readers hooked until the very end. Whether you are a fan of crime fiction or enjoy delving into dark and twisted mysteries, Broken Angels will not disappoint.

ARC Via NetGalley

Modern Sherlock Holmes/ Police Procedural Blend. Here, we get yet another police procedural set in Great Britain, so the terms and some of the procedures are a bit different than American audiences generally expect, yet are in-line with other similar books I've read. This particular new series has a different bent than most in that its central (series titular) character is a trained tracker/ behaviorist, and his backstory and actions here are reminiscent of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Original Detective. His tracking abilities are also reminiscent of the more modern day author David Wood's Bones Bonebrake, and indeed both Lane and Bonebrake have connections to the same region of the US. This book also features a bit more of a disturbed villain than usual, and some scenes may be a bit much for some readers. Nothing overly graphic, and certainly not "on screen", but the Carrie-type religious abuse is quite heavy handed, while also being necessary to establish the full depravity and insanity of the villain. Overall, a compelling series starter - which is great, since new publisher Storm Publishing is re-releasing almost the entire series under new titles on the same day. Very much recommended.