The Art of Death

The base premise of this police procedural is certainly an intriguing one - a serial killer who has started exhibiting his kills as artworks around London, pickled in formaldehyde tanks. This sets up an intriguing cat and mouse game when the killer decides that the lead police officer on his case is going to be his next target.

This is an impressive crime debut with a well worked hook. whilst there are a few less polished sections (some of the dialogue is very confusing) the overall plot and prose is extremely well done with a satisfying denouement. An enjoyable read.

This was a dark, messed up thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed reading! When Detective Inspector Grace Archer is made head of the latest investigation, she was certainly not bargaining on it dragging her tragic, traumatising childhood into the public spotlight. A killer who goes by the name @nonymous is publicly framing his murder victims as art installations around London. When Archer begins investigating it doesn't take long for the press to find out her real identity as a survivor of a child murderer and to splash her secrets all across the papers. Will Archer face her fears again when confronted with another harrowing murderer or will she let it all get the better of her?

This was an interesting premise for a thriller. I found death imitating art super morbid and creepy but a very strong angle to come at a thriller with. Archer was a fun protagonist to spend time with and I found her second in command Quinn very endearing and a good energy to balance the dynamic. This was written very well and structured competently. I would be very happy if he wrote more thrillers for Archer to take the lead in. She is a very nuanced well layered protagonist with much more to give us and I am hungry for more. If you enjoy thrillers/ police procedurals you should 100% be picking this one up!

Thanks to the author David Fennell,Bonnier Books UK and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.