M A Comley

Watching Over Me (Crime After Crime #1) by M.K. Farrar

Amy has a less than ideal childhood, but she strives to help children being a (Child) psychotherapist. When a very troubled twelve year old boy shows up at her office she does her best to help him. Her concern for this patient leads her down a dangerous path while determined to find the truth.

A fast paced thrilling psychological read. Attention to detail pulled me deep into the story. Some twists, turns and shocking revelations had me on edge. Compelling, intense and suspenseful from the first page until the last.

Overall I found Watching Over Me enjoyable. I highly recommend to those who enjoy psychological thrillers. I look forward to reading more by M.K. Farrar .… (more)

(2011)Pretty good introduction to the British D.I. Simpkins who heads a team of homicide detectives that investigates a series of grisly murders by a taxi driver who is exacting revenge on the people in his life who didn't help him when he reported his abuse as a child. Pretty good read although the characters interactions change without any seeming motivation. (Amazon description) The headless body of a wealthy widow is discovereddecomposing in Chelling Forest. Then a second victim is found. DetectiveInspector Lorne Simpkins and her partner, DS Pete Childs are assigned the case.Before they can discover the identity of the killer they must make a connectionbetween the two victims. After a third murder, Lorne receives a grisly surprise. Clearly, a viciousserial killer is on a rampage...and Lorne has become the killer's fixation. Lorne can't allow her failing marriage or her new boss--a man with whom sheshares a sensuous secret--keep her from focusing on her job. She must catch themacabre murderer, or risk becoming the next victim.… (more)

I’ve been kicking myself for burying this book in my TBR list. As Book Four has just come out, I decided I really ought to try and catch up, as I now have three more waiting for me in the series. I can’t wait to read them; I have become an instant fan of DI Lorne Simpkins.

A book bodes well for me if I’m smitten within the first couple of pages – and this was one of those books. The book starts with a somewhat sadistic scene in a prologue giving you a taste of what DI Simpkins will have to deal with, and this is then contrasted with a domestic scene hinting that her marriage and home life is a tad rocky.

Simpkins and her team have a gruesome serial killer on their hands after four women are found murdered and dismembered. They not only have to find the link between the four and reasons for their demise, but when things get start to get personal between the killer and Simpkins, it becomes even more imperative to find him before he harms not just other women, but friends and family close to Simpkins. Her professional life is somewhat compounded by a change of chief, when he is replaced by someone with whom she had an ‘intimate’ past.

If that wasn’t enough, her determination to get the job done isn’t helped by a husband who is frustrated and a little jealous of her job and achievements when it is he who has to stay at home and be the wife.

This is what I loved about this book. There was a perfect balance between Simpkins’ unpleasant job of finding deranged criminals and her personal life, having to juggle a job (and promotion) she loves and is committed to, and a husband and daughter she loves. There was a credible and natural relationship with her crimestopping team and although she fills you with confidence and know that she will find the murderer, you are kept guessing to a climactic finish. Equally compelling was how things pan out at home.

I thought the closing scenes were well thought out – the loose ends were neatly tied up, with just a little teaser to tempt you on to Book Two. Not that I need much temptation. Mel has an easy-to-read but engaging style and writes a compelling thriller. I’m going to sneak Impeding Justice out of my TBR as soon as I can.… (more)