Decisamente il peggior thriller di Mac Bride, che dopo aver abbandonato i personaggi di Logan McRae e di Ash Henderson, si avventura nella creazione di Lucy McVeigh, con risultati decisamente deludenti.
Una trama che poteva inizialmente diventare interessante affoga nella palude del parapsicologico, stile "Sesto Senso".
Aggiungiamo un titolo assurdo, una pessima traduzione e vari refusi tipografici, in pieno stile Newton Compton e il risultato è un libro che forse solo i seguaci di Mac Bride potranno leggere: a tutti gli altri consiglio migliori letture. ( )

Lucy McVeigh has just returned to work after a traumatic episode that left her signed off for months. A serial killer called the Bloodsmith is haunting Oldcastle and a childkiller has just been released. However as McVeigh delves deeper into the cases she finds herself haunted by Professional Standards and her past.
Starting off as a superior police procedural this book sees Macbride on his usual, excellent form. However there is more to this tale and suddenly it starts to go down a really weird path. I felt the handling of mental illness was extremely empathetic and even the crazy twist was just part of the exhilarating ride. It's different and bizarre but, as ever, brilliant. ( )

So....I'm anxiously waiting for some of my book buddies to grab this & read it because we need to talk. Don't worry, we'll skip past the first 80%. I'm referring to the last bit, the final chapters I read with my mouth hanging open. But in the meantime, a few thoughts on the story & how it all began.

It's been seventeen months since the "Bloodsmith" started killing random citizens of Oldcastle & taking their hearts. Seventeen months that have resulted in 5 bodies, multiple investigations & zero leads. Down at the police station, it's the case no one wants. So when it's DI Tudor's turn to take on the whole mess, he wastes no time dumping it on DS Lucy McVeigh & her trusty sidekick DC Duncan Fraser.

Great...like she doesn't enough on her plate. Still reeling from a recent assault, Lucy is busy dealing with PTSD, a useless therapist, Tudor's expectations, Fraser's rants & the antics of a recently released killer. Oh, and there just might be someone stalking her. So does she want to be saddled with a career ending case? Sure, why not.

Lucy & Fraser begin revisiting the old crime scenes & turns out there is something new. Plus, thanks to a chilling prologue, readers know more than our intrepid duo which helps ramp up the tension as the investigation takes on new life.

If you've read any of MacBride's previous books, you'll probably feel right at home here. In keeping with tradition, the 2 MC's are a pair of cops....one who is perpetually cranky & demanding while the other is put-upon & given to stream of consciousness style rants. Dialogue is rapid fire, sarcastic & full of biting humour. Add in a whack of physical action & some slapstick & fans will definitely feel like they're watching a younger, transplanted version of Steel & McRae.

BUT....while subject matter, the characters & their roles/relationships may feel familiar, don't get too comfy. And lose that smug little smile. I guarantee you have no idea where this is heading. To be honest, at one point I wondered if a "Dallas" style moment was pending...a scene where everyone wakes up & realizes it was all a dream.

This heralds the arrival of the aforementioned last 20% & THAT ending. There is nothing I can say without blabbing a potential spoiler so at this point, I'm walking away. You're on our own. Stay alert, keep hydrated, maybe strap on a helmet. My only comment is W...T...F... ( )