A Book Review: Secrets of a Serial Killer
Title of the book: Secrets of a Serial Killer
Author: Rosie Walker
Publisher: One More Chapter
Publication Date: 7th of August 2020
Genre: Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Crime
Why I picked up this book:
What!? A book review on a Saturday? Book reviews are for Tuesdays! I know, I know. It’s just that I have been on a reading binge lately and rather than scheduling ahead for weeks if not months at a time, I thought I’d throw in an extra review, just for you.
As you can see from my past couple of reviews, I had been sucked down the rabbit hole that is fantasy books. Some of which were great, whilst others were a bit more…shall we say disappointing. So I decided I needed a reset and what better way to do that, then with a Psychological Thriller, I was gifted as part of the Reddit Secret Santa. I mean, who wouldn’t be hooked by a cover that tells you: ‘A gripping thriller to make your skin crawl.’ The fact that it is set in an area not too far from where I live making it all the more exciting. So let’s get scared!
About the Author:
Rosie gained a Masters in Creative Writing with distinction from the University of Edinburgh in 2011, where she learned to talk about writing over a gin and tonic, and accept critical feedback with grace. She also has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Lancaster University, where she learned how to pull an all-nighter to hit a deadline right at the last minute. She lives in Edinburgh with her husband Kevin and their dog Bella.
Synopsis:
There it is: fear. It’s crawling all over her face and in her eyes, like a swarm of insects, and it’s all because of him.
A serial killer has been terrorising Lancaster for decades, longer than should ever have been possible. The police are baffled, eluded at every turn by the killer whose victims span generations. Speculation is rife among the true-crime forums; is someone passing on their gruesome trade?
Every local mother's worst nightmare has become Helen Summerton's reality; he’s taken her daughter, Zoe. As the clock runs down so do her chances of survival. Can Helen unearth the secrets of the killer before it’s too late?
Review of the Book:
I am sad to admit this will have to be yet another one of the books that disappointed me so far this year. The first couple of chapters felt like a slog, the pacing was off and the writing itself was full of action and no description. The characters came off as bland and one-dimensional and the references to modern-day technology, slang and pop culture, misplaced and forced.
Luckily this was somewhat corrected after we have been introduced to the full cast of characters and the story starts to find it’s feet. We are introduced to a number of interesting premises, which leave the reader wanting more:
- A serial killer who ingrains himself in the lives of innocent bystanders, so he can frame them for murders he is yet to commit.
- A police force, baffled by a slew of murders spanning decades.
- A poky journalist badgering the local police force with theories about the local missing person cases.
- A true-crime forum that shares local conspiracy theories and instructions on how to dispose of dead bodies and evidence.
This is where the second issue comes to light. Each of these premises is worthy of exploration in its own right. Each of them entirely promising. However, by insisting to weave each of these stories together, no matter how loosely they might be connected on paper, the author ensures none of them reaches their full potential. We are forced to keep up with the points of views of characters who are instrumental to each of the different premises. Causing issues with momentum and suspense building. The cacophony of voices and thoughts also ensures we never fully connect with any of the characters. They seem like actors performing a play and an underfunded one at that. Some of the dialogue, especially when we look at the killer, or shall we say killers, feels lacklustre and rife with stereotypes. *Que the maniacal laughter* I was honestly waiting for the swivel chair, complete with a white Persian cat to be introduced.
In the final part of the book the issues with pacing return. Where the beginning felt slow, the end is ultimately rushed. The conclusion dissatisfying and don’t get me started on the open end. Being left at the edge of your seat, wishing you could have closure can be incredibly powerful at times. In this case, it felt like the author struggled to come to a satisfying finale and leaves it to the reader to speculate.
Sure the story was creepy and there were moments I was genuinely enthralled, but they were few and far between. It quickly devolved into a cheap b-list movie, complete with over the top actors. The story certainly had potential, but it sadly failed to live up to it.
What are your thoughts? Have I just been de-sensitized to suspense like this by overexposure? Did you genuinely enjoy this read? Are there other, better thriller books out there I should give a go? Let me know in the comment section below, but until then – just one more page!