Jackie’s Reading Corner

SYNOPSIS

A killer intoxicated by pain. Should Alex Madison stop her – or save her?

Across London, hospital patients are dying – in shockingly unnatural circumstances. A sadistic young woman is targeting them as they lie helpless in their beds, eking out every last sensation of pain as their lives ebb to an excruciating close.

The killer is a sadist, but careful too, so the police bring in forensic Psychologist Dr Alex Madison to track down what is clearly an extraordinary and damaged mind. For Alex, the case has a personal resonance he can’t reveal: he knows pain and addiction all too well, and must fight to control his own downward spiral long enough to stop the killers campaign of cruelty.

As Alex closes in on the killer, it becomes clear that there are darker forces at work, and a connection to his previous case ignites his worse fears. When he uncovers the shocking truth behind the killer’s motivations, Alex must decide: should he pursue the police’s version of justice – or hunt down the sinister organisation that has warped another soul.

MY REVIEW

This is the second book with Forensic Psychologist Dr Alex Madison in and Detective Laurie. But it can be read as a stand alone novel. There appears to be a serial killer on the loose but not on the streets, it appears to be within hospitals in London. This is a gripping book you just keep to want reading that next chapter and before you know it finished. The story is told from Alex’s viewpoint

Alex is trying to help the police find the killer, but he himself is a troubled soul addicted to benzo’s, in the middle of a divorce. CCTV footage how’s someone sneaking into A&E of a London hospital and torturing someone who is already suffering pain but it continues until that patient is dead. Alex is trying to find her motive, why is she killing? This isn’t the first case in a London hospital.

Mia Anastos doesn’t feel pain, so she wants to inflict pain on people who are already in a lot of pain. Brutal painful murders are cropping up. She doesn’t even know why she does what she does. She hides in the shadows and claims she is on a mission to seek revenge for her pain.

At times this can be quite a gory book, with some graphic torture which leads to death. Not for the faint hearted. This is not what I would call a cosy read.

This is a fast paced novel a brilliant thriller that really holds your attention. Alex is a relatable character with human flaws, the relationship with his daughter. I think there is more to learn about Alex and as the series progresses, there are other characters within the story and plot, that keeps the tension growing throughout. I am going to have to read the first book now to get to know more about Alex Madison.

I give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ a good read.

Thank you to #netgalley and #ThomasandMercerpublishers for an e ARC in exchange for an honest and fair unbiased review.

THE AUTHOR

Adam Southward is a philosophy graduate with a professional background in IT, working in both publishing and the public sector. He lives on the South coast of England with his young family.