Search This Blog

Monday, November 27, 2017

Crossing the Line by Kerry Wilkinson

NetGalley has offered two of Kerry Wilkinson's stand-alone psychological suspense novels that I read and enjoyed.  I didn't review Two Sisters here, but I did review The Girl Who Came Back. When I realized that Wilkinson's police procedurals featuring DS Jessica Daniel were available through Kindle Unlimited, I went through them like candy.

There are ten books in this UK series, and Crossing the Line, is the eighth installment here in the U.S.  

I like the complex characters who become more fully developed and interesting with each new book and the skillful and well-thought out plots that are fresh and original.  Oh, and I should not fail to mention the dialog that feels natural and is often cleverly amusing. 

Although the books can be read as stand-alones, this is a series that benefits from seeing how the dynamic of each plot influences and alters the characters.  The series gains strength as Jessica evolves and adapts to each experience.  The changes in the secondary characters are less profound, but they, too, feel rounded and genuine.

Twenty-five ago, the Stretford Slasher was convicted.  When he dies in prison, the media note the occasion, but then several apparently random acts of violence occur in broad daylight that evoke some of the fear experienced twenty-five years earlier.  The attacks are violent, but not deadly, and the police have difficulty making any connections between the targets--except for the fact that they are all disagreeable bullies.  There are a couple of other secondary story lines as well that keep the pace moving.

While the book can function in isolation, it is the way the books build, one on another, that makes this series so interesting.  I can't wait for the next one.  

Read in Oct.; blog review scheduled for November 27.

NetGalley/Bookouture 

Crime/Police Procedural.  Dec. 12, 2017.  Print length:  300 pages.

11 comments:

  1. I've the first book of this series but haven't got around to reading it. I'm glad these books could read as standalone.

    Onto another note, I'm wondering if you've received my letter which I sent a while back. Hopefully it's not lost in the sea of mails. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No.... I've waited for it, but it hasn't arrived. :( I hate losing a letter to the mail! You have a postcard on the way, though. :)

      Delete
    2. :( Looks like my letter was lost in the mail. I'll write another one (and let you know after I've sent). Looking forward to your postcard. :)

      Delete
    3. I've had two letters to friends in the U.S. that never made it to their destination. It really is amazing that letters that move back and forth between the U.S. and Singapore have had as little problem as they have. Your postcard went out over a week ago. Fingers crossed!

      Delete
  2. I really want to try this author, especially her book Two Sisters. Did you like that one? It's on my Goodreads "want to read" list, but if her other books are better, please let me know. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I liked Two Sisters! I liked The Girl Who Came Back even better. You read a book with a similar premise by Amy Gentry that I still want to read. Then I started on the Jessica Daniel series. I've enjoyed them all. :)

      Delete
  3. I know I have one or two books by this author on my Kindle but I doubt I have them in order. I may have to check Amazon Kindle! You've got me intrigued!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've enjoyed the two stand alone books that I've read and all of the Jessica Daniel books, which I think got better with each new installment.

      Delete
  4. I haven't read this author but my friend loves them and has got me to download one, I need to bump it up my TBRM xxx

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) I'm glad to know of another fan. I have not seen reviews of his books on the blogs I visit frequently, but think he is better known in the UK.

      Delete
  5. I am glad you enjoyed this one, Jenclair. It's great when you find a series you want to devour. You make me want to get to know DS Jessica Daniel.

    ReplyDelete