High Force by LJ Ross (The DCI Ryan Mysteries Bk 5) @LJRoss_author #Thriller #TuesdayBookBlog

• Author: LJ Ross
• Published: January 2017
• Category: Thriller, Mystery
• 

Hell has unleashed a demon – and he’s coming for you… 

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan’s worst nightmare has just become a reality. Notorious serial killer The Hacker has escaped prison and kidnapped one of his best detectives from her own home. His brutality is the stuff of legend – Ryan lost his sister and nearly his own life bringing the man to justice first time around. Can Ryan do it again to save his friend?

Picking up immediately after the cliffhanger ending in Angel, Denise MacKenzie finds herself in a desperate situation. Cold blooded killer Keir Edwards, aka The Hacker, has escaped from prison in an elaborate and high profile way, his single-minded goal drawing out DCI Ryan and causing as much suffering as possible. 

Detective Sergeant Frank Phillips isn’t coping well, his anger and guilt overwhelming. It’s been a week since Denise was taken and he and DCI Ryan are no further towards running Edwards to ground. They don’t know if Denise is still alive or if they’re destined to find her body.

Different only because we know who the perpetrator is from the start, this is a thrilling race against the clock for Ryan and his team. The pace doesn’t let up, but at the same time it shows how much trawling through files and paperwork is necessary to the investigation.  The history between Edwards and Ryan lends a significant and personal slant to the case. 

“Current thinking is that we’ve missed something, somewhere. So, we’re going to do the only logical thing and go back over our tracks. That includes re-opening every one of Edwards’ old case files.”

It was a tall order to retrace every report, every sighting and every piece of forensic evidence generated over the last seven days in addition to every year Edwards was an active killer, but it was the only way forward.

“I don’t need to tell you that we’ve ground to a halt.” He met Phillips’ stare and didn’t flinch. “Until Edwards shows himself, we’re treading water. But experience tells me there has to be a trail, one that we’re not seeing. I propose we start again and, this time, we find it.”

As with the previous books, a very atmospheric setting. One of the things I love about this series is the fact the locations are real, as beautiful and impressive as they are described, so much so that I’ve been inspired to visit places, some of which I probably wouldn’t ever have been aware of. Can’t wait to see the location(s) the author uses for future books.

The characters are multi dimensional, well drawn and easy to like and invest in. Their strengths and weaknesses have developed more with each book. I love the affinity and support between them and I particularly enjoyed the growth of DC Jack Lowerson’s character. We also get an insight into Edwards and the events that twisted his mind and contributed to make him what he became. 

An extremely well crafted, well written storyline, full of suspense and the tension builds unremittingly. Denise’s plight and resulting feelings were portrayed realistically, as was the team’s growing frustration and desperation. The final clash is nerve-wracking and exciting, with one or two threads left dangling.  An excellent series which is going from strength to strength.

Book links ~ Amazon UK | US

About LJ Ross

Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, LJ Ross moved to London where she graduated from King’s College London with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Law. After working in the City as a regulatory lawyer for a number of years, she realised it was high time for a change. 

Her first book, ‘Holy Island’, has consistently been listed as an Amazon bestseller since its release in January 2015 and hit the Amazon UK Kindle #1 position in May 2015. Its sequels, ‘Sycamore Gap’, ‘Heavenfield’ and ‘Angel’ have all been #1 bestsellers.

Author links ~ Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads