The day had been long and it is not the best of nights
either as the cold wind whips around Deborah as she crosses
the darkened street. She just wants to get home and into
bed, but remembers they will be collecting a whip around for
a birthday at work tomorrow. After having fallen on the
ice, Deborah is a mess but she limps over to the bank
machine by the Tesco Metro. She hopes it would be the last
errand of the evening, but she did not expect it would be
the last ever.
Before the sun rises, the next day, Detective Inspector Mike
Lockyer, head of the Murder and Serious Crime Squad, is
investigating the murder of a young 18 year old female.
Similar modus operandi and he knows very clearly, he is on
the trail of a clever serial killer. Mike is glad to be
working in close partnership with DS Jane Bennett, a very
intelligent officer who is able to quickly pick up on what
Lockyer needs to keep the investigation moving forward. They
have worked closely for a while, but Mike doesn't let the
relationship get personal or friendly, due to his reticence
about his brother's situation. What would people think if
they knew?
Meanwhile, Sarah Grainger is feeling threatened by a
stalker. Her once lively and outgoing life as an
independent photographer had been narrowed every day. Would
the police treat her as if she is crazy if she complains?
Will she ever feel safe? How can she live like this?
Yet despite police efforts, another murder happens. While
seemingly not connected, they know there has to be a
connection. Can they figure out the identity of the murderer
before more are harmed? To what depths of evil will the
killer go?
It is hard to believe that Clare Donoghue is a debut author!
NEVER LOOK BACK is highly captivating and compelling police
procedural mystery novel. Donoghue's writing is clear and
instantly immerses the reader into the story and the lives
of the various characters.
In a very interesting manner, each of the chapters in NEVER
LOOK BACK is set as a new day in the investigation. It is a
technique that also serves to heighten the urgency to find
the perpetuator. I am very impressed with how Donoghue sets
out her complex and multi-layered plot that flows so
smoothly; yet, is filled with hidden depths as the plot as
the ongoing investigation continues, thus enabling the
reader to see more deeply into the various characters and
their motivations. NEVER LOOK BACK is a very hard novel to
put down once you start reading it as it is so expressive in
portraying the impact of the murders and the stalker on
their victims as well as on the police themselves.
Lockyer is an intriguing character: commanding at work, yet,
unable to articulate his love and concern to his daughter as
he worries about her safety. While Donoghue may be a new
write, she is very talented in skilled in describing the
thoughts of the each character and the dialogue rings true.
As the tension builds and complexities beneath the surface
are revealed, be warned that you will just want to keep
turning the pages to find out what is happening in the
investigation as well as looking over your shoulder on the
street! NEVER LOOK BACK is a powerful police procedural
and I am thrilled that the except of No Place to Die, the
next book in the series, is printed in the back of NEVER
LOOK BACK. I can't wait to read more! Enjoy!
Three young women have been found brutally murdered in south
London, their bodies discarded in plain view, the victims
only yards away from help during each attack. And each time,
the murderer gets a little bit bolder.
Detective Inspector Mike Lockyer is the head of homicide on
the South London police force, and with three bodies on his
watch and a killer growing in confidence, he and DS Jane
Bennett are frantically trying to find the link between
these seemingly isolated incidents. Slowly, the case is also
invading Lockyer’s life outside the office, and the fact
that his daughter matches the victim profile is putting a
painful strain on their already fragile relationship.
Meanwhile, Sarah Grainger has a shadowy stalker following
her every move. Once an outgoing London photographer, Sarah
has begun locking herself away, almost too afraid to leave
the house. Now her stalker’s actions are escalating. He’s
desperate to tell Sarah a secret…a secret that Lockyer needs
to know.
In her compelling and tautly-written debut, Clare Donoghue
traces the paths of these captivating, three-dimensional
characters as their lives become dangerously and
inextricably entwined.
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