Title – The Killer on the Wall
Author – Emma Kavanagh
Published – April 2017
Genre – Crime fiction
It seems like only yesterday that I reviewed Emma Kavanagh’s debut Falling but it was actually over three years ago and this is her fourth novel.
The setting is the small town of Briganton which butts up against Hadrian’s Wall. Twenty years ago teenager Isla Bell discovered three bodies propped up against the wall – the start of a killing spree by a local man who was captured by her police officer father. Move to the present day and Isla is a forensic psychologist, still looking for answers as to what makes a serial killer and she’s finally getting the chance to examine the ‘Killer on the Wall’. DC Mina Arian is a newcomer to the area and trying to find her feet with her new colleagues, a gutsy character she isn’t afraid to question her elders and betters.
When another body is discovered against the wall it has implications for the two women. The story moves between the perspectives of the two women as well other characters from the town as the investigation into the murder unfolds.
The book has the claustrophobic atmosphere of a small town and the author makes the most of the inclement weather to add to the dark mood. There are a few set action sequences balanced by some slower sections. What this does have lots of is red herrings – if you like a crime fiction book that keeps you guessing (unless you do mange to spot the perpetrator) this is for you.
I have my star ratings as a way of categorising what I’ve read and I have to say that this book was somewhere between a three and a four. Probably a few too many red herrings for me!
Many thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
