Half of the time, the killer gets away…and the case goes cold.Detective Luca knows there are hundreds, if not thousands of killers out there. When he receives a strange call about an unsolved murder, the evil that struck 25 years earlier resurfaces.A teenage girl brutally murdered. A younger brother who was with her that night. A devastated mother, unable to move on. Contemplating fatherhood …
Contemplating fatherhood himself, Luca commits to solving the horrific crime. He’ll find the killer, offering the family a measure of closure.
But there are a carousel of suspects, the original investigation was botched and someone is trying to stop Luca.
Someone who isn’t afraid to kill again.
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I really liked this story about the investigation of a cold case from 25 years earlier. It’s a well written mystery where the clues lead in many directions and, for a time, you suspect nearly everybody but the investigating cops. Luca is a likeable guy with the kind of obsessive personality that makes a great cop but a horrible friend or lover and the possible perps run the gamut of ordinary people – all nervous, evasive and shifty enough to make convincing murderers. The clues are presented methodically as each new clue and witness leads to the next.
In all, a really good story, well read by a narrator with a voice that screams movie P.I.
This really was a hard book for me rate. I was totally enthralled in this cold case storyline. I figured out the murderer early on, but that didn’t take away from the story, as I was interested in how Luca would eliminate the many suspects until he got his man. Plus, there was unexpected turn of events, that I didn’t see coming.
This being number 5 in the series, I am invested in Luca, understand his ways, and cringe when he opens his mouth saying something I know Mary Ann isn’t going to like. I was happy that the author gave the readers more of a peak into Mary Ann and Luca’s personal relationship, though I still want more.
I took issue with this book. I was disappointed in the amount of inconsistencies/errors in this story. It’s a major pet peeve of mine when authors can’t keep their own stories straight. Examples:
-Fred Stark is referred to as “Larry” Stark. Larry is a totally different character with the last name of Culver. Doesn’t anyone proofread?
-Derrick and Luca conduct an initial interview with an ex-con, Machado. They even comment with him on the best prime rib in town. Then a few chapters later, Luca and Derrick discuss needing a second interview with Machado. In that conversation, they state the first interview with Machado was with Vargas and Luca. Luca then even gives Derrick directions on where to find Machado. Really? Derrick was just there the other day Luca!
– There is a mistake referring to Mr. Culver as the principal, at the time when he was a teacher.
It’s stuff like that that kept me from rating this book higher.
This review is for the audio book.
I loved this book. With so many amateur sleuths out there it is nice to come back to an entertaining police procedural plot and with great characters this one is sure not to disappoint. I have enjoyed the other books in this series but with so many suspects and twist I think this one has to be up there at the top (well so far). You don’t need to have listened to the other book to enjoy this one but why wouldn’t you if you like a down to earth, slightly obsessed and damaged policeman? I like the introduction of a new partner and the way Luca, who is very wet in his ways, has to learn to get along with him. Can’t wait for the next one and I hope the author has plans to keep them coming.
When a tip comes in about a cold case Luca digs out the case file only to discover that the file is very thin and he is not impressed with the investigation. He visits the grieving mother of the teenage girl found dead on the beach, only to find out even after all the years that have past the girls room is still exactly the same as she left it that day and the mother hasn’t moved on. Voweling to find justice for her Luca starts running down evidence that wasn’t followed up. Can he and his new rookie cop find the killer after all this time? And just how many enemies can a teenager at school have?
I liked the narrator, his slightly gruff voice is perfect for the detective.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.