After a late night interview in a raunchy district of London Detective Constable Lacey Flint finds a dying woman in a parking lot – someone slashed her stomach only moments ago. Next day a reporter, Emma Boston brings Lacey an anonymous letter which points out that the case has an eerie semblance with the first murder of Jack the Ripper.
Somewhere in the 1880’s, Jack the Ripper slaughtered several women in Whitechapel, London; he was never caught. Now, more than a century later, probably a psychotic copycat serial killer runs amok out there – if so, Lacey has only five days until the next attack. DC Flint is a remarkable character: hard, obstinate (what else should a female cop be?), quick-witted, yet troubled. She has always had a morbid interest in Jack the Ripper. She does have her secrets in her unhappy past, thus she cannot trust her colleagues when she realises that the murders are somehow related to her. There is something about her past, and the more she tries to hide it, the more it intrigues the reader. The story is written in first person, we see the happenings and characters from Lacey’s point of view. I loved the description of London, both the present-day city and the one from the Victorian times; modern London in Bolton’s describing is dark and gloomy like in Mo Hayder’s books. The novel itself is gripping and brilliantly plotted: fast-paced and full of unexpected surprises (another Mo Hayder similarity). The murders are depicted in an elaborated way. Under normal circumstances I enjoy graphic violence, however, in this case it is disturbing to know that once Jack the Ripper had committed those things against females. It adds a disquieting and sad atmosphere to the book, and makes it more credible.
Sharon J. Bolton is an English crime-suspense author, known for dark toned thrillers like Sacrifice and Awakening. One good advice: if you visit her site or blog, do have a look at her dog, Lupe. She is a beauty, a magnificent greyhound-collie mix. According to her owner, since Bolton has been publishing her books, Lupe gets more attention and fan mail than the lady who feeds and walks her.
Description of Now You See Me:
Despite her life-long fascination with Jack the Ripper, young detective constable Lacey Flint has never worked a murder case or seen a corpse up close. Until now… As she arrives at her car one evening, Lacey is horrified to find a woman slumped over the door. She has been brutally stabbed, and dies in Lacey's arms. Thrown headlong into her first murder hunt, Lacey will stop at nothing to find this savage killer. But her big case will also be the start of a very personal nightmare. When Lacey receives a familiar letter, written in blood, pre-fixed Dear Boss, and hand delivered, it is clear that a Ripper copycat is at large. And one who is fixated on Lacey herself. Can this inexperienced detective outwit a killer whose infamous role model has never been found?
'NOW YOU SEE ME is really special: multi-layered and sophisticated, but tough too - like getting hit in the face with a Swiss watch.' Lee Child.
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