KILL ME TWICE by Simon Booker, Book Review
Kill Me Twice is the second title in Simon Booker’s thriller series starring investigative reporter Morgan Vine.
Kill Me Twice Synopsis:
‘They got the right matches. But did they get the right person?’
Kill Me Twice finds investigative journalist Morgan Vine on the rise, her ‘one woman innocence project’ book has become a bestseller, and she’s the go-to for everyone trying to overturn a wrongful conviction. But one of these cases catches her eye more than most…
Anjelica Fry is in prison for murdering her ex, Karl Savage, in an arson attack. Multiple forensic experts testified to finding his charred remains. Proving her innocence seems an impossible task. . It doesn’t matter that Karl was abusive. That Anjelica has a baby to care for. That she’s petrified of fire. The whole world knows Karl is dead.
Then he turns up outside Morgan’s window . . .
A compulsively gripping thriller with a truly kick-ass female lead in Morgan Vine, Simon Booker turns up the heat in this follow up to his critically acclaimed debut Without Trace.
(Zaffre, August 2017)
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BOOK REVIEW
It’s pretty hard to argue the appeal of an underdog fighting for other underdogs… and when that terrier is a feisty female investigative journalist, all the better.
Simon Booker’s series lead Morgan Vine is a tough cookie with a reputation. She’s short on people she can trust, but keeps dusting herself off and fighting – for herself, her daughter, and the people no one else is listening to.
I appreciated the tangled web of crime, coercion and psychopathy Booker has pitted his lead against in Kill Me Twice. That complexity, along with the isolation and eeriness of the windswept coastal setting makes for compelling reading.
But Vine, and her adult daughter’s, impulsive behaviour strains friendships and places both themselves and those around them in danger. While these story elements generally heightened suspense and aided plot progression, there were a few character decisions that struck me as slightly disjointed/inconsistent.
Ultimately though Kill Me Twice proved to be an enjoyable weekend read, but readers are forewarned that Booker has left much to be resolved in future series instalments.
BOOK RATING: The Story 4 / 5 ; The Writing 3 / 5 — Overall 3.5
Get your copy of Kill Me Twice from:
Book Depository | Amazon | Kobo | B&N | Booktopia(Aus)
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime-Detective, Romance
About the Author, Simon Booker
Author and screenwriter Simon Booker has written prime time TV drama for BBC1, ITV and US TV. His UK credits include The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Holby City and The Mrs Bradley Mysteries. He has written seven plays for BBC Radio 4, worked extensively as a producer in television and radio, and as a journalist.
Without Trace was his debut psychological thriller, the first in a series featuring Morgan Vine, a single mother and investigative reporter who specialises in miscarriages of justice. Kill Me Twice is the second title in the series.
Simon lives in London and Deal. He is a trained volunteer facilitator in Restorative Justice, working with offenders at HMP Brixton. His partner is fellow crime writer MJ McGrath. They often discuss murder methods over breakfast.
- Read a novel extract at Raven Crime Reads and an author Q&A at Bibliophile Book Club
Other reviews of Kill Me Twice
Goodreads, Liz Loves Books, Bloomin Brilliant Books
* My receiving a copy from the publisher for review purposes did not impact the expression of my honest opinions in the review above.
Book Giveaway
- prize is an ebook copy of Kill Me Twice by Simon Booker
- open worldwide, entries close midnight 10 September 2017
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SORRY, ENTRIES CLOSED – see winner announcement.
