Now You See Me [Kindle Edition]

Having loved SJ Bolton's first three novels, which had a psychological/supernatural feel to them, I wasn't sure what I'd make of this one, which from the blurb seemed to be more of a straightforward crime/police procedural thriller. However, it soon becomes evident that Lacey Flint is not a straightforward police officer.

We first meet Lacey when she returns to her car after interviewing a witness to find a dying woman sprawled across it. She quickly secures herself a place on the team investigating the murder, and pretty soon they realise they've got a sadistic serial killer on their hands who seems to be mimicking the crimes of Jack the Ripper (Lacey's favourite "historical character"). The murders are brutal and Bolton doesn't spare any of the gruesome and chilling details, making for some very uncomfortable reading at times.

Lacey is a complex and enigmatic creation, and her dark side comes to the fore very early on in the book. She tells the story in the first person and, as with all good unreliable narrators, the reader is never sure whose side she's on and what to make of her version of events. There are some very clever twists and turns and a cliffhanger at the end of virtually every chapter, which meant that I just had to turn the page and keep on reading. The denouement is frantic (if a little far-fetched) and it isn't until the last few pages that the 'real' Lacey Flint is finally revealed.

I'm not sure if I'd prefer SJ Bolton to carry on with this sort of crime fiction or return to the more atmospheric/brooding style of her first three books, but I do know that whatever she comes up with I'll be reading it.

There have been many books about serial killers before, especially Jack the Ripper copycat killers. Nothing new about that. So what makes Now You See Me different from them? The author has taken the serial killer concept, made it even more shocking, hard-hitting, and added an emotional depth which I often find missing in such books. All this along with a fantastic plot and brilliant characterization makes Now You See Me unforgettable - a book which will linger on for quite a while.

DC Lacey Flint is a protagonist who continues to surprise, and with each page, I loved her more. Right from the start, the reader is aware that we don't know a lot about her. She's hiding something, something big and shocking about her past which continues to haunt her. The mystery of the killer and that of Lacey's past will keep the pages turning. The tension built up with each page, until I had reached a point where I could not keep the book down without finding out the ending.

All throughout the book, the feeling of something sinister lurking in the background is very strong. The wait for the next murder and the fear that it will be even more violent than the last one, will keep you in your seat. The author doesn't hold back on descriptions of the murders. Every minute details of the grisly murders,committed by what appears to be a psychopath, is described. At times, it was so vivid and real that it scared me quite a bit. To think that so many years ago, the real "Jack the Ripper" actually did the same to his unfortunate victims, is horrible.

One of my favorite things about Now You See Me is the chemistry between Mark Joesbury, who is involved in the investigations, and Lacey. Mark suspects Lacey from the start, yet they are both strangely drawn to each other. The romance element is very small, yet memorable. Something that I really appreciate about S.J Bolton's books, is that they are stand-alones. But this time, I really hope that the author continues Lacey's story. The book ended in a way that there was so much of uncertainty involved - I am hoping that this is not the end of Lacey and Joesbury's story.

As for the ending, I can only say "WOW!". I thought I had guessed it all. It turned out I was not even remotely close to the truth. Having read S.J Bolton previous books, I knew not to expect an easy or a neatly wrapped up ending. Still, I never saw it coming. As the killer was revealed, it left me open-mouthed, and as I was trying to come to terms with that, there came another shocking revelation.

What makes S.J Bolton's books stand out from many others in her genre, is that the characters and the story don't leave you so easily. I found myself thinking about the book, long after I had finished it. Excellent character development, a gripping plot and numerous twists make Now You See Me immensely readable.

Overall:
A plot that moves at a breakneck speed, haunting secrets and truths from the past, and a killer who will frighten the living daylights out of you. A deliciously satisfying read!

Recommended?
Highly!

Now You See Me has detective constable, Lacey Flint, as the main character. Out moonlighting to learn more about a division that she'd like to work for, for want of a better word, she stumbles upon a murder scene. But this is no ordinary murder scene. For starters, the woman isn't quite dead.

The book's background is very cleverly, very meticulously based on Jack the Ripper. So many tales over the years have come out about this killer. To link them all in the way that SJ Bolton did takes a super mind. She had me on the edge of my seat with scene by scene chapters all the way through. The writing is sharp. The characterisation is intense. Lacey Flint is one of the gutsiest female characters I've come across in a while. From the minute I met her, I was thrown into a loner's life, the way she chooses to live, mind. Her background story was heart breaking but very well written. I also liked that she was a lower rank in the police force, making the book so refreshing.

There were so many clever clues left behind in this book that once I'd read it I had to go back and skip through the first few chapters to see how they were layered. SJ Bolton's detail is exceptional. Her research is outstanding. She has a tale to tell and she does it so, so well. This is her fourth book, she's won numerous awards, and it's clear to see why.

Now You See Me - Once read, never forgotten.