Blown Away
by Shane Gericke
Published by Kensington
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Kim Reis
When a woman's body is found, an apparent suicide, the presence of rookie cop Emily Thompson's card is suspicious. Emily doesn't know the woman but later, when it is determined this is murder, the card becomes relevant.
When subsequent crime scenes also appear to be set up just for Emily, she recognizes that they seem to be represent childhood games such as Clue, Operation, and Chutes and Ladders.
Who has it in for Emily and how many more deaths will occur before she can decode her past? As it becomes clear that the goal is that Emily would die on her birthday, only a few days away, the tension ratchets up and Emily has to examine everyone in her past.
Flashbacks reveal Emily and the killer as children, growing up together and attempt to explain the grudge he has against her.
I find it incredible that this is Shane Gericke's debut novel. Emily is mature and intuitive. The story moves quickly and draws you in from the first page. Even the secondary characters are well drawn and add personality to the story. I look forward to more from this author.
Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended book.