By: Scott Shepherd
(Austin Grant of Scotland Yard, bk 1)
Sorry, in advanced. This won’t be my typical style of review, as I am still figuring the ‘new me.’ But I am trying…
Okay, so I had the hardback of this book back in 2021. I was reading it in July of 2021, and loving it. August happened, and I had to set it aside, because I needed something lighter. I won’t explain, because my health can’t take the reminder.
This year, throughout the flooding, my wretched health, and moving and moving and losing so much of our stuff, and the unnecessary stressors that have occurred, I have been struggling to read. I have started a gazillion books that I know I will love, but can’t focus for long.
Anywho, in my Libby app, I saw under always available, this title, and I smiled with delight. I so remembered enjoying it, and I craved something that would distract me from my pain. So I downloaded it. (Not going to lie, I had to download it a few times, see the focus statement above.) I finished it yesterday, and I am so excited.
As you know, I never DNF a book, I just delay the reading. There are a few over the years that I say are DNFs, but I know at some point, I will be able to give them another chance.
My review skills are rusty, my thoughts are not as clear anymore, but hopefully you will appreciate my serious thoughts on this unique tale.
Austin Grant is finally retiring from Scotland Yard at the end of the year. His wife is gone, his estranged daughter hasn’t talked to him in a couple of years, and now he was preparing to say goodbye to his lifelong career.
It seems someone else has a plan to end his career with a bang. Bodies are dropping in London, with no connections, except for the mysterious Roman Numerals carved in their head…
As Austin ponders the case with his devoted brother, they come to the conclusion the killer is using The Ten Commandments as his guide.
If this wasn’t disturbing enough, just when Austin thinks he has successfully prevented another murder, he gets a horrifying call from New York…
1 serial killer, 2 continents, and 3 people determined to solve this before their careers, or even their lives, come to an end.
Sounds chilling, right??? While the premise is entirely fantastic and provides a unique take, the book under-delivers, a bit. The first 1/3 is rapid fire and draws you right in. The prologue-ish 10 chapters, are quite the same. I understand trying to show a bit if difference between the chaotic, busy NY City, and the more traditional, calmer London towns. However, the story gets lost in the excruciating over detailed accounts, that are repeated, over and over. Then, there was countless misspellings, which I do not recall from the hardback.
While there are terrific twists and turns, that will keep readers guessing, I think the secretive storyline, may confuse readers, at first, but then it truly gives away the real killer, long before the characters ever suspect a thing.
I wanted to love, love, love this book, but alas, I can only say I appreciated it. I love the premise, and the ending, but it needed better, consistent editing.
There is a sequel, and I am pondering on whether or not I will read it. Probably sone day, but not right now. I still will keep an eye out for what else this author has in store for the future. I am grateful I finally finished this book.
Have you read this book? What are your thoughts?
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