When a routine autopsy on what looked like a straightforward hit-and-run leads the LA Chief Medical Examiner, Dr Carolyn Hove, to discover some puzzling inconsistencies, she calls in Detective Robert Hunter of the LAPD Ultra Violent Crimes Unit. Not only did Dr Hove discover that the death wasn’t caused by a hit-and-run, but she also found indications that the victim had been severely tortured prior to death.
What no one realises is that what Dr Hove has stumbled upon is just the tip of the iceberg and it will lead Hunter and his partner, Carlos Garcia, on the trail of a twisted and clever killer who hides in plain sight. A serial killer no one even knew existed – a killer who has always operated under the radar, expertly disguising every gruesome murder as an accidental death.
Book Info: Publisher: Print length: 416 pages. Simon & Schuster. Publication Date: 6 June 2024
My Thoughts:
Book 13.. Unlucky for some.. but definitely lucky for others – especially me as I was given an advanced copy to read and devour as I am a HUGE fan of this brilliant series.
The Death Watcher is the latest book featuring FBI super agent Robert Hunter, a Criminal Behaviour Psychologist turned Detective for the Homicide Special Section of the Los Angeles Robbery Homicide Division.
Can you read these books as standalones.. yes. Does it matter what order you read the books in.. not really. Should you just start from the beginning of the series… I would recommend it because whilst the books can be read as standalones there is so much character development and back stories to the plots which gives the reader a greater depth and understanding of each book.
If you have read any of the books in the series, then you will know that Robert Hunter and Carlos Garcia are partners and head up a small division within the Homicide Special Section of the LAPD specializing on complex murder cases and solving some of the most brutal homicides and tracking down serial killers. In my opinion, each book from 1-12 became more violent and gruesome and some of the books in this series actually gave me nightmares. Book 13 however, is quite different to the others. Whilst the violence and gore level has definitely been reduced considerably, this time it’s far more visceral and emotional.
The story begins when the medical examiner during a routine autopsy on an alleged victim of a hit and run discovers some strange and unexplained inconsistencies which causes enough concern that Hunter and Garcia are called in to investigate.
Their initial findings show that this victim was tortured prior to his death and had actually been missing for weeks. When yet another victim of apparent suicide shows obvious signs of torture during an autopsy, the team soon realise they are dealing with a very clever and brilliant killer who is covering his tracks and they have absolutely no idea where to start.
The Death Watcher was certainly easier to read for me, as I didn’t have to “close my eyes” or wake up screaming during this book, but it affected me more on an emotional level. I don’t want to give anything away, but should point out that there are themes of severe physical child abuse running throughout this story.
I devoured this book and 100% recommend it to lovers of crime fiction and police procedurals. So, if you haven’t read any of this series, do yourself a favour and download The Crucifix Killer today and the best news is that you now have 13 brilliant books to read and each one is better than the last.
