A Gift For Dying by M.J Arlidge

 

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 2150 KB
• Print Length: 468 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0718187881
• Publisher: Penguin (7 Mar. 2019)
• Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B07GF1RKW7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

Nothing surprises Adam Brandt anymore. As a forensic psychologist, he’s seen and heard everything.

That is, until he meets Kassie.

Because she claims to have a terrible gift – with one look into your eyes, she can see when and how you will die.

Adam doesn’t believe her, obviously.

But then a serial killer starts wreaking havoc across the city, and only Kassie seems to know where he’ll strike next.

Against all his intuition, Adam starts to believe her.

He just doesn’t realise how dangerous this trust might be . . .

 

Review

I can’t tell you how excited I was to be asked to take part in the blog tour A Gift For Dying by M.J Arlidge.  I am a huge fan of M.J Arlidge’s DCI Helen Grace series, so I had high hopes for his first standalone novel, and it didn’t disappoint. Set in Chicago, the book is narrated from the points of view of Adam, Kassie and the serial killer, all three connected by the deaths; Kassie forsees the murders, Adam through his association with Kassie finds himself compromised, and the killer has Kassie close on his tail. This is a fast paced spine tingling thriller, with a gripping plot that takes you on a rollercoaster of a ride and into the mind of a sadistic serial killer.

The writing, as expected from M.J Arlidge, is perfection; the plot flows seamlessly and the use of shorter chapters has the ‘one more chapter’ effect to keep you reading. The tension is kept throughout, and had many OMG moments for me especially as the book raced towards is bone chilling conclusion. There are many grisly moments from a twisted killer who brutally tortures his victims that had my stomach turning in fear for them; in other words a perfect combination for a crime thriller.

What stood out for me was the reality of the characters, not only are they caught up in the search for a serial killer, but all seem to be having everyday problems as well.  Kassie doesn’t have a great relationship with her mother, her ‘gift’ of seeing death is an embarrassment to her mother who sees her as attention seeking.  Adam’s wife is pregnant after many IVF treatments, so they are preparing for a much wanted new baby, but he is also working longer hours which puts pressure on their relationship. Detective Gabriella Grey is also working longer hours taking her away from her husband and two boys which is not ideal, and only gets worse during the hunt for the murderer.

Kassie was the standout character for me, she is very young to have the weight of the world on her shoulders, and the responsibility she feels in seeing death.  She is very isolated as she has no friends, a difficult relationship with her mother, and problems with authority as nobody believes her when she says she can see how people die; she also sees her own death.  Adam seems to be the only person she can trust and who doesn’t judge her and begins to take her seriously.

A Gift for Dying is first class thriller from M.J.Arlidge that had my stomach turning with suspense as it raced along to the twisted and shocking conclusion. As expected there are twists and turns aplenty, some gruesome murders and plenty of action to grab your attention.  This is a meticulously plotted and written thriller, that will no doubt be another bestseller for M.J Arlidge and one I highly recommend; Gritty, grisly and gripping, a perfect thriller.

 

I would like to thank Penguin/Michael Joseph for my copy of A Gift for Dying and to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers for asking me to be part of this blog tour.

As always thank you for taking the time to read my review.  You can stay up to date with my reviews by subscribing by email to my blog or following me across social media.