The Angel Maker

I really liked Whisper Man and The Shadows got me completely hooked on this author and so I had high hopes for this book. I mean the title "The Angel Maker" and a killer (the infamous Jack Lock) that knew the future (though not well enough to avoid capture by the police). So very intriguing! I did get through this very quickly, there was never a dull moment from the beginning with Michael attacking Chris and then Alan with his odd death and surprising actions, almost like he knew the future. I did have to go back a couple times though because there were some confusing bits, what with the jumps to the past and people that popped up, making new connections. I also feel that the whole reason for the angel maker title ended up being lost in the story of Alan and Edward and their missing children, not the angels in the backyard. That was kind of never fully told. So, it wasn't quite as perfect as the first two books but I still enjoyed it a lot.

The Angel Maker is a fusion of police procedural, serial killer thriller, horror, and family drama with a touch of the supernatural. The story starts with the brutal murder of distinguished philosophy professor Alan Hobbes, after he has inexplicably dismissed all his household staff. As the police investigate, Detective Laurence Page suspects that there "is a complex network of cogs turning below the surface of this case." This is an accurate description of the layered and intricate plot which involves a large cast of well-crafted characters in multiple timelines. It is creepy, atmospheric, twisty, dark and disturbing. Do not start this book if you need a good night's sleep. It's an addictive, edge-of-your-seat page-turner which raises some interesting philosophical questions. Thank you to BookishFirst and Celadon Books for a copy to review. #CeladonReads #partner