I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Final Victim by Gregg Olsen offers a thrilling and suspenseful crime novel. With themes of dark secrets, trauma, and redemption, along with a strong and relentless female detective, Final Victim is a must-read for those who enjoy a fast-paced and gripping story.
Final Victim is the sixth book in the Detective Megan Carpenter series. When I picked it up, I didn't realize it part of a series, let alone the sixth installment. However, I'm happy to report that it works well a stand-alone novel. The author provides sufficient backstory making it easy for new readers to follow along. Also giving one the compulsion to go and read the previous books
The protagonist, Detective Megan Carpenter lives a life associated with murder. At the start of Final Victim readers see her working 0n her own. Her partner has taken personal time to spend with family. Despite the previous case taking a toll, Megan dedicates herself to working and taking down murderers. So, the murder of a fellow detective in a brutal fashion, sees her making it her mission to stop the killer. Megan thought she would work the case on her own. However, as parts of the victim's body were found in two different jurisdictions, working on her own was not an option. Throughout the course of the investigation, they discovered the death of another detective. A death which initially ruled as an accident was in fact murder. Further investigations revealed that both murders were connected.
Combined with this new case, Megan is facing a personal challenge of her own. A challenge which involves a stalker and if not dealt with will derail the life she has built has Megan Carpenter. She can't risk the secret about her past coming to light. This led to her struggles with navigating the lines between her professional and personal life. A situation which worsens with her working with new people and the return of her partner. The fear of revelation of her past life intensified when the connection between her stalker and the murders came to light.
The stalker's POV added an extra layer of suspense to the story. From his perspective readers see his morbid fascination with Megan. He goes out his way to ensure she's always looking over her shoulder with his chilling messages and his attacks on the people close to her. Throughout the story the reader faces the challenge of identifying not only the connection between the stalker and the murders but also his connection to Megan. Uncovering the truth proved an exciting and thrilling experience.
If you enjoy well-crafted police procedurals, then consider adding Detective Megan Carter series to your reading list.
This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading