“I know her…”
- Book: Lost Angels
- Location: Minnesota, Stillwater
- Author: Stacy Green
Okay! So what if the penny began to drop about half way through the story? Would I have even had the remotest thoughts about side-lining the rest of the book?
Not on your life! Never in a million years would I have passed up the opportunity to see this journey through to the bitter end, because I know from past experience that any investigation Nikki Hunt is involved in, “ain’t over until the fat lady sings”, and that author Stacy Green wouldn’t have hesitated to keep throwing in those curved balls, right up until the finish line!
Besides which, my sleuthing powers aren’t always as good as I imagine them to be, so I might have been on completely the wrong track! Not that I had to wait too long to find out, as I powered my way through this addictive, need-to-know-now, storyline in less than 24 hours!
This story hit the ground running and the intensely relentless, grinding pace, never let up until The Frost Killer is at large no more. Oh! and just to make sure that my reading OCD tendencies weren’t forgotten, Nikki Hunt managed to live to fight another day, although more than a little battered and bruised by the experience and made fully aware that “revenge is a dish that is best served cold”
The first three episodes in the Nikki Hunt series, have featured this same fearless protagonist, who leaves his own unique ‘calling card’ as he despatches his victims. It has become clear with the passing of time, that he is calmly yet deliberately goading and baiting Nikki herself, which is beginning to make her professional life very difficult and leaves her very complicated personal life, becoming evermore disjointed and frayed around the edges. Not to worry if you haven’t managed to catch all three books, although of course they are all brilliant and deserve to be shared, as the ongoing backstory is fully fleshed out, as and when necessary, as the story unfolds, but without becoming repetitive or taking up valuable plot space in the book. This saga needed to be wrapped up for everyone concerned, in the hope that Nikki can now reconcile and weave together, the two things most important to her, career and family, as she moves forward, especially with the one final, devastating body blow inflicted on her and which I definitely never saw coming. What do I think her chances are of her ever having that stable, joined-up life? – A big fat zero!
Whilst trying to keep a lid on her overflowing emotions as The Frost Killer becomes more and more daring and dangerous, Nikki also has to battle the divisive and uncooperative nature of the many autocratic and autonomous local police and sheriff’s departments, who have become involved in the investigation. With her own team behind her 100% and able to air and discuss any divisions they may have between them, or between them and Nikki as their leader, the last thing that anyone needs are any obstructive and self serving law enforcement officers withholding vital information, in the hope of making a name for themselves. But Nikki proves she is more than able to handle herself and is quite prepared to crack heads together when necessary, although she is first to hold her hands up when she makes a mistake and she definitely takes it personally if she has inadvertently put anyone’s life in danger along the way.
This multi-layered, intensely textured story, is rich in atmosphere and skilfully structured, by an author totally at ease with her characters and confident in her storytelling, as she builds an immersive experience for her readers. There is some great visuality to the assured and observational narrative and conversational dialogue, which offers a real sense of time and place, although I was trying not to visualise myself alongside the frozen waters of this Minnesotan landscape too hard, as I couldn’t think of a more dark and forbidding place to have my remains left to be discovered by unsuspecting passers by.
Stacy has created and given life, to a well drawn and defined cast of characters, who are more than capable of forging their own journey and telling their story, in a voice which is loud and clear. They very much drive this investigation and are given an equal stake in how everything eventually pans out, as ultimately the decisions which can change lives in just the blink of an eye, are their and theirs alone. Yes, they are an emotionally complex bunch, but they are also authentic and genuine, which makes them totally believable and relatable, as they have established a synergy and code of ethics, which makes them easy to connect with, whether I wanted to or not in some cases!
All I know, is that I can’t wait for Nikki to have a new investigation to get her teeth into, and as Stacy did give away a teensy spoiler at the end of the book, I already know it is one not to be missed!
Please wait...
