Lead Review (Original Sins)
- Book: Original Sins
- Location: Des Moines
- Author: Erin Young
Politics, crime, personal drama – all in a beautifully described icy setting
Original Sins by Erin Young is an electrifying, deeply immersive read that gripped me from the very first page and didn’t let go until the final page. As a lover of crime thrillers, I couldn’t put this book down.
Set during a brutal winter in Des Moines, Iowa, the book starts by describing a city gripped by fear as a serial attacker known as the Sin Eater is stalking women and has just struck again. At the same time, Riley Fisher, a former small-town sergeant, reports for duty as an FBI agent on her first assignment.
She receives a decidedly cool reception from her new colleagues and is paired with a man she’s not sure she can trust. Adding to her angst is her boss’s unfavourable behaviour, which doesn’t help a newbie struggling to prove herself – particularly while she’s fighting her own internal dramas.
While teaming up with Peter Altman on the Sin Eater case, Riley is also tasked with investigating a vicious death threat against the newly elected female state governor. The connection between the two cases becomes terrifyingly obvious and Riley battles her instincts on both fronts.
Young masterfully crafts a dark, twisting narrative that delves into the deepest recesses of human nature and morality. The plot is intricately woven, with each chapter revealing new layers of mystery and intrigue. The pace is fast, keeping you on the edge of your seat and eager to uncover the next clue in this intricate puzzle.
The characters are vividly drawn and complex, each with their own secrets and motivations that add depth to the story. The setting adds another layer of richness to the narrative. The atmosphere is palpably tense, with every scene meticulously described to draw you deeper into the world of the cult that has formed around the Sin Eater.
One of the standout aspects of “Original Sins” is its exploration of moral ambiguity. Young doesn’t shy away from the grey areas of right and wrong, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths and question their own perceptions of justice and redemption.
This is a captivating, unputdownable thriller that combines a gripping plot with richly developed characters, and a freezing location that is brought to life by phrases such as “..the sounds of her own boots crunching in powder – snow pattered from branches as she brushed past”.
This outstanding novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery with plenty of twists and turns.
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