The Mind of a Murderer by Michael Wood

The novel introduces three women one at a time, who share similar traits in that they are single and live alone in London: a nurse, a police officer and a forensic psychologist. They are all victims of serial killers too.

There is a fair bit of the 'police procedural' aspect but driven by the psychologist, which puts a more interesting slant on the story. This also includes the focus of the gruesome killings being on the thought process of the killers and his victims rather than the physical violence. Much better.

The book is paced well once the introductions are out of the way, and there are enough quirky characters to build suspense ensuring that it is not a two dimensional read. Told from a few different perspectives but mainly from the psychologist's in the third person and the killer's in the first, this is an easy book to follow. There are a few single men, too, so the air of potential romance is always hovering. Tense but not without wit and light moments that include a lovely little dog.

There are some surprises and a couple of actions that touch on the far-fetched, but ultimately this is a whodunnit. An engaging read within a particular formula but well worth reading.

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Published by One More Chapter on 28 March 2024.
​Advance review copy supplied by the publisher.

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