Many thanks to Dylan of Red Dog Press for asking me to join this blogtour – for A Wash Of Black – a debut book from Chris McDonald.
IT’S NOT LIFE THAT IMITATES ART. IT’S DEATH.
Anna Symons. Famous. Talented. Dead.
The body of a famous actress is found mutilated on an ice rink in Manchester, recreating a scene from a blockbuster film she starred in years ago.
DI Erika Piper, having only recently returned to work after suffering a near-fatal attack herself, finds she must once again prove her worth as the hunt for the media-dubbed ‘Blood Ice Killer’ intensifies.
But when another body is found and, this time, the killer issues a personal threat, Erika must do more than put aside her demons to crack the case, or suffer the deadly consequences.
If you like Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Cara Hunter, you will love this.
Our Author: Chris McDonald
Originally hailing from the north coast of Northern Ireland and now residing in South Manchester, Chris McDonald has always been a reader. At primary school, The Hardy Boys inspired his love of adventure, before his reading world was opened up by Chuck Palahniuk and the gritty world of crime.
He’s a fan of 5-a-side football, has an eclectic taste in music ranging from Damien Rice to Slayer and loves dogs.
My Review: A Wash Of Black
Wow, just brilliant!
With such an amazing debut, Chris McDonald has a fantastic future on his hands.
We arrive at an ice rink to find a body. The body of an actress – Anna Symonds, she’s been murdered and the ‘scene has been staged’ the same as she acting out in one of her films. The film, of course, had been based on a book (we all know the books always better) and it seems someone wants to emulate the scene from the book, The Threat.
Its the job of DI Erica Piper to catch the killer. Trouble is this isn’t a stand-alone book – it’s a 3 part series, and this is only the beginning.
Various characters including Detectives Liam Sutton and Thomas Calder assist Erica along the way and become integral in the story. Anna’s fiance Rory also features as do author Ed Bennett and film director Rueben Amando. These characters along with the plot, twist and turn around at such a speed, I can’t turn the pages quickly enough.
They are no further forward with Anna’s killer when the second anticipated murder happens, just as the book said it would also. And this times it’s even more frenzied. The books a combination of Police procedural and thriller and its works so well. It’s well-paced and thought out, with added great details and scene-setting.
I really enjoyed A Wash Of Black and cant wait to see what Chris surprises with next time. He’s one to watch and I am certain, for him too, this is only the beginning – I look forward to reading more of DI Erica Piper’s next catches.
One to Watch, gripping and superbly plotted.
The buy link for the paperback and hardback editions direct from us on www.reddpgpress.co.uk/shop
Also available in all Libraries and Bookstores – Independent or otherwise!
@cmacwritescrime @RedDogTweets #AWashOfBlack
One Comment
Zoé
Fab review lovely <3 xx