Fresh from the scandal at Hampstead County PD, Detective Sergeant Casey Wray works a complex double-homicide that points to a killer on a murderous rampage and a shattering series of discoveries that could end her career … The shocking sequel to the addictive, twisty, bestselling Black Reed Bay…
Hampstead County Police Department is embroiled in scandal after corruption at the top of the force was exposed. Cleared of involvement and returned to active duty, Detective Sergeant Casey Wray nonetheless finds herself at a crossroads when it becomes clear not everyone believes she’s innocent.
Partnered with rookie Billy Drocker, Casey works a shocking daytime double-homicide in downtown Rockport with the two victims seemingly unknown to one another. And when a third victim is gunned down on her doorstep shortly after, it appears an abusive ex-boyfriend holds the key to the killings.
With powerful figures demanding answers, Casey and Billy search for the suspect, fearing he’s on a murderous rampage. But when a key witness goes missing, and new evidence just won’t fit, the case begins to unravel. With her career in jeopardy, Casey makes a shattering discovery that threatens to expose the true darkness at the heart of the murders… with a killer still on the loose…
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Hi and welcome to my review of Shatter Creek!
Hold on while I try to catch my breath! Man! What a rollercoaster!
After Black Reed Bay, I expected nothing less, but still! Speaking of Black Reed Bay, yes, you should probably read it first, since the situation our protagonist Casey Wray is in right now, is a direct consequence of what happens in Black Reed Bay. Also, you’re missing out, don’t miss out!
So, Casey is back, and I loved meeting up with her again. She’s every bit as driven as she was before, if a little more jaded. For a while there, I felt really frustrated, to such a degree that I wanted to throw my Kobo at the wall, because I felt that she was on the right track but she kept hitting walls left, right and centre, because she kept getting the blame for everyone else’s shit. While that doesn’t make for very relaxed reading, it is most definitely proof of excellent writing: only great books can make a reader feel this invested.
Despite my taking on all of Casey’s frustrations, I had a fantastic time with Shatter Creek. One particular storyline is carried over from Black Reed Bay, and it runs a lot deeper than I ever suspected. It also leaves the door wide open for a third book, I am just DYING after that cliffhanger! However, I’m glad that a conclusion wasn’t forced or rushed, this is clearly a necessary evil. And at least, Casey’s current investigation and all it entailed came to a natural conclusion. For a while there, I just couldn’t see it happen, but fortunately, Casey is a lot smarter than I am and managed to figure it all out.
Shatter Creek is a brilliant sequel. Its well-rounded characters, each dealing with their own baggage, its intricate investigations and its action and suspense had me glued to my Kobo. I had to stop myself from speedreading when I became desperate to find out how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. If crime fiction and police procedurals are your bag, I’m telling you: go get yourself a copy of Shatter Creek!
Shatter Creek is out in paperback and digital formats on 22 May. Pre-order it directly from Orenda Books here.
Massive thanks to Orenda Books for the digital review copy. All opinions are my own.
Sounds like a good read!
It really is!
Fab review! I’ve been meaning to try the first book, and this sequel sounds fantastic as well. xx
Thank you!