Two men are found dead in London's Battersea Park. One of the bodies has been laid out like a crucifix - with his eyes removed and placed on his open palms.
Detective Inspector Grace Archer and her caustic DS, Harry Quinn, lead the investigation. But when more bodies turn up in a similar fashion, they find themselves in a race against time to find the sadistic killer.
The hunt leads them to Ladywell Playtower in Southeast London, the home to a religious commune lead by the enigmatic Aaron Cronin. Archer and Quinn suspect Cronin's involvement but his alibis are watertight, and the truth seemingly buried. If Archer is to find the killer, she must first battle her way through religious fanatics, London gangsters - and her own demons . . .
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See No Evil by David Fennell is published today; 28 April 2022 in hardback by Zaffre. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for this blog tour, organised by Tracy from Compulsive Readers.
I read and reviewed the first book in this series: The Art of Death, back in February last year. I loved every page of it and have been waiting (not so) patiently for this follow up.
The author sets the scene for the whole plot in the very first chapter. Once again, the reader is thrust into the heart of central London where something unimaginable is happening. Once we've learnt what has happened we then join lead character DI Grace Archer as she recovers from a recurring nightmare.
It is not only her dreams that will affect Archer over the next few weeks though. She heads up the investigation into some particularly gruesome killings, where the victim's eyes are gouged out and placed upon their open palms. Almost sacrificial in tone, but why?
Once again, Archer is joined by her trusty sidekick DS Harry Quinn, and what a formidable pair they are. Both of them have their own personal demons, and both of them have their enemies, both within the force and out in the criminal world too. Their past experiences have shaped them and continue to do so throughout the case.
Fennell alluded to Archer's history in his previous book and this is described in more detail in See No Evil. She's suffered trauma over the years, not least, the murder of her policeman father, and when she and her Granddad discover that the person they believe was behind the murder is due to be released, neither of them realise just how much that will affect them.
As the bodies mount up, Archer and Quinn are led to a building known as Ladywell Playtower in the south of the city. A strange, old building, inhabited by even stranger people. It appears to be some sort of a commune, or cult and is led by the enigmatic and cold Aaron.
Once again, I have loved travelling some of the streets of London that I'm familiar with; The Strand, Villiers Street, St Martin's Court. I enjoy being able to picture the locations in my head as I read.
This author does not hold back at all. The reader is faced with some horrific crimes that will shock, and there are details of the past lives of many of the characters that are chilling and quite draining at times. However, the plot line moves at a furious pace, it seems that the murderer is always one step ahead of the investigation, despite the massive efforts put in. Eventually though, the truth is revealed and it's another shocker for sure.
I love this series. I love the characters, the intricate plotting and the clever use of location. I am desperate to read more, especially after THAT ending. Do I really have to wait another year?
This author does not hold back at all. The reader is faced with some horrific crimes that will shock, and there are details of the past lives of many of the characters that are chilling and quite draining at times. However, the plot line moves at a furious pace, it seems that the murderer is always one step ahead of the investigation, despite the massive efforts put in. Eventually though, the truth is revealed and it's another shocker for sure.
I love this series. I love the characters, the intricate plotting and the clever use of location. I am desperate to read more, especially after THAT ending. Do I really have to wait another year?
Highly recommended from me.
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He jobbed as a chef, waiter and bartender for several years before starting a career in writing for the software industry.
He has been working in CyberSecurity for fourteen years and is a fierce advocate for information privacy.
David has played rugby for Brighton and has studied Creative Writing at the University of Sussex.
He is married and he and his partner split their time between Central London and Brighton.
To find out more, visit his website: www.davidfennell.co.uk.
Follow him on Twitter: @davyfennell
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