Book Review | Sirens by Joseph Knox

Sirens

By Joseph Knox

Crown Publishing Group

Publication Date: February 20, 2018

Pages: 384

 Synopsis from Publisher:

The mission is suicide.

Infiltrating the inner circle of enigmatic criminal Zain Carver is dangerous enough. Pulling it off while also rescuing Isabelle Rossiter, a runaway politician's daughter, from Zain's influence? Impossible. That's why Aidan Waits is the perfect man for the job. Disgraced, emotionally damaged, and despised by his superiors. In other words, completely expendable.

But Aidan is a born survivor. And as he works his way deep into Zain's shadowy world, he finds that nothing is as it seems. Zain is a mesmerizing, Gatsby-esque figure who lures young women into his orbit--women who have a bad habit of turning up dead. But is Zain really responsible? And will Isabelle be next?

Before long, Aidan finds himself in over his head, cut loose by his superiors, and dangerously attracted to the wrong woman.

I love a story with a troubled police officer as the lead character. D.C. Aidan Waits is the very definition of a troubled police officer. He is damaged, dangerous, and prone to self-destruction. Knox has created a character that readers will love but will also realize that he is his own worst enemy.

D.C. Aidan Waits is in a desperate situation. His situation has forced him to take on an assignment that could cost him his life.  Infiltrating the world of Zain Carter is a dangerous prospect but it is the only way to save a young girl’s life. Knowing he is being sent into a death trap, Waits none the less pursues Carter.

I found Waits’ mindset the most gripping aspect of this book. When he finds himself in trouble with his superiors he is given two options to “remedy” the situation. He chooses the option most would not. The way Waits is willing to “roll the dice” with his own life is interesting. I think he chose this option not because he thought he could save himself. I believe he thought his life was over anyway, but the chance to help someone else made him take the risk. He values life but thinks his is not worth saving.

Zain Carter is a complicated character. He is no doubt a bad guy but he does have some redeeming qualities. I went back and forth several times while reading as to whether I liked him or not. Knox’s portrayal of Carter allows the reader to see how easily a young, troubled, and vulnerable girl could fall for his charms.

Knox’s description of the drug trade is very different than books I have read in the past. The people involved in Carter’s drug empire are not the usual suspects, some are criminals but others are not. They are young people who have stumbled into this dangerous lifestyle. I would find it very interesting to know the back stories of the young people involved in Carter’s empire, what circumstances they were running from.

I enjoyed Sirens and I looking forward to reading the next book in the series.  The story was gritty, dark, and compelling. The pacing of the story allows the reader to become immersed and invested in the lives of the characters. I am very excited to see what the future holds for D.C. Aiden Waits.

Murder and Moore Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

How can he save the girl if he can't even save himself?