The Killer In Me

by Olivia Kiernan

Dutton

Publication Date : April 2, 2019

Pages : 333

Synopsis From Publisher :

Death is no stranger to Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan, but she isn’t the only one from her small, coastal suburb to be intimately acquainted with it. Years ago, teenager Sean Hennessey shocked the tight-knit community when he was convicted of the brutal murder of his parents and attempted slaying of his sister, though he always maintained his innocence. Now, Sean is finally being released from prison—but when his newfound freedom coincides with the discovery of two bodies, the alleged connection between the cases only serves to pull Frankie further from answers even as it draws her closer to her town’s hidden darkness. With a television documentary revisiting Sean’s sentence pushing the public’s sympathies into conflict on a weekly basis, a rabid media pressuring the police like never before, and a rising body count, Frankie will need all of her resources if she is not only to catch a killer, but put to rest what really happened all those years ago.

Just when I thought I had read every variation of the detective novel, along comes Detective Chief Inspector Frankie Sheehan. Kiernan has created a distant but dedicated lead character. With unique criminal profiling abilities and a zest for the truth, Frankie Sheehan refuses to bow down to media pressure or police politics in her pursuit of justice.

In Clontarf Ireland, a small seaside town just outside of Dublin, two dead bodies are found in a church. The crime scene staged by the killer to send a message. An obvious suspect presents himself in the form of Sean Hennessy; just released from prison for the double murder of his mother and father and the attempted murder of his sister. Frankie is aware of Sean’s release but she is slow to jump to conclusions. Frankie’s boss is applying extra pressure to her team for results. Hoping to offset any reactions to a new documentary regarding Sean’s case and his claims of innocence. While Frankie is unsure of the killer’s motive in her current case and questions her boss’s motivations for solving these murders; Frankie is sure the killer will strike again unless she intervenes. 

When Frankie arrives to the crime scene she is still reeling from her earlier meeting with her sister-in-law Tanya and her new client. Tanya is a successful defense attorney and is now representing Sean Hennessy. Sean has always claimed his innocence and Tanya is trying to clear his name. To do this, Tanya has requested Frankie’s help. She wants Frankie to review the case file and listen to the new info she has uncovered. Frankie does not doubt Sean’s guilt but she is curious and would like to remove any doubt surrounding the police investigation if she can. Tanya coming to Frankie for help in clearing the name of a convicted murder says a lot about Frankie’s character. Tanya believes in her skills as a police officer as well as her integrity. One would think Frankie and Tanya would have an adversarial relationship; they’re in positions on opposite sides of the law. There is a bit of tension during their interactions but mostly they are connected by their need to know the truth no matter who “wins”. Tanya’s and Frankie’s relationship was one of the most interesting elements of The Killer In Me. I hope their relationship further develops in future books.

When I started The Killer In Me, I assumed the story would contain the usual ; a damaged yet determined investigator out to avenge wrong while fighting her own demons. While Frankie has her issues, they have not left her bitter. Instead these issues have given her a heightened sense which allows her to connect with murderers. She can see their actions and feel their emotions while viewing a crime scene; almost recreating the crime itself in her mind’s eye. This was a new element in a police procedural for me which I quite enjoyed.

Although slow at times, The Killer In Me is a compulsive read. With shocking reveals and a bit of true crime, I never found myself bored with The Killer In Me. I recommend reading book one of the series Too Close To Breathe before starting The Killer In Me. Fans of Anne Holt should add The Killer In Me to their list of must reads. 

*Thanks to Net Galley and Dutton for my free review copy of The Killer In Me**

Murder and Moore Rating : 

4 out of 5 Stars