Game Point
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The Synopsis:
Game Point: an explosive new crime thriller from a critically acclaimed and best-selling author
DCI Bennett faces the most harrowing case of his career. A psychopath, who escaped capture, is hell bent on revenge and executes a series of events that will not only impact on Bennett physically, but will have emotional and professional consequences.
A body is found with its fingers amputated, then an investigative journalist, embroiled in the pornography and drugs scene, is murdered.
Bennett’s team is faced with some baffling evidence. Hatpins and bicycle spokes become pivotal to the inquiry but the police struggle to connect the evidence.
It is only when a Detective Sergeant from the team is kidnapped that Bennett realises that he is the true target.
Can Bennett solve the case before it’s too late? How many people will he lose in the process?
My Thoughts:
Well, where do i start with this one? As a lot of you may know (and for those who are in any doubt) I absolutely LOVE this series. It is one of my all time favourite crime series books EVER! DCI Cyril Bennett? Awesome!
Ok, now we are all on the same page with this, i shall tell you my thoughts on the latest instalment.
Game point is number 4 in the DCI Cyril Bennet (Harrogate) crime series. I have read and devoured all 3 of the previous books (Only the dead/Hells Gate/Flesh evidence) Up until now Only the dead was my favourite, however, with the release of Game Point i think we have a winner. Just in case you hadn't guessed yet, this is book is just amazing!
In this book we start with the end. Something awful has happened to Cyril and his team, he goes back to where it all began, in France.
The story is then told as to what happened and the circumstances leading up to it.
Bodies start turning up with cryptic clues and messages. A cyclist, dumped with his bike, one missing wheel that when found has had 5 spokes removed. These spokes turn up at crime scenes, DCI Bennett and his team have the job of unearthing the connection and the reasons as to why.
When it affects Cyril and the team in the most horrific way possible all efforts are ramped up. There is a sadistic killer on the loose and one of their own is depending upon them to find him. Has DCI Cyril Bennetts' past finally come back to haunt him?
I really like the continuity with these books. They are clever, well written and the story lines intricately intertwined and linked seamlessly. The author writes with a fluidity that is sometimes lacking in other books in this genre.
The story is fast paced and has no fillers. Everything is relevant and you really do need to just stop everything and lose yourself within it's pages. It is tense, thrilling and heart stopping. But my word, is it worth the ride! Phew!
With each new novel in this series, the author opens the door on the characters personalities a little bit more and we, the readers, are given the chance to have a sneak peek into their more intimate private lives. To learn more about each of them and give us another dimension and depth to our favourite fictional friends. This is a team that are firm friends and clearly work well together. Understanding each other with just a look or a nod of the head. This shows a strong connection professionally and privately and the bonds that have been forged over time. Another example of the brilliance of the writing and depth of character.
Now with THIS one, i actually got more than i bargained for. There is not a lot that makes me cry (my friends will tell you this) but Malcolm managed it with Game Point. In fact, such was the strength in which i was drawn into and lost in this story that it not only made me cry but actually do an "air punch" with a "yessss", all within minutes of each other. I felt a sense of grim satisfaction, a hollow victory and emptiness & loss, again all within moments of each other.
I was gutted when i came to the end, because i was left just wanting more. I wasn't surprised at this as this is exactly the same way i felt after i finished each of the previous 3! I am now left feeling a bit bereft and waiting eagerly for the release of book 5. This is a series that just keeps on getting better and better.....
