Follow The Leader by Mel Sherratt
Genre: Crime
A man’s body is found on a canal towpath. In his pocket, a magnetic letter in the shape of an E.
Days later, a second victim is found, this time with the letter V tucked into her clothing.
As the body count rises, the eerie, childlike clues point to a pattern that sends DS Allie Shenton and her colleagues into full alert.
The race is on. Allie and the team must work quickly to determine where the killer will strike next. The rules are simple but deadly—to catch the killer, they must follow the leader.
From the acclaimed author of Taunting the Dead comes a flesh-creeping tale of a child’s game with a terrifying, grown-up twist. This is the second book in the DS Allie Shenton series but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story.
My Thoughts:
This is my second book read in the week-long #BoutofBooks reading challenge. It is released on 10th February and my copy is from NetGalley. I also have to disclose that I’m acknowledged at the end of the book as being one of Mel’s early reader’s so being a friend, I am a little biased. So what I’ll do is tell you my thoughts and let you decide if it’s your kind of book. Really, what I usually do!
Firstly, I will say I love the cover of this book and Mel is doing one of my Cover Questions for the blog, so you will find out a little bit more behind the book itself soon.
Follow The Leader starts straight in the action with the first murder and moves quickly through each subsequent murder. As readers we already know who is killing these people. We also get to know, from flashbacks, the reasoning behind the murders. So in here we have scenes with our victims and killer, the police procedural side and flashbacks sprinkled in. It’s weaved together really well.
If you have read any of Mel’s other books you will know that she writes what she likes to call ‘grit lit’ real people on housing estates. She gets them and understands them and there is a feel of that knowledge of people and that style here, but weaved in with the police procedural investigation.
DS Allie Shenton is down to earth and likable. Though she really should wear flatter heels for work!
When the final reveal of the magnetic letters comes, it’s perfect. It just couldn’t have been done any other way, yet I didn’t see it coming.
What she does really well with this book is look at how our formative years influence who we are now and addresses bullying and the unhappiness it brings. A satisfying ending, but also an ending that leaves you wanting to read the next one…
readingwritingandriesling says
Might have to have a look at this one Rebecca. Thanks for spotlighting.
Rebecca Bradley says
You’re welcome Carol. It’s a great read.
Prashant C. Trikannad says
Rebecca, from your review it appears the writer has handled the “serial killer on the loose” plot quite well. The cover and your review also hints at involvement of children. Although I read such plot-stories, I don’t usually seek them out. But then, it’s always nice to read a well-plotted and well-written story.
Rebecca Bradley says
Prashant, the children angle is just flashbacks to when they were at school together, there are no children involved. Just adults getting murdered 🙂
mbarkersimpson says
It sounds like just my kind of book. I enjoyed the review, and will definitely be checking it out 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s a great read and Mel will be thrilled to hear that! 🙂
crimeworm says
Oh! This sounds great! Were they bullies of someone at school who’s now seeking revenge?? Do the letters spell out something, like the school?? This sounds so interesting. And it’s always interesting to read authors who can write about housing estates (they’re called schemes in Scotland; an estate is where you go shooting!) realistically. I’ve got one of this author’s books called Watching Over You, is it a good read? I must look out for this.
Rebecca Bradley says
I can’t tell you when the letters spell out! That would spoil it! 🙂 And yes she writes about schemes really well. Watching Over You is also a good read. Slightly more thrillerish.
Margot Kinberg says
This does really sound a good read, Rebecca. I do like believable, down-to-earth characters; they’re so much better than the ‘superhuman’ ones you sometimes see. Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca Bradley says
I know what you mean about the superhuman ones Margot. They get shot and then they walk out the hospital because they’re desperate to catch the bad guy. No this is definitely down to earth 🙂
Jacqui Murray says
This sounds wonderful. I too love the cover. Almost as much as yours. My heads into covers lately because I have to solve that problem for my upcoming book!
crimeworm says
I know what they say about books and covers, but I SO do. And there’s so many books on Kindle have really cheap unprofessional looking covers; it does put me off them. So I’m glad Rebecca’s looked so good, and I hope you solve your cover problems to your satisfaction too!
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s a gorgeous cover isn’t it! I’m also into covers. I look forward to seeing your Jacqui!
cleopatralovesbooks says
I’m so glad this is a good one, I have a copy so having read your review I know I’m in for a treat.
Rebecca Bradley says
I know you’ve read Mel before, so yes, you will enjoy this. 🙂