Left for Dead Book

I think Kevin O'Brien is going to be my new favourite thriller writer while I wait for some of my other favourites to write faster! "A serial killer thriller" - I've seen those words appended to a number of titles recently, not often deservedly. For this book, however, that description could not be more apt.

Claire Shaw was the one that got away. Left for dead by the serial killer dubbed Rembrandt by the media, she was found dumped at a rubbish tip, garishly made up and with a plastic bag over her head in just the nick of time. She has lost her memory and must rely on her husband and best friend for information. But something about both of them just doesn't ring true. I can hear you thinking - oh no, not another book about amnesia. Never fear, its not the main theme and Claire's memory starts to come back reasonably quickly.

After she recovers from her ordeal Harlan, her husband, takes her back to the island of Deception where they live. But he and her friend Linda monitor her very closely. Its quite creepy how they hover over her. Two policemen are also despatched to Deception in case Rembrandt tries to finish the job on Claire.

Claire feels she is being watched and followed. And so does Tim Sullivan, one of the cops who is trying to do is job while the other guy swans around pointlessly. But on the mainland Rembrandt has taken more victims. Are there two killers on the loose? And what are her husband and friend keeping from her?

This book winds you up as tight as a spring as the mystery deepens and the danger to Claire becomes extreme. It seems like half the island is in on some weird plot and Claire doesn't know where to turn or who to trust. Very suspenseful and enjoyable.