Today I am very pleased to be part of the blog tour for Dead Gone by Luca Veste!
Below you'll find an excerpt from the novel and my thoughts on the book.
About the novel...
DI David Murphy and DC Laura Rossi investigate the murder of a student at the City of Liverpool University. Attached to her is a letter from her killer, which details a famous unethical psychological experiment performed on the victim, resulting in her death. Convinced at first that the murderer is someone close and known to the victim, Murphy dismisses the letter as a bid to throw them off the scent…until more bodies are found, each with their own letter attached.
On the other side of the city, Rob Barker, an admin worker at the university, is dealing with his own loss. His partner has been missing for almost a year, with suspicion from all around her firmly pointed at him.
As the two seemingly unconnected events collide, it becomes apparent Murphy is chasing a killer unlike any he’s faced before.
One who kills to discover more about life...
Read an extract from 'Dead Gone'…
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My review
I was intrigued immediately; after an opening extract about death, then I read of 'Experiment Two', before I reached chapter one of this novel, and I was drawn straight into the story. There is a woman, alone, scared, captive in the dark. I began to wonder who she is, what is this experiment, and if this is number two, what happened to number one? Then the main narrative takes us to 'Day One' of what will be the police procedural element of the tale; a body is found in a park, and DI David Murphy and DS Laura Rossi of Liverpool North division are in charge of leading the investigation. We are then taken back in time to the year before, and there is a man, Rob, whose partner has not returned home, and I was suspicious, it made me wonder again.
There is communication from the killer, he spells out the fact that he is experimenting with death, and is fascinated by the psychological aspect of death, killing his victims in the name of horrible, shocking experiments. The team soon realise that they've got a serial killer on their hands.
This is a tale packed with intrigue; Luca Veste makes the reader suspicious and evokes fear in the reader with his dark plot. DI Murphy in particular has a strong backstory which is slowly revealed to us during the novel; he has difficult memories, disturbing dreams, and is haunted by a terrible loss in his past. DS Rossi is an interesting character too, and I was keen to read on and find out more about her, and see how the two would work together.
I was engrossed by the second strand of the tale about the missing woman and I really liked how this unfolded gradually alongside the narrative involving the current investigation. The narrative structure added interest and involved the reader, and the chilling plot keeps the reader guessing, arousing our suspicions and tempting us to make connections - keeping us turning the pages with eagerness. The author's knowledge of locations in his home city of Liverpool makes for an atmospheric, authentic sense of place, and one that is portrayed roundly, with light and shade. The story skips along at a good pace and is satisfyingly complex and absorbing. This is a dark, original and thrilling debut by a promising new crime writer.
There is communication from the killer, he spells out the fact that he is experimenting with death, and is fascinated by the psychological aspect of death, killing his victims in the name of horrible, shocking experiments. The team soon realise that they've got a serial killer on their hands.
This is a tale packed with intrigue; Luca Veste makes the reader suspicious and evokes fear in the reader with his dark plot. DI Murphy in particular has a strong backstory which is slowly revealed to us during the novel; he has difficult memories, disturbing dreams, and is haunted by a terrible loss in his past. DS Rossi is an interesting character too, and I was keen to read on and find out more about her, and see how the two would work together.
I was engrossed by the second strand of the tale about the missing woman and I really liked how this unfolded gradually alongside the narrative involving the current investigation. The narrative structure added interest and involved the reader, and the chilling plot keeps the reader guessing, arousing our suspicions and tempting us to make connections - keeping us turning the pages with eagerness. The author's knowledge of locations in his home city of Liverpool makes for an atmospheric, authentic sense of place, and one that is portrayed roundly, with light and shade. The story skips along at a good pace and is satisfyingly complex and absorbing. This is a dark, original and thrilling debut by a promising new crime writer.
Source - review copy
Publisher - Avon Harper Collins - 5th December 2013 as an ebook, 16th January 2014 in paperback
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About the author…
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| Luca Veste |
Luca Veste is a writer of Italian and Scouse heritage, currently living on the wrong side of the River Mersey. He is married with two young daughters, and is himself one of nine children.
He is currently a mature student, studying Psychology and Criminology at the University of Liverpool.
Luca is the editor of the Spinetingler Award nominated charity anthology series ‘Off the Record,’ which raises money for children’s literary charities. He also has short stories in numerous publications.
A former civil servant, actor and musician, he now divides his time between home life, university work and writing.
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Visit the other blogs on the tour…
The plot indeed sounds intriguing. It sound a bit disturbing however. I find that I am becoming a bit squeamish about these things as I get older.
ReplyDeleteA famous unethical psychological experiment? I am intrigued.
ReplyDelete