My Little Eye by Stephanie Marland

My Little Eye 

by Stephanie Marland 

KISS THE GIRLS

A young woman is found dead in her bedroom surrounded by rose petals - the latest victim of 'The Lover'. Struggling under the weight of an internal investigation, DI Dominic Bell is no closer to discovering the identity of the killer and time is running out.

AND MAKE THEM DIE...

As the murders escalate, Clementine Starke joins an online true crime group determined to take justice in their own hands - to catch the killer before the police. Hiding a dark secret, she takes greater risks to find new evidence and infiltrate the group.

As Starke and Bell get closer to cracking the case neither of them realise they're being watched. The killer is closer to them than they think, and he has his next victim - Clementine - firmly in his sights.

Firstly I have to thank Trapeze for sending me an early proof copy of My Little Eye - and for the intriguing package that it came in. There were rose petals, a sinister message on a postcard and an address label that must have mystified the postman! It was so eye catching, bold and chilling with a book cover that was impossible to ignore. In fact, it was so well presented that not only did it make a statement about how excited the publishers were about this book but also made it impossible to set aside and I was desperate to read it straight away! 

And Trapeze are right to be excited about this book, I'm excited about this book - everyone should be excited about this book!

Could you catch a killer? 

Well could you? Stephanie Marland plays with this 'could you' question rather than the usual 'what if" that normally hooks us at the beginning of a novel. At a time when true crime dominates the TV ratings and podcast charts, and all of us interact with hundreds of people we might know, but often we don't, on the internet everyday, this is a clever premise for a story. I really enjoyed the concept for this novel and although it is very chilling, I also felt there was something refreshing about the structure, the form and the premise. It's an engaging read and this idea of true crime fans taking on the police and attempting to solve a murder themselves is really compelling. 

"Tell me, do you really think this group of true crime freaks can beat the police at their own job?"

I hold his gaze for a long moment. "Yes." 

Basically this novel has everything going for it. It is quite long but never once do you notice. The chapters are short, perfectly paced with just enough information to propel the plot forward but taut enough to always leaving you dangling on a cliff hanger. There's alternating narrative voices which also helps to create tension and suspense, as well as adding further complications and depth to the plot. The use of social media, text conversations and messaging breaks up the narrative with conversations that feel vivid, full of energy and that create even more excitement, adding a satisfying level of urgency and tension to the story. As well as fresh and original, this novel is contemporary and timely.

Marland's writing is very readable and immediate. It's accessible, it's authentic and it captures the characters effectively. Her prose pulls the reader along, it's engaging, it's fluent and I really enjoyed it. This was a story I was happy to lose myself in, keen to see the direction it might take, the dangers the characters might place themselves and whether indeed this group of random amateur sleuths who communicate online behind hidden identities - which adds to the layers of suspicion and sinister atmosphere, could in fact catch a killer. 

This is a thoroughly enjoyable crime thriller. Marland clearly understands the genre and the key ingredients for writing a suspenseful and gripping story. She understands how to create characters with intrigue, depth, originality and with whom the reader can relate immediately. Every plot twist, complication and revelation is well judged and well delivered. It's a real page turner.

 I don't want to spoil the plot for anyone and I think the thing I enjoyed the most was that this was a story I picked up, raced through and just really enjoyed reading. It did everything I want from a psychological thriller and there's no doubt this book will be a hit.  It's such a contemporary read; it's fresh, original, well written, well executed and without doubt, an exciting read.

So why don't you get yourself a copy and find out whether a group of true crime addicts really can take on the police and catch a serial killer!

Don't miss the rest of the Blog Tour which is packed with excellent reviews! 

My thanks again to Stephanie Marland and the publisher for an advance copy of the book and a chance to be part of the Blog Tour.