Review - Like This For Ever by S J Bolton

Published 11 April 2013

Do you not know that tonight, when the clock strikes midnight, all the evil things in the world will have full sway.

Dracula, Bram Stoker

This is the third novel from author, S J Bolton, which features the damaged detective Lacey Flint. The story opens as London detective, Dana Tulloch and her team are searching against time for a serial killer who seems to focus on the murder of prepubescent boys. Lacey is home on sick leave, still traumatised by the events of her past, but unable to shake off her interest in the ongoing police investigation. And yet, unlike books one and two in this series, Lacey is more of a peripheral figure, drawn into the story only because she lives next door to Barney, a young boy troubled by the violent murders, and who is damaged by his own personal demons.

As always the book is intricately plotted, and yet despite the convoluted nature of the narrative, the story flows well; the intertwining of multi perspectives heightens the terror, and the on-trend inclusion of the craziness of social media adds a new dimension to the traditional chiller thriller. The story moves along at a cracking pace, so much so, it is difficult to find a natural place to take a break and the temptation is so great to find out what happens next, that all 400 pages flash by in the blink of an eye.

There is no doubt that the author has complete control of this genre, her manipulation of plot, character and motive is exemplary, and with her innate ability to engage with readers, this series seems to go from strength to strength.

Whilst Like This, For Ever, can be read and enjoyed as a standalone thriller, I feel that the hidden references to previous stories and certain character analysis are better appreciated if you have read this series from the beginning.

5*****

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Transworld Publishers for my copy of this book to review.