Book synopsis
A chance discovery of something unimaginable will steer Detective Patrick Gutteridge’s life down a path littered with memories of his past, memories he’s spent a decade trying to forget.
For two years, Gloucester’s provincial streets have glowed to the media interest gifted by the works of an anonymous graffiti artist ― Tick-Tock. But the art is changing, distorting, each piece becoming more perverse and contentious than the last. Only DI Gutteridge sees a pattern forming which points to something far more sinister looming on the horizon. Can he decipher it in time to prevent the impending storm, or will the city be forced to wear the infamy of a series of events so shocking, it threatens to stain its streets forever.
Who is the artist turned killer? What malevolent force drives them? And who can decode their warping message in time to stop the bloodshed? Only time will tell, but time is fast running out!
About the Author
C. R. Clarke is a thirty-year veteran of the film industry, having worked on in excess of 60 movies, primarily in the SFX/Creature FX field. Outside of writing, chances are you’ve seen something he’s created, watched something he’s puppeteered, or possibly even heard his voice.
Creative writing for him berthed from discovering an ability to write poetry, despite being dyslexic, and through the continual exercising of this creative outlet he has all but conquered what can be to some a debilitating affliction.
“My particular form of dyslexia affected more my ability to communicate through the pen, and less so my ability to read. I loved books as a child and must have read Stig Of The Dump at least twenty times.
By my chosen career, it’s obvious I have a passion for movies, but I also love the immersive experience that reading can gift you. By the reader being forced to use their own imagination to fill in the blanks, I find it carries them further into the narrative of the story, I also love the idea that three people can read and absorb the exact same text, descriptions and prose, but formulate three entirely different perceptions of the world you’ve been instrumental in crafting. This alone has been the greatest factor in forging my writing style, setting the scenes in ways that ignite the readers own imagination, making them feel more like a participant rather than a witness.”
My review
I have read a lot of thrillers and crime books but this one was amazing! From the very first page it will keep you hooked and you will want to find out who and why this person is killing these people in such a brutal way. Its not for the squeamish but it takes a lot for me to put a book down.
This is book 1 in the DI Gutteridge series. We follow the police as they try to discover who is committing these horrific acts. I liked the way we also see into the Police’s background and their personal life a bit too. An anonymous graffiti artist turning into a serial killer was such an interesting concept. DI Gutteridge has some great parts in the book and you really feel like you get to know him along the way.
It should be obvious that I will want to read all of these books, especially after the ending and the cliff hanger it was left on.
Disclaimer – thank you to the Author for my gifted copy of this book for my honest review