If you are a fan of fast-paced UK procedural thrillers with a dark twist, The Midnight Killer by Jez Pinfold should definitely be on your TBR list.
The story kicks off with Detective Bec Pope about to board a flight at Heathrow for a much-needed, long-overdue holiday. Before she can even step onto the plane, duty calls. A young man is found murdered in a quiet Bloomsbury cemetery, his chest brutally carved with a five-pointed pentagram. When a second victim turns up in Bermondsey at midnight with the exact same gruesome symbol, it becomes clear that London is dealing with a serial killer running on a strict timeline.
What I really appreciated about this book was the relentless pacing and the atmosphere. Jez Pinfold does a fantastic job using iconic London locations, turning quiet spots into eerie crime scenes. Detective Bec Pope is a compelling lead, grounded, resilient, and sharp, though you can’t help but feel for her as her personal life gets shoved aside to stop the body count from rising.
The ritualistic element of the pentagrams adds a sinister edge to a classic police procedural. While the “race against the clock” trope is a staple of the genre, the author keeps the tension tight enough that you find yourself turning pages well into the night just to see if Bec can figure out the connection between the victims before midnight strikes again.
If you like dark, gritty mysteries with solid procedural details, like books by Nadine Matheson or J.D. Kirk, this one will keep you thoroughly hooked.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
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