The Wedding Killer by Michael Fowler (2023)

About The Wedding Killer

The Wedding Killer is the second book in a brand new and exciting UK police procedural series by Michael Fowler. I’m a newcomer to the power of Michael Fowler and neither of his books have disappointed so far.

This is an engrossing read that follows Dr Hamlet Mottrell, a forensic psychologist turned detective constable in Sheffield, on his first day at his new job.

He is paired with his former enemy turned close friend, DS Alix Rainbow, to investigate the disappearance of a student named Hayley Stevenson.

The case takes a dark turn when they discover Hayley had received unsettling calls and an invitation to her own wedding before she vanished, and she is not the first to experience this.

Someone is calling students with creepy messages and sending weird wedding invitations. The targeted victims then disappear and are presumed dead. Except one survives.

This book revisits the Book 1 plot, but rather than senseless padding, intertwines with Book 2.

Further character development takes place, and it’s mostly a fast paced read. The bond between Alix and Hamlet grows stronger, but with a handbrake on intimacy.

With the premise set, I’m pleased to report that Fowler has created a right page-turner and you’re kept guessing about the perpetrator’s motive and identity.

The plot is full of surprises, with unexpected developments and a deepening of the bond between Hamlet and Alix. I was expecting a between-the-sheets chapter for a long time!

The Wedding Killer is 4/5

The Wedding Killer is a well-written crime thriller with a captivating storyline and well-developed characters. The bond between Alix and Hamlet grows stronger, but with a handbrake on intimacy and the author intertwines the plot of the first book with the second book, which adds depth to the characters and the story.

The book also explores the fast-track scheme that allows civilians to become detectives. While it is not clear if such a scheme exists, it adds an interesting element to the story and a perfect McGuffin.

The author also touches on the issue of past traumas and how they affect the present.

It will be interesting to see how the author progresses Dr Mottrell and Alix’s characters without the uncertainty of their past traumas hanging over their present lives in future books.

Overall, The Wedding Killer is a fast-paced and thrilling read that will leave readers wanting more. The author’s unique touch on the story and characters makes the book stand out from other crime thrillers.

I wasn’t too sure if such a scheme exists where civilians can be fast tracked into detective-hood, especially those that had been charged (and cleared) of multiple murder. That was the only thing that jarred.

I liked this book and give it a strong 4/5 and highly recommend this book to fans of crime thrillers and police procedurals.

Besides The Wedding Killer, Michael Fowler has written several other crime thrillers, including the DS Hunter Kerr series. His books are known for their gripping storylines, well-developed characters, and unexpected twists. Fans of the genre will not be disappointed with his work.

Thanks for reading. We’ve just updated the review on Moneyland by Michael Botur.

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