Surviving the Bringer of Death by Kira Black

This short thriller is a setup for the series. In this story, there is no justice yet, no revenge, and no redemption at this point. After reading it, I have to hope there will be justice, because the antagonist is a monster of the worst kind.

The book is written from three points of view. Harper Bennett is the main protagonist. She’s a teenager and her point of view is first person. At the beginning of the book, she runs away and is then taken in by the antagonist, who has several names, none are his real name. His chapters are titled “Death.” His point of view is third person. The story is mostly about Harper’s captivity by this monster. The third point of view is a police detective who is trying to bring attention to missing teenagers that no one seems to care about.

This is an intense book. The suspense is well done. It’s also short – only 130 or so pages. I’m not sure where it’s set. Unless I missed it, there is no town or area of the country mentioned. It’s in a city of some size, but that’s about all the setting we get.

The writing is strong. I have two issues with the story. First, the attitude of the police captain and the police procedures that aren’t followed that would be. In the beginning, James, the detective trying to find these missing kids, is shaken off by his captain. There was an incident in James’s past that ruined the detective’s reputation. This is okay for the story. And as long as the kids are just missing, I can buy the “your chasing ghosts” attitude by the captain. However, when a headless, armless, legless torso shows up, all bets would be off. This is a major crime. There is no way a police force would downplay such a heinous crime. The press would be all over it. The mayor would be all over the chief, who would be all over the captain, etc. Most cities have major case squads, and this type of murder would become their case. There’s some more poor police procedure as well, but I don’t want to give any spoilers.

The second thing that put me off was the graphic detail of the bad guy with his victims. One scene is over the top and for me it added nothing to the story. My imagination as to what this guy did with these teenagers would have been sufficient. In addition to the graphic violence, there is one graphic sex scene, and profanity scattered throughout.

It’s an okay read if you don’t mind the violence. But given what I’ve read this year, this one goes to the bottom. However, if this is the worst book I read this year, it’s been a good reading year.

1. Thunder and Rain by Charles Martin
2. Love’s True Calling by Lori DeJong
3. Through Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. Hunt
4. Book of Days by James L. Rubart
5. Whispers of a Southern Moon by Pricilla Bettis
6. The Seven Day Resurrection by Chevron Ross
7. Your Son is Alive by James Scott Bell
8. With Mercy’s Eyes by D.T. Powell
9. Justice by Jeff Hill
10. Already in the Kudzu by Hannah Hood Lucero
11. Dreamwalker by Carrie Cotten
12. The Last Wife by Matt McGregor
13. Loving the Rodeo Queen by Rebecca Reed
14. The Misadventures of Itchy Izzy by N.Y. Dunlap
15. Save the Last Dance for Me by Ed Gorman
16. Ranch Showdown by Tina Wheeler
17. The Unhired Hand by R.O. Lane
18. The Shocking Truth by Steve Rush
19. Daughter of Darkness by Ed Gorman
20. Burning Angel by James Lee Burke
21. Death in the Kremlin by E.J. Simon
22. White Gold by Michael E. Jimerson
23. Irresistible Impulse by Robert K. Tanenbaum
24. Line of Fire by Taylor S. Newport
25. The Longest Day by Terry Toler
26. Left to Die by Lisa Jackson
27. Surviving the Bringer of Death by Kira Black

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