12 November 2021

As this author is new to me, I was not sure what to expect when I reached for this book and what a brilliant read it was. A dark, twisty tale about a cold case that will leave the hairs on your neck standing on edge.

Anna Willett dives straight into the story, hooking you on the very first page and making it extremely hard to turn away from these characters. This book is fast-paced, with new information flooding your senses, never leaving you will a moment to breathe. Very often police procedurals can drag as the characters put the pieces together – not in The Family Man. I loved the flow of constant new information. Reading this book during the start of the South African summer was perfect – the author talks about the Australian heat and I could relate.

A couple is renovating a house when they discover a video recorder sealed in plastic in the attic. Watching the recording leaves them shaken and a call is placed to the police. Senior Sergeant Veronika Pope, from the Special Crime Squad, is given the lead on the case.

This cold case reveals brutality for several victims at the hands of a monster. But was he working alone? Is someone still out there savaging innocent victims? Can Pope fit the pieces together and make sense of this brutal monster?

I was hooked right from the start and I flew through this book in two sittings. Every time I was convinced I had it figured out a new twist was thrown my way. I loved this dark twisty tale and my heart broke for the characters. The things these poor victims endured. While the author hints at extreme brutality, and animal cruelty she is never overly graphic making this a book that even slightly more sensitive readers could enjoy.

Veronika Pope is back on duty after months spent recovering from an on-duty attack. She is determined to fight her demons and obtain justice for the victims. The character is a strong woman who has been wounded, but at the same time, she has learnt from her mistakes and thinks things through before acting.  As for Thomas Malicourt, I have no idea how anyone can dream up a man like this. This man can easily leave you with sleepless nights. The author did a marvellously creative job with this guy.

This book was dark and sad, I loved it. While a horrible crime is uncovered I was heartbroken thinking about what Hannah and April went through. There is a balance between the dark and sad making this a gripping read I did not want to put down.

Crime and thriller fans are in for a treat when they reach for this title. This fast-paced, dark and twisty tale will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Be warned, you will not want to put this book down. If you enjoy a police procedural that features a serial killer, you will not go wrong reaching for The Family Man. I absolutely recommend this book.