13 November 2024

It has been almost two weeks since my last Chris Carter review and I couldn’t wait to dive into the next Robert Hunter book. While An Evil Mind was a dark and disturbing read, it only left me more eager for I Am Death. Life commitments and recent blog tours have delayed my reading – don’t you just hate when real life interferes with your reading time? In a perfect world, I would shut down my business and read nonstop!

When you pick up I AM DEATH, be prepared for a gripping, edge-of-your-seat experience. This novel is dark, and graphic and refuses to let from the first page to the last. I find myself thoroughly obsessed with this series, always eager to see what Chris Carter has come up with next. Just when I think he couldn’t possibly create a more twisted villain, he proves me wrong.

A word of caution for sensitive readers: the Robert Hunter series isn’t for the faint-hearted. These books contain intensely graphic scenes that will leave you feeling unsettled. As a seasoned reader of crime thrillers, even I find the vividness of Carter’s writing startling at times.

However, Carter’s writing goes beyond just gruesome details. His portrayal of Los Angeles is so immersive that you feel like you’re wandering the streets alongside Robert Hunter. This book particularly excels in creating an atmosphere of fear; Carter’s skill in conveying his characters’ emotions often had my heart racing as I turned each page. Without revealing too much, there’s a scene where a woman is being followed that was so vividly described, that I found myself looking over my shoulder while reading.

A woman is abducted from the house where she is babysitting, only for her body to be discovered seven days later, disturbingly displayed in the shape of a five-point human star. Though the body appears unmarked at first glance, the autopsy reveals severe torture, along with a chilling note left in her throat.  Robert Hunter and Carlos Garcia are assigned to the case, and soon another body is found. As the bodies start to mount, the detectives find themselves racing against time to understand the killer’s twisted game.

The book’s intense pacing and urgent tone make it almost impossible to put down. Carter pulls you deep into the investigation, building tension as you share the victims’ terror and work alongside the detectives to decipher the clues and uncover the killer’s identity. The pace is relentless, pulling you along in a whirlwind of suspense.

Robert Hunter remains a captivating character. Though this book doesn’t delve deeper into his backstory, he continues to be the steadfast, quiet detective who communicates more through his actions than words. This time I noticed Garcia’s presence more – perhaps a previous book hinted at him possibly leaving. I can’t imagine Hunter with a different partner; he and Garcia make an exceptional team.

Reading a series in publication order has been a refreshing change for me. Regular blog readers will know I often start an author’s latest book and work backwards, but reading these in order has allowed me to witness the characters’ gradual development, which I’ve really enjoyed. After reading seven books, each one has earned a solid five-star rating from me – I’d be hard-pressed to pick a favourite!

If you’re in search of a dark, gritty crime thriller that will keep you up at night, I can’t recommend the Robert Hunter series highly enough. The good news is you can read each book as a standalone – but trust me, once you’ve experienced one, you’ll want to read them all. For those who can stomach the brutal crimes and unnerving insights into human nature, these books are simply addictive.