Murder Game Book Review

Angel Ramon
Dec 24, 2017
2 min read

Review By: Elaine Emmerick

1. Characters ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ruby Preston is a Detective Sergeant. DI Jack Downes is Ruby's boss. Nathan Crosby is Ruby's boyfriend and a known criminal. Owen Ludgrove is a Detective Constable on Ruby's team. Richard Moss is a Detective Constable on Ruby's team. Mason Gatley is in prison for serial killings that took place 10 years ago. 2. Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The story opens with Melissa getting ready for a date with Matthew. She used an online dating site for married men and women to find him. Her husband, Phillip, is away on a trip. When he returns, she's not home. There's a package for him and when he opens it, he finds pictures of Melissa with her severed ring finger. DS Ruby Preston and DI Jack Downes go to Phillip's home to get his statement. He shows them the pictures and her finger. The last picture shows that she may be dead. Matthew calls the Sanity Line and speaks with Laura. He begins to tell her about his date with Melissa and how he was going to punish her for being unfaithful. Ruby, Jack and the team finally find out where Melissa is being held, but it's too late. Jack tells Ruby that this crime scene looks like a case he worked on 10 years ago. Jack has Ruby visit Mason Gatley in prison. He was known as the "Lonely Hearts Killer". She hopes to get information about who may be copying his crimes. Matthew continues to call the help line, telling the caller about his dates and how he has to punish them. He believes he is doing God's work. Cheryl has a date with Matthew. He does the same thing to her that he did to Melissa. Matthew keeps the wedding rings on a chain around his neck. Ruby makes another visit to Mason. While she's there, she gets a text from Jack, saying they found Matthew. When Ruby and Jack get to the flat, she notices flies on the window. They go in and find a dead body...who is it? 3. Writing Structure ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Caroline has written an absolutely gripping thriller; it keeps you on the edge of your seat! She has created characters you care about. I enjoy seeing how these characters evolve and grow; especially with Ruby and Nathan. They seem to be learning how to compromise and with Cathy, possibly become a family. It's a well-written story and held my attention. It was hard to put down! 4. Ending ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ OMG! What an amazing ending! There are so many twists and turns and when you think you know who the killer is...BAM! It's someone you didn't even consider! Does Ruby get to the next victim in time? You'll have to read it to find out! 5. Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is book 3 of the DS Ruby Preston Series. Caroline continues to weave stories that grab the reader's attention from page one! Ruby is one bad-ass lady! I'm having a book hangover! Absolutely BRILLIANT story!!