One by One by Chris Carter

In One by One, Detective Robert Hunter in LAPD's homicide special section is contacted by a killer, who has been murdering people and broadcasting their deaths live online. After awhile, the killer turns his murders into a reality show and asks the public for their input. Together with the FBI and others from the LAPD, Hunter has a lot of work if he wants to catch this cunning killer.

This is such an awesome book! I purposely picked it to read at this time because the other books I had been reading were good, but low-action and not that thrilling. They didn't get my heart pumping or have me on the edge of my seat. Well, that certainly changed with this one.

The story starts off with a bang and doesn't let up for one second all the way to the end. The author used short chapters and skipped around the various plot lines telling the story from the various characters points of view, all adding to the suspense. A few times I had to put the book down just so that I could catch my breath.

I loved that the story was presented from many different points of view. I particularly liked the ones from characters on the outer fringes of the story. They were such a surprise because these characters hadn't been mentioned up until that point and were never heard from again, but their points of view were right at home and didn't feel out of place in the story.

The story focuses mainly on Robert Hunter. His biography is amazing, sort of a combination of Superman and a master of all trades. His job is basically his life. I really liked him and can't wait to read more books featuring him. He might be a little too perfect, though, but I'll wait until I've read more books to decide that.

The story felt real and very current. It's probably only a matter of time before something like this happens. I sincerely hope that we as a society are above this, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

My favourite quote from the book mentions my hometown. I love it when it appears out of the blue like this.

The bitter wind that blew from the north made Los Angeles feel like Winnipeg in November. (page 383)

At least it wasn't "Winnipeg in January". ;)

Even though it's the 5th book in the Robert Hunter series, it didn't read like part of a series and can certainly be read as a standalone book. Carter is pretty graphic and gruesome in his descriptions, especially of what's happening to the people who are being killed. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Highly recommended. I have The Death Sculptor on my to-be-read shelf. Because I loved this one so much, I've moved it closer to the top of the pile. Eventually, I hope to read the other books in the series.

For more information about this book, please visit Simon & Schuster's UK website.

For more information about the author and his other books, please visit Chris Carter's website. Chris's biography is a bit eclectic, which I love. He went from a member of Michigan's State District Attorney's Criminal Psychology team, to rock musician, to writer.

I'd like to thank those nice people at Simon & Schuster UK for this review copy.

One by One by Chris Carter, Simon & Schuster UK ©2013. ISBN 9780857203052(Hardcover), 500p.