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PRECIOUS BLOOD
by Jonathan Hayes
Arrow Books, April 2008
512 pages
6.99 GBP
ISBN: 009951754X


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

It must be the season for artistic gore and ambitiously inventive murders. Strange how one can go for weeks at a time without books that are more than mildly blood-curdling, but then there is an outbreak of ever more hair-raising fictional crimes to enhance one’s midnight hours. I dare any reader to consume PRECIOUS BLOOD, genuinely read it and try to imagine the scenes, and not come over all queasy.

Forensic pathologist Edward Jenner has gone into private practice following the trauma of post 9/11, from which he suffered even more than the average New Yorker, since his professional occupation brought him into so much contact with the victims. He was discharged from his job with the medical examiner’s office by pompous, self-important, deputy chief medical examiner Steve Whittaker who resents Jenner for the best of reasons – he knows Jenner is better at his job than his superior.

Jenner is called in to work on a case by the father of a murdered girl. The girl, Andie, has been affixed to a wall in her apartment and variously tortured. Her flatmate, Ana, is missing – until she turns up in Jenner’s loft apartment, seeking his help and protection. She is terrified because she saw her friend’s assailant and was threatened by him. She is unwilling to talk to the police because the murderer was, before he stripped naked in order to enjoy the blood of his victim to the utmost, dressed as a policeman. What if the police send him to investigate the crime he has, himself, committed?

It soon becomes obvious to Jenner that Andie is but one of a series of victims, but what is the link that connects them and is there a danger that there may be more victims? It doesn’t take long for Jenner to become bound up in the case, as much for Ana’s safety’s sake as for his own professional pride.

The villain makes another snatch and Jenner realises both the link and the proposed fate of the kidnapped person. He is forced to travel across the country as well as back in time to try to find a solution to his own and the victim’s plight.

“Taut and chilling” are the words the publisher uses to advertise this book – and I am inclined to agree with them. It’s not often, given the scope of my reading, that I find a book has the power to penetrate my dreams, but forensic pathologist Hayes managed the trick. I found myself picturing the poor, crucified victim in my sleep, an experience I do not particularly wish to repeat!

The characterisation is more than adequate. I found myself to be in total sympathy with Jenner as he seeks to overcome the trauma he experienced as well as protect the slightly foolish, fearful Ana as she attempts to stay out of the clutches of the malefactor.

For my own comfort, I just wish Hayes' description of the crime scene were not quite as graphic and compelling as it is!

Reviewed by Denise Pickles, March 2008

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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