Review: Messiah

One hot May morning, two corpses are found brutally slain in two different areas of London. One has been hanged, and the other has been savagely beaten, but that the killings are linked is indisputable. Both bodies had one thing in common from each one the tongue has been removed, and a silver spoon placed inside the mouth as a replacement.

Enter Red Metcalfe, a policeman who has faced down killers like this before and won. Carefully he selects his team and the investigation into a killer who leaves absolutely no clues begins in the face of a sweltering London summer.

In the coming months, several more shocking killings occur, and Red’s sense of frustration and desperation heighten, until he discovers something that throws the whole case up in the air, casting it in an even more disturbing limelight.

It is clear that these deaths are not just committed by a violent madman bent on blood and destruction. This killer is on a mission. This killer has something to say. This killer has a message. And this is killer is going to go on spreading it…

This is an astounding debut novel. It’s absolutely breathtaking in its scope, and certain aspects namely the cunning and cleverness and originality of some bits of the plot - of it are almost guaranteed to blow you away.

Red Metcalfe is a lead character as tormented as almost any you will find, but that is what makes him the best at what he does. And, in common with all the most popular fictional protagonists, he is very likeable in spite of his flaws, and immensely human because of them. The writing is succinct, and has a very powerful forward thrust that propels the reader through a narrative which constantly both shocks and horrifies. It’s written, in true James Patterson style, with very short chapters. In less talented hands, this device can make novels seem disjointed, but Starling uses the device to it’s full capacity, giving the novel a strange flow as the reader is pulled from scene to scene, unable to tear themselves away. However, unlike James Patterson, the writing quality is far better, the characterisations more deep and advanced, and the plotting is stronger and much cleverer, and yet the book looses none of its thrills.

The final solution is very clever, and all at once everything suddenly falls into place making a wonderful deluded kind of sense, and also a surprise, but isn’t very original upon reflection, which is a slight shame but an extra "twist" in the last couple of chapters adds one final powerful kick. And even if the identity of the killer isn’t all that original, the rest of the book is, and the denouement and climax are still very tense and exciting.

Overall, an excellent serial killer novel. Original, with strong characters and plotting. Few novels are as good as "The Silence of the Lambs" (since I read it I’ve read about three that are, including Jonathan Nasaw’s "The Girls He Adored"), however, this one most definitely comes very, very close. Some would say Starling is one to watch. I wouldn’t. I’d say he was one to go out and read. Now.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Fiona Walker

Book Review: Messiah