Review: A Killing of Angels by Kate Rhodes

• Series: Alice Quentin Series (Book 2)
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books (February 25, 2014)
• ISBN-10: 125001431X
• Source: Publisher

Psychologist Alice Quentin vowed to never work with the police again. Her last experience left her battered and bruised, both physically and mentally. Yet when Detective Don Burns asks for her help on a case, she can’t refuse.  Burns sat by her hospital bed as she recovered from the previous police case she worked on. Just as battered and bruised as Alice was, Burns deserved her help.

A serial killer is targeting  the Angel Group, a private bank originally created to help the less fortunate.  Victims are found brutally murdered, the only evidence left behind include white feathers and a picture of an angel. Alice is called in to profile the perpetrator. As she does, she experiences first-hand the corruption that surrounds London’s financial district.  People are willing to do anything, including murder, to get ahead…or to get even.

A Killing of Angels is the second book in a series (Crossbones Yard is the first) and while this is my first introduction to the series, I was able to pick up on the characters and their history with ease. Alice Quentin is a strong, no-nonsense individual who strives to do best for her patients despite an overbearing past of pain and suffering.  Her family life growing up wasn’t easy and, even as an adult, she still bears the brunt of that pain. Her brother, struggling to recover from addiction, lives with her after he was severely injured. Her mother goes on about her life as if she has no responsibility for her children’s pain, oblivious to the hurt they are experiencing, instead constantly reminding Alice about what she has done wrong in her life. It’s awe-inspiring to see that Alice’s character is able to rise up despite all of this and succeeds at helping her patients in dealing with their own pain.

What an addictive read! I was clueless to the identity of the killer until the end. I was certain I knew who it was, I would have bet on it! Good thing I didn’t because I was so far off! Talk about skilled pacing and reveal!  It is for this reason, and my respect and admiration of Alice’s character, that I plan on going back to the start of the series as I wait impatiently for the next book in this series!

If you are looking for a brilliant new psychological thriller series, this is the one for you. While I did start with the second book, I do recommend starting at the beginning (like I shall now!) to get an accurate grasp of Alice’s character. Highly recommended.