BelEdit Book Reviews
If you’re a regular reader of my reviews, you’ll have noticed that I am drawn to novels where abusers get their just desserts. The Serial Killer Support Group dishes it up, if you’ll forgive the awful pun.
When Jess Pendle is admitted to hospital for treatment of the injuries inflicted by her partner, Lewis, she is given a leaflet about a support group for victims of domestic violence. Once Lewis is arrested (although not for long), she realises she must break free of him. She changes her locks and starts therapy in the group sessions.
Not long afterwards, one of the women’s partners is attacked, then another, and another… Meanwhile, Lewis’ behaviour is increasingly threatening.
The women whose husbands have been attacked or killed all have alibis. So who is the perpetrator? And who will be the next victim?
The Serial Killer Support Group is one of my favourite types of crime novel: it’s a very readable, well written and well constructed mystery novel, but it also addresses a real and serious social issue. In this case, domestic violence and the lack of any effective legal protection for its victims. It’s an added bonus that it’s also about women supporting each other.
The writing is excellent. It’s exciting and fast paced with tense scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well drawn, and the dialogue sharp. Keeps you reading deep into the night.
It’s also emotionally charged. These women are living a nightmare, day after day, year after year, and the government, police and legal system do virtually nothing to really help them. Even those who have managed to pull themselves out of immediate danger know that the threat of violence is ever present. It’s a dire situation faced by millions of women (and some men) in every country, in all strata of society. For many victims, the abuse continues for the rest of their [or their abuser’s] life. In a huge percentage of cases, it ends with the victim being murdered by their abuser.
So of course you are rooting for the killer, whoever he is!
Apparently there’s a second novel in the pipeline, The Serial Killer Support Network. I can’t wait!
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing an ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest no matter how I acquire the book.
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