An Evil Mind by Chris Carter

Author : Chris Carter
Title : An Evil Mind
Publisher : Simon & Schuster UK
Published : 16/07/2015
Pages : 496
Genre : Crime / Thriller

     A freak accident in rural Wyoming leads the Sheriff's Department to arrest a man for a possible double homicide, but further investigations suggest a much more horrifying discovery - a serial killer who has been kidnapping, torturing and mutilating victims all over the United States for at least twenty-five years. The suspect claims he is a pawn in a huge labyrinth of lies and deception - and he will now only speak to Detective Robert Hunter ...

     My to be read pile is stacked high with crime novels eagerly awaiting there turn. From the psychological to the darn right blood-soaked. I do my best to try and switch between the types so as not to get the feeling of a repeat. This was my first time delving into the world Chris Carter has created, going in I wasn't too sure as to which one I was going to get. I am a big fan of the bloodier the better when it comes to serial killer fiction books. I was hoping for a dark look into the mind of a killer, and a good game of cat and mouse thrown in for good measure.

     As I started on my journey with detective Robert Hunter I was unaware that this was the sixth book in the series. But due to the skillful writing of this author, it did not take me long to get to grips with who our hero was. This is a man at the top of his game, dogged in his pursuit of the truth even when that truth can bring everything you thought you knew about someone crashing down around your ears. Within the pages of this book, you get to witness a battling of two minds, as the killer tries to outmaneuver the detective. They are both written extremely well and you can tell that this author knows his hero inside and out. His decisions are both logical and necessary and as I got to know him better they felt like they were his and at no point was I left with the thought he would not do such a thing. As for our serial Killer, I would suggest you think Hannibal Lecter, it's that kind of head mix on intellect and all-out depraved mind. 

     For a book on the slightly bigger side, I flew through it with great ease. The author's style lends its self to the hungry mind. Despite it becoming clear fairly early on as to what Lucian is, you find your self-wanting to see what he is truly capable of. With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes as things progress. This book falls firmly into the dark side of the genre, as the author gives us grotesque descriptions of his killers actions. This is not one for the faint at heart, I for one am a great lover of the macabre so this was right up my alley. I also liked the fact that the author took the time within the plot to give us a reason for his killer actions. I realize that more often than not we don't get answers to why people do what they do, but sometimes it's just good to get them. As the book progresses and chaos is unleashed as they draw down on each other the tension ramps up nicely. Ending in this perfect storm of actions, I could not have been happier with how the book came to a crashing end.

     This story took me by surprise as to how much I enjoyed it, which is not to take anything away from this amazing author. It's just as much as any avid crime reader will know it takes a lot to come across anything that will truly take you away. with a perfect mix of psychological thriller and bloody murders I would highly recommend this book. I look forward to going further with both this series and author.