The Crucifix Killer by Chris Carter

Author : Chris Carter
Title : The Crucifix Killer
Published : 2009
Publisher : Simon & Schuster
Pages : 448
Genre : Crime / Thriller

     When the body of a young woman is discovered in a derelict cottage in Los Angeles, Robert Hunter is thrown into a nightmare case. The victim suffered a terrible death, and on the nape of her neck has been carved a strange double-cross: the signature of a psychopath known as the Crucifix Killer. But that's impossible. Because two years ago, the Crucifix Killer was caught and executed. Could this, therefore, be a copycat killer? Or could the unthinkable be true? Is the real killer still out there, ready to embark once again on a vicious and violent killing spree, selecting his victims seemingly at random, taunting Robert Hunter with his inability to catch him? Hunter and his rookie partner, Garcia, need to solve this case and fast.

     When coming to this book it was not the first time I have read this author, having previously delved into one of his stand-alone books. It is whoever the first time that I have pulled back the curtain on his main series. I'm not sure what has taken me so long to do so. I greatly enjoyed my first meeting with him. I think what brought me to this book was that I have been reading a great deal of nonfiction lately and was looking to dive back into some blood and guts again. When coming into a book series that been going for so long I Figure there are a few things I don't have to worry about, mainly that our hero will be around for quite some time to come. In a way, it takes a little something away from the reading but this is down to me. It also allowed me to get thoroughly invites in them and who they are as I know I have many more books to come.

     When it comes to The Crucifix Killer it is a book that lives its life out loud. This is the world of big blockbuster serial killers. And for me, it hit the spot so completely. I get the feeling if our hero did half of these things in real life he would have been busted off the force long ago. But that's not what I'm looking for in a book like this. All those times you look at a crime and go I wish he could just... that's who Hunter is. He is dark and brooding and has a vivid and troubled past. He is the cope that anyone would want to be on there case because you know that no matter what it takes he will find the suspect and get you some justice. But it is not just through him that this story lives and breathes. The author brings us a portrait of L'A life both the good and the bad. This is not the world of beautifully painted masters stuck in a gallery. This is more like the best street art you've ever seen. He paints his story in bright and bold strokes. 

     For those like me that like there serial killer stories on the blood and violent side this author does not disappoint. The opening tableau gives us one very disturbing view into the killer's mind. It sets us up for what is to come in a book that races along at a great pace. It cuts a bloody path on it's way to a brutal conclusion. But to base it solely on the blood content I think would do the book a great injustice. He has crafted a great mystery to sink out teeth into. I was laid on a merry dance at the whims of the author as he took me from one hypothesize to another. For me it was just as good as watching the latest blockbuster, but as you all no a book allows a story to breath more. I could spend time getting to know each of the players better. This author gave me enough information to allow for a decent back story without getting all bogged down in it and losing pace. He brought Hunter to life and allowed me to care what happened to him. With each wound inflicted on him both physical and mental, I felt a twinge for him. 

     This dark and unfriendly world pulled me right in with these characters. I could smell the iron in the air and feel every punch. The world he has built came off the page and danced it's way across my eyes. There was so much to discover and with more book already in print, I look forward to getting to know not only them but this world a lot better.