
How far would you go to save your sister?
A normal day in the park turns into a nerve shredding nightmare for eleven-year-old Marnie Hammond when she find herself in a desperate chase to stop the 'bad man,' from abducting Abby.
Fifteen years later, Marnie is a Detective Sergeant but the memory of her missing sister still haunts her dreams.
When it becomes clear that someone is stalking the streets of Kirkhead DS Hammond has her hands full, and after remains are discovered buried in dense woodland, Marnie fears the worst. But this is only the start of a nightmare that will unearth more bones, more victims and the terror that Abby might be among the dead.
To stop the monster Marnie knows she must break the rules, but when the twisted killer turns his attention on her it becomes a fight not only for the truth but for her sanity and her survival.
Can Marnie catch the murderer and solve her sister’s disappearance?
WOW!! What a book!! This rarely happens to me but as soon as I started reading the first few pages of 'Keep You Near' I felt immediately sure that this was going to be a fantastic book... and it was! I've just finished reading it and oh my! I still can't shake off the tension.
With this book, author Robin Roughley has started a new thrilling serial killer series and introduced his new heroine, DS Marnie Hammond. In this first book, Jenny Bell, an eight-year-old girl is abducted on her way home from a party. There are no witnesses and no leads. Soon after, old skeletal remains of a child are found in nearby woods. These two cases shake Marnie to the core and immediately throw her back in time, forcing her to relive the horrific childhood experience that has shaped and devastated her life. Fifteen years previously, her younger sister Abby was abducted before her very own eyes and she was helpless to do anything about it. Abby was never found. Who took Jenny now? And whose remains are those found in the woods? Are the two cases connected?
When more bones are found, Marnie and her boss DCI Reese find themselves on a frenetic race against time to try and find a link between a number of missing girls to try and save Jenny and catch a vicious killer that has been stalking the streets for decades. Could there be some connection with Abby's abduction?
Even though I have several books by Robin Roughley in my kindle, I'm ashamed to say that I haven't read any of them. But with this book Mr Roughley has surely secured a new fan in me. 'Keep You Near' is a fast-paced, roller-coaster read with non-stop tension from start to finish.
All characters in this book are well portrayed and realistic. I just love Marnie and already can't wait to meet her again in future books. She's blighted by guilt and I could feel her pain and internal turmoil. I wished I could make her feel better in some way but I admired her courage and determination despite everything. I also liked and felt sorry for poor Luke too. He's a character that actually surprised me. We have chapters from the point of view of the killer. We don't know who he is, but the author gives us a very deep insight into his psyche. We know that this sick-minded man is passing through a very confusing time in his life. It's almost as if he doesn't have any control over his thoughts anymore and that makes him even more dangerous. What's sure is that his heydays are over but he's hellbent to reignite his killing spree after a long absence.
Thanks to vivid descriptions, intrigue and numerous nail-biting suspenseful scenes, this book kept me hooked throughout and made me feel all sorts of emotions. I felt bad for the abducted kids and their families. I felt bad for Marnie and for Luke. I also felt angry, disgusted, helpless and shocked. The ending is just heart-stopping and the stuff of nightmares. Impressive!
Even though it's very dark, I enjoyed every minute I spent reading 'Keep You Near' and I HIGHLY recommend it. Won't be surprised if it's turned into a movie someday. Now, I already can't wait for the next in the series.
With thanks to Bloodhound Books for a review copy of this fab book that I voluntarily accepted to read and review.
Robin Roughley lives in Wigan in the the North West of England (God's coal bunker) though he hopes to one day be released for good behaviour.
He is the author of eleven crime/thriller novels featuring DS Lasser. The novels are set between the run down streets of a northern town and the beautiful yet desolate west Pennine moors.
If you love your crime fiction crammed with square jawed heroes driving flash cars and glorious women who shimmer with inner light, then the DS Lasser novels are probably not for you.
However, if you prefer your characters to be flawed, with a sprinkling of dandruff and old acne scars,the plots to be laced with dark humour, then give them a try.