Review ~ Scarred for Life by Kerry Wilkinson

Jessica Daniel #9
Pan Macmillan
2015

This is now the second book that I have read by this talented author. The first book, for me, was book 8, so some of the characters in this, book 9, were familiar, and the addition of a couple of new people, add light and shade, to this dark and gritty crime story.

I read the book over the space of a few hours, quickly becoming familiar with the way Jessica operates, and the way in which the story is allowed to dominate without getting overly complicated by too much police procedure. As always, the story is fast and furious with more than enough grit and grime to keep my interest from start to finish. There are lots of red herrings and Jess and her team have problems aplenty in trying to solve the murder mystery at the heart of the novel which is dark and complex. I really enjoy the Mancunian background which is explored in fine detail. The city streets and places therein are familiar to me which, of course, adds special interest.

This is a worthy continuation of the series and I look forward to picking up the story again in book 10..

For Richer, For Poorer ~ Jessica Daniel #10 is due for publication in February 2016.

Best read with a paper cup of mediocre coffee and a, probably stale, take out tuna sandwich, wrapped in cling film..

About the Author

Find him on his website

or follow him on Twitter @kerrywk

My thanks to Pan Macmillan for my copy of this book.

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Author in the spotlight is ...Kerry Wilkinson

I am delighted to welcome Kerry Wilkinson to the blog to talk about his latest book in the Jessica Daniel series of crime novels.

Jessica Daniel #8
Macmillan
2014

Hi Kerry ~ welcome to Jaffareadstoo...

What inspired you to write a crime series?

It was a bit of an accident in that the plot for Locked In - my first book - dropped into my head unexpectedly one Saturday. If the plot for a wacky space opera with singing ducks had made its appearance known instead, I think my life might have taken a different turn.

What makes a good villain?

Someone whose motive is sound. He or she might be evil to everyone else's eye - but if the villain truly believes in their own actions, that's what makes them scary. It's why explanations such as, "The bad guy's crazy" is such a cop out.

Are you a plotter.... or a start writing and see where it takes you sort of writer?

I plot everything methodically, chapter to chapter. The final draft doesn't necessarily end up the way I'd originally plotted but it's there or thereabouts.

What scares you about writing books?

Nothing. There's nothing to be scared of.

What books do you like to read?

All sorts. I recently finished Stephen King's Mr Mercedes, which is a thriller. I'm reading Columbine, a non-fiction telling of the massacre and I'm also into Seconds by Bryan Lee O'Malley - a comic about choices, which is utterly brilliant. I never limit myself to one genre.

What’s next ?

There's another Jessica book, Scarred For Life, out in early 2015; then the second of my young adult-fantasy trilogy, Renegade, in April/May. I'm writing new stuff at the moment, too. I always have something on the go. I feel lazy if I'm not doing five things at once.

More about Kerry can be found here:

On his website

panmacmillan

Twitter @kerrywk

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JessicaDanielBooks

Kerry - thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on crime writing. We wish you continuing success with your writing.

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My review of Crossing the Line can be found here 

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