Right Behind You by Lisa Gardner

Set in a small town in the U.S. where the sheriff and her team are more used to people running a red or a domestic dispute call, the shock of a double murder in the local convenience store sends ripples through the community. The cashier is a local girl and her death upsets many, but the other victim is not a local, was he the true target?

The CCTV has captured the killer’s face and most disturbingly he’s looking straight into the camera. He wants to be found… or does he?

Retired FBI profiler Pierce Quincy and his equally formidable wife Rainie live in the town and are keen to help, but I don’t think they expected the case to have such a direct link to themselves. Because the killer has been identified, it’s their soon-to-be adopted daughter’s brother, (not a spoiler, it’s in the blurb) and now they are wondering if Sharlah is her brother’s next target…

Everything about this book is intently put together, Gardner’s mature and thorough knowledge radiates from the plot and ensures the reader is actively taken onboard for the duration of the case. The twists are also cleverly placed throughout the story, so that they sneak up on you without you least expecting them – it will keep you guessing throughout, that’s for sure!

The story unfolded in a way that really worked for me – there were multiple POVs, glimpses into the past and a great balance between police work and home life. With a story as complex as this, you really needed to get into each character’s head to understand their motives and what drove them, allowing you to keep on top of piecing this case together and Gardner nails this.

Each chapter is masterfully put together to give you an insight into each character’s thoughts and mannerisms, allowing you to build a detailed portfolio on the book’s cast which expands throughout.

This is a story that is always one step ahead of the reader, letting the ending reveal itself as the surprise you weren’t expecting.

Right Behind You is out now in paperback and eBook versions from Headline.

Until next time, stay safe, Chloé x