#bookreview ~ The Devil You Know by Terry Tyler @TerryTyler4

The Devil You Know is the first book I have read by writer Terry Tyler.

Published in October 2016, The Devil You Know is currently available in ebook format. Described as ‘a character-driven psychological drama that will keep you guessing until the very end‘, I wanted to find out more!!

Please read on for my thoughts…

Book Blurb:

Every serial killer is someone’s friend, spouse, lover or child….

Young women are being murdered in the Lincolnshire town of Lyndford, where five people fear someone close to them might be the monster the police are searching for.
One of them is right.

Juliet sees an expert’s profile of the average serial killer and realises that her abusive husband, Paul, ticks all the boxes.

Maisie thinks her mum’s new boyfriend seems too good to be true. Is she the only person who can see through Gary’s friendly, sensitive façade?

Tamsin is besotted with her office crush, Jake. Then love turns to suspicion…

Steve is used to his childhood friend, Dan, being a loud mouthed Lothario with little respect for the truth. But is a new influence in his life leading him down a more sinister path?

Dorothy’s beloved son, Orlando, is keeping a secret from her—a chilling discovery forces her to confront her worst fears.

The Devil You Know is quite a different psychological thriller. Murders take place, women fear for their lives, the police are confused as to where to go next. The murderer is very intelligent and is leaving very few clues.

What makes this book different is that the concentration of the story is not on any of these facts. To be honest I couldn’t tell you the name of the detective investigating the case, which is quite unusual with a crime based novel.

The Devil You Know is all about the wives, girlfriends, mothers, daughters and friends who are living in environments where they feel they may know who the killer is.

There are five main individuals who reveal their story and fears in this book.

Juliet is the downtrodden wife of an abusive partner. Her husband Paul has no love left for Juliet. He plays with her emotions and dispenses uncontrolled physical attacks, confusing Juliet and instilling a permanent sense of fear in her daily life. Her self confidence has been destroyed. When Juliet becomes aware of the murders she starts to focus on the psychologist’s expert profiling and the similarities she discovers between the ‘Lyndford Strangler’ and Paul frighten her. Does she really know her husband? Is he really capable of murder?

Maisie is a young teenage girl. Her mother, Pru, has been in and out of relationships all her life, with her latest boyfriend, Gary, moving in with them. Zack, Maisie’s brother is delighted with a man around the house but Maisie is not comfortable and suspects Gary is not all that he seems. She queries his background and discovers information that leads Maisie to believe that it is possible the ‘Lyndford Strangler’ is sharing her mother’s bed. What can Maisie do now without Gary’s knowing her suspicions? Who can she turn to for help?

Tamsin, an office worker, has fallen for her colleague Jake. Jake is the very good looking IT guy. He has a wink for all the girls. He has a very easy manner with all his office associates. When an event occurs, Tamsin’s suspicions are raised. She decides to take things into her own hands and with research and tenacity, Tamsin is convinced she has located the ‘Lyndford Strangler’ But has she?

Steve is a quiet individual who really abhors the night-time scene of clubbing and lap dance shows that his friends are attracted to. His longtime friend Dan has started to change and become more aggressive in both his actions and his personality. Steve, no longer wishing to be a part of this scene decides to step away from Dan and his friends. As time goes by, accusations fly and Steve is no longer sure of what exactly Dan is up to. The newspaper headings are frightening. There is a serial killer in Lyndford. Could it be Dan?

Dorothy, poor Dorothy. Her life never went according to plan and she moved into old age a single parent and alone. Her son Orlando, now in his forties, has never settled down. His life follows a daily routine which Dorothy is very aware of. Dorothy starts to suspect all is not right when she discovers Orlando has not been revealing the truth to her. Orlando has a secret. A photofit of the suspected killer is unveiled and Dorothy starts to worry. Is it Orlando? Is Orlando capable of such things?

Terry Tyler has written a very interesting novel. The main characters thoughts are analysed and described so well. As a reader you almost feel like you are in the room with them, discussing with them their fears and justifications.

Each suspect has characteristics that suit the killer’s profile. Each loved one is afraid of what they might unearth. All are afraid of the impact on their lives and those around them.

Terry Tyler takes it a step further as you get to be there in the aftermath. It’s quite unusual for a crime novel to take you beyond the ‘catching of the killer’. How often have you closed a book wondering what happened next??

The Devil You Know is a novel that has plenty to offer all who love a good thriller. Right to the end there are more unexpected twists and turns. It is a novel that has layers that get peeled away gradually to unearth secrets that people thought well hidden.

A very unusual twist on the standard psychological thriller.

Purchase Link : The Devil You Know

Meet Terry:

I have 12 books on Amazon, and hope number 13, The Devil You Know, will be lucky for me.

I write contemporary fiction, a little bit romantic suspense, a little bit edgy, a little bit dark, always real life. I’m a history addict, love winter and bleak places, countryside and sea…..

TV & film wise: The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Boardwalk Empire, The Wire, Sleeper Cell, Game of Thrones, The Last Kingdom, historical docs ~ anything good about war, post apocalyptic worlds, gangsters, government conspiracies, crime. And good humour. Love South Park.

Music: rock, jazz/blues, a bit of classical and opera. I live with my husband in the north east of England.

You can find Terry on:

Twitter

Terry Tyler Blogspot