Breaking Dead is the debut novel from Corrie Jackson. Published by Twenty7, an imprint of Bonnier Zaffre Publishing, Breaking Dead was released in Kindle Edition before the Summer. It is now due to be released in paperback format early in September.
I received my copy from NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre in exchange for my honest review. I do hope you enjoy!!
The Blurb:
‘Breaking Dead is the first book in a compelling crime series starring investigative journalist, Sophie Kent.
Sophie’s tenacity and talent have seen her rise through the ranks of a tough newspaper industry, but her brother’s suicide has thrown her career and personal life into chaos.
Whilst interviewing witnesses of a brutal child murder, Sophie befriends a traumatised Russian model. When the girl’s mutilated body turns up in an upmarket hotel on the eve of London Fashion Week, Sophie knows she could have saved her.
Eaten away by guilt, she throws herself headfirst into the edgy, fast-paced world of fashion with one goal in mind: to catch the killer. Only then can she piece her grief-stricken self back together.
As Sophie chips away at the industry’s glittery surface, she uncovers a toxic underworld rife with drugs, secrets, prostitution and blackmail. The investigation propels Sophie from the glamour of the catwalk to London’s darkest corners, towards a sinister past and a twenty-year-old murder case that could hold the key.
Battling her demons and her wealthy, dysfunctional family along the way, Sophie pushes her personal problems to one side as she goes head to head with a crazed killer.
A killer who is only just getting started…’
‘Liquorice was my Daddy’s favourite. He always gave me a twist of liquorice when he finished touching me’
A creepy opening to a brilliantly executed but deeply disturbing read.
Breaking Dead is a book that took me quite by surprise. The writing is unbelievably that of a debut author. Corrie Jackson has written an exciting heart-racing read about investigative journalist, Sophie Kent. Sophie works for The London Herald. Sophie was reared in an affluent home but was deprived of the love and affection of her parents,
‘Ours was always a fractured relationship. Affection had been in short supply in Antony Kent’s childhood. His own father had steel running through his veins, so he grew up equating emotion with weakness.’
As a result, Sophie has always strived to be the best she can, forever proving herself in a world dominated by men.Recently returned to work, following the apparent suicide of her younger brother Tommy, Sophie seems intent on messing up her career, barreling into crime scenes with no agenda in her head.
One day everything changes. A chance encounter with a Russian model, Natalia Kotov, leads Sophie down into the underworld of the modelling industry. After befriending Natalia and hoping to scoop a big story about the seedy side of modelling, Sophie gets more than she bargained for. Natalia’s body is discovered degraded and mutilated in a hotel bedroom and Sophie is set on a very dangerous course of investigation.
‘The memory made me light-headed and I sank onto the bed. Being surrounded by Natalia’s things, the minutiae of her life, weighed me down with sadness.’
Sophie begins an almost personal crusade to get to the core of what happened to Natalia. She exposes herself to many dangers and discovers a darker world she never knew existed.
Her actions put her life in serious danger. She seems to be capable of getting in the door of anywhere, with her forthright attitude and disregard for her own personal safety.
But will Sophie take it one step too far?
Corrie Jackson has written a brilliantly detailed story about damaged and very twisted individuals. Her insider knowledge of the forensics and post mortem details are excellent, almost to the point where you can feel the strong emotions and get the smell of fear and death off the pages.
I read this book with my heart thumping as I flipped to each page. The book is fast paced and an absolute thrill to read. I look forward to the next book in this series and am quite excited to see where Corrie Jackson will take us next.
Most recently I have read thrillers told from the police perspective, this time we get the view from the journalist, giving a very different angle to a crime thriller. I highly recommend Breaking Dead if you are looking for great crime read that will set your blood pumping and your heart racing!!.
Please do pick up a copy and let me know what you think!!
Who is Corrie Jackson?
Corrie Jackson has been a journalist for thirteen years. She has worked at Harpers Bazaar, The Daily Mail, Grazia and Glamour and has also written for The Times and Sunday Times Style.
In 2013 Corrie left her role as Assistant Editor at Glamour to move to Los Angeles with her husband’s job, where she took time out to write her debut novel.
She recently returned to the UK and now lives in Surrey, where she has just had her second child and is working on her second book.
