The Death of Anyone - D.J. Swykert (Book Review)

The Death of Anyone by D.J. Swykert
Genres: Adult Fiction, Action, Mystery, Suspense
Publication date: February 25, 2013
Publisher: Melange Books, LLC
Format: ebook, 222 pages
How I got it: I received a copy from the author for an honest review
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
My rating: 4/5

Detroit homicide Detective Bonnie Benham has been transferred from narcotics for using more than arresting and is working the case of the killer of adolescent girls. CSI collects DNA evidence from the scene of the latest victim, which has not been detected on the other victims. But no suspect turns up in the FBI database. Due to the notoriety of the crimes a task force is put together with Bonnie as the lead detective, and she implores the D.A. to authorize an as yet unapproved type of a DNA Search in an effort to identify the killer. Homicide Detective Neil Jensen, with his own history of drug and alcohol problems, understands Bonnie’s frailty and the two detectives become inseparable as they track this killer of children.

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My thoughts:

I love mystery and suspense books and this one is great! It focuses on Bonnie a detective in the Detroit homicide that was working a case about a young girl who was violated and than killed.   The book does have very graphic scene descriptions right from the start so this is geared more towards adults and anyone that really enjoys police/law books.  The writing style seems very factual with the way the police handle these matters and the importance of gathering evidence.   

The author does a great job in developing the characters for this book.  We get a true look into Bonnie right from the beginning she opens up about her past with her narcotics episode along with losing her serious boyfriend.  As a reader I feel like she is a cop that you would want on your side just like all the characters say in the book.  She feels like someone who really cares about her job as well as catching the correct felon.   It makes you connect with Bonnie as a detective and Bonnie as a person.  

The author also focused on the challenged of police work, that typically they need a lead to start to develop a case.  In this case they talked about using Familiar DNA, which was a conversational police tactic since it wasn't well used in the US.  It showed the importance of thinking outside the box  in police work and always looking for new techniques to catch the felon.

 

The story really takes a turn towards the end so I quickly finished it.  I really didn't see where the book was going, but when they got a suspect closer towards the middle of the book I knew a turn was in store for the reader and that maybe looks aren't always as they appear.  

The book goes into a lot of police details, which are easy to follow along with as a reader.  The author does a great job in breaking down the police process. 

I suggest reading this as a book before bed, if you can handle some graphic police case details.  I am a fan of Law & Order so this book was easy for me to read before bed.

I was received this copy from the author for the purpose of providing an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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About the Author

DJ Swykert is a former 911 operator, and wolf expert, living in Northern Kentucky, USA. His short fiction and poetry has been published in: The Tampa Review, Monarch Review, Sand Canyon Review, Zodiac Review, Scissors and Spackle, spittoon, Barbaric Yawp and BULL. His novel, Maggie Elizabeth Harrington, won a literary competition with The LitWest Group in Los Angeles in 2002.

His books include Children of the Enemy, Alpha Wolves, The Death of Anyone, The Pool Boy's Beatitude and Maggie Elizabeth Harrington.

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