The Binding Room – Inspector Anjelica Henley Series #2

Author: Nadine Matheson
Genre: Crime Thriller
506 pages
Publisher: Hanover Square Press, 2022

Synopsis
When Detective Anjelica Henley is called to investigate the murder of a popular preacher in his own church, she discovers a second victim, tortured and tied to a bed in an upstairs room. He is alive, but barely, and his body shows signs of a dark religious ritual.

With a revolving list of suspects and the media spotlight firmly on her, Henley is left with more questions than answers as she attempts to untangle both crimes. But when another body appears, the case takes on a new urgency. Unless she can apprehend the killer, the next victim may just be Henley herself.

Drawing on her experiences as a criminal attorney, Nadine Matheson deftly explores issues of race, class and justice through an action-packed story that will hold you captive until the last terrifying page.

My review
The Binding Room by Nadine Matheson is the second book in the Anjelica Henley crime fiction series. Having thoroughly enjoyed Matheson’s debut novel, The Jigsaw Man, I found The Binding Room equally impressive. This dark and chilling crime novel kept me engaged from the very beginning. The crimes are gory, unique, and disturbing, and I was immediately invested in the cases.

One of the highlights of this series is the character development and the interactions between the main protagonist, Anjelica Henley, her partner Ramouter, and the rest of the team. Matheson excels at creating sharply drawn, believable, and relatable characters. Henley, in particular, is a well-rounded character who navigates personal and professional trauma while remaining strong, dedicated, and determined to uncover the identities of multiple killers. Matheson masterfully weaves together the complex storyline, tying up all the threads beautifully by the conclusion.

The Binding Room addresses relevant issues such as racism, which Henley and Ramouter experience firsthand. The story also highlights controversial aspects of certain religious beliefs and explores the theme of mental illness. All these issues are handled adeptly within the complex plot, leading to a dramatic and very satisfying conclusion.

Matheson’s writing is exceptionally detailed, and her books tend to be on the longer side. I find that the rich details she includes greatly enhance the atmosphere and provide a realistic feel to her police procedurals. Each page is filled with carefully crafted descriptions that bring the settings and characters to life. This attention to detail adds depth and authenticity to the investigative process, making her books both engaging and entertaining to read.

As a frequent reader of crime fiction, discovering new authors can be hit or miss and I’m thrilled to say that Matheson has quickly become a favorite of mine. The Binding Room is a fantastic crime thriller, featuring an intricate, engrossing, and fast-paced story that I found addictive. I look forward to reading The Kill Room, the next installment in the series!

My recommendation: read it!