The Kill List – Inspector Anjelica Henley Series #3

Author: Nadine Matheson
Genre: Crime Thriller
400 pages
Publisher: Hanover Square Press, 2024

Synopsis
He will come for them, one by one…
Five shocking murders
Twenty-five years ago, DCI Harry Rhimes arrested Andrew Streeter for the brutal murders of five young people. Streeter’s ‘kill list’ of victims was found in his home, and he was convicted of all five crimes.

A legacy under threat
Now, Streeter’s convictions are being overturned, as new evidence implies the original investigation was corrupt. No one is more shocked that DI Henley. Because this case is personal; Rhimes was her old boss, and he’s no longer alive to defend himself. But when the killings start up again, Henley must face the truth: Rhimes got it wrong twenty-five years ago.

A hunt for a killer
Henley and her team reopen the original murder cases, but they must put their personal feelings to one side. Because the real killer is still out there, and he’s working his way through a new kill list . . .

My review
The Kill List by Nadine Matheson is the third book in the Anjelica Henley crime fiction series. Matheson has once again crafted a complex, twisty crime thriller with excellent police procedural elements. Although this installment isn’t as dark as the previous two books, Matheson still delivers a detailed and engrossing story, complete with enough gritty elements to keep the narrative fresh and engaging. It’s definitely a page-turner.

One of the standout features of this series is the ongoing character development and the interactions between the main protagonist, Anjelica Henley, her partner Ramouter, and the rest of the team. True to her style, Matheson excels at crafting sharply drawn, believable, and relatable characters. I read a lot of crime fiction, and the Serial Crime Unit is one of my favorite investigative teams in the genre. They are a fun, smart, and engaging cast of characters.

My only critique of The Kill List is the uneven pacing in a few sections. One of Matheson’s strengths is her exceptionally detailed narrative and focus on character development. In this novel, however, some of the characters’ personal details felt slightly overdone. Despite this, these moments were infrequent, and the story quickly regained its momentum without missing a beat.

The Kill List is a fantastic police procedural crime thriller from an author I’ve eagerly recommended to my friends. The three books in the series are complex, featuring dark and compelling crimes. Matheson’s attention to detail adds depth and authenticity to the investigative process, making her books both engaging and thrilling. With ongoing storylines that span the series, I recommend starting with The Jigsaw Man to fully appreciate the narrative’s progression. The Kill List sets the stage nicely for the next installment in the series!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Hanover Square Press, and Nadine Matheson for an advance copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.

My recommendation: read it!