The great thing about the crime fiction genre is the breadth of styles that it encompasses. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve read books that focus on the domestic, dark noir tales and political thrillers. But some crime novels can be truly creepy and Louise Phillips’s Last Kiss reminds us how scary stories can get. She’s a writer who is completely new to me. However, I wanted to read some Irish crime fiction and her books have been garnering rave reviews.
In a Dublin hotel room, a man is found butchered with a knife and his body arranged in a form similar to the hangman in tarot. Criminal psychologist, Dr Kate Pearson is asked to help investigate the murder and she discovers disturbing links with similar killings both inside and outside Ireland. Cassandra is a murderer who, with one exception, kills only men. However, her latest sexual conquest, Edgar, is someone special and she intends to keep hold of him, even if it entails entering his domestic life.
Standalone thrillers work well because there is a feeling that anything could happen. There is no need to hold onto characters for sequels and there’s a sense of completion at the end of the books. The character of the killer dominates the narrative and there’s a strong sense of menace from the start. The suspicions of her new sexual conquest’s wife, Sandra, make difficult reading at times. She is being manipulated but also has the strength of character to fight back.
With the criminal psychologist, Kate Pearson, we are on more traditional crime fiction territory but the presence of the tarot cards in the victims’ mouths adds an unusual twist. Last Kiss isn’t a book for the faint-hearted but it is lovely and creepy and it’s nice to read something out of the ordinary.
Thanks to Hachette Ireland for my review copy.
Sarah Ward & Rhiannon Ward 
I’ve had my eye on her books as I’ve heard some great stuff about them – must get one, and think it’ll be this one!
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Great. It was my first Louise Phillips. I hope you like it.
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It certainly doesn’t sound like one for the faint-hearted, Sarah. But I have heard really good things about it, and it sounds as though Phillips builds the suspense very effectively.
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The build up of suspense is very good and there’s a nice thrilling twist too.
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great review! I’m fascinated, but not sure if it will be too scary/gory for me. Are there any writers that you could compare this novel to, in terms of how disturbing it is? Thx!
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Hi Hannah. It’s difficult to say as each writer is different. The books I most thought about were The Nicci French ones when I was reading this. But also similarly Sophie Hannah. I hope this helps! Sarah
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Sarah, I’m with you on reading “something out of the ordinary.” I try to do that as often as I can. That said, I enjoy reading dark noir tales which I discovered only in recent years.
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Prashant. If you like something out of the ordinary and also noir tales, I’m sure this one is for you.
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I love everything in this book: the idea, the setting, the main character…. I have never heard of the author either, but I hope she becomes a well-known and widely published author!
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Thanks, Elena. Me too.
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Thank you Sarah for your review…it’s great to get such positive feedback! If anyone who posts reviews would like a copy of LAST KISS, they can contact me at phillips.louisem0@gmail.com Best and warmest wishes, Louise
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Thanks, Louise. It’s always nice when writers comment on reviews.
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Thanks for introducing me to this author. This story may have too much of the creepiness factor for me, but as you say, each writer is different, and the approach could work fine for me.
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Thanks, Tracy.
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