Review & Giveaway - The Vault by Karen Long

Good morning! After reading book one is this gripping series by Karen Long, I was looking forward to reading book two, The Vault. Take a look at my review and don't forget to enter the fab giveaway below.

Genre: Mystery / thriller / crime

Eleanor Raven Series: 2

VAULT: A large room or chamber used for storage of valuables, especially an underground one… In the unrelenting heat of the Toronto summer, a fire at a land-fill site uncovers the remains of a local prostitute. But the post-mortem reveals disturbing details –the body has been preserved and is not who or what it seems. DI Eleanor Raven is back on duty six months after barely surviving being kidnapped and tortured by a depraved serial killer. Work is her sanctuary but she’s carrying deep scars – mental as well as physical. Where do you go when the place you feel safest is also the place where you are most at risk? As Eleanor battles her own demons, it looks as though a killer in the city is making a gruesome human collection. And Eleanor’s fight to save the last victim of the Collector becomes a battle to save herself. Praise for the first novel in the Eleanor Raven series: Most fictional detectives these days have to have a ‘thing’ to set them apart from the others, and Raven’s is one of the most original for a long time. The plot moves in some unexpected directions, and builds to a genuinely exciting climax. The Safe Word is an impressive, confident debut. Convincing characters and some nice twists make for a compelling, satisfying thriller, and I look forward to seeing what’s next for Eleanor Raven. Killing Time

BUY LINKS

AMAZON UK

AMAZON.COM

My Review

Oh the tension in this book! The Vault is incredibly dark and thrilling.

I enjoyed The Safe Word, the first book in the series, but for me The Vault is even more gripping. I got the impression in the first book that there was more to come from Eleanor Raven and this is certainly true.

Returning from her traumatic experience, Eleanor is keen to get back to work, despite not being physically and emotionally ready. Finding out that her partner, Laurence, has asked for a transfer, only adds to the fragility of their trust. But when a body is discovered the pair have to work together as further horrors are uncovered.

I loved that you get more of Eleanor in this one! Her experiences start to reveal some of her past and her vulnerabilities begin to show. And I love this about her. When she gets herself into a scary situation, she calls on Laurence to help her. Frustrated that Eleanor has yet again put herself at risk, Laurence reports her vulnerable state, causing her to be pulled from the case. With a life at risk, the team needs her. Eleanor needs to find the killer - but will she make it in time?

This story is gripping! The plot is dark and is a CSI fans dream. And plot aside, the conflict between Eleanor and Laurence leaves a lot of questions in the air. Will they? Won't they? Thank goodness book three is underway!

4.5 Butterfly Rating

ABOUT KAREN LONG

Karen Long was born and raised in the English midlands, educated at Bangor University and taught English and Drama for fifteen years. During her teaching years she studied biology and neurology with the Open University and this interest in medicine, forensics and forensic psychology is reflected in her writing. She is an enthusiastic traveller and has spent time in Toronto, which became the backdrop and inspiration for The Safe Word.

She is a keen amateur naturalist with a deep and abiding love for the crow family. She has dedicated time, love and several fingers in an effort to rehabilitate crows, magpies, rooks and ravens.

Karen is happy to correspond with readers and can be contacted through her website KarenLongWriter.com, where she posts regular blogs.

The Safe Word is Karen's first novel and was an Amazon bestseller, later joined by the second in the Eleanor Raven series, The Vault. Karen is working on the third novel in the series.

AUTHOR LINKS

All author or review enquires please contact Karen Long’s Personal Assistant J.B. Johnston – brookbooks@hotmail.co.uk

Did you know that Eleanor Raven is also online?