Publisher: Avon Books UK (Maze) | Publication date: 20th August 2015 | Edition: PDF (Review copy) – although I also pre-ordered my own Kindle copy too, as this series is just SO GOOD!
The Girl Who Broke the Rules, AKA Georgina McKenzie, resides in a harsh world where a different breed of criminal roams free. Welcome, to the murky world of sex workers, extreme decaying morals and close encounters of the eviscerating kind.
While I believe you could easily read this book without having clapped eyes on The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die, you may appreciate much of the backstory a little more if you did. Let’s be honest it’s a cracking book anyway, so I’d recommended you read it first, as you genuinely come to care about each and every one of the peeps and their undeniably unique traits.
Anyhow, back to book two. After her experience with the ‘Firestarter’ in book one, George is currently studying for her PHD in Criminal Psychology in Cambridge, while her boyfriend, Ad, stays in Amsterdam. As a result she gets the rare task of interviewing psychopath and expertly portrayed, all-round creepily-perverted bloke, Dr Silas Holm, from whom she hopes to gain insightful knowledge about what makes sexually motivated serial killers tick. Unbeknown to George and co, Psycho Silas will really relish his nice, comfortable back seat role in her research project…pulling people’s strings is a happy pastime for him inside the isolated walls of Broadmoor.
Her education means travelling to locations between Amsterdam and Cambridge is a must for the young student, and it does allow us to revisit her not so ‘charming’ family again, while still keeping a foothold on her old haunts across the channel. Yet, long distance relationships can start to lose their vital signs and she has to fight to revive hers with Ad. Especially when her old friend, Paul Van De Berg, sends her an intriguing message inviting her to be part of a current investigation; this experienced copper, who is old enough to be her father, has come to truly respect the ballsy twenty-four year old.
Be warned, book two REALLY cranks criminology up a level. It doesn’t skimp on the graphic nature of the crime scenes, but it’s all in context with the shady criminal undercurrents Marnie Riches has wickedly created. And don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s all shock and no substance, there’s lots of ingenious detective work to be had with fingers being pointed in the wrong direction (not to mention other extremities on occasion).
Even with such killer-thriller storylines as these it’s a series that still manages to keep its feet on the ground, as every single character is spirited enough to keep pace, despite battling their own broken lives. There’s much more to discover about Van De Berg and McKenzie during this outing, and nothing is held in reserve. What I love is that the author isn’t afraid to cause grief, or push any boundary, regardless of whether you consider your favourite player to be out of bounds.
Okay. I admit it, damn it. I am HOPELESSLY ADDICTED to #TheGirlWho series: the pristine plot is laced with dry wit, and the sharpest dialogue lends its edge to slice through the darkest of subject matter, leaving other books quaking on their shelves.
After THAT epically, cruel cliffhanger I’m bracing myself for Book 3, The Girl Who Walked in the Shadows. I CAN’T RUDDY WAIT!
Rating: 5/5
My thanks to @AvonBooksUK for providing a copy of this book for review and offering a place on the book tour. Much appreciated. With thanks also to @cmwoods1993.
So you can see what you’re letting yourself in for:
George ‘Georgina’ McKenzie, feisty, takes chances, except with cleaning – closet OCD’er. Given her background you’d assume she have packed in any shred of optimism by now. Yet bad times only seem to irritate her and strengthen her resolve. Also on the breadline, and thoroughly confused about her current relationship with Ad, from book 1 The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die.
Paul Van De Bergen, a towering, divorced detective, secret worrier, close to a financial breadline and solitary member of the hate campaign against his daughter’s fiancé, “numb nuts”. We learn a thing or three about VDB in this instalment.
Ad, Georgina’s Boyfriend and all-round wet lettuce. Okay, he survived an attack on his life in book one, and he *might* have lost a finger, but lawdy, man up a little or you’ll be no match for George, mate.
George’s study subject, Silas Holm. Creepy dude extraordinaire. Exceedingly odd, with some bizarre ideas of recreation. Resides at Broadmoor. Erm, not really a bloke you’d like to find yourself in a dark room with (or indeed a well lit one), especially if there’s a spare roll of Gaffa tape and sharp things lying around. Well, you get the gist.
Many other vile residents, waaay too many to mention. All of whom could do with being incarcerated forthwith. Failing that, I’d certainly encourage you to run in the opposite direction upon meeting them – and quickly.
The Girl Who…Broke The Rules
The pulse-pounding new thriller from Marnie Riches. For anyone who loves Jo Nesbo and Stieg Larsson, this book is for you!
When the mutilated bodies of two sex-workers are found in Amsterdam, Chief Inspector van den Bergen must find a brutal murderer before the red-light-district erupts into panic.
Georgina McKenzie is conducting research into pornography among the UK’s most violent sex-offenders but once van den Bergen calls on her criminology expertise, she is only too happy to come running.
The rising death toll forces George and van den Bergen to navigate the labyrinthine worlds of Soho strip-club sleaze and trans-national human trafficking. And with the case growing ever more complicated, George must walk the halls of Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, seeking advice from the brilliant serial murderer, Dr. Silas Holm…
Connect with Award Winning Marnie Riches, or buy the book:
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Thanks for stopping by x
Little Bookness Lane 
What a brilliant blog post! For some reason I am really drawn to Ad so I actually like his character and felt empathy towards him. I must like wet lettuces 😜
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Thank you! And take no notice of me, I have a cold, cold heart!
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