Shadow of the Beast is the fifth novel in a series but don't let that put you off, as it works perfectly well as a standalone novel. Michael Fowler gives you enough backstory that you understand and connect with the characters, without losing any suspense or tension. It's a gripping read that will have you wanting to go back and read the other books in the series.

A skeleton is found buried beneath an old chapel. Shortly after, another body is found buried close by. The area's most known serial killer, The Beast of Barnwell, is the suspected killer. The Beast served time of other crimes and has now been released.

When a young woman is abducted, the prime suspect becomes The Beast.

DS Hunter Kerr has a gut feeling that he wants to follow up on. And what he finds might not only cost him his job ... but his life, as well.

This is well-written with an intricate plot, and fully developed characters. Kerr and his team work well together, and when one is threatened, they are all threatened. Although fifth in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. I do, however, recommend starting at the beginning. This police procedural is filled with twists and turns, leading to an unexpected conclusion.

Because of the author's personal experience as a police officer in the CID, I expected a great amount of credibility ... I was not disappointed.

Many thanks to the author / Sapere Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

DS Hunter Kerr has a problem. The remains of a person who was viciously killed has been found under a chapel in Yorkshire. The injuries all point to a serial killer who was called the Beast of Barnwell. But that killer has already been tried, sentenced and served his time. The press and the public believe the Beast has struck again and when a woman goes missing, they are crying for blood. Kerr isn’t so sure about the killer’s identity, but time is running out for him to find the killer