If I Never See You Again: Niamh O’Connor

This Review posted by Sam Blake on 29 August 2011.

The Detective – Meet Jo Birmingham. Single mum, streetwise detective, and spiky as hell. Recently promoted, she is one of the few female detective superintendents on the Dublin police force. But with a failed marriage behind her and two young sons at home, trying to strike the right work-life balance has run her ragged.

The Serial Killer – When Jo identifies the missing link in a chain of brutal killings, she comes under fierce scrutiny from her male colleagues in the force, especially her boss and ex-husband Dan Mason. But as the body count rises, so do the body parts. As fear stalks the city, it soon becomes obvious both to the police and to the media that a serial killer is at large. A Terrifying Game of Cat and Mouse – And so Jo embarks on a terrifying psychological journey to find out who the killer is, and how he is choosing his victims. Soon she is involved in a deadly game in which there are no rules. Because the killer is waiting for her…

This is a great read, a fast paced thriller with a twist that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the last page. Jo Birmingham is a fabulous character, and any mum who has ever juggled work and kids will recognise her! There is a terrifying double twist that sucks you in and keeps you turning the pages to the very end. This is a fabulous debut, I can’t wait until the next book! Highly recommeneded.

Sam Blake