Dak Farrell: FBI Romantic Suspense Thrillers Book 2
Awaiting the arrival of the latest Dak Farrell thriller is comparable to awaiting the return of your favourite TV show post-Hollywood strikes; arduous but always worth the wait.
Read in one sitting; what I genuinely love when Robyn Nyx pens a romantic suspense thriller is the precise delivery of each of those parts; she perfectly balances the romance and suspense elements of Dead Ringer and as a result, the story sizzles to a dangerously red-hot crescendo.
Following on from the events of Dead Pretty, Special Agent Dak Farrell and her fiancée CJ begin in earnest to embark upon their lives together. But as each adjusts to changes in their respective careers, alongside re-connecting with family, and planning their future wedding, their seemingly picture-perfect tapestry begins to show signs of fraying under the pressure.
When trying to catch a serial killer, one who seemingly has no motive or consistent modus operandi becomes one of those strains, Dak struggles to balance her passion for the job with her deep and loving commitment to CJ and their future. Building on Dead Pretty, Nyx doesn’t stray from giving readers a ton of fun and spiciness between the sculpted and handsomely butch Dak, and the equally hot femme CJ. Instead, Nyx beautifully builds on that exciting foundation, exploring the complexities of joining two lives together and highlighting the value of true communication.
Throughout the story, Dak and CJ are told from the third person point of view, but what makes Dead Ringer stand out from the crowded arena of romantic thrillers is that the serial killer is narrated in the first person. The juxaposition of these viewpoints is ingenious, creating a thoroughly unusual and exhilarating reading experience. Leave it to Nyx to actualize a very real way for a reader to experience both the clinical nature of this scientist-come serial killer, and their altogether highly divergent moral compass
“If the opportunity arises, I shall be allowing a measure of subjectivity to slip into my subject choice. If I’m able to rid the world of a few bigots during the course of my study, I feel I will be killing two birds with one stone, or knife, or whatever other method I might employ.”
Robyn Nyx, Dead Ringer
As always Nyx introduces a stellar cast of supporting characters; some you’ll root for (Detective Weaver), some you’ll love to hate (Detective Miller, Pat Wolf (totally appropriate surname)), and others who will terrify and delightfully mystify you in equal measures (Ice). Without giving any spoilers another aspect of Dead Ringer that is fabulous and ups the enjoyment for lovers of suspense/thrillers novels, is there are not just one but two cases for Dak Farrell to sink her teeth into; three if you count the (as yet) unsolved disappearance of Special Agent Kimbal.
Altogether another standout story from Nyx, which epitomises the very best qualities of a first-rate romantic suspense thriller novel. All that’s left to say is – I cannot wait for book three!!!
NB. You don’t need to have read Dead Pretty to pick up and appreciate Dead Ringer, but doing so anyway would be highly recommended!.
I received an ARC of this book from Butterworth Books, in exchange for an honest review.
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