Can a conspiracy be uncovered before the Death Count rises? Forensic accountant Kat Munro fights corporate fraud during the day and kickboxes her demons at night while trying to ignore the nightmares that have plagued her since a car accident changed her life forever. DS Adam Jackson is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of a friend two years ago. When the partner of a successful London Investment fund dies in suspicious circumstances, Kat joins forces with Adam to investigate the firm. As they gather evidence of a crime with implications beyond the City, they find that events in their pasts are on a collision course; one which will ultimately put them both in serious danger.
Semi Finalist
Assessment:
Plot: At first thought, a mystery with a forensic accountant as the protagonist might sound like pure drudgery. But in this author's capable hands, the opposite is actually true. Here we have an exciting and well-thought out plot with a unique protagonist that not only holds the reader's interest throughout but leaves them wanting more.
Prose/Style: The author is a gifted writer who is able to grab the reader's attention from the beginning and not let go. Dialogue, action, description are all perfectly balanced, and the pace of the plot keeps the story moving at a brisk pace. Unexpected touches such as a female protagonist who is also an amputee only heighten the drama.
Originality: This highly original work achieves the unlikely by making forensic accounting appealing. The author has created an improbable hero with a missing left hand that is completely believable.
Character Development/Execution: The author does a superb job with characterization particularly with Kat and Adam. The reader gets to know the characters and what makes them tick, becoming invested in their success, a significant factor into the effectiveness of the work as a whole.
Blurb: Readers looking for an exciting and satisfying new thriller need not look any further. S.L. Beaumont's Death Count will not disappoint.
Date Submitted: July 06, 2021
