Keep You Near (DS Marnie Hammond, #1)

Title: Keep You Near (DS Marnie Hammond, #1)

Author: Robin Roughley

Published in: 2017

Date read: 24th November 2019

Score: 4/5

Genre: Crime, Detective

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Keep You Near" by Robin Roughley is a crime thriller and the first book in his Detective Sergeant Marnie Hammond series, published in 2017. It's a dark and intense procedural that delves into the enduring trauma of a missing child and the relentless pursuit of justice.

The story opens with a harrowing flashback to a seemingly normal day at a park, where an eleven-year-old Marnie Hammond witnesses a terrifying event: her younger sister, Abby, is abducted by a "bad man." Despite Marnie's desperate chase, she is unable to stop the abduction, and Abby vanishes without a trace. This unresolved trauma casts a long shadow over Marnie's entire life.

Fifteen years later, Marnie is now Detective Sergeant Marnie Hammond, a dedicated but haunted police officer working in Kirkhead, a northern town. The memory of her missing sister still torments her, driving her relentless commitment to her work.

Her current case is chillingly familiar. It becomes clear that a monstrous individual is stalking the streets of Kirkhead, and the investigation soon takes a horrifying turn when human remains are discovered buried in dense woodland. Marnie's worst fears are ignited: could these be Abby's remains?

As more bones are unearthed and more victims are identified, Marnie and her team are plunged into a nightmare that unearths a serial killer. The brutal nature of the crimes and the possibility that Abby is among the dead push Marnie to her limits. She is consumed by the need to find this monster, not just for the current victims, but also for her long-lost sister.

The investigation is fraught with challenges. Marnie must navigate the complexities of a major murder inquiry, deal with the emotional toll of the potential connection to her sister, and confront a killer who is cunning and depraved. The story explores the psychological impact of such a demanding job, particularly when personal demons are intertwined with professional responsibilities.

As Marnie closes in on the truth, she realizes she might have to bend or even break the rules to catch the perpetrator. The danger escalates when the twisted killer becomes aware of Marnie's pursuit and turns his attention on her, making it a deeply personal fight not only for the truth and justice for the victims but also for Marnie's own sanity and survival.

"Keep You Near" is characterized by its gritty realism, psychological depth, and a strong sense of place. It's a dark and emotional thriller that keeps the reader on edge as Marnie battles both external threats and her own internal struggles in her desperate quest to uncover what happened to Abby and stop a prolific killer.

Comments:
I tried an author that I have never read before and I enjoyed it. Not a lot more that I can say. When I bump into another of their books, I will delve back in.

Books that we've read by Robin Roughley (1):
Keep You Near (DS Marnie Hammond, #1) (2017)