There are lots of cop series around these days and a thriller has to be excellent for me to take notice. Jackson has managed to write a novel that is compelling alone, but also weaves in his main character's history, a previous novel, and sets up an ongoing thread that will continue into the next book in the series. It sounds like hard work, but as a reader it comes off effortlessly. I haven't read the first in the series yet, and it wasn't at all necessary for the story here, but I'm keen to read it now because the characters have won me over.
The main character, DS Nathan Cody could read as a cliché; the troubled cop who has a romantic past with his female partner, but again Jackson writes him so well that he overcomes this. There is a good mix of male and female characters, and the serial killer storyline worked - I didn't guess the killer until very shortly before the reveal. If you're looking for a new crime thriller series then I'd recommend giving DS Cody a go.
The main character, DS Nathan Cody could read as a cliché; the troubled cop who has a romantic past with his female partner, but again Jackson writes him so well that he overcomes this. There is a good mix of male and female characters, and the serial killer storyline worked - I didn't guess the killer until very shortly before the reveal. If you're looking for a new crime thriller series then I'd recommend giving DS Cody a go.