‘The Hashtag Killer’ by A.S French is the first in the DI Jen Flowers series. A fast-moving story that has short and twisty chapters to keep you wanting more.
DI Jen Flowers and her partner DI Jack Monroe are called out to a crime scene. The victim, Evan Ripley has been near enough garrotted while lurking and waiting to meet a woman jogger. The jogger was present at the time but didn’t catch sight of the killer. As Flowers and Monroe start an investigation they discover the victim himself was charged with rape five yeats previously but the case got dropped. Could this be revenge from then? Ruby Vasquez is always chasing for the one story that will make her an internet star. She is the first to be at the scene of Ripley’s death, after discovering his identity she searches the internet and stumbles across a post #justiceforall #evanripley. Ruby creates a post about Ripley and what she has discovered. She names the murderer the Hashtag Killer. As the deaths keep mounting up it seems that the links between the ‘innocent’ victims and the killer could somehow be connected to the opinion of the general population.
A story that highlights vigilantism, when is the line crossed? Showing us social media is not always used for good. Just the fact that one post can set a ball rolling that creates an avalanche for somebody somewhere.
A story told from multiple points of view, including the killer, so we quickly get to know more about everything. I feel it is a book that has never been more relevant than now. The questions of the balance of social media, the trolling and bullying all walk a fine line and we see this in the book. The characters are developed well and I understand Ruby’s motives and why she does as she does-desperation does this to some people. Jen Flowers has her issues at home that do reflect on the case as well as it is social media again causing issues.
Altogether a thought-provoking and well-written story that has the twists and drama needed in a good thriller.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for my place on the tour and Neonoir Books for a copy of the book.
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