‘Last Day Alive’ by J.R. Adler is the second book in the ‘Detective Kimberley King’ series. Set in Dead Woman Crossing in Oklahoma. I read, reviewed and truly enjoyed the first book ‘Dead woman Crossing’ so I went in with the hope it would be just as good.
Former NYPD Homicide Detective Kimberley has been working as Chief Deputy for the past 12 months where she had thought she may see fewer murders and general crime but one good thing to come out of the move is that Kim and single father, Caleb seem to be growing closer. Once again, though, she and her colleagues are thrust into the middle of a difficult investigation when, in the middle of her surprise birthday party at the station in which they are all enjoying the cake and coffee, an urgent call comes in and they have no choice but to attend.
Kimberley and Sherriff Sam Walker head to the home of missing 10-year-old Piper who has now been gone for over 12 hours. Her grandparents tell them that Piper had cycled to friend Miley’s house for a girly sleepover and they had no clue anything was wrong until Miley had called them this morning looking for her. The day after, her body is discovered they realise it is now a murder case. They dig into the private lives of her family for anything that doesn’t sit right. They even look into Pipers parents who she doesn’t live with and look at why she doesn’t live with them.
Then, unbelievably, the Police receive a call claiming that Miley has gone too and they jump into action given the previous horrific outcome hoping they might be able to find her alive given that she hasn’t been gone long. They return to the areas they searched when trying to find Piper hoping to find Miley, but all they can find is Piper’s pink bicycle. Kimberley ends up trapped by the killer. Can her team save her before they have yet another victim?
The story is mainly told to us by Kimberley apart from chapters scattered through the book in which we are given the killers view. A great second instalment for J.R Adler. We are getting to know Kimberley more and all the characters are becoming settled in. As with the first book, this is fast and action-packed. The tension is high in this book which is partly due to it being children that are missing or dead.
The author certainly kept me on my toes throughout and the killer came as a complete surprise to me. I am looking forward to the third book in the series!
Greatest thanks to Sarah at Bookouture and Netgalley for the copy of the book.
sharonbeyondthebooks.uk 