#BlogTour-’55’ by James Delargy

Crime

Thanks again to Anne Cater of Random Things for the chance to be on the blogtour for ‘’55’ by James Delargy published by Simon and Schuster, available in hardback,ebook and audiobook editions from 04/04/19.

About the book…

*** There were 54 victims before this. Who is number 55? ***
A thriller with a killer hook, and an ending that will make you gasp!

Wilbrook in Western Australia is a sleepy, remote town that sits on the edge of miles and miles of unexplored wilderness. It is home to Police Sergeant Chandler Jenkins, who is proud to run the town’s small police station, a place used to dealing with domestic disputes and noise complaints.

All that changes on a scorching day when an injured man stumbles into Chandler’s station. He’s covered in dried blood. His name is Gabriel. He tells Chandler what he remembers.
He was drugged and driven to a cabin in the mountains and tied up in iron chains. The man who took him was called Heath. Heath told Gabriel he was going to be number 55. His 55th victim.

Heath is a serial killer.

As a manhunt is launched, a man who says he is Heath walks into the same station. He tells Chandler he was taken by a man named Gabriel. Gabriel told Heath he was going to be victim 55.

Gabriel is the serial killer.

Two suspects. Two identical stories. Which one is the truth?

James Delargy has written one of the most exciting debuts of 2019.He masterfully paints the picture of a remote Western Australian town and its people, swallowed whole by the hunt for a serial killer. This novel has been sold in 19 countries so far and has just been optioned for film.

It’s super hard to write a review ,when you know it’s going to be into an echo chamber of ‘I loved it!’ because I am almost lost for words with ’55’.

Everything about this book knocked my socks off-the remoteness of the setting, the slow build of the story against the clamour of public demand to find the serial killer(s)-or are they?-the bodies(if there are any) al played out against the back drop of the relationshio between policemen Chandler and Mitch.

Best buddies from a young age, the cracks start to develop after training academt as their lives go in different directions due the responsibilities each has.

Now, Mitch is Chandler’s boss,and brings his full force to bear on the case of possible multiple kidnap, torture and murder. The scene where Chandler has to ring and report that he has a case that his team cannot handle, a most unusual case where both men say that they were meant to be victim 55, is a standout.

Racing against time to work out just what the hell is going on, James Delargy plays the reader with teaser-y snippets of the past, and an investigation into a missing person which drove a wedge between both young policemen.

I thought I had a grip on whodunnit about 6 or 7 times, but nope, I was 100% wrong!
A twisty, turny , gripping from page 1 read that will keep you up well past bedtime, this is not to be missed!

About the author…

James Delargy was born and raised in Ireland and lived in South Africa, Australia and Scotland, before ending up in semi-rural England where he now lives. He incorporates this diverse knowledge of towns, cities, landscape and culture picked up on his travels into his writing. 55 is his first novel.