Sign in with Facebook
Jake Taylor's Reviews > Random
Random (Narey & Winter, #1)
by
by
** spoiler alert **
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the different tact it took in writing from the perspective of the killer. The plot was engaging, and it was another good example of crime writing set in Scotland, a genre I particularly enjoy.
Glasgow is being targeted by a serial killer, and one who seemingly selects his victims at random. Dubbed 'The Cutter', there is nothing to connect the growing number of victims, except that after each murder, the killer cuts off their pinky-fingers, sending it to the police, or even the local media. Spread out over months, it takes until the third victim for a real connection to be established.
This third murder also draws the attention of Glasgow's criminal underworld, putting the killer in a more precarious position. Interacting as a normal member of society, ferrying people around Glasgow in his job as a taxi driver, we come to appreciate his state of mind, and the loss and guilt he still feels after his daughter Sarah was killed by a drunk driver. The drunk driver in question, Wallace Ogilvie becomes victim #4, with this finally drawing the attention of the police to his door.
This interaction only excites him, especially given that he has developed a fascination towards lead detective, DS Rachel Narey. Although the interview is just a formality, Narey remains suspicious. As victims #5 and #6 are targeted and killed in unique and gruesome ways, the book reaches its climactic end when the killer frames local journalist Keith Imrie for the murders. After being enticed to snoop out evidence, Imrie is ambushed by criminal Alexander Kirkwood, who brutally murders him after his pawn, Thomas 'Spud' Tierney was murdered as victim #3.
The book ends when Narey approaches the killer once more, revealing her suspicions that he is behind the murders. The killer, who throughout remains nameless, eventually takes it upon himself to commit suicide, relishing the opportunity to be reunited with his daughter, as he steps off from the top of the Cineworld complex in Glasgow's city centre.
Glasgow is being targeted by a serial killer, and one who seemingly selects his victims at random. Dubbed 'The Cutter', there is nothing to connect the growing number of victims, except that after each murder, the killer cuts off their pinky-fingers, sending it to the police, or even the local media. Spread out over months, it takes until the third victim for a real connection to be established.
This third murder also draws the attention of Glasgow's criminal underworld, putting the killer in a more precarious position. Interacting as a normal member of society, ferrying people around Glasgow in his job as a taxi driver, we come to appreciate his state of mind, and the loss and guilt he still feels after his daughter Sarah was killed by a drunk driver. The drunk driver in question, Wallace Ogilvie becomes victim #4, with this finally drawing the attention of the police to his door.
This interaction only excites him, especially given that he has developed a fascination towards lead detective, DS Rachel Narey. Although the interview is just a formality, Narey remains suspicious. As victims #5 and #6 are targeted and killed in unique and gruesome ways, the book reaches its climactic end when the killer frames local journalist Keith Imrie for the murders. After being enticed to snoop out evidence, Imrie is ambushed by criminal Alexander Kirkwood, who brutally murders him after his pawn, Thomas 'Spud' Tierney was murdered as victim #3.
The book ends when Narey approaches the killer once more, revealing her suspicions that he is behind the murders. The killer, who throughout remains nameless, eventually takes it upon himself to commit suicide, relishing the opportunity to be reunited with his daughter, as he steps off from the top of the Cineworld complex in Glasgow's city centre.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
Random.
Sign In »
