Let me be honest, I had never heard of Nadine Matheson but like the title of the novel, The Jigsaw Man. So, when I saw the book on sale on Amazon, I picked it up. I hadn't expected such a gory book from a female author. Some of the scenes are more graphic than I would have liked, however, I finished the novel and this is my review.
The Blurb
There's a serial killer on the loose.
When bodies start washing up along the banks of the River Thames, DI Henley fears it is the work of Peter Olivier, the notorious Jigsaw Killer. But it can’t be him; Olivier is already behind bars, and Henley was the one who put him there.
The race is on before more bodies are found.
She’d hoped she’d never have to see his face again, but Henley knows Olivier might be the best chance they have at stopping the copycat killer. But when Olivier learns of the new murders, helping Henley is the last thing on his mind . . .
Will it take a killer to catch the killer?
Now all bets are off, and the race is on to catch the killer before the body count rises. But who will get there first – Henley, or the Jigsaw Killer?
The Review
The main character of The Jigsaw Man is DI Anjelica Henley who lives with her husband Rob and their young daughter but who bears the scars of a brutal injury she suffered in the line of duty. After a long period of light duties, Henley is glad to be back dealing with the case that has been assigned to her until she discovers that her boss has also her assigned trainee detective Salim Ramouter.
Henley and Ramouter begin their investigation by attending crime scenes where body parts have been found. The crimes are reminiscent of those committed by Henley's attacker whose scars she bears, but he, Peter Olivier, is in prison. Is the present case the result of the work of a copy cat killer?
The story follows the new case and sees Henley having to visit Olivier in prison where she is subjected to his taunts and threats. Her reaction causes problems with her husband and badly affects her family life.
Henley is so badly affected that she even learns to trust Ramouter as they work together to unravel this crime.
I was surprised by some of the gruesome description of the crime, injuries and deaths in this novel. It was written with the same kind of brutal narration the Chris Carter often uses. I found this difficult at some points. However, the weaving of Henley's previous trauma with her family issues and the case she is now pursuing are cleverly woven together to create a credible character and an exciting story.
The ending leaves the way open for a sequel. Would I read it? Probably not.
The Author
Nadine Matheson was born and lives in London. She began her working life at the BBC and now practices as a criminal defence lawyer. In 2016, she won the City University Crime Writing Competition and completed the Creative Writing (Crime/Thriller Novels) MA at City University of London with Distinction in 2018.
Her crime fiction novel, The Jigsaw Man, was published by HQ in 2021. The Jigsaw Man has been sold in 15 territories to date and will be translated into 14 languages. The Jigsaw Man has been optioned for TV by Monumental Television.
She can always be found on Twitter @nadinematheson and contacted via email: nadine@nadinematheson.com
Val Penny