STORY-LINE DRIVEN TO DEATH BY ELLEBY HARPER:
In Driven To Death, Bex Wynter’s life in New York had gone off the rails. Losing her soul mate in an auto crash, almost destroyed her. Needing to recoup and start in a new place, she accepts a position at the London Met. Her first case will almost do her in when she finds herself heading up a new team investigating an auto crash. Was it murder or an accident? She and her team must ferret out the facts and determine the true cause of the death of two young people. One an ordinary rebellious teenager, the other the son of a wealthy man in high places of government. Evie Butterworth, watched as Bon’s car mowed down and killed her daughter, Clara. Called a Saint because she immediately tried to save the driver, Evie’s seen by millions on YouTube.
Come along with Bex as she and her team learn there’s more to the story than first appeared. My mystery suspense book review of Driven To Death follows
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:
In Driven To Death, author Elleby Harper created a novel filled with mystery, suspense, and police procedural. Harper hooked me from the first pages of her book. As she skillfully build the suspense and mystery, I could not read fast enough to satisfy my need to know. With a multi-layered plot and well-developed characters of varying personalities, this book is a first- rate crime story.
Elleby Harper created differing outlooks, manner of dress, personalities, and investigative techniques, for Bex’s team members. I found Quinn a riot; I didn’t know whether to hate him or love him. Jealous of the American placed in a position he thought he should have received, his snarks and snips at Bex will make you laugh and then, make you want to shake him. I loved the nerdy personality of Reuben, a former real estate salesman, who suddenly finds himself a trainee DC on the Youth Crimes Team under command of Bex. The wrinkled seasoned warrior Eli, and stylish Idris, round out the team.
DCI Rebecca Wynter, aka Bex, has her hands full with an investigation which brings back nightmares of her husband’s death. As a result, she is on edge and stressed. Of all thing, an auto crash case is the last thing she’s needs right now. She must take control of her new team and show them she’s capable of the job. But is she? In a strange country, new and different colloquial speech, different investigative techniques, Bex’s in for the ride of her life. With skillful writing I could feel Bex’s pain, confusion, and determination. Harper created a strong female lead in Bex; she’s determined to bring this case to a successful conclusion and prove her worth.
Then add in the parents of the two victims; one a wealthy prominent family, the other ordinary. Who’s the victim and who’s the murderer? Each family grieves their loss differently; I wanted to cry for Evie Butterworth’s loss of the teenage daughter, Clara; she found she no longer understood Clara. As for the wealthy prominent Vicount Dunreath’s family, I had a hard time liking any of them. Wealthy, entitled, snobby, and cold, Harper portrayed each with skill.
Elleby Harper created a multi-leveled plot filled with twists and turns. She kept the suspense at high peak and did not reveal. the what, when, or why until necessary to the story-line. The revelations come fast and furiously as Bex and her team work to determine the correct verdict. Was it murder? Sorry, you will have to read the book to find out. What you think you know, is not what you know; please do not cheat and read the ending first, as it will ruin the book for you. Harper‘s writing’s easy to read, flows well, and her scenes transition smoothly. As a result, I found myself in a reading marathon; I couldn’t read Driven To Death fast enough.
Surprises are in store for the reader as Harper reveals the cause and effect in this suspected murder case. I thoroughly enjoyed my look into British criminal investigations. I loved watching Bex adjust to the British language and investigative techniques. Harper created a solid entertaining story-line which will keep you on the edge of your seat. I would not hesitate to buy this book for myself or a friend.
DRIVEN TO DEATH RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE
Additionally, I received this book from the author and chose to voluntarily review the book with honest mystery suspense book review. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, the ARC did not affect my voluntary mystery suspense book review.
NOTE FOR MY BLOG SUBSCRIBERS:
I FOUND ONE PAGE WITH ROUGHER LANGUAGE IN CHAPTER 3; CONTAINING TWO WORDS. IF P______ OR D___ WOULD OFFEND, YOU MIGHT WANT TO SKIP THIS BOOK. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY, IT WOULD BE A SHAME TO FOREGO THIS BOOK BECAUSE OF TWO WORDS WHICH WERE USED BY AN OLD SALTY EX-POLICEMAN.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR ELLEBY HARPER:
CLICK ON LINK BELOW