Title: The Case of the Christmas Ornament Killer: A Detective Tom Grant Investigation
Author: Ronald Rowbottom
Publisher: Bennett Media and Marketing
ISBN: 978-1957114361
Pages: 214
Genre: Fiction / Mystery
Reviewed by: Susan Brown
Pacific Book Review
A successful ‘whodunit’ detective mystery is about more than just the who. It’s also about what, where, when and, perhaps more importantly than these four w’s, the why. This second glimpse by author Rowbottom of his star sleuth, Tom Grant, shines a light on why the serial killer at the heart of this novel is committing his murders.
Although readers won’t find out the why until the end of this book, there is some foreshadowing along the way that underscores the ‘aha’ moment at the book’s conclusion. The lead up to that moment, however, is a narrative which will intrigue and catch even the most savvy amateur sleuths unawares.
It all begins with an email delivered to Junior Detective Grant’s mentor and partner, Detective Ed Morgan. The email is an announcement from the killer, who uses the moniker Santa Claus, to Morgan about the first murder. That email sends Morgan and Grant to the scene of the crime where they find the mutilated body of a young woman … with a smashed Christmas ornament in her mouth.
With that first murder, the hunt for the killer is on. The two detectives put their investigative skills to work, delving into the young woman’s life to try and discover why she was chosen. They are tasked four more times, as the serial killer continues his murderous spree, to find out about the girls who are being abducted and murdered.
As the story unfolds, the author also provides the backstory of who Detective Grant is. A husband, father, church goer, coffee lover, as well as a dedicated police man who worked his way up through the ranks, serving first as a Constable in the Uniformed Division on the streets of London. His commitment to serving his community was founded in the motto of the force, “Facta Non Verba” — translated Deeds Not Words.
Mr. Rowbottom has done his homework when it comes to forensic science, profiler proficiency, victimology and the motivations that drive serial killers. He does, also, identify the trigger in the killer’s life which pushed him down the path to murder. Could it be something in his childhood? Hmmm. Rowbottom’s writing is not too elementary for the avid mystery aficionado or too sophisticated for the layman.
As a passionate reader of mysteries, I always try to figure out who the murderer is and am still surprised, after reading thousands of mysteries, that quite often the killer is right in plain view. You just have to pay attention to the clues!
I’m not going to divulge the big reveal, but will say that this book is riveting from beginning to end. Let’s hope the author has another Tom Grant mystery in the works!
