Briguella by Vicki Fitzgerald

I have received a free e-copy of the book Briguella by Vicki Fitzgerald to review. To find out more about the author you may visit her website.

Here is the book blurb.

After seven women fall victim to a serial killer, journalist Kate Rivendale becomes embroiled in the manhunt. The authorities have no suspect, only one forensic link dating way back to the 1930s.

Detective Chief Inspector William Beckley needs to salvage his career; he has too many deaths on his conscience. Beckley entices Kate to go undercover, a decision which backfires with devastating consequences.

While DCI Beckley reaches a horrifying conclusion about the murderer Kate enters a desperate fight for her life… while battling to keep her own secrets buried.

Vicki told me that her novel is the result of her time spent as a Journalist in the South West, UK and is based loosely on real events that she covered involving a serial attacker.

The book starts with the police examining the crime scene where a young woman has been discovered murdered. She is the second body in 10 days, but the police believe there are 2 more undiscovered corpses out there. This is because the killer is taking fingers as trophies, 4 of hers and 3 from the previous victim. DCI Will Beckley is in charge of the case to find the serial killer. Meanwhile Kate Rivendale, journalist from the Southern Chronicle is looking on from beyond the police cordon, here to report on the incident.

A few days later the killer is interrupted and his latest victim Hannah survives in a coma, but dies a few days later without regaining consciousness. Another body is discovered on Christmas Eve badly decomposed with 2 fingers missing who could have been the second to be killed. Meanwhile the killer strikes again. Kate is persistent in trying to get the story and Beckley gives her the scoop in advance of a press conference. Also the police discover their first forensic clue which is fibres of a material not made since the 1930s, perhaps an old blanket is used by the killer to wrap the murder weapon.

The killer reacts to Kate’s exclusive news report by attacking again. But now things are getting personal. It is Louise, a close relative of Kate’s who lies badly injured in hospital, and who blames Kate for her situation. Beckley asks Kate to go undercover for them. She isn’t keen but agrees after seeing Louise.

The story gets even more thrilling, but I’m stopping now to avoid spoilers.

The title of the book is based on the mask the killer wore.

Briguella is available on Amazon, currently priced at £11.99 in paperback or £2.99 in Kindle format. What a page turner. A really gripping read. This is Vicki’s debut novel, so I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

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