‘A Gift for The Dying’ by M.J. Arlidge

Published by Penguin Michael Joseph,
7 March 2019.
ISBN: 978-0-71818788-0 (HB)

Kassandra Wojcek known as Kassie is haunted by the fact that when she looks into a person's eyes she can see how and when they will die. When she sees in the eyes of a Jacob Jones that he will soon suffer a horrific death, she grabs at him screaming and trying to warn him. Two police officers nearby pull her off him and take her to the local police station.

Kassie is allowed out on the understanding that she will get help.

The next day she goes to Jones' house to try and warn him again but there is no sign of him. When Adam Brandt a Forensic Psychologist is called upon to hold a session with Kassie she tries to tell him about her awful visions but he understandably is rather sceptical. However, when Jacob's mutilated body is discovered Adam starts to wonder if Kassie really has some sort of unsettling foresight.

Detective Gabrielle Grey of the Chicago Police Department however does not believe one word and actually thinks Kassie has something to do with the murder, especially as a neighbour saw a girl answering to Kassie's description leaving Jacob's property via a back window. Grey wonders even if she didn't actually carry out the killing, could she have had an accomplice who did?

When more similar murders take place (all of which Kassie foresees) Grey is convinced she really has something to do with them when it is found that Kassie previously knew all the victims.  However, Adam begins to believe maybe she does have this awful “gift” enabling her to see death in people's eyes and when he starts to help her try and prevent the foreseen killings he finds himself in deep trouble. Can he help her to prevent one particularly dreadful outcome that she has predicted? Time is running out.

I felt exhausted when I finished this book. It is riveting. Every page is an exciting read full of tension and unpredictability.

I do enjoy M. J. Arlidge's books and this one was certainly as enthralling as I expected. Really highly recommended.

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Reviewer:  Tricia Chappell

Matthew Arlidge was born10 October 1974. He is an English author of crime novels starring DI Helen Grace. He has also worked in television for the last fifteen years specializing in high-end drama production.

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.