Review of Pattern of Wounds

Pattern of Wounds

J. Mark Bertrand

 Bethany House

ISBN 978-0-7642-0638-2

   Homicide detective Roland March is on the hunt for a killer. A young woman is brutally murdered in an affluent neighborhood and bears some hallmark wounds to her body. The question is whether this is a serial killer. The real problem is he put that killer away ten years before.

   March is increasingly alienated from his colleagues and problems are developing in his marriage. Bodies are increasing and he starts receiving messages from the killer taunting him. The violence is increasing and reaches Marches' home and now he is in a race against the clock to catch the killer before he strikes again.

   This is my first read of Mark Bertrand; but it won't be my last. It starts off a little slow; but once it starts, it never lets up. This murder mystery takes the reader on twists and turns until you have no idea where you are going. There are all kinds of players in this story and it appears that the killer will never be apprehended. Finally, when March thinks he has the killer, another surprise comes along and you are off again. You come to the end of the book and  think all is well. Again you are blindsided, but this time, you have to wait for the next Roland March murder mystery. It just ends so perfectly that you can't wait for the next installment.

   I wish to thank Bethany House for providing me with a copy to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in anyway except for receiving the book for reviewing purposes.

I give Pattern of Wounds 4.5 out of 5 stars