Splintered by Sjd Peterson

71UNjwVLCpL._SL1350_Title: Splintered
Author: SJD Peterson
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: Novel (220 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 6th 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: A string of murders targeting effeminate gay men has the GLBTQ community of Chicago on alert, but budget cuts have left many precincts understaffed and overworked. Not to mention, homophobia is alive and well within the law enforcement community and little has been done to solve the mystery.

When the FBI calls in Special Agent Todd Hutchinson and his team, the locals are glad to hand the case off. But Hutch finds a bigger mystery than anyone originally realized—seventeen linked murders committed in several different jurisdictions. Hutch’s clues lead him to Noah Walker.

Working on his PhD in forensic psychology, Noah has been obsessed with serial murders since he was a child. But coming to Hutch’s attention as a suspect isn’t a good way to start a relationship. Noah finds himself hunted, striking him off Hutch’s suspect list, but not off his radar. To catch the killer before anyone else falls victim, they’ll have to work together, and quickly, to bring him to justice.

ISBN: 1632164531 (ISBN13: 9781632164537)

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5507

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Todd Hutchinson is one of the best profilers the FBI has, and he heads up a small team of men just as good at their job as he is. Hutch along with super tech Granite and hacker Byte are known for getting results. Their current case takes them to the heart of the gay community in Chicago, and one step behind a serial killer targeting ‘twinks’. Hutch is an excellent profiler because he has a keen second sight, an ability to put himself inside the mind of a killer.

While at their most recent crime scene, Hutch goes into sensory overload when he spots someone slightly familiar in the crowd.
Noah Walker has a keen eye for details, and serial killers. After finding the bodies of his mother and sister when he was just a child, he transformed his morbid curiosity into a lifelong passion for murder.

So it comes as no surprise that Noah sort of idolizes Hutch, he has followed his cases for years, and he has a teensy crush on the brooding FBI agent. Hutch and his team are a little baffled by Noah in the beginning and his unnatural interest in the case. It doesn’t take long for Noah’s interest in the case to draw a target on his back.

Hutch has to navigate the sickening feelings he is picking up on from the killer, keep a professional persona when he is surrounded by incompetent and homophobic cops, and give a valiant attempt at ignoring his growing attraction to Noah. A few harsh words from Hutch, aimed at the killer at a press conference prove to push the man over the edge.

One of my favorite movies is Manhunter with William Peterson as the FBI profiler that captured Hannibal Lecter. This book reminded me so much of that movie. Hutch is so good at his job partly because of his ability to see through the eyes of a killer, anticipate the killer’s motives and moves. I was on pins and needles throughout this book with the twists and turns, full of suspense and intrigue, definitely a well-woven murder mystery.

And I don’t think I’ve ever read a character quite like Noah, the super smart groupie that is working on his PHD. His romance with Hutch was hard won. As I said, Hutch tried very hard to avoid the attraction. But Noah is an intelligent man who knows what he wants, he’s lusted Hutch on paper and in the media for years, he is not about to let the chance to make that a reality slip through his fingers. Psycho serial killer be damned!

If you love an intricate and imaginative with a macabre twist, and a veritable cast of gay characters, then this book must go on your must read list.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *