Title: The Art of Death
Author: David Fennell
Page Count: 432
Published: 4th February 2021
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Crime

I got this as a preview copy from the nice people at Netgalley, BUT I also own this book, too. I will always be honest about a book no matter if I paid for it or not. There are also affiliate links in here, too 💜

I used to read a lot of crime/thriller stuff as a kid for two reasons:
1. It felt rebellious reading things that would give you the creeps
2. I could nab my mum’s books and not have to pay for them

Yet as an adult who’s currently surviving my way through a shitty pandemic, I found myself drifting over to YA in an attempt to avoid doom and gloom when it came to reading. That was until I noticed The Art of Death listed as Goldsboro’s February book option and I was like allllllright you have my attention once again.

BEFORE WE GET STARTED – this book has some trigger warnings that I’d feel like an ass not bringing to your attention: murder (obvs), violence, catfishing, transphobia and confinement (minor). If any of those are triggers for you, I’d probably avoid.

Cool, so if you’re here for the TL;DR, sorry for making you wait:
✨ London without the shitting pandemic sweeping through it
✨ One badass woman Detective Inspector fighting through her own traumas to stop other people going through equally traumatic shit
✨ An artist who will murder (literally) for their art

Interested? Good because you probably should be.

Grace Archer. Oh Gracie. How I wish to wrap you up in a warm, heated blanket and become your new best friend. A recently appointed (like the first day on the job kinda recent) DI, Grace swans on into her new office to glares, makes pals with DS Harvey Quinn and before you know it, they’re off viewing some nice art installation in Trafalgar Square. Except the art is a triple homicide of homeless men.

Your murderous pal LOVES having their work seen. So, naturally, they live stream all of it through social media which spreads like bloody wildfire.

So who is this person? Kinda part of the book, dear reader, but let me tell you this – some chapters are from their perspective. And it’s creepy as fuck because it’s horrifically relatable / gives me the heebie jeebies.

This book goes fast. Do not blink or you will miss something important and you’ll find yourself questioning what just happened. A wee caveat on that – this ain’t no bad thing. Promise.

It’s only weakness? It just didn’t suck me into the world as much as I would like. Would I read another one from the same series? Hell yes. Should you read this at night? Hell no because my dreams are easily infiltrated. Don’t make the same mistake as I did.

Grace and Harry (Garry) take over the world. Sign me up.

The Art of Death hits shops on the 4th February 2021.