Imaginary

by Helen Walters

Overview

He watches them, follows them, and becomes a part of their lives. He enters their homes and brutally murders them and then slips back into the shadows like he never existed. He leaves no clues or evidence-until one witness survives. Detective Alice Forbes has been hunting him for two years, and now it seems she has him right under her fingertips. Will she be able capture the monster who has been killing women in her city before he slips into the shadows for good?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781543409031
Publisher:	Xlibris AU
Publication date:	05/08/2018
Pages:	274
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

Helen Walters, from Adelaide, South Australia, has enjoyed a successful career in the finance industry for over sixteen years and has always been passionate about storytelling. When she isn't working, Helen enjoys spending time in the beautiful wine regions of her home state, sampling the fine local produce, or relaxing at home, surrounding herself with her family.

Also available by the author: The Darkest Place

Editorial Reviews

2018-09-07

In Walters' (The Darkest Place, 2017) somber thriller, a detective edges closer to a serial killer who adds kidnapping to his repertoire.

An unknown man methodically works his way into someone's house and climbs into the crawl space under the roof. He drills holes in the ceiling and positions cameras to watch the residents below. Katrina Elliot is completely unaware of the stranger hiding in her home while her husband, Stephen, is away on business. But her elderly father, Al Jenner, senses that someone is watching them. When items around the house subsequently disappear or turn up elsewhere, Katrina and Al point fingers at each other. Tensions gradually escalate for all, including 10-year-old Nathan and 7-year-old Paige. Meanwhile, the man above, who's clearly obsessed with Katrina ("She is perfect," he thinks), plans on confronting her. Sometime later, Detective Alice Forbes is distraught to hear that the serial killer she's hunting, who has already murdered five women, has killed again. But there's a change in his M.O. This time he's abducted someone. Now more than ever, Alice is determined to stop the murderer and, with luck, save the missing individual. More than half of Walters' novel passes before the introduction of Alice, who becomes the protagonist. The story's first portion is an unflinching portrayal of an unhinged killer who constantly monitors the family. The straightforward prose meticulously details the disturbing acts, like setting up a hammock in the crawl space for overnight stays. At the same time, scenes centered on Katrina and the others are unnerving since readers can't be sure when the killer will attack. Alice's resolve in thwarting a predator makes her an admirable hero. The narrative shift to Alice also comes with a series of plot turns and insight into the killer, who grows increasingly horrifying.

A stark, grim tale that's sure to leave readers' knuckles white.

Kirkus Reviews