The crooked man by Shelley Smith.
Shelley Smith displays the downward spiral from petty thievery to murder through the life and crimes of Thomas Bates.
With multiple personas on the go, Bates seems unafraid of going too far.
There’s Grace Pickering, whose life he saves and who rewards him with an affection he avoids, until he finds out about her savings account, which he can only disengage through marriage.
His next victim, a man, he is forced to kill.
He marries again, for a dowry in jewels, but returns to Grace until he disposes of her with greater finality.
Bates’ past seems to be left behind him, until his last and final enterprise unexpectedly ends in suicide.
The story makes the headlines and Bates’ anonymous façade is put in jeopardy.
The innocence of the crime is invalidated by his past - will Bates get away with it this time..?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I do love this author. Great story and characters. 5*.

This book was so creepy and chilling and I cant say enough good things about it. This book was a book that made me loose sleep and trust me I like my sleep. Highly recommend.