Killing choice

A psychological thriller. Tense and well woven story.
Plenty of strands to pull at to try to unravel the plot.
I really enjoyed this book as much as the previous novel with DI Finn and co.

A violent whodunnit starts in blood soaked fashion and continues throughout. A horrendous murder in a South London park where a father leaves his daughter to face her killer alone and the subsequent search for the killer by a detective with personal issues and the relationship with his team form the basis of the tale. More violent episodes and red herrings keep things ticking along all building to the shock climax. More to come in this series one hopes!

When this book starts out, you are immediately thrown into the action in a way that leaves you just confused enough to want to keep going...for the most part. At first, the distinction between POVs, of which there are multiple, is a little bit blurred and took me a minute to get, so I did have to re-read small sections. The prologue is told from the point of view of a father who's daughter is killed. Chapter one dives in with no first names, and so, without the distinction of multiple POVs, it seemed at first that they were the same person, years apart. And then halfway through chapter one, we switch to the point of view of a colleague of the man of the beginning of chapter one, and then back to the guy who started chapter one. Gosh I'm sounding confusing just writing this. Other than the little bit of confusion at the start which could easily be fixed with a note in the blurb about multiple perspectives, or even just clear dividers and names when POVs switch at first, this book is REALLY good. I have always been an Agatha Christie fan and this greatly reminds me of the first Agatha Christie book I read. How the plot pulled me in, and I was entranced by the story throughout. I wish it had been a bit clearer for me to enjoy the first few chapters more but I will definitely be recommending this book to anyone who likes mysteries and thrillers!

I've been looking forward to this one ever since I finished 'The Burning Men', after reading the extract at the end of the novel -- and it did not disappoint.

The story begins with Karl and his daughter, Leah, walking through the park to get dinner. The pair are ambushed by a figure wearing a mirrored mask, with the figure giving Karl a choice: stay and be killed, or leave Leah and trust that they'll both live.

Can Karl trust this person, who is holding a knife to Leah's throat? And can he live with the decision he made?

More people across London soon find themselves offered a similar choice, with more families broken by the mysterious assailant's actions. DI Finn and DC Paulsen race to find a killer who seemingly has no face, no motive and no conscience before more victims are forced to make their choice.

This storyline had me on the edge of my seat, racing through the pages to try and find out what was going to happen next (and who was behind it all). The characters are wonderfully fleshed out; each of them feel incredibly real. I can't wait to see DI Finn and DC Paulsen's next case.

I'll definitely never look at mirrors the same way, though.

this book is very well written keeping you guessing right to the end. two murders no reason why they have happened can detective finn sort out the reason they have taken place .can it be anything to with drugs ?what conection has a train accident do with it. will the pressure be too much for detective finn who as recently lost is wife.

Let me just start by saying I absolutely loved this book!

Karl Suleman meets his daughter in a local park, they decide where to go for dinner, then they are approached by someone wearing a metal mask carrying a zombie knife. Karl is asked to make the biggest decision of his life, the outcome is life or death.

Just a great story, interesting characters with great contrasts between them.

Finn and Paulsen are a strong team, there is enough about their personal lives without it being overwhelming. Finn is recovering from the death of his wife, and Paulsen with a Alzheimer's diagnosis for her father.

Highly recommended and I look forward to more in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Staughton for giving me the chance to read the book in exchange for an honest review.

𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗥-𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪

Being a reader, if there's something that I always seek in every book that I read, then that is its characterization. This is something that determines my reading experience, maybe a book can have a crazy plot and a smooth narration, but if I feel like I don't know the characters, and can't put myself in their shoes or even by the end of the book they still seem like the strangers then such books sometimes fail to my expectations. For me, characterization is the soul of a book because it helps me to develop an understanding and kind of a bond with the characters that I read. Will Shindler's 'The Killing Choice' is one such fine work of a perfect crime thriller where not just its characterization but its storyline, plot, and narration stunned me!

The premise of 'The Killing Choice' is set in London where a rogue killer is on the move and DI Alex Finn and DC Mattie Paulsen are trying and failing to find the killer who stops people and gives them two choices: either they can run away and save themselves and their beloved dies... OR they can stay and they can die with their beloved ones. The killer is too smart to not to leave any traces behind and creates the havoc and the chaos in the whole city and among the people working on the case.

Usually, some thrillers can be very predictive, or at least some deductions always work, but it was different with this book. From the very first chapter, I was staring at the blank possibilities, no theory seemed to work neither I could make any guesses. It was all unclear and uncertain, even I failed to form any suspicions. The constant intense suspense and the smooth process of investigation kept me on the edge till the very last page of the book.

At many points, it was disturbing as well, especially in Karl Suleman's part. It was a very harsh experience to read about the tragedy and emotional humiliation that he suffered. The author brilliantly portrayed his helplessness and survival guilt and the blame he received. The way he got treated was a very difficult part to read and I was not surprised when it led him to take the step that he took.
.
Now my favorite part: Characterization.
I will give the author 10/10 for the remarkable work he has done with this book's characterization. No matter if it was the control freak protagonist, Alex Finn, his sidekick Matty Paulson or other side characters; author Will Shindler made them all alive by constructing their own 'little bubble' of their lives where they were independent of the actual ongoing storyline and situations, they had their personal lives and complications to deal with—I call this 'Breathing Space' for characters.
.
Paulsen had her family matters concerning about her dad's condition, Alex Finn was suffering from the depression he wasn't aware of and living in denial because he was still getting used to of living his life without his belated wife. Then there was Hayden and his complications with his father, Isiah. It was an unusual father-son issue where at many points I found myself relating to the way Hayden was fell out with his relationship with his father. Mikey and Jade were placed brilliantly around Haydon's life and everything they did or the choices they made had significant relevance with the story. The end was completely unpredictable and the reasons for picking victims were unimaginably insane.
.
I will recommend this book for its characterization and author Will Shindler's excellent work with the plot and the narration. It's a perfect crime thriller with all the thrills and twists that are worth experiencing. This book will be releasing on 4th February 2021; if you are into intense crime-suspense-thrillers, then this can be a perfect pick for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

Having read and really enjoyed the authors first book I was pleased to be given the opportunity to read this.

I loved this book. Just loved it. The two main characters are likeable, believable, flawed and have good background histories. They work well together and a friendship is growing. Finn and Paulson investigate similar murders and try to find a connecting link. The book held my attention from beginning to end, I thought it was very well written, had a great plot line and was a thrilling read. I could picture the characters and scenes in my mind as I was reading. This book can be read on it’s own, although I would recommend you read the previous book first. A great police procedural that raced to a surprise ending and one I’d highly recommend if you like crime books. Looking forward to the next book 😀

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Following on from his first novel The Burning Men comes another great read from this author . DI Finn is called into a murder with a difference , the killer has given the father of a girl the choice of defending his daughter or leaving and he will have his way with her but they will live , the father goes for help but hears a scream and his daughter has been killed . People judge him for leaving her alone but don't know the full story . Next a young nurse is asked to make a choice between her mother or boyfriend being killed or they all will be . How have these victims been selected or is it random . It all ties back to one incident which I will not reveal but just say this is a. Great story .

Karl Suleman and daughter Leah meet after work at the Crystal Palace Dinosaur Park and intend to go for a meal together. Out of nowhere they are accosted by a person wearing a mirror mask carrying a zombie knife. Karl is given a stark illusion of a choice, a Catch 22 and his split decision led to Leah’s vicious murder in cold blood. DI Alex Finn and his able team investigate.

This is the second of this really good series in which one of the greatest strengths lies in the terrific police team whose characters are so well fleshed out they feel real. One of the central themes of this is grief which is exemplified by Finn who is in deep grief for wife Karin, however, other characters suffer grief too. Finn is not the easiest character to like, he’s a control freak, he can be terse and cool and his grief deepens these traits which makes for interesting reading as his actions causes tension in the team. Karin may no longer be alive but you feel her presence and hear her voice through Finn and feel as though she is watching over him. DI Mattie Paulsen is a great character too, she’s very likeable though she has her flaws and she too feels grief as the story unfolds. This case is puzzling as it seems to link to gangs and drugs and the notorious Hope Estate and Karl Suleman becomes a puzzle too as the mystery deepens around him. The case worsens becoming very enthralling and gripping reading. There is a further victim and the team is stretched to find links between them. It’s twisty, dark, there are secrets, lies with buried guilt and shame and bitter revenge. When the killer is apprehended it is breathtaking and very tense.

Overall, this is a well written thriller with a good plot which is very well paced. At times it’s emotional and at others it’s shocking.
4-5 stars.

With thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC in return for an honest review.

A great read love this storyline kept me on edge till the end.Would certainly recommend this author and book to anyone who likes crime thrillers.Would love to read more like this.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of The Killing Choice, the second novel to feature DI Alex Finn of The Met.

Karl Suleman is offered a choice by a knife wielding attacker, either walk away and his daughter would be unharmed or stay and be killed along with her. The killer lied and Leah Suleman died. Karl won’t be the only one offered the same choice and it is up to DI Alex Finn and DS Mattie Paulsen to understand the motive and find a killer.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Killing Choice which is a sharp police procedural with an interesting plot. It is not a long novel so nothing is wasted and at the same time manages to make quite a few points about various issues, mostly the nature of love and grief.

The novel is told from various points of view, on the investigative side Finn and Paulsen and on the other, the victims or choosers to be more specific and an unenthusiastic drug dealer, Hayden Sims. How Hayden fits in isn’t clear until the end of the novel but I didn’t think that mattered as I found his story compelling on its own with his dysfunctional relationship with his father (arising from grief over the death of his mother), his ambivalence about Greg dealing and his love for his brother and girlfriend. It seems to encapsulate the life of a young man on a rough estate. I thought the Karl Suleman situation was extremely well done with his reaction and the reactions of the media. He was placed in an impossible situation. Finn is not handling the death of his wife 11 months earlier well and it’s starting to affect his work. This is an evocative picture of a man trying to struggle on but essentially rudderless. For a relatively short novel it packs a punch and offers a surprisingly intimate and nuanced picture of the characters.

The plot is good enough with a strong if not highly original premise. I like the wide pool of possibilities always present in stranger killings and the gradual narrowing down of motives and links as the novel progresses. There are the usual disagreements about strategy but the main thread relies on Finn’s intuition. By about half way through I had guessed the killer’s identity, mostly, I think, by the way the character is written rather than by any strong deductive reasoning. The motive escaped me.

I found the storytelling compulsive, being readable, spare and to the point. The reveals are spaced evenly, leaving the reader wanting more.

The Killing Choice is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

** spoiler alert ** This reads like a who's who of South East London,and I think I liked it a tiny bit more for that. Always good to know a location they're talking about.
Mostly I like it though for the two main characters. Finn with his dead wife's voice still in his head,and Paulsen with her increasing family worries.
Excellent story,where someone has to make a choice on who's getting hurt. You or them. Him or her.
It's a choice anyone having read the book is now debating.
Genuinely didn't see where the book was going,so a complete surprise who the criminal was.
I hope this series runs and runs. I think this one is an improvement on first book... So can hopefully only keep getting better.

Cleverly plotted police procedural with interesting lead characters. Shortly after starting this book I realised that it was the 2nd in a new series featuring Detective Inspector Alex Finn. I hadn’t read the first novel but shall definitely be looking out for it now.
Finn and Paulsen are investigating the brutal murder of Leah who was going out for a regular dinner date with her father, Karl. Whilst meeting up in a park in Crystal Palace Karl and Leah encounter a masked man brandishing a knife who says that Karl has a choice- his daughter will be raped but they will both live if Karl leaves or they will both die. Karl has to choose between the Devil and the deep blue sea and what he ultimately decides will haunt him.
Finn is mourning the loss of his wife mired in grief he has to put his personal feelings aside and concentrate on the job as the case becomes more and more complicated when another person is targeted in the same way.
This is a compelling read that I whizzed through in no time, Will Schindler developed the plot well with several twists which left me unable to guess the perpetrator or indeed the motive for the murder which turned out to be key in solving the crime.
I liked Finn and Paulsen, both have family issues to work through as well as solving the crime and this made them all the more human.
Overnight I have become a big fan of this author and I shall definitely be looking out for his earlier book and indeed any subsequent books in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

Superb.
Heart racing pace, good, strong characters and a plot that was original and tight.
Loved it.
I rarely used to give 5 stars but these days I seem to be reading such great novels and I have to give this too.
Absolutely loved the first novel of Mr Shindler and enjoyed this one just as much.
A real contender, which is up there with the best.

My thoughts about this brilliantly written powerful twisted police procedural sequel, to the brilliant The Burning Men, Author Will Shindler's 2nd DI Alex Finn series The Killing Choice, is a outstanding thriller, that has lots of mystery and suspense,which blow me away. What I liked about the book, was what would you do if you had to choice between someone you love, or your family which was just brilliant.The choice Karl makes, to save his daughter, will change his live and his daughters forever, the events that follows is truly unbelievable. Talented Author Will Shindler, has yet again delivered a fantastic story, that took my breath away. The characters in this powerful crime police thriller, are amazing, be it DI Alex Finn, who is definitely one of my favourite detectives, DCI Mattie Paulsen,who is also a brilliant character.The other characters in this book, are just amazing who have important roles to play, my favourite characters were Hannah, Jade, Hayden,Isiah, who I thought were brilliant characters.Will Shindler's The Killing Choice had me turning the pages, it blow me away when the killer gets revealed. Highly recommended. I'm a hugh fan of this outstanding series, now I've read Will's The Burning Men and The Killing Choice, can not wait for book 3. I would to say that you to author Will Shindler, Publisher's Hodder And Stoughton, and Netgalley for giving me a chance to read and review this outstanding thriller. 💥💥💥💥💥⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A cleverly written, well-paced psychological thriller. I rarely get surprised by the end of book but this one got me! I haven’t read the previous book in this series but will I immediately buy it now. Great characters, dark humour, tortured souls, believable scenarios (scarily!) Don’t think I’ve loved a Detective as much since Idris Elba’s John Luther! Request it now!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.