The Puppet Show by M.W. Craven

“He pulls their strings

He watches them burn.”

I had seen a lot of mentions of The Puppet Show doing the rounds on Twitter and my interest was piqued so I requested it on Netgalley. Thankfully I was approved a few days later and as I had just finished a book I was free to dive right in.

The Puppet Show has everything you could want in a thriller, a disgraced detective, horrific seemingly random murders, a clearly psychotic serial killer, an awesome duo that makes for the BEST cop/analyst friendship and a dog called Edgar. Have I mentioned the Detectives name is Poe.. Edgar and Poe.. I died! Then we have Tilly, I can’t even begin to explain how much I love Tilly, I guarantee you’ll feel the same though. Let me know when you want to join my Poe & Tilly fan club!

“A serial killer is burning people alive in the Lake District’s prehistoric stone circles. He leaves no clues and the police are helpless.

When his name is found carved into the charred remains of the third victim, disgraced detective Washington Poe is brought back from suspension and into an investigation he wants no part of.

Reluctantly partnered with the brilliant but socially awkward civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw, the mismatched pair uncover a trail that only he is meant to see. The elusive killer has a plan and for some reason Poe is part of it.

As the body count rises, Poe discovers he has far more invested in the case than he could have possibly imagined. And in a shocking finale that will shatter everything he’s ever believed about himself, Poe will learn that there are things far worse than being burned alive..”

The Puppet Show was very cleverly written, I loved how it unfolded and I was surprised when I realized who the killer was but also thought it was brilliantly done. I had such a good feeling going into this book and I wasn’t disappointed. A fantastically gruesome, cleverly written thriller.

I need more Poe & Tilly in my life and will just have to read this again while I wait for book 2.

Thank you to Little Brown Book Group and Netgalley for the review copy, all opinions are my own and I am not paid to give them.