Former FBI agent, Benny James has retired to become a private investigator in small town Tilley. He is brought in to help the local police when the body of a crucified man is found. ( )

Benny James is an ex-FBI agent now living in Georgia and working as a PI. He helps the local police, and when there's a murder, they call Benny in to assist.
The story is pretty good with a nice assortment of characters, most of whom - I assume - will appear in later books. The writing style is a bit choppy and takes some getting used to. But all in all, this was a pretty good mystery. ( )

Yes: unfortunately, I'm giving this two stars. Why? For the very simple reason that, for me, it felt like a first or second draft.

This story has potential. I think it could have been really good. The author kept introducing subplots and dropping information well past the point where the wrap-up should have been occurring. With some beta reading and editing, this could have easily been resolved (i.e., quite a bit could have been outright cut or worked into earlier chapters, making the story cohesively flow).

This is potentially a SPOILER, but I'm not really giving any specifics and I wouldn't consider it one: One o my pet peeves are superfluous romances or relationships that seem to come out of nowhere. I know that very many enjoy having their stories peppered with relationship angst. I could be a pain and say, "If I wanted a romance I would have bought a romance novel." But when written into the story well, I really don't mind, and just barely pay attention to it (unless it has direct bearing on the storyline). This one seemed out of the blue and forced onto two characters that I really didn't read as having any chemistry. It completely didn't help that afterward the male lead got to completely lay out the rules of the relationship, despite the female partner's hesitation and his disregard of how she felt about such things. The one encounter went something like this: heeeey - let's go back to my place for dinner; what?! that's a bed?! we better use it!; then, sorry ma'am, it's my way or the highway, regardless of how you feel or what your personality or gut is telling you, as far as any planning or future in this relationship - now hand me my pants. (No, these words were used and/or written, but this is what I took away from it, on top of being absolutely pissed off at what I had just read. I was VERY close to putting the book down.)

To sum it up: I liked the premise of the story - I think it could have been really great. I had problems with the flow and unfolding of the story because it needed some editing or beta reading. I think his characterizations weren't terrible, just on the naive side. If you're looking for a quick read about a murder mystery (I can't say about a serial killer - it just wasn't what it was) and what bothered me doesn't tend to bother you - I say go for it. ( )

Well written thriller. ( )