The Death Watcher is the latest entry in Chris Carter's Robert Hunter series, being book number thirteen. Where this might prove unlucky for some, the author looks to at least contain any ill fate to the characters within his tale, attempting to give readers an intense thriller that is full of mystery. This along with a crimson cover that sports a rorschach like design and the tagline “First he takes you. Then he breaks you,” makes for a potentially enticing read.
Whilst performing a routine autopsy on an apparent hit-and-run victim, LA Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Carolyn Hove uncovers various inconsistencies in the body. Calling on the aid of Detective Robert Hunter from the LAPD Ultra Violent Crimes Unit, Dr. Hove discovers that not only was there never a hit-and-run, but that the victim was severely tortured prior to death. What neither realises though, is that they've only just scratched the surface, with Hunter and his partner, Carlos Garcia, now on the hunt for a serial killer that no one knew even existed.
What instantly appeals about this book is its accessibility. Whether you've been invested in the series since day one or jumping into it for the first time, Chris Carter crafts a tale that is easy to pick up and understand. He achieves this primarily through the way he introduces us to the various characters, with the subtle descriptions giving new readers a vivid picture, whilst not feeling oversaturated for long term readers. The writer also avoids delving into prior work, with the absence of references allowing the narrative to stand out on its own and feel self contained.
Being my personal introduction to the series, I had high expectations for its protagonist, Robert Hunter. What we get is a much more sombre character than is typical from these kinds of stories, lacking in personality and proving rather unimposing. What he lacks in those departments, he more than makes up for elsewhere, with his experience, intelligence and overall organised demeanour shining throughout. Where this works best is alongside his partner, Garcia, with the chemistry between the two detectives not only highlighting their tenure as colleagues, but their close friendship. The bold, gung-ho attitude of Garcia also bounces off Hunter’s calm mannerisms, with the latter more often than not providing the voice of reason.
Another aspect of Carter's writing that makes him stand out next to his contemporaries is his lack of over-dramatisation. Now that isn't to say that this narrative isn't dramatic, more so that it doesn't do so in a way that's detrimental to the plot or that feels over the top. In doing so the writer gives us a product that flows smoothly and feels realistic, having an American detective show vibe to it. This is most noticeable in the dialogue, with Carter's word choice allowing each sequence to have its own unique dynamic. Whether it's the banter between our seasoned detectives or the sophisticated way in which our forensics examiners break down their findings, the writer manages to craft engaging interactions, allowing for tremendous depth.
Having a background in criminal psychological, Chris Carter seems to find it eerilly simple to create the perfect killer. Being quite possibly the most fascinating aspect of this tale, the author fashions a complex character that shows no mercy to his victims, being terrifyingly intelligent and meticulous. As is the case with any character, be it protagonist or antagonists, it is their background and overall development that makes them entice. This is no different with our story's killer, with the writer expertly delving into his past little by little to divulge what brought him to this point. What's most disturbing about all this is the horrific detail in which Carter describes his actions, with the psychotic mannerisms making the killer all the more frightening.
The only major gripe I had with this book, especially as it marched towards its conclusion, was its pacing. Despite being a gripping read for the most part, there are several points where it feels just a little draw out. This is most perceivable in the final third, with our detectives’ investigation lasting longer than it probably should. This unfortunately results in some of the more critical twists becoming slightly predictable, with it being likely that readers will uncover certain aspects of our killer before Hunter or Garcia do. Nevertheless, this doesn't prevent the story from culminating in dramatic fashion, with Carter delivering an intense conclusion to this suspenseful thriller.
Verdict
The Death Watcher is a chilling tale that, for the most part, will leave readers clinging to every page. Utilising his criminal psychology background to its finest, Chris Carter fashions a killer that’s not only sinister, but bone-chillingly meticulous. The disturbing way in which the writer describes our antagonist's actions, along with intelligent detective work results in a thrilling narrative that, despite its flaws, pushes Robert Hunter to his limits.
7.5/10
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