The Dying Place by Charly Cox is the sixth novel in the Detective Alyssa Wyatt series. While each book can work as a standalone, there is mention of previous cases. When a young girl goes missing, it leads Detective Wyatt on a chase to catch a serial killer that got away once before….
by Charly Cox
Series: Detective Alyssa Wyatt #6
Genres: Crime Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
When the trunk slammed closed, sealing her fate, a deep cold slithered into the center of Kennedy’s bones. All she could do was pray that her attacker would leave enough of her for her family to identify…
Kennedy Farmer, an experienced athlete, never returns after leaving for her usual running route through the dusty, mountains trails of New Mexico.
While the search for Kennedy begins, Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her squad face a terrifying new case when the body of a young woman, Rheagan Pembroke, is discovered in the desert terrain surrounding Albuquerque.
Her wounds horrify even the hardened squad of the Albuquerque P.D. – and the case takes an even darker turn when they discover a polaroid stuffed into the victim’s mouth, showing the body of Gunner Galveston, a murder victim from fourteen years ago. Alyssa was a detective on the case, but the culprit was never caught.
As the team are taunted with gruesome packages and blood-curdling phone calls, it becomes evident that a serial killer – whose blood lust is quickly increasing – has been operating in plain sight.
To catch a killer, Alyssa and the squad need to understand the savage desires driving them … before Kennedy becomes another life taken at the hands of a psychopath.
Meet Alyssa Wyatt: detective, mom … and a serial killer’s worst nightmare. This incredibly addictive detective series will thrill fans of Karin Slaughter, Chris Carter and Kendra Elliot.
The story hooks you from the beginning as Kennedy Farmer finishes up her evening run on trails in New Mexico. She never makes it home. Meanwhile, Detective Wyatt and her partner Cord visit the home of a family whose teenage daughter has gone missing.
When the young teen’s body is discovered with a photo of a murdered body of a victim from a cold case Wyatt worked fourteen years ago, things heat-up. The teen has been savagely beaten with evidence of restraint and torture.
The case that unfolds was suspenseful from the point of view of the victim to the clues that the Albuquerque P.D. gather. Cox did a splendid job of building the case as the team created a suspect list.
I devoured this and lost myself in the case. The twists and revelations were well done. It isn’t often I don’t work things out, and Cox took me on one heck of a ride.
The tale was grisly, especially when Wyatt’s own family catches the killer’s eye. The chapters, from their perspective, were chilling.
Each novel works as a standalone but may contain some spoilers from previous cases.
Strong characters and an interesting murder mystery make The Dying Place perfect for fans of crime, mysteries and suspense. I look forward to Detective Wyatt’s next case.
About Charly Cox
Born in the South, raised in the Midwest, Charly now resides in the Southwest in the Land of Enchantment where she enjoys eating copious amounts of green chile and other spicy foods. When she's not reading, writing, or plotting sinister evils with her antagonists, she enjoys doing jigsaw and crossword puzzles, hanging out with her husband and her spoiled Siberian Husky, visiting her son in Arizona, and traveling, preferably to places surrounded by sun, sand, and warm uncrowded beaches.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Maureen @ Maureen's Books
I love the sound of this read. And I’m glad you’ve loved it sou much.
Kimberly
Thank you Maureen.
Anne – Books of My Heart
I love this author and her books. I’m holding out for the audio since I’ve read the rest that way.
Kimberly
I have done both, but started with the books.
Katherine
This looks intense but just the blurb has me hooked. I’m glad to see you enjoyed this. It’s a bit darker than I usually read but it looks perfect for when I’m in the mood for something a bit more suspenseful.
Kimberly
It can be as it deals with an FBI Agent.
sherry fundin
I love series like this one, where each can stand alone, but it’s best if we start at the beginning. My kind of stories.
Kimberly
Exactly. It won’t hurt you if you don’t, but if you like all the little details, it is best to start at the beginning.
Lover of Romance
I love books set in New Mexico, its a state that doesn’t get done often so you have me intrigued with this one. Sounds like it was such a win especially with that build up of the plot.
Lovely review!
Kimberly
Yeah, if you are looking, Darynda Jones has some brilliant series set in NM.
DEBBIE HAUPT
I have goosebumps Kim and of course I’m clicking on Amazon right now so I’m glad it can be a stand alone but I’ll probably look at book 1 too.
Kimberly
Yay….I hope you enjoy it!
Nadene
This sounds like a great police procedural series. I will be adding this to my reading list.
Kimberly
These are great Nadene.
Lorna
This is one of my favorite series and I didn’t know it was out yet. I really want to listen though. Any idea when that will happen? At any rate if I decide to read it I will try to remember to do it from this page. I’m not willing to wait too long though!
Kimberly
No news on audio. I do enjoy them on audio as well.
Wendy
Another exciting book and series. I love the NM setting
Kimberly
Me too Wendy!