Karen Long

QUOTES FROM READERS: Just read The Safe Word by Karen Long – an unputdownable serial tale thriller. James Purefoy For DS Eleanor Raven It's not so much who, what or when but 'why' that leads this powerful read to its conclusion and Karen Long reminds us that a brutal, vicious and destructive act is not inherently 'Evil' or derived from Satan but is a rational choice made by a human being. The quirky, offbeat and endearing relationship between Eleanor and her partner Laurence Whitefoot shines a light on this dark compelling world of sexual intrigue and mystery. My imagination was certainly held captive! Robson Green Most fictional detectives these days have to have a 'thing' to set them apart from the others, and Raven's is one of the most original for a long time. The plot moves in some unexpected directions, and builds to a genuinely exciting climax. The Safe Word is an impressive, confident debut. Convincing characters and some nice twists make for a compelling, satisfying thriller, and I look forward to seeing what's next for Eleanor Raven. Killing Time There are rules that every player of every game must abide by, no matter how dangerous the sport. Toronto has become the backdrop to a macabre set of artistic installations: women kidnapped, tortured and horrifically displayed by a killer with a vision. Only someone capable of understanding the killer's creative desire will be able to stop the murders and D I Eleanor Raven is uniquely qualified. Driven by a complex personality she pursues only the facts, only the things she can see, but never casts a judgement. But she also has a dark and dangerous secret – one that will threaten her very survival.

The Safe Word

VAULT: A large room or chamber used for storage of valuables, especially an underground one… In the unrelenting heat of the Toronto summer, a fire at a land-fill site uncovers the remains of a local prostitute. But the post-mortem reveals disturbing details – the body has been preserved and is not who or what it seems. DI Eleanor Raven is back on duty six months after barely surviving being kidnapped and tortured by a depraved serial killer. Work is her sanctuary but she's carrying deep scars – mental as well as physical. Where do you go when the place you feel safest is also the place where you are most at risk? As Eleanor battles her own demons, it looks as though a killer in the city is making a gruesome human collection. And Eleanor's fight to save the last victim of the Collector becomes a battle to save herself.

The Vault

“OMG what a start… I was hooked and devoured this book in one afternoon.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars With the sound of the doorbell, the past she ran from catches up with her. Baby on hip, Angela Myles hums as she lays out breakfast before the school run, when an unexpected knock on the door stops her in her tracks. But when she sees the familiar face through the peephole, she immediately tries to run with her kids out the back door. Because Angela knows her visitor, she knows why they’re here, and she’ll never give up her children. Hours later, as the police talk softly to Angela’s terrified children, trying to unpick her last moments, they wonder what other secrets she was hiding from those around her. And then another woman goes missing. How many more will pay the price for Angela’s silence? Absolutely unputdownable. A gripping, heart-pounding read for fans of Lisa Gardener, Rachel Abbott and Cara Hunter. What She Knew was previously published as The Cold Room. Readers love What She Knew: “Wow, what a story, I love how each part of the story unfolds and I found myself guessing until the end trying to piece it all together. Karen has created one amazing jigsaw puzzle with this page-turner.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “I absolutely and utterly loved this book and its top of my highly recommended reads. It’s an edge of your seat ride that will shock and thrill you.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “I couldn’t put this damned book down, what an exciting book… Fantastic.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “BRILLIANT.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “I couldn’t put this book down, it was a fascinating plot that was thick with so many twists and turns you will be dizzy.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Love, love, love these books!!!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “There are some books with the wow factor and this is certainly one of them.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

An absolutely unputdownable crime thriller

What She Knew

The little boy played with his toy trains in the bedroom, keeping quiet so as not to wake his mother. He stayed silent as he watched his window creaking open and heard the whisper from outside. A minute later, Tommy and the trains were gone. An unrelenting heatwave sweeps the country and starts a fire which uncovers the charred remains of a young woman. But when DI Eleanor Raven attends the post-mortem it reveals some disturbing details—the girl was dead long before the fire, her body had been lovingly preserved before being dressed up, her hair perfectly arranged, and a lime-green scarf knotted around her neck. With little evidence surviving the fire, Eleanor and her team have no solid leads. But back on duty after six months’ enforced leave, Eleanor is determined to prove herself fit for service, and she won’t accept that this case could prove impossible. Following a tenuous link to an old missing-persons case, Eleanor discovers the poor woman’s identity: Giselle Baker was a young dancer at a local bar before she disappeared two years ago, leaving behind a worried roommate and, concealed amongst her things, a curious wooden carving of a snake. Before Eleanor can uncover the significance of the toy though, another woman goes missing, and then, a little boy… It seems that someone is collecting a family for themselves. As Eleanor battles her own demons, she pushes herself to the limit to find the killer. But her fight to save his last innocent victim may become a battle to save herself… A totally gripping, fast-paced mystery thriller that will leave your jaw on the floor. The next rollercoaster read for fans of Lisa Regan, Angela Marsons and Robert Dugoni. Perfect Little Dolls was previously published as The Vault. Readers love Perfect Little Dolls: “Stopped me sleeping for a number of days.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “The suspense and action just keeps coming. The plot never lags or lacks, it will keep you interested from the first chapter to the last.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “My favourite female lead… Eleanor Raven is complex which makes for a brilliant plot that keeps the reader guessing. Totally original crime – a cracking read.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Just do yourself a favour and pick up this book to experience one of the most unsettling killers I have read in a long time! Top stuff!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “I loved this book!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Stupendous, the thrilling sensation this book gives off is absolutely phenomenal… It seemed as if I never wanted to stop reading, no one could pry the book away from my hands.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Really gripping book. Couldn’t put it down.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Entertaining, memorable and creepy… I didn’t want it to end.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Absolutely gripping story. Really felt involved in the story. I could not put it down as was desperate to get to the end. Looking forward to the next one.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “I cannot recommend this highly enough.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “The plot was gripping and I finished this book in a day.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Couldn’t put it down!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Eleanor Raven is such an amazing character with so much depth that these books hold you in a headlock and won’t let you go.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Gripping, disturbing and extremely enjoyable thriller.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

A totally gripping and fast-paced crime thriller

Perfect Little Dolls

“OMG what an opening. Talk about being hooked… The words ‘OH WOW’ left my mouth when I realized I had finished it!… This is a must read for all crime fans… 5 massive stars.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The girl’s eyes were open, her gaze softened with a milky hue. Her perfect skin and halo of blonde hair made her look angelic. It was a brutal contrast to the rope suspending her from the high-vaulted ceiling, and the bruises that had blossomed on her arms. Eleanor reached forward then caught herself. This woman was past saving. When a beautiful young woman is found murdered in a derelict power station, Detective Inspector Eleanor Raven hurries to the scene. The girl’s body has been ritualistically posed, with cherry-red lipstick painted across her mouth. And when she catches sight of the engagement ring crusted with blood on her delicate finger, Eleanor pushes back on the grief it provokes. Lydia Greystein had so much to live for. The only way Eleanor can help now is to find the killer responsible, and she and her team immediately set to work. As Eleanor and the team work together to unpick the killer’s motivations, another woman is found, bound and posed in the same ceremonial stance. Suddenly, Eleanor’s case becomes more twisted and urgent than ever. Just when they think they’ve hit a dead end, Eleanor finds a link between the victims and a cold case—an unsolved death with a connection to her own hidden life outside work. To follow the clues now risks bringing her secrets into the open. But as Eleanor begins to understand the killer, he starts to understand her too. Eleanor must solve this case before more women are taken. Could the secrets she keeps from those closest to her be the final clue to break open this case… or will they ultimately cost Eleanor her life? A fast-paced, tense and completely gripping mystery thriller that will keep you hooked until the final page. Karen Long will be the newest favourite crime author for fans of Lisa Regan, Angela Marsons and Robert Dugoni. Cry for Mercy was previously published as The Safe Word. Readers love Cry for Mercy: “I absolutely loved it… OMG what an opening. Talk about being hooked… The words ‘OH WOW’ left my mouth when I realized I had finished it! That’s how much I enjoyed it. This is a must read for all crime fans it ticked all the boxes for me. I highly recommend this book giving it 5 massive stars.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Excellent!!!… Fantastic read!!! Do yourself a favour… read it… NOW!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Loved, loved, loved this book.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This book had me gripped with suspense from page one. I couldn’t put this book down. Such a perfect serial killer thriller. Fantastically written.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “One of the most gripping books I have read… From the off the action was fast-paced and exciting… I cannot recommend it enough.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I stayed up well into the early hours of the morning to finish this… Just outstanding.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Absolutely brilliant I could not put it down.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Without a doubt, one of the best crime books I have read all year!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Couldn’t put the book down… kept you guessing in the action all the way to the end.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I don’t give out 5-star reviews lightly… I’m so glad I stumbled across this gem.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Unputdownable… Eleanor Raven is an amazing female character.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This book is a one-sitting read. You will think you have it figured out in chapter one but do you? You will be sucked in.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Eleanor Raven is quite easily one of my favourite female characters this year… Gritty, suspenseful and captivating.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Excellent thriller… Eleanor Raven is not your average detective by any stretch of the imagination!!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Karen Long

About

Books

Join the club