Bonded By Death

Yes, I have problems. But at least this Facebook-ad-inspired read is a thriller/mystery? Here's Jared A. Rogers's "Bonded By Death."

["Slicing up dead bodies is one thing, but befriending the person responsible for creating them is another. Dr. Warren Gates has taken over as the King County Medical Examiner as the hunt for a dangerous serial killer begins and at each crime scene, the murders are as much gruesome as they are bizarre. Along with an unrecognizable branding, the victims are left with no fingers or toes. The professional precision in which the mutilations occur immediately grabs Warren's interest, but what he doesn't know, is that he's about to be more involved than examining the leftovers

Warren's life is turned upside down when the killer reveals himself in a desire to become friends. However, the relationship also comes with a unique offer, if Warren can figure out the reason for the murders, the killer promises to stop. With the cops, his wife, and the killer themself breathing down his neck the game is more dangerous than it seems. Is it genuine? Is it a sick joke? The bigger question is, how many bodies will pile up in Warren's lab before he finds out?"]

You meet a loooot of people, all slightly suspicious, before the killer reveals himself/herself by taunting/bonding/wanting to be best friends with Warren. Which was very cool and kept me on my toes (and upped the suspicion). Though, Warren doubted him/her multiple times before he believed him/her (I mean, I can't say for sure, but I would likely believe someone if they told me their were a serial killer--though, the wanting to be best friends part would take some convincing). 

Not sure I loved Warren (which adds a layer of unreliable narrator--or something to that effect). Really didn't like his wife. Kinda did love the killer though (fight me).

I liked how the chapters had the day of the week attached to it, helping us follow in the timeline of the murders and the mystery. And the countdown Warren had to answering "why."

Speaking of "why"...just when you think you know what's going on, you realize you really, really don't (which I looooooove about thrillers/murder mysteries--there should be a certain amount of information a typical reader can gather and deduce, but we should also be shocked to fuck and back).

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