Cause to Kill | Blake Pierce | Book Review
"Cause to Kill" promises the suspense of a serial killer plot, and the book’s blurb certainly piques curiosity about these murderers.
I recently embarked on a literary adventure, finally delving into one of Black Pierce’s books, something I’d been curious about for quite some time. Admittedly, I hesitated due to the fact that all of Pierce’s works are part of the series. Nevertheless, drawn by the promise of gripping mysteries and thrilling narratives, I decided to start with "Cause to Kill," the first novel in the Avery Black series.
Storyline
The heart of the book lies in its protagonist, Avery Black, and her inexplicable connection to serial killers. Avery once held a prestigious position as an attorney, but her fall from grace is a defining moment in her life. In an act of arrogance and self-righteousness, she chose to defend a serial killer whom she believed to be innocent—a victim of the flawed system.
Avery expected that this case would redeem her, given her history of defending countless individuals, many of whom were likely guilty. As fate would have it, she won the case and set the accused free. Yet, her victory was short-lived. The very next day, the man she had defended went on to commit another murder, proudly declaring that he did it for his attorney, Avery Black.
This devastating turn of events cost Avery everything—her career, her reputation, and her family. While the flashbulbs of fame continued to pop, it was the infamous Avery Black who was now in the spotlight, labeled as a killer’s accomplice and, in some eyes, a killer herself. Her marriage crumbled, and she became estranged from her only child. Faced with these circumstances, she decided to switch sides and enter the world of law enforcement.
Avery dedicated three years of relentless effort to rise through the ranks, eventually becoming a detective in the Boston Police Department’s homicide squad. However, her promotion was quickly overshadowed by a high-profile murder case that morphed into a complex serial killing investigation. As the body count rose, doubts arose about whether Avery was the right choice for the case—or even for the homicide department itself.
Cause to Kill: A tale of Promise and Shortcomings
At the outset, "Cause to Kill" promises the suspense of a serial killer plot, and the book’s blurb certainly piques curiosity about these murderers. However, after delving a few pages into the story, it becomes evident that it doesn’t offer much freshness in terms of the mystery genre.
Nonetheless, the book’s writing is sharp, maintaining a pace that prevents it from becoming dull, even when the storyline lacks novelty. Although the narration occasionally slows and repeats itself, Black Pierce succeeds in providing sufficient context and backstory for Avery, making her character’s choices understandable to the reader.
The author also provides some insight into the killer’s beliefs and modus operandi. However, the book falls short in depicting the chilling methods the killer employs to abduct victims, failing to evoke a sense of concern or intrigue in the reader. While the killer possesses an unconventional philosophy, it lacks the depth of backstory to support his actions, leaving a void that persists until the book’s conclusion.
Cause to Kill: Unveiling the Repetitive Narrative and Character Development Challenges
Avery Black, the protagonist, is burdened by a traumatic incident from her past, and this incident permeates her narrative, often feeling repetitive. This reliance on a single incident seems to detract from character development, rendering Avery’s character less stable and more prone to engaging in mental battles and confrontations with fellow police officers. The repetitive nature of the narrative, touching on various incidents and characters, stretches the book without truly exploring Avery’s character.
Avery is depicted as a department prodigy, although the reader may not witness her making groundbreaking discoveries or performing actions that leave a lasting impact. Surprisingly, there are no significant encounters between the killer and Avery; both appear to operate independently until their paths inevitably cross to fulfill the story’s conclusion. Even the crucial lead in the case doesn’t originate from Avery’s brilliance.
Avery’s daughter, Rose, injects some dynamism into the narrative, but her role isn’t substantial enough to offset the story’s other shortcomings. Harward Randall, a key figure in the novel, fails to come across as a menacing serial killer or a master manipulator. While Avery’s partner, Ramirez, offers the opportunity for chemistry between characters, it’s reserved for potential sequels.
In essence, Avery Black’s character never truly evolves into a fully fleshed-out persona. In a book series, establishing a connection with the central characters is essential, but "Cause to Kill" leaves readers somewhat detached from Avery Black.
Cause to Kill: A Disappointing Dive into Drama Over Investigation
Ultimately, "Cause to Kill" is more laden with drama than focused on the investigation of serial homicides. It presents the story of a traumatized woman striving relentlessly to prove herself and seek redemption for her past errors. Unfortunately, the protagonist appears weak and underdeveloped, which indirectly affects the other characters. The serial killer, with his actions lacking a concrete motive or backstory, falls short of justifying his crimes beyond an inexplicable ideology. While my expectations for this book were high, it ultimately left me disappointed.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, "Cause to Kill" shows promise initially but falls short in delivering a gripping mystery. Despite some strengths in the writing, the narrative fails to engage readers in the investigation of serial homicides and leaves key characters underdeveloped. While it may entice some readers to explore sequels, it doesn’t create a strong connection with Avery Black or offer a truly satisfying mystery experience.
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Cause to Kill
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