THE CARNIVAL MASTER

TITLE: THE CARNIVAL MASTER
AUTHOR: CRAIG RUSSELL
Pages: 390
Date: 30/04/2009
Grade: 4.5
Details: no. 4 Jan Fabel Mystery
Library

This was a dark series from the first book, but The Carnival Master was the darkest instalment yet. it was also a very integrate story, with an awful lot going on. And not all of it appears to be connected until the very end, when even that which shouldn't be connected suddenly clicks into slot.
Jan Fabel has resigned from the police in Hamburg and is working out his last few weeks, when he's asked to look at a serial murder case in Cologne. In that city, someone is attacking women during the annual carnival festivities, killing them and removing a piece of their flesh.
Maria Klee, Fabel's former colleague, is still on leave after her earlier horrific experiences, when the need for closure and revenge takes her to Cologne to confront the cause of her misery.
Although Fabel had no intention of taking on the case in Cologne, he changes his mind when he discovers the danger Maria is in.
Dealing with two cases at the same time is pushing Fabel, and it is not at all sure if he'll be able to safe Maria. The trip to another city does make up his mind about the future though.
A very violent but very good book, with even more going on then I mentioned here.