Matt McAvoy Book Review

I didn’t read the predecessor to this, part two in Loretta and David’s series about murder and betrayal in Texas, but that doesn’t matter; it is a decent, standalone murder mystery with a pretty good ending and reveal.  It is well written and generally flows quite satisfyingly, without necessarily breaking a sweat.  I would personally consider it rather more cosy mystery than the grisly serial killer style we’ve come to expect, and that may certainly be a plus-point in the mind of many readers; it is refreshing to see a serial killer book which doesn’t go over the top with the adult content, and there’s no real violence or profanity to speak of.  The Dollmaker of Point is what I would consider a capable and maybe a somewhat light-hearted murder-thriller read.

I have to be honest, and admit that I found the line of enquiry the detectives were following for the killer’s motive a little weak; although this particular element is packaged tidily together in the book’s resolution (there’s no notable climax, as such), it did seem to me a rather glaring plot concern from early on, and one which raised an obvious, glaring question, which I won’t share with you now, for I’ve no wish to spoil anything about the book.  I think fans of more sober examples of the murder suspense genre will enjoy it, and I recommend it for them.  Indeed, other than my one significant incredulity about this premise – which, though, as I said, does come good in the end – I wouldn’t pick fault with the book.  The actual modus operandum of the murderer – that of the carved dolls – is an interesting and original premise, with hints of seventies Hammer about it, and I think it is the selling point of the book.  So, it has to be said that if you’re hooked on murder mysteries that make their bones by coming up with varied and interesting murderer MO, this will be right up your street, I reckon.