Death's Door | Paul Finch | Book Review

Death's Door by Paul Finch Book Review

Death's Door by Paul Finch Book Cover

Suppose you're a woman who lives in a big house all on her own and you're all new to the neighborhood and the city; as a young woman, for living you run a business of yours, and after work, you spend your evenings and nights in the house of yours.

A watchful eye always fixates on your house, scrutinizing your routines and activities. Looking for your appearance, your silhouette. The watchful eye weaving a story in his head where you're the love of his life; he loves you like Romeo and expects the Juliet kind of passionate love from you. 

It doesn't matter to him whether you know him or not, in his mind, he meets you every day. One day when the thin line between his whimsy imagination and your normal reality fades. He will come out from the dark pavements where he used to hide himself to keep an eye on you, he will cross the road and bushes and will unlock your house from the spare key which you never give him but he always has. 

As you see him, he will exclaim before you shriek, "Honey I'm home". Don't freak out seeing sharp steel in his hand, which he took from your kitchen, because if your reactions hurt his feelings he will penetrate the knife in your stomach, and mutilate incessantly, till his temper calms down.

Review
"Death's Door" by Paul Finch is a short story that revolves around Heck and Gemma and their investigations; they are in the CID department, holding the posts of DS. Heck is the hero of the story who doesn't think twice before breaking protocols and procedures, and making his way and set of rules to reach the neck of culprits. He relies on his instincts and does necessary action, stunts accordingly, which fills empty cells and bloodied his uniform.

Other hand Gemma is a woman who follows protocols and procedures strictly, she doesn't put her life at risk to catch culprits who don't think before stabbing or shooting anyone who comes in their way. So in her perspective, it's better to wait for the backup or the right moment. 

From a colleague, Heck got to know about a stocker, who keeps a watchful eye on a woman who is in her thirties; young and ambitious. It's not Heck's case, he need not put his nose into the matter, but still, Heck is being Heck, he probes deep and finds out that a gruesome murder is done there 8 years before where the current victim lives now. Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not. The murderer of the past case is still breathing fresh air.

Heck instinct is telling him that both cases are intermingled. He stationed himself outside the victim's house after a zealous chase and grappling, fumbles, falling, and punches from both sides and some vigilant moves from Heck. The stalker was behind the bars. But before Heck interrogated him for his now and then crimes, he got freed.

Heck is still suspicious about the culprit whom he catches. The next night after breaking into a house and consulting the situation with a psychologist, the motive is crystal clear for Heck. He is running out of time; he has to reach the victim's house where Gemma and that woman are oblivious about the murderer's move. Who already heads off to kill. Will Heck be able to reach on time? Who is the killer and what psychotic motives, he has? To know more read the story, it's free on Amazon Kindle for a limited time.

Even though it's a short story. The author has incorporated every detail in the right amount which made the story; a movie-like experience. I loved the little disputes and wordplays which go on and off between Heck and Gemma. 

They are made for each other. I was utterly disappointed with the marketing stunts, no matter how much I liked the action inside the book, but it all was diminished when I didn't get a conclusive ending. This short story is an introduction to the Heck series and the first book of that series has been interjected with this short story which is not acceptable. 

Overall, if I forget about the ending, which I cannot. But if, then this short story has very lucid and rapid narration and it contains strong characters like Gemma and Heck; and you're going to enjoy the romance which blooms between them while the chaos goes side by side.

It's a gripping, fast-paced thriller that can be a suitable escape for you when you are reading a long read or you can go for this short story when you have less time to read. 

-Abhi Panwar

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