The Killing Habit

3.5 Stars I'm always happy to see another book featuring DI Tom Thorne. I've read most, if not all, of this author's books ... feels like Thorne is almost family. WARNING: For those who cannot abide animal cruelty .... there are cats, many cats, killed and/or tortured within these pages. The descriptions are not generally graphic, but it is impossible to just skip over the pages where these things are talked about. The killing of animals, cats,dogs, birds, together with fire starting and persistent bed wetting is one of the telltale traits that make up the characteristics that may help to identify serial offenders. NOTE FROM AUTHOR: The series of cat killings fictionalized in this book is based on a real and disturbing case that remains unsolved to this day. Police began their investigation in 2015 ... they have named it the UK Cat Killer. Thorne cannot believe that he has been called on to investigate the multiple killings of cats---until he equates these killings with possible killings of humans. The killer may be using his time as a cat killer to cool down from his human killings. And although a serious crime, Thorne is getting his share of kitty jokes. One person suggests maybe it's a copycat' killer. This case will take some thinking outside the (litter) 'box'. Maybe this is a grudge against the feline bird killers. Meanwhile, DI Nicole Tanner is investigating a deadly new drug that has hit the streets. Whatever she thinks she knows ... is not what she thinks it is. Two very different killers ... with a connection to each other. Thorne and Tanner will have to sift through a lot of lies and coverups, including blackmail to stop the killings. There's twists and turns that the reader doesn't see coming, accompanied by almost non-stop action. Thorne and Tanner are solid characters with other characters from previous books always lending an air of credibility. Many thanks to the author / Atlantic Monthly Press / Grove Atlantic / Netgalley / Edelweiss for the advanced digital copy of this crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.