The Rose Slayer
About
A killer with a signature, a city on edge, and detectives racing against time.
For three years, the ‘Rose Slayer’ has haunted Los Angeles, leaving behind a chilling pattern: middle-aged women, living alone with their cats, executed with a single shot, a red rose left as a macabre calling card. But when the seventh victim is found with her fingers severed and her laptop missing, Detectives Bill Pawson and Sean Wells realize the killer is evolving—and the stakes are higher than ever.
Their investigation takes an unexpected turn when all the victims are linked to a popular online book community. Behind the screen names and reviews lies a web of grudges, egos, and unrelenting obsession. Suspects emerge and fall away, and tensions run high as Pawson battles his own demons while Wells fights to hold his family together.
In a final chilling confrontation, they face the mind behind the murders, unraveling a twisted psyche that blurs the line between genius and madness.
‘The Rose Slayer’ is a gripping thriller that explores the dark side of internet communities, the fragility of ego, and the resilience needed to fight back against evil. Fans of gritty mysteries and chilling psychological drama won’t want to miss this deadly game of cat and mouse.
Adapted from the award-winning murder mystery short story of the same title by Stephen Bentley.
Praise for this book
This is a favourite 😍. What started off as a competition winning short story made it to full-length novel.
I was always hoping for more of the rose slayer, and my prayers were answered.
The story is intriguing, full of red herrings and twists and turns.
Once I started, I didn't want to put it down 😊.
This is a stunningly gritty ,well portrayed book by Stephen Bentley, thoroughly engrossed in the storytelling,so compelling a read this was . I quickly devoured the book , as before no time at all I was hooked. The dialogue and the angst played out superbly to enforce the gritty tone of the storyline. There’s a killer that’s gruesome and then there’s a twosome in Detectives Bill Pawson and Sean Wells that’s out to outwit and lay a trap to get ahead of it. The killer’s signature trait is rose petals but he/ she has been chopping off fingers of late. The seventh victim having not only her fingers severed but her laptop missing too .This menace has haunted LA for three years pouncing on middle aged women living alone with and leaving a red rose behind and killed with a single shot . The detectives have their own demons to face ,Pawson is on the brink through him imbibing too much of the drink and Wells is fighting to keep his family unit one whole and it’s tearing at his soul .The detectives soon realise that this killer is evolving and thus their investigations are moved up a pace and more involving. It’s a deadly cat and mouse race that looks grim but perhaps they might after all get ahead of him . It’s a slim chance but they grab it and vow . They WILL catch this killer anyhow. Brilliant writing ,so excitingly fast paced .
In my opinion, this is Stephen Bentley's best novel yet. The writing is smooth, conveying information on several levels without becoming pedantic. Many times while reading this book, I lost myself and felt like I'd become part of the story, a feeling that I've only experienced a few times in my life, and one that only a great writer can elicit. Very highly recommended!