The Killing Sense by Sam Blake is published with Corvus (Atlantic Books) and is described as ‘a brilliantly unputdownable twisty thriller set in Paris’.

When Sam Blake approaches the research for her books she takes a very thorough approach. With The Killing Sense, she visited Paris, absorbing the atmosphere, taking perfume classes and even doing a tour of the famous Parisian sewers – now that’s dedication! The exactness of descriptions throughout the plot of all her novels adds a very authentic element to her writing that shines through every single time.

In The Killing Sense Kate Wilde receives news of an unexpected win of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paris. Kate has been through the wringer and is encouraged by her sister, Orna, to hop on the Eurostar and embrace this adventure. After checking the authenticity of the prize, Kate packs her bags, leaving her young daughter in the care of Orna. Kate has no recollection of entering this competition but the prize is outrageously luxurious and too good an opportunity to miss out on. Kate has had to deal with a violent ex in an abusive marriage for many years and now this breath of fresh air in a different country might just put a little magic back in her life.

On arrival into the centre of the city, Kate sets off in search of her accommodation and is soon overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and style of the apartment that has been booked for her. Kate settles into her holiday with nervous enthusiasm and when she begins the complimentary perfume course that is part of the prize, she finally feels that this is her time. But Paris has other plans for Kate that she is totally unaware of.

The prologue of the book sets a very different scene as Sam Blake takes us down into the sewers under the Parisian streets, where a grim discovery has been made. The smell permeates off the pages of the rot and decay, establishing an immediate threat. As Kate embarks on her journey, she meets Daniel Langton, a wealthy British ex-soldier, on the Eurostar. Their brief encounter triggers unanticipated feelings within Daniel leaving him with a peculiar need to protect her.

In a nearby café, Agathe Delevingne, a student, works part-time, but she is distracted. Her friend, Sandrine, hasn’t been seen for a few days and Agathe is concerned for her wellbeing. Her uncle is a journalist and she asks for his assistance but initially it is assumed that Sandrine is a grown woman and will show up in due course.

Agathe and Daniel are part of a whole diverse ensemble of characters that, with Kate, make up this layered tale. As their paths intersect, threads get connected and a sinister element really begins to take hold. With intricately referenced details and very visual descriptions, Sam Blake takes the reader on an extraordinary journey through the streets of Paris. Although a dark and twisted mystery, I couldn’t help getting itchy feet about a future trip back to this glorious city. So very atmospheric on every page, Sam Blake captures the beauty of The City of Lights but also takes the reader into the dark and malevolent thoughts of a stranger, as Kate starts to feel exposed and watched.

The Killing Sense, is a threatening thriller that is both compelling and disconcerting in equal measure. The authenticity of the setting adds to the overall atmospheric nature of this novel that will have you up way past your bedtime as you, almost voyeuristically, follow Kate as she fears for her life and that of others. With vivid depictions of Parisian landmarks and culture, The Killing Sense highlights the city’s beauty while also revealing how beneath its glamorous surface a chilling darkness lurks. This ominous undercurrent filters through the chapters as Kate’s dream trip takes a very disturbing twist and soon becomes her worst nightmare. The Killing Sense is a sophisticated and intelligent tale, a superbly researched, taut, contemporary thriller with a strong Parisian flair, another cracker from Sam Blake.