Gavin by Russell.
Gavin Nolan's biography #1.
I nearly gave up on this book. Slow to begin with. But it's very very gruesome. Very disturbing. 4*.

Gavin Nolan is a detective, newly single, who runs for stress relief. Derrick Santiago has a young family and is his partner in the police force. Creighton is their commanding officer.
A gruesome murder is discovered with a bloody message left at the crime scene for Gavin. As evidence is collected he realizes the crime scene is in a direct line of sight to his apartment. In the days which follow more bodies are found and Gavin suspects they all have a connection to traumatic events in his past.
The reader will discover some people have not been true to themselves and others are keeping secrets. Working out who will be the hard part!
The crime/murder scenes were very descriptive so parts of this book might be too gory for some but I definitely don’t have any complaints. I loved getting caught up in the atmosphere it created for me. There were a few spots I had to resist the urge to skim through eg when the Pilsen neighbourhood was described. All I wanted to do after reading action/murder/police interaction was to get on to the next section of the same. My impatience is not any fault of the writer.
Without giving too much away and although I enjoyed the early sex scenes involving Gavin they initially left me a little confused. I wasn’t sure if the novel was directed at a particular market or the scenes were included as a surprise twist for the reader. Also, I felt several references to women with large breasts seemed a little out of place. I wasn’t offended although I did think the story didn’t need it. Once is fine just not three or more references. I don’t mention this as a complaint more that it seemed a bit odd to me.
Glad I hung around till the ending because it certainly had the wow factor for me. The prologue from the next installment was included with this book. Let me just say the contents were definitely a lure to read the next book. I swayed between three and four stars then gave it a three. It came pretty close to a four for me but there isn’t any in-between rating.
Anyone interested in reading a new crime/murder/serial killer with sex thrown in story should give this book a try and the second installment promises even more.

Over the last few weeks, several men have been brutally murdered, tortured, strangled, eyeballs taken, and posed by hanging wires. Today, Detective Gavin Nolan and his partner, Derrick Williamson are called to a hotel to look at two more bodies... both men, tortured, strangled,,, but this time there is a message written in blood for Gavin.

Each of these men had a secret ... one that Gavin shares.

And Gavin must come to terms about his growing up years to catch this killer ..before he becomes the next victim.

WARNING: This book contains graphic scenes, explicit language, and violent, sexual situations.

The book goes back and forth between the present day investigation and Gavin's childhood. It's not a childhood he is particularly proud of, but he must remember what really happened.

Well written, the book is dark and scary and realistic. Characters lend credibility to the story. The ending is explosive! There is a small cliff hanger which segues into his next book of the series ...Derrick.

Many thanks to the author / Russell Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of GAVIN. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Unfortunately I dnf at about 25%. The formatting was frustrating and the story wasn't flowing for me.