I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of Next of Kin, a debut novel featuring NYPD detective Buddy Lock.

The novel opens with 10 year old Ben Brook escaping the murder of the rest of his family at their holiday home. His family lawyer asks Buddy to investigate but procedurally he can't as the crime has been committed outside his Manhattan jurisdiction. This changes when a further crime takes place in his jurisdiction and Ben goes into protective custody with Buddy and his girlfriend, Mei.

Wow, what a read. It is adrenaline filled from start to finish and very addictive and when I had to put it down it was as fast as I could get back to it. It's not just the action that pulls you in it's the need to know why it's happening and who the omniscient perpetrator is. Ben's miraculous escapes from death may not be the most realistic plotting ever conceived but they make for an exciting read and it is very well done.

Buddy is a lovely guy. Socially he's a bit unsure of himself, for no obvious reason as he's kind, caring and respectful, but he's fully confident of his abilities in his job where he works meticulously and relentlessly until the case is solved. I would love to meet him again.

Next of Kin is an excellent thriller which I have no hesitation in recommending.

This debut novel from James Tucker grips you and holds you tight right from the first chapter. Ten year old Ben knows that his family has been killed and he has barely escaped with his own life. The lawyer for Ben's wealthy family is acting as his guardian, but he is frustrated with the authorities handling the case. He is also fearful that whoever is responsible for the murders will seek to tie up the loose ends.

NYPD detective Buddy Lock is married to his job. A former child prodigy on the piano, his attention to detail plays an important role in his success as a detective. He has a gift of methodically and intentionally working a crime scene. After the family attorney contacts him, Buddy gets pulled into this case and is relentless in his investigation of this brutal murder. Tucker provides just enough back story on Buddy so that you get a sense of what makes him tick. Hopefully in future installments there will be more development on this interesting character.

The investigation has many variables and suspects. Money is a powerful motive, and this case centers on a large family with lots of money. This is a story of wealth, power, and greed, revenge, art, and Auschwitz. Buddy must investigate each angle while being cautious of the dangers that lurk around every corner. The tension ratchets up as the body count multiplies in a series of bizarre deaths. Buddy calls on his brother, Ward, to help him out when things escalate. Ward is an interesting character also. Tucker could probably make another series based on his character alone. At first Buddy seems like a Jack Reacher sort of guy, but as the book progressed I classified him more as a cross between Myron Bolitar and Harry Bosch. Ward seems a lot like Myron's buddy Win. The killer is very cunning and seemingly omniscient, and he presents an unwelcome challenge to Buddy. The investigation hits some roadblocks and plot twists and culminates in a shocking conclusion that you likely won't see coming.

This book has short chapters that flow well. You will find yourself reading well into the night as you promise to read just one more chapter. I recommend this book to fans of thrillers and suspense, and I look forward to the next installment in this series. I received this as a free ARC from Thomas & Mercer on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

From the opening page I was hooked. Though I feel as though I have seen this scene played before, the novel was engrossing and I was not able to put it down. It left me wanting more.