In The Damage Path: The Nut Cracker Investigations
Katherine Ramsland
Published 22 August 2023, Read 2024
4.5 Stars


Thank you NetGalley and Publisher Level Best Books for my copy of In the Damage Path: The Nut Cracker Investigations by Katherine Ramsland. I have not received any rewards or compensation for this review and therefore all views and opinions are of my own, the reviewer.

In summary: Forensic psychologist Annie Hunter is on a mission to find answers to the disappearance to her best friend Hailey.

This is my first book by Katherine Ramsland.

The author takes us on a journey where Annie Hunter, a forensic psychologist, is driven to find her best friend Hailey who had been kidnapped at fourteen years of age. Annie’s mission is to find answers from her number one suspect Bruder. Bruder is jailed for other crimes yet remaining somewhat coy about the whereabouts of Annie.
I enjoyed the paranormal aspect of the story as well as using the weather. I found that these elements enhanced the story for me, the reader. I did feel the story ended a little short, leaving me wanting to know more.
I look forward to reading more from Katherine Ramsland.

An exciting blend of psychological suspense, historical remembrances and modern investigative methods.
Many thanks to Level Best Books and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

In the Damage Path is written by Katherine Ramsland. This is the first book that I have read by this author - and it will not be my last. This is about Forensic psychologist Annie Hunter,. She runs a PI agency. She calls her team "Nut Crackers". She is trying to hunt down Tommy Bruder - who snatched Annie's best friend when she was a teenager. Since being in prison for another crime - he has released poems that contain codes. Annie wants to crack these codes.

THis book was a good read - lots to unpack and piece together. Thank you to the author, and the publisher, Level Best Books along with NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

Annie Hunter has been so shaped by a traumatic incident in her past, that it has entirely dictated the path that her life has taken since, including her career as a forensic pathologist.

After Tommy Bruder snatched Annie's friend Hailey years ago, the fourteen-year-old promised herself that she would find Hailey, whatever it took. To that end, and as part of a wider process, Annie has since assembled a crack team of investigators - known as the Nutcrackers - whom she works alongside.

Unfortunately, once he was imprisoned for another crime, Bruder was not forthcoming about what he did to Hailey. But he is now trying to lure various podcasters into working for his release by providing various coded messages. Annie is convinced that Hailey's whereabouts lies embedded in those messages as well, but she is in a risk against time to decode the information that lies therein.

The weather is used as both a metaphor and a device in this story, to great effect. And it was interesting to read the details of the forensic techniques Annie uses as well as how much can be discovered using drones and dogs to investigate.

The paranormal element was my least favourite aspect of the story, but this book has much to offer additionally. The characters are well-drawn and you can't help rooting for Annie - especially as the suspense builds to a crescendo. Worth a read for those who enjoy layered crime novels with a touch of creepiness. I give it 3.5 stars.

This was an interesting mix of thriller, mystery, and a pinch of paranormal. It kept my attention until the end and enjoyed it while reading.

Being a fan of forensic crime books this did not disappoint and the authors knowledge made it so much more realistic when reading .

Pleasantly surprised and would put this up with some of the best in this genre . Easy to read loves how modern day technology was bought into it - who new drones could be used to find bodies by the density of the land …

Highly recommend it !

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion .

Katharine Ramsland does another masterful job of mixing crime thriller with supernatural skills and psychological reality to create a compelling mystery. IN THE DAMAGE PATH brings protagonist Annie the answers she’s been seeking for decades and reminds her that the answers aren’t as simple as she wants them to be.

I really enjoyed In the Damage Path. It feels like Bones or Scarpetta books both of which I love. I feel like there should probably be a little more character development with the main characters. I really liked seeing new and interesting investigative techniques interspersed with mystical elements. Learning about Remove Viewing through the story was compelling and entertaining. Also. seeing things like utilizing the drones and sniffer dogs to locate decomposition in foliage. It made for a great balance within the story. Another aspect I really enjoyed was bringing in elements from true crime. It made the story feel more real.

I saw through GoodReads that the author has a background in forensic psychology and criminal justice. You can feel this in the writing. It's knowledgeable but approachable as a mainstream reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.