Today its its my turn on the blog tour for The Safe Word by Karen Long, hosted by Brookcottagebooks. I really enjoyed this book it’s the first in the series featuring DI Eleanor Raven.Don’t forget to enter the competition further down the page to win………
1ST PRIZE – SIGNED PAPERBACK OF THE SAFE WORD – OPEN INTERNATIONALLY
2ND PRIZE – ECOPY OF THE SAFE WORD – OPEN INTERNATIONALLY
Book Description
Toronto has become the backdrop to a macabre set of artistic installations: women kidnapped, tortured and horrifically displayed by a killer with a vision.
Only someone capable of understanding the killer’s creative desire will be able to stop the murders and D I Eleanor Raven is uniquely qualified. Driven by a complex personality she pursues only the facts, only the things she can see, but never casts a judgement.
But she also has a dark and dangerous secret – one that will threaten her very survival.
The Safe Word by Karen Long is the first in a series of books featuring DI Eleanor Raven, and also the author Karen Long’s debut novel. Flawed detective, DI Eleanor Raven, has a secret she hides from her colleagues, a secret that could end her career and land her in grave danger. There is a serial killer walking the streets of Toronto, he tortures his victims and then displays his masterpieces for the world to see. Eleanor Raven is bought into investigate the gruesome murders, not realising her secret will put her in the killers sights.
Eleanor Raven isn’t a particularly original character, like many Detectives in crime book she has her flaws, she’s domineering, driven and very much in control, but the secret Eleanor is the complete opposite, her relationship with her newly appointed partner Laurence Whitefoot offers some light relief, (especially the scenes involving his dog Monster), as do some of her work colleagues, the dialogue between them was amusing at times and very credible. The author has created characters who have a lot of potential, and it will be interesting to see how they evolve as the series progresses.
As Eleanor’s private life becomes of interest to the killer and places her in danger, the tension intensifies, and the suspense mounts. The Plot moves along at a steady pace, with just enough twists and turns to keep me reading. Although I had worked out who the killer was early on, this did not distract from my enjoyment of The Safe Word. The serial killer was certainly one sick and twisted individual, and his reasons for killing were chilling to say the least. At times I found The Safe Word to be dark and gritty tale, and I found it to be a promising start to this new series.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Out of 5
Published January 14th 2014
Genre: Mystery / thriller / crime
Eleanor Raven Series: Book 1
Buy Links
Amazon UK Amazon US Barnes and Noble
PRAISE FOR THE SAFE WORD
Just read The Safe Word by Karen Long – an unputdownable serial killer tale. James Purefoy
For DS Eleanor Raven It’s not so much who, what or when but ‘why’ that leads this powerful read to its conclusion and Karen Long reminds us that a brutal, vicious and destructive act is not something inherently ‘Evil’ or derived from Satan but is a rational choice made by a human being. The quirky, offbeat and endearing relationship between Eleanor and her partner Laurence Whitefoot shines a light on this dark compelling world of sexual intrigue and mystery. My imagination was certainly held captive! Robson Green
Most fictional detectives these days have to have a ‘thing’ to set them apart from the others, and Raven’s is one of the most original for a long time. The plot moves in some unexpected directions, and builds to a genuinely exciting climax. The Safe Word is an impressive, confident debut. Convincing characters and some nice twists make for a compelling, satisfying thriller, and I look forward to seeing what’s next for Eleanor Raven. Killing Time
ABOUT KAREN LONG
Karen Long was born and raised in the English Midlands, educated at Bangor University and taught English and Drama for fifteen years. During her teaching years she studied biology and neurology with the Open University and this interest in medicine, forensics and forensic psychology is reflected in her writing. She is an enthusiastic traveller and has spent time in Toronto, which became the backdrop and inspiration for The Safe Word.
She is a keen amateur naturalist with a deep and abiding love for the crow family. She has dedicated time, love and several fingers in an effort to rehabilitate crows, magpies, rooks and ravens.
Karen is happy to correspond with readers and can be contacted through her website Karen Long Writer where she posts regular blogs.
The Safe Word is Karen’s first novel and was an Amazon bestseller, soon to be joined by the second in the Eleanor Raven series, The Vault. Karen is working on the third novel in the series.
Author Links
Facebook Karen Long Writer WordPress Twitter Goodreads
All author or review enquires please contact Karen Long’s Personal Assistant J.B. Johnston – brookbooks@hotmail.co.uk
Check out Book 2 – The Vault at Amazon
Did you know that Eleanor Raven is also online?
Giveaway
1ST PRIZE – SIGNED PAPERBACK OF THE SAFE WORD – OPEN INTERNATIONALLY
2ND PRIZE – ECOPY OF THE SAFE WORD – OPEN INTERNATIONALLY
Enter Giveaway Here @ Rafflecopter
The book review café 
Sounds good and I haven’t read a book set in Toronto for quite a while – and good to have something original to set the character apart from others in the genre – I’m intrigued!
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