Tolog Review: The Christopher Killer

The Christopher Killer
by Alane Ferguson
reviewed by Campbell Green

The Christopher Killer is a forensic mystery novel by Alane Ferguson about a young girl named Cammie living in the small town of Silverton. Cammie is the coroner’s daughter. She is really interested in her father’s profession, and she would really like to work with him. She has finally convinced her father to let her be his assistant and is excited to finally work with him. However, when she finds out that one of her first cases is the murder of her close friend and co-worker Rachel Geller, Cammie is determined to find the killer.

Cammie discovers that the murderer is a serial killer who leaves small medals with Saint Christopher on them somewhere on all of his victims. When the forensic pathologist Dr. Moore, who is in charge of the autopsy for Rachel, kicks Cammie out on her first day, she becomes a little discouraged. However, she decides to carry out her own investigation along with a little help from Deputy Crowley. Cammie has several suspects, including some of her friends and newfound co-workers. When she sees that some of the people close to her might be the killer, Cammie realizes how difficult this job really is. Also as Cammie is getting closer to the killer, the stakes get higher and she finds that her own life is actually in danger. 

Another reason this is a great book is because there is an underlying story involving Cammie’s family that is slowly carried out throughout the novel. Cammie’s parents have been divorced for years now, and Cammie no longer speaks to her mother. However, when her mother finally decides to reach out to Cammie, she has the tough decision of whether to speak to her again or not. Ferguson perfectly weaves a more sentimental story through the main story to give more depth to the novel.

I highly recommend this book because it is a great mystery and Ferguson always keeps the reader on her toes. Right when things start to settle down in this chaotic story, the author creates a new situation or idea that changes the entire way the reader thinks the book will end. Also, the ongoing story with Cammie and her family balances the mysterious aspect with a more loving facet of the novel. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mystery novels, but it would also appeal to anyone interested in forensic science. It is also just a good book that will keep you guessing and always leave you wanting more.