"Grave Situation" by Alex MacLean is the perfect book to read if you're looking for a book that makes you think. Allan is trying to solve a string of cases that bring him to the very abyss of sanity himself. I found myself flipping back several times to see if a clue I thought I'd picked up on made sense in an earlier scene. I was drawn into the story to the point that I wanted to jump in and help solve the cases.
MacLean has a knack for getting into the actual heads of each of the characters. He fleshes out the characters' backstories so well that even though I was appalled at some of their actions, a part of me came to understand what compelled them to behave as they did. I'm almost ashamed to say that a very tiny part of me even empathized with some of the more unappealing characters. This I can only attribute to the author's expertise in humanizing the thoughts and feelings of his characters.
MacLean also has the gift of painting a scene so vividly, that if I didn't know better, I would feel that I was actually in the scene as a silent observer. He has a talent for using the exact words necessary to convey the nuances, feels, and smells of what's going on in each chapter.
Overall, this is a fantastic crime thriller. It is the kind of book that you can't put down until you find out what happens next. If you do put it down, you can't wait to get back to it. I found myself thinking about the characters and their outcomes well after I finished the book. I look forward to reading more by this intriguing author. But be warned, it will have you looking over your shoulder. When reading "Grave Situation" here's a word to the wise...keep the lights on.
