Blog Tour: Campus Killer by Andrew Hess

by Sarah Reads - 3:00 AM

Book: Campus Killer

Author: Andrew Hess

Genre: Mystery/Suspense

Release Date: January 5, 2015

Ali Ryan has dreamed of being a hot shot detective that solves high profile cases. Her love for crime novels and police dramas was her inspiration to become a cop, but it was her pushy demeanor and sassy impulsive attitude that earned her the detective promotion she coveted. But is your dream job worth sacrificing the ones you love?

The fall semester for New Paltz has begun complete with a dead body turning up in the dorms. Police claim the case is open and shut, but Detective Ali Ryan doesn’t think so. She throws herself into the case desperately searching for answers as the death toll on campus rises; each made to look like a suicide.

With Ali getting closer to uncovering the truth, the killer wants to make his attacks more personal. His sights are set on Detective Ryan and her sister. Police are forced to place them under their protection, but Ali is determined to hunt down the killer and stop him before he kills again. But how far is Detective Ryan willing to go to protect her sister and take down the sadistic killer?

Snippet #8

He pulled it off the fridge and stared at it; remembering the rainy Thursday afternoon during his sophomore year when he exited the Lecture Hall and found the flyer posted on each of the bulletin boards. He had broken up with his girlfriend of three years; the same girl he moved to New Paltz to be with. They had fought about him not being the kind of man she wanted. She wanted someone with confidence; someone that could treat her right; someone who had ambition and passion in his life. None of that described him until the day he found that flyer.

“I guess I don’t need you anymore.” The man tore up the paper into tiny pieces and threw them into the tall beige trash can next to the sink.

A calendar rested above his head with two dates circled in red marker. The first was marked for August 23^rd, the first day of school. The other was circled multiple times; creating a bullseye over September 1^st. He placed his finger on the target and smiled before returning to his desk.

Rating: 5 of 5 Hearts

One of my favorite things about signing up for blog tours is discovering new authors that will forever be added to my favorites list. And Andrew Hess has been added.

This story has it all, a fascinating plot to keep you glued to the book, strong leading characters, and enough realism that you can relate to what is going on. It is an all around heart read from me.

Author Andrew Hess captivated me from the moment I started reading this story. I loved how he moved between the heroine Ali Ryan’s point of view and the killers. Getting lost in both of their heads as they tried to outsmart one another was thrilling. This book is an absolute page turner as Ali Ryan chase after the killer. I could not help but gasp and hold my breath during a few of the scenes.

Ali Ryan is a strong leading lady that did not let everyone else’s comments detour her from what her gut told her. The suicides where not just ‘suicides’ like everyone thought they were murders and she would prove it. I could not read fast enough as she pieced the puzzle together and proved to everyone else she was not crazy.

The killer (I do not want to give things away) did not make many flaws as he picked off the students. But what mistakes he made is what kept Ali motivated that she was not crazy.

I am always fascinated with why people kill and think they will never get caught. More times than not there are detectives like Ali on the cases that never gives up.

You can tell that the author did his research with this story. I loved the extra detail he added and the twist and turns I did not see coming. That is what I loved most about this story. Andrew Hess fed us breadcrumbs the entire story that we had to piece together.

I loved the ending of this story and cannot wait to read more by Andrew Hess.

Kate Hudson as Detective Ali Ryan

Andrew is also a blogger at TheWritersRevolution13.blogspot.com where he interviews and promotes other authors in order to assist indie authors get more exposure. Andrew is also a frequent guest on the Anthony Charles Podcast, a show dedicated to creative professionals as they give insight into their works and the lives they lead; guests have included authors, comedians, musicians, stuntmen, actors and producers.