Having reviewed Serial K in my capacity as a professional reviewer for Online Book Club (see that review here), I was interested enough in tearing the sequel to pick this up during a free promotion. Serial K was a book ripe with potential; a serial killer whose ‘signature’ is killings in homage to other famous serials was a fascinating premise for a villain and the ex-husband and wife FBI team in pursuit had a great dynamic.
However, I also stated that Serial K was in serious need of an editor, due to excessive wordiness, occasional illogical leaps and the author’s tendency to deceive in loving detail every morsel of food consumed by any of the major characters. In picking up Serial K Returns, I hoped to find that the author has taken my considered opinion as a professional reviewer into account and engaged an editor to improve a good concept into a great book.
Sadly, I have to report that he has not. Serial K Returns is more of the same; a potentially excellent book let down by a lack of professional editing.
As an indie author, if you want your book to be competitive in the marketplace and appealing to readers, you MUST treat your work professionally, and that means paying for professional editing. Should Brian Gallagher elect to have this book edited and release an updated edition, he may contact me for a re-read and an updated review. Until then, I cannot give it any more than two stars.
