“Famous killers have fan clubs.”

I found this book at one of those rare moments in time when I literally had nothing else to read. My local library puts together a “Best of the Month” list every month — which are apparently wildly popular because the vast majority of the books they showcased weren’t available for checkout. Luckily for me, Daisy in Chains — which was of course a murder mystery — was available so I decided to give it a try. Side note: I really do need to branch out.

Anyway. Back to the story. So a devilishly handsome man, who goes by the name Hamish Wolfe, has been tried and convicted of brutally murdering a string of obese women. But, of course, Hamish has always maintained his innocence. Enter Maggie Rose, the scrupulous attorney — and impressive novelist — who has decided that Hamish’s case is interesting enough to warrant a second look. She doesn’t think he’s innocent, mind you, but she’s fascinated nonetheless.

In addition to steadfastly maintaining his innocence, Hamish has a fan group of sorts, led by his mother, that assembles occasionally to discuss the facts of Hamish’s case and conspire to get him out of maximum security prison. These folks are… interesting, to put it lightly.

Maggie meets with Hamish, attends these group discussions and liaises with local law enforcement. And she begins to put together her next novel, based on the murders of the four women and her client’s involvement in the deaths. As she becomes entrenched in the case, things start to spiral out of control, and by the end, you don’t know which way is up. Or which way you want to be up, quite frankly.

This story was gripping and fast-paced and twisty — just how I like my murder mysteries. So the lesson here is: the next time your library is out of the book you intended to read, take a little browse through the stacks. You never know what you might stumble upon.

Grade:★★★★☆