I finished the last chunk of this book in downtown Los Angeles. It suits a full stomach and a cold beer, elbows on the bar. Sam writes with a gritty aplomb that draws you in, and like a good tour-guide should, shows you locals-only spots. It was cool and unusual (to me) to experience reading a book where I'm intimately familiar with the city and settings.

The narrative is strong and it's hard to put down. It does what the best crime fiction should: keeps you guessing, about who committed the crime and how long can Wakeland stay alive. A bold Vancouver novel that should be read far beyond this fair city. ( )

Thanks to Goodreads and the publisher for a free copy of Invisible Dead.

This book was brutal and terrifying to read, but I mean that in the best possible way. The plot is engaging, the career criminals are terrifying, and the plot sometimes left me breathless.

The crime aspect of the novel is something that I haven't seen in fiction before but should definitely be explored more: missing and murdered indigenous women. This is a huge issue in Canada, a national tragedy and embarrassment, and something that absolutely needs to be addressed more. So, seeing this explored in a mystery with a fictional victim and a Robert Pickton-esque criminal -- it's equal parts terrifying and new and really important to see.

I also found the main character engaging. David Wakefield -- a cop-turned-PI -- is likeable and sympathetic. In fact, with the way the plot went, I almost wished he was less sympathetic because it would have made some scenes easier to get through.

The plot got almost unbearably terrifying at times... which is really impressive. I can't remember the last time I was physically afraid while reading a novel, but here we are.

So, overall, a very impressive book! I'll definitely be recommending this author. ( )