When a shockingly gruesome and grotesque murder occurs in a small fishing town, Kes Morris is called in the from the big city to lead the investigation. She quickly puts together a team including one member who was witness to the murders. But even as the investigation gets underway, another murder is reported, one just as weird and terrible as the first.

Beneath Her Skin by C.S. Porter is the first in what I can only hope is the beginning of a new series with a storyline that drew me in right from the start so that I devoured in one setting. It is fast-paced and compelling. Kes is a strong female protagonist clearly beset with demons of her own but who never backs away from the investigation even after a severe injury, spurred on by her memories of her dead father’s words of encouragement. The rest of the characters are also well-written and mostly likeable - even the villain is sympathetic.In fact, it is clear that sometimes, when it comes to defining who is the victim and who the perpetrator, the law and morality don’t always match.

Beneath Her Skin is a real page turner and I recommend it highly with one caveat - it deals with child abuse in a school setting, a subject matter some readers may find difficult.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review ( )