This. BOOK. I’m honestly so obsessed with The Development by Jackie Kabler. The characters. The story. The TENSION.

I didn’t have time to read this all in one sitting, but there were many occasions when I couldn’t stop thinking about this book, so had to make time to read a chapter. I even took it with me when cooking so I could read a page – although, I wouldn’t recommend this, as you’ll be too engrossed that you’ll burn your food (OPPS!).

The plot:

Cora Baxter is a TV reporter, with work that takes her across the country. On a drive home, she witnesses a young woman’s suicide.

We follow Cora’s journey, as information about unscrupulous businessmen, a suspended police officer and hate-mail sending neighbours comes to light. With her eccentric camera crew on hand to help, can Cora work out what happened in the days before the woman’s death? And was it really suicide after all?

Now I vowed to never give away spoilers, so I won’t. But this book gets super tense and is actually really unpredictable for a detective like yours truly.

I was biting my nails and even shed a tear. I did not want this book to end. There were so many emotions that came with this book; I absolutely adored the characters that Kabler has created, I immediately became attached. Kabler‘s writing style is also perfect – I can’t fault it.

I did not want this book to end.

The Development is the third in the Cora Baxter crime mystery series, but I’d never read any previous books, and it appears to give no spoilers and can be read as a stand-alone book. But warning: The Development will make you want to buy ALL of Jackie Kabler‘s other books.

10/10 for this book. It couldn’t have been written any better.

Bookmark That stamp of approval (BIG TIME).

The Development, Jackie Kabler, RRP £7.99 (paperback); BookDepository – Waterstones