"A fun, engaging start to Hillman’s Charlie Smythington Mystery Series"

• ASIN: ‎ B08NTYN51R
• Publisher: ‎ Sync Publishing Inc. (17 Nov. 2020)
• Language: ‎ English
• Print length: ‎ 259 pages
• Page numbers source ISBN: ‎ 1736125303
• Genre: Suspense Thrillers

The BookViral Review:

A Phone to Kill For is the first book in Paul Hillman’s Charlie Smythington Mystery Series and there is much by the way of heavy-duty intrigue to keep fans of suspense novels engaged throughout.

With plenty of relentless momentum, the plot is driven by Hillman’s flair for dialogue and vibrant well-observed characters with none more engaging than his protagonist Charlie Smythington. A twenty-four-year-old insurance salesman with the gift of the gab he’s tenacious and intelligent, which are qualities you need when you find yourself at the centre of a dark web of events that includes murder, abduction, gunfights and a failed assassination attempt on the President of the USA!

With much vying for the reader’s attention Hillman doesn’t sacrifice pace for frivolous detail, ensuring each character’s presence is credible to the story. He knows just when to linger and create atmosphere, a sense of place, or purpose for his characters, instead of falling back on trite clichés and this adds immeasurably to the intricacies of his plot. Whilst wit, rapid-fire dialogue and subtle sardonic touches add an abundance of atmosphere.

With an unpredictable plot that constantly reframes the narrative, the intrigue grows ever thicker as Charlie and Sonja find themselves drawn into an increasingly intricate web of terror. There’s no unnecessary glut of blood and hysteria, it isn’t needed, as Hillman builds the tension in sure calculating steps whilst leveraging the interplay between Nick and Sonja as they head towards a cleverly calculated reveal.

A fun, engaging start to Hillman’s Charlie Smythington Mystery Series, A Phone To Kill For is definitely recommended.