His investigations lead him to discover that all murders are recreations of previous serial killings carried out on the anniversaries of the events. As the bodies mount up, he comes under increasing pressure to find the killer, and enlists the help of a crime researcher attached to a newspaper. This happens to be John Costello, who survived the Hammer of God attack.
I thought this was a very well written novel, with strong characters whose lives and relationships intertwined and developed. There was a good sense of place, and the author obviously has a detailed knowledge of New York - despite being English. I found the details of the murders very gruesome though, and I wouldn't normally read such a violent novel. It was even more shocking to learn at the end that the book was based on real life serial killings .... However, it was so well written, and such a page turner, that I'd read more by this author.
