Turning Point was a fast-paced crime novella, with a decent twist at the end.
A small town and its police department of is plagued by a serial killer given the moniker Russian Doll Killer due to the nesting dolls left at each crime scene.
What is the significance of the killer's calling card? Will the police, inexperienced with such violent crimes, be able to capture the first serial killer in the town's history?

Unfortunately, the concept was more interesting than the actual novella. Most of the characters felt flat and underdeveloped, with the exception of Michael who was obnoxiously unlikeable (it's intentional but it becomes grating very quickly and made it hard to keep reading at points). As a "thriller", it wasn't particularly thrilling. Even the twist ending didn't feel altogether shocking, rather mildly diverting.

It was a decent read, quick read.
Rather standard police procedural/crime fare, but not bad way to spend an afternoon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing this ARC.

This was a quick little read. It had the twists and turns you expect from Mr. Deaver. Just not as fully developed as his usual books. I personally prefer the longer books but this was still a good little story.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.

Turning Point was a quick crime/thriller novella that unfortunately didn't thrill me in the slightest. There is a fun little twist at the end that I didn't see coming, but apart from that, I did not feel like this had a lot to offer. Neither Michael nor Sheriff Neville appears to have more than a few personality traits, and while it is difficult to make a reader care about characters in just over 60 pages, this novella unfortunately failed to make me care about anything that happened in it.

This is a new short story from Deaver. I've only read a few of his stories, but he's great with twists, and this book was no exception. I enjoy Russian nesting dolls, so I like that addition. This is a quick, enjoyable read.

Turning Point is a new short story from Jeffery Deaver.

"A serial killer is terrorizing a midwestern suburb. He's leaving a Russian Nesting Doll at every murder. There are few forensics. When Detective Neville finds a doll at his back doorstep, he knows he has to try something radical to catch the killer. He hopes it will work...or he might be behind bars instead."

Deaver is excellent at misdirection and twists. This story has you thinking it's going one way, but Deaver always has something else. Michael Stendahl is a character that's unfiltered and rude. One of those people that gets under your skin. You may know someone like him.

Interesting story from Deaver. Still can't help finding something to overexplain (there's a couple of pages on the history of Russian Nesting Dolls) Nice twist at the end. Hope that Deaver will give us a book with Detective Neville.

This was a really enjoyable read, interesting with a twist I did not see coming and couldn't have guessed.

While I don't generally go for novellas or short stories, I was intrigued by the idea of this one, as it's written by one of my all-time favourite crime and thriller authors - and it didn't disappoint! Turning Point is a clever novella that features a perfect mix of intrigue and the classic Deaver bait-and-switch, all with a discomfort-inducing, morally questionable main character (always a bonus, in my book). It's super easy to read in one go, making it perfect reading material for your commute to work and back, or for those precious few minutes before turning out the bedside lamp for the evening.

A serial killer is loose .. and creating havoc wherever he goes. He stalks an unwitting victim, follows her home, taking with him a backpack holding hammer, screwdrivers, knives .. and a set of Russian Nesting Dolls. He's earned the name of RDK - Russian Doll Killer.

Detective Ernest Neville goes from crime scene to crime scene, searching for whatever clues he can find ... which rarely exists.


With his career in danger, citizens in danger, and in one instance his own family in danger .. all he can do is pray that they catch the killer sooner rather than later. But is waiting the answer?

This is a short story by a well-known author. The intricate plot is filled with intriguing characters. Be warned .. there are enough twists and turns to rival the world's faster roller coaster.

Many thanks to the author / Amazon Original Stories / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Turning Point is a short story by award-winning American author, Jeffery Deaver. At the press briefing outside the home of the latest victim, Detective Ernest Neville wonders if the killer will be in the crowd. He is.

The Russian Doll Killer, as he has been dubbed because he leaves matryoshka dolls behind at each scene, is the cause of a major headache that has the Handleman County Sheriff on his back and the Mayor demanding results. The Washington profiler’s report is no help. Perhaps an unconventional approach is needed…

Dressed in running gear, his car parked far enough away, Michael Stendahl watches the cop fielding questions, and he is confident nothing will give him away: this fourth victim won’t be pinned on him.

With this short fiction, Deaver again proves he’s a master at crime: this is a cleverly-plotted tale that starts off chilling, has twists and red herrings, and turns out to be very entertaining, especially the insults. A quick dose of Deaver excellence.

Very much enjoyed this book, it kept my interest the whole way through and kept me guessing until the very end. I’m a big Jeffery Deaver fan and this disappoint. It was tense, dark and dangerous and left me wanting more. A great read.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Amazon Originals and the author, Jeffrey Deaver, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of Turning Point in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Loved this novella from the very first page. It was certainly very short and sweet but such a great storyline that draws you in.
Well worth a read.

Turning Point is a scintillating and rapid-fire 66-page serial killer thriller written especially for Amazon by Deaver. It's a short and punchy novella but one that leaves a lasting impression; after all, Deaver is a master of suspense, mystery and twisty-turns plot lines. At around 9pm on Wednesday November 11, in the Midwestern suburbs of Handleman County, a woman renting the house at 12358 Juniper Drive had become the fourth victim of the Russian Doll Killer (RDK), aka Michael Stendhal, named after the calling card he leaves at each scene of brutality - a set of Russian Matryoshka dolls (aka nesting dolls). This time it had only been two weeks between the slayings which indicates the killer is escalating and becoming bolder. In the Detective Division at the County Sheriff's Office, Detective Ernest Neville is becoming increasingly frustrated with the murderers propensity to have them run ragged and ending up being no further to catching him than when they started. Can they apprehend him before another person dies?

This book proves that even if you have little time to read but are a fan of crime thrillers or police procedurals that you can get the same thrills and chills from a short story such as this than a lengthier story. It was entertaining, exciting and full of dangerous moments where you're cheering the Detectives on in the hope they'll catch this vicious psychopath before he can strike again. Full of action, drama, twists, suspense, true to life dialogue and even the characterisation, which often suffers in a shorter book, is pretty great. I also have to mention that the wittiness and banter in some of the characters' conversations really added to the riveting nature of the fast-paced and expertly plotted story. Engaging, enthralling and fun, but be warned: nothing is quite as it seems. Highly recommended to all thriller fans, those who fancy a short, sharp thrill ride and Deaver crime connoisseurs.

Short and sweet but definitely worth it! This novella certainly packed a punch and had such a good twist it made you want to read it all over again. A very sweet ending too. So if you’re looking for something to pass a couple of hours this is it. Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for letting me read and review it.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. A serial that leaves a Russian doll at the scene of the crimes. The detective on the case has very little to work with. This book was a quick read.

Michael may be the most obnoxious person to ever grace the planet. He may also be a serial killer. Ernest Neville is the detective in charge of the Russian Doll serial killer case. Unfortunately, this killer is smart and leaves no evidence and the team is stumped. And now the killer is escalating. In desperation, Neville comes up with a plan that, ifit succeeds, will save lives but if it fails, will likely cost him his job. But what choice does he have?

Turning Point is a serial killer thriller short story by Jeffrey Deaver. It’s more character-driven than mystery or action but that’sokay because the characters are interesting. This is a very engrossing read, the kind that’s hard to put down. Definitely a high recommendation for anyone looking for a fast entertaining thriller.

<i>Thanks to Netalley & Amazon Original Stories for the opportunity to read this bookin exchange for an honest review</i>

I was confused for much of this short story / novella. We're in the head of Michael, who seems like the most inept murderer I've come across - drawing attention to himself at every turn... which (as a seasoned reader of crime fiction and thrillers) I KNOW serial killers who've evaded police shouldn't do.

And, let's face it, he's a prick. (I wrote exactly that in my notes!) He's thoroughly unlikeable, to the extent it seems impossible to believe he could actually leave his apartment without picking a fight with someone. He's spectacularly judgemental, for example.

We go back and forth in time because our other narrator is a detective who we learn has had his family threatened by the killer, so starting to take risks he might otherwise avoid.

This is an Amazon Original story and I note the company has published several by well-known authors (Emma Donoghue, Caroline Kepnes, Roxanne Gay etc). I wouldn't say this is Deaver's best work but there's a little twist that makes it more interesting than it otherwise might have been.

66 pages

4 stars

Detective Ernest Neville is investigating a case where the killer is nicknamed Russian Doll Killer (RDK). Thus far several women have been murdered. He comes up with a plan to catch RDK. Hopefully, it won't backfire.

Then there is Michael Stendahl. He is very subtle in his biting criticism. It angers the listener and makes them very hurt and angry. An interesting character to be sure.

This is a very interesting and engaging short story. What little was told about Detective Neville, I liked. I would like to read more about him. I even liked Michael – a little. Although as a person he was horrid, I appreciated his style of “wit.” He has one liners down pat.

While the little book was far too short, I loved every page of it. Very well written and plotted as are all of Mr. Deaver's novels. I would like to see more, please.

I want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions here are my own.

What a fun read! Short and quick with a very good twist! What more can you ask for?!
This is a story about a serial killer who's calling card was a Babusca doll or also called a nesting doll. What is the meaning of this? What clever idea will Ernest Neville come up with to catch this brutal killer?

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Original stories for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

A great story with an interesting twist. I can see Deaver fleshing the plot out even further to become a novel. I found Michael unlikable but extremely interesting, and would like to see and know more about him.

You know with certain authors you are seldom going to be disappointed. More so when reading short stories and novellas. There is something quite satisfying to pick up a book and finish it in a couple of hours while knowing you will have been entertained, stimulated and had conventional storytelling ideas challenged.
So as a general note - always pick up a Jeffrey Deaver novel or short story as he writes from a strong base of success and isn’t restricted in just producing formulaic stories.
Turning Point is at least four stories in one. In that it covers a number of interesting concepts.
The mind of a serial killer, the vulnerability of a police officer and their family, the fact that once within the criminal system can you change a person and can people be so rude that in conversations they just shoot from the hip and say it as it is?
Full of tension and twists. You feel never in control of the plot in terms of what is happening or is it appropriate to warm to certain characters. But you feel safe as Deaver will never use cheap tricks or leave you feeling let down.
Consequently the story is fresh and original in its development and resolution. Full of observational humour, he has a great ear for dialogue and character interaction.
I found it a joy from beginning to end, cringingly funny at times and wonderfully brought to a satisfactory conclusion which integrates all these concepts mentioned and makes for a clever story.