Flawed Beauty


Fiction - Crime
257 Pages
Reviewed on 08/14/2021
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Flawed Beauty by Ernesto H. Lee is an intricately crafted thriller that will appeal to fans of robust characters and stories with a solid and well-developed conflict. DCI Erin Blake deals with a complicated situation at home, facing an irreversible break in her marriage and with two kids to take care of. But something else grabs her attention: a killer is roaming the streets, and she knows he will kill again. She doesn’t know how soon, but he must be stopped. The only problem is that this killer is not like others. DCI Blake has to navigate the complex relationships within her team and stop the killer before it is too late.

Flawed Beauty is a well-plotted and brilliantly executed story with characters that are real and emotionally rich. There are unpredictable moments in the story, and I enjoyed how the author twists the plot points. One of the characters that is so skillfully written and will surprise readers is Tony. The author explores his relationship with Rhonda with emotional intelligence and establishes a surprising link to the murder of Shreya. One of the strengths of this novel is Ernesto H. Lee’s deft handling of characters: he makes sure they are honest and genuinely flawed. The conflict moves the story forward and through unexpected twists. The world-building is excellently accomplished, and the internal dialogues deepen the conflict and pull readers into the inner world of the characters. The narrative is always straightforward, and the exchanges read naturally. Ernesto H. Lee’s Flawed Beauty satisfies like a movie that compels you to watch until the last moment.

K.C. Finn

Flawed Beauty is a work of fiction in the crime and suspense sub-genres. It is aimed at mature adult readers and was penned by author Ernesto H Lee. The book follows Erin Blake as she hunts down a serial killer who has humiliated her in the public eye. This killer is a dangerous one, defying all attempts at profiling and going against the expected behavior of someone with a taste for violence. As the trail gets more complex, Erin’s hunt is complicated by a journalist determined to get in her face to get the scoop of a lifetime. At the same time, Erin faces a support team barely holding it together in their personal and professional lives.

Flawed Beauty is a dark and imaginative murder mystery filled with twists and turns that will keep you wanting more. The story was engaging, exciting, and easy to keep up with, and the characters felt fully realized and easy to connect with. Lee has a keen sense of atmosphere and does a fantastic job of building tension and keeping you on the edge of your seat. Throughout the book, clues are dropped in at well-placed intervals, and when we get the resolution, everything makes sense with the clues given. Author Ernesto H Lee delivers a well-thought-out story filled with clever dialogue and scene descriptions that build tension and suspense throughout. I’d not hesitate to recommend Flawed Beauty to fans of exciting and fast-paced crime novels and those looking for a fresh take on the murder mystery genre.

Pikasho Deka

If you consider yourself a fan of murder mysteries, grab yourself a copy of Ernesto H. Lee's crime fiction novel Flawed Beauty. After the brutal disfigurement and murder of a young woman in Merseyside, Erin Blake and the rest of her murder squad delve into the investigation amidst considerable public scrutiny and media frenzy. While investigating the case, Erin finds two previous murder cases that she thinks might provide clues about the killer, but she finds herself distracted by the constant bickering between her newly-made Detective Inspector and one of her Detective Sergeants. When they get their hands on a suspect, Erin and her team give their all to prepare the evidence necessary to prosecute. But she soon discovers that things may not be as they seem.

Filled with intrigue, suspense, and thrilling moments, Flawed Beauty is a page-turner of a novel that you don't want to miss out on. Author Ernesto H. Lee adds a unique twist to the age-old whodunnit premise that is bound to entertain readers who love sleuth stories or detective novels. The narrative focuses upon a group of characters in a police precinct, trying to catch a serial killer involved in a series of high-profile murders. Erin's constant struggles to keep her subordinates off each other's backs create some real drama, adding depth to the characters and making them feel realistic. I also enjoyed her dynamic with DI Terri Marchetti. Flawed Beauty was entertaining all the way through, and I would highly recommend it to fans of detective stories everywhere.

Jennifer Ibiam

Shreya is on her way home after a night of fun with her cousin, Praneeta, when she is brutally slaughtered, a trademark souvenir left on her body. This brings Detective Chief Inspector Erin and her team to the scene. Two other deaths are discovered, and the team tries to draw a link. With a journalist hell-bent on making a caricature of Erin’s career, a past flame that threatens her professionalism and a slow team, she’s racing against time and baffled that the serial killer doesn’t fit the stereotype. Erin has behavioral science training and expects a pattern, but every death looks like a dead-end, giving the killer a get-out card. Is there such a thing as the perfect crime? Will Erin find the killer and redeem her image? Flawed Beauty by Ernesto H. Lee has all the details.

Ernesto H. Lee has crafted a brilliant crime novel that will appeal to lovers of detective stories. The plot was unique. I loved the story itself, which started slowly and built momentum as it went. Each chapter introduced a new level of suspense and intensity that kept me locked in until the last page. Lee chiefly explored the theme of deception in Flawed Beauty, and the turn of events was truly jaw-dropping. The story’s unpredictability carried the appropriate shock value. From Danica to Tony and Shreya, it’s established that there are hidden depths to people. Sometimes, all we’re looking for is within us. DI Gladwell was my favorite character: he was meticulous and put his heart into his work. Ernesto developed the characters perfectly, even the villains. The story was also easy to follow as the dialogues were clear. I enjoyed reading Flawed Beauty immensely!

Susan Sewell

The police are scrambling to find a serial killer mutilating his victims in Merseyside before he strikes again in the sensational crime thriller, Flawed Beauty by Ernesto H Lee. When her ex-lover, Terri, receives the coveted position as her second, passing over veteran detective Tony, the complications in Detective Chief Inspector Erin Blake's life are only beginning. Discovered the day after Terri joins Erin's team, a young woman's disfigured body looks suspiciously similar to the fate of another young woman three months earlier. The gory link sets the team on the hunt for a killer. In the meantime, a reporter knows more about the killer than the police do, calling them out during a press conference. In addition to Erin's problems, Terri and Tony are going head to head due to Tony's insubordination. Can Erin's team pull together and catch the killer before he strikes again? Or will they frustrate him and be the next victims?

Filled with suspense and action, Flawed Beauty by Ernesto H Lee is a fast-paced, nail-biting crime thriller. It is a heart-pounding story that captures the reader from the very first page. The disturbing and unforgettable scenes of blood and gore create an intense and horrifying mood that kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page. Skillfully written and containing an unexpected twist, the story comes to a shocking and explosive climax. With a captivating plot, an engaging protagonist, a depraved villain, and an intriguing storyline, it is a novel that promises to delight those who relish thrilling crime stories. Due to the violence contained in the scenes, Flawed Beauty is more suitable for mature readers and is well worth picking up.