Karla's Way

"Karla could not believe the man chasing her had recovered so quickly, or could run so fast. She increased the pace and her trainers thumped on the bare wooden boards of the pier as she fought not to slip on the wet surface. Here the wind was even stronger and there was spray from the sea that might perhaps put him off his aim, if she was fortunate. Another three shots came in quick succession, one of them actually went through her hair which was being blown all around her head. Despite the wind, the covered areas were full of dozens of young people who had been steadily drinking, and were hoping for something to spice up their Friday night. They were not to be disappointed. Thirty young people watched with astonishment as a rain drenched, dark haired woman came out of the night, sprinted past them without a pause to the end of the pier, then leapt with ease onto the top cross bar of the metal balustrade and dived full tilt into the black sea." Karla-Yvonne Graz, child abuse victim, decorated but subsequently disgraced police officer, and convicted revenge serial killer, is secretly released from prison, at 34, five years before her time. Shunned by friends and colleagues, barred from almost all professions, she struggles to put her life back together and start again. Powerful people have not forgotten Karla though, and on her release they begin to reach out to her again. Soon she finds herself first being hunted then pulled back into the dangerous world she hoped to have left behind forever.