I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

An older couple witnesses a horrific incident, and goes down a rabbit hole that will shock everyone in author Jeff Senior’s “The Itch That Couldn’t Be Scratched”.

The Synopsis

Ed and Jess are happy in retirement – that is, until their lives are forever changed when they witness a woman take her own life. Why did she do it? The police aren’t investigating and no one seems to care. But Ed and Jess do, and they’re determined to uncover the truth behind her tragic act.

Their investigation soon reveals a pandora’s box that includes war crimes, criminal conspiracies, police corruption and a pervasive need for justice left unfulfilled. Can this ordinary elderly couple succeed where officials refuse to tread? The deeper Ed digs, the more strain it puts on his marriage as Jess grows fearful of the dangers involved.

Yet despite tensions at home and sinister forces working against them, Ed persists, compelled by his conscience to see this through to the end. His good intentions pave an unpredictable path filled with chance encounters, family complications, and life-threatening risks.

Will Ed unravel the mystery in time or will his obsession bring disaster upon himself and those close to him? One thing’s for sure: he has no plans to stop until justice is served.

The Review

This was such a gripping and engaging mystery read. The harrowing experiences and heart-pounding thrills that this couple experiences are jaw-dropping, and the relatability of the protagonists instantly draws the reader in. The shocking inciting incident frames the whole tone of the narrative, and the perfect use of imagery in the author’s writing allows the reader to feel entrenched in this story.

The stand-out moments in this story were the rich character arcs and the powerful themes. The bond and love between Ed and Jess instantly draw the reader further into the book, while the antagonist that develops will have readers eager to see justice brought to light. Yet the theme of obsession versus justice plays perfectly in this book. The atmosphere that is developed speaks to the true crime fans and podcasters of the world, all of whom feel a need to see justice done while still getting in over their heads. 

The Verdict

Heartbreaking, thrilling, and entertaining, author Jeff Senior’s “The Itch That Couldn’t Be Scratched” is a must-read mystery novel. The shocking twists and turns that the story gets, the unique characters that populate this world, and the haunting ending will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

I was born and still live in West Yorkshire, England, with my wife of over 52 years. We have two children and two grandchildren.

I spent most of my working life as a freelance writer, initially as a Technical Author in the IT industry and later writing magazine articles and website content. I’ve long had an ambition to write a novel but the need to pay off the mortgage and support my family meant I needed a more reliable source of income.

Now I’m past retirement age, I’ve at last been able to achieve my ambition. The result is my first published novel, “The Itch That Couldn’t Be Scratched”.

It’s a tale of obsession, of one man’s quest to seek justice for a woman he never knew and the effect on his relationship with his wife and family. It also explores how decisions we make, usually with the best of intentions, can have unforeseen and unfortunate consequences.

I’m currently working on my next book, a sequel to the first one. Whether this ever gets published may depend on how the first one goes.

https://www.jeffsenior.co.uk