Neil Cross is the creator and writer for the BBC crime series "Luther" for which he has won an Edgar Award.

"Luther: The Calling" is the first book in a series that stars no nonsense Deputy Chief Inspector John Luther.

The central part of this compulsively readable story involves a serial killer who has just killed a young couple and stolen their infant.

Luther is a workaholic who puts himself so much into the investigation that it's affecting his marriage. His wife sees that he's acting irrationally and not sleeping. She wants him to take time off...but there's always another victim to save.

The characters are described to perfection and Luther is an easy character to feel empathy for and hope that he can solve the case and save his marriage. The antagonist is a sociopath who doesn't care what the effect of his crimes is on others. Seeing him in action would have most readers want to check the locks on their doors.

The plotting is clever and this is an extremely enjoyable read.