Past Tense by Jason McNamara (Author), Alberto Massaggia (Illustrator)
Synopsis:
Ashley is a tour guide at PAST TENSE, a company that sends camera drones into the past to view history’s most depraved events.
When Ashley discovers Silas Green, an unknown serial killer working in the past, she begins hosting “exclusive” tours of his murders. The only problem? Silas is still alive in the present. And when he learns of his newfound infamy, he is inspired to come out of retirement to make Ashley his final victim: Now and forever.
Review:
Ashley is a fallible protagonist, bending the rules to make the most money she can to take care of her invalid mother. The company she works for has explicit rules. And when Ashley discovers a serial killer, she feels forced to go along with his wishes, a slow torture for her – watching the horror of his actions over and over.
This standalone thriller reminds me a bit of the movie Frequency, involving a serial killer with a time-travel-like-twist, but especially in regards to the anxious feel of the film. And the dark, loose, and sometimes-graphic artwork added to the dark and edgy story. It was an incredibly memorable read – from the intense, pulse-pounding suspense of a soulless serial killer to the unique time travel (with drones). I enjoyed the unpredictable twists and exciting, climactic ending. This story will stick with me for a while.