I don't know what it is about a good serial killer novel that is extremely satisfying. It really shouldn't be, these tales go into the darkest part of the soul. And this book opens with a dark bang, your in your home and to find an unwanted evil there goes straight to the heart. The fact that evil is often quashed in these books, if a good feeling, the knight slaying the dragon. But what I really liked about this book, it's first half is a brilliant horror novel. It's terrifying, disturbing, and graphic. You do not want to meet those two un-subs in a dark alley. Though, Black or Glen Duncan (or the werewolf guy as we refer to him at work) takes care with his characters, as in non of them are just kill fodder, you are never waiting for someone to be disembowelled, even the most minor of characters.

Though, the second half does turn into a normal procedural, this I admit is an odd criticism because the narrative begs for the more fast paced procedure element. Your reading will change with the style of the novel the first half you read slowly, switching from subconscious to subconscious, enjoying tasty morsels of metaphors and descriptions, all ramping up the tension. But as soon as the procedure begins you speed you, skimming over unusual words to get to the plot, which is moving faster and faster.

Because of that, this is an unusual thriller that deserves a second read, a little like Silence of the Lambs which it strong evokes because it is not just a who done it mystery, it is a strong character novel, even if you know where it will ultimately lead.

I started this book by listening to the audio version. I am now 0 for 2 with audio books- I think I’m done with them, we just don’t mesh. The narrator sort of read in a way that made the situations sound laughable, instead of suspenseful. If I had kept listening, it would have definitely been a 1 star book for me. About 12% in I switched to reading it and it was a tad bit better. Overall I found a lot of the dialogue to be a bit corny (so it wasn’t just the narrator) and found the story a bit predictable. But I’m glad I switched to reading it, even though it took me a while to get the narrator’s voice out of my head.

I don’t think I’ve ever read the second half of a book this quickly! I had serious anxiety while reading this book! I thought the plot was so well thought out and the characters so very well done!

I feel like so many thrillers throw in cheesy plot twists just for a plot twist, but this entire book just threaded together as it went along. I would fly through chapters to get to the next piece and see how the author was slowly building into the finale of this book.

I was not disappointed in the ending either, as I have been in so many other thrillers.

Well done!

Recommended by Maxine from Goodreads, thank you!
As usual I cannot decide which book to read first, so I started two on the same day with a few others not even finished. Currently nothing really grabs me, and I should abandon some altogether, just not sure, which.
But this starts with action, and I will read on.

I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Quite simply, I could not put this down! A gripping crime story, in which the murderer has a twisted motive, reminiscent of Criminal Minds or The Bridge. Some of the English was not as polished as I expected but that might be because it was a galley. Either way, I finished it in a few days which is quick for me! A fast(er) reader could definitely devour this in a day or two. I shall be looking at for more from Black.

If you like Criminal Minds you'll like this - it's exactly like an episode.

This book disturbed me to no end. It's a book about human monsters, and how these monsters damage the good humans out to stop them from murdering others. The book starts out balls to the wall frightening, and refuses to let up. Black does a superior job leaping from various characters POV's, assuring that they all have a distinctive voice.

Black even managed to insert a love story into the ugly mix. Imagine that.

If you are squeamish, don't attempt to read this book. There are sickening details, but Black doesn't glory in the grotesque. He's on the side of the angels, but this book dials up the tension to the end. At the end, Black kindly gives us three pages of explanation, and the love story.

I have his second novel in the Valerie Hart series sitting on my reading chair. But I need a break. If that book is as intense as this one, I'll forget to go to work!

Very Intense! Grabs you from the 1st sentence and doesn't let go!