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sooky's review against another edition
3.0
Someone is stealing tattoos off dead people in Brighton. When Detective Inspector Francis Sullivan starts sniffing around, tattoo artist Marni Mulligan finds herself involved in a tattoo expert capacity. She doesn’t trust the police and wants nothing to do with the investigation, but at the same time finds herself drawn to Francis, whom she calls Frank, just to annoy him.
Alison Belsham’s story is quite an intricate mystery, and the whole tatto angle is pretty fascinating. I learned a lot about different techniques and styles, which I found quite interesting.
Francis Sullivan is the youngest DI at age 29. Disliked by his team, this gangly ginger dude is not quite convinced he deserved the promotion. Great start, isn’t it? He comes across sort of clumsy and weird, which made me question his promotion too, if I may say so. His boss, DCI Bradshaw is totally unprofessional, swears like a motherfucking sailor and calls Francis “boy” and calls him an idiot in front of colleagues. Other colleagues spent most of their time spying and snitching on each other. This behaviour was carried throughout the whole story, which, frankly sort of distracted me from the mystery on hand.
Let’s just hope the actual police is not a bunch of scheming wankers like these ones, otherwise we are all doomed
Alison Belsham’s story is quite an intricate mystery, and the whole tatto angle is pretty fascinating. I learned a lot about different techniques and styles, which I found quite interesting.
Francis Sullivan is the youngest DI at age 29. Disliked by his team, this gangly ginger dude is not quite convinced he deserved the promotion. Great start, isn’t it? He comes across sort of clumsy and weird, which made me question his promotion too, if I may say so. His boss, DCI Bradshaw is totally unprofessional, swears like a motherfucking sailor and calls Francis “boy” and calls him an idiot in front of colleagues. Other colleagues spent most of their time spying and snitching on each other. This behaviour was carried throughout the whole story, which, frankly sort of distracted me from the mystery on hand.
Let’s just hope the actual police is not a bunch of scheming wankers like these ones, otherwise we are all doomed
kirkw1972's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this but had a couple of issues with it but I don't mind that as it gives me something more to write a review about. I like the idea of a detective solving crimes with a tattoo artist. I think that might be a new one in the genre. Reading the blurb for the next two books it also looks like they keep getting caught up in some very macabre crimes starting with this one where a killer is taking the tattoo's of their victims as a trophy. It's not for everyone being so dark and graphic but I enjoyed it.
There are a couple of things I didn't like. The DCI for one. I know we need a variety of characters to make a rounded book but God he's a prat. Hiring a new DI, firing him twice in one week, very outdated views. HIs overall character just felt messy so I'm intrigued as to how he will, if at all, develop. It does also look like this is a debut and there's many a successful author that started off with some dodgy bits in a debut.
I was also a bit confused by Francis's career. A newly qualified DI the book makes lots of mentions to being inexperienced. I know he got the role passing exams but it felt like he'd passed an exam after walking in off the streets. He must have some policing experience and he's certainly not stupid (unlike the DCI ahem...). I would have liked a bit more about his background but again, it's book 1 of 3 so let's see if I'm still complaining when I've read the rest.
I will be reading the rest. As said, it's dark, authentic, gripping. It's an interesting mix of characters bringing in the tattoo community. Having tattoos and coming from a family with heavy tattoos it appeals to me and is also probably why some of the police views grated. I'm intrigued by Marni's past and can't wait to read a bit more on that. She's lived an interesting life. Francis is quite religious and again something I'd like to see explored more as I read the next books. They are an unlikely due so I really do want to know what happens next. The story itself is gripping and the first time I've sat up all night to finish a book this year. Definitely a book I'd recommend
There are a couple of things I didn't like. The DCI for one. I know we need a variety of characters to make a rounded book but God he's a prat. Hiring a new DI, firing him twice in one week, very outdated views. HIs overall character just felt messy so I'm intrigued as to how he will, if at all, develop. It does also look like this is a debut and there's many a successful author that started off with some dodgy bits in a debut.
I was also a bit confused by Francis's career. A newly qualified DI the book makes lots of mentions to being inexperienced. I know he got the role passing exams but it felt like he'd passed an exam after walking in off the streets. He must have some policing experience and he's certainly not stupid (unlike the DCI ahem...). I would have liked a bit more about his background but again, it's book 1 of 3 so let's see if I'm still complaining when I've read the rest.
I will be reading the rest. As said, it's dark, authentic, gripping. It's an interesting mix of characters bringing in the tattoo community. Having tattoos and coming from a family with heavy tattoos it appeals to me and is also probably why some of the police views grated. I'm intrigued by Marni's past and can't wait to read a bit more on that. She's lived an interesting life. Francis is quite religious and again something I'd like to see explored more as I read the next books. They are an unlikely due so I really do want to know what happens next. The story itself is gripping and the first time I've sat up all night to finish a book this year. Definitely a book I'd recommend
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I absolutely loved this book! I thought the concept was so clever and I do wish that the book included pictures of the tattoos described as I can see them being so complex and detailed! I really liked the twist at the end, even if I had guessed that it would happen which did make me feel very proud of myself. Be warned, the details are very graphic!
julie7's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
5.0
I thought this was brilliant!
Not too many characters, and I enjoyed getting to know every one of them.
Maybe not for the squeamish, as had detailed descriptions of murder victims. Also a little swearing, but this was in context and not just swearing for swearing sake.
This was set in Brighton, where I frequently holiday. I do find that I have a better connection when I can picture the setting of a book.
A great, fast paced plot. I'm looking forward to reading the second in the series.
Not too many characters, and I enjoyed getting to know every one of them.
Maybe not for the squeamish, as had detailed descriptions of murder victims. Also a little swearing, but this was in context and not just swearing for swearing sake.
This was set in Brighton, where I frequently holiday. I do find that I have a better connection when I can picture the setting of a book.
A great, fast paced plot. I'm looking forward to reading the second in the series.
serrasa's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
xcharlotteliz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
mandylovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
This book will not be for everyone... it is dark, disturbing and graphic. If you can cope with that you will love this book! Lately there have been a lot of books with such similar stories that it has been hard to tell them apart. This one was absolutely an original story, and one that had me hooked.
Marni Mullians is a tattoo expert, she knows her ink as a tattoo artist in Brighton. When she makes the horrifying discovery in the rubbish near her studio of a man who has had his tattoos removed, she becomes the leading expert for the police investigating the murder. DI Francis Sullivan is newly promoted and has to prove himself to his superiors. This is his first murder case. Then a second body is found and they have serial killer on their hands.. a killer who is collecting tattoos from his victims while they are still alive.
Thanks to Orion Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
Marni Mullians is a tattoo expert, she knows her ink as a tattoo artist in Brighton. When she makes the horrifying discovery in the rubbish near her studio of a man who has had his tattoos removed, she becomes the leading expert for the police investigating the murder. DI Francis Sullivan is newly promoted and has to prove himself to his superiors. This is his first murder case. Then a second body is found and they have serial killer on their hands.. a killer who is collecting tattoos from his victims while they are still alive.
Thanks to Orion Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
zenaki's review
4.0
It was an incredible crime novel! I enjoyed every moment of it! Its a new favorite of mine! Although it had some plot holes, the plot twists in this book where there till the end! It's a big yes from me!
thebooktrail88's review
4.0
I know nothing about the world of tattoos apart from what I see on Tattoo Fixers on the telly. but something about this novel intrigued me as the premise seemed so interesting and new. I don’t understand how someone can willingly undergo a needle just to have a flower or something on their skin. I didn’t even like those billy stampers( Remember them? I feel old)
Anyway, I digress. This is a cracking crime/serial killer which if like me, needles make you shiver, this is going to make you do more than that! As the best thrillers should do. Marni is an interesting character and I was invested in her and her world from the start.
Imagine finding a body in the bin and then be dragged into a serial killer case because you know about tattoos? Imagine someone stealing these tattoos? Made me think of that Roald Dahl story Skin - that made me shiver as this novel does. But in a good way!
I enjoyed the story being told in four voices the events seen through the eyes of four people. Like four eyes tattooed on an arm.....
Francis was a good character but blimey he was thrown under the bus on more than one occasion. Tough as nails though in the stubbornness department so I was rooting for him to get one over on the others and get his case.
Very graphic though this - not sure if I will read anymore of this theme but that’s no fault of the author! I’ll have to practice watching Tattoo Fixers in the meantime to toughen up. I hope her next one involves something softer and nicer like baking cakes ;)
Anyway, I digress. This is a cracking crime/serial killer which if like me, needles make you shiver, this is going to make you do more than that! As the best thrillers should do. Marni is an interesting character and I was invested in her and her world from the start.
Imagine finding a body in the bin and then be dragged into a serial killer case because you know about tattoos? Imagine someone stealing these tattoos? Made me think of that Roald Dahl story Skin - that made me shiver as this novel does. But in a good way!
I enjoyed the story being told in four voices the events seen through the eyes of four people. Like four eyes tattooed on an arm.....
Francis was a good character but blimey he was thrown under the bus on more than one occasion. Tough as nails though in the stubbornness department so I was rooting for him to get one over on the others and get his case.
Very graphic though this - not sure if I will read anymore of this theme but that’s no fault of the author! I’ll have to practice watching Tattoo Fixers in the meantime to toughen up. I hope her next one involves something softer and nicer like baking cakes ;)
missamanogawa's review against another edition
1.0
Es hätte so gut werden können...
Ich fange mal mit den wenigen positiven Dingen an, nämlich der Storyidee. Ein Serienkiller, der Menschen im Auftrag eines Sammlers Tattoos vom Körper entfernt, sie also teilweise häutet, und diese Häute dann zu Leder verarbeitet. Megageil!
Das war’s auch schon. Mehr Positives fiel mir nicht auf.
Wir haben unfähige, extrem voreingenommene Ermittler.
Einen Chef, der sich nicht überzeugen lässt und deshalb die einzig sinnvollen Zusammenhänge zwischen den Opfern vom Tisch fegt. Gleichzeitig setzt er einen Anfänger als Einsatzleiter ein, obwohl er ihm kein Stück vertraut und seinem Konkurrenten am liebsten den Fall geben will.
Dieser Konkurrent schleimt wie blöde, manipuliert aber gleichzeitig und ist letztendlich, als er die Leitung übernimmt, mit allem überfordert. Will aber natürlich nicht die Leitung abgeben, Lorbeeren und so.
Francis, überreligiöser und verkrampfter DI, bekommt seinen ersten Fall als leitender Ermittler und versagt, aber so richtig. Er ist unsympathisch, wie eigentlich alle im Buch, hat einen Stock im Arsch und kommt seinen Zeugen kein Stück entgegen.
Ganz wichtig natürlich: Marni, die Tätowiererin, die die erste Leiche entdeckt, anonym meldet, aber dennoch aufgespürt wird, zur Mitarbeit gezwungen werden muss, weil sie WARUM AUCH IMMER nicht gut auf Cops zu sprechen ist. Und nein. Das wird alles nicht richtig erklärt, sondern nur Häppchenweise in den unmöglichsten Situationen. Zum Beispiel beim Kaffeetrinken. Oder durch komische Träume und kurze Flashbacks.
Natürlich hat sie eine enge Bindung zu ihrer Community, natürlich ist sie aufbrausend, aber auch super abhängig von ihrem Exmann, den sie irgendwie immer noch liebt oder auch nicht. Er sie natürlich auch oder irgendwie auch nicht. Die zwei sind furchtbar anstrengend zusammen. Er schleppt Mädel nach Mädel ab,aber wenn sie einen Kerl bei sich hat, ist sie sein Eigentum. Ätz!
Natürlich ist sie dann das Ziel des Killers, der zwar dingfest gemacht wurde, aber der Auftraggeber will eben, was er will, und das bekommt er auch. Oh Wunder, es ist einer ihrer Kunden. Der einzige, der namentlich überhaupt erwähnt wird. Sie wird entführt, es kommt zum Kampf, Francis rettet sie, wird selbst fast gekillt, in letzter Sekunde kann die halbohnmächtige Marni ihn retten. Marni verguckt sich natürlich in Francis WARUM AUCH IMMER und zum Schluss sind die beiden wohl ein Paar, weil sie ihn tätowieren darf.
Nichts an diesem Buch war spannend für mich, das Ende habe ich pflichtbewusst überflogen. Diese ganzen Klischees seitens des Killers, blöde Kindheit, Vaterkomplex, detaillierte Beschreibungen der Taten und des weiteren Gerbeprozesses, alles war so entsetzlich gekünstelt. Auch die Tattoocommunity wurde meines Erachtens sehr schlecht dargestellt. Alle tragen schwarze Klamotten, jeder kennt jeden, ist gepierced, sieht bedrohlich aus. Vorurteile hat natürlich auch jeder. So ist das aber nicht.
Zwischen den Charakteren kommt es zu mehreren unnötigen Konflikten und Dialogen. Das Ende wirkte nur so hingeklatscht und hat mir wirklich den Rest gegeben. Ich kann das Buch überhaupt nicht empfehlen.
Ich fange mal mit den wenigen positiven Dingen an, nämlich der Storyidee. Ein Serienkiller, der Menschen im Auftrag eines Sammlers Tattoos vom Körper entfernt, sie also teilweise häutet, und diese Häute dann zu Leder verarbeitet. Megageil!
Das war’s auch schon. Mehr Positives fiel mir nicht auf.
Wir haben unfähige, extrem voreingenommene Ermittler.
Einen Chef, der sich nicht überzeugen lässt und deshalb die einzig sinnvollen Zusammenhänge zwischen den Opfern vom Tisch fegt. Gleichzeitig setzt er einen Anfänger als Einsatzleiter ein, obwohl er ihm kein Stück vertraut und seinem Konkurrenten am liebsten den Fall geben will.
Dieser Konkurrent schleimt wie blöde, manipuliert aber gleichzeitig und ist letztendlich, als er die Leitung übernimmt, mit allem überfordert. Will aber natürlich nicht die Leitung abgeben, Lorbeeren und so.
Francis, überreligiöser und verkrampfter DI, bekommt seinen ersten Fall als leitender Ermittler und versagt, aber so richtig. Er ist unsympathisch, wie eigentlich alle im Buch, hat einen Stock im Arsch und kommt seinen Zeugen kein Stück entgegen.
Ganz wichtig natürlich: Marni, die Tätowiererin, die die erste Leiche entdeckt, anonym meldet, aber dennoch aufgespürt wird, zur Mitarbeit gezwungen werden muss, weil sie WARUM AUCH IMMER nicht gut auf Cops zu sprechen ist. Und nein. Das wird alles nicht richtig erklärt, sondern nur Häppchenweise in den unmöglichsten Situationen. Zum Beispiel beim Kaffeetrinken. Oder durch komische Träume und kurze Flashbacks.
Natürlich hat sie eine enge Bindung zu ihrer Community, natürlich ist sie aufbrausend, aber auch super abhängig von ihrem Exmann, den sie irgendwie immer noch liebt oder auch nicht. Er sie natürlich auch oder irgendwie auch nicht. Die zwei sind furchtbar anstrengend zusammen. Er schleppt Mädel nach Mädel ab,aber wenn sie einen Kerl bei sich hat, ist sie sein Eigentum. Ätz!
Natürlich ist sie dann das Ziel des Killers, der zwar dingfest gemacht wurde, aber der Auftraggeber will eben, was er will, und das bekommt er auch. Oh Wunder, es ist einer ihrer Kunden. Der einzige, der namentlich überhaupt erwähnt wird. Sie wird entführt, es kommt zum Kampf, Francis rettet sie, wird selbst fast gekillt, in letzter Sekunde kann die halbohnmächtige Marni ihn retten. Marni verguckt sich natürlich in Francis WARUM AUCH IMMER und zum Schluss sind die beiden wohl ein Paar, weil sie ihn tätowieren darf.
Nichts an diesem Buch war spannend für mich, das Ende habe ich pflichtbewusst überflogen. Diese ganzen Klischees seitens des Killers, blöde Kindheit, Vaterkomplex, detaillierte Beschreibungen der Taten und des weiteren Gerbeprozesses, alles war so entsetzlich gekünstelt. Auch die Tattoocommunity wurde meines Erachtens sehr schlecht dargestellt. Alle tragen schwarze Klamotten, jeder kennt jeden, ist gepierced, sieht bedrohlich aus. Vorurteile hat natürlich auch jeder. So ist das aber nicht.
Zwischen den Charakteren kommt es zu mehreren unnötigen Konflikten und Dialogen. Das Ende wirkte nur so hingeklatscht und hat mir wirklich den Rest gegeben. Ich kann das Buch überhaupt nicht empfehlen.