Reviews

This is the 2nd book in the series and I would definitely recommend reading them in order because it picks up pretty much where the 1st book ended. I was expecting this to be more police procedural but the story is more from the killer and victims POVs. We actually see very little of Fitzroy.

Overall the story is creepy and intriguing. Unfortunately, I just didn’t find myself itching to get back to it. It wasn’t really one of those books I’m desperate to read. There is very little character development and the only characters I actually cared about were Jakey and Clara. Although I was intrigued by Saul. It also switches POV a lot without being particularly clear.

I found the apprentice storyline wasn’t particularly believable. Would a serial killer really take on a teenage boy he hasn’t known long to be his heir? Then he expects him to fully welcome the gruesome lifestyle in just a couple of days.

All in all, this isn’t a bad book and I’m not really sure what it was that I didn’t love but it’s not one that’s going to make it to my favourites.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review

trisha76's review against another edition

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4.0

Een goede opvolger van De verzamelaar. Vooruitgang in haar stijl en mooi aansluitend op haar eerdere boek.

Brian Howley loopt nog vrij rond en niemand weet waar.
De familie Frish en Etty Fitzroy proberen hun leven op te bouwen met in hun achterhoofd dat Clara en Howley nog niet zijn gevonden.

Als er dan opnieuw konijnen lijken worden gevonden, maar nu allemaal bij elkaar, weet Fitzroy dat Howley niet klaar is. Ondanks dat haar meerdere er niet in geloven, gaat Fitzroy toch weer op jacht naar de man die vele levens heeft verwoest.

blaze4577's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

4.5

happilyeveramy's review

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

An absolute fantastic conclusion from Rattle, which I read in 2020. I'm so glad justice was finally served, but I'm definitely intrigued by that ending. I hope Fiona Cummins continues on writing and following DS Ella Fitzroy journey.
Fantastic thriller and author. Definitely a must read in my opinion!

lizzillia's review against another edition

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4.0

This book carries on where Rattle finished and the pace does not drop and it is going to be difficult to say too much without giving too much of the first book away to those of you who have not read it. Do! So, Detective Ella Fitzroy is haunted by the fact that Howley escaped and that Clara is still missing, events that have caused her personal life to disintegrate. She wants to find them both. Jakey was saved from Howley's clutches, but the man is forever in his dreams, as is the little girl who he talked to, who he believes is still alive. As for Howley, he is starting a new collection and he needs an apprentice.

Once again there is terror, danger and horror and you are never sure whether good will triumph. And once again, you just want to pick Jakey up and hold him close. A super, gripping read.

boekenwurm73's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

4.0

ladulcinella's review against another edition

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3.0

This book gives me ambivalent ideas on the rating of it. I would give it gladly 4 stars cause I think the novel is most of the time really suspensful and keeps your attention. At the same time, it has illogical ideas in it or very strange psychological reactions, that didn’t ring true. Hence, I rated it 3 stars, but a very solid 3 stars.

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