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Detective Jack Murphy #2
The Coldest Fear
The first victim is murdered in a Marriott Airport hotel room on the outskirts of Evansville, Indiana. Her eyes and the left hand are removed from the scene and her tongue has been cut out and stuffed in the tub drain where she is found floating in blood. Jack Murphy realizes that this is not just another vicious murder when the body of a second victim is discovered only hours later on the floor of her kitchen in the south-side projects. The missing hand from the first victim is propped by the victims bloody head, the middle finger prominently displayed to those finding the body. A day later a third victim is found, this time gutted and strung up from the bottom of a bridge, left to bend and sway with the current of the Pigeon Creek. With all of these murders, one newspaper reporter seems to have a direct line to the killer, and a secret he wants to keep hidden.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
268 people are currently reading
804 people want to read
About the author
Rick Reed
13 books229 followersMy writing career began in 2004 with the true crime book, BLOOD TRAIL. In 2009 I began writing fiction. Police thrillers based somewhat on my experiences as a Detective in the Homicide/Violent Crime Unit.
As of February 2020 there are nine thriller novels in the Detective Jack Murphy series published by Kensington Publishing.
My books have been translated and/or sold in many countries and can be obtained as eBook, paperback, and audio books.
Check out my website:
www.rickreedbooks.com
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rickreedbooks/
Watch for upcoming releases, contests, and chats.
As of February 2020 there are nine thriller novels in the Detective Jack Murphy series published by Kensington Publishing.
My books have been translated and/or sold in many countries and can be obtained as eBook, paperback, and audio books.
Check out my website:
www.rickreedbooks.com
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rickreedbooks/
Watch for upcoming releases, contests, and chats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 4, 2016
Rick Reed has moved up to my Top 20 Authors To Watch For. This is a police/crime procedural of the highest caliber. It is so obvious that this author knows of what he writes .. he was a Detective Sergeant with 30 years experience and in charge of Internal Affairs for the Evansville Police Department in Indiana.
Detective Jack Murphy and his partner, Liddell "Bigfoot" Blanchard are on the trail of a serial killer ... one who leaves his victims without their faces, sometimes their eyes, sometimes their hands. There's no rhyme nor reason why these particular people were chosen to die at the hands of the one they call the Cleaver.
Jack does things his way .. usually just on the edge of being suspended from his job. However, he's a great detective, like a dog with a bone, he just doesn't let go. Bigfoot is the ultimate partner, always having Jack's back. I really enjoy the relationship they share .. lots of witty dialog.
Throw in an FBI Agent, a corrupt sheriff, a newspaper reporter who always beats everyone getting a story out, another reporter willing to share her time to get a good lead, a deputy who accidentally comes across some information he uses to his own advantage, and Cinderella. Cinderella is a sweetheart of a dog ... she only likes women and gay men.
There are a lot of graphic violent murder scenes .. this killer is on a roll. The more he kills, the happier he is. You'll never look at a bathtub drain in the same way again.
The action is non-stop. I was hooked from the first page. I thought that once the killer was named, the book would slow down a bit, instead it sped up like a freight train.
It becomes a race to see who is more clever .... and the ending is a shocker.
Definitely this rates 5 stars from me. Although the second book, it's terrific as a stand-alone. Highly recommend to anyone who doesn't have a queasy stomach.
Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books - Lyrical Underground / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Detective Jack Murphy and his partner, Liddell "Bigfoot" Blanchard are on the trail of a serial killer ... one who leaves his victims without their faces, sometimes their eyes, sometimes their hands. There's no rhyme nor reason why these particular people were chosen to die at the hands of the one they call the Cleaver.
Jack does things his way .. usually just on the edge of being suspended from his job. However, he's a great detective, like a dog with a bone, he just doesn't let go. Bigfoot is the ultimate partner, always having Jack's back. I really enjoy the relationship they share .. lots of witty dialog.
Throw in an FBI Agent, a corrupt sheriff, a newspaper reporter who always beats everyone getting a story out, another reporter willing to share her time to get a good lead, a deputy who accidentally comes across some information he uses to his own advantage, and Cinderella. Cinderella is a sweetheart of a dog ... she only likes women and gay men.
There are a lot of graphic violent murder scenes .. this killer is on a roll. The more he kills, the happier he is. You'll never look at a bathtub drain in the same way again.
The action is non-stop. I was hooked from the first page. I thought that once the killer was named, the book would slow down a bit, instead it sped up like a freight train.
It becomes a race to see who is more clever .... and the ending is a shocker.
Definitely this rates 5 stars from me. Although the second book, it's terrific as a stand-alone. Highly recommend to anyone who doesn't have a queasy stomach.
Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books - Lyrical Underground / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
February 25, 2018
In the book “ The Coldest Fear” Detective Jack Murphy and his partner Liddell “Bigfoot” are on pursuit of a deranged killer “ The Cleaver “ who leaves his victims without faces and also cuts off other parts of their body. With so little to go on Jack and Bigfoot have their case cut out for them and it will be a fight till the end to find the killer.
This is a great, fast- paced police procedure with well written characters. I especially enjoyed the witty banter between Jack and his partner Liddell.The only complain I have was that there were too many characters to keep track of at times .A little scary and creepy it’s a great addition to the crime thriller category.
I would like to thank Kensington Books & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
This is a great, fast- paced police procedure with well written characters. I especially enjoyed the witty banter between Jack and his partner Liddell.The only complain I have was that there were too many characters to keep track of at times .A little scary and creepy it’s a great addition to the crime thriller category.
I would like to thank Kensington Books & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
April 4, 2016
2 1/2 stars from me for The Coldest Fear be Rick Reed.
The book starts out promisingly enough with the discovery of a woman's body in a bathtub, drained of blood, missing her right hand, and with her eyeballs removed. The missing hand is found posed at another murder site. And the killer is releasing details to the newspaper that the police would rather remained confidential.
I was looking forward to a compulsive, can't put this down read, in stead I struggled to finish this. The plot had all the ingredients for a great book, but it just never quite came off.
The writing doesn't flow, it tends to be choppy and unfocused. At times there is far too much going on, and too many characters. If the book focused more on Murphy, the lead character, and less on the myriad of supporting characters, this would have been a far stronger book, a better read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest an unbiased review.
The book starts out promisingly enough with the discovery of a woman's body in a bathtub, drained of blood, missing her right hand, and with her eyeballs removed. The missing hand is found posed at another murder site. And the killer is releasing details to the newspaper that the police would rather remained confidential.
I was looking forward to a compulsive, can't put this down read, in stead I struggled to finish this. The plot had all the ingredients for a great book, but it just never quite came off.
The writing doesn't flow, it tends to be choppy and unfocused. At times there is far too much going on, and too many characters. If the book focused more on Murphy, the lead character, and less on the myriad of supporting characters, this would have been a far stronger book, a better read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest an unbiased review.
February 11, 2016
Det Jack Murphy is a "don't give up till you CATCH the criminal" kind of guy. This has ruined his marriage but makes for a great homicide detective. Now a serial killer has come into his jurisdiction and as Jack and his partner get close it appears that the serial killer is taunting Jack. There is a leak in the department and this leak is telling the media important facts. Now the FBI has shown up and this killer may have committed murders in many other states if they can link them. He has been dubbed "The Cleaver" due to his choice of weapon and he always takes their face. Can Jack and his partner catch this criminal before to many bodies pile up. Great read and I would like to see more stories about this character. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
February 6, 2016
"Five years and countless bodies had given him the upper hand. He was like a wind, or a fleeting thought. There one moment, and gone the next. This was the seventh state he had chosen to visit, and he had left a slew of bodies in his trail. In one state he was called The Axe Man. In another he had been dubbed The Handy Man. Yet another, probably more aptly, described as The Cleaver.
But in all his trails he had never heard his real name......"
Detective Jack Murphy is working the streets of Evansville Indiana with his partner Detective Liddell Blanchard. The gruesome story begins when they're called to the Marriott. A woman has been savagely murdered. Body parts removed from this scene show up at the scene of a second murder.
Now they are on the hunt for this serial killer. Can they find him before the body count rises? Not all of Jack and Liddell's problems are caused by the killer. Sometimes the ones that should have your back are the ones you can't trust. Pressure from the media ,and involvement by them causes additional issues. The killer is not above using them for his own game.
I really like Jack Murphy. Well written character, son of a cop, ex wife that couldn't handle that life. He's got a tough new girlfriend that's a chief parole officer. You know he's the one tough enough to go up against this sick mind. It's a game the killer is willing to play. He's purposely chosen Jack Murphy.
Exceptionally creepy is the killer watching from a front row seat. Pleased with himself he feels he'll never be caught. Will he? Will he be the one that gets by Jack and Liddell? Will Jack pass the ultimate test? Surprising twists throughout with a killer ending!
Gory and detailed this is a great crime thriller. This is the second book for "Jack Murphy," with more to follow by the author, Rick Reed. Mr. Reed is a former police officer, and he certainly knows his stuff, including personal knowledge of serial killers. If you're looking for a really great crime/cop thriller this is your author.
Thank you Netgalley, Rick Reed, and Kensington Books
http://michellebookends.blogspot.com/...
But in all his trails he had never heard his real name......"
Detective Jack Murphy is working the streets of Evansville Indiana with his partner Detective Liddell Blanchard. The gruesome story begins when they're called to the Marriott. A woman has been savagely murdered. Body parts removed from this scene show up at the scene of a second murder.
Now they are on the hunt for this serial killer. Can they find him before the body count rises? Not all of Jack and Liddell's problems are caused by the killer. Sometimes the ones that should have your back are the ones you can't trust. Pressure from the media ,and involvement by them causes additional issues. The killer is not above using them for his own game.
I really like Jack Murphy. Well written character, son of a cop, ex wife that couldn't handle that life. He's got a tough new girlfriend that's a chief parole officer. You know he's the one tough enough to go up against this sick mind. It's a game the killer is willing to play. He's purposely chosen Jack Murphy.
Exceptionally creepy is the killer watching from a front row seat. Pleased with himself he feels he'll never be caught. Will he? Will he be the one that gets by Jack and Liddell? Will Jack pass the ultimate test? Surprising twists throughout with a killer ending!
Gory and detailed this is a great crime thriller. This is the second book for "Jack Murphy," with more to follow by the author, Rick Reed. Mr. Reed is a former police officer, and he certainly knows his stuff, including personal knowledge of serial killers. If you're looking for a really great crime/cop thriller this is your author.
Thank you Netgalley, Rick Reed, and Kensington Books
http://michellebookends.blogspot.com/...
April 2, 2016
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.
The Coldest Fear has a solid plot that just didnt deliver the suspense I anticipated after reading the previous book. I didnt feel a connection with the killer. The police investigating the murders are what made this book the three stars I rated it. Jack and Bigfoot are still people I look forward to reading about.
The Coldest Fear has a solid plot that just didnt deliver the suspense I anticipated after reading the previous book. I didnt feel a connection with the killer. The police investigating the murders are what made this book the three stars I rated it. Jack and Bigfoot are still people I look forward to reading about.
March 12, 2016
Synopsis:
Take One Deranged Killer. Add One Determined Cop. You Get One Deadly Obsession. . .
From the moment he sees the young woman's body in her hotel bathtub, homicide detective Jack Murphy knows he's looking at a truly demented but brilliantly designed puzzle. She's been drained of blood. Missing her left hand--and the killer left a special message just for him. Hours later, he sees her severed hand arranged on a second victim's body. The newspaper has the gruesome details. The FBI has a theory. But only Murphy knows how hard he'll have to push--and how much he'll have to risk--to thwart the killer's twisted game. (Goodreads)
Review:
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in creating suspense and tension with the written word. I wanted to turn the page to see what would happen next but I was afraid to turn the page to see what would happen next! Whether writing about the crime scenes or the pursuit of the many suspects, I felt like I was right there watching it all unfold in front of me. There are some violent graphic details given, especially when describing the crime scenes, so be forewarned.
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Jack is a no-nonsense type of guy, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to bring justice to the victims. If that means using means that may be outside the law, that is alright with him. His main goal is to identify the killer, get him off the street and save as many lives as he can. This dedication and take charge, no holds bar attitude has cost him his marriage but he is still relentless when he is working a case. With the help of his partner, Liddell Blanchard, or “Bigfoot”, they are pursuing all clues and leads to apprehend a deranged killer. I enjoyed the relationship between the two partners and thought their bickering and banter were funny. The killer was a truly evil person, quite devious and deceptive.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written suspenseful police procedural. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington books for approving me to read and review this book.
Take One Deranged Killer. Add One Determined Cop. You Get One Deadly Obsession. . .
From the moment he sees the young woman's body in her hotel bathtub, homicide detective Jack Murphy knows he's looking at a truly demented but brilliantly designed puzzle. She's been drained of blood. Missing her left hand--and the killer left a special message just for him. Hours later, he sees her severed hand arranged on a second victim's body. The newspaper has the gruesome details. The FBI has a theory. But only Murphy knows how hard he'll have to push--and how much he'll have to risk--to thwart the killer's twisted game. (Goodreads)
Review:
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in creating suspense and tension with the written word. I wanted to turn the page to see what would happen next but I was afraid to turn the page to see what would happen next! Whether writing about the crime scenes or the pursuit of the many suspects, I felt like I was right there watching it all unfold in front of me. There are some violent graphic details given, especially when describing the crime scenes, so be forewarned.
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Jack is a no-nonsense type of guy, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to bring justice to the victims. If that means using means that may be outside the law, that is alright with him. His main goal is to identify the killer, get him off the street and save as many lives as he can. This dedication and take charge, no holds bar attitude has cost him his marriage but he is still relentless when he is working a case. With the help of his partner, Liddell Blanchard, or “Bigfoot”, they are pursuing all clues and leads to apprehend a deranged killer. I enjoyed the relationship between the two partners and thought their bickering and banter were funny. The killer was a truly evil person, quite devious and deceptive.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written suspenseful police procedural. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington books for approving me to read and review this book.
March 12, 2016
Kensington Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Coldest Fear, in exchange for an honest review.
Killers with an axe to grind are bad enough, but add in a depraved sense of right and wrong and you have a monster of epic proportions. Homicide Detective Jack Murphy is called in on a particularly gruesome murder, one that leaves him with the sinking feeling that he has not seen the last of this killer. As the perpetrator continues to play a game, with Jack as the unwilling participant, will the police be able to put together the clues before more victims are uncovered?
The Coldest Fear is definitely not short on action, but there was just too much thrown in to make it a cohesive story. At every turn, there was another crime scene or incident, which made this book feel more like a television show. Main character Jack Murphy is a work in progress and his personal life always seems to be in a state of flux. Personally, I think he would have been a stronger character if the author concentrated on his professional life completely. As far as thrillers go, too much of the story was given up front, so there really was not much of a reveal. Readers who enjoy police procedurals might like The Coldest Fear, as it is a good, solid thriller.
Killers with an axe to grind are bad enough, but add in a depraved sense of right and wrong and you have a monster of epic proportions. Homicide Detective Jack Murphy is called in on a particularly gruesome murder, one that leaves him with the sinking feeling that he has not seen the last of this killer. As the perpetrator continues to play a game, with Jack as the unwilling participant, will the police be able to put together the clues before more victims are uncovered?
The Coldest Fear is definitely not short on action, but there was just too much thrown in to make it a cohesive story. At every turn, there was another crime scene or incident, which made this book feel more like a television show. Main character Jack Murphy is a work in progress and his personal life always seems to be in a state of flux. Personally, I think he would have been a stronger character if the author concentrated on his professional life completely. As far as thrillers go, too much of the story was given up front, so there really was not much of a reveal. Readers who enjoy police procedurals might like The Coldest Fear, as it is a good, solid thriller.
September 23, 2014
Finished reading " The Coldest Fear " I really enjoyed this book a lot. Normally I hesitate to read a new author because a lot of times I am disappointed but in the case of Rick Reed-Author Page I am very happy. His first novel The Cruelest Cut was great. I love reading a detective novel written by someone who is a retired cop.
A young woman's body is found in a hotel room. Her face has been removed, her tongue is in the sink, her eyes have been removed and her hand has been taken. The hand is found on a second victim whose face has also been removed. Jack Murphy has the case. Jack is a guy who refuses to give up even at the cost of his personal life. They are chasing a killer whose motive isn't clear. The killer, to complicate the investigations, give the full amount of information to reporters..info the police don't even have. The killer likes and admires Jack...and wants to play a game.
A young woman's body is found in a hotel room. Her face has been removed, her tongue is in the sink, her eyes have been removed and her hand has been taken. The hand is found on a second victim whose face has also been removed. Jack Murphy has the case. Jack is a guy who refuses to give up even at the cost of his personal life. They are chasing a killer whose motive isn't clear. The killer, to complicate the investigations, give the full amount of information to reporters..info the police don't even have. The killer likes and admires Jack...and wants to play a game.
March 14, 2016
This is the first book I have read by Rick Reed. He loves action to the point it comes as a distraction to the characters and the readers. I feel Rick could have flushed out his characters a little more with less actions scenes.
A lot of was given away at the beginning of the book not leaving much of a surprise which is something I love about thrillers is being shocked at the end of the book thinking NO WAY that just happened.
ARC From Netgalley.
A lot of was given away at the beginning of the book not leaving much of a surprise which is something I love about thrillers is being shocked at the end of the book thinking NO WAY that just happened.
ARC From Netgalley.
June 28, 2017
This is my 1st book by Rick Reed, Great Author... Rick Reed is a retired 20 plus year as a Police Detective. In real life he investigated serial killers and now he writes about them. The serial killer in this book, what a sad life that this young boy went through to turn him into a serial killer at such a young age!!! I will continue reading more of his books, written very well 👍🏻
March 23, 2016
Rick Reed, a retired homicide detective brings his expertise, gained through years of police investigations, to writing highly suspenseful and dramatic thrillers. The first book in the series “The Cruelest Cut” introduced homicide detective Jack Murphy and his partner Liddell "Bigfoot" Blanchard. Now they’re back in “The Coldest Fear.” The witty banter between Murphy and Bigfoot provide moments of levity in the midst of their investigation into a particularly gruesome series of murders. Yet the graphic violence is never gratuitous, but is essential to the plot. Reed writes with a high level of intensity, outstanding character development, and authentic “real life” depictions of police and the killers they hunt. He’s undeniably a welcome new voice in the thriller genre. I’m eagerly anticipating reading the next books in this series; “The Deepest Wound” to be published in April 2016, and “The Highest Stakes”to be published in October 2016.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
May 23, 2016
Rating 3.5 Stars
A killer who killed as a child that changed his soul piece by piece and became what he hated.
You only know him as a killer as he strikes a mid-west town with a crusesom killing. Not once, but a handful of times. It becomes personal when the killer points the killings to Jack Murphy. The killer daunts him, dares him if you will to come after him. The killer has a past that makes all of his killings personal. He kills to reveal the real person behind the victim. It is vicious and full of rage.
Jack Murphy has a need to right all the wrongs of the world including this killer.
The draw of the book is not the violence (it was violent but it could have been worse) but what is behind the violence. As a Christian, it reminds me of what we are all capable of the evil and the good. The reveal is exciting as well as the ending.
A Special Thank You to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
A killer who killed as a child that changed his soul piece by piece and became what he hated.
You only know him as a killer as he strikes a mid-west town with a crusesom killing. Not once, but a handful of times. It becomes personal when the killer points the killings to Jack Murphy. The killer daunts him, dares him if you will to come after him. The killer has a past that makes all of his killings personal. He kills to reveal the real person behind the victim. It is vicious and full of rage.
Jack Murphy has a need to right all the wrongs of the world including this killer.
The draw of the book is not the violence (it was violent but it could have been worse) but what is behind the violence. As a Christian, it reminds me of what we are all capable of the evil and the good. The reveal is exciting as well as the ending.
A Special Thank You to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
January 25, 2016
This novel has all the ingredients I like in a novel - twisted serial killer, upstanding police detectives and a dash of humour to leaven the gore. A young man returns to his home town, after 15 years in a mental hospital for killing his father and a few further years honing his craft, to settle some scores. It all gets a bit out of hand and the body count rises almost daily. So, this book is not for the faint hearted as it is quite descriptive but if you get past that it is a good read as it is told mostly from the detectives' point of view but you also get insights into the killer's mindset. I enjoyed the read but I felt Mr Reed made it unintentionally too obvious from the start who the killer was (he'd changed his name after his release) which, for me, dispelled some of the tension. It is, however, worth a read.
September 12, 2011
I enjoyed this fast paced thriller. It reminded me of James Patterson with short chapters and racing thrills. It was a little cumbersome because some cliff-hanging chapters were followed by a chapter that dealt with other characters and you had to be sure you had all the characters straight in your mind. This thriller isn't so much a who dunnit as it is a how do they figure it out. A good police procedural with some good characters who could easily be made into a series.
April 6, 2012
I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads and I LOVED IT. I've been to Evansville, where the story was set,so that it made it all that much more interesting. It was great suspense and I couldn't put it down. Can't wait for more books with these characters and need to go back and read the first in the series.
October 24, 2012
Not sure if I was distracted by other things or it was the book, but the story seemed to drag on and didn't pull me in for late night reading. In any case, took me much longer than normal to finish a novel. The characters were familiar from the previous book and well developed. The plot was intriguing, but seemed to drag at times and left a lot unanswered.
March 3, 2016
I received this arc from Netgalley.
Another hit by Rick Reed! Definitely enjoyed reading this highly entertaining book. This kept my attention throughout and the action is nonstop. Highly recommended. Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Another hit by Rick Reed! Definitely enjoyed reading this highly entertaining book. This kept my attention throughout and the action is nonstop. Highly recommended. Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
August 29, 2016
Enjoyed
I really liked this book. I thought it was a great exciting read. It was good from the beginning to the end. I will be totally interested and excited to read more books by Rick Reed. I really also enjoy the humor and the seriousness of Jack Murphy and his partner.
I really liked this book. I thought it was a great exciting read. It was good from the beginning to the end. I will be totally interested and excited to read more books by Rick Reed. I really also enjoy the humor and the seriousness of Jack Murphy and his partner.
February 6, 2015
First time reading this author; enjoyed him very much. Will have to look for others he has written. Fast-paced and interesting (although a tad gory). A good crime who-dun-it.
February 10, 2015
first book i ever read by this author.a real page-turner and kept me guessing the entire time.i'll definitely be reading everything else he's written.
June 15, 2015
Ugh! Well, they got the Killer....but it leaves the romance part unanswered! Gggrrrr!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2015
A great follow-up to The Cruelest Cut. Another compelling plot with the same crew of no-nonsense investigators with some intriguing plot twists. Jack Murphy forever!
July 19, 2018
I had recently finished Chris Carter's Robert Hunter series and thoroughly enjoyed it. Intrigued by the genre, I found myself searching for similar books. I happened on Rick Reed's Jack Murphy series. Inevitably I tend to compare these two series with each other, albeit that I have read 10 of Carter's books and only 2 of Rick Reed.
After a slow start in the first book of the series, The Cruelest Cut, I found myself getting more and more drawn into the main characters in The Coldest Fear being Jack Murphy and his pod'na Liddell "Bigfoot" Blanchard. I enjoyed the fact that Bigfoot is playing a bigger role in supporting the main character of Jack Murphy. In Chris Carter's books, I often wished that Robert Hunter's sidekick, Carlos Garcia, would feature a bit more. Jack Murphy and Bigfoot's characters seems more real to me, whereas Robert Hunter appears more aloof.
I also particularly enjoy the fact that Rick Reed didn't draw out the endings of the two books that I've read. Too often, in books and movies, the ending is drawn out to create a false sense of foreboding. This book's ending felt realistic and authentic, and while I don't want to give away spoilers, the serial killer meets a suitable demise.
While The Coldest Fear perhaps can't compete with the plots of Mr Carter's books, I also realise that I have only read the first two books in the series. I will definitely continue to read on as the storylines aren't bad at all and in all likelihood will only get better as the author "matures" in his writing style.
Although most people would consider the pace of The Coldest Fear not too bad, I found it just a tad slow for my liking. Maybe the book was 30-50 pages too long. I can't quite put my finger on it, but perhaps there were too many characters for a story of this nature. Other than Jack and Bigfoot, there are quite a number of police characters: Chief Pope, captain Franklin, computer analyst Garcia, the detective Jansen and psychologists and FBI agents.
While I won't consider this a real page-turner, it generally this was a well written suspense thriller that had me entertained. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good old serial killer story that isn't too fast paced.
After a slow start in the first book of the series, The Cruelest Cut, I found myself getting more and more drawn into the main characters in The Coldest Fear being Jack Murphy and his pod'na Liddell "Bigfoot" Blanchard. I enjoyed the fact that Bigfoot is playing a bigger role in supporting the main character of Jack Murphy. In Chris Carter's books, I often wished that Robert Hunter's sidekick, Carlos Garcia, would feature a bit more. Jack Murphy and Bigfoot's characters seems more real to me, whereas Robert Hunter appears more aloof.
I also particularly enjoy the fact that Rick Reed didn't draw out the endings of the two books that I've read. Too often, in books and movies, the ending is drawn out to create a false sense of foreboding. This book's ending felt realistic and authentic, and while I don't want to give away spoilers, the serial killer meets a suitable demise.
While The Coldest Fear perhaps can't compete with the plots of Mr Carter's books, I also realise that I have only read the first two books in the series. I will definitely continue to read on as the storylines aren't bad at all and in all likelihood will only get better as the author "matures" in his writing style.
Although most people would consider the pace of The Coldest Fear not too bad, I found it just a tad slow for my liking. Maybe the book was 30-50 pages too long. I can't quite put my finger on it, but perhaps there were too many characters for a story of this nature. Other than Jack and Bigfoot, there are quite a number of police characters: Chief Pope, captain Franklin, computer analyst Garcia, the detective Jansen and psychologists and FBI agents.
While I won't consider this a real page-turner, it generally this was a well written suspense thriller that had me entertained. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good old serial killer story that isn't too fast paced.
July 5, 2018
Indiana Detective Jack Murphy and his partner Liddell (Bigfoot) are called to the Marriott Hotel where a woman's body is in a bathtub. Her throat has been slashed, eyes removed, face cut off and is missing one of her hands. Sounds personal. In a room a few doors down, one of her eyes is found with a newspaper article on Jack. Another victim is found across town and the first woman's hand is left at that scene as well as Jack's initials in blood. And the bodies continue to mount as The Cleaver takes his revenge.
I like books with serial killers and The Cleaver has left 24 bodies in 8 states. Readers know at the beginning that the killer first murdered his father at 8 years old and spent the next 15 years locked up in a psych ward. However, we don't know the identity he has assumed as an adult until the end. I enjoyed the easy banter between the partners and the way they worked together to solve cases. I would like to read more books with these 2 cops.
I like books with serial killers and The Cleaver has left 24 bodies in 8 states. Readers know at the beginning that the killer first murdered his father at 8 years old and spent the next 15 years locked up in a psych ward. However, we don't know the identity he has assumed as an adult until the end. I enjoyed the easy banter between the partners and the way they worked together to solve cases. I would like to read more books with these 2 cops.
April 23, 2019
Jack Murphy is a bad ass detective. He ends up solving some of the most brutal crimes and it takes a toll on him. His love life definitely has its ups and downs. He is dating a woman who works for the parole board and she assists him a bit on some of his cases. He keeps breaking some of his dates because he gets caught up in work.
The latest case has him trying to figure out who is killing people and taking their faces off. The killer has been operating all over the country for quite some time and has decided that Jack's reputation as someone who solves the tough crimes is a good reason to pit himself against him and try to eventually kill him. The story alternates with some bits of the killers past and his thoughts. Jack works with his partner and several others to solve this crime.
Really well developed characters, suspenseful and quite gory in spots.
The latest case has him trying to figure out who is killing people and taking their faces off. The killer has been operating all over the country for quite some time and has decided that Jack's reputation as someone who solves the tough crimes is a good reason to pit himself against him and try to eventually kill him. The story alternates with some bits of the killers past and his thoughts. Jack works with his partner and several others to solve this crime.
Really well developed characters, suspenseful and quite gory in spots.
August 25, 2021
Jack & Liddell are investigating a freaky murder when they are called to another scene that has body parts from the first murder at it. Piecing together evidence while dodging the media, Jack is is pulled to a small town where the victim lived. The local sheriff is keeping secrets along with the townspeople and another murder occurs. A sick twisted serial killer is on a rampage collecting trophies and murdering indiscriminately. Jack is determined to solve the case while trying to balance police politics, a leak in the department, FBI, his girlfriend, & the rest of the team. Fast paced & short chapters. I'm into this book series!
September 22, 2017
I am writing this for Goodreads. I did not read this book, instead I listened to it. The characters were well developed and the plot moved at a quick pace. If I had a hard copy of the book I would have finished much quicker. I would not have put it down. However, I live in a household with 1 cd player and a 15 year old girl.
July 6, 2017
Enjoyable page turning "who done it." Actually, you know who did it pretty early but you need to figure out which of the people you've met is the that character. Extremely gruesome crimes with details that might disturb some.
February 5, 2018
I enjoyed the suspense, thrills, and joking humor throughout the story. Also there was some unexpected surprises as well
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