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January David #2
The Two
They Kill Without Mercy. Disappear Without A Trace.
They are The Two.
And now the stakes are raised once more for Detective January David.
5 lie dead, brutally murdered - the first taken on the night of Halloween and as autumn bleeds into winter more ritualistic murders are discovered.
January must battle his demons, for in his mind lies the clue to stopping a ruthless murderer.
But his worst nightmares have literally come true when he discovers there's not one but two twisted killers on the loose ...
They are The Two.
And now the stakes are raised once more for Detective January David.
5 lie dead, brutally murdered - the first taken on the night of Halloween and as autumn bleeds into winter more ritualistic murders are discovered.
January must battle his demons, for in his mind lies the clue to stopping a ruthless murderer.
But his worst nightmares have literally come true when he discovers there's not one but two twisted killers on the loose ...
472 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2011
18 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 12, 2018
"The Two" is the second in the Detective Inspector January David series and the follow up to "Girl Four" which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Blurb - Five lie dead, brutally murdered - the first taken on the night of Halloween and as autumn bleeds into winter more ritualistic murders are discovered. January must battle his demons, for in his mind lies the clue to stopping a ruthless murderer. But his worst nightmares have literally come true when he discovers there's not one but two twisted killers on the loose ...
Even though I'd read the first book and was familiar with the characters and the authors unique style of writing etc it did take me a while to work out what actually was going on. Having loved "Girl Four", I didn't find this one easy to follow or enjoy fully, as the timeline jumped around a little too much for my liking and felt the 'visions' January David were having this time were more complicated to understand. The main police characters were the same but there were new serial killers and victims and the way the book starts, it's as if you should know who they are before you are properly introduced to them which comes later in the book. I also struggled with the victim's quite unusual names too.
It is still an addictive serial killer read, fast paced and with quick chapters that keep you reading speedily but I was left a little disappointed and hope that book three returns to the cracking formula I so loved in "Girl 4".
A word of warning though, if supernatural and psychic elements incorporated into a crime thriller aren't your thing then this series won't be for you as the main theme is the visions that appear to David and this story in particular deals with religious and ritual killings. Will Carver is a very talented author with a very twisted but clever imagination and I will continue to follow his work and this series.
3 stars
Blurb - Five lie dead, brutally murdered - the first taken on the night of Halloween and as autumn bleeds into winter more ritualistic murders are discovered. January must battle his demons, for in his mind lies the clue to stopping a ruthless murderer. But his worst nightmares have literally come true when he discovers there's not one but two twisted killers on the loose ...
Even though I'd read the first book and was familiar with the characters and the authors unique style of writing etc it did take me a while to work out what actually was going on. Having loved "Girl Four", I didn't find this one easy to follow or enjoy fully, as the timeline jumped around a little too much for my liking and felt the 'visions' January David were having this time were more complicated to understand. The main police characters were the same but there were new serial killers and victims and the way the book starts, it's as if you should know who they are before you are properly introduced to them which comes later in the book. I also struggled with the victim's quite unusual names too.
It is still an addictive serial killer read, fast paced and with quick chapters that keep you reading speedily but I was left a little disappointed and hope that book three returns to the cracking formula I so loved in "Girl 4".
A word of warning though, if supernatural and psychic elements incorporated into a crime thriller aren't your thing then this series won't be for you as the main theme is the visions that appear to David and this story in particular deals with religious and ritual killings. Will Carver is a very talented author with a very twisted but clever imagination and I will continue to follow his work and this series.
3 stars
May 20, 2013
I'm still struggling to decide if this is genius or gibberish. Right now I'm leaning towards genius.
I love books that have themes I can identify with that run through different levels simultaneously. I admit that sometimes, I'm the one who saw the theme, not the author, and sometimes it's the author and most of the time that doesn't matter. To me, good writing challenges thought at all sorts of levels even if it's not the intention of the author to question these things. That's what this book does.
First, I believe the ratings for this will be all over the map. Somepeople will like it, for the same reasons I do, some people will hate it, for the same reasons I like it and some will have their own take on it because, as I said above, good writing inspires thought, it does not stifle it.
This book follows no rules of writing that traditional authors cling to. It's told in scenes and comes across like your flipping between slides on a "viewmaster View Wheel." It has no sense of a time line. It jumps from present to past seemingly with a mind of it's own and revisits scenes to give us more information the second or third time through. It's told in first person present tense, now ranking as the best use of that I'm aware of, and the first entire book written that way that I liked. Carver took the kind of scenes that I liked in Cruelty To Innocents and Thunder and expanded them to fit the entire book. As in Bellaleigh's "Thunder" I liked the "Shattered Glass" approach to fitting scenes together.
When it came to characters, there were three main characters, "V", Celeste and January David. David gets billing as the "leading man" but I think by the end of the book Celest is the main character and January more a spiritual witness to the drama unfolding.
January is an unusual sort and very unique with his incompetence, self-doubts and almost lunatic behavior, yet, where as I did not get the same sympathetic bond that I did with Celeste (and by the time you get to the end of the book, you'll know how weird that is) but I did understand him. He sort of reprsents all of us as whe go through our day at work, taking our jobs and our selves seriously and being completely blind to the reality we project of ourselves that others see. His character is more a conduit for us to examine the spiritual side of this story in a way that lifts it from the bedrock earth and allows it to float like dreams and spiritual things should. Though he's not a likeable character, in the end he gets what he deserves, the story would not be complete without him. The spiritual side of this is very important and it's invisible to all but him.
Celeste at first she seems like a minor character, but as the book grows and develops I came to see her as the main character here. I was facinated and almost a bit preturbed at her ability to float through everything without being noticed or scene. From the begining, I doubted what others thought about her (Yes, I'm being vague to protect the story and plot for the next reader) and in the end, not only was I certain this was about her more than David, all made sense. Through her I understood the spiritual connection because, not only would she describe her connection but she would also describe everybody else's. There is a question about her that everyone should be asking at the end of the book. I won't ask it here because I don't want to spoil it for you.
"V," Samael or Sam as he's also known brings the tale back to religion, though, it's not a good view of it. From the start we know there are a lot of question marks about his role in the story and, though we know he's unusual, it's not clear what that role is until halfway through the story. Again I'm sparing you the spoiler here. Let just say, that, with January allowing us to observe this spiritual ballet played out between "V" and Celeste and Celeste allowing us to see spiritual things that matter, V brings the role of religion into the story. He's marked as unusual from the start and his odd behavior tends to confuse his true role for half of the book. He's devoted to his Lord and prays in Latin as he place cat and mouse with Celeste. He's not likeable either.
Supporting cast: Alison, Murphy and his faithful partner mirror the spiritual ballet played out by the main characters like a shadowy echo. Spirit, Religion and that neutral link that observes with care and therefor allows us to observe.
This is the tale of captureing a serial killer and, it's this rather normal storyline for television or the movies and even in countless books. This allows us to lay the spiritual drama being played out over everyday London so we can see connections. We get to see through the killer's eyes as the deed is done, the savior's eyes as the savior rushes and struggles to save, not lives but souls, and the victim's eyes which open questions in our minds about right and wrong that I had long scince thought answered, and the book exposes those answers about life and death as glaringly incomplete and narrow minded. Since January has a psychic connection and is able to get messages from some force of nature, we are constantly reminded that what makes this book important, or different from other chase the serial killer stories is the spiritual connection and with that gentle nudging we follow Carver's tale down spiritual lines rather than a forensic one.
That's the first layer below the muder mystery, the spiritual allegory. I'm not sure I draw the same conclusions, and, though Carver appears to suggest one line of thinking and reason about spiritual and religious things, there are so many other things that he includes that keep doubt open. One thing he appears to suggest, that I agree with is, regardless of the ultimate truth, we choose our own spiritual reality and when we do, that reality serves our every purpose from the moment we believe to the moment we die.
There are many other things in this story that the author hints and teases at like the role of religion, the power of belief and the overwhelming depression that comes with grief and what that can do to us. He shows us that people need people to have complete lives and, if we have noone, how empty a life is, and how hard it can be to stay focused on the things in this world that are important.
One of the themes that I think are in this book, though it is not clear why, or where the author stands on this, is a theme of recovery from addiction. There is reference to what I believe is an Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting in the book and to working the 12 steps. There is a spiritual role of the twelve steps, one of which being the need for the individual to develp an understanding of how his "Higher Power" works in his life and how it can help keep him sober. The second and third steps of Alcoholics Anonymous: "That we..." 2. "came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." 3. "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him."
If you think of those two steps you will be glaringly aware that the second step states that a Higher Power "can" restore to sanity, but doesn't say that it will always do so and in the third step is about making a decision to follow the guidence of your Higher Power and relying on your higher power to help keep you emotionally stable, when you do not feel you can on your own as well as sober. In the story we have two believers Celeste and "V" who have chosen two vary different paths, but, both believe and they appear more able to carry out their mission than January. January David is drinking himself into a crazed stupor taking pills for sleep and cafiene to stay awake with hopes that he will have a "vision" that clears things up. He has neither committed to his spiritual side, where the visions come from, nor has he committed to a practical worldly side and given up his visions to rely on good police work. Through the entire book he vacilates from leaning on spiritual things to practical worldly things and back and in the end, he's actually achieved nothing. I wonder how much of Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve Step Theory is in here or how much I'm bringing in since I'm a counselor. Either way, it's a good allegory to explain the spiritual relationship between someone suffering from compulsive behavior (drinking, eating, drugging etc.) their Higher Power and sobriety.
Lastly, perhaps the best part, or at least the thing I like best about this story is, that after all is said and done. Carver lays out conclusions about spiritual matters, religion and life through his three characters and the story is clearly done, you'll have no idea which one is right in the author's eyes. Carver leaves the question open, well explained, but open for you to choose as to the spiritual nature of man. Do we merely believe that we are spiritual and, because we ask questions that cannot be answered rationally about right and wrong, good and evil, we fool ourselves into beliving our own spirituality? or Do we throw ourselves into religion, any religion, where reality becomes what we make it and our spirituality is merely a self-licking ice cream cone that offers peace of mind by giving us the placebo of true, to the core, heartfelt belief? or, are human beings spiritual creatures of a nature that goes beyond anything that any religion has been able to capture and explain?
There are powerful questions in here about death and dying that open more questions about dying with dignity and, those who choose suicide to escape the pain in their lives. (A quesiton visited by Michelle Muckley in her book Escaping Life, though in a much more positive way with fewer shadows and more light.) The Two begs the question about what is humane, forcing a person to live on in pain, or, allowinging them to pass into peace and quiet. It offers us a chance to examine our thoughts about the quality of life what is important and what should we do if we loose that sense of importance.
At times this book appears to be heading one way, or the other way, or a third way, and even though it seems as if Carver is leading us to a specific conclusion, he never closes the door and makes the answer airtight.
I like how he shows, at least from the books perspective, that he believes what he has chosen, and allows our ideas and values to be just as important and valuable as his even as he is showing us his view and how he thinks we may be wrong.
Isn't that how life really is? Even if you commit to a path of atheism, at some point, you will doubt that, or simply want something more fulfilling and satisfying. Religion makes cages of convention that lock us into our own, sometimes harmful and painful realities. The nature of our spirit, confined by religion, is like a caged bird and, only Mya Angelou and Opra know "Why the Caged Bird Sings"...and now, so does Will Carver. But religion is also powerful and can harness the power of spirituality to do great things, as well as terrible things. Our true spirit is a fleeting shadow that few even notice or recognize and though we will find comfort and happyness in choosing religion, or committing to a real truth, our lives tend to be confused patches of organized chaos where we plague ourselves with doubts, ambition, paranoia and greed and struggle to find real answers to why things happen in our world as they do...answers that only bring more questions.
I'm going with genius and claime this to be "Brilliant."
Warnings:
This is a book for adults. It contains sexual and violent content that, is not offesnive in that it supports a clear plot, storyline and questions of the true nature of man, but, in those questions it includes the horrific acts one human can perpetrate on another. It's not gratuitus, it's ony marginally graphic, but it is there and impossible to ignore. If you don't like this kind of thing in your book, it's not for you.
This book makes no attempt to veil it's spiritual nature and, it does not cast a positive light on religion. If you are a person of deep religous convictions, the nature of how Carver exlains things may offend you. If you read it, I beg of you to keep an open mind about what the author is saying and, you may be rewarded in the end, even if you don't agree with his conclusions.
This book gets us in the head of a serial killer and victims. These victims seem too almost beg death and welcome it. That is frightening to some, and distasteful to others. I believe this is perhaps the most artistic writing I've read since Edgar Allen Poe and the allegory is striking and rattles my spirit. To me that's a good thing. I like being challenged to think and I don't care how dark the challenge is. I'm an odd bird sometimes myself. If you don't like books that get into the killers life independently of our hero, exposure here is deeper than in most books and you may not like it.
This book does not follow traditional conventions in writing as far as time line, voice and point of view are concenred. It is confusing and more cerebral than most crime stories. In fact, I call this a "Supernatural Thriller" because I do not believe it was ever intended to be "just a crime story." If you find comfort in traditonal writing, or if you are like me and what you feel comfortable with changes as your mood does, you might want to be careful when thinking of this book. The way Will Carver brazenly refuses to write conventionally may task you.
Right now, I'm in an artistic loving mood and I find this book to be a very artistic read and very deep.
Some people, regardless of how their brain works when they are on their job or with their family, look to books to take them away from things for a bit, the Physics Professor who reads romance novels at home in her bed where nobody else can see her, the criminal lawyer who reads historical fiction in his office with the door shut so everybody thinks he's working, or maybe the combat veteran who eats peanut brittle in bed curled up with a good Conan Novel. It's not a measure of brain power or value to the world, it's a measure of what makes you comfortable. If you are like those people I just described, you may not like this because to enjoy it, you MUST be hooked into the here and now in some way and you are required to THINK. Sometimes I like to be taken away to a world where my reality can fade, for a few moments, sometimes I like to be challenged and think. This book is not right for everybody all of the time.
I'm just glad that this time, it caught me unawares, and in the right frame of mind for a challenge.
Five Stars
I love books that have themes I can identify with that run through different levels simultaneously. I admit that sometimes, I'm the one who saw the theme, not the author, and sometimes it's the author and most of the time that doesn't matter. To me, good writing challenges thought at all sorts of levels even if it's not the intention of the author to question these things. That's what this book does.
First, I believe the ratings for this will be all over the map. Somepeople will like it, for the same reasons I do, some people will hate it, for the same reasons I like it and some will have their own take on it because, as I said above, good writing inspires thought, it does not stifle it.
This book follows no rules of writing that traditional authors cling to. It's told in scenes and comes across like your flipping between slides on a "viewmaster View Wheel." It has no sense of a time line. It jumps from present to past seemingly with a mind of it's own and revisits scenes to give us more information the second or third time through. It's told in first person present tense, now ranking as the best use of that I'm aware of, and the first entire book written that way that I liked. Carver took the kind of scenes that I liked in Cruelty To Innocents and Thunder and expanded them to fit the entire book. As in Bellaleigh's "Thunder" I liked the "Shattered Glass" approach to fitting scenes together.
When it came to characters, there were three main characters, "V", Celeste and January David. David gets billing as the "leading man" but I think by the end of the book Celest is the main character and January more a spiritual witness to the drama unfolding.
January is an unusual sort and very unique with his incompetence, self-doubts and almost lunatic behavior, yet, where as I did not get the same sympathetic bond that I did with Celeste (and by the time you get to the end of the book, you'll know how weird that is) but I did understand him. He sort of reprsents all of us as whe go through our day at work, taking our jobs and our selves seriously and being completely blind to the reality we project of ourselves that others see. His character is more a conduit for us to examine the spiritual side of this story in a way that lifts it from the bedrock earth and allows it to float like dreams and spiritual things should. Though he's not a likeable character, in the end he gets what he deserves, the story would not be complete without him. The spiritual side of this is very important and it's invisible to all but him.
Celeste at first she seems like a minor character, but as the book grows and develops I came to see her as the main character here. I was facinated and almost a bit preturbed at her ability to float through everything without being noticed or scene. From the begining, I doubted what others thought about her (Yes, I'm being vague to protect the story and plot for the next reader) and in the end, not only was I certain this was about her more than David, all made sense. Through her I understood the spiritual connection because, not only would she describe her connection but she would also describe everybody else's. There is a question about her that everyone should be asking at the end of the book. I won't ask it here because I don't want to spoil it for you.
"V," Samael or Sam as he's also known brings the tale back to religion, though, it's not a good view of it. From the start we know there are a lot of question marks about his role in the story and, though we know he's unusual, it's not clear what that role is until halfway through the story. Again I'm sparing you the spoiler here. Let just say, that, with January allowing us to observe this spiritual ballet played out between "V" and Celeste and Celeste allowing us to see spiritual things that matter, V brings the role of religion into the story. He's marked as unusual from the start and his odd behavior tends to confuse his true role for half of the book. He's devoted to his Lord and prays in Latin as he place cat and mouse with Celeste. He's not likeable either.
Supporting cast: Alison, Murphy and his faithful partner mirror the spiritual ballet played out by the main characters like a shadowy echo. Spirit, Religion and that neutral link that observes with care and therefor allows us to observe.
This is the tale of captureing a serial killer and, it's this rather normal storyline for television or the movies and even in countless books. This allows us to lay the spiritual drama being played out over everyday London so we can see connections. We get to see through the killer's eyes as the deed is done, the savior's eyes as the savior rushes and struggles to save, not lives but souls, and the victim's eyes which open questions in our minds about right and wrong that I had long scince thought answered, and the book exposes those answers about life and death as glaringly incomplete and narrow minded. Since January has a psychic connection and is able to get messages from some force of nature, we are constantly reminded that what makes this book important, or different from other chase the serial killer stories is the spiritual connection and with that gentle nudging we follow Carver's tale down spiritual lines rather than a forensic one.
That's the first layer below the muder mystery, the spiritual allegory. I'm not sure I draw the same conclusions, and, though Carver appears to suggest one line of thinking and reason about spiritual and religious things, there are so many other things that he includes that keep doubt open. One thing he appears to suggest, that I agree with is, regardless of the ultimate truth, we choose our own spiritual reality and when we do, that reality serves our every purpose from the moment we believe to the moment we die.
There are many other things in this story that the author hints and teases at like the role of religion, the power of belief and the overwhelming depression that comes with grief and what that can do to us. He shows us that people need people to have complete lives and, if we have noone, how empty a life is, and how hard it can be to stay focused on the things in this world that are important.
One of the themes that I think are in this book, though it is not clear why, or where the author stands on this, is a theme of recovery from addiction. There is reference to what I believe is an Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting in the book and to working the 12 steps. There is a spiritual role of the twelve steps, one of which being the need for the individual to develp an understanding of how his "Higher Power" works in his life and how it can help keep him sober. The second and third steps of Alcoholics Anonymous: "That we..." 2. "came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." 3. "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him."
If you think of those two steps you will be glaringly aware that the second step states that a Higher Power "can" restore to sanity, but doesn't say that it will always do so and in the third step is about making a decision to follow the guidence of your Higher Power and relying on your higher power to help keep you emotionally stable, when you do not feel you can on your own as well as sober. In the story we have two believers Celeste and "V" who have chosen two vary different paths, but, both believe and they appear more able to carry out their mission than January. January David is drinking himself into a crazed stupor taking pills for sleep and cafiene to stay awake with hopes that he will have a "vision" that clears things up. He has neither committed to his spiritual side, where the visions come from, nor has he committed to a practical worldly side and given up his visions to rely on good police work. Through the entire book he vacilates from leaning on spiritual things to practical worldly things and back and in the end, he's actually achieved nothing. I wonder how much of Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve Step Theory is in here or how much I'm bringing in since I'm a counselor. Either way, it's a good allegory to explain the spiritual relationship between someone suffering from compulsive behavior (drinking, eating, drugging etc.) their Higher Power and sobriety.
Lastly, perhaps the best part, or at least the thing I like best about this story is, that after all is said and done. Carver lays out conclusions about spiritual matters, religion and life through his three characters and the story is clearly done, you'll have no idea which one is right in the author's eyes. Carver leaves the question open, well explained, but open for you to choose as to the spiritual nature of man. Do we merely believe that we are spiritual and, because we ask questions that cannot be answered rationally about right and wrong, good and evil, we fool ourselves into beliving our own spirituality? or Do we throw ourselves into religion, any religion, where reality becomes what we make it and our spirituality is merely a self-licking ice cream cone that offers peace of mind by giving us the placebo of true, to the core, heartfelt belief? or, are human beings spiritual creatures of a nature that goes beyond anything that any religion has been able to capture and explain?
There are powerful questions in here about death and dying that open more questions about dying with dignity and, those who choose suicide to escape the pain in their lives. (A quesiton visited by Michelle Muckley in her book Escaping Life, though in a much more positive way with fewer shadows and more light.) The Two begs the question about what is humane, forcing a person to live on in pain, or, allowinging them to pass into peace and quiet. It offers us a chance to examine our thoughts about the quality of life what is important and what should we do if we loose that sense of importance.
At times this book appears to be heading one way, or the other way, or a third way, and even though it seems as if Carver is leading us to a specific conclusion, he never closes the door and makes the answer airtight.
I like how he shows, at least from the books perspective, that he believes what he has chosen, and allows our ideas and values to be just as important and valuable as his even as he is showing us his view and how he thinks we may be wrong.
Isn't that how life really is? Even if you commit to a path of atheism, at some point, you will doubt that, or simply want something more fulfilling and satisfying. Religion makes cages of convention that lock us into our own, sometimes harmful and painful realities. The nature of our spirit, confined by religion, is like a caged bird and, only Mya Angelou and Opra know "Why the Caged Bird Sings"...and now, so does Will Carver. But religion is also powerful and can harness the power of spirituality to do great things, as well as terrible things. Our true spirit is a fleeting shadow that few even notice or recognize and though we will find comfort and happyness in choosing religion, or committing to a real truth, our lives tend to be confused patches of organized chaos where we plague ourselves with doubts, ambition, paranoia and greed and struggle to find real answers to why things happen in our world as they do...answers that only bring more questions.
I'm going with genius and claime this to be "Brilliant."
Warnings:
This is a book for adults. It contains sexual and violent content that, is not offesnive in that it supports a clear plot, storyline and questions of the true nature of man, but, in those questions it includes the horrific acts one human can perpetrate on another. It's not gratuitus, it's ony marginally graphic, but it is there and impossible to ignore. If you don't like this kind of thing in your book, it's not for you.
This book makes no attempt to veil it's spiritual nature and, it does not cast a positive light on religion. If you are a person of deep religous convictions, the nature of how Carver exlains things may offend you. If you read it, I beg of you to keep an open mind about what the author is saying and, you may be rewarded in the end, even if you don't agree with his conclusions.
This book gets us in the head of a serial killer and victims. These victims seem too almost beg death and welcome it. That is frightening to some, and distasteful to others. I believe this is perhaps the most artistic writing I've read since Edgar Allen Poe and the allegory is striking and rattles my spirit. To me that's a good thing. I like being challenged to think and I don't care how dark the challenge is. I'm an odd bird sometimes myself. If you don't like books that get into the killers life independently of our hero, exposure here is deeper than in most books and you may not like it.
This book does not follow traditional conventions in writing as far as time line, voice and point of view are concenred. It is confusing and more cerebral than most crime stories. In fact, I call this a "Supernatural Thriller" because I do not believe it was ever intended to be "just a crime story." If you find comfort in traditonal writing, or if you are like me and what you feel comfortable with changes as your mood does, you might want to be careful when thinking of this book. The way Will Carver brazenly refuses to write conventionally may task you.
Right now, I'm in an artistic loving mood and I find this book to be a very artistic read and very deep.
Some people, regardless of how their brain works when they are on their job or with their family, look to books to take them away from things for a bit, the Physics Professor who reads romance novels at home in her bed where nobody else can see her, the criminal lawyer who reads historical fiction in his office with the door shut so everybody thinks he's working, or maybe the combat veteran who eats peanut brittle in bed curled up with a good Conan Novel. It's not a measure of brain power or value to the world, it's a measure of what makes you comfortable. If you are like those people I just described, you may not like this because to enjoy it, you MUST be hooked into the here and now in some way and you are required to THINK. Sometimes I like to be taken away to a world where my reality can fade, for a few moments, sometimes I like to be challenged and think. This book is not right for everybody all of the time.
I'm just glad that this time, it caught me unawares, and in the right frame of mind for a challenge.
Five Stars
November 5, 2014
After loving Will's first outing with Girl 4, I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, as you can tell from my star rating, I didn't love it, in fact I didn't like it much. What attracted me to Girl 4 was the quirky writing style, the different narratives that I thought were easy to follow and frankly great storytelling. But here it was a little too frenetic and all over the place for me, even I struggled at times wondering where I was. The story itself just didn't hold any interest for me and I found the whole thing difficult to get into. The more I read, the more detached I became, it all just got a little too weird to the point of me skipping huge chunks just to move things along. The last few chapters were pretty good and pacy and so it ended at a reasonable place. I am gutted because I really did love book 1 so I'm going to leave it there and say it hasn't put me off. I very much like Will's style and not every book can be brilliant!! I will be reading book 3 for sure, there are some answers I need to find!!
July 16, 2012
The hotly anticipated follow-up to Carver’s debut novel Girl 4 has just been released, and it takes this series to another level…
Detective January David is struggling to move on from the events of Girl 4. Separated from his wife, he is drinking copiously and immersing himself in his mother’s journals, trying to find more clues about his sister’s disappearance. When bodies start turning up, killed in a similar ritualistic manner and months apart, January sets out to stop the murderer.
In doing so he must battle his demons with his detective work suffers from his lack of focus, and this has an important impact on the story. But maybe the apparitions of children who visit him hold the answer to the series of murders. Who is the serial killer? Are there two of them? This isn’t your standard story about a mysterious serial killer terrorising the streets of London. Carver delivers a great twist within the genre by introducing a supernatural element through January’s visions.
The character of January David is investigated further in this follow-up to Girl 4. Now he seems a broken man. Side characters such as Paulson, the fellow detective who is closest to January and aides him through the investigation, are well rounded and always integral.
Carver has an ability to instantly hook a reader. The Two seems to open mid-story but you won’t feel worried that you’ve missed something. He then uses a confusing timeline to reveal aspects of the story as you read, building suspense along the way. The greatest aspect of The Two however, is the multiple narratives, all in first person, which run throughout. Short chapters, switching between the detective, murder victims, and killers, really add something to the story. Each one has a different voice, allowing the reader to really immerse themselves into the story and unravel the mystery.
Girl 4 was a fantastic debut, one I really enjoyed reading on its release last year. So, as is always the case with a second novel, or film for that matter, I began reading with slight trepidation that The Two wouldn’t measure up when compared to its predecessor.
I needn’t have worried. Full of twists and turns, and one of the best reveals of a serial killer I’ve read in a long time, The Two is a must-read for any crime fiction fan looking for something a little different. Excellently written, with a breathtaking pace, it cements Will Carver as one of the most exciting new names in this genre today.
Detective January David is struggling to move on from the events of Girl 4. Separated from his wife, he is drinking copiously and immersing himself in his mother’s journals, trying to find more clues about his sister’s disappearance. When bodies start turning up, killed in a similar ritualistic manner and months apart, January sets out to stop the murderer.
In doing so he must battle his demons with his detective work suffers from his lack of focus, and this has an important impact on the story. But maybe the apparitions of children who visit him hold the answer to the series of murders. Who is the serial killer? Are there two of them? This isn’t your standard story about a mysterious serial killer terrorising the streets of London. Carver delivers a great twist within the genre by introducing a supernatural element through January’s visions.
The character of January David is investigated further in this follow-up to Girl 4. Now he seems a broken man. Side characters such as Paulson, the fellow detective who is closest to January and aides him through the investigation, are well rounded and always integral.
Carver has an ability to instantly hook a reader. The Two seems to open mid-story but you won’t feel worried that you’ve missed something. He then uses a confusing timeline to reveal aspects of the story as you read, building suspense along the way. The greatest aspect of The Two however, is the multiple narratives, all in first person, which run throughout. Short chapters, switching between the detective, murder victims, and killers, really add something to the story. Each one has a different voice, allowing the reader to really immerse themselves into the story and unravel the mystery.
Girl 4 was a fantastic debut, one I really enjoyed reading on its release last year. So, as is always the case with a second novel, or film for that matter, I began reading with slight trepidation that The Two wouldn’t measure up when compared to its predecessor.
I needn’t have worried. Full of twists and turns, and one of the best reveals of a serial killer I’ve read in a long time, The Two is a must-read for any crime fiction fan looking for something a little different. Excellently written, with a breathtaking pace, it cements Will Carver as one of the most exciting new names in this genre today.
February 13, 2013
Could not understand it or get into it in any way, after about 200 pages I just skimmed the rest.
December 8, 2019
A wonderfully weird British police procedural which approaches the hunt for a serial killer from a truly inventive angle. Well, actually, all manner of inventive angles because the story is told from multiple perspectives – killers, victims, investigator – and in a concertina-style timeline which reveals aspects of the same events from different standpoints.
It’s all highly misleading and intriguing, and doesn’t get too bogged down in the usual tropes of BritCrime policing. Although inevitably the lead detective is a traumatised alcoholic… but he’s also gifted with second sight, which livens things up a touch.
Also loved the Wiccan festival theme and details. All extremely engaging and wrapped up with a satisfying thump.
8/10
Join me for more reviews of crime / thrillers over at http://www.murdermayhemandmore.net
It’s all highly misleading and intriguing, and doesn’t get too bogged down in the usual tropes of BritCrime policing. Although inevitably the lead detective is a traumatised alcoholic… but he’s also gifted with second sight, which livens things up a touch.
Also loved the Wiccan festival theme and details. All extremely engaging and wrapped up with a satisfying thump.
8/10
Join me for more reviews of crime / thrillers over at http://www.murdermayhemandmore.net
June 23, 2015
Okay firstly I need to point out that if you aren’t into the supernatural element then this book may not be for you. But having said that, it’s still clear that Will Carver is a great author and one that I want to carry on reading, despite the fact this wasn’t maybe my favourite type of book. If you plan on reading book one first (which I would recommend) then don’t read on as the review will inevitably contain spoilers.
January David is the lead character and in the first book in the series and we meet him once again following his harrowing case from book one. In this second book, its clear he is still battling demons and coming to terms with the things his mind portrays to him. The synopsis makes it clear that January is chasing two killers, however the leading few chapters can be a little bewildering. If you go with the flow, eventually the reader sees the distinction between the two but its certainly not easy.
The writing, as with the first, is fantastic and I really like the unusual style Carver uses. As the reader we get to see the chapters written from the first person whether that be the killer, January himself or the victims. There is something very refreshing about this style of writing and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The parts I didn’t enjoy so much were the sometimes muddled descriptions of January’s visions and the supernatural element is certainly clear to see in book 2.
Because of this, and the fact that this isn’t my favourite type of story, it maybe lessened the enjoyment for me. That aside, I really like reading about January and you feel like he is trying to find his way. Jan’s two colleagues Murphy and Paulson return as well adding to the continuity of the series. The book certainly had talent and pace, but it felt like the story jumped around too much and if I’m honest I didn’t feel that it was anywhere near as good as the first story. I will certainly go on reading Will Carver and this series, with the hope that book 3 is a little less frenzied. Of course like I said in the beginning, if you are a fan of the supernatural, maybe this will be more to your taste.
January David is the lead character and in the first book in the series and we meet him once again following his harrowing case from book one. In this second book, its clear he is still battling demons and coming to terms with the things his mind portrays to him. The synopsis makes it clear that January is chasing two killers, however the leading few chapters can be a little bewildering. If you go with the flow, eventually the reader sees the distinction between the two but its certainly not easy.
The writing, as with the first, is fantastic and I really like the unusual style Carver uses. As the reader we get to see the chapters written from the first person whether that be the killer, January himself or the victims. There is something very refreshing about this style of writing and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The parts I didn’t enjoy so much were the sometimes muddled descriptions of January’s visions and the supernatural element is certainly clear to see in book 2.
Because of this, and the fact that this isn’t my favourite type of story, it maybe lessened the enjoyment for me. That aside, I really like reading about January and you feel like he is trying to find his way. Jan’s two colleagues Murphy and Paulson return as well adding to the continuity of the series. The book certainly had talent and pace, but it felt like the story jumped around too much and if I’m honest I didn’t feel that it was anywhere near as good as the first story. I will certainly go on reading Will Carver and this series, with the hope that book 3 is a little less frenzied. Of course like I said in the beginning, if you are a fan of the supernatural, maybe this will be more to your taste.
April 10, 2012
I’ve just finished reading Will Carver’s second book – The Two – and I have to say that this, similar to his debut novel, is a big thinker, perhaps more so than the first, it’s certainly more intricate. A complex and multi layered novel it took me a lot longer to get into the groove and find a rhythm with the book, even though I was used to Carver’s writing style. I wasn’t quite sure what was happening, everything is so quick, frenetic and complex as we move from one view point to another, forward and back in time. Carver doesn't allow you to settle and I struggled a little with that.
One of the things I love about Will’s books is the chance to follow a story from beginning to end in the first person narrative and with it multiple viewpoints – the killers, the lead protagonist (Detective Inspector January David) and the victims – a unique opportunity and one I relished once again. Even when a victim is killed, it’s not the last we hear from them, they are given a voice long after death, a voice that helps move the story along and tie up any loose ends.
An enjoyable read, I think Will's debut book Girl4 is a stronger offering.
One of the things I love about Will’s books is the chance to follow a story from beginning to end in the first person narrative and with it multiple viewpoints – the killers, the lead protagonist (Detective Inspector January David) and the victims – a unique opportunity and one I relished once again. Even when a victim is killed, it’s not the last we hear from them, they are given a voice long after death, a voice that helps move the story along and tie up any loose ends.
An enjoyable read, I think Will's debut book Girl4 is a stronger offering.
June 13, 2012
I've realised that I'm not overly fussed about Carver's novels apart from the twists at the end. Which is probably not a good idea for putting myself through the reading of an entire novel that I don't care much about.
April 25, 2012
Having really enjoyed Girl 4, I was left frustrated after reading the next January David. Will is obviously a talented writer but the infuriating length and frenetic jumping around in time and character did not work in the same way. Not my cup of tea but happy to give third book a chance
November 6, 2024
I was pleasantly surprised to realise I already had this sequel to Girl 4, so I moved straight onto it while the first book was fresh in my mind.
I thought the way it dealt with the open plot from Girl 4 was a massive cop out, while the new storyline was basically the same as the first one, as were the format and writing style, but it still kept me interested throughout and wanting to know what was going to happen next.
Not sure if this counts as a spoiler but just in case, take this as a spoiler warning anyway before reading the next sentence. It ends on a massive cliff-hanger!
Unfortunately, this time, I don't think I've got the next book in the series/trilogy. I've ordered a copy second hand, because it's practically impossible to get new, but it won't be here for a few days so I'll have to choose something else to read next.
I thought the way it dealt with the open plot from Girl 4 was a massive cop out, while the new storyline was basically the same as the first one, as were the format and writing style, but it still kept me interested throughout and wanting to know what was going to happen next.
Not sure if this counts as a spoiler but just in case, take this as a spoiler warning anyway before reading the next sentence. It ends on a massive cliff-hanger!
Unfortunately, this time, I don't think I've got the next book in the series/trilogy. I've ordered a copy second hand, because it's practically impossible to get new, but it won't be here for a few days so I'll have to choose something else to read next.
June 8, 2018
this book disappointed me so much after reading his first book GIRL4.
this was so confusing. Too many characters. I had it as an Audio book and i was totally confused.
this was so confusing. Too many characters. I had it as an Audio book and i was totally confused.
September 27, 2025
confusing 😕
March 17, 2017
Review originally posted on A Keyboard and an Open Mind December 19, 2016:
The first book in this series, Girl 4, was by no means perfect, but it definitely left me in the mood to continue. Sadly, by the end of this one, I was barely interested in the outcome and just wanted to be done with it.
Picking up some time after the events of Girl 4, Detective January David is dealing with another series of murders. This time each takes place on a Wiccan Sabbat, and the crimes scenes seem to be some strange bastardisation of Wiccan ritual. January tries to understand the new psychic messages he receives before each murder, but he and his team may have been wrong about this murderer all along.
I mentioned in my review of Girl 4 that Carver does interesting things with structure and narrative voice (i.e. present tense narration that has knowledge of future events). This worked in Girl 4, but it did not work here. The multiple points of view led me to believe on thing was happening, to the extent that when events were revisited from different POVs and the truth of the matter revealed, it felt more like an entirely different story than a thriller after the twist.
There was also the issue that January David became even less likeable in this book. I get that he’s a bit curmudgeonly, and that he’s been through a lot, and that turning to alcohol is his way of dealing with things. But he was just annoying in this one. It didn’t help that there was often a lot of repetition in the narration (not just from January’s POV, but several). Yes, I knkow you should do some proper police work instead of relying entirely on your dreams! You said that before! So do it!
There was also the fact that the supernatural element introduced in the first book played a much larger role here. January wasn’t the only one receiving messages from the other side, so to speak. I felt there was a bit too much reliance on the supernatural for what was written far more in the format of a thriller. While Will Carver calls it a supernatural thriller, it didn’t really work as one.
The first book in this series, Girl 4, was by no means perfect, but it definitely left me in the mood to continue. Sadly, by the end of this one, I was barely interested in the outcome and just wanted to be done with it.
Picking up some time after the events of Girl 4, Detective January David is dealing with another series of murders. This time each takes place on a Wiccan Sabbat, and the crimes scenes seem to be some strange bastardisation of Wiccan ritual. January tries to understand the new psychic messages he receives before each murder, but he and his team may have been wrong about this murderer all along.
I mentioned in my review of Girl 4 that Carver does interesting things with structure and narrative voice (i.e. present tense narration that has knowledge of future events). This worked in Girl 4, but it did not work here. The multiple points of view led me to believe on thing was happening, to the extent that when events were revisited from different POVs and the truth of the matter revealed, it felt more like an entirely different story than a thriller after the twist.
There was also the issue that January David became even less likeable in this book. I get that he’s a bit curmudgeonly, and that he’s been through a lot, and that turning to alcohol is his way of dealing with things. But he was just annoying in this one. It didn’t help that there was often a lot of repetition in the narration (not just from January’s POV, but several). Yes, I knkow you should do some proper police work instead of relying entirely on your dreams! You said that before! So do it!
There was also the fact that the supernatural element introduced in the first book played a much larger role here. January wasn’t the only one receiving messages from the other side, so to speak. I felt there was a bit too much reliance on the supernatural for what was written far more in the format of a thriller. While Will Carver calls it a supernatural thriller, it didn’t really work as one.
September 7, 2012
While there is no doubt that Will Carver is very clever in the number of twists and turns he introduces into the plotof this novel, there were too many times while reading this follow-up to 'Girl 4' where I felt totally confused in terms of what was going on and had to retrace my reading.
This diminished the pleasure for me for although I like being surprised there were too many times here when I felt perplexed and wondered if Carver was doing the equivilant of a street magician and hoodwinking me with sleight-of-hand. Not a great fan of close-up magic.
It is also vital to pay attention to the dates that preface each section as this was what left me confused as unlike many police procedurals events were not taking place in a linear format.
I also had plenty of questions at the end of Book 1 that I had hoped to be answered here and I expect I shall have to wait for a future book in the series (unless Carver plans on leaving things unanswered).
Overall, I didn't enjoy it as much as I did 'Girl 4' though still plan to see how Carver devlops January David and his world.
This diminished the pleasure for me for although I like being surprised there were too many times here when I felt perplexed and wondered if Carver was doing the equivilant of a street magician and hoodwinking me with sleight-of-hand. Not a great fan of close-up magic.
It is also vital to pay attention to the dates that preface each section as this was what left me confused as unlike many police procedurals events were not taking place in a linear format.
I also had plenty of questions at the end of Book 1 that I had hoped to be answered here and I expect I shall have to wait for a future book in the series (unless Carver plans on leaving things unanswered).
Overall, I didn't enjoy it as much as I did 'Girl 4' though still plan to see how Carver devlops January David and his world.
November 12, 2012
I'm not sure how I came across this book and decided to use one of my credits at Audible for it, but it is definitely not my cup of tea. I'm struggling to stick with it, but I'm on the second half and I still don't like it. I don't like the constant visions the detective is having. They are drawn out and unhelpful. I thought the description of the main character waking up after a long night and responding to a knock on his door while retching three times drawn out and annoying. This author is a talented wordsmith. He's just terrific in some of his descriptions of places and people. It's just that the premise is not one I buy into (visions, good and evil, etc.). The switching between the different characters is not clever. I don't find the view of the victim knowing that his/her death is going to occur moves the story along at all. The book is tedious. That said, this is a smart author, and I think I'll look for other books he's written--just not any where he slogs through the supernatural.
June 5, 2014
I hovered between giving this book one star and five, so eventually ended up in the middle. It is a weird take on the popular serial killer theme with a detective who ticks all the usual fictional boxes - over reliance on alcohol, wife problems, problems with his superiors (although this is not spelt out specifically, other than via the character Murphy who is apparently reporting back on him). To these is added an apparent psychic ability to foresee the crimes before they are committed. The narrative proceeds entirely in the first person - including the voices of the dead victims - and hops around in time, for a large part going back over and explaining what has just been hinted at earlier. Added to the strange mixture is Wiccan/Celtic/Satanic mysticism. A heady brew indeed.
October 6, 2017
Will's debut book Girl 4 I enjoyed, and was looking fwd to The Two.
January, and his motley crew are all back on the case as another crazy stalks London with the team in hot pursuit.
We are taken all over the capital with great detail as we follow the killer and Januarys hunt for him.
Wills keen eye of people's behaviour around the events creates a rich deep thrilling story.
The book is cleverly written in a way that makes you wonder what is going on and leaves you scratching your head thinking you may have skipped a few pages.
As you read on Will treats you too little pieces of the story that unfolds the plot which ties it altogether in a very cool way.
This is a real page turner and well worth your time and effort.
January, and his motley crew are all back on the case as another crazy stalks London with the team in hot pursuit.
We are taken all over the capital with great detail as we follow the killer and Januarys hunt for him.
Wills keen eye of people's behaviour around the events creates a rich deep thrilling story.
The book is cleverly written in a way that makes you wonder what is going on and leaves you scratching your head thinking you may have skipped a few pages.
As you read on Will treats you too little pieces of the story that unfolds the plot which ties it altogether in a very cool way.
This is a real page turner and well worth your time and effort.
November 5, 2013
This story was very hard to follow, because of how it was written; one chapter in "V's voice or aka Sam", the dead, January Davis and then Celesta. So, to make a long story short-this is not a book you can sit down and read in one sitting!!! Sometimes you will have to re-read to get an understanding of what rituals are being performed. And what is being explained. I will say that if this was written a little better that it would have been a great story. I don't think that I will read anything else from this author because of this book:-( I hate re-reading stuff and just the foggy tone of this book!
July 5, 2019
January David is the lead detective and main character in the book This is the second book in the series, January is learning about his psychic abilities and bringing it to his detective work. The story does go back and forth between characters and time - so you have to pay close attention. If you do not like stories of the supernatural you will not like this series
In this book January is chasing two killers - V and Celeste. Knowing who is evil, who is good - is difficult to determine. January gets clues from his visions - although he is not quite able to understand his visions ... yet
In this book January is chasing two killers - V and Celeste. Knowing who is evil, who is good - is difficult to determine. January gets clues from his visions - although he is not quite able to understand his visions ... yet
February 9, 2015
This is all over the place, there is nothing to hold onto in the early stages to get you to want to read on, apart from you've paid for the book. I've been there before so I gave up after I checked the other reviews and numerous people said it didn't get any better. I'm into the genre but this is just poorly put together, trying to be confusing for confusion's sake ..... don't bother.
October 5, 2012
I was really looking forward to reading this book after enjoying the first book. I felt that it was almost trying to repeat the first book but the plot wasn't as good. The story became overly-complicated.
September 22, 2013
Enjoyed it! Difficult to get into in the beginning - not your average style of writing - but worth the it in the end. Each chapter written from the perspective of a different character. And kept me guessing right to the end so I give this one 4 stars.
March 18, 2013
*sort of spoiler-ish*
Good writing quality, but I kept having to go back and re-read to make sure I was on track with who was narrating ... and then it turns out that two of the narrators are in fact the same person.
Neat idea, but maybe too clever for your own good, Carver!
Good writing quality, but I kept having to go back and re-read to make sure I was on track with who was narrating ... and then it turns out that two of the narrators are in fact the same person.
Neat idea, but maybe too clever for your own good, Carver!
September 6, 2012
The jumping around in time was way too confusing for me.
January 28, 2013
pretty good . got a little confusing at times but all straightened out in the end. Good. Would read another
March 16, 2013
One word.....odd did manage to finish it but not really sure what it was about!
gave-up
August 2, 2013I like the author's writing style, but not his technique. Head-hopping isn't my cup of tea.
Perhaps I'll look for his other books.
Perhaps I'll look for his other books.
November 26, 2013
Really disappointed in this book after enjoying Girl 4 immensely. Too much emphasis on crazy dreams and not enough plot!
November 25, 2018
Two too much.
What a disappointment. I loved the first book in this series and was bored by this one. We have a detective obsessed with the disappearance of his sister as a child who has visions concerning his current case. Another serial killer. This one has a mixture of paganism and perverted Christianity. It is told, as in the first book, by the murderer and the victims. Also we hear from a tortured man who seems to know a lot. Then we get the first half of the book repeated from a different point of view. At which point I began to see the whole thing as a smoke and mirrors magician's trick. This detective up into near the end seems to have only two other detectives working with him, one loyal and the other undermining him. By the end of the book I sympathise with traitor. Our detective is lousy at his job, guilt ridden, a drunken filled with self pity. He gets his visions but can't interpret them sufficiently to make them of any use. Unfortunately because I loved the first book I bought the second and third. Maybe the third will redeem all. Maybe not. The book is well written but feels like a great idea not fully explored. But what do I know...just that it was a great disappointment.
What a disappointment. I loved the first book in this series and was bored by this one. We have a detective obsessed with the disappearance of his sister as a child who has visions concerning his current case. Another serial killer. This one has a mixture of paganism and perverted Christianity. It is told, as in the first book, by the murderer and the victims. Also we hear from a tortured man who seems to know a lot. Then we get the first half of the book repeated from a different point of view. At which point I began to see the whole thing as a smoke and mirrors magician's trick. This detective up into near the end seems to have only two other detectives working with him, one loyal and the other undermining him. By the end of the book I sympathise with traitor. Our detective is lousy at his job, guilt ridden, a drunken filled with self pity. He gets his visions but can't interpret them sufficiently to make them of any use. Unfortunately because I loved the first book I bought the second and third. Maybe the third will redeem all. Maybe not. The book is well written but feels like a great idea not fully explored. But what do I know...just that it was a great disappointment.
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