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DI Grace Archer #3
The Silent Man
A father is murdered in the dead of night in his London home, his head wrapped tightly in tape, a crude sad face penned over his facial features. But the victim's only child is left alive and unharmed at the scene.
Met Police detectives Grace Archer and Harry Quinn have more immediate concerns. Notorious gangster Frankie White has placed a target on Archer's back, and there's no one he won't harm to get to her.
Then a second family is murdered, leaving young Uma Whitmore as the only survivor. Once again the victim's face is found wrapped and inked.
With a serial killer at large, DI Archer and DS Quinn must stay alive long enough to find the connection between these seemingly random victims. Can they do it before another child is made an orphan?
Met Police detectives Grace Archer and Harry Quinn have more immediate concerns. Notorious gangster Frankie White has placed a target on Archer's back, and there's no one he won't harm to get to her.
Then a second family is murdered, leaving young Uma Whitmore as the only survivor. Once again the victim's face is found wrapped and inked.
With a serial killer at large, DI Archer and DS Quinn must stay alive long enough to find the connection between these seemingly random victims. Can they do it before another child is made an orphan?
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2023
84 people are currently reading
651 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
June 1, 2025
The Silent Man is a third book in a DI Archer and DS Quinn series. Not only do Grace and Harry have a seemingly unlinked series of crude murders to solve but also the small matter of dealing with an old foe of Grace's.
David Fennell does a fantastic job of creating a gripping and cohesive story linking the professional and personal cases in our leads lives.
Grace and Harry are a great partnership. There's a great level of mutual respect and understanding. I love the dynamic between those two and I hope there's more stories to come.
Highly recommended.
David Fennell does a fantastic job of creating a gripping and cohesive story linking the professional and personal cases in our leads lives.
Grace and Harry are a great partnership. There's a great level of mutual respect and understanding. I love the dynamic between those two and I hope there's more stories to come.
Highly recommended.
August 15, 2023
Another great story from David Fennell, as he wraps up the trilogy, with a hint of more to follow. I for one really hope there are more books in this series. Even though this book helps to resolve some parts of the story. there are lots more unanswered questions and plot lines to follow as the characters are developed.
This is an unusual crime story that has an emotional pull on the heart strings. Loved the chapters from the killers point of view, I suggest you pay attention to all the detail in all the chapters, it will all make sense in the end.
I like the uncomplicated relationship between Archer and Quinn, as their relationship has developed. Another fast paced story that builds up the menace until the tense and gripping finale.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is an unusual crime story that has an emotional pull on the heart strings. Loved the chapters from the killers point of view, I suggest you pay attention to all the detail in all the chapters, it will all make sense in the end.
I like the uncomplicated relationship between Archer and Quinn, as their relationship has developed. Another fast paced story that builds up the menace until the tense and gripping finale.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2023
The Silent Man is the third book in the DI Grace Archer series. This is another gruesome, but riveting read. There is action from the first page, with kept me hooked to the very end.
A father has been brutally murdered by his face tightly bound in tape with a face crudely drawn on it. Whilst his son is unharmed next door.
DI Grace Archer and partner Harry Quinn are heading the investigation to find the killer before they strike again. But that’s not just Grace’s troubles. Gangster Frankie White has put a price on her head and her Granddad’s. The stress of it has made him have a stroke and he ends up in hospital.
Another father is killed but this time there is a survivor, but the victim has the same M. O. as the previous body. The hunt is on to find the killer before they strike again.
The Silent man is another brilliant read from the talented David Fennel. The author knows how to tell a story and get you attention and you never want to leave. Yes, this is a story about a killer, and it is gruesome in parts, but it also shows the emotional side of the killer and how he came to be. I felt sorry for him when we learnt about the killer’s childhood. Nobody needs to have a childhood like that. I like the relationship between Archer and Quinn. They have a great relationship together at work and off work. I am just wondering, is there more of this series? I hope so and can’t wait for more. 5 stars from me.
A father has been brutally murdered by his face tightly bound in tape with a face crudely drawn on it. Whilst his son is unharmed next door.
DI Grace Archer and partner Harry Quinn are heading the investigation to find the killer before they strike again. But that’s not just Grace’s troubles. Gangster Frankie White has put a price on her head and her Granddad’s. The stress of it has made him have a stroke and he ends up in hospital.
Another father is killed but this time there is a survivor, but the victim has the same M. O. as the previous body. The hunt is on to find the killer before they strike again.
The Silent man is another brilliant read from the talented David Fennel. The author knows how to tell a story and get you attention and you never want to leave. Yes, this is a story about a killer, and it is gruesome in parts, but it also shows the emotional side of the killer and how he came to be. I felt sorry for him when we learnt about the killer’s childhood. Nobody needs to have a childhood like that. I like the relationship between Archer and Quinn. They have a great relationship together at work and off work. I am just wondering, is there more of this series? I hope so and can’t wait for more. 5 stars from me.
July 21, 2023
There’s nothing I like more than a chilling opening scene. I’m one of those readers who prefers a crime thriller to hurl me straight into the action. The Silent Man opens with a horrifying crime. A father is murdered, his head wrapped tightly in tape, a crude sad face penned over his facial features. The killer leaves the victim's only child alive and unharmed at the scene. See what I mean? How could you not want to read more? This is the third book in the Grace Archer and Harry Quinn series, and if you like a crime series that veers to the darker side with disturbing crime scenes that might just give you nightmares, then this book is definitely for you.
As if Quinn and Archer don’t have enough to contend with, notorious gangster Frankie White has placed a target on Archer’s back, and there’s no one he won’t harm to get to her. As you can imagine, tracking down a serial killer whilst trying to stay alive ensures the pace never wavers. Talking of serial killers, I love how Fennel includes chapters from the killer’s perspective. This allows the reader to experience all sides of the killer’s personality. It’s obvious they are a very disturbed individual. But as Fennel reveals the killer’s backstory, which is brutal and desperately sad, I couldn’t help but feel a level of sympathy for them.
Archer and Quinn’s characters have developed throughout the series.I like the uncomplicated relationship the pair seem to have. The story line is fast-paced, and as the body count rises, there’s a heightened sense of menace and dread. One thing I NEVER expect from a crime thriller is an emotional read, and yet it’s written in such a way even the most hardhearted crime reader will struggle not to feel some emotion. The Silent Man made for a tense, gripping read and one I throughly enjoyed from start to finish. Highly recommend.
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As if Quinn and Archer don’t have enough to contend with, notorious gangster Frankie White has placed a target on Archer’s back, and there’s no one he won’t harm to get to her. As you can imagine, tracking down a serial killer whilst trying to stay alive ensures the pace never wavers. Talking of serial killers, I love how Fennel includes chapters from the killer’s perspective. This allows the reader to experience all sides of the killer’s personality. It’s obvious they are a very disturbed individual. But as Fennel reveals the killer’s backstory, which is brutal and desperately sad, I couldn’t help but feel a level of sympathy for them.
Archer and Quinn’s characters have developed throughout the series.I like the uncomplicated relationship the pair seem to have. The story line is fast-paced, and as the body count rises, there’s a heightened sense of menace and dread. One thing I NEVER expect from a crime thriller is an emotional read, and yet it’s written in such a way even the most hardhearted crime reader will struggle not to feel some emotion. The Silent Man made for a tense, gripping read and one I throughly enjoyed from start to finish. Highly recommend.
You can follow me and read more of my reviews at
Blog: https://thebookreviewcafe.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@reviewcafe
November 11, 2023
3 / 5
Won’t be investing in this series I’m afraid, on the outside this book seems to have it all. Deluded serial killer tasering people and wrapping their heads in duct tape drawing a smiley face. You have what seems like sound characters in Garce Archer and Harry Quinn, but this book was a mess. The ending is a mess too. A lot of unanswered questions.
The plot is complex becuase of how much stuff is going on. And than one of the plots just ends, halfway through completely unexpectedly and you’re left to pick up the plot of both Archer and Quinn to solve the puzzle. This book is bizarre, the order and how the plot develops is weird as well. Alongside this, Archer has beef with a gangster Frankie White who wants to seek revenge and kill her remaining family, her Grandad. The book is far too complex, and felt like a juggling act to maintain the gangster plot and the serial killer plot that it felt really surface level. You can’t have that high level of detail go both otherwise you’ll end up with a book of triple the amount of pages. I also didn’t like the ending, it didn’t go the way I expected it to go, but also felt really pointless. Like what was the actual point. Another ick I have is that midway in this book, you’re following a story of a young kid which I thought was present day. Only to find out near the end the events occurred 20 years ago, wish that was clarified more clearly.
I don’t know, I’m mixed because I thought I would be invested in this book. But everything was a mess. I guess the only good thing was how unpredictable the plot was. Both I won’t be investing in this series.
Won’t be investing in this series I’m afraid, on the outside this book seems to have it all. Deluded serial killer tasering people and wrapping their heads in duct tape drawing a smiley face. You have what seems like sound characters in Garce Archer and Harry Quinn, but this book was a mess. The ending is a mess too. A lot of unanswered questions.
The plot is complex becuase of how much stuff is going on. And than one of the plots just ends, halfway through completely unexpectedly and you’re left to pick up the plot of both Archer and Quinn to solve the puzzle. This book is bizarre, the order and how the plot develops is weird as well. Alongside this, Archer has beef with a gangster Frankie White who wants to seek revenge and kill her remaining family, her Grandad. The book is far too complex, and felt like a juggling act to maintain the gangster plot and the serial killer plot that it felt really surface level. You can’t have that high level of detail go both otherwise you’ll end up with a book of triple the amount of pages. I also didn’t like the ending, it didn’t go the way I expected it to go, but also felt really pointless. Like what was the actual point. Another ick I have is that midway in this book, you’re following a story of a young kid which I thought was present day. Only to find out near the end the events occurred 20 years ago, wish that was clarified more clearly.
I don’t know, I’m mixed because I thought I would be invested in this book. But everything was a mess. I guess the only good thing was how unpredictable the plot was. Both I won’t be investing in this series.
May 2, 2024
The 3rd in a series this also works as a stand alone story. The language was very gritty and rhe action starts straight away. This was my first outing with the characters i throughly enjoyed every second. At tines it appeared there were 2 or 3 separate stories. I loved it when they were pulled together. The narrator gave real emotion to all characters. The subject matter was tough going but it was paced correctly and felt a short listen. I could see this as a film. Very entertaining. Highly recommended brilliant development characters action packed plot. Perfect high quality audio narration. Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator for this 5 star listen.
April 18, 2024
4.5 stars 🔥
This is the the third instalment of the DS Grace Archer & DS Harry Quinn series. Have I read the first two? - No! Do you need to? - No! Will I be going back to read the others? - Hell yes!
I absolutely loved this book, packed full of all the dark twists, turns, murder and intrigue that I love with the addition of an emotional pull I was not expecting. In short - highly recommended. Oh and the audio was brilliantly delivered.
🙏 @bonniernooks 🎧 @mrdavidfennell
This is the the third instalment of the DS Grace Archer & DS Harry Quinn series. Have I read the first two? - No! Do you need to? - No! Will I be going back to read the others? - Hell yes!
I absolutely loved this book, packed full of all the dark twists, turns, murder and intrigue that I love with the addition of an emotional pull I was not expecting. In short - highly recommended. Oh and the audio was brilliantly delivered.
🙏 @bonniernooks 🎧 @mrdavidfennell
October 4, 2023
Rounded up from a 3.5 The dialogue could do with some work, it’s stilted and not overly realistic at times.
April 7, 2024
Very cunning of you Mr. Fennell to introduce the killer that way. This series is really wicked awesome and this installment in particular was very emotional.
It is not hard to elaborate on the success of this series, the characters are not the jaded and disgruntled police officers you see in so many police procedurals, these are really nice characters who have complicated lives. The plot and subplots merge with ease as we approach the ending. The killings are brutal and the main characters are left scarred but cohesive. It is becoming one of my favorite police procedurals. The author cannot write fast enough for this fan.
It is not hard to elaborate on the success of this series, the characters are not the jaded and disgruntled police officers you see in so many police procedurals, these are really nice characters who have complicated lives. The plot and subplots merge with ease as we approach the ending. The killings are brutal and the main characters are left scarred but cohesive. It is becoming one of my favorite police procedurals. The author cannot write fast enough for this fan.
September 7, 2023
I regret not having read David Fennell's earlier books on my TBR pile before being introduced to the author with this cracking read.
It seized my attention from the first page and never relinquished it. The plot is full of murder, darkness, and unexpected turns. It kept me guessing until the very end.
Despite personal issues with a sick grandad and a looming threat, DI Grace Archer is tasked with investigating the strange murder of Jason Todd, who was killed at home with his son nearby who is left unharmed.
Archer and Quinn's investigation is accompanied by an approaching danger. With the escalation of threats against Archer. There’s a big chance neither Archer nor Quinn will live long enough to see this case through and what a case it is!! I loved the many shocks, humorous, and macabre moments that the story had, and the killer was a complete surprise.
What caught my attention was the relationship between Grace and her team, who remain loyal to her while still being able to challenge her. It feels authentic.
I highly recommend this brilliant read to others and plan to catch up on the books I missed in the series as soon as possible.
My thanks to @NetGalley @Tr4cyF3nt0n for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Silent Man.
It seized my attention from the first page and never relinquished it. The plot is full of murder, darkness, and unexpected turns. It kept me guessing until the very end.
Despite personal issues with a sick grandad and a looming threat, DI Grace Archer is tasked with investigating the strange murder of Jason Todd, who was killed at home with his son nearby who is left unharmed.
Archer and Quinn's investigation is accompanied by an approaching danger. With the escalation of threats against Archer. There’s a big chance neither Archer nor Quinn will live long enough to see this case through and what a case it is!! I loved the many shocks, humorous, and macabre moments that the story had, and the killer was a complete surprise.
What caught my attention was the relationship between Grace and her team, who remain loyal to her while still being able to challenge her. It feels authentic.
I highly recommend this brilliant read to others and plan to catch up on the books I missed in the series as soon as possible.
My thanks to @NetGalley @Tr4cyF3nt0n for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Silent Man.
August 14, 2023
4.5⭐
This is my first introduction to author David Fennell and if The Silent Man is anything to go by it won't be my last.
As this was a cracking read.
That grabbed me from the very first page and never let go. With a storyline packed full of murder, darkness, twists and turns.
And it had me guessing until the very end. As protagonist DI Grace Archer is pulled away from a personal threat and a sick grandad to investigate the bizarre murder of Jason Todd.
And it's a murder that puzzles from the start as he is killed at home with his son in the next room. A son who is left unharmed.
But as Archer and her colleague Quinn begin to investigate danger stalks ever closer. As the threats against Archer increase. And there's a big chance neither Archer or Quinn will live long enough to see this case through.
And what a case it is!!
And with plenty of shocks, humour, macabre moments which I loved and a killer I did not expect. This was a truly brilliant read. That I'd thoroughly recommend to others and I'll definitely be reading the books I've missed out on in this series. Just as soon as I can.
My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Silent Man. 😊
This is my first introduction to author David Fennell and if The Silent Man is anything to go by it won't be my last.
As this was a cracking read.
That grabbed me from the very first page and never let go. With a storyline packed full of murder, darkness, twists and turns.
And it had me guessing until the very end. As protagonist DI Grace Archer is pulled away from a personal threat and a sick grandad to investigate the bizarre murder of Jason Todd.
And it's a murder that puzzles from the start as he is killed at home with his son in the next room. A son who is left unharmed.
But as Archer and her colleague Quinn begin to investigate danger stalks ever closer. As the threats against Archer increase. And there's a big chance neither Archer or Quinn will live long enough to see this case through.
And what a case it is!!
And with plenty of shocks, humour, macabre moments which I loved and a killer I did not expect. This was a truly brilliant read. That I'd thoroughly recommend to others and I'll definitely be reading the books I've missed out on in this series. Just as soon as I can.
My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Silent Man. 😊
March 25, 2024
(3.5 rounded up to 4🌟)
September 4, 2023
What a start to a book, I was so creeped out and hooked. I loved being back with Archer and Quinn, they have the ‘best’ cases, so gruesome and gory! I do also like how there are other storylines included and we get to see outside of work.
This is also an emotional read, as well as feeling for the killer, the ending broke me. Whilst I’m excited to see what the author has coming up for us fans, I’m glad that it’s not the end of Grace Archer and I cannot wait to be back with her.
This is an absolute must and I will shout about this trilogy to everyone and anyone!!
This is also an emotional read, as well as feeling for the killer, the ending broke me. Whilst I’m excited to see what the author has coming up for us fans, I’m glad that it’s not the end of Grace Archer and I cannot wait to be back with her.
This is an absolute must and I will shout about this trilogy to everyone and anyone!!
August 7, 2023
If you are as old as me, you'll likely remember a time when your parents weren't quite as strict in their nightly lock up routines as they might have been. Perhaps less so if you are from a city, but certainly out in the towns and villages it was common practice to leave doors unlocked. This has become less and less customer and practice in the modern age, the swift rise in burglary being a key driver of more stringent home security measures. If that thought alone is not enough to make you double check your doors at night, reading this book might just make you take things a touch more seriously, and also wondering whether leaving your window open on warm evenings is such a good idea either.
Not that such a thing as a closed door seems to stop the perpetrator in The Silent Man, the eponymous killer delighting in catching their victims unaware and despatching them in a way which seems excessively brutal but which becomes understandable, if not forgivable, the more we read. With his latest DI Grace Archer novel, David Fennell has created a story that is chilling, thrilling and emotionally charged in equal measure. Parts are hard to read, but sadly all too believable and, with an almost relentless pace and a case that has the police truly baffled, I found that once I started reading this book I was completely immersed and devoured it in next to no time.
This is almost a two part story. Firstly, and most importantly, we have the murder case that Archer and her DS, Quinn, are assigned to. The murder of a father whilst his young son sleeps next door. It's not just any old murder, the calling card of this particular killer is simple and yet grotesque. And as the story progresses, this will not be their only victim, their method of dispatch being echoed across many more homes across the city. There is seemingly no rhyme or reason to the murders, or none that the police can fathom, which makes them all the more chilling. And the way in which the killer coolly breezes in and out of their homes adds that extra fear factor that you expect from this series. The killings may not be as bloody as some of the earlier books, but they are no less brutal and I found them to be as, if not more, compelling as it was clear there had to be some symbolism to the method of dispatch and I really wanted to know what. The author employs a very clever tactic in exposing the killer, and it meant that, by the big reveal, I was left with mixed emotions about them. A kind of understanding of their motivations, even if there could be no forgiveness for their actions.
Secondary to the main murder case, but no less important to Archer, was the long running feud between her and the man she knows was responsible for the murder of her father. It is something that had amplified over time and grown into an almost all consuming thing, particularly for Gangster, Frankie White, and that added sense of jeopardy, the constant threat against Archer and her family and friends, kept the story powering along, the pace almost as frantic as the murder victims attempts to take one more breath. There are elements to this side of the story that we, as readers are privy to that Archer and Quinn are not. The tension starts from the very start of the book, some elements of the story really taking me by surprise, and it does not let up until a final, shocking, high risk showdown. It's one of those edge of your seats kind of moments that really suited the story, brought some elements to a neat close and led to a more emotional ending than I might have been expecting.
A fast paced, high stakes thriller with a real emotional edge that feeds throughout the book. I can't say why it makes such an impact - I think that is better understood in the reading - but there is a real balance of perspectives in this book that might just alter the way in which you judge what you read. Thoroughly addictive and another great addition to the series. Definitely recommended.
Not that such a thing as a closed door seems to stop the perpetrator in The Silent Man, the eponymous killer delighting in catching their victims unaware and despatching them in a way which seems excessively brutal but which becomes understandable, if not forgivable, the more we read. With his latest DI Grace Archer novel, David Fennell has created a story that is chilling, thrilling and emotionally charged in equal measure. Parts are hard to read, but sadly all too believable and, with an almost relentless pace and a case that has the police truly baffled, I found that once I started reading this book I was completely immersed and devoured it in next to no time.
This is almost a two part story. Firstly, and most importantly, we have the murder case that Archer and her DS, Quinn, are assigned to. The murder of a father whilst his young son sleeps next door. It's not just any old murder, the calling card of this particular killer is simple and yet grotesque. And as the story progresses, this will not be their only victim, their method of dispatch being echoed across many more homes across the city. There is seemingly no rhyme or reason to the murders, or none that the police can fathom, which makes them all the more chilling. And the way in which the killer coolly breezes in and out of their homes adds that extra fear factor that you expect from this series. The killings may not be as bloody as some of the earlier books, but they are no less brutal and I found them to be as, if not more, compelling as it was clear there had to be some symbolism to the method of dispatch and I really wanted to know what. The author employs a very clever tactic in exposing the killer, and it meant that, by the big reveal, I was left with mixed emotions about them. A kind of understanding of their motivations, even if there could be no forgiveness for their actions.
Secondary to the main murder case, but no less important to Archer, was the long running feud between her and the man she knows was responsible for the murder of her father. It is something that had amplified over time and grown into an almost all consuming thing, particularly for Gangster, Frankie White, and that added sense of jeopardy, the constant threat against Archer and her family and friends, kept the story powering along, the pace almost as frantic as the murder victims attempts to take one more breath. There are elements to this side of the story that we, as readers are privy to that Archer and Quinn are not. The tension starts from the very start of the book, some elements of the story really taking me by surprise, and it does not let up until a final, shocking, high risk showdown. It's one of those edge of your seats kind of moments that really suited the story, brought some elements to a neat close and led to a more emotional ending than I might have been expecting.
A fast paced, high stakes thriller with a real emotional edge that feeds throughout the book. I can't say why it makes such an impact - I think that is better understood in the reading - but there is a real balance of perspectives in this book that might just alter the way in which you judge what you read. Thoroughly addictive and another great addition to the series. Definitely recommended.
July 25, 2023
A sadistic killer is on the loose in London. In the dead of night, he suffocates his victims by wrapping duct tape around their heads. DI Grace Archer and her team need to track down the killer before he claims any more victims.
The Silent Man by David Fennell is book 3 in the DI Grace Archer series. Fans of the series will enjoy this outing just as much as they did the previous two, however, the author certainly puts your emotions through the wringer this time around.
If all you are interested in is a serial killer thriller then The Silent Man will do the job but if you really want to see how the story-line has developed I implore you to read the previous two books in the series, The Art Of Death and See No Evil, to gain a greater understanding of the dynamics.
The story picks up shortly after the second book in the series. During the night a killer enters the home of a father and his young son. The intruder immobilises the adult, wraps his head in duct tape and draws a face on the duct tape. The child is left unharmed. The police are puzzled, the only possible motive seems to be jealousy from his ex-wife's new boyfriend. When a second murder takes place under very similar circumstances the police realise they have a serial killer to contend with.
It's the mundane, everyday situations that quickly turn to terror that grip you at the beginning of the novel. It is frightening when you realise how easy it could be for someone to gain entry to your home.
For me, however, the hunt for the serial killer is not the main part of the story. DI Grace Archer is still dealing with the vendetta against her and her family by Frankie White, the local crime lord. White was responsible for the death of Grace's father and now White blames Grace for the death of his grandson.
No one close to Grace is safe from harm. There are some extremely tense moments. At one point I was so shocked and numb by the turn of events I wasn't sure if I could read on. I'm really not sure how it's possible to read while covering your eyes!
There are some lighter moments in the story. Trying to hide out from White and his gang leads to Grace staying in her partner's flat. This results in a group of old women becoming lookouts and bodyguards. Their actions and conversations will make you chuckle.
As the serial killer is tracked down there are some more tense moments and we gain an understanding of his motives. All the threads seem to be neatly tied up but author David Fennell can't resist one final gut-wrenching moment.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter
@Debbie_Hart_UK
or on Threads
@debbiehartuk
The Silent Man by David Fennell is book 3 in the DI Grace Archer series. Fans of the series will enjoy this outing just as much as they did the previous two, however, the author certainly puts your emotions through the wringer this time around.
If all you are interested in is a serial killer thriller then The Silent Man will do the job but if you really want to see how the story-line has developed I implore you to read the previous two books in the series, The Art Of Death and See No Evil, to gain a greater understanding of the dynamics.
The story picks up shortly after the second book in the series. During the night a killer enters the home of a father and his young son. The intruder immobilises the adult, wraps his head in duct tape and draws a face on the duct tape. The child is left unharmed. The police are puzzled, the only possible motive seems to be jealousy from his ex-wife's new boyfriend. When a second murder takes place under very similar circumstances the police realise they have a serial killer to contend with.
It's the mundane, everyday situations that quickly turn to terror that grip you at the beginning of the novel. It is frightening when you realise how easy it could be for someone to gain entry to your home.
For me, however, the hunt for the serial killer is not the main part of the story. DI Grace Archer is still dealing with the vendetta against her and her family by Frankie White, the local crime lord. White was responsible for the death of Grace's father and now White blames Grace for the death of his grandson.
No one close to Grace is safe from harm. There are some extremely tense moments. At one point I was so shocked and numb by the turn of events I wasn't sure if I could read on. I'm really not sure how it's possible to read while covering your eyes!
There are some lighter moments in the story. Trying to hide out from White and his gang leads to Grace staying in her partner's flat. This results in a group of old women becoming lookouts and bodyguards. Their actions and conversations will make you chuckle.
As the serial killer is tracked down there are some more tense moments and we gain an understanding of his motives. All the threads seem to be neatly tied up but author David Fennell can't resist one final gut-wrenching moment.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter
@Debbie_Hart_UK
or on Threads
@debbiehartuk
September 21, 2023
Firstly may I just say that this is a review of my Special Signed and numbered Goldsboro Books edition of The Silent Man, I now have all three Grace Archer novels from Goldsboro Books and they are lush!.
The Silent Man is another superbly written crime thriller by David Fennell. Having read the first two Grace Archer books ( The Art Of Death & See No Evil) I was excited to get into this and see what awaits DI Grace Archer this time around.
We start with the murder of a father, left for his son to find him, with his head totally wrapped in gaffer tape and an emoji-style face on the outside. DI Grace Archer and her team must find out who the killer is as the bodies start piling up. I love Grace she is a kickass,intelligent, fiesty Detective and we follow her and her team closely, with this latest investigation.
Theres also the back story of Grace’s family, Her grandfather whom she lives with and the further back story of her involvement with a notorious gangster, which leads to all those she cares about being put in grave danger.
Im not going to give anymore away, but it suffice to say The Silent Man is a totally engaging and gripping read. David Fennell writes so clearly that his novels are compelling and easy to read and get fully invested in, this one is another real page turner. I would advise that you read the preceding books in order to understand Grace Archer’s motivations and her back story which runs through all the books.
Another fantastic 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star read, a marvelous set of chrachters, brought to life by David Fennel’s excellent imagination, I love the Police Procedural side of things and they read with ease and reality. Bring on Book 4!
The Silent Man is another superbly written crime thriller by David Fennell. Having read the first two Grace Archer books ( The Art Of Death & See No Evil) I was excited to get into this and see what awaits DI Grace Archer this time around.
We start with the murder of a father, left for his son to find him, with his head totally wrapped in gaffer tape and an emoji-style face on the outside. DI Grace Archer and her team must find out who the killer is as the bodies start piling up. I love Grace she is a kickass,intelligent, fiesty Detective and we follow her and her team closely, with this latest investigation.
Theres also the back story of Grace’s family, Her grandfather whom she lives with and the further back story of her involvement with a notorious gangster, which leads to all those she cares about being put in grave danger.
Im not going to give anymore away, but it suffice to say The Silent Man is a totally engaging and gripping read. David Fennell writes so clearly that his novels are compelling and easy to read and get fully invested in, this one is another real page turner. I would advise that you read the preceding books in order to understand Grace Archer’s motivations and her back story which runs through all the books.
Another fantastic 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star read, a marvelous set of chrachters, brought to life by David Fennel’s excellent imagination, I love the Police Procedural side of things and they read with ease and reality. Bring on Book 4!
December 11, 2024
There's something original and extraordinarily unpleasant about the main string of murders in this thriller – though there are two interwoven plots, the second one just plain gruesome. Despite the high body count, I happily lapped up this book, greatly helped by the fact that DI Grace Archer and DS Harry Quinn are pleasant and intelligent police officers (which made me realise that some of the other crime novels I've read this year fail because their police are unpleasant, stupid or both). The eventual reveal is very clever.
Although there are references to things that happened to the characters in the past, I didn't realise that this was the third in a series until I reached the end, so it's obviously possible to read it as a standalone novel. Would I go back and read the previous two? I'm thinking probably not, but trying to analyse in my mind the reasoning behind that - I'm an author myself, have just published the third in my series, and of course I want people to read all three (and the fourth, when I write it). What is it that attracts readers to go backwards in a series, and what dissuades them? Thoughts to preoccupy me, but not you – whether or not you have read the first two books, I do highly recommend The Silent Man.
Although there are references to things that happened to the characters in the past, I didn't realise that this was the third in a series until I reached the end, so it's obviously possible to read it as a standalone novel. Would I go back and read the previous two? I'm thinking probably not, but trying to analyse in my mind the reasoning behind that - I'm an author myself, have just published the third in my series, and of course I want people to read all three (and the fourth, when I write it). What is it that attracts readers to go backwards in a series, and what dissuades them? Thoughts to preoccupy me, but not you – whether or not you have read the first two books, I do highly recommend The Silent Man.
February 19, 2025
What in the ever loving realm of Hell where all smiley face killers dwell was this sick idea for a modus operandi!? I loved it. 😂
And by "loved it" I mean: I was horrified and fascinated and utterly intrigued in all the right ways that make me want to hang out with this kind of books.
(Yeah, I know it's weird.)
While my excitement for Archer & Quinn continued to steam on in this book, I must confess I felt like Grandad had run his course and was turning into more of a liability than a plot-point. 😅
This kind of thing always sounds so friggin' heartless, but characters in a story are not actual people so I always judge them by the role they play within the story. If the author is having a hard time finding useful things for a character to contribute with: It shows.
And it has been showing since book 2, to be honest.
Grandad and pain-in-the-arse Frankie White both got resolved in a way I found appropriate though.
I feel good about both those story arcs getting closed so new possibilities can open up for Archer.
Quinn continues to be my absolute favourite person though. I want a Harry Quinn in my life! Where can I find one? 😂 💖
And by "loved it" I mean: I was horrified and fascinated and utterly intrigued in all the right ways that make me want to hang out with this kind of books.
(Yeah, I know it's weird.)
While my excitement for Archer & Quinn continued to steam on in this book, I must confess I felt like Grandad had run his course and was turning into more of a liability than a plot-point. 😅
This kind of thing always sounds so friggin' heartless, but characters in a story are not actual people so I always judge them by the role they play within the story. If the author is having a hard time finding useful things for a character to contribute with: It shows.
And it has been showing since book 2, to be honest.
Grandad and pain-in-the-arse Frankie White both got resolved in a way I found appropriate though.
I feel good about both those story arcs getting closed so new possibilities can open up for Archer.
Quinn continues to be my absolute favourite person though. I want a Harry Quinn in my life! Where can I find one? 😂 💖
April 29, 2024
The Perfect Thriller
🎧 Audiobook
Although I have discovered that this is the third book in a series, it certainly was a perfect thriller as a standalone.
Loved the clever plot and the twists and turns and suspense throughout.
The author has created some wonderful characters who I adored from the get go, especially DI Grace Archer and DS Harry Archer and some creepy and menacing villains.
The narration was drama filled with some well crafted characters with identifiable accents and smoothly delivered.
A gang related thriller interwoven with brutal murders and some dark psychological elements kept me absolutely hooked.
David Fennell is clever and masterly and creates crime thriĺlers to devour.
Can't wait to read the first 2 books in the series and the next instalment.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley, the Author and Narrator for this Audiobook ARC.
🎧 Audiobook
Although I have discovered that this is the third book in a series, it certainly was a perfect thriller as a standalone.
Loved the clever plot and the twists and turns and suspense throughout.
The author has created some wonderful characters who I adored from the get go, especially DI Grace Archer and DS Harry Archer and some creepy and menacing villains.
The narration was drama filled with some well crafted characters with identifiable accents and smoothly delivered.
A gang related thriller interwoven with brutal murders and some dark psychological elements kept me absolutely hooked.
David Fennell is clever and masterly and creates crime thriĺlers to devour.
Can't wait to read the first 2 books in the series and the next instalment.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley, the Author and Narrator for this Audiobook ARC.
November 17, 2023
Bloody brilliant. This is book 3 in a series which I didn’t realise. I have read 1 which was also gruesome and excellent. Such a good crime thriller
Archer and Quinn are a rock solid team working to find the killer who ties up and mummifies their victims. Also touches on Archers past and a crime family who have haunted her
Archer and Quinn are a rock solid team working to find the killer who ties up and mummifies their victims. Also touches on Archers past and a crime family who have haunted her
November 29, 2023
This was the first book of the series that I’ve read and really enjoyed it and will be looking forward to reading more of the series the only thing I wasn’t sure about was with some British crime books they can spend 90% of the time in the incident room and only 10% investigating the crime which doesn’t hold my attention but not in this case definitely recommend reading this series
May 6, 2024
I didn't realise this was part of a series when I started it, but it didn't really matter. I would have liked more info on the characters, which would have been in the first 2 books, but there was enough to allow me to enjoy it.
Good story, easy to follow, kept me interested.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Good story, easy to follow, kept me interested.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
September 17, 2023
Great book. Love this author
February 10, 2025
It's a great mystery story with many twists and turns. It left me wanting more...
February 9, 2025
Brilliant storyline, quite complex and multi story in one book but well linked, liked the way the book as split into parts which helped the flow of different story lines. I’ve only dropped a star because, as with the previous two book, in my opinion, the book is poorly edited and Jaffa needs a decent proof reader, shame on them and sad for David who deserves better
March 9, 2024
Excellent thriller with a well drawn detective and villain
September 1, 2023
A father is murdered in his own home while his son is in the bedroom next door. The killer has an unusual signature. Detective Grace Archer and her partner Harry Quinn are investigating. At the same time Grace is still dealing with the fall out of her last case and the ongoing threat to her from gangster Frankie White. He blames her for the death of his grandson while in prison - it was classed a suicide but it's more likely that a rival gang killed him. When her beloved grandfather is threatened by White and ends up hospitalised Archer has to move in with Quinn for her own safety. As the killer strikes again Grace and Harry face a threat from someone much closer to them.
Another cracking read from this series - can't wait for the next instalment. Will recommend to my reading friends.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bonnier Books UK and David Fennell for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Another cracking read from this series - can't wait for the next instalment. Will recommend to my reading friends.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bonnier Books UK and David Fennell for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
September 6, 2023
This is a challenging read, with multiple story lines that tackle abuse, intimidation, violence and murder, anyone who has read the previous Grace Archer novels (you can read this as a stand alone but I would definitely encourage reading them from the start) will have more than a nodding acquaintance with the issues Archer is up against.
Her family (her wonderful grandfather) are on constant alert after Grace has put away the grandson of a local crime figure, who has subsequently died in prison.
Also she has this thing about organised crime not being something she will turn a blind eye to, and is not manipulated by fear, greed, or promises of glory therefore Grace has to live with a state of constant alert of where the next threat is coming from.
Her father was killed by Frankie White's goons, so from the very start of the book you have this sense of tension and angst that leaves me baffled as to how she managed to hold down such a high pressured job whilst worrying about her Grandfather who is this wonderful character, fiercely protected by a neighbourly widow with a naughty twinkle in her eye (completely love the scenes between these two, they are just fab!)
So the book starts at full throttle with a very clear shot across Grace's bow, and a particularly nasty murder which put me in mind of Thomas Harris' Red Dragon.
It remains one of my favourite books so I am comparing the tension there, and the scene building not in any way suggesting it is derivative, I genuinely had cold shivers reading the murders that the Silent Man commits.
There is a third arm to the structural narrative, involving a boy who suffers the most horrendous abuse, and the light shone into it by a friendly young girl , also an outcast and bullied , because she has epilepsy . As the mother of an epileptic daughter, I really appreciated the portrayal of her frustration , and how people see her as 'Epi-Iris' , all except Brynn, this bullied and put upon boy. Brynn is Welsh, out of place, without a mother and his father is, well, no spoilers but it's heart-breaking what Brynn goes through.
As you navigate through the police investigation, it dovetails with the Frankie White arc and you gradually see where Brynn and Iris fit together. It's a lightning bolt moment and really challenges the way you consider what makes a killer, especially when you compare that to the police corruption angle, where Grace is fighting not only those outside the law, but those within it who seek to subvert it for their own personal gains.
That to me, is so scary, that those who are meant to maintain the thin blue line, are using it to advance themselves for financial gain, and contrasts beautifully with Harry Quinn and Grace who have this very firm moral compass.
Investigating this baffling set of murders with seemingly no connection between them is one thing, having to watch your back is another and when those close to you literally are in the firing line, Grace comes put all guns blazing to protect those she loves.
It's an action packed, meaningful novel, where you have a sense of an ending, but at the same time, there is this hint of a door which is ajar for Grace to walk through at any time in the future. It's a trilogy, but that doesn't mean we have seen the last of Grace and her team, just that they might feature in a very different way, though how she will manage to be a supplemental character when she is so much larger than life will be interesting to read!
I love the dynamics between Grace and her team, the unwavering loyalty they have towards her whilst still being able to call her out when she is wrong, it feels very real.
The panic and frustration in catching the Silent Man is very palpable and in creating characters whose emotions you invest in, nit just the police procedural aspect although again, you could read it for that alone and be completely satisfied. What is the stand out feature for me, is the way the team work, it's all about Grace but it is so much bigger than that and allowing her to be a feature but not the focus of this book shows a writer with an excellent understanding of his characters who create a multi-layered, tense and thought provoking thriller. Absolutely loved it!
Her family (her wonderful grandfather) are on constant alert after Grace has put away the grandson of a local crime figure, who has subsequently died in prison.
Also she has this thing about organised crime not being something she will turn a blind eye to, and is not manipulated by fear, greed, or promises of glory therefore Grace has to live with a state of constant alert of where the next threat is coming from.
Her father was killed by Frankie White's goons, so from the very start of the book you have this sense of tension and angst that leaves me baffled as to how she managed to hold down such a high pressured job whilst worrying about her Grandfather who is this wonderful character, fiercely protected by a neighbourly widow with a naughty twinkle in her eye (completely love the scenes between these two, they are just fab!)
So the book starts at full throttle with a very clear shot across Grace's bow, and a particularly nasty murder which put me in mind of Thomas Harris' Red Dragon.
It remains one of my favourite books so I am comparing the tension there, and the scene building not in any way suggesting it is derivative, I genuinely had cold shivers reading the murders that the Silent Man commits.
There is a third arm to the structural narrative, involving a boy who suffers the most horrendous abuse, and the light shone into it by a friendly young girl , also an outcast and bullied , because she has epilepsy . As the mother of an epileptic daughter, I really appreciated the portrayal of her frustration , and how people see her as 'Epi-Iris' , all except Brynn, this bullied and put upon boy. Brynn is Welsh, out of place, without a mother and his father is, well, no spoilers but it's heart-breaking what Brynn goes through.
As you navigate through the police investigation, it dovetails with the Frankie White arc and you gradually see where Brynn and Iris fit together. It's a lightning bolt moment and really challenges the way you consider what makes a killer, especially when you compare that to the police corruption angle, where Grace is fighting not only those outside the law, but those within it who seek to subvert it for their own personal gains.
That to me, is so scary, that those who are meant to maintain the thin blue line, are using it to advance themselves for financial gain, and contrasts beautifully with Harry Quinn and Grace who have this very firm moral compass.
Investigating this baffling set of murders with seemingly no connection between them is one thing, having to watch your back is another and when those close to you literally are in the firing line, Grace comes put all guns blazing to protect those she loves.
It's an action packed, meaningful novel, where you have a sense of an ending, but at the same time, there is this hint of a door which is ajar for Grace to walk through at any time in the future. It's a trilogy, but that doesn't mean we have seen the last of Grace and her team, just that they might feature in a very different way, though how she will manage to be a supplemental character when she is so much larger than life will be interesting to read!
I love the dynamics between Grace and her team, the unwavering loyalty they have towards her whilst still being able to call her out when she is wrong, it feels very real.
The panic and frustration in catching the Silent Man is very palpable and in creating characters whose emotions you invest in, nit just the police procedural aspect although again, you could read it for that alone and be completely satisfied. What is the stand out feature for me, is the way the team work, it's all about Grace but it is so much bigger than that and allowing her to be a feature but not the focus of this book shows a writer with an excellent understanding of his characters who create a multi-layered, tense and thought provoking thriller. Absolutely loved it!
June 7, 2024
This story is set around the murder of a father. On discovery, his head is wrapped in tape with a sad face drawn over the top. Left unharmed at the scene is a child.
Following the story of 2 detectives, we are brought into ongoing criminal cases whilst the elusive killer strikes again.
I thankfully received a copy of this book early from #NetGalley. What initially drew me in was the cover. It was intriguing to me and the storyline sounded right up my street.
I listened via audio which is a book format I am fairly new to. In contrast to others I have listened to this book had just a single narrator however the accents were easy enough to distinguish after a period of time so it wasn’t difficult to differentiate between characters. Overall I felt the narrator was well suited to the story although it perhaps could have used a deeper voice. However, what was intriguing to me was a feminine light voice in opposition to a dark narrative which really highlights the name of #TheSilentMan. I would have preferred to have elements such as sound effects or music to enhance the audio as this is something I find can really add to a story and make it come to life in a way reading a print can’t.
The flow of the book was ok. There were times where I felt it was a bit disjointed but I think this is more to do with the story than the narrator themselves. What was helpful was the easy identification of each chapter and they seemed to be short enough that they didn’t feel like they dragged on.
Onto the story itself. Having not realised there were 2 prior books until I got to reading reviews I feel I should go back and read these as although the book can be read solo, I feel it would have made a lot more sense to have the back story to the detectives and the Jack White narrative. This seemed out of place in the book as someone reading just this book which may not have been the case had I read prior novels. It almost felt like there were 3 separate stories that was disjointed to me. Two of them did end up coming together in the end and made sense but not having a clear understanding of the timeline made it difficult to follow until much later in the book. I think this was a disservice to the book because the silent man angle was an interesting read. There wasn’t anything too graphic in the book although there is an element of child cruelty so there is a need to beware if this is something which may impact you.
I enjoyed the main characters, there was enough information to get a feel for who they were without it being too much in terms of the character. Although I did find there was little in terms of development for some of the characters more than others.
Overall there were definitely elements of the book I enjoyed but others which were frustrating to me. I would give it 3 stars, there’s definite potential but some challenges which I found difficult to get into. I also found it took me a while to get into the book because of how disjointed it felt at times. When the Jack White storyline ended it felt far easier to follow and enjoy. If you have read prior novels by the other I would give it a go but wouldn’t recommend to start with this novel unless you’re dedicated to get to the end of it.
Thank you Bonnier UK Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Following the story of 2 detectives, we are brought into ongoing criminal cases whilst the elusive killer strikes again.
I thankfully received a copy of this book early from #NetGalley. What initially drew me in was the cover. It was intriguing to me and the storyline sounded right up my street.
I listened via audio which is a book format I am fairly new to. In contrast to others I have listened to this book had just a single narrator however the accents were easy enough to distinguish after a period of time so it wasn’t difficult to differentiate between characters. Overall I felt the narrator was well suited to the story although it perhaps could have used a deeper voice. However, what was intriguing to me was a feminine light voice in opposition to a dark narrative which really highlights the name of #TheSilentMan. I would have preferred to have elements such as sound effects or music to enhance the audio as this is something I find can really add to a story and make it come to life in a way reading a print can’t.
The flow of the book was ok. There were times where I felt it was a bit disjointed but I think this is more to do with the story than the narrator themselves. What was helpful was the easy identification of each chapter and they seemed to be short enough that they didn’t feel like they dragged on.
Onto the story itself. Having not realised there were 2 prior books until I got to reading reviews I feel I should go back and read these as although the book can be read solo, I feel it would have made a lot more sense to have the back story to the detectives and the Jack White narrative. This seemed out of place in the book as someone reading just this book which may not have been the case had I read prior novels. It almost felt like there were 3 separate stories that was disjointed to me. Two of them did end up coming together in the end and made sense but not having a clear understanding of the timeline made it difficult to follow until much later in the book. I think this was a disservice to the book because the silent man angle was an interesting read. There wasn’t anything too graphic in the book although there is an element of child cruelty so there is a need to beware if this is something which may impact you.
I enjoyed the main characters, there was enough information to get a feel for who they were without it being too much in terms of the character. Although I did find there was little in terms of development for some of the characters more than others.
Overall there were definitely elements of the book I enjoyed but others which were frustrating to me. I would give it 3 stars, there’s definite potential but some challenges which I found difficult to get into. I also found it took me a while to get into the book because of how disjointed it felt at times. When the Jack White storyline ended it felt far easier to follow and enjoy. If you have read prior novels by the other I would give it a go but wouldn’t recommend to start with this novel unless you’re dedicated to get to the end of it.
Thank you Bonnier UK Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
September 5, 2023
I greatly enjoyed David Fennell’s first Grace Archer book, The Art of Death and the follow up, See No Evil, so I was more than excited to read the third in the series, The Silent Man.
These books are distinctly on the dark side of crime fiction and this police procedural featuring D.I. Grace Archer and D.S. Harry Quinn deals with another set of cruel deaths at the hands of a disturbed killer.
Grace Archer is a great character; a police inspector with a terrible past to overcome – a past that still disturbs her sleep on a regular basis. She has courage and tenacity and is a caring and compassionate granddaughter who worries about her grandfather more than ever even while she is a driven and relentless workaholic.
The Silent Man opener is suitably gruesome and horrific. A father is murdered, his head wrapped tightly in tape, a crude sad face penned over his facial features. We are also given an insight into the dehumanising treatment of a nameless young boy that really both disturbs and stirs at the heart strings.
Grace also has to deal with a clear threat to herself and her family. Frankie White, a local gangster, has threatened both Grace and the people she loves and it’s clear that he intends to be relentless in his attacks until he can bring her down.
The intensity of a serial killer on her patch, coupled with the threat to her own family following the murder of her father, raises the stress levels and gives the book a tremendous pace from the outset.
In The Silent Man, the killer takes a perverse pleasure in surprising his victims and then murdering them in the cruellest and most distinctive manner. It is a murder that has the Police scratching their heads as there’s no obvious suspect and no clear motive to point them in anyone’s direction. It’s the worst kind of crime; that seemingly random selection of a victim who appears silently in their homes and dispatches them with ruthless efficiency, leaving behind only the grotesque motif of that crudely drawn downturned mouth.
Fennell keeps us on edge by letting the reader into information that Archer and Quinn don’t have. As we are privy to a narrative that gives us a deeper understanding of what might be going on and puts us through a range of emotions, tearing at our heart strings even as we shudder at the brutality of a savage killer.
I loved the way that Fennell keeps the reader constantly on edge, throwing in surprises like grenades and attacking our emotions as well as our fear. It’s a real skill to make such horrible crimes speak to us about the nature of the killer and Fennell delivers that in spades.
Verdict: Tense, emotional, thoroughly enjoyable. I love this series which just keeps getting better.
These books are distinctly on the dark side of crime fiction and this police procedural featuring D.I. Grace Archer and D.S. Harry Quinn deals with another set of cruel deaths at the hands of a disturbed killer.
Grace Archer is a great character; a police inspector with a terrible past to overcome – a past that still disturbs her sleep on a regular basis. She has courage and tenacity and is a caring and compassionate granddaughter who worries about her grandfather more than ever even while she is a driven and relentless workaholic.
The Silent Man opener is suitably gruesome and horrific. A father is murdered, his head wrapped tightly in tape, a crude sad face penned over his facial features. We are also given an insight into the dehumanising treatment of a nameless young boy that really both disturbs and stirs at the heart strings.
Grace also has to deal with a clear threat to herself and her family. Frankie White, a local gangster, has threatened both Grace and the people she loves and it’s clear that he intends to be relentless in his attacks until he can bring her down.
The intensity of a serial killer on her patch, coupled with the threat to her own family following the murder of her father, raises the stress levels and gives the book a tremendous pace from the outset.
In The Silent Man, the killer takes a perverse pleasure in surprising his victims and then murdering them in the cruellest and most distinctive manner. It is a murder that has the Police scratching their heads as there’s no obvious suspect and no clear motive to point them in anyone’s direction. It’s the worst kind of crime; that seemingly random selection of a victim who appears silently in their homes and dispatches them with ruthless efficiency, leaving behind only the grotesque motif of that crudely drawn downturned mouth.
Fennell keeps us on edge by letting the reader into information that Archer and Quinn don’t have. As we are privy to a narrative that gives us a deeper understanding of what might be going on and puts us through a range of emotions, tearing at our heart strings even as we shudder at the brutality of a savage killer.
I loved the way that Fennell keeps the reader constantly on edge, throwing in surprises like grenades and attacking our emotions as well as our fear. It’s a real skill to make such horrible crimes speak to us about the nature of the killer and Fennell delivers that in spades.
Verdict: Tense, emotional, thoroughly enjoyable. I love this series which just keeps getting better.
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