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Tom Thorne #8
Blood Line by Mark Billingham (6-Aug-2009) Hardcover
DI Tom Thorne is back...
It seems like a straightforward domestic murder until a bloodstained sliver of X-ray is found clutched in the dead woman's fist - and it quickly becomes clear that this case is anything but ordinary.
Thorne discovers that the victim's mother had herself been murdered fifteen years before by infamous serial killer Raymond Garvey. The hunt to catch Garvey was one of the biggest in the history of the Met, and ended with seven women dead.
When more bodies and more fragments of X-ray are discovered, Thorne has a macabre jigsaw to piece together until the horrifying picture finally emerges. A killer is targeting the children of Raymond Garvey's victims.
Thorne must move quickly to protect those still on the murderer's list, but nothing and nobody are what they seem. Not when Thorne is dealing with one of the most twisted killers he has ever hunted...
A chilling, relentlessly paced thriller, Bloodline is the most gripping Tom Thorne novel yet.
It seems like a straightforward domestic murder until a bloodstained sliver of X-ray is found clutched in the dead woman's fist - and it quickly becomes clear that this case is anything but ordinary.
Thorne discovers that the victim's mother had herself been murdered fifteen years before by infamous serial killer Raymond Garvey. The hunt to catch Garvey was one of the biggest in the history of the Met, and ended with seven women dead.
When more bodies and more fragments of X-ray are discovered, Thorne has a macabre jigsaw to piece together until the horrifying picture finally emerges. A killer is targeting the children of Raymond Garvey's victims.
Thorne must move quickly to protect those still on the murderer's list, but nothing and nobody are what they seem. Not when Thorne is dealing with one of the most twisted killers he has ever hunted...
A chilling, relentlessly paced thriller, Bloodline is the most gripping Tom Thorne novel yet.
Hardcover
First published August 1, 2009
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2342 people want to read
About the author
Mark Billingham
105 books2,192 followersAlso writes as Will Peterson with Peter Cocks.
Mark Billingham was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor and more recently as a TV writer and stand-up comedian his first crime novel was published in 2001. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.
Mark Billingham was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor and more recently as a TV writer and stand-up comedian his first crime novel was published in 2001. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews
November 7, 2017
EXCERPT: The woman was face down, arms by her sides. Her shirt had been lifted, or had ridden up, showing purplish patches on her skin just above her waist where the liver mortis had started and revealing that her bra had not been removed.
"Something, I suppose," said a female CSI as she walked past.
Thorne raised his eyes from the body and looked towards the single window. There were plates and mugs on the draining board next to the sink. A light was flashing on the front of the washing machine to let somebody know that the cycle had finished.
There was still a trace of normality.
THE BLURB: DI Tom Thorne is back...
It seems like a straightforward domestic murder until a bloodstained sliver of X-ray is found clutched in the dead woman's fist - and it quickly becomes clear that this case is anything but ordinary.
Thorne discovers that the victim's mother had herself been murdered fifteen years before by infamous serial killer Raymond Garvey. The hunt to catch Garvey was one of the biggest in the history of the Met, and ended with seven women dead.
When more bodies and more fragments of X-ray are discovered, Thorne has a macabre jigsaw to piece together until the horrifying picture finally emerges. A killer is targeting the children of Raymond Garvey's victims.
Thorne must move quickly to protect those still on the murderer's list, but nothing and nobody are what they seem. Not when Thorne is dealing with one of the most twisted killers he has ever hunted...
A chilling, relentlessly paced thriller, Bloodline is the most gripping Tom Thorne novel yet.
MY THOUGHTS: I absolutely agree with the final sentence in the blurb. Bloodline is chilling. The pace is relentless. And this is the most gripping of the Tom Thorne series yet.
The killer is twisted, and very clever. He has laid his plans and prepared his ground meticulously. He leaves a trail for the police to follow, and he sits back and waits...
Meanwhile, Thorne is dealing with a personal crisis, or perhaps not dealing with it might be more accurate.
Billingham's characters are ordinary people. They have likes and dislikes, bills to pay, meals to plan, children to get to school. I think this is one of the reasons I enjoy Billingham's books so much. These people could be your neighbors, your friends, could even be you.
I like the matter of fact way Billingham writes, and his little injections of black humor.
An exciting and thrilling read. Although these are best read in order of the series to gain the most out of the character development, Bloodline will work as a stand alone book.
Bloodline was narrated by Paul Thornley and I listened to the audio version via OverDrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
"Something, I suppose," said a female CSI as she walked past.
Thorne raised his eyes from the body and looked towards the single window. There were plates and mugs on the draining board next to the sink. A light was flashing on the front of the washing machine to let somebody know that the cycle had finished.
There was still a trace of normality.
THE BLURB: DI Tom Thorne is back...
It seems like a straightforward domestic murder until a bloodstained sliver of X-ray is found clutched in the dead woman's fist - and it quickly becomes clear that this case is anything but ordinary.
Thorne discovers that the victim's mother had herself been murdered fifteen years before by infamous serial killer Raymond Garvey. The hunt to catch Garvey was one of the biggest in the history of the Met, and ended with seven women dead.
When more bodies and more fragments of X-ray are discovered, Thorne has a macabre jigsaw to piece together until the horrifying picture finally emerges. A killer is targeting the children of Raymond Garvey's victims.
Thorne must move quickly to protect those still on the murderer's list, but nothing and nobody are what they seem. Not when Thorne is dealing with one of the most twisted killers he has ever hunted...
A chilling, relentlessly paced thriller, Bloodline is the most gripping Tom Thorne novel yet.
MY THOUGHTS: I absolutely agree with the final sentence in the blurb. Bloodline is chilling. The pace is relentless. And this is the most gripping of the Tom Thorne series yet.
The killer is twisted, and very clever. He has laid his plans and prepared his ground meticulously. He leaves a trail for the police to follow, and he sits back and waits...
Meanwhile, Thorne is dealing with a personal crisis, or perhaps not dealing with it might be more accurate.
Billingham's characters are ordinary people. They have likes and dislikes, bills to pay, meals to plan, children to get to school. I think this is one of the reasons I enjoy Billingham's books so much. These people could be your neighbors, your friends, could even be you.
I like the matter of fact way Billingham writes, and his little injections of black humor.
An exciting and thrilling read. Although these are best read in order of the series to gain the most out of the character development, Bloodline will work as a stand alone book.
Bloodline was narrated by Paul Thornley and I listened to the audio version via OverDrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
November 19, 2015
Blah. Sorry its the emotion I felt when reading this book.
I have read some amazing murder mysteries but this didn't cut it.
Tom Thorne, the country music loving detective is investigating a case where people are killed and have a piece of x-ray in their hand.
As they uncover each murder scene the police try to find out the connection but there are no leads as such that are helpful.
The only thing I liked about the book was the naturality of Tom Thorne. He's so normal. He does things we do too and he's not drunk or smokes like a chimney like the typical detectives we see in books.
I felt there was no hurry or a briskness in the mystery as such. In the sense it was like there was no rush to catch the murderer. Billingham doesn't even speed the process at all.I felt put off by that.
And we don't even know what those x-rays were for either.
I guess I am kind of in the blah zone for this book.
I have read some amazing murder mysteries but this didn't cut it.
Tom Thorne, the country music loving detective is investigating a case where people are killed and have a piece of x-ray in their hand.
As they uncover each murder scene the police try to find out the connection but there are no leads as such that are helpful.
The only thing I liked about the book was the naturality of Tom Thorne. He's so normal. He does things we do too and he's not drunk or smokes like a chimney like the typical detectives we see in books.
I felt there was no hurry or a briskness in the mystery as such. In the sense it was like there was no rush to catch the murderer. Billingham doesn't even speed the process at all.I felt put off by that.
And we don't even know what those x-rays were for either.
I guess I am kind of in the blah zone for this book.
August 19, 2017
4* In the Dark
3* Bloodline (Tom Thorne #8)
3* Bloodline (Tom Thorne #8)
September 17, 2011
I normally love the police procedural but altho the plot was creative, it took me too long to read to give it a high rating. There's no humor in it, it somehow was tedious and I probably won't read any more of this author. I have other authors of this genre who I enjoy more.
December 17, 2025
Tom Thorne investigates several murders which are linked to a serial killer who died of a brain tumor. The story also follows Tom and his partner Louise after she loses a baby and how they deal with it.
I liked the story and how it all linked together.
I liked the story and how it all linked together.
January 22, 2016
This novel begins with a young mother, Debbie, about to jump off a bridge into the path of a train, with her challenged son, Jason, in her arms.
What does this have to do with murder victims who are found with pieces of an X-Ray in their hands?
Who is targeting the children of serial killer Raymond Garvey’s victims?
All is explained in the terrific novel Bloodline by Mark Billingham.
During the last few years, I discovered a great group of British authors writing police procedurals with strong thriller elements. I’ve read and enjoyed Peter James (see Dead Man’s Grip), and Peter Robinson (see Piece of my Heart). Now, I’ve read my first Mark Billingham novel, and he may be the best of them.
Mark Billingham is a standup comic, actor, and television screenwriter who has appeared in and written for several British television series. He has also written thirteen novels in the bestselling and award winning DI Tom Thorne series.
Tom Thorne is a detective who has been battered and damaged by life, but remains an exceptionally good man. He has a team of detectives, and experts he works with who are also outstanding individuals. Including a heavily tattooed and pierced pathologist named Hendricks; and a nearly sixty year old lady named Chamberlain, who was once a detective but was forced out of her job. Billingham shows a level of characterization rarely seen in popular novels, let alone series works. These are real people in a real word where they sometimes speak without thinking, make errors, handle the blows of life, and occasionally even fart, just like we do.
At the opening of this novel Thorne and his partner suffer one of the worst things that can happen to a couple. They press on, but the situation affects them, and their friends. The descriptions of crime scenes are as invasive, clinical, and sad as actual crime scene photographs. There is humor in this book, and many very cool pop culture references. Characters from earlier books in the series have brief walk on scenes that are intriguing enough to make me want to read the earlier novels. Billingham knows how to build and maintain suspense, and pull the reader toward a thrilling conclusion. He plays fair, and provides all the clues, but even when our heroes begin to figure things out, Billingham is adept at keeping the solution from us for just a few more chapters. I stayed up past my bed time, on a work night, to finish this novel. I haven’t done that for years.
What does this have to do with murder victims who are found with pieces of an X-Ray in their hands?
Who is targeting the children of serial killer Raymond Garvey’s victims?
All is explained in the terrific novel Bloodline by Mark Billingham.
During the last few years, I discovered a great group of British authors writing police procedurals with strong thriller elements. I’ve read and enjoyed Peter James (see Dead Man’s Grip), and Peter Robinson (see Piece of my Heart). Now, I’ve read my first Mark Billingham novel, and he may be the best of them.
Mark Billingham is a standup comic, actor, and television screenwriter who has appeared in and written for several British television series. He has also written thirteen novels in the bestselling and award winning DI Tom Thorne series.
Tom Thorne is a detective who has been battered and damaged by life, but remains an exceptionally good man. He has a team of detectives, and experts he works with who are also outstanding individuals. Including a heavily tattooed and pierced pathologist named Hendricks; and a nearly sixty year old lady named Chamberlain, who was once a detective but was forced out of her job. Billingham shows a level of characterization rarely seen in popular novels, let alone series works. These are real people in a real word where they sometimes speak without thinking, make errors, handle the blows of life, and occasionally even fart, just like we do.
At the opening of this novel Thorne and his partner suffer one of the worst things that can happen to a couple. They press on, but the situation affects them, and their friends. The descriptions of crime scenes are as invasive, clinical, and sad as actual crime scene photographs. There is humor in this book, and many very cool pop culture references. Characters from earlier books in the series have brief walk on scenes that are intriguing enough to make me want to read the earlier novels. Billingham knows how to build and maintain suspense, and pull the reader toward a thrilling conclusion. He plays fair, and provides all the clues, but even when our heroes begin to figure things out, Billingham is adept at keeping the solution from us for just a few more chapters. I stayed up past my bed time, on a work night, to finish this novel. I haven’t done that for years.
March 1, 2018
British comedian Mark Billingham burst onto the crime-writing scene in late 2001 with one of the most exceptional debuts in recent memory. Sleepyhead featured a chilling serial ‘killer’ putting people into persistent vegetative states, and introduced gritty yet layered Detective Inspector Tom Thorne and his investigative adventures set amongst the seamy world of greater London.
After taking an impressive detour in 2008 with standalone thriller In The Dark, Billingham returns with the eighth instalment in his award-winning DI Thorne series. And what a return it is.
In Blood Line, a seemingly unremarkable domestic killing becomes far murkier when a bloodstained X-ray sliver is found in the victim’s hand - a dead women whose mother was murdered by a notorious serial killer years before. As the body count rises and more slivers appear, Thorne tries to hunt a twisted psychopath and prevent further deaths, while stumbling over his own feelings in the aftermath of unexpected personal tragedy.
Once again Billingham delivers crime fiction of paramount quality. In a genre where some writers focus on breathtaking plots, others create fascinating characters, while still others shine with great dialogue or well-evoked settings, the best of the best, such as Billingham, consistently deliver across all fronts.
Populated with a rich cast of authentic, layered, characters, Blood Line is an exciting, well-constructed tale filled with texture and an undercurrent of social commentary bubbling beneath. The dialogue is natural, packed with subtext. Dark crime is peppered with dark humour. The twists are surprising but realistic, never forced or gimmicky.
DI Thorne continues to evolve as a character, and Billingham’s continuing excellence makes his creation arguably the best-written detective in British crime fiction today. Put simply: Blood Line is a taut tour de force, from a true master
This review was originally published in the August 2009 issues of WildTomato magazine
After taking an impressive detour in 2008 with standalone thriller In The Dark, Billingham returns with the eighth instalment in his award-winning DI Thorne series. And what a return it is.
In Blood Line, a seemingly unremarkable domestic killing becomes far murkier when a bloodstained X-ray sliver is found in the victim’s hand - a dead women whose mother was murdered by a notorious serial killer years before. As the body count rises and more slivers appear, Thorne tries to hunt a twisted psychopath and prevent further deaths, while stumbling over his own feelings in the aftermath of unexpected personal tragedy.
Once again Billingham delivers crime fiction of paramount quality. In a genre where some writers focus on breathtaking plots, others create fascinating characters, while still others shine with great dialogue or well-evoked settings, the best of the best, such as Billingham, consistently deliver across all fronts.
Populated with a rich cast of authentic, layered, characters, Blood Line is an exciting, well-constructed tale filled with texture and an undercurrent of social commentary bubbling beneath. The dialogue is natural, packed with subtext. Dark crime is peppered with dark humour. The twists are surprising but realistic, never forced or gimmicky.
DI Thorne continues to evolve as a character, and Billingham’s continuing excellence makes his creation arguably the best-written detective in British crime fiction today. Put simply: Blood Line is a taut tour de force, from a true master
This review was originally published in the August 2009 issues of WildTomato magazine
February 23, 2017
This tale of a serial killer preying on the children of victims of another serial killer is rather strange. Hard to know what is going on in the mind of such a creature of course. The book is from 2009 and mainly it serves to show us that even at that point all the police forces in the UK, which is not very large, are not joined up and sharing information centrally as a matter of course. If they happen to get a request and follow up on it, or notice an appeal and do some checking, that sharing might occur. But HOLMES the central computer doesn't seem to be much use to the hard worked London staff.
We get a few scrappy looks at the point of view of others, back and forth in time, but they come across as padding out the story. Tom Thorne the central detective is no brighter than the average person in this tale, maybe because he is distracted. His partner has lost a baby at the start and they spend all book moping around. I do not wish to trivialise this for any person, but as they are both young and healthy enough to keep trying, and there is no underlying reason, it seems a positive attitude would be more use. Still, it's an occurrence we don't see often in crime stories and shows a family's difficulties.
I can't see the twist in this working, because any of a few factors would have stopped it dead. And security seems to be appalling. An interesting medical aspect is visited. I'm rating the book well but not top class for a police procedural story. We drive around some London districts but nowhere scenic.
We get a few scrappy looks at the point of view of others, back and forth in time, but they come across as padding out the story. Tom Thorne the central detective is no brighter than the average person in this tale, maybe because he is distracted. His partner has lost a baby at the start and they spend all book moping around. I do not wish to trivialise this for any person, but as they are both young and healthy enough to keep trying, and there is no underlying reason, it seems a positive attitude would be more use. Still, it's an occurrence we don't see often in crime stories and shows a family's difficulties.
I can't see the twist in this working, because any of a few factors would have stopped it dead. And security seems to be appalling. An interesting medical aspect is visited. I'm rating the book well but not top class for a police procedural story. We drive around some London districts but nowhere scenic.
July 24, 2013
I cannot believe that here I am, starting another engrossing mystery-slash-police-procedural series, with a pile of precursors to read up on. o.O But now that I’ve had a taste of Mark Billingham’s writing, I don’t know that I can not pick them up…
Bloodline starts with a prologue that leaves you hanging, wondering what happened, and who the people are. Then it takes you right into Thorne’s personal life, and while you’re (he’s) still reeling from that revelation, the first body shows up. Which you expect, Thorne being a cop and all… But you sure don’t expect the next one to show up as soon as it does. Nor do you expect to witness how easily the killer strikes next. This is one of those races against time, and you’re rooting for the cops to figure out whodunnit before all that’re left are the bodies.
The plot kept me turning the pages, and Britishisms kept me entertained even as the body count added up. Billingham does a great job building up the suspense, and piques our curiosity with peeks at a killer’s thoughts. And the ending had me happy at how he wrapped it all up. A must-try for police-procedural fans.
drey’s rating: Excellent!
Bloodline starts with a prologue that leaves you hanging, wondering what happened, and who the people are. Then it takes you right into Thorne’s personal life, and while you’re (he’s) still reeling from that revelation, the first body shows up. Which you expect, Thorne being a cop and all… But you sure don’t expect the next one to show up as soon as it does. Nor do you expect to witness how easily the killer strikes next. This is one of those races against time, and you’re rooting for the cops to figure out whodunnit before all that’re left are the bodies.
The plot kept me turning the pages, and Britishisms kept me entertained even as the body count added up. Billingham does a great job building up the suspense, and piques our curiosity with peeks at a killer’s thoughts. And the ending had me happy at how he wrapped it all up. A must-try for police-procedural fans.
drey’s rating: Excellent!
November 12, 2019
Very good Tom Thorne novel as the children whose mothers were killed by a long dead serial killer are now being killed themselves. Tom is struggling from personal loss which he can not readily come to terms with and there are some excellent twists and turns along the way. Thorne is a superb and this is a series that continues to excel even after eight books. On to the ninth !!!
July 8, 2017
If you don’t like books that are character driven, you will love this book. All the characters are wooden silhouette of certain “types.” The “hero” is the typical angry detective who’s been on the job too long and has seen too much, drinks more than he should and doesn’t share his emotion with anyone.
He’s facing a serial killer (how original!). Even though we are shown pages from the killer’s journal, by the end of the book, we still don’t know what motivates him. Nor do we know the victims or care about them.
All other characters are similarly summarily sketched. Except for one person, they all seem to share to same cheerful disposition. People “groan” a lot in this book.
If you don’t like books that are story driven, you will also love this book. Here is a quick summary of the story. A serial killer kills a whole bunch of people for some stupid reason that is never fully explained. He’s much smarter than the policemen, but that doesn’t set the bar very high. They are all very ineffectual and some are un professional. An essential premise of the story is that the police doesn’t know what the murderer looks like. Now that’s hard to believe, especially since he’s been visiting someone else in prison. There would be cameras everywhere except in prison? I think not! A quick internet search reveals that visitors are be required to have their photograph and fingerprints taken which are then entered onto the prison computer system.
If you don’t like books that have a strong sense of place, you will love this book. It doesn’t teach you anything about surroundings or culture. It could take place just about anywhere.
You won’t read it either for style (Billingham is no Vladimir Nabokov), humour (there is none), to learn something (you won’t) or any obvious reason. I fail to understand why it got such good reviews. I feel dumb for sticking with it; I was still waiting for something to happen when I got to the end. It’s plain boring, even the title shows no originality. Stay away. Or, better still, watch the series “Bloodline" on Netflix.
He’s facing a serial killer (how original!). Even though we are shown pages from the killer’s journal, by the end of the book, we still don’t know what motivates him. Nor do we know the victims or care about them.
All other characters are similarly summarily sketched. Except for one person, they all seem to share to same cheerful disposition. People “groan” a lot in this book.
If you don’t like books that are story driven, you will also love this book. Here is a quick summary of the story. A serial killer kills a whole bunch of people for some stupid reason that is never fully explained. He’s much smarter than the policemen, but that doesn’t set the bar very high. They are all very ineffectual and some are un professional. An essential premise of the story is that the police doesn’t know what the murderer looks like. Now that’s hard to believe, especially since he’s been visiting someone else in prison. There would be cameras everywhere except in prison? I think not! A quick internet search reveals that visitors are be required to have their photograph and fingerprints taken which are then entered onto the prison computer system.
If you don’t like books that have a strong sense of place, you will love this book. It doesn’t teach you anything about surroundings or culture. It could take place just about anywhere.
You won’t read it either for style (Billingham is no Vladimir Nabokov), humour (there is none), to learn something (you won’t) or any obvious reason. I fail to understand why it got such good reviews. I feel dumb for sticking with it; I was still waiting for something to happen when I got to the end. It’s plain boring, even the title shows no originality. Stay away. Or, better still, watch the series “Bloodline" on Netflix.
August 12, 2016
There's a serial killer at work in London, and Tom Thorne and his team in the Murder Squad soon realize the victims are the sons and daughters of the victims of an earlier serial killer, Raymond Garvey, who died in prison of a brain tumor some years ago. Eventually it becomes obvious that the killer must be Garvey's unacknowledged son Andrew. The race is on to find the remaining offspring before Andrew Garvey does, and to find Andrew himself, who seems to have dropped below the radar . . .
Billingham's a good writer, and I've enjoyed reading a couple of his earlier books. Here, although the writing was fluent enough that I was never bored, I simply wasn't convinced. There are all sorts of niggly reasons for this, plus one real whopper of a reason. About halfway through, something happens that could so obviously be other than what it seems to be that it's beyond all bounds of possibility that Thorne could be so stupid as not to question the "official" version of the event. After maybe a further hundred pages, toward the end of the book, other people start telling him he should be questioning this event, and still he's reluctant to do so. If your mystery plot depends for its existence on the lead detective being inexplicably, almost willfully boneheaded about something -- especially something that's painfully obvious to the reader -- then there's something wrong with your book.
And then there's this (page 157):
It "needed to be done"? That's been the excuse of torturers all down the centuries, and of the drooling torture supporters who get their rocks off at the thought of other people's agony. Billingham should take a close look at himself.
Billingham's a good writer, and I've enjoyed reading a couple of his earlier books. Here, although the writing was fluent enough that I was never bored, I simply wasn't convinced. There are all sorts of niggly reasons for this, plus one real whopper of a reason. About halfway through, something happens that could so obviously be other than what it seems to be that it's beyond all bounds of possibility that Thorne could be so stupid as not to question the "official" version of the event. After maybe a further hundred pages, toward the end of the book, other people start telling him he should be questioning this event, and still he's reluctant to do so. If your mystery plot depends for its existence on the lead detective being inexplicably, almost willfully boneheaded about something -- especially something that's painfully obvious to the reader -- then there's something wrong with your book.
And then there's this (page 157):
He had seen her extract information from a man half her age in a way that had sickened him. Sickened him almost as much as the fact that he had watched and said nothing, because even as he had smelled the man's flesh burning, he had known it needed to be done.
It "needed to be done"? That's been the excuse of torturers all down the centuries, and of the drooling torture supporters who get their rocks off at the thought of other people's agony. Billingham should take a close look at himself.
December 29, 2011
When a woman is killed in her home with a small piece of plastic found clenched in her hand, DCI Tom Thorne is hard pressed to understand the motive behind her murder or who the murderer might be. He is, however, surprised to discover her mother had been one of the women killed by a serial killer, Raymond Garvey fifteen years ago. But when another woman's murder is brought to his attention, also with a piece of plastic in her hand, the plastic later found to be a piece of an x-ray film, and is discovered also to have been the daughter of another victim of Garvey that DCI Thorne starts to suspect he may have another serial killer on his hand.
He researches the victims of Raymond Garvey and the man himself. In the meantime, a pair of siblings are also murdered in their home, also children of another of Garvey's victims. The race is now on to identify and find the surviving children of all the Garvey victims since they appear to be the target. But who's trying to kill them and why?
As DCI Thorne and his team pursue all possible clues in their investigation, they are constantly a few steps behind the killer. He engages a retired colleague to help with some of the research into Garvey and his past.
In the meantime, we are presented with a possible defense for Garvey through some journal entries by the killer himself. Was he really responsible for killing all those women?
The identity of the new serial killer eludes us all until the very end. DCI Thorne isn't Sherlock Holmes, he makes mistakes, he has personal problems to deal with, and he has a list of people he needs to try and protect from a serial killer. But can he, and will he get the killer before it's too late?
He researches the victims of Raymond Garvey and the man himself. In the meantime, a pair of siblings are also murdered in their home, also children of another of Garvey's victims. The race is now on to identify and find the surviving children of all the Garvey victims since they appear to be the target. But who's trying to kill them and why?
As DCI Thorne and his team pursue all possible clues in their investigation, they are constantly a few steps behind the killer. He engages a retired colleague to help with some of the research into Garvey and his past.
In the meantime, we are presented with a possible defense for Garvey through some journal entries by the killer himself. Was he really responsible for killing all those women?
The identity of the new serial killer eludes us all until the very end. DCI Thorne isn't Sherlock Holmes, he makes mistakes, he has personal problems to deal with, and he has a list of people he needs to try and protect from a serial killer. But can he, and will he get the killer before it's too late?
May 4, 2012
This time Tom Thorne is investigating a string of people being murdered, all children of victims of a serial killer from the 1980s. It seems that the serial killer's son is trying to continue his father's work.
Meanwhile Thorne has to deal with problems at home as in the very first chapter his girlfriend Louise has a miscarriage. This means Thorne once again has to work alongside emotions he can't express and tries to focus all his efforts on the case.
It's another great Thorne book, with a revelation towards the end about the killer that makes for a really thrilling ending in which Thorne rushes to try to prevent more murders. The emotional issues plaguing Thorne make it perhaps the best character-driven book yet. There are several brilliant scenes in which others talk about Thorne and others where Thorne tries to cope with Louise losing the baby. It's a whole new element to the story that is a great touch. There's even a nod back to Lifeless for longer term readers to enjoy.
Once again Billingham does not disappoint and I'm looking forward to seeing where on earth the series will go on from here!
Meanwhile Thorne has to deal with problems at home as in the very first chapter his girlfriend Louise has a miscarriage. This means Thorne once again has to work alongside emotions he can't express and tries to focus all his efforts on the case.
It's another great Thorne book, with a revelation towards the end about the killer that makes for a really thrilling ending in which Thorne rushes to try to prevent more murders. The emotional issues plaguing Thorne make it perhaps the best character-driven book yet. There are several brilliant scenes in which others talk about Thorne and others where Thorne tries to cope with Louise losing the baby. It's a whole new element to the story that is a great touch. There's even a nod back to Lifeless for longer term readers to enjoy.
Once again Billingham does not disappoint and I'm looking forward to seeing where on earth the series will go on from here!
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August 8, 2011I really loved this book!! Most crime novels take the same basic plot and tweak it slightly - super brained detective follows the clues and saves the final victim at the lat minute. Thats nothing like this novel. Billingham has created Thorne as a slightly flawed man fighting his demons and being outwitted by a serial killer. Does Thirne get there in time? - I wont ruin the ending, but it certainly kept me gripped from beginning to end. I als loved the premise - son of a serial killer killing all the children of his fathers victims - and the twists this takes as the novel progresses means I really couldnt put this down. The more I read the more I wanted and Billingham subtly creates this pull for his readers. There was nothing overly tense about this novel, not like others where every chapter ends in a cliff hanger, but there is something about Billinghams style which really drew me along!
I will be tramping the pavements to find other offerings by Billingham as if his other offerings are even half as good as this one, I think I may hvae found myself a new favourite crime writter!
Superb!!
I will be tramping the pavements to find other offerings by Billingham as if his other offerings are even half as good as this one, I think I may hvae found myself a new favourite crime writter!
Superb!!
November 1, 2011
Ray Garvey died of a brain tumor 15 years ago while in custody after he killed 7 women. Now, the children of those women are being killed as well. Meanwhile, Tom Thorne and his significant other are mourning the loss of their baby. Thorne is pitched into the pursuit of a merciless killer who definitely has an agenda, leaving him no time to cope with his loss. The clue that ties the murders together is various pieces of an x-ray from Garvey's brain scan. Can Thorne track down the killer before more victims emerge. Tense and haunting, Billingham's book keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Recommended for those who like British police procedurals.
June 21, 2016
Raymond Garvey was a serial killer, now deceased. Someone, however, has started killing the children of Garvey's victims. Tom Thorne is racing against the clock to find all the the offspring and get them into safe custody before the killer can reach them. But will he succeed?
"Bloodline" is one of Mark Billingham's best works. Well plotted, well written, and a massively enjoyable read.
The shocks keep coming. You barely have time to draw breath before you're broadsided again! And the twist towards the end is a doozy.
Mark Billingham is one of the best crime/thriller writers around today, and "Bloodline" is one of his best books.
Cannot recommend highly enough.
"Bloodline" is one of Mark Billingham's best works. Well plotted, well written, and a massively enjoyable read.
The shocks keep coming. You barely have time to draw breath before you're broadsided again! And the twist towards the end is a doozy.
Mark Billingham is one of the best crime/thriller writers around today, and "Bloodline" is one of his best books.
Cannot recommend highly enough.
July 14, 2011
4.5/5
"Bloodline by Mark Billingham is a mystery thriller continuing with the Detective Inspector Tom Thorne series and is not one mystery fans will want to miss. As a new reader of Billingham’s work, I found the plot and backstory were covered well enough to jump in, in the midst of the series without feeling uninformed."...my full review may be read on my book review blog Rundpinne.
"Bloodline by Mark Billingham is a mystery thriller continuing with the Detective Inspector Tom Thorne series and is not one mystery fans will want to miss. As a new reader of Billingham’s work, I found the plot and backstory were covered well enough to jump in, in the midst of the series without feeling uninformed."...my full review may be read on my book review blog Rundpinne.
June 26, 2015
I cannot say enough great things about this book. This is the 6th book I have read in the Tom Thorne series, and every one is better than the previous. Excellent storyline, fast paced plot with great twists and turns that you won't see coming. I have said in previous reviews I have posted of other books that Jack Reacher is my favorite literary character of the moment, well Tom Thorne runs him a very close second!
READ THIS BOOK NOW!!!!
READ THIS BOOK NOW!!!!
July 30, 2015
The 8th book in the Tom Thorne series by Mark Billingham.
I was tempted to give this book a 4 rating but not quite there with his better novels but very close.
Fast paced and full of surprises, a very good read. This series is now well established as we get to know more about the characters and their lives.
I was tempted to give this book a 4 rating but not quite there with his better novels but very close.
Fast paced and full of surprises, a very good read. This series is now well established as we get to know more about the characters and their lives.
September 14, 2012
Easy but boring read, don't think i'll read one of his book again. Big dissapointment because book had good reviews but didn't deliver
April 6, 2016
Unlike other Thorne books which I'd enjoyed, I found this bland, psychologically unbelievable and underpowered.
May 16, 2017
Was very dull, predictable and poorly written
November 4, 2017
Mark Billingham’s Tom Thorne novels just get better and better. Bloodline is the eighth and like the first seven is a compulsive read. On the trail of a ruthless killer, Thorne is confronted by a psychopath who will stop at nothing to snuff out those on his kill list, including police officers. Thorne’s character is fleshed out even more in this book, as is those of many of his colleagues and close friends. You cannot help but root for Tom Thorne and admire his somewhat unconventional approach to policing and his cheery cynicism is always engaging and gives rise to a few laugh out loud moments in the book. On the cover of Bloodline, a quote from Jack Reacher novelist Lee Child compares Thorne to other fictional detectives Morse and Rebus. High praise indeed but well deserved. In Thorne, Billingham has created a flawed hero you whose exploits you want to follow for years to come. And that’s why I’m off down the library to get Thorne #9 at the earliest opportunity.
January 17, 2021
Not boring but definitely not mind blowing that’s for sure.
I quite liked DI Thorne as a character, he didn’t have the tragic backstory and drinking problems that a lot of detectives seem to have and did seem like a pretty nice guy. However the storyline was pretty meh. It was extremely dragged out and the ending was then rushed and unsatisfactory.
Ok but not an amazing read by any means
I quite liked DI Thorne as a character, he didn’t have the tragic backstory and drinking problems that a lot of detectives seem to have and did seem like a pretty nice guy. However the storyline was pretty meh. It was extremely dragged out and the ending was then rushed and unsatisfactory.
Ok but not an amazing read by any means
May 8, 2023
Mark Billingham is very good at what he does. This book like others of his I’ve read, contains twists and turns right to the end. Why then only three stars? In the main, because I don’t really find Billingham’s main character Tom Thorne to be convincing - he is a grumpy detective (aren’t they all?) with a less than idyllic personal life (haven’t they all?). While this seems to work for Morse or Rebus, I don’t think it’s written in a convincing enough way for Thorne - maybe just too contrived? I know these books have many fans and I’m very impressed by Billingham’s plotting, but I’ve come to the conclusion they’re not really for me.
June 4, 2018
Never having read a book in this series before, I did feel as though I was missing some of the character development that has likely been covered previously. However, the story was still a good one. Even though I did guess part of whodunnit, I didn’t guess the whole and there were some twists and turns. I will likely read more from this author.
November 24, 2018
I enjoyed this book, I have enjoyed all the Tom Thorne books so far
November 2, 2019
One of my favourite series gets better and better as I hit the 8th in the series.
Here our hero is investigating a series of murders which has an echo in the crimes of a previous serial killer in which as a new recruit Tom had a minor role.
Add in Tom's relationship issues with his both his deceased father , his best friend Phil the pathologist, and new girlfriend and we have the perfect formula for a police procedural.
Here our hero is investigating a series of murders which has an echo in the crimes of a previous serial killer in which as a new recruit Tom had a minor role.
Add in Tom's relationship issues with his both his deceased father , his best friend Phil the pathologist, and new girlfriend and we have the perfect formula for a police procedural.
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