The Trophy Killer

DI Nicki Hardcastle #2

by Michelle Kidd

Three grisly crime scenes. Body parts strewn across the town. Detective Nicki Hardcastle tackles her darkest case yet.

It’s a freezing December night when Detective Nicki gets the call. An elderly theatregoer finds his Dress Circle seat and receives the shock of his life: resting on the faded cushion is a pair of human eyes.

Several hours later, a few miles across town, comes the second macabre find. A severed human tongue.

Then a worshipper at the cathedral is appalled to discover a human hand under the pew in front of her.

The pretty market town of Bury St Edmunds has never seen anything like it.

Someone is playing twisted games with Nicki and her team — but only they seem to know the rules.

The detectives are in a race against time to track down a brutal killer — before more victims meet a grisly fate.

Genres: Fiction

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 8, 2023

Reviews

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a freezing December night when Detective Hardcastle gets the call. An elderly theatregoer settling in for the evening performance has received the shock of his life. Resting on the faded fabric of his Dress Circle seat is a pair of human eyes. Several hours later, a few miles across town, comes the second macabre find. A severed human tongue. Then a worshiper at the Cathedral is appalled to discover a human hand under the pew in front of her. The pretty market town of Bury St Edmonds has never seen anything like it. Someone is playing twisted games.

Detective Niki Hardcastle and her team have their work cut out for them trying to find who is responsible for the body parts left in different locations all over the town, The story is told from several points of view and we even get the voice of the killer. We learn of some of Nicki's backstory. There are references to the first book in the storyline, but it still reads well as a standalone. The story has a dual timeline that told in the past and present-day format. The pace is steady in this twist filled read. It's also quite a gruesome read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #MichelleKidd for my ARC of #TheTrophyKiller in exchange for an honest review.

[Anton Müller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book...so much so that I deliberately slowed my reading pace just make it last ;-) So...Kidd's storytelling prowess is on full display in the 2nd installment of the DI Nicki Hardcastle series. She crafts a narrative that is both chilling and compelling and the pacing is expertly handled, keeping me on edge as the twists and turns of the plot unfurl. The characters, the good ones as well as the less savoury ones are well-developed and multidimensional, with the protagonist's determination and resilience shining through, making (most of) them easy to root for. Kidd's attention to detail and ability to create a tense atmosphere is commendable, that immersed me in the world she has created. Overall, "The Trophy Killer" is an exhilarating ride that I would heartily recommend to anyone partial to the genre !

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic sequel to "Missing Boy"! Gruesome and chilling throughout with a story that makes you second guess many things as the story unfolds!

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of The Trophy Killer, the second novel to feature DI Nicki Hardcastle of Kent Police, based in Bury St Edmunds.

Someone is leaving human body parts across the town. First it was a pair of eyes on a seat in the theatre, then a tongue on a sculpture and a hand in the cathedral. Nicki and her team are in a race to prevent more mutilations.

I have not read the previous novel in the series, but always enthusiastic for a new series I decided to try The Trophy Killer. It’s not for me for a variety of reasons, even if it is a well constructed novel with an interesting premise.

The novel is told from various points of view, including the unidentified killer, who gets as much air play as the investigation. I have almost zero interest in the upbringing and thoughts of fictional killers, because they are much of a muchness and after a lot of reading it gets boring, abusive upbringing that leads to a twisted mind to sum it up. Throughout it all there is a thread about Benedict trying to discover the secret his neighbours are keeping, which turns out to be big, but not strictly relevant. All the switching of point of view doesn’t make for a strong narrative thread and I found it really easy to put the book down as it didn’t hold my attention and I had no thirst to know more. I would say that this novel is gruesome as there are some quite detailed descriptions of the amputations.

I think that this novel will appeal more to readers who like a psychological thriller as it takes a long look at the killer and contrasts his actions with the slow progress of the investigation (a lack of clues makes it necessarily slow). The only mystery is his motive, which he keeps well hidden, preferring to dwell on his memories and procedures, because his identity is revealed about the 70% mark.

The Trophy Killer is not for me.

[Sophie Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The trophy killer is easily the best, most exciting and most gruesome thriller I have read so far this year. I’m so excited this book is part of a series and I cannot wait to read the previous book prior to this one and any that will be written in the future.

Although this is the second book in the series I didn’t feel as though anything was missing having not read the first book and I’d definitely say it could be read as a stand alone thriller.

Detective Nicki Hardcastle is about to take on her most horrifying crime scenes yet. With various body parts being found in different locations of the town. The first body part to be found was a pair of human eyes at the local theatre, next there was a human tongue, and finally a human hand.

With various body parts turning up all over the town it’s a race against time for Nicki and her team to track down the killer and get him locked up before anymore brutal murders take place. However this local killer is clever and leaves little evidence for Nicki to go on.

Later on when more body parts turn up the pressure is on for Nicki as she and her team are given just 48 hours to find the person behind the crime, and get him locked up before he can strike again.

I really enjoyed reading this book, I loved all the characters in it and I love how sick and twisted the plot to this book was. I’d say it’s not a book for the faint hearted and if you have a weak stomach maybe avoid, however I loved absolutely every word I read, and have already recommended this book to some friends when it’s release date arrives.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book. If I could give more than five stars I certainly would. I’m looking forward to finding more books by Michelle Kidd and will definitely be following this new series

[Krys · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book was definitely interesting, I never felt particularly grabbed by it. The chapters following the police definitely slowed things down, and while I understand that real-life police work is often like this, I feel as though more could have been done with it to keep it interesting and to keep the pace flowing. Maybe a little less about how one officer was probably at his desk instead of at home or how another officer couldn't sleep.

There were also a few maybe not inconsistencies by things that didn't add up. For example, the police go to speak to someone who was caught lying to them, now this person had "done a runner" once already do this time the officers brought back up. And yet this same person was able to jump out of their window and run off again without being caught? What was the backup for? Especially when the first time, the officers didn't even bother to chase them. I also wish more time had been spent on the discovery the officers made when they finally caught the person behind the horrible crimes.

I did, however, enjoy the killer's point of view. It was interesting getting a glimpse into the mind of the killer. I also really enjoyed the way the author was able to weave a couple of interesting twists into the story, and am especially curious as to if the one subplot is going to be featured in future books and, if so, how it is going to play out.

All things considered, I would definitely give this author another chance, and I do think this book will appeal to people who like police procedural novels.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Trophy Killer by Michelle Kidd is a dark mystery. The descriptions of the dismemberments may disturb some readers. The novel is told from various points of view. One of those views is the unidentified killer. I thought too much emphasis was placed on the killer's upbringing and abuse, which pulled me away from the mystery and police procedural aspect of the story. Mentioning it one time is enough for a reader, but continuing to mention it each time the killer's perspective was voiced got to be a bit much for me.

The premise of the book is three grisly crime scenes. Body parts strewn across the town, where Detective Nicki Hardcastle tackles her darkest case yet. It’s a freezing December night when Detective Nicki Hardcastle gets the call. An elderly theatergoer settling in for the evening performance has received the shock of his life: resting on the faded fabric of his Dress Circle seat is a pair of human eyes.

I enjoyed the characters and getting to know the team. Nicki has her own demons but is a strong female protagonist when it comes to fighting crime and trying to find justice for the victims.

One scene, in particular, made me chuckle and reminded me of my sister sending me home with Christmas decorations to bring cheer to my house. Darcie and Amy had badgered Nicki into adding some Christmas cheer and decorations into her home.

Overall, an okay read and mystery. It just felt a little slow at times, and got a bit bogged down with the various perspectives and timelines. I would recommend this book, though.

#THETROPHYKILLER #NetGalley @JoffeBooks @AuthorKidd

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is the second in the authors DI Nicki Hardcastle series and, in my opinion, can be read on its own. There are references to the previous investigation in the previous book, The Missing Boy, that intrigued me and I will definitely read that book when I can. The author grabbed my attention and interest from the first page and held it right to the end. I think this is a very well written and engaging book and I liked that the story was told by different characters and from their perspectives. There are quite a few timelines here, which I thought really suited the book and the move from past to present times was done easily and effortlessly. I found the main character to be very likeable, as are her team of detectives who investigate the finding of a body part. I liked the pacing of the story, and the way the author built up the tension and suspense as the book progressed, and I correctly guessed who the killer was. Overall, a very good read and I'd recommend if you like police procedurals. Looking forward to the next one in this series.

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was gruesome! Body parts start appearing around the town and DI Nicki Hardcastle and her team pick up the case.

I liked getting to know Nicki and her team and I thought the separate storyline of Nicki’s family history with her missing brother was excellent.

The history of the killer was overdone for me. It’s interesting and relevant to know the background of the killer to an extent, in terms of what drives them to carry out these crimes, however in this case, it went on too much and that part was fairly boring. The killer was identified to us early on, we just didn’t know what name he was now using in real life, so there weren’t really any twists as such, more of a straight mystery to solve to find him before he took anymore victims.

I enjoyed it overall and I would definitely read more in this series.

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Aileen (Ailz) Grist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Inspector Nicki Hardcastle doesn't have a life outside of work. Neither she nor her parents can forgive her for what happened to her brother Deano, but what did happen? Her last case - The Missing Boy - has drained all the team, and came close to putting one of them in a grave. So when a new case comes in just as they're all getting over it, they could have done without it. Especially a case where someone is leaving body parts around town. Rather than giving them bodies and keeping trophies, they're doing it the other way around. The first thing the team need to discover is whether the owners of the body parts are dead - and if there is more than one victim. Not a good time to be run down and exhausted.

Brilliant book - Loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A night at the theatre should not be an occasion for trauma, but for those about to watch a play from the box it turned out that way when sitting on the seat were two eyes! Then a few hours later a call comes in reporting the find of a human tongue in a local landmark. When a hand is found in the cathedral DI Nicki Hardcastle wonders if they are looking at one victim or three. The body parts have been removed expertly- is this a clue?

The story kept me guessing & going off in various directions. It was pretty gruesome in places too! This is the second in the series. Sadly I missed the first one but I will be looking out for the next one. I really liked Nicki & her team as well as the setting of Bury St Edmunds. The story kept me guessing & going off in various directions. It was pretty gruesome in places too! Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

[Pat Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series featuring DI Nicki Hardcastle. I hadn’t read the first book but this book read fine as a stand-alone and I was totally gripped. Nicki and her team have a series of gruesome body parts to solve. First of all they are called out when a theatregoer finds a pair of human eyes on a seat in the theatre. Then a human tongue is found and in the cathedral a human hand has been left. What is really worrying is that they appear to be from three different people so the case has become more intense as a Nicki needs to ascertain whether the victims are dead or still alive. I enjoyed Nicki’s storyline and how the disappearance of her brother had affected her and her family. It is rather a gruesome read but I was hooked and look forward to reading more books in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Boks for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is #2 in the DI Nicki Hardcastle series but can be read as a standalone. However, I enjoyed it so much that I went straight out and bought #1!

On a cold winter evening in Bury St Edmunds, a theatre-goer discovers a pair of human eyes on his seat. This gruesome find is only the first, as more different body parts are found around the town. DI Nicki is facing a stomach-churning, psychological case and she and her team need to work round the clock to find the people who the various parts belong to – whether dead or alive.

The book is written partly from the protagonist’s angle, so we know who the killer is, we just don’t know their name. It’s still a brilliant read that kept me on the edge of my seat and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

[Danielle D · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a dark December night Detective Nikki Hardcastle gets a call for a new case. An elderly theatregoer was settling in for an evening performance and received the shock of his life by finding a pair of human eyes at his seat. With this first find, Nikki and her team don’t realized that this is the start to a grisly, twisted game with the murder.

This book is told from several points of view (one being the killer) and is the second in a series. The author did well weaving each characters views into the book. It kept a good pace and had well thought out twists and turns. Suspenseful and intriguing I will definitely read more from Michelle Kidd.

I want to thank NetGalley, Michelle Kidd and Joffe Books for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I left this book series on my list! In swiss shops it was really hard to find - so I opted for the Amazon version (which was a pain as I had to read it on my phone instead of my ebook reader ( not a kindle ).

I knew there was a reason why I wanted to follow up with Nicki Hardcastle - she is a great character and a great Boss - which reflects in her team.

This case was GRUESOME - but loved the detailed description.

I was starting to get disappointed because deep into the story we still haven't touched the subject of Deano - boooooy was I wrong - loved how this was tackled! Now I can't wait for book 3! ( and even if I have to read it on a stone - I would! I love this series! )

[Gordon Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, if gruesome, psychological thriller set in the East of England. DI Nicki Hardcastle and her team have a difficult case to solve when a series of body parts turn up around the town. Each has been removed with surgical precision and left in a public place. The killer wants them to be found - but why?

Nicki and her detectives trace the victims, looking vainly for a connection. And eventually they have a name for the perpetrator. But can they stop him?

The Trophy Killer is a good read and moves at a decent pace. There are a few too many flashbacks that take the reader out of the story arc, but overall the unusual tale is engaging.

[Brenda Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three grisly crime scenes. Various body parts, removed with surgical precision, surface around town and it’s up to Detective Nicki Hardcastle to find the suspect. Are there bodies still to be found?

Told in several POV, one being the killer, gives detailed insight into what could drive someone to do such heinous acts. By far one of the more gruesome books I’ve read, but the dark thrill held my attention all the way through.

There are demons the Detective is also battling, which are part of the story but don’t contribute greatly to the overall plot. However, this is the second in a series, and while it works as a standalone, I think that will play into other books further. I’d definitely read more of Kidd’s work.

Solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Thank you Joffe Books and NetGalley for my ARC.
#THETROPHYKILLER #NetGalley

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely a gruesome story. Not for the faint-hearted. Fortunately, I'm not! Body parts are turning up all over the town and Nicki and her team don't seem able to get a lead. Is it a killer or are the people still alive, but missing their body parts? I enjoyed the cat-and-mouse aspects of the case as we think we're getting close to finding the perpetrator. There's another little dip into Nicki's own past which I really enjoyed.

[Julian Tremayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tough storyline but utterly compelling - even if I did skip a couple of pages when the pathologist was working on the first victim. Really liked the real setting in Bury St. Edmunds and the underlying story of the lead character. Looking forward to the next book.
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed DI Nicki Hardcastle a lot. I really liked the storyline. I think that the author created an intriguing plot that really entertained the whole way through. I liked her scene description and her dialogue. I liked how the body parts were found. It was a interesting mystery to solve.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and I freely left this review.

[Barbara Lack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me holding my great and leaning forward through a great deal of this book. It’s a thrilling roller coaster ride. Lots of twists and turns. It’s very graphic in regards to the murders that take place. I had to skip two pages because I couldn’t stomach reading.it. Except for that part I loved this book.

[eileen sautner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total cliffhanger

The author has a really unique way of getting your attention and curiosity going about the victims that she finds for her mysteries. Looking on the face of it it’s probably a little gruesome, but it’s reality and as far as I’m concerned, the author can do no wrong.

[Debra Gape · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gruesome tale not for the faint hearted.
For me it was the ideal thriller with enough red herrings to keep me guessing.
Very enjoyable thriller.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

[David Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out a well written mystery

This is a very interesting, and well researched story. The author has made her characters so real from the detectives to the perpetrators of the crime.

[Sue Hawthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and I intend reading all of this particular series. It helps that I actually live in Bury St Edmunds so know exactly the places she describes.
This was a real page turner and loved every second of reading it.

[kelly Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book couldn't put it down can't wait for her next book

[Susan Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it . Nicki still needs to get closure but will she? Should she tell her team before they find out? When’s the next book out?

[Sally Winsor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great police procedural

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this quite quick (I forgot to mark as read) and enjoyed it. Particularly like DI Nikki Hardcastle and her back story. I'm a fan of the author and her writing style.

[Dobby]

DNF @ 10%. Although I admire the author's writing skill, this was too gruesome for me