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The Scarlet Tessera
In the heat of the city summer, London's Underground system is brought to a halt by a trail of bodies carrying the unmistakeable mutilations of The Circle Line Killer — a notorious serial killer responsible for a chain of murders nineteen years earlier. A killer who was never caught.
DCI Claire McMullen, part of the original team that failed to catch the killer first time round, heads up the investigation to bring to justice the man she so narrowly missed last time, teaming up with Detective Inspector Joseph Webber, a respected Metropolitan officer recovering from a deep and traumatic personal loss. The only woman who holds the key to bringing the killer to justice is his last surviving victim — long since released from the Witness Protection scheme that had once shielded her.
In the scramble to locate and protect her, the investigating officers are led inexorably toward personal and professional suicide in a dangerous game of cat and mouse born of mirrors, bible codes, deception and horror.
DCI Claire McMullen, part of the original team that failed to catch the killer first time round, heads up the investigation to bring to justice the man she so narrowly missed last time, teaming up with Detective Inspector Joseph Webber, a respected Metropolitan officer recovering from a deep and traumatic personal loss. The only woman who holds the key to bringing the killer to justice is his last surviving victim — long since released from the Witness Protection scheme that had once shielded her.
In the scramble to locate and protect her, the investigating officers are led inexorably toward personal and professional suicide in a dangerous game of cat and mouse born of mirrors, bible codes, deception and horror.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2012
About the author
Julian Lorr
3 books18 followersTeacher by day, and amateur writer in whatever time is left over!
No publisher, no agent; Just some novels written purely for the love of it, by a man who read Shrine & Pet Sematary aged 13 when they first came out and never looked back!
https:www.facebook.com/julianlorr
email: jlorr@julianlorr.com
visit www.julianlorr.com
No publisher, no agent; Just some novels written purely for the love of it, by a man who read Shrine & Pet Sematary aged 13 when they first came out and never looked back!
https:www.facebook.com/julianlorr
email: jlorr@julianlorr.com
visit www.julianlorr.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 19, 2015
I haven't read a book like this in years - psychological thrillers I thought I had left behind in my 20's, and once I had kids even the thought of the thought could send my brain into overdrive with fretting.
However, having embarked on the first page, and a resolve to read in daylight and not last thing at night, I started the dark path that lead me into the underground system of London, and the darker thoughts of an insidious mind.
A definite page turner, finished with relish.
Reminicent of the Prime Suspect series of the 1990's, a deft tale woven beautifully, with believable characters and a sting in the tail.
However, having embarked on the first page, and a resolve to read in daylight and not last thing at night, I started the dark path that lead me into the underground system of London, and the darker thoughts of an insidious mind.
A definite page turner, finished with relish.
Reminicent of the Prime Suspect series of the 1990's, a deft tale woven beautifully, with believable characters and a sting in the tail.
February 26, 2013
The Scarlet Tessera is a tour de force, a first rate British police procedural, a psychological study of criminal pathology and a fast paced thriller, rolled into one. It features one of the sickest, most sadistic and clever killer in crime fiction. It also has the most original plot I’ve read in a long time. It is a satisfying and enjoyable read for those who love the genre and have a strong stomach and nerves.
February 23, 2013
This book is by a member of the Psychological Thrillers group of Goodreads. This book made a nice change from being about CHILDREN being kidnapped, tortured and killed by the 'monster,' these were women he chose, and it seemed as though no one would be able to stop him. Joe and Claire, the police officers worked well together, but Maria was quite significant. This killer got off on tattooing symbols and numbers, and shaving the heads of his victims before they got the Rohypnol and Heroin overdose. This is a memorable story.
March 5, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Kept me on edge.
March 5, 2013
I just finished reading The Scarlet Tessera. I am still not sure how I feel about it. Some parts of the book were great. The killer was very creepy and menacing. He remained one step ahead of the police throughout the book. I also liked Maria, the only victim of the killer who was let go.
The police, Claire and Joe, are likable characters. But they seemed a little one dimensional to me. Even though attempts were made to give them a back story and bring in their family, I still didn't connect with them. I also noticed more than once that when a new chapter would start, it seemed like the story had jumped and I had missed something. I found myself going back to the previous chapter to try to make sense of the new one's direction.
There were definitely some positives to this book. I think that Julian Lorr could develop into a great author and I look forward to reading more of his work.
The police, Claire and Joe, are likable characters. But they seemed a little one dimensional to me. Even though attempts were made to give them a back story and bring in their family, I still didn't connect with them. I also noticed more than once that when a new chapter would start, it seemed like the story had jumped and I had missed something. I found myself going back to the previous chapter to try to make sense of the new one's direction.
There were definitely some positives to this book. I think that Julian Lorr could develop into a great author and I look forward to reading more of his work.
April 25, 2013
I am not sure if this is a first novel, or if Mr Lorr has others, but I really enjoyed it. From the first page I was hooked, constantly waiting to see what the next twist in the plot would be. I found Claire to be cold and not very likable, where as Joe I liked from the start, the killer had them running around like headless chickens, not sure where to go next or what to expect. I would recommend this to all fans of thrillers a great read, I look forward to more from Julian Lorr.
March 13, 2013
An excellent book, a nice mix of Thomas Harris villain and the gritty setting and puzzling adventure of Se7en. Cant wait for the second one!
March 14, 2014
Good book!
I liked this book because it had a different way of going about solving the murders. Keeps you guessing up until the end.
I liked this book because it had a different way of going about solving the murders. Keeps you guessing up until the end.
May 1, 2013
Certainly not bad as far as police procedural thrillers go, but hardly groundbreaking. There were some good moments of suspense, but I did get a bit bored by the psycho killer's insane rants.
The Kindle version I read could do with some proofreading, with the errors increasing after the 70% mark. I noticed typos like "alot" and the word "sort" used instead of "sought". Some sentences also didn't make sense.
The pace throughout the story was good, but I do feel that the book could use some editing to tighten it up a bit more.
Definitely read it if the synopsis interests you. If you are very familiar with the genre, there is nothing new here, but on the whole it is a decent read.
The Kindle version I read could do with some proofreading, with the errors increasing after the 70% mark. I noticed typos like "alot" and the word "sort" used instead of "sought". Some sentences also didn't make sense.
The pace throughout the story was good, but I do feel that the book could use some editing to tighten it up a bit more.
Definitely read it if the synopsis interests you. If you are very familiar with the genre, there is nothing new here, but on the whole it is a decent read.
October 10, 2013
A series of murders occur on or near the London underground transit system-- is it a copycat or is a new killer on the loose. The officers of the Met soon realize that it's the same person who murdered women 19 years ago The killer seems to be one step ahead of the police and they're anxious to catch him before any more women are kidnapped, tortured and killed. The police don't always follow procedure--warrants, unauthorized searches. The f**k is used a lot..
A tessera is a token or invitation -- in this book they are made of London clay by a murderer and given to his victims.
No sex
Some non graphic violence
A tessera is a token or invitation -- in this book they are made of London clay by a murderer and given to his victims.
No sex
Some non graphic violence
August 24, 2013
British serial killer investigation that becomes terrifyingly personal to the investigation team. The last chapter/epilog killed it for me. After all the violence and graphic depictions, the way the story swung from focusing on the detectives to focusing on one victim I had pretty much had it. The only reason I finished it was to understand WHY a person would commit such crimes. The epilogue was a copout as far as I am concerned. There was no real closer with the main characters and the five year lapse in time felt "off".
April 28, 2013
This is a pretty good story about the hunt for a serial killer in London who has returned after a 19 year absence. I enjoyed the story, although I would have liked a bit more of the killer's back story. The investigation is well paced, with the required twists and turns along the way.
The writing is good and pulls you through the story. The killer has a few good tricks up his sleeve that keeps things lively. All in all it was a good read.
The writing is good and pulls you through the story. The killer has a few good tricks up his sleeve that keeps things lively. All in all it was a good read.
December 16, 2021
Thriller featuring a sadistic serial killer in London and two very different, but equally determined detectives.
February 28, 2015
Amazing!!!
I didn't want it to end. I couldn't put this down from start to finish. I wanted to know what would happen next and when I found out I was shocked and then I would be crying or laughing by the next chapter. It had so many twists and turns and it was a mind f in the best of ways lol. I definitely recommend if you like sick thrillers of the psychological nature. You won't be disappointed
I didn't want it to end. I couldn't put this down from start to finish. I wanted to know what would happen next and when I found out I was shocked and then I would be crying or laughing by the next chapter. It had so many twists and turns and it was a mind f in the best of ways lol. I definitely recommend if you like sick thrillers of the psychological nature. You won't be disappointed
July 22, 2016
Could not finish this book
I simply could not finish this book. The macabre butchery of females was simply over the top. It must take a sick mind to write a book of this nature. I realize that such sadism exists in this world but it need not be described repeatedly in a book for the purpose of profit. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
I simply could not finish this book. The macabre butchery of females was simply over the top. It must take a sick mind to write a book of this nature. I realize that such sadism exists in this world but it need not be described repeatedly in a book for the purpose of profit. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews