Dead Set

January David #3

by Will Carver

Following on from Girl 4 and The Two, DI January David is back in a fantastic new thriller

"Detective Inspector January David doesn't love me. He loves his missing sister. He loves his job. But he doesn't love me. Not in the way he should. I am his wife. I am still his wife. And I will do anything for him. No matter what I have to sacrifice."

Detective Inspector January David finds himself on forced leave when he receives an urgent telephone call from a secretive FBI agent. A body has been found in a vacant New York theater, and the murder is reminiscent of a London serial killer with whom David is well acquainted. Determined to help the investigation—and find his estranged wife who is also now living in the United States—DI January David risks his neck to travel to New York. At the same time, back in London, there is a missing girl who has shown up dead after being hugged to death in an equally perplexing case. This fast-paced, psychological thriller told in the first person will keep you guessing until the very end.

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Fiction

456 pages, Paperback

First published November 21, 2013

Reviews

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dead Set" is the third in Will Carver's Detective January David series and for me the best of the three!
Having enjoyed the first but disappointed in the second I was worried about reading this one and it not being up to the original standards but.....wow! - it surpassed all expectations and I thoroughly enjoyed it, not being able to put it down at all.
"Dead Set" takes us back to January's wife Audrey David and the chilling Eames and I loved following all the new murders set between America and England.
Will Carver has a fabulous imagination and really knows how to engage the reader with a touch of the paranormal. Although you do need to suspend disbelief when January has his 'visions', these books are wonderfully entertaining and a very nice change to the run of the mill crime novels. Quite violent and descriptive in many ways this series is aimed at adults and overall I have really enjoyed following the detective, his wife, the sick twisted serial killer and the search for Cathy, January's young missing sister.
The denouement to the series (although I do hope for more) was beyond fabulous, I was gripped with the final few pages and stunned by one of the revelations. Well thought out and excellently crafted, I highly recommend this book and surreal series and will certainly be looking out for more by Will Carver in the future.

5 stars

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming 21st November from Arrow.

Thank you to Will and the publisher for the review copy. Yay.

First things first. If you have not then READ GIRL 4 FIRST. And The Two. And you should. If you havent. There may be spoilers ahead for the first two novels.

Here we go:

Detective Inspector January David doesn’t love me.

He loves his missing sister. He loves his job.

But he doesn’t love me. Not in the way he should.

I am his wife. I am still his wife.

And I will do anything for him.

No matter what I have to sacrifice.

So the third outing for January David, finds him coming to the end of the sabbatical enforced upon him after the events of “The Two”. Meanwhile a missing young girl is found dead, another murder victim begins to tell us her tale…and January will soon find himself caught up in the tangled web being weaved by our favourite psychotic killer once more…oh but which psychotic killer do you refer to I hear you ask? Well take your pick. The wonderfully drawn Eames or the enigmatic and dangerous Audrey David? Well, we will see…

What you get with this series of novels is Murder, Magic and Mayhem. A hint of the supernatural and a touch of fear. Or in my case a screaming case of the heebie jeebies. Every time. Every single time. Why? No idea – its all in the writing my friends.

Will Carver writes with a very quirky style – it is unique and very much his own. He uses multiple points of view to great effect – you hear from January, from Audrey, from Eames and from the victims, all interspersed with bridges from one to the other…a flowing and intelligent narrative that tells you everything you need to know whilst keeping it secret at the same time. Inventive writing indeed. It won’t work for everyone – but if you love a story that takes you “outside the box” then this is perfect for you.

As I was drawn inexorably towards yet another brain bending conclusion (yes, you will not get molly coddled here folks) I was at turns terrified, absorbed, captivated and entertained – as usual a perfect combination. This is perhaps my favourite of the three – because now the mythology and mystery at the heart of these novels is ingrained. I’m right there. I know what to expect and yet I am always, always taken aback. Perhaps I should say I have learned to expect the unexpected…

I adore this series in the same way that I adore John Connolly’s “Charlie Parker” series – because they are surprising, delightful, downright scary and utterly fascinating. Kudos.

[Laura Everingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Carver

The third instalment of the wonderful January david series sees our favourite detective forced overseas to new York to investigate a series of murders seemingly carried out by notorious serial killer eames, but with eames locked away and January david the one who put him there how can this be?? leaving detective Paulson and murphy to investigate the murder of a young girl back in England we travel to new York and follow January on his mission to rid the world of the new eames whilst resisting the urge to track down his estranged wife Audrey, but has Audrey got a bigger part to play in Januarys visit, you will have to read to find out!!! I very much enjoyed this book as I did girl 4 and the two it closes some questions left over from the previous books but also opens up new questions and information regarding Audrey and his missing sister cathy that I cannot wait to read more about in the hopefully soon fourth installment!!!!!

[Jenny Hudson-hendron · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read in years!

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay my head hurts! I picked up Will Carver’s first book in the series Girl 4 and really enjoyed it. However what I realised very early on is that Carver writes in an unusual way. I have struggled with this since book one but ironically at the same time fallen in love with it a little bit. I know that may not make sense but if you have read one of his books you will know what I mean. I also think that this categorically does not work as a standalone, you HAVE to read the first two books in the series for this to make any kind of sense!

January David is a copper that has not just one issue but many. He drinks too much and is currently on sabbatical following the devastating events of the last book. His wife no longer even lives in the country yet she still haunts his thoughts. He also still obsesses over his missing and presumed dead sister. In addition to this, he has these visions. Yes, I know it sounds ridiculous, and there is one part of me that feels the same. But to describe them is just too difficult. They are more like dreams as well as visions when in reality they seem to be his past, present and future all haunting him. This is the element of these books that drives me crazy. However, as much as they drive me crazy the writing style makes you want to read, hence the reason I always end up enjoying them to a certain degree.

Whilst January sets off to New York to face a seemingly duplicate set of murders like the ones he has already solved, his colleagues are working on their own case involving the discovery of a young girls dead body. In terms of storyline that’s all I’m prepared to say but believe me when I say Will Carver gives you anything but straightforward.

There are many things you have to wrap your head around and there are no shortcuts around the gruesome nature of any of the murders. In addition to this Will Carver managed to write a chapter about a character in the present but talking in past tense (if that makes sense). Never before have I struggled to articulate so much on a book I have read. This one is certainly challenging to describe (to say the least). What I will say is this, I loved this book and much as it messed with my brain. I really, really like January and as for the ending, well don’t get me started.

Just when things are wrapped up and we finally start getting some answers, Will Carver throws a dose of uncertainty to the mix and left me wondering how long it will be until the next release. Overall this book is clever and brilliant, maybe a little too clever for me at times; but magnificent all the same. Sadly for me the parts where I am wrapping my head around ‘The Smiling Man’ (I’m not even going to go there and try to explain) mean that it just cannot get a 5 star from me. Other than that cannot fault it and in THE weirdest way I cannot wait to read the next book.

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was perhaps a bit daft when I chose this book because I didn't realise until I'd started reading it that it is the third in a series about Detective January David. Therefore I knew nothing of the story thus far or anything about any of the characters who appear in all three books. Perhaps once I realised I should have stopped and read the other books first, in chronological order. The thing is though, I couldn't stop. Within a few pages I was hooked. It's been a while since I read a psychological thriller and longer still since I read one as different and as enthralling as Dead Set.
The author uses multiple characters to tell the story, often but not always in the first person. These characters include the voices of the victims, describing their own deaths. As I read the book these voices became like a jigsaw as I attempted to piece everything together. It may not be a style that every reader will like but I was completely engrossed by not only the story itself, which is chilling, absorbing and superbly paced, but by the unique way the book is written. It's not a book for the faint hearted, whilst not excessively gory it doesn't pull any punches and the paranormal slant adds an extra layer of thrills without taking over the story.
In conclusion, whilst I think it does make more sense to read these books in order, if like me you find yourself reading Dead Set first and if you enjoy well written thrillers that are intelligent and unpredictable then also like me you will love this book.
Of course I am going to have to read the first books, Girl 4 and The Two very soon!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of Dead Set from Netgalley in return for my honest review.

[Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to give a synopsis without spoilers for Girl 4. However, I can say that the sequence of elaborately staged murders that took place in that novel was apparently not complete. Detective Inspector January David is on forced leave following the events that took place in The Two. However, he receives a telephone call from a F.B.I. agent with news that a body has been found in an abandoned New York theatre staged in a way that suggests that the same serial killer who terrorised London is somehow continuing their work in the USA. In an unofficial capacity January travels to New York to assist. Meanwhile, in London his colleagues are dealing with the shocking murder of a missing child.

As expected from the teaser in The Killer Inside this was very much a sequel to Carver's first book Girl 4 and was a continuation of that case and more. Carver has an unusual style, writing chapters from various POVs, including the murder victims, and in that respect it is quite different to other crime novels that I've encountered.

This was one of those novels that I found myself glued to and I was quite determined to finish and see how everything turned out. It seems fairly clear from the final chapters that there is more in store for Detective Inspector January David and personally I can hardly wait.

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes a crime novel comes along that takes you captive, that wows and scares in equal measure. This was one such book. Absolutely adored it and could not put it down. Read it late into the night and was terrified to close my eyes after. Brilliant. Will be reading all of Will Carver's other books.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to make of this. I can't say I enjoyed it but I was compelled to finish it (compulsively). I think I have trouble with the premise that any of this is remotely possible. Or that a detective, when faced with the truth (or even suspicions) about a loved one, could act as he acted.

You did have to have read an earlier book - Girl 4 - to even remotely follow the plot. And it appears there will be another instalment at least (which I will no doubt read).

The type of narrative, first person by a range of first persons, is also annoying. Nevertheless there was a certain morbid and unsettling fascination about the whole thing. Still unsure though.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had an interesting premise: runaway wife, missing sister, copycat killer. Interesting but not that unusual. What is unusual is the telling: multiple viewpoints from different characters, not always told in the first person. Bit of the supernatural. Hand claps to Carver for shaking up the genre.

If being confused bothers you , then don't start with this book. It is the third in the Inspector January David series. I started here because I am so clever and brill that I can easily work stuff out. Not because I picked the book up without realizing it was the third in a series *cough*.

Cover says you will love this book if you like Peter James. I am bored of these lazy comparisons. For the past few years every book has been the next Girl on The Train or Gone Girl. Peter James is a fellow Brightonian, prolific writer and by all accounts a pretty good egg. That would be one account, by my neighbour who knows him. I would like to like Peter James's books and it took me about four to realize I don't because of the way he writes about women: generally fallen in some way, foils to men, not so much characters as paper dolls.

With Dead Set I was instantly gripped, pleasantly confused and left wanting more. Good show.

[Andy Blundell · Rating 1 out of 5]

What's to like? The first thing you find out is that it's a sequel to his previous books, Girl 4 and the Two, and doesn't stand well on it's own but by the time you've realized this you've hit major plot spoilers for these.
The entire text is written in the present tense, which only serves as a distraction, like the sound of an electric drill when you're listening to music. Used sparingly it can be effective providing a different voice for particular passages, but not here. It was just irritating.
I also disliked the sections which were narrated from the victim's point of view in which they speak with knowledge of what is to come which they cannot have. Interesting idea but it didn't work for me, possibly because there was already one unorthodox narrative device too many.
I found the ending cliche ridden and way too obviously setting up for the next installment rather than providing a resolution.

[Deborah (debbishdotcom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s rare that I’m undecided about a book but that was most definitely the case for much of Wil Carver’s latest novel, Dead Set.

There’s something really clever about the first person present (or bizarrely combined future/past) tense Carver often uses in the novel, but it takes some getting used to. “How does that person know they’re about to get killed?” I found myself wondering, before realising they didn’t. Rather, as we’re reading what’s happening, the characters themselves are describing what they (later) know to occur. It’s hard to explain. Obviously.

However, it gives us insight we wouldn’t normally have and makes us privy to almost everyone’s innermost thoughts – a luxury we don’t often have. And like I said – it’s actually kinda clever.

Read the rest of my review in my blog: http://www.debbish.com/books-literatu...

3.5-4 stars from me.

[Linda Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now read all 3 January David novels (plus the short bridge book). I sometimes lose what time or when something is occurring - but I do enjoy the books. There is always a sprinkling of the supernatural - amid the crimes. Cool!
In this novel, January is on leave and goes to New York when an "Eames type murder" happens in New York. Audrey is back in the story. I think I'm ready for Audrey to be out of the story - but I can tell she will be back again... *sigh*. I really like Paulson and January working together. I am also ready for Murphy to get his "comeuppance". Have I mentioned before that I do not like stories where the main character has plots against him - especially by powerful people. Murphy may have been put in his place - and I do hope so

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is there another book?? There better be.

It was fantastic, just when you thought you knew what was going on. There was a twist. Then another, then another.

It only got 3 (3.5) because his first book was sensational. This had a few chapters that I could have lived without.

Hope this series continues. However if you haven't read "girl 4" and "the two" , you will be confused and be hit in the face with spoilers!

[Evelyn*My Redeemer* · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have got to admit I had been looking forward to this book as I thought the first 2 books were absolutely brilliant! I say I was disappointed as I did enjoy the book though it just didn't have me gripped the way the others did. A good read though, and would recommend this series to anyone that loves a good thriller but one thing I would say to anyone thinking of reading these books you have to start with the 1st book in the series 'Girl 4' then read 'The Two and then this book :-)

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third in the series featuring January David. This adventure takes him to New York on the trail of his errant wife and as a consultant with the FBI who have a serial killer much like one he's caught before. I got a little confused at certain points but there was plenty of excitement to keep the pages turning and the ending was something of a cliffhanger hinting at further additions to the series.

[Abigail T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not realize that this was number 3 in a series . I usually do not like to start 'in the middle' of a series however I had nothing else to read at the time.
It was an OK thriller but I'm not eager to read the rest

[Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb...can't wait for the next January David instalment ☺

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF just could not get into this one

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Girl 4, I have to be honest and admit I couldn’t finish The Two and then again I loved Dead Set. Really hoping there is a follow on in this series!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a TV series cancelled too early, we're left with more questions than answers. I can only hope there will be a part four one day.

[Esinath Nhanga · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too confusing without the previous books. Couldn't get into it. DNF.

[Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still struggling to follow the story line at times, but like the book and will read the next one.