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DI Matt Barnes #3
A need to kill
The body of Marsha Freeman – known professionally as Trudi Jameson – is discovered inside a lockup in Putney. She has been brutally beaten, burned repeatedly with cigarette ends, and strangled with a pair of tights. An ex-model, Marsha had latterly been working as a high-class prostitute, with clients including politicians, well-known celebrities and captains of industry.
All that has been taken by her killer are three pages that have been removed from a potentially career-destroying address book.
The Serious Crimes Unit is given the case, due to Marsha’s murder being the second carried out with the same MO. Both victims were prostitutes and redheads.
Detective Inspector Matt Barnes is assigned to head up the investigation, due in part to his previous success in running down repeat killers.
Matt, and Beth Holder – a criminal psychologist who consults on certain serial and ritual murder cases – are in love, but Matt’s almost fanatical dedication to his work is threatening the future that they both want to share together. Beth is in New York City attending a seminar, and is treating it as time-out to seriously consider her relationship with Matt.
With Marsha Freeman’s address book, video found at her apartment featuring her with clients, and bruise impressions on both corpses that have been made by an embossed ring depicting the head of a wolf or similar animal, Matt and his team begin the task of interviewing Marsha’s contacts, that include more than one high-ranking cop.
Why was Marsha carrying her address book, which is not even in code? And what is motivating the psycho who Matt is convinced will strike again? Is the perpetrator’s name on one of the pages that was torn from the book, or is the as yet unknown killer planning to add blackmail to his repertoire?
All that has been taken by her killer are three pages that have been removed from a potentially career-destroying address book.
The Serious Crimes Unit is given the case, due to Marsha’s murder being the second carried out with the same MO. Both victims were prostitutes and redheads.
Detective Inspector Matt Barnes is assigned to head up the investigation, due in part to his previous success in running down repeat killers.
Matt, and Beth Holder – a criminal psychologist who consults on certain serial and ritual murder cases – are in love, but Matt’s almost fanatical dedication to his work is threatening the future that they both want to share together. Beth is in New York City attending a seminar, and is treating it as time-out to seriously consider her relationship with Matt.
With Marsha Freeman’s address book, video found at her apartment featuring her with clients, and bruise impressions on both corpses that have been made by an embossed ring depicting the head of a wolf or similar animal, Matt and his team begin the task of interviewing Marsha’s contacts, that include more than one high-ranking cop.
Why was Marsha carrying her address book, which is not even in code? And what is motivating the psycho who Matt is convinced will strike again? Is the perpetrator’s name on one of the pages that was torn from the book, or is the as yet unknown killer planning to add blackmail to his repertoire?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2013
32 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Michael Kerr
88 books38 followersI write the type of original, action-packed, violent crime thrillers that I know I would enjoy reading if they were written by such authors as: Lee Child, David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly and their ilk.
Over twenty years in the Prison Service proved great research into the minds of criminals, and especially into the dark world that serial killers - of who I have met quite a few - frequent.
I live in a cottage a mile from the nearest main road in the Yorkshire Wolds, enjoy photography, the wildlife, and of course creating new characters to place in dilemmas that my mind dreams up.
What makes a good read? Believable protagonists that you care about, set in a story that stirs all of your emotions.
If you like crime fiction, then I believe that 'Deadly Reprisal' and 'A Reacher Kind of Guy - Aftermath' will push all the right buttons for you.
Over twenty years in the Prison Service proved great research into the minds of criminals, and especially into the dark world that serial killers - of who I have met quite a few - frequent.
I live in a cottage a mile from the nearest main road in the Yorkshire Wolds, enjoy photography, the wildlife, and of course creating new characters to place in dilemmas that my mind dreams up.
What makes a good read? Believable protagonists that you care about, set in a story that stirs all of your emotions.
If you like crime fiction, then I believe that 'Deadly Reprisal' and 'A Reacher Kind of Guy - Aftermath' will push all the right buttons for you.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 7, 2025
Very disappointed
This is the third Matt Barnes novel I have read. I was mightily impressed by the first one, and my review reflects that. By the end of the second, I was disappointed. The plot was more or less identical, and the killers motive was the same.
And so to this one. Once again, the plot and motive were the same as the first two. The content contaims everything from rape and incest to bestiality. I found the narrative overly wordy and far too much reliance paid to the use of a thesaurus. I downloaded the next three at the same time as I downloaded the first three. It remains to be seen whether I can be bothered to wade through it all again.
This is the third Matt Barnes novel I have read. I was mightily impressed by the first one, and my review reflects that. By the end of the second, I was disappointed. The plot was more or less identical, and the killers motive was the same.
And so to this one. Once again, the plot and motive were the same as the first two. The content contaims everything from rape and incest to bestiality. I found the narrative overly wordy and far too much reliance paid to the use of a thesaurus. I downloaded the next three at the same time as I downloaded the first three. It remains to be seen whether I can be bothered to wade through it all again.
June 15, 2017
MORE sleepless nights !!
Don't know how he does it but every time I open one of Matt Barnes "adventures " I set myself up for dark circles under my eyes following nights where I find it impossible to put the book down ! Totally riveting and terrifying at the same time. Amazing !
Don't know how he does it but every time I open one of Matt Barnes "adventures " I set myself up for dark circles under my eyes following nights where I find it impossible to put the book down ! Totally riveting and terrifying at the same time. Amazing !
September 23, 2020
Another gripping read.
I was unable to out this book down. I only have time to read when I'm away and this one certainly didn't disappoint. Can't wait to start book 4 (already downloaded).
I was unable to out this book down. I only have time to read when I'm away and this one certainly didn't disappoint. Can't wait to start book 4 (already downloaded).
March 24, 2024
A good 3rd book the detective work the murders all kept me gripped. However the relationship and dialogue between Matt and Beth is just getting too repetitive and boring
September 8, 2013
I loved the first two DI Barnes books and rated them both a 5. I loved this one too...the only small downside for me was this 3rd book lacked some originality. Nothing really shocked me or took me too much by surprise. Perhaps if I had left a longer gap between reading the first two then I may have been as equally blown away, because despite this it is a great read so don't let my thoughts put you off.
I got a little irritated with Beth at times. her constant anxiety and analysis of her relationship was tiresome at times. Although considering what she has been through I can see why the author included it.
DI Barnes is a great character and I hope there is a 4th book with a great new twist or unexpected case to crack...
Again, this definitely isn't for the faint hearted. The violence is...well...very violent!
I got a little irritated with Beth at times. her constant anxiety and analysis of her relationship was tiresome at times. Although considering what she has been through I can see why the author included it.
DI Barnes is a great character and I hope there is a 4th book with a great new twist or unexpected case to crack...
Again, this definitely isn't for the faint hearted. The violence is...well...very violent!
February 2, 2014
The story telling is brilliant but due to the goriness, I found it a difficult read. In the previous two books in the series, the gory bits were contained within paragraphs and easily skimmed through. Whereas in this one, it was woven deeper into the words, having a greater psychological impact.
Arguably, this slight yet significant shift in the story-telling shows an improved writing skill, and it says a lot when the quality of the writing meant I simply couldn't put the book down, despite my brain screaming 'arghhh nooo' on many occasions.
I recommend all three books (preferably in order) although like me, you may have to metaphorically put your hands to your eyes and peek through your fingers once in a while. Yet feel satisfied at the end, feeling you've survived a journey intact.
Arguably, this slight yet significant shift in the story-telling shows an improved writing skill, and it says a lot when the quality of the writing meant I simply couldn't put the book down, despite my brain screaming 'arghhh nooo' on many occasions.
I recommend all three books (preferably in order) although like me, you may have to metaphorically put your hands to your eyes and peek through your fingers once in a while. Yet feel satisfied at the end, feeling you've survived a journey intact.
April 22, 2014
I did enjoy all three Barnes books but every one is the same. The same looked in a cellar story and Stockholm syndrome effect between captive and captor. The same 'go it alone Barnes' and the same danger and involvement to Beth, his girlfriend. I wouldn't have the nerve to write three books all lacking in originality. A shame as the writing is good.
May 4, 2014
I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first 2 in the series. There was too much psychological input in this one, rather than action.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews