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The Killer Without a Face
A Witness Who Can’t Identify a Killer and a Killer Who Thinks She CanDani Calderwood is the only survivor of a man who murdered her twin sister and her drug-dealing boyfriend. Having seen only a brief glimpse of the killer while hiding in a dusty stairwell, she can’t clearly identify him. But the police and the killer think she can, and both are looking for her.
Terrified that being at the scene of the murders has signed her own death warrant, Dani escapes into the isolated mountains of Colorado. When she ends up stranded in a small town in the Colorado high country, ex-Marine and local bartender, Jess Walker, discovers who she is and helps conceal her identity from the townspeople. What Dani thought was a safe refuge, however, may turn out to be a fatal last stand.
If you like intriguing characters, gut-wrenching twists, and undercurrents of romance, then you’ll love award-winning author Helen Starbuck’s tense crime thriller, The Killer Without a Face.
Terrified that being at the scene of the murders has signed her own death warrant, Dani escapes into the isolated mountains of Colorado. When she ends up stranded in a small town in the Colorado high country, ex-Marine and local bartender, Jess Walker, discovers who she is and helps conceal her identity from the townspeople. What Dani thought was a safe refuge, however, may turn out to be a fatal last stand.
If you like intriguing characters, gut-wrenching twists, and undercurrents of romance, then you’ll love award-winning author Helen Starbuck’s tense crime thriller, The Killer Without a Face.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2023
68 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Helen Starbuck
11 books77 followersColorado native and former OR nurse, Helen Starbuck is an award-winning author of The Annie Collins Mystery Series and the standalone romantic suspense novels Legacy of Secrets, Finding Alex, and The Woman He Used to Know.
No relation to the coffee bunch, she doesn't get free coffee, but she drinks it while writing. She writes her mystery series from the perspective of Annie Collins, an OR nurse, and draws from her love of suspense and romance to create her standalone novels. She enjoys books about strong women and interesting men. Follow her on Facebook (facebook.com/helensstarbuck), Instagram (instagram.com/helenstarbuck/), and her web site (helenstarbuck.com).
If you are a member of a book club and would like Helen to come talk about her books, she can visit in person or visit via Skype or Zoom if your club is outside the Denver or Boulder metro areas.
No relation to the coffee bunch, she doesn't get free coffee, but she drinks it while writing. She writes her mystery series from the perspective of Annie Collins, an OR nurse, and draws from her love of suspense and romance to create her standalone novels. She enjoys books about strong women and interesting men. Follow her on Facebook (facebook.com/helensstarbuck), Instagram (instagram.com/helenstarbuck/), and her web site (helenstarbuck.com).
If you are a member of a book club and would like Helen to come talk about her books, she can visit in person or visit via Skype or Zoom if your club is outside the Denver or Boulder metro areas.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 25, 2024
great suspense and romance
I love the characters of Dani and Jess and all the others in Denver and the high country. The plot kept me reading and the conclusion was nail biting. Can’t wait for Starbuck’s next book.
I love the characters of Dani and Jess and all the others in Denver and the high country. The plot kept me reading and the conclusion was nail biting. Can’t wait for Starbuck’s next book.
November 7, 2023
I've read this twice now and keep being amazed at how real the characters seem! The nasty ones are despicable and the good ones seem like people I'd want to sit down to have lunch with. The story is very well-crafted, with a plot woven by a master writer. (I hate it when I figure "who done it" early on, but this one kept me guessing until the author revealed who it was, hence the second read to see how she out-foxed me.) There are fast-paced parts where its difficult to put the book down, and comfy places where you want to settle in and just enjoy. It is what I read mystery stories for.
February 24, 2025
The Killer Without a Face is a thriller offering murder, mystery, danger, and more. Dani Calderwood is living a life most of us would not want. After a tough childhood, she chose safety and monotony as a shield - working as an accountant and living in a little apartment. Her twin sister, however chose drugs and a drug dealer boyfriend. Given responsibility for her sister from a young age, Dani's life is constantly being thrown into turmoil every time her sister has a crisis - but never like this time. On a visit to try to get her to see her parole officer, her sister suddenly pushes Dani into a hiding space. While trying not to make a sound she hears her sister and her sister's boyfriend shot. After the killer leaves, sheer terror takes over. Dani worries if she goes to the police the killer will hear someone else was there, discover her identity, and come after her. In a panic she decides to go on the run.
What follows is a story told in three lines. There are the police working to solve the murders as well as trying to find Dani. They aren't sure yet if she committed the murders or witnessed them. There is the killer who hears of the witness and is seeking her. Then there is the life Dani falls into when her truck breaks down while she is hiding out for a few days in a small town. With no money to fix it, she lives in constant fear, not sure who to trust or if she will be recognized. The possibility of danger is always present. The 3 lines come together as the story nears conclusion.
Great writing, wonderful characters and just the right pacing. This book will keep you turning the pages into the wee hours to see how it turns out.
What follows is a story told in three lines. There are the police working to solve the murders as well as trying to find Dani. They aren't sure yet if she committed the murders or witnessed them. There is the killer who hears of the witness and is seeking her. Then there is the life Dani falls into when her truck breaks down while she is hiding out for a few days in a small town. With no money to fix it, she lives in constant fear, not sure who to trust or if she will be recognized. The possibility of danger is always present. The 3 lines come together as the story nears conclusion.
Great writing, wonderful characters and just the right pacing. This book will keep you turning the pages into the wee hours to see how it turns out.
November 10, 2023
The Killer Without a Face by Helen Starbuck Starting as a slow burn this mystery thriller romance rapidly picks up pace to the thrilling conclusion. Starbuck has penned a delectable wounded hero in Jess and a lost soul heroine, Dani, who’s surviving in spite of her traumatic past. Except now Dani is on the run, a witness to a cold blooded murder wanted by the police and the murderer afraid to trust anyone. The re-appearance of old homicide friends in Blake Halloran and Kaye Jagerski as investigators on the hunt for a ruthless killer is welcome, but will they succeed in finding Dani before the killer? He or she seems to be a step ahead of the police at every turn. Highly recommended with a glass of wine and a comfy sofa to curl up on.
March 31, 2024
I read A LOT of books, different genres. Romance/mystery isn’t my choice. But I love the Annie Collins Mystery series and Starbucks Denver Major Crime Series, so I decided to read this one as well
It’s a good mystery. Interesting plot and characters.
Two issues gave me pause. One, why the Benny Tulio incident at the beginning of the book? Never figured that out
Secondly, I was distracted by the chapter divisions. Some made sense. Others switched from main characters and place to Denver characters, to even a third setting in same chapter.
Even with those distractions, I read this book in two days and enjoyed it
It’s a good mystery. Interesting plot and characters.
Two issues gave me pause. One, why the Benny Tulio incident at the beginning of the book? Never figured that out
Secondly, I was distracted by the chapter divisions. Some made sense. Others switched from main characters and place to Denver characters, to even a third setting in same chapter.
Even with those distractions, I read this book in two days and enjoyed it
February 14, 2024
Great Story
A cop murder-thriller, and a romance all in one. Though all of us expect happy and things, and we have an idea where this and most stories we read will end up the ending of this came in a ramped up, exciting concluding bunch of chapters. And the last scene between the couple that formed through this rampage and nightmare of secrets and dirty cops is memorable and sweet.
A cop murder-thriller, and a romance all in one. Though all of us expect happy and things, and we have an idea where this and most stories we read will end up the ending of this came in a ramped up, exciting concluding bunch of chapters. And the last scene between the couple that formed through this rampage and nightmare of secrets and dirty cops is memorable and sweet.
September 24, 2024
A real page turner!
Dani goes to confront her addict twin sister to try to get her away from her drug-pushing boyfriend. But while there, Hannah sees someone and makes Dani go to the basement. The intruder kills the boyfriend and then Hanbah. Dani doesn't see the killer's face. She is scared so she runs away. The story surrounds the place she runs to, the people she meets, and those trying to find her. This is a great story, and I highly recommend it.
Dani goes to confront her addict twin sister to try to get her away from her drug-pushing boyfriend. But while there, Hannah sees someone and makes Dani go to the basement. The intruder kills the boyfriend and then Hanbah. Dani doesn't see the killer's face. She is scared so she runs away. The story surrounds the place she runs to, the people she meets, and those trying to find her. This is a great story, and I highly recommend it.
December 20, 2024
When a woman witnesses the murder of her twin sister, she's forced to go on the run from the killer, who thinks she can identify him, and the police. Hiding in a small town, she meets a snarky wounded veteran.
Exactly what it says on the tin. A great thriller with a fugitive heroine and a miserable bloke finding each other amidst the bullets. Great stuff.
Exactly what it says on the tin. A great thriller with a fugitive heroine and a miserable bloke finding each other amidst the bullets. Great stuff.
February 5, 2025
Dead would be best!
I love this book it was an amazing read. I found I couldn't put it down, not even to sleep!
Dead would be best. What was the saying? "Something about the only sure secret is between you and a dead person.
Finding out who the killer was didn't surprise me in the least, but it took a bit before I guessed.
I love this book it was an amazing read. I found I couldn't put it down, not even to sleep!
Dead would be best. What was the saying? "Something about the only sure secret is between you and a dead person.
Finding out who the killer was didn't surprise me in the least, but it took a bit before I guessed.
May 28, 2024
I love woman on the run novels, and this one is excellent. With a solid cast of characters, Dani Calderwood doesn't know for sure who to trust and who to fear. But there is that one guy...
I always enjoy Helen Starbuck's thrillers and look forward to reading more.
I always enjoy Helen Starbuck's thrillers and look forward to reading more.
November 20, 2024
A very good and interesting story extremely well told.
The story is interesting, yet troubling story with good characters , A soul searching plot and a terrific ending to finish up with.
The story is interesting, yet troubling story with good characters , A soul searching plot and a terrific ending to finish up with.
January 12, 2024
Experience a thrilling combination of murder, romance, and suspense in this captivating page-turner set against the stunning backdrop of Colorado.
March 25, 2024
Enjoyable, page-turning thrill with intriguing characters. Love the setting, the characters, and the fast pace.
January 13, 2025
Riviting
Five stars for the author and book. A book of pain ,healing and thriller all in one. Definitely a great read .
Five stars for the author and book. A book of pain ,healing and thriller all in one. Definitely a great read .
February 19, 2025
Well written tale
The author has created an interesting and exciting plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down
The author has created an interesting and exciting plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down
October 24, 2025
Will Dan I evade her killer?
A very interesting story. Full of action, with romance.Looking forward to this author's next book. Dan I finally found a good decent man.
A very interesting story. Full of action, with romance.Looking forward to this author's next book. Dan I finally found a good decent man.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews