He sends you the clues… and leaves his victims in pieces.
When forensic psychologist Harriet Quinn receives the random pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, she knows they hold the key to identifying a sadistic killer’s next victim. A victim who hasn’t yet been taken.
Racing to identify the intended target, she realises that she has been chosen as Puzzle Master in a deadly game concocted by a twisted serial killer.
Teaming up with DI Drew Haskell, she must put personal differences aside if she is to save a life. The second book in the Harriet Quinn series is a page-turning, explosive crime fiction thriller that you won’t want to put down.
For fans of Val McDermid, Chris Carter, and Robert Bryndza.
Bilinda P. Sheehan writes psychological thrillers and police procedurals. She currently resides in Whitby with her partner and their three cats, more affectionately known as the banes of her existence.
The story is solid but it was totally spoiled for me by the quantity of mistakes in grammar, tense and sentence construction. Whoever proof read/ edited this doesn't earn their job title. Great shame.
DI Drew Haskell and psychologist Harriet Quinn are back, as is the so-called Star Killer whose infrequent appearances have eluded police over the years but when he sends Quinn some jigsaw puzzle pieces, she knows its down to her to help solve the mystery this time around. Although I preferred A Wicked Mercy, this one also rattles along at a brisk pace and as it takes over shortly after the end of the first novel, the friction between Haskell and Quinn is still very evident and that's a big part of the charm. The Star killer is particularly nasty with little mercy shown to his unlucky victims so its not really one to read if you're looking for a cozy read. All told a good, solid addition to the series.
This is the 2nd in the series about Harriet Quinn. She is psychologist that works with the police on difficult cases usually serial killers. She also still teaches at the University.
The detective that worked with her on the first case, Drew, has been given a leave of absence from the police department. He is also still upset with Harriet as he feels she was responsible for his fiances death. The case gave them "celebrity" status and now the police department want them to work together again.
Now a case as come up that Drew is going to get drawn into working with Harriet. The Star Killer. He sends puzzles to someone he picks as the Puzzle Master. It will give them a clue as to who he has kidnapped and will kill next.
Really enjoyed this one..Lots of suspense. Don't miss this series.
What a confusing book, a good storyline but it is ruined by poor writing. The author states that a character shakes their head while talking on the phone, then realises the other person cannot see them on the phone. This is fine, once, but when it is repeated nearly half a dozen times, it gets tedious and you feel the author has limited ideas. Similarly, we are told that a character 'pushed onto their feet', which is quite illustrative the first time but annoying when repeated again and again. The author misuses the word 'scrubbed' on a few occasions, such as scrubbed their eyes with their hands ... clearly indicating a lack of understanding of the word. Finally, the villain's name appears to change for no clear reason. Oh,m and his nickname is never properly explained. In all, a good idea but poor execution.
A terrifying and horrific series of ghastly mutilation type murders has Dr Quinn and DI (Drew) Haskell joining forces once again to track and catch an intriguing murderer who has been on his vicious frail of murders for quite a time. Whilst murdering his subjects he has also been leading the police on a horrendous trail of mayhem by sending pieces of his victims, in the form of a jigsaw, to get them to try and solve who was next on his bloodthirsty list of victims. Who will be next and can the pair join the pieces before another victim is sacrificed. A totally gripping story that needs strong resolves, and stronger internal fortitude, to survive.
Haskell and Quinn have to solve the puzzles to catch the star killer who is torturing and mutilating his victims and keeping skin trophies in the shape of a star, gruesome stuff and it's been going on in series of three for many years although they suspect he has been killing in between to satisfy his base urges. It was kind of predictable that Haskell would be the last victim but also satisfying in a way as Quinn had to be the one to save him to finish the story properly. A few grammatical mistakes and some odd sentences but it reads alright.
Not having read the first book in this series, I was at times confused by references to things that happened in Book 1. Otherwise, I enjoyed this "police procedural" book. DI Haskell is investigating the Star Killer who has eluded police for the last 18 years. The killer sends jigsaw-like pieces of a picture of his next victim to a "puzzle master" as a challenge to police to find him. This time, he's chosen psychiatrist Harriet Quinn as his puzzle master, forcing Haskell to work with Dr. Quinn once again. The book is fast-paced, a bit gory, and the end is satisfying.
Well I just finished book #1 and happen to have book #2, so let's give it a whirl.
This one expands upon the relationship started in book #1.
Again, for myself, there are not enough breadcrumbs in the story for me to figure out who the villain is ahead of the ending. (Well, there was one very obvious clue that was more of a neon sign for myself, that rang true.) But the last victim was pretty obvious in the middle story.
Some details did not make sense. Mostly the location of the last victim's capture. Not isolated enough to not draw attention from the neighbors.
Death In Pieces by Bilinda P Sheehan is #2 in the series featuring forensic psychologist Dr Harriet Quinn and Detective Inspector Drew Haskell.
#1 was a ⭐⭐⭐⭐ for me so despite a concern that the series may become a little formulaic I read #2.
The story follows on from the aftermath of #1, with Quinn & Haskell repairing their professional relationship, whilst pushing any potential for a more personal relationship under the surface.
Serial killer, dubbed the Star Killer has returned and has started following his usual MO of a series of 3 killings, leaving Jigsaw Puzzle clues for the investigators. The clues also make it clear how the victims may be personally associated with the designated Puzzle Master, in this case, Dr Quinn.
I know the storyline sounds a bit 'done before' but what sets this story apart, I thought, was the authors ability to ramp up the pace when the investigation is making progress, drawing you in to the investigators anticipation and excitement of events unfolding. Not many authors can do this, so it was refreshing!
Yes, I think the series may get a bit stale unless the author mixes things up dramatically but I'll definitely give #3 a go and see how it fairs.
It was interesting about the murders. The murderer has haunted DI Haskell & Quinn for years. They've never gotten close to discovering who it was killing people one at a time, but in threes. It's as if the killer is laughing at the police. In this one those close to Quinn are getting murdered. Who could it possibly be? You will like this serious mystery.
Well the first few pages were kind of puzzling to me at my age. Wasnt going to read it but gave it a chance. Not happy that I did - Wasnt thrilled with it .About cops and people who were doctors more or less for people with mental issue and such. Drew a cop and Harriet were trying to solve the crimes of recent murders.
I believe this is the first book I’ve read written by this author. She created flawed characters that you quickly came to care about. These characters are what keep you turning page after page. Well written, now I am looking forward to reading more of this series.
Although these books are really good, there is a lot of angst and guilt in them. Whilst I get it's probably what drives them (Drew and Harriet, that is) to succeed, it can get a little wearing after a while.
I didn't read the first book in this series, but now I must. I'm hoping to learn more about Harriet and her relationships with her mother, Dr Conner, DI Haskell, and Freya. And Book 3 is on my to be read list.
Haskell was on leave when Dr. Harriet Quinn received a package from The Star Killer. Someone who has been taunting the police for 18 years. Now he has upped the ante by involving a psychologist in his game. How many more people will die before he is caught? Is he ever going to be caught?
I'm in love with this series. It gets down to the nitty gritty of people & their psyche & it's often not a pretty picture. This series just gets better & better with each book & I can't wait to read the next one!
Excellent book. I haven't read the first book, but I enjoyed this book immensely. I had to put it down, but I craved the next chapter when I did put it down. I like the characters of Harriet and Drew and I hope that I can get another book through Bookbub as I did with this one.
Excellent find the killer read. I usually can determine who the villain is, but not this time. The story did a good job incorporating many different characters into the story yet never giving a hint as to their connection to the killer.
THIS WAS VERY GOOD THE DEPRAVED KILLER GAVE ME GOOSE BUMPS. I WONDERED SINS THIS IS A SERIES HOW SOME THINGS WILL PLAY OUT, BECAUSE THIS ENDED BUT LEFT SOME LOOSE ENDS. HUMM? ;D
First time reading Bilinda P. Sheehan and was rather impressed. Book just flowed nicely, characters were spot on and plot was really interesting all the way to the end. Recommend.