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Sophie Anderson #2
The Murderers' Club
FBI profiler Sophie Anderson is struggling to move beyond a case that six months ago nearly cost her her life and even now threatens her sanity.
She is increasingly haunted by her ability to experience the minds of killers in the throes of heinous crimes; her talent is uncontrollable and unpredictable. But these intensely sickening flashes often serve as invaluable clues in tracking down criminals, and Sophie is compelled to suffer the horrors in her head in order to see justice done.
When Darren Carter, a Tucson police detective and friend, asks her to come to Arizona for a vacation, she's relieved to take a break. But that vacation abruptly ends when bodies start showing up on a university campus and she and Darren are pulled into the case. The horrifying methodology, the deliberate body positioning and the distinctive red heart scrawled on each victim indicate to Sophie that a new serial killer has laid claim to the area. However, Sophie is puzzled by the fact that certain signature elements are different in each killing. Even more confusing is the fact that the FBI database has a record of many of the signatures—but they have been used by different serial killers.
As the bodies continue to appear, Sophie must hone her terrifying skills to try to track down the killer—or killers.
She is increasingly haunted by her ability to experience the minds of killers in the throes of heinous crimes; her talent is uncontrollable and unpredictable. But these intensely sickening flashes often serve as invaluable clues in tracking down criminals, and Sophie is compelled to suffer the horrors in her head in order to see justice done.
When Darren Carter, a Tucson police detective and friend, asks her to come to Arizona for a vacation, she's relieved to take a break. But that vacation abruptly ends when bodies start showing up on a university campus and she and Darren are pulled into the case. The horrifying methodology, the deliberate body positioning and the distinctive red heart scrawled on each victim indicate to Sophie that a new serial killer has laid claim to the area. However, Sophie is puzzled by the fact that certain signature elements are different in each killing. Even more confusing is the fact that the FBI database has a record of many of the signatures—but they have been used by different serial killers.
As the bodies continue to appear, Sophie must hone her terrifying skills to try to track down the killer—or killers.
376 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
30 people are currently reading
493 people want to read
About the author
P.D. Martin
19 books137 followersP.D. Martin--Phillipa Deanne Martin--was born in Melbourne, Australia, and developed a passion for crime fiction and storytelling at an early age. This interest was backed up with formal education through a bachelor of behavioral sciences (with majors in psychology and criminology) and a postgraduate certificate in professional writing (creative writing).
Phillipa also writes children's and young adult fiction under Pippa Dee.
Follow this author on Facebook - www.facebook.com/pdmartinauthor
www.facebook.com/PippaDeeAuthor
Phillipa also writes children's and young adult fiction under Pippa Dee.
Follow this author on Facebook - www.facebook.com/pdmartinauthor
www.facebook.com/PippaDeeAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
June 14, 2015
The second book involving FBI Profiler, Sophie Anderson and is a standard fiction-thriller (no romance), involving tracking down serial killers who meet in a chat room, spun off their private website.
Sophie goes on vacation to Arizona to stay with her friend "Darren" from the first book. Darren is a local police officer and they end up working on the serial killings that begin in his district.
Sophie has psychic abilities and Darren had an aunt that had a similar ability. It frustrated me that Sophie kept trying to repress her abilities even though they had no leads, clues and the case became stagnant, yet the killings continued. Also, there was an incredible amount of mundane, useless details that could have been removed, i.e., how many times the phone rang before it was answered, the methodical way the profile(s) were set up, etc. It was excruciating. There are two charts that are several pages in length of their profiles. Good grief. Every detail of their brainstorming...it became too much. And most of it was useless information!
In the beginning of the book, I enjoyed reading the explanations of how crime scenes were processed--everything is explained. Then it became too bogged down in "filler" and I desperately wanted the book to pick up and move along, but it rambled on. I was so glad it ended, but it really didn't. Loose ends left for the next book--in a big way.
As I was reading, kept thinking of the t.v. show "Law and Order" and how the two bong sounds play when the characters switch to a different scene. "Bong, Bong." This book was a lot like "Law and Order" and showed all the investigation details (some useless).
Doubtful that This Reader will pick up the next one...and I'm glad I didn't rush out and buy this in hardback form. :-(
Sophie goes on vacation to Arizona to stay with her friend "Darren" from the first book. Darren is a local police officer and they end up working on the serial killings that begin in his district.
Sophie has psychic abilities and Darren had an aunt that had a similar ability. It frustrated me that Sophie kept trying to repress her abilities even though they had no leads, clues and the case became stagnant, yet the killings continued. Also, there was an incredible amount of mundane, useless details that could have been removed, i.e., how many times the phone rang before it was answered, the methodical way the profile(s) were set up, etc. It was excruciating. There are two charts that are several pages in length of their profiles. Good grief. Every detail of their brainstorming...it became too much. And most of it was useless information!
In the beginning of the book, I enjoyed reading the explanations of how crime scenes were processed--everything is explained. Then it became too bogged down in "filler" and I desperately wanted the book to pick up and move along, but it rambled on. I was so glad it ended, but it really didn't. Loose ends left for the next book--in a big way.
As I was reading, kept thinking of the t.v. show "Law and Order" and how the two bong sounds play when the characters switch to a different scene. "Bong, Bong." This book was a lot like "Law and Order" and showed all the investigation details (some useless).
Doubtful that This Reader will pick up the next one...and I'm glad I didn't rush out and buy this in hardback form. :-(
July 25, 2018
3.5 stars. FBI profiler Sophie Anderson has the ability to see what's happening to victims of killers. Although she realizes she can solve cases with this psychic ability, the visions are horrific and she tries to repress the images. She takes off on a week's vacation to Arizona but winds up in the middle of a serial killer case along with her friend Detective Darren Carter and his partner Stone. Chat room conversations show 4 serial killers who have teamed up to go on a killing spree -- American Psycho, Black Widow, Dial M, and Never Caught.
The book contains lots of details the officials use in investigating cases -- extensive profiles of suspects, detailed autopsies and case notes. These complexities cause the book to slow down so be aware this is a police procedural story, not non-stop action. I liked the way the detectives throw out ideas between each other to think outside the box. I had a hard time following some of the earlier chat conversations. I missed the first book in this series but I would like to go back and read more about Sophie Anderson.
The book contains lots of details the officials use in investigating cases -- extensive profiles of suspects, detailed autopsies and case notes. These complexities cause the book to slow down so be aware this is a police procedural story, not non-stop action. I liked the way the detectives throw out ideas between each other to think outside the box. I had a hard time following some of the earlier chat conversations. I missed the first book in this series but I would like to go back and read more about Sophie Anderson.
December 27, 2007
This thriller is #2 in the Australian, FBI Profiler, Sophie Anderson series (behind Body Count).
Sophie is increasingly haunted by her ability to experience the minds of killers in the throes of heinous crimes; her talent is uncontrollable and unpredictable, but these flashes often serve as invaluable clues not only to the character, but the reader, as well.
When Darren Carter, a Tucson police detective and friend, asks Sophie to come to Arizona for a vacation, she's relieved to take a break. But that vacation abruptly ends (as they always do) when bodies start showing up on a university campus and she and Darren are pulled into the case. The horrifying methodology, the deliberate body positioning and the distinctive red heart scrawled on each victim indicate to Sophie that a new serial killer has laid claim to the area. However, Sophie is puzzled by the fact that certain signature elements are different in each killing. Even more confusing is the fact that the FBI database has a record of many of the signatures—but they have been used by different serial killers.
As the bodies continue to appear, Sophie must hone her terrifying skills to try to track down the killer—or killers.
This is a great story that keeps you guessing until the very end!
Sophie is increasingly haunted by her ability to experience the minds of killers in the throes of heinous crimes; her talent is uncontrollable and unpredictable, but these flashes often serve as invaluable clues not only to the character, but the reader, as well.
When Darren Carter, a Tucson police detective and friend, asks Sophie to come to Arizona for a vacation, she's relieved to take a break. But that vacation abruptly ends (as they always do) when bodies start showing up on a university campus and she and Darren are pulled into the case. The horrifying methodology, the deliberate body positioning and the distinctive red heart scrawled on each victim indicate to Sophie that a new serial killer has laid claim to the area. However, Sophie is puzzled by the fact that certain signature elements are different in each killing. Even more confusing is the fact that the FBI database has a record of many of the signatures—but they have been used by different serial killers.
As the bodies continue to appear, Sophie must hone her terrifying skills to try to track down the killer—or killers.
This is a great story that keeps you guessing until the very end!
June 15, 2008
Although I admit that I couldn't put the book down, it's the kind of story where, about fifty pages from the end you realize that you really don't fucking care what happens because the characters are so poorly developed that they've begun to flop in and out of scenes like the cardboard cutouts that they are. I mean, if Sophie has this power that she can use to solve crimes and she just spends most of her time blocking it, well, what kind of investigator, let alone decent human being is she??? And the last page annoyed me, because it might as well have read "Hey--Sequel On The Way!!!"
June 23, 2025
I have to get more books from this author. This was an exceptionally written book, I loved it. The plot was wonderful, and I actually picked up who one of the "characters" was. I'm very proud of that fact :)
January 22, 2013
After the horrors of Sophie Anderson’s last case six months ago, the Slasher case, (Body Count) she needed a break, so decided a week in Tucson, Arizona would be a nice, relaxing experience. (Sophie is an Aussie, living and working for the FBI in Quantico as a profiler, and loves her work.) She was going to catch up with Detective Darren Carter whom she met and worked with on the Slasher case, as he had a few days off as well, so they were going to play ‘tourist’. Darren was also the only person who was aware of her ‘visions’ which had helped with their previous case.
But it wasn’t too long after her arrival, in fact Darren got the first call on their way back from the airport, and there was a body discovered in the University grounds. Of course, they detoured to the site, and found themselves immediately involved in the murder. Detective Jessica Stone, Darren’s partner, was in charge with him on leave, and they conferred with her.
With Sophie’s and Darren's holiday over, and the FBI officially involved, plus more bodies appearing, their frustration was intense. There was very little in the way of leads, and they knew the clock was ticking…could they find who was out there, doing these horrendous deeds before more victims appeared? But suddenly they realized that evidence pointed to not one killer, but two….could there be more? What was going on?
This was an absolutely chilling read, the fast pace and gripping twists kept me riveted. Highly recommended.
But it wasn’t too long after her arrival, in fact Darren got the first call on their way back from the airport, and there was a body discovered in the University grounds. Of course, they detoured to the site, and found themselves immediately involved in the murder. Detective Jessica Stone, Darren’s partner, was in charge with him on leave, and they conferred with her.
With Sophie’s and Darren's holiday over, and the FBI officially involved, plus more bodies appearing, their frustration was intense. There was very little in the way of leads, and they knew the clock was ticking…could they find who was out there, doing these horrendous deeds before more victims appeared? But suddenly they realized that evidence pointed to not one killer, but two….could there be more? What was going on?
This was an absolutely chilling read, the fast pace and gripping twists kept me riveted. Highly recommended.
June 8, 2010
the murderer's club is an assembled group of serial killers that meet in a secure chat room. they hand selected a group of folks to be their victims and one by one these unfortunate winners show up dead.
luckily the FBI agent on the case has psychic episodes that aide the investigation. of course no one knows this, save for her cop friend who is also on the case. and whom she may or may not have the hots for.
it was a compelling read. i worked hard to ignore the things i didn't like - hence the 4 star review, rather than a 5. for example, this was a second in the series book and the happenings in the first book were constantly eluded to - but not in a way that would compel me to read it.
like ... revealing that she was raped in the first book. that was revisited a handful of times. well? why would i intentionally want to read about that? no thanks...
i loved the ending! the bad guy got away and the good guys didn't even know it. huzzah!
luckily the FBI agent on the case has psychic episodes that aide the investigation. of course no one knows this, save for her cop friend who is also on the case. and whom she may or may not have the hots for.
it was a compelling read. i worked hard to ignore the things i didn't like - hence the 4 star review, rather than a 5. for example, this was a second in the series book and the happenings in the first book were constantly eluded to - but not in a way that would compel me to read it.
like ... revealing that she was raped in the first book. that was revisited a handful of times. well? why would i intentionally want to read about that? no thanks...
i loved the ending! the bad guy got away and the good guys didn't even know it. huzzah!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2012
Rating: 2.5* of five
Sophie Anderson has a gift: She can "hear" what's going on in the minds of serial killers. It makes her very valuable at the FBI, as you can imagine, but it also keeps her on the fraying edge of total, irretrievable burnout. Shortly after a successfully solved case nearly costs her her life, Sophie takes an Arizona vacation to rest and recuperate.
Ha.
A rash of killings occur, clearly related but with key differences. It's the differences that alert Our Heroine to the fact that it's a plot...it's too coincidental that all these signature moves would show up in one place...but what kind of plot?!?
She solves it, of course. SPOILER! Turns out La Sophie is the target of a serial killers' online newsgroup, and her near-fatal case is used as a chance to finish her off while she's vulnerable. END SPOILER!
Pretty scary moments, very nicely plotted, decent writing...passed an afternoon, and that's not nothin' these days.
Sophie Anderson has a gift: She can "hear" what's going on in the minds of serial killers. It makes her very valuable at the FBI, as you can imagine, but it also keeps her on the fraying edge of total, irretrievable burnout. Shortly after a successfully solved case nearly costs her her life, Sophie takes an Arizona vacation to rest and recuperate.
Ha.
A rash of killings occur, clearly related but with key differences. It's the differences that alert Our Heroine to the fact that it's a plot...it's too coincidental that all these signature moves would show up in one place...but what kind of plot?!?
She solves it, of course. SPOILER! Turns out La Sophie is the target of a serial killers' online newsgroup, and her near-fatal case is used as a chance to finish her off while she's vulnerable. END SPOILER!
Pretty scary moments, very nicely plotted, decent writing...passed an afternoon, and that's not nothin' these days.
October 27, 2010
I'm not marking this 5 stars because I keep in contact with the author of this book, I'm marking it because it was fast paced and it was nicely done. From the profle template that was used for Sophie's profile to the chatroom format was nice. I knew as I got to the end with one character there was something off even though Sophie's visions were proved to be correct even though, but it carries onto the next book.
October 16, 2008
Just finished. What a great read!! Kept my interest so much so that when I wasn't actually reading the book, I was thinking about reading it! hahaha Liked the characters, it was well paced, first-person narration which I love! Just a touch of sexual tension, maybe too little perhaps... Definitely picking up the other 2 in the series! :D
October 24, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great mystery/suspense. Although the book could easily be predicted, it still kept my interest, and I hardly put it down. I love the way the author writes as well. I like that he included normal text, but also like online messaging chats between the killers. The alternating between the two was great.
May 16, 2011
This is an insane thriller .I think the most interesting thing is you get small bits and pieces from the killers perspective. Along with Sophie,s visions and the suspense of the storyline, this is a really gripping read can,t wait to read more books by this author.
April 29, 2024
A compelling crime thriller featuring a chat room of serial killers and a psychic FBI agent trying to suppress her gift.
The Murderer's Club is made up of 4 established serial killers who have come together to create the illusion that a new serial killer is in town. They agree on the method of murder and the post mortem positioning of the body, but each can’t resist putting their unique signature on their kills.
Special Agent Sophie Anderson connects these crimes and realises they are dealing with a group of serial killers working together. Meanwhile, being back int the field, she's getting visions again, of the murders from the killer's perspective. She sees the fear in the victim's eyes, she sees the ways they are tortured and tormented by their killers, she watches them die, she feels the murderer's pleasure over each kill. The problem is, she has no way of determining whether these are visions of the past, the future, or simply the killer's fantasies.
Her colleague and love interest, Darren, encourages her to welcome the visions so she learns to distinguish past from present and reality from fantasy, but she's scared. For a while, she pushes these visions away until the body count stacks up. Special Agent Anderson has to face her demons and lean into her powers to catch the killers before they can kill again.
I loved the dual-narrative told through the chat room and Sophie's third-person perspective. The balance of dramatic irony was just right: for most of the novel, only the reader can see the chat room so we know some of what's going on before our detectives do, but Martin still has plenty of surprises for us.
You don’t have to read Book #1 before reading Book #2 ('The Murderer's Club). These are pretty much stand alone. Also, good luck finding the rest of this series because I think they're out of print… A shame, because I'd be happy to read the rest - and I want to see that cliffhanger ending resolved!!
I enjoyed 'The Murderer's Club' and would highly recommend it to fans of Kathy Reich's Temperance Brennan books (or Bones, the TV show based on the books).
FYI, despite what some booklists claim, 'The Murderer's Club' is not a campus novel. Two of the bodies (non-students) are found on a uni campus, but neither the characters nor the plot linger there.
The lack of security measures on campus could be a point of analysis, suggesting that universities have a duty to keep the campus secure and the student body safe. However, in this novel at least, the students were never in danger, The Murderer's Club having already selected their victims. We could also interpret the lack of security as the student's first taste of the adult world where they have to take responsibility for their own safety.
Curiously, the two victims whose bodies were found on campus come in contact with The Murderer's Club while chasing the money to put themselves or a loved one through college. In this way, parts of the novel could be read as a criticism, of the high financial barriers to access college education in the US.
The Murderer's Club is made up of 4 established serial killers who have come together to create the illusion that a new serial killer is in town. They agree on the method of murder and the post mortem positioning of the body, but each can’t resist putting their unique signature on their kills.
Special Agent Sophie Anderson connects these crimes and realises they are dealing with a group of serial killers working together. Meanwhile, being back int the field, she's getting visions again, of the murders from the killer's perspective. She sees the fear in the victim's eyes, she sees the ways they are tortured and tormented by their killers, she watches them die, she feels the murderer's pleasure over each kill. The problem is, she has no way of determining whether these are visions of the past, the future, or simply the killer's fantasies.
Her colleague and love interest, Darren, encourages her to welcome the visions so she learns to distinguish past from present and reality from fantasy, but she's scared. For a while, she pushes these visions away until the body count stacks up. Special Agent Anderson has to face her demons and lean into her powers to catch the killers before they can kill again.
I loved the dual-narrative told through the chat room and Sophie's third-person perspective. The balance of dramatic irony was just right: for most of the novel, only the reader can see the chat room so we know some of what's going on before our detectives do, but Martin still has plenty of surprises for us.
You don’t have to read Book #1 before reading Book #2 ('The Murderer's Club). These are pretty much stand alone. Also, good luck finding the rest of this series because I think they're out of print… A shame, because I'd be happy to read the rest - and I want to see that cliffhanger ending resolved!!
I enjoyed 'The Murderer's Club' and would highly recommend it to fans of Kathy Reich's Temperance Brennan books (or Bones, the TV show based on the books).
FYI, despite what some booklists claim, 'The Murderer's Club' is not a campus novel. Two of the bodies (non-students) are found on a uni campus, but neither the characters nor the plot linger there.
The lack of security measures on campus could be a point of analysis, suggesting that universities have a duty to keep the campus secure and the student body safe. However, in this novel at least, the students were never in danger, The Murderer's Club having already selected their victims. We could also interpret the lack of security as the student's first taste of the adult world where they have to take responsibility for their own safety.
Curiously, the two victims whose bodies were found on campus come in contact with The Murderer's Club while chasing the money to put themselves or a loved one through college. In this way, parts of the novel could be read as a criticism, of the high financial barriers to access college education in the US.
December 7, 2017
My biggest issue with the book was self inflicted, since I missed the fact that this is the second in a series so if I get to the first one I may up my rating. It was a really interesting concept. I really appreciated the focus on the procedural side of things without romanticizing the killers. The insight into the more technical side of the investigation was really interesting as well. My main complaint is there was a romance side plot that felt very forced and maybe a bit of wish fulfillment? I think without the romance the pacing would have been a bit better. Overall not a bad read
January 21, 2018
This book had me on edge, wanting to know who were the killers and who were the victims. The author really had a good story line and it had me turning the page and wanting to know what was happening next. I loved that the romance was kept to a minimum and the thriller really took hold. The ending is where it left me wanting more. It will be interesting to see if American Psycho makes his return in books to come. While reading this book I found Body Count (Sophie Anderson #1) in an op shop and I was so excited as I was going to buy it anyway. So I am definitely putting it on my TBR pile.
December 28, 2019
I loved this book! The end is quite a cliffhanger and while I know Sophie's part gets picked up in the next book, I would love a series just based on this book's concept. I was so engrossed in what was happening throughout the read, and I couldn't wait to pick it up each time I went to read it. I thought it was really creative, and there were a lot of good surprises. I also felt it definitely lived up to the first book, which I also really enjoyed. I would definitely recommend reading this, and I'm excited to start the next one!
October 29, 2023
3.5 stars. This was a very fast, easy read. I really enjoyed the premise and it didn't matter that I hadn't read the first novel in this series which I loved. I found the ending to be a bit anticlimactic and so a bit of a let down. Sophie questions whether it's really that easy to catch their guy, which is exactly what I was thinking at that point. The 'big reveal' at the end was very predictable. I was left wanting so much more but it was still a decent read that had me caught up in the plot. Would love to see the third novel continue this story but I don't think it does, sadly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2018
Had this book on my shelves (not sure why I have it), and I decided to read it since I've been on a mystery kick lately. It really seemed to drag, and I had to skip a lot of the descriptions of what happened to the victims. I went to see how many pages were left until the ending and ended up reading it. I don't think this series is for me....
June 15, 2024
Enjoyable, suspenseful, twists and turns. As murders keep happening, we get a look at those behind it in their "club" without knowing their true identity. Sophie, the FBI agent, works with works with Darren, the police detective. A possible romance, his helping her discover her visions and how to deal with them all add to the case at hand. The ending left me hanging.
February 23, 2025
w
I received this book as a gift, and finally got to it. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it very much. It’s poorly written, and I didn’t buy into it from the start with the supposed dream sequences, and sterotypical villains. The book was left hanging at the end, but I had figured out the true villain long before he was introduced at the beginning. I won’t be pursuing this series.
I received this book as a gift, and finally got to it. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it very much. It’s poorly written, and I didn’t buy into it from the start with the supposed dream sequences, and sterotypical villains. The book was left hanging at the end, but I had figured out the true villain long before he was introduced at the beginning. I won’t be pursuing this series.
January 3, 2021
Not the cleverest of crime fiction by a long shot, but good if you don't want to have to think about it. Very predictable, and even if you don't work it out it gets spoon-fed to you anyway.
Still enjoyable though, and pretty easy to knock over in a couple of days (which I did!).
Still enjoyable though, and pretty easy to knock over in a couple of days (which I did!).
July 3, 2023
Uninspired airplane fare. Though competent enough, none of its components -- FBI drama, an inexplicable psychic, a supercool it guy, or the titular club -- provide enough seasoning to hold the attention.
February 3, 2024
I have the Sophie Anderson series to be so entertaining and enjoyable to read. These books have kept me on the edge of my seat thur out the whole book. The plot was fast paced and interesting . P. D. Martin never fails to impress.
June 5, 2024
I have never really understood why readers enjoy these kinds of crime stories. The book mentioned "copycat" killers; I often wonder just how many actual serial killers hone their plots based on what they've seen or read before. Not my cup of tea.
September 16, 2025
Engaging, but too graphic for my taste. I'm sure there was swearing (though a lot of it was censored out with *** in the group chats), but it was the sex/rape scenes that were too much for me. It's a shame because I like the author's writing style and the supernatural aspect.
December 8, 2019
Fun read and good suspense
January 11, 2020
A bit predictable, but still a good read.
March 1, 2022
It was good but was slow in parts.
November 25, 2024
An engaging read. Criminal Minds + Medium + NYPD Blue.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews