After being summoned to a crime scene late one Friday afternoon, Detective Mark Turpin arrives to find the body of a man, his face obscured by a plastic sheet wrapped around his head.
When the victim’s final moments are traced to a rented property in the Oxfordshire countryside, Mark discovers another body, one that has been brutally cut to pieces and left to rot.
As the manhunt for the murderer intensifies, Mark uncovers several unresolved cold cases with similarities to his own and exposes a killer who has managed to escape both national and international scrutiny.
Then one of his colleagues disappears without a trace, and Mark is faced with an impossible situation that could plunge his entire future into jeopardy....
The Hollow Man is the seventh book in the bestselling Detective Mark Turpin series, and perfect for listeners who love intriguing edge-of-your-seat murder mysteries.
Before turning to writing, USA Today bestselling crime author Rachel Amphlett played guitar in bands, worked as a TV and film extra, dabbled in radio, and worked in publishing as an editorial assistant.
She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction with over 30 crime novels and short stories featuring spies, detectives, vigilantes, and assassins.
A keen traveller and accidental private investigator, Rachel has both Australian and British citizenship.
I love this series and was thrilled to be able to listen to the latest book The Hollow Man early, thanks to Dreamscape Select on NetGalley. This is book 7 in the series featuring Mark Turpin, and my new favourite. I have enjoyed listening to most of this series, and the narrator, Ciaran Saward does a brilliant job bringing the reader into this clever and complex police procedural series.
Rachel Amphlett certainly turned up the gore factor in this one! Wow! There are some stomach churning descriptions of the murder victims, even for me who reads and loves a good dark and gritty crime book. Even the hardened detectives in the story were struggling with what they were seeing. Hearing it is was enough for me.
A case that seems pretty straightforward to begin with turns in ways that could never imagine. I really got sucked into the story and listened to this in a day. It is dark, it is tense and it is so good! The team are up against it to stop this ruthless madman before he strikes again, and it hits way to close to home.
Out in October 6th, this is such a great series, with fantastic characters that you care so much about.
I really do love this series and this latest offering, The Hollow Man, sees Mark and the team face what might just be their darkest and most macabre case to date. What starts out as a very clear case of murder takes a very sinister turn and it's not long before the number of victims escalates and the level of threat rises at quite a rapid rate. This is Rachel Amphlett back doing what she does best - creating mystery, suspense and a fast paced, tension packed story that had me rapidly turning the pages and moving closer and closer to the edge of my seat the further into the story I got.
Now, when I say this is the most macabre case to date, I do not say that lightly. This is a case that has turned the stomach of even the hardiest of the team, and certainly not what anyone had been expecting when they started the investigation. Not what I had been expecting either to be be fair, and I love the way in which the author turns the idea of what the original victim was all about on its head. Do not worry if you are a little squeamish when it comes to crime fiction. Whilst the fate of the books victims is made clear, it is not done so in a gratuitous way, the author excelling at ramping up that skin prickling feeling without ever having to resort to anything gory or explicit in her narrative. And that can be a very effective tool in any author's arsenal to be fair, as there is nothing quite as vivid as a readers imagination, and you can take your visualisation of each scene as far, or not, as you desire.
But, there is no disguising the impact it has on Mark and his partner in crime fighting, Jan. Jan in particular has a very key part to play in this book, and it's nice to see her character getting some real focus, even if it's not always in a great way for her. I love both Mark and Jan, especially the way in which Rachel Amphlett has used their domestic situations to set them up as brilliantly rounded characters, giving that human edge alongside all their detecting smarts. They make a great pair, with Jan's natural mothering instincts keeping Mark in line, Mark returning the favour by always having Jan's back. As teams go, they may have initially seemed a touch of an odd couple, but they really do work. And whilst they are not immune from making rash, consequential decision, I always trust the author to deliver the goods and do right by them. Well, I did ...
This case is a complex one, with unexpected links and threads and the author keeps a good few surprises up her sleeve. It's nothing that might leave you feeling cheated, just marvelling at the duplicitous nature of some of the characters, as well as the extent to which the case will actually lead the Detectives. Totally compelling and engrossing from the start, it is exactly the kind of story I've come to expect from Rachel Amphlett, and another fine example of why she is without a doubt a guaranteed read for me every single time. If you've not read any of the series, this can be read as a standalone, but is some much better when read in turn so why not start at the beginning? The journey is totally worth it. Definitely recommended.
Thanks to Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for the ALC. Even though this is book 7 in the series, I jumped in without reading the others and had no problem following along. The story kicks off with a body wrapped in plastic and things only get darker from there. I was totally hooked on the audiobook and once I started, I didn’t want to stop! The mystery had a good mix of twists, solid pacing and enough tension to keep me guessing. A dark, twisty detective story that kept me listening way past bedtime. I’ll definitely be picking up more from Rachel Amphlett.
This is my fifth read by this author and I have to admit that my journey so far has been a little strange and sporadic!
For some reason, I keep managing to grab books from different series with no consistency!
Given that I've loved all of the books so far, I really must rectify that and catch up with those books that I've missed!
But there is quite an extensive list!!
So, this book is my second read in the Detective Mark Turpin series.
I read Cover The Bones (book 5!) back in 2023 (really? It feels like yesterday!) and loved it!
This is book 7!
Still, I had absolutely no issues diving into this one and re-establishing myself back with Mark and the gang.
This case was a complex one and things got pretty gory throughout (which I loved, of course!)
When the team are called to a scene to find a possible murder victim, the investigation leads them to discover other body parts and to open up numerous cold cases around the world.
I really liked the way that this case unfolded - I can't say too much for fear of spoilers, but this was an exciting read and a unique one from the start with lots of clues for us to follow and create our own theories along the way.
I didn't work it out at all - but loved the way this kept me guessing!
Mark is a great character to explore - but I also love that his story doesn't overpower the rest of the book - we do see some of his life outside work as we do with some of his colleagues too and this brings us to this really nice working relationship and dynamic between the characters.
I also really love the setting - Oxfordshire - and the fact Mark lives (and often, some of the action is on..) boats on the Thames.
My parents owned a boat in this area and so there's a lot of familiar ground explored and reminiscing to be done too!
I really should make this series a priority to catch up with - that connection and the fact it's 'only' 5 books missed :/
This was another great read and I can't wait to read more soon!
The Hollow Man is book 7 of the Detective Mark Turpin series and whilst I haven’t read any of the previous books, I enjoyed this one and think it can be read as a standalone.
It’s a fast paced, crime thriller that kept me on my toes throughout. It had me questioning everyone!
I do feel like the first part of the story was better and it slowed a little in the middle but the end redeemed itself, it was really intense.
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a crime thriller.
Thank you zooloosbooktours and Rachel for letting me be a part of this tour!
The Hollow Man by Rachel Amphlett was my first read by this author, and I chose to listen to the audiobook narrated by Ciaran Saward. Saward did an exceptional job. It’s the seventh book in Detective Mark Turpin’s crime thrillers series, but it can be read as a standalone. I was immediately drawn into this mystery crime and couldn’t stop listening. The author’s description and the camaraderie between the characters were captivating. Although it wasn’t a particularly long audiobook, less than seven hours, the author did an excellent job of bringing a full cast of characters to life. The book had a perfect balance of suspense and mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it. I’m definitely going to read another book by this author.
Thank you Dreamscape Select | Saxon Publishing for allowing me to audibly read and review The Hollow Man by Rachel Amphlett on NetGalley.
Narrated by Ciaran Saward.
Published: 10/06/25
Stars: 4
Wow. Totally engrossed. Knowing this is book 7 in a series that I have only read 1 book is the best news. I enjoyed Detective Mark Turpin and am truly excited to read the series.
The Hollow Man is dark, like an old black and white noir. It is smart. Once I started I couldn't stop. While I wanted to know the ending, I didnt want the book to end. This reads like a Masterpiece Theatre PBS production, a Vera.
This is my first in the Detective Mark Turpin series and first Rachel Amphlett book. I found this book very easy to follow, despite not having read any others in the series. The story was well-paced and the characters felt realistic. What I found most impressive was that this story featured a serial killer and managed not to seem far-fetched or include gratuitous violence. Kudos to the author! This is a solid police procedural.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape select for an ALC in exchange for an honest review. This book comes out on October 6.
Newest mystery of Detective Mark Turpin. This is my first time reading this author and I can’t wait to read more. Having started a new series at its latest is wonderful because I get to go back and start it! The author wrote a very interesting story and it was very well written in its twist and turns.
Yet another absolutely gripping page turner by the extremely talented Rachel Amphlett!! It is also the seventh book in her 'Detective Mark Turpin' series but can be read as a standalone as can all the other books in this series.
Wow!!!! Just flipping wow!!!! What an absolutely epic page turner!!! Well done Rachel!!! Absolutely smashed it!!!!!!! Clear your schedules as once Rachel has you hooked you will not be able to put this down!!
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions creating the perfect atmosphere for the storyline. The book cover and synopsis works perfectly with the book plot and I am most definitely looking forward to reading the next book, and the previous one in this series.
I actually listened to the audio version of this book which I do not normally do or when I do I like to read the physical version in between. However, I was so engrossed in it I actually ended up listening to the whole thing!! I must say that the narrator Ciaran Saward has done an absolutely fantastic job of narrating this book. He really brought each of the characters to life, both male and female, really captivating how each of the characters were feeling. It really felt like he was telling his story rather than reading one. I would listen to it every chance I got, during school pick ups and drops off, while cleaning, walking and cooking. Ciaran's reading style worked really well with the storyline and his pacing was spot on. As I previously mentioned this is the seventh book in Rachel's 'Detective Mark Turpin' series. I don't normally like reading books out of order but the one good thing about doing so is that I can now go back and read the previous 6 books in this series by this fantastic author while waiting for her next book to come out in this series!!! I best get a move on with so many books to read that I have sadly missed but considering I can guarantee they are all amazing even if they are just half as good as this book they are guaranteed to be epic which means I will fly through them like I did with this book!! You seriously need to grab your copy of this absolutely gripping page turner to discover this epic page turner for yourselves and I promise that you will not regret it!! In fact, if you are anything like me you may even discover a new favourite Detective and author! With an addictive storyline ram packed with mystery, murder, crime, twists, secrets, red herrings, drama plus so much more what are you waiting for? Thanks to Rachel's tension filled storyline I do not have much left of my fingernails now as I was constantly biting them on the edge of my seat! This book is an absolutely addictive, nail biting, page turning, heart racing and compelling storyline in what promises to be an absolutely amazing series!! It has so many layers of mysteries and crimes for the reader to be kept guessing throughout. There was so many explosive bombshells in this book that I actually lost count on how many times I was shocked which I didn't think would be possible!!! The plot was unique and realistic and Rachel's brilliant descriptions along with Ciaran Saward's brilliant narration really brings absolutely everything to life in front of your eyes. It started straight in the action and kept you going on a roller-coaster ride of suspense and mystery throughout. There were several occasions when my heart was in my throat and I the hair was raising on my arms but I won't mention those as not to spoil it for future readers. It is so hard to not say too much without giving anything away to future readers but I'm sure once people have read it they will know exactly what I mean. Well done Rachel you did absolutely amazing and everything was tied up perfectly. The twists and turns in this book left me going from one chapter to another!!! I completely devoured it in one sitting as I just could not put it down. Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster ride!!! I just could not put this book down and I cannot wait to read more books in this series!!!
Before you start this make sure you clear your schedule because once you pick it up you are not going to want to put it down!!!!
Although this is the seventh book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without any of the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
The characters were very realistic, multi layered and well rounded and again their personalities reflected the storyline and how they would act, etc perfectly. The descriptions gave a really good in depth view of how the characters were feeling and what they were thinking. The characters were complex and each seemed to be hiding their own secrets which leaves you questioning who is telling the truth and who can be trusted. they had their own unique personalities with individual flaws, quirks, secrets, strengths and weaknesses!! I loved getting to know Detective Mark Turpin along with the rest of the team and really cannot wait to see how they have all developed from the first book in this series which is called 'None The Wiser'. I don't want to say too much about the characters though and I will leave you to read this amazing book and work it out yourself. I will say that it was not just Mark that I enjoyed meeting and became completely invested in but also the rest of the investigative team, I could literally go on and on but i am going to wrap it up here so I do not bore you too much! Each of the characters were well developed, unique and thanks to Rachel's fantastic evocative writing skills and Ciaran's brilliant narration they all came to life before my eyes. However, whether you love or hate these characters, they all have their own strong unique personalities and they all bring the story to life playing their roles perfectly. here's to the next explosive book in this absolutely epic series!!! This is exactly why I would like to welcome you to my favourite authors club!!!
Overall an absolute must read, pulse racing, addictive page turning crime thriller that will keep you on edge and addicted.
Rachel Amphlett’s The Hollow Man is an unflinching, darkly atmospheric thriller that grips you from the very first chapter and refuses to let go until the final, haunting page. This novel doesn’t just tell a story—it immerses you in it, with a level of vivid detail and intensity that makes every scene come alive in your imagination. Amphlett has a fearless approach to crime fiction, and that’s what makes this book stand out. It’s raw, unapologetic, and brilliantly crafted.
From the opening pages, you know you’re in for something gruesome and gripping. Amphlett paints her scenes with a precision that borders on cinematic—you can almost see the flicker of police lights, smell the metallic tang of blood in the air, and feel the heavy weight of dread that hangs over every chapter. The body parts, the forensic details, and the psychological unraveling that comes with investigating such horrors are described with just the right balance of realism and restraint. It’s gory, yes, but never gratuitous. Every detail serves a purpose, amplifying both the tension and the emotional impact.
The central mystery is expertly paced. Amphlett keeps readers guessing at every turn, introducing characters who all feel complex and real, each with motives that make you question what’s true and what’s a façade. The investigation unfolds in layers—just as the detectives begin to make sense of one piece of evidence, another twist changes everything. It’s this constant sense of motion and discovery that keeps you glued to the page.
One of Amphlett’s greatest strengths lies in her characterization. The people in The Hollow Man aren’t caricatures of detectives or victims—they’re flawed, human, and fully realized. You can feel their exhaustion, their frustration, and their need to find justice amid chaos. The emotional depth behind their professional facades adds weight to the narrative, reminding us that behind every crime scene are people who carry those images long after the case is closed.
Amphlett also deserves praise for her prose. Her writing is sharp, cinematic, and emotionally charged. She has a knack for evoking atmosphere with just a few lines, capturing both the external grit of the investigation and the internal battles of her characters. The dialogue feels authentic, the pacing precise, and the tension never once falters. It’s the kind of storytelling that makes you forget you’re reading—it’s that immersive.
What’s particularly impressive is how The Hollow Man can serve as both a compelling standalone and a powerful entry point into Amphlett’s wider body of work. You can pick it up without having read her other books and still feel completely satisfied, yet you’re also left eager to explore more of her writing and the worlds she builds. Her command of the genre is evident, and her ability to combine psychological depth with procedural realism puts her right up there with some of the best crime authors writing today.
By the end of The Hollow Man, you’re left both disturbed and impressed—a testament to Amphlett’s storytelling skill. She manages to make even the darkest corners of human nature fascinating, forcing you to confront the horror and humanity within the same breath. It’s the kind of book that leaves a mark, not just because of its gore or mystery, but because of the emotions it stirs and the questions it leaves lingering.
Rachel Amphlett has once again proven that she’s a master of intelligent, high-stakes crime fiction. The Hollow Man is chilling, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down—a must-read for anyone who loves a thriller that pushes boundaries and stays with you long after the final page.
Here is my review for The Hollow Man by Rachel Amphlett
Wow! This was a brilliant murder story with lots of dismembered bodies and boxes galore! Detective Sergeant Mark Turpin was called to an office block where the body of a man had been found where his head was covered with bubble wrap and he had been secured to the office chair. Mark, along with Jan West were just entering a nightmare but they didn’t know it yet. There was nothing to identify the victim with the body plus it looked like the laptop, mobile, wallet and keys had been taken with the killer. When they finally tracked down his rental property, they met a representative from the rental agency to let them into the house. They were astounded. There was no furniture but just about every room contained cardboard boxes! They opened a couple and just found them empty except packing paper so they left the rest for forensics to check. They quickly checked the rest of the rooms. Unfortunately, Jan went into one of the rooms first and got such a fright when she found a dismembered body! It really shook her up and Mark couldn’t forgive himself that he didn’t go first. He tried to shield her as much as possible. This was a superb murder story that was written with attention to detail and brilliant descriptions of the bodies found. Definitely one of the most detailed stories I have found so far and I loved it! It had everything you could want in a story and it was fluid, it was like being on a roller coaster, with the speed and the ups and downs as well! The author certainly plotted this story well and gave it some thought, maybe even some research before writing the book. I was hooked right from the very start of the book and I just couldn’t put the book down. I could picture this story as I was reading it just like a film in my head. The characters were written really well and felt realistic, you could feel the emotions as they felt them. The synopsis drew me to read this book and I most certainly wasn’t disappointed. I will be adding this series to my tbr pile as a must read for the future and try to catch up on the old ones. I think Rachel Amphlett is a great writer.
Blurb :
After being summoned to a crime scene late one Friday afternoon, Detective Mark Turpin arrives to find the body of a man, his face obscured by a plastic sheet wrapped around his head.
When the victim’s final moments are traced to a rented property in the Oxfordshire countryside, Mark discovers another body, one that has been brutally cut to pieces and left to rot.
As the manhunt for the murderer intensifies, Mark uncovers several unresolved cold cases with similarities to his own and exposes a killer who has managed to escape both national and international scrutiny.
Then one of his colleagues disappears without a trace, and Mark is faced with an impossible situation that could plunge his entire future into jeopardy…
The Hollow Man is the seventh book in the bestselling Detective Mark Turpin series, and perfect for readers who love intriguing edge-of-your-seat murder mysteries.
Title: The Hollow Man Series: Detective Mark Turpin Book 7 Author: Rachel Amphlett Format: 🎧 Narrator: Cairan Saward Publisher: Dreamscape Select/Saxon Publishing Genre: Crime Thriller Pub Date: October 6, 2025 My Rating: 3 Stars! Pages: 264
Although this is Book 7 it is my first. I checked reviews and it seems can be read as a standalone. All the reviewers have been following this series and love it. Plus this blurb got my attention The Hollow Man is the seventh book in the bestselling Detective Mark Turpin series, and perfect for listeners who love intriguing edge-of-your-seat murder mysteries.
Aww I was ready for this! However, it didn’t take long for me to doubt my selection as this appears not to be my typical edge-of-your-seat thriller. I decided perhaps I need to read about the author ~ Before turning to writing, USA Today bestselling crime author Rachel Amphlett played guitar in bands, worked as a TV and film extra, dabbled in radio, and worked in publishing as an editorial assistant.
She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction with over 30 crime novels and short stories featuring spies, detectives, vigilantes, and assassins.
A keen traveler and accidental private investigator, Rachel has both Australian and British citizenship.
I then read the praise for her stories When I read the comment - Quirky, creepy and twisted tales”.
I thought Hmmm that explains why this is more gruesome than I expected.
I hung in there as I figured I requested this for a reason. As I read on it got more interesting. I was curious as to who and why someone would commit such a gruesome murder.
I liked Mark and his investigative team - so understand why this series as so many followers.
I want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Select /Saxon Publishing for this audiobook The Publishing Release Date is scheduled for October 6, 2025.
Although this is not the first of her books that I've read, it IS the first one I've read in THIS series. That being said, you do not have to read the whole series to read this one, as I did not feel like I was missing out on anything...
Mark Turpin is called in to investigate an obvious, horrifying murder. His team really seems to have nothing to go on, and everyone wants to get to the bottom of the case. But, the more they all seem to work, the more problems they find along the way.
And, just when they think they are making some progress, it seems like they are back to square one.
And then, other dead bodies begin appearing! And each one seems to be more horrific than the last.
As the body count increases, so are the searches to find out WHO is doing this!!
And just then, one of his people goes missing! And no-one can seem to find her! Is she at the hands of this horrible killer? Will she be found in time? Will she ever see her family or her partners again??
Stay tuned to find out!
This one is a definite nail-biter that will keep you riveted on the edge of your seat!!
#TheHollowMan by @RachelAmphlett and narrated by @CiaranSaward.
This one has already been released, so you can find it on shelves now!!
4 solid, bright stars for me!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeSelectAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads, Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
“The Hollow Man” is the 7th book in Rachel Amphlett’s Detective Mark Turpin series. This was my introduction to both the series and the author, and I am a fan.
Detective Turpin is dealing with a disturbing death, but one that leads to many more grisly murders and scenes. At the beginning, everything will seem like it is hopeless trying to solve the initial mystery and how things are tied together. And if they are tied together, everything begins to unravel quickly.
The pacing of this book is phenomenal. There is not a wasted moment. Since I was listening to the audiobook, I wanted the rest of the world to disappear so I could just focus on every moment of this mystery. Mystery/thriller writers need to take lessons from Ms. Amphlett on how to write a griping novel.
Also, the narrator, Ciaran Saward, is incredible. You can “see” this play out like a movie by the emotions and inflections of his voice. I would buy any audiobook that he reads.
Light a fire in the fireplace, turn the lights down, and read this book. Or better yet, put in your earbuds and listen to the audiobook. You will need the earbuds to block every bump and creaking sound in the house, because this book will have you on edge.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
The bizarre case of a murdered man with his head encased in bubble wrap at a serviced office building becomes even more strange when detectives discover the dismembered body of another man at the victim’s rented house, and then learn that the man whose name he was using was also cut into pieces three years ago in Birmingham. This is the new case for the police at Abingdon in Oxfordshire, led by DS Mark Turpin together with DC January West, DC Alex McClellan and DC Caroline Roberts. However, as they dig deeper, the investigation only gets more complex and darker, and soon takes them further afield and back in time in the hunt for a very dangerous killer who may be closer to home than they realise. This is another excellent and solid police procedural in a series which features some very likeable main characters, grounded detectives with happy home lives who can just focus on their work, and they form a great team, doggedly working through a mountain of evidence and a host of witnesses and potential suspects in a bid to solve a very disturbing series of murders. Even their boss, DI Kennedy, is nice and fair! With a twisty plot and a nail-biting ending, this gripped me from start to finish. I can thoroughly recommend this series!
Though this is the 7th in the series, you don't need to read the others to enjoy this one. I accidently wandered into this book without knowing but I loved this story and the characters. I thought the mystery was well developed and captivating.
The mystery starts with a body being found smothered by plastic wrap in a workshare office . Are the police investigate further, they find the place the victim was renting also has a body (which seems to be decomposing at this point and other body parts, Mark and his partner Jan are on the case and thoroughly creeped out by the carnage in the apartment. They find he previously lived in Dubai so they track down the family who rented him a space and on the surface things seem okay. However, events start to spiral at this point and the manhunt escalates.
I had the audiobook and I could not stop listening. I needed to know what was going to happen next and how events would unfold. I liked the ending and though this mystery was well worth the time. I will be picking up more by this author in the future.
A man is found dead in an office and another body is discovered at his house with evidence of another. Was a killer killed or is something else at play? The Hollow Man is the 7th book in the Mike Turpin series of police procedurals, but the first that I have read. A case that seems straightforward at first takes a sinister turn as the investigation proceeds. Suddenly the police are dealing with trying to identify multiple victims. The style of writing is easy to read and the plot develops at a reasonable pace. There isn't too much graphic detail but enough forensics to keep it authentic. My favourite part of the book was the lead character Mark Turpin and his colleague Jan West. I really liked the supportive and caring nature of the police towards their colleagues. I thought the team aspect was very strong and this helped with the character depiction and development. The Hollow Man is a very enjoyable police crime thriller and I am keen to catch up on the earlier books in the series.
This review is for the audio version of the book, narrated by Ciaran Saward.
This was a decent British police procedural.
When D.S. Mark Turpin is called to the scene of a homicide inside a short term office rental site, he and his partner, January West, are drawn into a bizarre case spanning from the U.K. to Dubai following a trail of fires and bodies that stretches back almost a decade.
This wasn't bad as far as police procedurals go. It was fast paced relying heavily on the plot, while dropping generous dollops of character development during the lulls in the case.
The characters were set apart from their peers of the genre mainly by the fact that they're decent people, burdened be the weight of the work that they do to keep their communities safe. It's easy to write these types of characters as angry or addicts or with some type of skeleton in their closet but that didn't come across here.
This was a nice pallet cleanser and worth the time to read.
The seventh book in the Detective Mark Turpin series, but the first one I've read, The Hollow Man works very well as a standalone so don't be put off if you haven't read any of the others. A fast paced thriller with some complex cases to be solved, this is a book full of suspense and tension as we follow the team solving the mystery. What starts as one body, becomes multiple bodies but all with different presentations. How are they linked and why were they killed in different ways? The victim descriptions are quite dark in places, but I think this adds to the overall narrative. We also get a glimpse into the personal lives of the detectives, enough to make them relatable but not too much that it takes away from the story itself. I found Mark and Jan very likeable characters and their relationship is well written. I will definitely be going back and reading this series from the beginning!
SPOILERS AHEAD: I love a good detective procedural, especially when it's part of a series. The characters become well worn clothing, familiar and comfortable. This book was the first I've read in the Mark Turpin series, and I probably will add the prior books to my TBR because I enjoy the setting and characters. The reason for the 3 stars was how far off the mark the kidnapping scene was for me. Also how much of a damsel in distress one of the main characters becomes, was pretty unrealistic for me. That part of the book turned the whole thing sour for me. A woman doesn't become useless in dire situations, but this one did. I don't even know why not one person thought to check her phone's location when they were looking for her either? Maybe the rules are different in England, but that was just super impractical for me. The rest of the plot was well laid out, and the detecting was fun to read. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review: The Hollow Man by Rachel Amphlett (Audiobook) – ★★★★☆
Thank you dreamscape Audio and NetGalley for the ALC
The Hollow Man was a dark, gripping listen that kept me hooked from start to finish. Detective Mark Turpin is faced with a chilling case when a man is found dead, his face hidden under a plastic sheet. The mystery that unfolds is unsettling, twisty, and full of tension.
The audiobook narration by Ciaran Saward was excellent—his tone fit the gritty atmosphere perfectly and made the suspense even sharper. The pacing was steady, the investigation felt realistic, and Amphlett’s writing pulled me straight into the unease of the story.
While some threads could have been explored a little more, overall this was a strong and atmospheric crime thriller. Perfect for fans of dark mysteries that keep you on edge.
In the book The Hollow Man, author Rachel Amphlett continues the Detective Mark Turpin crime thrillers series. Turpin is called to a crime scene where he finds the body’s face has been wrapped in plastic. As they trace the victims movements before their death, they find another body, this one cut into pieces. But is this the only brutal murders by the killer? Turpin begins to examine several cases that have similar traits. Will they track the killer before another victim is killed? This was a great book and it makes me want to check out the series. I would recommend this book. The audio-book narration was very good. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. The Hollow Man is the 7th book in a series that surrounds Detective Mark Turpin and his team. I wasn’t able to read the first 6 books of the series. After finishing this book, I can’t wait to start with the first one. I enjoyed the writing style of the author. It was captivating from the moment I started on the first page. There were so many twists and turns. What started off as dare I say a regular murder turns into much more than Mark bargained for. The description and detail that went into the book has me wanting more. It���s definitely a bit of a change for me, but it’s a change I’m looking forward to getting more into.
I didn't realize this was part of a series when I requested it as an ARC audiobook. However, I didn't feel lost at all following the story.
The story starts out with a gruesome murder and Detective Mark Turpin is called to the crime scene to help solve and catch the killer. I love a good police procedural book, and this one was enjoyable, and kept me guessing throughout.
This was also my first book by the author so I will certainly go back and check out the rest in the series!
Thank you to Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for this ARC.
Just listened to this audiobook as a stand alone and it was really good. The narrator was perfect and kept me engaged in the story throughout.
As this is book no 7 in the series I didn’t know how much would be relatable Hank f not read the previous. However it didn’t make a difference in the slightest. This was a facet paced twisty thriller with great main characters and a brilliant rapport.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Ciaran Saward does a great job of narrating this story.
Despite this being book 7 and having read a few in the series, I think that this title is fine as a stand alone read.
Detective Turpin is called to a gruesome crime scene to help solve the crime. This is a strong police procedure story with several twists. A solid, enjoyable listen!
A cleaner finds a body in a office Mark Turpin is called in, soon a dismembered body also turns up. This is my first Mark Turpin thriller I thought it was good and I followed it ok without reading the earlier books, though I will look them up now. Plenty of twists and well realized characters Ciaran Saward does an excellentjob of bringingthis book to life. Thanks to Dreamscape and Netgalley for this review copy.
I’ve read a few books by Rachel before and always enjoyed them. I’ve not read any from the Mark Turpin series but that didn’t spoil my enjoyment of this fast paced police procedural thriller. I loved how Mark was part of the team and not in charge. The murders in this was were really horrific and the storyline together made this a compelling read, I was hooked straight away right to the end eagerly wanting to know the whole story. Such a great thrilling read