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What Lies in the Dark
One murder can make a town nervous. Two brings fear. Add three, four and even more, and watch neighbours turn on suspicious neighbours.
Victoria Bullrush, or Bullface, as she is called by fellow police officers, is a stickler for rules. As she tries to maintain a faultless investigation, she can't ignore the public's growing anger.
But what lies in the dark is palpable, waiting.
Can anyone stay calm enough to catch the killer?
Victoria Bullrush, or Bullface, as she is called by fellow police officers, is a stickler for rules. As she tries to maintain a faultless investigation, she can't ignore the public's growing anger.
But what lies in the dark is palpable, waiting.
Can anyone stay calm enough to catch the killer?
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2015
28 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 29, 2015
What Lies in the Dark put me in mind of a 2000 piece jigsaw I completed over winter. It was challenging, but rewarding.
I started by sorting out the pieces, and put together the outside edges, with a few pieces in the wrong places which I rectified as I went along, much like the investigation into these deaths.
There was a small pile of pieces that I was sure did not belong to the puzzle at all, that I pushed to one side, just like some of the evidence in these cases.
Then there was a point when I was almost finished (I had by this time found homes those pieces that I hadn't believed belonged) when I believed I had pieces missing....just like the detectives bent on solving these grisly murders.
But in the end, they were all there, I finished and had a magnificent picture of a bucketful of colourful wildflowers.
What Lies in the Dark is constructed much like a jigsaw - instead of little piles of pieces we have brief vignettes that, when you first read them, you are not sure where they fit. But by then end of the book (and WHAT an end!) everything has fallen into place, and you are left with the magnificent feeling of having just read a really well constructed and thrilling book.
The bodies of young women are being discovered, some left out in the open, some hidden, but all with one common feature - the numbers on their hands, sometimes carve, sometimes written.
As time passes, and more bodies are discovered, the police are helpless, baffled by the lack of clues. The public become angry and frightened and people begin to turn on one another, and some take things into their own hands.
This book is written in a slightly breathless style that is well suited to the heightened level of suspense artfully created by the author.
CM Thompson has perfectly captured human nature - our pettiness and rivalries; our emotions of apathy and anger, our righteousness and suspicions.
Thank you to Netgalley, Hookline Books and author CM Thompson for the gift of a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I started by sorting out the pieces, and put together the outside edges, with a few pieces in the wrong places which I rectified as I went along, much like the investigation into these deaths.
There was a small pile of pieces that I was sure did not belong to the puzzle at all, that I pushed to one side, just like some of the evidence in these cases.
Then there was a point when I was almost finished (I had by this time found homes those pieces that I hadn't believed belonged) when I believed I had pieces missing....just like the detectives bent on solving these grisly murders.
But in the end, they were all there, I finished and had a magnificent picture of a bucketful of colourful wildflowers.
What Lies in the Dark is constructed much like a jigsaw - instead of little piles of pieces we have brief vignettes that, when you first read them, you are not sure where they fit. But by then end of the book (and WHAT an end!) everything has fallen into place, and you are left with the magnificent feeling of having just read a really well constructed and thrilling book.
The bodies of young women are being discovered, some left out in the open, some hidden, but all with one common feature - the numbers on their hands, sometimes carve, sometimes written.
As time passes, and more bodies are discovered, the police are helpless, baffled by the lack of clues. The public become angry and frightened and people begin to turn on one another, and some take things into their own hands.
This book is written in a slightly breathless style that is well suited to the heightened level of suspense artfully created by the author.
CM Thompson has perfectly captured human nature - our pettiness and rivalries; our emotions of apathy and anger, our righteousness and suspicions.
Thank you to Netgalley, Hookline Books and author CM Thompson for the gift of a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2018
I am in a bit of a quandary on how I liked this book it was written so differently to other books about serial killers I have read previously, at times I got a bit confused on who was actually telling the plot line but saying that I could not put this down its very dark due to the subject matter & had me thinking on who was the killer right throughout.
There was not any tension as the book went on & the pacing was stagnate which was a bit disappointing but the plotline drew me in like a magnet as i said earlier will rate this 3.5 stars as i didnt stop reading the ending was a bit meh like it just ended does that make any sense?
Mutilated bodies of girls turn up with their throats cut & numbers are carved into their hands some were found with eyes missing found in a lake in comes DS Aaron Fletcher & his senior partner Detective Victoria Bullrush are brought in to solve the murders.
AS the case deepens one woman kiils her husband as she thinks he is the killer, everyone was suspicious of everyone else, its not until one of their own is killed that things start to get interesting this makes DS Fletcher & Bulrush (AKA Bullface) more determined to get this horrendous serial killer.
I must say i did not like the character of DS Fletcher & Bulrush both were flawed & very unlikable Bulrush was a stern no nonsense character where the bottle was her friend while DS Fletcher had his own demons dealing with a failed marriage. I hope i am not coming over too negative as i really enjoyed the plotline.
If you like serial killer thrillers with the writing a little different then tbis is for you but if you like something a bit pacier then leave this one.
There was not any tension as the book went on & the pacing was stagnate which was a bit disappointing but the plotline drew me in like a magnet as i said earlier will rate this 3.5 stars as i didnt stop reading the ending was a bit meh like it just ended does that make any sense?
Mutilated bodies of girls turn up with their throats cut & numbers are carved into their hands some were found with eyes missing found in a lake in comes DS Aaron Fletcher & his senior partner Detective Victoria Bullrush are brought in to solve the murders.
AS the case deepens one woman kiils her husband as she thinks he is the killer, everyone was suspicious of everyone else, its not until one of their own is killed that things start to get interesting this makes DS Fletcher & Bulrush (AKA Bullface) more determined to get this horrendous serial killer.
I must say i did not like the character of DS Fletcher & Bulrush both were flawed & very unlikable Bulrush was a stern no nonsense character where the bottle was her friend while DS Fletcher had his own demons dealing with a failed marriage. I hope i am not coming over too negative as i really enjoyed the plotline.
If you like serial killer thrillers with the writing a little different then tbis is for you but if you like something a bit pacier then leave this one.
November 12, 2020
Seldom do I prevaricate about a book review – but this time I am… I really don’t know what to say about this one.
First off, it is very dark in subject matter. The reader knows that going in – it IS about serial murders after all. No, it wasn’t the subject matter that put me off at first it was the writing style. Short clipped sentences that read a bit like an episode of crime TV. Then long, run-on sentences. Missing punctuation. I didn’t think I would continue as the first chapter or two had little if any character development, just descriptions of horrific crimes…. BUT, then I found I couldn’t stop reading!
The atmosphere was tense. The characters revealed themselves slowly, and I found the two police officers to be some of the most interesting in recent crime fiction. Case in point, the lead investigator, Victoria Bullrush. Know to her team as “Bullface”, she is a stickler for rules who has little faith in the competency of her fellow police officers. She is a middle aged woman in a seemingly loveless marriage. The mother to two teenage boys she seems to have nothing in common with. But she was once married to a man she loved. Her first marriage. Her ex-husband divorced her because he blamed her for the death of their beloved daughter by a drunk driver.
Then we meet Bullface’s second in command, Aaron Fletcher. Aaron is a happily married man, though his sleeplessness and long working hours are putting an immense strain on his relationship with his wife. He is so very tired. Tired of trying to solve what seems an unsolvable case, tired of hearing that yet another young woman has met a grisly end. Guilt for not catching the killer – for not protecting the women. He wishes he had chosen a different vocation…a fisherman maybe.
The action takes place in an unnamed, large city somewhere in the United Kingdom. The serial murders are escalating. Alarmingly, the murderer is numbering his victims by carving a number into the hand of his victims. The victims seem to have absolutely nothing in common. No linking factors. Just that they are all women between the ages of nineteen and thirty-eight.
The community is fearful, paranoid, and, increasingly angry at the vulnerability they feel. They are unhappy that the police have not found the perpetrator. Months go by, the murders continue and still the police are no further forward.
The reader realizes that the perpetrator is somehow connected to the police – as he admits they would recognize him if they encountered him… He loves the feeling of superiority over the police. He lusts for the kill. The control he feels when about to murder.
A page-turner! Then, the story ended. Abruptly. I wasn’t ready.
So, to wrap up, I didn’t care for the beginning, I LOVED the middle 85% of the novel, then I was somewhat taken aback by the end. I felt that the motivation of the serial murderer was not fleshed out to my satisfaction. I very much liked the police officers. It is a very different novel. The writing was not what I’m used to, but I read voraciously once I got into it. This is a debut novel that deserves to be read. I would definitely like to read more by this promising author before I make up my mind about her writing.
For more of my reviews visit my blog: Fictionophile
First off, it is very dark in subject matter. The reader knows that going in – it IS about serial murders after all. No, it wasn’t the subject matter that put me off at first it was the writing style. Short clipped sentences that read a bit like an episode of crime TV. Then long, run-on sentences. Missing punctuation. I didn’t think I would continue as the first chapter or two had little if any character development, just descriptions of horrific crimes…. BUT, then I found I couldn’t stop reading!
The atmosphere was tense. The characters revealed themselves slowly, and I found the two police officers to be some of the most interesting in recent crime fiction. Case in point, the lead investigator, Victoria Bullrush. Know to her team as “Bullface”, she is a stickler for rules who has little faith in the competency of her fellow police officers. She is a middle aged woman in a seemingly loveless marriage. The mother to two teenage boys she seems to have nothing in common with. But she was once married to a man she loved. Her first marriage. Her ex-husband divorced her because he blamed her for the death of their beloved daughter by a drunk driver.
Then we meet Bullface’s second in command, Aaron Fletcher. Aaron is a happily married man, though his sleeplessness and long working hours are putting an immense strain on his relationship with his wife. He is so very tired. Tired of trying to solve what seems an unsolvable case, tired of hearing that yet another young woman has met a grisly end. Guilt for not catching the killer – for not protecting the women. He wishes he had chosen a different vocation…a fisherman maybe.
The action takes place in an unnamed, large city somewhere in the United Kingdom. The serial murders are escalating. Alarmingly, the murderer is numbering his victims by carving a number into the hand of his victims. The victims seem to have absolutely nothing in common. No linking factors. Just that they are all women between the ages of nineteen and thirty-eight.
The community is fearful, paranoid, and, increasingly angry at the vulnerability they feel. They are unhappy that the police have not found the perpetrator. Months go by, the murders continue and still the police are no further forward.
The reader realizes that the perpetrator is somehow connected to the police – as he admits they would recognize him if they encountered him… He loves the feeling of superiority over the police. He lusts for the kill. The control he feels when about to murder.
A page-turner! Then, the story ended. Abruptly. I wasn’t ready.
So, to wrap up, I didn’t care for the beginning, I LOVED the middle 85% of the novel, then I was somewhat taken aback by the end. I felt that the motivation of the serial murderer was not fleshed out to my satisfaction. I very much liked the police officers. It is a very different novel. The writing was not what I’m used to, but I read voraciously once I got into it. This is a debut novel that deserves to be read. I would definitely like to read more by this promising author before I make up my mind about her writing.
For more of my reviews visit my blog: Fictionophile
October 16, 2015
Bodies of young women are being found, after having their throats cut and numbers carved into their hands.
Its up to DS Victoria Bullrush and DS Aaron Fletcher to find this monstrous killer. And then more women are brutalized and murdered... one of them wears a police uniform.
The police start looking at each other .. wondering. Neighbor reports neighbor for suspicious behavior. One woman kills her husband as he drunkenly came home late ..she thinks it's the killer.
Bullrush and Fletcher are feeling the heat, the anger, the guilt and not being able to stop the killing. Then the families of the victims take it upon themselves to stop the violence.
The plot was good. Lots of suspects .. lots of red herrings thrown into the mix to keep the reader engaged and off balance.
I did not connect with either Bullrush or Fletcher. Bullrush is a depressed woman, in a marriage that she has no interest in. She doesn't even like her own children. She drinks to excess whenever she can and stays away from home as long as possible. She isn't particularly liked by her colleagues ... their nickname for her is Bullface.
Fletcher is likewise in a marriage that is seeing lots of problems. He hates his wife, he hates his life, he hates his job and just doesn't want to do this anymore. He's tired of being blamed for 'allowing' more women to be killed.
They seem to cover all the bases ... the killer is just that much more careful, more intelligent than the cops who are distracted by other things in their lives. And when they do stumble closer, the killer directly targets them.
The ending came as a real surprise, leaving me with a gasp of disbelief.
My thanks to the author, NetGalley and Hookline Books who furnished a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
3.5 Stars
Its up to DS Victoria Bullrush and DS Aaron Fletcher to find this monstrous killer. And then more women are brutalized and murdered... one of them wears a police uniform.
The police start looking at each other .. wondering. Neighbor reports neighbor for suspicious behavior. One woman kills her husband as he drunkenly came home late ..she thinks it's the killer.
Bullrush and Fletcher are feeling the heat, the anger, the guilt and not being able to stop the killing. Then the families of the victims take it upon themselves to stop the violence.
The plot was good. Lots of suspects .. lots of red herrings thrown into the mix to keep the reader engaged and off balance.
I did not connect with either Bullrush or Fletcher. Bullrush is a depressed woman, in a marriage that she has no interest in. She doesn't even like her own children. She drinks to excess whenever she can and stays away from home as long as possible. She isn't particularly liked by her colleagues ... their nickname for her is Bullface.
Fletcher is likewise in a marriage that is seeing lots of problems. He hates his wife, he hates his life, he hates his job and just doesn't want to do this anymore. He's tired of being blamed for 'allowing' more women to be killed.
They seem to cover all the bases ... the killer is just that much more careful, more intelligent than the cops who are distracted by other things in their lives. And when they do stumble closer, the killer directly targets them.
The ending came as a real surprise, leaving me with a gasp of disbelief.
My thanks to the author, NetGalley and Hookline Books who furnished a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
3.5 Stars
July 17, 2018
I found the underlying core of What Lies in the Dark to be utterly fascinating, and it sparked a desire to be consumed in a conflagration of serial killer intensity. C.M. Thompson throws herself at the reader as if on the attack, writing back and forth between present tense and present perfect tense, driving the immediacy of the even-numbered murders and all the peripheral damage they cause deep into our guts. It is a powerful choice, yet its power cannot last, so that by the time we are heading towards the inexorable denouement Thompson has lost our allegiance.
What Lies in the Dark is a book that makes me long for the days of strong, talented editors, and as an author who detests editors messing with my work that takes some doing, yet What Lies in the Dark needed direction, and Thompson needed additional drafts to find that direction. There are too many gaps that Thompson imagines are artistic and "challenging," but which turn out to be nothing other than obtuse and opaque.
For instance, who's side are we on? Thompson spends most of the novel setting up the idea that sides don't matter, and that wherever we come into the story -- killer, victim, cops -- we are not to be isolated or alienated, but then she ends it with a number of scenes that belie that underlying premise.
What I wouldn't give to write a stage adaptation of this book. It has some brilliant moments, it has a compelling core, and I feel a different approach could make the story fly. As a prose fiction, however, What Lies in the Dark is mostly middling. Regardless, C.M. Thompson shows real promise, and I will keep my eyes peeled for more books by the author in years to come.
What Lies in the Dark is a book that makes me long for the days of strong, talented editors, and as an author who detests editors messing with my work that takes some doing, yet What Lies in the Dark needed direction, and Thompson needed additional drafts to find that direction. There are too many gaps that Thompson imagines are artistic and "challenging," but which turn out to be nothing other than obtuse and opaque.
For instance, who's side are we on? Thompson spends most of the novel setting up the idea that sides don't matter, and that wherever we come into the story -- killer, victim, cops -- we are not to be isolated or alienated, but then she ends it with a number of scenes that belie that underlying premise.
What I wouldn't give to write a stage adaptation of this book. It has some brilliant moments, it has a compelling core, and I feel a different approach could make the story fly. As a prose fiction, however, What Lies in the Dark is mostly middling. Regardless, C.M. Thompson shows real promise, and I will keep my eyes peeled for more books by the author in years to come.
January 18, 2015
What Lies in the Dark by CM Thompson
• Sam Hawksmoor review
ISBN: 978-0-9576957-8-8
Hookline Books (Feb 10th 2015) print and kindle
A stylish debut crime novel written with supreme confidence as the tension rises with each new horrific murder.
One murder can make a town nervous
Two brings fear. Add three, four, even more...
I have a stake in this crime novel. I read an earlier draft and was very impressed with the confidence and authority of the author’s voice. For a first novel it is a huge accomplishment and is immediately accessible. Written in a manner reminiscent of Thornton Wilder’s ‘Our Town’ with a much darker perspective, it takes possession of the unnamed town and its characters with great detail – quickly getting under their skin. The prose is wonderfully poetic creating a vivid portrait of the townspeople and place.
‘The rumours have twirled into the air and they are everywhere, twisted into every conversation, every thought. Everyone has a theory on who the murderer might be.’
It begins with a body found with a number carved into a hand.
For the lead cops in the investigation Fletcher and the female DCI Bullrush (always nicknamed Bullface by the other cops) the first body is a quirk, although Bullrush senses it could be the start of something bigger. By the second and third bodies they know they have a serial killer in the town – who takes souvenirs, targets lone women and carves numbers into their hands. The worse thing is that the first number is 22. Does that mean there are 21 victims they haven’t yet found?
Each new discovery builds the evidence; each new number begins to panic the police and townsfolk alike. They have no clue as to motive, or who this could be committing the crimes. Written with pace and a growing sense of despair – the police seem ineffectual, the victims relatives have little or no confidence in the detectives finding the murderer and the bodies keep piling up. We experience the killer's perspective too - his growing needs and his warped rational. The ease with which he takes life and risks he takes to do it is quite casual. It is unsettling. There are the usual suspects as well – in every town people have their suspicions and C M Thompson makes the most of that – building mistrust and revealing several unsavoury characters to get our hopes up that the killer will be found before another girl is murdered. The development of Fletcher and Bullrush is subtle and unlike many TV cops, their inability to solve these murders leads to a real crisis of confidence – the author isn’t going to make it easy for them.
Written with style I always hoped that this crime novel would be picked up by a major publisher – but all I can say is buy What Lies in the Dark and make Hookline Books better known and spread the word. This book is available in paperback and kindle. It absolutely deserves to be read. (My only critical comment is on the rather abrupt ending but that too is rather unique so all is forgiven).
© Sam Hawksmoor Jan 2015
author of ��Another Place to Die: The Endtime Chronicles
• Sam Hawksmoor review
ISBN: 978-0-9576957-8-8
Hookline Books (Feb 10th 2015) print and kindle
A stylish debut crime novel written with supreme confidence as the tension rises with each new horrific murder.
One murder can make a town nervous
Two brings fear. Add three, four, even more...
I have a stake in this crime novel. I read an earlier draft and was very impressed with the confidence and authority of the author’s voice. For a first novel it is a huge accomplishment and is immediately accessible. Written in a manner reminiscent of Thornton Wilder’s ‘Our Town’ with a much darker perspective, it takes possession of the unnamed town and its characters with great detail – quickly getting under their skin. The prose is wonderfully poetic creating a vivid portrait of the townspeople and place.
‘The rumours have twirled into the air and they are everywhere, twisted into every conversation, every thought. Everyone has a theory on who the murderer might be.’
It begins with a body found with a number carved into a hand.
For the lead cops in the investigation Fletcher and the female DCI Bullrush (always nicknamed Bullface by the other cops) the first body is a quirk, although Bullrush senses it could be the start of something bigger. By the second and third bodies they know they have a serial killer in the town – who takes souvenirs, targets lone women and carves numbers into their hands. The worse thing is that the first number is 22. Does that mean there are 21 victims they haven’t yet found?
Each new discovery builds the evidence; each new number begins to panic the police and townsfolk alike. They have no clue as to motive, or who this could be committing the crimes. Written with pace and a growing sense of despair – the police seem ineffectual, the victims relatives have little or no confidence in the detectives finding the murderer and the bodies keep piling up. We experience the killer's perspective too - his growing needs and his warped rational. The ease with which he takes life and risks he takes to do it is quite casual. It is unsettling. There are the usual suspects as well – in every town people have their suspicions and C M Thompson makes the most of that – building mistrust and revealing several unsavoury characters to get our hopes up that the killer will be found before another girl is murdered. The development of Fletcher and Bullrush is subtle and unlike many TV cops, their inability to solve these murders leads to a real crisis of confidence – the author isn’t going to make it easy for them.
Written with style I always hoped that this crime novel would be picked up by a major publisher – but all I can say is buy What Lies in the Dark and make Hookline Books better known and spread the word. This book is available in paperback and kindle. It absolutely deserves to be read. (My only critical comment is on the rather abrupt ending but that too is rather unique so all is forgiven).
© Sam Hawksmoor Jan 2015
author of ��Another Place to Die: The Endtime Chronicles
February 17, 2024
The story is about a serial killer who kills women and carves a number in their hands to keep toll of the number of victims. The victims have nothing in common - save for the fact that they are all female and between the ages 17-40. The writing style is very loose. Many POVs - which I don't mind - but pretty unstructured and I generally like very structured novels - where they mention the narrator's name, date, time etc. But strangely this captivated me and kept me reading with hardly a break. Unlike similar novels, I guess we were not meant to identify too much with the detectives - Fletcher and Bullrush. Bullrush in particular was not likeable at all. What was unique to me about this book was the fact that the whole community played a role. We get to hear what is happening and what everybody is doing. All in all I would give this 4 stars because the story was tackled in a very different manner to your average serial killer novel.
September 9, 2015
What a gem this turned out to be! A really compelling read by a first-time author.
There's a serial killer in town targeting females and carving numbers into their hands. The story line follows the police investigation and describes vividly the effects these gruesome murders have on the entire community. It provides a fascinating look at human relationships in times of stress and anxiety, looking at partners, parents & children, neighbors, work colleagues. Told from multiple points of view, the reader is able to get right into the mind of the victims, the victims' relatives, the serial killer as well as the male and the female police detectives in charge of the investigation.
It took me a little while to get used to the style of writing. I found it quite unusual, really short and snappy. The plot is fast paced and very tense with some pretty disturbing and gritty scenes, but absolutely cleverly handled. All the characters felt very real and authentic. I've got to say when the serial killer was revealed in the penultimate chapter, I was somewhat confused and had to go back over earlier pages, but it all made sense, and although the ending was very abrupt, I really loved it. Very cleverly done. I would certainly read more by this author.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
There's a serial killer in town targeting females and carving numbers into their hands. The story line follows the police investigation and describes vividly the effects these gruesome murders have on the entire community. It provides a fascinating look at human relationships in times of stress and anxiety, looking at partners, parents & children, neighbors, work colleagues. Told from multiple points of view, the reader is able to get right into the mind of the victims, the victims' relatives, the serial killer as well as the male and the female police detectives in charge of the investigation.
It took me a little while to get used to the style of writing. I found it quite unusual, really short and snappy. The plot is fast paced and very tense with some pretty disturbing and gritty scenes, but absolutely cleverly handled. All the characters felt very real and authentic. I've got to say when the serial killer was revealed in the penultimate chapter, I was somewhat confused and had to go back over earlier pages, but it all made sense, and although the ending was very abrupt, I really loved it. Very cleverly done. I would certainly read more by this author.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
September 22, 2015
So glad I got a chance to read this book I just loved it a great read.
It begins with a body found and a number carved into the hand when more bodies turn up each having a different number carved into there hands the town starts to panic do they have a serial killer on the lose.
Fletcher and female DCI Bullrish investigates what is going on what do the numbers mean they rang from 1 to 40 that that mean that he has killed 40 women.
This book is fast paced never a dull moment in it and written from different views even the killers I liked that about the book without giving the killer away we learnt what he was doing and thinking but not why.
I thought it was a really great book ands its a debut defiantly an Author to look out for in the future.
Thanks to Netgalley the publisher and C M Thompson for a chance to read this book
It begins with a body found and a number carved into the hand when more bodies turn up each having a different number carved into there hands the town starts to panic do they have a serial killer on the lose.
Fletcher and female DCI Bullrish investigates what is going on what do the numbers mean they rang from 1 to 40 that that mean that he has killed 40 women.
This book is fast paced never a dull moment in it and written from different views even the killers I liked that about the book without giving the killer away we learnt what he was doing and thinking but not why.
I thought it was a really great book ands its a debut defiantly an Author to look out for in the future.
Thanks to Netgalley the publisher and C M Thompson for a chance to read this book
July 9, 2018
So many murders of women in a small town. The rumours have twirled into the air, and they are everywhere, twisted into every conversation, every thought. Everyone has a theory on who the murder might be. Everyone has a theory on what he has done to his victims.
September 10, 2015
Also posted here: https://lalasbookreviews.wordpress.com
Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley , in excanged for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley, Hookline Books, and C.M. Thompson.
What Lies in the Dark, by Thomson, is a mystery & thriller/crime novel, and Thompson's first book. Many would recommend it for adults, but I think 16+ teenagers can read it as well. If they can watch horror films, they can handle this book, especially since there are no gore scenes, or anything like that.
The book is fast paced, and the chapters are short. There are many plot twist, which is great. I had so many theories, and most of them proved to be wrong. At first I thought it was Robert, then Elisabeth, and so on. I liked the fact that the plot was unpredictable. It made me pay more attention to the story, and make mental notes. We find out who the killer is in the penultimate chapter. The author made certain hits that let the reader figure it out (finally!).
One of my theories did prove to be right, though :D . I did guess what was the deal with the numbers. However, it wasn't my only theory about them. At first, I thought what Bullface thought. Then, I thought they were random numbers, and the killer was just messing with the officers. After I read the victim's numbers side by side, I finally guessed. Obviously, I wasn't 100% sure; my idea was confirmed by the killer.
The novel has some humor in it as well. Thee jokes are not about the victims, or anything like that. Usually, it involves the officers (example: Bullface eating the plastic wrapper, and throwing away the chocolate). I think it was a nice touch. Loosen up the tension a little bit.
The book is written in different points of view, including the killer's, and it is a third person narrative. We see how Victoria Bullrush and her partner, Arron Fletcher, are trying to catch the serial killer, and then we read how the killer is watching them. There are also scenes from the victims' points of view, dead or alive. Usually, when a random character has a scene, she/he ends up to be the next victim. I think the different points of view are very effective. They help paint a more vivid picture. A city plagued by a serial killer; everybody is afraid, and paranoid. The town's folks have their own theories, and suspects. Usually, the outcasts are the ones on people's lips. Typical.
I think the novel has three main characters: Bullface, Fletcher, and the killer. We get to know them as the story unfolds. There are no physical descriptions, and we also don't get to know their ages. However, it is not hard to guess their approximate age. For example, we find out that Bullface is married, and she worked as a policewomen for at least 20 years. Obviously, she's over 40. I don't think it matters that much anyway, since the book is not about their life story, even though we do get some insight in their personal lives. I actually felt pity for Bullface, and Fletcher. It is not easy to be an officer, and it does affect your life in major ways. In general, we do figure out what kind of persons they are, and what made them be that way; they're not empty shells.
The killer's point of view helps us understand him better. Why is he killing people, and what does he get out of it. I do think he is a realistic serial killer. There were some killers like him in real life, and there are documentaries about them. From a physiological point of view, it makes sense. Our killer is the type of person who feels powerful, and he wants to prove that he is better than the police officers. He is toying with them; he is toying with the whole city. From the outside, he appears to be a normal person. Nothing screams murderer when you look at him.
There are some scenes from secondary characters' points of view as well. At first they seem to not add much to the story. However, I think their purpose is to show how people would get when they're afraid. In their eagerness to catch the killer, or to become heroes, innocent people are accused of murder, and they're forced to deal with the press, and with the public's outrage. Nobody trusts anybody, and they turn against each other.
The different points of view can be a little bit confusing. I am used to it, since I read many books with different POV. However, some people will find it hard to follow, especially if they don't pay attention.
I don't remember reading the city's name. We just know it is a city, somewhere in United Kingdom. In a way it makes sense. There are crimes, and murderers in most cities, so it could've happened anywhere in the world.
The ending is open, and is not a happy one.( Or maybe it is a little bit happy; Bullface did not let the killer escape - I hope). Some people will like it, some will not. I personally like open endings, especially when they're done nicely, like in this book. It makes you question the story, and think about the novel. I know the ending is connected a little bit with the first chapter, but I am not sure what it means. Did the killer come back? The last chapter gives you the impression that he was ... . Or maybe it is someone else. Maybe it is not a killer, it's a rapist. Or maybe it already happened, before the killer was discovered. The reader is free to come up to his/her own conclusions, and maybe choose the right ending for her/him.
Personally, I would've like to know more about Kain, and what happened to her. We get a general idea, but not many details.
There is no page about the author at the back of the book. I would've like to read a little bit about the her.
The cover is simple, yet beautiful. It does connect with the story.
Overall, a nice read. The novel pulls you into the story, and you'll find yourself making theories while you're reading it until the last two chapters. It was a nice break from the fantasy books. I recommend this novel to anyone who likes suspense and crime novels, or wants to try something different.
Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley , in excanged for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley, Hookline Books, and C.M. Thompson.
What Lies in the Dark, by Thomson, is a mystery & thriller/crime novel, and Thompson's first book. Many would recommend it for adults, but I think 16+ teenagers can read it as well. If they can watch horror films, they can handle this book, especially since there are no gore scenes, or anything like that.
The book is fast paced, and the chapters are short. There are many plot twist, which is great. I had so many theories, and most of them proved to be wrong. At first I thought it was Robert, then Elisabeth, and so on. I liked the fact that the plot was unpredictable. It made me pay more attention to the story, and make mental notes. We find out who the killer is in the penultimate chapter. The author made certain hits that let the reader figure it out (finally!).
One of my theories did prove to be right, though :D . I did guess what was the deal with the numbers. However, it wasn't my only theory about them. At first, I thought what Bullface thought. Then, I thought they were random numbers, and the killer was just messing with the officers. After I read the victim's numbers side by side, I finally guessed. Obviously, I wasn't 100% sure; my idea was confirmed by the killer.
The novel has some humor in it as well. Thee jokes are not about the victims, or anything like that. Usually, it involves the officers (example: Bullface eating the plastic wrapper, and throwing away the chocolate). I think it was a nice touch. Loosen up the tension a little bit.
The book is written in different points of view, including the killer's, and it is a third person narrative. We see how Victoria Bullrush and her partner, Arron Fletcher, are trying to catch the serial killer, and then we read how the killer is watching them. There are also scenes from the victims' points of view, dead or alive. Usually, when a random character has a scene, she/he ends up to be the next victim. I think the different points of view are very effective. They help paint a more vivid picture. A city plagued by a serial killer; everybody is afraid, and paranoid. The town's folks have their own theories, and suspects. Usually, the outcasts are the ones on people's lips. Typical.
I think the novel has three main characters: Bullface, Fletcher, and the killer. We get to know them as the story unfolds. There are no physical descriptions, and we also don't get to know their ages. However, it is not hard to guess their approximate age. For example, we find out that Bullface is married, and she worked as a policewomen for at least 20 years. Obviously, she's over 40. I don't think it matters that much anyway, since the book is not about their life story, even though we do get some insight in their personal lives. I actually felt pity for Bullface, and Fletcher. It is not easy to be an officer, and it does affect your life in major ways. In general, we do figure out what kind of persons they are, and what made them be that way; they're not empty shells.
The killer's point of view helps us understand him better. Why is he killing people, and what does he get out of it. I do think he is a realistic serial killer. There were some killers like him in real life, and there are documentaries about them. From a physiological point of view, it makes sense. Our killer is the type of person who feels powerful, and he wants to prove that he is better than the police officers. He is toying with them; he is toying with the whole city. From the outside, he appears to be a normal person. Nothing screams murderer when you look at him.
There are some scenes from secondary characters' points of view as well. At first they seem to not add much to the story. However, I think their purpose is to show how people would get when they're afraid. In their eagerness to catch the killer, or to become heroes, innocent people are accused of murder, and they're forced to deal with the press, and with the public's outrage. Nobody trusts anybody, and they turn against each other.
The different points of view can be a little bit confusing. I am used to it, since I read many books with different POV. However, some people will find it hard to follow, especially if they don't pay attention.
I don't remember reading the city's name. We just know it is a city, somewhere in United Kingdom. In a way it makes sense. There are crimes, and murderers in most cities, so it could've happened anywhere in the world.
The ending is open, and is not a happy one.( Or maybe it is a little bit happy; Bullface did not let the killer escape - I hope). Some people will like it, some will not. I personally like open endings, especially when they're done nicely, like in this book. It makes you question the story, and think about the novel. I know the ending is connected a little bit with the first chapter, but I am not sure what it means. Did the killer come back? The last chapter gives you the impression that he was ... . Or maybe it is someone else. Maybe it is not a killer, it's a rapist. Or maybe it already happened, before the killer was discovered. The reader is free to come up to his/her own conclusions, and maybe choose the right ending for her/him.
Personally, I would've like to know more about Kain, and what happened to her. We get a general idea, but not many details.
There is no page about the author at the back of the book. I would've like to read a little bit about the her.
The cover is simple, yet beautiful. It does connect with the story.
Overall, a nice read. The novel pulls you into the story, and you'll find yourself making theories while you're reading it until the last two chapters. It was a nice break from the fantasy books. I recommend this novel to anyone who likes suspense and crime novels, or wants to try something different.
January 29, 2016
This was written differently than most serial killer books that I've read. It was written in the third person and for some reason, I kept hearing the narrator from "The Grinch who Stole Christmas". Don't ask me why.
I can tell you that once I picked this book up, I could not put it down. Your aware of all of the character's thoughts, however, sometimes, your not sure which character you are hearing from. I thought that made it very interesting. There are more characters than just the main suspect and the cops that the narrator is speaking for. So when it all comes together at the end, your like, WOW! There are, of course, suspects that the public are pointing out and when you hear their stories, those are more WOW factors.
I genuinely enjoyed this book and the unique way in which it was written. I especially liked the beginning with the little 8 year old and how it ended with her being 16 years old. That just added to the creep factor of this book. And yes, it was creepy. I suggest not reading it alone or near bed time.
Huge thanks to Hookline Books for approving my request and to Net Gallery for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. My hands are still trembling as I write this review - creepy, very creepy.
I can tell you that once I picked this book up, I could not put it down. Your aware of all of the character's thoughts, however, sometimes, your not sure which character you are hearing from. I thought that made it very interesting. There are more characters than just the main suspect and the cops that the narrator is speaking for. So when it all comes together at the end, your like, WOW! There are, of course, suspects that the public are pointing out and when you hear their stories, those are more WOW factors.
I genuinely enjoyed this book and the unique way in which it was written. I especially liked the beginning with the little 8 year old and how it ended with her being 16 years old. That just added to the creep factor of this book. And yes, it was creepy. I suggest not reading it alone or near bed time.
Huge thanks to Hookline Books for approving my request and to Net Gallery for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. My hands are still trembling as I write this review - creepy, very creepy.
January 25, 2016
What Lies In The Dark is a very unusual novel in tone and content, if not plot which is your standard stumped police search for a serial killer. It has a third person narrative and is told almost exclusively in the present tense so this and the deliberate anonymity of the setting give it a detached tone - I don't feel I ever identified with the lead detectives Victoria ""Bullface" Bullrush and Aaron Fletcher and yet, it is compulsive reading. The author is more interested in the consequences of the murders than the actual murders so while there are some insights into the perpetrator's thoughts and motivations she doesn't dwell on them as many authors do (thank goodness) but there is plenty on the detectives' frustrations, the rumours in the community and the victims' families' reaction and grief and it's gripping stuff.
I always like a fresh approach to crime writing if it works so 10/10 to Ms Thompson for this but I must admit I found the constant present tense quite wearing to read. I would read a follow up, but not straight away as I would need a bit of a breather.
If you want a gripping novel with a fresh approach the I recommend What Lies In The Dark.
I always like a fresh approach to crime writing if it works so 10/10 to Ms Thompson for this but I must admit I found the constant present tense quite wearing to read. I would read a follow up, but not straight away as I would need a bit of a breather.
If you want a gripping novel with a fresh approach the I recommend What Lies In The Dark.
September 1, 2015
I would like to say a big thank you to the author for sending me a copy of her book. This is a completely engrossing story, I literally couldn't put it down and was reading it at every chance I had. I love the way the story is written by different view points. I found reading about what thoughts went through the murderers before and after an attack really interesting. I can't believe this is the author's first book, it is definitely a name I will keep an eye out for in the future.
November 1, 2015
In a city women are being murdered, at first no one seems to notice that they are even missing. However when the first body is found there are signs that this is not the first. As the list gets longer and no one knows who is responsible people begin to point fingers at neighbours and family.
October 20, 2015
A great thriller, with 2 detectives on the hunt for a serial killer who is slowly working his way through the women of a town, cutting their throats and then carving a number into their hand. As his attacks become more and more audacious, the detectives become more and more desperate to find the perpetrator before they strike again in a town living in fear of the dark.
A great debut thriller, with some wonderful flairs of style - I particularly liked the seemingly innocuous descriptions of the victims, as women going about their day, only for things to take a sharp turn as you realise that Thompson is in fact describing another victim's dead body. Well worth a read.
A great debut thriller, with some wonderful flairs of style - I particularly liked the seemingly innocuous descriptions of the victims, as women going about their day, only for things to take a sharp turn as you realise that Thompson is in fact describing another victim's dead body. Well worth a read.
February 21, 2016
Chilling from the first pages a town in panic one woman murdered horrible but when more&more women are murdered terror suspicion set in.No one knows whom to trust.when Vicki nicknamed Bullface is assigned to the case her investigation will shock the whole town.A true page turner.
January 14, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"Afraid of their own shadows."
A city somewhere in the United Kindom, surrounded by woodland and open spaces as well as containing parks and other secluded spots within it. A dog walked finds the body of a woman, had throat cut, thrown over a fence. Police conclude she'd been attacked from behind. One oddity though: the number 22 had been cut into her hand. Was this some sort of code? Or did it reference the fact that the woman was 22 years and 22 days old when she died? Or, worst scenario, that she was the 22nd victim, and there was a serial killer at large? Fears of the latter are believed confirmed when other victims are uncovered, one marked as 2 dating back several years.
In charge of the investigation are Defective Sergeants Aaron Fletcher and Victoria 'Don't call me Bullface' Bullrush, both with long service records. As time passes and bodies like up, desperation and guilt dog the police team and fear suffocates the city.
This police procedural serial killer thriller is unlike others of it's genre in that it concentrates on people: victims, law officers and the killer, their personalities, lives and aspirations, rather than the father gruesome deaths. and on The effect The deaths have on other leople. The victims have nothing in common other than being female and within the late teen to forty age range. The frequently terse writing style brings an immediacy to the story, which quickly becomes compulsive reading. The identity of the killer, though teasingly flashed before the reader, remains hidden until close to the end.
Pippa Rathborne narrates, her attractive sounding voice converting text to speech expertly, conveying emotion where required. Starting slowly, her pace increases after the first intro chapter, and moves through the novel with a confidence which increases the compulsion of the story. A fine performance.
I am grateful to the rights holder of What Lies in the Dark for freely gifting me with a complimentary copy, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you. As previously mentioned, it was unlike any other of it's kind that I have read, and, once started, completely compelling. Characterisation of all of the protagonists, with the possible exception of the killer himself, was good and this made for an even darker than usual peak inside an area being held hostage by fear.
Definitely recommended to those enjoying the serial killer genre.
"Afraid of their own shadows."
A city somewhere in the United Kindom, surrounded by woodland and open spaces as well as containing parks and other secluded spots within it. A dog walked finds the body of a woman, had throat cut, thrown over a fence. Police conclude she'd been attacked from behind. One oddity though: the number 22 had been cut into her hand. Was this some sort of code? Or did it reference the fact that the woman was 22 years and 22 days old when she died? Or, worst scenario, that she was the 22nd victim, and there was a serial killer at large? Fears of the latter are believed confirmed when other victims are uncovered, one marked as 2 dating back several years.
In charge of the investigation are Defective Sergeants Aaron Fletcher and Victoria 'Don't call me Bullface' Bullrush, both with long service records. As time passes and bodies like up, desperation and guilt dog the police team and fear suffocates the city.
This police procedural serial killer thriller is unlike others of it's genre in that it concentrates on people: victims, law officers and the killer, their personalities, lives and aspirations, rather than the father gruesome deaths. and on The effect The deaths have on other leople. The victims have nothing in common other than being female and within the late teen to forty age range. The frequently terse writing style brings an immediacy to the story, which quickly becomes compulsive reading. The identity of the killer, though teasingly flashed before the reader, remains hidden until close to the end.
Pippa Rathborne narrates, her attractive sounding voice converting text to speech expertly, conveying emotion where required. Starting slowly, her pace increases after the first intro chapter, and moves through the novel with a confidence which increases the compulsion of the story. A fine performance.
I am grateful to the rights holder of What Lies in the Dark for freely gifting me with a complimentary copy, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you. As previously mentioned, it was unlike any other of it's kind that I have read, and, once started, completely compelling. Characterisation of all of the protagonists, with the possible exception of the killer himself, was good and this made for an even darker than usual peak inside an area being held hostage by fear.
Definitely recommended to those enjoying the serial killer genre.
March 8, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
This is a uniquely written book which had me from the very beginning. Here, a serial killer is murdering women and carving numbers in their hands. The two officers assigned to investigate the murders, Fletcher and Bullrush, are both very damaged individuals on their own and these murders are overwhelming them. In addition, the citizens are panicked and turning on each other.
The book is written by rotating the viewpoint of the victims, the killer, the police, and the citizens. The story is a tension filled thrill ride with a great [totally unexpected] ending. I highly recommend!
I listened to this book -- the narrator, Pippa Rathborne, was fantastic. Her tone and manner of narrating this story helped to increase the tension and enjoyment of this story. I listened to this in one day [I just could not stop - was completely on the edge of my seat].
This is a uniquely written book which had me from the very beginning. Here, a serial killer is murdering women and carving numbers in their hands. The two officers assigned to investigate the murders, Fletcher and Bullrush, are both very damaged individuals on their own and these murders are overwhelming them. In addition, the citizens are panicked and turning on each other.
The book is written by rotating the viewpoint of the victims, the killer, the police, and the citizens. The story is a tension filled thrill ride with a great [totally unexpected] ending. I highly recommend!
I listened to this book -- the narrator, Pippa Rathborne, was fantastic. Her tone and manner of narrating this story helped to increase the tension and enjoyment of this story. I listened to this in one day [I just could not stop - was completely on the edge of my seat].
February 24, 2020
Fletcher and Bullrush are assigned to solving a series of murders in which the killer carves numbers into their hands. The murders affect everyone from the officers to the citizens of the town. It doesn’t take long before neighbor is turning against neighbor. Even the Officers’ issues come to light as they become desperate to put an end to the killer wreaking havoc on their town.
The hopping POV allowed the author to steadily feed us information about the killer and the town itself. We’re put into the minds of the victims, the killer, the police, and just about everyone else in the tone so that every chapter has some type of suspense. The ending came a bit too quickly for my liking, but it wrapped everything up quite well.
The narrator really brought the story to life.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
The hopping POV allowed the author to steadily feed us information about the killer and the town itself. We’re put into the minds of the victims, the killer, the police, and just about everyone else in the tone so that every chapter has some type of suspense. The ending came a bit too quickly for my liking, but it wrapped everything up quite well.
The narrator really brought the story to life.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
March 22, 2020
Once again, fantastic storytelling by an extremely talented author. And much like "Who Killed Anne-Marie", for me the identify of the killer was immaterial. What kept me engrossed, flying through the pages, was the writing style. Conversational and accessibly without being Dick&jane. It is what I refer to as a "vibe" story; it was about mood and atmosphere and the quirks and voices of the myriad characters; even the bit players. It had a frenetic energy, aided by the excellent pacing. There was very effective use of misdirection. This book was the whole package- excellent writing, storytelling and plot to boot. The reveal of the killer was a bit of a letdown but I still loved the journey. Loved it.
July 28, 2019
What Lies in the Dark
C.M. Thompson
This is a dark serial killer book. It is a bit different from other books in this genre. It is somewhat confusing at times, but if this is of interest to the listener then you will find yourself drawn in.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed by Pippa Rathborne.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
C.M. Thompson
This is a dark serial killer book. It is a bit different from other books in this genre. It is somewhat confusing at times, but if this is of interest to the listener then you will find yourself drawn in.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed by Pippa Rathborne.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 29, 2019
Uniquely written dark thriller
A serial killer has a town in panic after his victims are found numbered by order of death
I liked that the detectives are troubled characters it added to the overall bleakness of the story
Well narrated and a great first novel highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
A serial killer has a town in panic after his victims are found numbered by order of death
I liked that the detectives are troubled characters it added to the overall bleakness of the story
Well narrated and a great first novel highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
March 6, 2024
A new author to me I really enjoyed this novel recommendation for everyone to have a read a real page turner
May 22, 2024
I loved this writing style. The jumping around was great.
September 22, 2025
I really disliked the author calling the investigator Bullface.
A horrific murderer, a horrific story, a horrific ending.
A horrific murderer, a horrific story, a horrific ending.
August 9, 2016
This is a terribly written but provocative book. For the majority, I planned to quit it at every moment because of the horrible style, overuse of cliches, and treatment of people who drink, even infrequently.
I can't believe I read the whole thing.
Despite hating every character description and revising them in my head as I was reading, I was unable to stop reading and completely compelled to reach the finish line.
While I still strongly believe that this book could benefit from a high school English teacher attacking it with a red pen, the author still manages to captivate an audience and tell a compelling story. I don't have much experience with this genre so I have nothing to compare it to, but I'd love to get my hands on another of this author's work.
I can't believe I read the whole thing.
Despite hating every character description and revising them in my head as I was reading, I was unable to stop reading and completely compelled to reach the finish line.
While I still strongly believe that this book could benefit from a high school English teacher attacking it with a red pen, the author still manages to captivate an audience and tell a compelling story. I don't have much experience with this genre so I have nothing to compare it to, but I'd love to get my hands on another of this author's work.
February 26, 2019
It was ok. It never quite had that spark for me to truly engage, but I continued reading and waiting for it. I shouldn't have bothered finishing it. It really wasn't worth it. Slow moving crime drama. Unsatisfying ending.
August 3, 2019
Good detective/murder mystery. My first reaction to the narrator was negative, the posh accent sounded so fake- but she quickly grew on me. Nice voice modulation- and of course I love the accent. Would listen to more Pippa Rathborne narration any day.
February 13, 2015
In this thriller, it is about what the author leaves out that makes your heart race. The tension builds until you feel positively stressed - not one to read at home alone.
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