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The Second Setting
Not yet published
Expected 14 Oct 26289 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
As someone who doesn’t usually read psychological crime thrillers, this was a change from my normal genre. I found myself completely drawn into it.
The story was both compelling and thought provoking, exploring not only the details of a complex case but also the fascinating ways different minds work. I was particularly invested in following the investigation through the eyes of the ever watchful detective. Who showed great persistence even when it pained him to do so.
There was an intriguing psychological layer running through the story too, which has kept me pondering, even since finishing the book. We are all watching all of the time I suppose!
Once the case began to unravel I found I couldn’t put the book down!
Thank you to Kristian for allowing me to have the advanced reader copy of this book.
The story was both compelling and thought provoking, exploring not only the details of a complex case but also the fascinating ways different minds work. I was particularly invested in following the investigation through the eyes of the ever watchful detective. Who showed great persistence even when it pained him to do so.
There was an intriguing psychological layer running through the story too, which has kept me pondering, even since finishing the book. We are all watching all of the time I suppose!
Once the case began to unravel I found I couldn’t put the book down!
Thank you to Kristian for allowing me to have the advanced reader copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow, this was such an amazing ARC Read.
I loved all the different twists and turns throughout the entire book. Every time I thought I had it figured out, I was led to a different direction.
If you love mystery, detective stories with a twist, I would highly recommend this
I loved all the different twists and turns throughout the entire book. Every time I thought I had it figured out, I was led to a different direction.
If you love mystery, detective stories with a twist, I would highly recommend this
Review of advance copy received from Author
No chases. No shortcuts. Just a patient killer and a detective who won't look away.
Thanks to the author for the advance copy.
I liked this more than I expected to, and I was also frustrated by it more than I expected to.
Marcus Reed put serial killer Victor Hale behind bars ten years ago. Then a new murder turns up with a note that reads "for the one who watches," and Marcus is dragged back into a case that feels too much like the old one. Years later, the nightmare restarts when two men are found poisoned in their own homes. Beside them is a terrifying signature: a perfectly arranged second place setting and a neatly folded note.
The best thing about this book is Victor. The early interview scenes with him are really good. He never raises his voice and he's calm in a way that gets under your skin. I'd have happily read a whole book of those conversations. I also liked that the story cares about the people who get hurt along the way. Some of them lose their jobs, their reputations, or their trust in the people closest to them, and the book doesn't just move past that.
It lost me a bit as same phrases kept coming back, and I started noticing them more than the story. Almost everyone also talks in the same calm, careful way, so I sometimes forgot who was speaking.
That said, the central idea is clever and the last moment stuck with me.
If you like slow, moody crime stories where the villain's mind matters more than car chases, this is the book for you.
Thanks to the author for the advance copy.
I liked this more than I expected to, and I was also frustrated by it more than I expected to.
Marcus Reed put serial killer Victor Hale behind bars ten years ago. Then a new murder turns up with a note that reads "for the one who watches," and Marcus is dragged back into a case that feels too much like the old one. Years later, the nightmare restarts when two men are found poisoned in their own homes. Beside them is a terrifying signature: a perfectly arranged second place setting and a neatly folded note.
The best thing about this book is Victor. The early interview scenes with him are really good. He never raises his voice and he's calm in a way that gets under your skin. I'd have happily read a whole book of those conversations. I also liked that the story cares about the people who get hurt along the way. Some of them lose their jobs, their reputations, or their trust in the people closest to them, and the book doesn't just move past that.
It lost me a bit as same phrases kept coming back, and I started noticing them more than the story. Almost everyone also talks in the same calm, careful way, so I sometimes forgot who was speaking.
That said, the central idea is clever and the last moment stuck with me.
If you like slow, moody crime stories where the villain's mind matters more than car chases, this is the book for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book grabbed me from the first page!! ‘The killer in interview room 3’, it was such a thriller and so many plot twist and omg out load moments!! I read this over a couple days it didn’t take me long at all, if you’re a huge fan of thrillers and looking for a spooky read on the run up to Halloween I highly recommend!!!
The characters were so easy to follow and the plot was so well written that I didn’t see a lot of the plot twists coming!!! Highly recommend!! You need to pick this up if you haven’t already!!!
I cannot give you any spoilers at all as it will ruin the fun for you!! Enjoy this rollercoaster of a book!!!
The characters were so easy to follow and the plot was so well written that I didn’t see a lot of the plot twists coming!!! Highly recommend!! You need to pick this up if you haven’t already!!!
I cannot give you any spoilers at all as it will ruin the fun for you!! Enjoy this rollercoaster of a book!!!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews