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Dr. Hannah Nightingale #1
The Toy Breaker
Dr Hannah Nightingale faces a race against time to stop the evil serial killer known as the Toybreaker
Someone is snatching small children from their beds in the middle of the night. They leave a sinister calling card behind: a broken handmade puppet on the child’s pillow. The press nickname the kidnapper the Toybreaker. In a desperate move, Superintendent David Mallory calls in criminal profiler Dr Hannah Nightingale to help with an investigation that is going nowhere.
More children disappear and the city of Garton is on the edge of panic. A very dark mind is at work, but why does the Toybreaker suddenly change his method, adding a lock of hair to the crime scene. When a prime suspect escapes, the police appear to have reached another dead end. Will the Toybreaker be stopped before more families are destroyed?
This is a fast-paced thriller that will have you turning the pages till the action-packed ending.
Someone is snatching small children from their beds in the middle of the night. They leave a sinister calling card behind: a broken handmade puppet on the child’s pillow. The press nickname the kidnapper the Toybreaker. In a desperate move, Superintendent David Mallory calls in criminal profiler Dr Hannah Nightingale to help with an investigation that is going nowhere.
More children disappear and the city of Garton is on the edge of panic. A very dark mind is at work, but why does the Toybreaker suddenly change his method, adding a lock of hair to the crime scene. When a prime suspect escapes, the police appear to have reached another dead end. Will the Toybreaker be stopped before more families are destroyed?
This is a fast-paced thriller that will have you turning the pages till the action-packed ending.
234 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2008
589 people are currently reading
743 people want to read
About the author
Roy Chester
22 books25 followersI retired as the Proudman Professor of Oceanography in the Department of Earth & Ocean Sciences at the University of Liverpool in 2001.
I am the author of over 125 papers in the mainstream scientific literature and have written a number of textbooks.
I have also served as a lay member of the Mental Health Tribunal for over 25 years.
Since retirement, my writing has focused on crime thrillers.
I am the author of over 125 papers in the mainstream scientific literature and have written a number of textbooks.
I have also served as a lay member of the Mental Health Tribunal for over 25 years.
Since retirement, my writing has focused on crime thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
November 7, 2016
THE TOYBREAKER by Roy Chester is a face-paced, well written, dark and disturbing police procedural/serial killer crime thriller. This book has everything in it. I loved it!
“The Toybreaker is every parent’s nightmare. The worst of all evils. A serial kidnapper on the loose who snatches young children from their homes. And always at night. A phantom that seems to come and go as it pleases.”
FACTS:
In 6 months…5 children have gone missing. No bodies found…no ransom?
The children do not come from rich families, so it appears that the reason for abduction is not for financial gain?
Always one or two year olds from a single family.
A wooden toy, (clown puppet), a calling card, was left behind and a lock of the child’s hair.
Chief Superintendent David Mallory and DCI Gary Falcon have been assigned to the case…to catch this serial killer named The Toy Breaker. Mallory and Falcon have four weeks to show progress on the case or they will both be replaced.
Dr. Hannah Nightingale, a forensic psychologist has been employed as a consultant profiler by the team, as the investigation is going nowhere. Hannah has to fight hard to be accepted by the police, as they are from the old school and have little faith in a “profiler.”
“Dr Hannah Nightingale faces a race against time to stop the evil serial killer known as the Toybreaker.”
This is a FASCINATING CRIME THRILLER WITH A SUPERB ENDING. THE TOYBREAKER is the first in a new series of crime thrillers. The next book in the series, called ANGER MAN, is now available. I do look forward to more in this series. A gripping read from start to finish. Watch out for this author…one with great potential!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing my copy via NetGalley; it was my pleasure to provide an honest review.
“The Toybreaker is every parent’s nightmare. The worst of all evils. A serial kidnapper on the loose who snatches young children from their homes. And always at night. A phantom that seems to come and go as it pleases.”
FACTS:
In 6 months…5 children have gone missing. No bodies found…no ransom?
The children do not come from rich families, so it appears that the reason for abduction is not for financial gain?
Always one or two year olds from a single family.
A wooden toy, (clown puppet), a calling card, was left behind and a lock of the child’s hair.
Chief Superintendent David Mallory and DCI Gary Falcon have been assigned to the case…to catch this serial killer named The Toy Breaker. Mallory and Falcon have four weeks to show progress on the case or they will both be replaced.
Dr. Hannah Nightingale, a forensic psychologist has been employed as a consultant profiler by the team, as the investigation is going nowhere. Hannah has to fight hard to be accepted by the police, as they are from the old school and have little faith in a “profiler.”
“Dr Hannah Nightingale faces a race against time to stop the evil serial killer known as the Toybreaker.”
This is a FASCINATING CRIME THRILLER WITH A SUPERB ENDING. THE TOYBREAKER is the first in a new series of crime thrillers. The next book in the series, called ANGER MAN, is now available. I do look forward to more in this series. A gripping read from start to finish. Watch out for this author…one with great potential!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing my copy via NetGalley; it was my pleasure to provide an honest review.
January 21, 2021
This is a brilliant dark and disturbing crime thriller, that is well constructed, full of twists and turns, that all make sense and fit in with the plot. After a couple of chapters to set the story up, this was very tightly paced. The tension and excitement built up throughout the novel that culminated in one of the most thrilling, anxiety inducing endings I've read in a long time.
Although the subject matter for the plot is dark and disturbing, it is all handled sensitively. Even the hardened police officers, show their sensitivity and horror at the events that occur. I think this emphasises the depths to which the killer has gone.
I loved the character of the profiler Hannah Nightingale, she is a wonderful character, human with flaws, she makes mistakes but admits them. Unlike most profilers in books she doesn’t give off airs and graces, that she knows better than everyone. There appears to be one hell of a back story to her, some revealed in this book, but I am sure there is a lot more. The other main characters are also well written and have a back story. I look forward to discovering more and more as the series progresses.
This was a new author for me, not for long. A fantastic treat for lovers of thrillers with a psychological insight. After reading approximately 20-25% of this book, I bought the next 4 (rest of the series). I have already started book 2 and I am hooked again.
Although the subject matter for the plot is dark and disturbing, it is all handled sensitively. Even the hardened police officers, show their sensitivity and horror at the events that occur. I think this emphasises the depths to which the killer has gone.
I loved the character of the profiler Hannah Nightingale, she is a wonderful character, human with flaws, she makes mistakes but admits them. Unlike most profilers in books she doesn’t give off airs and graces, that she knows better than everyone. There appears to be one hell of a back story to her, some revealed in this book, but I am sure there is a lot more. The other main characters are also well written and have a back story. I look forward to discovering more and more as the series progresses.
This was a new author for me, not for long. A fantastic treat for lovers of thrillers with a psychological insight. After reading approximately 20-25% of this book, I bought the next 4 (rest of the series). I have already started book 2 and I am hooked again.
February 21, 2018
This is a 3.5 star read.
The first of a series of books my friend bought me, this immediately drew me in with it's creepy title and cover. The plot is every parents worst nightmare, a serial abductor of small children, always in the dead of night, with no clues left behind save for a smashed clown toy. (What is it with creepy clowns?)
The investigation is headed by DSupt. David Mallory and DCI Gary Falcon. When no headway is made in the case Dr Hannah Nightingale, a forensic psychiatrist, is brought in to try and profile the Toybreaker. Well written and tightly paced, it made for an exceptionally quick read after the first few chapters which were really story building of the characters. The psychological viewpoint was fascinating and it made for an interesting, if initially confusing, variance on the standard police procedural. The author did an amazing job of building the tension and excitement throughout the novel culminating in one of the most thrilling, anxiety inducing endings I've read in a long time.
My only complaint is that I didn't quite gel with the character Hannah. She felt so wishy washy in her surmises at the beginning that it felt as if she was completely winging it. This is the start of a new series though so I'm hoping the character will develop as time goes on.
A treat for lovers of quality British police procedurals with a psychological insight.
The first of a series of books my friend bought me, this immediately drew me in with it's creepy title and cover. The plot is every parents worst nightmare, a serial abductor of small children, always in the dead of night, with no clues left behind save for a smashed clown toy. (What is it with creepy clowns?)
The investigation is headed by DSupt. David Mallory and DCI Gary Falcon. When no headway is made in the case Dr Hannah Nightingale, a forensic psychiatrist, is brought in to try and profile the Toybreaker. Well written and tightly paced, it made for an exceptionally quick read after the first few chapters which were really story building of the characters. The psychological viewpoint was fascinating and it made for an interesting, if initially confusing, variance on the standard police procedural. The author did an amazing job of building the tension and excitement throughout the novel culminating in one of the most thrilling, anxiety inducing endings I've read in a long time.
My only complaint is that I didn't quite gel with the character Hannah. She felt so wishy washy in her surmises at the beginning that it felt as if she was completely winging it. This is the start of a new series though so I'm hoping the character will develop as time goes on.
A treat for lovers of quality British police procedurals with a psychological insight.
October 18, 2016
THE TOYBREAKER a gripping serial killer crime thriller
by Roy Chester
This is my fifth attempt to post this review. I am starting to feel very superstitious, thinking the universe doesn't want to hear from me about this book. I just got a new computer and a couple of days ago I threw out my disc for word 2013. My husband said that our brother in law who works in IT could transfer my University 365 word document, excel, and power point and one note onto my new computer from my old one. Wrong, again. I will have to replace those programs that make life so much easier. Each time I retype this review it changes because I am unable to save it in a word document.
Here is a good time to tell you that this is a thriller about a serial killer. It is dark and disturbing so stop reading this if the subject matter is not for you. I really didn't like the book. I was uncomfortable reading it and reviewing it. I did like all the characters beside the husband and wife that are the serial killers. I understand if you stop reading my review. I take one hundred percent responsibility. I requested eleven thrillers on the same day and got approved for the darkest of the lot. So I understand completely if you don't read my reviews for the next eleven books.
Thank you to Net Galley, Roy Chester and the publisher Joffe Books for providing me with my digital copy for a fair and honest review.
I am excited to tell you that this one is number one in a series introducing Dr. Hannah Nightingale. Hannah is employed as a consultant to work this investigation. She specializes in forensic psychiatry profiling criminal behaviors. Finding patterns, assembling data and identifying who is perpetrating these crimes. She can speak to these serial killer's motives. Find triggers and try to figure out if a traumatizing event turned these people into criminal behavior. I really liked her character and the detectives she works with. I think her character is the selling point of the novel. It was very similar to the television series CRIMINAL MINDS. She uses the same terminology that they use.
I loved the Hannah Nightingale character and will read this author again, if he incorporates her in her own series. As I said Hannah is brought aboard as a consultant to assist Chief Superintendent David Mallory who leads this investigation. Also helping out in the investigation whom has become subject to some unwelcome and unpleasant wrath from other officers is Detective Inspector Gary Falcon. These three character's all work well together and between Hannah's profile and the databases they discover the identity quickly who the press nicknames The Toybreaker is. He is brought in for questioning, but gets away and their pursuit of him continues.
I really thought the book was easy reading. It is not too long or too short. I was able to read it in one sitting. I did love what the book calls the Glossary of English Slang for United States readers. I will be sure to use it with all my English writers. Auld Reekie means Edinburgh. Barm means bread roll. Barney means argument. Benefits means social security. Broadsheet means a U.S. newspaper. Bob means money. Biscuit means cookie. Chinwag means conversation. I love it. Also it is quite comprehensive.
by Roy Chester
This is my fifth attempt to post this review. I am starting to feel very superstitious, thinking the universe doesn't want to hear from me about this book. I just got a new computer and a couple of days ago I threw out my disc for word 2013. My husband said that our brother in law who works in IT could transfer my University 365 word document, excel, and power point and one note onto my new computer from my old one. Wrong, again. I will have to replace those programs that make life so much easier. Each time I retype this review it changes because I am unable to save it in a word document.
Here is a good time to tell you that this is a thriller about a serial killer. It is dark and disturbing so stop reading this if the subject matter is not for you. I really didn't like the book. I was uncomfortable reading it and reviewing it. I did like all the characters beside the husband and wife that are the serial killers. I understand if you stop reading my review. I take one hundred percent responsibility. I requested eleven thrillers on the same day and got approved for the darkest of the lot. So I understand completely if you don't read my reviews for the next eleven books.
Thank you to Net Galley, Roy Chester and the publisher Joffe Books for providing me with my digital copy for a fair and honest review.
I am excited to tell you that this one is number one in a series introducing Dr. Hannah Nightingale. Hannah is employed as a consultant to work this investigation. She specializes in forensic psychiatry profiling criminal behaviors. Finding patterns, assembling data and identifying who is perpetrating these crimes. She can speak to these serial killer's motives. Find triggers and try to figure out if a traumatizing event turned these people into criminal behavior. I really liked her character and the detectives she works with. I think her character is the selling point of the novel. It was very similar to the television series CRIMINAL MINDS. She uses the same terminology that they use.
I loved the Hannah Nightingale character and will read this author again, if he incorporates her in her own series. As I said Hannah is brought aboard as a consultant to assist Chief Superintendent David Mallory who leads this investigation. Also helping out in the investigation whom has become subject to some unwelcome and unpleasant wrath from other officers is Detective Inspector Gary Falcon. These three character's all work well together and between Hannah's profile and the databases they discover the identity quickly who the press nicknames The Toybreaker is. He is brought in for questioning, but gets away and their pursuit of him continues.
I really thought the book was easy reading. It is not too long or too short. I was able to read it in one sitting. I did love what the book calls the Glossary of English Slang for United States readers. I will be sure to use it with all my English writers. Auld Reekie means Edinburgh. Barm means bread roll. Barney means argument. Benefits means social security. Broadsheet means a U.S. newspaper. Bob means money. Biscuit means cookie. Chinwag means conversation. I love it. Also it is quite comprehensive.
October 13, 2016
DIS David Mallory and DCI Gary Falcon have teamed up to catch the monstrous serial killer named The Toy Breaker.
The Toy Breaker abducts very young children from one-parent homes. leaving nothing behind except a lock of the child's hair and a broken clown puppet. There are no ransom notes, no clues, no witnesses. The children are never seen again.
At a standstill in the case and with a last-gasp effort to stop the killer, Mallory calls in a criminal profiler, Dr. Hannah Nightingale.
More children disappear, the city is panicking and the higher ups have given the detectives little time to get this solved or they will be replaced.
The tension is mounting and the desperation evident. Who is the Toy Breaker? And why very young children, the most innocent of all?
This is a fast-paced thriller that will have you turning the pages until the explosive ending.
I highly recommend THE TOY BREAKER for anyone who has a love of crime thrillers.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / NetGallery who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
The Toy Breaker abducts very young children from one-parent homes. leaving nothing behind except a lock of the child's hair and a broken clown puppet. There are no ransom notes, no clues, no witnesses. The children are never seen again.
At a standstill in the case and with a last-gasp effort to stop the killer, Mallory calls in a criminal profiler, Dr. Hannah Nightingale.
More children disappear, the city is panicking and the higher ups have given the detectives little time to get this solved or they will be replaced.
The tension is mounting and the desperation evident. Who is the Toy Breaker? And why very young children, the most innocent of all?
This is a fast-paced thriller that will have you turning the pages until the explosive ending.
I highly recommend THE TOY BREAKER for anyone who has a love of crime thrillers.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / NetGallery who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
May 24, 2017
I have to say the cover and the description for this book really drew me in and I knew I had to read it for myself.
The start of the story starts of with a young man and his son which had me hooked right from that point. I was desperate to know what part they played in this story and what happens to them. I was not disappointed.
I love criminal profiler themes in books. For anyone who is fascinated with murderers and crimes, it’s great to be able to see how their minds work so I for one loved Hannah’s character in this book. Her work is quite crucial in the discovery of the Toybreaker which I think David Mallory and Gary Falcon ends up being grateful for.
The Toy Breaker is without a doubt a dark and twisted read. I absolutely loved the story line and certainly did not see what was coming. At only 235 pages for the kindle edition, I devoured this book in a matter of hours and am looking forward to reading more in the series.
The start of the story starts of with a young man and his son which had me hooked right from that point. I was desperate to know what part they played in this story and what happens to them. I was not disappointed.
I love criminal profiler themes in books. For anyone who is fascinated with murderers and crimes, it’s great to be able to see how their minds work so I for one loved Hannah’s character in this book. Her work is quite crucial in the discovery of the Toybreaker which I think David Mallory and Gary Falcon ends up being grateful for.
The Toy Breaker is without a doubt a dark and twisted read. I absolutely loved the story line and certainly did not see what was coming. At only 235 pages for the kindle edition, I devoured this book in a matter of hours and am looking forward to reading more in the series.
October 15, 2016
Quick and creepy! Very dialogue heavy with short and snappy chapters and likeable characters. A great read for October! Easily read in one sitting. Set aside some time and prepare to be creeped out.
Dr. Hannah Nightingale is a forensic psychiatrist that's been brought in as a profiler on a very disturbing case. A total of five children have been taken from their bedrooms at night. The kidnapper leaves behind only a lock of their hair and a broken clown doll. The police have no witnesses and no leads. The town is terrified. Are the children dead or alive? And what kind of person would steal an innocent child away from a loving home? The doctor is working with two detectives, Mallory and Falcon. They are at first reluctant to work with a profiler and dubious of her skill but soon realize they need all the help they can get. The case remaining unsolved would not only result in more children in danger but possibly the end of some careers. They don't have much time to find the children (dead or alive) and bring the The Toybreaker to justice.
I received an ARC from Net Galley and Joffe Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Dr. Hannah Nightingale is a forensic psychiatrist that's been brought in as a profiler on a very disturbing case. A total of five children have been taken from their bedrooms at night. The kidnapper leaves behind only a lock of their hair and a broken clown doll. The police have no witnesses and no leads. The town is terrified. Are the children dead or alive? And what kind of person would steal an innocent child away from a loving home? The doctor is working with two detectives, Mallory and Falcon. They are at first reluctant to work with a profiler and dubious of her skill but soon realize they need all the help they can get. The case remaining unsolved would not only result in more children in danger but possibly the end of some careers. They don't have much time to find the children (dead or alive) and bring the The Toybreaker to justice.
I received an ARC from Net Galley and Joffe Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
March 7, 2017
Not happy at all. I've got as far as 53% into this putting up with errors throughout but it had reached the stage of one per page pretty much so I had to give in......it wore me down in the end. A great pity because I was really enjoying the story. But to be constantly distracted by mistakes just spoils the whole experience for me. I'm so fed up. This author is by no means the only offender. We see this in e-books time and time again. Authors need to realise that those of us reading on devices are still READERS and customers and ought to be afforded a little more respect. Print books were never in the mess that e-books are in and from bestselling authors as well.
Firstly, we have "...there was a suggestion it that might have been"...which makes no sense at all.
We had missing words a LOT and also words thrown in where they're not needed...like "she would just to sit and look out""...a door at the end of corridor opened""a man he'd picked in the town centre""he does not have answer any question""he hadn't shown any sign emotion""the incredible the lengths that woman was prepared to go" and finally, "...the belief that XX's the Toybreaker is".
There were lots of fullstops missed, commas too then dropped speechmarks for a bit of variation.
A lot of acronyms were used as well, most I found on Google but not RMO. Still no idea what that stands for. That got pretty tiresome as well and again disrupted the flow. Recess was used and I'm pretty sure he meant regress as well.
I have still kept this on my device in the hope it will one day get a proper edit and I can finish it as, don't get me wrong, the story was really VERY good. All that effort wasted on this consumer in the end because of a lack of proper editing making it unreadable. I gave it more than a fair crack, I'd say.
Firstly, we have "...there was a suggestion it that might have been"...which makes no sense at all.
We had missing words a LOT and also words thrown in where they're not needed...like "she would just to sit and look out""...a door at the end of corridor opened""a man he'd picked in the town centre""he does not have answer any question""he hadn't shown any sign emotion""the incredible the lengths that woman was prepared to go" and finally, "...the belief that XX's the Toybreaker is".
There were lots of fullstops missed, commas too then dropped speechmarks for a bit of variation.
A lot of acronyms were used as well, most I found on Google but not RMO. Still no idea what that stands for. That got pretty tiresome as well and again disrupted the flow. Recess was used and I'm pretty sure he meant regress as well.
I have still kept this on my device in the hope it will one day get a proper edit and I can finish it as, don't get me wrong, the story was really VERY good. All that effort wasted on this consumer in the end because of a lack of proper editing making it unreadable. I gave it more than a fair crack, I'd say.
March 24, 2017
KIND OF BLAND TO ME AND CONFUSING AT TIMES, NOT VERY THRILLING AT ALL MORE LIKE BORING,;\
March 21, 2017
This story moves along at a niec pace that hooked me from the start. The characters are very well introduced and developed throughout the book In fact, they are still being developed towards the conclusion, which sets up Dr Hannah Nightingale and her fellow protagonists for the sequel.
There is the classic line that the seasoned police officers are very skeptical, at first, about the introduction of a psychological profiler, but gradually become convinced of her value to their investigations. By the end, of course, she proves to be absolutely vital. That storyline is hardly original, but the author manages to make it convincing.
The pace is maintained by good, strong dialogue and the dilemmas that face at least two of the main characters.
There are a few twists and turns and surprises throughout, although the main surprise was not a shock to me, even though it seemed to leap out of the blue at the two detectives and the profiler. I was expecting one major twist at the end that didn't actually happen, so I lost my personal bet with myself.
The tension in the end play was expertly managed and I was swept along by it. A very good conclusion.
The only element that grated slightly with me was the infusion of Americanisms. Most of the narrative is in British English, and there is even a "Glossary of English Slang for US Readers" at the end of the book to help our trans-Atlantic friends. If I were American, I would have preferred this to be at the front of the book so that I could become aware of it before I started reading the first chapter.
I thoroughly recommend The Toy Breaker to any fans of the psychological thriller.
There is the classic line that the seasoned police officers are very skeptical, at first, about the introduction of a psychological profiler, but gradually become convinced of her value to their investigations. By the end, of course, she proves to be absolutely vital. That storyline is hardly original, but the author manages to make it convincing.
The pace is maintained by good, strong dialogue and the dilemmas that face at least two of the main characters.
There are a few twists and turns and surprises throughout, although the main surprise was not a shock to me, even though it seemed to leap out of the blue at the two detectives and the profiler. I was expecting one major twist at the end that didn't actually happen, so I lost my personal bet with myself.
The tension in the end play was expertly managed and I was swept along by it. A very good conclusion.
The only element that grated slightly with me was the infusion of Americanisms. Most of the narrative is in British English, and there is even a "Glossary of English Slang for US Readers" at the end of the book to help our trans-Atlantic friends. If I were American, I would have preferred this to be at the front of the book so that I could become aware of it before I started reading the first chapter.
I thoroughly recommend The Toy Breaker to any fans of the psychological thriller.
November 15, 2016
A mediocre read. I don't know if it had to do with my previous reads that I had high expectations for this book. The story wasn't bad but it wasn't brilliant either. There was a lot of printing mistakes in my ebook which got under my skin. I never usually let this bother me but it got to the stage where it was too much. I even found myself skimming some of the pages towards the end of the book. I think the "killer" was revealed way to early and then too many chapters were taken up with unnecessary chatter. I didnt particularly like the people in the story or the background story that played out. I found them to be shallow. May consider reading the next installment in this series but not until I have had a break and read some more engaging reads.
December 25, 2016
Good.....But.....
This is a great story; I really cannot say enough for the creativity and suspense of this book. However, the editor should be fired! I have never read a book with so many grammatical errors! Spelling and sentence structure errors are on almost every page. It's extremely distracting, and there were times when I had difficulty deciphering what was being said. Yes I know, I'm American and proper English is different. This is far more than differences in speech patterns. It seemed like the author typed it out, sent it in and after that not one single person looked at it before it went to the public!!! I hope the author takes note of this review and uses a different editing process in the future.
This is a great story; I really cannot say enough for the creativity and suspense of this book. However, the editor should be fired! I have never read a book with so many grammatical errors! Spelling and sentence structure errors are on almost every page. It's extremely distracting, and there were times when I had difficulty deciphering what was being said. Yes I know, I'm American and proper English is different. This is far more than differences in speech patterns. It seemed like the author typed it out, sent it in and after that not one single person looked at it before it went to the public!!! I hope the author takes note of this review and uses a different editing process in the future.
December 11, 2017
This book should have been amongst the top of my pile of books to read! To sum up this book in one word - excellent. I am not going to write what the story is about for fear of spoiling for others, but i do recommend this book. Especially if you enjoy books with serial killers.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2017
Gave up on this book half way through, so I've given it only 2 stars. Really didn't like the pages of dialogue with characters explaining the action in detail. It's almost like writing-by-numbers.
May 8, 2018
I really tried, but I could not get into this book, so I did not finish it. The characters feel wooden, the dialogue is choppy and descriptions are too drawn out.
January 12, 2021
Silly. Very silly. Exceptionally silly. If someone had set out to write the most ludicrous plot of the year, they would have to contend with this conglomeration of silliness.
On the whole, it was very silly indeed.
On the whole, it was very silly indeed.
April 19, 2018
Actual rating - 3.5
December 17, 2016
The Toybreaker by Roy Chester is a mystery and thriller read.
Can Dr Hannah Nightingale stop the evil serial killer known as the Toybreaker?
Someone is snatching children from their beds in the middle of the night. They leave a sinister calling card behind: a broken handmade puppet on the child’s pillow. The press nickname the kidnapper the Toybreaker. In a desperate move, Superintendent David Mallory calls in criminal profiler Dr Hannah Nightingale to help with an investigation that is going nowhere.
More children disappear and the city of Garton is on the edge of panic. A very dark mind is at work, but why does the Toybreaker suddenly change their method, adding a lock of hair to the crime scene. When a prime suspect escapes, the police appear to have reached another dead end. Can the Toybreaker be stopped before more families are destroyed?
This is a fast-paced thriller that will have you turning the pages till the action-packed ending.
THE DETECTIVES: David Mallory is an old-school policeman who has made some powerful enemies within his own department. DCI Gary Falcon is an ambitious young man on the rise, but his father’s legal work for the city’s criminal class does not play well with his fellow officers.
THE PROFILER: Dr Hannah Nightingale an up-and-coming forensic psychiatrist who is employed as a consultant profiler by the Toybreaker team. The Nightingale family are prominent in the Garton social scene and Hannah has to fight hard to be accepted by a sceptical police force.
THE SETTING: Garton is a fictional port city in the north of England. It’s faced years of industrial decline, but a strong community spirit and sense of humour give hope of revival. But there are still pockets of rundown inner-city criminality.
Absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. Full of twists and plots. Completely had me. Very cleverly written. Couldn't put it down. OMG didn't see that coming. Highly recommended. 5*. Ivoluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
Can Dr Hannah Nightingale stop the evil serial killer known as the Toybreaker?
Someone is snatching children from their beds in the middle of the night. They leave a sinister calling card behind: a broken handmade puppet on the child’s pillow. The press nickname the kidnapper the Toybreaker. In a desperate move, Superintendent David Mallory calls in criminal profiler Dr Hannah Nightingale to help with an investigation that is going nowhere.
More children disappear and the city of Garton is on the edge of panic. A very dark mind is at work, but why does the Toybreaker suddenly change their method, adding a lock of hair to the crime scene. When a prime suspect escapes, the police appear to have reached another dead end. Can the Toybreaker be stopped before more families are destroyed?
This is a fast-paced thriller that will have you turning the pages till the action-packed ending.
THE DETECTIVES: David Mallory is an old-school policeman who has made some powerful enemies within his own department. DCI Gary Falcon is an ambitious young man on the rise, but his father’s legal work for the city’s criminal class does not play well with his fellow officers.
THE PROFILER: Dr Hannah Nightingale an up-and-coming forensic psychiatrist who is employed as a consultant profiler by the Toybreaker team. The Nightingale family are prominent in the Garton social scene and Hannah has to fight hard to be accepted by a sceptical police force.
THE SETTING: Garton is a fictional port city in the north of England. It’s faced years of industrial decline, but a strong community spirit and sense of humour give hope of revival. But there are still pockets of rundown inner-city criminality.
Absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. Full of twists and plots. Completely had me. Very cleverly written. Couldn't put it down. OMG didn't see that coming. Highly recommended. 5*. Ivoluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
October 29, 2016
This was a dark and disturbing crime thriller brilliantly constructed and executed by Chester. All the characters are well defines and the procedural aspect of the police work in the book is fascinating.
The hunt for the Toy Breaker twists and turns as various suspects are discovered and then eliminated.
The plot is very well thought out and every twist and turn builds the suspense and makes perfect sense.
Profiler Hannah Nightingale is a brilliantly writing character, human with flaws, she makes mistakes and admits them, she doesn’t give off airs that she knows better than everyone.
There are sub-plots within the pertaining to the police and their official and unofficial code of conducts and all of these are resolved by the end of the book nicely, leaving no cliffhangers.
The climax of the book is thrilling and heart-stopping and Chester’s writing style is the reason for this.
While the nature of the crimes is disturbing and upsetting, he treats it with sensitivity and allows all of his characters even the hardened police officers to show their sensitivity and horror at the events that occur.
This is a must book for lovers of thrillers
The hunt for the Toy Breaker twists and turns as various suspects are discovered and then eliminated.
The plot is very well thought out and every twist and turn builds the suspense and makes perfect sense.
Profiler Hannah Nightingale is a brilliantly writing character, human with flaws, she makes mistakes and admits them, she doesn’t give off airs that she knows better than everyone.
There are sub-plots within the pertaining to the police and their official and unofficial code of conducts and all of these are resolved by the end of the book nicely, leaving no cliffhangers.
The climax of the book is thrilling and heart-stopping and Chester’s writing style is the reason for this.
While the nature of the crimes is disturbing and upsetting, he treats it with sensitivity and allows all of his characters even the hardened police officers to show their sensitivity and horror at the events that occur.
This is a must book for lovers of thrillers
February 5, 2017
I love to find books about profilers, I'm obsessed with Criminal Minds and have always loved true crime and the whole nature vs nurture debate so any time I see a book with a profiler I have to get it.
It's a good book and a good story, someone kidnapping 1-2 year old children from single parent families and leaving behind a broken wooden clown puppet. CS David Mallory and DCI Gary Falcon bring Dr Hannah Nightingale in despite not really putting much stock in profilers and they have to work together to find out who's kidnapping these children and why.
Well written story with likeable characters, slow release of information about the current case and the backgrounds of the main characters. Hints dropped here and there to keep you guessing and invested in the story and it's outcome.
Book #1 in the Dr Hannah Nightingale series.
*Huge thanks to Roy Chester, Joffe Books and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
It's a good book and a good story, someone kidnapping 1-2 year old children from single parent families and leaving behind a broken wooden clown puppet. CS David Mallory and DCI Gary Falcon bring Dr Hannah Nightingale in despite not really putting much stock in profilers and they have to work together to find out who's kidnapping these children and why.
Well written story with likeable characters, slow release of information about the current case and the backgrounds of the main characters. Hints dropped here and there to keep you guessing and invested in the story and it's outcome.
Book #1 in the Dr Hannah Nightingale series.
*Huge thanks to Roy Chester, Joffe Books and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
December 17, 2016
I was a bit disappointed with this book. The plot seemed interesting- someone has been abducting children leaving behind a smashed puppet & a lock of hair. The town is a powder keg & profiler Hannah Nightingale is called in to assist. The story moved along well and the characters were quite interesting but it all seemed a bit too simplistic to me and I was left with a feeling of disappointment. I felt there was so much more that could have been made of these characters and this scenario. That's just my view though, it may well appeal to someone else. Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.
December 28, 2017
Great characters in a brilliant story full of twists and turns, I couldn't put it down and the excitment went on right to the last page.
January 23, 2018
Quite good, have got the next one so hopefully the standard continues.
October 24, 2016
Find all my reviews on my blog, Clues and Reviews
https://cluesandreviews.wordpress.com/
Children are being abducted from their beds in the middle of the night. The only thing left at the scene is bits of broken toy clowns. With no leads, police employ Dr. Hannah Nightingale, a forensic psychiatrist and criminal profiler, to help them in their investigation. As more children disappear, a mass grave is found and the case thickens Hannah finds herself in a race against time to stop “The Toybreaker” before families are shattered….
The Toy Breaker, written by Roy Chester, is the first novel (in what I hope will be a new series!) starring criminal profiler Dr. Hannah Nightingale. This crime thriller follows Nightingale as she is called in to investigate a series of child abductions. By the time she is called in, the city is in a virtual panic and she must work quickly to put together a profile and help the police catch this villain.
This novel was extremely fast-paced and easy to read. I found myself completely sucked into the plot and had a hard time putting it down. Now, I am not usually a fan of police procedural novels; I find that I get confused with the lingo and am taken away from the plot. This was not the case with this novel at all! Chester did an amazing job at ensuring the plot was in the forefront. I found myself constantly second-guessing myself as I read. I thought I had the plot figured out multiple times but was proven wrong continuously.
I loved the characters, especially Dr. Hannah Nightingale. She is a strong, female lead; I found her to be comparable to Antoinette Conway from Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad novels or Jane Rizzoli from Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli and Isles series. I loved how the author gave some hints that she may have some demons in her past or something more to be developed in upcoming novels. A majority of the novel is narrated through her perspective.
Chester’s writing style is simple and effective. I liked that the author was to the point and didn’t get caught up in trying to be overly descriptive or too complex. He stayed true to the plot. He also attached a “dictionary” of sorts at the back of the novel explaining English-lingo for people who may not be familiar with their slang. I thought this was a nice touch and helped to ensure that no readers felt as if they were alienated.
My only complaint regarding this novel was a couple of random storylines that had minimal effect on the plot; these mostly involved the other police officers who were working the case and I am assuming they were there to set the stage for a plot that will come in later books.
After reading this novel, I cannot wait to read more from this author and will wait for the next novel in the series to be published. The Toy Breaker will please crime fiction fans everywhere!
WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK? Yes! It's totally worth the read!
**Thank you to the author (Roy Chester) and the publisher (Joffe Books) for granting me access to the digital copy of this book via Netgalley. **
https://cluesandreviews.wordpress.com/
Children are being abducted from their beds in the middle of the night. The only thing left at the scene is bits of broken toy clowns. With no leads, police employ Dr. Hannah Nightingale, a forensic psychiatrist and criminal profiler, to help them in their investigation. As more children disappear, a mass grave is found and the case thickens Hannah finds herself in a race against time to stop “The Toybreaker” before families are shattered….
The Toy Breaker, written by Roy Chester, is the first novel (in what I hope will be a new series!) starring criminal profiler Dr. Hannah Nightingale. This crime thriller follows Nightingale as she is called in to investigate a series of child abductions. By the time she is called in, the city is in a virtual panic and she must work quickly to put together a profile and help the police catch this villain.
This novel was extremely fast-paced and easy to read. I found myself completely sucked into the plot and had a hard time putting it down. Now, I am not usually a fan of police procedural novels; I find that I get confused with the lingo and am taken away from the plot. This was not the case with this novel at all! Chester did an amazing job at ensuring the plot was in the forefront. I found myself constantly second-guessing myself as I read. I thought I had the plot figured out multiple times but was proven wrong continuously.
I loved the characters, especially Dr. Hannah Nightingale. She is a strong, female lead; I found her to be comparable to Antoinette Conway from Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad novels or Jane Rizzoli from Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli and Isles series. I loved how the author gave some hints that she may have some demons in her past or something more to be developed in upcoming novels. A majority of the novel is narrated through her perspective.
Chester’s writing style is simple and effective. I liked that the author was to the point and didn’t get caught up in trying to be overly descriptive or too complex. He stayed true to the plot. He also attached a “dictionary” of sorts at the back of the novel explaining English-lingo for people who may not be familiar with their slang. I thought this was a nice touch and helped to ensure that no readers felt as if they were alienated.
My only complaint regarding this novel was a couple of random storylines that had minimal effect on the plot; these mostly involved the other police officers who were working the case and I am assuming they were there to set the stage for a plot that will come in later books.
After reading this novel, I cannot wait to read more from this author and will wait for the next novel in the series to be published. The Toy Breaker will please crime fiction fans everywhere!
WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK? Yes! It's totally worth the read!
**Thank you to the author (Roy Chester) and the publisher (Joffe Books) for granting me access to the digital copy of this book via Netgalley. **
May 4, 2017
I hate NOT finishing a book. I feel guilty and upset with myself for not getting it done . However, I got 30% in and had to just stop. I have been trying to read this for 3 weeks. I just cannot. The dialogue just bogged the whole story down for me personally. I quit at the part where someone (maybe the black guy?) is talking to someone else (a man) and page after page after page was literally:
I heard you were the mole
No, I am not.
Well, I heard you might be.
No, it was not me. I was not the mole.
Are you sure?
Yes. I was not the mole.
So, when they said you were the mole, were they lying?
Yes, someone lied because I am not the mole.
But they said you were the mole.
No, I am not a mole. I promise. And I am telling the truth about not being the mole.
Ok, I believe you because you said so. So how's the case going? Are you the mole?
This went on forever it seemed.
And that is how the whole thing felt to me. I can't tell you who the characters are. Is there a priest in there? I can't tell you what their personal damage is, although, it is written about in great detail. I just could not commit myself to the endless background stories and past issues and family issues that the people had going on. It does make me sad because the story had great potential. I did not even notice all the typos and editing issues because the actual story was my problem.
I heard you were the mole
No, I am not.
Well, I heard you might be.
No, it was not me. I was not the mole.
Are you sure?
Yes. I was not the mole.
So, when they said you were the mole, were they lying?
Yes, someone lied because I am not the mole.
But they said you were the mole.
No, I am not a mole. I promise. And I am telling the truth about not being the mole.
Ok, I believe you because you said so. So how's the case going? Are you the mole?
This went on forever it seemed.
And that is how the whole thing felt to me. I can't tell you who the characters are. Is there a priest in there? I can't tell you what their personal damage is, although, it is written about in great detail. I just could not commit myself to the endless background stories and past issues and family issues that the people had going on. It does make me sad because the story had great potential. I did not even notice all the typos and editing issues because the actual story was my problem.
January 11, 2018
Right from the opening chapter I knew this was going to be an intriguing and mystifying story. I have always found the concept of criminal profilers interesting, learning how they try and get inside the minds of some of the most evil people that commit the most devastating acts, and this storyline certainly explored some deep ideas.
I definitely found this book hard to put down, feeling the need to keep turning the page and embark on the next chapter to find out what was going to happen. The climax came a good 6 chapters from the end when we were launched into the rush to find the Toybreaker and prevent him from killing again. All the stops were pulled out and the excitement mounted as we joined the chase to the bitter end.
I like all the characters in this story and hope to pick up another of Roy Chester’s Hannah Nightingale novels so that I can continue on my journey with Mallery, Falcon and Hannah herself.
I definitely found this book hard to put down, feeling the need to keep turning the page and embark on the next chapter to find out what was going to happen. The climax came a good 6 chapters from the end when we were launched into the rush to find the Toybreaker and prevent him from killing again. All the stops were pulled out and the excitement mounted as we joined the chase to the bitter end.
I like all the characters in this story and hope to pick up another of Roy Chester’s Hannah Nightingale novels so that I can continue on my journey with Mallery, Falcon and Hannah herself.
March 22, 2017
I do not know why I've been randomly grabbing books all written by Brits set in England. I promise, not a phase I'm going through, just how they're falling off the pile.
This was a pretty decent book. Plot twists were ok, but pretty easy to predict. The pacing was a bit slow, and there were many allusions to the past of Dr. Hannah Nightingale that, well, they made me wonder if I'd missed a book in the series.
Character development was passable, but flat at times. The end was very action packed however. I'm not sure the author worked very hard on capturing the actual horror of what the killer was doing though. Those parts seemed rather glossed over. Then again, I may have been reading too many Jack Kilborn novels lately too (he's on the other side of the scale).
It's a quick read, so worth your time if you're into police procedurals on TV like Law and Order or CSI.
This was a pretty decent book. Plot twists were ok, but pretty easy to predict. The pacing was a bit slow, and there were many allusions to the past of Dr. Hannah Nightingale that, well, they made me wonder if I'd missed a book in the series.
Character development was passable, but flat at times. The end was very action packed however. I'm not sure the author worked very hard on capturing the actual horror of what the killer was doing though. Those parts seemed rather glossed over. Then again, I may have been reading too many Jack Kilborn novels lately too (he's on the other side of the scale).
It's a quick read, so worth your time if you're into police procedurals on TV like Law and Order or CSI.
April 9, 2021
OK detective novel. I liked the characters: two police detectives who are disadvantaged in their jobs due to the politics of the department and a psychologist profile trying to help them find a murderer.
I think the details of the psychology near the end of the book was unbelievable and didn't fit with the pace of the final scenes which was about action rather than understanding the workings of a sick mind, but I read that part quickly to get over with it.
I might consider trying another of this author.
I think the details of the psychology near the end of the book was unbelievable and didn't fit with the pace of the final scenes which was about action rather than understanding the workings of a sick mind, but I read that part quickly to get over with it.
I might consider trying another of this author.
November 15, 2025
Absolute rubbish
This book is so rubbish..
Total fantasy that a small north England town should have the best technology, whatever budget they want yet can't find any lead on a killer until some kind if psychiatrist profile comes along.
Full of impossible twists poorly set up, just happens to find all key clues and happy ending..
I had to finish it because I never leave a book unfinished but of the 67 books (mostly crime/police) I read this year this is the worst. I can't even describe how infuriated I feel.
Well that is just my opinion.
This book is so rubbish..
Total fantasy that a small north England town should have the best technology, whatever budget they want yet can't find any lead on a killer until some kind if psychiatrist profile comes along.
Full of impossible twists poorly set up, just happens to find all key clues and happy ending..
I had to finish it because I never leave a book unfinished but of the 67 books (mostly crime/police) I read this year this is the worst. I can't even describe how infuriated I feel.
Well that is just my opinion.
December 29, 2019
Gripping
Hannah Nightingale is a forensic psychiatrist brought in by Garton Police to work as a profiler to work on The Toybreaker case. Hannah soon finds herself involved in a case that is far more complicated than It seemed originally.
The Toybreaker is a totally gripping novel. Roy Chester has written a book that kept me hooked. It was fast paced and totally addictive.
If you are looking for a new author and love crime thrillers I strongly recommend this one to you.
Hannah Nightingale is a forensic psychiatrist brought in by Garton Police to work as a profiler to work on The Toybreaker case. Hannah soon finds herself involved in a case that is far more complicated than It seemed originally.
The Toybreaker is a totally gripping novel. Roy Chester has written a book that kept me hooked. It was fast paced and totally addictive.
If you are looking for a new author and love crime thrillers I strongly recommend this one to you.
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