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Matt Hunter #1
Purged
Matt Hunter lost his faith a long time ago. Formerly a minister, now a professor of sociology, he’s writing a book that debunks the Christian faith while assisting the police with religiously motivated crimes. On holiday with his family in Oxfordshire, Matt finds himself on edge in a seemingly idyllic village where wooden crosses hang at every turn. The stay becomes more sinister still when a local girl goes missing, followed by further disappearances. Caught up in an investigation that brings memories to the surface that he would prefer stay buried deep, Matt is on the trail of a killer determined to save us all.
413 pages, Paperback
Published February 16, 2017
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313 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
January 4, 2017
Purged. Wow. Stole a day of my life and possibly a little of my soul. Definitely my sleep. Well they say there is no rest for the wicked…
From the opening salvo I knew this one was special. I read such a lot including as many debuts as I can get my hands on and I love some, I like more, I detest a few and then there are those few that scream “Ye Gods here is yet another obsession for you batten down the hatches”. Purged falls into that last category and I fell into it, there really was no hope for me.
ANYWAY none of that babble is going to tell you why you might want to read it so here are the headlines. The writing is smart, funny, dark as sin (yes I did that) and incredibly immersive. The plotting is pacy yet considered, the characters live and breathe on the page and the story itself is scary good. No I mean actually scary. And good. And randomly thought provoking. I’m not a religious person but the psychology of it interests me and I’m not one for pretending I know everything. More things in Heaven and Earth and all that…
I should perhaps make clear that this is not a religious thriller as such, no Dan Brown type shenanigans here, but it IS a crime novel that is also character study and has an edge to it that might freak you out somewhat. What? No I’m fine. Didn’t sleep with the lights on at ALL….
Matt Hunter is my new favourite thing. An ex minister, now a Professor, he has a traumatic past and these days writes and lectures, oh and occasionally helps the police with things. When we meet him he is doing just that and by the time he was done with that little taster for the rest I was hook line and sinkered. Also never going to eat lettuce again…
Loved his family too. The dynamic that Peter Laws creates is terrifically involving, I basically want to go and live with them. Just not in Hobbs Hill. Please. Clever because by the time things start to get strange you are so attached to them as a unit that you pretty much hold your breath for the rest of the read.
I don’t want to talk about the actual plot much because why on earth would I spoil it for the rest of you who are yet to head into it – BUT I will say that the shades and the nuances that the author brings to the story are incredible, especially when it comes to Matt Hunter, who I fell madly in love with and just want to follow around like a puppy. There are some dark and intriguing themes running through the narrative and Purged is far from being any one thing. It will make you shiver, it will also make you laugh out loud, I’m not sure where the series will go from here but I’m going to be going there with it. In fact if we could hurry things along please…
It would have been easy, with the authors life story , to write some Exorcist fuelled almost copy but nope, whilst Purged certainly draws from his horror film knowledge and his religious background this is a beauty of a novel, a perfect storm of authenticity and creativity – it is gripping, utterly riveting, doesn’t hold back and just sends you rocketing down into the reading abyss.
You think I’m a fan? Yep I think I’m a fan.
Highly Recommended. If this one doesn’t make my Top Ten of the year come Dec 1st 2017 then I shall be very surprised.
From the opening salvo I knew this one was special. I read such a lot including as many debuts as I can get my hands on and I love some, I like more, I detest a few and then there are those few that scream “Ye Gods here is yet another obsession for you batten down the hatches”. Purged falls into that last category and I fell into it, there really was no hope for me.
ANYWAY none of that babble is going to tell you why you might want to read it so here are the headlines. The writing is smart, funny, dark as sin (yes I did that) and incredibly immersive. The plotting is pacy yet considered, the characters live and breathe on the page and the story itself is scary good. No I mean actually scary. And good. And randomly thought provoking. I’m not a religious person but the psychology of it interests me and I’m not one for pretending I know everything. More things in Heaven and Earth and all that…
I should perhaps make clear that this is not a religious thriller as such, no Dan Brown type shenanigans here, but it IS a crime novel that is also character study and has an edge to it that might freak you out somewhat. What? No I’m fine. Didn’t sleep with the lights on at ALL….
Matt Hunter is my new favourite thing. An ex minister, now a Professor, he has a traumatic past and these days writes and lectures, oh and occasionally helps the police with things. When we meet him he is doing just that and by the time he was done with that little taster for the rest I was hook line and sinkered. Also never going to eat lettuce again…
Loved his family too. The dynamic that Peter Laws creates is terrifically involving, I basically want to go and live with them. Just not in Hobbs Hill. Please. Clever because by the time things start to get strange you are so attached to them as a unit that you pretty much hold your breath for the rest of the read.
I don’t want to talk about the actual plot much because why on earth would I spoil it for the rest of you who are yet to head into it – BUT I will say that the shades and the nuances that the author brings to the story are incredible, especially when it comes to Matt Hunter, who I fell madly in love with and just want to follow around like a puppy. There are some dark and intriguing themes running through the narrative and Purged is far from being any one thing. It will make you shiver, it will also make you laugh out loud, I’m not sure where the series will go from here but I’m going to be going there with it. In fact if we could hurry things along please…
It would have been easy, with the authors life story , to write some Exorcist fuelled almost copy but nope, whilst Purged certainly draws from his horror film knowledge and his religious background this is a beauty of a novel, a perfect storm of authenticity and creativity – it is gripping, utterly riveting, doesn’t hold back and just sends you rocketing down into the reading abyss.
You think I’m a fan? Yep I think I’m a fan.
Highly Recommended. If this one doesn’t make my Top Ten of the year come Dec 1st 2017 then I shall be very surprised.
February 16, 2017
Blimey, this was wickedly good. A close-knit community provides the perfect host for dreadful things to thrive. At times I felt compelled to read the book at arm's length to put as much distance between me and the practices of the more curious residents of Hobbs Hill as possible!
How do you not rock the boat when you genuinely can't agree with 99% of the local population’s strong religious principles? He might have been there, done that and burned the t-shirt but Matt Hunter’s previous experience in theological circles only allows him to endure so much. After a stint in Hobbs Hill I got the distinct impression that Professor Hunter would happily beat most of the residents with the oars.
Yes, the ex-church minister turned professional non-believer arrives with his family to a chorus of enthusiastic worshippers. It makes his toes curl in his Yoda slippers, not that he disapproves of other people’s beliefs. He’d much prefer if he wasn’t made to feel morally inadequate because he chose differently. The whole 'embrace your faith’ atmosphere doesn’t do much for his wife either but a lot’s riding on their holiday visit, like the rest of her career, so it’s advisable not to provoke the townsfolk... which is easier said than done.
Their holiday mood isn’t improved by several unforeseen distractions: the road kill that made me physically wince, an old acquaintance with a captive and highly appreciative audience, and there are missing persons whose disappearances coincide with Matt’s miraculously timed arrival. Life’s not looking good for the sociology professor, not one little bit – and he hasn’t even started on the book he’s meant to be writing.
You have no idea how ridiculous I feel as I admit to physically craning my head to see what was over the shoulder of a fictional character before they did. But isn't that the sign of awesome scene setting and plotting? There's nothing quite like the aftershock of a rogue twig snap to get you turning pages just that little bit faster. Plus there are some downright impressive tongue-in-cheek observations and masses of cracking retorts - Matt Hunter is a character I can't wait to see again soon!
Purgedgenerously obliges in SO many ways: people are peculiar, their intentions are ambiguous, and suspense is everything. LOVED IT.
(Mwah! to the lovely Emma Finnigan for putting this one on my radar - thank YOU! It goes without saying that it’s my pleasure to provide this unbiased review. Thank you also to the publisher for the review copy.)
How do you not rock the boat when you genuinely can't agree with 99% of the local population’s strong religious principles? He might have been there, done that and burned the t-shirt but Matt Hunter’s previous experience in theological circles only allows him to endure so much. After a stint in Hobbs Hill I got the distinct impression that Professor Hunter would happily beat most of the residents with the oars.
Yes, the ex-church minister turned professional non-believer arrives with his family to a chorus of enthusiastic worshippers. It makes his toes curl in his Yoda slippers, not that he disapproves of other people’s beliefs. He’d much prefer if he wasn’t made to feel morally inadequate because he chose differently. The whole 'embrace your faith’ atmosphere doesn’t do much for his wife either but a lot’s riding on their holiday visit, like the rest of her career, so it’s advisable not to provoke the townsfolk... which is easier said than done.
Their holiday mood isn’t improved by several unforeseen distractions: the road kill that made me physically wince, an old acquaintance with a captive and highly appreciative audience, and there are missing persons whose disappearances coincide with Matt’s miraculously timed arrival. Life’s not looking good for the sociology professor, not one little bit – and he hasn’t even started on the book he’s meant to be writing.
You have no idea how ridiculous I feel as I admit to physically craning my head to see what was over the shoulder of a fictional character before they did. But isn't that the sign of awesome scene setting and plotting? There's nothing quite like the aftershock of a rogue twig snap to get you turning pages just that little bit faster. Plus there are some downright impressive tongue-in-cheek observations and masses of cracking retorts - Matt Hunter is a character I can't wait to see again soon!
Purgedgenerously obliges in SO many ways: people are peculiar, their intentions are ambiguous, and suspense is everything. LOVED IT.
(Mwah! to the lovely Emma Finnigan for putting this one on my radar - thank YOU! It goes without saying that it’s my pleasure to provide this unbiased review. Thank you also to the publisher for the review copy.)
January 3, 2018
Unusual, quirky, addictive - brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! 2017 is already proving itself a glory year for books and this one is an absolute corker!
March 4, 2019
Pretty good mystery novel. I picked this up mainly because it is shelved as 'horror', and a few of the reviews talk about the horror elements in it. I was surprised to find, however, that this is your standard serial killer whodunnit. I also believe that this was Laws' first novel, and you can tell in places .
The only other thing that I would add is that I found out after I read this that Laws is a Christian minister, and I really appreciated the fact that he separated his personal beliefs from his fiction. This book has no hidden agenda or real Christian message that Laws is trying to push. In fact, most of the Christians here are creepy as fuck while the atheists are pretty level-headed and present a lot of solid reasons why they don't believe.
The only other thing that I would add is that I found out after I read this that Laws is a Christian minister, and I really appreciated the fact that he separated his personal beliefs from his fiction. This book has no hidden agenda or real Christian message that Laws is trying to push. In fact, most of the Christians here are creepy as fuck while the atheists are pretty level-headed and present a lot of solid reasons why they don't believe.
November 7, 2024
I'm fully going to blame the narrator for my meh thoughts on this book. Speed up at 3.5 x the speed, on some of his voices, he sounded like Kermit. 😂
March 9, 2021
I had met this author, the 'Sinister Minister' actual Baptist Church minister and regular horror film review columnist for Fortean Times magazine a couple of years ago when we were both promoting books at a horror convention. Mr Laws is a huge horror fan and he was promoting the start of this book series as well as his non-fiction book The Frighteners, which looks at our fascination with all things scary of macabre. I bought a copy of that book at the time but I had been slightly less sure if I would be so interested in his fiction series which seemed to possibly resemble many modern crime tales.
A couple of years later and I have made time to try the first book in this Matt Hunter series. We meet Matt Hunter, sociology professor who often helps police with investigations. When his family travel to an idyllic small town for his wife's job interview he begins to receive harrowing photographs over his phone. It does soon enough become a crime murder mystery tale, after a strong horror styled opening couple of chapters. People who enjoy many of the best selling crime thriller books and authors will easily get into this I would think. It may not be as forensic or stark as some of those by Ian Rankin or McDermid and at times Laws style felt like some of the works of James Herbert or other horror authors so that was pleasing. It is an easy often witty read, good character interaction some almost comical moments and several chilling scenes with some vivid description.
So it looks and most of the time feels like a crime thriller but I think fans of horror and supernatural tales will certainly enjoy it and find it easy to read and possibly hard to put down by the end. I do think I will continue on with the next books in this Matt Hunter series when time allows.
A couple of years later and I have made time to try the first book in this Matt Hunter series. We meet Matt Hunter, sociology professor who often helps police with investigations. When his family travel to an idyllic small town for his wife's job interview he begins to receive harrowing photographs over his phone. It does soon enough become a crime murder mystery tale, after a strong horror styled opening couple of chapters. People who enjoy many of the best selling crime thriller books and authors will easily get into this I would think. It may not be as forensic or stark as some of those by Ian Rankin or McDermid and at times Laws style felt like some of the works of James Herbert or other horror authors so that was pleasing. It is an easy often witty read, good character interaction some almost comical moments and several chilling scenes with some vivid description.
So it looks and most of the time feels like a crime thriller but I think fans of horror and supernatural tales will certainly enjoy it and find it easy to read and possibly hard to put down by the end. I do think I will continue on with the next books in this Matt Hunter series when time allows.
September 25, 2017
Purged – A Fantastic Debut
Peter Laws has brought a fascinating debut out, that brings a different perspective on a crime thriller. This is not a police procedural thriller, but an ex-pastor, now a university professor of sociology, who happens to help the police out with religiously motivated crimes.
Matt Hunter and is wife, Wren, are taking their children away for a few weeks while, to a cottage in Oxfordshire, on the edge of what seems like the idyllic English country village. What he does notice is that everywhere he looks there are wooden crosses, on doors, in shop windows. No matter, as Wren is there at the invitation of the local evangelical church as they wish to employ her as an architect to do some interior redesigning.
During the holiday, a number of local women have gone missing and Matt gets caught up in the investigation. It would not be so bad, if Matt had not known the pastor, who he was at Bible college with years before. It does not help as both Matt and the pastor do clash, especially over their interpretation of Christianity and the works of the local church and the community.
Matt and his lack of belief is challenged throughout, by the police and Christian community, so much so that the police investigation takes over his thinking. It does not help that he recognises the Christian overtones in the disappearances and the irony in the name of the village, Hobbs Hill, as Hobbs being the old English word for the devil.
An excellent debut thriller, that is intriguing in its approach to the thriller genre, and makes it an enjoyable read throughout.
Peter Laws has brought a fascinating debut out, that brings a different perspective on a crime thriller. This is not a police procedural thriller, but an ex-pastor, now a university professor of sociology, who happens to help the police out with religiously motivated crimes.
Matt Hunter and is wife, Wren, are taking their children away for a few weeks while, to a cottage in Oxfordshire, on the edge of what seems like the idyllic English country village. What he does notice is that everywhere he looks there are wooden crosses, on doors, in shop windows. No matter, as Wren is there at the invitation of the local evangelical church as they wish to employ her as an architect to do some interior redesigning.
During the holiday, a number of local women have gone missing and Matt gets caught up in the investigation. It would not be so bad, if Matt had not known the pastor, who he was at Bible college with years before. It does not help as both Matt and the pastor do clash, especially over their interpretation of Christianity and the works of the local church and the community.
Matt and his lack of belief is challenged throughout, by the police and Christian community, so much so that the police investigation takes over his thinking. It does not help that he recognises the Christian overtones in the disappearances and the irony in the name of the village, Hobbs Hill, as Hobbs being the old English word for the devil.
An excellent debut thriller, that is intriguing in its approach to the thriller genre, and makes it an enjoyable read throughout.
March 24, 2017
3.5 stars
You know them books that like to toy with you, the ones it takes a little while to get into but once you’re in, that’s it, you’re hooked? This, for me, was one of them reads; it took me about 100 pages to become fully invested in this story. I think that’s mainly because I am guilty of judging a book by its cover, so here I was expecting a disturbingly creepy read but that wasn’t the case, well not right away anyway – this books sinister atmosphere took a while to enter my orbit.
The story starts in London but the Hunter family move temporary to Hobbs Hill as Wren, Matt’s wife, has a trial job opportunity. The more the story progressed in Hobbs Hill, the creepier it became. A close-knit community of deeply Christian worshipers, with crosses hanging in almost every window, welcome the Hunter family to their town. But what happens when the town discovers this family is not the ‘religious type’? An ex-minister has turned away from his faith, can he and his family be saved? Suddenly the scenic woodland is not so pretty, the gushing waterfall is no longer peaceful and how is one really purged of their sins?
Laws has a great writing style that makes this book a fluid read, interestingly, Laws is a Church Minister and I love that he was able to incorporate his knowledge of religion into this book without it taking over, so if you tend to avoid books with religious themes, there’s no need to avoid this one; it’s laced with dark humour and macabre, which I actually enjoyed reading more than the thriller elements.
Matt Hunter is a great character and I found myself really liking him, he came across as very real and down-to-earth. It’s not everyday, you find an ex-minister in the process of writing a book that debunks the very faith he used to live for, assisting the police with religiously motivated crimes – that idea alone makes this an orginial and interesting read. While Matt is no longer a believer, he still has his own internal battles going on, a well developed character, with pain in his past and a clear dedication to his family.
This is a solid start to a new crime series, if you’re a fan of macabre crime fiction, pick this one up.
*My thanks to Emma Finnigan PR for providing me with a copy of this book*
You know them books that like to toy with you, the ones it takes a little while to get into but once you’re in, that’s it, you’re hooked? This, for me, was one of them reads; it took me about 100 pages to become fully invested in this story. I think that’s mainly because I am guilty of judging a book by its cover, so here I was expecting a disturbingly creepy read but that wasn’t the case, well not right away anyway – this books sinister atmosphere took a while to enter my orbit.
The story starts in London but the Hunter family move temporary to Hobbs Hill as Wren, Matt’s wife, has a trial job opportunity. The more the story progressed in Hobbs Hill, the creepier it became. A close-knit community of deeply Christian worshipers, with crosses hanging in almost every window, welcome the Hunter family to their town. But what happens when the town discovers this family is not the ‘religious type’? An ex-minister has turned away from his faith, can he and his family be saved? Suddenly the scenic woodland is not so pretty, the gushing waterfall is no longer peaceful and how is one really purged of their sins?
Laws has a great writing style that makes this book a fluid read, interestingly, Laws is a Church Minister and I love that he was able to incorporate his knowledge of religion into this book without it taking over, so if you tend to avoid books with religious themes, there’s no need to avoid this one; it’s laced with dark humour and macabre, which I actually enjoyed reading more than the thriller elements.
Matt Hunter is a great character and I found myself really liking him, he came across as very real and down-to-earth. It’s not everyday, you find an ex-minister in the process of writing a book that debunks the very faith he used to live for, assisting the police with religiously motivated crimes – that idea alone makes this an orginial and interesting read. While Matt is no longer a believer, he still has his own internal battles going on, a well developed character, with pain in his past and a clear dedication to his family.
This is a solid start to a new crime series, if you’re a fan of macabre crime fiction, pick this one up.
*My thanks to Emma Finnigan PR for providing me with a copy of this book*
January 12, 2021
Compelling, creepy, troubling, yet hopeful
Laws is a very skilled storyteller. His pacing and suspense are superb. Matt Hunter is a flawed but admirable...and unfinished. Just as we all are, Hunter is a work in progress. Still, I suspect readers will appreciate his instincts and his inner turmoil. My only criticism is this, and I'll veil it in a stodgy quote: "Methinks thou does't protest too much."
Laws is a very skilled storyteller. His pacing and suspense are superb. Matt Hunter is a flawed but admirable...and unfinished. Just as we all are, Hunter is a work in progress. Still, I suspect readers will appreciate his instincts and his inner turmoil. My only criticism is this, and I'll veil it in a stodgy quote: "Methinks thou does't protest too much."
March 3, 2017
Professor Matt Hunter long ago lost his faith and gave up his role as minister. Now commissioned to write a book debunking faith he also assists the police with religiously motivated crimes. Matt travels to the village of Hobbes Hill with his family, perturbed by the flurry of crosses that fill the buildings. He also comes face to face with his past when the pastor of the local church turns out to be a former theological college student. The beautiful setting seems to be hiding some darker deeds as local women go missing. Matt is soon drawn into the case, hunting a killer determined to send those worthy to heaven.
This is the debut novel by Peter Laws, himself a minister, and is a cracking start to a new crime series.
The book focuses on the fervent and the lapsed, the role that belief or lack of can have on a person. During the course of the investigation Matt is forced to look further into his own loss of faith and how that may have affected his life and the lives of his family.
I had guessed the killer’s identity before the reveal but this did not detract from my enjoyment. I was completely wrapped up in the story until the very end. Peter Laws has a compelling writing style, mixing the comedic with the macabre and the more I read, the more I grew attached to the characters and the story.
Matt Hunter is a great character, funny, acerbic and devoted to his family. He is settled into his role as professor and is enjoys working with the police, investigating religiously motivated crimes. He has a tragic past, one that led him away from his calling as a minister, and the loss of faith resulting from that. During the novel, Matt is forced to face these issues, whilst trying to find a very real and dangerous killer. His wife, Wren is also a good character, perfectly balancing Matt and I look forward to reading more about Matt’s police colleagues in further novels.
Don’t let the religious theme put you off. I’m not remotely religious but I found this book to be a fascinating and gripping novel with a personable and unique protagonist.
A welcome new addition to the crime writing scene, peppered with humour but also thought provoking, dark and traumatic. A compelling, absorbing read and I for one can’t wait for the next book in the series.
This is the debut novel by Peter Laws, himself a minister, and is a cracking start to a new crime series.
The book focuses on the fervent and the lapsed, the role that belief or lack of can have on a person. During the course of the investigation Matt is forced to look further into his own loss of faith and how that may have affected his life and the lives of his family.
I had guessed the killer’s identity before the reveal but this did not detract from my enjoyment. I was completely wrapped up in the story until the very end. Peter Laws has a compelling writing style, mixing the comedic with the macabre and the more I read, the more I grew attached to the characters and the story.
Matt Hunter is a great character, funny, acerbic and devoted to his family. He is settled into his role as professor and is enjoys working with the police, investigating religiously motivated crimes. He has a tragic past, one that led him away from his calling as a minister, and the loss of faith resulting from that. During the novel, Matt is forced to face these issues, whilst trying to find a very real and dangerous killer. His wife, Wren is also a good character, perfectly balancing Matt and I look forward to reading more about Matt’s police colleagues in further novels.
Don’t let the religious theme put you off. I’m not remotely religious but I found this book to be a fascinating and gripping novel with a personable and unique protagonist.
A welcome new addition to the crime writing scene, peppered with humour but also thought provoking, dark and traumatic. A compelling, absorbing read and I for one can’t wait for the next book in the series.
February 9, 2018
I borrowed this book from the library for an upcoming book group discussion (and because he is one of the authors at the 2018 Ampthill Litfest) To be honest, I was not expecting great things. HOwever,I was blown away by it and have immediately ordered everything else he has ever written. I loved the approach - a former minister who has lost his faith who helps the police with religiously motivated crimes. The characters and the plot are both well drawn. I am amazed at how a minister (who i assume still has faith) can write so compellingly from the veiwpoint of someone who has lost that faith. As a lapsed christian, I enjoyed the explanations of various points of religion. it is a great read and I am so looking forward to hearing him speak at the Litfest.
July 29, 2019
Excellent read,
Different kind of thriller.An ex minister who has lost his faith and is writing a book debunking the christian faith.
The book written by a baptist minister who has written about a character so different from himself.
Matt Hunter and his family on holiday in Oxfordshire,his wife checking out a job,however it becomes clear Matt is known to someone in the village who wants him there for their own reasons.
A local girl goes missing,then someone else disappears, Matt becomes involved in the investigation as someone sends him information about the missing people. He has also helped the people with religious crimes before. Soon his life and his family are in danger,plus his past is being raked up with disturbing memories. We begin to find out why Matt has lost his faith.
Really enjoyed this fast paced thriller with a twist.
Different kind of thriller.An ex minister who has lost his faith and is writing a book debunking the christian faith.
The book written by a baptist minister who has written about a character so different from himself.
Matt Hunter and his family on holiday in Oxfordshire,his wife checking out a job,however it becomes clear Matt is known to someone in the village who wants him there for their own reasons.
A local girl goes missing,then someone else disappears, Matt becomes involved in the investigation as someone sends him information about the missing people. He has also helped the people with religious crimes before. Soon his life and his family are in danger,plus his past is being raked up with disturbing memories. We begin to find out why Matt has lost his faith.
Really enjoyed this fast paced thriller with a twist.
April 4, 2017
I have to file this in my "others" shelf, because there's a horror content in this story. A combination of religion, mental illness and voila, you got yourself some horror story. It does makes me uneasy during the whole read, and it didn't get any easier the more I dig in.
The story was set in a rural village and it's quite a nice setting that gives you the "lonely" feeling.
And then there's this weird attitude from the locals, but the good thing is some of the are quite normal (considering what normal is).
The story is build up quite nicely. I could enjoy the feeling of curiosity during the whole story. But all is answered in the end, although it's not as I thought what it was.
This book is suitable for mystery and thrill seekers, but with no element of ghost here. No such thing as a supernatural thing, but it will keep you wondering and at some point, questioned your faith.
The story was set in a rural village and it's quite a nice setting that gives you the "lonely" feeling.
And then there's this weird attitude from the locals, but the good thing is some of the are quite normal (considering what normal is).
The story is build up quite nicely. I could enjoy the feeling of curiosity during the whole story. But all is answered in the end, although it's not as I thought what it was.
This book is suitable for mystery and thrill seekers, but with no element of ghost here. No such thing as a supernatural thing, but it will keep you wondering and at some point, questioned your faith.
July 3, 2020
I like Matt Hunter - he's a great character, unusual, interesting the religiously motivations to the crimes involved in these novels are intriguing. I've read the series i bit wrong i started with book 3 but went back to the beginning because i enjoyed that one so much. This was creepy and fascinating and you are introduced to more of Matt's back story. The characters throughout are well fleshed out and interesting and make for a deep and intriguing novel. You care about the people you read about and that draws you further into the story. These are unique and intriguing stories and I heartily recommend them. 4.5* from me
January 3, 2024
3.5 stars
First book FINISHED in the New Year!
The story was fantastic but could have used a bit of editing to pull the story in just a bit. I love the concept of a former priest/pastor turned academic helping solve religiously bent crimes...could be a great series.
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First book FINISHED in the New Year!
The story was fantastic but could have used a bit of editing to pull the story in just a bit. I love the concept of a former priest/pastor turned academic helping solve religiously bent crimes...could be a great series.
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February 28, 2019
A really good thriller, with a distinct horror feel to it. I spotted the killer fairly early on, though. This is a well-written book and very enthralling. Glad I have his 2nd on my t.r list.
January 21, 2025
A silly, enjoyable, who done it with an interesting leading character, an ex priest university professor. Lots of religious overtones but a decent plot.
May 12, 2019
Wow! I happened upon this by accident, and wasn't expecting anything as good as it turned out to be; it kept me absolutely riveted right to the end. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.
The narration of the audio version by Ben Higgins was excellent.
The narration of the audio version by Ben Higgins was excellent.
March 22, 2017
I picked this book up at my local library because of (a) the cover (b) I had never heard of the author and (c) the notes said Peter Laws is an ordained Baptist minister.
(c) definitely had me intrigued as the blurb is about an ex minister who has lost his faith in God. He is now a university professor and finds himself often assisting the police.
Hoping fervently that it would be nothing like the Father Brown mysteries I opened the book.
What a great read this turned out to be. Evangelical, happy clappy, speaking in tongues, more crosses than most people could be comfortable with, full body immersion baptisms, mental health issues, homophobia AND murders.
I was in crime novel heaven...erm...well, maybe not quite heaven...but a really good place nonetheless.
Please write more, Peter Laws, soon.
(c) definitely had me intrigued as the blurb is about an ex minister who has lost his faith in God. He is now a university professor and finds himself often assisting the police.
Hoping fervently that it would be nothing like the Father Brown mysteries I opened the book.
What a great read this turned out to be. Evangelical, happy clappy, speaking in tongues, more crosses than most people could be comfortable with, full body immersion baptisms, mental health issues, homophobia AND murders.
I was in crime novel heaven...erm...well, maybe not quite heaven...but a really good place nonetheless.
Please write more, Peter Laws, soon.
February 23, 2017
A thrilling debut by Peter Laws - riveting, entertaining and disturbing. A true page turner.
April 12, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable start to this folk horror crime series. Full review of this and book 2, Unleashed, here:
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April 1, 2019
Excellent, well-written thriller posing fearless questions about faith, blind dogma, good and evil, and God. Full review coming soon.
June 19, 2019
brilliant book, so well written and very intriguing
February 27, 2020
Purged is the first book in the Matt Hunter series written by Peter Laws and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Matt Hunter is a very interesting character. He trained as a minister, initially choosing to dedicate his life to God and his beliefs. Only for those beliefs to vanish. Now a professor of sociology and slogging his guts out on a book which won’t write itself, he heads with his family to a quaint Oxfordshire village for a break. The destination isn’t chosen at random though and whilst there Matt’s wife, Wren (an architect), is to come up with plans to renovate the Hobbs Hill church. What the couple don’t realise initially is exactly how important the church is to the Hobbs Hill locals. Arriving at their picturesque cottage they notice a number of wooden crosses dotted about the place. The biggest surprise is yet to come though in the form of local Pastor, Chris Kelly. A face Matt recognises all too well. When local women start to disappear Matt unwittingly becomes involved in the investigation. Will he be able to work out what’s happening to the women before the killer strikes too close to home…?
This is a wonderful slow-burn of a novel that I kept wanting to return to. It opens with a terrifying scene that sets the tone for the book from start to finish. The reader discovers that Matt has experienced horrors in his own past and these are skillfully drip-fed to the reader as the book progresses, making sure you keep turning those pages. As much as I loved Matt I felt the total opposite about Pastor Chris, who came across as self-absorbed, frustratingly ignorant and quite creepy. The other thing I absolutely loved was the small, isolated (slightly creepy) community feel of the setting. The fact that the fictional village is set in Oxfordshire just added to the enjoyment for me.
Would I recommend this book? I would and I will be making a point of downloading the second and third books in the series as well. I need me more Matt! The author’s love of the horror genre shines through and although I would label Purged as a crime thriller it does have a nod or two to the horror genre as well. You can’t go wrong with a horror-esque crime thriller in my book! As debuts go, it’s a cracker of a book. A well-written, creepy page-turner that I heartily recommend. Thanks Liz (lizlovesbooks) for putting Purged on my radar!
Matt Hunter is a very interesting character. He trained as a minister, initially choosing to dedicate his life to God and his beliefs. Only for those beliefs to vanish. Now a professor of sociology and slogging his guts out on a book which won’t write itself, he heads with his family to a quaint Oxfordshire village for a break. The destination isn’t chosen at random though and whilst there Matt’s wife, Wren (an architect), is to come up with plans to renovate the Hobbs Hill church. What the couple don’t realise initially is exactly how important the church is to the Hobbs Hill locals. Arriving at their picturesque cottage they notice a number of wooden crosses dotted about the place. The biggest surprise is yet to come though in the form of local Pastor, Chris Kelly. A face Matt recognises all too well. When local women start to disappear Matt unwittingly becomes involved in the investigation. Will he be able to work out what’s happening to the women before the killer strikes too close to home…?
This is a wonderful slow-burn of a novel that I kept wanting to return to. It opens with a terrifying scene that sets the tone for the book from start to finish. The reader discovers that Matt has experienced horrors in his own past and these are skillfully drip-fed to the reader as the book progresses, making sure you keep turning those pages. As much as I loved Matt I felt the total opposite about Pastor Chris, who came across as self-absorbed, frustratingly ignorant and quite creepy. The other thing I absolutely loved was the small, isolated (slightly creepy) community feel of the setting. The fact that the fictional village is set in Oxfordshire just added to the enjoyment for me.
Would I recommend this book? I would and I will be making a point of downloading the second and third books in the series as well. I need me more Matt! The author’s love of the horror genre shines through and although I would label Purged as a crime thriller it does have a nod or two to the horror genre as well. You can’t go wrong with a horror-esque crime thriller in my book! As debuts go, it’s a cracker of a book. A well-written, creepy page-turner that I heartily recommend. Thanks Liz (lizlovesbooks) for putting Purged on my radar!
August 14, 2017
Purged is the first book by Peter Law, a Baptist Minster who has mixed crime fiction and religion.
The book follows Matt Hunter a Sociology professor who once was a former Minister many years ago. Matt lost his faith and started studying religion and debunks it, this knowledge has helped him assisted the police in religiously motivated crime. Matt wife has been asked to submit a design for a church. She is allowed to take her family with her to see the church, they have decided to turn it into a family holiday. A lovely family holiday takes a turn for the worse when Matt bumps into an old 'Friend' from college and women start disappearing in a peaceful god fearing town.
This book really interested me as the religious angle put a nice spin on the standard crime story. The author has created a great balance of comic and the macabre, religion and questioning religion. One on the things that I found most unsettling in the story the town people and their unquestionable devotion, and how quickly the people became converted. If anyone has watched the film Hot Fuzz I was waiting for someone in the village to say 'The greater good.'
I found Matt Hunter a really riveting character, he is devoted man to his family and his work in academic and with the police. He is the type of person I would like to have a drink with and have a long conversation about religion and the world. I always think that a sign of a good writer when you would want to go out for a drink with one of their characters.
I give this story 4 out of 5
The next book in the series is called Unleashed and was published 20th July 2017. Unleashed is my next read.
Thank to the publishers Allison and Busby for sending me a copy of the book to read for an honest review.
The book follows Matt Hunter a Sociology professor who once was a former Minister many years ago. Matt lost his faith and started studying religion and debunks it, this knowledge has helped him assisted the police in religiously motivated crime. Matt wife has been asked to submit a design for a church. She is allowed to take her family with her to see the church, they have decided to turn it into a family holiday. A lovely family holiday takes a turn for the worse when Matt bumps into an old 'Friend' from college and women start disappearing in a peaceful god fearing town.
This book really interested me as the religious angle put a nice spin on the standard crime story. The author has created a great balance of comic and the macabre, religion and questioning religion. One on the things that I found most unsettling in the story the town people and their unquestionable devotion, and how quickly the people became converted. If anyone has watched the film Hot Fuzz I was waiting for someone in the village to say 'The greater good.'
I found Matt Hunter a really riveting character, he is devoted man to his family and his work in academic and with the police. He is the type of person I would like to have a drink with and have a long conversation about religion and the world. I always think that a sign of a good writer when you would want to go out for a drink with one of their characters.
I give this story 4 out of 5
The next book in the series is called Unleashed and was published 20th July 2017. Unleashed is my next read.
Thank to the publishers Allison and Busby for sending me a copy of the book to read for an honest review.
February 8, 2020
Matt Hunter war Priester, bis er seinen Glauben verloren hat. Mittlerweile arbeitet er als Professor und schreibt an einem Buch. Und nebenbei arbeitet er auch für die Polizei. Als seine Frau eine Kirche in Oxfordshire ummgestalten soll und dafür 10 Tage vor Ort verbringen soll, beschliesst er sie und seine Familie zu begleiten. Doch trifft er dort einen Studienkollegen und es verschwinden plötzlich einige Frauen.
Ich muss gleich zu Anfang an sagen, dass ich da Buch nicht wirklich beendet habe. Es war wirklich gut geschrieben und auch spannend, aber ich hatte ein Problem damit, wie hier mit Glauben, bzw. Atheismus umgegangen wurde.
Es gab nur Schwarz und Weiss, nur Gläubige und Ungläubige. Das hat mich auf Dauer doch ziemlich genervt, vor allem, weil es die Geschichte auch in die Länge gezogen hat. Ich fand Matt und seine Familie durchaus symphatisch, aber das drohende Unheil, dass die ganze Zeit über dem Buch liegt war mir einfach zuviel des Guten.
Für mich war das Buch daher auf Grund des Themas nichts. Schade, denn ich habe eigentlich auch den Folgeband hier liegen, den ich jetzt wohl nicht mehr lesen werde.
Ich muss gleich zu Anfang an sagen, dass ich da Buch nicht wirklich beendet habe. Es war wirklich gut geschrieben und auch spannend, aber ich hatte ein Problem damit, wie hier mit Glauben, bzw. Atheismus umgegangen wurde.
Es gab nur Schwarz und Weiss, nur Gläubige und Ungläubige. Das hat mich auf Dauer doch ziemlich genervt, vor allem, weil es die Geschichte auch in die Länge gezogen hat. Ich fand Matt und seine Familie durchaus symphatisch, aber das drohende Unheil, dass die ganze Zeit über dem Buch liegt war mir einfach zuviel des Guten.
Für mich war das Buch daher auf Grund des Themas nichts. Schade, denn ich habe eigentlich auch den Folgeband hier liegen, den ich jetzt wohl nicht mehr lesen werde.
January 25, 2021
"Purged" is the first of the Matt Hunter novels - a protagonist who is a former priest, turned Professor of Theology, and occasional special consultant to the police. In Purged, Matt's architect wife is invited to pitch for a new Church project in a seemingly perfect village...a village dominated by religion, and with a dark secret. As those that have sinned begin to fall victim to a violent and extremist killer, Matt Hunter is forced to lend his expertise and unique skillset to the murder investigations, only to find his past is at the very heart of the case.
I first read Peter Laws non-fiction work, which I enjoyed incredibly and found very insightful. And as someone who has a religious past, I was attracted to the potential of the Matt Hunter books and laws' fictional work. However, I struggled to connect with the characters and found the pace of the book a little slow, although it did accelerate towards the end.
Purged is a perfectly sound thriller with an interesting concept and an equally interesting protagonist, but I just didn't find it as compelling as others in this genre.
I first read Peter Laws non-fiction work, which I enjoyed incredibly and found very insightful. And as someone who has a religious past, I was attracted to the potential of the Matt Hunter books and laws' fictional work. However, I struggled to connect with the characters and found the pace of the book a little slow, although it did accelerate towards the end.
Purged is a perfectly sound thriller with an interesting concept and an equally interesting protagonist, but I just didn't find it as compelling as others in this genre.
July 4, 2021
Wow. This is an amazing novel. I grabbed this from a quick scan of the shelves in a local library. Didn't know anything about the author but thought the blurb sounded interesting. I'm so glad the novel lived up to the expectations.
It actually didn't take me long to become fully engaged with the main protagonist, Matt Hunter, and his family. His point of view is really unique in this type of novel, and I really appreciate how even though this is written by a Minster the story is in no way preachy. In fact, I'd say that it kind of makes some of the religious characters to appear a little over-zealous. Not to say Hunter come out smelling like roses throughout the story but it was such a well-balanced tale.
I didn't want to put this book down, though was forced to split the read into two quick sessions. It honestly had me on the edge of my seat, and towards the conclusion I though my heart was racing. The writing is so well-paced and evocative, and the plot is so well thought out. For a debut novel, it's amazing.
I borrowed the second novel in this series, and if it's as good as this then I think this series will definitely become a favourite.
It actually didn't take me long to become fully engaged with the main protagonist, Matt Hunter, and his family. His point of view is really unique in this type of novel, and I really appreciate how even though this is written by a Minster the story is in no way preachy. In fact, I'd say that it kind of makes some of the religious characters to appear a little over-zealous. Not to say Hunter come out smelling like roses throughout the story but it was such a well-balanced tale.
I didn't want to put this book down, though was forced to split the read into two quick sessions. It honestly had me on the edge of my seat, and towards the conclusion I though my heart was racing. The writing is so well-paced and evocative, and the plot is so well thought out. For a debut novel, it's amazing.
I borrowed the second novel in this series, and if it's as good as this then I think this series will definitely become a favourite.
June 6, 2025
I take fewer risks these days on reading new (to me) authors, so I find I'm giving plenty of 4* and 5* reviews simply because my trusted authors deliver the goods consistently. Peter Laws I gave a try after watching some of his polished and professional YouTube coverage of matters paranormal. The opening chapters seemed a bit ploddy as the author introduced his characters. These were the one-time curate Matt Hunter and his family before Laws unveiled the rather creepy characters fronting a popular church group. It turns out their baptismal and healing practices are rather more unorthodox (i.e. deadly) than imagined. Hunter successfully assists the local bobbies though he and his family sail close to the wind in the process. Law's writing gathers pace and intensity after that slow start and there is plenty of worrying suspense and violence before it is done. Certainly I'll be checking out Book #2 in the series. 4.5* rounded down.
July 2, 2020
i would rate this at 3.5* ( with 3 good, 4 great, 5 book of the year material)
When i first saw that it was written by a Baptist Minister, i thought that it was going to be heavy going, but it wasn't.
The start is brilliant and pulled me straight in, and i had very high expectations. I liked the irreverent humour, with one quote being 'we need someone fluent in all that religious shit' but the humour petered out which was a shame. Probably to give more gravitas as the storyline intensified.
It is dark, and creepy in places. It's a good read. For me it needs some de bulking as it lagged in the middle section, with its 'brilliant' description from me slipping somewhat.
I didn't feel that all the threads were tied up, and a bit too much focus on religion at the end for me.
When i first saw that it was written by a Baptist Minister, i thought that it was going to be heavy going, but it wasn't.
The start is brilliant and pulled me straight in, and i had very high expectations. I liked the irreverent humour, with one quote being 'we need someone fluent in all that religious shit' but the humour petered out which was a shame. Probably to give more gravitas as the storyline intensified.
It is dark, and creepy in places. It's a good read. For me it needs some de bulking as it lagged in the middle section, with its 'brilliant' description from me slipping somewhat.
I didn't feel that all the threads were tied up, and a bit too much focus on religion at the end for me.
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