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Hellbound #3
Nameless
'There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.’ Ernest Hemingway One serial killer terrified the world. Imagine what an army of them could do... A cult member is arrested at the scene of a brutal murder. She will only speak to former crime reporter, Joe O'Connell. Joe's obsession with Obadiah Stark a.k.a The Tally Man cost him everything. He is about to learn that Stark's message did not end with his death. They believe in what The Tally Man stood for. They believe in what The Tally Man did. But he was one, and they are many. Once they have you, they will never let you go...
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2017
7 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
David McCaffrey
24 books29 followersDavid lives in Redcar in the North East of England and currently works as an Infection Prevention and Control nurse in Hertfordshire. He has a Kelly, a Jake, a Liam a Moo Man, an Obi (the dog), a Padme, Ahsoka, and an Anakin (cats).
David ghost wrote 'By Any Means Necessary' with Stephen Sayers, released in 2016 and then returned to his Hellbound Anthology in 2017 with 'Nameless'.
All are available on Audible.co.uk.
A huge fan of Steve Alten, John Grisham and Lee Childs, David loves reading as much as he enjoys writing. Hellbound was his first novel, all thanks to Britain's Next Bestseller and the aforementioned Steve Alten who took a chance on him as a writing coach client and taught him so much about what it takes to be a writer. It was voted by W H Smith readers as one of 2014's most underrated crime novels.
David ghost wrote 'By Any Means Necessary' with Stephen Sayers, released in 2016 and then returned to his Hellbound Anthology in 2017 with 'Nameless'.
All are available on Audible.co.uk.
’The Warmest Place to Hide', David's homage to all things David Cronenberg, was released in August 2018.
Two personal projects concerning bullying in the NHS were released in 2018 and 2021 respectively.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 2, 2017
Welcome to the Obadiah Stark appreciation society, with followers so hopelessly devoted to their murderous idol's philosophy that they personally subscribe to his macabre brand of 'making a point' by taking the lives of unwilling volunteers themselves.
Stark, a serial killer known also as ‘The Tally Man’ for his trademark tattoos keeping count of his victims, blighted the world with his butchery and warped vision of society. The cult’s sole purpose is to continue the work of Stark, who they believe was treated unjustly (I wholeheartedly encourage you to read Hellbound, which is a reckoning of sheer magnificence before you embark on this brutal journey).
From the way his supporters revere Stark as a gift to humanity, I’m surprised they haven’t built a grisly theme park in his honour. Then again the property they reside in is a horrific playground, but a trip to Madame Tussauds it’s not – in fact, it wouldn’t even come close.
They have an interest in a certain character from Hellbound and given this person’s previous obsession with Obadiah Stark the cult leader happily parades obvious hints and clues as to their existence, as they know this individual will be powerless to resist the main attraction – a merciless exhibition of their authority with the capacity to carry on regardless.
With the exception of certain scenes representative of a classic slasher movie, the really scary thing is the cult’s conduct which operates with the composure of a hive – the drones busy themselves with their duties making sacrifices where required, no matter what that may be, recruiting new workers to further their cause. It makes you wonder what hideous catalyst could have occurred in these individual’s previous lives that would encourage them to believe their practices are acceptable in any way.
Nameless occupies the realms of horror / thriller and doesn’t hold back. In places, the procession of gruesome spectacles are so intensely savage and graphic to the point that I don’t think this book would be to everyone’s taste.
But, if this book has caught your attention you may also be interested in reading In Extremis, a short introduction into the magnitude of another terrifyingly furtive operation in The Hellbound Anthology – ‘The Brethren’, who have been making disconcerting appearances since the infamous days of James Maybrick, aka Jack the Ripper.
My curiosity is itching to know what scars Obadiah Stark could possibly leave behind next, despite existing as nothing but newspaper headline…
Stark, a serial killer known also as ‘The Tally Man’ for his trademark tattoos keeping count of his victims, blighted the world with his butchery and warped vision of society. The cult’s sole purpose is to continue the work of Stark, who they believe was treated unjustly (I wholeheartedly encourage you to read Hellbound, which is a reckoning of sheer magnificence before you embark on this brutal journey).
From the way his supporters revere Stark as a gift to humanity, I’m surprised they haven’t built a grisly theme park in his honour. Then again the property they reside in is a horrific playground, but a trip to Madame Tussauds it’s not – in fact, it wouldn’t even come close.
They have an interest in a certain character from Hellbound and given this person’s previous obsession with Obadiah Stark the cult leader happily parades obvious hints and clues as to their existence, as they know this individual will be powerless to resist the main attraction – a merciless exhibition of their authority with the capacity to carry on regardless.
With the exception of certain scenes representative of a classic slasher movie, the really scary thing is the cult’s conduct which operates with the composure of a hive – the drones busy themselves with their duties making sacrifices where required, no matter what that may be, recruiting new workers to further their cause. It makes you wonder what hideous catalyst could have occurred in these individual’s previous lives that would encourage them to believe their practices are acceptable in any way.
Nameless occupies the realms of horror / thriller and doesn’t hold back. In places, the procession of gruesome spectacles are so intensely savage and graphic to the point that I don’t think this book would be to everyone’s taste.
But, if this book has caught your attention you may also be interested in reading In Extremis, a short introduction into the magnitude of another terrifyingly furtive operation in The Hellbound Anthology – ‘The Brethren’, who have been making disconcerting appearances since the infamous days of James Maybrick, aka Jack the Ripper.
My curiosity is itching to know what scars Obadiah Stark could possibly leave behind next, despite existing as nothing but newspaper headline…
February 2, 2018
Following on from events in Hellbound, ex journalist Joe O' Connell again finds himself investigating people who would rather keep their secrets to themselves.
Having read both books, it's obvious that McCaffrey has a talent that should be read and enjoyed by many more people. His stories are well told, with great characters and original, imaginative plots.
Events in this book have obviously been inspired by some real, and in all likelihood, dangerous groups/organisations. This book can be compared to Animal Farm. The message in both is similar - those trying to make a change to the power structure could end up being worse than those who had the power originally. Not all change is positive.
If you're looking for a crime thriller with a difference and a book that really makes you think about topics that matter, I can't recommend this book highly enough.
Having read both books, it's obvious that McCaffrey has a talent that should be read and enjoyed by many more people. His stories are well told, with great characters and original, imaginative plots.
Events in this book have obviously been inspired by some real, and in all likelihood, dangerous groups/organisations. This book can be compared to Animal Farm. The message in both is similar - those trying to make a change to the power structure could end up being worse than those who had the power originally. Not all change is positive.
If you're looking for a crime thriller with a difference and a book that really makes you think about topics that matter, I can't recommend this book highly enough.
October 1, 2017
Massive thanks to the author, David McCaffrey for providing me with an ARC to read/review. Below is my unbiased opinion.
Set in various part of Ireland, this book pulls the reader into a cat & mouse game where deception, loss, betrayal, power & control, manipulation, twisted ideals and a search for answers dominate our thoughts.
For me, this was a fast paced read. I was immediately drawn in by the #killerhook which grabbed my attention from the start. Once I was hooked, I did not want to put this book down and spent those rare moments I could snatch some time to read, curled up with Joe O’Connell. The story-line was riveting and I really immersed myself into how easily people could be manipulated if the right buttons were pressed. I loved how references to real-life serial killers were woven into the narrative, so it almost read as a chilling, true-life account. I have been perhaps a little fascinated by serial killers, from a very young age, so I knew I was on to a winner after only a few chapters.
Character-wise, we are on to another winner here. The story was not drowned out or confused by various, unimportant people, even though there were many individuals involved in the story. A few characters really stood out for me- the first being Joe O’Connell – an ex- journalist (crime column) who is pulled into something he knows he should steer well clear of! He has a great personality, determined and passionate with a sense of humour that really endeared me to him. Another #fictionalcrush added to my list! What I liked about him was his normalcy – there wasn’t anything extraordinary about him and he was believable as a character. This of course made me want him to succeed.
Lamont Etchinson- well WTAF? Leader of the “Branch Obidians” he is clever, cunning, cruel and obsessed with the serial killer Obidiah Stark. Needless to say, I didn’t want him to succeed, but was quite fascinated by him. I would have loved to have been able to delve into his psyche- but that perhaps is the criminologist in me, rather than the reader!
Sim- LOVE her! Sarcastic, fiesty but also quite vulnerable. Sim is an IT expert who Joe is friends with. She is an introvert, extremely clever and the banter between Joe and her is fantastic. I really thought she added to the story and helped move it forward. Brilliant!
Maxine Groves – did not like her from the start. There was just something about her that reeked of deception. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer sprang to mind when she initially appeared. Her motives were questionable and the red flags were waving. But if Joe trusted her, why shouldn’t I? I generally go with my gut on these things – I don’t always get it right- but you’ll have to read the book to find out whether my gut failed me this time!
Do I recommend this book? Oh my dear sweet jesus- I do!! Nothing draws me into a book more than one that throws everything I love: crime, murders, serial killers, reality – into a story so well-written you have to wonder whether or not it happened. That is this book! There were some spine-tingling twists which threw my off guard and made me devour this book as quickly as I could! I loved it so much, I started on book 2 – In Extremis- right away …the author kindly pointed out that there were spoilers from Hellbound- but I didn’t care and I finished it within hours, feeling a want for more…so now I am reading Hellbound! A #MccaffreyBinge 😜 I’ll neeeeed another one sooooon!
Set in various part of Ireland, this book pulls the reader into a cat & mouse game where deception, loss, betrayal, power & control, manipulation, twisted ideals and a search for answers dominate our thoughts.
For me, this was a fast paced read. I was immediately drawn in by the #killerhook which grabbed my attention from the start. Once I was hooked, I did not want to put this book down and spent those rare moments I could snatch some time to read, curled up with Joe O’Connell. The story-line was riveting and I really immersed myself into how easily people could be manipulated if the right buttons were pressed. I loved how references to real-life serial killers were woven into the narrative, so it almost read as a chilling, true-life account. I have been perhaps a little fascinated by serial killers, from a very young age, so I knew I was on to a winner after only a few chapters.
Character-wise, we are on to another winner here. The story was not drowned out or confused by various, unimportant people, even though there were many individuals involved in the story. A few characters really stood out for me- the first being Joe O’Connell – an ex- journalist (crime column) who is pulled into something he knows he should steer well clear of! He has a great personality, determined and passionate with a sense of humour that really endeared me to him. Another #fictionalcrush added to my list! What I liked about him was his normalcy – there wasn’t anything extraordinary about him and he was believable as a character. This of course made me want him to succeed.
Lamont Etchinson- well WTAF? Leader of the “Branch Obidians” he is clever, cunning, cruel and obsessed with the serial killer Obidiah Stark. Needless to say, I didn’t want him to succeed, but was quite fascinated by him. I would have loved to have been able to delve into his psyche- but that perhaps is the criminologist in me, rather than the reader!
Sim- LOVE her! Sarcastic, fiesty but also quite vulnerable. Sim is an IT expert who Joe is friends with. She is an introvert, extremely clever and the banter between Joe and her is fantastic. I really thought she added to the story and helped move it forward. Brilliant!
Maxine Groves – did not like her from the start. There was just something about her that reeked of deception. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer sprang to mind when she initially appeared. Her motives were questionable and the red flags were waving. But if Joe trusted her, why shouldn’t I? I generally go with my gut on these things – I don’t always get it right- but you’ll have to read the book to find out whether my gut failed me this time!
Do I recommend this book? Oh my dear sweet jesus- I do!! Nothing draws me into a book more than one that throws everything I love: crime, murders, serial killers, reality – into a story so well-written you have to wonder whether or not it happened. That is this book! There were some spine-tingling twists which threw my off guard and made me devour this book as quickly as I could! I loved it so much, I started on book 2 – In Extremis- right away …the author kindly pointed out that there were spoilers from Hellbound- but I didn’t care and I finished it within hours, feeling a want for more…so now I am reading Hellbound! A #MccaffreyBinge 😜 I’ll neeeeed another one sooooon!
May 21, 2017
I am a big fan of this authors books. Obadiah Stark is one of my favourite serial killers and even though he physically isn’t in this book, his presence is very much felt. If you have yet to read the authors books, I would highly recommend reading Hellbound prior to reading Nameless with it having Obadiah Stark in it. Plus if anything you seriously do not want to miss out on personally getting to know Obadiah better.
I could easily relate to Joe’s obsession with Stark. He is a character that truly fascinates me. Even though Stark is dead, his legacy lives on through a cult. This isn’t some hippy type commune, this cult is a very dark and disturbing one to be part of. You certainly would never want to come across any of their members and definitely don’t want to be within their commune whatsoever! The stuff that goes on between those walls is like something out of a horror film. There are certainly plenty of cringe worthy moments when poor innocent victims were getting slain and I kept curling up even tighter into my chair to try and distance myself to what was happening. Not that I wanted to at all, as I was devouring every moment of it.
Nameless is a great addition to the Hellbound series. It gives the reader an insight into one man and his seriously horrifying legacy. There are plenty of twists and turns as well as being an over all very dark and gripping read. Obadiah is definitely a character I can’t get enough of and really hoping the author adds another book to the collection.
I could easily relate to Joe’s obsession with Stark. He is a character that truly fascinates me. Even though Stark is dead, his legacy lives on through a cult. This isn’t some hippy type commune, this cult is a very dark and disturbing one to be part of. You certainly would never want to come across any of their members and definitely don’t want to be within their commune whatsoever! The stuff that goes on between those walls is like something out of a horror film. There are certainly plenty of cringe worthy moments when poor innocent victims were getting slain and I kept curling up even tighter into my chair to try and distance myself to what was happening. Not that I wanted to at all, as I was devouring every moment of it.
Nameless is a great addition to the Hellbound series. It gives the reader an insight into one man and his seriously horrifying legacy. There are plenty of twists and turns as well as being an over all very dark and gripping read. Obadiah is definitely a character I can’t get enough of and really hoping the author adds another book to the collection.
September 11, 2018
This book really deserves a 5, and the only reason I haven't given it is because the author especially in the first few chapters seems to have swallowed a dictionary, though which one I'm not sure because some of the words used were not in my Oxford dictionary, and this does not make for smooth reading, I don't need to know how clever the author is, no one could write a book as good as this if they weren't, Having said all that, the story is brilliant and very disturbing about the Obadians cult, and how Joe O'Connel an ex-reporter becomes drawn into the horrific things that happen; I have read countless murder/serial killer books, but this one left me with a dry mouth and a pounding heart, I can't wait to read the next one which hopefully will have less unpronounceable words in.
September 6, 2017
First of all, the marketing for this book was awesome ... in the post I received a missing poster and a copy of the psychological report on the Branch Obadians ... This, to me, really added to my overall enjoyment of the book. I totally devoured the report and it helped me to understand the workings and mechanics of religious cults. Genius idea Mr Mc!!!
Now the book ...
Thrown straight in the deep end, we meet Joe O'Connell, ex-reporter and currently in a rather sticky situation ... Tied up with a sociopath about to start torturing him ...
Wow! What a hook! There was no way I was putting this down until I found exactly what had happened to get Joe in to this situation ... flash back two weeks and McCaffrey starts to show us exactly what has happened, and my god, what a ride it is!
O'Connell is the reporter who, in the past, was involved in an investigation into serial killer and all round nasty piece of work, Obadiah Stark. Stark is now dead but his legacy lives on in the cult, Branch Obadians. When one of their members is found at the scene of a brutal murder, she will only speak to say she wants to talk to O'Connell. Her reasons a mystery to everyone.
As the investigation in to the dead body continues, the pace of the book takes a startling gear change and we are thrust on to a thrilling ride that is relentless and gritty, exciting and tough ... it is none stop and to be honest, I didn't want it to stop!
McCaffrey is a fantastic writer, I have seen some amazing reviews of his work and I was so looking forward to getting stuck into this one. I read it over the course of a weekend, now that is only because I was away camping with my family and I didn't have the time or opportunity to read other than on the four hour car journey down south and the return trip - during which we had toilet stops (four kids on a four hour journey ... need I say more!?) and games to entertain them - now I desperately wanted to finish this in one and I would have done that no problem had I not been away that weekend. Had I been at home, I'd have locked myself in my office and not come out until it was done. It's that bloody good and although I was sat in a car with four kids, I was so absorbed in the story that I could have been sat in my favourite chair, curled up, with no around me at all.
Nameless isn't the first in the series but that did not make one bit of difference, McCaffrey tells us exactly what we need to know about the previous outings of these characters without spoiling the pace of this one, or, I imagine, covering too much 'old ground' for those who have read the other books. Not an easy skill but one which McCaffrey pulls off effortlessly.
I was totally absorbed by Nameless, the characters, the plot, the twists, the turns, the pace, the descriptives all leading to many WOW moments.
Nameless needs to be on TBR pile folks, great writing, great plot, great author ... Thank you so much for my copy, David, I loved it!!!!
Now the book ...
Thrown straight in the deep end, we meet Joe O'Connell, ex-reporter and currently in a rather sticky situation ... Tied up with a sociopath about to start torturing him ...
Wow! What a hook! There was no way I was putting this down until I found exactly what had happened to get Joe in to this situation ... flash back two weeks and McCaffrey starts to show us exactly what has happened, and my god, what a ride it is!
O'Connell is the reporter who, in the past, was involved in an investigation into serial killer and all round nasty piece of work, Obadiah Stark. Stark is now dead but his legacy lives on in the cult, Branch Obadians. When one of their members is found at the scene of a brutal murder, she will only speak to say she wants to talk to O'Connell. Her reasons a mystery to everyone.
As the investigation in to the dead body continues, the pace of the book takes a startling gear change and we are thrust on to a thrilling ride that is relentless and gritty, exciting and tough ... it is none stop and to be honest, I didn't want it to stop!
McCaffrey is a fantastic writer, I have seen some amazing reviews of his work and I was so looking forward to getting stuck into this one. I read it over the course of a weekend, now that is only because I was away camping with my family and I didn't have the time or opportunity to read other than on the four hour car journey down south and the return trip - during which we had toilet stops (four kids on a four hour journey ... need I say more!?) and games to entertain them - now I desperately wanted to finish this in one and I would have done that no problem had I not been away that weekend. Had I been at home, I'd have locked myself in my office and not come out until it was done. It's that bloody good and although I was sat in a car with four kids, I was so absorbed in the story that I could have been sat in my favourite chair, curled up, with no around me at all.
Nameless isn't the first in the series but that did not make one bit of difference, McCaffrey tells us exactly what we need to know about the previous outings of these characters without spoiling the pace of this one, or, I imagine, covering too much 'old ground' for those who have read the other books. Not an easy skill but one which McCaffrey pulls off effortlessly.
I was totally absorbed by Nameless, the characters, the plot, the twists, the turns, the pace, the descriptives all leading to many WOW moments.
Nameless needs to be on TBR pile folks, great writing, great plot, great author ... Thank you so much for my copy, David, I loved it!!!!
February 13, 2018
NAMELESS: The Hellbound Anthology by David McCaffrey
This was a difficult book to review for me, as it is part of a series and not a standalone book which makes it harder to evaluate properly but I’ll do my best. In fact, the book ends mid-scene – which I was not aware of when I read it. As I can’t evaluate the book as part of an entire story arc, I will have to concentrate on the writing and the themes/ideas and characters in this one.
Nameless is the kind of very explicitly violent thriller that I don’t usually read and is almost more in the horror genre than crime/thriller category. This is just my personal taste and I even baulk at certain aspects of the horror/thrillers greatest writer, Thomas Harris. The story revolves around a dangerous murder cult that has a grudge against certain individuals in society and exists to rid society of them in the most violent way possible. It reminded me a lot of the Kevin Bacon TV series The Following, as the fanatical followers of a single person drive their followers on to commit violent murders for an obscure philosophical point that only the insane could possibly buy into.
There is a technology in the book which – though based on a real technology - doesn’t exist in real life (yet) which adds a sci-fi element to the story but it’s not really trying to be a realistic thriller, despite the police procedural elements, but is more of a violent and gruesome adventure romp (the writing is very cinematic and it feels like it would make an exciting film) with an academic and philosophical bent. It’s also very well researched without the information overpowering the story: if you want to learn about cults there is a lot of information here and it’s a lot less dry than a textbook. It’s also a refreshing change from the lone serial killer story – which I love – but it’s a nice change nonetheless.
The writing is very polished and full of popular culture references, esp. movies, which gives it a very contemporary feel at odds with the classic quotes that preface each new chapter. This gives the book a multi-layered feel and few thrillers are crammed with so much information and cultural references as Nameless which makes it one of the most cerebral thrillers I’ve read since Thomas Harris and it’s an interesting very modern style of thriller writing.
Overall, though it’s not my usual taste in thrillers, Nameless won me over in the end with the sheer quality of the writing, the breakneck pace of the plot, the breathless cultural references and the unusually interesting intellectual elements of the story.
4/5
This was a difficult book to review for me, as it is part of a series and not a standalone book which makes it harder to evaluate properly but I’ll do my best. In fact, the book ends mid-scene – which I was not aware of when I read it. As I can’t evaluate the book as part of an entire story arc, I will have to concentrate on the writing and the themes/ideas and characters in this one.
Nameless is the kind of very explicitly violent thriller that I don’t usually read and is almost more in the horror genre than crime/thriller category. This is just my personal taste and I even baulk at certain aspects of the horror/thrillers greatest writer, Thomas Harris. The story revolves around a dangerous murder cult that has a grudge against certain individuals in society and exists to rid society of them in the most violent way possible. It reminded me a lot of the Kevin Bacon TV series The Following, as the fanatical followers of a single person drive their followers on to commit violent murders for an obscure philosophical point that only the insane could possibly buy into.
There is a technology in the book which – though based on a real technology - doesn’t exist in real life (yet) which adds a sci-fi element to the story but it’s not really trying to be a realistic thriller, despite the police procedural elements, but is more of a violent and gruesome adventure romp (the writing is very cinematic and it feels like it would make an exciting film) with an academic and philosophical bent. It’s also very well researched without the information overpowering the story: if you want to learn about cults there is a lot of information here and it’s a lot less dry than a textbook. It’s also a refreshing change from the lone serial killer story – which I love – but it’s a nice change nonetheless.
The writing is very polished and full of popular culture references, esp. movies, which gives it a very contemporary feel at odds with the classic quotes that preface each new chapter. This gives the book a multi-layered feel and few thrillers are crammed with so much information and cultural references as Nameless which makes it one of the most cerebral thrillers I’ve read since Thomas Harris and it’s an interesting very modern style of thriller writing.
Overall, though it’s not my usual taste in thrillers, Nameless won me over in the end with the sheer quality of the writing, the breakneck pace of the plot, the breathless cultural references and the unusually interesting intellectual elements of the story.
4/5
October 7, 2017
I have previously read Hellbound and In Extremis by David McCaffrey, so I didn't hesitate when the opportunity arose for me to read Nameless. All three books revolve around Obadiah Stark, so I would definitely recommend reading the first two books before embarking on this one. You could probably read Nameless as a standalone but I think it makes a lot more sense, and is more enjoyable, when read as part of the trilogy.
Crikey! I thought Obadiah Stark, aka The Tally Man, was creepy but now that he's dead he has been elevated to cult status and there are a group of followers who are ready to continue his work. The apparent leader of the Branch Obadians, Lamont Etchison, has instructed Stark's followers to replicate the twenty seven murders that Stark committed, but on a much grander scale so that the world fears the name 'Obadiah Stark' once again.
Joe O'Connell is so obsessed with Obadiah Stark that it nearly cost him his life. As much as Joe can't help being dragged into investigating this cult, the cult is pulling him into their web and they will stop at nothing to silence Joe once and for all.
I have absolutely loved the whole Hellbound series and each instalment has oodles of shock factor to make you sit up and take notice, but Nameless feels so much more menacing. It was quite bloodthirsty at times, and necessarily so, but I didn't find it too graphic - just enough to make my stomach clench. There's a lot of action in such a short book, at only 154 pages, but it's so fast-paced that you could very easily read this in one sitting.
I'm definitely going to re-read the whole Hellbound Anthology. Parts of Nameless reminded me of the TV show, The Following, and even though you might now know how it ends, it doesn't stop you watching it again. So I will definitely be reading all of the Hellbound books again sometime, and I wouldn't be surprised if I enjoy them even more the second time around.
Pick up Hellbound, In Extremis and Nameless if you have the guts to enter the dark and dangerous world of Obadiah Stark.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Crikey! I thought Obadiah Stark, aka The Tally Man, was creepy but now that he's dead he has been elevated to cult status and there are a group of followers who are ready to continue his work. The apparent leader of the Branch Obadians, Lamont Etchison, has instructed Stark's followers to replicate the twenty seven murders that Stark committed, but on a much grander scale so that the world fears the name 'Obadiah Stark' once again.
Joe O'Connell is so obsessed with Obadiah Stark that it nearly cost him his life. As much as Joe can't help being dragged into investigating this cult, the cult is pulling him into their web and they will stop at nothing to silence Joe once and for all.
I have absolutely loved the whole Hellbound series and each instalment has oodles of shock factor to make you sit up and take notice, but Nameless feels so much more menacing. It was quite bloodthirsty at times, and necessarily so, but I didn't find it too graphic - just enough to make my stomach clench. There's a lot of action in such a short book, at only 154 pages, but it's so fast-paced that you could very easily read this in one sitting.
I'm definitely going to re-read the whole Hellbound Anthology. Parts of Nameless reminded me of the TV show, The Following, and even though you might now know how it ends, it doesn't stop you watching it again. So I will definitely be reading all of the Hellbound books again sometime, and I wouldn't be surprised if I enjoy them even more the second time around.
Pick up Hellbound, In Extremis and Nameless if you have the guts to enter the dark and dangerous world of Obadiah Stark.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
August 30, 2017
Nameless is the third of the Hellbound Anthology and once again, David McCaffrey has delivered a superb and chilling read!
Hellbound is one of the best books I have read and introduced us to the sinister serial killer, Obadiah Stark. Nameless leads on from the events of Hellbound, with a whole cult of killers trying to emulate the man's work. It's a really creepy story that deals quite heavily with the impact some cults can have on vulnerable people.
Our put upon protagonist is back as Joe O'Connell is drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse with the leader of the cult. O'Connell is a great character, full of enough dry wit and reluctant heroism. He doesn't fight and isn't brave, he is a normal human and written as such. He really is the heart of the story and his previous horrors from Hellbound play a big part (which is why it should be read first).
Very rarely are books perfect and there are two slight niggles I had with it. I found the character of Lamont to be a little scattered. At times he was very thorough and scary and others he came off a little too cocky. It swung too much and felt the character was better suited to the silent, dominant type. Also, I love a pop culture reference but some situations where compared to some very specific films etc. I got them all, but it could frustrate some people who are not as familiar.
Small issues aside, it's another barnstorming read from McCaffrey and is a must read!
Hellbound is one of the best books I have read and introduced us to the sinister serial killer, Obadiah Stark. Nameless leads on from the events of Hellbound, with a whole cult of killers trying to emulate the man's work. It's a really creepy story that deals quite heavily with the impact some cults can have on vulnerable people.
Our put upon protagonist is back as Joe O'Connell is drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse with the leader of the cult. O'Connell is a great character, full of enough dry wit and reluctant heroism. He doesn't fight and isn't brave, he is a normal human and written as such. He really is the heart of the story and his previous horrors from Hellbound play a big part (which is why it should be read first).
Very rarely are books perfect and there are two slight niggles I had with it. I found the character of Lamont to be a little scattered. At times he was very thorough and scary and others he came off a little too cocky. It swung too much and felt the character was better suited to the silent, dominant type. Also, I love a pop culture reference but some situations where compared to some very specific films etc. I got them all, but it could frustrate some people who are not as familiar.
Small issues aside, it's another barnstorming read from McCaffrey and is a must read!
September 22, 2017
Excellent writing and the storyline kept me caught up all the way through, I found it gripping and exciting and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. I liked all the main characters, well the good guys anyway, which made me care about what happened to them. However I was a bit disappointed with the ending. On the one hand because of the gullibility of the hero, after all he has been through and after all his experience as a tough investigative reporter, I would have expected him to act a bit more intelligently at the end and to keep his guard up a bit more. And I also found the ending disappointing because the storyline and the issues brought up in the book are not resolved, and you have to continue on to the next book to find out what happens to the hero. I don't mind a book that ends on a cliffhanger, but I do like the storyline of the current book to be resolved. And if there is a cliffhanger, I like it to be an event that begins a whole new story, which would be developed in the next book in the series. But of course that is just my personal preference. Still excellent writing and great character development, his characters are tender and flawed and for the most part nice, likable, believable, well-rounded people (well the good guys anyway).
September 30, 2017
One serial killer terrified the world. Imagine what an army of them could do...
A cult member is arrested at the scene of a brutal murder. She will only speak to former crime reporter, Joe O'Connell.
Joe's obsession with Obadiah Stark a.k.a The Tally Man cost him everything.
He is about to learn that Stark's message did not end with his death.
They believe in what The Tally Man stood for.
They believe in what The Tally Man did.
But he was one, and they are many.
Once they have you, they will never let you go...
This is part of an anthology. It can be read as a standalone, but it’s better to read the other books first.
This book is fast paced, well written and quite gory, and I really wanted to know what was going to happen, but somehow I was left feeling a bit let down. Maybe it’s because I hadn’t read the others in the series beforehand. But anyway. 3.5*
A cult member is arrested at the scene of a brutal murder. She will only speak to former crime reporter, Joe O'Connell.
Joe's obsession with Obadiah Stark a.k.a The Tally Man cost him everything.
He is about to learn that Stark's message did not end with his death.
They believe in what The Tally Man stood for.
They believe in what The Tally Man did.
But he was one, and they are many.
Once they have you, they will never let you go...
This is part of an anthology. It can be read as a standalone, but it’s better to read the other books first.
This book is fast paced, well written and quite gory, and I really wanted to know what was going to happen, but somehow I was left feeling a bit let down. Maybe it’s because I hadn’t read the others in the series beforehand. But anyway. 3.5*
September 17, 2017
As a big Audible fan, I think, for me personally, I would have enjoyed this more as an audio book, so long as the narrator was appropriately terrifying! That would have caused a small problem with Mr McCaffrey's lexicon, which is large and varied, as I needed to keep stopping to check the meaning of a word. Sometimes, a sitting duck is just a sitting duck! I thought the elements around the cult, The Obadians, were inspired. Joe unfortunately, despite his history, remains disappointingly naive. An interesting book on the darker elements of cults.
October 7, 2017
Nameless by David McCaffrey.
In the third book we see joe O'Connell still investigating the bethren and stark. In comes Maxine who says she left the obadians. A cult who worship stark. Is she who she says she is? What are the obadians up to?
Omg. David has done it again. Absolutely fantastic read. I loved it. Although I wasn't sure about that Maxine. I didn't like her at all. Please say there is more to come. A must read series and I highly recommend this book. A dark and twisted read. 5* Tbc on fb.
In the third book we see joe O'Connell still investigating the bethren and stark. In comes Maxine who says she left the obadians. A cult who worship stark. Is she who she says she is? What are the obadians up to?
Omg. David has done it again. Absolutely fantastic read. I loved it. Although I wasn't sure about that Maxine. I didn't like her at all. Please say there is more to come. A must read series and I highly recommend this book. A dark and twisted read. 5* Tbc on fb.
March 7, 2018
Brilliant!!!
This is the third part that I have read and I must say they are brilliant. The characterisation is wonderful and makes you want to read more. Can't wait for the next part. Thanks David and write quicker lol.
This is the third part that I have read and I must say they are brilliant. The characterisation is wonderful and makes you want to read more. Can't wait for the next part. Thanks David and write quicker lol.
November 11, 2017
A portal to doom
I normally don't read books this grusum. The story was well writtem language was rough action was good. It shows how people csm be horrid to othets
I normally don't read books this grusum. The story was well writtem language was rough action was good. It shows how people csm be horrid to othets
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