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Seamus Moynihan #3
The Second Woman
San Diego Homicide Detective Seamus Moynihan thinks he’s seen it all when it comes to human violence, but a naked man killed in a snakebite ritual might be his most gruesome case yet…
Moynihan’s search for the killer will propel him on a journey through the underground world of ancient eroticism, black-market reptiles, and religious cults, ultimately leading him to a Biblical scholar whose theories about the dawn of time provide a surprising link to the current investigation.
But can Moynihan preserve his own sanity while delving into a secret as old as Cain? To solve this brutal case, Moynihan will have to reckon with one of the great mysteries of the ages: Who was The Second Woman?
Pulls you guts-first right through to the back cover. I loved this book.”—#1 New York Times Bestselling Author Nelson DeMille “A dazzling and intelligent thriller.”—Internationally Bestselling Author Lynn Hightower
Moynihan’s search for the killer will propel him on a journey through the underground world of ancient eroticism, black-market reptiles, and religious cults, ultimately leading him to a Biblical scholar whose theories about the dawn of time provide a surprising link to the current investigation.
But can Moynihan preserve his own sanity while delving into a secret as old as Cain? To solve this brutal case, Moynihan will have to reckon with one of the great mysteries of the ages: Who was The Second Woman?
Pulls you guts-first right through to the back cover. I loved this book.”—#1 New York Times Bestselling Author Nelson DeMille “A dazzling and intelligent thriller.”—Internationally Bestselling Author Lynn Hightower
- GenresThriller
534 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
391 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
About the author
Mark T. Sullivan
38 books4,422 followersMark T. Sullivan (b. 1958) is an author of thrillers. Born in a Boston suburb, he joined the Peace Corp after college, traveling to West Africa to live with a tribe of Saharan nomads. Upon returning to the United States, he took a job at Reuters, beginning a decade-long career in journalism that would eventually lead to a job as an investigative reporter for the San Diego Tribune.
Sullivan spent the winter of 1990 living with a group of skiers in Utah and Wyoming, and used the experience as the foundation for his first novel, The Fall Line (1994). In 1995 he published Hard News, a thriller based on his work as a reporter, and a year later he released The Purification Ceremony, which won the WH Smith Award for Best New Talent. His most recent work is Private Games (2012), which he co-authored with James Patterson. Sullivan lives with his family in Montana, where he skis, hunts, and practices martial arts.
Sullivan spent the winter of 1990 living with a group of skiers in Utah and Wyoming, and used the experience as the foundation for his first novel, The Fall Line (1994). In 1995 he published Hard News, a thriller based on his work as a reporter, and a year later he released The Purification Ceremony, which won the WH Smith Award for Best New Talent. His most recent work is Private Games (2012), which he co-authored with James Patterson. Sullivan lives with his family in Montana, where he skis, hunts, and practices martial arts.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 3, 2020
Men can you kindly own the trashy romance genre instead of masquerading around as detective novels? The book starts out promising and then there's a sex scene which is like...okay I guess that takes priority over the murder. The detective sleeps with hot woman. Just so you know. The woman are hot. The author will tell you this several times. The sex scenes are not (there is a part where a woman has a sexy cut slit in her wet suit so she can rub herself over the detective and that's just not how wet suits work). I would have liked more detective work, or any detective work. The detective is actually not good at detecting and spends a large amount of time making false accusations left and right while everyone pats him on the back like hey we would have barked too. I could suspend disbelief at first but after a while would it kill him to do some actual detective work?
The novel really falls flat 2/3rd of the way when the killers backstory is spoonfed to the detective and the audience. It turns out there's a prime sole suspect and the same very specific MO but no one said anything to the police because they'd all like to forget. Seriously.
Furthermore, I am pretty sure the author has a church girl fetish based on the descriptions of hot women the detective sleeps with and the church scenes. I'm not Christian, but the way the author described alabama church goers felt offensive and belittling. I'm pretty sure not all Alabama churches are filled with a collage of the primitive, incestuous, and racist.
Afterwards, does the detective do some detective work to catch the killer? No! He has hot birthday sex with a hot woman and employs pure dumb luck. That makes him a good detective, somehow.
I wanted to dive into this book but it's shallow af. I want my money back. Ladies stay away this book is poorly written misogyny.
The novel really falls flat 2/3rd of the way when the killers backstory is spoonfed to the detective and the audience. It turns out there's a prime sole suspect and the same very specific MO but no one said anything to the police because they'd all like to forget. Seriously.
Furthermore, I am pretty sure the author has a church girl fetish based on the descriptions of hot women the detective sleeps with and the church scenes. I'm not Christian, but the way the author described alabama church goers felt offensive and belittling. I'm pretty sure not all Alabama churches are filled with a collage of the primitive, incestuous, and racist.
Afterwards, does the detective do some detective work to catch the killer? No! He has hot birthday sex with a hot woman and employs pure dumb luck. That makes him a good detective, somehow.
I wanted to dive into this book but it's shallow af. I want my money back. Ladies stay away this book is poorly written misogyny.
July 10, 2017
It only takes a SECOND !
This is my Fourth Mark Sullivan novel. I think I've given them all Four Stars, but No Review.
There's a reason for that lapse. My reason being, that all Four of these books have been Great Stories, each in it's own genre, and each distinct in it's unique excellence.
Now, I'm off to read number Five. I highly recommend any, and All Mark Sullivan Books.
This is my Fourth Mark Sullivan novel. I think I've given them all Four Stars, but No Review.
There's a reason for that lapse. My reason being, that all Four of these books have been Great Stories, each in it's own genre, and each distinct in it's unique excellence.
Now, I'm off to read number Five. I highly recommend any, and All Mark Sullivan Books.
July 14, 2013
I rely liked it.I lost the writer for a while,but thanks to goodread i found him again thanks.I read it under an another name "The serpents kiss". Hopefully Mark write more books.
November 26, 2018
Trapped
Do not start this one on a work night or if you’ve got something you have to get up early for tomorrow. You won’t be able to put it down!! One of the most fascinating novels I’ve ever picked up, out of tens of thousands.
One point of dissension. The term “joy unspeakable” is indeed found in the King James Bible. The so-called Bible authority never found it though!
Do not start this one on a work night or if you’ve got something you have to get up early for tomorrow. You won’t be able to put it down!! One of the most fascinating novels I’ve ever picked up, out of tens of thousands.
One point of dissension. The term “joy unspeakable” is indeed found in the King James Bible. The so-called Bible authority never found it though!
October 8, 2023
This was a good story in many ways, but creepy and flawed in other ways. The book started out slow and a little too machismo for my tastes. A couple of times in the book characters suffered probably irreparable damage to their bodies, and were able to bounce back—quite unrealistic. The ending was creepy and unsatisfying.
January 18, 2025
Too Weird for Me
The book mostly kept me reading, but some of the action was just strange and I skipped. Ending was interesting in several instances. I’m not disparaging Sullivan as I think many of his books are wonderful, which is the reason I read this one, but it’s just not my type.
The book mostly kept me reading, but some of the action was just strange and I skipped. Ending was interesting in several instances. I’m not disparaging Sullivan as I think many of his books are wonderful, which is the reason I read this one, but it’s just not my type.
August 16, 2022
Spellbinding
An amazing tale of murder, ritualism, and terrible scars that lead to this path of horror. Plot twists you never expect. I just wish he'd consulted more medically for information.
An amazing tale of murder, ritualism, and terrible scars that lead to this path of horror. Plot twists you never expect. I just wish he'd consulted more medically for information.
July 13, 2024
The Killer You Know
Intoxicating story. It leads you round and round while you are trying to figure out who the killer is. The detective gets caught up in her web believing her story. Then she turns on him and tries to murder him.
Intoxicating story. It leads you round and round while you are trying to figure out who the killer is. The detective gets caught up in her web believing her story. Then she turns on him and tries to murder him.
March 30, 2025
Excellent
A fine thriller full of twists and turns with an unexpected ending. It had me hooked till the last page. Never realized who the real killer was. The motivation to kill was a real surprise. Ready to follow this author.
A fine thriller full of twists and turns with an unexpected ending. It had me hooked till the last page. Never realized who the real killer was. The motivation to kill was a real surprise. Ready to follow this author.
August 14, 2017
Cool read...
Great characters and a lot of great plot twists. So. Cal. setting is also cool and loved the surprised in the storyline.
Great characters and a lot of great plot twists. So. Cal. setting is also cool and loved the surprised in the storyline.
March 5, 2018
Wow. Great read. Well plotted
September 9, 2018
Mark Sullivan at his best!
Keeps you riveted to the page, can't wait to see where he takes you next. Engrossed right to the last word.
Keeps you riveted to the page, can't wait to see where he takes you next. Engrossed right to the last word.
July 11, 2021
Excellent. I thought I was not going to like it, continued reading, could not put it down until finished it.
Read
October 4, 2021I guess you never know.
Well plaaned . I enjoyed trying to figure out what or where the next thing would take place. I do know I am not going to the desert alone unarp.
Well plaaned . I enjoyed trying to figure out what or where the next thing would take place. I do know I am not going to the desert alone unarp.
October 25, 2021
Outstanding! Great writing!
November 4, 2021
Frightening
Couldn't put this novel down to eat, sleep or sew. Who would enjoy this book? Anyone who likes mystery novels.
Couldn't put this novel down to eat, sleep or sew. Who would enjoy this book? Anyone who likes mystery novels.
February 13, 2022
Wow didn't see that coming😲😲
The story had many twist and turns and I cheered on the characters through out the murder mystery and how it ended
The story had many twist and turns and I cheered on the characters through out the murder mystery and how it ended
February 28, 2022
great read
Fascinating events and realistic characters. Doesn’t quit moving. I like solid relationships even though divorce happened. True to life but . . .
Fascinating events and realistic characters. Doesn’t quit moving. I like solid relationships even though divorce happened. True to life but . . .
July 16, 2023
Interesting Story
Marred by editing errors. Calling a police officer Carlton and Clayton. Saying left elbow and then right elbow for an injury. some punctuation issues, too.
Marred by editing errors. Calling a police officer Carlton and Clayton. Saying left elbow and then right elbow for an injury. some punctuation issues, too.
August 30, 2024
interesting
Many flips and turns to a world that I’m sure exists but knew nothing about.
Started out fairly simple, then exploded
Many flips and turns to a world that I’m sure exists but knew nothing about.
Started out fairly simple, then exploded
September 5, 2024
A sad and twisted story. I do like Mark Sullivan’s writing style. This one was a bit too dark for me.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews