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Детектив, сънуващ кошмари – Зоуи Долан, и млада доброволка на телефон на доверието – Джейн Уебстър, която се опитва да преодолее страховете си, се изправят срещу сериен изнасилвач.
Неговите пробиви са внимателни. Неговите атаки са диви. Неговото доверие расте.
Неговите романи все още кървят, плачат за помощ...
Детектив, сънуващ кошмари – Зоуи Долан, и млада доброволка на телефон на доверието – Джейн Уебстър, която се опитва да преодолее страховете си, се изправят срещу сериен изнасилвач.
400 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
August 1, 2019
This book just blew me away, I literally had to stop and stare at the ceiling after finishing this, pulling myself back to reality. This is by far one of the top crime thrillers I have read in years. How on earth have I not heard of Steve Mosby before this? Oh, the shame! As crime is my most read genre!
Anyway, let me tell you a bit about why it's so good. DI Zoe Dolan is part of a huge team of Detectives working on the case of The Creeper, this is one nasty, nasty serial killer, a man who is somehow able to access attractive, single women in their own homes, with no noticeable way of entering the house and causing tremendous physical and psychological harm in the most heinous of ways. And he is getting confident, bolder, therefore more dangerous. This is big news, women are nervous and rightly so.
We get some back story to DI Zoe Dolan, and it's done really well, it's not boring and detached like some books tend to be when flicking back down memory lane, it builds us some good images of why she is who she is. She's a great character, I liked her a LOT.
Jane Webster works as a volunteer for a helpline, a confidential telephone service where people can call up to talk about anything, anything they need to get off their chests. One call changes everything, it's a man saying that he loves these women, but all that it ends in his hurt and blood. Is it a hoax caller? (You can read it to find out).
Oh this book is good writing, it just flows, every word of it, I did not miss a thing, I was holding on with each word, syllable and punctuation mark for the next scene, the next clue. Flipping brilliant, I really liked it you see.
It has detail, just enough to keep you in the picture without wondering for a moment who is who or what is really going on (I hate that in a novel), and not too much, it's not bogged down with detail you wish you had never seen in this lifetime. It's just right. Balanced. Clever.
The characters are all strong in their own way, portrayed with their unique personalities, flaws, fears and thoughts. I connected with all of them and often you don't always. I got the differences between them all.
The entire plot is stunning, it's tight, It's intriguing, it's different and you don't want to stop reading. The way the book has sideline stories that all gradually begin to tie together is great, because they are subtle and eventually make the jigsaw puzzle make so much sense.
The Creeper he's an awful character, well written however, cleverly portrayed, you will hate him, he is fear and evil on two legs. If you like your books graphic there is just enough in here to keep you happy without making you want to bring up your breakfast. But the suspense! It's fantastic, I was on the edge of my seat reading this book wanting to know who he was, why was he killing, when were they going to find him, and it's pretty weird being on the edge of your seat when you are lying down on a sofa let me tell you. But it's nail biting stuff. I could feel the tension in my body reading the last half especially.
Steve Mosby is an exceptional writer, I will be reading all of his other books and hope they are as good as this one. The way it all comes together at the end of this book is satisfying, especially as bit by bit you think you know what is really going on but then you realise you don't, you are kept in the dark for quite some time. So just sit back, read, hold on tight and read this book. Fantastic crime writing.
Rave over. Five easy peasy stars, in fact I would give it a six but Goodreads always spoils my fun. Buy the book, enjoy! Thrilling stuff.
Anyway, let me tell you a bit about why it's so good. DI Zoe Dolan is part of a huge team of Detectives working on the case of The Creeper, this is one nasty, nasty serial killer, a man who is somehow able to access attractive, single women in their own homes, with no noticeable way of entering the house and causing tremendous physical and psychological harm in the most heinous of ways. And he is getting confident, bolder, therefore more dangerous. This is big news, women are nervous and rightly so.
We get some back story to DI Zoe Dolan, and it's done really well, it's not boring and detached like some books tend to be when flicking back down memory lane, it builds us some good images of why she is who she is. She's a great character, I liked her a LOT.
Jane Webster works as a volunteer for a helpline, a confidential telephone service where people can call up to talk about anything, anything they need to get off their chests. One call changes everything, it's a man saying that he loves these women, but all that it ends in his hurt and blood. Is it a hoax caller? (You can read it to find out).
Oh this book is good writing, it just flows, every word of it, I did not miss a thing, I was holding on with each word, syllable and punctuation mark for the next scene, the next clue. Flipping brilliant, I really liked it you see.
It has detail, just enough to keep you in the picture without wondering for a moment who is who or what is really going on (I hate that in a novel), and not too much, it's not bogged down with detail you wish you had never seen in this lifetime. It's just right. Balanced. Clever.
The characters are all strong in their own way, portrayed with their unique personalities, flaws, fears and thoughts. I connected with all of them and often you don't always. I got the differences between them all.
The entire plot is stunning, it's tight, It's intriguing, it's different and you don't want to stop reading. The way the book has sideline stories that all gradually begin to tie together is great, because they are subtle and eventually make the jigsaw puzzle make so much sense.
The Creeper he's an awful character, well written however, cleverly portrayed, you will hate him, he is fear and evil on two legs. If you like your books graphic there is just enough in here to keep you happy without making you want to bring up your breakfast. But the suspense! It's fantastic, I was on the edge of my seat reading this book wanting to know who he was, why was he killing, when were they going to find him, and it's pretty weird being on the edge of your seat when you are lying down on a sofa let me tell you. But it's nail biting stuff. I could feel the tension in my body reading the last half especially.
Steve Mosby is an exceptional writer, I will be reading all of his other books and hope they are as good as this one. The way it all comes together at the end of this book is satisfying, especially as bit by bit you think you know what is really going on but then you realise you don't, you are kept in the dark for quite some time. So just sit back, read, hold on tight and read this book. Fantastic crime writing.
Rave over. Five easy peasy stars, in fact I would give it a six but Goodreads always spoils my fun. Buy the book, enjoy! Thrilling stuff.
February 22, 2016
I was totally made up when I was gifted a signed copy of The Nightmare Place from the author himself, so huge thanks for that.
This is the third of Mosby's works that I have now read and with an opening chapter that it has, it won't be one I'll be forgetting in a hurry. Seriously, I gasped, that frightened I was! Young women are being stalked, attacked in their own homes and left. 'The Creeper', as he is known, is somehow breaking in and escaping leaving very little behind for the police to work on. How he is achieving this and for what reasons leaves them scratching their heads as they try to work out what's behind the viciousness of the attacks.
DI Zoe Dolan, a woman with a chequered past, is tasked with the case and along with her partner, approaches the whole thing with determination and a steeliness to resolve. As an aside it appears that the killer is making contact with a helpline, apparently confessing all but hands are tied as confidentiality seems to take precedence much to the frustration of Dolan. On the surface the book appears to be a police procedural but I think Mosby goes much deeper than that. There's real depth to the characters in and amongst all the subplots, and that's really the book's strength. Yes, I had my short list of suspects and I was right about The Creeper, but it doesn't really matter as we're treated to all the nuances of the characters and their stories. Especially Dolan herself as we're given an indepth look into her childhood, how she became a police officer and her relationship with her ex boss. Very touching at times and deftly done.
The main plot carries well throughout with a sinsister, chilling feel that doesn't really go away culminating in an ending that wraps up all loose ends. But I have to say I actually felt quite nervy reading this (which is not usual for this long time crime reader addict), because it had me looking furtively around, shining torches under beds and listening out for any strange noises. Sounds wimpy but I'm laying the blame squarely at Mosby's door! It really is that chilling.
For me, The Nightmare Place was not quite at the level of the other books I've read, but is still a cut above a lot of the general fare out there in my humble opinion. And I'm going to put it out there and say I've become a real fan of Mosby's work; the prose is brilliant, the storylines engaging and the scare factor accomplished. Long may he frighten... I mean write!! Oh and after reading this it's probably going to cost me more in electricity as I leave lights on in the dead of night! Hmmmm!
Highly recommend.
This is the third of Mosby's works that I have now read and with an opening chapter that it has, it won't be one I'll be forgetting in a hurry. Seriously, I gasped, that frightened I was! Young women are being stalked, attacked in their own homes and left. 'The Creeper', as he is known, is somehow breaking in and escaping leaving very little behind for the police to work on. How he is achieving this and for what reasons leaves them scratching their heads as they try to work out what's behind the viciousness of the attacks.
DI Zoe Dolan, a woman with a chequered past, is tasked with the case and along with her partner, approaches the whole thing with determination and a steeliness to resolve. As an aside it appears that the killer is making contact with a helpline, apparently confessing all but hands are tied as confidentiality seems to take precedence much to the frustration of Dolan. On the surface the book appears to be a police procedural but I think Mosby goes much deeper than that. There's real depth to the characters in and amongst all the subplots, and that's really the book's strength. Yes, I had my short list of suspects and I was right about The Creeper, but it doesn't really matter as we're treated to all the nuances of the characters and their stories. Especially Dolan herself as we're given an indepth look into her childhood, how she became a police officer and her relationship with her ex boss. Very touching at times and deftly done.
The main plot carries well throughout with a sinsister, chilling feel that doesn't really go away culminating in an ending that wraps up all loose ends. But I have to say I actually felt quite nervy reading this (which is not usual for this long time crime reader addict), because it had me looking furtively around, shining torches under beds and listening out for any strange noises. Sounds wimpy but I'm laying the blame squarely at Mosby's door! It really is that chilling.
For me, The Nightmare Place was not quite at the level of the other books I've read, but is still a cut above a lot of the general fare out there in my humble opinion. And I'm going to put it out there and say I've become a real fan of Mosby's work; the prose is brilliant, the storylines engaging and the scare factor accomplished. Long may he frighten... I mean write!! Oh and after reading this it's probably going to cost me more in electricity as I leave lights on in the dead of night! Hmmmm!
Highly recommend.
December 29, 2016
This is the first book I've read by Steve Mosby but won't be the last. It was a very creepy psychological thriller that had me on the edge of my seat at times. DI Zoe Dolan and her partner DI Chris Sands are looking for a serial rapist called 'The Creeper' who sneaks into women's homes while they are out and lies in wait to attack them after they have locked up for the night. He leaves no clues and they are unable to work out how he gets into the homes. However, he is becoming more violent and the attacks are escalating so the pressure is on to find him before he kills a victim.
Zoe Dolan has an interesting background, having battled out of a poverty stricken estate thanks to a policeman who saw the promise in her as a young teen. She often makes mistakes, impetuously jumping in rather than waiting for backup but she is gutsy and her empathy for the victims often drives her to behave rashly.
Very scary and tense at times, well written and paced with some twisty red herrings before the rapist is found. Chapters giving us insight into the racist's thoughts are very creepy indeed!
Zoe Dolan has an interesting background, having battled out of a poverty stricken estate thanks to a policeman who saw the promise in her as a young teen. She often makes mistakes, impetuously jumping in rather than waiting for backup but she is gutsy and her empathy for the victims often drives her to behave rashly.
Very scary and tense at times, well written and paced with some twisty red herrings before the rapist is found. Chapters giving us insight into the racist's thoughts are very creepy indeed!
August 22, 2022
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It wasn't great. But it wasn't technically bad, either.
Steve Mosby is a precise writer. The story flows. The plot of a stalker - nicknamed The Creeper - assaulting, raping and escalating to murdering women, is thought-out and all the threads broken off for each character are tied up in the end, but for me it lacked suspense, thrills and twists that.
So, everyone else is excited about this one, but I'm just here like Tommy Lee Jones at an awards show...
The crimes central to the plot were generic and cliché and the antagonist was typical. While the protagonist, DI Zoe Dolan, had no defining personality. She was simplistic and flat, even in first-person narrative.
If this was the start of a series with more story coming that would evolve Zoe's life and character, I might have liked this better. But because this is it, this is all of her story you ever get, it's like, "Ok, so what?" It wasn't anything special. It didn't really have much to say, honestly.
So, I give it a Bernie Sanders "meh."
⭐⭐⭐ | 3 stars
It wasn't great. But it wasn't technically bad, either.
Steve Mosby is a precise writer. The story flows. The plot of a stalker - nicknamed The Creeper - assaulting, raping and escalating to murdering women, is thought-out and all the threads broken off for each character are tied up in the end, but for me it lacked suspense, thrills and twists that.
So, everyone else is excited about this one, but I'm just here like Tommy Lee Jones at an awards show...
The crimes central to the plot were generic and cliché and the antagonist was typical. While the protagonist, DI Zoe Dolan, had no defining personality. She was simplistic and flat, even in first-person narrative.
If this was the start of a series with more story coming that would evolve Zoe's life and character, I might have liked this better. But because this is it, this is all of her story you ever get, it's like, "Ok, so what?" It wasn't anything special. It didn't really have much to say, honestly.
So, I give it a Bernie Sanders "meh."
⭐⭐⭐ | 3 stars
February 26, 2016
This is the 3rd book by Steve Mosby that has left me wondering what i have just read i love the way Mosby gets into the readers head & keeps you there.
he break ins are careful his attacks are savage to say the least his confidence keeps growing.
Di Zoe Dolan is tracking a stalker known as the creeper who brutally attacks women in their homes with no idea how he gets in or who he will target next.
The case is going nowhere until a tip off from a confidential helpline, but instead of helping the information drags deeper into a vicious killers mind & draws her deeper into his psyche & nearly destroys her.
I thought DI Zoe Dolan was a strong & likeable character & is always prepared to do things on her own no matter what. really enjoyed this highly recommended
he break ins are careful his attacks are savage to say the least his confidence keeps growing.
Di Zoe Dolan is tracking a stalker known as the creeper who brutally attacks women in their homes with no idea how he gets in or who he will target next.
The case is going nowhere until a tip off from a confidential helpline, but instead of helping the information drags deeper into a vicious killers mind & draws her deeper into his psyche & nearly destroys her.
I thought DI Zoe Dolan was a strong & likeable character & is always prepared to do things on her own no matter what. really enjoyed this highly recommended
January 20, 2016
DI Zoe Dolan and her partner, DI Chris Sands are investigating some rather brutal instances of young women being beaten, then raped in their own homes. The "Creeper" leaves no clues, no evidence, not even a hint of how he got in their homes without being detected. After 5 victims, the violence escalates leading to death.
There are several chapters in which the "Creeper" is thinking to himself. One of the creepiest (pardon the pun) passages in the book ......He lies there thinking about Julie, and listening to the soft, gentle sound of her snoring, And after a few peaceful moments, he reaches up and lovingly touches the underside of her bed.
I have read many of Steve Mosby's books, They never disappoint. He has a way with words guaranteed to give the reader the heebie-jeebies.
The characters are well defined. The reader gets a little bit of background on Zoe .. where and what she came from to get where she is now. Chris is a little less defined... there's really no back story on him at all. There are several secondary characters that move to the forefront and make the story so much more believable. Twists and turns kept me glued to these pages.
I look forward to reading many more of this author's books.
There are several chapters in which the "Creeper" is thinking to himself. One of the creepiest (pardon the pun) passages in the book ......He lies there thinking about Julie, and listening to the soft, gentle sound of her snoring, And after a few peaceful moments, he reaches up and lovingly touches the underside of her bed.
I have read many of Steve Mosby's books, They never disappoint. He has a way with words guaranteed to give the reader the heebie-jeebies.
The characters are well defined. The reader gets a little bit of background on Zoe .. where and what she came from to get where she is now. Chris is a little less defined... there's really no back story on him at all. There are several secondary characters that move to the forefront and make the story so much more believable. Twists and turns kept me glued to these pages.
I look forward to reading many more of this author's books.
June 15, 2014
With an opening chapter that contains enough of a fright to scare even the most hardened crime reader, The Nightmare Place, is the latest offering from Steve Mosby. A stalker- The Creeper- is breaking into women’s homes and attacking them, with very little for the police to go on, and leaving little clue into how the victims are selected and who will be next…
Although not consistently exhibiting the usual deep-seated and unflinching focus on the human psyche so readily displayed in Mosby’s previous book, The Dark Room (which now ranks among my favourite crime reads of all time) there is still plenty to entertain and perplex the reader. With a feisty and solidly characterised female detective protagonist, DI Zoe Dolan, Mosby has constructed a tense and chilling crime thriller that unfailingly captures the fear and suspicion wrought by a killer at large and the failing of the police to bring him to justice. In a nifty subplot, the killer, exhibiting his twisted mentality, makes contact with a local helpline, and there is an interesting exploration of the bounds of confidentiality in such a scenario. As Mosby ramps up the tension through the escalating behaviour of The Creeper, suspects come and go, and annoyingly I had my eye on one guy as the bad guy and I was right. A total creep in all senses of the word!
The central investigation folds out satisfyingly, but by the same token not really stretching the boundaries of the serial killer thriller genre per se. The real strength of the piece lies in Mosby’s innate handling of characterisation and DI Dolan is a case in point. During her interaction with her now retired boss John Carlton, who has exerted a great influence on both her personal and professional life, the reader gets a real insight into her journey from an unsettled adolescence to her current career. From a fledgling propensity for bad behaviour and her upbringing on the wrong side of the tracks, her relationship with Carlton has proved a hugely significant influence in her life, and I loved the shift in narrative throughout the book that captured the importance of this relationship and the pathos-filled depiction of the potential loss of this friendship. This is where Mosby excels, delving deeper into the finer and more emotional aspects of the human condition, and aside from a very touching interlude focusing on another character’s short-lived harmonic relationship with an aspect of the natural world, Dolan is the main conduit for this authorial skill. As I said, the main plot was intriguing enough, but these little vignettes of human experience really lift the piece from the realms of a bog-standard police procedural.
As a firm fan of Mosby, I did detect a little dip in quality from his usual fare, but not enough to seriously impact on me recommending this as a good read. With little glimpses of the more thoughtful and introspective qualities readily apparent in his previous books, and a plot that creeped me out almost as much as the TV crime drama, The Fall, The Nightmare Place, ticked most of the boxes overall. A crime thriller that will leave you suspicious of your bedroom and who may be lurking uninvited within…
Although not consistently exhibiting the usual deep-seated and unflinching focus on the human psyche so readily displayed in Mosby’s previous book, The Dark Room (which now ranks among my favourite crime reads of all time) there is still plenty to entertain and perplex the reader. With a feisty and solidly characterised female detective protagonist, DI Zoe Dolan, Mosby has constructed a tense and chilling crime thriller that unfailingly captures the fear and suspicion wrought by a killer at large and the failing of the police to bring him to justice. In a nifty subplot, the killer, exhibiting his twisted mentality, makes contact with a local helpline, and there is an interesting exploration of the bounds of confidentiality in such a scenario. As Mosby ramps up the tension through the escalating behaviour of The Creeper, suspects come and go, and annoyingly I had my eye on one guy as the bad guy and I was right. A total creep in all senses of the word!
The central investigation folds out satisfyingly, but by the same token not really stretching the boundaries of the serial killer thriller genre per se. The real strength of the piece lies in Mosby’s innate handling of characterisation and DI Dolan is a case in point. During her interaction with her now retired boss John Carlton, who has exerted a great influence on both her personal and professional life, the reader gets a real insight into her journey from an unsettled adolescence to her current career. From a fledgling propensity for bad behaviour and her upbringing on the wrong side of the tracks, her relationship with Carlton has proved a hugely significant influence in her life, and I loved the shift in narrative throughout the book that captured the importance of this relationship and the pathos-filled depiction of the potential loss of this friendship. This is where Mosby excels, delving deeper into the finer and more emotional aspects of the human condition, and aside from a very touching interlude focusing on another character’s short-lived harmonic relationship with an aspect of the natural world, Dolan is the main conduit for this authorial skill. As I said, the main plot was intriguing enough, but these little vignettes of human experience really lift the piece from the realms of a bog-standard police procedural.
As a firm fan of Mosby, I did detect a little dip in quality from his usual fare, but not enough to seriously impact on me recommending this as a good read. With little glimpses of the more thoughtful and introspective qualities readily apparent in his previous books, and a plot that creeped me out almost as much as the TV crime drama, The Fall, The Nightmare Place, ticked most of the boxes overall. A crime thriller that will leave you suspicious of your bedroom and who may be lurking uninvited within…
September 9, 2014
Too simplistically written for my taste and it feels as though the author went overboard on unnecessary, uninteresting and irrelevant detail to flesh out the pages - this lead to a fair amount of skimming just to see if I was on target with whodunnit. This was because the story-line was weak, and it was easy to work out whodunnit from very early on in the book. It seemed improbable that this character was driven to commit such violent crimes for the reasons given.
The main character was a woman. I find that very often a man writing a woman's part (and vice versa) doesn't always work, unless the author is very skilled at doing so. It didn't work in this instance either - somehow Zoe Dolan didn't come across as a woman - I had to track back a few pages to ascertain whether I had it right - the character wasn't reading as being female.
The structure of the story-line is old fashioned, where we skip from one or more sets of characters - including the red herrings and false leads, then inevitably to the coincidences which lead to discovery of the culprit.
Because of the simplicity of the writing, and the quite interesting twists, I wonder, cynically, if this was written with the possibility of making it into police drama for TV?
The main character was a woman. I find that very often a man writing a woman's part (and vice versa) doesn't always work, unless the author is very skilled at doing so. It didn't work in this instance either - somehow Zoe Dolan didn't come across as a woman - I had to track back a few pages to ascertain whether I had it right - the character wasn't reading as being female.
The structure of the story-line is old fashioned, where we skip from one or more sets of characters - including the red herrings and false leads, then inevitably to the coincidences which lead to discovery of the culprit.
Because of the simplicity of the writing, and the quite interesting twists, I wonder, cynically, if this was written with the possibility of making it into police drama for TV?
March 26, 2017
Steve Mosby has terrific potential to be a great crime writer. Like most of us, he needs an equally terrific editor. I was so impressed by the first quarter of this novel - the writing is so strong and the plot was so creative. The first three chapters were incredibly, breathtakingly brilliant. Unfortunately it started to break down in the second half. The last chapter was okay but the plot resolution was pathetic. It's as though his editor quit and Mr Mosby had to cobble together the rest of the book so he could make a mortgage payment. And on top of it there are some blatant plot errors. So sad. So much promise but .......
October 17, 2017
It was ok. There are some plot holes and quite a few things seemed to be there for no particular reason. I didn't feel like the circle closed up completely because of these plot holes and unnecessary information. The first 3/5 of the book were kind of uneventful or at least couldn't make me anticipate each new chapter. Things escalated somewhat quickly by the last 2/5 of the book so a lot of the beginning could easily be shortened.
Want to read
November 7, 2015"Zoe" in the blurb should have a comma after the name.
"For Jane, Zoe and all the other young women of the city," "Zoe" is missing a comma.
"For Jane, Zoe and all the other young women of the city," "Zoe" is missing a comma.
December 18, 2025
I give it more stars if possible.
February 1, 2017
I apologise for any clichés used in this review but sometimes they are needed.
What a page turner! I love crime novels, I love serial killer novels and I love everything Steve Mosby has ever written, what could go wrong? Answer; not a thing. The opening chapter is the creepiest, cleverest thing thing I have ever read. You literally have to go and check every nook and cranny of your house before continuing. I read this book sitting in the garden in gorgeous sunshine but it still scared the life out of me.
Mosby has created a truly scary book with a truly horrific baddie in ‘The Creeper’. You will probably work out who they are before the ending but it doesn’t matter as the climax is a race against time to stop him before he claims his next victim. There are red herrings aplenty as there are a few other characters who are unpleasant enough to be the protagonist but he cleverly weaves the story together and avoids loose ends and unanswered questions. I particularly liked the fact that the two main characters were both women. Zoe is a fantastic characterisation; a tough no-nonsense cop without being a cliché (unlike some of this review).
I’m not sure if this is going to be a series or it was a standalone (guess which I’d prefer!) All I can say is that if you love good crime treat yourself to a read of this.
What a page turner! I love crime novels, I love serial killer novels and I love everything Steve Mosby has ever written, what could go wrong? Answer; not a thing. The opening chapter is the creepiest, cleverest thing thing I have ever read. You literally have to go and check every nook and cranny of your house before continuing. I read this book sitting in the garden in gorgeous sunshine but it still scared the life out of me.
Mosby has created a truly scary book with a truly horrific baddie in ‘The Creeper’. You will probably work out who they are before the ending but it doesn’t matter as the climax is a race against time to stop him before he claims his next victim. There are red herrings aplenty as there are a few other characters who are unpleasant enough to be the protagonist but he cleverly weaves the story together and avoids loose ends and unanswered questions. I particularly liked the fact that the two main characters were both women. Zoe is a fantastic characterisation; a tough no-nonsense cop without being a cliché (unlike some of this review).
I’m not sure if this is going to be a series or it was a standalone (guess which I’d prefer!) All I can say is that if you love good crime treat yourself to a read of this.
February 11, 2017
Another really enjoyable book by Steve Mosby
Inspector Zoe Dolan is hot on the heels of a vicious rapist whose attacks are more brutal until he actually kills his sixth victim. The previous victims can't describe the man beyond being dark, strong and full of hatred - almost like a force of evil. We are also introduced to a man who has been unashamedly stalking women as it is the only way he can get close to them. Is he the rapist gone berserk?
We are also introduced to Jane, a timid young woman who is socially awkward and has real trouble interacting with people. To conquer her fears Jane has taken a job volunteering at a phone service where people in all sorts of trouble can ring up for a sympathetic ear. Jane takes a call from a man claiming to be the rapist. He is really upset that the last victim has died. Jane doesn't know what to do as the success of the service relies on anonymity. But after the man calls again she does go to the police. Will this make her a target?
Zoe isn't sure if it is the real killer that Jane has been talking to. Things escalate rapidly as Jane is abducted and then Zoe herself gets attacked.
I loved the sense of menace as you got closer to the killer. The characters were likeable enough. The plot was plausible and it was a really good mystery. We were lead up a few blind alleys before seeing the light!
Inspector Zoe Dolan is hot on the heels of a vicious rapist whose attacks are more brutal until he actually kills his sixth victim. The previous victims can't describe the man beyond being dark, strong and full of hatred - almost like a force of evil. We are also introduced to a man who has been unashamedly stalking women as it is the only way he can get close to them. Is he the rapist gone berserk?
We are also introduced to Jane, a timid young woman who is socially awkward and has real trouble interacting with people. To conquer her fears Jane has taken a job volunteering at a phone service where people in all sorts of trouble can ring up for a sympathetic ear. Jane takes a call from a man claiming to be the rapist. He is really upset that the last victim has died. Jane doesn't know what to do as the success of the service relies on anonymity. But after the man calls again she does go to the police. Will this make her a target?
Zoe isn't sure if it is the real killer that Jane has been talking to. Things escalate rapidly as Jane is abducted and then Zoe herself gets attacked.
I loved the sense of menace as you got closer to the killer. The characters were likeable enough. The plot was plausible and it was a really good mystery. We were lead up a few blind alleys before seeing the light!
September 9, 2015
Wow. Picked this up on a lark, B tried to talk me out of reading it because he hadn't liked it, but better luck next time guy! I really, really enjoyed this. There's a part of the plot that is pretty hokey , but this book just does such a terrifying, excellent job highlighting the various types of creepers that women have to deal with in life - the one who thinks he has "relationships" with women he's never spoken to & only knows because he's stalking them, the one who abhors us so much he commits atrocious acts of violence when defied - and it has quite possibly the scariest twelfth page I've ever read, which I know is a dubious distinction but something happens on page twelve that made me shriek, so way to be. I am almost afraid to look up the rest of the Steve Mosby/DI Zoe Dolan catalog, because I am dying to read more about her & I'm afraid there won't be five or six other books with her already written & waiting for me to read.
January 2, 2020
DI Zoe Dolan tracks a violent stalker known as "The Creeper" who is terrorising young women. Meanwhile helpline volunteer, Jane Webster, takes a call from a man who knows an awful lot about the crimes.
There were several problems, the first one being that the main character is a bit of a cypher - in fact almost all the characters had no real discernible personality. If I had to think of a word to describe them it would be 'grey'. Secondly, it's not a good sign when the reader picks up on a vital clue in the first two chapters. Thirdly, Overall it was a very disappointing read.
There were several problems, the first one being that the main character is a bit of a cypher - in fact almost all the characters had no real discernible personality. If I had to think of a word to describe them it would be 'grey'. Secondly, it's not a good sign when the reader picks up on a vital clue in the first two chapters. Thirdly, Overall it was a very disappointing read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2015
Thrilling!!!! Must read more Mosby-books. Great build-up and one crazy creeper... Loved the twist in the story. Even though I only read one book, I would recommend Mosby when you like Mo Hayder or Harlan Coben.
September 23, 2016
3,5 Sterne. Da es sich für mich an manchen stellen doch etwas in die Länge gezogen hat.
August 16, 2017
Допадна ми. Хубав стил, достатъчно добър сюжет.
May 6, 2020
DI Zoe Dolan and her team are eager to find the criminal who has been attacking women in the comfort of their own bedrooms at night. With no leads, no fingerprints, and no signs of break-ins, Zoe finds herself at her wits ends trying to find their disturbed criminal until new information from an anonymous hotline comes forward that leads Zoe into a whole new direction.
Sick and disturbing, The Nightmare Place was my first read from Steve Mosby but I am hoping it won't be the last! Read in a only a couple of sittings, The Nightmare Place sucked me in, immersing me in the nightmare horror that the victims were having to live, whilst also keeping me second-guessing who was behind the attacks.
With a relatively large cast, there were a lot of characters to engage me throughout the book, causing me to question each of them. At one point, I had a conspiracy theory about one of them that ended up falling flat, but Steve Mosby's twist still kept me gripped to find out the truth.
As much as I enjoyed The Nightmare Place, there was one thing that didn't really appeal to me, and that was Zoe's backstory. It's the law of the thriller world to have a gripping, heartwrenching backstory that could creep up on the main characters at any time and throw a spanner into the works. But sometimes - that simply doesn't work and The Nightmare Place was a prime example of that. Though Zoe's past was somewhat interesting to an extent, it didn't entice me enough to wonder if it was somehow linked to the case. And when I found out it wasn't and more-so a way for Zoe's story to wrap up nicely towards the end, I felt a little cheated out of the time spent reading. It didn't necessarily give Zoe depth, either. In my opinion, it could've been scrapped.
Overall, I enjoyed The Nightmare Place by Steve Mosby and definitely think it was a good read.
Sick and disturbing, The Nightmare Place was my first read from Steve Mosby but I am hoping it won't be the last! Read in a only a couple of sittings, The Nightmare Place sucked me in, immersing me in the nightmare horror that the victims were having to live, whilst also keeping me second-guessing who was behind the attacks.
With a relatively large cast, there were a lot of characters to engage me throughout the book, causing me to question each of them. At one point, I had a conspiracy theory about one of them that ended up falling flat, but Steve Mosby's twist still kept me gripped to find out the truth.
As much as I enjoyed The Nightmare Place, there was one thing that didn't really appeal to me, and that was Zoe's backstory. It's the law of the thriller world to have a gripping, heartwrenching backstory that could creep up on the main characters at any time and throw a spanner into the works. But sometimes - that simply doesn't work and The Nightmare Place was a prime example of that. Though Zoe's past was somewhat interesting to an extent, it didn't entice me enough to wonder if it was somehow linked to the case. And when I found out it wasn't and more-so a way for Zoe's story to wrap up nicely towards the end, I felt a little cheated out of the time spent reading. It didn't necessarily give Zoe depth, either. In my opinion, it could've been scrapped.
Overall, I enjoyed The Nightmare Place by Steve Mosby and definitely think it was a good read.
March 8, 2025
As crime thrillers go, this was an excellent read, especially as a woman who lives alone (it was that good I considered checking under my bed, but I was too comfy so decided to take my chances). The basic premise is that women are being attacked in their homes and the police aren't able to find any obvious or not obvious means that the attacker is getting in, its clear how he leaves but not how he arrives. So DI Zoe Dolan and her team are at a dead end, until an anonymous call is made to a helpline that gives them just enough of a thread to start pulling, unfortunately for Dolan it also starts pulling a couple of darker threads from her past, a past that her own mind as thought best to bury. This is a fast paced and gripping read but the bit that pushed it up for me was the details, the how the attacker got in, who they were, and why they were doing it.
November 30, 2020
Very confusing
November 18, 2020
It's ok.
That's the only way I can describe this book. Moments of action are well written and do well to create tension but it almost feels like every chapter insists on having a cliff hanger.
The plot is also littered with holes and there's a sense that not all the questions have been well answered.
All that aside, there are certainly twists and turns and it's certainly worthy of a read for some light entertainment but I can't say that I'm not slightly disappointed in the end result.
That's the only way I can describe this book. Moments of action are well written and do well to create tension but it almost feels like every chapter insists on having a cliff hanger.
The plot is also littered with holes and there's a sense that not all the questions have been well answered.
All that aside, there are certainly twists and turns and it's certainly worthy of a read for some light entertainment but I can't say that I'm not slightly disappointed in the end result.
March 16, 2025
Was going to give it 3 stars about 3/4 of the way through but then the closer I got to the ending, I couldn’t put it down!
November 15, 2015
Find this review and more fantastical things at The Leaning Tower of Tomes.
Source: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Iris and Pegasus Books!
The review:
Okay, so I’m doing this review a little differently… Trying out a new review format to spice things up!
What is this book about?
The Nightmare Place is, in short, a search for a creeper who steals into women’s homes and viciously attacks them. It follows Detective Inspector Zoe Dolan as she tracks down the elusive stalker, whose terrible crimes keep escalating, with help from Jane Webster, a telephone helpline volunteer who gets a call from seemingly the Creeper himself.
What did you think of the characters?
They all served their purpose well, but I liked Zoe the most. She wasn’t the warmest person, but had great, trusting relationships with her friends, former detective John who was sort of a mentor to her, and her current partner, Detective Inspector Chris. Zoe was impulsive, though, which I knew was just going to spell trouble, and I had to remind myself that she was used to being in dangerous situations, as that was pretty much in her job description. I didn’t love any of the characters, but I did grow attached to the two female leads.
Which character did you identify with the most?
Probably Jane. If I got a series of strange, disturbing calls from a man detailing horrific acts he’d done against women, I’d be likely to put my job in jeopardy (since the helpline is all about confidentiality) by going to police and reporting it. Something so horrendous really shouldn’t go unnoticed. Plus, I’d always have that “what if?” floating in my head, making me feel guilty if I hadn’t done something. Props to Jane for doing the right thing, even if it meant she got tangled up in things. Eep.
Did you enjoy the POV?
The book is told in third person through the eyes of multiple characters, mainly Zoe and Jane, but also some other people who are related in some way or another to the man behind all the attacks. I thought that the first chapter, told from the perspective of the stalker, was so well done, and really creepy/disturbing. An excellent start to the book, definitely.
Was the plot believable?
Yes, it was. But also a tad bit predictable. From the get-go I knew there was bound to be a certain scene that would probably make the book’s climax. Maybe I’ve just watched too much Law and Order: SVU.
How would you describe the author’s writing style?
Like most thrillers and crime novels, The Nightmare Place is written very cinematically. While there are some slower parts in it, the book is well-explained, direct, and relatively fast-paced. Characters’ emotions feel real, situations are tense, and there is certainly a dark atmosphere looming over the whole story. Thumbs-up to Steve Mosby for writing an exciting novel like this.
Would you recommend this book to a friend?
I would, if that friend is interested in thrillers, and is okay with knowing they’re going to be reading about the search for a rapist and murderer. This is some heavy stuff. It’s a good book, one I read most of in one sitting, but it’s perhaps not something you want to read before going to sleep. If you do, you’re definitely going to contemplate putting a hammer under your bed and making sure all your windows and doors and locked tight at night. ♦
So tell me...
Have you read The Nightmare Place? If you haven’t, would you be interested to? What’s a super-dark book you’ve recently read? How about a thriller, or a crime novel? Comment below letting me know! And, as always, happy reading!
Follow me @ toweroftomes on Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | and Bloglovin’!
Source: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Iris and Pegasus Books!
The review:
Okay, so I’m doing this review a little differently… Trying out a new review format to spice things up!
What is this book about?
The Nightmare Place is, in short, a search for a creeper who steals into women’s homes and viciously attacks them. It follows Detective Inspector Zoe Dolan as she tracks down the elusive stalker, whose terrible crimes keep escalating, with help from Jane Webster, a telephone helpline volunteer who gets a call from seemingly the Creeper himself.
What did you think of the characters?
They all served their purpose well, but I liked Zoe the most. She wasn’t the warmest person, but had great, trusting relationships with her friends, former detective John who was sort of a mentor to her, and her current partner, Detective Inspector Chris. Zoe was impulsive, though, which I knew was just going to spell trouble, and I had to remind myself that she was used to being in dangerous situations, as that was pretty much in her job description. I didn’t love any of the characters, but I did grow attached to the two female leads.
Which character did you identify with the most?
Probably Jane. If I got a series of strange, disturbing calls from a man detailing horrific acts he’d done against women, I’d be likely to put my job in jeopardy (since the helpline is all about confidentiality) by going to police and reporting it. Something so horrendous really shouldn’t go unnoticed. Plus, I’d always have that “what if?” floating in my head, making me feel guilty if I hadn’t done something. Props to Jane for doing the right thing, even if it meant she got tangled up in things. Eep.
Did you enjoy the POV?
The book is told in third person through the eyes of multiple characters, mainly Zoe and Jane, but also some other people who are related in some way or another to the man behind all the attacks. I thought that the first chapter, told from the perspective of the stalker, was so well done, and really creepy/disturbing. An excellent start to the book, definitely.
Was the plot believable?
Yes, it was. But also a tad bit predictable. From the get-go I knew there was bound to be a certain scene that would probably make the book’s climax. Maybe I’ve just watched too much Law and Order: SVU.
How would you describe the author’s writing style?
Like most thrillers and crime novels, The Nightmare Place is written very cinematically. While there are some slower parts in it, the book is well-explained, direct, and relatively fast-paced. Characters’ emotions feel real, situations are tense, and there is certainly a dark atmosphere looming over the whole story. Thumbs-up to Steve Mosby for writing an exciting novel like this.
Would you recommend this book to a friend?
I would, if that friend is interested in thrillers, and is okay with knowing they’re going to be reading about the search for a rapist and murderer. This is some heavy stuff. It’s a good book, one I read most of in one sitting, but it’s perhaps not something you want to read before going to sleep. If you do, you’re definitely going to contemplate putting a hammer under your bed and making sure all your windows and doors and locked tight at night. ♦
So tell me...
Have you read The Nightmare Place? If you haven’t, would you be interested to? What’s a super-dark book you’ve recently read? How about a thriller, or a crime novel? Comment below letting me know! And, as always, happy reading!
Follow me @ toweroftomes on Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | and Bloglovin’!
July 10, 2017
The Nightmare Place certainly is. A serial rapist who becomes a serial killer too. Called The Creeper because no one knows how he manages to enter womens homes when they are locked up tight! Oh God was i glad I didn't live alone when i read this book, I was well and truly scared from the first chapter.
All the main characters are exceptionally well done and believable. They all have their own backstory and personal development arc but it never detracts from the main thread of the story, in fact it enhances the story. Very clever indeed.
The plot is just amazing. It keeps you reading, makes you hold your breath until you get to the end.
Brilliant plot and the writing style, the author voice is exceptional.
I've never read anything by Steve Mosby before but I now intend to read everything he's ever written.
5 stars and more from me.
All the main characters are exceptionally well done and believable. They all have their own backstory and personal development arc but it never detracts from the main thread of the story, in fact it enhances the story. Very clever indeed.
The plot is just amazing. It keeps you reading, makes you hold your breath until you get to the end.
Brilliant plot and the writing style, the author voice is exceptional.
I've never read anything by Steve Mosby before but I now intend to read everything he's ever written.
5 stars and more from me.
July 20, 2014
As with all of Steve Mosby's books, there is a dark side to even what appears to be a straightforward detective story. The narration is from a variety of perspectives, from people involved in the inter-woven storylines. The writing is tight, precise and by turns emotional and factual. You get to that stage where all ends are neatly tied up and think 'Hang on! There is still x% of the book to go!' and then remember who wrote the book.
Another masterwork from the best crime writer around. Salute, Mr Mosby; can't wait until the next book!
Another masterwork from the best crime writer around. Salute, Mr Mosby; can't wait until the next book!
June 13, 2015
A very suspenseful, interesting, and at some points, unsettling and creepy, novel. Which was what I was expecting and was definitely not disappointed.
There was an additionally crazy amount of plot twists and although at some points I didn't have a clue what was happening, the plots came together cleverly. I liked the author's messages about life and way with words that were included as well. And I really liked the ending chapter that grasped the meaning of the title! Overall, an interesting suspense-crime novel.
There was an additionally crazy amount of plot twists and although at some points I didn't have a clue what was happening, the plots came together cleverly. I liked the author's messages about life and way with words that were included as well. And I really liked the ending chapter that grasped the meaning of the title! Overall, an interesting suspense-crime novel.
July 4, 2015
Too many scenarios going on although they do all get pulled together in the end. The protagonist Zoe is really unlikable. There are reasons for her coldness but the story is not written in a way to make the reader engage with her. At least not this reader. I will probably read more by this author but not with Zoe as the protagonist.
May 14, 2014
A very dark and creepy book with superb characterisation and some nice twists and turns. The plot unfolds at exactly the right pace, and the villain is truly nasty and loathsome. There's compassion too, which makes this book truly affecting. Recommended.
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