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DI Chris Sigurdsson #2
Never Rest
Chris Sigurdsson has left the police force to start his own detective agency in London. He and his assistant, Priya, have built a strong reputation, and their casebook for the coming months is full. But Sigurdsson’s mind drifts back to his time as a Detective Inspector, and to the surreal week he spent investigating a case on Salvation Island.
When the estranged wife of David Lithgow, a writer who had been working on the island, approaches him to help locate her missing spouse, he cannot resist the allure of that sinister, mist-shrouded place…
The case leads him back to Salvation Island and into a treacherous labyrinth of deceit.
Is there a link between the mysterious proprietor of a travelling freak show and the malevolent spectre of a vicious serial murderer who butchered six young women on the island?
Has the killer continued his murderous spree from beyond the grave, or is there a copycat on the loose?
To solve this case, Sigurdsson will need to enter the mind of a sadistic serial killer and unravel the island’s darkest secrets. And if he wants to survive, he must confront his deepest fears.
When the estranged wife of David Lithgow, a writer who had been working on the island, approaches him to help locate her missing spouse, he cannot resist the allure of that sinister, mist-shrouded place…
The case leads him back to Salvation Island and into a treacherous labyrinth of deceit.
Is there a link between the mysterious proprietor of a travelling freak show and the malevolent spectre of a vicious serial murderer who butchered six young women on the island?
Has the killer continued his murderous spree from beyond the grave, or is there a copycat on the loose?
To solve this case, Sigurdsson will need to enter the mind of a sadistic serial killer and unravel the island’s darkest secrets. And if he wants to survive, he must confront his deepest fears.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2018
31 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Jon Richter
16 books41 followersJon Richter writes dark fiction in a variety of genres, including critically acclaimed crime thrillers, horror, science fiction and fantasy. His novels include gripping whodunnit mystery Rabbit Hole, psychological techno-thriller The Warden, the disturbing illustrated collection of short horror stories DARK FICTION, and his latest release, the fantasy epic Scarred.
He hails from the northwest of England but now lives in London with his (extremely patient) wife, and loves immersing himself in all things dark and sinister, whether that's books, films, music, video games or even board games – any way to tell a great story! As well as writing, he co-hosts two podcasts: the dark fiction podcast, Dark Natter, and the cyberpunk podcast, Hosts In The Shell, which you can find wherever you get your podcast fix.
He also develops video games and recently released his debut game, a comedy horror RPG called Reanimation Ltd, which you can download here: https://jonrichter.itch.io/reanimatio....
If you want to chat to him about any of this, you can find him on Twitter @richterwrites, Bluesky @jonrichter, or Instagram @jonrichterwrites. His website haunts the internet at www.jon-richter.com, and you can find his books available on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2OXXRVP.
He hails from the northwest of England but now lives in London with his (extremely patient) wife, and loves immersing himself in all things dark and sinister, whether that's books, films, music, video games or even board games – any way to tell a great story! As well as writing, he co-hosts two podcasts: the dark fiction podcast, Dark Natter, and the cyberpunk podcast, Hosts In The Shell, which you can find wherever you get your podcast fix.
He also develops video games and recently released his debut game, a comedy horror RPG called Reanimation Ltd, which you can download here: https://jonrichter.itch.io/reanimatio....
If you want to chat to him about any of this, you can find him on Twitter @richterwrites, Bluesky @jonrichter, or Instagram @jonrichterwrites. His website haunts the internet at www.jon-richter.com, and you can find his books available on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2OXXRVP.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 24, 2018
Chris Sigurdsson is an ex-detective now working as a private investigator. Approached by a woman, she wants to hire him to find her missing husband. She feels the police are not taking her seriously.
Her husband is an author, who went to work on Salvation Island on a new book. He hasn't been seen or heard from since. Chris is somewhat dubious about the island, as one of his last cases there almost resulted in his death.
This case leads him back to the Island .... and many dark secrets. What he finds is that the husband has been staying in the house of a serial killer who butchered six young women. But the man is nowhere to be found.
Is there a link between the mysterious proprietor of a traveling freak show and the malevolent specter of a vicious serial murderer who butchered six young women on the island?
Is there a copycat on the loose ... or has the dead serial killer returned?
To solve this case, Sigurdsson will need to enter the mind of a sadistic serial killer and unravel the island’s darkest secrets. And if he wants to survive, he must confront his deepest fears.
This is a very well-written highly suspenseful book ... reminiscent of Shutter Island. The house itself is spooky with hidden tunnels and passageways. The characters are outstanding. There are twists and turns and the book is hard to put down until the very end.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books / Netgalley for the advanced copy of this thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
March 30, 2018
I have to say that the start of this book as well as the end of it, seriously spooked me out. The author draws us straight in with the tale of Spitt, a serial killer who had butchered young women. Now serial killers are people who have always fascinated me so I was well and truly gripped as the description of Spitt’s house was so terrifying and there was no wonder that David Lithgow had come to get obsessed with the whole story of him.
Salvation Island is somewhere I have to admit I wouldn’t fancy living. A lot seems to go off there and the people are not quite as welcoming as you would expect. Mason is the police officer in charge and someone from Chris’s past. There seems to be a bit of un resolved chemistry of which didn’t seem to get anymore in the way of being resolved by the end of the book.
Chris is a likeable guy with a few issues of his own. He has held a bit of a torch for Mason for a lot of years and is one of the reasons why he takes on this case. I have to admit I was right with Chris when he gets on the Island and visits Spitt’s house. He becomes so wrapped up in it all that I felt at times, like him, that I was losing my mind.
Never Rest is one seriously twisted read. It is primarily a crime book but certainly has elements of horror to it. It certainly kept me on my toes and what a way to finish a book off! It certainly makes it one that you won’t forget in a hurry.
Salvation Island is somewhere I have to admit I wouldn’t fancy living. A lot seems to go off there and the people are not quite as welcoming as you would expect. Mason is the police officer in charge and someone from Chris’s past. There seems to be a bit of un resolved chemistry of which didn’t seem to get anymore in the way of being resolved by the end of the book.
Chris is a likeable guy with a few issues of his own. He has held a bit of a torch for Mason for a lot of years and is one of the reasons why he takes on this case. I have to admit I was right with Chris when he gets on the Island and visits Spitt’s house. He becomes so wrapped up in it all that I felt at times, like him, that I was losing my mind.
Never Rest is one seriously twisted read. It is primarily a crime book but certainly has elements of horror to it. It certainly kept me on my toes and what a way to finish a book off! It certainly makes it one that you won’t forget in a hurry.
April 1, 2018
You should be careful what you wish for because I wished for something dark and different and Jon Richter moved into my mind and oh boy he didn’t just tick all the boxes and invented some more I hadn’t even thought up!
Now there are some pretty weird serial killers with some pretty disturbing routines but think on the intensity of some of the big name writers for the level in which this killer is on. The ones that for days after you are still telling your kids to ring you when they get to their friends. Yep it plays with your mind and even makes you look at your neighbours a little more carefully. Awesome!
When Private Detective Chris Sigurdsson receives a phone call about a missing man on Salvation Island, he just can not resist, well not just because of the bloke’s welfare but because he also has connections to the Island in the past himself. Oh my giddy aunt this Island is steeped with eerie creepy residents and tales of bizarre deeds not to mention one of the most horrific serial killers in history. The pull for Sigurdsson is that missing writer and bio polar sufferer David Lithgow had been renting serial killer Spitt’s house before he disappeared.
This people, is movie magic stuff as the scenes described were just pure perfection that rolled round my mind. Each page being electrically charged with shocking and horrific scenes that will make every thrill seeking reader drool with pure pleasure. Someone has stirred up the past and woken a beast and wow, oh wow, who do you trust? Just love it when an author makes me look out of the windows before I get in bed. This is a superb story from beginning to end
Sigurdsson has become my favourite P.I. with Jon Richter an author to watch out for.
Now there are some pretty weird serial killers with some pretty disturbing routines but think on the intensity of some of the big name writers for the level in which this killer is on. The ones that for days after you are still telling your kids to ring you when they get to their friends. Yep it plays with your mind and even makes you look at your neighbours a little more carefully. Awesome!
When Private Detective Chris Sigurdsson receives a phone call about a missing man on Salvation Island, he just can not resist, well not just because of the bloke’s welfare but because he also has connections to the Island in the past himself. Oh my giddy aunt this Island is steeped with eerie creepy residents and tales of bizarre deeds not to mention one of the most horrific serial killers in history. The pull for Sigurdsson is that missing writer and bio polar sufferer David Lithgow had been renting serial killer Spitt’s house before he disappeared.
This people, is movie magic stuff as the scenes described were just pure perfection that rolled round my mind. Each page being electrically charged with shocking and horrific scenes that will make every thrill seeking reader drool with pure pleasure. Someone has stirred up the past and woken a beast and wow, oh wow, who do you trust? Just love it when an author makes me look out of the windows before I get in bed. This is a superb story from beginning to end
Sigurdsson has become my favourite P.I. with Jon Richter an author to watch out for.
April 1, 2018
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
The beginning and end of this book were very good, the beginning really did set the scene and I certainly didn't see that ending coming! This one is certainly a mix between crime fiction and a psychological thriller - it is not one for the faint hearted.
I was intrigued by this book as soon as I read the blurb, it sounded similar Shutter Island which I really enjoyed and I love the cover! This book is one of those that makes you think and reading this really made me feel as though I was going through the same emotions as David, it was dark, creepy and suspense filled.
The main character Chris Sigurdsson was great and his personality was spot on for this book, he is a determined character that really gets stuck in with a passion to his cases, but just how far is he willing to go to solve this one...
Four stars from me, really enjoyable but also really disturbed and creepy too!
The beginning and end of this book were very good, the beginning really did set the scene and I certainly didn't see that ending coming! This one is certainly a mix between crime fiction and a psychological thriller - it is not one for the faint hearted.
I was intrigued by this book as soon as I read the blurb, it sounded similar Shutter Island which I really enjoyed and I love the cover! This book is one of those that makes you think and reading this really made me feel as though I was going through the same emotions as David, it was dark, creepy and suspense filled.
The main character Chris Sigurdsson was great and his personality was spot on for this book, he is a determined character that really gets stuck in with a passion to his cases, but just how far is he willing to go to solve this one...
Four stars from me, really enjoyable but also really disturbed and creepy too!
March 31, 2018
The eerie horror element of Never Rest had me totally hooked, I felt like a teen that had come in late at night and put the tv on to watch a chilling suspense horror movie, although it is very much a crime read. These touches of horror absolutely had me riveted.
The atmosphere seeped off the pages and the placement of the crimes taking place on the Island made for an ideal setting.
The whole connotation, the idea of Spitt’s house and being closed off from the world was superb.
I was a voyeur in the safety of my own home. I was thoroughly captivated and enjoyed the detail, and the main characters portrayal in the book.
A refreshing crime read, that is one of my favourite reads and another new author to add to my list to look out for!
An addictive and creepy read, keep the lights on kind of read. All the stars
The atmosphere seeped off the pages and the placement of the crimes taking place on the Island made for an ideal setting.
The whole connotation, the idea of Spitt’s house and being closed off from the world was superb.
I was a voyeur in the safety of my own home. I was thoroughly captivated and enjoyed the detail, and the main characters portrayal in the book.
A refreshing crime read, that is one of my favourite reads and another new author to add to my list to look out for!
An addictive and creepy read, keep the lights on kind of read. All the stars
April 1, 2018
“A fascination that had become an obsession”
I honestly don’t know where to start with this review. It starts off as a missing persons cum potential suicide case for Sigurdsson and then bang, the story is blown wide open. I’ll warn you now, this book needs you to keep an open mind. It really will keep you guessing through out and will test your imagination as Sigurdsson tries to find the missing David Lithgow.
What Sigurdsson found on Salvation Island is bizarre. This is a strange community where the island is owned by one man and the occupants are a “crazy cast of characters“. I honestly didn’t know where the story was heading and I have to say that this is definitely a unique story, I have never ever read anything like it before! And oh that ending….you’ll have to read it to find out what I’m talking about.
I will definitely go back and read his previous novel Deadly Burial as I get the impression there is more to be found out about Chris Sigurdsson, starting with why he left the police force! I hope there is more to come from Jon Richter and his unique storytelling!
I honestly don’t know where to start with this review. It starts off as a missing persons cum potential suicide case for Sigurdsson and then bang, the story is blown wide open. I’ll warn you now, this book needs you to keep an open mind. It really will keep you guessing through out and will test your imagination as Sigurdsson tries to find the missing David Lithgow.
What Sigurdsson found on Salvation Island is bizarre. This is a strange community where the island is owned by one man and the occupants are a “crazy cast of characters“. I honestly didn’t know where the story was heading and I have to say that this is definitely a unique story, I have never ever read anything like it before! And oh that ending….you’ll have to read it to find out what I’m talking about.
I will definitely go back and read his previous novel Deadly Burial as I get the impression there is more to be found out about Chris Sigurdsson, starting with why he left the police force! I hope there is more to come from Jon Richter and his unique storytelling!
April 24, 2018
Never Rest is the authors debut novel and I am not quite sure how to describe this book. So first of all let's talk about the cover... it's something very amazing don't you think?! It has buy me written all over it and once again this is one of those books that I went into simply because I loved the cover.
The story is told in alternating chapters taking us back to the island where we follow the story of Chris Sigurdsson who is on the case to find missing person David Lithgow.
What a vivid imagination Jon Richter has which is shown throughout this story. It is what I can only describe has seriously weird but totally gripping. I wasn't sure if I was actually reading a thriller or a horror novel to be honest. But I am a massive horror fan so I was happy either way. This is certainly a dark read with all the elements you would expect to find in a horror book.
This is one fast paced read with plenty of OMFG moments...Yes this is a very twisted and creepy read. But also full of misery and tension. The author certainly knows how to keep the reader on their toes. I still cannot believe it is a debut novel.
This is a must read which I highly recommend giving it 4.5 stars
The story is told in alternating chapters taking us back to the island where we follow the story of Chris Sigurdsson who is on the case to find missing person David Lithgow.
What a vivid imagination Jon Richter has which is shown throughout this story. It is what I can only describe has seriously weird but totally gripping. I wasn't sure if I was actually reading a thriller or a horror novel to be honest. But I am a massive horror fan so I was happy either way. This is certainly a dark read with all the elements you would expect to find in a horror book.
This is one fast paced read with plenty of OMFG moments...Yes this is a very twisted and creepy read. But also full of misery and tension. The author certainly knows how to keep the reader on their toes. I still cannot believe it is a debut novel.
This is a must read which I highly recommend giving it 4.5 stars
June 2, 2018
A mystery about a missing husband. I like it already. This book was a good book for me. I love serial killer books and this book is no exception. It was creepy too and that is a good thing also for me. I enjoyed this book. I would read more from this author. *This book was given to me for free at my request from Netgalley and I provided this voluntary review.*
May 12, 2021
Private Investigator, Chris Sigurdsson, gets a call from the wife of a man who has gone missing whilst researching for a book he's writing on an island called Salvation, in the Bristol channel. Initially unsure about if he'll be of any help, he agrees and travels to the island.
It's an island with a disturbing history, a small population, and Chris has bad memories of the last time he was there. As he begins his investigations, he works through the notes the missing man had made, and realises all is not what it seems on the island.
I can't believe it's taken me this long to read this book. I remember admiring the cover when it was published, and now admire the the story inside. Very well written, tense, and it kept me wondering why the the missing man had gone missing.
I thought the location was an interesting choice. It made a difference to the number of crime stories based in big cities, and the strange goings-on on the island made for a really gripping read. If you're looking for something different within this genre, then look no further than this book!
It's an island with a disturbing history, a small population, and Chris has bad memories of the last time he was there. As he begins his investigations, he works through the notes the missing man had made, and realises all is not what it seems on the island.
I can't believe it's taken me this long to read this book. I remember admiring the cover when it was published, and now admire the the story inside. Very well written, tense, and it kept me wondering why the the missing man had gone missing.
I thought the location was an interesting choice. It made a difference to the number of crime stories based in big cities, and the strange goings-on on the island made for a really gripping read. If you're looking for something different within this genre, then look no further than this book!
March 31, 2018
Wow. What a brilliant, thrilling story. A dark thriller that will mess with the readers head nevermind the characters head, especially towards the end. Never Rest is easy to read, fast paced and will leave you wanting more with that cliffhanger. I didn’t want this story to end! It was perfect. Parts are dark, creepy and twisted and I think thats what made this book brilliant and one of a kind. I would highly recommend this story to you all! Bloody brilliant. I cannot wait to read more by this author in the future, very impressed. High expectations after reading this. A well deserved four stars. I also love the cover, catches the eye!
April 1, 2018
Chris Sigurdsson gets a call from a worried wife, her husband, David Lithgow, has gone missing on the Island of Salvation while writing a book about their most infamous serial killer, Leonard Spitt. Due to his bipolar disorder, the police think he has committed suicide and due to lack of resources they don’t investigate too deeply.
Chris decides to investigate, going back to the Island he spent a week on tracking a killer five years ago, back when he was still in the police force. When he gets back to the Island he discovers that David has been living in the house of Leonard Spitt, and has documented his spiral into insanity. Can Chris find him before he loses his mind too?
This is the second novel featuring Chris Sigurdsson but it works perfectly as a stand alone.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this novel. It’s part mystery, part horror, part conspiracy theory. There’s this creepy sense of foreboding throughout the book, (a little like you get when you’re watching a horror movie and something is about to jump out at you), that kept me on the edge of my seat while I was reading.
The Island was a fantastic setting, surrounded in mist, almost abandoned, it gave me goosebumps! There’s also an interesting cast of characters to keep you entertained.
It is a little gruesome in places, especially when they describe the Leonard Spitt’s killings. Also this may not be for you if you’re a fan of bunnies, but that is all I’m saying on that.
I don’t want to say too much more in case I spoil it for you, but this so far is one of my favourite books of the year.
Chris decides to investigate, going back to the Island he spent a week on tracking a killer five years ago, back when he was still in the police force. When he gets back to the Island he discovers that David has been living in the house of Leonard Spitt, and has documented his spiral into insanity. Can Chris find him before he loses his mind too?
This is the second novel featuring Chris Sigurdsson but it works perfectly as a stand alone.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this novel. It’s part mystery, part horror, part conspiracy theory. There’s this creepy sense of foreboding throughout the book, (a little like you get when you’re watching a horror movie and something is about to jump out at you), that kept me on the edge of my seat while I was reading.
The Island was a fantastic setting, surrounded in mist, almost abandoned, it gave me goosebumps! There’s also an interesting cast of characters to keep you entertained.
It is a little gruesome in places, especially when they describe the Leonard Spitt’s killings. Also this may not be for you if you’re a fan of bunnies, but that is all I’m saying on that.
I don’t want to say too much more in case I spoil it for you, but this so far is one of my favourite books of the year.
January 12, 2023
I won this book from the author from a contest on his FB page and this is my honest review.
I like serial killer reads, and the setting of the island add a spooky factor to the story. Some of the vivid descriptions had a horror feel to them, and I’m not much of a horror fan, as horror sticks in my head and I can’t escape it.
But his writing was well done, and obviously he took his time with his character development.
I like serial killer reads, and the setting of the island add a spooky factor to the story. Some of the vivid descriptions had a horror feel to them, and I’m not much of a horror fan, as horror sticks in my head and I can’t escape it.
But his writing was well done, and obviously he took his time with his character development.
May 18, 2022
Wow! My husband picked up this book at a book signing event at the weekend and I just had to read it first. The cover called to me. I'm glad I did read it because it was very good. The story drew me in from the get go. The twists and turns along the way kept me guessing. The story ties up nicely. It's definitely a must read for any crime/thriller fan.
April 6, 2018
Never rest
This has to be one of the weirdest book I have ever read. Neither one thing or another, all suffering mental illness
This has to be one of the weirdest book I have ever read. Neither one thing or another, all suffering mental illness
April 3, 2018
A great story
This book was a delight to read. I read it in one sitting. I hope the author has more books of this caliber, as I can't wait to read them.
This book was a delight to read. I read it in one sitting. I hope the author has more books of this caliber, as I can't wait to read them.
April 4, 2018
Read my other reviews at https://rishikaspeaks.wordpress.com
The Bottom Line:
Terrifying at times while being a page-turner throughout, Never Rest does extremely well until the very end where, in some ways, it falls short of excellent.
My review:
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for an ARC of this book.
Never Rest is not for the faint of heart. It is chaotic, insane, and disturbing. Incredibly graphical, it does not just tell you about the madness inside someone's mind, but takes you right into its depth. It starts and ends by making your skin crawl. And it keeps the pace up in between, too. Chaotic in a good way, it keeps pulling you into labyrinths of thoughts and ideas that mingle with reality, until the line begins to blur.
The characters are easy to associate with, while not being too two-dimensional. They've got some complexities, but are not highly complicated individuals, making them very relatable. There are aspects of the story (and to some of the characters) that, in retrospect, seem highly improbable. But this isn't something you would notice in the flow of the story and, in fact, the oddity adds to the thrill of the tale.
The only part that left me wanting is the end. The story is well written and comfortably fleshed-out. But the end seems a bit hurried, leaving a few things unanswered and some things to the reader's choice. While the latter isn't a problem, a few pages extra may have made the former less of a problem.
There are three stories over three timelines referenced in the book. A disturbing past, Chris' first case, and the current case. While the first and third are well explained, the second seems to only appear in brief mentions. As it turns out, this is because the second story is the main plot of Book 1 in the Chris Sigurdsson series (Deadly Burial). (Now I wish I'd read that first.) The end of Never Rest leaves you slightly dissatisfied because it leaves you with a lot of questions. The next book in the series will probably answer some of them (I hope).
The main thing I realized about the book is that it reminded me a lot of the work of Simon Beckett - specifically, Written in Bone (you can read my review of that great book here). It's got this spooky, chaotic, disturbing feel that is hugely compelling and intriguing.
I'm going to read Richter's first book, Deadly Burial, very soon. I don't know if my experience with Never Rest would have been different had I read the first book before. What I do know is that you can read Never Rest as a standalone or start here at least, and other than a few things seeming random, you won't really be lost.
Highly recommended to:
- fans of Simon Beckett
- fans of Tim Weaver
- crime fiction and thriller fans
- fans of psychological thrillers (this actually does check the boxes for both psychology and thriller)
Never Rest released on 30 March 2018, and is available in both paperback and Kindle editions.
The Bottom Line:
Terrifying at times while being a page-turner throughout, Never Rest does extremely well until the very end where, in some ways, it falls short of excellent.
My review:
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for an ARC of this book.
Never Rest is not for the faint of heart. It is chaotic, insane, and disturbing. Incredibly graphical, it does not just tell you about the madness inside someone's mind, but takes you right into its depth. It starts and ends by making your skin crawl. And it keeps the pace up in between, too. Chaotic in a good way, it keeps pulling you into labyrinths of thoughts and ideas that mingle with reality, until the line begins to blur.
The characters are easy to associate with, while not being too two-dimensional. They've got some complexities, but are not highly complicated individuals, making them very relatable. There are aspects of the story (and to some of the characters) that, in retrospect, seem highly improbable. But this isn't something you would notice in the flow of the story and, in fact, the oddity adds to the thrill of the tale.
The only part that left me wanting is the end. The story is well written and comfortably fleshed-out. But the end seems a bit hurried, leaving a few things unanswered and some things to the reader's choice. While the latter isn't a problem, a few pages extra may have made the former less of a problem.
There are three stories over three timelines referenced in the book. A disturbing past, Chris' first case, and the current case. While the first and third are well explained, the second seems to only appear in brief mentions. As it turns out, this is because the second story is the main plot of Book 1 in the Chris Sigurdsson series (Deadly Burial). (Now I wish I'd read that first.) The end of Never Rest leaves you slightly dissatisfied because it leaves you with a lot of questions. The next book in the series will probably answer some of them (I hope).
The main thing I realized about the book is that it reminded me a lot of the work of Simon Beckett - specifically, Written in Bone (you can read my review of that great book here). It's got this spooky, chaotic, disturbing feel that is hugely compelling and intriguing.
I'm going to read Richter's first book, Deadly Burial, very soon. I don't know if my experience with Never Rest would have been different had I read the first book before. What I do know is that you can read Never Rest as a standalone or start here at least, and other than a few things seeming random, you won't really be lost.
Highly recommended to:
- fans of Simon Beckett
- fans of Tim Weaver
- crime fiction and thriller fans
- fans of psychological thrillers (this actually does check the boxes for both psychology and thriller)
Never Rest released on 30 March 2018, and is available in both paperback and Kindle editions.
May 7, 2018
Chris Sigurdsson, now a private detective based in London, has been recommended to a woman who's husband has gone missing on Salvation Island. He agrees to begin an investigation, using it also as an excuse to meet an old friend, DI Carin Mason, who is the one in charge of the missing persons case.
David Lithgow, the missing man, was hoping to write a book on the serial killer who lived on the island. Lithgow had even rented the house of the murderer and had covered the walls with a proliferation of papers on his own investigation and thoughts. Upon reading them Mason & Sigurdsson can see they are the ramblings of a man on the edge. He claims in his notes there are underground tunnels, the island being used as a poison gas site and a cult but there are no records of any of them.
To describe the setting as an island that is a run down tourist attraction overrun with rabbits, a freak show to boot, along with an abandoned amusement arcade and museum is to put it mildly a dreary place to live and visit.
Sigurdsson then stays in the house to make sense of the writings, though the house seems to have an evil presence about it which is affecting him, even with the feeling he is being watched whilst he slept.
This is a dark and creepy book and the author draws you into the story and the island. It's as if the island is calling you to come and stay...forever and once you are there you can never leave. Sigurdsson feels the ominous presence all around him in the house.
I enjoyed the epilogue; just when you think its over, it certainly is not so read on to the end.
David Lithgow, the missing man, was hoping to write a book on the serial killer who lived on the island. Lithgow had even rented the house of the murderer and had covered the walls with a proliferation of papers on his own investigation and thoughts. Upon reading them Mason & Sigurdsson can see they are the ramblings of a man on the edge. He claims in his notes there are underground tunnels, the island being used as a poison gas site and a cult but there are no records of any of them.
To describe the setting as an island that is a run down tourist attraction overrun with rabbits, a freak show to boot, along with an abandoned amusement arcade and museum is to put it mildly a dreary place to live and visit.
Sigurdsson then stays in the house to make sense of the writings, though the house seems to have an evil presence about it which is affecting him, even with the feeling he is being watched whilst he slept.
This is a dark and creepy book and the author draws you into the story and the island. It's as if the island is calling you to come and stay...forever and once you are there you can never leave. Sigurdsson feels the ominous presence all around him in the house.
I enjoyed the epilogue; just when you think its over, it certainly is not so read on to the end.
April 2, 2018
David Lithgow's estranged wife hires Chris Sigurdsson to find her husband. Not a problem, afterall that is why he opened up his private investigator business. But, and this is a big one....when she tells him that her husband has been working on an island...Salvation Island. He went there and hasn't been heard of since. This has Chris fighting his demons of when he was a Detective Inspector and had a case on that same island. Things didn't go well in that one. Can Chris have a better out come in this case? This is a very twisted story. Is there a serial killer on the loose from the grave on that island or is someone trying to make it look like it? There are other strange and un-savory characters on this island also. I would like to thank Bloodhound for a copy of this book. The review is my own opinion.
April 3, 2018
This is the first book of Jon's I have read and I absolutely loved it, especially how dark it gets from the very start.
The book starts off with a woman approaching Chris to hire him to investigate where her missing husband vanished to, he was last seen on a mysterious island where a sadistic serial killer lived and murdered some young girls. It turns out that her husband is staying in the same house that the killings happened.
The book then takes a very dark turn and was a very spooky tale due to the house and tunnels underneath it.
It is a very well written book, which flows really well and kept me hooked and guessing right to the end.
If you are after a haunting, horror/crime book then look no further than this book
The book starts off with a woman approaching Chris to hire him to investigate where her missing husband vanished to, he was last seen on a mysterious island where a sadistic serial killer lived and murdered some young girls. It turns out that her husband is staying in the same house that the killings happened.
The book then takes a very dark turn and was a very spooky tale due to the house and tunnels underneath it.
It is a very well written book, which flows really well and kept me hooked and guessing right to the end.
If you are after a haunting, horror/crime book then look no further than this book
January 8, 2022
What a brilliant dark tale!
When I was about ten years old I used to watch Hammer House of Horror on BBC1 late on Saturday nights. It was the only thing that ever caused me to sleep with the lights on. Those programmes I will never forget. And do you know what? This book took me right back to those raw, visceral sensations. Never Rest is classic British Horror fiction.
I don't want to give anything away about the unfolding events, but what starts as a missing persons investigation soon goes down some very dark avenues into a kaleidoscope of myth and madness, all taking place on a small island in the Bristol Channel.
This is a terrific thriller.
When I was about ten years old I used to watch Hammer House of Horror on BBC1 late on Saturday nights. It was the only thing that ever caused me to sleep with the lights on. Those programmes I will never forget. And do you know what? This book took me right back to those raw, visceral sensations. Never Rest is classic British Horror fiction.
I don't want to give anything away about the unfolding events, but what starts as a missing persons investigation soon goes down some very dark avenues into a kaleidoscope of myth and madness, all taking place on a small island in the Bristol Channel.
This is a terrific thriller.
November 16, 2018
I was not impressed with Never Rest by Jon Richtor. I can say this seemed like something that I would get a great story line about a detective trying to help a women find her missing husband that went to do research on a well known serial killer.
I was not pulled into the story in the beginning and by the time I was 50% into the book I still had very little information on the characters or the backgrounds thriller compel me to want read more. When the writer tried to connect the amusement park and the freak show and the voodoo cult it really started to get unbelievable.
April 29, 2018
The tension in this book builds up slowly, then Bam! Its a crime book that turns into a creepy disturbing thriller, with strong horror elements, certainly not for the faint hearted, it has your heart racing as Chris Sigurdsson former detective and now a private eye, searches for missing David Lithgrow, and seems to descend into a form of hell, you think it has finished as you get books written by other author's , but don't stop there, the epitaph which follows these is awsome.
May 12, 2018
Somewhere between a mystery, a horror and a thriller with plenty of new and historic murder thrown in, I would find it hard to classify this book. So well written and evocative, it pleased and spooked me in equal measure. The author paints with words so the island, it’s odd ball characters and topography are altogether too realistic for me. Well done that man!
August 14, 2022
A unique mystery, thriller with the right amount of gore. I was reading this book in the middle of the night and got scared. Richter writes psychotic scenes, babble - plunges the reader into the mind of a crazed person. Amazing writing. I bought two more of his titles before I reached the end of Never Rest.
April 9, 2018
Compelling
I enjoyed the unnerving setting for this book and the creepy descriptions sent shivers down my spine. A most unusual sequence of events and an ending that was totally unexpected
I enjoyed the unnerving setting for this book and the creepy descriptions sent shivers down my spine. A most unusual sequence of events and an ending that was totally unexpected
August 29, 2021
This book is superbly written!
A dark and unsettling detective thriller that will have you glued to the spot from the first page to the last!
This is my first read from this author but it won't be my last!
Loved it!
A dark and unsettling detective thriller that will have you glued to the spot from the first page to the last!
This is my first read from this author but it won't be my last!
Loved it!
April 1, 2018
Very good mystery. Interesting the twist in the end is rather sprung on the reader.
December 13, 2018
Set on Salvation Island, Chris Sigurdsson returns there to investigate the disappearance of writer David Lithgow and find out what has happened to him.
I didn't realise that this was the second in a series until I picked it up and I was worried that I had missed come crucial information from the first. I needn't have worried as you get everything you need to enjoy it for what it is, a bloody good story!!
We have a creepy island, a deserted amusement park, a travelling freak show with a mysterious proprietor and a vicious serial murderer who may or may not be already dead, hmmm.
The story is wonderfully written, the atmosphere created is creepy and believable, it flows well, there's menace and violence twisting through on each page and the characters are well fleshed out and easily distinguishable from each other.
I read this in one sitting as I was so invested in the characters and story and that ending was perfect, it was exactly as it needed to be and I loved it!
Bravo Mr Richter, Bravo.
*Huge thanks to Jon Richter, Bloodhound Book and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
I didn't realise that this was the second in a series until I picked it up and I was worried that I had missed come crucial information from the first. I needn't have worried as you get everything you need to enjoy it for what it is, a bloody good story!!
We have a creepy island, a deserted amusement park, a travelling freak show with a mysterious proprietor and a vicious serial murderer who may or may not be already dead, hmmm.
The story is wonderfully written, the atmosphere created is creepy and believable, it flows well, there's menace and violence twisting through on each page and the characters are well fleshed out and easily distinguishable from each other.
I read this in one sitting as I was so invested in the characters and story and that ending was perfect, it was exactly as it needed to be and I loved it!
Bravo Mr Richter, Bravo.
*Huge thanks to Jon Richter, Bloodhound Book and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
October 15, 2018
Received from NetGalley for my honest review
Completed 4/29/18
240 page ebook
My exact words (after reading this for a read-a-thon and being awake over 24 hours) was that it was poop. Don't know why I decided that was the phrase that best described it, but so it was. I probably should have rated a 1, but I don't really like rating a 1, so I gave it a 2, but I can't really say much good about the book. The thing is, I'm one of very few who thought so, so either the author has 60 friends who rated it, or they saw something I was missing.
I didn't care for the MC, I found him flat and boring. He was tenacious, that's about the best thing I can say about him. Didn't care for any of the characters, didn't connect to anyone at all. The best thing about the book was the setting, I did like the island and the house was creepy enough as were the tunnels, but it really didn't carry enough weight for me through the book to make me enjoy it. It just wasn't for me.
Not recommended.
Setting = B
Plot = D
Conflict = D
Characters = D
Theme = D
Completed 4/29/18
240 page ebook
My exact words (after reading this for a read-a-thon and being awake over 24 hours) was that it was poop. Don't know why I decided that was the phrase that best described it, but so it was. I probably should have rated a 1, but I don't really like rating a 1, so I gave it a 2, but I can't really say much good about the book. The thing is, I'm one of very few who thought so, so either the author has 60 friends who rated it, or they saw something I was missing.
I didn't care for the MC, I found him flat and boring. He was tenacious, that's about the best thing I can say about him. Didn't care for any of the characters, didn't connect to anyone at all. The best thing about the book was the setting, I did like the island and the house was creepy enough as were the tunnels, but it really didn't carry enough weight for me through the book to make me enjoy it. It just wasn't for me.
Not recommended.
Setting = B
Plot = D
Conflict = D
Characters = D
Theme = D
March 25, 2018
Although I found the book to be a slow burner, it was intriguing enough to keep my interest, it was like a plot from Criminal Minds (which I love!), it certainly played the psychological element to a tee, creepy & suspenseful, would definitely read more from this author
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