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The Bone Collector #2
The Collector
A taut psychological thriller and “a crime novel of the very first order” from the author of Rattle (David Baldacci, #1 New York Times–bestselling author). It was only months ago that Detective Sergeant Etta Fitzroy was held captive by serial killer Brian Howley. Incredibly, she escaped. But so did he. What was found in the macabre museum Howley called home was unnerving enough. For Fitzroy, what the Butcher of Bromley didn’t leave behind chills her to the not a single trace of his most recent abductee. All Fitzroy wants to know now is . . . dead or alive, where is the girl? Hiding in plain sight with a new name and a new identity, Howley is making plans for an ingenious new start, and he’s daring Fitzroy to come along. Clue by terrifying clue, she’s following in a killer’s footsteps, but even she can’t imagine where they’ll lead. Because Howley’s endgame has a terrifying twist—one that will not only change his fate, but the fate of everyone Fitzroy is risking her life to protect. “With a creepy and menacing undertone and one of the scariest antagonists ever, this is sure to give readers nightmares. Cummins excels at raising the level of dread and suspense, and this unpredictable, impossible-to-put-down read is dark, gripping, and eerie . . . for fans of Karin Slaughter and those who love well-written psychological thrillers.” —Library Journal (starred review) Praise for Rattle “Up there with the best of them . . . an exceptionally creepy psychopathic killer.” —The Times, London “A thriller that is capable of keeping you up all night—and then haunting your dreams.” —Daily Mail
433 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2017
229 people are currently reading
3173 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Cummins
13 books565 followersFiona Cummins is an award-winning former Daily Mirror showbusiness journalist and a graduate of the Faber Academy Writing A Novel course. She lives in Essex with her family. Rattle is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
November 20, 2018
3.5 stars
The Collector is the second book in the Bone Collector Series. The first book in the series is Rattle. I have not read that one yet but wished that I had while reading this book. Although this book did work quite well as a stand-alone book for me, there were several references to events in the first book and let's face it - Brian Howley a.k.a The Bone Collector a.k.a. Mr. Silver is an interesting, twisted and creepy killer. It would have been nice to have known a little more of his deranged behavior and have known the events of the first book, especially as this book picks up where the first book ended.
DS Etta Fitzroy is busy hunting the Bone Collector while also trying to find missing Clara Foyle, a young girl who most believe may be dead, but Fitzroy is determined to find her and bring her home. The Bone Collector is also busy in this book. He is busy grooming an apprentice. He has his sights on Saul, a teenager who has been caring for his alcoholic mother for years. The Bone Collector hopes Saul will help him carry on his work, rebuilding his museum. What type of museum you ask? Read the book - wait - read Rattle first and then this book!
Plus, a young boy, Jacky once held by the Bone collector. Although he has been reunited with his parents, he is naturally still traumatized by his time with the Bone Collector. He knows that the man has Clara and he worries for her.
It took me a little bit of time to find my footing with this book. As I mentioned, I had not read the first book in the series. I think that is essential to really enjoying this book and knowing what is going on in the beginning of the book. The Author does give readers great insight into Brian/Bone Collector/Mr. Silver. We are shown some events from his childhood and how he was introduced to his macabre obsession and museum.
I enjoyed the writing and the story. I thought the Author did a good job showing us the killer and how deranged he is. This book is lighter on the police procedural part and heavier on the killer, his motivations, those who have had contact with him and their lives. The descriptions and wording create a sense of dread and feels menacing. With such a creepy main character, you really need all those elements to pull off such a book. This book feels creepy and dreary which fit perfectly with the story.
If you enjoy creepy serial killers (okay, yes, they all are creepy, but some are creepier than others!), this one is for you.
Thank you to Kensington Books - Pinnacle and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
The Collector is the second book in the Bone Collector Series. The first book in the series is Rattle. I have not read that one yet but wished that I had while reading this book. Although this book did work quite well as a stand-alone book for me, there were several references to events in the first book and let's face it - Brian Howley a.k.a The Bone Collector a.k.a. Mr. Silver is an interesting, twisted and creepy killer. It would have been nice to have known a little more of his deranged behavior and have known the events of the first book, especially as this book picks up where the first book ended.
DS Etta Fitzroy is busy hunting the Bone Collector while also trying to find missing Clara Foyle, a young girl who most believe may be dead, but Fitzroy is determined to find her and bring her home. The Bone Collector is also busy in this book. He is busy grooming an apprentice. He has his sights on Saul, a teenager who has been caring for his alcoholic mother for years. The Bone Collector hopes Saul will help him carry on his work, rebuilding his museum. What type of museum you ask? Read the book - wait - read Rattle first and then this book!
Plus, a young boy, Jacky once held by the Bone collector. Although he has been reunited with his parents, he is naturally still traumatized by his time with the Bone Collector. He knows that the man has Clara and he worries for her.
It took me a little bit of time to find my footing with this book. As I mentioned, I had not read the first book in the series. I think that is essential to really enjoying this book and knowing what is going on in the beginning of the book. The Author does give readers great insight into Brian/Bone Collector/Mr. Silver. We are shown some events from his childhood and how he was introduced to his macabre obsession and museum.
I enjoyed the writing and the story. I thought the Author did a good job showing us the killer and how deranged he is. This book is lighter on the police procedural part and heavier on the killer, his motivations, those who have had contact with him and their lives. The descriptions and wording create a sense of dread and feels menacing. With such a creepy main character, you really need all those elements to pull off such a book. This book feels creepy and dreary which fit perfectly with the story.
If you enjoy creepy serial killers (okay, yes, they all are creepy, but some are creepier than others!), this one is for you.
Thank you to Kensington Books - Pinnacle and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
March 6, 2019
The Collector is an unsettling psychological thriller.
I did not read Rattle , the first book in Fiona Cummins' Bone Collector series, but this book worked well as a standalone. I didn't feel lost as Cummins did a wonderful job filling in any necessary back story. Undoubtedly, readers who have read the first book would fare better as this storyline involved many of the same characters and referenced the events from the first book.
Brian Howley (The Bone Collector) a.k.a Mr. Silver is definitely a twisted, deranged killer. After having his collection taken from him when he caught and subsequently making his escape from the police Mr. Silver is now on the run and looking to start a new collection. Yet for all his morbid plans I spent much of this book waiting for him to actually behave like a deranged killer. He spent much of the book formulating plans and making preparation for the "grooming" of an heir to his collection. Unfortunately, I found this a bit lackluster and at times even boring.
Enter Saul, an intelligent teenage boy with a horrible home life and some secrets of his own. He looks like the perfect target for Mr. Silver. I have to say I truly enjoyed Saul's complex character. He has his own demons to face daily and Cummins did an amazing job of showing us his inner turmoil. He was well developed and by far my favorite character. His push and pull with Mr. Silver was a driving force of the plot and definitely what kept me reading to the end. I wanted to know what he would do. I had to find out what would become of Saul.
This wasn't a bad read by any means. I think I personally just anticipated something a bit more bone chillingly thrilling and sinister so it was a bit of a let down in that sense. I am happy to have been introduced to Saul's character and was left harboring hope that we might see him in future books.
Thank you to Fiona Cummins, Kensington Books, Pinnacle and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an arc of this book.
I did not read Rattle , the first book in Fiona Cummins' Bone Collector series, but this book worked well as a standalone. I didn't feel lost as Cummins did a wonderful job filling in any necessary back story. Undoubtedly, readers who have read the first book would fare better as this storyline involved many of the same characters and referenced the events from the first book.
Brian Howley (The Bone Collector) a.k.a Mr. Silver is definitely a twisted, deranged killer. After having his collection taken from him when he caught and subsequently making his escape from the police Mr. Silver is now on the run and looking to start a new collection. Yet for all his morbid plans I spent much of this book waiting for him to actually behave like a deranged killer. He spent much of the book formulating plans and making preparation for the "grooming" of an heir to his collection. Unfortunately, I found this a bit lackluster and at times even boring.
Enter Saul, an intelligent teenage boy with a horrible home life and some secrets of his own. He looks like the perfect target for Mr. Silver. I have to say I truly enjoyed Saul's complex character. He has his own demons to face daily and Cummins did an amazing job of showing us his inner turmoil. He was well developed and by far my favorite character. His push and pull with Mr. Silver was a driving force of the plot and definitely what kept me reading to the end. I wanted to know what he would do. I had to find out what would become of Saul.
This wasn't a bad read by any means. I think I personally just anticipated something a bit more bone chillingly thrilling and sinister so it was a bit of a let down in that sense. I am happy to have been introduced to Saul's character and was left harboring hope that we might see him in future books.
Thank you to Fiona Cummins, Kensington Books, Pinnacle and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an arc of this book.
January 15, 2018
Fiona Cummins follows up Rattle with this blisteringly creepy, macabre and unsettling psychological thriller featuring the return of serial killer Brian Howley, the eponymous collector operating under the pseudonym, Mr Silver. It takes up the tale where Rattle left off, with the damaged but determined Detective Ella Fitzroy desperately disappointed that Howley escaped. Her life falls apart, but she has to pick up the pieces as a new set of murders occur. With her new partner, DC Storm, the two women work well to try and locate Howley and rescue Clara. Jakey was thankfully saved, but his fearful parents relocate to Leigh on Sea, only to find the nightmare continues. Clara's mother slowly feels her hope for her daughter slowly seep away and her shattered life brings her to the edge with its never ending lows. Clara still harbours hope that her ordeal will end in being rescued.
The Bone Collector has ambitions to create a new collection, and to this end, identifies Saul, a boy with his own secrets, as his apprentice. He has not forgotten the loss of Jakey or Detective Ella Fitzroy. This is a story of the unexpected and harrowing trauma, where you can have little faith that good will always triumph. Atmospheric menace and danger swirls into every nook and cranny of this compelling and tense tale of horror. The author is skilled at raising the levels of suspense with her able plotting, aided by the short chapters. In many ways, this is an even better thrilling read than Rattle. Many thanks to Pan MacMillan for an ARC.
The Bone Collector has ambitions to create a new collection, and to this end, identifies Saul, a boy with his own secrets, as his apprentice. He has not forgotten the loss of Jakey or Detective Ella Fitzroy. This is a story of the unexpected and harrowing trauma, where you can have little faith that good will always triumph. Atmospheric menace and danger swirls into every nook and cranny of this compelling and tense tale of horror. The author is skilled at raising the levels of suspense with her able plotting, aided by the short chapters. In many ways, this is an even better thrilling read than Rattle. Many thanks to Pan MacMillan for an ARC.
December 25, 2018
EXCERPT: Detective Sergeant Etta Fitzroy. Her name rolls across his tongue. He conjures up her face, the opposing colors of her eyes. An eye for an eye. His fingers twitch.
Seven bones surround the orbital cavity. He wonders if they will splinter and break when he presses her eye from its socket.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: The Collector by Fiona Cummins is the gripping sequel to Rattle.
Jakey escaped with his life and moved to a new town. His rescue was a miracle but his parents know that the Collector is still out there, watching, waiting…
Clara, the girl he left behind, is clinging to the hope that someone will come and save her.
Life has fallen apart for Clara's mother as she starts to lose hope.
The Bone Collector has a new apprentice to take over his family's legacy. But he can't forget the boy who got away and the detective who had destroyed his dreams.
Detective Etta Fitzroy's life collapsed when the Collector escaped. With Clara still missing, and a new wave of uncannily similar murders beginning, will she be able to find him again?
The Collector is back and this time he has nothing to lose . . .
MY THOUGHTS: I was left breathless. I basically read The Collector in one sitting, interrupted only by the hours I was at work, and even then I read in my breaks.
I went cold into The Collector. I had not read Rattle. I had it on order, hoping to read it before I started The Collector. But I was almost finished before Rattle arrived. Not to worry. There was enough background information to give the reader some idea of what had happened, but not so much as to spoil it for those of us reading the first book after the second. Rattle is sitting on my bedside table ready to go.
The Collector is extremely well written. It is dark and deliciously creepy. I recommend you read it with all the lights on, and doors and windows locked. The author generates, then maintains, a high level of suspense. There is not one extraneous word in the book. The chapters are short and to the point. The characters are well crafted, their back stories cleverly woven into the fabric of the plot.
I am looking forward to more from this author. In the meantime, I have thrown my reading schedule out the window and am off to be Rattled!
😨😨😨😨😨 Definitely in my top ten books of 2018.
THE AUTHOR: Fiona Cummins is an award-winning former Daily Mirror showbusiness journalist and a graduate of the Faber Academy Writing A Novel course. She lives in Essex with her family. Rattle is her first novel.
DISCLOSURE: A huge and heartfelt 'thank you' to Kensington Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Collector by Fiona Cummins for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
Seven bones surround the orbital cavity. He wonders if they will splinter and break when he presses her eye from its socket.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: The Collector by Fiona Cummins is the gripping sequel to Rattle.
Jakey escaped with his life and moved to a new town. His rescue was a miracle but his parents know that the Collector is still out there, watching, waiting…
Clara, the girl he left behind, is clinging to the hope that someone will come and save her.
Life has fallen apart for Clara's mother as she starts to lose hope.
The Bone Collector has a new apprentice to take over his family's legacy. But he can't forget the boy who got away and the detective who had destroyed his dreams.
Detective Etta Fitzroy's life collapsed when the Collector escaped. With Clara still missing, and a new wave of uncannily similar murders beginning, will she be able to find him again?
The Collector is back and this time he has nothing to lose . . .
MY THOUGHTS: I was left breathless. I basically read The Collector in one sitting, interrupted only by the hours I was at work, and even then I read in my breaks.
I went cold into The Collector. I had not read Rattle. I had it on order, hoping to read it before I started The Collector. But I was almost finished before Rattle arrived. Not to worry. There was enough background information to give the reader some idea of what had happened, but not so much as to spoil it for those of us reading the first book after the second. Rattle is sitting on my bedside table ready to go.
The Collector is extremely well written. It is dark and deliciously creepy. I recommend you read it with all the lights on, and doors and windows locked. The author generates, then maintains, a high level of suspense. There is not one extraneous word in the book. The chapters are short and to the point. The characters are well crafted, their back stories cleverly woven into the fabric of the plot.
I am looking forward to more from this author. In the meantime, I have thrown my reading schedule out the window and am off to be Rattled!
😨😨😨😨😨 Definitely in my top ten books of 2018.
THE AUTHOR: Fiona Cummins is an award-winning former Daily Mirror showbusiness journalist and a graduate of the Faber Academy Writing A Novel course. She lives in Essex with her family. Rattle is her first novel.
DISCLOSURE: A huge and heartfelt 'thank you' to Kensington Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Collector by Fiona Cummins for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
November 28, 2018
The collector by Fiona Cummins is the continued story from Rattle the first book which I do recommend you read first.(what a cliffhanger)
This one is still spine chilling as the first, it hasn't lost it's creepy edge like you would of expected because the second book is never as great as the first but I personally think this one is better 😌.
The collector is spine chilling , nerve racking, frustrating and heart breaking all at once with some characters you wish you can save and others you just want to finish off yourself 😒.
If you're look for something a little different maybe even a bit disturbing I recommend Rattle and the collector and for them to be read together.
This one is still spine chilling as the first, it hasn't lost it's creepy edge like you would of expected because the second book is never as great as the first but I personally think this one is better 😌.
The collector is spine chilling , nerve racking, frustrating and heart breaking all at once with some characters you wish you can save and others you just want to finish off yourself 😒.
If you're look for something a little different maybe even a bit disturbing I recommend Rattle and the collector and for them to be read together.
March 23, 2018
Fiona Cummins’ second novel holds all the intensity of the first, captivating the reader yet again. Picking up soon after the first novel ended, Cummins envelops the reader in this thriller, tantalising them with her wonderful abilities and cliffhanger moments. Clara Foyle is still missing, having not been found when the police raided one of the residences of the Bone Collector. In a gaffe during transport, the Bone Collector got loose and fled, remaining off the radar. These developments have been haunting DS Etta Fitzroy ever since, forcing her to come to terms with the horror of a child that has been lost. While she remains determined to find Clara, DS Fitzroy must wait for a significant clue to emerge. Meanwhile, after settling in rural Essex, the Bone Collector, now going by the name Mr. Silver, is trying to reestablish himself, much of his work still unfinished. He has found an apprentice who will be able to help him with his work while also trying to decide what purpose Clara might serve. Saul is a teenage boy forced to care for his alcoholic mother alone, after his father fled. Filled with angst and animosity, he is the ideal candidate to work alongside Mr. Silver, though he is still not entirely sure what is in store for him. After a new victim is lured to the beachfront house and killed for her bone anomaly, Mr. Silver has found his legs and is back in business. All that he needs to do now is tell the world he’s back, with a cryptic message affixed to the skeleton of a rabbit. DS Fitzroy is ready to resume the hunt, but will she be prepared for what Mr. Silver has planned now, and with someone to help? Cummins keeps up her electrifying story and leaves the reader stunned as they push through to see how it will all come to play out. Those who enjoyed the first novel in the series, as well as readers who love a good psychological thriller, will love this second piece.
Fiona Cummins has not lost the momentum she developed with the start of this series, pushing the genre out of its comfort zone. This only goes to show that Cummins is ready to use her ideas and reshape an already crowded genre, pushing her to the top of the list, amongst other powerful writers. Etta Fitzroy is still superb cop who has been processing the difficulties of a jaded work-home balance and a husband whose forced her to rethink her life choices. Armed with the failure to apprehend the Bone Collector once and for all, with Clara Foyle still out there, DS Fitzroy must work even harder not to botch the case again. The Bone Collector—Mr. Silver—has regrouped and sees the benefit of cultivating a new generation to continue his macabre museum of bones and medical anomalies. He’s found Saul and will do whatever it takes to ingratiate himself with the teen, hoping to fill a massive gap in the boy’s life. Still, there is much work to be done and many lives hang in the balance, as well as victims that must be culled around the country. Cummins offers some great backstory here to explore where the penchant for bones and murder might have originated, providing the reader with wonderful insight. The story is just as strong as before, flowing well through chapters full of information and cliffhanger moments. It would appear that date and time stamping each chapter poses the dual benefit of providing the reader some context and showing that Clara is still missing, and has yet to be recovered. This chill is not lost on the attentive reader, who wonders what is in store for the victim who has touched the lives of many characters in this book. Cummins does a magnificent job at injecting thrills and suspense into her narrative, leaving things hanging as she forces the reader to beg for more.
Kudos, Madam Cummins, for another award-worthy novel. I hope others will see what I have discovered and pick up this series in short order.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Fiona Cummins has not lost the momentum she developed with the start of this series, pushing the genre out of its comfort zone. This only goes to show that Cummins is ready to use her ideas and reshape an already crowded genre, pushing her to the top of the list, amongst other powerful writers. Etta Fitzroy is still superb cop who has been processing the difficulties of a jaded work-home balance and a husband whose forced her to rethink her life choices. Armed with the failure to apprehend the Bone Collector once and for all, with Clara Foyle still out there, DS Fitzroy must work even harder not to botch the case again. The Bone Collector—Mr. Silver—has regrouped and sees the benefit of cultivating a new generation to continue his macabre museum of bones and medical anomalies. He’s found Saul and will do whatever it takes to ingratiate himself with the teen, hoping to fill a massive gap in the boy’s life. Still, there is much work to be done and many lives hang in the balance, as well as victims that must be culled around the country. Cummins offers some great backstory here to explore where the penchant for bones and murder might have originated, providing the reader with wonderful insight. The story is just as strong as before, flowing well through chapters full of information and cliffhanger moments. It would appear that date and time stamping each chapter poses the dual benefit of providing the reader some context and showing that Clara is still missing, and has yet to be recovered. This chill is not lost on the attentive reader, who wonders what is in store for the victim who has touched the lives of many characters in this book. Cummins does a magnificent job at injecting thrills and suspense into her narrative, leaving things hanging as she forces the reader to beg for more.
Kudos, Madam Cummins, for another award-worthy novel. I hope others will see what I have discovered and pick up this series in short order.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
March 6, 2018
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
3.5 stars
When top crime novelists such as Lee Child, Martina Cole and Val McDermid endorse a new book you stand up and take notice. After viewing the cover endorsements of The Collector, by Fiona Cummins, I was keen to delve into this one headfirst. The Collector is the second book written by author Fiona Cummins, but it is my first experience of this author. It was dark, gripping and oh so creepy.
In the new and second DS Fitzroy thriller, brave Jakey is back, still counting his blessings that he was rescued from the evil clutches of the deranged ‘Collector’ killer. However, Jakey continues to worry that the Collector will return to finish what he started. Meanwhile, young Clara, one of the Collector’s victims is hoping that someone will eventually come and save her. In the process, her family are losing hope. For the Collector himself, lately he has been preoccupied by his desire to find an apprentice to take on the legacy of his evil deeds. With no biological children, the Collector must groom the right kind of child for the job. Chasing the Collector’s tail is Detective Etta Fitzroy, who has not forgiven herself for letting the Collector slip through the cracks. With a victim still missing and more murders of the Collector’s trademark appearing, time is of the essence. Fitzroy must capture and defeat the Collector before it is too late and more victims pile up.
The Collector helped introduce me to a brand new voice in crime fiction, author Fiona Cummins. The Collector is the second novel Fiona Cummins has penned. I have not read the predecessor of The Collector, Rattle. After enjoying The Collector I do hope to catch up on the debut novel by Fiona Cummins very soon.
For those who have read the previous book written by Fiona Cummins, Rattle, this one delves into familiar territory. For new readers to this series, like me, I will ease your mind and openly state that I believe you can read The Collector as a standalone (I did). Cummins ensures you do not feel any sense of being out of the loop. I consider The Collector to be a solid crime novel, with very creepy undertones. In some places this scared the socks off me! Cummins is skilled in her ability to create a solid wall of tension in this novel, the atmosphere is both stifling and nervy. Her setting is just as murky, adding plenty of darkness to this chilling novel.
The whole concept of this book is rather astute. A deranged and disturbed serial killer who is labelled as the ‘Collector’, but is also referred to as Mr Silver in the novel. The idea that a serial killer is so highly motivated and focussed on grooming a replacement to take over his dirty deeds was stomach churning. Kudos to Cummins for getting inside the mind of such a challenging individual, who is clearly on the fringes of society. Cummins also successfully embodies a number of contrasting viewpoints in this novel, from the lead detective, to the victims and their broken loved ones left behind. It is a tough gig to embody all of these figures but Fiona Cummins seems to take it in her stride.
The Collector delivers a creepy thrill ride from start to finish. It sure is a chilling read, written by an emerging voice in the crime fiction field that will definitely linger in your mind, long after the final page has been turned.
*I wish to thank Pan Macmillan for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes
3.5 stars
When top crime novelists such as Lee Child, Martina Cole and Val McDermid endorse a new book you stand up and take notice. After viewing the cover endorsements of The Collector, by Fiona Cummins, I was keen to delve into this one headfirst. The Collector is the second book written by author Fiona Cummins, but it is my first experience of this author. It was dark, gripping and oh so creepy.
In the new and second DS Fitzroy thriller, brave Jakey is back, still counting his blessings that he was rescued from the evil clutches of the deranged ‘Collector’ killer. However, Jakey continues to worry that the Collector will return to finish what he started. Meanwhile, young Clara, one of the Collector’s victims is hoping that someone will eventually come and save her. In the process, her family are losing hope. For the Collector himself, lately he has been preoccupied by his desire to find an apprentice to take on the legacy of his evil deeds. With no biological children, the Collector must groom the right kind of child for the job. Chasing the Collector’s tail is Detective Etta Fitzroy, who has not forgiven herself for letting the Collector slip through the cracks. With a victim still missing and more murders of the Collector’s trademark appearing, time is of the essence. Fitzroy must capture and defeat the Collector before it is too late and more victims pile up.
The Collector helped introduce me to a brand new voice in crime fiction, author Fiona Cummins. The Collector is the second novel Fiona Cummins has penned. I have not read the predecessor of The Collector, Rattle. After enjoying The Collector I do hope to catch up on the debut novel by Fiona Cummins very soon.
For those who have read the previous book written by Fiona Cummins, Rattle, this one delves into familiar territory. For new readers to this series, like me, I will ease your mind and openly state that I believe you can read The Collector as a standalone (I did). Cummins ensures you do not feel any sense of being out of the loop. I consider The Collector to be a solid crime novel, with very creepy undertones. In some places this scared the socks off me! Cummins is skilled in her ability to create a solid wall of tension in this novel, the atmosphere is both stifling and nervy. Her setting is just as murky, adding plenty of darkness to this chilling novel.
The whole concept of this book is rather astute. A deranged and disturbed serial killer who is labelled as the ‘Collector’, but is also referred to as Mr Silver in the novel. The idea that a serial killer is so highly motivated and focussed on grooming a replacement to take over his dirty deeds was stomach churning. Kudos to Cummins for getting inside the mind of such a challenging individual, who is clearly on the fringes of society. Cummins also successfully embodies a number of contrasting viewpoints in this novel, from the lead detective, to the victims and their broken loved ones left behind. It is a tough gig to embody all of these figures but Fiona Cummins seems to take it in her stride.
The Collector delivers a creepy thrill ride from start to finish. It sure is a chilling read, written by an emerging voice in the crime fiction field that will definitely linger in your mind, long after the final page has been turned.
*I wish to thank Pan Macmillan for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes
November 8, 2018
Dark, creepy, and just as ominous as the first in the series! With having loved Rattle last year... I knew I had to get my hands on The Collector.
Let me tell you! There is a certain creepiness factor here that reminds me of The Silence of the lambs..... Hannibal style. This was such dark and delicious treat!
Fiona Cummins you have quite the talent for dark, creepy, and scary! Yikes.... Howley is someone that you don't want to EVER cross. He will stop at nothing but finding his new "family" of dysfunction and killing for a passion.
Brian has a new nickname for himself "The Bone Collector"... he can't forget how Detective Etta destroyed his dreams in the first novel. He also has a new apprentice that's by his side in "training". The entire grooming aspect and selection of his new victims is straight up CREEEPYYYY!!
Can Etta stop Brian before it's too late? READ this series! It's addicting, scary, and cringeworthy creepy.
4 epic stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Pub date: 12/18/18
Published to GR: 11/8/18
Let me tell you! There is a certain creepiness factor here that reminds me of The Silence of the lambs..... Hannibal style. This was such dark and delicious treat!
Fiona Cummins you have quite the talent for dark, creepy, and scary! Yikes.... Howley is someone that you don't want to EVER cross. He will stop at nothing but finding his new "family" of dysfunction and killing for a passion.
Brian has a new nickname for himself "The Bone Collector"... he can't forget how Detective Etta destroyed his dreams in the first novel. He also has a new apprentice that's by his side in "training". The entire grooming aspect and selection of his new victims is straight up CREEEPYYYY!!
Can Etta stop Brian before it's too late? READ this series! It's addicting, scary, and cringeworthy creepy.
4 epic stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Pub date: 12/18/18
Published to GR: 11/8/18
February 1, 2018
The Collector is even better than Rattle, which I didn’t think was possible. I was glued to this book from the beginning until the very end. Fiona Cummins is a class act, and I can’t wait to read more from her!
I loved Rattle when I read it, so I was super excited to get a copy of The Collector to read and review. I absolutely banged through it in less than 24 hours. Every available moment was spent with my nose in this book because it was just so compelling that I couldn’t put it down until the very end.
In The Collector, we’re back with the characters from Rattle, along with being introduced to some great new characters as well. I think its safe to say that my favourite character is little Jakey Frith. He is wise beyond his years, and some of the scenes with him in The Collector are more than a little emotional.
The Collector is the perfect follow-up to Rattle. It has the same creeping sense of dread, with a very menacing undertone. The macabre darkness that flows through the narrative made me shudder more than once, and I was afraid of what was going to happen to the characters. I’m not going to say any more than that about the plot, other than you need it in your life!
I love the author’s writing style. It is clear, well-constructed and very clever. Fiona Cummins is certainly one to watch and I for one can’t wait to see what she gives us next. I know I would love to catch up with these characters again, but regardless of what she writes, I am definitely a huge fan!
Highly recommended!
I loved Rattle when I read it, so I was super excited to get a copy of The Collector to read and review. I absolutely banged through it in less than 24 hours. Every available moment was spent with my nose in this book because it was just so compelling that I couldn’t put it down until the very end.
In The Collector, we’re back with the characters from Rattle, along with being introduced to some great new characters as well. I think its safe to say that my favourite character is little Jakey Frith. He is wise beyond his years, and some of the scenes with him in The Collector are more than a little emotional.
The Collector is the perfect follow-up to Rattle. It has the same creeping sense of dread, with a very menacing undertone. The macabre darkness that flows through the narrative made me shudder more than once, and I was afraid of what was going to happen to the characters. I’m not going to say any more than that about the plot, other than you need it in your life!
I love the author’s writing style. It is clear, well-constructed and very clever. Fiona Cummins is certainly one to watch and I for one can’t wait to see what she gives us next. I know I would love to catch up with these characters again, but regardless of what she writes, I am definitely a huge fan!
Highly recommended!
February 27, 2018
Usually in a series you find that the first is always the best book but in this case you’d be wrong. The Collector was better than Rattle. Still dark & creepy but with more vivid characterization. Truly enjoyed both books & am hoping there’s more to come.
September 20, 2018
How could I NOT give give this 5 shiny stars?
This book picks up three months after the end of the previous book. Etta Fitzroy is still on the case but running out of steam as there is nowhere left to look. Five year old Jakey Frith, who was thankfully rescued at the end of the last book has moved with his family to a small coastal town in Essex. Clara Foyle was not so lucky and was spirited away by the bone collector. That monster managed to escape while the car he was being transported to lockup in was in an accident and the police driver injured.
But the bone collector has not given up. He knows where Jakey has moved and he has moved to the same area, calling himself Mr Silver. He also wants to train an apprentice to continue his 'work' and thinks he has the perfect candidate in 16 year old Saul. Saul is a bright young lad who lives in poverty with his alcoholic mother and few prospects. And Saul is not lily white. But just how dark is he?
This story races, over the course of a few days to a terrifying climax where the ending is far from assured. Along the way there are some very dark moments. Here we have no creeping menace, here the menace comes on like a juggernaut. There is no escaping it. There WILL be a showdown. And there WILL be blood, lots of blood.
Etta rushes to get involved as soon as she hears of another abduction of a young person with a bone deformity. Jakey lives in fear as he has seen ole' Mr Bloody Bones in his street and poor Clara is trapped and alone and awaits her fate.
Dear readers, I read this in a day. It was literally unputdownable. Ms Cummins has a real skill in ramping up the tension and your emotions. This one tugs on the heartstrings and plays icy fingers down your spine. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. Just one thing. This is very much as sequel, you really need to read Rattle first.
This book picks up three months after the end of the previous book. Etta Fitzroy is still on the case but running out of steam as there is nowhere left to look. Five year old Jakey Frith, who was thankfully rescued at the end of the last book has moved with his family to a small coastal town in Essex. Clara Foyle was not so lucky and was spirited away by the bone collector. That monster managed to escape while the car he was being transported to lockup in was in an accident and the police driver injured.
But the bone collector has not given up. He knows where Jakey has moved and he has moved to the same area, calling himself Mr Silver. He also wants to train an apprentice to continue his 'work' and thinks he has the perfect candidate in 16 year old Saul. Saul is a bright young lad who lives in poverty with his alcoholic mother and few prospects. And Saul is not lily white. But just how dark is he?
This story races, over the course of a few days to a terrifying climax where the ending is far from assured. Along the way there are some very dark moments. Here we have no creeping menace, here the menace comes on like a juggernaut. There is no escaping it. There WILL be a showdown. And there WILL be blood, lots of blood.
Etta rushes to get involved as soon as she hears of another abduction of a young person with a bone deformity. Jakey lives in fear as he has seen ole' Mr Bloody Bones in his street and poor Clara is trapped and alone and awaits her fate.
Dear readers, I read this in a day. It was literally unputdownable. Ms Cummins has a real skill in ramping up the tension and your emotions. This one tugs on the heartstrings and plays icy fingers down your spine. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. Just one thing. This is very much as sequel, you really need to read Rattle first.
March 31, 2018
I enjoyed every second of this audiobook and will definitely be looking for more from this author.
Exceptional. Story telling at it's best. Very highly recommended.
Exceptional. Story telling at it's best. Very highly recommended.
July 26, 2017
I think a lot of people when asked would say that “The Silence of the Lambs” is the definitive serial killer thriller – its all about the atmosphere and the low key haunting scares and the quality writing – but boy I’m telling you that book has some competition now.
Last year at proof stage I was genuinely rattled by “Rattle”, this authors debut, and now she brings us the follow up and boy its a doozy and a half. And then another half. Ok it’s a double doozy. At the very least. Picking up where “Rattle” left off we go further down into the darkness with the Collector and his victims, with his nemesis Etta Fitzroy and this is a twisted darkness indeed, portrayed and embedded into your consciousness in a brilliantly written and utterly riveting piece of character driven plotting.
I’ve talked about a few writers who are pitch perfect and that is certainly the case here – not only does Fiona Cummins make you care about her characters, fear them and for them but she does it in such an immersive way that you just rattle (sorry) through it, caught up in the horror and the emotional trauma (and boy is this emotionally traumatic on so many levels) – you can’t look away and wouldn’t even if you could. It is gripping, totally gripping, does literally make you hold your breath at times and bloody hell that ending, that slow, scary, uncertain finale almost had me falling off my chair.
The beautifully woven relationships simmer throughout, we see the aftermath of Rattle in all its reality, the devastation and the hope, you can’t help but feel every moment of it whilst metaphorically glancing over your shoulder and waiting for the axe to fall. It is cleverly done to make no promises – happy endings are not always a thing, so you really cannot be sure of anything, in the fight between darkness and light the light often loses and until you turn that last page you can’t and won’t know. Maybe not even then….
Edgy, unpredictable, scary as all heck and so brilliantly spellbinding that you may come away with actual bruises from the tension, The Collector is one for thriller readers everywhere who are looking for those differences, those books that stand out not only for quality but for pure reading pleasure. Painful pleasure sure. But absolute reading joy.
Highly HIGHLY recommended (but read it in the daytime or you will be sleeping with the lights on)
Last year at proof stage I was genuinely rattled by “Rattle”, this authors debut, and now she brings us the follow up and boy its a doozy and a half. And then another half. Ok it’s a double doozy. At the very least. Picking up where “Rattle” left off we go further down into the darkness with the Collector and his victims, with his nemesis Etta Fitzroy and this is a twisted darkness indeed, portrayed and embedded into your consciousness in a brilliantly written and utterly riveting piece of character driven plotting.
I’ve talked about a few writers who are pitch perfect and that is certainly the case here – not only does Fiona Cummins make you care about her characters, fear them and for them but she does it in such an immersive way that you just rattle (sorry) through it, caught up in the horror and the emotional trauma (and boy is this emotionally traumatic on so many levels) – you can’t look away and wouldn’t even if you could. It is gripping, totally gripping, does literally make you hold your breath at times and bloody hell that ending, that slow, scary, uncertain finale almost had me falling off my chair.
The beautifully woven relationships simmer throughout, we see the aftermath of Rattle in all its reality, the devastation and the hope, you can’t help but feel every moment of it whilst metaphorically glancing over your shoulder and waiting for the axe to fall. It is cleverly done to make no promises – happy endings are not always a thing, so you really cannot be sure of anything, in the fight between darkness and light the light often loses and until you turn that last page you can’t and won’t know. Maybe not even then….
Edgy, unpredictable, scary as all heck and so brilliantly spellbinding that you may come away with actual bruises from the tension, The Collector is one for thriller readers everywhere who are looking for those differences, those books that stand out not only for quality but for pure reading pleasure. Painful pleasure sure. But absolute reading joy.
Highly HIGHLY recommended (but read it in the daytime or you will be sleeping with the lights on)
February 21, 2018
The sequel to last years excellent "Rattle", The Collector is just as good and just as creepy.
As this is a continuation of the story, you will be best served by reading "Rattle" first. Neither story will disappoint.
A lot of the same characters return, with Clara still missing, and young Jakey again a target for The Collector. The DS Etta Fitzroy leads the hunt to recapture our villian. And the interractions between the Collector and troubled teen Saul made for riveting reading.
Like Rattle, I tore through this one quickly. A fast paced story I didn't want to put down.
As this is a continuation of the story, you will be best served by reading "Rattle" first. Neither story will disappoint.
A lot of the same characters return, with Clara still missing, and young Jakey again a target for The Collector. The DS Etta Fitzroy leads the hunt to recapture our villian. And the interractions between the Collector and troubled teen Saul made for riveting reading.
Like Rattle, I tore through this one quickly. A fast paced story I didn't want to put down.
January 27, 2019
The Collector by Fiona Cummins is the 2nd in the Bone Collector series starring Detective Sergeant Etta Fitzroy.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Kensington Books/Pinnacle, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Etta Fitzroy is trying to balance home and work. Etta still mourns the loss of her still-born baby boy. She is now separated from her husband, who wouldn’t consider the thought of having children. She is finally working on her relationship with her sister, and her new nephew. Her father, not so much. No matter what Etta does, even follow in her father’s footsteps, it has never been enough. She still hears his condescending voice. So she does what she does best…throws herself into her job. Unfortunately, she is still searching for Brian Howley, aka The Bone Collector, a serial killer who targets those with bone disabilities. Etta still hasn’t found 5 year old Clara either. Clara has cleft hands.
My Synopsis:
Brian Howley, The Bone Collector , who is now calling himself Mr. Silver, has moved to the seashore…to be near the boy that got away. He wants to start a new collection, and he is already considering a couple of likely candidates. He also wants to pass his legacy on, and has an apprentice in mind. But in the back of his mind, his hatred for DS Etta Fitzroy, rages on. She destroyed his last collection and took him into custody, and for that she will pay. He starts to taunt her with clues.
Jakey Frith, a 6 year-old with a devastating bone disorder, moved from London with his family for a fresh start. Unfortunately, the nightmares have followed Jakey, and now he is sure that he saw his nightmare come true outside his window. Maybe if the bad man is here, so is Clara. Jakey is sure she is still alive, and intends to find her.
Sixteen year-old Saul Anguish has had a rough life. He has been looking after his alcoholic mother since his abusive father is no longer around. He is also trying to get through school, keep his girlfriend happy, keep a part-time job, and put food on the table. Hard done-by, he seems perfect to Mr. Silver, but Saul has a secret or two himself.
DS Etta Fitzroy also has a secret. When she is given a new partner, she isn’t sure about DC Toni Storm. But when her instincts lead her to a seaside town to check out the case of a missing woman with a facial deformity, she finds her new partner to be a definite asset.
My Opinions:
First, you simply must read the first book in the series (Rattle) before attempting this one. I can’t Imagine not knowing the full background.
These books are a bit disturbing, a bit creepy, and rather chilling. In other words, my type of series!
The author is definitely making a name for herself. This series is a mix of suspense, mystery, thriller and a touch of horror. It has everything you need. It is a fast read due to the non-stop action and suspense. One of those books I couldn’t put down. The writing is great, the characters depth, the plot twisty, and this reader wants MORE!
For a more complete review of this book and others, please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Kensington Books/Pinnacle, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Etta Fitzroy is trying to balance home and work. Etta still mourns the loss of her still-born baby boy. She is now separated from her husband, who wouldn’t consider the thought of having children. She is finally working on her relationship with her sister, and her new nephew. Her father, not so much. No matter what Etta does, even follow in her father’s footsteps, it has never been enough. She still hears his condescending voice. So she does what she does best…throws herself into her job. Unfortunately, she is still searching for Brian Howley, aka The Bone Collector, a serial killer who targets those with bone disabilities. Etta still hasn’t found 5 year old Clara either. Clara has cleft hands.
My Synopsis:
Brian Howley, The Bone Collector , who is now calling himself Mr. Silver, has moved to the seashore…to be near the boy that got away. He wants to start a new collection, and he is already considering a couple of likely candidates. He also wants to pass his legacy on, and has an apprentice in mind. But in the back of his mind, his hatred for DS Etta Fitzroy, rages on. She destroyed his last collection and took him into custody, and for that she will pay. He starts to taunt her with clues.
Jakey Frith, a 6 year-old with a devastating bone disorder, moved from London with his family for a fresh start. Unfortunately, the nightmares have followed Jakey, and now he is sure that he saw his nightmare come true outside his window. Maybe if the bad man is here, so is Clara. Jakey is sure she is still alive, and intends to find her.
Sixteen year-old Saul Anguish has had a rough life. He has been looking after his alcoholic mother since his abusive father is no longer around. He is also trying to get through school, keep his girlfriend happy, keep a part-time job, and put food on the table. Hard done-by, he seems perfect to Mr. Silver, but Saul has a secret or two himself.
DS Etta Fitzroy also has a secret. When she is given a new partner, she isn’t sure about DC Toni Storm. But when her instincts lead her to a seaside town to check out the case of a missing woman with a facial deformity, she finds her new partner to be a definite asset.
My Opinions:
First, you simply must read the first book in the series (Rattle) before attempting this one. I can’t Imagine not knowing the full background.
These books are a bit disturbing, a bit creepy, and rather chilling. In other words, my type of series!
The author is definitely making a name for herself. This series is a mix of suspense, mystery, thriller and a touch of horror. It has everything you need. It is a fast read due to the non-stop action and suspense. One of those books I couldn’t put down. The writing is great, the characters depth, the plot twisty, and this reader wants MORE!
For a more complete review of this book and others, please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
January 25, 2021
The first thing that struck me about this novel was the unoriginality of the titles – and I’m sure any fans of John Fowles and/or Jeffery Deaver would notice.
The story itself is quite original though; apparently this is the second novel of a series, a follow-up to Rattle. Perhaps things would have felt clearer if I’d read that first, although this one still functioned reasonably as a standalone.
It centres around a psychopath called Brian Howley, “The Butcher Of Bromley”, who abducts and kills children with skeletal deformities to add to his “family collection". Pitted against him is DS Etta Fitzroy, the woman who originally caught Howley, only for him to escape again. He’s now living under the name of Mister Silver on the south Essex coast.
All in all, not a bad psychological thriller, although I did find the relishing of Howley’s depravities a little hard to stomach at times.
The story itself is quite original though; apparently this is the second novel of a series, a follow-up to Rattle. Perhaps things would have felt clearer if I’d read that first, although this one still functioned reasonably as a standalone.
It centres around a psychopath called Brian Howley, “The Butcher Of Bromley”, who abducts and kills children with skeletal deformities to add to his “family collection". Pitted against him is DS Etta Fitzroy, the woman who originally caught Howley, only for him to escape again. He’s now living under the name of Mister Silver on the south Essex coast.
All in all, not a bad psychological thriller, although I did find the relishing of Howley’s depravities a little hard to stomach at times.
November 13, 2020
Detective Sergeant Etta Fitzroy is once again chasing a serial killer called The Collector. He continues killing and has someone picked out to carry on his legacy.
Just as in the first book, we see little of Fitzroy in the first 100 pages. Much attention is given to the killer and the secondary characters in the book. In fact, readers see most of the same characters as in the first book. I liked Fitzroy's new partner Toni Storm. Toni shares Fitzroy's dedication and is not adverse to bending the rules with her. There's lots of heart pounding action in the last third of the story. I liked this book better than the first because of the resolutions for most of the characters.
Just as in the first book, we see little of Fitzroy in the first 100 pages. Much attention is given to the killer and the secondary characters in the book. In fact, readers see most of the same characters as in the first book. I liked Fitzroy's new partner Toni Storm. Toni shares Fitzroy's dedication and is not adverse to bending the rules with her. There's lots of heart pounding action in the last third of the story. I liked this book better than the first because of the resolutions for most of the characters.
November 12, 2017
This book has gone on my list of top reads of 2017 love it, review to follow
November 30, 2018
Geweldig vervolg op de verzamelaar...
October 6, 2018
Ge-wel-dig. Onze duorecensie op Samenlezenisleuker:
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https://samenlezenisleuker.wordpress....
December 8, 2017
**Warning if you haven’t read Rattle then this review may unintentionally give away spoilers**
Ever since I read RATTLE The Collector has been one, if not my most anticipated read of 2017. Now sometimes I find when when I finally get to read a sequel I’ve been waiting for what seems like forever it can go one of two ways, I will either love it or I’m left feeling cheated that the book just didn’t make the cut, but OMG I’m thrilled to report The Collector exceeded my expectations and then some, I loved it so much it’s gone straight on my “top reads of 2017” list. Utterly gripping I absolutely loved everything about this book, its dark, packed to the brim with tension and very creepy.
I would urge you to read Rattle first if you haven’t already, as you will gather from the book description it picks up from where Rattle ends. I found from the very first chapter I had an overwhelming sense of foreboding, perhaps because I already knew how incredibly evil The Collector was from the previous book I was immediately on tenterhooks. This novel focuses on the after mass of Rattle, the family who are looking for answers to their daughter Clara’s disappearance, Jakey the victim who escaped, but is convinced The Collector will come for him and Detective Etta Fitzroy’s who lives and breathes the case that haunts her.
Fiona Cummins has a style of writing that’s both atmospheric and compelling, as I was reading The Collector I felt a constant chill deep in my bones that never quite? left me. The chapters are titled with a time frame which the author uses to good effect, there’s a constant sense of urgency as it feels like time is running out for some of the main players in this novel. I do have to mention the characters Fiona Cummins has done a brilliant job yet again of depicting characters that you can’t help feeling a connection to, you feel their pain, the trauma and above all their resilience to survive when The Collector comes calling. As for The Collector what a character, and so well depicted his thoughts and actions will send shivers down your spine and keep you awake at night.
What makes this book stand out from most crime thrillers is the author’s ability to write a book that’s almost poetic in its writing, with more than a touch of the macabre you would expect lots of gruesome or gory scenes, but that isn’t the case. Fiona Cummins describes the setting, atmosphere and characters so vividly I found my own imagination went into overdrive making me feel very “jumpy” I read so many crime thrillers it’s not often an author manages to stir such emotion in me. The Collector never looses momentum, it’s fast paced with a few deviously plotted twists that shocked me to the core, this is definitely one of the most gripping and original crime thrillers I’ve read this year. A MUST READ AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Ever since I read RATTLE The Collector has been one, if not my most anticipated read of 2017. Now sometimes I find when when I finally get to read a sequel I’ve been waiting for what seems like forever it can go one of two ways, I will either love it or I’m left feeling cheated that the book just didn’t make the cut, but OMG I’m thrilled to report The Collector exceeded my expectations and then some, I loved it so much it’s gone straight on my “top reads of 2017” list. Utterly gripping I absolutely loved everything about this book, its dark, packed to the brim with tension and very creepy.
I would urge you to read Rattle first if you haven’t already, as you will gather from the book description it picks up from where Rattle ends. I found from the very first chapter I had an overwhelming sense of foreboding, perhaps because I already knew how incredibly evil The Collector was from the previous book I was immediately on tenterhooks. This novel focuses on the after mass of Rattle, the family who are looking for answers to their daughter Clara’s disappearance, Jakey the victim who escaped, but is convinced The Collector will come for him and Detective Etta Fitzroy’s who lives and breathes the case that haunts her.
Fiona Cummins has a style of writing that’s both atmospheric and compelling, as I was reading The Collector I felt a constant chill deep in my bones that never quite? left me. The chapters are titled with a time frame which the author uses to good effect, there’s a constant sense of urgency as it feels like time is running out for some of the main players in this novel. I do have to mention the characters Fiona Cummins has done a brilliant job yet again of depicting characters that you can’t help feeling a connection to, you feel their pain, the trauma and above all their resilience to survive when The Collector comes calling. As for The Collector what a character, and so well depicted his thoughts and actions will send shivers down your spine and keep you awake at night.
What makes this book stand out from most crime thrillers is the author’s ability to write a book that’s almost poetic in its writing, with more than a touch of the macabre you would expect lots of gruesome or gory scenes, but that isn’t the case. Fiona Cummins describes the setting, atmosphere and characters so vividly I found my own imagination went into overdrive making me feel very “jumpy” I read so many crime thrillers it’s not often an author manages to stir such emotion in me. The Collector never looses momentum, it’s fast paced with a few deviously plotted twists that shocked me to the core, this is definitely one of the most gripping and original crime thrillers I’ve read this year. A MUST READ AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
June 26, 2018
I read and LOVED Rattle in December 2016 – so I was very excited to find out there was a sequel published in January 2018. My only regret is not reading it sooner.
The Collector is the sequel to Rattle and in my opinion it probably won’t work as a standalone and therefore would strongly recommend reading Rattle first.
Once again this is a really disturbing and thoroughly gruesome story about a serial killer targeting young children with bone disorders, disfigurements and disabilities. I was reading the book whilst having my nails done this morning and actually cringed and shivered so violently during a distressing scene that my nail technician thought she had injured me!
If you’ve read Rattle, then expect the same – chilling, gripping and disturbing, yet addictive and a brilliant sequel. Highly recommended.
The Collector is the sequel to Rattle and in my opinion it probably won’t work as a standalone and therefore would strongly recommend reading Rattle first.
Once again this is a really disturbing and thoroughly gruesome story about a serial killer targeting young children with bone disorders, disfigurements and disabilities. I was reading the book whilst having my nails done this morning and actually cringed and shivered so violently during a distressing scene that my nail technician thought she had injured me!
If you’ve read Rattle, then expect the same – chilling, gripping and disturbing, yet addictive and a brilliant sequel. Highly recommended.
February 19, 2018
Fiona Cummins’ first novel ‘Rattle’ absolutely blew me away I read A LOT of crime books and this was hands down one of the best ones I’ve read. When I saw advanced copies of the follow-up, ‘The Collector’ were floating around I just had to get my grabby little hands on it. I was not disappointed! If you’ve read ‘Rattle’ then you MUST read this. If you haven’t read ‘Rattle’ read it now. Then read this!
The characters we got to know in ‘Rattle’ are back, as well as one or two new faces. I really enjoyed the continuation aspect of ‘The Collector’, seeing how victims were coping, how their lives had changed and of course, seeing how Clara was. You get to know these characters really well and they become a part of you.
This is a very creepy read. The Bone Collector lingers in the background, he watches and he waits. With every page you can sense him there, lurking. His methods of gaining an apprentice are very under hand (as you would expect), seeing him groom someone to take over his horror is very unsettling.
I don’t want to say too much more for fear of letting a spoiler slip. I will say though, if you like your crime creepy, depraved, twisted and chilling then these books are for you. Fiona Cummins with ‘The Collector’ has once again left me wanting more, more, more! It was bloody fantastic and I cannot recommend ‘Rattle’ and ‘The Collector’ enough.
The characters we got to know in ‘Rattle’ are back, as well as one or two new faces. I really enjoyed the continuation aspect of ‘The Collector’, seeing how victims were coping, how their lives had changed and of course, seeing how Clara was. You get to know these characters really well and they become a part of you.
This is a very creepy read. The Bone Collector lingers in the background, he watches and he waits. With every page you can sense him there, lurking. His methods of gaining an apprentice are very under hand (as you would expect), seeing him groom someone to take over his horror is very unsettling.
I don’t want to say too much more for fear of letting a spoiler slip. I will say though, if you like your crime creepy, depraved, twisted and chilling then these books are for you. Fiona Cummins with ‘The Collector’ has once again left me wanting more, more, more! It was bloody fantastic and I cannot recommend ‘Rattle’ and ‘The Collector’ enough.
Read
April 2, 2018RTC.
A good wrap-up of the story started in Rattle, though there were a couple of things about the overall set-up that made certain outcomes a little predictable.
Some further insight into the psyche of the man who collects unusual bones from the first book, and a hinting at future books in the series but without a dramatic cliffhanger or unanswered questions like the first had.
A good wrap-up of the story started in Rattle, though there were a couple of things about the overall set-up that made certain outcomes a little predictable.
Some further insight into the psyche of the man who collects unusual bones from the first book, and a hinting at future books in the series but without a dramatic cliffhanger or unanswered questions like the first had.
September 7, 2017
It's better than Rattle! Yes! The follow-up is absolutely brilliant! Loved this book and so thrilled to get an early ARC. Full rave review to come. Put it on your list!
January 1, 2018
I loved Rattle, the debut novel by Fiona Cummins and the first to feature The Bone Collector so was thrilled to see that her second book was a continuation of his reign of terror. Yes, he is back and this time he’s scarier than ever as he looks to further add to his collection. If you thought Rattle was dark and disturbing then you are going to be chewing your nails to the quick with this one! I honestly felt as though my skin was alive with a thousand creepy crawlies whilst reading it and I was desperate to scrub myself clean whenever HE was on the page. There seemed to be a depth of feeling behind the characters this time, an understanding of why they behave the way they do and there was an emotional connection to them all that meant I desperately wanted everything to turn out well for them all. The problem was I knew exactly what to expect from this author and that the tale she weaves around this bogeyman is never guaranteed a happy ever after, just like in life itself. Beautifully crafted, achingly written from the heart with a terrifying premise this books deals with loss with an understanding that I’ve never encountered before in a serial killer thriller. I thought it was even better than Rattle and I felt bereft when I finished it.
November 6, 2021
Jumped straight into book two of Fiona Cummins The Bone Collector series and it did not disappoint. Some things that were left hanging in book one were wrapped up and some new endings were left open. There is space for a third book which I would enjoy but it could be left as is as well.
Jakey was back in this book and he was a true legend I loved that kid. The tension had also completely returned with the ending being very satisfying.
Jakey was back in this book and he was a true legend I loved that kid. The tension had also completely returned with the ending being very satisfying.
February 6, 2018
Utter disappointment. I couldn’t finish it, only read half of it and gave up. I read the first book which I enjoyed a lot but what I read from the second one didn’t get me at all and I am not that type of person to give up on book that easily.
November 26, 2018
Time taken to read - < than 1 day
Pages - 400
Publisher - MacMillan
Source - Fellow book worm
Blurb from Goodreads
The Collector by Fiona Cummins is the gripping sequel to Rattle.
Jakey escaped with his life and moved to a new town. His rescue was a miracle but his parents know that the Collector is still out there, watching, waiting…
Clara, the girl he left behind, is clinging to the hope that someone will come and save her.
Life has fallen apart for Clara's mother as she starts to lose hope.
The Bone Collector has a new apprentice to take over his family's legacy. But he can't forget the boy who got away and the detective who had destroyed his dreams.
Detective Etta Fitzroy's life collapsed when the Collector escaped. With Clara still missing, and a new wave of uncannily similar murders beginning, will she be able to find him again?
The Collector is back and this time he has nothing to lose . . .
My Review
First if you haven't read the first book, "Rattle" I suggest you do otherwise you have missed so much of the back story. This is the sequel and we have the same characters from the first book, the Bone Collector isn't happy he has lost all of his collection and is looking for the one who got away. He needs an apprentice, he needs new specimens and he knows exactly who and what he wants, nothing will stop him this time! On the other side is the officer who tangled with the collector and can't settle knowing he is still out there. What follows is a race against time, a cat and mouse game, who will survive?
We open with a news article covering the wee girl who went missing, then skip to young Saul, a troubled kid who has to look after his alcohol dependent mother, keep face with his friends and deal with his emotions. Someone is watching Saul and has great plans for him. Detective Etta Fitzroy's still picking up the pieces from her losses on the Bone Collector case, starting to rebuild her life when the past reaches out, the game is on.
Saul is a huge part of the story, Etta actually doesn't play a huge part. We get a microscopic look into Saul's life, follow the Bone Collector in his quest, snapshots with Etta and little Clara Foyle's mother as she struggles to accept her daughter is gone. The story grips the reader from pretty much the opening chapter because we have had the back story (so again if you haven't read Rattle please check it out) and we need to see what comes next. I love getting a story where you follow the bad guy and their plans/skulduggery. I am looking forward to the next from this author, 4/5 for me this time!
Pages - 400
Publisher - MacMillan
Source - Fellow book worm
Blurb from Goodreads
The Collector by Fiona Cummins is the gripping sequel to Rattle.
Jakey escaped with his life and moved to a new town. His rescue was a miracle but his parents know that the Collector is still out there, watching, waiting…
Clara, the girl he left behind, is clinging to the hope that someone will come and save her.
Life has fallen apart for Clara's mother as she starts to lose hope.
The Bone Collector has a new apprentice to take over his family's legacy. But he can't forget the boy who got away and the detective who had destroyed his dreams.
Detective Etta Fitzroy's life collapsed when the Collector escaped. With Clara still missing, and a new wave of uncannily similar murders beginning, will she be able to find him again?
The Collector is back and this time he has nothing to lose . . .
My Review
First if you haven't read the first book, "Rattle" I suggest you do otherwise you have missed so much of the back story. This is the sequel and we have the same characters from the first book, the Bone Collector isn't happy he has lost all of his collection and is looking for the one who got away. He needs an apprentice, he needs new specimens and he knows exactly who and what he wants, nothing will stop him this time! On the other side is the officer who tangled with the collector and can't settle knowing he is still out there. What follows is a race against time, a cat and mouse game, who will survive?
We open with a news article covering the wee girl who went missing, then skip to young Saul, a troubled kid who has to look after his alcohol dependent mother, keep face with his friends and deal with his emotions. Someone is watching Saul and has great plans for him. Detective Etta Fitzroy's still picking up the pieces from her losses on the Bone Collector case, starting to rebuild her life when the past reaches out, the game is on.
Saul is a huge part of the story, Etta actually doesn't play a huge part. We get a microscopic look into Saul's life, follow the Bone Collector in his quest, snapshots with Etta and little Clara Foyle's mother as she struggles to accept her daughter is gone. The story grips the reader from pretty much the opening chapter because we have had the back story (so again if you haven't read Rattle please check it out) and we need to see what comes next. I love getting a story where you follow the bad guy and their plans/skulduggery. I am looking forward to the next from this author, 4/5 for me this time!
May 2, 2018
The Collector – Bone Chilling
Fiona Cummings follows up her highly successful debut thriller with The Collector, which is absolutely bone chilling. This is a book that will draw you in and keep you on the hook all the way to the end.
This really is a dark and twisted book that shows that grooming of young people can be for other means than something sexual. The Collector also shows how someone can observe without being noticed, how they pick their victims usually from a very vulnerable group and use them without raising much notice about their activities.
Detective Sergeant Etta Fitzroy is obsessing over recapturing Brian Howley who sees himself as a collector and keeper of a macabre museum. When in reality he likes to kill deformed children, remove their skin and internal workings so that he can display the skeletal remains in a special cabinet.
He has changed his name, Fitzroy does not know the name he is now going under, she does not know where he is, but she knows he is out there. Especially, when the clothing of a missing child appears on a beach, and even more so when a young woman’s clothes are found on a beach with all his personal signals written across the beach, if you know where to look and what to look for.
Howley has a new victim as well as one he is keeping alive so that he can enjoy the process of ending her life. He has also identified Saul, as his successor, as his surrogate child, someone whom he will groom and then train up to continue his work. But he knows he will have to tread carefully in the grooming process, but Saul is no fool.
Jakey Frith is the only person who has managed to escape Howley and he wants him back and in spite of his condition he is aware like his parents, that the Collector, is out there, watching and waiting to reclaim him. Even though he is now in a new home, he is aware he cannot hide from the Collector.
The Collector is one twisted person who really is the bogey man that children are often warned about. The Collector is spine chilling, and a very compelling read that will absorb the reader from beginning to end.
Simply brilliant.
Fiona Cummings follows up her highly successful debut thriller with The Collector, which is absolutely bone chilling. This is a book that will draw you in and keep you on the hook all the way to the end.
This really is a dark and twisted book that shows that grooming of young people can be for other means than something sexual. The Collector also shows how someone can observe without being noticed, how they pick their victims usually from a very vulnerable group and use them without raising much notice about their activities.
Detective Sergeant Etta Fitzroy is obsessing over recapturing Brian Howley who sees himself as a collector and keeper of a macabre museum. When in reality he likes to kill deformed children, remove their skin and internal workings so that he can display the skeletal remains in a special cabinet.
He has changed his name, Fitzroy does not know the name he is now going under, she does not know where he is, but she knows he is out there. Especially, when the clothing of a missing child appears on a beach, and even more so when a young woman’s clothes are found on a beach with all his personal signals written across the beach, if you know where to look and what to look for.
Howley has a new victim as well as one he is keeping alive so that he can enjoy the process of ending her life. He has also identified Saul, as his successor, as his surrogate child, someone whom he will groom and then train up to continue his work. But he knows he will have to tread carefully in the grooming process, but Saul is no fool.
Jakey Frith is the only person who has managed to escape Howley and he wants him back and in spite of his condition he is aware like his parents, that the Collector, is out there, watching and waiting to reclaim him. Even though he is now in a new home, he is aware he cannot hide from the Collector.
The Collector is one twisted person who really is the bogey man that children are often warned about. The Collector is spine chilling, and a very compelling read that will absorb the reader from beginning to end.
Simply brilliant.
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