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DI Rosalind Kray #1
Faceless
After surviving a vicious knife attack, which left her husband dead, DI Rosalind Kray returns to work and is handed a serial killer investigation.
This killer is different, he doesn’t just want to take the lives of his victims, he wants to obliterate their very existence. The murders appear random but the killer selects his quarry with meticulous care.
While fighting her superiors Kray must conquer her own demons, which are tearing her apart.
Kray has the ability to think like a killer and her skills lead to a series of horrifying revelations that turn the case on its head. She believes she is getting close, then her world comes crashing down with devastating consequences.
Will Kray find the murderer and escape with her own life in tact?
The truth is closer than she could have ever imagined…
This killer is different, he doesn’t just want to take the lives of his victims, he wants to obliterate their very existence. The murders appear random but the killer selects his quarry with meticulous care.
While fighting her superiors Kray must conquer her own demons, which are tearing her apart.
Kray has the ability to think like a killer and her skills lead to a series of horrifying revelations that turn the case on its head. She believes she is getting close, then her world comes crashing down with devastating consequences.
Will Kray find the murderer and escape with her own life in tact?
The truth is closer than she could have ever imagined…
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2018
607 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
October 2, 2018
FACELESS, a police crime/procedural, set in Blackpool, is the first book in the DI Rosalind Kray series., by author Rob Ashman. This series was recommended to me by a friend, and once I was accepted through NetGalley for the second book in the series, I went and bought the first book, as I like to read a series in order to fully appreciate the ongoing character development. After finishing Faceless, I can say that this book is a definite winner! This is a series I plan to read all the way though!
After surviving a vicious knife attack, which left her husband dead, as well as scars all over her body, DI Rosalind Kray, in her mid-thirties, abused on cigarettes and alcohol, returns to work and is handed a serial killer investigation.
The Preface to the novel says it all:
“Being psycho doesn’t make you bad, being bad makes you bad. Being psycho and bad makes you dangerous.”
This killer is sick, and is intent and method is alarming! He wants to obliterate their very existence. The murders appear random but the killer selects his victims with care…
The killer drugs his victims, injects them with snake venom, and then skins and removes their faces. What a serial killer!
Kray must think like the killer…a game of cat and mouse…in order to catch this psycho!
This is a really well written police procedural story, with descriptive passages that will have you on the edge of your seat. A real page-turner! I loved it! Now on to book 2, “This Little Piggy”.
After surviving a vicious knife attack, which left her husband dead, as well as scars all over her body, DI Rosalind Kray, in her mid-thirties, abused on cigarettes and alcohol, returns to work and is handed a serial killer investigation.
The Preface to the novel says it all:
“Being psycho doesn’t make you bad, being bad makes you bad. Being psycho and bad makes you dangerous.”
This killer is sick, and is intent and method is alarming! He wants to obliterate their very existence. The murders appear random but the killer selects his victims with care…
The killer drugs his victims, injects them with snake venom, and then skins and removes their faces. What a serial killer!
Kray must think like the killer…a game of cat and mouse…in order to catch this psycho!
This is a really well written police procedural story, with descriptive passages that will have you on the edge of your seat. A real page-turner! I loved it! Now on to book 2, “This Little Piggy”.
September 15, 2019
Faceless is the first book in the D.I Rosalind Kray series set in Blackpool.
Rosalind Kray (Roz) returns to work after a viscous attack that killed her husband Joe and has left her badly scarred. Rosalind returns to a serial murder investigation.
OMG I loved this book!! I was completely hooked and oblivious to the outside world when reading this.
The killer doesn’t just want to kill his victims he wants to obliterate them completely. His choice of victims seem random but he has chosen them specifically . I won’t tell you how he kills them but let’s just say it is brutal!!!
This is going to be a series to look out for, it’s gripping, chilling and kept me on the edge of my seat. I cannot wait to see what Roz will investigate next.
I thought Roz was a great character, trying to overcome the death of her husband and throwing herself into her work. This back story added a greater depth to the book.
A must read book that will leave you with goosebumps!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
Rosalind Kray (Roz) returns to work after a viscous attack that killed her husband Joe and has left her badly scarred. Rosalind returns to a serial murder investigation.
OMG I loved this book!! I was completely hooked and oblivious to the outside world when reading this.
The killer doesn’t just want to kill his victims he wants to obliterate them completely. His choice of victims seem random but he has chosen them specifically . I won’t tell you how he kills them but let’s just say it is brutal!!!
This is going to be a series to look out for, it’s gripping, chilling and kept me on the edge of my seat. I cannot wait to see what Roz will investigate next.
I thought Roz was a great character, trying to overcome the death of her husband and throwing herself into her work. This back story added a greater depth to the book.
A must read book that will leave you with goosebumps!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
January 19, 2023
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“Being psycho doesn’t make you bad, being bad makes you bad. Being a psycho and bad makes you dangerous.”
If you’re the kind of person who just can’t resist a UK crime procedural with a damaged main character and a twisted killer who masturbates a lot (like a lot) then this is the book for you, you fucking weirdo.
Lucky for me, I’m a weirdo too, so I was totally into this first instalment in the Rosalind Kray series.
Rosalind is everything you want to be – drunk and eating junk food. And that's it for me.
She’s also a single mother since her husband was murdered. Rosalind carries around survivor’s guilt by the butt-load, uses alcohol just to sleep, uses casual sex with her partner to numb the pain and investigates murder as a distraction.
So, you know, everything you don't want to be.
Roz’s first case since returning to work after her husband’s death just happens to be a serial killer, because there’s not even the tiniest smidgen of levity in this fucking novel. Everything is dark and terrible and you’ll love it.
It’s very obvious to everyone, except for maybe Roz, that’s she not coping well with being a new widow with a gaggle of kids at home and a demanding job. It’s a learning curve and she’s doing the best she can, okay?! But on top of everything else, her superiors start questioning her every move and eventually give her big case away to the stupid male detective who can’t tie his shoelaces, let alone close a case. But at least he’s not "emotional."
Honestly, the way Roz is treated at times is infuriating. Credit to Rob Ashman for writing a plot aspect for a female lead MC which rang true and gave me the feminist rage.
The killer in this book is not for the weak. He’s a sicko, and his actions are described in detail. Let’s just say, it’s titled Faceless for a reason. There are a lot of boners, lots of heads in freezers, lots of masturbating with snake venom… whatever. You get the picture. If you’re not into books that are more explicit, maybe steer clear of this one.
But you know your girl loves her novels graphic and honest, so I had zero problems with the weird shit this killer does in order to satisfy his deranged fantasies and revenge.
My one little ugh for this review is that the killer was a tad bit cliché. The mommy issues, the creepy rhymes that he recited while jerking off, the rituals upon rituals he cooked up that didn’t seem to be rooted in any clear pathology… it was overkill, no pun intended. Couldn’t we have just picked one weird serial killer stereotype instead of eleventy-hundred?
It was a tad eye-roll-inducing for me at times. But, that’s just me. I hardly ever like anything 100%.
The pacing of this is actually pretty action-packed considering it’s a procedural with intense character-driven elements. It’s intense, dark, full of tension and twisty moments, but centred around a damaged, broken cop who grounds the whole novel in her grief and the aftermath of it.
If you’re a crime reader, it’s a no-brainer addition to your TBR, honestly.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4 stars
book source: The publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
“Being psycho doesn’t make you bad, being bad makes you bad. Being a psycho and bad makes you dangerous.”
If you’re the kind of person who just can’t resist a UK crime procedural with a damaged main character and a twisted killer who masturbates a lot (like a lot) then this is the book for you, you fucking weirdo.
Lucky for me, I’m a weirdo too, so I was totally into this first instalment in the Rosalind Kray series.
Rosalind is everything you want to be – drunk and eating junk food. And that's it for me.
She’s also a single mother since her husband was murdered. Rosalind carries around survivor’s guilt by the butt-load, uses alcohol just to sleep, uses casual sex with her partner to numb the pain and investigates murder as a distraction.
So, you know, everything you don't want to be.
Roz’s first case since returning to work after her husband’s death just happens to be a serial killer, because there’s not even the tiniest smidgen of levity in this fucking novel. Everything is dark and terrible and you’ll love it.
It’s very obvious to everyone, except for maybe Roz, that’s she not coping well with being a new widow with a gaggle of kids at home and a demanding job. It’s a learning curve and she’s doing the best she can, okay?! But on top of everything else, her superiors start questioning her every move and eventually give her big case away to the stupid male detective who can’t tie his shoelaces, let alone close a case. But at least he’s not "emotional."
Honestly, the way Roz is treated at times is infuriating. Credit to Rob Ashman for writing a plot aspect for a female lead MC which rang true and gave me the feminist rage.
The killer in this book is not for the weak. He’s a sicko, and his actions are described in detail. Let’s just say, it’s titled Faceless for a reason. There are a lot of boners, lots of heads in freezers, lots of masturbating with snake venom… whatever. You get the picture. If you’re not into books that are more explicit, maybe steer clear of this one.
But you know your girl loves her novels graphic and honest, so I had zero problems with the weird shit this killer does in order to satisfy his deranged fantasies and revenge.
My one little ugh for this review is that the killer was a tad bit cliché. The mommy issues, the creepy rhymes that he recited while jerking off, the rituals upon rituals he cooked up that didn’t seem to be rooted in any clear pathology… it was overkill, no pun intended. Couldn’t we have just picked one weird serial killer stereotype instead of eleventy-hundred?
It was a tad eye-roll-inducing for me at times. But, that’s just me. I hardly ever like anything 100%.
The pacing of this is actually pretty action-packed considering it’s a procedural with intense character-driven elements. It’s intense, dark, full of tension and twisty moments, but centred around a damaged, broken cop who grounds the whole novel in her grief and the aftermath of it.
If you’re a crime reader, it’s a no-brainer addition to your TBR, honestly.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4 stars
book source: The publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
June 2, 2018
Despite seeing Rob Ashman’s name floating around various blogs and hearing quite a lot of buzz about his Mechanic Trilogy (and actually owning those), this is my first introduction to his work and what an introduction it was! Bloody hell!
I started reading Faceless minutes after finishing dinner and pretty much regretted that instantly as the description of the murder scene burnt itself onto my eyelids and shot right up my nose. I may have uttered the word “eeww” and pulled faces. A lot. And I loved it because that’s just the type of grossness I like in my crime thrillers. No, it doesn’t say weirdo across my forehead, thank you.
DI Rosalind Kray returns to work after surviving an attack, which left her husband dead. This background story is revealed along the way and already kept me intrigued without even digging into the murder investigation. Unsurprisingly, Roz has quite a few demons to deal with but I took to her pretty quickly and I especially enjoyed her “inner voice” when dealing with the stupidity of those around her.
As for the killer, well, they are quite unlike any other killer I’ve had the “pleasure” of meeting. A meticulous planner with a master plan to rid the world of evil, they are somehow able to remain under the radar, invisible and unnoticeable. While the victims seem to be chosen at random, this serial killer knows perfectly well who is next and why. It took me a while to figure out who was responsible. Actually, it took me until Rob Ashman gave the game away. Up until that point, I was pointing my finger at pretty much everyone.
It’s quite obvious that Rob Ashman knows perfectly well how to spin a story and keep the reader gripped throughout. There was always a sense of time running out and even though I felt one instance was a tad on the predictable side, that didn’t matter to me as I was desperate to see how things would be wrapped up. And boy, what a zinger to end with! Faceless is a gritty, compelling and thrilling serial killer thriller that kept me utterly engrossed and I look forward to seeing what Rob Ashman comes up with next!
I started reading Faceless minutes after finishing dinner and pretty much regretted that instantly as the description of the murder scene burnt itself onto my eyelids and shot right up my nose. I may have uttered the word “eeww” and pulled faces. A lot. And I loved it because that’s just the type of grossness I like in my crime thrillers. No, it doesn’t say weirdo across my forehead, thank you.
DI Rosalind Kray returns to work after surviving an attack, which left her husband dead. This background story is revealed along the way and already kept me intrigued without even digging into the murder investigation. Unsurprisingly, Roz has quite a few demons to deal with but I took to her pretty quickly and I especially enjoyed her “inner voice” when dealing with the stupidity of those around her.
As for the killer, well, they are quite unlike any other killer I’ve had the “pleasure” of meeting. A meticulous planner with a master plan to rid the world of evil, they are somehow able to remain under the radar, invisible and unnoticeable. While the victims seem to be chosen at random, this serial killer knows perfectly well who is next and why. It took me a while to figure out who was responsible. Actually, it took me until Rob Ashman gave the game away. Up until that point, I was pointing my finger at pretty much everyone.
It’s quite obvious that Rob Ashman knows perfectly well how to spin a story and keep the reader gripped throughout. There was always a sense of time running out and even though I felt one instance was a tad on the predictable side, that didn’t matter to me as I was desperate to see how things would be wrapped up. And boy, what a zinger to end with! Faceless is a gritty, compelling and thrilling serial killer thriller that kept me utterly engrossed and I look forward to seeing what Rob Ashman comes up with next!
June 5, 2018
4.5 Stars
DI Rosalind Kray isn't a particularly likable person. She comes across as rude and obnoxious, especially when her efficiency as a law enforcement officer is questioned. She can't sleep without drinking and she subsists on mostly junk food .. when she eats at all.
But maybe there's a reason she is the way she is ... she narrowly survived a knife attack and carries multiple scars. Her husband wasn't as lucky .. he didn't make it. Just now returning to the job she loves, she is charged with investigating the acts of a serial killer.
This serial killer not only wants to kill, he wants to obliterate his victims' very existence. He sedates his victim, injects her with snake venom, and then removes their faces. A few days later, he will kill a man. Are these random acts .. or the plan of a demented mind?
Kray has the ability to think like a killer and her skills lead to a series of horrifying revelations that turn the case on its head. She believes she is getting close, then her world comes crashing down with devastating consequences.
This is a well-crafted crime fiction with outstanding characters. The reader is treated to the killer's background .. a physically abusive father and emotionally abusive mother molded him into what he is now. The reader gets to hear what he's thinking at almost every moment ... and it's enough to have you up and checking to make sure the doors are locked and the curtains drawn.
Kray is excellent at what she does .. but her superiors watch her very closely. They do not particularly want her to succeed at finding things that they themselves have missed. And they constantly snigger at her 'gut feelings'. I would love to see her in a series .. just to see her get the credit she deserves.
There is plenty of suspense with questionable suspects and the ending really got my attention! Highly recommended for those who love crime fiction.
Many thanks for the author / Bloodhound Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of FACELESS. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
DI Rosalind Kray isn't a particularly likable person. She comes across as rude and obnoxious, especially when her efficiency as a law enforcement officer is questioned. She can't sleep without drinking and she subsists on mostly junk food .. when she eats at all.
But maybe there's a reason she is the way she is ... she narrowly survived a knife attack and carries multiple scars. Her husband wasn't as lucky .. he didn't make it. Just now returning to the job she loves, she is charged with investigating the acts of a serial killer.
This serial killer not only wants to kill, he wants to obliterate his victims' very existence. He sedates his victim, injects her with snake venom, and then removes their faces. A few days later, he will kill a man. Are these random acts .. or the plan of a demented mind?
Kray has the ability to think like a killer and her skills lead to a series of horrifying revelations that turn the case on its head. She believes she is getting close, then her world comes crashing down with devastating consequences.
This is a well-crafted crime fiction with outstanding characters. The reader is treated to the killer's background .. a physically abusive father and emotionally abusive mother molded him into what he is now. The reader gets to hear what he's thinking at almost every moment ... and it's enough to have you up and checking to make sure the doors are locked and the curtains drawn.
Kray is excellent at what she does .. but her superiors watch her very closely. They do not particularly want her to succeed at finding things that they themselves have missed. And they constantly snigger at her 'gut feelings'. I would love to see her in a series .. just to see her get the credit she deserves.
There is plenty of suspense with questionable suspects and the ending really got my attention! Highly recommended for those who love crime fiction.
Many thanks for the author / Bloodhound Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of FACELESS. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 4, 2021
Fantastic
Loved this book, great new detective, one that definatley has flaws and bends the rules. But love her attitude, will look forward to reading the next story.
Loved this book, great new detective, one that definatley has flaws and bends the rules. But love her attitude, will look forward to reading the next story.
May 17, 2018
I really enjoyed the authors Mechanic trilogy so have been very eager to read more by him. Not that I have had too long to wait but that wait was so very worth it!
Kray has returned to work after a life changing incident that robbed her of her husband as well as left her scarred, inside and out. She obviously isn't coping well with her personal life and throws everything she has into her work. I have to admit to feeling slightly infuriated on Kray's part with how she is treated at times. This made me get behind her even more, willing her to solve the case.
The story flicks between the team working on the case and the killer. Every time I read a book I think there seriously can not be anyone more sick and twisted than the serial killer I have just read about. All I can say is the author has raised the bar when it comes to a seriously sick and twisted individual and I absolutely loved every minute of it.
Now don't get me wrong, this killer shocked and horrified me. There is also something about this killer that scares the beejeezus out of me but the less said about that the better! With out a doubt this individual has to be one of my all time favourite serial killers, I could not get enough.
Faceless is an exhilarating page turner of a read that will have you clinging on for dear life. Rob Ashman is an author who just gets better and better and this latest novel just blew me away. This is going to be one of this years most talked about reads. Loved it!
My thanks to NetGalley and Bloodhounds for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Kray has returned to work after a life changing incident that robbed her of her husband as well as left her scarred, inside and out. She obviously isn't coping well with her personal life and throws everything she has into her work. I have to admit to feeling slightly infuriated on Kray's part with how she is treated at times. This made me get behind her even more, willing her to solve the case.
The story flicks between the team working on the case and the killer. Every time I read a book I think there seriously can not be anyone more sick and twisted than the serial killer I have just read about. All I can say is the author has raised the bar when it comes to a seriously sick and twisted individual and I absolutely loved every minute of it.
Now don't get me wrong, this killer shocked and horrified me. There is also something about this killer that scares the beejeezus out of me but the less said about that the better! With out a doubt this individual has to be one of my all time favourite serial killers, I could not get enough.
Faceless is an exhilarating page turner of a read that will have you clinging on for dear life. Rob Ashman is an author who just gets better and better and this latest novel just blew me away. This is going to be one of this years most talked about reads. Loved it!
My thanks to NetGalley and Bloodhounds for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
June 22, 2018
“To chill her blood, how so divine,
Walk in her shoes, her face is mine,
With evil dripping from your pores,
The next face I need to take
… is yours.”
A monster is in town. A callous killer with an agenda. An evil mastermind with a gruesome past who can become invisible in a blink of an eye!
Faceless is a dark, gritty, intriguing and fast-paced thriller. I really enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to read the second book in the series.
Walk in her shoes, her face is mine,
With evil dripping from your pores,
The next face I need to take
… is yours.”
A monster is in town. A callous killer with an agenda. An evil mastermind with a gruesome past who can become invisible in a blink of an eye!
Faceless is a dark, gritty, intriguing and fast-paced thriller. I really enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to read the second book in the series.
December 18, 2018
First in a British police procedural set in the North-West of England. The protagonist, DI Rosalind Kray, wasn't anything special, but the antagonist certainly made this worthwhile. Some of the chapters are from the serial killer's point of view. I enjoyed those the most. This was gruesome, graphic and gripping.
Only thing I regret, I listened to this, and in this instance, the narration didn't enhance the experience. Awful intonation, terrible female voices. I have actually enjoyed another police procedural series read by the same narrator, but here, he was off.
Contains some animal cruelty.
Story 4 stars. Narration 2 stars.
Only thing I regret, I listened to this, and in this instance, the narration didn't enhance the experience. Awful intonation, terrible female voices. I have actually enjoyed another police procedural series read by the same narrator, but here, he was off.
Contains some animal cruelty.
Story 4 stars. Narration 2 stars.
June 18, 2018
Ever since I’ve read The Mechanic trilogy, Faceless by Rob Ashman has been one of my anticipated reads of 2018. Now sometimes my most anticipated reads can turn out to be a big let down because I expect great things, but I’m thrilled to report this wasn’t the case, in fact Faceless made for a brilliant read and if anything it actually surpassed my expectations. Rob Ashman has such a vivid and dare I say fertile imagination I do wonder how he manages to sleep at night! I’m not adverse to a crime thriller that’s gruesome in fact I rather enjoy them if I’m honest, the fact Faceless has one of the most disturbing serial killers who carries out the most repugnant killings I’ve ever come across, makes this book such a thrilling albeit a horrifying (in a totally good way) read. if you love a serial killer thriller they don’t come much more thrilling than Faceless.
The author certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention with an intriguing preface and a shocker of an opening chapter, Faceless is one of those books that once you start reading it’s nigh on impossible to put down. DI Rosalind Kray like many fictional detectives has a troubled personal life, but Rob Ashman gives Kray an original and alarming backstory, which immediately makes her a very compelling character. I have a feeling that she will become one of my favourite fictional Detectives as the series develops.
For me it was the chapter told from the serial killers POV that made this such a riveting read, their one creepy, bone chilling, spine tingling individual. At the same time I also find them to be a fascinating character, as the reader you learn more about the life events that shaped the killer. As to their motive behind the killings Well my lips are sealed but suffice to say their distinct method of killing made me grimace on more than one occasion, definitely my favourite fictional serial killer I’ve read about this year.
Rob Ashman has an incredible knack of describing the most gruesome scenes that will make the most hardened crime thriller readers stomach churn so this book probably isn’t one for the faint hearted. Personally I think these scenes exactly make this book a nail biting read, they add to the overall tension and also heighten the reader’s anxiety about “what’s going to happen next?” I’m sure my favourite saying whilst reading this book was “OMFG”! I must have said it at least a dozen times as the book became darker and more sinister. Faceless is a book that begs to be read in one sitting, the pacing, the plot and the memorable characters make Faceless a MUST read for crime thriller lovers.
The author certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention with an intriguing preface and a shocker of an opening chapter, Faceless is one of those books that once you start reading it’s nigh on impossible to put down. DI Rosalind Kray like many fictional detectives has a troubled personal life, but Rob Ashman gives Kray an original and alarming backstory, which immediately makes her a very compelling character. I have a feeling that she will become one of my favourite fictional Detectives as the series develops.
For me it was the chapter told from the serial killers POV that made this such a riveting read, their one creepy, bone chilling, spine tingling individual. At the same time I also find them to be a fascinating character, as the reader you learn more about the life events that shaped the killer. As to their motive behind the killings Well my lips are sealed but suffice to say their distinct method of killing made me grimace on more than one occasion, definitely my favourite fictional serial killer I’ve read about this year.
Rob Ashman has an incredible knack of describing the most gruesome scenes that will make the most hardened crime thriller readers stomach churn so this book probably isn’t one for the faint hearted. Personally I think these scenes exactly make this book a nail biting read, they add to the overall tension and also heighten the reader’s anxiety about “what’s going to happen next?” I’m sure my favourite saying whilst reading this book was “OMFG”! I must have said it at least a dozen times as the book became darker and more sinister. Faceless is a book that begs to be read in one sitting, the pacing, the plot and the memorable characters make Faceless a MUST read for crime thriller lovers.
July 19, 2018
Dark, full of suspense and at times quite graphic, this is a great crime thriller. Ashman grabs your attention (and your stomach contents,) immediately with a powerfully descriptive beginning. The description throughout the book is so powerful I could hear things (flys) and smell things that weren't near me. I was impressed, if not a little concerned!
A special mention has to go to the antagonist, who is one of the most well imagined and written bad characters I've read. Their motivations, entrapments and killings are creative, with no expense spared.
Perhaps not the best read for those who don't like their fiction violent or gruesome, but an excellent choice for those who do!
A special mention has to go to the antagonist, who is one of the most well imagined and written bad characters I've read. Their motivations, entrapments and killings are creative, with no expense spared.
Perhaps not the best read for those who don't like their fiction violent or gruesome, but an excellent choice for those who do!
May 20, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of Faceless, a police procedural set in Blackpool featuring DI Roz Kray.
Roz has recently returned to work after a horrific attack and is slowly getting back to work when she answers a report of a bad smell which turns out to be the decomposing murdered body of a young woman.
I thoroughly enjoyed Faceless which is a tense read with some good twists. The novel is told alternately from Roz's point of view in the third person and the killer's first person narrative. Mr Ashman manages it well and it's not as choppy a read as many novels which this approach. Much of this is down to strong plotting, writing and characterisation.
I wasn't overly keen on the killer's point of view which is basically psycho 101 with some neat embellishments as there is very little an author can add after the usual childhood abuse trauma. I do, however, think that the way the killer exacts his revenge is novel, clever and unusual, making the book a cut above the usual.
Roz is the stereotypical copper, smart and drinks too much but her backstory of her husband dying while trying to save her adds an extra layer to her character. She struggles to cope with life and has low self esteem which makes her a target for bullying from her ineffective boss. The politics and interpersonal relationships of her division thus play a large role in the novel. It makes for interesting reading.
The plot is relatively high octane for a procedural with developments in every chapter and the added bonus of seeing the killer in action, rationalising the murders and taunting the police. Most real life killers are not as smart as this one but it makes for a good read. Recommended.
Roz has recently returned to work after a horrific attack and is slowly getting back to work when she answers a report of a bad smell which turns out to be the decomposing murdered body of a young woman.
I thoroughly enjoyed Faceless which is a tense read with some good twists. The novel is told alternately from Roz's point of view in the third person and the killer's first person narrative. Mr Ashman manages it well and it's not as choppy a read as many novels which this approach. Much of this is down to strong plotting, writing and characterisation.
I wasn't overly keen on the killer's point of view which is basically psycho 101 with some neat embellishments as there is very little an author can add after the usual childhood abuse trauma. I do, however, think that the way the killer exacts his revenge is novel, clever and unusual, making the book a cut above the usual.
Roz is the stereotypical copper, smart and drinks too much but her backstory of her husband dying while trying to save her adds an extra layer to her character. She struggles to cope with life and has low self esteem which makes her a target for bullying from her ineffective boss. The politics and interpersonal relationships of her division thus play a large role in the novel. It makes for interesting reading.
The plot is relatively high octane for a procedural with developments in every chapter and the added bonus of seeing the killer in action, rationalising the murders and taunting the police. Most real life killers are not as smart as this one but it makes for a good read. Recommended.
May 17, 2018
Oh my goodness, another amazing book by Rob Ashman. I came to know the characters well in this book and this enabled me to grow to love and hate them. DI Ros Kray has been through one hell of a journey and I found myself rooting for her throughout the book. The serial killer is one sick and twisted person, certainly one to give you nightmares. This book is written really well and this helps you to imagine the scenes and get your heart beating furiously. Tense, gritty and extremely depraved, I loved it!
I can not recommend this book enough
I can not recommend this book enough
June 2, 2018
I absolutely loved The Mechanic Trilogy but move over darling because Bloody hell there is a new girl in town. DI Rosalind Kray makes quite a dramatic entrance in this new offering from author Rob Ashman. She is straight away a lady that I want in my corner because she is not one bit frightened of shouting the odds and getting things done. She has to because of her past. She calls a spade a spade and an obvious murdered young woman one that the big guys at the top have to get down and get involved with now. No bull shit! What looks horrendous just doesn’t reflect the findings of the post-mortem.
Now you can’t argue facts can you, well be prepared to have your mind played with and feel like someone hasn’t quite put it all back because 2 and 2 are now making 5 as far as time lines go and Specsavers could do a roaring business from it. This is probably the best serial killer that I have read about to date knocking The Mechanic, my previous top-notch killer off top spot. Rob Ashman is a superb writer that hits the mark every time.
I really don’t want to go into the story line too much because it is one of those that impact with shocks all the way through. A super unique and thrilling story line that had me feel uncomfortable even in a room full of people. Powerful, shocking and just sheer brilliance. Kray gives a super performance bringing ghosts with her from the past that are constantly by her side. This gives the story a new dimension as it dips back to what has gone on not too long ago. This was Kray’s first case after returning to work. Whoa this is brutal and totally heart wrenching stuff.
Now you may have guessed that by now I am going to say that this is the easiest 5 stars that I could give and you would be right. This is one of my all time favourite authors. Just stunning!
Now you can’t argue facts can you, well be prepared to have your mind played with and feel like someone hasn’t quite put it all back because 2 and 2 are now making 5 as far as time lines go and Specsavers could do a roaring business from it. This is probably the best serial killer that I have read about to date knocking The Mechanic, my previous top-notch killer off top spot. Rob Ashman is a superb writer that hits the mark every time.
I really don’t want to go into the story line too much because it is one of those that impact with shocks all the way through. A super unique and thrilling story line that had me feel uncomfortable even in a room full of people. Powerful, shocking and just sheer brilliance. Kray gives a super performance bringing ghosts with her from the past that are constantly by her side. This gives the story a new dimension as it dips back to what has gone on not too long ago. This was Kray’s first case after returning to work. Whoa this is brutal and totally heart wrenching stuff.
Now you may have guessed that by now I am going to say that this is the easiest 5 stars that I could give and you would be right. This is one of my all time favourite authors. Just stunning!
June 1, 2018
OMFG I am so excited for you all to read this book it is absolutely amazing and will leave you hyperventilating! I am a massive fan of Rob's Mechanic series and he has totally smashed it and brings us something that you can certainly get your teeth into..... This is without a doubt his best book by far.
You know how much I love a good prologue right?! has it always sets the scene for whats to come. Well this starts off with a brilliant prologue which kept me on tender hooks
So in this story we are introduced to DI Kaye who I adored. She is a strong kick ass character who doesn't give up I cant wait to find out more about her in the next book with her author dropping snippets of information out along the way.
Set in Blackpool a place that I love and know well so I loved the setting and felt right there in the story wiling Kaye along. The story is written with chapters told from the killers point of view. Which I have to admit I am not a big fan of unless it's done right, but Rob has totally nailed it.
Faceless will grab you round the throat and doesn't let you go until the very last page
It is dark and disturbing with some very gruesome descriptions which actually made me feel physically sick, so do be warned this isn't a book for the faint hearted. It's not every day I am half way through a book and know that it is going to be a five star read, but I did with this one.
It is jam packed with tension and OMG moments in fact there is nothing not to like and is the best book I have read this year so far.... what more can I say but this is a must read which I can not recommend enough giving it all the freaking stars.
Well done Rob I am left now dying to read the next book in the series.
You know how much I love a good prologue right?! has it always sets the scene for whats to come. Well this starts off with a brilliant prologue which kept me on tender hooks
So in this story we are introduced to DI Kaye who I adored. She is a strong kick ass character who doesn't give up I cant wait to find out more about her in the next book with her author dropping snippets of information out along the way.
Set in Blackpool a place that I love and know well so I loved the setting and felt right there in the story wiling Kaye along. The story is written with chapters told from the killers point of view. Which I have to admit I am not a big fan of unless it's done right, but Rob has totally nailed it.
Faceless will grab you round the throat and doesn't let you go until the very last page
It is dark and disturbing with some very gruesome descriptions which actually made me feel physically sick, so do be warned this isn't a book for the faint hearted. It's not every day I am half way through a book and know that it is going to be a five star read, but I did with this one.
It is jam packed with tension and OMG moments in fact there is nothing not to like and is the best book I have read this year so far.... what more can I say but this is a must read which I can not recommend enough giving it all the freaking stars.
Well done Rob I am left now dying to read the next book in the series.
May 30, 2018
This is my first read by this author and after reading this I know it won’t be my last as this was a great read.
DI Rosalind Kray has returned to work after a tragedy in her personal life. She throws everything she’s got into finding a serial killer. DI Kray is a flawed character and I was so backing her all the way.
This is a really well written police procedural story. I thought the author was very descriptive and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I’ll definitely be reading more from this author in the future. Loved it.
DI Rosalind Kray has returned to work after a tragedy in her personal life. She throws everything she’s got into finding a serial killer. DI Kray is a flawed character and I was so backing her all the way.
This is a really well written police procedural story. I thought the author was very descriptive and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I’ll definitely be reading more from this author in the future. Loved it.
May 31, 2018
This is a great read which will have you on the edge of your seat.
Kray has recently returned to work after a horrific attack when she is called out after someone reports a bad smell in a property. This turns out to be the decomposing body of a young woman, and Kray soon realises she’s faced with a murder investigation.
The story alternates from Kray’s point of view and the also the killers point of view.
The killer is seriously twisted and whilst sometimes you feel sorry for them, in this case I didn’t.
The story moves at a fast pace and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Kray has recently returned to work after a horrific attack when she is called out after someone reports a bad smell in a property. This turns out to be the decomposing body of a young woman, and Kray soon realises she’s faced with a murder investigation.
The story alternates from Kray’s point of view and the also the killers point of view.
The killer is seriously twisted and whilst sometimes you feel sorry for them, in this case I didn’t.
The story moves at a fast pace and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
May 31, 2018
Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.
DI Roz Kray has returned to work after a tragedy in her personal life and some serious injuries. We are drip fed pointers to what these events are throughout the early chapters. This build up is very cleverly done and I was desperate to find out why and how Roz was so damaged emotionally. The reveal did not disappoint and had me enthralled.
A woman's badly decomposing body is discovered and Roz is called in to investigate. We hear the killers voice and the reasons why he is so badly damaged. The bodies start to pile up and the team must work fast to make the links.
This is my first book by Rob Ashman and I am understandably kicking myself as to why I have not discovered him before. His portrayal of a sick and twisted killer is told with such gruesome and unique detail. It is not for the faint hearted and the violence is told in a brutal and honest way. I LOVED it. Am a little worried about what it says about my taste in books but I didn't feel it sensationalized the depravity of the killer but told in a realistic way.
DI Roz Kray has returned to work after a tragedy in her personal life and some serious injuries. We are drip fed pointers to what these events are throughout the early chapters. This build up is very cleverly done and I was desperate to find out why and how Roz was so damaged emotionally. The reveal did not disappoint and had me enthralled.
A woman's badly decomposing body is discovered and Roz is called in to investigate. We hear the killers voice and the reasons why he is so badly damaged. The bodies start to pile up and the team must work fast to make the links.
This is my first book by Rob Ashman and I am understandably kicking myself as to why I have not discovered him before. His portrayal of a sick and twisted killer is told with such gruesome and unique detail. It is not for the faint hearted and the violence is told in a brutal and honest way. I LOVED it. Am a little worried about what it says about my taste in books but I didn't feel it sensationalized the depravity of the killer but told in a realistic way.
August 8, 2022
I love a good book with a serial killer and this is one of the best books I have read in a long time. A damaged DI named Ross Kray has the case that will make her career. The killer not only wants to kill but obliterate their victims. This book definitely ticked all my boxes. Gory, ingenious methods of murder, fast paced and a real page turner. Nothing is run of the mill in this book. Be prepared to be shocked and grabbed by the throat and does not let go until the very last page. This book is a MUST READ!!!!
June 3, 2018
Faceless is a brilliant start of a new detective series with a damaged, sometimes discordant and brutally honest but always straightforward and sympathetic DI Rosalind aka Roz Kray! I LOVE Faceless and Roz Kray, everything about it! Again, Rob Ashman captures the darkest of hearts in both his vicious criminal as his protagonist – Faceless is a rollercoaster of emotions and events and twists around the corner… Read it! Now!
| Introduction |
DI Rosalind Kray Series #1
After a devastating trauma, DI Roz Kray now slowly finds her way back into work. She is ready to tackle criminals again but alas, her boss is not that keen… He sends her to what is supposed to be an easy case but upon entering the scene, Roz has no other choice but to call it in. Her boss, DCI Jackson, is not at all happy but seeing as someone scraped off the victim’s face, what else can he do? Appoint another DI, Colin Brownlow, to the case. Roz is furious. The first thing Brownlow does, is giving her one odd job after another without any coherence. A victim killed by snake venom and a DI who has no idea how to investigate….
| Storyline |
“Being psycho doesn’t make you bad, being bad makes you bad. Being psycho and bad makes you dangerous.”
– the killer
The crime scene of the murdered woman is alight with flies. They have fed on the victim’s flesh – the sight is just too horrible to watch. To smell. Who would do such a cruel thing and why use this method? When DI Brownlow misses vital information, DCI Jackson orders Roz to investigate and he assigns her two rookies to assist her, Lucy Frost and Duncan Tavener. They are keen. But it doesn’t take long for Roz to come to appreciate them and the three of them work together diligently. It is Tavener who discovers CCTV footage of the murdered woman and both of them come in on the weekend when they learn of another murder Roz has to investigate. When they find a chilling piece of evidence – staring them in the face, so to speak…
Meanwhile, an utterly revolting killer updates us on their thoughts and actions. Their childhood with abusive parents. Let’s just say that it does not end well. And that our killer has learned something he will use to perfect his murderous plans. We hear them say in the Prologue “This is not my fault. It’s yours,” which makes us aware of the sickening compulsions of the coldblooded murderer who obviously revels in manipulating people and putting the scare of death into them. Soon enough the team faces tragic circumstances. Plagued by guilt and haunted by memories of a violent event that ruined her life forever, Roz Kray feels she is constantly balancing on the edge, trying to cope with her personal emotions whilst conducting police investigations. Still, she is the only one who can solve the case.. or die trying!
| My Thoughts |
A twisted killer and a tormented detective – what more do you need?!
If you, like me, have read and LOVED the MECHANIC trilogy, then you might have thoughts like ‘How on earth is Rob Ashman ever going to surpass this?’ What will his next book be about and will it be as dark and twisted as MECHANIC? Hell yes! It is all that and this time, we have an even more shocking insight into the mind of a totally devious and abhorrent killer! But, as hard as it is to say this, even the killer has a background – which makes me again ponder the fascinating nature-vs-nurture question.
I loved Roz – her vulnerability, her strength, her way to cope with life. Even if I wanted to shake her at times, I felt for her and, in a sense, admired her. This is a huge compliment to the author – he has created a fascinating, multi-faceted protagonist in Roz Kray! Rob Ashman has a brilliant writing style of his own and has the capacity of taking the reader with him on a spine-chilling, fast-paced journey, interspersing investigative chapters with insights into the killer’s mind and actions. Faceless is a rollercoaster of a ride with twists and turns at every corner. I LOVE Faceless and an eager to read more about Roz Kray!
| Introduction |
DI Rosalind Kray Series #1
After a devastating trauma, DI Roz Kray now slowly finds her way back into work. She is ready to tackle criminals again but alas, her boss is not that keen… He sends her to what is supposed to be an easy case but upon entering the scene, Roz has no other choice but to call it in. Her boss, DCI Jackson, is not at all happy but seeing as someone scraped off the victim’s face, what else can he do? Appoint another DI, Colin Brownlow, to the case. Roz is furious. The first thing Brownlow does, is giving her one odd job after another without any coherence. A victim killed by snake venom and a DI who has no idea how to investigate….
| Storyline |
“Being psycho doesn’t make you bad, being bad makes you bad. Being psycho and bad makes you dangerous.”
– the killer
The crime scene of the murdered woman is alight with flies. They have fed on the victim’s flesh – the sight is just too horrible to watch. To smell. Who would do such a cruel thing and why use this method? When DI Brownlow misses vital information, DCI Jackson orders Roz to investigate and he assigns her two rookies to assist her, Lucy Frost and Duncan Tavener. They are keen. But it doesn’t take long for Roz to come to appreciate them and the three of them work together diligently. It is Tavener who discovers CCTV footage of the murdered woman and both of them come in on the weekend when they learn of another murder Roz has to investigate. When they find a chilling piece of evidence – staring them in the face, so to speak…
Meanwhile, an utterly revolting killer updates us on their thoughts and actions. Their childhood with abusive parents. Let’s just say that it does not end well. And that our killer has learned something he will use to perfect his murderous plans. We hear them say in the Prologue “This is not my fault. It’s yours,” which makes us aware of the sickening compulsions of the coldblooded murderer who obviously revels in manipulating people and putting the scare of death into them. Soon enough the team faces tragic circumstances. Plagued by guilt and haunted by memories of a violent event that ruined her life forever, Roz Kray feels she is constantly balancing on the edge, trying to cope with her personal emotions whilst conducting police investigations. Still, she is the only one who can solve the case.. or die trying!
| My Thoughts |
A twisted killer and a tormented detective – what more do you need?!
If you, like me, have read and LOVED the MECHANIC trilogy, then you might have thoughts like ‘How on earth is Rob Ashman ever going to surpass this?’ What will his next book be about and will it be as dark and twisted as MECHANIC? Hell yes! It is all that and this time, we have an even more shocking insight into the mind of a totally devious and abhorrent killer! But, as hard as it is to say this, even the killer has a background – which makes me again ponder the fascinating nature-vs-nurture question.
I loved Roz – her vulnerability, her strength, her way to cope with life. Even if I wanted to shake her at times, I felt for her and, in a sense, admired her. This is a huge compliment to the author – he has created a fascinating, multi-faceted protagonist in Roz Kray! Rob Ashman has a brilliant writing style of his own and has the capacity of taking the reader with him on a spine-chilling, fast-paced journey, interspersing investigative chapters with insights into the killer’s mind and actions. Faceless is a rollercoaster of a ride with twists and turns at every corner. I LOVE Faceless and an eager to read more about Roz Kray!
May 16, 2018
Oh my god!!!!!!!!! My review could never do this book justice the author is a genius. Creepy, gruesome but absolutely brilliant. This is most definitely an edge of your seat, chills all over your body, peeking through your fingers type of book. I can't recommend it highly enough and I would give it 100 stars if I could. Must read in my opinion.
June 2, 2018
I was such a big fan of The Mechanic Trilogy so I was very excited to have the opportunity to review Rob’s new book and I’m pleased to say I was not disappointed.
Faceless gripped me from the start with its unusual and graphic opening, the like of which I haven’t read before. The descriptions of the crime scene were so brilliantly described I felt that I was experiencing everything first hand amongside the police. I could smell the stomach churning smells which caused me to feel very sick and could here the buzzing of those nightmare inducing flies. I actually ended up dreaming about the flies so vividly were they described.
I liked Kray the main detective on the case. She is a very strong, determined woman who seems to know her stuff concerning police investigating. She knows what should be done and likes to conduct investigation by the book, her way, not allowing anyone else to have her say. She is just back to work after the murder of her husband and feels like she has a lot to prove regarding her performance. My heart went out to her in this as I can imagine how hard it must be having everyone watching you, waiting for you to mess up. Her relationship with her boss seemed fraught with competition and anger. I enjoyed reading about her ability to play her boss and felt like cheering when she got one over on him and made a huge discovery in the case.
The story is told from the point of view of Drake and the murder which really fascinated me. It was interesting to be able to see into the murder’s mind, learn more about them and why they were doing what they did. The murder was definitely, as they described themselves, a psycho and some of his thoughts and reasons sent a shiver down my spine. They seemed to have a lot of hatred and it was interesting finding out more about their background and what had happened to make them do this. As the reader has a first hand account of the murders there were times when I worked stuff out before Kray which was very effective as it made me reader faster and faster as I willed her to make the connection for herself. It also helped make some of the situations in the book more tense as I knew stuff that the characters didn’t, which I thought was brilliantly done.
The story is very fast paced with lots happening and lots of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, sometimes quite literally! I managed to read this book in two days no mean feat for a woman with three kids on half term. I thought it was absolutely brilliant and I urge everyone to read it.
Rob is the author of quite a few amazing books and I think I’ve read most of them. His thrillers are always fantastically written, unusual and quite dark which combined makes for a great read. I really look forward to reading more from him in the future.
Huge thanks to Sarah Hardy and Bloodhound books for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.
Faceless gripped me from the start with its unusual and graphic opening, the like of which I haven’t read before. The descriptions of the crime scene were so brilliantly described I felt that I was experiencing everything first hand amongside the police. I could smell the stomach churning smells which caused me to feel very sick and could here the buzzing of those nightmare inducing flies. I actually ended up dreaming about the flies so vividly were they described.
I liked Kray the main detective on the case. She is a very strong, determined woman who seems to know her stuff concerning police investigating. She knows what should be done and likes to conduct investigation by the book, her way, not allowing anyone else to have her say. She is just back to work after the murder of her husband and feels like she has a lot to prove regarding her performance. My heart went out to her in this as I can imagine how hard it must be having everyone watching you, waiting for you to mess up. Her relationship with her boss seemed fraught with competition and anger. I enjoyed reading about her ability to play her boss and felt like cheering when she got one over on him and made a huge discovery in the case.
The story is told from the point of view of Drake and the murder which really fascinated me. It was interesting to be able to see into the murder’s mind, learn more about them and why they were doing what they did. The murder was definitely, as they described themselves, a psycho and some of his thoughts and reasons sent a shiver down my spine. They seemed to have a lot of hatred and it was interesting finding out more about their background and what had happened to make them do this. As the reader has a first hand account of the murders there were times when I worked stuff out before Kray which was very effective as it made me reader faster and faster as I willed her to make the connection for herself. It also helped make some of the situations in the book more tense as I knew stuff that the characters didn’t, which I thought was brilliantly done.
The story is very fast paced with lots happening and lots of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, sometimes quite literally! I managed to read this book in two days no mean feat for a woman with three kids on half term. I thought it was absolutely brilliant and I urge everyone to read it.
Rob is the author of quite a few amazing books and I think I’ve read most of them. His thrillers are always fantastically written, unusual and quite dark which combined makes for a great read. I really look forward to reading more from him in the future.
Huge thanks to Sarah Hardy and Bloodhound books for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.
June 2, 2018
Holy crap, how can I review this incredible book and give it the justice it deserves?! Rob Ashman is an author that has been on my radar for a while but despite owning his previous trilogy and not read them yet, I am kicking myself for not reading them. Rob if this book is anything to go by I’m excited to read them!!
Faceless is brutal, graphic, disturbing and oh so brilliant. I devoured this book quickly, the pages turned themselves as I got sucked into the world of DI Kray and the investigation. DI Kray has returned to work after a brutal attack on her and which left her husband dead, she takes on the case of a killer who has murdered a young woman in her home. Things aren’t as they seem at the crime scene and it’s up to Kray to figure out what is going on.
I am a huge HUGE fan of anything serial killer, murderous or disturbing in it’s content and Faceless is up there in my list of top reads. It’s a fast-paced read that will have you gasping for breath as you try to make sense of where Rob is taking you. The killer is sadistic, at times I gasped out loud and had to read the paragraphs again… at one point I said out loud “he didn’t write that…. fuck me he did.”
Rob’s writing is brilliant, the characters are well-developed and I got to care for them. DI Kray was extremely well-written, she’s a brilliant character and some aspects to her I resonated with especially with her OCD behaviours.
Faceless is raw, brutal, gruesome and oh so descriptive of everything disturbing. I mean, I loved it but anyone who is not a fan of such descriptive stuff, I’d avoid this book (but you shouldn’t, it’s just amazing). At times it gets very claustrophobic as you try and figure out what’s going on, I was on the edge of my seat, glancing over my shoulder as I devoured page after page of this incredible book.
Rob, you have quickly jumped onto my list of must-read authors, the Mechanic trilogy is calling me now…! My jaw is on the floor, but I loved every single second of this fabulously sadistic read. Hats off to you Rob, you nailed it.
Faceless is brutal, graphic, disturbing and oh so brilliant. I devoured this book quickly, the pages turned themselves as I got sucked into the world of DI Kray and the investigation. DI Kray has returned to work after a brutal attack on her and which left her husband dead, she takes on the case of a killer who has murdered a young woman in her home. Things aren’t as they seem at the crime scene and it’s up to Kray to figure out what is going on.
I am a huge HUGE fan of anything serial killer, murderous or disturbing in it’s content and Faceless is up there in my list of top reads. It’s a fast-paced read that will have you gasping for breath as you try to make sense of where Rob is taking you. The killer is sadistic, at times I gasped out loud and had to read the paragraphs again… at one point I said out loud “he didn’t write that…. fuck me he did.”
Rob’s writing is brilliant, the characters are well-developed and I got to care for them. DI Kray was extremely well-written, she’s a brilliant character and some aspects to her I resonated with especially with her OCD behaviours.
Faceless is raw, brutal, gruesome and oh so descriptive of everything disturbing. I mean, I loved it but anyone who is not a fan of such descriptive stuff, I’d avoid this book (but you shouldn’t, it’s just amazing). At times it gets very claustrophobic as you try and figure out what’s going on, I was on the edge of my seat, glancing over my shoulder as I devoured page after page of this incredible book.
Rob, you have quickly jumped onto my list of must-read authors, the Mechanic trilogy is calling me now…! My jaw is on the floor, but I loved every single second of this fabulously sadistic read. Hats off to you Rob, you nailed it.
November 12, 2022
Rob Ashman has a beautiful way of writing descriptions without it seeming like it’s overkill. The book shifts from third person when focused on Kray to first person when it’s the killer talking. This is a great technique when used correctly which I feel like Ashman did here. I couldn’t guess the gender of the killer at the beginning. He does a wonderful job making you think it’s one gender than it’s another.
Kray was okay. I wasn’t a big fan of her. I understand she dealt with some trauma and may have PTSD. Ashman does a good job with that. I have found out the difference between OCD and OCPD. Kray I feel suffers from OCD. When she gets nervous or anxious she is twisting her wedding ring. The main reason I think she has OCD is her fascination with having pens on one side of the desk and pencils on the other. She hates them put together. Most times when this happens in the book something stressful has just happened or she is anxious, having anxious thoughts. Ashman does a great job of hinting at some kind of anxiety disorder. Since I am not a licensed professional I can’t actually say that she is suffering from this but I am going to make that assumption.
I don’t like her as a cop. The bad thing with crime stories no matter if it is a book or movie if it is done by someone who doesn’t really know the full depth of what an investigation takes, some stuff comes off as fictional. Ashman does quite well with the investigation. He did thorough research and even had a few things in the story which I had to research to make sure it was true. Bravo points! The only thing I can’t be fully sure of is the difference between how British police investigations work versus American police.
One thing I love is that Ashman points out that Chloreflorm doesn’t work in a matter of seconds. It actually takes several minutes which most people don’t know thanks to Hollywood. So thank you, Mr. Ashman.
While I like most crime mysteries. Here, lately, I have been sort of meh with them. I think Ashman did a terrific job, but I wasn’t connecting with Kray. Kray as a character just wasn’t the best to me. Everything else about the story I liked. I ended up skimming to the end to see who the killer was, because I couldn’t stand Kray much longer.
Kray was okay. I wasn’t a big fan of her. I understand she dealt with some trauma and may have PTSD. Ashman does a good job with that. I have found out the difference between OCD and OCPD. Kray I feel suffers from OCD. When she gets nervous or anxious she is twisting her wedding ring. The main reason I think she has OCD is her fascination with having pens on one side of the desk and pencils on the other. She hates them put together. Most times when this happens in the book something stressful has just happened or she is anxious, having anxious thoughts. Ashman does a great job of hinting at some kind of anxiety disorder. Since I am not a licensed professional I can’t actually say that she is suffering from this but I am going to make that assumption.
I don’t like her as a cop. The bad thing with crime stories no matter if it is a book or movie if it is done by someone who doesn’t really know the full depth of what an investigation takes, some stuff comes off as fictional. Ashman does quite well with the investigation. He did thorough research and even had a few things in the story which I had to research to make sure it was true. Bravo points! The only thing I can’t be fully sure of is the difference between how British police investigations work versus American police.
One thing I love is that Ashman points out that Chloreflorm doesn’t work in a matter of seconds. It actually takes several minutes which most people don’t know thanks to Hollywood. So thank you, Mr. Ashman.
While I like most crime mysteries. Here, lately, I have been sort of meh with them. I think Ashman did a terrific job, but I wasn’t connecting with Kray. Kray as a character just wasn’t the best to me. Everything else about the story I liked. I ended up skimming to the end to see who the killer was, because I couldn’t stand Kray much longer.
June 3, 2018
WOW! I previously loved Rob’s last series of books so this was a must read for me with high expectations. I was not disappointed! Rob has done it again… Blown me away. Outstanding. Brilliant.
Faceless is a dark, fast paced, disturbing, edge of your seat thriller. It will have you hooked from the first page. You will not be able to put it down! Parts actually had my stomach clenching and turning parts were that dark and twisted! I must also mention I loved DI Rosalind Kray’s character.
Faceless is one of those books that makes you go… AHHH THAT’S WHY IT’S CALLED THAT! A brilliant start to a brand new upcoming series that is bound to blow us all away! I cannot wait to see what lies ahead for this series. A well deserved five stars, highly recommend to you all… BUT! Don’t read it alone, at night, in the dark. Not for the faint hearted!
Faceless is a dark, fast paced, disturbing, edge of your seat thriller. It will have you hooked from the first page. You will not be able to put it down! Parts actually had my stomach clenching and turning parts were that dark and twisted! I must also mention I loved DI Rosalind Kray’s character.
Faceless is one of those books that makes you go… AHHH THAT’S WHY IT’S CALLED THAT! A brilliant start to a brand new upcoming series that is bound to blow us all away! I cannot wait to see what lies ahead for this series. A well deserved five stars, highly recommend to you all… BUT! Don’t read it alone, at night, in the dark. Not for the faint hearted!
June 1, 2018
Faceless is a fantastic, jaw-dropping journey as I was introduced to DI Roz Kray. My god this is a character who has been through the mill it is explained through the story. The way other senior members and colleagues treat her is despicable and the story is not just about the investigation she is on but, also about her battle with departmental attitudes. She is a character I immediately liked with her quirky ways and her stubborn bloody mindedness. The author gives enough history on her so that you get a real idea of what makes her tick.
There are other characters who you soon realise are sleazeballs, power trippers and there are also a smattering of good guys. A copper with a demon. As for the baddie…. he is twisted, evil and then some as I soon discovered as the story was developed and things start falling into place.
The plot is kicks off at a pretty quick pace and the author has not held back. A few f-words escaped my lips and a couple of variations of said word also joined in. The story has twists and a superb sense of suspense and edge of the seat feel to it, with an underlying darkness that gripped me.
If you like your police procedural crime thrillers dark and evil then this is definitely a book for you. and a killer that It is a story that has shocks and the odd graphic scene, cosy mystery it ain’t so be warned! I would highly recommend this book it is a bloody fantastic read and I did not want it to end.
There are other characters who you soon realise are sleazeballs, power trippers and there are also a smattering of good guys. A copper with a demon. As for the baddie…. he is twisted, evil and then some as I soon discovered as the story was developed and things start falling into place.
The plot is kicks off at a pretty quick pace and the author has not held back. A few f-words escaped my lips and a couple of variations of said word also joined in. The story has twists and a superb sense of suspense and edge of the seat feel to it, with an underlying darkness that gripped me.
If you like your police procedural crime thrillers dark and evil then this is definitely a book for you. and a killer that It is a story that has shocks and the odd graphic scene, cosy mystery it ain’t so be warned! I would highly recommend this book it is a bloody fantastic read and I did not want it to end.
June 3, 2018
Well what can I say ..this was just wonderful, I can’t fault anything about it and I really hope that Rob Ashman will continue with a follow up book. I can’t praise this author high enough the book had everything so a massive thank you to you Rob and no hesitation in giving it 5 stars and highly recommended...on to the Mechanic Trilogy for me.
September 3, 2018
Faceless was a warped book that I really did enjoy.
The story was great and showed different facets of police work and what and how different officers handle the situation.
Roz Kray is definitely an interesting character and you can see the scars she bears on her soul. She is a powerful character who you want to find out more about.
What a wonderful debut for this character.
The story was great and showed different facets of police work and what and how different officers handle the situation.
Roz Kray is definitely an interesting character and you can see the scars she bears on her soul. She is a powerful character who you want to find out more about.
What a wonderful debut for this character.
August 16, 2018
Detective Inspector Kray is looking for a murderer that removes faces. She has a lot of issues but her crime solving abilities aren't diminished. I would write more but I want to start the second book in the series now.
June 2, 2018
The author is so sick and twisted, but writes an unbelievably good story . With a fabulous main character and a villain you can't help but hate,who could ask for more
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