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Kill Game Part 1
A Serial Killer Thriller in 3 Parts
Twenty years ago, the missing girl emerged from a basement in the arms of a young detective. He promised to become her guardian and keep her safe. Now, he may have to break that promise.
Bella Cruz grew up to become Portland's most recognizable detective, but it made her too easy to find. When the killer from her past sees her on the news, he endeavours to kill countless civilians until Bella surrenders herself. While Bella makes her decision, more innocents must die, forcing her back into her deepest, darkest nightmares, where even her father can't protect her.
The Portland Predator is close, and there's nothing she can do but give in to his disturbing demands. Kill Game thrusts thrilling twists at you from every angle, forcing you to keep reading for just a little longer.
*This serial consists of three separate instalments.
Twenty years ago, the missing girl emerged from a basement in the arms of a young detective. He promised to become her guardian and keep her safe. Now, he may have to break that promise.
Bella Cruz grew up to become Portland's most recognizable detective, but it made her too easy to find. When the killer from her past sees her on the news, he endeavours to kill countless civilians until Bella surrenders herself. While Bella makes her decision, more innocents must die, forcing her back into her deepest, darkest nightmares, where even her father can't protect her.
The Portland Predator is close, and there's nothing she can do but give in to his disturbing demands. Kill Game thrusts thrilling twists at you from every angle, forcing you to keep reading for just a little longer.
*This serial consists of three separate instalments.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2018
76 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 17, 2022
Loved this book.
It broke my heart to think of what Bella went through.
I was hooked immediately.
When reading it I could just see the places in my head how the cellar was described.
Good read
It broke my heart to think of what Bella went through.
I was hooked immediately.
When reading it I could just see the places in my head how the cellar was described.
Good read
October 3, 2018
At only 81 pages, Kill Game Part 1 by Adam Nicholls and Jennifer May almost filled the downtime while I was waiting for visa processing at the local immigration office. Almost, because I had time to start Part 2. This is a serial killer story published as a serial with three parts. All sell for USD 0.99 on Amazon or free through Kindle Unlimited. I was attracted to the story by an author newsletter and also because it is worth keeping a stock of short reads for annoying bureaucratic wait times. Care should be taken in choosing what to include in a short read collection. This series evoked mental images of how best to deal with uncooperative civil servants.
Detective Bella Cruz is not one of the more attractive female detectives I have ever read about. Throughout this Part One story she seems to sweat constantly. Some of it is from working out at the health club, part is from traumatic dreams of a weird childhood but altogether it seems she is always sweating. As a detective, all her calls seem to be emergency calls which she must respond to immediately. No time for showers or laundry, she dons whatever smells the least offensive. This occurs throughout Part One. The story is interesting enough for me to read Parts Two and Three to see if she ever gets to the laundry or showers more frequently.
This immediate response to emergency calls reveals something I feel is illogical in the story. When she turns up at whichever place she has been summoned to, some colleague or superior immediately mentions that she should go home and get some sleep. They inform her she can’t be part of the case because she is too close to it as a result of childhood trauma. Couldn’t this have been done by phone while she is at home, perhaps while she is doing the laundry?
At any rate, her partner called her because of the age of the victim, a female of approximately the same age as Bella was when she was abducted. DNA evidence also revealed the name of the killer, the same person who abducted Bella. It seems Salem Ross has reappeared and is killing people as an invitation to Bella to play a game. Salem wants to establish the same close relationship he had with the eight-year-old Bella before she escaped. Since Bella’s colleagues don’t want her to take part in the case and they want her shielded from publicity, Bella does not appear in the news about the killing of a young hitchhiker whose body was dumped at the front door of the police station where Bella worked. Salem would have to try something new.
The next body found, another gift from Salem, was a man who looked so much like Bella’s partner, Kyle, that family and friends were beginning to mourn Kyle. Even Kyle was shocked to see the picture of his supposed body.
Part One then continues to reveal more of Bella’s past. Because this is part One of three parts, there is not a conclusion but Salem has a few more surprises in Part One. But those would be spoilers. This first part does exactly what was planned. It makes me want to read Part Two. I gave this four Amazon stars for keeping my interest in a very busy (hundreds of people) waiting room.
When I returned home after reading a few pages of Part Two, I checked my laundry supply for the rest of the work week. This is a quick, distracting read which I recommend for the Go Bag that many carry around to manage the stress imposed by time wasters.
Detective Bella Cruz is not one of the more attractive female detectives I have ever read about. Throughout this Part One story she seems to sweat constantly. Some of it is from working out at the health club, part is from traumatic dreams of a weird childhood but altogether it seems she is always sweating. As a detective, all her calls seem to be emergency calls which she must respond to immediately. No time for showers or laundry, she dons whatever smells the least offensive. This occurs throughout Part One. The story is interesting enough for me to read Parts Two and Three to see if she ever gets to the laundry or showers more frequently.
This immediate response to emergency calls reveals something I feel is illogical in the story. When she turns up at whichever place she has been summoned to, some colleague or superior immediately mentions that she should go home and get some sleep. They inform her she can’t be part of the case because she is too close to it as a result of childhood trauma. Couldn’t this have been done by phone while she is at home, perhaps while she is doing the laundry?
At any rate, her partner called her because of the age of the victim, a female of approximately the same age as Bella was when she was abducted. DNA evidence also revealed the name of the killer, the same person who abducted Bella. It seems Salem Ross has reappeared and is killing people as an invitation to Bella to play a game. Salem wants to establish the same close relationship he had with the eight-year-old Bella before she escaped. Since Bella’s colleagues don’t want her to take part in the case and they want her shielded from publicity, Bella does not appear in the news about the killing of a young hitchhiker whose body was dumped at the front door of the police station where Bella worked. Salem would have to try something new.
The next body found, another gift from Salem, was a man who looked so much like Bella’s partner, Kyle, that family and friends were beginning to mourn Kyle. Even Kyle was shocked to see the picture of his supposed body.
Part One then continues to reveal more of Bella’s past. Because this is part One of three parts, there is not a conclusion but Salem has a few more surprises in Part One. But those would be spoilers. This first part does exactly what was planned. It makes me want to read Part Two. I gave this four Amazon stars for keeping my interest in a very busy (hundreds of people) waiting room.
When I returned home after reading a few pages of Part Two, I checked my laundry supply for the rest of the work week. This is a quick, distracting read which I recommend for the Go Bag that many carry around to manage the stress imposed by time wasters.
November 7, 2018
Kill Game Part 1 Serial Killer Thriller Written by Adam Nicholls
Is there a point ever that you can put the past away? Not when it keeps coming at you!!!!
Twenty years ago, the missing girl emerged from a basement in the arms of a young detective. He promised to become her guardian and keep her safe. Now, he may have to break that promise.
Bella Cruz grew up to become Portland's most recognizable detective, but it made her too easy to find. When the killer from her past sees her on the news, he endeavors to kill countless civilians until Bella surrenders herself. While Bella makes her decision, more innocents must die, forcing her back into her deepest, darkest nightmares, where even her father can't protect her. The Portland Predator is close, and there's nothing she can do but give in to his disturbing demands. Kill Game thrusts thrilling twists at you from every angle, forcing you to keep reading for just a little longer.
What did I like? This was one of the most intense books, the extreme action, and emotional storyline content was unbelievable. To say that I was not able to put this book down would be putting it mildly! Thankfully, there are two more parts to this storyline, Bella is the most awesome leading character ever! Her story is incredible and intensive!
What will you like? A VERY WELL written book with a storyline that is powerful and emotional with the passion of someone that has lived an incredible life. Her adopted father is forceful and extreme with the love of a man that knows how to treat this woman without being an anchor around her neck. She needed him, and he needed her, and this is what makes the story believable. This is movie making material. I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
Is there a point ever that you can put the past away? Not when it keeps coming at you!!!!
Twenty years ago, the missing girl emerged from a basement in the arms of a young detective. He promised to become her guardian and keep her safe. Now, he may have to break that promise.
Bella Cruz grew up to become Portland's most recognizable detective, but it made her too easy to find. When the killer from her past sees her on the news, he endeavors to kill countless civilians until Bella surrenders herself. While Bella makes her decision, more innocents must die, forcing her back into her deepest, darkest nightmares, where even her father can't protect her. The Portland Predator is close, and there's nothing she can do but give in to his disturbing demands. Kill Game thrusts thrilling twists at you from every angle, forcing you to keep reading for just a little longer.
What did I like? This was one of the most intense books, the extreme action, and emotional storyline content was unbelievable. To say that I was not able to put this book down would be putting it mildly! Thankfully, there are two more parts to this storyline, Bella is the most awesome leading character ever! Her story is incredible and intensive!
What will you like? A VERY WELL written book with a storyline that is powerful and emotional with the passion of someone that has lived an incredible life. Her adopted father is forceful and extreme with the love of a man that knows how to treat this woman without being an anchor around her neck. She needed him, and he needed her, and this is what makes the story believable. This is movie making material. I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
February 12, 2023
Very slow start. Very slow period.
The slow pace was basically comprised of describing every little thing and action. In chapter 1, the killer was hauling a body in the trunk. In chapter 2, Bella was working out every muscle in the gym. The sentences were overly descriptive without saying much. I wanted to get on with the story already. I should’ve been hooked from page 1 on the story, not be bogged down by so many useless details.
So disappointed in Adam for this.
The slow pace was basically comprised of describing every little thing and action. In chapter 1, the killer was hauling a body in the trunk. In chapter 2, Bella was working out every muscle in the gym. The sentences were overly descriptive without saying much. I wanted to get on with the story already. I should’ve been hooked from page 1 on the story, not be bogged down by so many useless details.
So disappointed in Adam for this.
September 23, 2018
😯
Can't wait for the 2nd one.. a cheeky cliffhanger sneaked in! How will this end? Great story great plot. Must read
Can't wait for the 2nd one.. a cheeky cliffhanger sneaked in! How will this end? Great story great plot. Must read
December 5, 2018
Same as book 1 in the series
I read book 1 and this was the same book as was book 2 and 3. It was supposed to be a three book series but all the books were the same exact story.
I read book 1 and this was the same book as was book 2 and 3. It was supposed to be a three book series but all the books were the same exact story.
September 22, 2018
I would highly recommend reading this edge-of-your-seat-thriller. I have read almost all of Adam Nicholls’ books and found “Kill Game” to have a slightly different vibe. I really hope that this is the beginning of another new Adam Nicholls series and we can learn a lot more about Bella Cruz.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews