Played

by Candace Dowds

I'm a man who has two sides. The first side is sarcastic, devious, and self assured. That side can't be rattled. But then there's my dark side, the side that kills.

The police are desperate to find 'The Silent Butcher' who's killing people across Hollywood. The Silent Butcher is the name they've given my dark side, the side that kills for comfort.

Yet, here I am, playing myself on a stage for the world to see. They'll never suspect that the man playing the killer is actually the killer they're hunting.

Irony at its very best - Desmond.

Genres: Suspense

129 pages, Nook

Published January 21, 2019

About the author

Candace began writing after the passing of her son in 2009. It has been an emotional release for her. She is supported by her family and friends. Other than the time she is writing, she sits back for hours reading books by her favorite authors, Tijan Meyer, Rachel Vincent, Richelle Mead, Colleen Hoover, Claudia Gray and so many more. That or she will go for a calming drive while listening to Eminem, Slim Shady, Marshal Mathers or The Rap God, whichever you would like to call him. Her kids are just like her, sarcastic, but fun loving. The rules she lives by 1 Don't take life too seriously 2 Don't live up to others ridiculous expectations 3 Surround yourself with people who love you for you 4 If life becomes too much, have a stiff drink and start again tomorrow.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

This book has a great storyline to it.
Desmond is a serial killer but not of innocent people, he murders people who hurt and abuse children.
This book was hard to put down. It flicks between Desmond and the police Detective - Samantha throughout the book.
I giggled afew times reading this and found the humour within it great!
I cant wait to read the 2nd book betrayed asap!

[high_on_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, so here it is.
I don’t read a lot of books from this genre, but when I read the blurb for this book I knew I wanted to read this one. It’s really easy to read because is wonderfully written and executing. I got so involved with what is happening with the main character that I were not able to put the book down once I had began reading it. The only thing I did not like about this book it’s the ending – the book it’s too short and I need more of my new favorite serial killer. Putting my new crush aside I really did file like the book could be a little bit longer, but may by this is more my preference as I do like big books 😊

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

[I received a digital arc for an honest review]

Desmond Kurtshaw grew up in foster care abused, lived on the street worked hiss way up to being the outstanding actor he is today living in Beverly hills. He is damn good at his craft, but he a violent darkness that he keeps inside, drinking Bourbon keeps it from coming to the surface. One night he sees a woman hit her child, and he snaps, the violent urges he keeps at bay comes out and after that there's no keeping it in.

Six years later he's still doing what he does best, acting and killing those that deserve it. He's great at both talents leaving no clues behind for the police. Now he has a new acting gig playing non other than his dark self "The Silent Butcher". He is excited to be playing himself on TV because who else could do it better. The network has hired on an officer to help keep the show authentic and Desmond finds it entertaining to become friends with her and be kept in the loop of what they have and don't have on his secret pastime.

I can see why this book gave a lot of people 'Dexter' vibes but besides the fact that they both are vigilantes, killing those who don't deserve to walk the streets, they have drastically different outward personalities. Desmond is not your friendly next door neighbor guy who you can ask for a cup of sugar. Desmond is handsome and a smug asshole who knows he's the best and acts like it. I will admit though his bluntness made me chuckle one more than one occasion.

"So fierce, Detective. There's so much sexual tension between us, you really should just let me ravish you. It may help dislodge the stick that's firmly stuck up your perfect ass."

Aspects that negatively affected me where the fact that its ONLY 100 pages. I wanted more especially from a book that isn't labeled a novella. It sort of just ended on what I guess could be a cliff hanger but could have just been the middle of the novel. Also, I got how attractive Desmond is the first few times it was brought up but him being constantly surrounded by insanely hot people and randomly thinking about having sex with them felt unnecessary.

Played is my first Candace Dowds novel, and I was impressed and it definitely surprised me in a good way, I am looking forward to the next book, to see what Desmond gets himself into.

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4/5🌟

[Melissa J (Book Addicts Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!!

This is book one of the “Played” series (I believe). It doesn’t end in a cliff hanger but it doesn’t really have an ending so book two is a must.

This book had such a great story line that once I started I devoured it. I really enjoyed all the characters and the different views from the main good guy and the main bad guy. This would have made for a hell of a full length novel but with it being as short as it is it was basically spelled out for us. I felt kind of force fed. But there are so many unanswered questions that I am hoping the next book just takes off!!

This is a shorter book aka a novella and it read as such so if you enjoy that kind of thing this is a must in the suspense world!!

** I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.**

[Robyn Corcoran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desmond Kurtshaw is a famous actor who unfortunately lost his parents in a car accident when he was a child, this left him in the foster system where he suffered at the hands of many different people. Taking revenge forms a part of his adult life but years later acting the part of the ‘Silent Butcher’ takes on a whole new meaning.

Desmond really is a twisted character, one who freely admits he has issues. He certainly has a healthy regard for his own appearance and sex appeal. He is definitely a ladies man who has no intentions of forming any type of relationship, well it would be difficult seeing as he has a secret life! Detective Holloway sums him up well-“No one could ever love Desmond Kurtshaw as much as Desmond Kurtshaw loves himself”.

This is quite a strange little story, we know who the murderer is, why he does it and his method but it’s not until the end do we get a glimpse of how he gets away with it. That ending sure is a good twist! I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[reading_in_lala_land · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book fell a little flat for me. It definitely has an interesting storyline and was an interesting read but I found it too short and ended very abruptly on a cliffhanger. It just wasn't for me and I probably won't be continuing with the series.

*Was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

[ReadonReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. It is fast paced but it doesn’t take away from the story at all because we get a lot of details. I felt like I was watching an episode of Criminal Minds or Dexter that’s how good it was, Desmond is brilliant and cocky and even though he is the killer I like him as crazy as it sounds. The ending was a little bit of a shocker and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Bhav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Played is about Desmond, an arrogant, good-looking actor with an English accent who lands the role of The Silent Butcher in a TV series based on an open case. Detective Holloway, a “smoking hot brunette” has been chasing the butcher for years and now is assigned to help the show’s portrayal of the reality. The arrogant sociopath that is Desmond is also the person behind the killings, he’s managed to elude cops and carry on delivering his version of vigilante justice. I particularly enjoyed having both perspectives of Desmond and Holloway following their interactions. Holloway is desperate to catch the killer right under her nose, event unfold with a twist at the end. I would definitely recommend this for a quick read and that is also my criticism, it’s far too short, there are far too many unanswered questions. Candace has assured that my questions will be answered in the following book. Played is an enjoyable thriller and page turner with a twist.

[Missy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this read. I am a huge fan of the dark reads, and this fell right into what I enjoy. The blurb will catch your eye, as it did mine, and it tells the story of Desmond, an Hollywood actor wit a history that makes him like he is. He is dark and twisted, and I fell for him hard.

Across Hollywood people are dying, the killer is called the Silent Butcher. Police have no clue who he is. But Desmond does, for it is his alter ego. Someone he uses for when he wants to wreck vengeance on people. Funny thing is, he is going to be playing himself.

Guys, honestly if you are looking for a dark read that is well written, this story is for you.

[Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, well thought out. I enjoyed it, was a quick read for me on a weekend at work. Definitely would suggest to those who are interested in more thriller like novels!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when an author keeps herself out of the genre box and that's exactly what this author does. This well written dark read is wonderfully written and executed. But she doesn't stop there. It's undoubtedly a series so be prepared for a cliffhanger but nope it doesn't stop there either. The detective on the case is another part of the story with the workplace and co-workers. It's an all around story with flashbacks that keep the story in full on action mode where you don't want to miss anything. I can't wait to see the additional twist and turns before it all comes to a head. One thing for sure is this author is gonna make it worth while.

[Kath Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Played - Candace Dowds
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Candace Dowds had me intrigued with the blurb for Played......

A Hollywood actor, hell bent on vengeance for his tortured youth..... hmmmm definitely dark and twisted.

With a backstory like that, why would the cops ever expect Desmond of these heinous murders. Detective Holloway is trying to track down the murderer but without giving spoilers, let’s just say...... there’s a twist in the tail.

Candace always delivers thrilling words and stories and I’m confident this story will resonate for readers of crime & thrillers.

[Leanne ~ Tales From The Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

When reality becomes fiction, will the lines become blurred? You'll be waiting for this killer who is an actor playing himself to trip up. He's working with the cops so can he remain one step ahead of them?
This was one suspenseful journey that had me glued to my kindle. Be warned the ending will leave you wanting more, I can't wait for the next book.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful! A thrilling story that kept me entertained the whole way through. Desmond is a cocky prick but I couldn’t help but like him he grows on you throughout the story. This story kind of reminds me of Dexter in a way and I can’t wait to see what happens as the series progresses.

[Jessica (Read book. Repeat) · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can find this review and all of my others over at www.readbookrepeat.wordpress.com

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating of 3.5

Desmond is a star. He's good looking, a fantastic actor, has the British accent, and gets all the girls. He's good, and he knows he's good. Just ask him. When he is approached by his agent with the gig of a lifetime, he can't wait to accept. He's been asked to star in a new series chronicling the path of a serial killer that's been active for the past 6 years - The Silent Butcher. Not only is it the gig of a lifetime, but he knows that the part was just MADE for him, as he IS The Silent Butcher. He targets people who abuse children in any way, shape or form, as he himself was an abused minor. It's something he doesn't stand for. He never messes up, he never gets sloppy, it's the reason that he's lasted as long as he has, but will the limelight of the new series, and the fact that one of the detectives on the task force dedicated to his murders is an adviser on it, hit a bit too close to home? He'd better be careful if he wants to stay away from a cell with bars on the windows.

I was approached by the author about reviewing this novella, and once I read the synopsis I just knew that I couldn't turn it down. It has such an interesting premise!! A serial killer, who is playing himself in a serialised biopic of his crimes? Count. Me. In. The story itself was written fantastically, for such a short story, Dowd's was able to inject realism into her characters in a way that some authors struggle with, even when they have a full length novel to work with. The characters were so REAL, which if you've read my reviews before, you know that I absolutely love. Desmond, despite being obnoxious, arrogant, a womaniser, so on and so forth, is actually a really likeable character. I loved the little tidbit Dowd's threw in where Desmond goes to a florist, just something about it really added another layer of depth to his character that won me over.

Detective Holloway was a great character, she came across as a very hard woman, which when you see the kind of shit she has to put up with on a daily basis in her workplace, you can understand. She comes across as very aggressive at times, which, once again, you can understand. At times I found her a little grating though, I'm not sure if it's because she was written as such a hard bitch who can keep up with the boys? Like I understand why she was written this way as equality in the workplace is still a work in progress, ask any woman, but I feel like there was just so much emphasis put on this point in this story, and I'm not too sure why as it didn't lead to anywhere in particular. I'm not sure if it was intended as a character development thing or something else.

Once I got into the story it was a very enjoyable ride, one thing that really irked me though, was the way it ended. It just literally dropped off into the abyss of nothingness after a massive revelation. We get given this juicy piece to the puzzle that is Desmond and then BOOM! nothing, literally nothing. I kept scrolling through the empty pages hoping that it was just a formatting error, but nope. Boom, end, done. So that kind of annoyed me as it felt like the story was really just starting to ramp up and we were heading somewhere amazing.

I really did enjoy this story, if it's part of a bigger series, then I'm super keen to continue as I just need to know what happens! It was a quick read, with well rounded characters, and a compelling story line that kept me hooked. If you like serial killers and want something a little bit different in your crime books, give this a shot :)

[Clara Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Played By Candice Dowds

Desmond Kurtshaw family came from England when he was young to help him pursue his dream of acting when they were killed in a car accident. With no family to claim him he was put into foster care system where he was physically and mentally abused until he escaped. Now years later he is a successful actor but he has a dark side a very dark side. He witnesses a child being abused and takes matters into his own form of justice. He kills the abuser by cutting their lips off and stabbing them to death. Now ironically enough he is asked to play the serial killer in a new TV series. Little do they realize that he is playing himself. He is arrogant, conceited,bumptious, clever, intelligent and cunning.

Samantha said it best "No one could ever love Desmond Kurtshaw as much as Desmond Kurtshaw loves himself."

Detective Samantha Holloway a stunning brunette who has been working on The Silent Butcher case since the beginning. She has been assigned to be an adviser with the production of a new TV show about her real life case of The Silent Butcher. Her boss sent her because she's a woman and women don't belong on the force. He did it to punish her and get her out of the office. What he doesn't realize what he does will come back and bite him in his a$$.
The back and forth banter between Samantha and Desmond was humorous. They go after each other like they want to dating lol.
I thought it was funny when he asked Detective Cartland if she ever been in a relationship and when he said he didn't think so Desmond comment was:
"It must have something to do with her uptight attitude. The woman acts like she has a stick up her ass.”

My only problem was it was very short for not being a novella and it ended abruptly. It was kinda a cliffhanger but more of a twist that makes you go WHOA! I will read the next book to see what happens I just hope it is longer than this one.

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Odette Swan · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I was contacted by the author, who provided me with the ARC, in exchange for an honest review**

I will admit when I first read the description of this book, I was a little hesitant about how it would be. I am happy to say I absolutely loved this book, and I couldn't put it down! The book is told from Desmond's POV and through Detective Shelby Holloway's POV, which is well down because it gives you both sides of the story. Desmond is a serial killer, who has been dubbed the Silent Butcher by the media. He is also an actor, who lands the role of a lifetime, where he plays "The Silent Butcher" on a new TV show. Detective Shelby Holloway is assigned to the production crew to help make sure the information provided on the show is accurate. Of course Desmond and Shelby clash, because he is a cocky British actor, and she isn't falling for his charms, yet. Will Desmond be able to hide his true identity from Shelby or will he slip up and spend the rest of his life behind bars?

What I honestly loved about this book, was the detail that Candace put into every page of the story. She also makes you root for the bad guy, because he only kills people who hurt children. I honestly hope he gets away with it, although I don't agree with killing people, however Desmond is one killer you can't help but love. I also want him and Shelby to get together eventually, because I think they would make a good couple. Shelby is also a very strong character, and I love the way she develops within the story. Plus the bomb that is dropped at the very end, you don't see coming, and it leaves you wanting more! I will warn you that this book is very descriptive, and their is cussing, but don't let that stop you from experiencing this amazing book!

I can't wait for book 2!!!! Bring on more sexy Desmond!!!!!

[dreamerinexile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bloody Robinhood 4 stars

My first dive into the world of Candace Dowds have made me a fan. This is a story of a serial killer and the man behind the killing.

Desmond's world exploded as a child when his parents died in a car accident, however, he survives the harsh realities of foster care and becomes a famous actor. But that's not what was so fascinating about this story. I loved how the Desmond comes into his calling and I totally call it his calling. He is depicted as the 'Silent Butcher' with how he kills his victims but to the family he can only be known as the savior. He is the modern day depiction of 'bloody' Robin Hood. He doesn't steal from the rich, he rescues kids from abuse. Some would even call him Dexter from the TV series.

Desmond's twisted mindset fascinated me along with his acceptance of who he is. He is unabashedly proud of his secret skills. He is not arrogant but cocky, he knows he is good and can charm women off of their clothes. He never fails to use those abilities to his advantage.

Right when the story takes off, he gets the role of his life and encounters two strong female in his life. First one is his assistant and the other is the lead detective in the Butcher case. The detective in turn dislikes Desmond on sight and refuses to play by his rules.

This story is not your typical suspense/thriller, you already know who the killer is, and YOU like him, you root for him. What kept me glued to my kindle was the very fact whether he will be caught, whether he will make a mistake that would lead to his death.

Candace Dowds has impressed me with her story and I am definitely looking forward to how this series end.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, I want to thank the author for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is already released as e-copies but will be released in other forms Jan 31st!

Unfortunately this book fell a bit flat for me. It started great and overall I do think the idea was great. I think the issue was that it was too short. It seemed like the ending was rushed. I just feel like there could have been more to the story line.

Played follows Desmond, a famous and arrogant actor. He grew up in foster care, being abused and finally getting out of the system and making a name for himself. Thing is, he has two- Desmond Kurtshaw the famous actor and “The Silent Butcher” the serial killer. When a tv production company asks him to play “The Silent Butcher”, Desmond can’t help but feel excited to play the side of him that is evil and kills.

I’m a huge fan of mysteries and crime thrillers. This book was definitely something that I would like. I really enjoyed the writing style and thought that this had a unique story line and a good plot line. Again, where it feel short was the ending. It was just too short. I wish that the ending didn’t just end and there was more to the story. I finished the book and really felt disappointed.

With that being said, I did enjoy the writing and story idea, so I do think I will read some of her other books.

[Lauren Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I was sent a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review*

3.5 stars rounded up to 4!

Desmond Kurtshaw is a Hollywood actor with a complicated past. By day he plays the infamous 'Silent Butcher' on TV but in reality...he's playing himself. That's right, Desmond is a serial killer.

That's basically all I needed to know before going into this book, as a fan of the show 'Dexter' I was hella intrigued. I wasn't sure what to expect but honestly I was pleasantly surprised. Desmond is not at all likable, he's cocky and selfish, but somehow I was still kind of rooting for him. Detective Samantha Holloway is also an interesting character. She's the only female detective in her precinct and her sexist coworkers are horrible to her, but she's smart and hardworking. I really enjoyed Desmond and Samantha's interactions and I thought his snarky assistant was a nice addition to the mix.

The story starts six years into the Silent Butcher's killing. The police have no leads, no suspects and the public isn't very helpful. Even the "victims" families would be perfectly fine if the killer is never caught. INTERESTING, VERY INTERESTING.

Overall I enjoyed this read. There are definitely some issues here and there but I still enjoyed the experience. I am DEFINITELY interested in checking out the sequel after that twist at the end.

[Samantha (Millennial Life Crisis Bookshelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of Dexter then you will definitely enjoy this book! Desmond is a famous actor who had a difficult childhood following the death of his parents. As a way to cope as well as provide a level of revenge, he becomes a serial killer to avenge children in the same situations he was in as a child. The irony that comes into play is when he is offered a role in a show based on those same killings, where the media has named him “The Silent Butcher.” The storyline itself was a little unrealistic and strange, and Desmond’s personality of being overly cocky didn’t make for the best read, but the point of view in which the story is written drew me in, as I haven’t yet found a story where as the reader we know who the murderer is and the reasoning behind the killings. I wasn’t a fan of how short the story was or how abruptly it ended, but hopefully the next story will answer the questions I had, as well as the secrets revealed. I’d also like to know what happens between Detective Samantha and Desmond, as there wasn’t much to go on in the first installment.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Ana Paola Cárdenas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Candace Dowds writes this incredibly fast paced novel about a serial killer who only attacks people who abuse kids and families, making him a "vigilant". The interesting part of this story is that a Tv Series about this killer is going to air soon, and the main actor is, in reality, the killer. The story is told from two points of view, Detective Holloway and Desmond, the killer. Both perspectives make you want to keep reading and it is impossible to put the book down until you've finished.

Things I liked:
-Detective Holloway's way of not giving up on her job, against all odds
-The chapters endings that made you want to keep reading
-Desmond's horrible, yet interesting personality.

Thing I disliked:
-The book was too short, I wanted more details
-The vocabulary in 90% of the dialogues, I get policemen use bad words, but this was too much, like if they didn't actually know any other words
-The ending. I believe that plot twist was unnecessary and, in my opinion, made the story lose much of its interest

[Kara (Rotella Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quite a unique story idea that definitely caught my attention! A super hot actor, playing the part of a lifetime. Only he wasn't acting. He really was the killer he was portraying on the screen and no one was the wiser. Talk about suspenseful and dramatic!

I didn't realize this book was such a short read, with a cliffhanger. There were parts of the book I really liked. The females were strong and sassy and held their own. The story flowed well and kept my attention.

The main character, Desmond, didn't do anything for me. Yea, he was good looking (or so he told EVERYONE) and he had a sexy accent but he was depicted as such an arrogant and selfish man. I didn't find much to like about the guy. Maybe that's what made him such a good villain?

I will definitely read the next book in the series because I want to know what happens to Desmond and the Silent Butcher case. Rated this a 3/5 stars because while I did like quite a few things about the book, there were also parts that I could have skipped over completely and not missed a thing.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

‘Played’ was my first book by this author and I can say I am pleasantly surprised.
This is a dark story that follows Desmond, a famous actor playing the role of an even more famous serial killer. But little does everyone know, he’s the actual serial killer.

Desmond is cocky, self centered, funny, and a jerk but he has also a dark side that drives him to kill sexual predators.

He gets the offer of a lifetime by playing the role of The Silent Butcher in a new tv series but the upside to all of this is that not only he gets excited by reliving all his killing… he gets also paired to the detective assigned to the case.

Sam is a strong woman who doesn’t let anyone walk over her, she’s an amazing detective and one of the few women on the planet to not be affected by Desmond charisma.

‘Played’ is the perfect book to read in one sitting when you want something dark but not so dark to distract you.

The last chapter has an amazing surprise that I did not see coming but was very pleased with it!! Can’t wait to read the sequel!

[Hannah | thebookwormsfeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent a copy of this book by the author for an open and honest review.

Perfect for fans of Dexter and Lucifer.

Desmond is The Silent Butcher - both in life and for a newly commissioned show about the killer. He's cocky, self-absorbed, and sex-obsessed… he also has a dying urge to indulge his dark side, killing those who abuse others.

I will just say his English accent is called out several times, and I assume he is intended to sound like Tom Ellis in aforementioned Lucifer, but hearing that he is from Leeds and being British myself I can’t hear anything but a Yorkshire/Northern accent which is not quite the same…

Detective Holloway is assigned to help advise on the TV show production - she has been trying to crack the case of The Silent Butcher for 6 years. Little does she know she's now working him.

This book is a good introduction for a series but does feel rather more all backstory and set-up rather than a full story. It was very short as well, but I assume its more like a serial - thats the vibe I got from it. That being said, I did still enjoy it as a fun read.

[Chelle W (teaandplottwists) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desmond has had issues in his past….and because of that he’s now a vigilante – getting rid of those who abuse others….

But to everyday people, Desmond is a well known actor. Who gets cast to play a Serial Killer in a new series. A series about ‘The Silent Butcher’. The name the press have given him!

The story flits between Desmond and Detective ‘Sammy’ as Desmond calls her. The Detective who is in charge of The Silent Butcher case which has been going on for years. She’s drafted in to advise Desmond on the new show…..but will she realise that the man she is advising, is the man she has spent many years searching for?

This is a great story, and an unusual one. I love the fact that Desmond is playing himself, and I love that the Detective has no clue. Despite the fact he’s a serial killer and an arrogant so and so, you can’t help but like him; and feel sorry for Sam at the same time.

This is book one and I’m really looking forward to reading book 2 to see what The Silent Butcher, Desmond and Sam are up to next!

[Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

A serial killer who's an actor playing himself on television. As far as covers go, that's a pretty good one, and having an investigating detective on set for accuracy doesn't hurt either. Think Dexter with flair and a bit more specificity where victims are concerned. Desmond is charismatic, sexy, a smooth talker, and a ladies man - and he knows it. He's incredibly arrogant, which makes for some interesting time inside his head. The point of view goes back and forth between Desmond and Detective Samantha Holloway, and things move at a rapid clip as the Silent Butcher claims another victim. This is a book about a serial killer, so it certainly has its dark moments, but there's an interesting contrast between that and lighter, even humorous scenes as Desmond interacts with others. Then we get an intriguing twist and cliffy, which definitely left me wanting more. I'll be interested to see where this story goes in the next part.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was offered to read this book by the author in return for an honest review.

Ok, so at first I thought I wouldn’t like it. Many of the male characters are sexist pigs and it’s off-putting (even though it’s something many people deal with daily).

Desmond is the main character. He’s an actor by day and a serial killer by night. The best part, they’re making a tv show about his killings and want him to be the star. They’ve deemed this killer ‘The Silent Butcher’- he cuts off the victims lips.

The studio hired on a Detective to assist Desmond in making the episodes more believable because they don’t know Desmond IS the killer.

Murders go on and such but then for shock value, at the very end of the book, we find out Desmond has a twin brother!!! I’m actually really excited to read the next book in the series. I read it so quickly and I really enjoyed it!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get this from a giveaway by the author! It took me a while to get through, but it was in no way the book’s fault. Every time I picked it up, I was engrossed but I never had much reading time.

Desmond is an actor who has a dark side...he is the serial killer known as The Silent Butcher. When he is cast to play The Silent Butcher for a new TV series, he is pleasantly surprised to find that the lead detective on his case will be a consultant for the show. She just doesn’t know that she’ll be working with the man that she’s been trying to catch for six years.

Played is a fast paced start to a series. The interaction between Desmond and Detective Holloway reminded me of my favorite TV show, Lucifer. If you like Lucifer or a “cat and mouse” style book, you should check this book out! The cliffhanger twist at the end will make you want the next book ASAP!

[Sandra Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Candace Dowds and I'm extremely impressed with her writing.
She's written Desmond as an arrogant, pompous ass. Who just happens to be an actor playing the part of the murderer he actually is.
His redeeming quality is he kills people, quite brutally, who have interfered/hurt/murdered children.
The Detective, brought in to "help" on set, is actually investigating the murders he commits. She's victimised at work for being the only female in the department.
And Desmond has taken a shine to her.
And so begins this nail-biting tale of will the Detective discover it's him or will he get away with it...for now...