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DC Charlotte Stafford #2
Sběratel trofejí
Pozoruje a vyčkává... A počítá. Každý prst uložený ve formaldehydu znamená jednu oběť, mučenou a zabitou. Srdce vyříznutá z hrudi a místo nich vložený symbol konkrétní zrady. A každý týden přibude nová trofej. V jeho očích se všechny oběti provinily a musely zaplatit. Jedno však všechny oběti spojuje. Přijde Charlotte na to, co to je?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2017
195 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Flint
13 books93 followersWith a Metropolitan Police career spanning 35 years Sarah has spent her adulthood surrounded by victims, criminals and police officers. She continues to work and lives in London with her partner and has three older daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
April 13, 2017
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
This is the second book in a series featuring Charlie Stafford but I jumped in with no problem at all. I warmed quickly to Charlie, she’s a good cop but she’s not jaded and disenchanted by her job, she’s still eager to find justice for victims of crime and she also has a fantastic sense of humor. The rest of the team she works with are also likable and there’s a genuine sense of family amongst them. Charlie is shuffling two cases at the same time, the first is a series of racially motivated attacks perpetrated by a real scumbag. When he manages to escape from prison, she’s bound and determined to ensure he gets back behind bars, and fast. The second is a series of murders where the killer removes the victims ring finger before brutally killing them. As Charlie struggles to find a connection between the victims, bodies keep popping up and she knows that it’s a race against the clock.
Flint was a police officer for thirty five years and her knowledge is evident in her writing. It’s a standard police procedural and you can really tell it’s written by someone with firsthand experience. Sometimes in crime thrillers there are moments where things just don’t make sense and as an average citizen,even I can spot discrepancies. There was none of that here, everything seemed very genuine. It’s a dark, gritty, fast paced read and there were quite a few suspects to choose from making it all the more difficult for me to solve the puzzle, I definitely didn’t have things worked out. It was a solid read and one that would appeal to any crime fiction fans.
This is the second book in a series featuring Charlie Stafford but I jumped in with no problem at all. I warmed quickly to Charlie, she’s a good cop but she’s not jaded and disenchanted by her job, she’s still eager to find justice for victims of crime and she also has a fantastic sense of humor. The rest of the team she works with are also likable and there’s a genuine sense of family amongst them. Charlie is shuffling two cases at the same time, the first is a series of racially motivated attacks perpetrated by a real scumbag. When he manages to escape from prison, she’s bound and determined to ensure he gets back behind bars, and fast. The second is a series of murders where the killer removes the victims ring finger before brutally killing them. As Charlie struggles to find a connection between the victims, bodies keep popping up and she knows that it’s a race against the clock.
Flint was a police officer for thirty five years and her knowledge is evident in her writing. It’s a standard police procedural and you can really tell it’s written by someone with firsthand experience. Sometimes in crime thrillers there are moments where things just don’t make sense and as an average citizen,even I can spot discrepancies. There was none of that here, everything seemed very genuine. It’s a dark, gritty, fast paced read and there were quite a few suspects to choose from making it all the more difficult for me to solve the puzzle, I definitely didn’t have things worked out. It was a solid read and one that would appeal to any crime fiction fans.
April 19, 2017
After reading Mummy's Favourite, the first book in the DC 'Charlie' Stafford series, last year, I wasn't convinced that Charlie was a protagonist I would be keen on following, but with this second book, Sarah Flint has me fully on board now. Charlie comes across as more "real" in this installment and Ms Flint has delivered a solid police procedural that should appeal to all fans of British crime fiction. Charlie and her team are busy with two cases: the racially aggravated assaults committed by Cornell Miller who has escaped custody and the search for a killer who rips his victims' hearts out and keeps their ring fingers as trophies. Sounds gruesome, but compared to some of the scenarios in Mummy's Favourite, Sarah Flint has turned it down a lot. I wasn't anywhere near as disturbed as I was reading the first book. If you add the family atmosphere and banter among the team of the Community Support Unit at the Metropolitan Police, this actually had a feel-good tone to it (in parts) with the entire team made up of very likable characters. Charlie's third person point of view covers the majority of the book, but small passages are written from the perspectives of the serial killer and from Cornell Miller. I thought that worked well. I actually felt more invested in the secondary storyline about the racial crimes than in the hunt for the serial killer. The nastiness of Cornell Miller was repulsive and reading about how one of his victims' life was affected was intensely moving. The author did a very good job with the way the two storylines were combined in the end. Overall, this was a well-paced, enjoyable and believable police procedural with realistic characters. I look forward to more.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
April 9, 2017
The Trophy Taker by Sarah Flint is the second novel in the DC Charlotte Stafford series. I hadn’t read the first book in this series, which I always worry will be an issue, but I didn’t find that I had an issue navigating Stafford’s backstory or the story of her team. This novel can be read as a standalone.
The novel opens with a particularly vicious serial killer who tortures his victims, removes their hearts from their bodies and takes one of their fingers for his own personal collection. He is a trophy taker. Stafford and her team are baffled by these killings, as the victimology is completely different; there does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to the killings or how he is choosing his victims. Stafford is forced to press her limits and dig deep to find the perpetrator.
Stafford as a lead character was awesome, I am always a huge fan of anything with a strong, female protagonist and Stafford fit that mould. In fact, I was impressed with how much diversity Flint brought into this police procedural, especially in regards to the secondary storyline with the racial attacks.
My biggest complaint with this novel was how much was actually going on. Besides the main story and the secondary plot, there were, what felt like, one million characters and one million possibilities happening. By the end, when the perpetrator was finally revealed, I had to flick back pages and try to reconnect everything since the number of characters had me confused.
Overall, I did enjoy the plot and feel that any fans of police procedurals will enjoy this real. It’s fast-paced, realistic and had an extremely likeable lead! I gave this one 3/5 stars.
The novel opens with a particularly vicious serial killer who tortures his victims, removes their hearts from their bodies and takes one of their fingers for his own personal collection. He is a trophy taker. Stafford and her team are baffled by these killings, as the victimology is completely different; there does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to the killings or how he is choosing his victims. Stafford is forced to press her limits and dig deep to find the perpetrator.
Stafford as a lead character was awesome, I am always a huge fan of anything with a strong, female protagonist and Stafford fit that mould. In fact, I was impressed with how much diversity Flint brought into this police procedural, especially in regards to the secondary storyline with the racial attacks.
My biggest complaint with this novel was how much was actually going on. Besides the main story and the secondary plot, there were, what felt like, one million characters and one million possibilities happening. By the end, when the perpetrator was finally revealed, I had to flick back pages and try to reconnect everything since the number of characters had me confused.
Overall, I did enjoy the plot and feel that any fans of police procedurals will enjoy this real. It’s fast-paced, realistic and had an extremely likeable lead! I gave this one 3/5 stars.
March 31, 2017
This is the second book in the DC Charlotte Stafford series, and the first from the series that I've read.
I was really impressed by this novel - it had all the elements of police/ crime novels that I enjoy - great characters, a fast but not too fast paced storyline, and an ability to stay within the boundaries of ridiculousness. I often find with some novels in this genre, it strays a little too much in the high action/ drama and gets a bit stupid, but though this novel had some moments where I had to suspend my disbelief a little, it certainly didn't ruin my enjoyment and I didn't feel it was completely over the top, like many others.
Most of all, it has a great police lead character - and a female one at that! Charlotte Stafford is a likeable, caring and above all skilled detective who I enjoyed reading about throughout the novel.
The storyline is pretty gritty and shocking at times, both in terms of gore and horrific themes including racism and violent assaults. Sarah Flint writes very effectively to really get you behind the police force; I HATED with a passion one of the characters in particular (you'll know which when you read it) so I was willing the police force to succeed and find him, as well as a few other nasty characters... The story moves along quickly and is fairly straightforward - hunting a killer and a violent attacker - and easily succeeded at keeping my attention. The narrative draws to a great conclusion with a few twists along the way.
To me, this is just a great police novel which anyone - maybe apart from people who like their crime really soft (isn't that a bit of a contradiction?) is bound to enjoy. I now want to read the first in the series, Mummy's Favourite, and compare!
I was really impressed by this novel - it had all the elements of police/ crime novels that I enjoy - great characters, a fast but not too fast paced storyline, and an ability to stay within the boundaries of ridiculousness. I often find with some novels in this genre, it strays a little too much in the high action/ drama and gets a bit stupid, but though this novel had some moments where I had to suspend my disbelief a little, it certainly didn't ruin my enjoyment and I didn't feel it was completely over the top, like many others.
Most of all, it has a great police lead character - and a female one at that! Charlotte Stafford is a likeable, caring and above all skilled detective who I enjoyed reading about throughout the novel.
The storyline is pretty gritty and shocking at times, both in terms of gore and horrific themes including racism and violent assaults. Sarah Flint writes very effectively to really get you behind the police force; I HATED with a passion one of the characters in particular (you'll know which when you read it) so I was willing the police force to succeed and find him, as well as a few other nasty characters... The story moves along quickly and is fairly straightforward - hunting a killer and a violent attacker - and easily succeeded at keeping my attention. The narrative draws to a great conclusion with a few twists along the way.
To me, this is just a great police novel which anyone - maybe apart from people who like their crime really soft (isn't that a bit of a contradiction?) is bound to enjoy. I now want to read the first in the series, Mummy's Favourite, and compare!
May 3, 2017
This is the second book in the DC Charlie Stafford series. Charlie and her team are a really likeable gang. The author shows enough of each personality in the team to the reader to allow the group to gel as a unit in your head.
Charlie is on a mission to ensure that the man behind a series of shocking racist attacks, Cornell Miller is caught and brought to justice but then she is faced with the crimes of someone who rips the hearts from his victims cheats and carelessly tosses them aside.
With three possible suspects in her line of vision Charlie and her team must work fast to piece together the evidence and catch the killer.
This book is a fast paced read. The quality of writing along with the details of police procedures is fantastic. I will absoloutly be purchasing the first book.
The only negative I found with this particular book was that it ended very suddenly. That aside it was a fantastic read.
Charlie is on a mission to ensure that the man behind a series of shocking racist attacks, Cornell Miller is caught and brought to justice but then she is faced with the crimes of someone who rips the hearts from his victims cheats and carelessly tosses them aside.
With three possible suspects in her line of vision Charlie and her team must work fast to piece together the evidence and catch the killer.
This book is a fast paced read. The quality of writing along with the details of police procedures is fantastic. I will absoloutly be purchasing the first book.
The only negative I found with this particular book was that it ended very suddenly. That aside it was a fantastic read.
March 29, 2017
DC Charlotte Stafford aka Charlie has a great team with Hunter, Paul, Naz & Sabira. They makeup the Community Support Unit. It's like a big lovable family and you really connect with their connection. They have two cases the team is investigating with the Slasher on the loose and a serial killer removing ring fingers. Charlie is very likable and she cares about people. Investigating cases on her off hours and visiting her deceased brothers grave every week.
There was a quick pace to the book. I never got bored. I laughed quite a few times throughout this read. As well as got angry with the prejudice exhibited by the Slasher and priest. I hope to be along on the next case Charlie and the team is on.
I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
There was a quick pace to the book. I never got bored. I laughed quite a few times throughout this read. As well as got angry with the prejudice exhibited by the Slasher and priest. I hope to be along on the next case Charlie and the team is on.
I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
April 16, 2017
I really enjoyed reading The Trophy Taker. This is the second novel about DC Charlotte Stafford but is perfect to read as a standalone novel. The story is set in London this time and Charlie is a withered and serious detective. Her hair and clothes could use some improvement but there’s nothing to say about her skills, or of those of the rest of her team. They are tightly knit and it was great to see them working together and see the contributions from other team members too.
The story starts out with her troubles with Cornell Miller who carried out a racist attack on an old, kind man who’s been hiding in his house ever since. She’s vowed to protect Moses and will try her utmost but will have to divide her time chasing The Trophy Taker too. The first victim of this killer is found in a cemetery, her heart is ripped out and tossed on the ground, her ring finger missing.
I was happy to read about some real police work in this novel and thanks to this outstanding detective work suspicion falls fairly soon on not one but no less than three possible suspects. All of these men have something to hide and a possible motive. I never had a problem believing their motive. The author kept me guessing good and let me have a good time figuring it out on myself.
I wasn’t entirely surprised who the killer finally turned out to be and I knew for sure a few pages before Charlotte Stafford did, but then I really don’t need much to get on the right trail ;-). It was still entertaining to see how it all played out and how she really got on the right track, involving Cornell Miller even in her chase for the killer. She did an excellent job of letting these two storylines mix in the end.
If you like a nice police procedural novel, this novel is certainly comparable to Robert Bryndza’s series and I can definitely recommend adding The Trophy Taker to your reading list.
The story starts out with her troubles with Cornell Miller who carried out a racist attack on an old, kind man who’s been hiding in his house ever since. She’s vowed to protect Moses and will try her utmost but will have to divide her time chasing The Trophy Taker too. The first victim of this killer is found in a cemetery, her heart is ripped out and tossed on the ground, her ring finger missing.
I was happy to read about some real police work in this novel and thanks to this outstanding detective work suspicion falls fairly soon on not one but no less than three possible suspects. All of these men have something to hide and a possible motive. I never had a problem believing their motive. The author kept me guessing good and let me have a good time figuring it out on myself.
I wasn’t entirely surprised who the killer finally turned out to be and I knew for sure a few pages before Charlotte Stafford did, but then I really don’t need much to get on the right trail ;-). It was still entertaining to see how it all played out and how she really got on the right track, involving Cornell Miller even in her chase for the killer. She did an excellent job of letting these two storylines mix in the end.
If you like a nice police procedural novel, this novel is certainly comparable to Robert Bryndza’s series and I can definitely recommend adding The Trophy Taker to your reading list.
January 17, 2021
Fantastic story, loved this as much as the 1st one and can't wait to read the next book.
March 6, 2017
1/4/17 The Trophy Taker
****
I would like to thank Netgalley and Aria for an advance copy of The Trophy Taker, the second London based police procedural to feature DC Charlotte "Charlie" Stafford.
Charlie has just charged Cornell Miller with racially aggravated wounding and robbery after an intensive investigation and is feeling good about it until he escapes custody overnight. She cannot, much to her dismay, lead the hunt for him as she is called in to assist the murder squad in the death of Susan Barton whose mutilated body has been found in a graveyard. As the bodies count rises the team struggle to make sense of the little evidence they have.
I enjoyed The Trophy Taker. It is a more or less straightforward police hunt for a killer with some interesting side steps. There are three points of view (not my favourite approach) - Charlie's, the unnamed killer and Cornell Miller during his spree of violence. I thought the killer's viewpoint was a bit pointless and didn't add anything to the plot except motive. Omitting it would have ramped up the tension and got me more invested in the hunt. The Cornell Miller point of view is much more interesting and a good counterpoint to the murder investigation, although you have to wonder if a drug addict could be as sharp in this thinking as Cornell is. Charlie's point of view covers most of the novel.
The plot is, as I said, fairly straightforward with various pieces of information leading to others and helping to build the case. I must admit that I guessed the perpetrator before the police but it took me a couple of goes. To me, the best bits in the novel were about Cornell Miller as I think Ms Flint does an excellent job on his motivation and his impact on his victims. My heart went out to Moses, his first victim, for his injuries and the way the attack changed his life. It seems very realistic and sad to me.
Charlie Stafford is a good protagonist. She is smart, scruffy and very caring. Her desire to recapture Cornell Miller to ease Moses's worry is admirable, as is her desire to get justice for Susan Barton.
The Trophy Taker is an easy read so I have no hesitation in recommending it.
****
I would like to thank Netgalley and Aria for an advance copy of The Trophy Taker, the second London based police procedural to feature DC Charlotte "Charlie" Stafford.
Charlie has just charged Cornell Miller with racially aggravated wounding and robbery after an intensive investigation and is feeling good about it until he escapes custody overnight. She cannot, much to her dismay, lead the hunt for him as she is called in to assist the murder squad in the death of Susan Barton whose mutilated body has been found in a graveyard. As the bodies count rises the team struggle to make sense of the little evidence they have.
I enjoyed The Trophy Taker. It is a more or less straightforward police hunt for a killer with some interesting side steps. There are three points of view (not my favourite approach) - Charlie's, the unnamed killer and Cornell Miller during his spree of violence. I thought the killer's viewpoint was a bit pointless and didn't add anything to the plot except motive. Omitting it would have ramped up the tension and got me more invested in the hunt. The Cornell Miller point of view is much more interesting and a good counterpoint to the murder investigation, although you have to wonder if a drug addict could be as sharp in this thinking as Cornell is. Charlie's point of view covers most of the novel.
The plot is, as I said, fairly straightforward with various pieces of information leading to others and helping to build the case. I must admit that I guessed the perpetrator before the police but it took me a couple of goes. To me, the best bits in the novel were about Cornell Miller as I think Ms Flint does an excellent job on his motivation and his impact on his victims. My heart went out to Moses, his first victim, for his injuries and the way the attack changed his life. It seems very realistic and sad to me.
Charlie Stafford is a good protagonist. She is smart, scruffy and very caring. Her desire to recapture Cornell Miller to ease Moses's worry is admirable, as is her desire to get justice for Susan Barton.
The Trophy Taker is an easy read so I have no hesitation in recommending it.
March 8, 2024
Thanks to Aria and Sarah Flint for the ARC provided via NetGalley. This is my unbiased review.
The Trophy Taker by Sarah Flint
Aria, 1st April 2017
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis:
He keeps each one floating in formaldehyde to stop them from rotting. Each finger denotes a victim, tortured and butchered, their heart ripped out and discarded, replaced instead by symbols of their treachery. He sits alone admiring his trophies weekly; each and every one of them guilty in his eyes. And now more must pay.
But who or what links the victims?
DC 'Charlie' Stafford is already investigating a series of escalating racist attacks, and it now seems she has a vicious serial killer on her patch. With no leads and time running out, the team at Lambeth is at near breaking point.
Something has to give... and all the while, he's watching, waiting ... and counting.
Review:
Although this is the second in the DC Stafford series, it could also easily be read as a stand-alone if you've not read the first book, so feel free to dive right into this dark, macabre police procedural.
Charlie Stafford is part of a close-knit team, and there is quite a cast of characters to get to know in this book. That, and the constantly switching viewpoints between Charlie and the killer, could get really confusing if you don't give this book the total, undivided attention it deserves.
The plot flowed well and was fast-paced, as expected with this genre, but the book ended rather abruptly, which surprised me. It felt a little rushed, but the killer's identity had up to that point been unbeknownst to me; kudos to Sarah Flint for that!
#TheTrophyTaker #SarahFlint #Aria #AriaFiction #NetGalley #BookReview
The Trophy Taker by Sarah Flint
Aria, 1st April 2017
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis:
He keeps each one floating in formaldehyde to stop them from rotting. Each finger denotes a victim, tortured and butchered, their heart ripped out and discarded, replaced instead by symbols of their treachery. He sits alone admiring his trophies weekly; each and every one of them guilty in his eyes. And now more must pay.
But who or what links the victims?
DC 'Charlie' Stafford is already investigating a series of escalating racist attacks, and it now seems she has a vicious serial killer on her patch. With no leads and time running out, the team at Lambeth is at near breaking point.
Something has to give... and all the while, he's watching, waiting ... and counting.
Review:
Although this is the second in the DC Stafford series, it could also easily be read as a stand-alone if you've not read the first book, so feel free to dive right into this dark, macabre police procedural.
Charlie Stafford is part of a close-knit team, and there is quite a cast of characters to get to know in this book. That, and the constantly switching viewpoints between Charlie and the killer, could get really confusing if you don't give this book the total, undivided attention it deserves.
The plot flowed well and was fast-paced, as expected with this genre, but the book ended rather abruptly, which surprised me. It felt a little rushed, but the killer's identity had up to that point been unbeknownst to me; kudos to Sarah Flint for that!
#TheTrophyTaker #SarahFlint #Aria #AriaFiction #NetGalley #BookReview
April 8, 2017
Book 2 in the DC Charlotte Stafford series brings us a serial killer who takes the ring finger of each victim as a memento. He leaves behind victims with their chests open, hearts taken out and thrown and leaves "symbols of their treachery". He has a list of people who at one point or another have metaphorically ripped out his heart so he's returning the favor. DC Stafford is baffled as each victim is so different from the other. On top of this, she is also tracking a racist man who is addicted to drugs and attacking minorities for little reward to get his next fix.
A typical police procedural, this could also work as a standalone. I never felt lost in the characters or their backgrounds from missing the first book. This book starts out with a bang and the killer is quite demented, something I always like in a storyline. I did feel it began to get a bit repetitive and there were too many characters introduced that I got a tad bit confused with where the finale came from. I certainly didn't figure out who the killer ended up being which is always a nice surprise. While the racial attacks were the secondary storyline, I felt myself preferring that over the main premise and would have liked to have delved more into this. Fans of police procedurals with a strong female lead will definitely take a liking to this novel.
Big thank you to Aria for this read!
A typical police procedural, this could also work as a standalone. I never felt lost in the characters or their backgrounds from missing the first book. This book starts out with a bang and the killer is quite demented, something I always like in a storyline. I did feel it began to get a bit repetitive and there were too many characters introduced that I got a tad bit confused with where the finale came from. I certainly didn't figure out who the killer ended up being which is always a nice surprise. While the racial attacks were the secondary storyline, I felt myself preferring that over the main premise and would have liked to have delved more into this. Fans of police procedurals with a strong female lead will definitely take a liking to this novel.
Big thank you to Aria for this read!
March 6, 2020
A new author to me but I shall be on the hunt now for her other novels. DC Charlie Stafford is a very engaging character and the story was brilliantly plotted. Five stars all the way!
Update-I’ve just downloaded Sarah’s other Charlie Stafford novels from Amazon. Watch this space!!
Update-I’ve just downloaded Sarah’s other Charlie Stafford novels from Amazon. Watch this space!!
February 12, 2018
Review to follow. Superb.
December 14, 2021
Ne, tak bohužel ani druhý díl mě nepřesvědčil, že bych měla v sérii pokračovat. Těšilo mě, Charlie, ale asi stačilo.
November 20, 2024
Těšila jsem se, protože první díl Maminčin mazánek byl pecka. Ale tak dobrá tahle kniha nebyla, hodně "hluchých" pasáží, nemělo to pořádný spád. Ale příběh dobrý.
March 2, 2017
Sarah Flint has written one detailed and shocking mystery. Between her surprising cast of characters, well thought out plot and descriptive scenes she’s able to set a story you won’t figure out ‘til the end.
She uses vivid imagery to set her scenes so you have an accurate picture of your surroundings and the people. It was a nice touch how she included real world political elements such as Brexit and Europe’s ongoing problem with Islamophobia.
She’s created a well-developed set of characters and you can actually connect with the law enforcement in this book as she’s made them into real people instead of just props for the criminals to do battle against. Even her plot lines with the coroner are so realistic I felt like I was watching scenes from CSI episodes or one of its spin-offs. The group dynamics between her law enforcement characters feels real and supported by the personalities and plot lines she’s created. The way she describes how the families of victims process their own trauma from dealing with the death or severe injury of a loved one seems psychologically accurate. Reading the heartbreaking description of what happened to a detective’s brother will squeeze your heart.
Her crime scenes are incredibly descriptive to the point your skin will crawl and stomach heave as you will be forced to confront some of the worst humanity has to offer. Scenes of child molestation and how pedophiles think are vomit worthy and tear jerking. ‘Hearing’ a pedophile justify his actions will make you tap into that hidden side in all of us where we could kill another person with absolute justification.
The bits of historical context she included about various buildings and places was a fun touch that showed Flint really makes an effort to grip her readers attention.
If you’re into suspenseful crime thrillers you should like this.
She uses vivid imagery to set her scenes so you have an accurate picture of your surroundings and the people. It was a nice touch how she included real world political elements such as Brexit and Europe’s ongoing problem with Islamophobia.
She’s created a well-developed set of characters and you can actually connect with the law enforcement in this book as she’s made them into real people instead of just props for the criminals to do battle against. Even her plot lines with the coroner are so realistic I felt like I was watching scenes from CSI episodes or one of its spin-offs. The group dynamics between her law enforcement characters feels real and supported by the personalities and plot lines she’s created. The way she describes how the families of victims process their own trauma from dealing with the death or severe injury of a loved one seems psychologically accurate. Reading the heartbreaking description of what happened to a detective’s brother will squeeze your heart.
Her crime scenes are incredibly descriptive to the point your skin will crawl and stomach heave as you will be forced to confront some of the worst humanity has to offer. Scenes of child molestation and how pedophiles think are vomit worthy and tear jerking. ‘Hearing’ a pedophile justify his actions will make you tap into that hidden side in all of us where we could kill another person with absolute justification.
The bits of historical context she included about various buildings and places was a fun touch that showed Flint really makes an effort to grip her readers attention.
If you’re into suspenseful crime thrillers you should like this.
May 11, 2017
Welcome back DC Charlie Stafford.
We first met DC Charlie Stafford in the brilliant Mummy’s Favourite She’s a member of a team headed by DI Geoffrey Hunter called the Community Support Unit. This task force deals mainly with cases of domestic violence or racial attacks.
The team are busy celebrating that they’ve finally managed to catch and lock up a dangerous crackhead who has been attacking and leaving people of colour with very serious injuries when a call comes in – they are to assist in a murder investigation. The body of a woman has been discovered in a graveyard. The team are shocked to see the amount of damage that the perpetrator has inflicted on the woman’s body. The horror of what they have seen makes them determined to track down the killer.
It’s not long into the investigation when two more bodies are found, with similar mutilations. The team realise that they need to work fast to stop this serial killer.
Sarah Flint has given us some very special people to tell this story. The team headed by DI Hunter are a very united group who work well together under pressure. Charlie is still always late, still looks a mess, but her policing skills are always focused on the cases she deals with. The perpetrators, both the murderer and the crackhead, are also real. Yes, we would recognise the crackhead for the bully and violent person he is, but I doubt whether we’d ever have suspected the killer who is after all hiding in plain sight.
I should mention that I’m so pleased that Ben and Charlie are still friends and that, finally, he seems to have turned a corner with the PTSD from which he’s suffered since leaving the army. (If you want to know why I’ve especially mentioned him – read Mummy’s Favourite!) I know I’m singling out their friendship, but he’s been around her for a while now and their friendship is so special and adds such a human touch in an otherwise very dark and complex case.
Sarah Flint is a brilliant author and I look forward to reading the next (gruesome) murder that Charlie Stafford, her boss Geoffrey Hunter and fellow team members will have to solve. Please don’t make us wait too long Sarah!
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
We first met DC Charlie Stafford in the brilliant Mummy’s Favourite She’s a member of a team headed by DI Geoffrey Hunter called the Community Support Unit. This task force deals mainly with cases of domestic violence or racial attacks.
The team are busy celebrating that they’ve finally managed to catch and lock up a dangerous crackhead who has been attacking and leaving people of colour with very serious injuries when a call comes in – they are to assist in a murder investigation. The body of a woman has been discovered in a graveyard. The team are shocked to see the amount of damage that the perpetrator has inflicted on the woman’s body. The horror of what they have seen makes them determined to track down the killer.
It’s not long into the investigation when two more bodies are found, with similar mutilations. The team realise that they need to work fast to stop this serial killer.
Sarah Flint has given us some very special people to tell this story. The team headed by DI Hunter are a very united group who work well together under pressure. Charlie is still always late, still looks a mess, but her policing skills are always focused on the cases she deals with. The perpetrators, both the murderer and the crackhead, are also real. Yes, we would recognise the crackhead for the bully and violent person he is, but I doubt whether we’d ever have suspected the killer who is after all hiding in plain sight.
I should mention that I’m so pleased that Ben and Charlie are still friends and that, finally, he seems to have turned a corner with the PTSD from which he’s suffered since leaving the army. (If you want to know why I’ve especially mentioned him – read Mummy’s Favourite!) I know I’m singling out their friendship, but he’s been around her for a while now and their friendship is so special and adds such a human touch in an otherwise very dark and complex case.
Sarah Flint is a brilliant author and I look forward to reading the next (gruesome) murder that Charlie Stafford, her boss Geoffrey Hunter and fellow team members will have to solve. Please don’t make us wait too long Sarah!
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
June 17, 2017
This is another good story by this author but again for me it ended up being marred by way too many mistakes. And it wasn't free, either !! I returned an e-book last week I'd paid for which was chock-full of mistakes and got my money back because it really isn't good enough, in my opinion.
Both times this author's stories alone should've merited 5 stars but both times I've marked them down for the same reason....so let's hope perhaps the 3rd time is the charm or I may give up on her.
Even on the second page in we had missing speechmarks (which occurred frequently), there were a LOT of apostrophe mistakes...she clearly doesn't "get" them at all as they're plonked where they're not needed and missed out where they are !! She wrote victim's a few times then near the end finally got it right as victims'-that's just irritating. Valance isn't spelt valence, and "....Vincent Atkins rubbed his hard with his handkerchief"....head, perhaps ?
Duty officer doesn't need a capital D nor does Dark blue. Now read this sentence out loud with and without the pause for the comma she needlessly added-"Charlie had the distinct impression that he was a man, not much prone to public displays of affection". Notice the difference ?? You should do, trust me. If not, try this-"Do you know her husband, Mickey well" ? Frog marched didn't need a space and neither does sub consciously or crest fallen.
Another puzzle for me was this sentence-"He walked for miles, not caring who saw him, not looking for anyone"....why would he need to care who saw him ? A really odd thing to throw into that passage. Confidante should be confidant, then who and not whose. Then at one part Hunter needed to keep his boss up-to-date on the case and we then had a whole synopsis of exactly what we'd read till then. It felt like needless padding.
I WAS happy to see she dropped the nasty American spellings she used in her first book. That was great to see. I was pleased to see Charlie's relationship with Ben is going nicely as well. He's one of the good guys.
I was intrigued to read about Super Recognisers and also Cross Bones Graveyard. Both fascinating subjects I'd never heard about before.
Both times this author's stories alone should've merited 5 stars but both times I've marked them down for the same reason....so let's hope perhaps the 3rd time is the charm or I may give up on her.
Even on the second page in we had missing speechmarks (which occurred frequently), there were a LOT of apostrophe mistakes...she clearly doesn't "get" them at all as they're plonked where they're not needed and missed out where they are !! She wrote victim's a few times then near the end finally got it right as victims'-that's just irritating. Valance isn't spelt valence, and "....Vincent Atkins rubbed his hard with his handkerchief"....head, perhaps ?
Duty officer doesn't need a capital D nor does Dark blue. Now read this sentence out loud with and without the pause for the comma she needlessly added-"Charlie had the distinct impression that he was a man, not much prone to public displays of affection". Notice the difference ?? You should do, trust me. If not, try this-"Do you know her husband, Mickey well" ? Frog marched didn't need a space and neither does sub consciously or crest fallen.
Another puzzle for me was this sentence-"He walked for miles, not caring who saw him, not looking for anyone"....why would he need to care who saw him ? A really odd thing to throw into that passage. Confidante should be confidant, then who and not whose. Then at one part Hunter needed to keep his boss up-to-date on the case and we then had a whole synopsis of exactly what we'd read till then. It felt like needless padding.
I WAS happy to see she dropped the nasty American spellings she used in her first book. That was great to see. I was pleased to see Charlie's relationship with Ben is going nicely as well. He's one of the good guys.
I was intrigued to read about Super Recognisers and also Cross Bones Graveyard. Both fascinating subjects I'd never heard about before.
July 23, 2017
A five star read...Gripping ,dark ...and chilling...
Charlie Stafford a D.C. is investigating a series of racist attacks.. one of whom an old man ,she has become close to, secretly worrying about him as after the attack the poor man is afraid to leave his house..Charlie knows who is responsible ,but the vile individual is a slippery snake so Charlie and the team have their work cut out for them..In the middle of all this there is a murder, a murder soi gruesome ..even they cannot believe it.A woman has been found in a cemetery butchered and left in the open...This is a very sick and disturbed individual who could act like this...When a gay man is next to be killed they must look for a connection... This killer must be stopped he's taking trophies to put in his box ...this killer is completely unhinged... Nothing will stop him with his own agenda ...he is spiralling out of control..When there is a third murder... they know they have a serial killer on their hands...They have multiple suspects ..yet this killer is invisible... Or is he..? as they finally make a small link one of them before the end of day is going to be in mortal danger ...This killer is ready , focused and prepared to go to any length to see his plan through... will they catch a killer.. Before one of their own is put down.? A fast paced thriller ...You almost guess who is committing these acts...when just over the page... there are more revelations... Sarah Flint takes you on a journey into the mind of a madman on the loose...A five star read...gripping dark and chilling...
Charlie Stafford a D.C. is investigating a series of racist attacks.. one of whom an old man ,she has become close to, secretly worrying about him as after the attack the poor man is afraid to leave his house..Charlie knows who is responsible ,but the vile individual is a slippery snake so Charlie and the team have their work cut out for them..In the middle of all this there is a murder, a murder soi gruesome ..even they cannot believe it.A woman has been found in a cemetery butchered and left in the open...This is a very sick and disturbed individual who could act like this...When a gay man is next to be killed they must look for a connection... This killer must be stopped he's taking trophies to put in his box ...this killer is completely unhinged... Nothing will stop him with his own agenda ...he is spiralling out of control..When there is a third murder... they know they have a serial killer on their hands...They have multiple suspects ..yet this killer is invisible... Or is he..? as they finally make a small link one of them before the end of day is going to be in mortal danger ...This killer is ready , focused and prepared to go to any length to see his plan through... will they catch a killer.. Before one of their own is put down.? A fast paced thriller ...You almost guess who is committing these acts...when just over the page... there are more revelations... Sarah Flint takes you on a journey into the mind of a madman on the loose...A five star read...gripping dark and chilling...
August 28, 2018
"He keeps each one floating in formaldehyde to stop them from rotting. Each finger denotes a victim, tortured and butchered, their heart ripped out and discarded, replaced instead by symbols of treachery. He sits alone admiring his trophies weekly; each and every one of them guilty in his eyes. And now more must pay.
DC 'Charlie' Stafford is already investigating a series of escalating racist attacks and it now seems she has a vicious serial killer on her patch. With no leads and time running out, the team are at near breaking point"
Another great read from this author! While some aspects of this book makes some unpleasant reading, the plotline was definitely gripping and kept me guessing right from the beginning! The story flowed at a steady pace and is the kind of book that needs to be read with the light on! A dark, gruesome and very twisted read!
Once again, the characters are very well-written! The main character, Charlie, in particular, is extremely well developed and is a character that I really enjoy reading about. I love that real police work is in play in the book - there is no unrealistic quick results and the whole team seem genuinely determined to work hard and catch the bad guys.
The only thing that made this book a 4🌟 book instead of 5🌟 was the reveal! I found it somewhat unbelievable and there was nothing to lead up to the conclusion at all. Shame really.
Despite this, I am looking forward to reading the third book !
DC 'Charlie' Stafford is already investigating a series of escalating racist attacks and it now seems she has a vicious serial killer on her patch. With no leads and time running out, the team are at near breaking point"
Another great read from this author! While some aspects of this book makes some unpleasant reading, the plotline was definitely gripping and kept me guessing right from the beginning! The story flowed at a steady pace and is the kind of book that needs to be read with the light on! A dark, gruesome and very twisted read!
Once again, the characters are very well-written! The main character, Charlie, in particular, is extremely well developed and is a character that I really enjoy reading about. I love that real police work is in play in the book - there is no unrealistic quick results and the whole team seem genuinely determined to work hard and catch the bad guys.
The only thing that made this book a 4🌟 book instead of 5🌟 was the reveal! I found it somewhat unbelievable and there was nothing to lead up to the conclusion at all. Shame really.
Despite this, I am looking forward to reading the third book !
May 17, 2017
This is the second of the D.C. Charlotte Stafford mysteries, based out of London. Charlie has been trying to get scum like Cornell Miller off the street and this time it looks as though the charges may stick.When that doesn't happen, Charlie will have to put Cornell on the back burner as she and the entire department must know look for a killer who is even worse than Cornell.
As Charlie and team delve into the bodies being left in cemeteries, all with the same general MO, hearts ripped out and tossed carelessly on the ground, items left in the cavities and one ring finger missing on each victim.
Everyone is keeping some kind of secret, but is any of it worth murdering to keep quiet about it?
Will Charlie end up on a slab before she can figure out who is behind these killings? It will keep you guessing!
Flint's descriptions are great, and her characters are pretty well developed.
As far as my own opinion, the book seemed to go at a pretty steady pace and then at the end things just were over. I would have liked to have seen a little more depth in the characters.
As Charlie and team delve into the bodies being left in cemeteries, all with the same general MO, hearts ripped out and tossed carelessly on the ground, items left in the cavities and one ring finger missing on each victim.
Everyone is keeping some kind of secret, but is any of it worth murdering to keep quiet about it?
Will Charlie end up on a slab before she can figure out who is behind these killings? It will keep you guessing!
Flint's descriptions are great, and her characters are pretty well developed.
As far as my own opinion, the book seemed to go at a pretty steady pace and then at the end things just were over. I would have liked to have seen a little more depth in the characters.
September 26, 2020
Aria and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Trophy Taker. I voluntarily chose to review this book and my opinion is freely given.
DC Charlotte 'Charlie' Stafford has her hands full investigating a series of escalating racist attacks when it becomes increasingly apparent that there is a vicious serial killer in their midst. The killer takes a trophy each time, as well as replacing the victim's hearts with a symbol of their supposed crime. Will the team be able to find both criminals before more victims are discovered?
The author never really settles in, does not develop the main character in a way that allows readers to get to know Charlie. As the story floats back and forth between killer and the main plot, the continuity is lost. I am a huge fan of police procedural novels, but The Trophy Taker was neither suspenseful nor thrilling. I had a hard time making my way through, between awkward writing style choices and choppy sentences. For these reasons, I would not recommend The Trophy Taker to other readers.
DC Charlotte 'Charlie' Stafford has her hands full investigating a series of escalating racist attacks when it becomes increasingly apparent that there is a vicious serial killer in their midst. The killer takes a trophy each time, as well as replacing the victim's hearts with a symbol of their supposed crime. Will the team be able to find both criminals before more victims are discovered?
The author never really settles in, does not develop the main character in a way that allows readers to get to know Charlie. As the story floats back and forth between killer and the main plot, the continuity is lost. I am a huge fan of police procedural novels, but The Trophy Taker was neither suspenseful nor thrilling. I had a hard time making my way through, between awkward writing style choices and choppy sentences. For these reasons, I would not recommend The Trophy Taker to other readers.
December 20, 2018
Charlie and her team are busy investigating a spate of vicious racist attacks when a serial killer strikes. The killer is ripping out the hearts of their victims only to throw it away and keep a finger. Nothing seems to link the victims but they keep piling up.
I loved that we got to see more of the team and I fell in love with them even more. They all just interact so well. I also love Charlie so much. She can be a serious police officer but also has a great sense of humour. I think Ben may be my new favourite character though.
The two cases worked well alongside each other and were both chilling. You get a couple of chapters from both bad guys point of views to add to the tension. Pretty much everyone that was questioned seemed to be a tad suspicious so I had no clue as to who the actual bad guy was. It definitely kept me guessing. The ending was explosive and left me ready for more.
I loved that we got to see more of the team and I fell in love with them even more. They all just interact so well. I also love Charlie so much. She can be a serious police officer but also has a great sense of humour. I think Ben may be my new favourite character though.
The two cases worked well alongside each other and were both chilling. You get a couple of chapters from both bad guys point of views to add to the tension. Pretty much everyone that was questioned seemed to be a tad suspicious so I had no clue as to who the actual bad guy was. It definitely kept me guessing. The ending was explosive and left me ready for more.
November 8, 2020
Milovníci thrillerů a detektivek nejspíše zaplesají. Jde o druhý díl, který nějak nenavazuje, nepotřebovala jsem ho. V mém případě jde o knihu mimo můj rámec, co bych vyhledávala.
I přes veškerou snahu tak šla mimo mě. Nedokázala jsem se do ní začíst, pohroužit, nadchnout. Oceňuji čtivost a dramatičnost. Sarah si tam poměrně dobře pohrává s atmosférou. Britské pero je tam znát a je to ku prospěchu věci. Z knihy jde cítit, že to rozhodně není brak, ba naopak, u milovníků této literatury má šanci vyniknout. Já bohužel nejsem ale ten správný čtenář, aby to dostatečně ocenil. Knihu jsem dostala v rámci jedné soutěže a tak jsem si říkala, že si ji v rámci vystupování z komfortní zóny přečtu. Stalo se a já ji teď pošlu dál. Pokusím se najít adekvátnějšího čtenáře. Je zajímavé, že knihy tohoto typu nemusím, ale seriály a filmy mám ráda.
I přes veškerou snahu tak šla mimo mě. Nedokázala jsem se do ní začíst, pohroužit, nadchnout. Oceňuji čtivost a dramatičnost. Sarah si tam poměrně dobře pohrává s atmosférou. Britské pero je tam znát a je to ku prospěchu věci. Z knihy jde cítit, že to rozhodně není brak, ba naopak, u milovníků této literatury má šanci vyniknout. Já bohužel nejsem ale ten správný čtenář, aby to dostatečně ocenil. Knihu jsem dostala v rámci jedné soutěže a tak jsem si říkala, že si ji v rámci vystupování z komfortní zóny přečtu. Stalo se a já ji teď pošlu dál. Pokusím se najít adekvátnějšího čtenáře. Je zajímavé, že knihy tohoto typu nemusím, ale seriály a filmy mám ráda.
August 12, 2025
I have not read this author before. I find that books written by former Police officers are often heavy on the procedural aspects. This was true here, although I found some aspects a little puzzling, eg I'm pretty sure that forceful entry would not have been required when serving some of the search warrants. While the story includes the internal dynamics of the Police team, I was surprised to see a DC so central to the action.
As the title suggests, the story involves a serial killer, one who takes a finger from the victims as a gruesome trophy. He also rips out the heart, literally, of those he feels have betrayed his love. In parallel the team are investigating a series of vicious attacks by a racist mugger. It felt like some of the issues (race, gender, sexual orientation) were shoe-horned into the narrative. And much of the dialogue felt clunky.
Would I read other books in the series? Probably not. This one didn't really do it for me.
2.5 stars
As the title suggests, the story involves a serial killer, one who takes a finger from the victims as a gruesome trophy. He also rips out the heart, literally, of those he feels have betrayed his love. In parallel the team are investigating a series of vicious attacks by a racist mugger. It felt like some of the issues (race, gender, sexual orientation) were shoe-horned into the narrative. And much of the dialogue felt clunky.
Would I read other books in the series? Probably not. This one didn't really do it for me.
2.5 stars
May 26, 2017
Awesome
Awesome is an understatement to say the least it's a very very well written book that grips you from the word go, it's a rollercoaster of a ride of suspects to not once getting close to knowing who had done what. It's an absolutely brilliant book of twist and turns in every chapter the frustration of looking for one particular person for hurting Moses and then looking for a murderer to which there where many suspects yet not one of them could you say which it was until the killer reviled himself towards the end. I guarantee you will enjoy this book it's one of the best novels I have read in a long time. It's comes highly recommended.
Awesome is an understatement to say the least it's a very very well written book that grips you from the word go, it's a rollercoaster of a ride of suspects to not once getting close to knowing who had done what. It's an absolutely brilliant book of twist and turns in every chapter the frustration of looking for one particular person for hurting Moses and then looking for a murderer to which there where many suspects yet not one of them could you say which it was until the killer reviled himself towards the end. I guarantee you will enjoy this book it's one of the best novels I have read in a long time. It's comes highly recommended.
June 6, 2017
This is Sarah's second book featuring Charlie and her team and my god it was as good if not better than her first one Mummy's favourite. Someone is murdering people who seem to have nothing in common. A respectable separated teacher, a gay man and a young prostitute. What do they have in common and who hates them enough to dismember their bodies to such a vicious degree and what has happened to the finger of the left hand that is always removed, while they are still alive. A fast paced hard hitting book with lots of description. A great read. Cannot wait for the next installment!
June 6, 2017
The Trophy Taker focuses on DC Charlie Stafford's efforts to bring a serial killer to justice. A body is found in a cemetery with its heart and ring finger missing.
The Trophy Taker is dark and macabre so it isn't for everyone. If you like British police procedurals, you will probably enjoy the book. I found the number of typographical errors to be distracting; the books needs editing. The action develops and builds slowly. This isn't a bad book, but it is a little tedious.
The Trophy Taker is dark and macabre so it isn't for everyone. If you like British police procedurals, you will probably enjoy the book. I found the number of typographical errors to be distracting; the books needs editing. The action develops and builds slowly. This isn't a bad book, but it is a little tedious.
April 28, 2020
Charlie is a likeable and believable character, as are her work mates. I'd be interested to follow on with further books in the series (there are currently four available), to find out what they all get up to. The criminals in the book seem slightly overdone - are real-life people genuinely this thoroughly evil? - but I really enjoyed reading this one.
Complete review on my blog : http://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspot...
Complete review on my blog : http://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspot...
June 6, 2020
Dobrá, čtivá detektivka. Líbí se mi, že kapitoly jsou psány z různých úhlů pohledu. Sledujeme příběh a jednání detektivky Charlie, ale také třeba sériového vraha. Takto se dozvídáme víc o vrahovi, jeho životě, motivech, i když to může mít za následek i dřívější odhalení, kdo je pachatel. Konec je u toho druhého dílu také dobře vysvětlen, nic není nezodpovězeno, všechny dějové linky dotaženy. Líbí se mi, že postavy jsou dobře vykreslené, uvěřitelné.
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