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Sextet
How does a psychopath make amends?
Twin sisters Penny and Susan share a twisted rivalry. When they first start Music College, it seems they've abandoned their sadistic childhood games. But the illusion is shattered when Penny arranges an attack on Susan that leaves her so traumatised she is unable to speak and close to death.
Shocked at the consequences of her own actions Penny resurrects their old healing game. She plans a series of grisly murders, at the same time composing corresponding musical settings. As Penny’s composition in blood approaches its finale, Susan’s health improves and she finally breaks her silence.
But what will be the cost of speaking out?
If you enjoy dark psychological suspense, gripping twists and a horrifying climax, you’ll love Mark Fowler’s edgy thriller. 'Loved every minute of it. Excellent and highly recommended' - Anita Waller, Bestselling crime writer.
'Wow, what a truly intriguing read!' - SkullWitchery.
'A very well crafted thriller. Highly recommended' - Donna Maguire.
'Unusual and unique' - Susan Hampson, Top 1000 reviewer.
'Sibling rivalry taken to a whole new level' - Reading Addict.
'This is a weird but compelling read, cannot begin to fathom out what is going through the authors mind but whatever it is he has produced a first class thriller. One word of warning...do not read it at night.' - Champagnedemon.
'I found it impossible to put down' - Tricia B.
'Offbeat and ambitious ... author Mark Fowler delivers plenty of psychological twists and thrills, resolutely refusing to follow a predictable pathway.' - Rowena Hoseason, Hall of Fame Top 500 reviewer.
'This is an incredible book which is definitely not for the squeamish or faint hearted! Based upon the relationship between two twin sisters Sextet really delves into sibling rivalry. I was gripped from the start and a great ending.' - Lindsay Horsburgh.
Dark twisted and sinister. Read in one sitting.' - Livia Sbarbaro.
'Highly recommended psychological thriller you will not want to put down. The twist at the end guarantees you will never look at twins the same way again.' - Maggie Peplow.
'Edge of the seat psychological page turner' - Kaz Angel. 'A great crime thriller' - Ignite.
Mark L. Fowler is also the author of Red Is The Colour, Blue Murder, The Devil Wore Black, The Smell Of Copper, Twist, Silver, The Man Upstairs, The Bathroom Murders, Painted Fire and Coffin Maker.
Twin sisters Penny and Susan share a twisted rivalry. When they first start Music College, it seems they've abandoned their sadistic childhood games. But the illusion is shattered when Penny arranges an attack on Susan that leaves her so traumatised she is unable to speak and close to death.
Shocked at the consequences of her own actions Penny resurrects their old healing game. She plans a series of grisly murders, at the same time composing corresponding musical settings. As Penny’s composition in blood approaches its finale, Susan’s health improves and she finally breaks her silence.
But what will be the cost of speaking out?
If you enjoy dark psychological suspense, gripping twists and a horrifying climax, you’ll love Mark Fowler’s edgy thriller. 'Loved every minute of it. Excellent and highly recommended' - Anita Waller, Bestselling crime writer.
'Wow, what a truly intriguing read!' - SkullWitchery.
'A very well crafted thriller. Highly recommended' - Donna Maguire.
'Unusual and unique' - Susan Hampson, Top 1000 reviewer.
'Sibling rivalry taken to a whole new level' - Reading Addict.
'This is a weird but compelling read, cannot begin to fathom out what is going through the authors mind but whatever it is he has produced a first class thriller. One word of warning...do not read it at night.' - Champagnedemon.
'I found it impossible to put down' - Tricia B.
'Offbeat and ambitious ... author Mark Fowler delivers plenty of psychological twists and thrills, resolutely refusing to follow a predictable pathway.' - Rowena Hoseason, Hall of Fame Top 500 reviewer.
'This is an incredible book which is definitely not for the squeamish or faint hearted! Based upon the relationship between two twin sisters Sextet really delves into sibling rivalry. I was gripped from the start and a great ending.' - Lindsay Horsburgh.
Dark twisted and sinister. Read in one sitting.' - Livia Sbarbaro.
'Highly recommended psychological thriller you will not want to put down. The twist at the end guarantees you will never look at twins the same way again.' - Maggie Peplow.
'Edge of the seat psychological page turner' - Kaz Angel. 'A great crime thriller' - Ignite.
Mark L. Fowler is also the author of Red Is The Colour, Blue Murder, The Devil Wore Black, The Smell Of Copper, Twist, Silver, The Man Upstairs, The Bathroom Murders, Painted Fire and Coffin Maker.
284 pages, Paperback
Published October 19, 2018
4 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Mark L. Fowler
20 books28 followersMark writes in a number of genres, including detective crime fiction, psychological thrillers, and Gothic fantasy.
He is the author of the popular Tyler & Mills detective crime series set in Staffordshire in the noughties. RED IS THE COLOUR was shortlisted for the 2018 Arnold Bennett Prize and begins with the grim discovery of a schoolboy who disappeared thirty years earlier. BLUE MURDER involves a missing singer and a murdered guitarist, elevating an obscure band to sudden fame and fortune. THE DEVIL WORE BLACK unveils the mystery of a crucified priest. THE SMELL OF COPPER, finds Tyler out on a limb as the detectives uncover police corruption. SCARLET RIBBONS investigates the brutal murder of a sex worker. The latest book in the series, BLOOD ORANGE, concerns the death of a local greengrocer. All the books can be read as standalone crime novels.
Other detective mysteries include THE BATHROOM MURDERS. A series of women are found hacked to death while taking a shower. This is the first in a new series set in Manchester, featuring female detective Charlie Reed and her sidekick Paul Rigsby.
TWIST has the eponymous private investigator returning, against his better judgement, to the city of nightmares to look into the strange case of a dead philosophy student.
THE MAN UPSTAIRS introduces hard boiled Frank Miller, discovering he’s a fictional detective and that his author is plotting to kill him. This is the first in a series of crime fantasy novels, and the second book in the series has now been published: THE POISONED EYE OF A LOVING GOD,
Mark also writes psychological thrillers. SILVER finds journalist and crime writer Nick Slater obsessed with an unpublished manuscript that a best-selling author was working on when she was murdered, and which her family refuse to publish.
SEXTET explores the twisted rivalry between twin sisters, the weird games they played as children, and the rising murder rate in a small English town.
COFFIN MAKER is a Gothic tale. Death is sent two apprentices amid warnings from an out-of-favour priest that the devil has arrived on Earth.
PAINTED FIRE finds a writer travelling to America’s West Coast in a desperate bid to find a cure for a baffling illness afflicting his wife. An anonymous benefactor has offered to help, but at what price?
He is the author of the popular Tyler & Mills detective crime series set in Staffordshire in the noughties. RED IS THE COLOUR was shortlisted for the 2018 Arnold Bennett Prize and begins with the grim discovery of a schoolboy who disappeared thirty years earlier. BLUE MURDER involves a missing singer and a murdered guitarist, elevating an obscure band to sudden fame and fortune. THE DEVIL WORE BLACK unveils the mystery of a crucified priest. THE SMELL OF COPPER, finds Tyler out on a limb as the detectives uncover police corruption. SCARLET RIBBONS investigates the brutal murder of a sex worker. The latest book in the series, BLOOD ORANGE, concerns the death of a local greengrocer. All the books can be read as standalone crime novels.
Other detective mysteries include THE BATHROOM MURDERS. A series of women are found hacked to death while taking a shower. This is the first in a new series set in Manchester, featuring female detective Charlie Reed and her sidekick Paul Rigsby.
TWIST has the eponymous private investigator returning, against his better judgement, to the city of nightmares to look into the strange case of a dead philosophy student.
THE MAN UPSTAIRS introduces hard boiled Frank Miller, discovering he’s a fictional detective and that his author is plotting to kill him. This is the first in a series of crime fantasy novels, and the second book in the series has now been published: THE POISONED EYE OF A LOVING GOD,
Mark also writes psychological thrillers. SILVER finds journalist and crime writer Nick Slater obsessed with an unpublished manuscript that a best-selling author was working on when she was murdered, and which her family refuse to publish.
SEXTET explores the twisted rivalry between twin sisters, the weird games they played as children, and the rising murder rate in a small English town.
COFFIN MAKER is a Gothic tale. Death is sent two apprentices amid warnings from an out-of-favour priest that the devil has arrived on Earth.
PAINTED FIRE finds a writer travelling to America’s West Coast in a desperate bid to find a cure for a baffling illness afflicting his wife. An anonymous benefactor has offered to help, but at what price?
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 21, 2018
This is certainly a different type of story ... one that will stay with you for awhile.
Twin sisters, Penny and Susan, have played games since they were young children. The parents seem to be clueless about what their children do and who they are. Their favorite game is Good Susan, Bad Penny.
They started by Penny tearing off wings of butterflies while Susan composed a musical funeral march. From there they graduated to small rodents and then to cats and dogs.
All was well and the sisters were extremely close ... until there was a boy involved that both wanted. Susan won out, but thanks to her sister, she has paid a really heavy price.
Penny resurrects the old game to experiment on her sister, being responsible for a series of grisly murders and composing six corresponding pieces of music. With Penny’s composition approaching its climax, Susan breaks her silence.....
I can't say I liked any of the characters .. there are no redeeming qualities to the parents and to the secondary people in this story. The sisters ... there's just no describing them .. they are both evil in their own ways.
I was really surprised by the ending ... it was volatile .. and was perfect.
I have read other books by this author and have come to expect not only great stories and credible characters, but well-written page turners .. I was not disappointed with his latest book.
November 29, 2018
I just love how Mark Fowler thinks out of the box with his unusual mind tangling tales, as this story falls into his own quirky categorisation box again, along with the rest of his books. From the day that 17-year-old identical twins Susan and Penny were born, there had been an unhealthy rivalry between them which had reached Defcon 5, with no option of ever returning to normal. Jealousy and savage vengeance took Susan over the edge and into a care home and Penny on a spectacular, 'See how much I am sorry' gesture. Where normal people would do this with flowers, Penny has a lovely body count growing and cracking music portfolio.
This is dysfunctional families at their ultimate extreme. The rose-coloured specs are out in pairs as mum and dad are blissfully unaware of their little darlings antics. As the story unwinds, the depth of the girls twisted minds grow with every compulsion to kill inspiring a new piece of music to be composed by Penny on her piano. Each unique piece having that common thread connecting it to the others until there are six, making up the sextet. In a way I suppose each one is a sort of confession to that killing but through music and one which she believes her sister Susan will understand, connect to and heal.
Music plays quite a large part in the book as both girls are highly talented, so the thought of genius and madness being very close did come to mind quite a lot. There is only a vague sort of dipping into a couple of the victims background, two related to music and the other one a police officer investigating the crimes. Penny certainly has the charm to make all the men in the story do a merry dance to any tune she plays.
If you like your stories a little different then jump in because this is your man to tell them.
This is dysfunctional families at their ultimate extreme. The rose-coloured specs are out in pairs as mum and dad are blissfully unaware of their little darlings antics. As the story unwinds, the depth of the girls twisted minds grow with every compulsion to kill inspiring a new piece of music to be composed by Penny on her piano. Each unique piece having that common thread connecting it to the others until there are six, making up the sextet. In a way I suppose each one is a sort of confession to that killing but through music and one which she believes her sister Susan will understand, connect to and heal.
Music plays quite a large part in the book as both girls are highly talented, so the thought of genius and madness being very close did come to mind quite a lot. There is only a vague sort of dipping into a couple of the victims background, two related to music and the other one a police officer investigating the crimes. Penny certainly has the charm to make all the men in the story do a merry dance to any tune she plays.
If you like your stories a little different then jump in because this is your man to tell them.
November 28, 2018
First, thank you to the author for the advance digital copy of this book. This is my unbiased review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The theme of the story is sibling rivalry. Twins Penny and Susan are a modern day Cain and Able both have musical talent. The rivalry and jealousy is taken to a whole new level when Penny arranges an attack on Susan which sends her over the edge and she is admitted to a psychiatric unit. Diagnosed with deep trauma Susan retreats within herself but Penny has a scheme to bring Susan back.
Penny and Susan are interesting characters each is jealous of the other and the parents think they are angels but the reality is they are anything but. I did have a little difficulty getting into the minds of these characters.
The story has several strings to it and enough intrigue to keep the pages turning.
If you have an interest in music then this book will be the one for you. Unfortunately I don't really 'do' music and much of it was way above my head.
An interesting read.
The theme of the story is sibling rivalry. Twins Penny and Susan are a modern day Cain and Able both have musical talent. The rivalry and jealousy is taken to a whole new level when Penny arranges an attack on Susan which sends her over the edge and she is admitted to a psychiatric unit. Diagnosed with deep trauma Susan retreats within herself but Penny has a scheme to bring Susan back.
Penny and Susan are interesting characters each is jealous of the other and the parents think they are angels but the reality is they are anything but. I did have a little difficulty getting into the minds of these characters.
The story has several strings to it and enough intrigue to keep the pages turning.
If you have an interest in music then this book will be the one for you. Unfortunately I don't really 'do' music and much of it was way above my head.
An interesting read.
December 27, 2020
When I first started reading this I worried it was going to be similar to another book (The Twins by J S Lark) concerning twin sisters where one was seen as bad, the other good, but I needn't have been concerned. This one was a lot darker and much more twisted - just my kind of read, but I would warn that if you have an aversion to gruesome stuff or certain trigger subjects, then this one will probably not be for you!
The story is very well done with the characters all being unlikable in their own way, which I found made the read even more compelling and I loved the correlation between murders and music that was woven throughout the story. This, I thought to be very clever and unique.
The ending was excellent and overall I found this to be very good read.
The story is very well done with the characters all being unlikable in their own way, which I found made the read even more compelling and I loved the correlation between murders and music that was woven throughout the story. This, I thought to be very clever and unique.
The ending was excellent and overall I found this to be very good read.
December 27, 2018
Offbeat and ambitious, Sextet combines sibling rivalry, classical music, suburban domestic discord and strange sexual preferences with vicious maiming and murder to compose a particularly peculiar overture. The warped relationship between the twins – traumatised Susan and psychopathic Penny – skews all other events in the story, ensnaring a conman musician, his belligerent lover and a string of victims in its menacing melody. ‘Bad Penny’ creates a musical masterpiece based upon the themes she perceives in the dying desperation of her victims…
A bit unbalanced at times, Sextet indulges in a lot of detail about composing classical music. It’s rather more sketchy on the pivotal acts of violence: I’m not at all sure that it’s entirely easy to lop off a bloke’s personal part with a single swipe of a sharp knife; nor would that necessarily be a fatal wound. But author Mark Fowler delivers plenty of psychological twists and thrills, resolutely refusing to follow a predictable pathway.
7/10
A bit unbalanced at times, Sextet indulges in a lot of detail about composing classical music. It’s rather more sketchy on the pivotal acts of violence: I’m not at all sure that it’s entirely easy to lop off a bloke’s personal part with a single swipe of a sharp knife; nor would that necessarily be a fatal wound. But author Mark Fowler delivers plenty of psychological twists and thrills, resolutely refusing to follow a predictable pathway.
7/10
November 2, 2018
Extraordinarily different and quirky, Sextet will sit slightly uncomfortably in your mind for quite some time after you've finished it. Never again will I complain about my children squabbling. Penny and Susan are high functioning psychopaths, their parents are ostriches and the supporting cast are, in the main, so caught up with their own agendas, they can't see what's going on under their noses. Each new revelation is more shocking than the one before. Don't even get me started on Olive and her estranged husband, 'Roxy'! I read this over Halloween and am extremely relieved that I am now a fully retired teacher. You need to read it to know why. Helpful tip, leave all the lights on. You can thank me later!
December 3, 2018
A chilling story about 17 year twin sister who have sibling rivalry in the extreme. One is in care following a gang rape,unable to talk, one is murdering men to avenge this event. But all is not as it seems.
A bit slow to get into but well worth persevering, a real page turner by the end. Would read more by this author.
A bit slow to get into but well worth persevering, a real page turner by the end. Would read more by this author.
November 29, 2018
Sextet by Mark L Fowler.
This was a very good read with likeable characters. Some parts were slow but I enjoyed most of it 4*.
This was a very good read with likeable characters. Some parts were slow but I enjoyed most of it 4*.
November 21, 2018
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As soon as I was a few pages in to this book I knew I was in for a complete treat!
The story was excellent, the plot was well developed and the flow of the story was great, it was addictive and I needed to see how it would all end, and I really struggled to put it down, even taking my Kindle in to the kitchen with me when I was making tea!
The characters are excellent and they really help make this story. They are well developed and the author has really made me feel as though I was able to get in to their heads – not a place I would want to be for too long!
4.5 stars from me rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon – a very well crafted thriller! Very highly recommended by me!!
As soon as I was a few pages in to this book I knew I was in for a complete treat!
The story was excellent, the plot was well developed and the flow of the story was great, it was addictive and I needed to see how it would all end, and I really struggled to put it down, even taking my Kindle in to the kitchen with me when I was making tea!
The characters are excellent and they really help make this story. They are well developed and the author has really made me feel as though I was able to get in to their heads – not a place I would want to be for too long!
4.5 stars from me rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon – a very well crafted thriller! Very highly recommended by me!!
December 16, 2020
Another good psychological thriller from the pen of Mark Fowler. If I’m honest I found it a bit slow in places but there is enough going on to maintain interest and as the book progresses we find out more about the protagonists and the body count continues to rise.
Briefly, two 17 year old twin sister, clearly psychopaths, are leading very different lives. One is institutionalised after being gang raped. The other is studying and writing music and in her spare time she is murdering men.
Well thought out, well written and good twists at the conclusion. 4* read for me
Briefly, two 17 year old twin sister, clearly psychopaths, are leading very different lives. One is institutionalised after being gang raped. The other is studying and writing music and in her spare time she is murdering men.
Well thought out, well written and good twists at the conclusion. 4* read for me
November 28, 2018
If you’re looking for dark and twisted this novel is for you! I can’t begin to describe this book other than it’s the epitome of dysfunctional, 2 macabre sisters who finally go head to head!!
The plot is strong and the words absolutely flow. Even though I disliked the characters oddly I loved the book!
An outstanding effort from a man who clearly picks apart what makes readers gasp but still continue reading
The plot is strong and the words absolutely flow. Even though I disliked the characters oddly I loved the book!
An outstanding effort from a man who clearly picks apart what makes readers gasp but still continue reading
July 4, 2020
This was a gripping read, full of twists & unexpected events, with deliciously dark undertones that made it feel a little gothic-inspired. Twins Susan & Penny Henderson were unlikely main characters, both having their own motives for revenge, yet acting out the roles of doting daughters perfectly. The author has a great writing style, describing scenes & plotting out each chapter to perfection & the added musical interludes were a superb touch. I’m now off to find more reads by this author.
December 28, 2020
This story made me feel a variety of emotions from anger to sadness to confusion. The main characters, Penny and Susan, are quite the dark and twisted twins all the while their parents seem to remain oblivious to this. I did enjoy the story and I understand why it was written in the manner it was but it felt a bit drawn out as well. I voluntarily reviewed this book thanks to the author and The Book Club Reviewer Group on Facebook.
January 4, 2021
A gritty, intense, fast-paced, riveting, artful melding of stunning psychological thrills and nail-biting suspense. An edgy mystery full of dark secrets, shocking plot twists and pulse-pounding, palpable tension. A MUST for those who thrive on superbly-written, unputdownable thrillers!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
November 18, 2018
I nearly gave up after reading the first few pages after thinking this book is not for me...so glad I persevered. This is a weird but compelling read, cannot begin to fathom out what is going through the authors mind but whatever it is he has produced a first class thriller. One word of warning...do not read it at night.
November 21, 2018
Unnerving but compulsive reading!
Well this is certainly different.........it plays your senses from the start! It gives a new meaning to that old saying 'sisterly love' and sibling rivalry, I found it quite unnerving in parts, and extraordinarily difficult to process in my mind how twins, Penny and Susan could be so different..........but are they?
Murders and music becomes the tie, that holds it all together, strange yes, but it fits the story together. This really is a psychological thriller, cleverly thought out with lots in the storyline which test your own ability to work out who's actually pulling the strings.
A strange and very different story, that truly does hold your attention to the last page. Thoroughly enjoyed this read, so much so I finished it in double quick time I found it impossible to put down.
This really is a psychological read that has you questioning your own powers of deduction and senses!
Well this is certainly different.........it plays your senses from the start! It gives a new meaning to that old saying 'sisterly love' and sibling rivalry, I found it quite unnerving in parts, and extraordinarily difficult to process in my mind how twins, Penny and Susan could be so different..........but are they?
Murders and music becomes the tie, that holds it all together, strange yes, but it fits the story together. This really is a psychological thriller, cleverly thought out with lots in the storyline which test your own ability to work out who's actually pulling the strings.
A strange and very different story, that truly does hold your attention to the last page. Thoroughly enjoyed this read, so much so I finished it in double quick time I found it impossible to put down.
This really is a psychological read that has you questioning your own powers of deduction and senses!
November 22, 2018
Well, Mark L Fowler has certainly excelled himself with Sextet!, where does one go in ones mind to write a plot line such as this?, Twins, Music and Murder, throw in a few seeds to see how the branches entwine, not always in harmony, two seeds mutate, Penny and Susan, they have a connection that transcends ‘ normal ‘ sibling rivalry, love, hate?... twins, who from childhood played together, tortured insects together, progressed onto animals, that became boring, it’s where we go from here that will keep you hooked... composing the perfect symphony.... as someone dies the crescendo rises.... which twin is the conductor though?... who really is pulling the strings?.... Take a deep breath and turn the first page.... Sextet is a true psychological read..... preferably in the daytime!!.
November 25, 2018
Susan and Penny are seventeen year-old twin sisters. They are both pianists and from their earliest days have been convinced they could heal through music, Susan being the better at this. After a trauma caused by Penny, Susan is in a nursing home, totally blanking out everyone and everything. Penny decides she must offer six ‘sacrifices’ as well as write a six-piece composition to cure her sister.
This is a real head-twister of a story in which nothing is exactly as it seems. Nobody truly understands anyone else and innocent people suffer. I always feel that Mark Fowler has a unique take on what could be an ordinary story and this is no exception. A great crime thriller.
This is a real head-twister of a story in which nothing is exactly as it seems. Nobody truly understands anyone else and innocent people suffer. I always feel that Mark Fowler has a unique take on what could be an ordinary story and this is no exception. A great crime thriller.
November 22, 2018
Well I must say this is a different kind of book. But not in a bad way at all.Its very quirky, and thrilling.
I enjoyed the characters alot, and the author's style of writing. In fact, I found myself reading this book every chance I got because it intrigued me so much. Word of warning tho, just dont read it at night. Kudos to the author. He sure has a good thriller on his hands :)
I enjoyed the characters alot, and the author's style of writing. In fact, I found myself reading this book every chance I got because it intrigued me so much. Word of warning tho, just dont read it at night. Kudos to the author. He sure has a good thriller on his hands :)
January 3, 2021
Penny and Susan Henderson were identical twins, no-one could tell them apart. There was a closeness between them but, also, a rivalry. When they were children, they used to play a game: Good Susan, Bad Penny but nobody knew, especially their parents. Penny arranged the suffering, Susan sorted the healing, usually by writing music. Susan was her parents favourite child and Penny knew she was always an after-thought. They both loved and played music but Susan was slightly more talented, no matter how hard Penny tried on the piano.
Things went wrong when they went to college and Penny was keen on Carl. He chased after Susan, not realising his mistake. The girls laughed it off but then Susan and Carl became an item. Penny started dating someone else. Daz was a leader of a gang and she came up with a plan to get back at her sister which he could sort for a price. Her plan went wrong and Susan was hurt more than she should have been. She ended up in a psychiatric unit where the doctor had diagnosed deep trauma for the reason why Susan wasn’t speaking.
Penny hadn’t meant for Susan to be hurt as badly as she was so she came up with the idea of reinventing Good Susan, Bad Penny. Only this time she would be finding six candidates to kill then composing some music to help heal her sister and bring her home again. She then saw an advert in the paper for a sextet composition which worked for her six killings. All she had to do was find her first candidate….
I really enjoyed reading this one. It gripped me from the start and the fastest I have read a book in a while! It was a new author for me and I enjoyed the detailed descriptive writing. I could imagine the scenes in my head as I was reading. A really good psychological thriller. A little like Columbo where you know the murderer but can the cop get the killer before the end? I will look at reading more books by this author.
Things went wrong when they went to college and Penny was keen on Carl. He chased after Susan, not realising his mistake. The girls laughed it off but then Susan and Carl became an item. Penny started dating someone else. Daz was a leader of a gang and she came up with a plan to get back at her sister which he could sort for a price. Her plan went wrong and Susan was hurt more than she should have been. She ended up in a psychiatric unit where the doctor had diagnosed deep trauma for the reason why Susan wasn’t speaking.
Penny hadn’t meant for Susan to be hurt as badly as she was so she came up with the idea of reinventing Good Susan, Bad Penny. Only this time she would be finding six candidates to kill then composing some music to help heal her sister and bring her home again. She then saw an advert in the paper for a sextet composition which worked for her six killings. All she had to do was find her first candidate….
I really enjoyed reading this one. It gripped me from the start and the fastest I have read a book in a while! It was a new author for me and I enjoyed the detailed descriptive writing. I could imagine the scenes in my head as I was reading. A really good psychological thriller. A little like Columbo where you know the murderer but can the cop get the killer before the end? I will look at reading more books by this author.
November 21, 2018
I read Blue Murder earlier this year and enjoyed it enough to want to read more of Mark Fowler's books. This is an entirely different type of book altogether and, at first, I wasn't sure if it would grip me but it did. Penny and Susan are twins who seem to have been jealous of each other from childhood but when Susan is attacked by six youths and suffers deep trauma, Penny goes back to playing a childhood game of theirs but extends it and begins to kill six men, composing a piece of music for each murder. Susan is in a psychiatric unit, allegedly struck dumb by her experience but Penny visits her regularly, explaining what she is doing. She is never sure if Susan hears her. As Penny reaches her goal of six men and six pieces of music, Susan comes out of her trauma, proving that she had been in control all the way through. The ending will knock your socks off and you won't be able to get the story out of your head.
I was fascinated by the relationship between the sisters and each mention of their childhood reinforced my thought that their parents had their heads in the sand because they had never picked up on the deep jealousy between the two girls. If you were ever jealous of one of your siblings, this novel will move you deeply, although I'm sure that most readers won't have carried that jealousy to such a horrifying end. I hope that the author writes more for us to enjoy.
I was fascinated by the relationship between the sisters and each mention of their childhood reinforced my thought that their parents had their heads in the sand because they had never picked up on the deep jealousy between the two girls. If you were ever jealous of one of your siblings, this novel will move you deeply, although I'm sure that most readers won't have carried that jealousy to such a horrifying end. I hope that the author writes more for us to enjoy.
September 20, 2025
My word, what have I just read? Incredibly dark psychological thriller that was very so very different to the wealth of ‘whodunnit’ crime thrillers out there. This is not for the faint hearted.
Who would have thought that two siblings, Penny and Susan, could have such a rivalry that it would lead one to arrange such a heartless brutal act to leave her sister in a psychiatric ward – and all due to jealousy that she had allegedly stolen her boyfriend.
But Penny is malicious. It’s her that largely dominates the story and her subsequent attempts to redeem herself in the eyes of her sister, who she believes is ignorant to the fact that Penny is behind the crime that has left her so mentally disabled. Her efforts of redemption become even more chilling when she starts a campaign of distressing murders with musical compositions which, in her mind and in her visits to her sister, she justifies by her attempts to avenge the original crime on her sister. But is Susan’s mental state what it seems?
I did not find this an easy read but its to the credit of one of my favourite authors (I am addictive to Mark Fowler’s Tyler and Mills detective crime services) that he was able to write such a thriller that truly disturbed me. Highly recommend if you enjoy totally immersive psychological thrillers.
Who would have thought that two siblings, Penny and Susan, could have such a rivalry that it would lead one to arrange such a heartless brutal act to leave her sister in a psychiatric ward – and all due to jealousy that she had allegedly stolen her boyfriend.
But Penny is malicious. It’s her that largely dominates the story and her subsequent attempts to redeem herself in the eyes of her sister, who she believes is ignorant to the fact that Penny is behind the crime that has left her so mentally disabled. Her efforts of redemption become even more chilling when she starts a campaign of distressing murders with musical compositions which, in her mind and in her visits to her sister, she justifies by her attempts to avenge the original crime on her sister. But is Susan’s mental state what it seems?
I did not find this an easy read but its to the credit of one of my favourite authors (I am addictive to Mark Fowler’s Tyler and Mills detective crime services) that he was able to write such a thriller that truly disturbed me. Highly recommend if you enjoy totally immersive psychological thrillers.
December 12, 2020
This s a darkly compelling and well-written book. I didn't like any of the characters who feature tangentially in Penny Henderson's twisted journey - even her parents are contemptible in their wilful ignorance and shortsightedness where their daughters are concerned. And yet, I believe this is an important point of the novel. The situation is ugly, messed up and distorted, and to varying extents so is every other character in the novel. This is book is well-written, the author keeps you wanting to read more despite the twisted, noir atmosphere that pervades the interwoven storylines. A good book - I would recommend this to horror fans who like a story with an edge to it.
January 13, 2021
Well this was a very different kind of book to what i have read before.
Penny and Susan are twins who like to play games one game at least called Good Susan and Bad Penny the name of the twins of course but nobody knew this even there parents...
Not sure what to say about this book it had so much in it was gritty intense dark ....
The plot was well developed and the flow of the story was great.
A bit slow to begin with but keep going it gets so good....
Penny and Susan are twins who like to play games one game at least called Good Susan and Bad Penny the name of the twins of course but nobody knew this even there parents...
Not sure what to say about this book it had so much in it was gritty intense dark ....
The plot was well developed and the flow of the story was great.
A bit slow to begin with but keep going it gets so good....
February 22, 2023
Dark and at times disturbing.
Mark has done it again. Another very dark and disturbing storyline about the evil that can lie hidden in people. In this case, a very talented young girl. You know pretty early on who the killer is, but what follows is the why. It can lead to sleepless nights, especially if you're a man! Even I gritted my teeth on occasions, and I read a lot of similar books. Recommended.
Mark has done it again. Another very dark and disturbing storyline about the evil that can lie hidden in people. In this case, a very talented young girl. You know pretty early on who the killer is, but what follows is the why. It can lead to sleepless nights, especially if you're a man! Even I gritted my teeth on occasions, and I read a lot of similar books. Recommended.
June 9, 2019
An interesting read, though slightly rushed towards the end. To be honest I found Susan's recovery a little too convenient, which spoilt things a bit for me. "Oh I've been fine all along, I knew what you'd planned"...it felt almost as though the author had bored of the details and wanted to get to the climax ASAP.
December 4, 2020
Different, bizarre, twisted and strangely quite compelling. I enjoyed this, mostly and read it pretty much in one afternoon as I was curious to see where the story would go. I didn’t 100% buy into the music competition theme or the logistics of the murders and how the murderer was getting away with them but overall I would say I enjoyed the book and the originality of the story.
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