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DS Heckenburg #5
Hunted
Heck needs to watch his back. Because someone’s watching him…
Across the south of England, a series of bizarre but fatal accidents are taking place. So when a local businessman survives a near-drowning but is found burnt alive in his car just weeks later, DS Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg is brought in to investigate.
Soon it appears that other recent deaths might be linked: two thieves that were bitten to death by poisonous spiders, and a driver impaled through the chest with scaffolding.
Accidents do happen but as the body count rises it’s clear that something far more sinister is at play, and it’s coming for Heck too…
Across the south of England, a series of bizarre but fatal accidents are taking place. So when a local businessman survives a near-drowning but is found burnt alive in his car just weeks later, DS Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg is brought in to investigate.
Soon it appears that other recent deaths might be linked: two thieves that were bitten to death by poisonous spiders, and a driver impaled through the chest with scaffolding.
Accidents do happen but as the body count rises it’s clear that something far more sinister is at play, and it’s coming for Heck too…
13 pages, Audible Audio
First published May 21, 2015
109 people are currently reading
581 people want to read
About the author
Paul Finch
206 books457 followersPaul Finch is a former cop and journalist, now full-time writer. Having originally written for the television series THE BILL plus children's animation and DOCTOR WHO audio dramas, he went on to write horror, but is now best known for his crime / thriller fiction.
He won the British Fantasy Award twice and the International Horror Guild Award, but since then has written two parallel series of hard-hitting crime novels, the Heck and the Lucy Clayburn novels, of which three titles have become best-sellers.
Paul lives in Wigan, Lancashire, UK with his wife and children.
He won the British Fantasy Award twice and the International Horror Guild Award, but since then has written two parallel series of hard-hitting crime novels, the Heck and the Lucy Clayburn novels, of which three titles have become best-sellers.
Paul lives in Wigan, Lancashire, UK with his wife and children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
March 30, 2018
EXCERPT: Neither lad noticed as the car mounted an embankment, engine yowling, smoke and tattered grass pouring from its tyres. It smashed through the wooden palings at the top, and then crashed down through shrubs and undergrowth, turning over and over in the process, and landing upside down in a deep-cut country lane.
For quite a few seconds there was almost no sound: the odd groan of twisted metal, steam hissing from numerous vents in mangled bodywork.
The two concussed shapes inside, while still breathing, were barely alive in any conventional sense: torn, bloody and battered, locked in contorted paralysis. They were still aware of their surroundings, but unable to resist as various miniature forms, having ridden out the collision in niches and crevices, now re-emerged to scurry over their warm, tortured flesh. Deggsy's jaw was fixed rigid; he could voice no complaint - neither as a mumble nor a scream - when the pale shelled scorpion reacquainted itself with him, creeping slowly up his body on its jointed stick legs and finally settling on his face, where, with great deliberation it seemed, it snared his nose and left ear in its pincers, arched its tail again - and embedded its stinger deep into his goggling eyeball.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Heck needs to watch his back. Because someone’s watching him…
Across the south of England, a series of bizarre but fatal accidents are taking place. So when a local businessman survives a near-drowning but is found burnt alive in his car just weeks later, DS Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg is brought in to investigate.
Soon it appears that other recent deaths might be linked: two thieves that were bitten to death by poisonous spiders, and a driver impaled through the chest with scaffolding.
Accidents do happen but as the body count rises it’s clear that something far more sinister is at play, and it’s coming for Heck too…
MY THOUGHTS: This is #5 in a series but it does equally well as a standalone read. I have never read any of the previous books, but it in no way affected my enjoyment of this one.
There are some very innovative killings in this book. I don't think I would ever like to wrongfoot Mr Finch!
DS Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg has just caught the brutal killer of several elderly women, and now there are a series of bizarre accidental deaths, including by inflation, slow roasting and exotic poisonous spider, occurring in Surrey. After his boss's mother asks her to investigate the untimely death of a multi-millionaire following a narrow escape only weeks earlier, she sends Heck off to investigate something that will probably turn out to be nothing. Only, of course, it doesn't.
There is nothing predictable about this book - an exciting and fast-paced read that left me gasping in many places.
I will be going back to the beginning to read the others in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, Avon and author Paul Finch for providing an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
For quite a few seconds there was almost no sound: the odd groan of twisted metal, steam hissing from numerous vents in mangled bodywork.
The two concussed shapes inside, while still breathing, were barely alive in any conventional sense: torn, bloody and battered, locked in contorted paralysis. They were still aware of their surroundings, but unable to resist as various miniature forms, having ridden out the collision in niches and crevices, now re-emerged to scurry over their warm, tortured flesh. Deggsy's jaw was fixed rigid; he could voice no complaint - neither as a mumble nor a scream - when the pale shelled scorpion reacquainted itself with him, creeping slowly up his body on its jointed stick legs and finally settling on his face, where, with great deliberation it seemed, it snared his nose and left ear in its pincers, arched its tail again - and embedded its stinger deep into his goggling eyeball.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Heck needs to watch his back. Because someone’s watching him…
Across the south of England, a series of bizarre but fatal accidents are taking place. So when a local businessman survives a near-drowning but is found burnt alive in his car just weeks later, DS Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg is brought in to investigate.
Soon it appears that other recent deaths might be linked: two thieves that were bitten to death by poisonous spiders, and a driver impaled through the chest with scaffolding.
Accidents do happen but as the body count rises it’s clear that something far more sinister is at play, and it’s coming for Heck too…
MY THOUGHTS: This is #5 in a series but it does equally well as a standalone read. I have never read any of the previous books, but it in no way affected my enjoyment of this one.
There are some very innovative killings in this book. I don't think I would ever like to wrongfoot Mr Finch!
DS Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg has just caught the brutal killer of several elderly women, and now there are a series of bizarre accidental deaths, including by inflation, slow roasting and exotic poisonous spider, occurring in Surrey. After his boss's mother asks her to investigate the untimely death of a multi-millionaire following a narrow escape only weeks earlier, she sends Heck off to investigate something that will probably turn out to be nothing. Only, of course, it doesn't.
There is nothing predictable about this book - an exciting and fast-paced read that left me gasping in many places.
I will be going back to the beginning to read the others in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, Avon and author Paul Finch for providing an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
May 7, 2015
Hot on the heels of Dead Man Walking comes Hunted, which sees DS Heckenburg in a new setting. This time the story is mainly based in Surrey where Heck locates to as a favour to Gemma Piper. A millionaire friend of her mother has died in a tragic car accident, but can he please have a look into it, as she has a feeling something is not right? Working on a hunch, Heck wonders if there is any connection between a whole string of seemingly unrelated fatal and bizarre accidents. The story moves at a good pace as Heckenford and his new sidekick, Gail Honeyford try and work out what is going on. The accidents are grisly, the sort of strange occurrences that you sometimes find on the internet and there are times when you wonder how on earth Heck is going to figure everything out, because there really does seem to be no connection at all between these random events. It is just as puzzling for the reader as we only ever see things from Heck’s perspective and, just like him, we have no suspects to wonder about.
There is a lot of action and drama in this read, which was very entertaining and a real page turner. I found Dead Man Walking to be very atmospheric with that pea souper of a fog and I did think this didn’t quite match up to that book in terms of atmosphere and tension but, on the whole, this is a really good read. I especially loved the climax and the way it all hung together although I was a little sceptical about the fate of one of the characters but only because I couldn’t really see it in my mind’s eye. Well worth a try. Thanks to the publishier for the review copy.
There is a lot of action and drama in this read, which was very entertaining and a real page turner. I found Dead Man Walking to be very atmospheric with that pea souper of a fog and I did think this didn’t quite match up to that book in terms of atmosphere and tension but, on the whole, this is a really good read. I especially loved the climax and the way it all hung together although I was a little sceptical about the fate of one of the characters but only because I couldn’t really see it in my mind’s eye. Well worth a try. Thanks to the publishier for the review copy.
May 30, 2015
I really enjoyed the main character. He's a laid back, unpretentious, realistic cop. I enjoyed the writing.
If you think you'd like a thriller in which Laurel and Hardy masked villains torture their victims in creative, horrifying ways - check it out. I do think many will like this book.
It's just a bit too dark for me. I skimmed whenever it got too nasty. The action scenes (without the torture) were good. It crossed the line a bit too much for me. The author eventually cuts out from the worst scenes, but not before the terror of the victim is evident. And not before the glee of the murderers is made plain. Personally, I can handle CSI clinically evaluating the aftermath of a murder - but I really don't want to experience the terror of the victims. I like thrillers that cut away before the victim is actually caught by the hunter. I am a self-proclaimed wimp. Those images just stay in my head.
Thank you HarperCollins UK, Avon and Netgalley for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you think you'd like a thriller in which Laurel and Hardy masked villains torture their victims in creative, horrifying ways - check it out. I do think many will like this book.
It's just a bit too dark for me. I skimmed whenever it got too nasty. The action scenes (without the torture) were good. It crossed the line a bit too much for me. The author eventually cuts out from the worst scenes, but not before the terror of the victim is evident. And not before the glee of the murderers is made plain. Personally, I can handle CSI clinically evaluating the aftermath of a murder - but I really don't want to experience the terror of the victims. I like thrillers that cut away before the victim is actually caught by the hunter. I am a self-proclaimed wimp. Those images just stay in my head.
Thank you HarperCollins UK, Avon and Netgalley for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2015
Highly entertaining (and gruesome in the best way possible) crime fiction here - This is my first Paul Finch novel, I did play a bit with the idea of catching up with the series before reading this- I have actually now got a little pile of Finch novels sat in my tbr pile - but in the end I decided to dive right in with the latest.
Really enjoyed it. Probably more than I should have done given the premise, but I loved Heck, didnt feel as if I had lost anything by reading this one first and the story was terrifically addictive and really very clever.
Heck works for the serial crimes unit which gives him great scope to get into anything - in this case a nasty accident that may not have been an accident finds him in Surrey - and when he uncovers a series of unfortunate events that seem to be plaguing the population there he decides to stay for a while.
He's a great character. Likeable, a little odd but then who isnt? And he certainly thinks outside the box which makes him very intriguing. I also liked sidekick (for this novel anyway) Gail who hopefully we will meet again. The relationship between these two was one of the strengths of the novel for me, especially as someone coming in cold to a character who has already had time to develop - she is meeting him for the first time as well.
The case they are investigating really is magnificently imagined, the descriptive prose when it comes to the more violent parts of "Hunted" are simply brilliant, putting you right there and definitely giving a few shivery moments. If you are an arachnophobe beware!
Overall a really terrific crime novel, beautifully written, hauntingly scary at times I'm definitely a fan. I will certainly be reading the backlist and really looking forward to the next.
Happy Reading Folks!
Really enjoyed it. Probably more than I should have done given the premise, but I loved Heck, didnt feel as if I had lost anything by reading this one first and the story was terrifically addictive and really very clever.
Heck works for the serial crimes unit which gives him great scope to get into anything - in this case a nasty accident that may not have been an accident finds him in Surrey - and when he uncovers a series of unfortunate events that seem to be plaguing the population there he decides to stay for a while.
He's a great character. Likeable, a little odd but then who isnt? And he certainly thinks outside the box which makes him very intriguing. I also liked sidekick (for this novel anyway) Gail who hopefully we will meet again. The relationship between these two was one of the strengths of the novel for me, especially as someone coming in cold to a character who has already had time to develop - she is meeting him for the first time as well.
The case they are investigating really is magnificently imagined, the descriptive prose when it comes to the more violent parts of "Hunted" are simply brilliant, putting you right there and definitely giving a few shivery moments. If you are an arachnophobe beware!
Overall a really terrific crime novel, beautifully written, hauntingly scary at times I'm definitely a fan. I will certainly be reading the backlist and really looking forward to the next.
Happy Reading Folks!
May 13, 2015
One VERY important thing you need to remember to do when reading this book is BREATHE!!! I found myself holding my breath in far too many parts of this book but all in a very good way. I only recently discovered Paul Finch and his first release featuring DS Mark Heckenburg (or Heck as he is better known) was a knockout. The 3 following books in the series were all great but didn’t quite have the same pull for me as the debut to the series Stalkers. Until now…
Heck is contacted by his boss and ex-lover Gemma Piper to go and take a look at a strange case which involves a supposed accidental death. It involves going down to leafy Surrey and having to meet a new group of coppers namely one Gail Honeyford. It appears that they already have their suspicions and Gail is already on the case. However, Heck not only has the challenge of a difficult temporary colleague, but of more than one strange and bizarre cases. It seems like no type of crime from the bizarre to the downright shocking is exempt from the cases that keep cropping up.
From the outset the pace ratchets up and rarely gives you time to breathe. A few times I realised I was holding my breath for longer than necessary and as usual Heck manages to get himself into some awful positions. I for one will never look at an image of a spider in a glass jar without thinking about a particular scene in this book. Although Gemma Piper has featured in previous books she is not really a main actor in this latest instalment and if I’m honest I think that’s a good thing. It leaves open so many more possibilities, yet leaves her in the series (so to speak, sorry not very well articulated there…but you know what I mean).
Overall, this book was a first class one from Mr Finch, and certainly an instalment that will keep me going back for more. Thank goodness there is another book due for release later this year! Highly recommended book AND series.
P.S I think I am developing another fictional character crush
Heck is contacted by his boss and ex-lover Gemma Piper to go and take a look at a strange case which involves a supposed accidental death. It involves going down to leafy Surrey and having to meet a new group of coppers namely one Gail Honeyford. It appears that they already have their suspicions and Gail is already on the case. However, Heck not only has the challenge of a difficult temporary colleague, but of more than one strange and bizarre cases. It seems like no type of crime from the bizarre to the downright shocking is exempt from the cases that keep cropping up.
From the outset the pace ratchets up and rarely gives you time to breathe. A few times I realised I was holding my breath for longer than necessary and as usual Heck manages to get himself into some awful positions. I for one will never look at an image of a spider in a glass jar without thinking about a particular scene in this book. Although Gemma Piper has featured in previous books she is not really a main actor in this latest instalment and if I’m honest I think that’s a good thing. It leaves open so many more possibilities, yet leaves her in the series (so to speak, sorry not very well articulated there…but you know what I mean).
Overall, this book was a first class one from Mr Finch, and certainly an instalment that will keep me going back for more. Thank goodness there is another book due for release later this year! Highly recommended book AND series.
P.S I think I am developing another fictional character crush
May 3, 2015
Book #5 in the DS Mark "Heck" Heckenburg series opens with a scene that is the stuff of nightmares. Those suffering from arachnophobia may want to have a sedative on hand.
It's just the first in a string of bizarre "accidents" that eventually end up on Heck's desk after he is seconded to the Surrey police station at the request of boss Gemma Piper. He is partnered with DC Gail Honeyford, a prickly & ambitious cop who'd prefer to solve it alone & not share any credit with the bigwig from Serious Crimes Unit. She's working on the case of a wealthy businessman who died in a fiery car crash & when Heck suggests it's linked to several deaths ruled as accidental, she thinks he's lost his mind.
Heck is fresh off an investigation in Nottingham. He & the team finally nabbed the "Ladykiller, a violent & unbalanced young man who robbed, raped & murdered 5 elderly women. They got their conviction but in the process, Heck acquired a new enemy & it's one who will come back to haunt him.
The bulk of the book is taken up by the painstaking & complex investigation into weird & seemingly unconnected deaths. Heck & Gail cover a lot of ground in the search for a common denominator between the victims, eventually ending up in the gang ruled slums of London. To ensure their plates are full, they also have to deal with Gail's icky ex-boyfriend & the reappearance of a thug with ties to the Nottingham case.
As usual, Finch has constructed a story that is fast paced & intricately plotted. The twisted methods by which his victims meet their end makes me think his mind must be a scary place to live. If you're already a fan, you'll appreciate the appearance of several characters familiar from previous books. New ones run the gamut from other cops to sinister gang-bangers.
But everything revolves around Heck, the physical & emotional centre of the story. He's such a likeable guy, sort of a british cross between Reacher & Lucas Davenport. A little older, a little more battle worn, he may not have his personal life figured out but you never doubt his ability or dedication to the job. He's smart & has the instincts of a bloodhound. He's also a giant shit magnet, something Gail comes to appreciate as he drags her through barroom brawls & the mother of all car chases. How this guy still has all 4 limbs attached is beyond me. The author has a tendency to put him in solo situations no sane person would enter without a SWAT team but it's an effective plot device that usually ups the tension & moves the story along.
It's a thinking man's thriller with enough red herrings & twists to keep you guessing. More than a few readers will be surprised when the dust settles & the "bad guy" is revealed. For fans, the added pleasure is a chance to catch up with a favourite character & see where he ends up next.
Included is a sneak peek at "The Burning Man" (book #6).
It's just the first in a string of bizarre "accidents" that eventually end up on Heck's desk after he is seconded to the Surrey police station at the request of boss Gemma Piper. He is partnered with DC Gail Honeyford, a prickly & ambitious cop who'd prefer to solve it alone & not share any credit with the bigwig from Serious Crimes Unit. She's working on the case of a wealthy businessman who died in a fiery car crash & when Heck suggests it's linked to several deaths ruled as accidental, she thinks he's lost his mind.
Heck is fresh off an investigation in Nottingham. He & the team finally nabbed the "Ladykiller, a violent & unbalanced young man who robbed, raped & murdered 5 elderly women. They got their conviction but in the process, Heck acquired a new enemy & it's one who will come back to haunt him.
The bulk of the book is taken up by the painstaking & complex investigation into weird & seemingly unconnected deaths. Heck & Gail cover a lot of ground in the search for a common denominator between the victims, eventually ending up in the gang ruled slums of London. To ensure their plates are full, they also have to deal with Gail's icky ex-boyfriend & the reappearance of a thug with ties to the Nottingham case.
As usual, Finch has constructed a story that is fast paced & intricately plotted. The twisted methods by which his victims meet their end makes me think his mind must be a scary place to live. If you're already a fan, you'll appreciate the appearance of several characters familiar from previous books. New ones run the gamut from other cops to sinister gang-bangers.
But everything revolves around Heck, the physical & emotional centre of the story. He's such a likeable guy, sort of a british cross between Reacher & Lucas Davenport. A little older, a little more battle worn, he may not have his personal life figured out but you never doubt his ability or dedication to the job. He's smart & has the instincts of a bloodhound. He's also a giant shit magnet, something Gail comes to appreciate as he drags her through barroom brawls & the mother of all car chases. How this guy still has all 4 limbs attached is beyond me. The author has a tendency to put him in solo situations no sane person would enter without a SWAT team but it's an effective plot device that usually ups the tension & moves the story along.
It's a thinking man's thriller with enough red herrings & twists to keep you guessing. More than a few readers will be surprised when the dust settles & the "bad guy" is revealed. For fans, the added pleasure is a chance to catch up with a favourite character & see where he ends up next.
Included is a sneak peek at "The Burning Man" (book #6).
January 8, 2016
I liked this one more than the others
Gemma Pippa asks DCI Heckenberg (Heck) to investigate a death that has been ruled an accident. It seems that the victim had 2 serious accidents within a couple of weeks... the 2nd one killing him.
As Heck begins the investigation, he spots a couple of suspicious signs that it may not have been an accident after all. Then he is paired with a young detective, who is also suspicious of the cause of the accident - Gail. Gail and Heck do not exactly see "eye to eye" - Gail is following a traditional approach to the investigation; Heck begins to see connections and think outside the box.
A really entertaining mystery... so why 4 stars and not 5? This is a personal preference... I would have given it 5 stars if it had not had all of that shoot-out stuff at the end with that gang. And I know that is what many people read books for - but I like the story better :) It would have been perfect without that!
Gemma Pippa asks DCI Heckenberg (Heck) to investigate a death that has been ruled an accident. It seems that the victim had 2 serious accidents within a couple of weeks... the 2nd one killing him.
As Heck begins the investigation, he spots a couple of suspicious signs that it may not have been an accident after all. Then he is paired with a young detective, who is also suspicious of the cause of the accident - Gail. Gail and Heck do not exactly see "eye to eye" - Gail is following a traditional approach to the investigation; Heck begins to see connections and think outside the box.
A really entertaining mystery... so why 4 stars and not 5? This is a personal preference... I would have given it 5 stars if it had not had all of that shoot-out stuff at the end with that gang. And I know that is what many people read books for - but I like the story better :) It would have been perfect without that!
June 9, 2016
Across the south of England, a series of bizarre but fatal accidents are taking place. So when a local businessman survives a near-drowning but is found burnt alive in his car just weeks later, DS Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg is brought in to investigate.
Soon it appears that other recent deaths might be linked: two thieves that were bitten to death by poisonous spiders, and a driver impaled through the chest with scaffolding.
Accidents do happen but as the body count rises it’s clear that something far more sinister is at play, and it’s coming for Heck too…
Another fantastic 'Heck' outing. A combination of great police action and superb page turning action.
A thoroughly entertaining read and a solid 4.5*
Soon it appears that other recent deaths might be linked: two thieves that were bitten to death by poisonous spiders, and a driver impaled through the chest with scaffolding.
Accidents do happen but as the body count rises it’s clear that something far more sinister is at play, and it’s coming for Heck too…
Another fantastic 'Heck' outing. A combination of great police action and superb page turning action.
A thoroughly entertaining read and a solid 4.5*
May 13, 2015
This wasn't what I expected. I'm a big fan of the crime/mystery/thriller genre, but from the first chapter there was too much gleeful, grisly detail for me; it felt more like crime with an edge of horror than a crime thriller. By the time I was over a third through and still not sure - and not enjoying it either - I decided to call it quits; the mystery wasn't enough to keep me reading.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2018
Ein weiterer klassischer Heckenburg! Ich freue mich auf den nächsten!
August 12, 2018
Really good police/crime series - love Heck, I think this would make a fab TV show!
March 17, 2017
Cannot wait to read the next one!
December 5, 2019
3,5* malo mi je lošija od ranijih... ali možda je samo do momenta čitanja :)
May 26, 2015
Do you ever read a book and feel like the author has somehow gotten into your mind? I like to think that if I ever turned my hand to writing a book myself (unlikely) then I think it would go along similar lines to what occurs in Hunted. Across the South of England a series of bizarre but fatal accidents are taking place. DS Mark 'Heck' Heckenburg discovers the accidents might in fact be murders when he is brought in to investigate the death of a man found burnt alive in his car. He has his work cut out however convincing the local police of his findings...
Heck works for the Serial Crimes Unit, headed up by his former flame from their early policing days, Gemma Piper, who really needs to feature even more in this series. She is by far my most favourite superior that I have read about in crime fiction. There's real scope with Heck working for this unit, it means Paul Finch can continue to keep the series fresh, moving Heck around the UK to investigate some seriously messed up cases, as opposed to having him assigned to the one city looking into mundane, routine murders. You can almost guarantee Heck will upset most people he meets within minutes of meeting them, and that is no different when he almost meets his match in DC Gail Honeyford, one of the local officers he must convince that the accidents are in fact murders. Another real strength of this series is the vivid descriptions from Paul Finch and the detailed and knowledgeable way he portrays his settings, always using them to full effect which help enhance the story, and create a really atmospheric read.
Paul Finch is one of the more gruesome writers out there, and some of the scenes created in Hunted and the inventive ways some of these characters are killed are blood-curdling and, quite frankly, just brilliant. I found the middle of Hunted to be somewhat slower paced than what we are used to from Paul Finch, but the investigative element was really strong and for the most part I had no idea who was behind the murders and the actual denouement of Hunted was brilliantly done. I can't of course elaborate as to why, but I can say that the ending was a surprising one and not the one that I anticipated. It all leads up to a really exciting last few chapters and a satisfying conclusion which also leaves readers desperate for more. There's really nothing more I can say about this series that I haven't already in my reviews of previous books but Paul Finch goes from strength to strength with Hunted and I don't think returning readers will be disappointed. New readers are in for a treat and will almost certainly become #HookedonHeck!
Heck works for the Serial Crimes Unit, headed up by his former flame from their early policing days, Gemma Piper, who really needs to feature even more in this series. She is by far my most favourite superior that I have read about in crime fiction. There's real scope with Heck working for this unit, it means Paul Finch can continue to keep the series fresh, moving Heck around the UK to investigate some seriously messed up cases, as opposed to having him assigned to the one city looking into mundane, routine murders. You can almost guarantee Heck will upset most people he meets within minutes of meeting them, and that is no different when he almost meets his match in DC Gail Honeyford, one of the local officers he must convince that the accidents are in fact murders. Another real strength of this series is the vivid descriptions from Paul Finch and the detailed and knowledgeable way he portrays his settings, always using them to full effect which help enhance the story, and create a really atmospheric read.
Paul Finch is one of the more gruesome writers out there, and some of the scenes created in Hunted and the inventive ways some of these characters are killed are blood-curdling and, quite frankly, just brilliant. I found the middle of Hunted to be somewhat slower paced than what we are used to from Paul Finch, but the investigative element was really strong and for the most part I had no idea who was behind the murders and the actual denouement of Hunted was brilliantly done. I can't of course elaborate as to why, but I can say that the ending was a surprising one and not the one that I anticipated. It all leads up to a really exciting last few chapters and a satisfying conclusion which also leaves readers desperate for more. There's really nothing more I can say about this series that I haven't already in my reviews of previous books but Paul Finch goes from strength to strength with Hunted and I don't think returning readers will be disappointed. New readers are in for a treat and will almost certainly become #HookedonHeck!
September 12, 2016
Paul Finch, ehemaliger Polizist und Journalist, ist der Autor der Mark Heckenburg Reihe, die mit „Totenspieler“ mittlerweile in die fünfte Runde geht. „Heck“, der Fachmann mit dem besonderen Gespür bei der Aufklärung von Serienmorden, wird dort eigesetzt, wo seine Qualitäten benötigt werden, und das ist diesmal die südenglische Grafschaft Surrey. Proper, wohlhabend, üblicherweise nicht die typische Umgebung für solch abscheuliche Verbrechen, die man eher in Gegenden erwarten würde, die der wirtschaftliche Niedergang besonders hart getroffen hat.
DS Heck wird von Gemma Piper, seiner Vorgesetzten, nach Surrey geschickt, weil dort seit geraumer Zeit immer wieder Menschen unter bizarren Umständen zu Tode kommen. Und als dann auch noch ein millionenschwerer Freund von Gemmas Mutter unter den Opfern ist, forciert Piper vollumfänglich die Ermittlungen. Gibt es Verbindungen zwischen den Opfern? Und wenn ja, welche? Unfall, Zufall oder Mord? Für Heck ist die Sache klar. Es muss einen Zusammenhang zwischen den verschiedenen Todesfällen geben. DC Gail Honeyford, seine Partnerin vor Ort, ist anfangs über die erzwungene Zusammenarbeit mit Heck nicht glücklich, denn sie hat Ambitionen und möchte den Fall in Eigenregie lösen. Aber die beiden arrangieren sich, bündeln ihre Kräfte…und finden sogar Gefallen aneinander.
Wie bereits in den vorherigen Bänden der Reihe entwickelt Paul Finch in „Totenspieler“ eine komplexe und abwechslungsreiche Story, die von Beginn an ein hohes Tempo vorlegt und spannend geplottet ist. Die „übliche“ Polizeiarbeit, gepaart mit jeder Menge Action, lässt einen Hauch Bond-Feeling durch die Seiten wehen und bietet unterhaltsame Lesestunden. Und wie immer passen auch die neu eingeführten Personen optimal in das Heckenburg-Universum und ergänzen dies in dem richtigen Maße. Obwohl es sich nach und nach herausstellt, dass DC Honeyford ein ordentliches Bündel an privaten Problemen aus ihrer Vergangenheit mit sich herumschleppt, drängt dies nicht in den Vordergrund und erdrückt den Fall, wie es leider so oft in Krimi-/Thrillerreihen üblich ist.
Alles in allem führt „Totenspieler“ die Heckenburg-Reihe gekonnt weiter und bietet dem Leser einmal mehr eine spannende Lektüre mit einem interessanten und sympathischen Protagonisten.
DS Heck wird von Gemma Piper, seiner Vorgesetzten, nach Surrey geschickt, weil dort seit geraumer Zeit immer wieder Menschen unter bizarren Umständen zu Tode kommen. Und als dann auch noch ein millionenschwerer Freund von Gemmas Mutter unter den Opfern ist, forciert Piper vollumfänglich die Ermittlungen. Gibt es Verbindungen zwischen den Opfern? Und wenn ja, welche? Unfall, Zufall oder Mord? Für Heck ist die Sache klar. Es muss einen Zusammenhang zwischen den verschiedenen Todesfällen geben. DC Gail Honeyford, seine Partnerin vor Ort, ist anfangs über die erzwungene Zusammenarbeit mit Heck nicht glücklich, denn sie hat Ambitionen und möchte den Fall in Eigenregie lösen. Aber die beiden arrangieren sich, bündeln ihre Kräfte…und finden sogar Gefallen aneinander.
Wie bereits in den vorherigen Bänden der Reihe entwickelt Paul Finch in „Totenspieler“ eine komplexe und abwechslungsreiche Story, die von Beginn an ein hohes Tempo vorlegt und spannend geplottet ist. Die „übliche“ Polizeiarbeit, gepaart mit jeder Menge Action, lässt einen Hauch Bond-Feeling durch die Seiten wehen und bietet unterhaltsame Lesestunden. Und wie immer passen auch die neu eingeführten Personen optimal in das Heckenburg-Universum und ergänzen dies in dem richtigen Maße. Obwohl es sich nach und nach herausstellt, dass DC Honeyford ein ordentliches Bündel an privaten Problemen aus ihrer Vergangenheit mit sich herumschleppt, drängt dies nicht in den Vordergrund und erdrückt den Fall, wie es leider so oft in Krimi-/Thrillerreihen üblich ist.
Alles in allem führt „Totenspieler“ die Heckenburg-Reihe gekonnt weiter und bietet dem Leser einmal mehr eine spannende Lektüre mit einem interessanten und sympathischen Protagonisten.
July 26, 2015
After a hiatus of not enjoying the previous two books in the DS Mark Heckenburg (Heck) series, this one gets very much back on track and I enjoyed it immensely.
This is certainly not for the faint hearted and contains some very graphic and grisly murders, but I couldn't put it down as I needed to find out who the perpetrators were and why they were murdering seemingly innocent people in a terrible way.
Heck is, as always, his usual brilliant and maverick self who goes on his gut instinct most of the time.
In this story there is the introduction of DC Gail Honeyford. Initially I couldn't take to her but as the book progressed she did grow on me. She reminds me very much of Heck and it would be interesting to see if she is brought back in the next in the series and how she develops, hopefully within SCU; they do make a formidable duo indeed.
I haven't given it 5 stars, as I did the first two, as I did feel the denouement was slightly implausible but, having said that, I would highly recommend it.
Can't wait for the next instalment but sadly have to wait until June 2017!
This is certainly not for the faint hearted and contains some very graphic and grisly murders, but I couldn't put it down as I needed to find out who the perpetrators were and why they were murdering seemingly innocent people in a terrible way.
Heck is, as always, his usual brilliant and maverick self who goes on his gut instinct most of the time.
In this story there is the introduction of DC Gail Honeyford. Initially I couldn't take to her but as the book progressed she did grow on me. She reminds me very much of Heck and it would be interesting to see if she is brought back in the next in the series and how she develops, hopefully within SCU; they do make a formidable duo indeed.
I haven't given it 5 stars, as I did the first two, as I did feel the denouement was slightly implausible but, having said that, I would highly recommend it.
Can't wait for the next instalment but sadly have to wait until June 2017!
January 22, 2018
Having not read any of the previous books in the series, I wasn't sure what to expect from this other than some inventive methods of dispatching someone given some of the reviews I read before starting it. And I must say, I did rather enjoy this. There were references to the previous books that weren't always explained which as a tad annoying but you could get the general gist so it didn't really cause any problems. The basis of the story is the typical story of the outcast yet successful cop chasing the bad guys with the added bonus of a female DI trying to prove her worth but with some added complications, including a jackbutt of another cop. But then there are the killers themselves, well not so much the killers but their methods. They would give jigsaw a run for his money in the inventiveness stakes and because of that and the gloriously detailed descriptions, this earns a whole extra star (yes I realise this makes me sound a little unstable...).
October 24, 2019
Paul Finch mi je bio pravo iznenađenje, još od prve njegove knjige koju sam pročitala. Odlično piše, a taj dojam se nije izgubio kroz serijal o Marku Heckenburgu. Čak se čini da je svaki novi nastavak sve bolji i bolji.
U ovom dijelu Heck se hvata u koštac s istragom naizgled nepovezanih nesretnih slučajeva koji, osim što su bizarni i previše česti, kao da nemaju veze jedan s drugim. Ljudi gube živote, i to ljudi koji nikome nisu učinili ništa loše, a Heck traži način da pronađe neobične ubojice.
U ovom dijelu Heck se hvata u koštac s istragom naizgled nepovezanih nesretnih slučajeva koji, osim što su bizarni i previše česti, kao da nemaju veze jedan s drugim. Ljudi gube živote, i to ljudi koji nikome nisu učinili ništa loše, a Heck traži način da pronađe neobične ubojice.
January 3, 2018
Thoroughly entertaining crime fiction! I'm now buying up the backlist :)
September 4, 2019
Playing catch up while I've gotten the chance. I have no blog tours due so i'm spending my time reading and reviewing books that got lost in my ever growing kindle list.
I have to admit I've enjoyed my reading so much these las few weeks, flying through books i'm reading because I can, not because I feel I need to get them read for tours.. I love being part of book tours and spreading the book love but have to admit i'm loving being a free spirit at the moment.
Detective Mark Heckenburgh Book 5. WOW what a fantastic read. I hate myself that it's taken me so long to read this fantastic book. But thrilled that I can now read and play catch up.
It's great being back in Hecks life.
A fantastic gripping thrilling read that will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat. Full of turns, I couldn't click to turn my pages quick enough.
I have to admit I've enjoyed my reading so much these las few weeks, flying through books i'm reading because I can, not because I feel I need to get them read for tours.. I love being part of book tours and spreading the book love but have to admit i'm loving being a free spirit at the moment.
Detective Mark Heckenburgh Book 5. WOW what a fantastic read. I hate myself that it's taken me so long to read this fantastic book. But thrilled that I can now read and play catch up.
It's great being back in Hecks life.
A fantastic gripping thrilling read that will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat. Full of turns, I couldn't click to turn my pages quick enough.
December 25, 2019
Stále si stojím za tím, že Paul Finch je tzv. autor osmdesáti stránek - trvá přesně osmdesát stran, než se pořádně začtete, než se ponoříte do příběhu tak, že po slabším rozjezdu najednou nebudete chtít přestat číst. Ani v kořisti si autor nebere servítky, servíruje nechutné scény na střídačku s těmi akčními, které jsou pro laické oko stejně nepřehledné, jako kdybyste se na místě přestřelky, či policejního zátahu sami ocitli. Heck je jako obvykle superhrdina, kterého nic neskolí a který má snad ještě víc životů než kdekterá pouliční micka a neuvěřitelnosti jeho štěstí se snad vyrovná jen absurdnost jeho odolnosti. Skvělá zápletka a námět, děsiví padouši, skvěle vyvážený poměr vyšetřování oficiálního a toho víceméně vedeného na vlastní pěst. Zábava na pár večerů, než se začtete a pak otázka pár hodin, když se do Kořisti dostanete až po uši. Skvělost. Těším se na další.
80 %
80 %
January 5, 2022
I absolutely love the Heck series, every single book is fantastic and takes you on a hell of a ride! This is the 5th outing for Heck and, although it isn't my favourite, it is still well worth a read. I have read all of these books at least 3 or 4 times and every time i find something new.
If you like a lovable rogue who will stop at nothing to get the job done then look no further. Better yet, it's set in the uk so that in itself makes it different.
I cannot recommend this series of books enough.
If you like a lovable rogue who will stop at nothing to get the job done then look no further. Better yet, it's set in the uk so that in itself makes it different.
I cannot recommend this series of books enough.
June 8, 2019
I found this book to be a fast, gripping and easy read. The plot was inventive, although extremely gruesome in places. The main character was engaging and realistic without too many stereotypes. I probably won’t go out of my way to read other books in the series, but will certainly pick them up if I happen across them in the library. All in all, a well-written crime novel that keeps the reader interested.
May 10, 2019
Good ending!
Quite unusual overall story, very intriguing start, then a bit meandering for some time before speeding up again, then really started motoring in Heck’s usual style, leading to an exciting ending.
All the Heck books are exciting, but probably not for those readers who don’t enjoy a bit of improbability.
Quite unusual overall story, very intriguing start, then a bit meandering for some time before speeding up again, then really started motoring in Heck’s usual style, leading to an exciting ending.
All the Heck books are exciting, but probably not for those readers who don’t enjoy a bit of improbability.
October 23, 2022
This is very gritty a very good story if a bit far-fetched as it's about accidents that are not accidents which I suppose could happen but this was really edge-of-your-seat listen.
It's the first time I have heard of this author and have had this audio for a while now I think it was the cover that put me off listening to it so it proves you can't judge a book by its cover.
It's the first time I have heard of this author and have had this audio for a while now I think it was the cover that put me off listening to it so it proves you can't judge a book by its cover.
January 2, 2020
Seems very much like a filler in the series.
No character development for Heck, light on police procedure and a story arc that merely flickered with potential rather than catch fire.
It won't deter me from reading DS Heckenburg #6 but it's a disappointing addition to the collection.
No character development for Heck, light on police procedure and a story arc that merely flickered with potential rather than catch fire.
It won't deter me from reading DS Heckenburg #6 but it's a disappointing addition to the collection.
April 8, 2021
A must read.
What a rollercoaster of a ride. I was so anxious towards the end that I had to keep putting the book down from sheer exhaustion. Such clever plot lines that are so wonderfully interwoven. Paul and 'Heck' do it again.
What a rollercoaster of a ride. I was so anxious towards the end that I had to keep putting the book down from sheer exhaustion. Such clever plot lines that are so wonderfully interwoven. Paul and 'Heck' do it again.
December 26, 2021
Fast-paced with no let up on the action. I like Heck as the maverick cop who just seems to get himself caught up in the thick of the action. At times a bit too unbelievable, but the idea behind the murders was actually quite intriguing. Great read.
June 1, 2017
Enjoyed it much more than I thought I would!
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