What do you think?
Rate this book
DI Erica Swift #7
The Gathering Man
When the body of a young woman is discovered in an East London park, DI Erica Swift and her Violent Crimes taskforce are called in to investigate. The victim appears to be uninjured, but symbols carved on her body tell of a more sinister story. The case is confusing, with question upon question mounting. Other than the symbols, why is there no obvious cause of death? How did she die? And what do the symbols mean? When Erica discovers that more lives are in danger, she finds herself in a race against the clock to track down the person responsible. Could she be about to take on her most challenging case yet?
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2021
174 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
M.K. Farrar
40 books146 followersM K Farrar had penned more than ten novels of psychological noir and crime fiction. A British author, she lives in the countryside with her three children and a menagerie of rescue pets. When she’s not writing—which isn’t often—she balances out all the murder with baking and binge-watching shows on Netflix.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 24, 2021
DI Erica Swift takes on a tough case when a young woman is found dead in an East London park, no immediate signs of cause of death but she is dressed in a white smock and their are strange characters cut into her body. This book goes into some very tough scenarios, of teenage bullying and practices of cults, but the author deals with them with care and sensitivity for her readers. An intense thriller following a police force who work hard to find anything that will put them on the path to locating just what happened and who this girl is!!
What do the symbols carved into her body mean, where did she come from? Someone has to know and DI Erica delves into all she can think of to find answers, calling on any who study symbols or cult-like activity in the area. There has to be someone who knows what happened, and Erica works diligently to find out the answer before another young person is lost.
This is a fast moving story with strong characters and amazing scenes, you are drawn deeply into the lives of the police and another troubled young girl who is searching for someone to care for her. A heartrending tale I could not stop reading until the warm ending.I received an ARC from the author and I offer you my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
What do the symbols carved into her body mean, where did she come from? Someone has to know and DI Erica delves into all she can think of to find answers, calling on any who study symbols or cult-like activity in the area. There has to be someone who knows what happened, and Erica works diligently to find out the answer before another young person is lost.
This is a fast moving story with strong characters and amazing scenes, you are drawn deeply into the lives of the police and another troubled young girl who is searching for someone to care for her. A heartrending tale I could not stop reading until the warm ending.I received an ARC from the author and I offer you my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
November 5, 2021
Not sure about this one, had a slightly different feel to it. Didn't quite feel right, although maybe it was me. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
September 23, 2021
The body of a young woman is found in a London park. There's no evidence of how she died, but her body is covered in symbols.
DI Erica Swift and her team are called in to investigate. There's no identification, no DNA, no missing person's report. So who is she ... and why is she dead and what's the meaning of the symbols? At this point, there are more questions than answers.
This young woman was not the only one at risk. Bethany is another teenage girl, being severely bullied at school. She suffers from Trichotillomania (also known as TTM), a self inflicted hair-pulling disorder. She's longing to fit in someplace .. and then she meets the Gathering Man.
When Erica discovers that many more lives are in danger, she finds herself in a race against the clock to track down the person responsible.
It's a fast-paced crime thriller, a police procedural filled with finely drawn characters. Although 7th in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone, however, as usual, I recommend reading the books in order. Character development shows the reader a believable and realistic protagonist with emotional depth.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
DI Erica Swift and her team are called in to investigate. There's no identification, no DNA, no missing person's report. So who is she ... and why is she dead and what's the meaning of the symbols? At this point, there are more questions than answers.
This young woman was not the only one at risk. Bethany is another teenage girl, being severely bullied at school. She suffers from Trichotillomania (also known as TTM), a self inflicted hair-pulling disorder. She's longing to fit in someplace .. and then she meets the Gathering Man.
When Erica discovers that many more lives are in danger, she finds herself in a race against the clock to track down the person responsible.
It's a fast-paced crime thriller, a police procedural filled with finely drawn characters. Although 7th in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone, however, as usual, I recommend reading the books in order. Character development shows the reader a believable and realistic protagonist with emotional depth.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 26, 2021
I just love this series. Erica Swift is one of my fav detectives.
The gathering man is amazing. With a girls body found in the path with strange symbols scratched into her belly Erica and her team have to solve the case before someone else ends up dead. The question is do they have a serial killer, a mad man or something more sinister!!!
One of the best parts of the way M K Farrar writes is we get to follow not only the investigation but also up coming victims. Bethany and Jason are the two young people we get to follow. I found it great to be in their mindsets espically Bethany I felt like a teenager myself as I read her chapters.
Erica is still grieving her late husband who was killed in the first book. Yet she is still completely obsessed over the case as she is a dessicated detective. She is also juggling work and poppy.
Shawn has a bit more in this book with personal family matters to deal with I enjoyed all his chapters and hope we get to hear more about his situation.
I'm still waiting for shawn and Erica to get together. Shawn sounds super sexy.
This is another great read in the crime series. I would highly recommend and rate 5 stars easily
The gathering man is amazing. With a girls body found in the path with strange symbols scratched into her belly Erica and her team have to solve the case before someone else ends up dead. The question is do they have a serial killer, a mad man or something more sinister!!!
One of the best parts of the way M K Farrar writes is we get to follow not only the investigation but also up coming victims. Bethany and Jason are the two young people we get to follow. I found it great to be in their mindsets espically Bethany I felt like a teenager myself as I read her chapters.
Erica is still grieving her late husband who was killed in the first book. Yet she is still completely obsessed over the case as she is a dessicated detective. She is also juggling work and poppy.
Shawn has a bit more in this book with personal family matters to deal with I enjoyed all his chapters and hope we get to hear more about his situation.
I'm still waiting for shawn and Erica to get together. Shawn sounds super sexy.
This is another great read in the crime series. I would highly recommend and rate 5 stars easily
September 26, 2021
Book: The Gathering Man (A DI Erica Swift Thriller Book 7)
Author: M.K. Farrar
My Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Tammy - Book Nook Nuts
REVIEW
This thriller was intense from start to finish.
DI Erica Swift and her team have a hard time with this case, someone is killing young females and leaving them with carved-up symbols but why? Is there another cult in town? Who? that is the question and believe me you won't know till the very end. Can DI Swift and her team figure it out before another becomes cold in the earth?
Gripping till the end...
M.K. Farrar
Author: M.K. Farrar
My Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Tammy - Book Nook Nuts
REVIEW
This thriller was intense from start to finish.
DI Erica Swift and her team have a hard time with this case, someone is killing young females and leaving them with carved-up symbols but why? Is there another cult in town? Who? that is the question and believe me you won't know till the very end. Can DI Swift and her team figure it out before another becomes cold in the earth?
Gripping till the end...
M.K. Farrar
September 29, 2021
Wow!!!! What a brilliant book this is. I was captivated from start to finish. Erica and her partner Shawn have their work cut out for them with no clues to start with and no road to follow.
Eventually through sheer determination after the first girl Stacey was found dead through strange circumstances they finally have a breakthrough. A cult would appear to be the leading theory especially after a second girl Bethany who has anxiety and self confidence problems disappears.
A very thought provoking book regarding how bullying can have an adverse effect on the younger population. I’d highly recommend this
book to readers, one of the author’s best works.
Eventually through sheer determination after the first girl Stacey was found dead through strange circumstances they finally have a breakthrough. A cult would appear to be the leading theory especially after a second girl Bethany who has anxiety and self confidence problems disappears.
A very thought provoking book regarding how bullying can have an adverse effect on the younger population. I’d highly recommend this
book to readers, one of the author’s best works.
October 9, 2021
She could not open up to those who were near her, there was bullying at school, family life was a burden, then someone giving a chance for friendship and showing they cared shows up. Are they involved in the killing of another young girl? How are these girls getting involved with them? A good plot, with a lot of mystery and twists and turns that keep the reader tied to the book. Interesting, easy to read, and entertaining!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 14, 2021
Who would have thought?
This was a fantastic read! I found myself not wanting to get up and put the kindle down at all! It waz the old, just until the end of the chapter. This focused on the age old cult, which is always a great storyline, and a narcissist who knows how to find the most vulnerable. It also showed us something that no matter how strong a team is, they all have their secrets. I actually would love to learn a little more about the other team members families now, and what makes them tic! Can't wait for the next one to cone out now!
This was a fantastic read! I found myself not wanting to get up and put the kindle down at all! It waz the old, just until the end of the chapter. This focused on the age old cult, which is always a great storyline, and a narcissist who knows how to find the most vulnerable. It also showed us something that no matter how strong a team is, they all have their secrets. I actually would love to learn a little more about the other team members families now, and what makes them tic! Can't wait for the next one to cone out now!
September 25, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
October 16, 2021
When a body is found in a London park Di Erica Swift and her task force are assigned the case and things take a strange turn when symbols on the body become clues to the killer. This is a fast paced, page turning, mystery with engaging characters, nail biting suspense, and descriptive writing that pulled me into the story. The Gathering Man is book seven and a great addition to the Di Erica Swift Thriller series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
October 19, 2021
I love this series, it's one of my crime series in general. And I loved the cult angle as well even if I have seen it quite a lot withinn the genre, it was quite a refreshing angle for this series, even if it was somewhat more predictable what would happen than the authors other books.
I also loved seeing more insight into Shawn's life, even if we didn't really get to see many bonding moments throughout this book.
I also loved seeing more insight into Shawn's life, even if we didn't really get to see many bonding moments throughout this book.
September 19, 2022
Gathering Victims
The ritualistic murder of a young woman in a park sets DI Erica Swift on the trail of an elusive cult.
This was a good read. Fast paced it was entertaining. The identity of the cult leader was weak especially since the second victim was neither surprised by him nor shocked by some of his suggestions. The side story about Shawn's relative was dumb. Still a fàst, fun read.3.5 stars
The ritualistic murder of a young woman in a park sets DI Erica Swift on the trail of an elusive cult.
This was a good read. Fast paced it was entertaining. The identity of the cult leader was weak especially since the second victim was neither surprised by him nor shocked by some of his suggestions. The side story about Shawn's relative was dumb. Still a fàst, fun read.3.5 stars
June 16, 2023
A great read
This is another great read in the DI Swift series this is the seventh I've read in this series and once again it's brilliantly written extremely well plotted with great characters . I finished it in a few hours and thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend it to fans of this genre.
This is another great read in the DI Swift series this is the seventh I've read in this series and once again it's brilliantly written extremely well plotted with great characters . I finished it in a few hours and thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend it to fans of this genre.
June 26, 2023
I thought this story was the best so far because it had some intriguing characters and I liked the different points of view. I also liked how it highlighted different mental issues and how young people try to cope.
As usual, the story is easy to follow and predictable, the 'whodunit' not really a mystery, but it was engaging and well-written.
Recommended.
As usual, the story is easy to follow and predictable, the 'whodunit' not really a mystery, but it was engaging and well-written.
Recommended.
October 3, 2021
Seems like evil never stops. DI Erica and her taskforce are assigned a strange case this time. Symbols on the body are odd uneasy clues. Many questions are raised but as they search for answers they discover evil is after many. Turn the pages to see who and what are these answers.
October 7, 2021
As a person i don't like Erica she's too bossy and never seems to be with her child even when she is off weekend's she can't wait to get back to work !!won't be reading more .
When people are walking the street dressed all in long white dress sure someone would have seen them !!
When people are walking the street dressed all in long white dress sure someone would have seen them !!
October 12, 2021
Erica Swift is back again.
Yes something has happened.
The cops go to see what is going on.
Erica says, she’s never seen anything like this before.
Loved this book and can’t wait for the next book.
Yes something has happened.
The cops go to see what is going on.
Erica says, she’s never seen anything like this before.
Loved this book and can’t wait for the next book.
October 20, 2021
Love this series, just gets better
A really gripping and disturbing story that has you hooked from beginning to end. Great series which to me gets better with each book. Can't wait to read the next one.
A really gripping and disturbing story that has you hooked from beginning to end. Great series which to me gets better with each book. Can't wait to read the next one.
November 6, 2022
DI Swift gets her break
D I Swift uncovers a cult following as the second coming from the murder of an innocent girl with the markings on her and that found on a necklace given to her sister
D I Swift uncovers a cult following as the second coming from the murder of an innocent girl with the markings on her and that found on a necklace given to her sister
September 12, 2025
FANTASTIC
Same old, same old. Absolutely BRILLIANT. I can't wait to read the next one. I love the characters especially Erica and Shaun, the story line is always compelling too and flows nicely.
Same old, same old. Absolutely BRILLIANT. I can't wait to read the next one. I love the characters especially Erica and Shaun, the story line is always compelling too and flows nicely.
September 29, 2021
An absolutely gripping read.
October 6, 2021
Storyline very good and Great characters
Highly Recommend
Highly Recommend
October 6, 2021
Tale of unhappy children who seek solace with a cult. More of det Shawn i this one.
December 9, 2023
This has got to be my favourite Erica Swift book yet. It had everything and I read it in two sittings. If I could give it ten stars I would.
May 7, 2025
I’m still really loving this series and look forward to reading the rest. This was a plot line I haven’t seen in other detective stories based in the UK and I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews