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The Tattoo Thief / Sullivan & Mullins #3
Balzamovač
Třetí napínavý případ inspektora Francise Sullivana od autorky bestselleru Tatérka.
V brightonském Přírodovědném muzeu je nalezeno čerstvě mumifikované tělo. Když se spolu s kryptickými zprávami začnou objevovat egyptské pohřební nádoby a v nich části těla, má detektiv Francis Sullivan jasno – jde o práci sériového vraha. V ohrožení se navíc ocitá i Francisova exmilenka, tatérka Marni, která čelí obvinění z vraždy. Rozpolcený vyšetřovatel musí svést boj s vlastními démony i s časem, aby odhalil šíleného balzamovače dřív, než bude pozdě.
V brightonském Přírodovědném muzeu je nalezeno čerstvě mumifikované tělo. Když se spolu s kryptickými zprávami začnou objevovat egyptské pohřební nádoby a v nich části těla, má detektiv Francis Sullivan jasno – jde o práci sériového vraha. V ohrožení se navíc ocitá i Francisova exmilenka, tatérka Marni, která čelí obvinění z vraždy. Rozpolcený vyšetřovatel musí svést boj s vlastními démony i s časem, aby odhalil šíleného balzamovače dřív, než bude pozdě.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published November 12, 2020
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489 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
December 8, 2020
Alison Belsham gives us the third and final part of her Tattoo Thief trilogy, it continues with the reputation for grisly horror that she has established with her two previous books, based in Brighton. Her central protagonist who she has really put through the mill is a man with his own demons, DI Francis Sullivan, returning still in the position of having to prove himself and under constant pressure, with a police team that includes the still resentful DS Rory Mackay, new team member DC Gavin Albright and his odious boss, DCI Martin Bradshaw, a man that cannot be relied to be supportive. Sullivan is met by Nathan Cox at the Brighton Museum of National History where a museum exhibit of sea eagles has been replaced by a recent fresh mummified body tableau, with canopic jars of removed embalmed body parts.
It turns out not to be any kind of prank, but the beginning of a gruesome and dangerous police investigation. With the public living under fear, there are further murders with cryptic notes by a serial killer obsessed with Ancient Egypt and practices from that era, such as the burial jars, a killer given a voice interspersed in the narrative. Sullivan struggles to make any progress in the case, trying to find out what connects the victims, and identifying the serial killer. Additionally, he finds himself caught in what is happening to tattoo artist Marni Mullin facing her own troubles, trauma and grief, with DS Rory Mackay determined to charge her with the murder of Thierry Mullin. Marni claims she is innocent, that Thierry was killed by his evil twin brother, Paul, and her son, Alex, and Sullivan believe her, but Sullivan's relationship with her precludes him from getting involved in the police inquiry.
Belsham continues with her edgy and gritty crime stories here in this claustrophobic, terrifying and atmospheric tale of revenge, ancient Egypt, and obsession that culminates in a thrilling finale. I would recommend reading the previous books before reading this one, firstly, because it allows you to understand the characters of Francis and Marni and how their relationship develops, and secondly, because there are numerous references to what has happened in the past in this novel. This is an engaging and intense crime read that will appeal to those who enjoy their crime reads on the dark, creepy and offbeat side. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.
It turns out not to be any kind of prank, but the beginning of a gruesome and dangerous police investigation. With the public living under fear, there are further murders with cryptic notes by a serial killer obsessed with Ancient Egypt and practices from that era, such as the burial jars, a killer given a voice interspersed in the narrative. Sullivan struggles to make any progress in the case, trying to find out what connects the victims, and identifying the serial killer. Additionally, he finds himself caught in what is happening to tattoo artist Marni Mullin facing her own troubles, trauma and grief, with DS Rory Mackay determined to charge her with the murder of Thierry Mullin. Marni claims she is innocent, that Thierry was killed by his evil twin brother, Paul, and her son, Alex, and Sullivan believe her, but Sullivan's relationship with her precludes him from getting involved in the police inquiry.
Belsham continues with her edgy and gritty crime stories here in this claustrophobic, terrifying and atmospheric tale of revenge, ancient Egypt, and obsession that culminates in a thrilling finale. I would recommend reading the previous books before reading this one, firstly, because it allows you to understand the characters of Francis and Marni and how their relationship develops, and secondly, because there are numerous references to what has happened in the past in this novel. This is an engaging and intense crime read that will appeal to those who enjoy their crime reads on the dark, creepy and offbeat side. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.
May 2, 2021
As so many people I have a thing for Egypt and its history. So when the author describes how ‘the embalmer’ goes to work, I can visualize his work due to all the wonderful documentaries on NatGeo. It is quite grisly. But, after reading about a killer in Her Last Breath by the same author, who flayed his victims alive, maybe not so grisly because this time the victims at least are dead when he sets to work.
I had a nice few days reading all three books in this series. Although the stories of all characters are nicely rounded up, I have some hope there will be more books in this series. I still have a feeling I want to learn more about them. Francis is quietly becoming better and better in following his heart, both in his job as in his personal life. Marni and Alex are safe after some gruesome experiences. We still don’t know a lot about Robin, Francis’ sister and some of the colleagues of Francis that may or may not like him. Yes, there must be more and I would love reading it because the author has a nice flowing style that keeps you reading.
As in the two previous books, the killer is very hard to find, not only for the police but also for the reader because the clues are not easily found but cleverly hidden. There is witty dialogue and some really exciting scenes with some good surprises.
I’m happy to have found this author and I hope to read more of her in the near future.
Thanks to Netgally for this digital review copy.
I had a nice few days reading all three books in this series. Although the stories of all characters are nicely rounded up, I have some hope there will be more books in this series. I still have a feeling I want to learn more about them. Francis is quietly becoming better and better in following his heart, both in his job as in his personal life. Marni and Alex are safe after some gruesome experiences. We still don’t know a lot about Robin, Francis’ sister and some of the colleagues of Francis that may or may not like him. Yes, there must be more and I would love reading it because the author has a nice flowing style that keeps you reading.
As in the two previous books, the killer is very hard to find, not only for the police but also for the reader because the clues are not easily found but cleverly hidden. There is witty dialogue and some really exciting scenes with some good surprises.
I’m happy to have found this author and I hope to read more of her in the near future.
Thanks to Netgally for this digital review copy.
March 31, 2024
4⭐️=Good.
Audio.
This is the third in this series and I have enjoyed them all. They are all extremely well-written and I’m sorry that the series has come to an end.
There is a good balance of crime, back stories and relationships.
Just to warn you, there are quite a few descriptive scenes,and some are a little gory.
Audio.
This is the third in this series and I have enjoyed them all. They are all extremely well-written and I’m sorry that the series has come to an end.
There is a good balance of crime, back stories and relationships.
Just to warn you, there are quite a few descriptive scenes,and some are a little gory.
November 15, 2020
The Tattoo Theif #3
When a freshly mummified body is discovered at the Brighton Museum of Natural History,Detective Francis Sullivan is at a loss to identify the desiccated woman. But Egyptian burial jars of body parts with cryptic messages attached start appearing, he ralises he has a serial killer to catch.
Once again I did ot know that this book was part of a series when I requested it. I do think you have to have read the first two books to have a better understanding. As more bodies turn up placed in canopic jars, Francis Sullivan knows he's dealing with a serial killer. It's a race against time to find out who is behind these killings. I highly advise reading the first two books before attempting this book as I wish I had did the same.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #OrionPublishingGroup and the author #AlisonBelsham for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When a freshly mummified body is discovered at the Brighton Museum of Natural History,Detective Francis Sullivan is at a loss to identify the desiccated woman. But Egyptian burial jars of body parts with cryptic messages attached start appearing, he ralises he has a serial killer to catch.
Once again I did ot know that this book was part of a series when I requested it. I do think you have to have read the first two books to have a better understanding. As more bodies turn up placed in canopic jars, Francis Sullivan knows he's dealing with a serial killer. It's a race against time to find out who is behind these killings. I highly advise reading the first two books before attempting this book as I wish I had did the same.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #OrionPublishingGroup and the author #AlisonBelsham for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2020
This is a cleverly crafted and exciting thriller that moves at great pace. It digs into the twisted mind of a serial killer and follows the process of the police force, going from nothing to two possible suspects, each with their own disturbed story, keeping the reader entertained to the very end.
Thank you Netgalley and Orion Publishing for the ARC.
Thank you Netgalley and Orion Publishing for the ARC.
November 12, 2020
The Embalmer is the third and final instalment in this superb, award-winning police procedural trilogy, featuring Tattoo Artist Marni Mullins and Detective Inspector Francis Sullivan, set in Brighton. Despite the core plot being self-contained I would strongly recommend reading the previous two books before this as there are frequent references to past events, cases and previous relationships made throughout. Early one morning on his way to get his usual morning coffee before clocking on, DI Sullivan is called out to an apparent break-in at the Booth Natural History Museum on Dyke Road in central Brighton. He arrives at 8:30 am, is let in by a uniformed officer and greeted by the assistant manager, Nathan Cox, who directs him to the reception and a glass case in the corner with a mummy inside. A mummified body isn't exactly an odd thing to discover at the museum but it is evident this body isn't centuries old, with its bright white, clean bandages and vivid colourful hieroglyphs, not to mention it had seemingly held a pair of white-tailed sea eagles when they shut up yesterday. As more bodies drop, it appears a serial killer with a penchant for ancient Egypt and a flair for the dramatic is on the prowl.
Meanwhile, Francis has complications in his personal life which crossover somewhat into his professional life. Marni stands accused of stabbing her ex-husband, Thierry, but she is adamant it was, in fact, his twin brother, Paul, who wielded the blade and murdered him in the couple’s kitchen. Despite her proclamations, Sullivan’s sergeant, Rory Mackay, is determined to get her sent down. This is a compulsive and wholly original close to the trilogy, and I must admit that I am bereft that it has come to an end, but it certainly concluded with a bang. I couldn't put this down, and before I knew it I could hear the birds singing sweetly outside my window. It's unique, creepy and the air is thick with a claustrophobia, which adds feelings of intensity and unpredictability. There were various exciting developments I could not have foreseen, and enough action and twists to keep those pages flying by. Captivating, addictive and a real must-read, this is a well written, pacy procedural which has a grit and edge to it and features a thoroughly twisted serial killer. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Trapeze for an ARC.
Meanwhile, Francis has complications in his personal life which crossover somewhat into his professional life. Marni stands accused of stabbing her ex-husband, Thierry, but she is adamant it was, in fact, his twin brother, Paul, who wielded the blade and murdered him in the couple’s kitchen. Despite her proclamations, Sullivan’s sergeant, Rory Mackay, is determined to get her sent down. This is a compulsive and wholly original close to the trilogy, and I must admit that I am bereft that it has come to an end, but it certainly concluded with a bang. I couldn't put this down, and before I knew it I could hear the birds singing sweetly outside my window. It's unique, creepy and the air is thick with a claustrophobia, which adds feelings of intensity and unpredictability. There were various exciting developments I could not have foreseen, and enough action and twists to keep those pages flying by. Captivating, addictive and a real must-read, this is a well written, pacy procedural which has a grit and edge to it and features a thoroughly twisted serial killer. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Trapeze for an ARC.
March 8, 2024
Parti muito empolgada para a leitura de O EMBALSAMADOR e, apesar de ter gostado muito da leitura antes do final, achei o desfecho de tudo foi fraco. Ainda por cima, é o último livro da série, não há como aguardar que os próximos livros tragam desenvolvimentos.
Ora, o embalsamador é um personagem muito creepy. As descrições dos assassínios foram arrepiantes. Quando se fica a saber de tudo - a identidade do assassino e os seus motivos - foi um "huge letdown". Não se pode contar que as razões de um assassino para assassinar pessoas, ainda por cima de forma tão grotesca, sejam racionais, mas há coisas e coisas. E as coisas aqui, neste livro, não funcionaram comigo🤐.
Há mais 2 questões que, ou não tiveram fim, o fim que mereciam, ou ficaram simplesmente pendentes.
Que desilusão.
Ora, o embalsamador é um personagem muito creepy. As descrições dos assassínios foram arrepiantes. Quando se fica a saber de tudo - a identidade do assassino e os seus motivos - foi um "huge letdown". Não se pode contar que as razões de um assassino para assassinar pessoas, ainda por cima de forma tão grotesca, sejam racionais, mas há coisas e coisas. E as coisas aqui, neste livro, não funcionaram comigo🤐.
Há mais 2 questões que, ou não tiveram fim, o fim que mereciam, ou ficaram simplesmente pendentes.
Que desilusão.
June 11, 2023
Vejam a minha opinião em vídeo, AQUI.
August 22, 2023
Apesar de o final ser muito ????
Gostei
4.2⭐
Gostei
4.2⭐
November 21, 2020
Well, we had another killer on the loose in Brighton and this time I really thought I cracked it, but obviously I was wrong.
The embalmer follows Sullivan and his team on the hunt for not one but two killers, the embalmer who is leaving messages directly for him and Paul Mullins, the twin brother of Marni Mullins’ ex husband. Sullivan who is not to be involved in the Mullins case finds it hard to stay away whilst also trying to run the investigation for the embalmer.
This book had me feeling a lot of different emotions, the main one being me on the edge of my seat, but also a lot of sorrow, a lot of which was for Marni, she went through a lot in this book and I could feel her pain and grief through each turn of the page. I felt such a huge connection to her that it hurt.
Anger, all directed towards the evil Mullins twin who I killed ten times over in my head, not counting the times from the previous books and then finally, Sadness. I wasn’t the biggest Thierry fan but I found myself welling up at his funeral. It felt like I was there in the same room, he didn’t deserve to die but it was ultimately the pain of reading how Marni, his mum and Alex felt that set me off with the tears.
And now I have come to the end, I’ve got to say I feel a little lost, for the past week these characters have been a big part of my days and now we have had to part ways and I’m not quite sure how I’m supposed to feel about that, but I just hope it is not for too long and I will find myself with a new DI Sullivan thriller in my hands. ☺️
The embalmer follows Sullivan and his team on the hunt for not one but two killers, the embalmer who is leaving messages directly for him and Paul Mullins, the twin brother of Marni Mullins’ ex husband. Sullivan who is not to be involved in the Mullins case finds it hard to stay away whilst also trying to run the investigation for the embalmer.
This book had me feeling a lot of different emotions, the main one being me on the edge of my seat, but also a lot of sorrow, a lot of which was for Marni, she went through a lot in this book and I could feel her pain and grief through each turn of the page. I felt such a huge connection to her that it hurt.
Anger, all directed towards the evil Mullins twin who I killed ten times over in my head, not counting the times from the previous books and then finally, Sadness. I wasn’t the biggest Thierry fan but I found myself welling up at his funeral. It felt like I was there in the same room, he didn’t deserve to die but it was ultimately the pain of reading how Marni, his mum and Alex felt that set me off with the tears.
And now I have come to the end, I’ve got to say I feel a little lost, for the past week these characters have been a big part of my days and now we have had to part ways and I’m not quite sure how I’m supposed to feel about that, but I just hope it is not for too long and I will find myself with a new DI Sullivan thriller in my hands. ☺️
June 6, 2021
Cari lettori,
oggi vi parlo di un libro che mi ha subito incuriosita, ovvero L'imbalsamatore di Alison Belsham, edito Newton Compton editori.
Conoscevo l'autrice per i due volumi precedenti (Il Tatuatore e Il Ladro di Tatuaggi) e attendevo da mesi l'arrivo di questo terzo volume della serie. Mi sono sentita esattamente come dopo aver letto i primi due romanzi, ovvero combattuta. Riuscire a esprimere un giudizio mi sta costando tante riflessioni contrastanti. Probabilmente scrivere questa recensione sarà utile anche a me per ordinare le idee. Dunque, partiamo dalla trama.
Dopo diversi mesi, ho incontrato Francis Sullivan, che ha tra le mani un enigma difficile da risolvere. Una mummia viene rinvenuta nel museo storico di Brighton; le sue caratteristiche sono del tutto simili a quelle dell'Antico Egitto. Tuttavia, non si tratta di una scoperta secolare, ma di un omicidio recente. Insieme al corpo, compaiono dei messaggi criptati attraverso l'uso dei geroglifici e dei vasi canopi tipicamente usati per riporre le interiora dei faraoni.
Per Francis ha inizio una caccia al colpevole frenetica: segue le scie di sangue lasciate dal killer soprannominato "L'Imbalsamatore", un individuo privo di scrupoli, pronto a colpire di nuovo.
Il detective è particolarmente stressato, perché non segue esclusivamente questo caso. Pur non potendo partecipare perché troppo coinvolto, affianca le ricerche per scagionare Marni Muligans, la tatuatrice coprotagonista dei romanzi precedenti. È invischiata in un delitto e Sullivan è determinato a rivelare la sua innocenza, nonostante le circostanze incriminanti.
Conoscevo l'autrice per i due volumi precedenti (Il Tatuatore e Il Ladro di Tatuaggi) e attendevo da mesi l'arrivo di questo terzo volume della serie. Mi sono sentita esattamente come dopo aver letto i primi due romanzi, ovvero combattuta. Riuscire a esprimere un giudizio mi sta costando tante riflessioni contrastanti. Probabilmente scrivere questa recensione sarà utile anche a me per ordinare le idee. Dunque, partiamo dalla trama.
Dopo diversi mesi, ho incontrato Francis Sullivan, che ha tra le mani un enigma difficile da risolvere. Una mummia viene rinvenuta nel museo storico di Brighton; le sue caratteristiche sono del tutto simili a quelle dell'Antico Egitto. Tuttavia, non si tratta di una scoperta secolare, ma di un omicidio recente. Insieme al corpo, compaiono dei messaggi criptati attraverso l'uso dei geroglifici e dei vasi canopi tipicamente usati per riporre le interiora dei faraoni.
Per Francis ha inizio una caccia al colpevole frenetica: segue le scie di sangue lasciate dal killer soprannominato "L'Imbalsamatore", un individuo privo di scrupoli, pronto a colpire di nuovo.
Il detective è particolarmente stressato, perché non segue esclusivamente questo caso. Pur non potendo partecipare perché troppo coinvolto, affianca le ricerche per scagionare Marni Muligans, la tatuatrice coprotagonista dei romanzi precedenti. È invischiata in un delitto e Sullivan è determinato a rivelare la sua innocenza, nonostante le circostanze incriminanti.
Come ogni altro grande traguardo, anche l’immortalità richiede dei sacrifici.
Sacrifici umani.
Francis è completamente dedito al lavoro: impiega tutte le sue energie per portare a galla la verità. Mi è piaciuto perché pur essendo abbastanza pacato, sa essere determinato e coraggioso. Egli si batte per la giustizia, nonostante le numerose difficoltà che comporta una vita come la sua. Non gode delle ferie, né di orari prestabiliti, deve essere sempre disponibile e avere la lucidità per presidiare le scene del crimine.
È un uomo che ho ammirato; è stato facile simpatizzare per lui, che si è confermato un ottimo protagonista.
Diverso è il discorso per quanto riguarda Marni. Nelle mie scorse recensioni, avevo evidenziato i suoi punti deboli e sono concorde con la mia visione passata. Trovo insopportabili i suoi atteggiamenti, ma ammetto che sia anticonvenzionale e che abbia un passato interessante. Forse è proprio la diversità tra lei e Francis che li rende una coppia curiosa.
Il racconto si snoda attraverso una narrazione in terza persona che mostra i loro due POV, ma anche quelli della squadra investigativa. Se da un lato questa scelta rende la visione più completa, dall'altro è contestabile. In alcuni punti ho notato una ridondanza di dialoghi o di racconti di scene già proposte poco prima. Ciò ha rallentato un po' la lettura, che reputo in generale scorrevole. Troppe visioni permettono di empatizzare meno per i personaggi, infatti non ho provato particolare empatia per nessuno di loro, tranne che per Sullivan.
Lo stile di Alison Belsham è curato e ricco. Le descrizioni rendono le scene particolarmente vivide. Personalmente ho amato i dettagli, perché hanno fatto volare lontana la mia immaginazione. Per alcune persone potrebbero essere un po' troppo esplicite. Dunque, se avete uno stomaco sensibile, ricordate che questa lettura è particolarmente cruenta. Però, se riuscirete a sorpassare questo limite, scoprirete una storia originale e ora vi spiego perché.
È un uomo che ho ammirato; è stato facile simpatizzare per lui, che si è confermato un ottimo protagonista.
Diverso è il discorso per quanto riguarda Marni. Nelle mie scorse recensioni, avevo evidenziato i suoi punti deboli e sono concorde con la mia visione passata. Trovo insopportabili i suoi atteggiamenti, ma ammetto che sia anticonvenzionale e che abbia un passato interessante. Forse è proprio la diversità tra lei e Francis che li rende una coppia curiosa.
Il racconto si snoda attraverso una narrazione in terza persona che mostra i loro due POV, ma anche quelli della squadra investigativa. Se da un lato questa scelta rende la visione più completa, dall'altro è contestabile. In alcuni punti ho notato una ridondanza di dialoghi o di racconti di scene già proposte poco prima. Ciò ha rallentato un po' la lettura, che reputo in generale scorrevole. Troppe visioni permettono di empatizzare meno per i personaggi, infatti non ho provato particolare empatia per nessuno di loro, tranne che per Sullivan.
Lo stile di Alison Belsham è curato e ricco. Le descrizioni rendono le scene particolarmente vivide. Personalmente ho amato i dettagli, perché hanno fatto volare lontana la mia immaginazione. Per alcune persone potrebbero essere un po' troppo esplicite. Dunque, se avete uno stomaco sensibile, ricordate che questa lettura è particolarmente cruenta. Però, se riuscirete a sorpassare questo limite, scoprirete una storia originale e ora vi spiego perché.
Ho qualcosa di tuo.
Qualcuno in realtà.
Segui le mie istruzioni e forse vivrà.
Forse no.
Ho amato questo caso! Rituali, Dei egiziani, procedure tradizionali, geroglifici, tatuaggi con significati nascosti... Parola d'ordine: rompicapi. Adoro gli enigmi intricati e le trame fitte di indizi disseminati. Mi sono calata tra le pagine per indagare insieme a Francis.
Mi è piaciuto di meno il caso di Marni, soprattutto perché di lei si era già parlato negli scorsi volumi.
La duplice ricerca da un lato aumenta la suspense, dall'altro distoglie l'attenzione dal killer principale.
L'inizio e lo svolgimento riescono a catapultare il lettore in un'atmosfera cupa; i capitoli si rincorrono ad un ritmo serrato, mentre la curiosità cresce a dismisura. La vera chicca del romanzo sono i capitoli in cui si conosce il punto di vista dell'Imbalsamatore. Questa strategia era stata usata dall'autrice anche nei primi due libri. Sono brevi e intensi, interrompono il flusso di lettura improvvisamente, spiazzando chi legge. Ero in balia dei dubbi mentre leggevo; ho sospettato di vari personaggi ma non ho azzeccato alcuna teoria se non nella parte finale.
Mi è piaciuto di meno il caso di Marni, soprattutto perché di lei si era già parlato negli scorsi volumi.
La duplice ricerca da un lato aumenta la suspense, dall'altro distoglie l'attenzione dal killer principale.
L'inizio e lo svolgimento riescono a catapultare il lettore in un'atmosfera cupa; i capitoli si rincorrono ad un ritmo serrato, mentre la curiosità cresce a dismisura. La vera chicca del romanzo sono i capitoli in cui si conosce il punto di vista dell'Imbalsamatore. Questa strategia era stata usata dall'autrice anche nei primi due libri. Sono brevi e intensi, interrompono il flusso di lettura improvvisamente, spiazzando chi legge. Ero in balia dei dubbi mentre leggevo; ho sospettato di vari personaggi ma non ho azzeccato alcuna teoria se non nella parte finale.
La conclusione è stata leggermente sotto alle mie aspettative, però ho interpretato le decisioni dell'autrice come volontarie. Non posso dirmi delusa, anzi, dopo aver terminato la lettura ho riflettuto su quanto sia difficile comprendere una mente malata. Forse, è impossibile. Si parla di una psiche disturbata e della precarietà dell'esistenza umana. Non ci sono limiti alla follia e tra le pagine di questo romanzo ne avrete la prova.
Ciò che mi ha colpita maggiormente è l'originalità del mistero principale. Mi ha appassionata così tanto che faticavo a staccarmi dal Kindle. Le indagini sono particolarmente coinvolgenti, proprio come le autopsie. Sembrerà insolito, ma le scene in cui c'è Rosy, medico legale nonché patologa che si occupa di analizzare i corpi delle vittime, sono affascinanti. Ripeto, potrebbe non essere una lettura adatta a tutti, ma per me questi sono stati gli attimi maggiormente stimolanti.
Ciò che mi ha colpita maggiormente è l'originalità del mistero principale. Mi ha appassionata così tanto che faticavo a staccarmi dal Kindle. Le indagini sono particolarmente coinvolgenti, proprio come le autopsie. Sembrerà insolito, ma le scene in cui c'è Rosy, medico legale nonché patologa che si occupa di analizzare i corpi delle vittime, sono affascinanti. Ripeto, potrebbe non essere una lettura adatta a tutti, ma per me questi sono stati gli attimi maggiormente stimolanti.
Mi troverai prima che ti trovi io?
È dura, vero? Ma esaminiamo i fatti.
Tu non sai chi sono.
Mentre io so dove vivi…"
Come avrete notato, questa lettura è stata conflittuale in diverse circostanze. Mi ha messo in crisi perché ci sono elementi che non mi hanno convinta a livello soggettivo. Eppure, oggettivamente so che potrebbero piacere a tantissimi lettori. Ho avuto diversi dubbi nell'esprimere il mio giudizio. Mi ha accompagnata una sola certezza, ovvero che questo libro mi è piaciuto. È scritto bene, il protagonista maschile è singolare, la trama è avvincente. Coloro che hanno letto Il Tatuatore e Il Ladro di Tatuaggi, non potranno perdersi la nuova uscita di Alison Belsham. Lo consiglio a chi desidera una vicenda enigmatica; in più, se siete appassionati dell'Antico Egitto questo thriller fa al caso vostro. L'imbalsamatore è intrigante, accattivante e piacevolmente macabro. Nonostante alcune pecche, la reputo una buona lettura.
Un mondo di passaggi oscuri, stanze abbandonate, scale segrete.
Quello è il mondo dell’Imbalsamatore.
November 11, 2020
This is the third book in the series and is a great read.
DI Francis Sullivan is called out to a small museum as the manager discovers a recently mummified body has been left there.
There’s also canopic jars next to it which they soon discover contain body parts.
Alongside this story is a murder which is very close to Francis and he’s determined to make sure the truth comes out as he’s not allowed to be part of the case.
Another body is found and the killer seems to know about Francis as he starts to send him cryptic notes and another canopic jar.
This is a gripping crime thriller that has a nail biting conclusion that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
DI Francis Sullivan is called out to a small museum as the manager discovers a recently mummified body has been left there.
There’s also canopic jars next to it which they soon discover contain body parts.
Alongside this story is a murder which is very close to Francis and he’s determined to make sure the truth comes out as he’s not allowed to be part of the case.
Another body is found and the killer seems to know about Francis as he starts to send him cryptic notes and another canopic jar.
This is a gripping crime thriller that has a nail biting conclusion that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
April 7, 2023
Ligger helt på linie med de to første, god underholdning.
April 28, 2021
Recensione per il blog Love is in the Books.
Cari lettori,
oggi vi parlo di un libro che mi ha subito incuriosita, ovvero L'imbalsamatore di Alison Belsham, edito Newton Compton editori.
Conoscevo l'autrice per i due volumi precedenti (Il Tatuatore e Il Ladro di Tatuaggi) e attendevo da mesi l'arrivo di questo terzo volume della serie. Mi sono sentita esattamente come dopo aver letto i primi due romanzi, ovvero combattuta. Riuscire a esprimere un giudizio mi sta costando tante riflessioni contrastanti. Probabilmente scrivere questa recensione sarà utile anche a me per ordinare le idee. Dunque, partiamo dalla trama.
Dopo diversi mesi, ho incontrato Francis Sullivan, che ha tra le mani un enigma difficile da risolvere. Una mummia viene rinvenuta nel museo storico di Brighton; le sue caratteristiche sono del tutto simili a quelle dell'Antico Egitto. Tuttavia, non si tratta di una scoperta secolare, ma di un omicidio recente. Insieme al corpo, compaiono dei messaggi criptati attraverso l'uso dei geroglifici e dei vasi canopi tipicamente usati per riporre le interiora dei faraoni.
Per Francis ha inizio una caccia al colpevole frenetica: segue le scie di sangue lasciate dal killer soprannominato "L'Imbalsamatore", un individuo privo di scrupoli, pronto a colpire di nuovo.
Il detective è particolarmente stressato, perché non segue esclusivamente questo caso. Pur non potendo partecipare perché troppo coinvolto, affianca le ricerche per scagionare Marni Muligans, la tatuatrice coprotagonista dei romanzi precedenti. È invischiata in un delitto e Sullivan è determinato a rivelare la sua innocenza, nonostante le circostanze incriminanti.
Come ogni altro grande traguardo, anche l’immortalità richiede dei sacrifici.
Sacrifici umani.
Francis è completamente dedito al lavoro: impiega tutte le sue energie per portare a galla la verità. Mi è piaciuto perché pur essendo abbastanza pacato, sa essere determinato e coraggioso. Egli si batte per la giustizia, nonostante le numerose difficoltà che comporta una vita come la sua. Non gode delle ferie, né di orari prestabiliti, deve essere sempre disponibile e avere la lucidità per presidiare le scene del crimine. È un uomo che ho ammirato; è stato facile simpatizzare per lui, che si è confermato un ottimo protagonista. Diverso è il discorso per quanto riguarda Marni. Nelle mie scorse recensioni, avevo evidenziato i suoi punti deboli e sono concorde con la mia visione passata. Trovo insopportabili i suoi atteggiamenti, ma ammetto che sia anticonvenzionale e che abbia un passato interessante. Forse è proprio la diversità tra lei e Francis che li rende una coppia curiosa.
Il racconto si snoda attraverso una narrazione in terza persona che mostra i loro due POV, ma anche quelli della squadra investigativa. Se da un lato questa scelta rende la visione più completa, dall'altro è contestabile. In alcuni punti ho notato una ridondanza di dialoghi o di racconti di scene già proposte poco prima. Ciò ha rallentato un po' la lettura, che reputo in generale scorrevole. Troppe visioni permettono di empatizzare meno per i personaggi, infatti non ho provato particolare empatia per nessuno di loro, tranne che per Sullivan.
Lo stile di Alison Belsham è curato e ricco. Le descrizioni rendono le scene particolarmente vivide. Personalmente ho amato i dettagli, perché hanno fatto volare lontana la mia immaginazione. Per alcune persone potrebbero essere un po' troppo esplicite. Dunque, se avete uno stomaco sensibile, ricordate che questa lettura è particolarmente cruenta. Però, se riuscirete a sorpassare questo limite, scoprirete una storia originale e ora vi spiego perché.
Ho qualcosa di tuo.
Qualcuno in realtà.
Segui le mie istruzioni e forse vivrà.
Forse no.
Ho amato questo caso! Rituali, Dei egiziani, procedure tradizionali, geroglifici, tatuaggi con significati nascosti... Parola d'ordine: rompicapi. Adoro gli enigmi intricati e le trame fitte di indizi disseminati. Mi sono calata tra le pagine per indagare insieme a Francis.
Mi è piaciuto di meno il caso di Marni, soprattutto perché di lei si era già parlato negli scorsi volumi.
La duplice ricerca da un lato aumenta la suspense, dall'altro distoglie l'attenzione dal killer principale. L'inizio e lo svolgimento riescono a catapultare il lettore in un'atmosfera cupa; i capitoli si rincorrono ad un ritmo serrato, mentre la curiosità cresce a dismisura. La vera chicca del romanzo sono i capitoli in cui si conosce il punto di vista dell'Imbalsamatore. Questa strategia era stata usata dall'autrice anche nei primi due libri. Sono brevi e intensi, interrompono il flusso di lettura improvvisamente, spiazzando chi legge. Ero in balia dei dubbi mentre leggevo; ho sospettato di vari personaggi ma non ho azzeccato alcuna teoria se non nella parte finale.
La conclusione è stata leggermente sotto alle mie aspettative, però ho interpretato le decisioni dell'autrice come volontarie. Non posso dirmi delusa, anzi, dopo aver terminato la lettura ho riflettuto su quanto sia difficile comprendere una mente malata. Forse, è impossibile. Si parla di una psiche disturbata e della precarietà dell'esistenza umana. Non ci sono limiti alla follia e tra le pagine di questo romanzo ne avrete la prova.
Ciò che mi ha colpita maggiormente è l'originalità del mistero principale. Mi ha appassionata così tanto che faticavo a staccarmi dal Kindle. Le indagini sono particolarmente coinvolgenti, proprio come le autopsie. Sembrerà insolito, ma le scene in cui c'è Rosy, medico legale nonché patologa che si occupa di analizzare i corpi delle vittime, sono affascinanti. Ripeto, potrebbe non essere una lettura adatta a tutti, ma per me questi sono stati gli attimi maggiormente stimolanti.
Mi troverai prima che ti trovi io?
È dura, vero? Ma esaminiamo i fatti.
Tu non sai chi sono.
Mentre io so dove vivi…"
Come avrete notato, questa lettura è stata conflittuale in diverse circostanze. Mi ha messo in crisi perché ci sono elementi che non mi hanno convinta a livello soggettivo. Eppure, oggettivamente so che potrebbero piacere a tantissimi lettori. Ho avuto diversi dubbi nell'esprimere il mio giudizio. Mi ha accompagnata una sola certezza, ovvero che questo libro mi è piaciuto. È scritto bene, il protagonista maschile è singolare, la trama è avvincente. Coloro che hanno letto Il Tatuatore e Il Ladro di Tatuaggi, non potranno perdersi la nuova uscita di Alison Belsham. Lo consiglio a chi desidera una vicenda enigmatica; in più, se siete appassionati dell'Antico Egitto questo thriller fa al caso vostro. L'imbalsamatore è intrigante, accattivante e piacevolmente macabro. Nonostante alcune pecche, la reputo una buona lettura.
Cari lettori,
oggi vi parlo di un libro che mi ha subito incuriosita, ovvero L'imbalsamatore di Alison Belsham, edito Newton Compton editori.
Conoscevo l'autrice per i due volumi precedenti (Il Tatuatore e Il Ladro di Tatuaggi) e attendevo da mesi l'arrivo di questo terzo volume della serie. Mi sono sentita esattamente come dopo aver letto i primi due romanzi, ovvero combattuta. Riuscire a esprimere un giudizio mi sta costando tante riflessioni contrastanti. Probabilmente scrivere questa recensione sarà utile anche a me per ordinare le idee. Dunque, partiamo dalla trama.
Dopo diversi mesi, ho incontrato Francis Sullivan, che ha tra le mani un enigma difficile da risolvere. Una mummia viene rinvenuta nel museo storico di Brighton; le sue caratteristiche sono del tutto simili a quelle dell'Antico Egitto. Tuttavia, non si tratta di una scoperta secolare, ma di un omicidio recente. Insieme al corpo, compaiono dei messaggi criptati attraverso l'uso dei geroglifici e dei vasi canopi tipicamente usati per riporre le interiora dei faraoni.
Per Francis ha inizio una caccia al colpevole frenetica: segue le scie di sangue lasciate dal killer soprannominato "L'Imbalsamatore", un individuo privo di scrupoli, pronto a colpire di nuovo.
Il detective è particolarmente stressato, perché non segue esclusivamente questo caso. Pur non potendo partecipare perché troppo coinvolto, affianca le ricerche per scagionare Marni Muligans, la tatuatrice coprotagonista dei romanzi precedenti. È invischiata in un delitto e Sullivan è determinato a rivelare la sua innocenza, nonostante le circostanze incriminanti.
Come ogni altro grande traguardo, anche l’immortalità richiede dei sacrifici.
Sacrifici umani.
Francis è completamente dedito al lavoro: impiega tutte le sue energie per portare a galla la verità. Mi è piaciuto perché pur essendo abbastanza pacato, sa essere determinato e coraggioso. Egli si batte per la giustizia, nonostante le numerose difficoltà che comporta una vita come la sua. Non gode delle ferie, né di orari prestabiliti, deve essere sempre disponibile e avere la lucidità per presidiare le scene del crimine. È un uomo che ho ammirato; è stato facile simpatizzare per lui, che si è confermato un ottimo protagonista. Diverso è il discorso per quanto riguarda Marni. Nelle mie scorse recensioni, avevo evidenziato i suoi punti deboli e sono concorde con la mia visione passata. Trovo insopportabili i suoi atteggiamenti, ma ammetto che sia anticonvenzionale e che abbia un passato interessante. Forse è proprio la diversità tra lei e Francis che li rende una coppia curiosa.
Il racconto si snoda attraverso una narrazione in terza persona che mostra i loro due POV, ma anche quelli della squadra investigativa. Se da un lato questa scelta rende la visione più completa, dall'altro è contestabile. In alcuni punti ho notato una ridondanza di dialoghi o di racconti di scene già proposte poco prima. Ciò ha rallentato un po' la lettura, che reputo in generale scorrevole. Troppe visioni permettono di empatizzare meno per i personaggi, infatti non ho provato particolare empatia per nessuno di loro, tranne che per Sullivan.
Lo stile di Alison Belsham è curato e ricco. Le descrizioni rendono le scene particolarmente vivide. Personalmente ho amato i dettagli, perché hanno fatto volare lontana la mia immaginazione. Per alcune persone potrebbero essere un po' troppo esplicite. Dunque, se avete uno stomaco sensibile, ricordate che questa lettura è particolarmente cruenta. Però, se riuscirete a sorpassare questo limite, scoprirete una storia originale e ora vi spiego perché.
Ho qualcosa di tuo.
Qualcuno in realtà.
Segui le mie istruzioni e forse vivrà.
Forse no.
Ho amato questo caso! Rituali, Dei egiziani, procedure tradizionali, geroglifici, tatuaggi con significati nascosti... Parola d'ordine: rompicapi. Adoro gli enigmi intricati e le trame fitte di indizi disseminati. Mi sono calata tra le pagine per indagare insieme a Francis.
Mi è piaciuto di meno il caso di Marni, soprattutto perché di lei si era già parlato negli scorsi volumi.
La duplice ricerca da un lato aumenta la suspense, dall'altro distoglie l'attenzione dal killer principale. L'inizio e lo svolgimento riescono a catapultare il lettore in un'atmosfera cupa; i capitoli si rincorrono ad un ritmo serrato, mentre la curiosità cresce a dismisura. La vera chicca del romanzo sono i capitoli in cui si conosce il punto di vista dell'Imbalsamatore. Questa strategia era stata usata dall'autrice anche nei primi due libri. Sono brevi e intensi, interrompono il flusso di lettura improvvisamente, spiazzando chi legge. Ero in balia dei dubbi mentre leggevo; ho sospettato di vari personaggi ma non ho azzeccato alcuna teoria se non nella parte finale.
La conclusione è stata leggermente sotto alle mie aspettative, però ho interpretato le decisioni dell'autrice come volontarie. Non posso dirmi delusa, anzi, dopo aver terminato la lettura ho riflettuto su quanto sia difficile comprendere una mente malata. Forse, è impossibile. Si parla di una psiche disturbata e della precarietà dell'esistenza umana. Non ci sono limiti alla follia e tra le pagine di questo romanzo ne avrete la prova.
Ciò che mi ha colpita maggiormente è l'originalità del mistero principale. Mi ha appassionata così tanto che faticavo a staccarmi dal Kindle. Le indagini sono particolarmente coinvolgenti, proprio come le autopsie. Sembrerà insolito, ma le scene in cui c'è Rosy, medico legale nonché patologa che si occupa di analizzare i corpi delle vittime, sono affascinanti. Ripeto, potrebbe non essere una lettura adatta a tutti, ma per me questi sono stati gli attimi maggiormente stimolanti.
Mi troverai prima che ti trovi io?
È dura, vero? Ma esaminiamo i fatti.
Tu non sai chi sono.
Mentre io so dove vivi…"
Come avrete notato, questa lettura è stata conflittuale in diverse circostanze. Mi ha messo in crisi perché ci sono elementi che non mi hanno convinta a livello soggettivo. Eppure, oggettivamente so che potrebbero piacere a tantissimi lettori. Ho avuto diversi dubbi nell'esprimere il mio giudizio. Mi ha accompagnata una sola certezza, ovvero che questo libro mi è piaciuto. È scritto bene, il protagonista maschile è singolare, la trama è avvincente. Coloro che hanno letto Il Tatuatore e Il Ladro di Tatuaggi, non potranno perdersi la nuova uscita di Alison Belsham. Lo consiglio a chi desidera una vicenda enigmatica; in più, se siete appassionati dell'Antico Egitto questo thriller fa al caso vostro. L'imbalsamatore è intrigante, accattivante e piacevolmente macabro. Nonostante alcune pecche, la reputo una buona lettura.
October 15, 2020
The Embalmer by Alison Belsham is the third in the series of the Tattoo thief. Although it has several references from the previous novels you can still read this as a standalone. I have not read the previous two books.
When Nathan Cox finds a Mummy that wasn’t there previously in the local museum and finds that the body has been recently mummified and four Canopic jars beside it. He knows there has been a murder. In comes Detective Francis Sullivan to investigate and find out who it is. The murderer nicknamed the ‘The emblamer’ seems to know who Frank is an sends him crypted notes to him and another canopic jar when he kills again. There is a race against time to find out who is the murderer. At the same time Frank is also investigating Marni Mullins case. She was found with a knife in her hand and her husband Thierry dead.
This is a unique gripping thriller by Alison Belsham and I really enjoyed it. But I am afraid I couldn’t give it the five full stars because of the certain reference from the previous stories. But saying that it is still worth the read.
When Nathan Cox finds a Mummy that wasn’t there previously in the local museum and finds that the body has been recently mummified and four Canopic jars beside it. He knows there has been a murder. In comes Detective Francis Sullivan to investigate and find out who it is. The murderer nicknamed the ‘The emblamer’ seems to know who Frank is an sends him crypted notes to him and another canopic jar when he kills again. There is a race against time to find out who is the murderer. At the same time Frank is also investigating Marni Mullins case. She was found with a knife in her hand and her husband Thierry dead.
This is a unique gripping thriller by Alison Belsham and I really enjoyed it. But I am afraid I couldn’t give it the five full stars because of the certain reference from the previous stories. But saying that it is still worth the read.
December 10, 2021
Simo G. - per RFS
Ciao, Fenici! La lettura di questo libro è stata decisamente “un parto lungo”. L’ho iniziato attratta dall’invitante copertina, un gufo che ti fissa con inquietanti occhi gialli, poi l’incipit ha stuzzicato la mia curiosità:
Istruzioni per la mummificazione
Occorrente:
1 cadavere
1 tavolo da imbalsamatore con almeno quattro supporti a croce rialzati
20 litri di vino di palma
1 ago ricurvo
Ciotoline e recipienti secondo le necessità
Diversi stracci di lino
1 lama d’ossidiana
[…]
L’utente potrebbe incontrare difficoltà nel reperire questi materiali. In caso di necessità, si consiglia di utilizzare l’alternativa più similare, con l’avvertenza che ogni sostituzione potrebbe pregiudicare il processo
(tratto dal libro)
Super accattivante vero? Invece, dopo i primi capitoli, mi sono persa… Non capivo i personaggi, non riuscivo a immaginarmeli e facevo fatica a captare i legami tra loro. È stato un po’ come partecipare a una festa dove tutti si conoscono, ma tu non conosci nessuno. Mi sono demoralizzata e ho interrotto la lettura. Dopo qualche ricerca, però, ho capito che si trattava del terzo volume di una serie, quindi ci stava il mio essere spaesata. Mi sono rimboccata le maniche e ho letto anche gli altri due, terminando poi con questo. La mia visione è drasticamente cambiata! Il mio consiglio spassionato, per apprezzare al meglio questa lettura, è di iniziare dal primo come ho fatto io, altrimenti parecchi collegamenti vi resteranno oscuri.
Dopo le istruzioni iniziali d’imbalsamazione ritroviamo subito Gavin Albright, promosso da semplice poliziotto a investigatore, per merito delle prodezze compiute nel precedente caso, capeggiato dall’ispettore Francis Sullivan. Deve accorrere a casa di Marni Mullins, dove c’è stata una segnalazione per violenza domestica. C’è in corso un pesante litigio tra Thierry, il suo ex marito, e Paul, il di lui fratello gemello con un passato misterioso in comune con la donna. Nei libri precedenti la storia tragica viene diverse volte accennata, qui invece riusciremo finalmente a sapere di preciso che cos’è successo nel periodo in cui tutti e tre si sono incontrati in Francia, più di vent’anni prima.
Da subito la narrazione si divide in due vicende parallele: in una assistiamo al ritrovamento di un cadavere mummificato nel museo di storia naturale di Brighton e agli sforzi di Francis per catturare il killer soprannominato dalla stampa “L’imbalsamatore”, mentre nell’altra lo vediamo impegnato a cercare di scagionare la sua vecchia fiamma, Marni, da una pesante accusa di omicidio.
Il thriller è ben congegnato, tutti i tasselli alla fine trovano il loro corretto incastro. Anche se, devo ammettere, ho trovato il finale un po’ troppo rocambolesco per i miei gusti, forse più adatto per una visione al cinema. Anche la costruzione della figura dell’assassino, sebbene molto interessante, a volte è poco verosimile, sempre più cinematografica che romanzata.
Il libro è, però, molto piacevole da leggere, il POV alternato dei personaggi rende la narrazione dinamica e incalzante, anche se a volte tende un po’ a confondere, infatti i protagonisti della storia sono diversi, quindi a volte mi dovevo concentrare un attimo per capire di chi era il punto di vista. Dato che si tratta del terzo volume, Francis, Marni, Rory, Alex, Gavin e anche il giornalista rompiscatole Tom Fitz sono completamente caratterizzati, si conoscono già pregi e difetti, e si sa già come tenderanno ad agire, anche se qualcuno forse vi stupirà cambiando il suo modus operandi.
Come al solito, è veramente complicato recensire un thriller senza rovinare l’effetto sorpresa. Quindi vi consiglio semplicemente di leggerlo (insieme agli altri due, mi raccomando!), perché, per gli amanti del genere e non solo, vi regalerà sicuramente ore molto piacevoli.
Ciao, Fenici! La lettura di questo libro è stata decisamente “un parto lungo”. L’ho iniziato attratta dall’invitante copertina, un gufo che ti fissa con inquietanti occhi gialli, poi l’incipit ha stuzzicato la mia curiosità:
Istruzioni per la mummificazione
Occorrente:
1 cadavere
1 tavolo da imbalsamatore con almeno quattro supporti a croce rialzati
20 litri di vino di palma
1 ago ricurvo
Ciotoline e recipienti secondo le necessità
Diversi stracci di lino
1 lama d’ossidiana
[…]
L’utente potrebbe incontrare difficoltà nel reperire questi materiali. In caso di necessità, si consiglia di utilizzare l’alternativa più similare, con l’avvertenza che ogni sostituzione potrebbe pregiudicare il processo
(tratto dal libro)
Super accattivante vero? Invece, dopo i primi capitoli, mi sono persa… Non capivo i personaggi, non riuscivo a immaginarmeli e facevo fatica a captare i legami tra loro. È stato un po’ come partecipare a una festa dove tutti si conoscono, ma tu non conosci nessuno. Mi sono demoralizzata e ho interrotto la lettura. Dopo qualche ricerca, però, ho capito che si trattava del terzo volume di una serie, quindi ci stava il mio essere spaesata. Mi sono rimboccata le maniche e ho letto anche gli altri due, terminando poi con questo. La mia visione è drasticamente cambiata! Il mio consiglio spassionato, per apprezzare al meglio questa lettura, è di iniziare dal primo come ho fatto io, altrimenti parecchi collegamenti vi resteranno oscuri.
Dopo le istruzioni iniziali d’imbalsamazione ritroviamo subito Gavin Albright, promosso da semplice poliziotto a investigatore, per merito delle prodezze compiute nel precedente caso, capeggiato dall’ispettore Francis Sullivan. Deve accorrere a casa di Marni Mullins, dove c’è stata una segnalazione per violenza domestica. C’è in corso un pesante litigio tra Thierry, il suo ex marito, e Paul, il di lui fratello gemello con un passato misterioso in comune con la donna. Nei libri precedenti la storia tragica viene diverse volte accennata, qui invece riusciremo finalmente a sapere di preciso che cos’è successo nel periodo in cui tutti e tre si sono incontrati in Francia, più di vent’anni prima.
Da subito la narrazione si divide in due vicende parallele: in una assistiamo al ritrovamento di un cadavere mummificato nel museo di storia naturale di Brighton e agli sforzi di Francis per catturare il killer soprannominato dalla stampa “L’imbalsamatore”, mentre nell’altra lo vediamo impegnato a cercare di scagionare la sua vecchia fiamma, Marni, da una pesante accusa di omicidio.
Il thriller è ben congegnato, tutti i tasselli alla fine trovano il loro corretto incastro. Anche se, devo ammettere, ho trovato il finale un po’ troppo rocambolesco per i miei gusti, forse più adatto per una visione al cinema. Anche la costruzione della figura dell’assassino, sebbene molto interessante, a volte è poco verosimile, sempre più cinematografica che romanzata.
Il libro è, però, molto piacevole da leggere, il POV alternato dei personaggi rende la narrazione dinamica e incalzante, anche se a volte tende un po’ a confondere, infatti i protagonisti della storia sono diversi, quindi a volte mi dovevo concentrare un attimo per capire di chi era il punto di vista. Dato che si tratta del terzo volume, Francis, Marni, Rory, Alex, Gavin e anche il giornalista rompiscatole Tom Fitz sono completamente caratterizzati, si conoscono già pregi e difetti, e si sa già come tenderanno ad agire, anche se qualcuno forse vi stupirà cambiando il suo modus operandi.
Come al solito, è veramente complicato recensire un thriller senza rovinare l’effetto sorpresa. Quindi vi consiglio semplicemente di leggerlo (insieme agli altri due, mi raccomando!), perché, per gli amanti del genere e non solo, vi regalerà sicuramente ore molto piacevoli.
November 12, 2020
All of my reviews can be found at https://damppebbles.com/
I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Embalmer but that has in no way influenced my review.
I really enjoy this brilliant detective series with a twist, and I look forward to each new book being published. I was excited to get my mitts on a copy of book three, The Embalmer, which I started as soon as it arrived on my Kindle (having recently read and reviewed the second book in the series, Her Last Breath, which was still very fresh in my mind).
DI Francis Sullivan is on the hunt for a psychopathic serial killer on the streets of Brighton. Discovering a mummified body and canopic jars containing human organs in the local Natural History Museum, DI Sullivan and his team have their work cut out to try and find their killer. But as the body count rises, it becomes clear that the killers motives are very personal indeed...
The Embalmer is another great addition to this wonderful series which not only features a young Detective Inspector out to prove himself but also a headstrong and fiery tattoo artist who can't seem to avoid trouble, Marni Mullins. I love how this series is a little different to everything else available out there. All of the cases investigated so far by DI Sullivan have involved tattoos, to some degree or another (including this latest instalment). Personally, for me, that gives the series a bit of an edge. I will say however, that this is a series best read from the start. Previous cases are mentioned which could give a little too much away if you're reading them out of order, and by starting with the first book you can see for yourself how the relationships develop between Belsham's characters.
Sullivan's frustration at not making progress in the case and watching the body count rise keeps the reader turning the pages from start to finish. I have a rather large soft spot for Sullivan and I really wanted him to succeed (whilst hoping there would be a few more grisly deaths on the cards - go figure!). Whilst Sullivan has problems of his own, Marni Mullins is also up to her neck in it. I really enjoyed how the two stories ran alongside each other. Marni Mullins was less involved in the investigation this time but that's only because she has her hands full with her own disastrous life and those in it. I'll be interested to see what the future holds for Marni.
The team around DI Sullivan continues to be a strong one. Which makes this the perfect time to mention new character, DC Gavin Albright, who is a very welcome addition. Sullivan's Detective Sergeant, Rory Mackay, is still biting at his heels after he was looked over for promotion and Sullivan was appointed DI. There is a lot of tension there which I hope continues to bubble under the surface. And I won't even bother mentioning one of the most loathsome characters I have met in a fictional setting (DCI Martin Bradshaw, if you're wondering) Such a brilliantly written, despicable character. Grr!
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. I would happily recommend The Embalmer along with the first two books in this series (starting with The Tattoo Thief if you can). I really enjoyed being back in Brighton with the team again. Belsham isn't afraid to put her characters through the wringer and I flipping love that. With a tense and gripping finale this is another brilliant page turner from an author I will always read. Recommended.
I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Embalmer. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Embalmer but that has in no way influenced my review.
I really enjoy this brilliant detective series with a twist, and I look forward to each new book being published. I was excited to get my mitts on a copy of book three, The Embalmer, which I started as soon as it arrived on my Kindle (having recently read and reviewed the second book in the series, Her Last Breath, which was still very fresh in my mind).
DI Francis Sullivan is on the hunt for a psychopathic serial killer on the streets of Brighton. Discovering a mummified body and canopic jars containing human organs in the local Natural History Museum, DI Sullivan and his team have their work cut out to try and find their killer. But as the body count rises, it becomes clear that the killers motives are very personal indeed...
The Embalmer is another great addition to this wonderful series which not only features a young Detective Inspector out to prove himself but also a headstrong and fiery tattoo artist who can't seem to avoid trouble, Marni Mullins. I love how this series is a little different to everything else available out there. All of the cases investigated so far by DI Sullivan have involved tattoos, to some degree or another (including this latest instalment). Personally, for me, that gives the series a bit of an edge. I will say however, that this is a series best read from the start. Previous cases are mentioned which could give a little too much away if you're reading them out of order, and by starting with the first book you can see for yourself how the relationships develop between Belsham's characters.
Sullivan's frustration at not making progress in the case and watching the body count rise keeps the reader turning the pages from start to finish. I have a rather large soft spot for Sullivan and I really wanted him to succeed (whilst hoping there would be a few more grisly deaths on the cards - go figure!). Whilst Sullivan has problems of his own, Marni Mullins is also up to her neck in it. I really enjoyed how the two stories ran alongside each other. Marni Mullins was less involved in the investigation this time but that's only because she has her hands full with her own disastrous life and those in it. I'll be interested to see what the future holds for Marni.
The team around DI Sullivan continues to be a strong one. Which makes this the perfect time to mention new character, DC Gavin Albright, who is a very welcome addition. Sullivan's Detective Sergeant, Rory Mackay, is still biting at his heels after he was looked over for promotion and Sullivan was appointed DI. There is a lot of tension there which I hope continues to bubble under the surface. And I won't even bother mentioning one of the most loathsome characters I have met in a fictional setting (DCI Martin Bradshaw, if you're wondering) Such a brilliantly written, despicable character. Grr!
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. I would happily recommend The Embalmer along with the first two books in this series (starting with The Tattoo Thief if you can). I really enjoyed being back in Brighton with the team again. Belsham isn't afraid to put her characters through the wringer and I flipping love that. With a tense and gripping finale this is another brilliant page turner from an author I will always read. Recommended.
I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Embalmer. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
March 23, 2021
Time taken to read - 2 days
Pages - 416
Publisher - Orion Trapeze
Source - Netgalley
Blurb from Goodreads
Has the ancient Egyptian cult of immortality resurfaced in Brighton?
When a freshly-mummified body is discovered at the Brighton Museum of Natural History, Detective Francis Sullivan is at a loss to identify the desiccated woman. But as Egyptian burial jars of body parts with cryptic messages attached start appearing, he realises he has a serial killer on his hands. Revenge, obsession and an ancient religion form a potent mix, unleashing a wave of terror throughout the city. Caught in a race against time while battling his own demons, Francis must fight to uncover the true identity of the Embalmer before it's too late...
My Review
Guys this is not for the faint hearted, from the opening chapters it is graphic, brutal, we know what embalming is and we get an insight into what the killer does to his victims. He isn't called the embalmer for nothing and soon a body, mummified, turns up and the police investigate, hello Detective Francis Sullivan. If you have read the previous books in the series you will be familiar with Francis and Marnie - it is totally complicated.
Marnie, poor Marnie cannot catch a break. Every book she ends up involved in what is happening she also has a bit of a history with our Francis so there is tons of threads to the story, if you haven't read the previous you can get away with this one but I would go back.
The bad guy is icky, brutal - in what he does to his victims and his disregard for them, Belsham doesn't hold back in describing what happens so not for the faint hearted. With mummification there is nods and links to Egyptian mythology which I found really interesting as I do like that kind of stuff yet never seem to get round to reading it. Police investigation, gruesome murders, friction between Francis, his colleagues, Marnie, his family. There is a lot going on but you can follow it easily enough, nothing distracts away from the threads and you are pulled in quite quickly. I have read the previous books and very much look forward to the next in the series, maybe not be eating noodles next time just incase, boke, 4/5 for me this time.
Pages - 416
Publisher - Orion Trapeze
Source - Netgalley
Blurb from Goodreads
Has the ancient Egyptian cult of immortality resurfaced in Brighton?
When a freshly-mummified body is discovered at the Brighton Museum of Natural History, Detective Francis Sullivan is at a loss to identify the desiccated woman. But as Egyptian burial jars of body parts with cryptic messages attached start appearing, he realises he has a serial killer on his hands. Revenge, obsession and an ancient religion form a potent mix, unleashing a wave of terror throughout the city. Caught in a race against time while battling his own demons, Francis must fight to uncover the true identity of the Embalmer before it's too late...
My Review
Guys this is not for the faint hearted, from the opening chapters it is graphic, brutal, we know what embalming is and we get an insight into what the killer does to his victims. He isn't called the embalmer for nothing and soon a body, mummified, turns up and the police investigate, hello Detective Francis Sullivan. If you have read the previous books in the series you will be familiar with Francis and Marnie - it is totally complicated.
Marnie, poor Marnie cannot catch a break. Every book she ends up involved in what is happening she also has a bit of a history with our Francis so there is tons of threads to the story, if you haven't read the previous you can get away with this one but I would go back.
The bad guy is icky, brutal - in what he does to his victims and his disregard for them, Belsham doesn't hold back in describing what happens so not for the faint hearted. With mummification there is nods and links to Egyptian mythology which I found really interesting as I do like that kind of stuff yet never seem to get round to reading it. Police investigation, gruesome murders, friction between Francis, his colleagues, Marnie, his family. There is a lot going on but you can follow it easily enough, nothing distracts away from the threads and you are pulled in quite quickly. I have read the previous books and very much look forward to the next in the series, maybe not be eating noodles next time just incase, boke, 4/5 for me this time.
November 7, 2020
Interconnected plotlines as tightly wound as the linnen on a mummy!
Thoroughly enjoyed the third installment in the Tattoo Thief series. It helps if you've read the other two for personal back stories but Alison Belsham does a good job of catching readers up (without it being annoying for those who remember).
Sad this is the end of the trilogy but I will look forward to the author's next endeavours.
Thoroughly enjoyed the third installment in the Tattoo Thief series. It helps if you've read the other two for personal back stories but Alison Belsham does a good job of catching readers up (without it being annoying for those who remember).
Sad this is the end of the trilogy but I will look forward to the author's next endeavours.
November 10, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for the arc of The Embalmer by Alison Belsham.
5 star read for me- a great sensational read, very thrilling and very enjoyable, it was very page turning and a well written book! i recommend anyone whos interesting in this book to read you will not disappointed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 star read for me- a great sensational read, very thrilling and very enjoyable, it was very page turning and a well written book! i recommend anyone whos interesting in this book to read you will not disappointed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 11, 2021
Per leggere la recensione in blog cliccare qui:
https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
April 20, 2021
Investigatore iperattivo.
January 27, 2022
The perfect end to a brilliant series. Perfectly crammed with complex characters you can't help but love and villains that chill you to the bone.
My favourite crime writer. Highly recommend.
My favourite crime writer. Highly recommend.
November 16, 2020
Shortly after Halloween, one of the caretakers of the Brighton Museum of Natural History finds that one of their exhibits has been disturbed: in place of the avian exhibit they expect to find, the birds have been removed, and a tableau of a mummy from Ancient Egypt has been left in place. The mummy seems authentic: from the presence of the four canopic jars, to the chemical compound used to preserve the body, this looks like a mummy from Ancient Egypt.
Detective Inspector Francis Sullivan of the Brighton Metropolitan Police Force is called in to investigate what looks like a prank pulled off by some local youths. But when he starts to look over the scene, something doesn’t add up: The mummy doesn’t look like it harks from ancient Egypt, and Francis starts to wonder if this is something more sinister than a prank gone wrong. When a second body appears, organs carefully preserved in canopic jars, he knows this is not the work of local pranksters.
As Francis prepares to head up the investigation, he gets word that his friend, Marnie Mullins, has been arrested for the murder of her husband, Thierry. Francis can’t believe she’s guilty, but the problem is that she claims the real murderer is someone who is already dead. Can Francis hunt down one of Brighton’s most vicious serial killers while at the same time working to help prove Marnie’s innocence?
The Embalmer is the third book of Alison Belsham’s series focusing on DI Francis Sullivan, and although I could tell that this book was part of a series, I found that I could read it quite happily without knowing anything about what had happened previously. Belsham does a good job of catching the reader up on the more pertinent details early on, without it feeling laboured, but I can definitely see how some of the events of previous books could carry through into this one, and would have given the cast a richer, deeper characterisation.
This being said, the book is still good; I still enjoyed it and found it engaging and interesting. The way the book was told from different viewpoints was an effective way of keeping the strands of the story moving together at all times, and I found that it was used relatively effectively. However, on the note of the different viewpoints: I found that the use of them, while effective, felt like it forced a secondary A-plot into the book. What I mean by this is that there seemed to be two storylines jostling for pole position, and this ended up making the book feel a bit overfull and too cluttered for me. The main mystery of the Embalmer made sense – after all, this is a police procedural novel. But Marnie’s storyline felt like it was rammed into the book and actually took away from the main storyline at times. The execution of the story may have actually been cleaner if these two stories were split over two books, and there was a slightly less intense B-plot put into the books.
Another quirk that I found odd in this book: each chapter starts with the exposition of whose point of view you are reading from and the date of the action taking place. This, in and of itself, is not odd. However, I found that in instances where a new day was presented, Belsham would skip over the majority of the day, and start the storyline after Francis had left the police station for the day. This was strange to me, as I would have expected that the majority of the investigative action would likely have happened during the workday, rather than across numerous evening emergency phone calls. This may be a stylistic choice, but it was definitely one that I picked up as slightly jarring.
Overall, though, I think the storylines, as busy as they were, were relatively strong and were interesting. I felt invested in the resolution of the case and wanted to see how it all came together. I was a little disappointed by the ending as it made use of one of the murder mystery tropes that I am not particularly fond of. Without spoiling the ending, I felt a bit cheated by the finale, and I was hoping for something more intricate. Either way, though, it didn’t change my overall opinion of the book – it was an enjoyable read, and I think I would pick up more by Alison Belsham in the future if given the opportunity.
Thanks to NetGalley and Trapeze (part of the Orion Publishing Group) for the Advance Copy in exchange for a review.
Detective Inspector Francis Sullivan of the Brighton Metropolitan Police Force is called in to investigate what looks like a prank pulled off by some local youths. But when he starts to look over the scene, something doesn’t add up: The mummy doesn’t look like it harks from ancient Egypt, and Francis starts to wonder if this is something more sinister than a prank gone wrong. When a second body appears, organs carefully preserved in canopic jars, he knows this is not the work of local pranksters.
As Francis prepares to head up the investigation, he gets word that his friend, Marnie Mullins, has been arrested for the murder of her husband, Thierry. Francis can’t believe she’s guilty, but the problem is that she claims the real murderer is someone who is already dead. Can Francis hunt down one of Brighton’s most vicious serial killers while at the same time working to help prove Marnie’s innocence?
The Embalmer is the third book of Alison Belsham’s series focusing on DI Francis Sullivan, and although I could tell that this book was part of a series, I found that I could read it quite happily without knowing anything about what had happened previously. Belsham does a good job of catching the reader up on the more pertinent details early on, without it feeling laboured, but I can definitely see how some of the events of previous books could carry through into this one, and would have given the cast a richer, deeper characterisation.
This being said, the book is still good; I still enjoyed it and found it engaging and interesting. The way the book was told from different viewpoints was an effective way of keeping the strands of the story moving together at all times, and I found that it was used relatively effectively. However, on the note of the different viewpoints: I found that the use of them, while effective, felt like it forced a secondary A-plot into the book. What I mean by this is that there seemed to be two storylines jostling for pole position, and this ended up making the book feel a bit overfull and too cluttered for me. The main mystery of the Embalmer made sense – after all, this is a police procedural novel. But Marnie’s storyline felt like it was rammed into the book and actually took away from the main storyline at times. The execution of the story may have actually been cleaner if these two stories were split over two books, and there was a slightly less intense B-plot put into the books.
Another quirk that I found odd in this book: each chapter starts with the exposition of whose point of view you are reading from and the date of the action taking place. This, in and of itself, is not odd. However, I found that in instances where a new day was presented, Belsham would skip over the majority of the day, and start the storyline after Francis had left the police station for the day. This was strange to me, as I would have expected that the majority of the investigative action would likely have happened during the workday, rather than across numerous evening emergency phone calls. This may be a stylistic choice, but it was definitely one that I picked up as slightly jarring.
Overall, though, I think the storylines, as busy as they were, were relatively strong and were interesting. I felt invested in the resolution of the case and wanted to see how it all came together. I was a little disappointed by the ending as it made use of one of the murder mystery tropes that I am not particularly fond of. Without spoiling the ending, I felt a bit cheated by the finale, and I was hoping for something more intricate. Either way, though, it didn’t change my overall opinion of the book – it was an enjoyable read, and I think I would pick up more by Alison Belsham in the future if given the opportunity.
Thanks to NetGalley and Trapeze (part of the Orion Publishing Group) for the Advance Copy in exchange for a review.
July 28, 2021
# The Embalmer # Netgalley
I am honesty sorry but I genuinely could not finish the book. It’s very rare that I actually gone up on a book even if it means I have to put it down awhile I go back and try to struggle through. However with this particular one I did that put it on one side and went back to it. But in the end I did have to actually admit defeat. Now before anyone gets the wrong idea that I gave up on the book because it wasn’t very good. Well sorry to to say that’s not why I gave up on this book at all.. what I read it was well written however this is a genre I used to read many years ago. I never thought for one minute I would not like what I call a unusual strange phenomenon of horror books. Because that’s how it started to come across as murder horror. Someone doing the very old fashioned embalming then mummyfieng the birdies. It was actually interest to a point. I have read books before oh how the ancient Eygptians way of embalming. Pulling the brain through the noise in fact it went on for many thousands of years after. The actual reason I did not finish the book. 1 being I have read one recently that was so similar that I actually wonders if it was the same book. I realised it wasn’t because had it of been I would not have read it after the first chapter. Because one thing I can not do is read the same book twice. I know people who can read them again yet no matter how much time as gone by as a example 20/30 years I still can’t read it again because as I start to read the book for the second time it comes flooding back which then it becomes unreasonable again with everything coming back it like I have only just read it so this is why I can not read a book twice. Where my problem was with this book. Was the storyline was one I thought I had already read, but it became evident I had not buy it was to similar. 2 I realised the horror and supernatural type books the weird and wonderful genre for me are definitely over. I found my mind drifting away from the storyline. So there’s my genuine reason for not having finished it. I will say if this is definitely your genre then I think your onto a winner. I do think it’s well and truly my age now day I always thought I could read a book balancing on to the horror, supernatural anymore. I alway knew deep down I was slowly drifting away from books like this.
I am honesty sorry but I genuinely could not finish the book. It’s very rare that I actually gone up on a book even if it means I have to put it down awhile I go back and try to struggle through. However with this particular one I did that put it on one side and went back to it. But in the end I did have to actually admit defeat. Now before anyone gets the wrong idea that I gave up on the book because it wasn’t very good. Well sorry to to say that’s not why I gave up on this book at all.. what I read it was well written however this is a genre I used to read many years ago. I never thought for one minute I would not like what I call a unusual strange phenomenon of horror books. Because that’s how it started to come across as murder horror. Someone doing the very old fashioned embalming then mummyfieng the birdies. It was actually interest to a point. I have read books before oh how the ancient Eygptians way of embalming. Pulling the brain through the noise in fact it went on for many thousands of years after. The actual reason I did not finish the book. 1 being I have read one recently that was so similar that I actually wonders if it was the same book. I realised it wasn’t because had it of been I would not have read it after the first chapter. Because one thing I can not do is read the same book twice. I know people who can read them again yet no matter how much time as gone by as a example 20/30 years I still can’t read it again because as I start to read the book for the second time it comes flooding back which then it becomes unreasonable again with everything coming back it like I have only just read it so this is why I can not read a book twice. Where my problem was with this book. Was the storyline was one I thought I had already read, but it became evident I had not buy it was to similar. 2 I realised the horror and supernatural type books the weird and wonderful genre for me are definitely over. I found my mind drifting away from the storyline. So there’s my genuine reason for not having finished it. I will say if this is definitely your genre then I think your onto a winner. I do think it’s well and truly my age now day I always thought I could read a book balancing on to the horror, supernatural anymore. I alway knew deep down I was slowly drifting away from books like this.
March 25, 2021
This book is BRILLIANT.
It takes the previous 2 novels in the series, builds upon the relationships created in them and moves them forward with a natural fluidity that makes for a very visual, almost cinematic reading experience.
This time around,the police team are trying to recover themselves following the shocking conclusion of 'Her Last Breath', a new team member is introduced (Gavin) and a highly unusual crime scene discovered...
At the Brighton Museum of Natural History-a very loose translation of the word 'museum', a glass display case with two sea eagles in it is found to have been emptied overnight and replaced with a new exhibit, a freshly emblamed mummy, surrounded by canopic jars.
Rose, the local pathologist, initially dismisses this as following in the footsteps of the latest 'craze', mummified cat organs (why, just....why?!!!) but on closer inspection, this is a body which has not only been embalmed according to Egyptian tradition, but also had been held somewhere for 40 days to allow for the process to take full effect.
Meanwhile, tattooist Marni Mullins, who has helped Detective Francis Sullivan with his previous two cases, has been arrested following the brutal death of her husband. Fran has blurred the lines between personal and professional with Marni so has to watch from the sidelines, convinced that Marni is innocent, but how can he prove it?
And with more jars arriving at the local newspaper office, and dead bodies turning up, Fran and his team may have met their most devious and twisted criminal mind yet...
It is a brutally faced paced story which relies on the reader to pay close attention to what is going on, the chapters revolve between Fran, Marni and the Embalmer himself, giving you an insight into where his psychology lies. He is someone aspiring to immortality via the sacrifices required to the gods he believes in, in return for the abuse and degradation he has experienced throughout his younger years, taking a 'god complex' to literal new heights. This enhances the race against time aspect of the chase to bring him to ground, you have this unique insight and are just on the edge of your seat waiting for the clues to be picked up by Fran, Angie, Gavin and Rose.
The dynamics between the police are so interesting, the way that you approach such a highly skilled, professional role without letting it spill over into your personal life is so well described. And the tattoo aspect is pure genius, the way that something which is often taken as a negative, something that marks a person out for a choice they made to write their journey on their skin (often seen as a way of distancing the self from others, and looked down upon) is elevated and seen as worthy.
It all combines to create a deliciously dark atmosphere, once again set in Brighton which is so well described over the series that I feel like I have been there, and once more Alison peels back the veneer of what is commonly assumed to be a millionaires beach front playground, to reveal the stained and dirty underbelly which exists beneath the postcard perfect surface.
Still wish you here?
It takes the previous 2 novels in the series, builds upon the relationships created in them and moves them forward with a natural fluidity that makes for a very visual, almost cinematic reading experience.
This time around,the police team are trying to recover themselves following the shocking conclusion of 'Her Last Breath', a new team member is introduced (Gavin) and a highly unusual crime scene discovered...
At the Brighton Museum of Natural History-a very loose translation of the word 'museum', a glass display case with two sea eagles in it is found to have been emptied overnight and replaced with a new exhibit, a freshly emblamed mummy, surrounded by canopic jars.
Rose, the local pathologist, initially dismisses this as following in the footsteps of the latest 'craze', mummified cat organs (why, just....why?!!!) but on closer inspection, this is a body which has not only been embalmed according to Egyptian tradition, but also had been held somewhere for 40 days to allow for the process to take full effect.
Meanwhile, tattooist Marni Mullins, who has helped Detective Francis Sullivan with his previous two cases, has been arrested following the brutal death of her husband. Fran has blurred the lines between personal and professional with Marni so has to watch from the sidelines, convinced that Marni is innocent, but how can he prove it?
And with more jars arriving at the local newspaper office, and dead bodies turning up, Fran and his team may have met their most devious and twisted criminal mind yet...
It is a brutally faced paced story which relies on the reader to pay close attention to what is going on, the chapters revolve between Fran, Marni and the Embalmer himself, giving you an insight into where his psychology lies. He is someone aspiring to immortality via the sacrifices required to the gods he believes in, in return for the abuse and degradation he has experienced throughout his younger years, taking a 'god complex' to literal new heights. This enhances the race against time aspect of the chase to bring him to ground, you have this unique insight and are just on the edge of your seat waiting for the clues to be picked up by Fran, Angie, Gavin and Rose.
The dynamics between the police are so interesting, the way that you approach such a highly skilled, professional role without letting it spill over into your personal life is so well described. And the tattoo aspect is pure genius, the way that something which is often taken as a negative, something that marks a person out for a choice they made to write their journey on their skin (often seen as a way of distancing the self from others, and looked down upon) is elevated and seen as worthy.
It all combines to create a deliciously dark atmosphere, once again set in Brighton which is so well described over the series that I feel like I have been there, and once more Alison peels back the veneer of what is commonly assumed to be a millionaires beach front playground, to reveal the stained and dirty underbelly which exists beneath the postcard perfect surface.
Still wish you here?
April 12, 2021
Review also posted here: http://www.book-drunk.co.uk/2021/03/t...
The Embalmer is the third book in Alison Belsham’s Tattoo Thief series. I must admit I chose to read this book pretty much solely based on the cover so initially I wasn’t aware that this was part of a series, let alone the final book in a trilogy. However, from the first few chapters it is clear that these are returning characters with a lot of history and a quick check shows that the story here follows that of The Tattoo Thief and Her Last Breath.
Any struggles I had keeping up with the links between the characters to begin with were quickly forgotten by just how intrigued I was by the creepy opening chapter and the twisted acts of the serial killer. Yes it was a bit jarring at first knowing I was missing out on some details but this was at no fault of the writing or the story itself as both were extremely fascinating and had this book lingering on my mind whenever I wasn’t reading it, so much so I got the novel confused with a crime series I had been watching on TV around the same time as I was picturing this book playing out in my head so much I actually thought I had been watching it. The Embalmer could be read as a standalone but really I would recommend starting from the first book in the series to get the full experience. It was seriously gripping and had me eager to read more from this author.
In the Embalmer, the series returns to the character of detective Francis Sullivan who receives a call out to Brighton’s Natural History Museum where he is presented with a freshly mummified body. The findings were enough to send a shiver down my spine and whilst the first victim’s fate was gruesome enough, things only got more disturbing with more jars of body parts leading to a truly edge-of-your-seat race against time to stop yet another life being taken.
The Embalmer also continued the story of Marni Mullins, who is caught in the middle of a battle between her ex-husband Thierry and his brother Paul, resulting in one of them losing their life and Marni being charged with their murder. It was evident Marni had been a vital character in previous books so it took me a little bit of time to get up to speed with her backstory, but I found it didn’t take too long before the author had me sympathising with her and rooting for things to work out for her.
Both threads to the story here intertwine satisfyingly, as Marni’s fate became just as important as the battle to put an end to the serial killer was. Each part of the book had good pace to it, enough to drag the reader in whilst catching them off guard with another sinister twist.
Sullivan’s character was perfect for a top crime series. He is flawed but also respected. He invests often too heavily in his cases but is good at his job. The strong characterisation of the detective made this book all the more engrossing but truthfully I found everything about this book had me engrossed. The Embalmer was bursting with originality and had a lingering graphic, gory edge to it that was truly compelling. Fast-paced and atmospheric, this was one eerie book that I won’t be forgetting in a hurry.
The Embalmer is the third book in Alison Belsham’s Tattoo Thief series. I must admit I chose to read this book pretty much solely based on the cover so initially I wasn’t aware that this was part of a series, let alone the final book in a trilogy. However, from the first few chapters it is clear that these are returning characters with a lot of history and a quick check shows that the story here follows that of The Tattoo Thief and Her Last Breath.
Any struggles I had keeping up with the links between the characters to begin with were quickly forgotten by just how intrigued I was by the creepy opening chapter and the twisted acts of the serial killer. Yes it was a bit jarring at first knowing I was missing out on some details but this was at no fault of the writing or the story itself as both were extremely fascinating and had this book lingering on my mind whenever I wasn’t reading it, so much so I got the novel confused with a crime series I had been watching on TV around the same time as I was picturing this book playing out in my head so much I actually thought I had been watching it. The Embalmer could be read as a standalone but really I would recommend starting from the first book in the series to get the full experience. It was seriously gripping and had me eager to read more from this author.
In the Embalmer, the series returns to the character of detective Francis Sullivan who receives a call out to Brighton’s Natural History Museum where he is presented with a freshly mummified body. The findings were enough to send a shiver down my spine and whilst the first victim’s fate was gruesome enough, things only got more disturbing with more jars of body parts leading to a truly edge-of-your-seat race against time to stop yet another life being taken.
The Embalmer also continued the story of Marni Mullins, who is caught in the middle of a battle between her ex-husband Thierry and his brother Paul, resulting in one of them losing their life and Marni being charged with their murder. It was evident Marni had been a vital character in previous books so it took me a little bit of time to get up to speed with her backstory, but I found it didn’t take too long before the author had me sympathising with her and rooting for things to work out for her.
Both threads to the story here intertwine satisfyingly, as Marni’s fate became just as important as the battle to put an end to the serial killer was. Each part of the book had good pace to it, enough to drag the reader in whilst catching them off guard with another sinister twist.
Sullivan’s character was perfect for a top crime series. He is flawed but also respected. He invests often too heavily in his cases but is good at his job. The strong characterisation of the detective made this book all the more engrossing but truthfully I found everything about this book had me engrossed. The Embalmer was bursting with originality and had a lingering graphic, gory edge to it that was truly compelling. Fast-paced and atmospheric, this was one eerie book that I won’t be forgetting in a hurry.
January 28, 2021
The Embalmer follows DI Francis Sullivan and his colleagues as they solve another murder case. The case started when a mummified body was found in a museum at Brighton, perfectly preserved and similar to the ancient ritual of mummification. The case develops when another body turns up with dead, and the killer begins to leave messages targeted to Sullivan. The investigation of the mummification case isn't the only case bothering DI Sullivan, as his lover Marni was accused of murdering her husband, Thierry, and he's determined to protect her from the actual murderer.
This is the third book in the series, and this was something I did not know when I requested the book. While this can be read as a standalone, its connection to the previous two books are very rooted. If you choose to read this book first, know that it does have spoilers for the first two books.
This was a fast read. The two cases involved are both prominent in DI Sullivan's life, so both were given equal attention to. Because both narratives were narrated side by side, it lacked that intense atmosphere that are usually present in crime books. DI Sullivan turns out to be a narrator of events that already transpired, as it was mostly the other people around him doing the detective work. I think the book would have had a better tone if the murder of Thierry Mullins took a step back, only because the book was marketed to focus on the mummification and the Egyptian rituals. The events surrounding Thierry and the connection of Marni's family to Sullivan in this novel (and in the first two books) make it seem that the author is pushing all of these connections together to give Sullivan a troubled character arc. However I don't think it helps the character in any way: he's too preoccupied to do his work, and he's not really much help in Thierry Mullins' case because he couldn't be seen to aid Marni because that would constitute intervention and he was considered a witness.
The story is also told through the perspectives of DI Sullivan's colleagues, but this doesn't help the mummification side of the murder because none seem to offer real insight apart from what they were instructed to. Their perspectives seem to pave way as transition to the story. However, the perspectives used in the other murder case is beneficial for their story arc because it's the only way it keeps on moving, especially since one of the perspectives does most of the leg work.
This was an entertaining book to read, albeit not as twisty as crime books usually are. My favorite characters are Rose (the forensic specialist) and Gavin (the new DC in Sullivan's team). It's not a perfect book, but I still found it enjoyable.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
*I requested a copy from Netgalley in exchange for a review*
This is the third book in the series, and this was something I did not know when I requested the book. While this can be read as a standalone, its connection to the previous two books are very rooted. If you choose to read this book first, know that it does have spoilers for the first two books.
This was a fast read. The two cases involved are both prominent in DI Sullivan's life, so both were given equal attention to. Because both narratives were narrated side by side, it lacked that intense atmosphere that are usually present in crime books. DI Sullivan turns out to be a narrator of events that already transpired, as it was mostly the other people around him doing the detective work. I think the book would have had a better tone if the murder of Thierry Mullins took a step back, only because the book was marketed to focus on the mummification and the Egyptian rituals. The events surrounding Thierry and the connection of Marni's family to Sullivan in this novel (and in the first two books) make it seem that the author is pushing all of these connections together to give Sullivan a troubled character arc. However I don't think it helps the character in any way: he's too preoccupied to do his work, and he's not really much help in Thierry Mullins' case because he couldn't be seen to aid Marni because that would constitute intervention and he was considered a witness.
The story is also told through the perspectives of DI Sullivan's colleagues, but this doesn't help the mummification side of the murder because none seem to offer real insight apart from what they were instructed to. Their perspectives seem to pave way as transition to the story. However, the perspectives used in the other murder case is beneficial for their story arc because it's the only way it keeps on moving, especially since one of the perspectives does most of the leg work.
This was an entertaining book to read, albeit not as twisty as crime books usually are. My favorite characters are Rose (the forensic specialist) and Gavin (the new DC in Sullivan's team). It's not a perfect book, but I still found it enjoyable.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
*I requested a copy from Netgalley in exchange for a review*
April 13, 2021
Leggere il terzo volume di una serie, senza conoscere i volumi che l’hanno preceduto è sempre una scelta azzardata.
La mia scelta di leggere L’imbalsamatore lo è stata, ma non me ne sono pentita.
I collegamenti con i due libri precedenti è evidente, soprattuto perché in quelli viene definito il rapporto tra i personaggi e il loro percorso che li ha portati fino alla terza storia.
Il fatto che l’autrice spieghi in linea generale le dinamiche che si sono intrecciate tra i vari personaggi, questo aiuta il lettore a comprendere meglio le scelte e i comportamenti dei protagonisti, senza che appaiano scontate o fuori luogo.
L’imbalsamatore e Francis sono due facce della stessa medaglia: uno è il male, il caos, il dio serpente malefico che vuole distruggere il creato e prendere il comando e l’altro è il dio in carica, che ha il compito di proteggere l’umanità e distruggere il suo nemico.
Chi vincerà?
Si intuisce dalla prime pagine, che l’imbalsamatore sia la nemesi di Francis, che lo stia braccando, che gli stia lanciando messaggi in codice che solo lui può decifrare; però Sullivan non lo comprende immediatamente e le indagini si allungano, sembrano inutili fino all’intuizione che chiunque avrebbe avuto al primo ritrovamento di cadavere.
Una scelta narrativa azzardata, che nella prima parte rallenta molto la lettura ed introduce contemporaneamente nuove dinamiche tra i personaggi, che restano in sospeso forse – come ho intuito io – per una prossima storia, perché le avventure di Francis Sullivan non sembrano proprio terminate.
L’imbalsamatore è malato, fortemente disturbato, ce lo confessa nei suoi momenti narrativi, ma non ci svela il motivo del suo odio nei confronti di Sullivan fino alla fine e, quando il lettore lo scopre, ha una doppia reazione: da un lato quasi di delusione per la sua ossessione che appare poco convincente, mentre dall’altra si complimenta con lui per l’arguzia, per la follia e per la determinazione e la costanza nel portare avanti la sua vendetta.
L’autrice inoltre riesce a suscitare un certo interesse per la storia egiziana. I suoi accenni ben proposti e approfonditi, riescono a stimolare la curiosità del lettore, e a farlo interessare alla storia delle divinità e ai loro scontri o alleanza per conquistare il potere, il loro ruolo nei confronti dell’essere umano e come l’influenza di uno o più di loro, possa aver caratterizzato determinati periodi storici.
Una lettura consigliata per avvicinarsi a un genere che riesce a spaziare, e a far confluire dentro le sue pagine caratteristiche di altri generi letterari.
La mia scelta di leggere L’imbalsamatore lo è stata, ma non me ne sono pentita.
I collegamenti con i due libri precedenti è evidente, soprattuto perché in quelli viene definito il rapporto tra i personaggi e il loro percorso che li ha portati fino alla terza storia.
Il fatto che l’autrice spieghi in linea generale le dinamiche che si sono intrecciate tra i vari personaggi, questo aiuta il lettore a comprendere meglio le scelte e i comportamenti dei protagonisti, senza che appaiano scontate o fuori luogo.
L’imbalsamatore e Francis sono due facce della stessa medaglia: uno è il male, il caos, il dio serpente malefico che vuole distruggere il creato e prendere il comando e l’altro è il dio in carica, che ha il compito di proteggere l’umanità e distruggere il suo nemico.
Chi vincerà?
Si intuisce dalla prime pagine, che l’imbalsamatore sia la nemesi di Francis, che lo stia braccando, che gli stia lanciando messaggi in codice che solo lui può decifrare; però Sullivan non lo comprende immediatamente e le indagini si allungano, sembrano inutili fino all’intuizione che chiunque avrebbe avuto al primo ritrovamento di cadavere.
Una scelta narrativa azzardata, che nella prima parte rallenta molto la lettura ed introduce contemporaneamente nuove dinamiche tra i personaggi, che restano in sospeso forse – come ho intuito io – per una prossima storia, perché le avventure di Francis Sullivan non sembrano proprio terminate.
L’imbalsamatore è malato, fortemente disturbato, ce lo confessa nei suoi momenti narrativi, ma non ci svela il motivo del suo odio nei confronti di Sullivan fino alla fine e, quando il lettore lo scopre, ha una doppia reazione: da un lato quasi di delusione per la sua ossessione che appare poco convincente, mentre dall’altra si complimenta con lui per l’arguzia, per la follia e per la determinazione e la costanza nel portare avanti la sua vendetta.
L’autrice inoltre riesce a suscitare un certo interesse per la storia egiziana. I suoi accenni ben proposti e approfonditi, riescono a stimolare la curiosità del lettore, e a farlo interessare alla storia delle divinità e ai loro scontri o alleanza per conquistare il potere, il loro ruolo nei confronti dell’essere umano e come l’influenza di uno o più di loro, possa aver caratterizzato determinati periodi storici.
Una lettura consigliata per avvicinarsi a un genere che riesce a spaziare, e a far confluire dentro le sue pagine caratteristiche di altri generi letterari.
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