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Senseless
The damage inflicted on a killer has led him into darkness—and a London detective now faces the most puzzling case of his career, in this taut crime thriller.
From the moment he entered the world, Martin was cursed—suffering from withdrawal symptoms because of his mother’s drug abuse, taken home to a world of hunger, pain, and neglect. Eventually landing in care, his sensory abilities are nearly destroyed after years of violence inflicted on him by his mother’s boyfriends.
Tormented by his life as an outcast, Martin dreams of being able to hear and smell and taste like ordinary people—and in a desperate bid to feel alive, he turns to murder . . .
DI Ruben Jameson suddenly finds himself tracking a serial killer. But as he braces himself for the usual escalation and provocation, events take a strange turn—and for the first time, he wonders if he may be dealing with a predator who is trying to stop himself. Now Jameson must find the perpetrator before he slips quietly back into anonymity, never to face justice . . .
From the moment he entered the world, Martin was cursed—suffering from withdrawal symptoms because of his mother’s drug abuse, taken home to a world of hunger, pain, and neglect. Eventually landing in care, his sensory abilities are nearly destroyed after years of violence inflicted on him by his mother’s boyfriends.
Tormented by his life as an outcast, Martin dreams of being able to hear and smell and taste like ordinary people—and in a desperate bid to feel alive, he turns to murder . . .
DI Ruben Jameson suddenly finds himself tracking a serial killer. But as he braces himself for the usual escalation and provocation, events take a strange turn—and for the first time, he wonders if he may be dealing with a predator who is trying to stop himself. Now Jameson must find the perpetrator before he slips quietly back into anonymity, never to face justice . . .
380 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2022
31 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Luke Delaney
39 books289 followersLuke Delaney joined the Metropolitan Police Service in the late 1980s and his first posting was to an inner city area of South East London notorious for high levels of crime and extreme violence. He later joined CID where he investigated murders ranging from those committed by fledgling serial killers to gangland assassinations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 30, 2022
This is a great crime thriller.
Jameson is brought in to replace Corrigan and it seems he’s had an interesting past.
Commissioner Addis offers him the job knowing about his previous roles but the team he’s working with are in the dark.
There’s a man raping and murdering women and Jameson and the team struggle to find him as he leaves nothing behind.
They have one suspect but it’s clear he’s playing games with them.
There are chapters from the killer so we know who he is and it’s a real insight into a killers mind.
This is a gripping crime thriller.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.
Jameson is brought in to replace Corrigan and it seems he’s had an interesting past.
Commissioner Addis offers him the job knowing about his previous roles but the team he’s working with are in the dark.
There’s a man raping and murdering women and Jameson and the team struggle to find him as he leaves nothing behind.
They have one suspect but it’s clear he’s playing games with them.
There are chapters from the killer so we know who he is and it’s a real insight into a killers mind.
This is a gripping crime thriller.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.
June 7, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the first chapter, although the first chapter also set the pace of how brutal it would end up being.
Very fast paced, which is how I like my books, and although we knew who the killer was from the start pretty much, it was interesting seeing things from the Polices point of view in trying to track him down.
Great read - have already looked up other books from this author.
Very fast paced, which is how I like my books, and although we knew who the killer was from the start pretty much, it was interesting seeing things from the Polices point of view in trying to track him down.
Great read - have already looked up other books from this author.
June 8, 2022
DI Ruben Jameson is the new leader of the SIU. He has a past he would rather forget, but the past has a way of coming back to the present. He also needs to prove himself to the team of detectives and himself that he can do this job. He has big shoes to fill. But a serial killer who thinks he is flying under the radar gives him a run for his money. Top it off with the virus causing problems, he has his hands full and then some. I really thought the murder's 'handicap' was very interesting. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
June 11, 2022
Not far from Heathrow Airport, a woman is being strangled and raped by her killer. She was snatched as she was out running. He bound her wrists and mouth with tape. He is looking into her eyes and took the tape off her mouth so he can see her scream as the plane from the airport takes off, the noise drowning out her scream. When she is finally dead, he takes a final look into her lifeless eyes, then withdraws carefully and removes the condom, placing it in his rucksack. He then rolls her on her side and cuts the tape binding her wrists then places that in the rucksack, too. He adjusts his clothing and then covers her in branches and leaves, not wanting her found too quickly as he wants to escape.
He was waiting in the treeline for his next victim, this time he was going to record it on his mobile phone so he could remember it. He picked her for her beauty. As she got closer, he jumped out and stood in her way and smiled, disarming her. He bungled her into the woods so they wouldn’t be seen. He bound her wrists and her mouth with tape. He used a small flick knife to show her so she would comply with his wishes. At the sight of her bare flesh he got hard so put a condom on. Then he waited for a plane in the skies to be his sign to carry on. With the noise of the plane, he removed the tape so she screamed and he drew the blade of the knife across her chest, then again, all whilst the plane was overhead. He replaced the tape. Then tugged her bottoms and knickers down so he could rape her while his hands closed around her throat, slowly strangling her. He cleared up the same as last time but this time arranged the body so she was posed. He wanted her found.
Would the police be able to catch this strangler? Where would they start? Could he become a serial killer?
This was a fantastic read, I really enjoyed it. The writing is very descriptive and it’s an easy to read style. I was hooked from the start. DI Ruben Jameson is a new character so it will be interesting to see how he develops. Word of warning: there is a couple of animal killings in the book which I couldn’t read
He was waiting in the treeline for his next victim, this time he was going to record it on his mobile phone so he could remember it. He picked her for her beauty. As she got closer, he jumped out and stood in her way and smiled, disarming her. He bungled her into the woods so they wouldn’t be seen. He bound her wrists and her mouth with tape. He used a small flick knife to show her so she would comply with his wishes. At the sight of her bare flesh he got hard so put a condom on. Then he waited for a plane in the skies to be his sign to carry on. With the noise of the plane, he removed the tape so she screamed and he drew the blade of the knife across her chest, then again, all whilst the plane was overhead. He replaced the tape. Then tugged her bottoms and knickers down so he could rape her while his hands closed around her throat, slowly strangling her. He cleared up the same as last time but this time arranged the body so she was posed. He wanted her found.
Would the police be able to catch this strangler? Where would they start? Could he become a serial killer?
This was a fantastic read, I really enjoyed it. The writing is very descriptive and it’s an easy to read style. I was hooked from the start. DI Ruben Jameson is a new character so it will be interesting to see how he develops. Word of warning: there is a couple of animal killings in the book which I couldn’t read
June 7, 2022
Senseless by Luke Delaney
Martin was cursed when he entered the world—suffering from withdrawal symptoms because of his mother's drug abuse, taken home to a world of hunger, pain, and neglect. Eventually landing in care, his sensory abilities are nearly destroyed after years of violence inflicted on him by his mother's boyfriends.
Tormented by his life as an outcast, Martin dreams of being able to hear and smell and taste like ordinary people—and in a desperate bid to feel alive, he turns to murder.
DI Ruben Jameson suddenly finds himself tracking a serial killer. But as he braces himself for the usual escalation and provocation, events take a strange turn—and for the first time, he wonders if he may be dealing with a predator who is trying to stop himself. Now Jameson must find the perpetrator before he quietly slips into anonymity, never to face justice.
Another taut crime thriller by Luke Delaney.
Luke Delaney is a terrific thriller writer, and he certainly understands how to hold his readers' interest. Again another excellent plot with a complex subject matter and great powerful characters are brought to life in this clever story.
I am happy to recommend it.
I want to thank Publishers Bloodhound Books and author Luke Delaney for a copy to read and review.
Martin was cursed when he entered the world—suffering from withdrawal symptoms because of his mother's drug abuse, taken home to a world of hunger, pain, and neglect. Eventually landing in care, his sensory abilities are nearly destroyed after years of violence inflicted on him by his mother's boyfriends.
Tormented by his life as an outcast, Martin dreams of being able to hear and smell and taste like ordinary people—and in a desperate bid to feel alive, he turns to murder.
DI Ruben Jameson suddenly finds himself tracking a serial killer. But as he braces himself for the usual escalation and provocation, events take a strange turn—and for the first time, he wonders if he may be dealing with a predator who is trying to stop himself. Now Jameson must find the perpetrator before he quietly slips into anonymity, never to face justice.
Another taut crime thriller by Luke Delaney.
Luke Delaney is a terrific thriller writer, and he certainly understands how to hold his readers' interest. Again another excellent plot with a complex subject matter and great powerful characters are brought to life in this clever story.
I am happy to recommend it.
I want to thank Publishers Bloodhound Books and author Luke Delaney for a copy to read and review.
June 7, 2022
I have been waiting a long time for this book. DI Jameson has been brought in as a replacement for DCI Sean Corrigan. He has recently returned from New Zealand where he had gone after shooting a terrorist but losing a colleague in that operation.
He is thrown in at the deep end as a killer has left a woman dead in a West London Park after raping and torturing her. There are no clues as to who the killer is and they are a bit stumped. This is happening as COVID strikes and the country goes into lockdown. The killer strikes again, this time on the Kent Coast near a wind turbine farm. It is obvious to Jameson and his team that the killer plans things carefully and is fully prepared when he strikes.
They think they have a culprit in a known sex offender, and arrest and question him. He won't confirm or deny the allegations and it's clear he has an ulterior motive which becomes clear later in the book.
It's difficult not to give away major plot lines, but suffice to say, read this! I could not put it down.
He is thrown in at the deep end as a killer has left a woman dead in a West London Park after raping and torturing her. There are no clues as to who the killer is and they are a bit stumped. This is happening as COVID strikes and the country goes into lockdown. The killer strikes again, this time on the Kent Coast near a wind turbine farm. It is obvious to Jameson and his team that the killer plans things carefully and is fully prepared when he strikes.
They think they have a culprit in a known sex offender, and arrest and question him. He won't confirm or deny the allegations and it's clear he has an ulterior motive which becomes clear later in the book.
It's difficult not to give away major plot lines, but suffice to say, read this! I could not put it down.
June 13, 2022
I received an advance copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The concept of this book is simple, a killer with very damaged senses is murdering women because he believes it will make him feel more human.
Although the first book by this author that i have read this is clearly part of a series and there are lots of intriguing hints about characters back stories and previous events that I look forward to finding out about when I read further books from the author.
This isn't so much of a whodunit? As a why and how do we catch him? The concept was interesting and the characters of both the killer and the detective well developed.
Plotwise the suspense kept building although certain twists were a bit obvious the writing was so well done I was willing to let the writer get away with this!
A note of caution some of the murders are described in pretty graphic detail so not for the faint of heart but otherwise highly recommend.
The concept of this book is simple, a killer with very damaged senses is murdering women because he believes it will make him feel more human.
Although the first book by this author that i have read this is clearly part of a series and there are lots of intriguing hints about characters back stories and previous events that I look forward to finding out about when I read further books from the author.
This isn't so much of a whodunit? As a why and how do we catch him? The concept was interesting and the characters of both the killer and the detective well developed.
Plotwise the suspense kept building although certain twists were a bit obvious the writing was so well done I was willing to let the writer get away with this!
A note of caution some of the murders are described in pretty graphic detail so not for the faint of heart but otherwise highly recommend.
June 7, 2022
This is the first book I’d read by Luke Delaney and it won’t be the last. A tormented killer stalks his victims during the COVID pandemic, murdering in a bid to feel more alive. Martin is actually a killer who gains our empathy in parts. Abused and abandoned as a child, he has lost his ability to hear and smell, and now dreams of being like everyone else.
There are scenes of violence and of animal cruelty, but they are essential to build the complete and complex picture of a murderer.
The second half of the book moves at quite a rapid pace and there’s not too much police procedural speak. DI Jameson is also an interesting and likeable character and I hope there will be more books featuring him. He has quite a complex backstory which I would like to learn more about in the future.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC.
There are scenes of violence and of animal cruelty, but they are essential to build the complete and complex picture of a murderer.
The second half of the book moves at quite a rapid pace and there’s not too much police procedural speak. DI Jameson is also an interesting and likeable character and I hope there will be more books featuring him. He has quite a complex backstory which I would like to learn more about in the future.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC.
June 10, 2022
I enjoyed this suspenseful story. This is my first story by this author and I look forward to seeing what is next for them. I found this story to be well written where the author used details to make the story come to life. I also enjoyed how the author was able to make me feel part of the story. I was pulled into the story from the start and kept engaged to the end. The twists and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. This is a story about murder who just may never face justice. This is a fast paced story where the characters are not only relateable but also supportive. An easy story to read and entertaining. This was a hard to put down as it had me coming back for more. I really enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it.
June 18, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. This is the first time I have read this author, so I am not familiar with the former detective referenced throughout. However, I enjoyed the characters and the story. The crimes committed by the killer and the pursuit by the police were gripping enough to keep me interested. The insight to the killers mindset was intriguing, adding an additional layer to our understanding of the killer. There were some statements about the former detective and also ones made by the killer himself, which felt a bit repetitive and possibly unnecessary at times. I think the physical descriptions of the main characters were minimal and I found it hard to picture what they looked like when reading about them. This book was definitely worth reading and I will be considering reading more books by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2022
DI Reuben Jamieson is given the role of leasing the Met's SIU, hand picked for the role. Jamieson has a chequered past having been investigated, and cleared, for killing a man whilst on duty, he is then transferred to New Zealand where he shoots an armed robber.
There is a serial killer on the loose at the start of the Covid lockdown, he seems to be able to move freely between London and the South coast.
The team are side-tracked by a sexual offender who happened to visit the first site just hours before the murder.
After the suspect is beaten up and then killed Jamieson is suspended and removed from the case - however, he keeps investigating.
It is a good read - although it does jump about a bit.
There is a serial killer on the loose at the start of the Covid lockdown, he seems to be able to move freely between London and the South coast.
The team are side-tracked by a sexual offender who happened to visit the first site just hours before the murder.
After the suspect is beaten up and then killed Jamieson is suspended and removed from the case - however, he keeps investigating.
It is a good read - although it does jump about a bit.
November 2, 2025
Really knocked me off my feet the way this one started, cleverly bringing in the infamous lock down we all know and showing what could happen, another truly believable tale from a new detective's perspective (although I learned reading Killing Boys afterwards that Ruben is introduced there)
The brilliant way the detective is in a battle with suspects before somehow finding the true criminal really had me wondering right up until the crime was solved, constantly trying to work out how he would do it & if it could even be solved. Another brilliant addition was the clever link to DI Corrigan, referring back to the truly spectacular series written by Luke Delaney, please tell me there will be more!
The brilliant way the detective is in a battle with suspects before somehow finding the true criminal really had me wondering right up until the crime was solved, constantly trying to work out how he would do it & if it could even be solved. Another brilliant addition was the clever link to DI Corrigan, referring back to the truly spectacular series written by Luke Delaney, please tell me there will be more!
June 8, 2022
This isn’t the first book I’ve read by Luke Delaney. I love his books but it’s been a while since I read one. We have a new character Jameson who has taken over from the enigmatic Corrigan. He also appears to be a bit of a maverick and throughout the book we get glimpses into what has happened in his past to make him the way he is.
I love the style of writing that Delaney has used. We know who the murderer is and what has happened in his history and this is interwoven with the main action of the police investigation.
I love the style of writing that Delaney has used. We know who the murderer is and what has happened in his history and this is interwoven with the main action of the police investigation.
October 30, 2022
I’ve read all Luke Delaney’s Sean Corrigan novels and they were brilliant. This one is awful. There is nothing to like about the main character Rebus Jameson. The narrative doesn’t flow the police procedural is not correct and, to be quite honest, I found it boring. I made myself read 42% but then decided I had books to read by other authors that I would enjoy far more, so gave up. I was so looking forward to Luke’s next book but after this one I won’t bother buying any more of his books. Sorry. A very disappointed ex fan.
June 16, 2022
I received this book for free from Bloodhound Books.
This book grabbed me from the first sentence.
We already know who the killer is and it was a thrill to get inside his head.
You almost feel sympathy for him when you learn his history.
The characters were so well written it was like I was inside one of my favorite police procedural shows.
This book definitely appears to leave room for a series.
I definitely want to read more.
This book grabbed me from the first sentence.
We already know who the killer is and it was a thrill to get inside his head.
You almost feel sympathy for him when you learn his history.
The characters were so well written it was like I was inside one of my favorite police procedural shows.
This book definitely appears to leave room for a series.
I definitely want to read more.
August 4, 2022
wow
Wow just wow
The fact it takes place during the start of the pandemic is a genius twist of reality based in fiction. Love the new detective with the old team brilliant start to his many more books to come! The return to the past from the killers side was another reason this book was unputdownable
I loved it can’t wait for the next one
Wow just wow
The fact it takes place during the start of the pandemic is a genius twist of reality based in fiction. Love the new detective with the old team brilliant start to his many more books to come! The return to the past from the killers side was another reason this book was unputdownable
I loved it can’t wait for the next one
October 27, 2023
Luke Delaney never fails to deliver a cracker of a book. DI Jameson has taken over from DCI Corrigan in this complex thriller, that is cleverly written using the start of the pandemic to give this story a unique take. The authors portrayal of Martin was brilliantly done with a disturbing but interesting backstory. The ending gives me hope that there will be more from the wonderful Mr Delaney
October 29, 2023
To say this is by one of my favourite authors it took me long enough to read it. And I can quite easily say this is his weakest work. Is that because it's no longer DCI Corrigan and a new replacement - possibly, remember when Grisham left CSI, not the same. If this series continues I hope I come to warm to Di Jameson but currently it's a hard up no.
August 17, 2024
I've been a big fan of Delaney since his first in the Corrigan series, which I loved. Little did I know that this was a continuation of that series, I believed it was stand-alone. What a nice surprise it was. Brutal from the get-go, a genuine page turner and Jameson will be a good lead. Slightly rushed ending but on the whole, very enjoyable.
May 27, 2022
Wow a great little crime triller
Easy flow to storey and read, great characters that where enjoyable and likeable
Story had nice flow and a soft crime triller for anyone venturing in to reading crime triller
Easy flow to storey and read, great characters that where enjoyable and likeable
Story had nice flow and a soft crime triller for anyone venturing in to reading crime triller
June 23, 2022
Good, good read!! Great Author!
Great, murder detective book! Loved this book and the chase to find the murderer in Covid times alongside the detective investigation. Keep up the great work Luke, cannot wait until the next one. 😊
Great, murder detective book! Loved this book and the chase to find the murderer in Covid times alongside the detective investigation. Keep up the great work Luke, cannot wait until the next one. 😊
June 25, 2022
A really good read! Even although the who of the whodunnit is revealed quite early in the book, it still grips to the very end - and now I'll have to go to the previous book in this series for some more of the main character's back story
June 24, 2022
Luke Delaney just gets better with every thriller would highly recommend to everyone
July 6, 2022
Theres a new detective in town......... great read, good characters, lots of twists highley recommend
July 28, 2022
Riveting
Couldn't put this down. What a roller coaster of a story. Ruben Jameson and his team are brilliant, hope this wasn't a stand alone book
Couldn't put this down. What a roller coaster of a story. Ruben Jameson and his team are brilliant, hope this wasn't a stand alone book
July 20, 2023
Good plot and then fell away a bit towards the end for me but I don't want to spoil it for others by saying why. Not too keen on the main character either.
July 30, 2023
Amazing
As always an amazing story line that grips from the off. Brilliant characters and very well written. Another great read from Mr Delaney. Well done.
As always an amazing story line that grips from the off. Brilliant characters and very well written. Another great read from Mr Delaney. Well done.
February 18, 2024
An enjoyable. Read .
June 13, 2022
I enjoyed the dual story telling by the man committing the crimes and the man investigating them. Also loved
The link to the title and what we get to find out about the mind of a serial killer. There are many things that leave the door open for a second book with the lead characters. Having never read anything previously by this author I will now go back and read the Corrigan series which I learnt is the previous series to this book although this works very well as a stand alone.
The link to the title and what we get to find out about the mind of a serial killer. There are many things that leave the door open for a second book with the lead characters. Having never read anything previously by this author I will now go back and read the Corrigan series which I learnt is the previous series to this book although this works very well as a stand alone.
July 13, 2022
Love, Love, loved Senseless by Luke Delaney this was a book that just had me gripped and I could not put it down. I loved it especially as this is the first time I have read this author and i will be reading more books from Luke in the future. It was fast paced and had great twists and turns throughout. Plus, a great holiday read.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews