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Detective Cassie Rowan #2
The Scarecrow Killer
A body swinging in the trees. A mysterious hit and run. Detective Cassie Rowan tackles the most disturbing case of her career.
Just before dawn on a clear October morning. Detective Cassie Rowan is driving home, exhausted, after a gruelling night on duty. Her headlights catch a sudden flash of movement by the side of the road, a streak of bright, metallic blue. Cassie pulls over to take a look. For a moment, she thinks she imagined it: a body swaying among the trees — hanging from a branch.
Cassie scrambles up the slope, already dialling emergency services. And stops short. . . .
A week later, there’s a fatal accident on the same stretch of road. Seventeen-year-old Damian Novak mown down in a hit-and-run. No witnesses.
Something about Damian’s death doesn’t add up. Cassie is convinced that the hit-and-run and her mysterious swinging body are connected.
Cassie discovers that Damian isn’t the first local teenager to have died in strange circumstances . . . and he won’t be the last.
In each case, a sinister effigy of the victim appears a week before their death.
With wild stories of a voodoo curse running rife, Cassie is in a race against time to track down a brutal killer before they kill again.
Just before dawn on a clear October morning. Detective Cassie Rowan is driving home, exhausted, after a gruelling night on duty. Her headlights catch a sudden flash of movement by the side of the road, a streak of bright, metallic blue. Cassie pulls over to take a look. For a moment, she thinks she imagined it: a body swaying among the trees — hanging from a branch.
Cassie scrambles up the slope, already dialling emergency services. And stops short. . . .
A week later, there’s a fatal accident on the same stretch of road. Seventeen-year-old Damian Novak mown down in a hit-and-run. No witnesses.
Something about Damian’s death doesn’t add up. Cassie is convinced that the hit-and-run and her mysterious swinging body are connected.
Cassie discovers that Damian isn’t the first local teenager to have died in strange circumstances . . . and he won’t be the last.
In each case, a sinister effigy of the victim appears a week before their death.
With wild stories of a voodoo curse running rife, Cassie is in a race against time to track down a brutal killer before they kill again.
- GenresFiction
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2023
201 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Murphy
67 books89 followersMargaret Murphy writes internationally acclaimed and bestselling psychological thrillers under her own name, and in September 2023, she will publish the first of a new series, Dead Man Walking as M. K. Murphy.
She has also published forensic thrillers as Ashley Dyer and AD Garrett. She is a past Chair of the Crime Writers Association (CWA), founder of Murder Squad, and a former RLF Writing Fellow and Reading Round Lector. A Short Story Dagger, HRF Keating, and CWA Red Herring award winner, she has also been shortlisted for the ‘First Blood’ critics award and CWA Dagger in the Library.
www.margaret-murphy.co.uk
(Pseudonym: A.D. Garrett)
(Pseudonym: Ashley Dyer https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...)
She has also published forensic thrillers as Ashley Dyer and AD Garrett. She is a past Chair of the Crime Writers Association (CWA), founder of Murder Squad, and a former RLF Writing Fellow and Reading Round Lector. A Short Story Dagger, HRF Keating, and CWA Red Herring award winner, she has also been shortlisted for the ‘First Blood’ critics award and CWA Dagger in the Library.
www.margaret-murphy.co.uk
(Pseudonym: A.D. Garrett)
(Pseudonym: Ashley Dyer https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 31, 2023
DC Cassie Rowan #2
Cassie is driving down the M62 when her headlights catch sight of a young man running along the embankment then sees a macabre puppet effigy hanging from the trees. Two weeks later she learns of a fatal hit and run in the exact spot she saw the runner/effigy. Is this a weird coincidence or something more sinister? Cassie decides to investigate…. of course she does, with further inquiries suggesting it isn’t a single strange death.
First of all, I can’t decide how likeable Cassie is as she’s a mouth the size of the Mersey Tunnel which is appropriate as it’s set in and around Liverpool! She’s very headstrong, forthright and often right or thinks she is! However, she’s under a great deal of pressure as she parents her teenage brother following the tragic death of their parents. You do get a lot of details of her life.
Aspects of the plot are chilling, there are some strange, bizarre coincidences and occurrences and there’s an interesting folklore element which is interesting. Another good and realistic feature is that of tense communities, crime ridden run down estates and old village versus new developments. The ending is good as it’s atmospheric and tense.
However, the pace isn’t fast, at times it feels like a plod around the famous Liverpool docks with information we don’t need which diverts from what we want to know.
Overall, in my opinion Book 2 is definitely an improvement on the first in the series but I’m not sure I would spend more time with Cassie!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Joffre Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Cassie is driving down the M62 when her headlights catch sight of a young man running along the embankment then sees a macabre puppet effigy hanging from the trees. Two weeks later she learns of a fatal hit and run in the exact spot she saw the runner/effigy. Is this a weird coincidence or something more sinister? Cassie decides to investigate…. of course she does, with further inquiries suggesting it isn’t a single strange death.
First of all, I can’t decide how likeable Cassie is as she’s a mouth the size of the Mersey Tunnel which is appropriate as it’s set in and around Liverpool! She’s very headstrong, forthright and often right or thinks she is! However, she’s under a great deal of pressure as she parents her teenage brother following the tragic death of their parents. You do get a lot of details of her life.
Aspects of the plot are chilling, there are some strange, bizarre coincidences and occurrences and there’s an interesting folklore element which is interesting. Another good and realistic feature is that of tense communities, crime ridden run down estates and old village versus new developments. The ending is good as it’s atmospheric and tense.
However, the pace isn’t fast, at times it feels like a plod around the famous Liverpool docks with information we don’t need which diverts from what we want to know.
Overall, in my opinion Book 2 is definitely an improvement on the first in the series but I’m not sure I would spend more time with Cassie!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Joffre Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
February 13, 2023
DC Cassie Rowan #2
Just before dawn on a clear October morning, Detective Cassie Rowan is driving home, exhausted, after a grueling night on duty. Her headlights catch a sudden flash of movement by the side of the road, a streak of bright metallic blue. Cassie pulls over to take a look. For a moment she thinks she's imagined it: a body swaying among the trees - hanging from a branch. Cassie scrabbles up the slope, already dialing emergency services. and stops short....
Although this is the second book in the series, it does read well as a standalone. Detective Cassie Rowan is investigating a murder and she finds some similarities to some historical cases. Cassie is quite a feisty character who has quite a demanding homelife and a challenging job. The pace is verging on the slow side. the characters are well developed and there are lots of twists to keep us on our toes. I did guess who the killer was but that doesn't take anything away from my enjoyment of a book.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #MargaretMurphy for my ARC of #TheScarecrowKiller in exchange for an honest review.
Just before dawn on a clear October morning, Detective Cassie Rowan is driving home, exhausted, after a grueling night on duty. Her headlights catch a sudden flash of movement by the side of the road, a streak of bright metallic blue. Cassie pulls over to take a look. For a moment she thinks she's imagined it: a body swaying among the trees - hanging from a branch. Cassie scrabbles up the slope, already dialing emergency services. and stops short....
Although this is the second book in the series, it does read well as a standalone. Detective Cassie Rowan is investigating a murder and she finds some similarities to some historical cases. Cassie is quite a feisty character who has quite a demanding homelife and a challenging job. The pace is verging on the slow side. the characters are well developed and there are lots of twists to keep us on our toes. I did guess who the killer was but that doesn't take anything away from my enjoyment of a book.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #MargaretMurphy for my ARC of #TheScarecrowKiller in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2023
Another gripping read from one of my favourite authors. Original plot, strong characters, chilling and brutal murders. An intense read. Even though this book is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone. This book has everything I expect from a good crime thriller and so much more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.
March 11, 2023
Nothing memorable about the book for me.
February 9, 2023
I was extremely impressed with this novel, it is very well written and an absolute joy to read. The story itself is thrilling, horrific, and quite scary in places. The plot is complex with lots of twists and turns, which means that the reader really must concentrate hard to keep up with the pace that it moves at. I found it fascinating that the author has such a keen imagination, together with the fact that she did a huge amount of research to ensure that her fantastic ideas made sense and came together realistically. She managed to give us an interesting and haunting idea for a thriller and being set around Halloween just made it even better.
It was very easy to get to like the characters who were extremely relatable – even although this was the second story in this series, I immediately formed a good relationship with Cassie Rowan and found her very likeable. Along with the tension, there was a subtle sense of humour running through the book, and in places it was quite a light-hearted read. However, at the crux of it all there was this deep sense of foreboding and I found myself thrown down many wrong turns whilst trying to work out who the killer could be. The author is very clever at leading the reader in many directions at the same time, and once the culprit was revealed it came as a huge surprise – in fact, even when I thought the whole case had been solved and the ending was wrapped out, there was another surprise waiting to catch me out.
Thank you to Joffe Books for giving me the chance to read and review this fabulous book. I enjoyed it so much that I rushed to purchase the first in this series so I can get more history on Cassie Rowan and her colleagues.
It was very easy to get to like the characters who were extremely relatable – even although this was the second story in this series, I immediately formed a good relationship with Cassie Rowan and found her very likeable. Along with the tension, there was a subtle sense of humour running through the book, and in places it was quite a light-hearted read. However, at the crux of it all there was this deep sense of foreboding and I found myself thrown down many wrong turns whilst trying to work out who the killer could be. The author is very clever at leading the reader in many directions at the same time, and once the culprit was revealed it came as a huge surprise – in fact, even when I thought the whole case had been solved and the ending was wrapped out, there was another surprise waiting to catch me out.
Thank you to Joffe Books for giving me the chance to read and review this fabulous book. I enjoyed it so much that I rushed to purchase the first in this series so I can get more history on Cassie Rowan and her colleagues.
February 3, 2023
Another exciting read from the talented Margaret Murphy. The Cassie Rowan series has started very well and the central character is fascinating, a good if occasionally feisty cop who copes with both a tricky job and a demanding home life. Liverpool offers an excellent back drop, the wide range of possible villains is well drawn and the plot always engrossing. More please.
February 22, 2023
Cassie Rowan’s see something in the trees on her drive one night, it’s a scarecrow in the trees. A week later there is a hit and run on the same stretch of road and something just does not add up. Cassie is convinced that the scarecrow and the hit and run are connected.
This was a slow burn detective novel with a lot of Britsh slang, but don’t worry there is a handy glossary in the back.
This book had a great mix of the Cassie’s life as well as the case and didn’t not get too technical or scientific.
Thank you to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the ARC.
March 13, 2023
I have been a fan of Margaret’s work for a while now. By no means have I read everything that she has written but that is something that I hope to rectify fairly soon. I have been (im)patiently waiting for the second book in the series featuring Detective Constable Cassie Rowan. Well ladies and gents the wait is over because the second book in the series is called ‘The Scarecrow Killer’ and it was released on 23 February 2023. It’s another cracker of a story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Scarecrow Killer’ but more about that in a bit.
The synopsis of ‘The Scarecrow Killer’ was enough to grab my attention and draw me in. It’s fair to say that as soon as I started reading, I realised that I was reading something special and that I would struggle to put the book down. It was as if the book had cast a spell over me and it was a spell that I wasn’t willing to break. I was blown away by the story and the memorable way in which the story began. My Kindle was well travelled that day because it went everywhere with me as I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I developed my own theories as to what was going to happen and so I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered off in the opposite direction. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘The Scarecrow Killer’. I found ‘The Scarecrow Killer’ to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Scarecrow Killer’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Margaret Murphy. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a read and then some. For me, the story started in a particularly memorable fashion, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. I love the very vivid and realistic way in which Margaret describes her characters- she makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. Reading this book felt like being on an at times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I love the way in which Maragret makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt anyway.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Scarecrow Killer’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Margaret’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
The synopsis of ‘The Scarecrow Killer’ was enough to grab my attention and draw me in. It’s fair to say that as soon as I started reading, I realised that I was reading something special and that I would struggle to put the book down. It was as if the book had cast a spell over me and it was a spell that I wasn’t willing to break. I was blown away by the story and the memorable way in which the story began. My Kindle was well travelled that day because it went everywhere with me as I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I developed my own theories as to what was going to happen and so I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered off in the opposite direction. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘The Scarecrow Killer’. I found ‘The Scarecrow Killer’ to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Scarecrow Killer’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Margaret Murphy. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a read and then some. For me, the story started in a particularly memorable fashion, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. I love the very vivid and realistic way in which Margaret describes her characters- she makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. Reading this book felt like being on an at times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I love the way in which Maragret makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt anyway.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Scarecrow Killer’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Margaret’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
February 24, 2023
ADVANCED READER COPY REVIEW
This is the second book to feature Detective Constable Cassie Rowan, full disclosure I've not read the first (Before He Kills Again) and five chapters in I suspect it might be advantageous to do so because there have been many oblique references to events that have gone before.
It's been a slow start for me, the cover blurb claims it's "unputdownable" but early doors and I've not been enthusiastically picking it back up after just a few pages.
After more than a week I'm only 25% in ...but I think that today I'm going to try and get to the end - the scarecrow element has grown from a couple of mysterious deaths to a local community where they're part of the folk lore...let's see if I can get hooked now?
50% in and we've either been dropped the most disappointing fact of the story (i.e. if this is the villain then it's a surprise as there's so much more prose to prise through) or it's a fabulous red herring - if it's the latter then there's some explaining to do for this to make sense, if it's the former then it's definitely not an Agatha Christie style unmasking (deliberate pun given the style of the murderous warnings throughout the book)...of course I can't give away which of these it is now without that being a spoiler - I don't like spoilers so I'll do my best not to ruin it more than a bad rating might imply.
Almost 80% in... there have been twists, a great plot development which might put to rest my earlier red herring/disappointment but I'm now page turning...what was a 3* rating has gone to a 4*... I'm willing to accept that my slow start was more likely due to extenuating circumstances rather than the narrative....let's see how the next hour serves me and the review!
Ok, two days on...I'm going back to 3* - the stories ended with a final twist, but that twist doesn't explain how a body ended up where it was found as the murderer only managed to get it into a means of transport with no explanation as to how it ended up hangingn in plain sight with a scarecrow mask attached...and I've no explanation for what now seems an illogical red-herring so overall a promising read ends with a fair amount of scepticism (In addition to the review above I felt that the main character, DC Cassie Rowan, seems to have a very insubordinate nature that I'm sure the actual police would not tolerate to the extent seen here).
I wish Margaret Murphy all the best with future tales (in addition to this two book sequence she's listed with two other series and five stand alones so she's definitely got tales to tell)
This is the second book to feature Detective Constable Cassie Rowan, full disclosure I've not read the first (Before He Kills Again) and five chapters in I suspect it might be advantageous to do so because there have been many oblique references to events that have gone before.
It's been a slow start for me, the cover blurb claims it's "unputdownable" but early doors and I've not been enthusiastically picking it back up after just a few pages.
After more than a week I'm only 25% in ...but I think that today I'm going to try and get to the end - the scarecrow element has grown from a couple of mysterious deaths to a local community where they're part of the folk lore...let's see if I can get hooked now?
50% in and we've either been dropped the most disappointing fact of the story (i.e. if this is the villain then it's a surprise as there's so much more prose to prise through) or it's a fabulous red herring - if it's the latter then there's some explaining to do for this to make sense, if it's the former then it's definitely not an Agatha Christie style unmasking (deliberate pun given the style of the murderous warnings throughout the book)...of course I can't give away which of these it is now without that being a spoiler - I don't like spoilers so I'll do my best not to ruin it more than a bad rating might imply.
Almost 80% in... there have been twists, a great plot development which might put to rest my earlier red herring/disappointment but I'm now page turning...what was a 3* rating has gone to a 4*... I'm willing to accept that my slow start was more likely due to extenuating circumstances rather than the narrative....let's see how the next hour serves me and the review!
Ok, two days on...I'm going back to 3* - the stories ended with a final twist, but that twist doesn't explain how a body ended up where it was found as the murderer only managed to get it into a means of transport with no explanation as to how it ended up hangingn in plain sight with a scarecrow mask attached...and I've no explanation for what now seems an illogical red-herring so overall a promising read ends with a fair amount of scepticism (In addition to the review above I felt that the main character, DC Cassie Rowan, seems to have a very insubordinate nature that I'm sure the actual police would not tolerate to the extent seen here).
I wish Margaret Murphy all the best with future tales (in addition to this two book sequence she's listed with two other series and five stand alones so she's definitely got tales to tell)
February 14, 2023
The book opens with Cassie Rowan, a detective who stumbles across a scary image of a scarecrow hanging above as she is on her way home after a grueling nigh of work. Cassie first perceives this to be a body and goes to investigate. A week later this scarecrow will be tied to many more murders that follow. with some people believing the Scarecrow is either a doppelganger of the person who will die or a voodoo doll.
In the beginning I really like this book. Seven chapters in and it had me; however, it was hard to keep me. It was not a bad read, but it was not what I was expecting. The characters were not very interesting and had no major development. The lead character was not really someone that you championed. She was the typical British woman detective that you see in shows such as the fall. You know the kind, " I am a bad detective, and I don't care who I have to walk on to get what I want. even if it is the victim".
I don't think I particularly cared to follow her plight nor was I very engaged in her storyline. For me the best part was the dynamic between her and her younger brother who had suffer a traumatic injury to his arm while saving his sister. I really loved seeing the development of their relationship and the story line as well as the one with Psychologist. I also like the relationship between Jim and Cassie, and really liked reading Jim parts, However, for me this book did not match its cover. I expected to see a bit more mystic surrounding the scarecrow and its myths. This book was nothing at all what I expected and at times it was a bit lackluster. Another thing I did not care for is the constant switch between first and last names of the characters. It could be Rowan and then Cassie in the next sentence. This was constantly happening with many characters, which made it a bit confusing!
I do appreciate the Joffe team for allowing me to read this book and all the work they have done and continue to do to help get talented first-time authors' works published. Who knows we may see a Fredrik Backman in the near future. I would have to agree with two earlier reviewers who stated that Cassie's character is not engaging enough to make you want to follow her into other sequels. This is just my opinion, for some readers this may be exactly their speed!
In the beginning I really like this book. Seven chapters in and it had me; however, it was hard to keep me. It was not a bad read, but it was not what I was expecting. The characters were not very interesting and had no major development. The lead character was not really someone that you championed. She was the typical British woman detective that you see in shows such as the fall. You know the kind, " I am a bad detective, and I don't care who I have to walk on to get what I want. even if it is the victim".
I don't think I particularly cared to follow her plight nor was I very engaged in her storyline. For me the best part was the dynamic between her and her younger brother who had suffer a traumatic injury to his arm while saving his sister. I really loved seeing the development of their relationship and the story line as well as the one with Psychologist. I also like the relationship between Jim and Cassie, and really liked reading Jim parts, However, for me this book did not match its cover. I expected to see a bit more mystic surrounding the scarecrow and its myths. This book was nothing at all what I expected and at times it was a bit lackluster. Another thing I did not care for is the constant switch between first and last names of the characters. It could be Rowan and then Cassie in the next sentence. This was constantly happening with many characters, which made it a bit confusing!
I do appreciate the Joffe team for allowing me to read this book and all the work they have done and continue to do to help get talented first-time authors' works published. Who knows we may see a Fredrik Backman in the near future. I would have to agree with two earlier reviewers who stated that Cassie's character is not engaging enough to make you want to follow her into other sequels. This is just my opinion, for some readers this may be exactly their speed!
February 27, 2023
First, thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This one took me longer than usual to get through, but it wasn't because of the book, I just had some personal things going on that kept me from reading. This was mostly good. The book is written well, the main characters are well realized (and will feel familiar if you've read or watched modern police procedurals). I had some gripes with some side characters and the resolution but this was solid regardless. An important note: I have not read the first book but I didn't feel lost at all. There's references to the first book, but nothing that makes you feel left out so you can definitely read as a standalone.
Quick hits:
+ Cassie is an intriguing character. She's at a point of her career where she's built the skills to be a good detective, but she's still learning some of the finer details which will make her come into her own. She never feels petulant or annoying (even with her short temper), she feels like a real modern member of the police.
+ The premise of the book is really interesting and I had fun seeing the investigation progress.
+ Most of the side characters were good. They each had a part to play in the story and even put Cassie in a bit of a mentor role. Warman and Jackie are the highlights.
- Jim North was beyond annoying, and it felt there were moments he was shoehorned in just to be annoying. I get why he is the way he is, but by the 75% mark I was already beyond annoyed.
- The resolution just kind of happens out of nowhere. It isn't that you couldn't see how it happened, but it just pops up in a chapter and you get the explanation later. It felt forced and not like a natural progression of the story.
- The story felt a bit long. The number of pages were fine, but once I was at around ~80%, I was expecting to hit the point of the fast paced wrap up of the story that is common in most mysteries, but I did not. It still felt like the story was in the middle and then we were just at the end and not that the evidence drove the conclusion.
As you can see, I'm a bit mixed. This is a solid mystery read, but I don't think it'll blow your socks off. There's enough good here to recommend to mystery fans, and of course readers of the series. But for me this sits at about 3/5.
This one took me longer than usual to get through, but it wasn't because of the book, I just had some personal things going on that kept me from reading. This was mostly good. The book is written well, the main characters are well realized (and will feel familiar if you've read or watched modern police procedurals). I had some gripes with some side characters and the resolution but this was solid regardless. An important note: I have not read the first book but I didn't feel lost at all. There's references to the first book, but nothing that makes you feel left out so you can definitely read as a standalone.
Quick hits:
+ Cassie is an intriguing character. She's at a point of her career where she's built the skills to be a good detective, but she's still learning some of the finer details which will make her come into her own. She never feels petulant or annoying (even with her short temper), she feels like a real modern member of the police.
+ The premise of the book is really interesting and I had fun seeing the investigation progress.
+ Most of the side characters were good. They each had a part to play in the story and even put Cassie in a bit of a mentor role. Warman and Jackie are the highlights.
- Jim North was beyond annoying, and it felt there were moments he was shoehorned in just to be annoying. I get why he is the way he is, but by the 75% mark I was already beyond annoyed.
- The resolution just kind of happens out of nowhere. It isn't that you couldn't see how it happened, but it just pops up in a chapter and you get the explanation later. It felt forced and not like a natural progression of the story.
- The story felt a bit long. The number of pages were fine, but once I was at around ~80%, I was expecting to hit the point of the fast paced wrap up of the story that is common in most mysteries, but I did not. It still felt like the story was in the middle and then we were just at the end and not that the evidence drove the conclusion.
As you can see, I'm a bit mixed. This is a solid mystery read, but I don't think it'll blow your socks off. There's enough good here to recommend to mystery fans, and of course readers of the series. But for me this sits at about 3/5.
February 5, 2023
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of The Scarecrow Killer, the second novel to feature DC Cassie Rowan of Merseyside Police.
Cassie is driving home from a night shift when she sees a figure running from the motorway and gives chase. What she finds is not what she expected, but she didn’t expect the body of a hit and run victim to be found a week later on the same stretch of road either. It turns out that Damian Novak, the victim, was not the only teenager from the Fernleigh estate to die in strange circumstances.
I enjoyed The Scarecrow Killer, which has an interesting premise and a couple of twists. It is described as “unputdownable”, but I wouldn’t go that far. It is more than competent, but it has a few lulls in both pace and development.
The novel is told from Cassie’s third person perspective, which is always a plus for me as it allows the reader to get immersed in the read without the distraction of a changing point of view. The downside, however, is that the reader has to like Cassie to get the full effect. My jury is still out on her personality. She is smart at detecting, but not always so smart at the politics of police work, in other words she frequently engages her mouth before her brain has caught up. Some of it is fun, most of it left me frustrated at her stupidity and I have absolutely no understanding of why she has to stick her nose into other detectives’ cases. It smacks of arrogance to me.
I like the plot premise, which is imaginative with the effigies and the time lapse. The author mostly carries its promise on in the plot, but the execution is a bit hit and miss. I don’t think the balance is quite right between the professional and the personal. The novel is all about Cassie, so her feelings get a good airing, whether it’s the injustice of her dressings down or her struggles with the teenage brother she is raising, sometimes at the expense of the investigation. To be fair, I’m not that interested in her problems and the investigation is my primary interest, so I was a bit disappointed in the balance.
The Scarecrow Killer is a solid read. 3.5*
Cassie is driving home from a night shift when she sees a figure running from the motorway and gives chase. What she finds is not what she expected, but she didn’t expect the body of a hit and run victim to be found a week later on the same stretch of road either. It turns out that Damian Novak, the victim, was not the only teenager from the Fernleigh estate to die in strange circumstances.
I enjoyed The Scarecrow Killer, which has an interesting premise and a couple of twists. It is described as “unputdownable”, but I wouldn’t go that far. It is more than competent, but it has a few lulls in both pace and development.
The novel is told from Cassie’s third person perspective, which is always a plus for me as it allows the reader to get immersed in the read without the distraction of a changing point of view. The downside, however, is that the reader has to like Cassie to get the full effect. My jury is still out on her personality. She is smart at detecting, but not always so smart at the politics of police work, in other words she frequently engages her mouth before her brain has caught up. Some of it is fun, most of it left me frustrated at her stupidity and I have absolutely no understanding of why she has to stick her nose into other detectives’ cases. It smacks of arrogance to me.
I like the plot premise, which is imaginative with the effigies and the time lapse. The author mostly carries its promise on in the plot, but the execution is a bit hit and miss. I don’t think the balance is quite right between the professional and the personal. The novel is all about Cassie, so her feelings get a good airing, whether it’s the injustice of her dressings down or her struggles with the teenage brother she is raising, sometimes at the expense of the investigation. To be fair, I’m not that interested in her problems and the investigation is my primary interest, so I was a bit disappointed in the balance.
The Scarecrow Killer is a solid read. 3.5*
February 21, 2023
Margaret Murphy is a talented author and I have been totally gripped by each book I have read. This is book 2 in the Detective Cassie Rowan series and works well standalone. However, there is a back story to the characters that would increase your enjoyment of this book if you have read book 1.
Life is ticking along, Cassie is having problems with her younger brother for whom she has parental responsibility and is mulling over what to do when she sees something on the bank of the motorway. A person? As she investigates she finds it is just an effigy. She calls it in. It is just a complete fluke that she was the one who found it but the detective in her won't let it go and when a body is found on the motorway below where she found the effigy alarm bells start ringing. The death is recorded as hit and run but when another body is discovered it becomes clear that someone is torturing their victims with effigies before murdering them.
Cassie has a strained relationship with her superior: DCI Warman, can she persuade her to authorise an investigation?
As the case progresses it becomes clear the killer hasn't done but what is the motive and why now? Fernleigh is a troubled estate full of drug dealers and addicts it has been that way for many years so why is someone trying to 'clean it up'.
The story is an intriguing one that takes many twists and turns. The person I picked out early on to be the murderer turns out to be completely innocent and visa versa. I was gripped from the beginning and the book didn't let go until the very end.
The characters are clearly defined and develop well throughout the book. The ones we met in book 1 continue to reveal their personalities and new ones are introduced and slot perfectly into the story without a lot of descriptive text. The author has the perfect balance between the story and the personality of the characters to make for a suspense filled read with enough about the characters' personal lives to soften the darkness.
Absolutely brilliant read, I can't wait for more from this author.
Life is ticking along, Cassie is having problems with her younger brother for whom she has parental responsibility and is mulling over what to do when she sees something on the bank of the motorway. A person? As she investigates she finds it is just an effigy. She calls it in. It is just a complete fluke that she was the one who found it but the detective in her won't let it go and when a body is found on the motorway below where she found the effigy alarm bells start ringing. The death is recorded as hit and run but when another body is discovered it becomes clear that someone is torturing their victims with effigies before murdering them.
Cassie has a strained relationship with her superior: DCI Warman, can she persuade her to authorise an investigation?
As the case progresses it becomes clear the killer hasn't done but what is the motive and why now? Fernleigh is a troubled estate full of drug dealers and addicts it has been that way for many years so why is someone trying to 'clean it up'.
The story is an intriguing one that takes many twists and turns. The person I picked out early on to be the murderer turns out to be completely innocent and visa versa. I was gripped from the beginning and the book didn't let go until the very end.
The characters are clearly defined and develop well throughout the book. The ones we met in book 1 continue to reveal their personalities and new ones are introduced and slot perfectly into the story without a lot of descriptive text. The author has the perfect balance between the story and the personality of the characters to make for a suspense filled read with enough about the characters' personal lives to soften the darkness.
Absolutely brilliant read, I can't wait for more from this author.
March 3, 2023
When DC Cassie Rowan spots a dressed-up dummy on an embankment at the side of the M62, little could she foresee exactly one week later there will be a real body at the same spot. She’s convinced it can’t be a coincidence but the officer in charge is keen to dismiss her ideas and close off the case as an accidental death. The victim, Damian Novak, is a local lad well known to the police for causing a fatal accident and dealing drugs, and he won’t be missed by the residents of the Fernleigh social-housing estate. Undeterred Cassie takes her misgivings to old colleague crime scene investigator Ian Chan and she also hears from Damian’s little brother about another similar effigy of a man who killed himself a few months previously, the gang leader who Damian had worked for. She finally persuades DCI Warman to let a small team of herself, Chan, Finch (the detective she worked with in book one) and the estate’s PCSO Jackie Dawson look into the two deaths. It’s not long before they find a third supposed suicide linked to another dummy dressed as the victim, all three deaths occurring within the past year. Her investigation takes her to the village of Birkenshore, an affluent place where their annual Scarecrow Festival produces some scary looking figures and a link to the masks used in her three cases. So could all three deaths be murders disguised to look like something else? Do they have a vigilante cleaning up the estate of criminals? And what do the effigies signify? Threats, warnings or omens of deaths to follow? And will there be more to come if she doesn’t crack the case soon?
Caring for her younger brother and coping with her own tragic history, Cassie makes a very likeable lead character, joined by great colleagues in the form of Ian, Fitch and Jackie. There are loads of twists in this plot which sees a truly baffling case for the detectives with plenty of good suspects for the reader to puzzle over. Highly recommended!
Caring for her younger brother and coping with her own tragic history, Cassie makes a very likeable lead character, joined by great colleagues in the form of Ian, Fitch and Jackie. There are loads of twists in this plot which sees a truly baffling case for the detectives with plenty of good suspects for the reader to puzzle over. Highly recommended!
April 6, 2023
To begin with, even though this is book number two in the series, it can be read entirely as a stand-alone with no problem. There are a couple of instances where I believe the prior book is referenced (I have not read it, so I cannot say for sure), but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of this novel or lead to any sort of confusion. I will say that I didn't feel like I really got to know Cassie or see any real character development with her, and I don't know if that stems from the fact that I didn't read the first one, so I don't know if the character matured or changed, but she was a hard one to like sometimes due to her attitude.
However, the bigger problem I had with this one was that while it started off strong, I felt that it quickly lost steam to the point that I had a lot of trouble staying invested in the story and its characters. However, I think the fault here is my own and what I expect from novels, as the author does have a strong writing style and was able to vividly bring the towns and the people in them to life.
Despite the length of the novel and the slowness through which it progresses, I felt that it definitely picked up towards the end. Although maybe it was due to the way the story took so long to get to that point, it seemed that the pace went from slow to breakneck speed, and we had a lot of information thrown at us in those last few chapters. I feel like with better pacing overall, this one would have been more enjoyable for me.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
However, the bigger problem I had with this one was that while it started off strong, I felt that it quickly lost steam to the point that I had a lot of trouble staying invested in the story and its characters. However, I think the fault here is my own and what I expect from novels, as the author does have a strong writing style and was able to vividly bring the towns and the people in them to life.
Despite the length of the novel and the slowness through which it progresses, I felt that it definitely picked up towards the end. Although maybe it was due to the way the story took so long to get to that point, it seemed that the pace went from slow to breakneck speed, and we had a lot of information thrown at us in those last few chapters. I feel like with better pacing overall, this one would have been more enjoyable for me.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
February 27, 2023
Via NetGalley Thank you for the ARC
2.5 stars
I haven’t read this author before so I went into this without reading the first instalment of the detective character. That didn’t effect my ability to enjoy or understand the plot here, although there were some references made to the plot of the previous book.
I was wondering if the author did spend more time building up the characters in the first book, because they all felt very superficial in this book. I didn’t feel anything for Cassie or the people she cared about. I felt like I was never properly introduced to them at all.
I think technically-speaking the author is a very good writer. Her descriptions of landscapes and atmospheres are well worded and actually a bit poetic. She doesn’t repeat any tired cliches that you might find in a lot of crime fiction.
The plot has a lot of promise but sort of fizzles out in the last 100 pages. The pace is actually incredibly slow until those last pages, where it then speeds up to the point that it feels as though a huge part of the story has been skipped and a haphazard solution has been thrown out as an afterthought.
I’m left a bit confused. This book dragged for so long and yet I feel like I didn’t get the corresponding amount of information for all those pages read. It’s strange to say the writing itself is of a high quality but the characterisations and plot development weren’t very good. I think it had a lot of potential but in that last stretch it all unraveled.
2.5 stars
I haven’t read this author before so I went into this without reading the first instalment of the detective character. That didn’t effect my ability to enjoy or understand the plot here, although there were some references made to the plot of the previous book.
I was wondering if the author did spend more time building up the characters in the first book, because they all felt very superficial in this book. I didn’t feel anything for Cassie or the people she cared about. I felt like I was never properly introduced to them at all.
I think technically-speaking the author is a very good writer. Her descriptions of landscapes and atmospheres are well worded and actually a bit poetic. She doesn’t repeat any tired cliches that you might find in a lot of crime fiction.
The plot has a lot of promise but sort of fizzles out in the last 100 pages. The pace is actually incredibly slow until those last pages, where it then speeds up to the point that it feels as though a huge part of the story has been skipped and a haphazard solution has been thrown out as an afterthought.
I’m left a bit confused. This book dragged for so long and yet I feel like I didn’t get the corresponding amount of information for all those pages read. It’s strange to say the writing itself is of a high quality but the characterisations and plot development weren’t very good. I think it had a lot of potential but in that last stretch it all unraveled.
March 2, 2023
‘The Scarecrow Killer’ is the second book in the DC Cassie Rowan series, however it does read well as a standalone. I was drawn to this book as the plot intrigued me – the premise of effigies is both original and slightly terrifying at the same time, and the first few chapters had me gripped - the unusual story line and interesting array of characters really grabbed me, however, the further I got into the tale, I felt a few lulls in both pace and execution.
A decent portion of the story is dedicated to Cassie’s homelife and in particular her struggles in bringing up her teenage brother following the death of their parents a few years earlier. Whilst I can see what the author is trying to achieve in making the characters appear more relatable, I personally am more interested in the investigation, so I was a bit disappointed with the balance. I also have to admit that I struggled with the frequent switching between first and last names of the characters – there are a lot of characters anyway, so this added an unnecessary level of confusion.
Overall, I enjoyed The Scarecrow Killer, with its fascinating plot, interesting array of characters and a couple of good twists.
A decent portion of the story is dedicated to Cassie’s homelife and in particular her struggles in bringing up her teenage brother following the death of their parents a few years earlier. Whilst I can see what the author is trying to achieve in making the characters appear more relatable, I personally am more interested in the investigation, so I was a bit disappointed with the balance. I also have to admit that I struggled with the frequent switching between first and last names of the characters – there are a lot of characters anyway, so this added an unnecessary level of confusion.
Overall, I enjoyed The Scarecrow Killer, with its fascinating plot, interesting array of characters and a couple of good twists.
May 10, 2023
Let me start by saying that I didn't realize this was a follow-up to another book until I dug into the author a little bit. That being said, it was awesome as a stand-alone. I didn't feel lost at all and truth be told, I now plan on reading the first book too.
This was a different style of book then I usually read. Usually I read books with fast-paced, jaw-dropping twists. This was different but in a good way; it wasn't a slow burn but didn't move at neck breaking speed either. Cassie Rowan, the main character, is spunky and likeable. She is developed in a fantastic way that made me like her from the get-go. This book had me guessing at who was behind the killings and had a creepy vibe to it (lots of fog, great description of the effigies, town legends and folklore, etc.) There were a few characters that I had to think twice about as to whether or not I could trust them (each time I was wrong, by the way haha!).
I felt like story moved along at a nice pace and came together perfectly at the end. The characters were developed in the exact way I like - descriptive but not dragging on with information that didn't matter.
I would recommend this book for people who love crime thrillers.
This was a different style of book then I usually read. Usually I read books with fast-paced, jaw-dropping twists. This was different but in a good way; it wasn't a slow burn but didn't move at neck breaking speed either. Cassie Rowan, the main character, is spunky and likeable. She is developed in a fantastic way that made me like her from the get-go. This book had me guessing at who was behind the killings and had a creepy vibe to it (lots of fog, great description of the effigies, town legends and folklore, etc.) There were a few characters that I had to think twice about as to whether or not I could trust them (each time I was wrong, by the way haha!).
I felt like story moved along at a nice pace and came together perfectly at the end. The characters were developed in the exact way I like - descriptive but not dragging on with information that didn't matter.
I would recommend this book for people who love crime thrillers.
February 23, 2023
Finished ✔️ The Scarecrow Killer by Margaret Murphy!
4 ⭐️’s
Publish Day: February 23rd, 2023
On KU
An absolutely gripping crime thriller
Pull of twists that most I didn’t see.
Set in October.
Detective Rowan is in for a stressful yet interesting case
This interesting case has what I’d call stranger than normal circumstances 🤯
Detective Rowan is doing her best before the brutal killer, scary killer strikes again.
Lots of twisty turns I didn’t see coming
Very exciting book overall
It’s a book that can get you very hooked from the beginning 👀
An intense read
I personally thought it was lacking a little something which is why I gave it 4 ⭐️’s
Perfect size book, although it could have been a couple pages longer to put in what I felt was lacking.
I’d recommend the book and series
#DeesReading #DeesRecs #DeesBookRecommendations #BookNerds #BookNerdProblems #BookNerdsUnited #BookProblems #BookProblems101 #Bookworms #BookwormProblems #BooksOfFacebook #DeeTheBookReviewer #BookReviewer #NewToMeAuthor #MargaretMurphy #ReadOfTheDay #BookOfTheDay #MysteriesAndThrillers #PsychologicalThrillers #NetGalley #TheScarecrowKiller #CrimeThriller
4 ⭐️’s
Publish Day: February 23rd, 2023
On KU
An absolutely gripping crime thriller
Pull of twists that most I didn’t see.
Set in October.
Detective Rowan is in for a stressful yet interesting case
This interesting case has what I’d call stranger than normal circumstances 🤯
Detective Rowan is doing her best before the brutal killer, scary killer strikes again.
Lots of twisty turns I didn’t see coming
Very exciting book overall
It’s a book that can get you very hooked from the beginning 👀
An intense read
I personally thought it was lacking a little something which is why I gave it 4 ⭐️’s
Perfect size book, although it could have been a couple pages longer to put in what I felt was lacking.
I’d recommend the book and series
#DeesReading #DeesRecs #DeesBookRecommendations #BookNerds #BookNerdProblems #BookNerdsUnited #BookProblems #BookProblems101 #Bookworms #BookwormProblems #BooksOfFacebook #DeeTheBookReviewer #BookReviewer #NewToMeAuthor #MargaretMurphy #ReadOfTheDay #BookOfTheDay #MysteriesAndThrillers #PsychologicalThrillers #NetGalley #TheScarecrowKiller #CrimeThriller
June 5, 2023
Much better than first book
I left a 3-star review of the first book but said I would reserve judgement on some elements until after I had read the second, and I am happy to say that the 2nd book is much better.
Character development, plot and flow are all far better than in the previous book and the author has clearly started to enjoy her writing.
I love Dawson - she really is a great character and how her introduction and the way she was weaved into the story was slick.
Finch is still an odd one though - I really can't make him out (but that is a positive in this genre) and hopefully the next in series will shed light on why he has been like he has in this book.
Rowan's own family life is part of plot, but not overly so. In fact, it backs up a lot of her spirit and determination. The fact that both Neil and Alex cause her different problems, she can learn from others, and she takes advice and help on board from different sources shows how much she learns.
And i just adore both Ian and the DCI.
A very, very minor plot freebie - at least Wicksy gets a figurative kick up the backside by Cassie. Go girl!
I left a 3-star review of the first book but said I would reserve judgement on some elements until after I had read the second, and I am happy to say that the 2nd book is much better.
Character development, plot and flow are all far better than in the previous book and the author has clearly started to enjoy her writing.
I love Dawson - she really is a great character and how her introduction and the way she was weaved into the story was slick.
Finch is still an odd one though - I really can't make him out (but that is a positive in this genre) and hopefully the next in series will shed light on why he has been like he has in this book.
Rowan's own family life is part of plot, but not overly so. In fact, it backs up a lot of her spirit and determination. The fact that both Neil and Alex cause her different problems, she can learn from others, and she takes advice and help on board from different sources shows how much she learns.
And i just adore both Ian and the DCI.
A very, very minor plot freebie - at least Wicksy gets a figurative kick up the backside by Cassie. Go girl!
February 23, 2023
Detective Cassie Rowan is driving home on the motorway late at night when something catches her eye at the side of the road. Getting out of her car to investigate, she finds a hanging body, but thankfully it is just an effigy, not a real person. A week later, there is an accident on the same stretch of road resulting in the death of seventeen-year-old Damian Novak. Cassie believes that the two incidents have to be connected and soon discovers that Damian is not the first teenager in that area to die in suspicious circumstances, each death being preceded by a mysterious effigy…
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Before He Kills Again, so I was pleased to see that Margaret Murphy had written a follow-up. The Scarecrow Killer can definitely be read as a standalone, however, so don’t worry if you haven’t read the first.
Cassie is a great character, determined to find the guilty party no matter what it takes. Her single-mindedness does not always endear her to her superiors but it is this doggedness that makes her such a good detective. Her home life is not what you would call conventional, but this is part of what makes her such a likeable character, as she deals with her younger sibling who she has had responsibility for since the death of their parents.
The plot is a strong one with a plethora of great characters, each one playing their part in this mysterious and slightly macabre story. Although Cassie works in Liverpool, I really liked how much of the action takes place in a nearby village which appears to be stuck firmly in the past, seeming almost otherworldly. I found that I could easily visualise the village although the though of a boggart in the fog did unnerve me slightly!
I hope that this isn’t the last we see of Cassie Rowan.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Before He Kills Again, so I was pleased to see that Margaret Murphy had written a follow-up. The Scarecrow Killer can definitely be read as a standalone, however, so don’t worry if you haven’t read the first.
Cassie is a great character, determined to find the guilty party no matter what it takes. Her single-mindedness does not always endear her to her superiors but it is this doggedness that makes her such a good detective. Her home life is not what you would call conventional, but this is part of what makes her such a likeable character, as she deals with her younger sibling who she has had responsibility for since the death of their parents.
The plot is a strong one with a plethora of great characters, each one playing their part in this mysterious and slightly macabre story. Although Cassie works in Liverpool, I really liked how much of the action takes place in a nearby village which appears to be stuck firmly in the past, seeming almost otherworldly. I found that I could easily visualise the village although the though of a boggart in the fog did unnerve me slightly!
I hope that this isn’t the last we see of Cassie Rowan.
February 1, 2023
A DYNAMIC CRIME THRILLER.
D Cassie Rowan Book Two.
Liverpool, Cassie is travelling home alone after a busy few days working she is tired and needs her sleep, she witnesses a flash of movement, lightening strike of blue fire, a youth running down the hill, the road was quiet, was he drunk or drugged, calling in emergency services, it wasn't a body, hoody and tracksuit bottoms like a scarecrow, is this just a prank, the cops arrive and initial adrenaline of shock she heads home to her bed.
One week later and youth Damian Noval is found on the motorway, Rowan's got goose bumps he's in a hoody and tracksuit bottoms ringing around the stations about the hit and run, she would need more on this on monday morning from Ian Chan, this is one odd coincidence was it really a hit and run.
The scarecrow killer is one almighty read, I love the leading characters that makes this book a boom to read, so fast pace in page after page, with lots of twisty turns I loved it.
D Cassie Rowan Book Two.
Liverpool, Cassie is travelling home alone after a busy few days working she is tired and needs her sleep, she witnesses a flash of movement, lightening strike of blue fire, a youth running down the hill, the road was quiet, was he drunk or drugged, calling in emergency services, it wasn't a body, hoody and tracksuit bottoms like a scarecrow, is this just a prank, the cops arrive and initial adrenaline of shock she heads home to her bed.
One week later and youth Damian Noval is found on the motorway, Rowan's got goose bumps he's in a hoody and tracksuit bottoms ringing around the stations about the hit and run, she would need more on this on monday morning from Ian Chan, this is one odd coincidence was it really a hit and run.
The scarecrow killer is one almighty read, I love the leading characters that makes this book a boom to read, so fast pace in page after page, with lots of twisty turns I loved it.
March 1, 2023
Stunning sequel
The Scarecrow Killer brings Det. Cassie Rowan a complex case just as she struggles with issues involving the younger teen brother she parents alone.
Someone is making effigies of people who end up dead a week later. Classified as suicides or accidents, it’s up to Cassie to convince her prickly boss, stickler for proper procedures, that one person is committing these killings.
Murphy’s characters are lifelike and wholly recognizable; her lyrical descriptions give the reader a great sense of the Mersey area. Setting the book near Halloween enhances the effect the ghastly effigies have on anyone who sees them, and by combining folklore, history, and the natural world of the area, readers will see themselves following Cassie and solving crimes right beside her.
This is a brilliant read that starts out with a swift pace that only rises as the tension increases. Highly recommended.
The Scarecrow Killer brings Det. Cassie Rowan a complex case just as she struggles with issues involving the younger teen brother she parents alone.
Someone is making effigies of people who end up dead a week later. Classified as suicides or accidents, it’s up to Cassie to convince her prickly boss, stickler for proper procedures, that one person is committing these killings.
Murphy’s characters are lifelike and wholly recognizable; her lyrical descriptions give the reader a great sense of the Mersey area. Setting the book near Halloween enhances the effect the ghastly effigies have on anyone who sees them, and by combining folklore, history, and the natural world of the area, readers will see themselves following Cassie and solving crimes right beside her.
This is a brilliant read that starts out with a swift pace that only rises as the tension increases. Highly recommended.
February 5, 2023
The Scarecrow Killer by Margaret Murphy starts off with Detective Cassie Rowan driving home after a grueling night on duty. Her headlights illuminate a body swinging in the trees. A week later, there is a mysterious hit and run on the same stretch of road. And Detective Rowan tackles the most disturbing case of her career.
The premise said this was an unputdownable crime thriller full of twists. The story did have some good twists and was a decent crime thriller. However, it was slow in parts, and I found myself not thinking about the characters when I wasn't reading the book.
It was a creepy story with an interesting plot. I would give this a 3.75 out of 5 stars (rounded to 4 stars). I would recommend this book, and I will check out other books by this author.
#THESCARECROWKILLER #NetGalley @JoffeBooks
The premise said this was an unputdownable crime thriller full of twists. The story did have some good twists and was a decent crime thriller. However, it was slow in parts, and I found myself not thinking about the characters when I wasn't reading the book.
It was a creepy story with an interesting plot. I would give this a 3.75 out of 5 stars (rounded to 4 stars). I would recommend this book, and I will check out other books by this author.
#THESCARECROWKILLER #NetGalley @JoffeBooks
February 19, 2023
This is the second book featuring DC Cassie Rowan of Merseyside Police.
Following an evening working the night shift Cassie heads for home.
Driving along the motorway she sees a figure running away. She decides to try to catch him and gives chase.
Coming upon what appears to be a body swinging in the trees.
Weird!
She is even more intrigued when a young man is killed in a hit and run at the same spot on the motorway.
So begins what will turn out to be one of the strangest cases of her career.
I really enjoyed this one there are plenty twists to hold the readers interest and a great cast of characters.
I can definitely recommend this series and will be watching out for number 3.
Following an evening working the night shift Cassie heads for home.
Driving along the motorway she sees a figure running away. She decides to try to catch him and gives chase.
Coming upon what appears to be a body swinging in the trees.
Weird!
She is even more intrigued when a young man is killed in a hit and run at the same spot on the motorway.
So begins what will turn out to be one of the strangest cases of her career.
I really enjoyed this one there are plenty twists to hold the readers interest and a great cast of characters.
I can definitely recommend this series and will be watching out for number 3.
February 23, 2023
A Real Page Turner
Driving home late at night Detective Cassie Rowan sees a body hanging in the bushes at the side of the road. She stops to investigate but find it isn’t a body but an effigy and days later a body is actually found at the same place. When more effigies are found followed by actual deaths Cassie and her colleagues are desperate to find out what is happening and stop it. I found this book gripping from page one. My only slight criticism is that people refer to Cassie as Cassie and others call her by her surname Rowan. I got a bit confused to start with, but soon got used to it. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller.
Driving home late at night Detective Cassie Rowan sees a body hanging in the bushes at the side of the road. She stops to investigate but find it isn’t a body but an effigy and days later a body is actually found at the same place. When more effigies are found followed by actual deaths Cassie and her colleagues are desperate to find out what is happening and stop it. I found this book gripping from page one. My only slight criticism is that people refer to Cassie as Cassie and others call her by her surname Rowan. I got a bit confused to start with, but soon got used to it. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller.
February 5, 2023
An exciting book from start to finish. It must be quite galling to senior officers to have a bright, quick thinking young DC - especially, to some old timers, a female one. Yet they must really have been like that to get promotion. DC Cassie Rowan certainly fits the bill. Will her dedication and hard work win through or will the jobsworths happen on the right result.
Loved it
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.
Loved it
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.
February 17, 2023
This is book 2 in the series and so far, it's shaping up well. Cassie is a determined woman, if a bit too feisty for her own good.
Someone is hanging effigies of people a week before their deaths and Cassie is determined to catch the killer. I found this a very interesting and engaging read, and despite Cassie infuriates me, I find myself still rooting for her especially with her ongoing homelife troubles with her brother.
I must admit I thought I had things figured out but I was wrong. There were several twists in here that threw me which is always a plus.
Someone is hanging effigies of people a week before their deaths and Cassie is determined to catch the killer. I found this a very interesting and engaging read, and despite Cassie infuriates me, I find myself still rooting for her especially with her ongoing homelife troubles with her brother.
I must admit I thought I had things figured out but I was wrong. There were several twists in here that threw me which is always a plus.
February 28, 2023
I love Margaret Murphys books, she is another author who never disappoints me.
Detective Cassie Rowan is assigned to an unusual case, an effigy has been found and a week later a body is discovered dressed exactly the same as the effigy. As the case progresses more effigy’s and murders are linked and it seems they have all been involved with drugs in some way.
This is book 2 in a series and I think it would have been helpful to have read the first book as what happened in book 1 has shaped book 2 and it is referenced a lot.
#TheScarecrowKiller. #NetGalley
Detective Cassie Rowan is assigned to an unusual case, an effigy has been found and a week later a body is discovered dressed exactly the same as the effigy. As the case progresses more effigy’s and murders are linked and it seems they have all been involved with drugs in some way.
This is book 2 in a series and I think it would have been helpful to have read the first book as what happened in book 1 has shaped book 2 and it is referenced a lot.
#TheScarecrowKiller. #NetGalley
March 15, 2023
The Scarecrow Killer by Margaret Murphy
The Scarecrow Killer by Margaret Murphy is a very clever and well thought out crime thriller with many twists and turns. There are many different layers to the storyline and not everything is as straightforward as it seems. The masks are a very clever way of instilling fear into, not only the victim but everyone who sees the masks on the victims, despite the fact that many of the dead were involved in the drug trade. They were still murdered by a serial killer.
Highly recommended
The Scarecrow Killer by Margaret Murphy is a very clever and well thought out crime thriller with many twists and turns. There are many different layers to the storyline and not everything is as straightforward as it seems. The masks are a very clever way of instilling fear into, not only the victim but everyone who sees the masks on the victims, despite the fact that many of the dead were involved in the drug trade. They were still murdered by a serial killer.
Highly recommended
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