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Brennan & Esposito #2
The Creeper
This killer will stop at nothing to get under his victim’s skin.
And his pitch-dark motive will shock you to the bone.
Suzanne Perry thinks she’s safe at home in bed. She couldn’t be more wrong. She dreams of a man, standing over her as she sleeps. He reaches down to touch her. Suzanne wants to scream out loud for him to stop. But she can’t move a muscle.
Waking next morning is the relief of Suzanne’s life. Until she finds a photo of her sleeping self — and knows the real nightmare is only just beginning.
I’m watching over you, reads the killer’s chilling message.
Detective Phil Brennan, of Colchester Major Crime, knows it’s more than just empty words. The same day, the body of another young woman is dredged from the river. Brennan takes one look at her horrific injuries — and knows exactly who he needs to call. Marina Esposito, gifted profiler and the mother of Brennan’s baby daughter.
This case won’t wait for Brennan and Esposito to figure out their feelings for one another.
Not when the killer’s already planning to pay Suzanne another midnight visit . . .
And his pitch-dark motive will shock you to the bone.
Suzanne Perry thinks she’s safe at home in bed. She couldn’t be more wrong. She dreams of a man, standing over her as she sleeps. He reaches down to touch her. Suzanne wants to scream out loud for him to stop. But she can’t move a muscle.
Waking next morning is the relief of Suzanne’s life. Until she finds a photo of her sleeping self — and knows the real nightmare is only just beginning.
I’m watching over you, reads the killer’s chilling message.
Detective Phil Brennan, of Colchester Major Crime, knows it’s more than just empty words. The same day, the body of another young woman is dredged from the river. Brennan takes one look at her horrific injuries — and knows exactly who he needs to call. Marina Esposito, gifted profiler and the mother of Brennan’s baby daughter.
This case won’t wait for Brennan and Esposito to figure out their feelings for one another.
Not when the killer’s already planning to pay Suzanne another midnight visit . . .
480 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
323 people are currently reading
1634 people want to read
About the author
Tania Carver
16 books306 followersTania carver is the pseudonym for the husband and wife writing team of Martyn and Linda Waites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
June 8, 2024
Fantastic. Just phenomenal. And it really didn't start that way. This series Brennan and Esposito along with Cris Carter's Robert Hunter series are two of my favourite series out there. Brennan is the DI here and Esposito the criminal psychologist. They are married and a team. Hunter is kind of both in his series. These two series, and apologies for discussing them together are just phenomenal and similar in a way which is why I want to bring them both to your attention. If you like one you will like the other. The two series are mainstream series but they are on the border. They are dark and graphic and yet so good. Police procedural wise they are spot on.
So I came upon this series by accident having read book 7 first. I so loved that book I knew I had to start the series from the beginning. All have been a five star read. This one though was quite different with its start. You see we are introduced to the Creeper very early on and he stalks his women believing his true love Rani is a spirit and moves from body to body. She communicates with the Creeper telling him whose body she now occupies and the Creeper follows suit trying to be with her. This was kind of confusing and my take was that the Creeper is mentally ill and I think that would be most peoples take. So as you are reading especially when reading the Creeper it all doesn't seem that rational and so in reading you are like wtf this guy is seriously messed up. It is kind of hard to follow and understand his thought process but then again if you have ever dealt with a mentally ill person you will clearly know how difficult it can be to rationalize with them.
So as the Creeper chases Rani from women to women he stalks and kidnaps the woman Rani is currently in so as to be together. When Rani leaves her host guess what happens? Yes the body count is rising and that's where DI Brennan comes in. Yet he is having current problems with his wife and partner Esposito and Brennan's boss wants to cheap out on a criminal pshychologist so he hires one who is attempting to get her phd in the field, Fiona Welch. Her contribution to the investigation makes Brennan laugh. He thinks she is a joke and Welch knows it and is seething about it.
As the story progresses one can clearly deduce that the Creeper is not alone in his actions. I should admit that I found the first half of the book a little disappointing with regard to the standards of this series. I mean reading the Creeper as a mentally ill person was a bit frustrating and truth be told I thought the second of this series was the dud of the series at this point. Much like Orphan X series (the second being my least favourite). MAN OH MAN WAS I WRONG. Starting at about page 250 (500 page book) this book just took off. I didn't want to put it down. It was so inventive, so original just so fast moving with so many twists and turns. I couldn't hang on and it was just so much fun!! I may easily say that this is the best read I ever had! And to clarify the first part was good, but tenous hard reading and you just had so many questions as to what was really happening. Trust me everything and more is answered.
So as I alluded to and no I don't think I am spoiling anything here there is more than one killer involved. Having had cases where more than one person is involved in a killing there are naturally those who lead and are methodical in thinking the plan out. Maybe even one or two and then there are the followers. Think of Charles Manson who did no killing himself but sits rotting in prison for what his followers have done. I bring this all up for those who may have read this book and just didn't buy into the eventual outcome - the author's truth as to what really happened here. Well I can easily buy it and that's based on real life experience (through my policing days) and for those who are lucky enough to not have those experiences I pointed one out with Charles Manson.
So the ending is great and so much is explained in full which covers off on a lot of the first half struggles with the book. I can't get into it as I would in fact be spoiling a lot. I will say that the Creeper himself is one crazy character. A real life person who survived a brutal upbringing but things didn't get much better for him down the road.
So this book went from being the dud of the series to the actual stud of the series so far. In reading the cover at this point in this series you would think Tania Carver is a woman author. Yet by reading the 7th in the series first Tania Carver comes out as a husband wife writing team and what a team they are. Just a phenomenal series and if the writing continues on like this it is a real treat for anyone daring to challenge this series. An easy five stars!! ENJOY IT 😎
So I came upon this series by accident having read book 7 first. I so loved that book I knew I had to start the series from the beginning. All have been a five star read. This one though was quite different with its start. You see we are introduced to the Creeper very early on and he stalks his women believing his true love Rani is a spirit and moves from body to body. She communicates with the Creeper telling him whose body she now occupies and the Creeper follows suit trying to be with her. This was kind of confusing and my take was that the Creeper is mentally ill and I think that would be most peoples take. So as you are reading especially when reading the Creeper it all doesn't seem that rational and so in reading you are like wtf this guy is seriously messed up. It is kind of hard to follow and understand his thought process but then again if you have ever dealt with a mentally ill person you will clearly know how difficult it can be to rationalize with them.
So as the Creeper chases Rani from women to women he stalks and kidnaps the woman Rani is currently in so as to be together. When Rani leaves her host guess what happens? Yes the body count is rising and that's where DI Brennan comes in. Yet he is having current problems with his wife and partner Esposito and Brennan's boss wants to cheap out on a criminal pshychologist so he hires one who is attempting to get her phd in the field, Fiona Welch. Her contribution to the investigation makes Brennan laugh. He thinks she is a joke and Welch knows it and is seething about it.
As the story progresses one can clearly deduce that the Creeper is not alone in his actions. I should admit that I found the first half of the book a little disappointing with regard to the standards of this series. I mean reading the Creeper as a mentally ill person was a bit frustrating and truth be told I thought the second of this series was the dud of the series at this point. Much like Orphan X series (the second being my least favourite). MAN OH MAN WAS I WRONG. Starting at about page 250 (500 page book) this book just took off. I didn't want to put it down. It was so inventive, so original just so fast moving with so many twists and turns. I couldn't hang on and it was just so much fun!! I may easily say that this is the best read I ever had! And to clarify the first part was good, but tenous hard reading and you just had so many questions as to what was really happening. Trust me everything and more is answered.
So as I alluded to and no I don't think I am spoiling anything here there is more than one killer involved. Having had cases where more than one person is involved in a killing there are naturally those who lead and are methodical in thinking the plan out. Maybe even one or two and then there are the followers. Think of Charles Manson who did no killing himself but sits rotting in prison for what his followers have done. I bring this all up for those who may have read this book and just didn't buy into the eventual outcome - the author's truth as to what really happened here. Well I can easily buy it and that's based on real life experience (through my policing days) and for those who are lucky enough to not have those experiences I pointed one out with Charles Manson.
So the ending is great and so much is explained in full which covers off on a lot of the first half struggles with the book. I can't get into it as I would in fact be spoiling a lot. I will say that the Creeper himself is one crazy character. A real life person who survived a brutal upbringing but things didn't get much better for him down the road.
So this book went from being the dud of the series to the actual stud of the series so far. In reading the cover at this point in this series you would think Tania Carver is a woman author. Yet by reading the 7th in the series first Tania Carver comes out as a husband wife writing team and what a team they are. Just a phenomenal series and if the writing continues on like this it is a real treat for anyone daring to challenge this series. An easy five stars!! ENJOY IT 😎
July 31, 2022
4⭐ = Good.
Second in the series and I thoroughly enjoyed it, although maybe not quite as much as the first.
A little gruesome in parts so maybe not for you if you don't enjoy this sort of thing.
Would make an excellent film and I could vividly picture all of the locations. Very well written and I'll definitely be reading the next in the series at some point.
Second in the series and I thoroughly enjoyed it, although maybe not quite as much as the first.
A little gruesome in parts so maybe not for you if you don't enjoy this sort of thing.
Would make an excellent film and I could vividly picture all of the locations. Very well written and I'll definitely be reading the next in the series at some point.
November 16, 2012
Second in the Marina Esposito creepy horror-suspense series set in Colchester, England and revolving (not very well) around a profiler for the Colchester police.
My Take
I will never understand holding something back from the cops. Suzanne is traumatized. With good reason. So when the police are there trying to help her, why is she so reluctant to respond to DC Hepburn's questions?
Carver is good at creating tension, and I was up all night reading this. I had to find out what was going on. But she has some dumb characters. When Suzanne and Zoe find the "present" in the fridge, why don't they call the cops? Why do they stay?? I'm having a difficult time feeling sorry for Suzanne.
What is up with Marina? One, for a series that supposedly is named for her, she's practically a no-show. Two, She loves Phil, but has to be away from him? She "just knows" he can't help, even though she hasn't told him. She's a psychologist...and as we see almost at the end, she's very good, so she should have some clues as to her own behavioral choices.
Oh, god, I'm just over halfway and I have my suspicions. Although the connection Phil makes is so far out in left field...I never would have imagined it.
Betrayals, greed, self-centered, and weak choices all around by the victims, the cops, the bad guys. It's a regular round robin of destruction, although Carver does create some interesting characters. The stupid as mentioned above, the real-life types who want to do good, the typically evil, and a few who go beyond the clichéd.
I can't believe Fenwick could possibly have risen to the position he held. Maybe his little head didn't start dominating his thinking until this particular case, but he certainly hadn't won any points during his tenure from anyone but Rose. She was certainly a piece of work. She'll screw over as well as screw anyone to get what she wants. I see her as a sociopath who should never have been allowed on the force.
While the story is set in England, I didn't get an English vibe off this. The closest Carver came was using the police ranks, discussing the architecture, and setting it in Colchester, otherwise, the word choices and sentence structure sounded very American.
The contrast between Marina's work and Fiona's was miles apart. While I wasn't that impressed about the police work in this, Carver did a good job of presenting the psychological side of it.
Horror-wise. Oh, yeah. It was definitely terrifying.
The Story
It's a horrendous murder. Detective Sergeant Mickey Philips is new over from the drugs squad and Detective Inspector Phil Brennan are on the scene with a horrific murder. Julie Miller.
Then Suzanne Perry's space is invaded but she has a history of not being believed. One that prevents her from seeking the help she needs. Now she gets to spend time with Julie. Seems she's not so dead after all.
Meanwhile, the cops are struggling to make connections, but the cop in charge is too distracted by issues that will only lead to destruction.
The Characters
Suzanne Perry is a normal woman, a speech therapist not long out of the uni at Essex, working at General Hospital. Mark Turner is her old boyfriend and may still have a key. Professor Anthony Howe was a teacher she reported for harassment. Zoe Herriot is a friend who is also a speech therapist and is bulimic; Adrian Murphy is the boyfriend who accepts her. Jill Miller was an occupational therapist who graduated from Essex University. Her parents are Brenda and Colin Miller. Adele Harrison was reported missing by her mother Paula.
Detective Inspector Phil Brennan grew up in foster homes until he was taken in by Don and Eileen Brennan and then adopted. Marina Esposito is a profiler and Phil's partner and the mother of his daughter, Josephina. Marina is terrified of being a parent. She loves Phil but she's blocked him out. Now she's left him. It's the guilt that's driving her mad.
Detective Sergeant Mickey Philips is a new transfer from the drugs squad. Making a clean start from the corruption in his former squad. Detective Constable Anni Hepburn is angry about being passed over for promotion. Detective Chief Inspector Ben Fenwick, a.k.a., the Cliché King, is insincere and two-faced, in way over his depth. DS Rose Martin was in charge of the original missing person's case and has a relationship with "Ben" even though she's married to Tim, a solicitor. She tends to get all Dirty Harry at the least provocation. The Birdies are DC Adrian Wren and DS Jane Gosling. DS John Farrell is supposed to be investigating Harrison's disappearance. He's the kind of cop who needs to retire. DC Peckhold is more commonly called Milhouse for his resemblance to the Simpsons character.
Chief Superintendent Brian Denton doesn't like Fenwick either. Joe Wade is the senior officer for the armed response unit. Nick Lines is the pathologist. Cheryl Bland is the Family Liaison Officer. Fiona Welch is the profiler they bring in since Marina is on maternity leave. She teaches at Essex University and works at the hospital. I don't like her! She's so judgmental and jumps to conclusions. Good thing I don't do that...
The Creeper has been searching for his love and he believes he's found her. He's loved the planning, but he loves the closeness even more. Dave Terry and Adrian Macintyre are freelance photographers. I agree, they're both obnoxious twats.
The Cover
The cover feels like an Italian Renaissance painting with the nude shoulders of a woman on her stomach who appears to be trying to rise up from a stone slab in a darkened room.
The title focuses on The Creeper, what any sane person would fear in the dark.
My Take
I will never understand holding something back from the cops. Suzanne is traumatized. With good reason. So when the police are there trying to help her, why is she so reluctant to respond to DC Hepburn's questions?
Carver is good at creating tension, and I was up all night reading this. I had to find out what was going on. But she has some dumb characters. When Suzanne and Zoe find the "present" in the fridge, why don't they call the cops? Why do they stay?? I'm having a difficult time feeling sorry for Suzanne.
What is up with Marina? One, for a series that supposedly is named for her, she's practically a no-show. Two, She loves Phil, but has to be away from him? She "just knows" he can't help, even though she hasn't told him. She's a psychologist...and as we see almost at the end, she's very good, so she should have some clues as to her own behavioral choices.
Oh, god, I'm just over halfway and I have my suspicions. Although the connection Phil makes is so far out in left field...I never would have imagined it.
Betrayals, greed, self-centered, and weak choices all around by the victims, the cops, the bad guys. It's a regular round robin of destruction, although Carver does create some interesting characters. The stupid as mentioned above, the real-life types who want to do good, the typically evil, and a few who go beyond the clichéd.
I can't believe Fenwick could possibly have risen to the position he held. Maybe his little head didn't start dominating his thinking until this particular case, but he certainly hadn't won any points during his tenure from anyone but Rose. She was certainly a piece of work. She'll screw over as well as screw anyone to get what she wants. I see her as a sociopath who should never have been allowed on the force.
While the story is set in England, I didn't get an English vibe off this. The closest Carver came was using the police ranks, discussing the architecture, and setting it in Colchester, otherwise, the word choices and sentence structure sounded very American.
The contrast between Marina's work and Fiona's was miles apart. While I wasn't that impressed about the police work in this, Carver did a good job of presenting the psychological side of it.
Horror-wise. Oh, yeah. It was definitely terrifying.
The Story
It's a horrendous murder. Detective Sergeant Mickey Philips is new over from the drugs squad and Detective Inspector Phil Brennan are on the scene with a horrific murder. Julie Miller.
Then Suzanne Perry's space is invaded but she has a history of not being believed. One that prevents her from seeking the help she needs. Now she gets to spend time with Julie. Seems she's not so dead after all.
Meanwhile, the cops are struggling to make connections, but the cop in charge is too distracted by issues that will only lead to destruction.
The Characters
Suzanne Perry is a normal woman, a speech therapist not long out of the uni at Essex, working at General Hospital. Mark Turner is her old boyfriend and may still have a key. Professor Anthony Howe was a teacher she reported for harassment. Zoe Herriot is a friend who is also a speech therapist and is bulimic; Adrian Murphy is the boyfriend who accepts her. Jill Miller was an occupational therapist who graduated from Essex University. Her parents are Brenda and Colin Miller. Adele Harrison was reported missing by her mother Paula.
Detective Inspector Phil Brennan grew up in foster homes until he was taken in by Don and Eileen Brennan and then adopted. Marina Esposito is a profiler and Phil's partner and the mother of his daughter, Josephina. Marina is terrified of being a parent. She loves Phil but she's blocked him out. Now she's left him. It's the guilt that's driving her mad.
Detective Sergeant Mickey Philips is a new transfer from the drugs squad. Making a clean start from the corruption in his former squad. Detective Constable Anni Hepburn is angry about being passed over for promotion. Detective Chief Inspector Ben Fenwick, a.k.a., the Cliché King, is insincere and two-faced, in way over his depth. DS Rose Martin was in charge of the original missing person's case and has a relationship with "Ben" even though she's married to Tim, a solicitor. She tends to get all Dirty Harry at the least provocation. The Birdies are DC Adrian Wren and DS Jane Gosling. DS John Farrell is supposed to be investigating Harrison's disappearance. He's the kind of cop who needs to retire. DC Peckhold is more commonly called Milhouse for his resemblance to the Simpsons character.
Chief Superintendent Brian Denton doesn't like Fenwick either. Joe Wade is the senior officer for the armed response unit. Nick Lines is the pathologist. Cheryl Bland is the Family Liaison Officer. Fiona Welch is the profiler they bring in since Marina is on maternity leave. She teaches at Essex University and works at the hospital. I don't like her! She's so judgmental and jumps to conclusions. Good thing I don't do that...
The Creeper has been searching for his love and he believes he's found her. He's loved the planning, but he loves the closeness even more. Dave Terry and Adrian Macintyre are freelance photographers. I agree, they're both obnoxious twats.
The Cover
The cover feels like an Italian Renaissance painting with the nude shoulders of a woman on her stomach who appears to be trying to rise up from a stone slab in a darkened room.
The title focuses on The Creeper, what any sane person would fear in the dark.
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February 23, 2019
Ich bewundere Thriller-Autor*innen so sehr. Ich glaube, es ist sehr schwer eine solche Story zu schreiben. So durchdacht, so spannend, so das der Leser nicht schon nach 50 Seiten weiß, was hier passiert ist. Und auch dieser Thriller hat mich wieder überzeugt. Der Schreibstil ist super. Sehr flüssig.. Im Vergleich zu Band 1 der Ermittlerreihe kam ich hier auch mit der Story besser klar. Es wurden keine Babys mehr gequält (sehr gut) aber erneut steht hier ein psychisches Problem im Vordergrund.. Ich habe tatsächlich schon das nächste buch von Tania Carver im Regal stehen. Es ist nicht der Anschlussband, aber für die Thrillerstory an sich sollte dies nicht störend sein.. Evtl. fehlen mir dann nur ein paar Zusammenhänge was die persönliche Entwicklung der Protagonisten angeht, aber damit sollte ich klarkommen.. 😉
February 14, 2021
This was a 3.5-star read for me. I rounded it down rather than up because while it was an interesting story, the telling of it wasn't up to the standards of a 4-star book to me.
The investigation centers around three missing women, one of whom has been found mutilated and posed in a boat on a lonely quay. The author lets us in on the mind of the villain who is acting on a long-held obsession. Anyone who stands in the way of the villain's quest is fair game.
Tania Carver does a decent job building up the suspense, but many of her characters fall flat. There were two or three times that as I was reading along I groaned out loud. Too many stereotypical characters, although her villain(s) don't fall into that category.
I'll be reading the next title in this series, hoping the writer's technique matures with experience.
The investigation centers around three missing women, one of whom has been found mutilated and posed in a boat on a lonely quay. The author lets us in on the mind of the villain who is acting on a long-held obsession. Anyone who stands in the way of the villain's quest is fair game.
Tania Carver does a decent job building up the suspense, but many of her characters fall flat. There were two or three times that as I was reading along I groaned out loud. Too many stereotypical characters, although her villain(s) don't fall into that category.
I'll be reading the next title in this series, hoping the writer's technique matures with experience.
September 12, 2025
Vraiment une bonne lecture! J’ai adoré l’intrigue et la façon dont les chapitres passent d’un personnage à l’autre. À certains moments, j’ai trouvé le déroulement un peu précipité, mais cela ne m’a pas empêchée d’être totalement captivée!
August 12, 2012
This is the 2nd book I have read written by Tania Carver.
The book is part of a series and it would be ideal to have read The surrogate first then you will be able to make sense of all aspects of the book.
What fustrated/annoyed me when reading the book was the vague references to events in the other book- i.e the man in the coma , the issues she is dealing with since what happened etc.
A new reader of Tania's book may think it is part of the book and there is going to be clariffication but as I have read book I knew it was referring to previous book and there was no reveal but couldn't remember what happened
she did remind us right near the end but it was as a tool- to the victim- i have been through this last year and to explain her fealings and resolve issues
I did enjoy the book when we were introduced to Mark i knew there was something off about him and I knew the killer we were being shown was being instructed and it was not by voices in his brain as the writer tried leading us to believe, as no way his imagination could now things addresses whereabouts of the victim at the point needed. i was surprisd who one of the culprits was
i will read another of her books
The book is part of a series and it would be ideal to have read The surrogate first then you will be able to make sense of all aspects of the book.
What fustrated/annoyed me when reading the book was the vague references to events in the other book- i.e the man in the coma , the issues she is dealing with since what happened etc.
A new reader of Tania's book may think it is part of the book and there is going to be clariffication but as I have read book I knew it was referring to previous book and there was no reveal but couldn't remember what happened
she did remind us right near the end but it was as a tool- to the victim- i have been through this last year and to explain her fealings and resolve issues
I did enjoy the book when we were introduced to Mark i knew there was something off about him and I knew the killer we were being shown was being instructed and it was not by voices in his brain as the writer tried leading us to believe, as no way his imagination could now things addresses whereabouts of the victim at the point needed. i was surprisd who one of the culprits was
i will read another of her books
May 13, 2019
This is one of Tania Carver's earlier works and I was slightly disappointed. Having read her later works set in and around Birmingham this offering is a tame version of the stories that come later. I say this a tame version but only compared to later stories, to normal every day books this book is still very gruesome. Without giving any spoilers away, this book is about a stalker who creeps into women's lives and their homes whilst they are in their homes and makes himself known to them whilst not actually showing himself. He eventually kills them, but why and who is this person. This is a good read and if you have not read any Tania Carver books this is a good place to start before going onto the later books into the series. Tania Carver is not a person, she is not even a she but the product of a husband and wife writing team.
May 21, 2019
Diese Reihe ist auch beim zweiten lesen so unsagbar gut.
October 3, 2014
Das Buch "Der Stalker" habe ich mir vor ca. einem Jahr bei Weltbild als Mängelexemplar für
3,99 € gekauft. Seitdem stand es leider ungelesen in meinem Bücherregal. Vor einer Woche habe ich mich dann endlich dazu entschieden das Buch zu lesen. Ich hatte keine großen Erwartungen an das Buch, freute mich aber darauf einen Thriller zu lesen.
Nachdem ich das Buch nun gelesen habe, würde ich allerdings sagen, dass das Buch eine Mischung aus Krimi und Thriller ist. Polizeiarbeit und das Leben bzw. die Schicksale der Charaktere stehen hier eindeutig im Vordergrund, was mir gut gefallen hat.
>> Anfangs waren es nur Kleinigkeiten. Dinge, die nicht mehr an ihrem Platz standen. Ein Becher auf dem Abtropfgitter neben der Spüle, von dem sie sicher war, dass sie ihn in den Schrank gestellt hatte. Kleinigkeiten << S. 7
Die Kapitel werden abwechselnd aus der Sicht verschiedenster Polizeibeamten, des Opfers und natürlich des Stalkers erzählt, was das Ganze spannend und interessant macht. Besonders fesselnd fand ich die Kapitel aus der Sicht des Stalkers bzw. des "Creepers". Seine Gedankengänge zu verfolgen und verstehen zu können war nicht immer einfach und machte das Ganze zu einem spannenden "Katz-und-Maus-Spiel". Der Schreibstil des Buches hat mir ebenfalls gut gefallen. Er war flüssig und leicht zu lesen.
Auch die Charaktere waren gut herausgearbeitet. Man erfährt vieles aus ihrem heutigen Leben, aber auch einiges aus ihrer Vergangenheit, was die Charaktere noch interessanter und sympathischer machte. Besonders Detective Mickey Philips hatte es mir angetan, seine warmherzige und ehrliche Art ging mir einfach ans Herz.
Die Aufklärung des Falles war nochmal richtig spannend. Allerdings gab es ein paar Dinge bezüglich des "Creepers" die für mich total unlogisch und nicht nachvollziehbar waren.
Covergestaltung
Das Cover finde ich ansprechend, allerdings passt das alte Cover meiner Meinung nach viel besser zum Buch. Die Farben Rot und Weiß kommen sehr gut zur Geltung und haben meine Aufmerksamkeit damals beim Kauf auf das Buch gelenkt.
Fazit
Ein guter Krimi, mit etwas Luft nach Oben. Ich hätte mir an manchen Stellen etwas mehr Spannung und eine "OMG, das gibt es doch gar nicht-Stelle" gewünscht. Ich werde der Autorin definitiv noch eine zweite Chance geben, denn ich erahne mir viel verstecktes Potenzial - vielleicht schon in ihrem Folgeband "Stirb, mein Prinz". Ich gebe dem Buch 3 von 5 Eulen.
3,99 € gekauft. Seitdem stand es leider ungelesen in meinem Bücherregal. Vor einer Woche habe ich mich dann endlich dazu entschieden das Buch zu lesen. Ich hatte keine großen Erwartungen an das Buch, freute mich aber darauf einen Thriller zu lesen.
Nachdem ich das Buch nun gelesen habe, würde ich allerdings sagen, dass das Buch eine Mischung aus Krimi und Thriller ist. Polizeiarbeit und das Leben bzw. die Schicksale der Charaktere stehen hier eindeutig im Vordergrund, was mir gut gefallen hat.
>> Anfangs waren es nur Kleinigkeiten. Dinge, die nicht mehr an ihrem Platz standen. Ein Becher auf dem Abtropfgitter neben der Spüle, von dem sie sicher war, dass sie ihn in den Schrank gestellt hatte. Kleinigkeiten << S. 7
Die Kapitel werden abwechselnd aus der Sicht verschiedenster Polizeibeamten, des Opfers und natürlich des Stalkers erzählt, was das Ganze spannend und interessant macht. Besonders fesselnd fand ich die Kapitel aus der Sicht des Stalkers bzw. des "Creepers". Seine Gedankengänge zu verfolgen und verstehen zu können war nicht immer einfach und machte das Ganze zu einem spannenden "Katz-und-Maus-Spiel". Der Schreibstil des Buches hat mir ebenfalls gut gefallen. Er war flüssig und leicht zu lesen.
Auch die Charaktere waren gut herausgearbeitet. Man erfährt vieles aus ihrem heutigen Leben, aber auch einiges aus ihrer Vergangenheit, was die Charaktere noch interessanter und sympathischer machte. Besonders Detective Mickey Philips hatte es mir angetan, seine warmherzige und ehrliche Art ging mir einfach ans Herz.
Die Aufklärung des Falles war nochmal richtig spannend. Allerdings gab es ein paar Dinge bezüglich des "Creepers" die für mich total unlogisch und nicht nachvollziehbar waren.
Covergestaltung
Das Cover finde ich ansprechend, allerdings passt das alte Cover meiner Meinung nach viel besser zum Buch. Die Farben Rot und Weiß kommen sehr gut zur Geltung und haben meine Aufmerksamkeit damals beim Kauf auf das Buch gelenkt.
Fazit
Ein guter Krimi, mit etwas Luft nach Oben. Ich hätte mir an manchen Stellen etwas mehr Spannung und eine "OMG, das gibt es doch gar nicht-Stelle" gewünscht. Ich werde der Autorin definitiv noch eine zweite Chance geben, denn ich erahne mir viel verstecktes Potenzial - vielleicht schon in ihrem Folgeband "Stirb, mein Prinz". Ich gebe dem Buch 3 von 5 Eulen.
June 2, 2017
I really start off liking these books but then they just get more and more stupid as time goes past, its worse than CSI and all this happens to a single task force on a small island? There are better thrillers out there, there are thrillers that incorporate a little fantasy or a lot of fantasy and others that stick to realism - Tania Carver on the other hand seems to be writing out some mad nightmare of an insomniac police officer. Everyone is psychologically disturbed, easily manipulated or in some other way utterly fucked up.
It's like the book is stretched too thin, were it could easily be wrapped up at 50% but nooo lets make everyone involved in the crime! Which by the way surprises absolutely no-one because its written so freaking obviously.
It's like the book is stretched too thin, were it could easily be wrapped up at 50% but nooo lets make everyone involved in the crime! Which by the way surprises absolutely no-one because its written so freaking obviously.
July 21, 2017
Really got sucked into this book. I liked how it switched perspectives and highlighted different characters thoughts on the same situations. Also, the general premise of a creeper being in your house and people not necessarily believing you is really quite unnerving and makes for a really good beginning to a thriller.
The only thing I could have done without was the DI's family drama. I'm not sure what that added to the story (though, then again, I haven't read the first book in this series, so maybe it's more relevant than I think).
The only thing I could have done without was the DI's family drama. I'm not sure what that added to the story (though, then again, I haven't read the first book in this series, so maybe it's more relevant than I think).
May 31, 2020
A decent run-of-the-mill crime novel with no outlandish surprises.
Memorable Quotes
Memorable Quotes
"But for Phil, the brightest light cast the darkest shadows. He saw the scene with cop’s eyes because he saw the world with cop’s eyes. He couldn’t help it; it was the job. Instead of the living he saw the dead. And the ghosts of the dead spoke to him all the time, asked him for justice, for peace."
January 6, 2024
High-brow literature she is not. Riddled with inaccurate stereotypes about psychology and forensic work - but it definitely ticks the box of compulsively readable police procedural. I’ll probably keep going with the series when I need a palette cleanser.
June 15, 2017
Second book in the series, fab, even better than the first, looking forward to continuing this series!
April 19, 2018
Hierbei handelte es sich um ein reread. Und mich begeistert das Buch immer wieder.
Spannend und immer für eine Überraschung zu haben. Auch wenn einem das Ende schon klar war.
Spannend und immer für eine Überraschung zu haben. Auch wenn einem das Ende schon klar war.
April 30, 2018
I’ll be sleeping with the lights on from now on, thanks.
December 27, 2017
I enjoyed this book just as much as the first one in this series. Great read- looking forward to book number 3!
September 20, 2012
This is definitely a strong follow-up to The Surrogate. The shock-value based gore has been replaced with a genuine (haha) creepy atmosphere. The opening section, in particular, offers up plenty of bone-chilling moments. To avoid nightmares - particularly if reading while home alone - turn up the lights (not that this will keep you safe... to stay safe from the likes of this Creeper, your best bet is to invest in guard-dog!)!! This book taps into not only the fear of someone unknown watching your every move, but also the trauma of being haunted - but by a flesh-and-blood monster rather than ethereal one. In sending chills down spines, this husband-and-wife-writing-due succeed in their second novel. It’s an intense, gripping and highly entertaining read!
But, unfortunately, the book is not without its flaws. From an editorial standpoint, my hardcover version contains several obvious typos. Hopefully this will be rectified in future editions. And the plot - though exciting - takes some rather predictable turns. It’s much more of a thriller than a mystery due to the lack of surprises in the plot.
More troubling, though, are the characters. In The Surrogate, the authors lay a solid foundation for character growth and the network of relationships created. Unfortunately, Marina Esposito, in particular, regresses rather than grows here. Rather than gaining more sympathy and a greater rapport with readers, she loses any of that which was built up in the previous book and instead ventures into the territory of an annoying and frustrating character (and not in a remotely positive way). She is so wishy-washy here - even more so than before - and while her past is revealed in The Surrogate, for some mysterious reason, the authors shadow it here in mystique. So much unnecessary mystery, in fact, that I cannot imagine even being able to find this book enjoyable if read out of order. I can only guess at how much more unsympathetic Marina would be to new readers. And as for any development with the main romantic relationship - well, forget about it! Marina’s baffling behavior - even considering the previous and traumatizing events - not only shifts the book backwards, but also into some seriously unrealistic actions.
Another thing adding an unrealistic - and unpleasant - flavor to the characters is the continuation (and expansion) of these adolescent-man-boy levels of arousal in the male cops. Not only does this add some genuinely eye-rolling moments, but on a deeper level, it borders on the disturbing. And is certainly ridiculous.
All that aside, though, I am anxiously awaiting the opportunity to read the third installment in the series titled Cage Of Bones. Hopefully the typos and the negative character behaviors are eradicated! The description certainly sounds like they are continuing to hone the creepy factor - in a dilapidated building, in its basement, a feral child is found living in a cage of, presumably, human bones. And the killer who has been operating unnoticed for thirty years wants the child back....
But, unfortunately, the book is not without its flaws. From an editorial standpoint, my hardcover version contains several obvious typos. Hopefully this will be rectified in future editions. And the plot - though exciting - takes some rather predictable turns. It’s much more of a thriller than a mystery due to the lack of surprises in the plot.
More troubling, though, are the characters. In The Surrogate, the authors lay a solid foundation for character growth and the network of relationships created. Unfortunately, Marina Esposito, in particular, regresses rather than grows here. Rather than gaining more sympathy and a greater rapport with readers, she loses any of that which was built up in the previous book and instead ventures into the territory of an annoying and frustrating character (and not in a remotely positive way). She is so wishy-washy here - even more so than before - and while her past is revealed in The Surrogate, for some mysterious reason, the authors shadow it here in mystique. So much unnecessary mystery, in fact, that I cannot imagine even being able to find this book enjoyable if read out of order. I can only guess at how much more unsympathetic Marina would be to new readers. And as for any development with the main romantic relationship - well, forget about it! Marina’s baffling behavior - even considering the previous and traumatizing events - not only shifts the book backwards, but also into some seriously unrealistic actions.
Another thing adding an unrealistic - and unpleasant - flavor to the characters is the continuation (and expansion) of these adolescent-man-boy levels of arousal in the male cops. Not only does this add some genuinely eye-rolling moments, but on a deeper level, it borders on the disturbing. And is certainly ridiculous.
All that aside, though, I am anxiously awaiting the opportunity to read the third installment in the series titled Cage Of Bones. Hopefully the typos and the negative character behaviors are eradicated! The description certainly sounds like they are continuing to hone the creepy factor - in a dilapidated building, in its basement, a feral child is found living in a cage of, presumably, human bones. And the killer who has been operating unnoticed for thirty years wants the child back....
June 28, 2012
If you like Mark Billingham then you will like this because it is just so like his books or hate it because it is just too like his books! The style of writing, plot layout, even the characters are almost identical to the Tom Thorne series by Mark Billingham. I am not sure who wrote them first but it was quite unnerving how alike they are.
It was a good crime thriller story with the right amount of characters and the right amount of plot twists to keep you reading through quite smoothly. Some plot twists were very obvious (but perhaps that is because I have read all of Billinghams books so knew what to expect!) and others were a bit of a surprise. What let the story down were a couple of happenings that were just not believable. I can't be more specific or it will be a major spoiler, but I could not believe that certain things would happen in any police force in the UK, no matter how inept you think they are at times.
This book was actually the 2nd in the Marina Esposito series and having not read the first book (I didn't know it was the 2nd until I updated my status on Goodreads) I wondered whether I would be able to follow the characters. I could, because they were simply not that complicated and Marina actually played a very minor role in this book. If I had the first book I would have read it first and I may even try and get it and read it now, despite any criticisms in this review.
The story on it's own would get a 3 star rating from me but I have had to downgrade to 2 stars because of the large number of typos in the book. So many, that I double checked whether I had a proof copy but, sadly, no. There is no excuse, in my opinion, for any typos never mind this number. The author needs to have a serious discussion with her editor, proof readers and whoever else it takes to resolve this. Perhaps I am being picky as it did not change my enjoyment of the story but it is just something that really annoys me.
If you want a simple, British based crime thriller that reads very quickly then get this book. It is not going to change your life but it will give you some enjoyment for a couple of days or lying on a beach.
It was a good crime thriller story with the right amount of characters and the right amount of plot twists to keep you reading through quite smoothly. Some plot twists were very obvious (but perhaps that is because I have read all of Billinghams books so knew what to expect!) and others were a bit of a surprise. What let the story down were a couple of happenings that were just not believable. I can't be more specific or it will be a major spoiler, but I could not believe that certain things would happen in any police force in the UK, no matter how inept you think they are at times.
This book was actually the 2nd in the Marina Esposito series and having not read the first book (I didn't know it was the 2nd until I updated my status on Goodreads) I wondered whether I would be able to follow the characters. I could, because they were simply not that complicated and Marina actually played a very minor role in this book. If I had the first book I would have read it first and I may even try and get it and read it now, despite any criticisms in this review.
The story on it's own would get a 3 star rating from me but I have had to downgrade to 2 stars because of the large number of typos in the book. So many, that I double checked whether I had a proof copy but, sadly, no. There is no excuse, in my opinion, for any typos never mind this number. The author needs to have a serious discussion with her editor, proof readers and whoever else it takes to resolve this. Perhaps I am being picky as it did not change my enjoyment of the story but it is just something that really annoys me.
If you want a simple, British based crime thriller that reads very quickly then get this book. It is not going to change your life but it will give you some enjoyment for a couple of days or lying on a beach.
March 21, 2018
I've been a naughty book-nerd and read a few of the Tania Carver novels out of order, so I know a lot of the recent developments as I've gone back to read the older ones. I was really excited to see that this was the first Fiona Welch novel, and I wanted to see her impact on the plot, given her notoriety in later books. However, I have to say that I thought that 'The Creeper' was a bit lacking in impact.
I love the characters in this series, I really feel that they add a warmth and depth to the series that some other police procedurals lack. There is always progression as well, I never feel that they've stagnated between books just waiting for my return.
I always have the same criticism with Tania Carver novels, I wish there were less - or no - chapters from the POV of the killer. They never add anything to the plot or give any clues, so I find them dull and usually end up skipping them. It was creepier knowing that the killer was living with the women and stalking them but not knowing his reasons than reading his chapters.
Overall I am pleased that I read this instalment because it gave context to later novels but I did feel a bit disappointed with the lack of impact.
I love the characters in this series, I really feel that they add a warmth and depth to the series that some other police procedurals lack. There is always progression as well, I never feel that they've stagnated between books just waiting for my return.
I always have the same criticism with Tania Carver novels, I wish there were less - or no - chapters from the POV of the killer. They never add anything to the plot or give any clues, so I find them dull and usually end up skipping them. It was creepier knowing that the killer was living with the women and stalking them but not knowing his reasons than reading his chapters.
Overall I am pleased that I read this instalment because it gave context to later novels but I did feel a bit disappointed with the lack of impact.
August 4, 2015
A thrilling whodunit mystery that pulls no punches in the creepy department. With shades of THE TREATMENT by Mo Hayder in that the antagonist lives in the attic while staking his victim, THE CREEPER adds another layer to the already uncomfortable hunter/prey theme present throughout the book.
THE CREEPER is at times a formulaic police procedural that's punctured with clever twists and turns that heighten the suspense. The lead detective has some baggage which readers will struggle to appreciate if they haven't read the first book in the series (which I haven't) so some of that was lost on me but is by no means distracting to the core plot.
THE CREEPER is a real page turner that fans of mystery, thriller, and crime fiction will enjoy
http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
THE CREEPER is at times a formulaic police procedural that's punctured with clever twists and turns that heighten the suspense. The lead detective has some baggage which readers will struggle to appreciate if they haven't read the first book in the series (which I haven't) so some of that was lost on me but is by no means distracting to the core plot.
THE CREEPER is a real page turner that fans of mystery, thriller, and crime fiction will enjoy
http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
June 22, 2025
The second book in the Brenna/Esposito series, now also known as In Her Bones, set in Colchester. The typos lose a star, which is very indie, and yet Tania Carver is not, so no excuse really. And perhaps the interior monologues needed to be snipped a little, and yes, Marina is still annoying, hopefully she gets over herself in subsequent novels.
That aside, a good story, which builds up the tension. Good characters and edgy conflict between them. Excellent dialogue, snappy and quick reading.
The story? Well, dark haired hospital workers are being kidnapped and slashed to death, and Phil Brennan's team must stop the nutter before he kills anyone else. Cue detective work, hampered at times by irrational human behaviour and a less than perfect team.
That aside, a good story, which builds up the tension. Good characters and edgy conflict between them. Excellent dialogue, snappy and quick reading.
The story? Well, dark haired hospital workers are being kidnapped and slashed to death, and Phil Brennan's team must stop the nutter before he kills anyone else. Cue detective work, hampered at times by irrational human behaviour and a less than perfect team.
October 26, 2017
This follow up to "The Surrogate" features the same main characters in DI Phil Brennan & Marina Esposito this time with their relationship causing a few headaches for Brennan workwise. Throw in friction with the Super & his lover & an irritating profiler (why did I keep visualising her like ex-TVAM presenter Fiona Philips? Must be the name!!) & it made for an entertaining read.
While it was a good read overall, I did find my attention beginning to wander towards the end. Not sure whether it was the slight lack of credulity or just me as it seems to have happened a few times recently....
While it was a good read overall, I did find my attention beginning to wander towards the end. Not sure whether it was the slight lack of credulity or just me as it seems to have happened a few times recently....
June 29, 2013
Young women are disappearing after being stalked by a mysterious man-creature. Then a body turns up. Lots of wonderful twists and turns and creepy hide under the covers moments. Needs a slightly better editor but still great fun
July 22, 2012
Excellent read. I thought it was better than The Surrogate, looking forward to the next in the series.
December 8, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. The case was a lot more complex than in the first novel and it was a lot more action packed. I feel like the author really found her voice in this novel.
April 4, 2016
very entertaining book with plenty of interesting side plots looking forward to my next book
October 24, 2012
so good!!!
January 27, 2024
Nothing like a serial killer story with mutilated bodies and cops on the chase to be another form of “palate cleanser” after reading some heavier books about grief and trauma. I don’t know why those are easier to devour, as it were, but they’re just good fun. It’s like binging Criminal Minds versus something like Mare of Easttown (an incredible TV series, by the way). Anyhow, that’s not a reflection on the writing quality or to diminish the former in any way: I devour them for a reason! In this case, I devoured over the course of two days Tania Carver’s second novel, The Creeper, featuring the duo of Detective Inspector Phil Brennan and Marina Esposito, a forensic psychologist.
A stalker/sexual sadist/serial killer is seemingly on the lose in England, and a separate case of stalking suddenly becomes linked when the woman in the case, Suzanne’s, best friend is killed. What I loved about the Suzanne character is from the male perspectives — the teacher she had an affair with who then stalked her, and an ex-boyfriend who still pined for her — Suzanne was a paranoid false accuser against them and their character. As it turned out, Suzanne was right about both of them, and the ex-boyfriend turned out to be part of the triad of mayhem in the book.
Due to police incompetence at the top, a psychologist was brought on — Marina was out on maternity leave and dealing with her own issues of “pulling the plug” on her ex-partner, who was attacked in Carver’s debut novel presumably, otherwise she would’ve been tapped — without being properly vetted. Fiona Welch, who seemed over her skis in “building a profile” of the killer, turned out to the be the principle manipulator of the triad. She was manipulating the ex-boyfriend to go along with it all, and target his ex-girlfriends, including Suzanne. In addition, she was using a former soldier discharged from the army after being badly burned (and raping and killing his Afghan interpreter) to do the actual killings her. He was her quasi-Frankenstein, owing to his monster-like visage from the burns. Like any manipulator at this level, she ingratiated herself into the case to a.) prove she could and b.) steer the police wrong.
But Phil and his team, Rose Martin aside (she was sleeping with the incompetent boss and detrimentally ambitious, nearly costing the boss and her their lives), managed to put the pieces together about the ex-boyfriend, the burned soldier, that something was off about Fiona, and what tied them all together. They even managed to rescue Rose, save the boss’s life, and rescue Suzanne, who in turn was the one to kill both the soldier and Fiona to save Phil. Suzanne was not only vindicated against the teacher and the ex-boyfriend, but she found her strength in the end to stand up for herself and fight off her “monsters,” as it were.
I have a few minor criticisms of the plotting and characterization — a copper being terrified of a threat instead of ready to face it, even accounting for regular cops not carrying guns in England, and not testing the readily available semen of the soldier from Suzanne’s kitchen immediately, which would have led them more quickly to him, given his DNA surely was in the system, as two of the examples that come to mind — but my biggest criticism, is that I wish we got more of Marina! She’s peppered throughout the book dealing with the issue of her ex-partner and running away from Phil with their daughter, and then only toward the end comes in and helps guide the police through the interrogation and procuring the confession of Suzanne’s ex-boyfriend, but I wish we had gotten more of her in that psychological mode. She was great! Granted, that wouldn’t have been possible because the whole point was to have Fiona fill the void, detrimentally so, to be fair.
Anyhow, I literally read about 430 of the 468 pages of Carver’s book across two or three long, single-sitting reads because of how captivating it was to figure out how all the pieces came together and how the cops would stop the killers. I also wanted to know what was going on with Marina. If you also find serial killer-type books a fun time, then you’ll enjoy Carver’s book and the copper-psychologist duo here.
A stalker/sexual sadist/serial killer is seemingly on the lose in England, and a separate case of stalking suddenly becomes linked when the woman in the case, Suzanne’s, best friend is killed. What I loved about the Suzanne character is from the male perspectives — the teacher she had an affair with who then stalked her, and an ex-boyfriend who still pined for her — Suzanne was a paranoid false accuser against them and their character. As it turned out, Suzanne was right about both of them, and the ex-boyfriend turned out to be part of the triad of mayhem in the book.
Due to police incompetence at the top, a psychologist was brought on — Marina was out on maternity leave and dealing with her own issues of “pulling the plug” on her ex-partner, who was attacked in Carver’s debut novel presumably, otherwise she would’ve been tapped — without being properly vetted. Fiona Welch, who seemed over her skis in “building a profile” of the killer, turned out to the be the principle manipulator of the triad. She was manipulating the ex-boyfriend to go along with it all, and target his ex-girlfriends, including Suzanne. In addition, she was using a former soldier discharged from the army after being badly burned (and raping and killing his Afghan interpreter) to do the actual killings her. He was her quasi-Frankenstein, owing to his monster-like visage from the burns. Like any manipulator at this level, she ingratiated herself into the case to a.) prove she could and b.) steer the police wrong.
But Phil and his team, Rose Martin aside (she was sleeping with the incompetent boss and detrimentally ambitious, nearly costing the boss and her their lives), managed to put the pieces together about the ex-boyfriend, the burned soldier, that something was off about Fiona, and what tied them all together. They even managed to rescue Rose, save the boss’s life, and rescue Suzanne, who in turn was the one to kill both the soldier and Fiona to save Phil. Suzanne was not only vindicated against the teacher and the ex-boyfriend, but she found her strength in the end to stand up for herself and fight off her “monsters,” as it were.
I have a few minor criticisms of the plotting and characterization — a copper being terrified of a threat instead of ready to face it, even accounting for regular cops not carrying guns in England, and not testing the readily available semen of the soldier from Suzanne’s kitchen immediately, which would have led them more quickly to him, given his DNA surely was in the system, as two of the examples that come to mind — but my biggest criticism, is that I wish we got more of Marina! She’s peppered throughout the book dealing with the issue of her ex-partner and running away from Phil with their daughter, and then only toward the end comes in and helps guide the police through the interrogation and procuring the confession of Suzanne’s ex-boyfriend, but I wish we had gotten more of her in that psychological mode. She was great! Granted, that wouldn’t have been possible because the whole point was to have Fiona fill the void, detrimentally so, to be fair.
Anyhow, I literally read about 430 of the 468 pages of Carver’s book across two or three long, single-sitting reads because of how captivating it was to figure out how all the pieces came together and how the cops would stop the killers. I also wanted to know what was going on with Marina. If you also find serial killer-type books a fun time, then you’ll enjoy Carver’s book and the copper-psychologist duo here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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