The Headsman

by James Neal Harvey

Two centuries after the town executioner finally laid down his axe, the residents of Braddock fear that he has returned, when, one by one, the townfolk are murdered. Reprint.

Genres: Horror

Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1990

About the author

James Neal Harvey spent fifteen years in the advertising business before selling his company and devoting himself to writing.

He made his hardcover debut in 1990 with By Reason of Insanity, which introduced NYPD detective Ben Tolliver.

Harvey followed Tolliver through four more novels, including Painted Ladies, Mental Case, and the concluding thriller, Dead Game.

In 2011, Harvey published the nonfiction Sharks of the Air, a detailed history of the development of the first jet fighter.

In 2014, he returned to thrillers with The Big Hit, a mystery about an assassin.

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A police detective/mystery thriller with some moments of horror thrown in. Some gruesome moments to be found in this novel. Great ending! Recommended.

[Sherri Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t picked up a book that I couldn’t put down in years, until now! From the first page it grabbed me and the pace never slows. I felt like the characters were all so relatable and some I loved and others I couldn’t stand. I thought I knew exactly who the killer was but boy was I wrong, it keeps you guessing until the last few pages. If you don’t mind descriptions of gore and like thrillers I highly recommend this book! Now I want to read all of his books!

[Phoenix · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to read this book than finally just gave up on page 236. I tried. I really did . I wanted to love this book

[Horror Guy · Rating 1 out of 5]

A dull as dishwater tale involving both someone with precognition seeing murders while they happen and a bland cop main character which are both big turn-offs for me as a reader. Not gory or interesting enough to be worthwhile.

[WayBackWhen]

DNF at 24%. Its not that I didnt enjoy it, I just found it pretty basic as a slasher/police thriller and didnt think 400 pages would provide substantially more than the 93 pages I read did. Its not bad though if you need around a probably 3-star thriller.

[Hanabi Tensaki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get past the first chapter, and I tried.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1995. A terrifying legend comes to life in this engrosing thriller.

[Pauleth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not gore enough
Slow-paced
I did not expect the he's going to be the one though 🤯