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The Headsman
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.
- GenresHorror
Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1990
About the author
James Neal Harvey
11 books7 followersJames 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 30, 2026
Definitely didn't age quite so well, but it's entertaining.
The way women and girls are described...yeah, like I said, doesn't age well.
I was surprised by the 'who' of everything and it was nicely gruesome.
The way women and girls are described...yeah, like I said, doesn't age well.
I was surprised by the 'who' of everything and it was nicely gruesome.
October 17, 2015
A police detective/mystery thriller with some moments of horror thrown in. Some gruesome moments to be found in this novel. Great ending! Recommended.
March 10, 2019
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!
September 16, 2020
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
December 1, 2024
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.
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September 10, 2025DNF 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.
May 24, 2018
Couldn't get past the first chapter, and I tried.
March 30, 2021
Read in 1995. A terrifying legend comes to life in this engrosing thriller.
November 6, 2021
Not gore enough
Slow-paced
I did not expect the he's going to be the one though 🤯
Slow-paced
I did not expect the he's going to be the one though 🤯
September 2, 2026
-Head-turning title
-Gnarly looking dude with a big bloody axe on the cover
-Originally published in 1990
How could I resist?
A bloody good thriller with all the sex, drugs, and rolling heads one could ask for.
-Gnarly looking dude with a big bloody axe on the cover
-Originally published in 1990
How could I resist?
A bloody good thriller with all the sex, drugs, and rolling heads one could ask for.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews