Member Reviews
Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.
DI Roz Kray has returned to work after a tragedy in her personal life and some serious injuries. We are drip fed pointers to what these events are throughout the early chapters. This build up is very cleverly done and I was desperate to find out why and how Roz was so damaged emotionally. The reveal did not disappoint and had me enthralled.
A woman's badly composing body is discovered and Roz is called in to investigate. We hear the killers voice and the reasons why he is so badly damaged. The bodies start to pile up and the team must work fast to make the links.
This is my first book by Rob Ashman and I am understandably kicking myself as to why I have not discovered him before. His portrayal of a sick and twisted killer is told with such gruesome and unique detail. It is not for the faint hearted and the violence is told in a brutal and honest way. I LOVED it. Am a little worried about what it says about my taste in books but I didn't feel it sensationalized the depravity of the killer but told in a realistic way.
5/5 stars - Fantastic!
First things first: That. Ending. OMG.
It was the perfect way to wrap up the book, but it was also so intense that it has left me thirsty for more. I can't wait to see what comes next for Kray.
OK, back to the rest of the story. It was a great book, with plenty of twists and a bit of a gruesome edge - I mean, this bad guy is BAD. And Kray is great. She's a perfectly flawed hero, who we root for, but also worry for because she may be on a self-destructive path.
I also liked the secondary characters in this one, like Tavener and even Brownlow to an extent. I was totally invested in their story and the case. I can't wait for the next chapter in this story.
This is one of those books that you start and keep thinking one more chapter , one more chapter . Immediately we're faced with a murder and get to meet D I Ros Kray, a strong female detective, recently returned to work after a life changing event. The reason for this we find out later in the book but I loved how we were fed snippets of information until finally we see the big picture.
I love this character and am hoping to read more about her in the future.
The serial killer is complex and cunning and like all serial killers he leaves his "calling card". It's difficult to say too much without giving the plot away but the title of the book gives us a hint.
I loved this book and would highly recommend it for a fast paced and exciting read.
Faceless was a good read. DI Rosalind Kray returns to work after a long medical leave. Her husband was killed because he tried to save her. She was badly hurt by a knife welding criminal that though she had set him up on drug charges.
A young girl was killed and Roz Kray was given her first case since she returned. The story takes off at 100 miles a minute. No doubt you will feel the same way.
Kray has two superior officers that do not like her getting her hands on this case and removes her. She still follows leads and finally connects the dots. Only to find out the killer might know her.
I thought the author Rob Ashman, did a great job at getting the story told. It was easy to follow along. I have it five stars because it deserved it.
I was giving the story in advance, by Netgalley, with the promise to be truthfull, good or bad
The author is so sick and twisted, but writes an unbelievably good story . With a fabulous main character and a villain you can't help but hate,who could ask for more
I have had this author's Mechanic Trilogy on my Kindle for ages and I keep meaning to get round to it but then things happen and it gets bumped again; too many books, not enough time! Anyway, after reading this book I am now going to make a determined effort to clear the decks enough to actually get it read.
DI Rosalind Kray is just returning from work after being signed off sick. She was the victim of a really rather nasty attack that left her severely scarred and her husband dead. Trying to ease her in gently, when a murder is discovered, her colleague gets the case and she is asked to assist. Before too long though, she has proved her worth and her colleagues plate is too full of both his other cases and his own agenda and so the case is handed over to her.
Going back to the actual murder and, oh my days, the author has created a veritable monster in the killer here. I'd love to share how downright creepy and horrible the baddie in this book was but I feel they are better met and got to know as the author intended. But I will say that this was probably the most deliciously evil baddie I have had the pleasure to read about in a little while; a total nutter, very clever, and very evidence savvy. And he has a plan and isn't going to stop. Gonna be hard to catch!
I wasn't as taken with Roz initially. There was something a bit off with her but as I got to know her I started to warm up to her. Yes she was annoying at times and she really should think a bit more before she does or says things. She's not really a one for focusing on repercussions but, after I found out the full story of what happened to her. How it all came to be - brilliant plotting by the way - I kinda empathised more with her and we came to a sort of understanding. Will this be the last we see of Roz or will she return again?
And the killer and his methods. Well, I have to admit to being a smidge in awe of his crimes and the way he planned and executed (see what I did there!?) them. At times, when his acts were being described, I wanted to look away but I couldn't, and I held my breath, and... it was just evil.
If you like your cops a bit wounded but basically sound and your killers sick and twisted then I can do no more than recommend this book. But don't forget to breathe...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book
If this book doesn’t jump to the top of the bestseller list there is no justice! This is hands down the best book I have read in a long time and I am so sorry that I am almost done. In the beginning it was a little annoying that you keep getting references to DI Kray’s past that also include horrific scars all over her body and face. Then when you can’t stand it a moment longer we get the background perfectly orchestrated! This is a fast paced thriller that keeps you reading nonstop because even if you can’t believe it, it keeps getting better and better. There’s also a first person account from the killer who is truly one of the best characters ever imagined. Unfortunately I just reached the end which is just as great as expected. I sure hope to hear more from DI Kray and Rob Ashman in the future. I recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries and thrillers. I thank NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review. This is a fantastic book and I happily give it 5 stars.
Wow, loved this book, after reading the mechanic trilogy I didn't think Mr Ashman could do any better, he has, brilliant book, stayed up through the night to finish it
I love a good serial killer thriller and this is one of the best that I have read. A damaged detective inspector named Ross Kray has the case of her career. This killer not only wants to kill they want to obliterate their victim. This book ticks all my boxes, ingenious ways of killing, nothing run of the mill for this killer. It is fast paced ,grabs you by the throat and does not let go until the Last page. This book is a must READ!!!!
I would like to thank the author Rob Àshman, Bloodhound books and Net.galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for giving an honest review
I was so excited to get an ARC of Faceless, I loved The Mechanic Trilogy and was keen to see what else Rob Ashman could come up with. He has not disappointed – this is a 5* read! The characters are great, a bullying boss and a DI back to work after her husband is murdered. Great writing skill - there were parts where I wanted to hide behind my hands – lots of gritty descriptions and an imaginative and ingenious story line.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of Faceless, a police procedural set in Blackpool featuring DI Roz Kray.
Roz has recently returned to work after a horrific attack and is slowly getting back to work when she answers a report of a bad smell which turns out to be the decomposing murdered body of a young woman.
I thoroughly enjoyed Faceless which is a tense read with some good twists. The novel is told alternately from Roz's point of view in the third person and the killer's first person narrative. Mr Ashman manages it well and it's not as choppy a read as many novels which this approach. Much of this is down to strong plotting, writing and characterisation.
I wasn't overly keen on the killer's point of view which is basically psycho 101 with some neat embellishments as there is very little an author can add after the usual childhood abuse trauma. I do, however, think that the way the killer exacts his revenge is novel, clever and unusual, making the book a cut above the usual.
Roz is the stereotypical copper, smart and drinks too much but her backstory of her husband dying while trying to save her adds an extra layer to her character. She struggles to cope with life and has low self esteem which makes her a target for bullying from her ineffective boss. The politics and interpersonal relationships of her division thus play a large role in the novel. It makes for interesting reading.
The plot is relatively high octane for a procedural with developments in every chapter and the added bonus of seeing the killer in action, rationalising the murders and taunting the police. Most real life killers are not as smart as this one but it makes for a good read. Recommended.
Oh my goodness, another amazing book by Rob Ashman. I came to know the characters well in this book and this enabled me to grow to love and hate them. DI Ros Kray has been through one hell of a journey and I found myself rooting for her throughout the book. The serial killer is one sick and twisted person, certainly one to give you nightmares. This book is written really well and this helps you to imagine the scenes and get your heart beating furiously. Tense, gritty and extremely depraved, I loved it!
I can not recommend this book enough
I really enjoyed the authors Mechanic trilogy so have been very eager to read more by him. Not that I have had too long to wait but that wait was so very worth it!
Kray has returned to work after a life changing incident that robbed her of her husband as well as left her scarred, inside and out. She obviously isn't coping well with her personal life and throws everything she has into her work. I have to admit to feeling slightly infuriated on Kray's part with how she is treated at times. This made me get behind her even more, willing her to solve the case.
The story flicks between the team working on the case and the killer. Every time I read a book I think there seriously can not be anyone more sick and twisted than the serial killer I have just read about. All I can say is the author has raised the bar when it comes to a seriously sick and twisted individual and I absolutely loved every minute of it.
Now don't get me wrong, this killer shocked and horrified me. There is also something about this killer that scares the beejeezus out of me but the less said about that the better! With out a doubt this individual has to be one of my all time favourite serial killers, I could not get enough.
Faceless is an exhilarating page turner of a read that will have you clinging on for dear life. Rob Ashman is an author who just gets better and better and this latest novel just blew me away. This is going to be one of this years most talked about reads. Loved it!
Oh my god!!!!!!!!! My review could never do this book justice the author is a genius. Creepy, gruesome but absolutely brilliant. This is most definitely an edge of your seat, chills all over your body, peeking through your fingers type of book. I can't recommend it highly enough and I would give it 100 stars if I could. Must read in my opinion.