I had no idea of what this book would be like and I have to say I was pleasantly suprised!
I really like the fact that the protagonist in this is so well drawn. Too often we get just a bare bones impression of a killer but this goes into real depth which I enjoyed.

The Soul Killer is the second book in the Peterborough set DI John Barton series. Taking place a short time after the events of The Snow Killer the book opens with all the same flair and intrigue as its predecessor and holds your attention from the first place to the last. With a killer every bit as complex and devious as book one, Ross Greenwood has served up another slice of serial killer heaven.

As with book one, the story is told from two perspectives - that of the investigative team, specifically, DI Barton, and, more importantly, the eponymous Soul Killer. Again, from a very early point in the story we are given a real insight into the character's motivation and the reasons why they might be operating a little on the darker side of life and morality. The chapters told from the killer's perspective are quite dark, their logic seemingly obvious, at least to them, but still chilling to read. The author uses them to great effect, giving the reader clues as to who the person might be, whilst still hiding them in plain sight. Suspicion moves from one to another of the characters, but when the big reveal comes you realise which subtle clues it was that you missed along the way. When it comes to the police investigation you are treated to scenes of frustration in which evidence, motive and suspects are all greatly lacking. This is not a case which is solved in a matter of days, in fact it is not entirely clear to the Detectives if they have a case at all. They don't know what we know ...

The murders vary in both style and depravity, making it even harder for any link to be made between the murders that we know are happening. From the routine suicide of a dying man to the violent murder of a woman in Cambridge, the most severe murders take place off the page, but their aftermath is detailed enough for readers to be left in no doubt as to what has happened. It was a strange feeling reading the book as although you can't condone the actions of the killer, I did kind of understand them. The killer has a very complex outlook, a very skewed view of life, but to their mind it made perfect sense and their actions were driven by a sense of destiny which played out clearly on the page. They aren't infalible though, catching the attention of more than one person for all the wrong reasons and seeing the conflicts build to a head leads to an increase in both pacing and tension.

The characters in the book are well fleshed out. We get to know a little bit more about DI Barton and his team, all of whom, in their way, are battling to move on from events of the first book. I do like Barton as a character. He's a family man for sure, but also dedicated to his job. This time he seems to be feeling the strain a little, perhaps a little jaded and weary after all that has happened, but he leads the team well and is a great character to root for. He's not billed as a genius or some kind of super sleuth - he goes where the evidence leads, even if that appears to be frequently into danger. I have to be honest - I'm not sure I'd feel entirely safe working for Barton. Bad things seem to happen to the people involved in these investigations. He does a great job of mentoring his younger, more inexperienced colleagues, but he is backed up by a great team that it is easy to like, especially Zander and Kelly, who are Barton's two closest colleagues. I've really enjoyed getting to know them all and look forward to reading more in the future.

I really liked the way in which Ross Greenwood brings the setting to life too. From the wilds(?) of Norfolk to the streets of Cambridge and through to Peterborough and the surrounds, he really manages to capture the feel of the area and the stark differences between the killer and those he is targeting. I have a vague idea of the area that Barton and co police, but was able to picture everywhere really clearly from the way in which the author painted the scenes on the page. The set up for each murder was used to good effect too, an almost perfect clash in one scene between the preparations for a family Christmas used as a backdrop to a merciless killing.

A real treat for fans of the crime thriller/Detective thriller genre and heartily recommended.

There’s loads happening in this story and we see things from the point of view of DI Barton’s team and from that of the killer. Eventually we begin to have our suspicions of what kind of person the killer might be. As the story unfolds we find out who the killer is – it’s not a whodunit, it’s a whydunit. We are behind the police hoping they’ll figure it out in time to prevent further deaths. This is a killer story from a very unusual angle and I really enjoyed it.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy of The Soul Killer, the second novel to feature DI John Barton of the Peterborough Police.

There are a series of apparently accidental deaths in the Peterborough area but with nothing concrete to investigate until a buried skeleton is discovered.

This novel is narrated by two voices, DI John Barton and the unnamed Soul Killer with an emphasis on the latter. I must admit that I have zero interest in the thoughts and history of fictional serial killers, mostly because they tend to follow a well trodden path and offer little new or fresh. In this case a twisted religious mother raises a narcissistic psychopath. It is interesting at first to hear his voice but it get old and repetitive very quickly, especially as he’s not particularly ingenious or even a great planner.

I struggled with the first half of the novel as it is all about the killer and Barton twiddling his thumbs, writing off the murders as not in his area, suicide and accident in that order. The second half jolted me awake as I could hardly believe what I was reading, never mind that it passed an editorial process - gay man holidays in Thailand so he must be a paedophile. I’m not even going to comment on that further as it’s so gratuitously offensive. To add to my joy the killer’s identity is revealed at this point so no more guessing.

On a more positive note the novel has a readable style and for readers who enjoy this kind of psychological thriller it has a high body count, an action packed finale and a thorough examination of the killer’s motivation.

Having read and loved the first book in the DI Barton series, I wondered where the author would go next. Whilst the first book blew me away due to an unexpected twist, I have to say that this one has raised the bar even further. I wouldn’t say there was anything overly unexpected as in twists but then it does live up to it’s name of being a crime thriller. Wow! What a story!

The killer is one crazed nutter. Everything seems so straight forward in their head and god help anyone that gets in the way of stopping them from getting what they want. I wanted to scream at the characters, telling them to be careful but then where would be the fun if they listened?

This is one story you need to read it for yourself. To go into much detail would spoil it for others. I dare say that this will be one of Barton’s toughest and deadliest cases for a while to come but then who knows with this author. His books have come full circle from when he first started out.

The Soul Killer is a dark and enthralling read that had me constantly on the edge of my seat. I’m really enjoying this darker side to the author and it certainly suits him as the confidence in his writing totally awed me as I was taken under his spell and glued to the pages of the book. Not literally of course but I dare anyone to try and put it down for to long as I couldn’t devour it quick enough.

After reading the first in this series The Snow Killer, a real page turner and an easy five star read. I could not wait to start reading his latest release. Another five star read which I devoured in one sitting. M literally shouting at the characters. A real page turner which kept me glued to my seat and got my heart racing. Plenty of heart in your mouth moments and full of tension and suspense. I can't wait to read book three. This is turning into a another addictive and gripping series. Highly, highly recommended.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

DI Barton was an interesting character. This is my first Ross Greenwood and I didn’t quite know whether I’d like him or not, but the idea of a killer that believes death to be something good, something ethereal, piqued my curiosity. It was a good idea that was executed well, but at times left me somewhat daunted.
Overall, it’s a good book !

The Soul Killer is the second book in the DI Barton trilogy and a superb sequel to The Snow Killer. A great read with a fantastic plot. I particularly enjoyed finding out who the Soul Killer was fairly early in the book and reading from their perspective. The characters are extremely well written and pull you in to their world. The Soul Killer is a 5 star read and I highly recommend to everyone who enjoys a good gritty crime thriller

Wow - fantastic, I read it in a day. The second book in the DI Barton series The Soul Killer is even better than The Snow Killer, I really like DI Barton’s character and look forward to book 3.

Another super violent tale featuring D I John Barton and characters from the first mystery making a reappearance. The body count in this exciting yarn is massive and the hunt for the perpetrator relentless. Seeming suicide or accidental deaths cleverly concealed with the police fooled at every turn the tension builds throughout until the shock revelations at the end! Roll on part 3!

This has been an interesting read, I have got through this one pretty quickly. It's been an extremely easy read which has kept my attention from beginning to end.
This is my first read by this author but it definitely won't be the last. I have been pulled in from the very beginning.
This is a book with an interesting plot and likeable characters. I'm extremely keen to read more by this author. I will definitely be adding more to my TBR.
This is a great read which I highly recommend.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Ross Greenwood, and Boldwood Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Returning for the second novel in this new series, I place my trust in Ross Greenwood to deliver something with as much punch as the debut book. Things are definitely different than the first time we encountered DI John Barton, but it is up to the reader to decide if they enjoy the ride. Years ago, a young boy lives under the watchful eye of his mother, a woman who has tried to put the fear of God into her son. She accepts no frills in life and is happy to punish him severely by tossing him into a cellar for long periods of time. This creates a young man who sees the world as one where sinners need to be punished, knowing that as long as he repents his sins, he will be able to rest peacefully in the afterlife. This still unnamed young man heads off to university, where he is put through trials and tribulations, only to see his anger rise slowly and his target become clearer. Moving to the present, DI John Barton and the rest of his Major Crime team attend the funeral of one of their own, lost in the field when another serial killer has exacted revenge. Barton hopes for a quiet Christmas, seeking to soak up all the time with his family that might be possible. When a member of the team is called to the scene of an apparent suicide, Barton later attends to substantiate the case; an old man who was dying chose to hang himself. In the background, the killer watches as his kills help him feel a sense of relief against those who would try to block him from feeling happiness. The dead man turns out to be the father of the killer’s girlfriend, and he hopes this will bring them closer, but she burrows away to be with her sister and brother-in-law. Wanting to push away any impediments to his happiness, the brother-in-law is next to go, but it is made to look like a drowning. From there, more killings, all apparently innocent accidents pile up, until Barton comes upon a skeleton hidden under a compost heap. The pieces begin to come together and murder becomes a word bandied about a little more freely. With the killer on the ropes, he begins what he feels is right, admitting that he might have been at the scene of a few of these accidents, but refuses to admit they were acts of aggression or murder. While repentance to a version of events might set him free, the fact that he is a cop within Major Crimes might turn his entire team against him, if they can find him. Greenwood does a masterful job at setting the scene in this piece, showing just how devious the game of cat and mouse can be. Recommended to those who enjoy a police procedural where both sides are constantly in search for one another, as well as the reader who enjoys getting inside the killer’s head.

I thoroughly enjoyed Greenwood’s debut and was pleased when I could get my hands on this one as well. He is able to tell a story effectively and with the added narrative touches that pull the reader in from the opening chapters. DI JOhn Barton is a great quasi-protagonist in this piece, offering leadership within Major Crimes while also balancing a busy home life. He is determined to get through the red tape and will not suffer fools. Forced to shepherd some of the newer recruits, Barton offers sage advice while not appearing to favour anyone. The cast of supporting characters does well to keep the reader entertain and enthralled, from cops to witnesses, and even the killer. The killer does comes across as being quite the odd character in the bigger scheme of things, acting in many ways one might not expect a person who has committed so many crimes. That said, there is a certain eeriness to him that makes the reader want to know more. Pacing out the crimes before squealing on himself at times seems an odd choice, but one that works well. Greenwood’s writing pushes the story forward and keeps the reader guessing, with two parallels narratives from Barton and the killer’s perspectives. They cross intermittently and the reveals throughout give the reader some sense of how things will come together, though there are enough twists to keep any spoilers at bay. After a slow start, the book picked up momentum and the short chapters push the story forward, as the reader wants to read ‘just a little more’. I am happy to see that Greenwood has more in store for his cast of characters, as I am eager to go on another adventure in the greater Peterborough area of England.

Kudos, Mr. Greenwood for another winner. I like the unique flavour you bring to your writing and this series looks to be getting better as things move forward.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

I haven’t read the previous book The Snow Killer. There are very brief references to it this book, which can still be read on it’s own. I really enjoyed this book, and found the more I read the more I became hooked. The characters were mostly likeable and very believable. It is told in parts by the Detective Inspector and his team who are investigating a suicide and the killer himself. I thought the book had a great plot line and was written very well and the narrative describing the mindset, thoughts of the killer, his background and what has made him the way he is really added to this enjoyable and thrilling read. I want to read the first book now and look forward to the next one. 5 stars

The second book in the series which could be read as a standalone. The author does a good job of giving a background for the killer and also his mindset. The start is slow but as it progresses it picks up. Though the suspense is out by 50% , as opposed to the previous book the narrative doesn't lose its pace. All said I liked the first book more.

Really enjoyed this middle book of the DI Barton series, I haven't read the first one so this can definitely be read as a stand alone but I enjoyed this so will seek out the first in the series!

This is a fast paced, gritty and twisted read. Cleverly written from the two perspectives and with a dash of humour too. I haven't read the previous book in the series but found this works well as a stand alone novel.

Whatever the merits of The Soul Killer, and they do exist, the author has ruined the novel for me due to what I perceive as gratuitous homophobia of the ugliest kind. I don't know Ross Greenwood either professionally or personally, so I only offer my opinion that he chose to slime gay people in his novel. This did nothing in pursuit of the plot. It was unnecessary. First he has a gay character who is going about his own business but gets trapped in the plotline about the murder of his neighbor. Nothing about the plot called for this character to be gay. He is eventually jailed on a poof of evidence, attacked repeatedly in jail and ultimately a victim of a supposed suicide. Shades of the 1940's and fifties! The gay guy has to die in the end!
But, again in my opinion, the author, a former corrections officer- and there are stereotypes about them as well- decides to add a character who is married with children, affluent, and visiting the gay character's house! But that's not enough! He cannot provide an alibi for the gay guy because he is in Thailand. With no evidence, the author Ross Greenwood, at least in my opinion, portrays this man as a pedophile because of course that's what gay people visit Thailand for. What sheer nonsense. Forgetting the fact, which a corrections officer must know, that the great majority of pedophiles are straight. Gay men are not pedophiles by definition, yet you wouldn't know that from reading Mr. Greenwood's novel.
I won't read any of his other novels to see if this is a theme with him or a one off. Someone else can check that out. But his writing about this was totally unnecessary and ruined any appreciation I might have had for his novel.
Despite this, thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Soul Killer by Ross Greenwood is a solid, if somewhat uninspiring, police procedural that did not fully engage me until about 70%. From then on it was really quite good. I can see how some people would really enjoy this but it just didn’t grab me.

The opening chapters were from the killer’s perspective. His childhood was unpleasant and his mother’s religious views confused the boy. These views were later twisted to rationalise his urge to kill, not terribly original. Although what the author did really well was make you able to feel sorry for the killer at times. He seemed very confused about the meaning of life and the concept of heaven.. The police officers were pleasant but not stand out characters and I couldn’t help wondering if they would ever catch this killer.. The story was very readable but not particularly memorable.

The Soul Killer is the second book in Ross Greenwood's D.I. Barton series , the first being The Snow Killer ,which I really enjoyed and was one of the standout books of 2019 for me.
The book follows the same format as The Snow Killer with the first 4 chapters telling the background of the killer from his childhood with a fanatically religious and abusive Mother ,feelings of being an outsider,being bullied and the effect of both on his self image leading to him snapping a dramatic the life-changing outcome of that.
John Barton and co only enter enter the story from chapter 5 as ,following on from The Snow Killer case they're giving a send off to a member of their team killed on that case,who I won't name for those who haven't read it. While Barton is getting ready his wife utters the fateful words, Peterborough rarely gets a serial killer. We should have plenty of time before the next one". Meanwhile the killer is unravelling and things are about to escalate rapidly.
One thing Ross Greenwood does very well is gets inside the head of his villains and the reader will often feel sympathy for them, or at least understand their mindset and what makes them tick. The Soul Killer's response to various slights, and put downs is explained by his childhood experiences and his psychotic unravelling is prompted by the feeling that once again he is being looked down on or seen as inferior.
There is a very big twist but for much of the book the identity of the Soul Killer is known to the reader but this in no way diminishes the suspense ,in fact it adds to the story and Barton and the team get so near to identifying him but head off in a different direction. After a fairly pedestrian start the book goes up a couple of gears very quickly and the finale is fingernail biting stuff.
I really like this series,the regular characters all have their own back stories and characteristics that could make for story-lines for several more books. Barton is a believable character , he doesn't win every fight,he doesn't get everything right. and he occasionally makes a fool of himself .
After 2 books this is already a favourite series of mine and I look forward immensely to the next episode.

A serial killer on the loose. Chapters are written alternatively from the killer's point of view and the running of the investigation. This gives the story a very intense and chilling note, tension building up all the time. Very hard to let go before you've reached the end! Gripping from the first page on. I will definitely recommend this book and offer it as well. My first book by the author, I will get the other books involving DI Barton. Thank you , Ross and NetGalley for letting me read it.