Having never read any of Carter's books previously, this was my first introduction to Detective Robert Hunter

When Angela - pickpocket extraordinaire- decides to teak a person a lesson by stealing his leather bag, she could never imagine the series of events that will result.

A fast paced, intriguing thriller with an element of psychology thrown in for good measure - a highly addictive read.

Book 11 of a series, but still read well as a standalone novel.

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Special thanks to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Firstly, thank you so much for the early review copy and I’m so sorry that I forgot to upload my review here!! I actually read this in Feb 2022.

This is the first book in the series that I’ve not completely jelled with. I’m not a fan of this type of serial killer so for me, a bit of a turn off. Secondly, I felt as though Hunter and Garcia were out of whack partner wise which felt off. Also, for me, there were some clinical gripes (I’m also a criminal psychologist). However, in saying all that, it was an easy read and very well written which is why I am such a fan of Chris’s work. This one just wasn’t the 5 star I usually give. But it still was very good.

Thank you again for the ARC, much appreciated.

It had been a while since I read a Chris Carter book as before starting my blog, I enjoyed his mystery books and he was one of my authors I loved as during that time I went through a heavy Mystery/Thriller phase and then like most things, you read too much of it and need to take a break and mix up things. These days, so that I don't get bored of a particular genre, I try to mix my reading up so that it stays fresh and interesting. This book grabbed me as I also loved the idea of a journal. The book starts with Angela who is a master pickpocket and doing her rounds as it's Christmas break. After a good haul, she heads to the bar for a congratulatory drink before turning in. At the bar, she witnesses a man being rude to an old guy and she decides to teach him a lesson by stealing his bag. This starts a domino effect and will have Angela racing to save her life and others too as turns out the person she stole from had a journal and photographs of his kills. Some of them have been dead for years. Angela hands the diary to the local police and they go through it able to solve a few missing person cases and get closure for the families, the killer though he knows the police have his journal and he wants it back and will do everything in his power to have his property returned to him - even it means to kill or as the military says BAFN - By Any Force Necessary. Written in Blood was a fast-paced novel in most parts, but did have some slow drawn-out pieces. The balance though evened it out to make it a good mystery to keep you intrigued and captivated. The only thing I wished was that the killer was connected to Angela's brother as that would have been a great twist to the book. Overall, if you are looking for a bit of a gory thriller, then check out Written in Blood by Chris Carter.

This book is number 11 in the series but can easily be read on its own. I havent read any of his other books but the plot grabbed my attention, hook , line and sinker . These books can be gory so if thats not for you I wouldnt go down this road. The pace of the book is very fast so make sure you pay attention.

I have only read some of the Chris Cater Stories and after reading this one I am going back to the begin because I AM HOOKED!!

It can be read as a standalone although as with any series there are reference to plots / previous novels and I feel I would have given it an extra .5 if I chad the knowledge and back ground from reading in order.

The story itself is gruesome an din places, terrifying! The author builds layers of horror and terror like the pro that he is - this is not one for the feint hearted - or to be read late at night! The story has a touch of the ‘SAW’ and a "24" style prose thrown in for good measure. The killer is multi layered and clever to the point you almost empathise? UNDERSTAND? what has driven them to this,

A definite must read, and a solid 4/5 from me - thanks so much for the ADR Netgalley!

Written In Blood is book 11 in the Robert Hunter series, but it can be read as a standalone. A compelling thriller, I was hooked early and taken on a journey of twist and mystery as the hunt for a serial killer is on. This is a must read for lovers of this genre and I will be in line to read many more books by this author

I really love this series featuring Detective Robert Hunter, by Chris Carter. I've missed a couple but think it is one I will ultimately go back to and read in order. Sometime in the future. On the whole however, these books can easily be read as standalone novels.

And this, the eleventh in the series, is most definitely one of my favourites so far. 

In addition to putting us in the head of Hunter as well as our killer, Carter introduces Angela, a pickpocket who swipes something she comes to regret - a murder book of sorts, detailing over a dozen macabre deaths. Normally such methodical notes would give Hunter and his partner Garcia some insight into the killer and the chase would start, but it's the psychopathic serial killer who goes on the offensive and keeps surprising the usually-insightful Hunter.

My usual pragmatic self was somewhat surprised the detectives didn't race through the book trying to find and identify the sixteen or so victims, but guess that would have been a tad laborious for we readers.

Instead the cat and mouse game (with police relegated to the role of the latter) gives Carter a chance to seize upon Hunter's psychological insight to realise there are many inconsistencies the killer's documented motivations for the murders.

Things get a little macabre but it's nothing we haven't seen before in Carter's novels and again he keeps this series fresh and relevant by delving into the dark web and the like.

My electronic version of this book was almost 500 pages, which is bloody long for someone with my attention span but I HAD  to keep reading until I'd finished. The pacing was great and it was gripping. I really like the partnership between Hunter and Garcia and the easy banter with their boss, Captain (Barbara) Blake. And I really liked Angie, the street-smart pickpocket which worried me as our killer is kinda merciless. I became way more invested in her fate than I wanted to be. 

4.5 stars

Has Robert Hunter, lead detective in the LAPD Ultra Violent Crimes unit (UVC), finally met his match? A young woman, Angela, makes her living pick-pocketing. Only one day, as she snags a canvas bag off the floor, she targets the wrong person. When she realises what she has she sends it straight to the LAPD forensics lab - a clever move. Inside the bag is a murder diary detailing 16 gruesome deaths, meticulously recorded, as requested by ‘the voices’. Each murder is different and the GPS coordinates for where the bodies have been left have been thoughtfully included.

Clearly the killer is smart and extremely organised, and clearly he will keep killing until he is stopped. Hunter has grave fears for Angela’s safety as the bar where she lifted the bag has CCTV and when he goes to check it he finds that a period of time is missing from all the camera recordings. Oops! Angela is installed in a safe house and Hunter and his sidekick, Garcia, go to work on the diary looking for clues about this cold and calculating killer. I don’t want to say any more as I don’t want to spoil it for you. I did have my suspicions and I was right but that in no way detracted from my enjoyment as it only addressed a small part of the unknowns.

This book was tense, very tense and quite gruesome in parts. It was clear from the start that this killer is unlike anything the UVC unit has ever tackled. He is like a ghost, and he can get to anyone. What I can tell you is that if you are a Chris Carter fan you will love this. If you enjoy a serial killer thriller you will love this. And if you just want to scare yourself senseless (you will find out why) you will love this. As for me - I am keenly awaiting the next book.

Hands up fans of dark and gruesome serial killers? Chris Carter is the author for you. I am such a big fan of this author and his Robert Hunter books and I will admit to squealing when I was approved for an advanced copy of Written In Blood. This is book 11 but they can be read on their own. I would suggest reading them all in order though as Robert Hunter is such a complex and interesting character. With each book we learn more about what makes him tick and I love it. I think I might have a little but of a crush on him! I couldn't get enough of this book and really didn't want it to be over.. Now I am eagerly awaiting book 12!

Written in Blood starts with Angela Wood, a young woman who spends her days and nights picking pockets in LA. But this time she has messed with the wrong man. When she opens this bag she finds a journal, the journal of a serial killer. She finds her way to get this to the police and it lands on the desk of Robert Hunter. Along with his partner Carlos Garcia they make their way through it, trying to find the killer and stop him. I won't say anymore about the plot as there is so much to look forward to in this installment.

These books are not for the squeamish, they are graphic and violent and the killers are sadistic and twisted. This one did make my stomach churn as I was reading some of the murder scenes. But I seriously loved it and I cannot recommend this book and series more. But don't don't say that I didn't warn you about the content!!

Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.

Another heart pumping thriller by CC.
Angela is an expert pickpocket and in an easy pick she picks a bag with a diary of gruesome murders.
She delivers it anonymously to the police and it ends up with Robert Hunter.
Of course he is going to investigate and try and save the girl, but will he finally meet his match?

Another terrific Hunter story. Highly recommended and please CC do not stop writing. Enjoy these books immensely.

Thank you NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Australia and the author, Chris Carter, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of Written In Blood in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Chris Carter is my favourite author, my excitement at getting hold of a copy early was out of this world. Boy did Written In Blood far exceed even my out of control expectations. Chris Carter has done it again on steroids, his characters bounce off the page, the new evil none come more cool calm or collected. A killer the likes never encountered by Robert Hunter before. The crimes so gruesome they make your skin crawl. A roller coaster from start to finish, I could not put it down. 5-star no no no 20-star book. The absolute worst bit of the entire experience is the agony of having to wait for the next book. #1 book of 2020 #chriscarter #writteninblood #serialkiller #crime #evil #roberthunter #book

The very sexy Robert Hunter is back in this great new novel doing what he does best in the Violent Crimes Unit of the LAPD, chasing down sicko serial killers. Hunter has a great profiling mind, which makes him incredibly sexy to me, but very scary to the serial killers and other weirdos he is so great at hunting down. Hunter by name, hunter by nature.

Oh wow!!! I just loved it. Chris Carter is my fav author. I have read all his books and I love them. They always keep me hooked. It’s definitely for people who like psychological thrillers. Robert Hunter is one of my fav characters. His intelligence and knowledge makes him interesting but also real. I can’t wait to read the next book. I might even re read all the books in this series as I have time finding anything else that keeps my attention.

Absolutely bloody fantastic! Wow this book had me totally gripped from page one, it was insanely good. I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I am a massive Chris Carter fan and this did not disappoint it was everything I hoped it would be and more. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would! Can’t wait for Robert Hunters next case!

Thankyou to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Australia and the author, Chris Carter, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of Written In Blood in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

This book proves why Chris Carter is one of the best authors of the genre. I was hooked from the start.
The storyline was well thought out and written. The characters are well defined and realistic. This is one hell of a rollercoaster ride that will keep you up late into the night. Impossible to put down. 4.5 stars.

Well worth a read.