Reviews

Het gezicht van de dood by Valérie Janssen, Cody McFadyen

vlyman's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

es_the_book_hoarder's review against another edition

5.0

This was so much better than the first book. Not necessarily in terms of plot but I think it fleshed out the characters more and that connection was made easily this time.

This book is an emotionally and psychologically driven one from the beginning, and it holds that hook right the way through. It's about how what happens to you can define you, but also about how life, and love and darkness and how you choose to respond to those things is so much more important in that.

I really enjoyed this one.

zaina90's review against another edition

5.0

Wow! And I thought book 1 was too dark and twisted. I need a break before moving on to the third book in the series.

posies23's review against another edition

3.0

I was pretty let down by this book. I really liked the first book in the series, but this one strained credibility far past the breaking point for me. The main characters are all well-handled, and there are some creepy moments, but I kept finding myself thinking, "no way!" after each plot development. I've heard the later books in the series are better, so I'll probably give them a try eventually.

eatingwords's review against another edition

4.0

I started reading this book, the second I was finished with Shadow Man, the first book in the series and I was immediately hooked.

I didn't think that I would be as captivated by it as I was with the first book, as the first book was already so horrifying and terrible and gruesome. But I guess I was wrong. This book took on another level of evilness of the human psyche. And it was very well done.

This book, just like the first one, is not for the faint of heart. It's horrendous, full of blood and utterly perverse.

The relationships of the characters grew even closer in this book and I really like how Smoky's family are her friends and how they give her stability in her life. I also enjoyed the relationship between her and Bonnie a lot.

The writing, as in the previous novel, was easy to read and had a flow-y feel to it. It was fast-paced without feeling rushed. It kept me on my toes and I wanted to know more and more about the characters, about the murders, about the murderer and about how it will affect the characters overall.

I highly enjoyed this second installment and am ready for book three.

beastreader's review against another edition

5.0

Special Agent Smoky Barrett is once again needed for what mightbecome her toughest match yet. The police have a situation. Sixteen-year old, Sarah Kingsley has a gun to her head. She tells the police that she will shoot unless she talks to Smoky. Smoky listens to what Sarah has to say. Sarah tells Smokey that a man known as "The Stranger" has been following her all her life. He has killed everyone dear to Sarah.

Smoky is ready to bring down "The Stranger" no matter what it takes. Somkey guarantees she will come on top. Is Sarah just a pawn in "The Stranger's" sick game or is Sarah on the side of evil?


The Face of Death is the second book that features Smoky Barrett. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great and they had wonderful dimensions, which is hard to find in books. Smoky Barrett can take on the worse of the serial killers. In fact they should be afraid of Smoky. Not to say Shadow Man wasn't good too but I have to say I liked The Face of Death a little more. I think the reason was because I had got to know Smoky and was rooting for her to come on top again. Plus the ending was a huge surprise! I love when the endings are not what I expected. I can't wait to read The Darker Side, which I know will be just as good as Mr. McFadyen's other two books.

slavicsongbird's review against another edition

4.0

Both book 2 and 3 are much much better than the first. Book 4 though, falls short for me again, this time because the plot is less interesting.

cheraford's review against another edition

5.0

This is one of the best, but also most disturbing, books I have read in a long time. I don't know if I want to read the others in the series, as this left me emotionally drained

bkaseva's review against another edition

5.0

Без капка обмисляне мога да определя Смоуки Барет, като любим женски герой. От друга страна, Коуди Макфейдън, като любим автор. Очаквах с огромно нетърпение издаването на втората книга в България, а сега започвам да паля свещи за третата.
Още с първата книга Майфейдън ме спечели като читател/фен, до гроб, а втората книга само утвърди това.
Споменах ли, че обожавам главните и второстепенните герои? В частност Барет и нейното семейство (и екип). В тази книга се запознаваме с още един-двама, които се надявам да виждам и за напред. Блондинката от Холивуд е една от тях!
Тук историята се развива по-различно. Имаме оцеляла жертва, изключително умен и организиран психопат убиец, един дневник, купища мъртви и хиляди въпросителни. Динамиката не липсва, но е изпипана така, че да даде възможно най-много информация.
Най-много се очаровах от тактикатя на Макфейдън в тази книга. Чрез Смоуки и нейните умения в рязгадаването на убийства, ние несъзнателно ставаме част от разследването. В един момент се усетих, че подобно на главната ни героиня обмислям кое, защо, как. Само дето убиеца го хванах кой е малко преди Барет, но беше интересно да видя развръзката и последвалите събития.
А Бони? О, милата ми Бони!

lunaxcult's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0