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pause_theframe's review
5.0
Wow, wow, wow! I love a good thriller, especially when it has tones of mystery, horror and a serial killer or two thrown in. This book starts off with a hint of a creepy peeper and quickly moved into the stage of abduction and investigations. You are thrown straight in, rushing to to try and understand a world where a safe haven becomes your worst nightmare.
The author did an above excellent job at creating a serial killer. He gave us someone who was sadistic, a bit crazy and still so very in control. Just like the serial killers we have come to know, in some of the best-sellers, Nicholl gave us someone who paid attention to detail, ritual and ensured that their footprints were erased, as if they never existed.
It was thrilling and so very scary, to follow along as they tried to crack the case, before our young lady became the next death in a line of victims, the killer had taken previously. All along this trail, we are kept on our toes, and it is very exciting. I like that the pace is swift and engaging, as it matched the feel very well, as everyone rushed round to try and solve the case.
It was interesting to see in the mind of the killer, as each is different. I found myself wanting to know what made the killer tick, how they were able and wanting to do what they did for a ‘job.’ I also wanted to know what they were thinking and feeling through the whole process, to get close to try and begin to understand and Nicholl did just that for us.
This is a highly engaging and very thought-provoking read. I would very much recommend it to all who are interested in this genre, as a must read.
**I received this book for free and voluntarily provided my honest and unbiased review.
The author did an above excellent job at creating a serial killer. He gave us someone who was sadistic, a bit crazy and still so very in control. Just like the serial killers we have come to know, in some of the best-sellers, Nicholl gave us someone who paid attention to detail, ritual and ensured that their footprints were erased, as if they never existed.
It was thrilling and so very scary, to follow along as they tried to crack the case, before our young lady became the next death in a line of victims, the killer had taken previously. All along this trail, we are kept on our toes, and it is very exciting. I like that the pace is swift and engaging, as it matched the feel very well, as everyone rushed round to try and solve the case.
It was interesting to see in the mind of the killer, as each is different. I found myself wanting to know what made the killer tick, how they were able and wanting to do what they did for a ‘job.’ I also wanted to know what they were thinking and feeling through the whole process, to get close to try and begin to understand and Nicholl did just that for us.
This is a highly engaging and very thought-provoking read. I would very much recommend it to all who are interested in this genre, as a must read.
**I received this book for free and voluntarily provided my honest and unbiased review.
debtat2's review
4.0
Described as “a gripping serial killer thriller” I had really high hopes for this book, sadly it didn't quite live up to expectations :-(
This is my favourite genre and I have read countless numbers of serial killer thrillers, some more memorable than others, and although this isn't one of the best it was still a good read and I will definitely be reading the rest in the series when they come out.
The characters were strong with a solid plot line and Gravel is the stand out guy and he will make a very followable DI. The bad guy was fairly easy to work out but i think that was intentional. The most memorable and standout part of this book has to be the ending! Without giving any spoilers and ruin it for potential readers the ending is a definite WTF moment!! It will be very interesting to find out what comes next for DI Gravel following on from that explosive ending.
If you want to read a fast-paced, creepy thriller with a nice twist ending, this is the right book for you. It might not be a stand out among other similar novels, but fans of the genre will not want to miss it.
This is my favourite genre and I have read countless numbers of serial killer thrillers, some more memorable than others, and although this isn't one of the best it was still a good read and I will definitely be reading the rest in the series when they come out.
The characters were strong with a solid plot line and Gravel is the stand out guy and he will make a very followable DI. The bad guy was fairly easy to work out but i think that was intentional. The most memorable and standout part of this book has to be the ending! Without giving any spoilers and ruin it for potential readers the ending is a definite WTF moment!! It will be very interesting to find out what comes next for DI Gravel following on from that explosive ending.
If you want to read a fast-paced, creepy thriller with a nice twist ending, this is the right book for you. It might not be a stand out among other similar novels, but fans of the genre will not want to miss it.
beastreader's review
2.0
This is a case of zero to sixty. I read book two before I read this book. That book was the "sixty" and this one was sadly the "zero". I was drawn to this book for the cover and the author. The cover is one of the best I have seen in a long time. It is super creepy. Since I had read book two and absolutely loved that book.
What surprised me about this one is that I was not feeling the characters or the storyline. The story moved really slowly without much happening. I commented that Mr. Nicholl is great as it is not about the story but the characters. He allows the characters to shine. They didn't really shine for me. Yet, because this is the first book; it seems that the bugs were worked out in the second one that I raved about.
What surprised me about this one is that I was not feeling the characters or the storyline. The story moved really slowly without much happening. I commented that Mr. Nicholl is great as it is not about the story but the characters. He allows the characters to shine. They didn't really shine for me. Yet, because this is the first book; it seems that the bugs were worked out in the second one that I raved about.
btpbookclub's review
5.0
This has to be one of John’s darkest stories yet! It actually gave me a nightmare. Legit. Parts of this story are so dark, gruesome and intense. A story that will have you on the edge of your seat and biting your finger nails. A brilliant cover too, even if I am petrified of clowns.
Portraits of the Dead is a fast paced, easy to read and terrifying thriller! This has to be one of the most twisted serial killers I’ve read about it. I felt so sorry for Emma! Will the team find her before its too late? Chilling. 5 stars. Highly recommend…
One to read with the light on and not alone in the dark before bed!
Portraits of the Dead is a fast paced, easy to read and terrifying thriller! This has to be one of the most twisted serial killers I’ve read about it. I felt so sorry for Emma! Will the team find her before its too late? Chilling. 5 stars. Highly recommend…
One to read with the light on and not alone in the dark before bed!
erinnejc's review
4.0
Thrilling story with a plot that kept me turning the pages, really well written with great characters. Highly recommend to everyone who is a fan of this genre.
wolfshine's review against another edition
5.0
When Emma wakes up, she’s not in her room. She’s in a prison, and a serial killer is her warden. He has plans for her. How well she obeys will decide how long she gets to live. Detective Gravel finds himself responsible for finding her, and when it comes out that she’s in the hands of someone who has potentially killed five other women, the stakes are instantly raised.
This was one of those books that hooked me right from the beginning, and I wanted to devour it all in one setting. Pretty unnerving killer. Right from the beginning, we’re shown the depths of his depravity, and as the book goes on, we see it gets worse. I don’t want to give anything away, but I found his choice of partners to be most intriguing. Emma, the heroine, was pretty interesting in her own way, but I found a lot of her arc to be predictable. Her actions at the end were badass though.
Narration was well done.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
This was one of those books that hooked me right from the beginning, and I wanted to devour it all in one setting. Pretty unnerving killer. Right from the beginning, we’re shown the depths of his depravity, and as the book goes on, we see it gets worse. I don’t want to give anything away, but I found his choice of partners to be most intriguing. Emma, the heroine, was pretty interesting in her own way, but I found a lot of her arc to be predictable. Her actions at the end were badass though.
Narration was well done.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
kirkw1972's review against another edition
2.0
I found this book quite frustrating. It had an excellent premise but I didn't think it lived up to it. I was left wanting a whole lot more. I'm not sure why it's classed as a DI Gravel book as he was barely in it. The ending happened way too fast and the last chapter just made no sense to me at all.
It didn't give me anything to connect with any of the characters. I would have liked more of Emma; how she was feeling, her thought process for escape, dealing with her injuries. It was sadly lacking. I really don;t like giving less than 3 stars for a book but sadly this one didn't hit many positive notes for me.
Free arc from netgalley
It didn't give me anything to connect with any of the characters. I would have liked more of Emma; how she was feeling, her thought process for escape, dealing with her injuries. It was sadly lacking. I really don;t like giving less than 3 stars for a book but sadly this one didn't hit many positive notes for me.
Free arc from netgalley
cassies_books_reviews's review against another edition
2.0
First I want to thank netgalley and the author for for an advanced copy. I really struggled with this book there was a lot of bouncing around and I felt like the story dragged. The book began with Emma a collage student who is kidnapped by a man wearing a clown mask whose been stalking her and she had no idea. She wakes up in a sound proof room locked in with only a camera and the creepy clown mask telling her he’s going to do what he wants with her and to call
Him master. The story started good but it really wasn’t for me I couldn’t connect with the characters and all and all two stars
Him master. The story started good but it really wasn’t for me I couldn’t connect with the characters and all and all two stars