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bi_bibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
Hangman is the sequel to Ragdoll, a book which I loved when I first read it so of course I was highly anticipating reading Hangman since it was published.
Going into this book I knew that Fawkes, the main character from the previous book, wasn't going to be in it but despite that I had faith that Baxter would be able to carry the story herself. Thankfully I was right, she had some great character development and remained interesting throughout. Along with the FBI and CIA agents bringing up the rear, the characters were strong, interesting and worked well together despite their differing characteristics.
One thing I love most about these books is the humour. There is some amazing humour which is very much needed given how much gory violence and death there is in this book. The amount of death even took me by surprise but it was done well and didn't come off as overkill. This book is bizarre and brilliant, the pace never slows and the whole cult storyline never loses your attention as the story just gets wilder and more deadly.
Another brilliant Thriller from Daniel Cole and I can't wait for the third instalment to be published!
Rated: 5/5 Stars
Going into this book I knew that Fawkes, the main character from the previous book, wasn't going to be in it but despite that I had faith that Baxter would be able to carry the story herself. Thankfully I was right, she had some great character development and remained interesting throughout. Along with the FBI and CIA agents bringing up the rear, the characters were strong, interesting and worked well together despite their differing characteristics.
One thing I love most about these books is the humour. There is some amazing humour which is very much needed given how much gory violence and death there is in this book. The amount of death even took me by surprise but it was done well and didn't come off as overkill. This book is bizarre and brilliant, the pace never slows and the whole cult storyline never loses your attention as the story just gets wilder and more deadly.
Another brilliant Thriller from Daniel Cole and I can't wait for the third instalment to be published!
Rated: 5/5 Stars
1of3bookgirls's review against another edition
4.0
I should have re-read Rag Doll before I dived into this to re-familiarize myself with the case, as there is some crossover. I loved it anyway though! Good stuff, filled with great characters and even some action scenes I could appreciate.
exorcismemily's review against another edition
3.0
I adored Ragdoll, the first book in this series. I was so excited to get my hands on an early copy of Hangman, but I feel pretty let down.
Where Ragdoll was hard-hitting and fast-paced, Hangman is much more of a slow burn. Procedural novels are already not my favorite, but I've found some that I've really loved. I struggle with maintaining interest in procedural novel of it's slow.
My attention went in and out with this one, but the few scenes that interested me weren't enough to hold my focus. I am pretty sad since I had really been looking forward to Hangman.
Where Ragdoll was hard-hitting and fast-paced, Hangman is much more of a slow burn. Procedural novels are already not my favorite, but I've found some that I've really loved. I struggle with maintaining interest in procedural novel of it's slow.
My attention went in and out with this one, but the few scenes that interested me weren't enough to hold my focus. I am pretty sad since I had really been looking forward to Hangman.
canada_matt's review against another edition
3.0
Daniel Cole is back to continue his thriller series that had readers gasping at the cliffhanger ending. Riding the wave of his debut success, Cole presents this follow-up that appears to lack the intensity and grit of DS William Fawkes’ initial case. With Fawkes away and on the lam, all eyes turn to newly-promoted Detective Chief Inspector Emily Baxter. While the Ragdoll killer is safely locked away, the case lingers and everyone remains on edge. When a call come in from New York City, where a body identified as ‘William Fawkes’ has been found, Baxter agrees to travel and investigate this oddity. Before she makes it out of the country, she visits Belmarsh once more to see the Ragdoll, only to be trapped in the middle of an event that leaves him dead and Baxter significantly spooked. Upon her arrival in NYC, DCI Baxter liaises with some of the local and federal authorities as more murder scenes emerge, victims bearing ‘puppet’ and ‘bait’ inscriptions on the body. Might there be a connection to Ragdoll that’s crossed the Atlantic? Baxter is equally baffled when news from the Met reaches her that other killings of a similar style have been taking place in the UK. How can all these killers be connected without a clear threat to bind them? As Baxter continues to investigate, she follows a lead that turns the case on its head, but media outlets have chosen to broadcast it before it can be properly analysed. Might there be a central leader who has ordered these murders, as odd and unrelated as they seem? Witnesses have recounted that the killers seem almost detached from the events, leading many to wonder about some form of mind control. Religious symbolism and the talk of cultish behaviour begin to flood Baxter’s investigation, forcing her to come to terms with the fact that this might be more than just tracking down a killer, but someone who holds a handful of strings and can make followers dance on command. Cole surely has devised an interesting way to ‘string along’ the reader, though to substance of the story is not as strong as I would have hoped. Fans of the debut will likely want to take the plunge, if only to discover what Cole has planned, but all the hype this book has received is lost on me.
It is disappointing to find a writer dedicate so much of their time to a debut that skyrockets, only to find the follow-up limp along. I was captivated by Cole’s first piece and could not wait to get my hands on this one (which had been getting some great reviews), but found it fell short of the mark. The story had potential, as did the characters, but delivery of both seems to have been rushed or not cultivated enough to pique my interest. With DS Fawkes gone (spoiler alert?), the narrative pulls DCI Emily Baxter into the spotlight. She has strong ties to Fawkes, but is also trying to make a name for herself in the Met, where women are still rapping on the glass ceiling. Her energetic attitude and interest in getting dirt under her nails is unequally balanced by her desire to fill shoes that do not fit. I found myself constantly trying to like Baxter as a character and investigator, but nothing stuck for me, either in her personal or professional life. This is unfortunate, as the protagonist is the one who leads the reader along through the case at hand. A smattering of other characters on both sides of the ledger also lacked the complexity that I felt this book needed, especially with the set of crimes being offered up to the reader. I needed to feel angst and confusion as well as determination to let nothing stop justice from making its mark. Instead, I felt things kept circling the drain, hoping to find some action or sicko moment that would spring the narrative to life. Cole had all the ingredients for success, but the mix did not work for me. Others will surely agree and I can defer to them. The story had much possibility, especially utilising two venues, but fell flat and left me wanting more and needing to feel a stronger connection. Even the central mastermind became beige, leaving me wishing I had known this before rushing to seek enjoyment with this second novel. Perhaps I needed to let Ragdoll ferment before rushing into this one, but whatever it was, this did not work and I am sorry. A third novel in the series is surely a while off, so I will have time to gather my thoughts before then.
Kudos, Mr. Cole, for attempting to keep things running effectively. If you had to have a less impactful novel, thankfully it was this second, as your debut is the net that will catch you many fans. As I know your potential, I’lol likely come back for another read and hope for better things.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
It is disappointing to find a writer dedicate so much of their time to a debut that skyrockets, only to find the follow-up limp along. I was captivated by Cole’s first piece and could not wait to get my hands on this one (which had been getting some great reviews), but found it fell short of the mark. The story had potential, as did the characters, but delivery of both seems to have been rushed or not cultivated enough to pique my interest. With DS Fawkes gone (spoiler alert?), the narrative pulls DCI Emily Baxter into the spotlight. She has strong ties to Fawkes, but is also trying to make a name for herself in the Met, where women are still rapping on the glass ceiling. Her energetic attitude and interest in getting dirt under her nails is unequally balanced by her desire to fill shoes that do not fit. I found myself constantly trying to like Baxter as a character and investigator, but nothing stuck for me, either in her personal or professional life. This is unfortunate, as the protagonist is the one who leads the reader along through the case at hand. A smattering of other characters on both sides of the ledger also lacked the complexity that I felt this book needed, especially with the set of crimes being offered up to the reader. I needed to feel angst and confusion as well as determination to let nothing stop justice from making its mark. Instead, I felt things kept circling the drain, hoping to find some action or sicko moment that would spring the narrative to life. Cole had all the ingredients for success, but the mix did not work for me. Others will surely agree and I can defer to them. The story had much possibility, especially utilising two venues, but fell flat and left me wanting more and needing to feel a stronger connection. Even the central mastermind became beige, leaving me wishing I had known this before rushing to seek enjoyment with this second novel. Perhaps I needed to let Ragdoll ferment before rushing into this one, but whatever it was, this did not work and I am sorry. A third novel in the series is surely a while off, so I will have time to gather my thoughts before then.
Kudos, Mr. Cole, for attempting to keep things running effectively. If you had to have a less impactful novel, thankfully it was this second, as your debut is the net that will catch you many fans. As I know your potential, I’lol likely come back for another read and hope for better things.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
keeperofpages's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars - Hangman is the second book in the Detective William Fawkes series, it’s set eighteen months after the first book, Ragdoll, and this time, it’s DCI Emily Baxter’s turn in the spotlight. And by spotlight, I mean tasked with solving the case.
Hangman truly is a novel for fans of thrilling police procedurals – it’s fast-paced and exciting! The murders are brutal, as gory as they are, you’re hooked in a fascinated horror kind of way, and you have to keep reading, to know who is responsible for the carnage, and if Baxter and her team can solve the case. Forget all notions of hangman being the fun game you played when you were young, it’s now a body found hanging with the words BAIT carved into its chest!
With murders in London and New York, the plot is complex and gripping in nature. Spanning to New York allows us an introduction to Rouche, a CIA agent, who was a brilliant character, carrying the trait I love – haunted by past events. Whether you like or dislike the characters in this novel, they are all well-developed and really bring this story to life.
DCI Emily Baxter deserves all the glory when it comes to my favourite character in this book. She’s my favourite kind of detective, flawed, funny and fierce! A great character that I could happily read about over and over again. And, as some of you already know, I love thrillers laced with dark humour, and Baxter’s witty humour was second to none:
“‘Long story short: I was only acting commissioner.’
‘Well,’ said Baxter, checking her watch, ‘I was only acting interested.’”
There is a lot happening in this novel, but it’s organised chaos, a plot that’s complex yet easy to follow, a plot that you invest in, characters to love, and villains to despise – Hangman deserves to be on the big screen!
And, Mr Cole, that little surprise at the end, of course, now I’m desperate to read book three!
*My thanks to the publisher for granting me access to a digital copy of this title via Netgalley*
Hangman truly is a novel for fans of thrilling police procedurals – it’s fast-paced and exciting! The murders are brutal, as gory as they are, you’re hooked in a fascinated horror kind of way, and you have to keep reading, to know who is responsible for the carnage, and if Baxter and her team can solve the case. Forget all notions of hangman being the fun game you played when you were young, it’s now a body found hanging with the words BAIT carved into its chest!
With murders in London and New York, the plot is complex and gripping in nature. Spanning to New York allows us an introduction to Rouche, a CIA agent, who was a brilliant character, carrying the trait I love – haunted by past events. Whether you like or dislike the characters in this novel, they are all well-developed and really bring this story to life.
DCI Emily Baxter deserves all the glory when it comes to my favourite character in this book. She’s my favourite kind of detective, flawed, funny and fierce! A great character that I could happily read about over and over again. And, as some of you already know, I love thrillers laced with dark humour, and Baxter’s witty humour was second to none:
“‘Long story short: I was only acting commissioner.’
‘Well,’ said Baxter, checking her watch, ‘I was only acting interested.’”
There is a lot happening in this novel, but it’s organised chaos, a plot that’s complex yet easy to follow, a plot that you invest in, characters to love, and villains to despise – Hangman deserves to be on the big screen!
And, Mr Cole, that little surprise at the end, of course, now I’m desperate to read book three!
*My thanks to the publisher for granting me access to a digital copy of this title via Netgalley*
rosie1805's review against another edition
5.0
Another great read
After reading Ragdoll I was looking forward to the next instalment in the series, but at first I admit I was a bit underwhelmed. Hangman seemed to build much more slowly than its predecessor, but when it but it's stride it was in full on rollercoaster mode.
After reading Ragdoll I was looking forward to the next instalment in the series, but at first I admit I was a bit underwhelmed. Hangman seemed to build much more slowly than its predecessor, but when it but it's stride it was in full on rollercoaster mode.
shannonf60e7's review against another edition
4.0
This book was horrific good, but there were some things I disliked. For example, the way Baxter's private life was described. I personally don't think it had to be that elaborate, I didn't have the feeling that it added something extra to the story. Furthermore, I experienced the ending as really confusing, especially when I think back of the prologue. However, the plot itself was so good, I really didn't see this coming. Hence, it had me hooked until the end of the story!
chelsi's review against another edition
A cliff hanger?! c'mon man!
Daniel Cole really doesn't hold back. Really on anything. No character seems to be safe. The crimes are completely heinous.
Daniel Cole really doesn't hold back. Really on anything. No character seems to be safe. The crimes are completely heinous.
stephaniesbookreviews's review against another edition
4.0
Ragdoll was my favorite book of 2017 and I have been anxiously waiting for the follow-up ever since. Though the American release date is not for a couple more months, I won a giveaway for a book of my choice and was very excited to see I could get a UK edition of Hangman. While it didn’t quite live up to all my expectations, it was a well-written, engrossing mystery.
I’m going to get what I didn’t like about it out of the way first. You know how some people say “religion in a book ruins it for me”? Well, I am kind of the opposite. A strong Anti-God theme and mocking religion can ruin it for me. The book basically starts out with a character saying there is no God and it really just started me off on the wrong foot with the story. Any mention of God or religion throughout the book was condemning and I found it kind of offensive. While I wouldn’t say the atheism was a strong theme throughout the plot or anything, it was kind of brought up several times and I have to say it diminished my enjoyment a bit.
I thought the overall mystery was well-done. It was methodical and intriguing and suspenseful. Cole did a good job of making the atmosphere very tense and – at times – creepy. There was still some of the dark humor I appreciated from Ragdoll, but I didn’t think it was as funny as the first book.
After the events of Ragdoll unfolded, I really didn’t know how this William Fawkes series could continue. Hangman shifts focus to really shine the light on Baxter. I kind of hated Baxter in the first book and I have to say I don’t really like her any better here. She is smart and determined, but she’s deeply paranoid, self-centered, and abrasive. She is an interesting character, but it was kind of hard to care about her. Thankfully, my dear, sweet Edmunds was back, too. I absolutely adored him in the first book and continued to in this one. I also really enjoyed the introduction of CIA Agent Rouche. He was quirky and sad and I kind of loved him.
Overall, I did enjoy Hangman. I really like Cole’s writing and how he can mix humor in with such dark subjects. I liked the mystery and most of the characters. While I was offended by the mocking of religious beliefs and it did lessen my enjoyment a bit, it didn’t all out ruin the book for me. The very ending really has me looking forward to what will happen next.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars
I’m going to get what I didn’t like about it out of the way first. You know how some people say “religion in a book ruins it for me”? Well, I am kind of the opposite. A strong Anti-God theme and mocking religion can ruin it for me. The book basically starts out with a character saying there is no God and it really just started me off on the wrong foot with the story. Any mention of God or religion throughout the book was condemning and I found it kind of offensive. While I wouldn’t say the atheism was a strong theme throughout the plot or anything, it was kind of brought up several times and I have to say it diminished my enjoyment a bit.
I thought the overall mystery was well-done. It was methodical and intriguing and suspenseful. Cole did a good job of making the atmosphere very tense and – at times – creepy. There was still some of the dark humor I appreciated from Ragdoll, but I didn’t think it was as funny as the first book.
After the events of Ragdoll unfolded, I really didn’t know how this William Fawkes series could continue. Hangman shifts focus to really shine the light on Baxter. I kind of hated Baxter in the first book and I have to say I don’t really like her any better here. She is smart and determined, but she’s deeply paranoid, self-centered, and abrasive. She is an interesting character, but it was kind of hard to care about her. Thankfully, my dear, sweet Edmunds was back, too. I absolutely adored him in the first book and continued to in this one. I also really enjoyed the introduction of CIA Agent Rouche. He was quirky and sad and I kind of loved him.
Overall, I did enjoy Hangman. I really like Cole’s writing and how he can mix humor in with such dark subjects. I liked the mystery and most of the characters. While I was offended by the mocking of religious beliefs and it did lessen my enjoyment a bit, it didn’t all out ruin the book for me. The very ending really has me looking forward to what will happen next.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars
bibliophilebookclub's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Ragdoll, the first book in this series, so I was delighted to be able to read and review Hangman. I had been dying to read it from the moment I finished Ragdoll, and its safe to say it was worth the wait. Hangman was just as good, if not better.
Focusing on DCI Emily Baxter in this one, she’s called to investigate a copycat murder. A body found hanging, with BAIT carved into its chest, in America. When another body turns up, this time with PUPPET carved into the chest, it becomes a race against time to decipher the message as the body count rises on both sides of the Atlantic.
Hangman is such a clever thriller. I absolutely flew through it because I was so caught up in the characters and the investigation that I just had to keep reading to find out what was going on.
Daniel Cole has a knack for writing serial killer thrillers, and he showcases it brilliantly i these books. They are addictive, thrilling and so utterly absorbing that you just have to keep going until the very end.
If you like twisted killers, great characters and a cracking plot then add Hangman to your TBR as soon as possible, you won’t regret it.
Highly recommended!
Focusing on DCI Emily Baxter in this one, she’s called to investigate a copycat murder. A body found hanging, with BAIT carved into its chest, in America. When another body turns up, this time with PUPPET carved into the chest, it becomes a race against time to decipher the message as the body count rises on both sides of the Atlantic.
Hangman is such a clever thriller. I absolutely flew through it because I was so caught up in the characters and the investigation that I just had to keep reading to find out what was going on.
Daniel Cole has a knack for writing serial killer thrillers, and he showcases it brilliantly i these books. They are addictive, thrilling and so utterly absorbing that you just have to keep going until the very end.
If you like twisted killers, great characters and a cracking plot then add Hangman to your TBR as soon as possible, you won’t regret it.
Highly recommended!