A review by bubbazuzu
Hangman by Daniel Cole

dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

The only reason this book got close to 3 stars is because I managed to finish it. The basic premise was a good one: seemingly random killings by seemingly random killers occurring simultaneously in the US and the UK. The first half was decent (a good solid 4); it slowed through the middle (maybe a 3) then just became dreck at the end. I mean, really? A detective working in fraud decides whether or not to abort the raid on a case he's not even involved in but just happens to be there on the sly?  An agent with words ( still bleeding ) carved into his chest and a broken rib gets released from the hospital within 24 hours and is back on duty? I skipped over that last 20 pages just to get to the unsatisfying end. 

And let's talk about the characters.  ​Rouche and Edmunds were the only ones who I cared about at all. Curtis was a spineless ass kisser. Vanita and Lennox were publicity focused power hounds. Thomas was a doormat co-dependent. And Baxter? OMG! Absolutely one of the most irritating, self-centered, misanthropic, no-redeeming-value characters I've ever encountered. I've cared more about serial killers than I cared what happened to her. Truly. 
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