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pam2375's review against another edition
3.0
This was Book 2 of a series (I did not read Book 1, The Silent Witness), but I really don't think that was a problem. It may have helped with the character development but did not distract.
The book held my interest throughout, but did not blow me away. Police Detectives Mathew Ryan and Eloise O'Neil receive a very disturbing video and must unravel the clues before more victims start to pile up.
Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Press for this advanced readers copy.
The book held my interest throughout, but did not blow me away. Police Detectives Mathew Ryan and Eloise O'Neil receive a very disturbing video and must unravel the clues before more victims start to pile up.
Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Press for this advanced readers copy.
margaret21's review
3.0
This was a good book for a long train journey. It was cleverly constructed in that we meet the mysterious, clever, taunting murderer before we meet any of the good guys. And we are as in the dark about her identity as anybody. This was a complex plot, too complex for me to be sure I'd followed it in detail, but it never stopped me reading on. However, I am bound to admit that three days after finishing this book, I can barely remember the first thing about it.
wendoxford's review
3.0
I had read The Silent Room a while back, but didn't struggle recognising the characters, despite the different context.
The plotting is razor sharp and moves along at breakneck pace. Unusual range of victims and suspects which gives the reader work to do. I enjoyed the layering of personal relationships between the investigators amid the diverse locations and plot strands.
The plotting is razor sharp and moves along at breakneck pace. Unusual range of victims and suspects which gives the reader work to do. I enjoyed the layering of personal relationships between the investigators amid the diverse locations and plot strands.
thebooktrail88's review
5.0
Visit the locations in the novel Meet the Death Messenger
Ryan and O'Neil are back ....with a bang. A complicated case of videos being sent to police up and down the country, victims left right and centre and with no obvious links.. this is a meaty thriller to really get those teeth into.
Ryan and O'Neil really shine in this book - their relationship, arguments, mutual respect yet love hate relationship develops and is at the centre of this case. There's backstory which builds up a very interesting picture of them both and I loved the way they interacted with each other through the lighter moments as well as the darker ones. A tough investigation this one, so when they bring in someone to help them, the Silent Room of book one comes into play allowing for some very exciting police work and insight into a troubling investigation.
There was no let up in this book - fast paced, meaty detail on each page. It's a twisty case and chapters from the killer;'s point of view work really well. There's many moments of light hearted banter too such as, when the case takes them to Copenhagen( Not a spoiler) they observe that the officer "is no Sarah Lund". Lisbeth Salander seems to be hanging round the edges of this case.
Locations wise, it's Newcastle to North Shields, Lewes and Scotland then off to Copenhagen. The real gem of this book is as if you're getting an insight into what it's really like working in a small cell of officers on a very tough case. Secrecy is the order of the day. It's gripping, seemingly very authentic in language and procedures and a gritty and fascinating case which unravels before your eyes. I was captivated by the relationship between Ryan and O'Neil in many ways and I NEED book three now to see what happens next. They've been through the ringer with this case.
Mari's wit and style comes through the gripping story with such events as when Ryan stops off en route to an investigation to visit the Rebus pub, and someone picks up an Yrsa Sigurðardóttir novel...
The banter between the four main characters - love it. Dialogue is some of the best I'd read in a novel of this kind - it's so real you can hear the stutters, hesitations, feel the breath in your ear.
Kick ass fiction I'm calling this. A favourite line which stands out - This was serious sh*t, not Marks and f***king Spencer."
Apt, as this is not just not any kind of thriller, it's a Mari Hannah thriller.
syren1532's review
4.0
DVDs of crime scenes have been sent to police but not all the bodies have been found. Detective Matt Ryan is part of an elite team headed by Detective Eloise O’Neil to try and catch the killer.
koalachlox's review
4.0
The Death Messenger sends videos of crime scenes with an narration. Each crime scene has no physical evidence only the narration and what's on the videos. The detectives only have a voice to go on.
The story and person behind the killings is unusual, I didnt see it coming and loved the suspense aspect of the book towards the end. This book is fast-paced with great characters that you really come to love. I haven't read any of the other books with the same characters but would consider it now.
There is a lot of backstory to unpiece around the characters. I felt at times this took a large proportion of the story but now I've read the whole thing I wouldn't say it was overpowering. Initially, I thought the case impossible to unravel but it was done well with enough details and suspense throughout.
The story and person behind the killings is unusual, I didnt see it coming and loved the suspense aspect of the book towards the end. This book is fast-paced with great characters that you really come to love. I haven't read any of the other books with the same characters but would consider it now.
There is a lot of backstory to unpiece around the characters. I felt at times this took a large proportion of the story but now I've read the whole thing I wouldn't say it was overpowering. Initially, I thought the case impossible to unravel but it was done well with enough details and suspense throughout.
raven88's review
5.0
I know I baulk every time I read the strapline, that so and so author is 'at the height of their powers' but, I think in Mari Hannah's case this is absolutely fair. Not only the author of the brilliant DI Kate Daniels series, but onto a winner with this, the follow up to The Silent Room which first introduced us to Ryan and O'Neill.
Obviously you will discover for yourselves the extremely well crafted storyline, and the highly original compunction the killers have for committing the crimes they do (as usual no spoilers here), but I just wanted to highlight something else. The thing above all else that I admire about Hannah's books is her way of really fleshing out, and roundly depicting her characters, their fears, their flaws, their missteps in communication, but also their moments of empathy, comradeship and loyalty. Every character in this book works seamlessly with the others, with fluctuating levels of trust, professionalism and friendship. Although there was a significant gap between The Silent Room and this one, I was instantly back in the groove with O'Neill and Ryan, and the brilliant Grace and Newman, who make up their merry band, as if there were just friends that I hadn't bumped into for a while, but instantly recalling when I had last seen them, and what they'd been up to! Obviously, with my affection for the North East, I was once again, transported effortlessly to my old stomping ground of Newcastle, and the sublime, rugged beauty of Northumberland and beyond.
Cracking story, equally cracking characters, and plenty of thrills, tension and heartache along the way.
Superb.
Obviously you will discover for yourselves the extremely well crafted storyline, and the highly original compunction the killers have for committing the crimes they do (as usual no spoilers here), but I just wanted to highlight something else. The thing above all else that I admire about Hannah's books is her way of really fleshing out, and roundly depicting her characters, their fears, their flaws, their missteps in communication, but also their moments of empathy, comradeship and loyalty. Every character in this book works seamlessly with the others, with fluctuating levels of trust, professionalism and friendship. Although there was a significant gap between The Silent Room and this one, I was instantly back in the groove with O'Neill and Ryan, and the brilliant Grace and Newman, who make up their merry band, as if there were just friends that I hadn't bumped into for a while, but instantly recalling when I had last seen them, and what they'd been up to! Obviously, with my affection for the North East, I was once again, transported effortlessly to my old stomping ground of Newcastle, and the sublime, rugged beauty of Northumberland and beyond.
Cracking story, equally cracking characters, and plenty of thrills, tension and heartache along the way.
Superb.
nietzschesghost's review against another edition
4.0
The Death Messenger is the second novel in the DS Matthew Ryan and DS Eloise O'Neil series based in Northumberland, the area in which I live, and once again Ms Hannah has absolutely smashed it. Although part of a series the book works well as a standalone, however, you will miss out on the characters evolution and growth from The Silent Room. Here, a depraved and heinous killer taunts the police by sending disturbing DVDs of their kills to police headquarters. The killer escalates and begins killing more and more and sending each of the videos to police forces around the country. It was interesting to learn about the newly-formed Specialist Investigative Unit who are having trouble finding anything that links the victims, identifies the location of the kills or determining who the brutal killer may be. Can they discover something that breaks the case before more innocent lives are taken?
As always with Ms Hannah, the writing pulls you into the story almost immediately, and from then on putting it down is simply not an option. There were twists and turns galore and plenty to keep the reader riveted. The chemistry between DS Ryan and DS O'Neil is excellent, there may even be some romance between them in upcoming books. Together they are tenacious and like a dog with a bone, they go after their target regardless of how little information they have to go on. It's elaborately plotted with wonderful attention to detail and flows smoothly from one page to the next; there's no question about this being a page-turner! This is a dark, disturbing, intense, brutal and hard-hitting police procedural that is full of nail-biting moments. Bravo!
Many thanks to Minotaur Books for an ARC.
As always with Ms Hannah, the writing pulls you into the story almost immediately, and from then on putting it down is simply not an option. There were twists and turns galore and plenty to keep the reader riveted. The chemistry between DS Ryan and DS O'Neil is excellent, there may even be some romance between them in upcoming books. Together they are tenacious and like a dog with a bone, they go after their target regardless of how little information they have to go on. It's elaborately plotted with wonderful attention to detail and flows smoothly from one page to the next; there's no question about this being a page-turner! This is a dark, disturbing, intense, brutal and hard-hitting police procedural that is full of nail-biting moments. Bravo!
Many thanks to Minotaur Books for an ARC.
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