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longhornrach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
avid_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
shellic88's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
noveldeelights's review
5.0
Whew! Okay, here we go.
Not that long ago, I discovered Graham Smith’s work and lost myself in the world of the brooding hunk of a man that is Jake Boulder. Since then, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the next book in the series and when I was offered the opportunity to read it, it felt like my birthday had come early!
The Kindred Killers is the second instalment in the Jake Boulder series and it is absolutely mind-blowing! Yes, I’m aware I’ve already used that word but it fits perfectly!
Jake’s best friend Alphonse asks for his help when his cousin and his family go missing. Sadly there is no good news as the family is found horribly murdered. They are found to have been crucified and burned alive. And with that, the tone is set for a cruel and disturbing story that is unfortunately still rather apt and relevant these days. Some of these events may not be for the faint-hearted as they are quite brutal and stomach-churning but I feel it’s necessary to point out that none of it’s gratuitous and the author manages to set the scene as sympathetically as possible.
The return of Jake Boulder was most definitely worth the wait and this series just keeps getting better. I was utterly engrossed in the case and completely blown away by the reasoning behind the initial killings. I also really always enjoy it when an author takes the time to introduce us to a character so that even though you know deep down something is going to happen to them, it packs the most astounding punch when that something actually happens.
I continue to enjoy the friendship between Jake and Alphonse. Despite the strain they’re under and the grief Alphonse needs to deal with, they know each other so well that even when tempers rise, you know this bond won’t break. (Gee, I hope I didn’t jinx them now!)
I may have said it before but it’s worth saying again : Graham Smith has fast become one of my favourite authors and I honestly can’t wait to read more, be it about Jake Boulder or something else entirely! And you, yes you (!), should pick up this Jake Boulder series right now and get caught up! I promise you won’t regret it!
meloches's review
4.0
This novel pretty starts off meeting Jake Boulder where the previous novel left off. Boulder is still up to his “ways” and I couldn’t help but smile within the first few pages. Jake absolutely has that dark and handsome vibe going on. His best friend, Alfonse, approaches Boulder for help after finding out his cousin has been crucified and burned alive, along with his wife and children. SAY WHAT?? Talk about a plot. Smith takes a no prisoners approach within his prose and I was both disturbed and intrigued by the descriptions of these crimes. Like Karin Slaughter, I find Graham Smith has a unique approach while writing about these heinous acts; completely purposeful and done with taste, these scenes add so much to the tone and nature of the text without being overdone or offensive.
Without giving away any plot points, it will be hard to discuss this novel in its entirety but I must say, similarly to the first novel in the series, Smith doesn’t leave much room for his reader to slow down and catch their breath. The plot moves quickly and dynamically and is filled with several twists and heart-pounding moments. I was on the edge of my seat.
As mentioned, this novel is the second in the series and, although the novel can be easily read as a standalone, I firmly believe that Jake Boulder is a character that will make you want to go back and read the first novel. Not only that, but Graham Smith’s writing style is one that is not to be missed. In my opinion, a must read for all crime thriller fans.
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
5.0
Graham Smith is a man who knows how to shock his readers. I thought the serial killer in the first book was twisted but the killers in this, wow! He really takes the shock factor to the next level. The way the victims get killed in this book certainly are not for the faint hearted. They were particularly gruesome yet it had me so engrossed in the whole story I really couldn’t get enough. I think I must have read this book with a series O mouth going on.
We see more of Jake and Alfonse’s working relationship and friendship which I enjoyed as Alfonse was more in the back ground in the first one. I really felt for him as to have family members killed in such a gruesome way was just horrific. Not only that, he obviously wants answers and whoever is responsible to pay for their actions. We also find out a bit more background to Jake which will definitely interest fans though I have a feeling the author still has a lot more to share with us!
The Kindred Killers is a seriously great follow up to what is already set to be a brilliant series. It’s one of those books that thrilled and excited me and that left me desperate to talk about it with other readers. For me that really is the sign of a great book. Can not wait for the next book now as the author has truly shown he is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to writing crime books.
clair_82's review
5.0
The Kindred Killers starts off with the horrific torture and murder of Jake's best friend, Alfonse's cousin, his wife and their children. Alfonse calls on the help of Jake to find their murderers as the local police are still as incompetent as ever! The difficulty is that there are no leads; the victims were well-liked within their jobs and the local community so Jake and Alfonse need to establish who would want to do such a brutal thing to a family? When another person goes missing, it starts to appear as though this isn't an isolated murder....why are the people of Casperton being targeted in such a brutal manner?
The crimes in this book are absolutely horrific however Graham Smith has handled this sensitively and without gratuity. There is enough build up leading up to the deaths and detail shared postmortem to truly portray the horrendous death that the victims have experienced but without all the actual gory details.
The Kindred Killers is a fast-paced investigation which is sadly, very relevant in today's society. Graham Smith's writing draws you in and is addictive through to the end. There is so much action in this book that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. But we also see a sensitive side to Jake, both through his new relationship and his trade-off with his psychiatrist of sharing his feelings versus obtaining an insight the warped mind of the murder/ers.
This is only the second outing for Jake Boulder, but it has all the hallmarks of a great, long-running series. I'm hoping that there is a book three very soon!
meggyroussel's review
4.0
For once, I’m able to review a series in order! Champagne!
I was glad to meet Jake Boulder again after such an ending in the first book!
I have already said how much I enjoy the fact Jake has nothing to do with the police or isn’t even a private investigator. I was eagerly waiting for the next reason that would put him on the line of fire. There were many questions in my head as I began reading!
Dead may be dead, but there are good and bad days to die.
I was definitely not disappointed. The author picks a sadly current theme, even in our century, when most of us would love to see it locked in the past. The plot is tightly weaved, no room for any wrongs, you are on a path, as blind as the main character, and you just have to make do with what’s being given through each chapter, each body, each event. My heart stopped so many times as I read atrocities done to innocent people, the writing can’t leave you indifferent. My reactions mirrored those of the characters (the good ones!) and I felt immersed in a part of the world we often turn a blind eye to. It is so easy when you’re not a target to forget the nightmare of those who are. The issue was sensitively explored, although I might have wanted to know more about characters’ positions and the town’s reaction to the events. Still, it was done with enough realism that I couldn’t help but feel so hopeless and wishing there was something I could do.
If you need a case of useless police force, you’re in the right place! I did chuckle at the big FBI clichés with their cars and I’m happy the author did not go this way, but I was expecting a little more work from the local cops.
The Kindred Killers doesn’t do gifts and balloons. It punches you in the gut, it makes your pulse race, it gives room to questions without answers, and you get your fair share of adrenaline as Jake is still very much using his muscles!
A Glasgow upbringing isn't something you can escape.
Thank you, Graham Smith, for the surprise hidden inside the story including a friend of mine. Well, thank you is a difficult thing to say when you keep on reading and realize what’s happening, haha!
Thank you too for not making it easy to discover what is going on. An uppercut, a hint, a blow, a disappearance, you can’t be bored when reading this story! This is a hunt. In fact, there are two hunts, and preys fall as easily as autumn leaves.
I always appreciate a bit of testosterone and this book has just the right amount to make you smell the alpha males without making Jake a big fat cliché of Mister Muscle with no emotions again, a fantastic point. I would have more trouble reading his stories if Jake was a cold man whose thoughts were hidden even from the reader. Here we find him still hurt from the previous story, emotionally instable and full of interrogations. We often take killing for granted in the genre in general, but Jake took a life, and he has to live with the aftermath. I loved that we get to see him struggle with this fact and wear this burden. It would have been easy for the author to throw in a few nightmares before completely obliterating the fact, but instead, Graham Smith use it as a foundation for his character to grow and face some of his demons. I was glad for him and couldn’t help but root for a brighter path for Jake. But of course, where light comes shining, darkness rises on the other side and life doesn’t leave anyone alone…
The Kindred Killers is a race against blood thirsty monsters which puts its main characters into the kind of dreams you never want to have. The book doesn’t shy away from anything and give you a 360 degrees view of the day of a regular guy torn but ready to do what’s right. I love rooting for the good guys!
bibliophilebookclub's review
4.0
In this book, Boulder is tasked with helping Alfonse, whose cousin was found crucified and burned alive along with his wife and kids. This horriffic crime seems to only be the beginning though. What follows is a speight of crimes that, though heinous and horriffic, are not gratuitous in their depictions. I found myself feeling anxious for Boulder with every new report because he just couldn’t catch a break in terms of evidence and catching whoever was responsible.
I’m not going to go into the plot any more than that. But I urge you, if you are looking for clever, well-plotted American crime writing with a thrilling edge, then this book (let’s be honest, the series!) should be on your list.
These books are pure escapism, in the best way possible. The Kindred Killers has it all. It is packed to the rafters with action, has a male lead that could stand proudly with the Reachers and the John Miltons of the world, and plenty of heart to boot.
Highly recommended!
jessicamap's review
4.0
This is book two in the Jake Boulder series (the first being WATCHING THE BODIES), and even though I didn't read the first book, KINDRED KILLERS read well as a standalone. I definitely need to go back and read the first book so I can get to know Jake Boulder a little better (and I loved this one).
We follow Jake in his attempts to help Alfonse find the people who killed his cousin, as well as his entire family, in a horrific murder. The way the killer murdered them was incredibly twisted, disturbing, and very graphic (readers be warned!) He quickly realizes this is the work of a serial killer when a young woman is found killed with commonalities. When footage surfaces from a cell phone, and is leaked to all major news outlets, the pressure mounts on Boulder to catch the killer.
I have to say that I love the character of Jake Boulder. He's rough around the edges, sarcastic, and witty. What's not to love? Great crime thrillers need strong protagonists, and Smith hit the nail on the head with Boulder. The natures of the crimes committed are definitely graphic and nothing is left to the imagination. Since this is dealing with hate crimes, it's eerily relevant to the events happening in the US today - which made this even more unsettling to read!
Overall, if you want a fast paced and thrilling read, then you need to pick up KINDRED KILLERS. I'm going back to get the first book and I'm looking forward to book three. This has a great protagonist, a twisty plot, and murders you won't soon forget!
I give this 4/5 stars!