Helpful Score: 6
I enjoyed this book so much that I went to Barnes and Noble and bought Mr. Mcfadyen's new hard back "The Face of Death". Smokey Barrett, the female detective is a wonderful character. She has lost her husband and only child to a murderer who also cut up her face. Before she can decided is she wants to continue pursuing criminals, a serial killer taunts her and her team. Original plot, very good writing.
Helpful Score: 6
First book by this author? You've gotta be kidding! Most intense book I've read in quite a while. The author is a genious at building character and depth. Almost poetic at times but graphic, gruesome, and horrifying at others, sometimes within the same paragraph. This is an author to watch. Most impressive!
Helpful Score: 5
A powerful writing that kept me reading. Smoky's background sounds so convincing that the reader truly wishes the Smoky Barret series would have begun with her past but it didn't take anything away from this thriller. This is Cody McFadyen's first novel and it certainly has it's few downs but mostly it was fast paced and thoughtful.
I kept wondering who might be the killer because he always knew so much about what was going on, who was where etc. . For me it became pretty clear the killer must be an insider with access but in the end it became a bit predictable.
For me it is hard to imagine this being the first novel by Cody McFadyen because the characters are such credible, multidimensional and memorable. I once had the same feeling with the first Kay Scarpetta novels by Cornwell.
There is a new writer on his way to the top if he keeps up what he's done in 'Shadow Man'.
A sequel has already been published with a third thriller on the go, scheduled for publishing at the end of September 2008.
I kept wondering who might be the killer because he always knew so much about what was going on, who was where etc. . For me it became pretty clear the killer must be an insider with access but in the end it became a bit predictable.
For me it is hard to imagine this being the first novel by Cody McFadyen because the characters are such credible, multidimensional and memorable. I once had the same feeling with the first Kay Scarpetta novels by Cornwell.
There is a new writer on his way to the top if he keeps up what he's done in 'Shadow Man'.
A sequel has already been published with a third thriller on the go, scheduled for publishing at the end of September 2008.
Helpful Score: 4
OMG! This was THE most intense thriller I have EVER read! I hardly got a chance to breathe between hard slaps to the face and bone breaking punches to the gut. Short, intense chapters kept my mind racing forward at a breakneck speed to see what new hell waited for me on the next page.
I feel like I know the characters intimately. McFadyen developed their personalities with terrific skill and love. I truly cared what happened to each of them.
Never before have I read such an intensely disturbing novel. It touched parts of me that I didn't know I even had. I cried several times (which is WAY weird for me). The whole thing left me shaking and breathless.
I don't know which pit of hell McFadyen taps into, and I hope never to know, but that man has a direct line to evil itself.
I feel like I know the characters intimately. McFadyen developed their personalities with terrific skill and love. I truly cared what happened to each of them.
Never before have I read such an intensely disturbing novel. It touched parts of me that I didn't know I even had. I cried several times (which is WAY weird for me). The whole thing left me shaking and breathless.
I don't know which pit of hell McFadyen taps into, and I hope never to know, but that man has a direct line to evil itself.
Helpful Score: 3
This was a gripping thriller which provided great insight into both the criminal mind and the ways the agents gather clues both physical and emotional. I also liked learning about interrogation tricks. I look forward to reading the sequel, The Face of Death.
Helpful Score: 3
Awesome. This book cannot be described, but the best way I know how is with three words:
Oh. My. Gosh.
Oh. My. Gosh.
Helpful Score: 3
Great book, could not put it down. Cant wait to read more my this author
Helpful Score: 3
I truly loved this book as it was as edge of the seat reading as you can get..i hope her next book is as good as it comes out this month..and i will purchase it!
Helpful Score: 3
This is a new author and absolutely fantastic. If you like Lisa Gardner, James Patterson, etc you will like this book.
For a first time author he did an outstanding job. You really like the characters and want to know more about them. I highly recomment this series. You won't be sorry.
Helpful Score: 2
Wow! This was an exciting tale with a very unusual killer. I spoiled the suspense for myself by reading the end first. The FBI team, who are all family for each other, are people you would like to know (nearly all of them), and I'm glad they're on our side. All the law officers were shown as flawed humans but responsible people.
Helpful Score: 2
There are very few books that I rate with the highest 5-star rating, but this is one of them. This was a new author for me, and I took a chance ordering this book. SO GLAD I DID. Absolute page turner, gripped me right away. This was one of those that I couldn't put down even for a minute - but it was a double-edge sword because I saw the book coming to an end and I wanted the story to go on forever. Smoky Barrett FBI agent, is a complex, riveting character and the writing style really helps you get into her head. The meticulous FBI procedures are written in such a way that you "live" them rather than just read and understand them.
If you enjoyed this book, read "Face of Death" (the sequel to this one) afterwards. You WON'T be disappointed.
If you enjoyed this book, read "Face of Death" (the sequel to this one) afterwards. You WON'T be disappointed.
Helpful Score: 2
Holy Cow! If you like mysteries and serial killer books, this one is for you! Cody McFadyen takes you to the edge of your seat and right back again. Twists and turns and a cop who's not afraid to get dirty sets the macabe scene that you won't soon forget. I've already ordered the Smoky Barrett Book #2!
This book is an awesome read! The author is wonderful. Great storyline and very well written.
Helpful Score: 2
A great read! I really liked it and can't wait for the next one..from PBS of course!!
Helpful Score: 1
I finished this book in a day and was very happy with it. This being the Authors first novel it was well written, characters believeble and very likeable. I love a good thriller and this one was hard to put down. It was a fast read and great story. I recommend this to anyone who likes a great thriller I look forward to reading more from this author and hopes he releases a new one soon!
Helpful Score: 1
Shadow Man introduces Smoky Barrett, a profiler with the FBI who became one of her subject's victims. Smoky's face bares the physical scars of her confrontation with the killer, but her bigger scars are emotional since her husband and daughter were also killed in the incident. She is on leave and trying to decide whether to return to the FBI, when a new killer begs for her attention by targeting her best friend and colleagues. Smoky has no choice but to return to work and hunt down the sadistic killer. She must find him before he takes what little is left of her life.
Shadow Man is very, very scary. It fills the reader with a sense of dread, similar to what I felt when watching the movie Seven. There is nothing unique to the outline of the story (strong but damaged cop chases misogynistic killer), but the brutality of the crimes and the frankness with which they are described is extremely disturbing. Smoky and the rest of her FBI team are vivid and appealing characters, and the reader will keep turning the pages to see what happens to them. This book should appeal to fans of Silence of the Lambs and Chelsea Cain's Archie and Gretchen series.
Shadow Man is very, very scary. It fills the reader with a sense of dread, similar to what I felt when watching the movie Seven. There is nothing unique to the outline of the story (strong but damaged cop chases misogynistic killer), but the brutality of the crimes and the frankness with which they are described is extremely disturbing. Smoky and the rest of her FBI team are vivid and appealing characters, and the reader will keep turning the pages to see what happens to them. This book should appeal to fans of Silence of the Lambs and Chelsea Cain's Archie and Gretchen series.
Helpful Score: 1
If you're a fan of Thomas Harris' Hannibal series, you will love this book. To say this book is a thriller is an understatement. This is the first book of a new author and he has done a wonderful job of keeping me on the edge of my seat. This is one of the scariest books I've read in a while, but yet it kept me coming back for more.
Helpful Score: 1
FANTASTIC book. After you get through the first couple of slow chapters you will not be able to put this book down. For a first book this one is unbelieveably great. Smoky Barrett is one tough FBI agent. I look forward to reading the rest of his books.
Helpful Score: 1
The synopsis doesn't even to begin to describe the rollercoaster that is this book. It occasionally gets slowed down in the detailed dialogue, but for the most part the detail puts you right there in the room, in the moment, in her mind. You can visualize exactly what is happening as if you were really there. It is "full frontal" suprises, and page turning action. I thought i had read it all, but this book suprised me in the way the dark in humanity surfaces. McFadyen has great character development and i look forward to the continued series of Smoky Barrett.
Great debut novel!
This is his first book. I really hope he has another one soon. The way he tells a story is very unique and absolutely enthralling!!!
not for the feint of heart, very graphic but if you can take it--good book
This disturbing serial killer drama set in California marks a promising debut for McFadyen, who combines many conventions of the genre but with far more exquisite, intricate results than the norm. FBI agent Smoky Barrett, a haunted, complicated woman, leads a team of investigators assigned to a serial killer task force. Barrett, who escaped the clutches of a different serial killer a year earlier but lost her husband and daughter in the attack, is now tracking a madman known as "Jack Jr.," who believes he's a descendant of Jack the Ripper. He mauls women, mostly prostitutes with Web sites, then sends the videotapes of the killings to Barrett and her crew. The plot follows a typical arc, complete with some nauseating details and predictable twists. There's also a romance between Barrett and a bodyguard that seems tacked on for future installments. Yet McFadyen's writing is crisp and smart, and his scenes pack a visceral punch without being cheap or exploitative. Barrett, for her part, is a memorable protagonist, a deeply troubled woman trying to move on from tragedy, yet possessing special insight into the criminal mind.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW
McFadyen takes graphic description to the extreme in this twisted and disturbing murder/crime mystery. Smoky was one of the best serial killer hunters in the FBI until one of the hunted killed her husband and child. Emotionally destroyed, she is relieved of her duties and her world begins a downward spiral. Her nosedive into suicidal thoughts is interrupted when she receives word that one of her best friends has been murdered - and that the killer left a message her. Her friend's daughter left in the balance, Smoky tries to stop the ruthless murderer's cruel game. This book will capture the attention of any murder mystery fan.
This is about the most detailed, thrilling, action packed book about a serial killer I have ever read - and this type of book is about all I read.
Love Smoky Barrett and her personal history with killers.
I have rounded up the next three and can't wait to read them!!!
If you enjoy "murder and killin' " you'll love this!!
Love Smoky Barrett and her personal history with killers.
I have rounded up the next three and can't wait to read them!!!
If you enjoy "murder and killin' " you'll love this!!
Chilling. Too brutal for my taste
1/3 of the way through I literally paused and thought "Wow"! 1/2 way through I thought " this is great"! When I finished the book I thought "Wow" again!
This was an excellent read and a powerful debut by this author. I followed "Shadow Man" with another excellent first book by another author, same genre, and unfortunately found myself comparing it against "Shadow Man" which was overshadowing the new one.
This was an excellent read and a powerful debut by this author. I followed "Shadow Man" with another excellent first book by another author, same genre, and unfortunately found myself comparing it against "Shadow Man" which was overshadowing the new one.
This has got to be one of the best books I have read in a long time.
It is scary and it is sad. Great read.
It is scary and it is sad. Great read.
A very dark & violent debut novel that really grabs your attention from the start.
THIS IS ONE THAT GRIPS AND HOLDS ON,SCARY.
This book was a great book. After you finish this one, you should read her next book Faces of Death, that one was good too.
Special Agent Smoky Barrett was once one of the FBI;s best profilers, until a madman killed her family. Now she dreams about picking up her weapon again, and turning it on herself. What else is there to lose?
