In a derelict cottage in L.A, a young woman is found savagely murdered. Naked, strung from two wooden posts, the skin has been ripped from her face - while she was still alive. On the nape of her neck is carved a strange double-cross: the signature of a psychopath known as the Crucifix Killer.
But that's not possible. Because, two years ago, the Crucifix Killer was caught and executed. Could this be the work of a copycat? Or is Homicide Detective Robert Hunter forced to face the unthinkable? Is the real Crucifix Killer still out there, taunting Hunter with his inability to catch him.
Robert Hunter and his rookie partner are about to enter a nightmare beyond imagining ...
Patterson fans will love it. Deaver fans will be dissapointed.
Easily the most predictable thriller I've ever read, though, this did work to it's advantage. After figuring out the obvious ending twist by a third of the way through the book, - Subtlety and character consistency seem to be Carter's weaknesses - I really enjoyed looking for the clues and spotting the misdirections. The very reason you would read a Deaver novel a second time. Despite that, it all tied together nicely. It had a few more twists and layers than a standard Patterson, and even though the author spoiled the ending way too early, the rest of the ride had enough thrills to keep me entertained and turning pages. More of a mindless than a clever thriller, but a thrill all the same.
Guest, 19/01/2012