The Coldest Fear

Rick Reed has moved up to my Top 20 Authors To Watch For. This is a police/crime procedural of the highest caliber. It is so obvious that this author knows of what he writes .. he was a Detective Sergeant with 30 years experience and in charge of Internal Affairs for the Evansville Police Department in Indiana. Detective Jack Murphy and his partner, Liddell "Bigfoot" Blanchard are on the trail of a serial killer ... one who leaves his victims without their faces, sometimes their eyes, sometimes their hands. There's no rhyme nor reason why these particular people were chosen to die at the hands of the one they call the Cleaver. Jack does things his way .. usually just on the edge of being suspended from his job. However, he's a great detective, like a dog with a bone, he just doesn't let go. Bigfoot is the ultimate partner, always having Jack's back. I really enjoy the relationship they share .. lots of witty dialog. Throw in an FBI Agent, a corrupt sheriff, a newspaper reporter who always beats everyone getting a story out, another reporter willing to share her time to get a good lead, a deputy who accidentally comes across some information he uses to his own advantage, and Cinderella. Cinderella is a sweetheart of a dog ... she only likes women and gay men. There are a lot of graphic violent murder scenes .. this killer is on a roll. The more he kills, the happier he is. You'll never look at a bathtub drain in the same way again. The action is non-stop. I was hooked from the first page. I thought that once the killer was named, the book would slow down a bit, instead it sped up like a freight train. It becomes a race to see who is more clever .... and the ending is a shocker. Definitely this rates 5 stars from me. Although the second book, it's terrific as a stand-alone. Highly recommend to anyone who doesn't have a queasy stomach. Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books - Lyrical Underground / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Too much gore and killing for me but the pace, the writing and the humor were great

Absolutely awesome. Loved it. Coumd not put it down! I need more. Thoroughly addicted!