Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 5/16/2017 + 1180 more book reviews

I've read a couple of Hayder's other books including the first in the Jack Caffery series, Birdman. I read Birdman a few years ago so don't remember a lot about it other than it had a quite horrific antagonist and included some very disturbing and gory details. However, I don't think it could match the amount of graphic and disturbing descriptions included in this outing. The book focuses on pedophilia and pedophiles and starts out with the discovery of a couple who had been held captive while their young son was abused by an unknown attacker. The book also is interspersed with Caffery's obsession to find out what happened to his brother, Ewan, who disappeared when he was about 8 years old. He is certain that a neighbor named Penderecki, a pedophile, was the one responsible but it was never proven. But then Penderecki dies and leaves Jack some clues which leads to a female pedophile that may have been involved in Ewan's disappearance and abuse. (This book does give some details into what happened to Ewan and I know in subsequent novels, Jack is still trying to find out answers). The main storyline, however, is about the "troll" who commits unspeakable atrocities on families and their young sons. As I said, this was a very disturbing and compelling read that may not be for everyone but I'm sure I will continue with this series. I would also recommend Hayder's The Devil of Nanking that I read last year.

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