I first would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing this book.

I read John Nicholl’s first book, White is the Coldest Color and really enjoyed it. Portraits of the Dead is quite a bit different. It was very intense and I am glad that I read it. With that said, I have to admit that I really did not enjoy this book nearly as much as “White.” I had a hard time relating or connecting with the characters. But, this may just be me, or not.
The book begins in 1998 with Emma turning up missing in Wales. Her mother, Anne Jones, turns to the police to report her missing. Initially, the police are thinking that the 19-year old just ran off, perhaps with a boy. However, this is not the case. Emma has been kidnapped by a creep who is looking for the perfect mate. Emma Jones is the sixth kidnapping, Venus 6, by The Master. He is looking for the perfect mate who will bough to his every whim and demand. Emma has potential. She just may be the one. (Yuk!)
The inspectors assigned the case are DI Gareth “Grav” Gavel and DS Clive Rankin. After convincing themselves that this is indeed a real kidnapping, Gravel and Rankin plunge fully into the missing Emma Jones. They know full well that time may be short for Emma, and they must find her quickly.
Eventually, five graves are uncovered. This greatly amps up the case as Emma may be the sixth grave to be found. The ending is thrilling and suspenseful. It was the strongest part of “Portraits of the Dead” IMHO.
I believe that if a reader is into this type of thriller, then they will enjoy the book a lot. It is a fast and intense read. Maybe it just wasn’t for me. Still, I liked the book enough to give it 3-stars.

Unfortunately this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention. I am sure other people will love it!

I've had this book for years, I still haven't, unfortunately, got to it, so this is a placeholder review to reduce my shelf for my own sanity, but will replace this if I have a bought a copy of this book

I tried really hard to get into this book, unfortunately I was unsuccessful. I re-started the book a few times but couldn't get on with it and then it archived and I couldn't access it anymore.

I have read this book for a second time and loved it still! John Nicholl has excelled again! In fact, this is my favorite book by him so far and I have really enjoyed all of them. I think John's writing just gets better and better and this book had me riveted all through the night until the very last word. Whether you have read John's previous great books or not, it doesn't matter - you will want this one on your to-read list!

Thrilling story with a plot that kept me turning the pages, really well written with great characters. Highly recommend to everyone who is a fan of this genre.

This was another solid novel by a talented author. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone need a good read.

That ending was so good, I didnt see it coming, I love books like this. This book needs for hype. You outdid your self.

This book was the stuff of utterly terrifying nightmares- the thought of a masked intruder in your room watching you sleep while you believe you are safe makes the hairs stand up on my neck eeek!! I love a good gripping and creepy thriller and this did not disappoint and delivered all my expectations I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Emma, an attractive university student is kidnapped and tortured by someone wearing a clown’s mask. The cover was fantastic, really creepy and I loved it. I quite liked the book, despite the over descriptive bits but that ending lost it some stars. I hated it, so rushed, unsatisfying with questions left unanswered and made me wish I’d chosen something else to read - sorry!

this started strong and I was really excited but...it lost me. There tended to be lots of irrelevant passages that just didn't seem to fit in with the story. There were a lot of plot holes.

Portraits of the Dead was a crazy, manipulative ride through the mind of a victim and a killer. A woman is kidnapped and wakes up to find herself in a room with no windows and a steel door. The only communication she has is with a man who talks through a speaker and shines a bright light in her face. When he delivers food to her door, he wears a scary clown mask. While this book dragged a little in a few places, and some of the interactions with the detective and police officers did not seem all that plausible, it was still a fun ride. And the ending shocked me in a good way!

WOW! If you like spooky, creepy thrillers this book is for you. This is the perfect book to read around Halloween. It has the creep factor! This book keeps you captivated from the first chapters till the great ending. You will not be disappointed with this great thriller!

Item was archived before I could review it. I was looking forward to reading it. I suppose I will have to buy it. I am new to this and was not really aware that archival dates meant that the book could no longer be accessed. Will be more aware in the future.

19 year old Emma Jones is reported missing by her mother. Emma is a student at Cardiff University and is living in a shared house nearby. Detective Inspector Gareth Gravel of West Wales Police is on the case to find Emma, in case she is in danger.

Portraits Of The Dead is told from 4 points of view. Detective Inspector Gareth Gravel, Detective Sergeant Rankin, Emma Jones - the victim and the bad guy. I liked how the story was told from multiple points of view.

I thought Portraits Of The Dead got off to a very good and creepy start. The tension was there and I feared that Emma may not get out of this story alive. However, as this story progressed, my enjoyment slowly and steadily dwindled.

Frustrations began to rise as I progressed through this novel. The police find that Emma has left her flash new phone behind in her shared student house. This gives the story a contemporary feel but then the dates are woven into the plot. May 1998 - but why? These modern fancy, flash smartphones were not around in 1998, which is a problem and I think that new books should be set in the current day. Who would want to buy a new book that is set 20 years ago? Okay, making his story 20 years old allows John Nicholl to ignore smartphones and social media but he could so easily have claimed that Emma chose to be off the grid.

Another problem I had was the use of the fictitious town of Caerystwyth where the police station is that DI Gareth Gravel worked from. The rest of the book included the real locations of Cardiff and real places in Carmarthenshire like Ferryside, Llanelli and Llansteffan. However, Caerystwyth Wood, Trinity Fields, Jobe’s Well Road and Castle Lane, Llansteffan are all fictitious and do not exist. This was very frustrating for me as I have lived in Cardiff since 1991 and for our holidays we rent a Sea View Chalet at the Carmarthen Bay Holiday Resort, near Kidwelly. I love walking my dog along the Gwendraeth and pottering all around Carmarthenshire. I could imagine the scene of Caerystwyth Wood actually taking place at Penybedd Wood, which is a lovely short stroll for Charlie the Pug. Why of why did John Nicholl not use real locations to add value to his novel? It is so blindingly obvious that Caerystwyth should be Carmarthen. It is as obvious as reading Heddlu and straightaway knowing the Welsh organisation involved - and I was born in England.

I thought the characterisation within Portraits Of The Dead was fair. I thought the plot was okay. I did like the explanation of the bad guy’s motives from his point of view. However, I feel this novel does drag on a little and there is nothing special about it.

At the end I felt a little cheated, crime thrillers are generally solved by the police but not this one. The ending did make me smile though!

I thought Portraits Of The Dead was an okay, 3 star read. It passes the time but I could not recommend it to anyone. This is the first of a proposed series but I shall not be bothering if John Nicholl writes another book.

I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm on the fence with this novel. On one hand, it had an interesting premise from the viewpoints of all parties, cops, serial killer, and victim included. It was dark and gritty which I enjoyed, and the ending left me feeling satisfied.
Now for the other hand, the criticism. The characters felt robotic, and sometimes their story lines and dialogue felt cheesy and shallow. I didn't feel particularly attached to any of them and I kind of felt Grav, the lead detective and Rankin were idiots.
I'd give this author another shot because this novel wasn't bad, it was just ok.

I absolutely loved this book, fantastic story telling, creepy as you like. The Mum was brilliant. The ick factor made me cringe at times. Then the last couple of chapters happened. If I had read this in paperback, I would have thrown it against the wall. If I was not the nice person I am, I would have knocked 3 stars off.

I was not aware of author John Nicholl prior to reading this book but was intrigued by the book description. To be honest I follow that many book series that the last thing I really wanted was to add another one. But after enjoying this opening novel to the DI Gravel series I have already read another and looking for more. I really enjoyed this book and I took to both the characters and the writing style of the author.
The lead character Detective Inspector Gravel is investigating the abduction and imprisonment of a local nineteen-year-old university student Emma Jones. She is taken by a sadistic serial killer, who has already tortured and killed at least five young women.
This is quite a dark subject and some might find it a little disturbing, but I found the book very well written and was left eager to read more books not only in this series but by the author himself. John Nicholl is an ex police officer, child protection social worker and lecturer and it is clear from his writing that he has experience and in-depth knowledge of his subject.
I am now aware of author John Nicholl and plan to read more of his books.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bloodhound books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

My Review: 5/5

This this the third book I’ve read by John Nicholl and it certainly won’t be my last.

From the first page I was immediately hooked to this serial killer thriller. Emma wakes to find herself in a windowless, steel door room…completely alone. Soon she is introduced to the scariest terror: her abductor.

The story is chilling and describes the fears perfectly of probably every woman. The author paints the terrifying scenario with the utmost description and realism that I felt I was in the room with Emma. Mr. Nicholl has a way of inventing ‘bad guys’ that is horrifying! He doesn’t pull punches, and is raw and intense.

Although I loved the book, it is not for the weak of heart. It is descriptive and graphic taking you places that are unimaginable. But that is what I absolutely love about this book and the author. Like I mentioned above, John Nicholl is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read his next masterpiece!!

Oh where to start, this book was phenomenal. At times the dark depraved nature of the perpetrator was hard to stomach, but I am so glad I persevered. There were twists galore and I held my breath on more than one occasion wondering what would happen next. A thoroughly good read and I will be reading more by this author.