I don't know what it is about a good serial killer novel that is extremely satisfying. It really shouldn't be, these tales go into the darkest part of the soul. And this book opens with a dark bang, your in your home and to find an unwanted evil there goes straight to the heart. The fact that evil is often quashed in these books, if a good feeling, the knight slaying the dragon. But what I really liked about this book, it's first half is a brilliant horror novel. It's terrifying, disturbing, and graphic. You do not want to meet those two un-subs in a dark alley. Though, Black or Glen Duncan (or the werewolf guy as we refer to him at work) takes care with his characters, as in non of them are just kill fodder, you are never waiting for someone to be disembowelled, even the most minor of characters.

Though, the second half does turn into a normal procedural, this I admit is an odd criticism because the narrative begs for the more fast paced procedure element. Your reading will change with the style of the novel the first half you read slowly, switching from subconscious to subconscious, enjoying tasty morsels of metaphors and descriptions, all ramping up the tension. But as soon as the procedure begins you speed you, skimming over unusual words to get to the plot, which is moving faster and faster.

Because of that, this is an unusual thriller that deserves a second read, a little like Silence of the Lambs which it strong evokes because it is not just a who done it mystery, it is a strong character novel, even if you know where it will ultimately lead.

I think there was too much going on at the same time here. It was strangely paced and because Black is trying to do so much, every detail that is focused on is important, which makes it very predictable. There was perhaps far too much violence detail and I was never truly "creeped" out. It's a pity because the characters were generally good and the book was exciting.