Birdman

By Mo Hayder
Crime

My Review

DI Jack Caffery investigates the horrific murders of five young women whose bodies are discovered on wasteland near London's Millennium Dome. Driven and focused, Caffery makes full use of forensics at his disposal to lead him to the killer. But just as the net closes in, a shocking discovery turns the case on its head. Caffery must act quickly to prevent yet more bloodshed and death. . .

Fast-paced and gripping, this book races along at 100mph and is an excellent read. Descriptions of drug use, sexual perversion, torture and murder are extremely graphic so a strong stomach is needed. There are plenty of unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader fully engaged but what hits hardest is the dark place you're transported to — the grim world of addiction and the drug-addled.

Mo Hayder's writing is fantastic and the images she conjures up are powerful. Although profoundly disturbing, it's compulsive reading. I highly recommend it.   

Book Source: Purchased copy

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Paperback: 400 pages

Publisher: First published in 2000 by Bantam Press

ISBN-13: 978-0553820461

The Blurb

Detective Inspector Jack Caffery - young, driven, unshockable - is called to one of the most gruesome crime scenes he has ever seen. Five young women have been ritualistically murdered and dumped on wasteland near the Dome. Subsequent post-mortems reveal a singular, horrific signature linking the victims.

Soon Caffery realises that he is on the trail of that most dangerous offender: a serial killer. Beset by animosity within the police force, haunted by the memory of a very personal death long ago, Caffery employs every weapon forensic science can offer to hunt him down.

Because he knows that it is only a matter of time before this sadistic killer strikes again...

The Author

Mo Hayder has written some of the most terrifying crime thrillers you will ever read. Her first novel, Birdman, was hailed as a 'first-class shocker' by the Guardian and her follow-up, The Treatment was voted by the Times one of 'the top ten most scary thrillers ever written'. Mo's books are 100% authentic, drawing on her long research association with several UK police forces and on her personal encounters with criminals and prostitutes. She left school at 15 and has worked as a barmaid, security guard, English teacher, and even a hostess in a Tokyo club.

She has an MA in film making from the American University in Washington DC and an MA in creative writing from Bath Spa University. She now lives in England's West Country and is a full-time writer.

Author Links:

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