He’s watching, waiting… and counting. The next gripping serial killer read in the DC ‘Charlie’ Stafford series, from the bestselling author of Mummy’s Favourite. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons.
He keeps each one floating in formaldehyde to stop them from rotting. Each finger denotes a victim, tortured and butchered, their heart ripped out and discarded, replaced instead by symbols of their treachery. He sits alone admiring his trophies weekly; each and everyone of them guilty in his eyes. And now more must pay.
But who or what links the victims?
DC ‘Charlie’ Stafford is already investigating a series of escalating racist attacks and it now seems she has a vicious serial killer on her patch. With no leads and time running out, the team at Lambeth are at near breaking point.
Something has to give… and all the while he’s watching, waiting… and counting.
What does TWG think?
New author to add to my collection as well as a new female DC protagonist, not bad going really is it?! ‘The Trophy Taker’ is the second book in the DC Stafford series and it can be read as a standalone. The first book in the series, ‘Mummy’s Favourite’ doesn’t NEED to be read before you begin this book, but if you want to read it first then by all means knock yourself out (not literally please!).
What an opening! The prologue truly set the scene for the rest of the storyline with its vivid and rather gruesome descriptions of the killers antics, and whilst it made me stomach churn my curiosity won the fight. However, nothing could ever have prepared me for the rest of the storyline.
Whilst I don’t have much experience in crime thrillers, the investigations described in this novel were extremely eventful and very high energy, which gave the storyline momentum. The storyline didn’t seem to be lacking in horrific circumstances at all which is obviously what needed to happen at that moment, however, I found that several parts of the storyline went over my line of comfort. It’s nothing against the author by the way, as she has fulfilled her mission in being able to get a reaction out of me with her words alone. And yes, even though I found parts of the book to be rather uncomfortable, the entire storyline was really well written.
There were also many moments where I struggled to differentiate between reality and fiction, as Sarah Flint gorey and realistic descriptions managed to make her book come to life, as well as being able to stand out from the crowd.
It’s clear that Sarah Flint knows her stuff due to her own policing background, which luckily for us, she has been able to bring her knowledge back to life in such a memorable and dynamic way.
Police procedural/crime thriller novels and I, will never be the best of friends as I am too much of a wuss. However, whether this genre is my favourite or not, the true star of the novel is Sarah Flint herself and her intriguing, gritty and genius style of writing.
Sarah Flint is an exceptional author who certainly knows how to captivate her readers with her intense storylines and edgy characters; this book really did keep me on my toes.
Thanks Aria & Netgalley.
There are other stops on the blog tour to keep your thriller radars at bay, make sure you take a peek at the stops! All the details are below:
The Writing Garnet 
I am always looking for new crime fiction so thanks!
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Ha I didn’t find this book so gorey 😉 but then I’m used to a thing or two. She’s a new author to me too but definitely one that can be added, her writing was wonderful and she’s come up with a great storyline. Fab review darling!
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Hahah sounds ominous 😉 awww thanks lovely xx
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“but if you want to read it first then by all means knock yourself out (not literally please!).” and this is why I love you, hahahaha! This book sounds right up my alley! I’m a wuss too but somehow I can manage all crimes but can’t touch anything supernatural or horror!
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Hahahah!!! I love you too!! What’s the goriest crime book you’ve read? Supernatural books I cannot get my head round at all xxxxx
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Hmmmm, I think I’m not over the first killing in Will to Live, the details made me queasy! As for the goriest… I think my memory blocked it xD xxx
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Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog and commented:
Check out the book, The Trophy Taker, by Sarah Flint, on The Writing Garnet blog.
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