The story of Matt, a man whose wife was killed and who therefore logically decides that he should travel the world murdering other women.

This has graphic descriptions of violence, multiple murder, and a serial killer lead character, which makes me wonder why it left me feeling bored. Part of the problem is that the characters don’t hold the interest. With other serial killer leads, these always something distinct to hold the attention: Hannibal Lector is not likeable but is fascinating, Dexter has a code of honour/code of Harry. Here, the main character only survives because the opponents – who I have a lot more sympathy with – are unbelievably stupid. There’s a charming naivity in the author’s definition of torture – hammers, fists, and a walkman – and as a horror reader, it left me completely unmoved. Arthur Hailey has written more disturbing torture scenes – and he doesn’t write horror!

There’s no real character growth. Although the lead’s background is revealed it is very much through exposition rather than action, and the “hero’s” epiphany of how sick he is is completely undermined because he keeps doing exactly the same thing – killing people horribly – after it as he did before. To state the largest plot-hole in the book would also be a major spoiler, but when a plot could be derailed if anyone involved had read the evil overlord rules, it does lessen the book.

I’m not honestly sure who this will appeal to. Slasher aficionados will find it tame, and there really isn’t any psychological horror. There’s also not a lot here for action and thriller fans. I’m left with an impression of something that is rather bland, and a little average, and though it is part of a series I won’t be reading the rest.