The first message sent to Tom Thorne's phone was just a picture - the blurred image of a man's face, but Thorne had seen enough dead bodies to know that the man was no longer alive. But who was he? Who sent the photograph? And why? While the technical experts attempt to trace the sender, Thorne searches the bulletins for a reported death that matches the photograph. Then another picture arrives. Another dead man... It is the identities of the murdered men which give Thorne his first clue, a link to a dangerous killer he'd put away years before. Now Tom Thorne must face one of the toughest challenges of his career, knowing that there is no killer more dangerous than one who has nothing left to lose...
--This text refers to the
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edition.
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Review
Assured and shocking thriller. --The Guardian
Right up there with this country's dark masters such as Ian Rankin and Val McDermid. --Time Out
A brisk, racy read. --The Times --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Right up there with this country's dark masters such as Ian Rankin and Val McDermid. --Time Out
A brisk, racy read. --The Times --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Book Description
The new Tom Thorne novel from Britain's fastest selling crime writer.
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Mark Billingham is a first class writer of police procedurals and this latest does not disappoint. With DI Tom Thorne receiving text messages showing pictures of dead bodies or videos of those about to be killed, the race is on to catch the protagonist. We know who dunnit fairly early on, and the story revolves around how he is caught. There are enough twists and turns to make the plot interesting, and the private lives of the key players keep the book even more interesting. I found this to be an excellent read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys UK crime books. This demonstrates it at its best.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Jeff
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
I have to disagree with many of these reviews. I've read all Billingham's books [in the right order, which is important] and this is quite possibly the best yet. Not in the least bit slow, nor are the others - I really cannot believe that! He is one of the very few current crime writers whose form hasn't taken a nosedive. This one is highly recommended!
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By J.Flood
Format:Paperback
In Death Message, DI Tom Thorne receives a photo message, on his mobile phone. It is a picture of a person's head, and Thorne quickly figures out, that this person is dead. Soon, more messages are being sent, and as the bodies start to pile up, Thorne and his colleagues are desperately trying to find a link between the killings.
I found this book a pretty good read. As always, the characters of Tom Thorne, and his colleagues come across as quite realistic, and believable. The plot is interesting, if not quite page turning, as we learn who the killer is quite early on. However, there is still 'whodunnit' elements to other parts of the story, so this is not a problem.
Overall, I find the the DI Tom Thorne series of books quite enjoyable, my only gripe being that there is a bit of 'sameness' about them. I would rank this book 'middle of the pack' in comparison with other books in the series.
I found this book a pretty good read. As always, the characters of Tom Thorne, and his colleagues come across as quite realistic, and believable. The plot is interesting, if not quite page turning, as we learn who the killer is quite early on. However, there is still 'whodunnit' elements to other parts of the story, so this is not a problem.
Overall, I find the the DI Tom Thorne series of books quite enjoyable, my only gripe being that there is a bit of 'sameness' about them. I would rank this book 'middle of the pack' in comparison with other books in the series.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Lady Geek
Format:Hardcover
Having discovered the "crime" genre within the last couple of years, and as a vociferous reader, I quickly grew bored with predictable thrillers and 2D characters and then I discovered Thorne.
From Sleepyhead, and realising that there were still authors who could surprise, I was hooked. Seven books later and there seems to be no let up in the quality and consistency of these books. Each works as a stand-alone crime thriller, but as part of a series, like the previous reviewer, I'm left wanting more and can only expect you will be too!
Can't wait for the next Billingham novel even if Tom Thorne is only a cameo.
From Sleepyhead, and realising that there were still authors who could surprise, I was hooked. Seven books later and there seems to be no let up in the quality and consistency of these books. Each works as a stand-alone crime thriller, but as part of a series, like the previous reviewer, I'm left wanting more and can only expect you will be too!
Can't wait for the next Billingham novel even if Tom Thorne is only a cameo.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By D. E. Jager
Format:Paperback
This book is about horrible murders happening and the killer sending DI Thorne the pictures of it on his mobile. The motives behind the murders are so much different and you can almost feel sympathy for the murderer. I also had to laugh a good couple of times, due to the witty dialoge between Thorne and Hendricks, and Porter.
Written in a spell-binding way, this book I could not put down.
I do recommend you read this book in the right order with the other Tom Thorne books by Billiingham, as some re-knowledge will enhance your reading pleasure and understanding of plot unfolding.
Written in a spell-binding way, this book I could not put down.
I do recommend you read this book in the right order with the other Tom Thorne books by Billiingham, as some re-knowledge will enhance your reading pleasure and understanding of plot unfolding.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Fitzcarraldo
Format:Hardcover
Mark Billingham is the only author whose new books i look forward to as much as i used to anticipate a new Clash or Jam album! He's that good.
I suggest buying the other 6 featuring Tom Thorne together with this and working your way through them before reading Death Message, it will help fill in the time before the next installment and you won't be dissapointed.
I'd like to think that Thorne will have branched out slightly in his musical tastes by the next book and is giving the wonderful Josh Ritter and Band Of Horses a listen, otherwise more of the same please!
I suggest buying the other 6 featuring Tom Thorne together with this and working your way through them before reading Death Message, it will help fill in the time before the next installment and you won't be dissapointed.
I'd like to think that Thorne will have branched out slightly in his musical tastes by the next book and is giving the wonderful Josh Ritter and Band Of Horses a listen, otherwise more of the same please!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Tom Thorne is back and so are a few ghosts from his past. I am a huge fans of the series and this one is up there with the best. I thoroughly enjoyed this book - it kept me gripped to the last page. Mark Billingham is such a skilled writer and his characters are well drawn and believable. The dialogue is always razor-sharp. Read this as a standalone novel but I would urge you to start at the beginning and get to know Tom Thorne and company thoroughly. You won't be disappointed. He's a wonderful creation - I hope the forthcoming TV series does him justice!
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By gherkingirl
Format:Hardcover
I've been a big fan of Billingham since the very start but I definitely found he and Thorne took a bit of a wobble somewhere around The Burning Girl and stumbled a bit...but they're back and better than ever with Death Message!
It draws heavily on the events of The Burning Girl and helps smooth out some of the problems it caused for Thorne (and Billingham!) and kind of made me make my peace with ti as the weakest of the series. Its brave to go back to it and neaten it up a bit...
Death Message is sharp and extremely funny in places. Thorne is back on top form, the plot moves along well (Billingham really excels at a serial killer!) and some of the other supporting characters get a bit more of a look in which moves things along nicely and stops staleness.
Thorne is becoming so good he isn't just a replacement for Rebus, he's a serious rival...
It draws heavily on the events of The Burning Girl and helps smooth out some of the problems it caused for Thorne (and Billingham!) and kind of made me make my peace with ti as the weakest of the series. Its brave to go back to it and neaten it up a bit...
Death Message is sharp and extremely funny in places. Thorne is back on top form, the plot moves along well (Billingham really excels at a serial killer!) and some of the other supporting characters get a bit more of a look in which moves things along nicely and stops staleness.
Thorne is becoming so good he isn't just a replacement for Rebus, he's a serious rival...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mark Billingham at his best
This is another thriller about D I Tom Thorne. I really enjoyed reading this because the plot is different to more run of the mill murder novels. Read more
Published 10 days ago by P. Gresham
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best DI Thorne books
A real page-turner by a great crime writer. DI Thorne is a flawed ie normal person and very good policeman
Published 23 days ago by j
4.0 out of 5 stars
Death Message
Thoroughly enjoyable, good twists and turns, it kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end.
Thorne is great !
Thorne is great !
Published 1 month ago by REBECCA DOWNING
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
Always guaranteed a good read with any Mark Billingham novel, and this was gooooood. looking forward to my next read.
Published 2 months ago by David Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
death message
Couldn't put it down - I have not read Mark Billingham before a friend lent a book to me and then I bought 8 in one go and read the lot. Great read - thanks Mark
Published 5 months ago by Mary
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fast moving.
I have read a couple of Thorne books before and as usual they are fast moving and gritty.
Looking forward to reading some more.
Looking forward to reading some more.
Published 5 months ago by Steve Withers
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant
As a very big mark billingham fan this book didnt dissapoint, its a frill ride from start to finish love this book bring on the next one!!!
Published 8 months ago by crazy chick
3.0 out of 5 stars
Tom Thorne novels
Read all of Mark Billinghams books, I prefer to read in sequence as the characters develop. Have enjoyed all previous books in this series but found Death Message not nearly as... Read more
Published 8 months ago by RETIRED AND READING
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb
This was an extremely good novel, Mark Billingham once again keeps you holding on right to the end, great read.
Would recommend
Would recommend
Published 14 months ago by Lindy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant from page one
I bought this for my girlfriend and read it after she raved about it. I can see why. Right from the start the story pulled me in and I thought the dialogue was very real and... Read more
Published 14 months ago by CPH
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