Review
'This thriller was so gripping it had me holding my breath as I turned the pages... the plot has plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing right up to the final chapter and the graphic descriptions made it difficult to tear myself away.' (
ESSENTIALS - Bookclub )
''The atmosphere is menacing but don't be put off if you're squeamish - this intelligent read isn't a gore-fest.****' (
SHE )
'Ellory is skilled at cinematic narratives [and] this novel brandishes his filmic consciousness... It's a cliche to praise a crime novel for its adroit marshalling of suspense, but there is no choice here: with The Anniversary Man, that's the signal achievement.' (
INDEPENDENT )
'This is a thriller that will have you dreading the horrors and surprises waiting in the next chapter' (
WATERSTONES BOOKS QUARTERLY )
'From the man who is incapable of writing a poor book, this is the serial killer novel to end all serial killer novels... Again, R J Ellory has given us a read that tempts the senses, engages the emotions and tickles the intellect. What can I say, but it's a sure-fire winner and deserves to be on every award list going.' (
CRIMESQUAD )
'Let's cut to the chase. This is quite simply one of the best cop thrillers you'll read this year. Or any year. It's an achievement that parks Ellory's wagon on the driveway of Michael Connelly the finest American exponent of the genre, and no higher praise can I give... Brilliant' (
PETERBOROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH )
'Delightfully elegiac' (
MORNING STAR )
'Clever and well written, and as scary as a book on such a subject should be.' (
LITERARY REVIEW )
Product Description
Twenty years ago John Costello's life, as he knew it, ended. He and his beautiful girlfriend, Nadia, became victims of the deranged 'Hammer of God' killer who terrorised New Jersey City throughout the summer of 1984. This murderer went after young courting couples in an attempt to 'save their souls'. Nadia was killed by the first blow of the hammer. John survived, but was physically and psychologically scarred to an extent that few people could comprehend. He withdrew from society, hid in his apartment and now only emerges to work as a crime researcher for a major newspaper. Damaged he may be, but no one in New Jersey knows more about serial killers than John Costello. So, when a new spate of murders starts - all seemingly random and unrelated - John is the only one who can discern the complex pattern that lies behind them. But could this dark knowledge be about to threaten his life?