Ragdoll Book Review @duffythewriter

Ragdoll was originally a screenplay, adapted into this crazy, dark, tense thriller.  It is not for the faint of heart.

Detective William Fawkes, known as ‘Wolf’ to his colleagues, has had a rough old time.  Four years before the Ragdoll murderer came on the scene, he was assigned to investigate a horrific spree of violent murders. Young women and girls were set alight, and the serial killer was dubbed the ‘cremation killer’ in the press. Naguib Khaled is caught and put on trial, Wolf is convinced that he has the right guy, but Naguib is acquitted. Wolf loses it in the courtroom at the Old Bailey and attacks Naguib with blind rage and fury.

In a cruel twist, Wolf is sent to St Annes Mental Hospital after suffering a complete breakdown, while Naguib is set free, only to be caught a short time later watching another body burn. Wolf is vindicated and resumes his job as Detective.  A Detective now divorced from his journalist wife Andrea, broken, with the media weighing heavy on his shoulder watching his every move.

A body is discovered in a flat in London. Hanging in a window for all to see. The grotesque body is hanging in pose set by the killer. On closer inspection, this is not one body, but six victims who have been sewn together to create a macabre ‘Ragdoll’. Who were these poor victims and why were they chosen?

An anonymous note arrives at Andrea’s office. Six names with dates. Are these the next victims of the serial killer? And why is Wolf’s name last on the list?

My thoughts on Ragdoll

This is an unsettling read in places, spattered with smart, but dark, police humour. If you have a delicate constitution, give this book a swerve.  Cole delivers a complex thriller with a plotline you need to keep up with which is no mean feat for a first novel.  There almost seems to be too much going on, and inevitably pieces of information are left behind. Where did the killer murder his victims, how did they die? What happened to the rest of their bodies? What is Baxter’s (Wolf’s partner) back story?  Why is she such a total cow!

Overall Ragdoll was a crazy-ass, fun read, which kept me guessing throughout.  It can get a little raw though, so be warned!

Looking forward to the rest of the series with these characters to satisfy my questions!

3 stars – Read if you enjoyed DexterShutter Island and Love Murder.

Buy Ragdoll at Booktopia today!

The Book Synopsis

A pulse-pounding, gripping police procedural with the pace of a thriller. The beginning of an exciting new series starring detectives Wolf and Baxter.
The nation is gripped by the infamous ‘Ragdoll Killer’

Your friends, your family, and your neighbours are all talking about it.

‘…utterly addictive with brilliant characters and a killer twist you will never see coming – the best debut I’ve ever read.’ Rachel Abbott, No. 1 bestselling author

‘A star is born. Killer plot. Killer pace. Twisted killer and a killer twist. Kill to get a copy.’ Simon Toyne, Sunday Times bestselling author

‘A brilliant, breathless thriller. If you liked Se7en, you’ll love this!’ M.J. Arlidge, Sunday Times bestselling author

Believe the hype. Sold in over 32 countries and counting, RAGDOLL is the standout thriller of the year.

A body is discovered with the dismembered parts of six victims stitched together like a puppet, nicknamed by the press as the ‘ragdoll’.

Assigned to the shocking case are Detective William ‘Wolf’ Fawkes, recently reinstated to the London Met, and his former partner Detective Emily Baxter.

The ‘Ragdoll Killer’ taunts the police by releasing a list of names to the media, and the dates on which he intends to murder them.

With six people to save, can Fawkes and Baxter catch a killer when the world is watching their every move?