Last year I stumbled upon Just One Bite by Jack Heath. That story about a cannibal turned FBI investigator was one of the most inventive and downright fun thrillers I read all year. It found a way to make me root for its serial killer with a strange moral compass Timothy Blake. Think a cross between Dexter and Hannibal Lecter and you'd have Blake. Add to it the fact that the mystery was downright addictive, and you have yourself the kind of page-turner that requires copious amounts of coffee and very little sleep! It wasn't until I finished the book that I realized it was actually a sequel. Never one to shy away from reading yet another book, I quickly added the original novel to my TBR list, and here we are today.Hangman is an origin story of sorts. We learn of Blake's abusive childhood and how he came into some trouble with the law. Despite his troubles, Blake is super smart and has a photographic memory. A mind like that is a terrible thing to waste, so the authorities offer him a unique arrangement, one that will satisfy his mental curiosity and a primal hunger that he simply can't ignore. They put Blake to work as a consultant for the FBI. He mostly helps solve missing person cases. In exchange, he gets his pick of the freshly executed criminals from Huntsville Prison's death row.
When a 14-year-old kid disappears, Blake is brought in to investigate. He is used to working alone. I guess even the FBI is a bit wary of someone who eats people. But this case is different. He is paired with agent Reese Thistle, a take-no-prisoners kind of woman who is immediately bitter at the idea of working with a civilian. Blake isn't very enthused either. His hunger can overtake his better judgment sometimes, and the temptation sitting next to him is not going to help matters. Things in the case escalate in the twisted way you'd expect from a book like this. The two unlikely partners will have to rely on each other and deal with their own personal demons if they want to make it out of this alive.
Hangman is another great read from Jack Heath. After loving the sequel so much, I was worried that this first novel might not deliver the same thrill. I'm so happy that I was wrong! Take away the richly complex character for a moment, and let's talk about that plot. Heath has the ability to weave the twists and suspense like none other. I was glued to the story from start to finish. In Timothy Blake, Heath crafts a character that is reprehensible but also endearing. Yes, he eats people, but he's also this layered human who is dealing with the traumas of his past while also trying to better himself and the lives of the people he investigates. If you're going to root for a cannibal, you could do a lot worse than Timothy Blake. It should be a given that the subject matter might be difficult for some people to read, so if you're squeamish this might not be the one for you. I can't say enough great things about this book or this series. I really hope Heath is working on a third.
For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2019, 38)
I've never heard of this author but I'm adding his books to my want to read list just because of the interesting complexity of his main character. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't recommend this series highly enough. Both books were absolutely fantastic!
DeleteOK, the entire subject matter is... *shudders.* They *select* an *exucted prisoner* for him to *eat* - wtaf?!?! So probs not one for me!
ReplyDeleteHahah this definitely won't be for everyone!
Delete*executed - my spelling game was way off last night! Lol
DeleteIt happens to the best of us.
DeleteOh I need to check this one out. Great review!
ReplyDeleteBoth novels are fantastic!
DeleteWhile I find the plot quite an interesting one (I loved Dexter, more so in the first couple seasons), I will have to pass on this set. I can do thrillers, but not ones that involve cannibals. And how does he get to select an executed prisoner? Is it only from those whose bodies were never claimed by any relatives? This whole comment has me nearly throwing up in my mouth, you don't have to answer that question!
ReplyDeleteThis one is definitely not going to be for everyone lol
DeleteAgreed, 100%. I almost didn't even come back to this post read your reply! Thanks for not grossing me out :)
DeleteI've got some more reviews this week that I think will be more your style!
DeleteYay!! I will gladly look at any that are not by James Patterson or about cannibals!
DeleteI think you're going to want to read Sea Wife! My review will be up soon!
DeleteIf I see the word Dexter somewhere I'm intrigued right away, I loved the TV Show. I should check this out ... #addingtoTBR , never ending TBR xD
ReplyDeleteI think you'd really enjoy this one!
DeleteOkay that is def different and not something I have read before, a cannibal turned FBI investigator? :D I can see how that might keep you flipping through the pages. Will look this one up on GR
ReplyDeleteBoth books were really fun!
DeleteThat's really interesting (and a sign of a good author) that you loved the sequel without even knowing it was one and that you could go back and still be so enthralled and surprised by the first book.
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
I agree. I'm really hoping the books get enough traction here in the States for them to publish the third!
DeleteThis sounds fantastic, Ethan! I was about halfway through your review when I started checking both of the libraries that I use for a copy. No luck there so I think I will just have to buy a copy. I just can't resist a cannibal turned FBI investigator! Great review!
ReplyDeleteThey are both great books. Thanks for buying the copies too. The author told me he has a third book written, but sales of the first two will impact whether or not it gets published in the US.
DeleteEthan, Thanks for the introduction to this author. I'm excited. Happy Sunday.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy his writing as much as I have!
DeleteThat sounds like it would be so good.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd like this one!
DeleteA cannibalistic FBI consultant... I just can't look away so I guess I'd better add it to the list. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was so crazy!
DeleteA cannibal FBI investigator. Wow! That is pretty original, and it sounds like the author didn't magically cure the man of his cannibalism either. I sort like the idea, that he has the character dealing with that, while trying to stay on the right side of things. That's great that the first book was equally as good as the sequel.
ReplyDeleteThere's a good struggle for doing the right thing within the character. I love that he wasn't black and white.
DeleteOkay, this is such a fantastic premise for a character. Can't say I've read about a cannibal before. Glad to hear you liked the first book as much as the second! Sounds great.
ReplyDelete-lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
He was such a unique and complex character. I highly recommend these books!
DeleteTimothy is like no character I've read before and I don't think I will ever forget this character lol! I sometimes don't know if I should be enjoying this as mcuh as I am, but that's a testament to Heath's writing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to read that you love him too! Now I don't feel like such a crazy person lol
DeleteWow, that's an original concept! I'm wondering what led him to cannibalism in the first place, and is he really that addicted that he can't live without it? I can't imagine human meat tastes that different from other meat, lol. This does sound like a great mystery/thriller. If they have an audio I'd "read" it.
ReplyDeleteI never thought about the taste aspect lol. I listened to the second novel on audio, so I'm sure there is an audio version of this one!
DeleteThis sounds like a fascinating read! I love watching mystery-crime T.V. shows, and Timothy Blake is an intriguing character. Adding this to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteThis one is well worth a read. Go ahead and add the sequel to your TBR too!
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