3.5
Scaredy Cat
ByPublisher Description
It was a vicious, calculated murder. The killer selected his victim at London's Euston station, followed her home on the tube, strangled her to death in front of her child. At the same time, killed in the same way, a second body is discovered at the back of King's Cross station. It is a grisly coincidence that eerily echoes the murders of two other women, stabbed to death months before on the same day.
DI Tom Thorne sees the link and comes to a horrifying conclusion. This is not a serial killer that the police are up against—this is two of them. Finding the body used to be the worst part of the job, but not any more. Now each time a body is found, Thorne knows that somewhere out there is a second victim waiting to be discovered. But while the killers' methods might be the same, their manner is strikingly different. Thorne comes to realize that he is hunting very different people—one ruthless and in control, the other submissive, compliant, terrified.
Thorne must catch a man whose need to manipulate is as great as his need to kill. A man who will threaten those closest to Thorne himself and show him that the ability to inspire terror is the deadliest weapon of all . . .
"One of the most consistently entertaining, insightful crime writers working today." —Gillian Flynn, author of
"Mark Billingham is one of my favorite new writers." —Harlan Coben, bestselling author of
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3.5
Ania
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Beverley Smith
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Matt
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“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Scaredy Cat is a gripping, intelligent, and deeply chilling crime novel that cements Mark Billingham as one of the best in the genre. This second outing for DI Tom Thorne isn’t just a great follow-up to Sleepyhead — it’s even stronger, pushing the boundaries of the psychological thriller with a premise that’s as original as it is terrifying.
The story centres around a series of seemingly random, brutal murders — but Thorne suspects there’s something far more sinister beneath the surface. His theory? That these killings aren’t the work of a single killer, but two murderers working together — one dominant, one submissive, each manipulating the other. The idea of tandem killers is both fascinating and horrifying, and Billingham explores it with expert precision.
As Thorne digs deeper, the investigation takes him down increasingly dark and twisted paths — not just into the minds of the killers, but into his own past and personal fears. There’s a real sense of psychological weight in the story; this isn’t just about solving a puzzle, but confronting the very nature of fear, control, and the human capacity for violence.
Billingham’s writing is sharp, lean, and filled with tension. The procedural elements are authentic and well-paced, while the emotional and psychological undercurrents keep the reader fully immersed. The alternating perspectives — particularly from the killers’ point of view — give the novel an extra edge, revealing just enough to unsettle, without spoiling the suspense.
Tom Thorne continues to be a compelling lead: flawed, intuitive, and deeply relatable. His vulnerability adds real emotional depth to the narrative, and his moral compass feels grounded in reality rather than cliché. The supporting cast also brings the world to life, with strong secondary characters and complex dynamics.
In short, Scaredy Cat is everything you want in a crime thriller: disturbing without being gratuitous, clever without being showy, and driven by both plot and character in equal measure. A standout in the series and a must-read for any fan of psychological crime fiction.”
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