The Coldest Fear

Rick Reed

Mar 2016 · A Jack Murphy Thriller Book 2 · Lyrical Press

About this ebook

One deranged killer. One determined cop. One deadly obsession…“Readers will definitely want to see more of Reed’s character Jack Murphy.”—John Lutz, New York Times-bestselling author of Darker Than Night

From the moment he sees the young woman’s body in her hotel bathtub, homicide detective Jack Murphy knows he’s looking at a truly demented but brilliantly designed puzzle. She’s been drained of blood. She’s missing her left hand. And the killer left a special message just for him. Hours later, he sees her severed hand arranged on a second victim’s body. The newspaper has the gruesome details. The FBI has a theory. But only Murphy knows how hard he’ll have to push—and how much he’ll have to risk—to thwart the killer’s twisted game.
 
“Reed writes as only a cop can.”—Nelson DeMille

Ratings and reviews

Rick Reed has moved up to my Top 20 Authors To Watch For. This is a police/crime procedural of the highest caliber. It is so obvious that this author knows of what he writes .. he was a Detective Sergeant with 30 years experience and in charge of Internal Affairs for the Evansville Police Department in Indiana. Detective Jack Murphy and his partner, Liddell "Bigfoot" Blanchard are on the trail of a serial killer ... one who leaves his victims without their faces, sometimes their eyes, sometimes their hands. There's no rhyme nor reason why these particular people were chosen to die at the hands of the one they call the Cleaver. Jack does things his way .. usually just on the edge of being suspended from his job. However, he's a great detective, like a dog with a bone, he just doesn't let go. Bigfoot is the ultimate partner, always having Jack's back. I really enjoy the relationship they share .. lots of witty dialog. Throw in an FBI Agent, a corrupt sheriff, a newspaper reporter who always beats everyone getting a story out, another reporter willing to share her time to get a good lead, a deputy who accidentally comes across some information he uses to his own advantage, and Cinderella. Cinderella is a sweetheart of a dog ... she only likes women and gay men. There are a lot of graphic violent murder scenes .. this killer is on a roll. The more he kills, the happier he is. You'll never look at a bathtub drain in the same way again. The action is non-stop. I was hooked from the first page. I thought that once the killer was named, the book would slow down a bit, instead it sped up like a freight train. It becomes a race to see who is more clever .... and the ending is a shocker. Definitely this rates 5 stars from me. Although the second book, it's terrific as a stand-alone. Highly recommend to anyone who doesn't have a queasy stomach. Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books - Lyrical Underground / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Too much gore and killing for me but the pace, the writing and the humor were great

Absolutely awesome. Loved it. Coumd not put it down! I need more. Thoroughly addicted!

About the author

Sergeant Rick Reed (Ret.), author of the Jack Murphy thriller series, is a twenty-plus-year veteran police detective. During his career he successfully investigated numerous high-profile criminal cases, including a serial killer who claimed thirteen lives before strangling and dismembering his fourteenth and last victim. He recounted that story in his acclaimed true-crime book, Blood Trail. Rick spent his last three years on the force as the Commander of the police department’s Internal Affairs Section. He has two masters degrees and upon retiring from the police force, took a fulltime teaching position with a community college. He currently teaches criminal justice at Volunteer State Community College in Tennessee and writes thrillers. He lives near Nashville with his wife and two furry friends, Lexie and Luther. Please visit him on Facebook, Goodreads, or at his website, www.rickreedbooks.com.