Author:Henning Mankell
The leader of a religious cult in Guyana instigates a mass suicide. He succeeds in killing himself and his whole flock of worshippers, save one.
In a wood outside Ystad, the police make an horrific discovery: a severed head, and hands locked together in an attitude of prayer. A Bible lies at the victim's side, handwritten corrections and amendments on every page.
A string of incidents, including attacks on domestic animals, has been taking place and Inspector Wallander fears that these events could be the prelude to attacks on humans on a much greater scale. Meanwhile Linda Wallander, preparing to join the Ystad police force, arrives at the station. Showing all the hallmarks of her father - the maverick approach, the flaring temper - she becomes involved in the case and in the process is forced to confront a group of extremists bent on punishing the world's sinners.
With this book his fans are in for a double treat as Mankell gives us two Wallanders for the price of one... Crime fiction doesn't get any better than this
Probably Britain's favourite European mystery writer... Mankell's subtle use of his characters keeps you reading
—— Daily MailThis novel will not disappoint Kurt's followers. He remains integral, and his guilt-shot relationship to his daughter is beautifully done
—— IndependentThe Nordic King of European thriller writers
—— Louise France , ObserverStirring stuff written by a lady who has proved her worth over and over again, rivalling any other offerings by popular male writers such as Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow.
—— Shropshire StarSimon Kernick writes great plots, great characters, great action.
—— Lee ChildSimon Kernick writes with his foot pressed hard on the pedal. Hang on tight!
—— Harlen CobenFrom the first line, Simon Kernick knows how to get a thriller shifting, and he doesn't let up until the very last
—— Daily MirrorSimon Kernick uses every trick in the book to keep the action breakneck.
—— Time OutSnappy chapters, tense scenes and no holds barred action sequences - I read this novel in a very short time and it gave me a real “wow” feeling.
—— The Crime Warpa tremendous read…well put together and an excellent example of the good writers craft. I can’t say much more because I wouldn’t want to spoil for you when you rush out to buy a copy 4/5
—— Army Rumour ServiceThis book captures you from the start… then twists and turns in every chapter, taking you on an intriguing roller coaster ride until the end… Great stuff!
—— Mojo MumsThere are some lovely characters, a swift plot, not too many red herrings and lots of action. I think it is well worth investing in.
—— Love ReadingThis is a tense, elegant, psychological thriller about an emotional tug-of-war... This tale of self-willing entrapment keeps us guessing to the end... Compelling and memorable.
—— Viv Groskop , Red MagazineHooper has constructed a modern fairy tale of a kind, complete with Bluebeard and his castle, and using some of the fictional paraphernalia of Gothic horror and melodrama she delivers a compelling, at times disturbing, but always humorous and readable cautionary tale.
—— Brian McCabe , HeraldThe difficulty with a thriller - even if it is literary - is not to fall into cliche and predictability. At the points where it seems as this may happen, Hooper wrong foots the reader without losing any credibility, leading to a very clever ending.
—— bookmunchThis beautifully crafted psychological thriller really got under my skin.
—— A.N. Wilson , Readers DigestHooper is a very clever writer. Her prose is uncluttered, but every phrase is packed with meaning.
—— bookoxygen.comA chilling, compulsive read.
—— Fanny Blake , Woman & HomeNew, dark literary thriller...read it for its seductive plot.
—— TatlerA dark unsettling read which will appeal to fans of the gothic as well as those who enjoy tales of twisted relationships such as Gone Girl.
—— lisabooks.blogspotLiterary thriller The Engagement by Chloe Hooper takes a Fifty-shades style plot about erotic games between estate agent Liesel and business man Alexander to a darker place.
—— Good HousekeepingPart gothic novel, part thriller, this will keep you guessing until the end.
—— GlamourHooper has crafted a terrific tale full of dark corners and dead-ends that leave the reader wondering what to believe. The result is a collision between a psychological thriller and a very dark romance that has something for fans of either genre.
—— Irish ExaminerThe Engagement has all the ingredients of a top psychological thriller with the bonus of literary style. I think it could be a huge hit. I hope so. I really want to see the film…
—— Literary Sofa BlogBeautifully crafted and sleek psychological thriller… The Engagement, by one of Australia’s newest and brightest writers, explores mind control, power games and emotional abuse, so do not expect it to be a romance novel as it is, most definitely, not!
—— Yattar YattarAn unsettling thriller... A book which deftly explores the power of money and property, romance and sex
—— Marie ClaireA dark, erotic and tense tale
—— GraziaPlain and lucid, with beautifully accurate word-choice, and plenty of grace-notes that one pauses to appreciate... A highly intelligent, unpredictable, very grown-up, and crazily readable novel
—— Brandon Robshaw , Independent on SundayA sleek and sly two-hander, a thriller almost, that sets everything out clearly for the reader and yet remains filled with uncertainty
—— John Self , GuardianAn intense psychological thriller, strewn with enough red herrings to satisfy the most demanding reader
—— Mail on SundayHooper's writing is singularly challenging and confrontational... For those who prefer their erotic literature less Fifty Shades of Grey, more Jane Eyre
—— Daily TelegraphA fine, literary thriller; cold, at times almost nauseatingly disturbing
—— Alison Flood , GuardianA fascinating, subtle, really original modern Gothic thriller
—— Rebecca Chance , Daily Record