If you had been following my blog for a while now, you would know how excited I become when I get my hands on a serial killer, erm I mean a book on serial killers. The blurb of the book was so intriguing promising me tale with ‘a serial killer, an execution and an after life with a dosage on morality’, how could I pass it up? If death is all you can sentence a killer of 28 women to, especially when he feels no remorse towards his deeds, would you be satisfied if one of the victims was your family? What could be a worse punishment than death itself?
If every child with a bad home doesn’t turn into a killer, what makes the notorious few to turn into one? Rather, how much does a broken family and abused childhood affect a killer’s mindBook Name: Hellbound: The Tally Man
Author: David McCaffrey
Genre: Fiction – Thriller
Characters: Obadiah Stark, Joe O Connell, Eva, Eve
Setting: The UK
The story begins with The Tally Man, Stark being executed by lethal injection at the high security prison at ADX Absolom in front of his victim’s families and the media. He feels no regrets, even till the last moment of his life, rather looks forward to whatever that may lay ahead for him. Joe O Connell, a reporter and follower of Obdiah Stark’s life, investigates the execution when he hears that there might be a foul play.
Stark ‘awakes’ after his execution and is shocked to find he lives at his hometown with a loving wife and affectionate daughter. Being true to his evil self, he goes around the town on murder spree only to be shot down by the cops. Much to his and the reader’s surprise, he wakes up the next day only to realize that the previous day wasn’t real after all. While his family seem to have reasoned his mood swings and confusions to the effects of his medications, he continues to feed his ego by rampaging around killing people only to find that the days to be restored.
There are three Point of Views (PoV) in the story; the afterlife of Stark with his family, Joe’s investigation about the irregularities related to Stark’s death in real time and the fact sheet based on the Dr. John Franklin’s psychological profiling of Stark right from his childhood. Though there were places I felt the shift among the PoVs little abrupt and disturbing the flow of the narration, they bring together the past, the present and the future of Stark side by side.
I am not sure what to feel about Stark. Should I say he was intriguing but that would be saying too little. I don’t relate to him per se, but how can I not feel awed at someone who knocks off people in such a gory fashion then walks into a bar and asks a mug of beer. Wow, now that is style. He preys on other’s lives not because he hates them nor for other petty reasons like vengeance, money or lust, he kills because he can.
He loves to feel the power over the victim, it gives him a high. And even after the job done he doesn’t feel a remorse, rather just moves on with his life. To say he was the evil personified would be closer to truth, and that is why I like him. In short, the best serial killer I have read. Did I mention he had a tattoo of his tally of 28 murders? Sigh, what is wrong with me. I would love to read more about him. Oh wait there is more to the series? I am picking them up for sure.
I should start with I am in love with the author’s writing style, dictum and everything that I could think of. I have been raving about the book and its author to everyone who would listen to, from the day I started reading the novel. I can not believe that Hellbound
is the debut of the author David McCaffrey, I am sure to follow his other works.
He loves to feel the power over the victim, it gives him a high. And even after the job done he doesn’t feel a remorse, rather just moves on with his life. To say he was the evil personified would be closer to truth, and that is why I like him. In short, the best serial killer I have read. Did I mention he had a tattoo of his tally of 28 murders? Sigh, what is wrong with me. I would love to read more about him. Oh wait there is more to the series? I am picking them up for sure.
I should start with I am in love with the author’s writing style, dictum and everything that I could think of. I have been raving about the book and its author to everyone who would listen to, from the day I started reading the novel. I can not believe that Hellbound
is the debut of the author David McCaffrey, I am sure to follow his other works. I clearly was hooked from the right beginning and the plot twists kept my pulse rising right till the last page. And the final twist made me go ‘Woah, did I read that right?’ Well played, David! For someone who reads too much about killers for her own good, Hellbound: The Tally Man
has been the best read in 2016 (yet).
I really enjoy reading thrillers so this book seems like one I would really enjoy reading!
This book sounds right up my alley! Loved your review. I'll definitely keep an eye out for this, I need a new good book to read.
Wow! After reading this review…I want to get hold of this book right now. I love thrillers!
This book sounds good, I might add it to my list to read.
I think my father in law reads David M books. I'll ask him if he's read this one.
I like reading crime and serial killer books that are based on true story. I find fiction nowadays full of cliches. This sounds interesting though and it's gotten a lot of good reviews on Amazon, so I might check this out.
This sounds creepy but wonderful at the same time. May have to read it with the lights on, though.
I love the premises of this book, and the idea that Stark is having some kind of Ground Hog day moment. I'm not too keen on books that are told from different POV though.
I'd love to read this book! My husband and I binge watch serial killer and crime documentaries on weekends, it is so interesting!
I read a review of another by the author and this sounds equally as amazing. This author definitely looks to be one I need to check out.
Gemma @ http://www.gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com
Love your review but I am afraid of this one – I tend to avoid gore and violence, I don't like those images in my head.
I LOVE reading about serial killers in my spare time on Wikipedia (I'm not weird, am I?!)
Anyway, the psychology and motives behind their attacks fascinates me. I could never even kill a bug, so it fascinates me how someone could kill another human being and do it over and over again without feeling anything. Sometimes, the killers even kill their own children or loved ones, which shocks me even more.
Anyway, I don't know if I could read an entire book about it. Sometimes when I do the reading on Wikipedia, it freaks me out and I get scared like I've just watched a horror movie!
"If you had been following my blog for a while now, you would know how excited I become when I get my hands on a serial killer, erm I mean a book on serial killers." I'm dead! Great review!
While I wholeheartedly enjoyed your review, you had me at Obadiah. I feel like that is just the best selling point!
I like your review and your points. I send to my brother to read it. He will love it
I really need to read more. I only read blogs these days! haha. Or proofread for my job. This book does seem interesting though.