Product Description

A superb, atmospheric thriller from 'one of crime fiction's new stars' [Sunday Telegraph]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-02
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

My Weekly
"A meaty, involving drama which will catch you up in an emotional rollercoaster -- great reading"

Amanda Ross
"Very spine chilling... keeps you going right until the last page"

Synopsis
Joseph Vaughan's life has been dogged by tragedy. Growing up in the 1950s, he was at the centre of series of killings of young girls in his small rural community. The girls were taken, assaulted and left horribly mutilated. Barely a teenager himself, Joseph becomes determined to try to protect his community and classmates from the predations of the killer. Despite banding together with his friends as ' The Guardians', he was powerless to prevent more murders - and no one was ever caught. Only after a full ten years did the nightmare end when the one of his neighbours is found hanging from a rope, with articles from the dead girls around him. Thankfully, the killings finally ceased. But the past won't stay buried - for it seems that the real murderer still lives and is killing again. And the secret of his identity lies in Joseph's own history...

Customer Reviews

Hard work!
Having read the rave reviews on here I was pretty disappointed that I was not being able to 'get into' this book. I was determined to finish it but to be honest, it felt like a bit of a chore. I wouldn't say the plot was anything to write home about, the story line was pretty run of the mill and I realised who the killer was before the end of the book (not that that spoilt it for me). The best bit was the part where Bridget was found dead and Joseph was imprisoned.....I raced through that part. Perhaps I have missed something...or perhaps I should just stick to 'chick lit' but I certainly won't be recommending this to my friends.

Superb story
This is not a book about a mass murderer and his motive, this is a story about the effect the murders have on a small town in southern USA. Joseph is the central character and you become part of him and are taken through every emotion of his life. This is from childhood through to his 40's. His life is quite tragic but he soldiers on and never gives up. I love the life described in small town USA, you really feel like you are there with him, the hot sun beating down, the simple folk that live there and when he goes to New York, the difference in life are well described. You get to know all his friends and really feel part of him. Well written, It'll take me a little while before I can get this out my head and start another book.

Try and put this book down!!
If you only read one book this year, make it A Quiet Belief in Angels. It is unbelievable that this book is written by an Englishman, the depth of the characters is totally amazing, once started I could not put this book down. You can actually feel the emotions of the main character and the whole scene setting is breathtaking. A modern masterpiece.