First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Adam Southward, and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

When provided this advanced copy of the book, I wanted to get the full reading experience, so I turned to the series debut for some context. Devouring and thoroughly enjoying that piece, I knew that Adam Southward would be an author I would be adding to my ongoing reading list, with his captivating plot and well-paced narrative. It has been a year since Dr. Alex Madison handled a major case from the Met. While that one did not turn out as well as he expected, he has returned to consult once again. This case is a little different, but just as baffling. CCTV footage shows someone sneaking into the A&E of a London hospital and inflicting a great deal of pain to a waiting patient, so much so that it leads to an excruciating death. It would seem that this is not the first case of such an attach around London hospitals, but no one is entirely clear who this person is or what their motive could be. On the flip side, the reader is introduced to Mia Anastos, a young woman who can feel no pain, but revels in seeing it inflicted on others. She hides in the shadows and professes that she is on a mission to seek revenge for her pain. Mia’s targeted victims are only the first step in this complex web, as Madison finds her name on a list that matches her description. While Mia evades capture, she is being controlled by a larger group with hopes of neutralsing Dr. Madison themselves. As the psychology of pain comes to the forefront, Madison has a personal life in tatters that requires his additional attention. A great second novel in the series that keeps the reader hooked until the final reveal, leaving them begging for more. Adam Southward has great control over the series and its characters, tapping into the psychological and opening new areas of interest to the reader. Recommended to those who love quick thrillers, particularly the reader who finds matters of the mind of interest.

I powered through the first novel, in hopes that it would hold my attention enough to want to get to this ARC in quick order. Mission accomplished, as Adam Southward is able to mix a well-crafted thriller with strong psychological themes to keep the reader curious throughout. Alex Madison remains an intriguing character, easily liked by the reader. He is on point when it comes to his private practice and work with the police, though some find his insights too hard to comprehend or off the wall, thereby dismissing him. In a personal life that is anything but in order, Madison is forced to wrestle with a dark secret of his own, while trying to track down where to turn next in this highly unusual case. His relationship with his daughter is addressed yet again, as is the strained connection to his ex-wife. Madison has a great deal of growth to go and one can hope Southward will keep readers informed as the series grows. Other characters help to augment the excitement in this book, both with the case and through subplots that Southward uses to cut the tension. One can hope there will be some repeat appearances, as Alex Madison seems to have clicked its some and clashed with others. Southward uses a quick narrative, permitting the reader to learn a great deal in short order. The pain them resonates throughout and kept me wondering as the narrative built-up to a big reveal. Southward has proven he can handle psychological thrillers and police procedurals that mesh together effectively. I cannot wait to see what else is to come for Southward and Dr. Alex Madison.

Kudos, Mr. Southward, for another great ‘single day’ read. I am eagerly awaiting your next literary idea, but will be as patient as I must.

Congratulations to Adam Southward on a fantastic, imaginative, intriguing storyline. A compulsive page turner. A serial killer with a surprising agenda, which all comes to light as the story unfolds. A great read.

I thoroughly enjoyed that. Love the characters and the whole storyline. I feel I should of read book 1 first as there are references to a previous major case which would of added clarity.
That said I felt for Mia who was in her own way a functioning addict. As what happened to her comes to light and the powers-that-be start to close ranks, our erstwhile broken hero Dr Alex Madison is the only one who can help her.

A strange but somehow likeable murderer is at the centre of this marvellous book. Lots of strands are all pulled together at the closing of the book and it's a very interesting journey getting there.

I'm grateful to NetGalley for sending me this ARC to read and review. I've given a truthful description of my understanding of the novel. No incentive was given.

This was a definite couldn't put it down book, even when I did I was thinking about it. Alex is a troubled psychologist trying to help the police find someone who is murdering people in an horrific way I'm hospital, Alex tried to find her motive, the reader knows the motive as we see the story unfold from Mia who is causing these deaths, she seeks pain in others like an addiction as she can't feel her own pain. It becomes apparent there is more to this than her being sadistic, Alex tries to find the truth of the doctors who are responsible for this.
We see a lot of Alex's character, his relationship with his wife, daughter and his colleague. I hope to see more books in this series to see if Alex can save himself and find happiness

Finished the book in a few short sittings, because it is hard to put down - except for the last 10% or so. The story is told from the viewpoint of Alex himself, and a young woman named Mia who doesn't know or understand why she does what she does. She inflicts pain to people in a very gruesome way. If you cannot stand graphic descriptions of torture, don't read this. I just skipped over them because in the end, the victim is always dead. But who is the real victim here? Mia wasn't born this way. Slowly Alex tries to find the real story, more hindered than helped by the fact that the police wants them to help but don't believe what he is learning. More so, this whole story apparently has something to do with Alex' past, but we only learn that at the end of the book.
And that is why I gave this book 3 stars instead of 4; the pace is very high in the story and I think, after reading reviews of the first book in this series, the author did a much better job, but in the last part of the book there is a lot of talking and explaining and it feels a little rushed.
I'm actually looking forward to the next book in this series because I would like to follow this author's progress.

This was the second in the Alex Madison series, a benzo addicted psychologist in the midst of a divorce, who side-jobs for the London police to help them develop profiles of offenders. I wasn't aware this was a series, and not having read the first book did not detract from enjoying this book.

Pain as an addiction? That's the premise behind the illegal experimentation premise of this novel. A sick serial killer is on the prowl and seems to be literally obtaining physical pleasure from the pain of others, and later herself. There were quite a few cringey gory moments in this book, riding the edge of gratuitously torturous, but adding to the overall tone of, honestly, yuck of the novel. A yuck gamble that paid off though, as this book was a wild ride of WTF right until the end. Great read.

After reading the first book in the series I was looking forward to reading this. It was a good storyline and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are believable and likeable with some tense moments that just make you want to keep reading. I hope there is another instalment in this series. I recommend this book/series.

I loved this book the way the author made me actually feel sorry for both victims and perpetrator, seeing it from both sides. The very idea of being his victim was a frightening thought though. Great book, read it in 2 days x

A killer who does not feel pain but enjoys inflicting it makes for quite a sadistic read but a highly addictive one that leaves you racing to the end of the book

** spoiler alert ** A killer who not only doesn't feel any pain,but feeds off others pain is a new idea.
Drug experimenting on innocent people is not.
Especially not to Dr Alex Madison.
I enjoyed this far more than the first book,Alex is deeply flawed ,with a drug addiction going back years.
He also has an interesting future ahead of him I think going by hints dropped in this book.
The whole medical cover up and miracle drugs is always an interesting read.
Good pacing,decent characters,good banter,nice finale... but with questions still to answer.
This one ticks a lot of boxes.

Alex Madison, a forensic psychotherapist, has a new case along with Detective Laurie. It seems as if there may be serial killings within (especially the hospitals) London.

Brutal, painful murders continue to show up - Mia is hungry for the pain these persons can give her. You see, Mia does not feel pain. She knows this makes her an outcast, yet her "addiction" to inflicting more pain on those already in pain drives hard within her.

Will Mia be rescued from herself? And will Dr. Madison be able to unearth Mia's cause for obsession?

A wonderful story that I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters had real substance. The story, itself, can be a bit intense, but the scenes were depicted exceptionally well.

Now I need to read #1 of this series!!!

Great read!

Many Thanks to Amaon Publishing, UK , Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a super read.

A killer who gets off on the pain she causes her victims. It’s a nightmare for forensic psychologist Alex Madison, whom the police have asked to find the sadistic killer. Alex is tormented because he understands all too well what the killer is feeling and thinking. Can he out his own disturbing thoughts out of mind long enough to track the killer? A woman who was molded and made into what she is by the very same people who warped Alex himself. I like a story with a conflicted hero, and Alex Madison is one of the most damaged protagonists I’ve ever encountered. You’ll be hooked