As always, Chris Carter does not disappoint. His clear cut language and no nonsense chapter formula works. Perfect narration, without issues.

It's the first I read/listened to something written by this author and won't surely be the last.
It is a fast paced, gripping and highly entertaining story that kept me on the edge till the end.
The characters are fleshed out, the plot is tightly knitted and flows.
The narrator did a good job as the voice adds a lot of emotions to the text.
It was an excellent experience and it's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Written in Blood by Chris Carter
I give this audiobook 5 stars.
Narrated by Thomas Judd

The Killer
His most valuable possession has been stolen.Now he must retrieve it, at any cost.
The Girl
Angela Wood wanted to teach the man a lesson. It was a bag,
but when she opens it, the worst nightmare of her life begins.
The Detective
A journal ends up at Hunter’s desk. Theres a serial killer on the loose and if he can’t stop him in time, more people will die.

This audiobook can be heard as a standalone or book 11 in a series.
l love this well written,complex and engaging series.Great character development combined with a dark,gruesome and twisted plot.
Creepy and tense to listen to, l couldn't wait to start it and l didn't want it to end!
Eagerly awaiting the next Hunter and Garcia instalment.
Highly recommended
Thanks to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for my chance to read and review this book

This is the first Chris Carter Book I have read but it wont be my last.

I listened to this book as an Audio book and found it great. The Narrator was great and had a really soothing voice that was a joy to listen to throughout the novel.

The book itself would have been a real page turner and I didn't want to stop listening to it. Super story and it kept you guessing as to what would happen next, fast paced and gripping. No way could you predict the ending that you got. A super book thats why Im giving it 5 stars.

Thank You to Netgalley for the Audiobook ARC and also Simon & Schuster Audio UK. My review is my own opinion.

Absolutley loved listening to this book on Audio. Everything about was just right. The narrator did an amazing job on this.

This author has an amazing knack of really engaging you in his work. His books although i've only read a few are fantastic. I believe this is around book 11 in a series and as I've not read them all I think it's safe to say that it doesn't take to much away from the story. I didn't really feel like I'd missed too much.
That said I think it's a series I want to read from the beginning.

This was my first Chris Carter book and although it is the latest in a series of books it was easily read as a stand alone.
I listened to the audio book and found it to be well read and easy to listen to.
This author gives lots of details in his writing, nothing is left unexplained or left to the reader's imagination, which is fine if you like that amount of detail. I was surprised and disappointed therefore to find that the book ended on a cliffhanger. I dislike books that don't tie up loose ends and this didn't in a big way, leaving me feeling cheated.
I don't like having to buy the next book in the series just to find out what happened in this one so I've given three stars based on this.
Unless it was an issue with my audio book but I have no way of knowing that, I did listen to 100% of my download and finished it feeling letdown.

I'm sorry but I cannot review this audio book which is a shame as I was looking forward to it. The Netgalley Shelf app went down and when it came back it had removed all the audio books. Unfortunately I cannot get them back to listen to.

Hi and welcome to my review of Written in Blood!

Written in Blood is the eleventh instalment in the Robert Hunter series, a fact I was completely oblivious to when I requested it on NetGalley, oops. I had seen the cover pop up all over Twitter, I knew it was about a serial killer and when I went to check out the new audiobook feature on NetGalley and spotted it there, I didn’t do my research, I just hit that request button. Rookie mistake, I’m well aware.

Regardless of it being the eleventh book, it works perfectly well as a standalone! I’m sure that readers who have been with Robert since the beginning will get a little more out of it, in terms of characters from previous books who make an appearance, that’s history I missed, but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment in the least and I could follow the story perfectly. So if you feel like jumping in at this point, don’t hold yourself back, go for it! And if you’ve enjoyed previous instalment, I’m convinced you’ll love this one too.

Angela is a pickpocket with a conscience, she only steals what she needs and she returns all personal stuff, like driving licenses and IDs. While having a celebratory drink after a short but profitable “working day”, she spots a man being a total twat and decides to use her thieving prowess to teach him a lesson and steal his bag. She’s in for quite a shock though, when it turns out that she didn’t steal a rude but ordinary man’s wallet or laptop, but a serial killer’s diary.

And let the cat and mouse games begin! By stealing the diary, Angela’s put herself in the killer’s crosshairs. She’s turned the book in to the police and Hunter and his partner Garcia are working all hours to find him before he finds her.

Robert Hunter is the quintessential American police detective, likeable enough but I did roll my eyes every once in a while at just how clever and astute and just all-round awesome he is, smarter than anyone else, sometimes even borderline patronising to his female captain, that was a small thorn in my otherwise quite happy side.

Written in Blood is narrated by Thomas Judd, who has quite a few narrations under his belt, among which the previous Robert Hunter books. I loved his voice, which he tweaks a little to accommodate the various characters, and his narration in general and I look forward to listening to more of his work.

Written in Blood is a highly entertaining, high-octane serial killer thriller that I enjoyed, but obviously not as much as most other readers have. I know this is a novel I would have adored a few years ago, but now, for reasons I can’t even begin to understand, it felt too… American? Slick? I’m not sure. In other words, I won’t go back to read all ten previous instalments, but I do think I may pick up the next one or a few of the books in between. Recommended to all who like literary serial killers and/or American detectives.

Chris Carter's latest in his Detective Robert Hunter series of the LAPD's Ultra Violent Crimes Unit (LVCU) is a dark, intense, heart pounding, frantic adrenaline thrill ride from beginning to end. It will keep you glued to a thriller with what appears initially to be a mentally unstable serial killer, who has managed to remain below the radar for many years, completely undetected, a killer who cannot even remember just how many he has killed. The young Angela Wood, a gifted pickpocket, is sipping her cocktail, after successfully lifting some wallets, when she observes a man be incredibly rude to an older customer when she makes a decision she will live to regret. She decides to teach the man a lesson by stealing his leather bag, whose contents she is later disappointed to discover is only a journal.

However, on closer inspection, the journal turns out to document the names of people killed in the most barbaric, gruesome and sadistic ways, with details of each murder victim and the location of their remains. A shocked Angela hand delivers the journal to Dr Susan Slater, a LAPD forensic scientist, which leads to Hunter and his partner, Carlos Garcia, becoming involved. It soon becomes clear the journal is no hoax after the discovery of a body buried alive in a wedding dress at a location detailed. Angela finds her life spinning dangerously out of control, the killer is no ordinary guy, he wants his journal back. He has no qualms about threatening Hunter either, displaying a sense of confidence and self assurance that becomes a matter of deep concern to the police. Hunter and the LAPD are facing a level of horror and evil they could not have imagined as they find themselves outwitted at every turn.

Chris Carter is an accomplished thriller writer, his plotting makes great and expert use of the tropes commonly deployed in the genre. This is a fast paced, and hugely entertaining read with a raft of twists and turns that make the storylines utterly compelling and riveting. I can see many crime and thriller readers loving this, and it leaves me eagerly anticipating the next in this fabulous series. The audio for this was marvellous, a great narration from Thomas Judd, and having read the book first, I could relax when listening to the audio, knowing where the narrative was heading. The tone and pacing is great and I never once lost interest in the fast paced storytelling. The only thing is that my copy of the audio finished prematurely, fortunately that didn't matter so much to me as I had already read the book, but if other listeners had the same experience , then they were missing out the final part of this terrific thriller. Many thanks to Simon and Schuster Audio for an ARC.

Written in Blood is a graphic crime mystery masterpiece.

This is the first Robert Hunter book that I have listened too. The narrator of Written in Blood is Thomas Judd and he does an amazing job. The voice he gave to Robert really work for his character especially when he was being stern.

Another aspect I enjoyed about the audiobook was the effect they placed on the voice of anyone calling, as it sounds like someone was on the phone. I liked the differences it helps it make it feel more real.

The plot of Written in Blood is unique for crime thriller as Hunter and Garica only have the killer diary to unravel the crime and catch the killer. I never guessed what was going to happen, I am always on tenterhooks. But this book raised due to the killer lack of fear of the police.

Written in Blood has many different elements that make this book addictive read. As it had the mystery around the crimes and the diary. There is drama with the killer actions and the way they deal with the police. The drama has multiple levels as the stakes become higher and higher to the point my heart nearly exploded with the tension.

Chris Carter has written another tremendous graphic and gruesome crime mystery thriller. This book is a must-read for any crime fiction fan.

My Rating for Written in Blood is 5 out of 5.



Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for supplying the audiobook for a fair and honest review.

I have read all the Robert Hunter series by Chris Carter and was enthralled by them so much so I devoured the whole series one straight after the other, so to say I was excited to see a new instalment out is an understatement.

This one was a bit different for me as I got it in audio format, my second only ever audio book, I really thought I would be more creeped listening to it but this was not the case, this book was different in that it was intriguing more than the usual gore we have become accustomed to in this series. When Angela Wood decided to rob a briefcase of a very rude man in a cocktail bar, she got more than she bargained for, having ransacked it at home, she discovers a diary, not any normal run of the mill diary but that of a serial killer who for some reason, writes down all his kills including the co-ordinates for where he buried the bodies …. Hunter & Garcia are called when it is handed in to see if it is legitimate, following the co-ordinates, they uncover a grave and so begins the hunt/investigation.

This was a fast paced thriller with the “diary” and its “owner” at the heart of it, the plot was nothing short of brilliant, plenty of twists along the way although not sure if I’ll forgive Chris Carter for the ending… even now I’m WTF….. please say we don’t have too long to wait for the next one!!! This is definitely one for the big screen!

What a rollercoaster. A mistaken grab by a flighty pickpocket puts her in the crosshairs of a serial killer who is killing to order. A very carefullybcrafted thriller that makes me think Jason Bournes evil twin! A definite keeper and five stars from me

The 11th book in a series that just keeps getting better and better. I was very dubious about requesting this book in audio format as Chris Carter is one of my all time favourite crime thriller writers and I didn’t want to love the story but hate the reader, I need not have worried. The narration suited the story so well, there was noticeable difference between each character and I found the voice engaging throughout.
I won’t go into the plot as by now the authors reader know he writes great and somewhat gory thrillers, this was no exception and kept me hooked though out. If you are new to this series that’s fine as it can still be read as a stand alone but if you the best treat ever then start at the beginning and you won’t be disappointed.

This is the 11th Robert Hunter novel by author Chris Carter and I have enjoyed every page of this series. If you have ever read any of this series you know what to expect, gruesome serial killers that are well written by an author who has a background of criminal psychology.

When pickpocket Angela Wood decides to teach a man a lesson for being rude to an old man she gets more than she bargained for. She steals his expensive bag only to discover that all it contains is a leather bound book. On further investigation she gets the shock of her life and her nightmare begins.

This is another excellent read by Chris Carter and his usual trademarks are there to produce an exciting page turning thriller. I didn't feel it was quite as gruesome as the other novels in this series but still up there. An enjoyable read that kept me up well into the night to finish it. 

I am always eagerly anticipating the next book in this series.

I would like to thank both Net Galley and Simon Schuster for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Update: I’ve downloaded at last and this is my review.

I listen to many audiobooks and this is one of the best. Great narration which is easy on the ear but captures the different characters well. It’s delivered at an even pace and I enjoyed the voice throughout..

As expected from a Chris Carter book, there’s graphic violence. But it’s not gratuitous and there’s a reason it’s there. Over numerous titles, the central characters, LAPD officers Hunter and Garcia have explored the depths of human depravity. Hunter has an interest in human behaviour and the stories stay on the plausible side of extreme. This book looks at a serial killer who delivers to order. But why and what turned him to the darkside? It’s well plotted and horribly convincing. Insight into how the internet can be used by those happy to exploit....

It’s a great series and for me, the only thing missing in this tale is further character development. Hunter and Garcia have bonds with background, but this story doesn’t really have huge interaction between the two. That aside, it’s a gripping ride. Buckle up and hold on as it twists and turns to conclusion.

My thanks to the publisher for a review audio copy Via Netgalley. Some App issues need to be resolved and hopefully download speed etc will improve.


With apology, I’m unable to review this audiobook.,

It’s the first audio title I’ve requested on Netgalley. I have over 800 audiobooks from Audible as it’s a format I’m finding easy with a cataract problem. I was thrilled to see Netgalley have introduced this medium, but the App doesn’t seem to be working well. I’ve contacted Netgalley, but there’s no indication when it’ll be fixed. I have the latest iOS 13. 6 and I’ve tried deleting and reinstalling without successs.

I’ll keep trying. I’ve enjoyed this Chris Carter series. He creates some really horrifying scenarios!

Kind regards,

Anita

This is the eleventh story featuring Detective Robert Hunter of LAPD's Ultra Violent Crimes Unit, who, together with his partner Carlos Garcia, has tackled some of the worst killers to emerge in Los Angeles. This story is a brilliant addition to a series which just gets better and better, but which also works excellently as a stand alone for anyone new to these books. The story starts with pickpocket Angela Wood making a killing from lifting wallets in the run up to Christmas. The twenty one year old has been making a living this way for the last 4 years since she left home and is one of the best at it. Taking a break in a bar, she witnesses a man being unnecessarily rude to an older man and decides to teach him a lesson. She sneaks his bag away, thinking there might be the added bonus of a laptop or tablet, but what she finds when she gets home becomes the start of a nightmare for her. Inside the bag is a kind of scrapbook, graphically describing the planning and execution of many murders, illustrated with terrible photographs of the victims. Panicked, she sends the contents on to someone she hopes will take an interest and do the right thing. Fortunately this person immediately contacts Hunter and having located a first victim, soon the detectives are knee deep in the hunt for a serial killer once again. Hunter's knowledge of psychology gives him a head start into drawing up a profile of their suspect but some aspects just don't sit right with him. Clearly the man is mentally unstable, and yet he plans and carries out the murders with precision and planning, evading detection and guided by the "voices" that he hears. He shows no signs of stopping these horrendous crimes, and Hunter and Garcia need to catch him before the voices tell him to kill anyone else. Oh.....and he is determined to get his book back too.
Hunter and Garcia make a great team, and the story concentrates on the investigation with little mention of their private lives in a book which is incredibly easy to get completely absorbed in. The plot is dark and strong, with a few grisly descriptions, and the suspense and action are kept up throughout the story, culminating in a tense and explosive ending. There is also a sadness to this story and the author raises an important and current issue which very much needs addressing. I applaud the author's dedication in this book too. He was initially going to dedicate it to Kara, the partner he sadly lost recently but changed it to honour all the people who have been lost to Covid-19. A lovely gesture to think of other people, particularly at his own time of extreme sadness. Overall, it is a cracking read which I loved. I've also had the pleasure of advance listening to the audio book which has an excellent narrator and which I can highly recommend. 5*

I love the Robert Hunter books and have read them all up to this point. This was the first time I have listened to an audiobook in this series. I listened to a clip first to check how the narrator sounded and decided I liked the sound of him enough to go ahead. It was great to catch up with Hunter and Garcia again, their partnership is one of the best in fiction. This didn’t seem as gruesome as some of the earlier books but it’s not without some shocking moments. I wasn’t quite as gripped as I’d expected to be and I wonder if that was the difference in listening rather than reading.

Written in blood is Chris Carter’s 11th book in the Robert Hunter series. I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. And I am delighted to say this book was amazing!

Robert Hunter works with the UVC unit in LA. He and his partner, Garcia, investigate Ultra Violent Crimes, which includes serial killers. They are put on the trail of a prolific serial killer when a pickpocket, Angela, steals the killers bag containing his murder diary. The diary details the previous 16 murders committed by the killer. Hunter and Garcia must catch the perpetrator before he can kill again and protect Angela from him.

The book is fast paced and packed with action. We are thrown into the drama as soon as we open the front cover. I don’t think there is ever a bit in this book where I got bored and didn’t want to turn to the next page. It’s gory, it’s gruesome, it’s very graphic, but we get a proper sense of these horrible crimes and how much impact they have. Don’t read this just before bed and definitely don’t read it if you are squeamish!

In the previous books we have seen Hunter develop and progress and this one is no different. I actually felt that there was a softer side to him in this book in the way that he handled Angela from the start. He’s complex and mood driven, and his personality really shines through when he has got a problem to solve.

The conclusion to this book was great, as usual. I read it so very quickly. I think 4 days? For me that’s impressive, with a baby at home and a house to run!

Release date for this book is 23rd July 2020 and I 100% recommend going and getting yourself a copy.

The audio narration was really good and I think it suited the story. No criticism at all of the narration.