This book started out so violent and gory that I almost quit right off the bat. But then I thought about how my GR friend Matt seemed to like it, and he's from Canada, so surely I, from the violent USA, could finish it. So, I stuck to it, and aside from lots of overly detailed, over-the-top violence, I mostly enjoyed it. It may be that the violence was so extreme that it just didn't seem real (wishful thinking?).

I enjoyed the main characters. Robert Hunter is an interesting character, very smart, dedicated, and mostly serious. His new partner goes well as a sidekick, adding both humor and acting as a soundboard for Hunter. The story seemed almost hopeless, and indeed I think Hunter was beginning to think so too, as he's been working on this case for a few years and getting nowhere. Well, except they thought they might have caught the killer a year or two earlier, but he came back.

I wasn't real happy with the way the ending played out. I thought it was out of character for the killer, and perhaps not well thought out by the author. But I gave in a bit after the recap by Hunter, which explained it enough to be acceptable.

All in all, it was good enough for me to try the next one in the series, while the characters are still fresh in my mind. ( )

This was an amazing book! I hadn't read this author before and I was pleasantly surprised as I have now found another author to add to my list. The book gripped me from the first page and kept up the tempo all the way to the end. The story revolves around Detective Hunter and his partner trying to track down a serial killer that is not suppose living as the killer was suppose to have been executed years ago. But victims are stacking up with a carved crucifix on their neck and the detective with the help of his partner is on the streets trying to capture the killer before anyone else becomes a victim.

This book was fast paced, throwing suspense, tension, and nail biting atmosphere into the mix along with some twists and turns at the end which caught me completely off guard. Giving it four stars for keeping me entertained! ( )

El cuerpo de una mujer brutalmente asesinada es hallado en una cabaña abandonada en el Parque Nacional de los Los Ángeles. Desnuda, atada a dos postes de madera y con la piel del rostro desollada –cuando aún seguía con vida. En la nuca tiene grabado un extraño símbolo, un crucifijo doble: la firma de un psicópata conocido como el Asesino del Crucifijo. Pero no es posible porque el Asesino del Crucifijo fue arrestado y ejecutado dos años atrás. ¿Podría tratarse de un imitador? ¿Alguien que ha tenido acceso a los detalles de los primeros asesinatos, detalles complejos que nunca se hicieron públicos? ¿O acaso, el detective Robert Hunter tendrá que hacer frente a lo inconcebible? ¿Andará aún suelto el auténtico Asesino del Crucifijo, dispuesto a embarcarse de nuevo en una matanza indiscriminada y sádica, eligiendo a sus víctimas al azar y provocando a Hunter, incapaz de cogerle? Robert Hunter y su novicio compañero están a punto de adentrarse en una pesadilla que supera toda imaginación y donde el concepto de una muerte rápida no existe.

Detective Hunter was just assigned a new partner, which is good because an old case has started up again. They thought they had the killer, so how is it possible the Crucifix Killer is back at it? This is a tight, suspenseful thriller that will keep you guessing throughout. Great characters, tons of twists and turns and edge of your seat suspense make this an excellent first in the series. [b:The Crucifix Killer|6479723|The Crucifix Killer (Robert Hunter, #1)|Chris Carter|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327581626s/6479723.jpg|6670952] ( )

A good page turner, a bit gory in parts.
I will definitely read more from this author ( )