Once, Special Agent Smoky Barrett hunted serial killers for the FBI. She was one of the best—until a madman terrorized her family, killed her husband and daughter, and left her face scarred and her soul brutalized. Turning the tables on the killer, Smoky shot him dead—but her life was shattered forever. Now Smoky dreams about picking up her weapon again. She dreams about placing the cold steel between her lips and pulling the trigger one last time. Because for a woman who’s lost everything, what is there left to lose? She’s about to find out. In all her years at the Bureau, Smoky has never encountered anyone like him—a new and fascinating kind of monster, a twisted genius who defies profilers’ attempts to understand him. And he’s issued Smoky a direct challenge, coaxing her back from the brink with the only thing that could convince her to live. The killer videotaped his latest crime—an act of horror that left a child motherless—then sent a message addressed to Agent Smoky Barrett. The message is enough to shock Smoky back to work, back to her FBI team. And that child awakens something in Smoky she thought was gone forever. Suddenly the stakes are raised. The game has changed. For as this deranged monster embarks on an unspeakable spree of perversion and murder, Smoky is coming alive again–and she’s about to face her greatest fears as a cop, a woman, a mother . . . and a merciless killer’s next victim.
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"Excellent, one of the best books I have read. Cody McFadyen must really understand women, his writing from the female perspective is amazing. Great, believable characters throughout the trilogy. I have yet to read abandoned though. Looking forward to it. You won't be able to put this one down!"
— Katie (5 out of 5 stars)
" A must read for those who enjoy the chase. McFadyen is a gifted writer with a unique talent. He puts the reader in the story and makes them feel what the narrator is experiencing. "
— A.L., 2/12/2014" Wow, Truely enjoyed this book. Exceptional writing, endearing characters. "
— Cathy, 2/7/2014" Great first book. And I will have nightmares tonight!! "
— TeriC, 2/3/2014" amazingly good "
— Timmermans, 1/23/2014" This was a really good thriller especially for his first book. However, I didn't like the strong languagel. "
— Mary, 1/18/2014" Intense, quick read. This author doesn't pull any punches "
— Joe, 1/5/2014" Love this book.. been recommending it to so many people... "
— Naf, 1/5/2014" Absolute adrenalin shock from beginning to end.Can't wait to read the next one. "
— Lee, 1/5/2014" It's a great, but really frightening thriller. Parts of it are quite disturbing but that's what keeps you reading! "
— Natascha, 12/30/2013" Een boek wat me meteen inpakte. Hoe ziek kan een psychopaat zijn... Beter dan Silence of the Lambs. "
— Wilma, 12/17/2013" Suspense til the end! "
— Monica, 12/10/2013" This was overall a good story but there were some holes in the plot and it was a bit too graphic for my taste. "
— Julie, 2/2/2013" Every interesting book... havent finished it yet "
— Cammeo, 1/21/2013" Even with the 5 Star ratings from other readers I found that this book did not "do it for me", and I had to put it on the floor. The plot was good, but, to me the characters weren't real and the style of writing just did not appeal to me. "
— Sue, 6/16/2012" A thoroughly good book. Must be in the line up to become a movie.... "
— Bernard, 6/4/2012" The descriptions of the murders and the crime scenes are very graphic. Hard for me to read. The book captured my interest from the first few pages and kept it throughout the book. "
— JackieK, 4/2/2012" Cody is a new author for me. Absolutely LOVED this book! Don't expect to get much done once you pick it up. Couldn't put down and ready to read the next book in this series. You won't be disappointed. "
— Michele, 12/13/2011" I hate when I figure out who the killer is really early on, but other than that this was a decent and gory entry in the "hunt for the serial killer" genre. "
— Jessie, 12/9/2011" Furchtbar drastische Morde und gleichzeitig extrem spannende Ermittler. Ich getraue es mich fast nicht zu sagen, aber ich will mehr davon. "
— Kat, 11/29/2011" What an awesome thriller. It was almost impossible to put down. I can't imagine the rest of the series is as good as this book was, but we will see. Smoky is one bad ass woman. "
— Matt, 7/10/2011" This is the best mystery thriller I have ever read! It keeps you reading and you don't want to stop! "
— Nancy, 6/27/2011" wow and wow! i felt like i was actually in this book. it was fantastic and i can't wait to get the second one. "
— Kelly, 5/13/2011" Fast paced story of a serial killer. The killer's identity is pretty obvious. The interaction of the characters and <br/>their stories are what made this novel interesting for me. <br/> "
— Paul, 4/30/2011" Holy heck! This was an incredible page turner for me. From the 1st chapter I was sucked in! <br/> <br/>A bit gory but a great mystery and I did not see the twist coming at all. I love the way this author writes as Smoky. And hey - what a great name for a female detective. "
— Jody, 4/26/2011" Got half way through this one and gave up. I had read Abandoned first and the events in Shadow Man are summarized, but not given away in this one. Sort of going back in time and filling in some of the gaps that I missed, but not enough to really keep me going. Too bad, Abandoned was a good one. "
— Scott, 4/19/2011" The first in this wonderful series, I couldn't put it down! "
— Elayne, 4/2/2011" Thoroughly enjoyed it - was up way too late as the team worked hard to solve the crimes! "
— Jessica, 3/26/2011" Scared the heck out of me. Keep thinking I was hearing things in the house. Smokey is a great character. "
— Kellyf, 2/12/2011" Mhm... Well, I read Cupido before and there are so many parallels. It almost feels like a Copycat. This one is a bit more brutal I think but I still like Cupido better, more thrilling, better written somehow. "
— sascha, 1/26/2011" really enjoyed this book it kept me engrossed the whole time gotta love when you get lost in a great book "
— Belinda, 1/23/2011" Zie review The Face Of Death. "
— Eva, 1/4/2011" <br/> <br/> very good...... <br/> Gene..... <br/> <br/> "
— Gene, 12/25/2010Cody McFadyen is the author of The Darker Side, The Face of Death, and Shadow Man, which was an international bestseller. He lives in California.
Carolyn McCormick has appeared in the films A Simple Twist of Fate and Enemy Mine. She has appeared on television as Dr. Olivit in Law & Order for more than a decade and as a guest on The Practice and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Her Broadway credits include roles in The Dinner Party and Private Lives. Her audiobook narration has won her three AudioFile Earphones Awards.