Good addition to the series. ( )

One of the best things when it comes to reading is discovering new authors. I have wanted to read Mo Hayder's Jack Caffery series for a long time and now I have finally read the book three in the series. And, Ritual is a pretty awesome book, with a compelling story and interesting main characters.

I instantly came to like both Jack and Flea and I enjoyed getting to know them both in this book. Jack, new in Bristol, has come to the city looking for the Walking Man to ask him something. Flea has not recovered from losing her parents in an accident two years earlier and she is also looking after her younger brother who is depressed after the accident that took their parents life. I think the twist and turns in this story were really great, and I liked how the Jack and Flea's life becomes intertwined with each other. Both are two damaged people and have their own personal demons.

The African witchcraft theme that felt new and interesting and made the book deliciously dark and engrossing. I was curious to see who would be behind it all and I must admit that I was surprised that it did not turn out to be the one I came to suspect towards the end of the book. I felt the book did end with some loose threads (but since I now also have read the next book do I know that the next book will pick up directly after this book ends and address the loose threads).

I liked this book very much and I recommend it warmly! ( )

Mo Hayder never ceases to amaze me with her ability to push the boundaries, to make the reader uncomfortable yet still yearning for more, leaving them unable to put the book down as they lose themselves in the world she's created for them. A master of creepy and suspense, the pages ooze with sinisterness and, best of all, unpredictability. ( )

Whilst this is certainly a good read, I felt it wasn't quite up to the excellent standard laid down in Birdman & The Treatment which both in addition to being great crime thrillers, also managed to step firmly into horror territory. On the other hand, whilst Ritual is a solid crime thriller, it lacks the impact of the earlier two books, in addition to this there's also much less in the way of Jack Caffery's character machinations and demons.

So overall, whilst it's still good, it's not quite up to the standard set in the earlier books, if you're reading this without reading the earlier two you will likely enjoy it, yet if you've read the earlier two it will be a little disappointing if you were anticipating a similar level of tale. ( )

Etwas Schreckliches lauert in den Straßen von Bristol. Etwas, das von der Angst der Menschen lebt. Und das Opfer fordert. Blutige Opfer.

Der Albtraum beginnt, als Polizeitaucherin Flea Marley im trüben Wasser des Hafens von Bristol eine einzelne menschliche Hand zu fassen bekommt. Es gibt keine Leiche, keine Hinweise auf die Herkunft des bizarren Funds. Kurz daraug entdeckt man eine weitere Hand, und der Fall wird immer rätselhafter. Verbirgt sich ein blutiges Ritual dahinter? Die Ermittlungen führen Flea Marley und DI Jack Caffery in eine Welt, wo scheinbar teuflische Kräfte mit allen Mittlen in Schach gehalten werden müssen ...