From the prologue to the conclusion, this story kept a great pace and flow that provided suspense and horror. This reader couldn't put the book down and read it from cover to cover in one sitting. Being an American reader didn't matter, as even when the language or dialogue fit the characters residing in Northumberland, it didn't hinder the enjoyment and context of the story. It made it more realistic. From the eyes of the killer, stalking his victims, to the police who discover the horror, each character was perfectly executed (no pun intended). It is not a story to be taken lightly or with ease, it's very gory and detailed with each kill. As Whitman speaks ... “I'm a killer. A murdering bastard, you know that. And there are consequences to breaking the heart of a murdering bastard.” -- Perfectly, terrifying ( )

I found this book extremely disturbing mainly because as a reader I actually found myself liking the central character despite the horrific things he was doing. It is very clever writing indeed. This novel is not for the faint-hearted, but if you can stomach it it is a modern classic. ( )

Very, Very scary. It was a mistake to read this at night! I will never feel the same way about video shop owners again:) the scariest thing for me though, was not how he stalks and brutally kills his victims, but how part of me wanted him to succeed, to prove it could be done. I would reccommend this to anyone who likes a good thriller, and even those who wouldn't normally read one. ( )

Wow! A terrifying blood and gore horror that will really give the reader pause for thought – whilst at the same time checking the shadows behind them! Not a page is wasted in Glenn’s outstanding psychological thriller. As the madman stalked the village I really felt their fear and terror. The author pulls no punches and shocks after mindless shocks follow. I am so pleased I wasn’t reading this alone on a dark evening, as I would have been too scared to close my eyes to sleep. The pace is unremitting and Glenn’s style of writing drew me in from the opening pages. A very unsettling read but at the same time absolutely fantastic. I’m now off to look for more by him. ( )

Intense thrilling and downright scary! It took me a chapter or so to get into it as I didn’t particularly feel anything for the main character to begin with until he became his alter ego Hannibal Whitman. The psychological aspect is what appealed to me for this book and I wasn’t disappointed and as soon as we moved to the location of Haydon in Northumberland I was sucked into the world of Han and his crusade to create his own massacre.

The movie references abound throughout this tense novel and I loved the artwork at the start of each chapter; movie pictures adapted for the chapter heading. The name of Hannibal is picked with reference to the relevant movie character and becomes the character’s new persona for six months whilst researching a serial killer on the loose in a small village. Haydon, with its population at just short of 400 is about to be destroyed by one man in an event that he hopes will go down in history for its anonymous killer.

I was engrossed in the chase, how he sets up his prey, learns all about the villagers including the conversations they have. This was actually, for me, more interesting than the main event. Wonderfully written, will leave you with chills down your spine and also wondering if there is a continuation to be made – will Hannibal strike again with a new persona in a new location? ( )