The Executioner

In the second book of the Robert Hunter series, Hunter and his partner, Carlos Garcia, are faced with capturing one of the most vicious serial killers they have ever come across. Be warned, the crime scenes are very gruesome and should be read only by someone with a strong stomach. The Executioner is killing people who don't seem to have anything in common and he's doing it in ways that match each of the victim's biggest fear. Each victim is marked with a number drawn in blood so it's up to Hunter and Garcia to find out who the remaining victims are before the Executioner gets to them.

This is a fantastic novel. Robert Hunter is a very smart, very realistic character. His partnership with Garcia is well-written but I hope in the future show more books, Carlos takes some of the lead instead of always being the follower. The secondary characters were very well done and the ending is never telegraphed along the way. The chapters are all short and designed to keep you reading. You can tell the author was a criminal psychologist before he switched careers. His ability to get into the mind of the killer and his motive was exceptional. I don't normally give five star ratings to a graphic serial killer novels but I feel like The Executioner more than met the five star bar. show less

[The Executioner] by Chris Carter
The Hunter series Book#2
5 Stars

From the Book:
Inside a Los Angeles church, on the altar steps, lies the blood-soaked, decapitated body of a priest. Carefully positioned, legs stretched out, arms crossed over the chest, the most horrifying thing of all is that the priest's head has been replaced by that of a dog. Later, the forensic team discover that, on the victim's chest, the figure 3 has been scrawled in blood. At first, Detective Robert Hunter believes that this is a ritualistic killing. But as more bodies surface, he is forced to reassess. All the victims died in the way they feared the most. Their worst nightmares have literally come true. But how could the killer have known? And what links these show more apparently random victims? Hunter finds himself on the trail of an elusive and sadistic killer, someone who apparently has the power to read his victims' minds. Someone who can sense what scares his victims the most. Someone who will stop at nothing to achieve his twisted aim.

My Views:
This series is not for the faint of heart or those with a weak stomach. I have neither so needless to say I have enjoyed both this book and the first in the series [The Crucifix Killer]. The plot is well woven with clues and misdirections...which I have to admit I fell for hook, line and sinker. All the chapters are short, so don't let the 143 chapters be a turn off. Each and every one has a cliffhanger ending that will drive you on to the next and the next and the next..... I recommend the Hunter Series to anyone that loves a physiological thriller and is not bothered by graphic murder scenes. show less

The second book of the Robert Hunter series, and just as violent as the first. It seems like Chris Carter must take lessons from Stephen King to come up with some of his scenarios - they're pretty terrifying. This story fortifies an old theory of mine - if you want to make a villain more evil, just add in some good old time religion.

This book was very exciting, and hard to put down. My only disappointment was the introduction of psychic abilities from dreams to help solve the crime. I find that introducing this type of power in a serious story is a type of crutch in that it allows the author to solve any mystery by using the power that is not constrained by mere science or common sense. It's OK in a fantasy genre book, but a bit out of show more place in a serious mystery. But it's a minor quibble. I just pretend that it's possible, because... well, who knows what's possible? show less

[The Executioner] by Chris Carter
Robert Hunter series Book #2
5★'s

From The Book:
Inside a Los Angeles church, on the altar steps, lies the blood-soaked, decapitated body of a priest. Carefully positioned, legs stretched out, arms crossed over the chest, the most horrifying thing of all is that the priest's head has been replaced by that of a dog. Later, the forensic team discover that, on the victim's chest, the figure 3 has been scrawled in blood. At first, Detective Robert Hunter believes that this is a ritualistic killing. But as more bodies surface, he is forced to reassess. All the victims died in the way they feared the most. Their worst nightmares have literally come true. But how could the killer have known? And what links these show more apparently random victims? Hunter finds himself on the trail of an elusive and sadistic killer, someone who apparently has the power to read his victims' minds. Someone who can sense what scares his victims the most. Someone who will stop at nothing to achieve his twisted aim.

My Thoughts:
If asked to choose one word to sum-up Chris Carter's second Robert Hunter book I...without a doubt would have to say "Exceptional".

If you have already met Robert Hunter in the first book [The Crucifix Killer] you already know what a brilliant detective he is and how he won't rest until the killer is caught, tried, and convicted. Although his books are on the dark, violent and gritty side, they told in such a way that you feel your fingers are glued to the pages and you just can't put them down. If dark, gruesome murder is your cuppa tea then [The Executioner] is exactly what your are looking for. show less

"Ik kon niet stoppen met lezen en moest absoluut weten hoe het zou aflopen en wie de dader was. Ook dit was weer een verrassing van formaat en een goede afsluiter van een geweldig boek. Laat dat derde deel maar niet te lang wachten, want ik sta zeker op de voorste rij om dit nieuwe deel te gaan lezen."
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2021/11/17/gezicht-van-het-kwaad-van-chris-cart....

My 6P review: Premise, Plot, People, Place, Prose/Pace, Praise

A ritualistic killer, killing his victims using their inner most fears.

Holy crap. This was brilliant.

I read The Crucufix Killer almost ten years ago and I wondered if I would still enjoy Chris Carter’s books now. Well, I can say, I most certainly did.

I was turning the pages as fast as I could. This was fast paced and really snappy. With short chapters it felt so quick and easy to read.

The plot was excellent, and I cared for the characters.

Not one for the faint hearted though. These crimes were horrific but how Detective Robert Hunter and his team go about finding the killer was so easy to follow, believable and satisfying.

I won’t be waiting another ten years to read the show more third book in the series. show less

If you guys aren't into gory novels then this book is definitely not recommended for you, for it's got so much gore within it that even the storyline and truly insane plot cannot erase it from your minds. However, if you by any chance are and you've read plenty of books which covered gore to a very large extent, then I truly see no problem for you and you should give this brilliant writer who goes by the name Chris Carter a shot, for when he brings his characters to life he truly brings them to life, with all the ups and downs and with all the flaws and perfections. He truly is amazing and the character of Robert Hunter he has created has a potential to grow immensely big in thriller novel community, for Robert's got all from a show more brilliant mind that's capable of solving the most difficult and the most craziest of crimes, and put true monsters behind bars. So give Chris and Robert a shot, if you're into gore, and are searching for that truly insanely and brilliantly smart detective that's capable of connecting the craziest dots and truly insane writer who knows how to surprise with the most brilliant of twists. And let me finish by saying that this book has got quite a twist. show less