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70th out of 195 books
—
216 voters
Messiah
The first victim was found hanging from a rope. The second, beaten to death in a pool of blood. The third, decapitated. Their backgrounds were as strikingly different as the methods of their murders. But one chilling detail linked all three crimes: their tongues had been cut out and replaced with a silver spoon. The local police had enough evidence to believe they were wit...more
Paperback, 464 pages
Published
September 1st 1999
by Onyx
(first published 1999)
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"O poder de decidir da vida e da morte. Uma vez concedido, nunca poderá ser retirado. Uma vez usado, nunca poderá ser reversível.
Red gostou do que fez, e sabe que fez mal. Tornou-se naquilo que sempre desprezou.
O poder da razão, a capacidade de distinguir entre o bem e o mel, é aquilo que distingue o homem dos outros primatas. Red usa esta razão enquanto ainda a tem. Enfrentou a sua própria realidade e ela tomou conta dele. Por isso quis assegurar-se de que se encontra num lugar onde a loucura p...more
Red gostou do que fez, e sabe que fez mal. Tornou-se naquilo que sempre desprezou.
O poder da razão, a capacidade de distinguir entre o bem e o mel, é aquilo que distingue o homem dos outros primatas. Red usa esta razão enquanto ainda a tem. Enfrentou a sua própria realidade e ela tomou conta dele. Por isso quis assegurar-se de que se encontra num lugar onde a loucura p...more
Londres, Maio de 1998, enquanto a cidade sufoca numa onda de calor como há muito não se sentia, um misterioso e sui-géneris assassino inicia o seu périplo de crimes diante de uma assombrada polícia que não consegue descobrir qualquer pista nem nenhuma relação entre esses crimes.
Pouco mais de cem anos após Jack, o Estripador atemorizar a sociedade londrina, eis que a cidade se vê agora diante de um assassino furtivo que mata sem piedade e de uma forma extremamente violenta e com uma particularida...more
Pouco mais de cem anos após Jack, o Estripador atemorizar a sociedade londrina, eis que a cidade se vê agora diante de um assassino furtivo que mata sem piedade e de uma forma extremamente violenta e com uma particularida...more
Investigator Red Metcalfe's toughest case begins with two killings in one night. One man hanged, the other beaten to death - but both with their tongues removed and silver spoons inserted into their mouths. By the time a third victim has been found decapitated, Red and his team of investigators are still clutching at made-up straws. As the murders continue to mount, Red can ascertain no patterns and no motive. Besides his trademark calling cards, the killer leaves no clues, and nothing seems to...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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From the moment you open this powerfully written book you are irretrievably drawn into the tortured world of Detective Red Metcalfe and the horrendous crimes he is struggling to solve. You experience his, and his teams, sense of hopelessness as a serial killer, who comes to be known as 'Silver Tongue' (which becomes obvious as to why as the story progresses) strikes again and again leaving no clues. With each twist of the plot and the equally intricate subplot, you are plunged deeper into the de...more
I can’t remember where I picked this up. It was a while before the TV adaptation anyway. I do remember remarking what a brilliant screenplay it would make. I wasn’t at all surprised when I soon saw trailers for the mini-series, but I did look forward to seeing it.
Red Metcalfe is one of the most believable detectives I’ve ever encountered in crime fiction. Brilliantly written characters are just half of what makes this book unforgettable, though. Crime scene descriptions are mesmerising in the de...more
Red Metcalfe is one of the most believable detectives I’ve ever encountered in crime fiction. Brilliantly written characters are just half of what makes this book unforgettable, though. Crime scene descriptions are mesmerising in the de...more
Mar 24, 2013
Ruth
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime-modern,
the-unknown-graffiti-artist
c1999: FWFTB: silver, tongues, deranged, tortured, London. The cover is emblazoned with the strapline "A psychological thriller that will haunt your dreams." - Well, not so much. It does show how much I have become immured to violence over the past 14 years. Either that, or I have somehow managed to watch a film or TV series with a similar premise. The writing is good and pacy but I could see the ending quite early in the book which did take away the sense of the 'thrill.' The phantom graffiti a...more
What a superb and suspenseful thriller this was. I couldn't put it down.
Back Cover Blurb:
London is in the grip of a heatwave: airless days, strange steamy nights and a killer stalking the streets. Wealthy men are being murdered to some mysterious pattern, with no clues left behind, only corpses with silver spoons in place of their tongues.
Set against this merciless butcher is Detective Superintendent Red Metcalfe, an investigator with a celebrated ability to get under the skin and into the minds...more
Back Cover Blurb:
London is in the grip of a heatwave: airless days, strange steamy nights and a killer stalking the streets. Wealthy men are being murdered to some mysterious pattern, with no clues left behind, only corpses with silver spoons in place of their tongues.
Set against this merciless butcher is Detective Superintendent Red Metcalfe, an investigator with a celebrated ability to get under the skin and into the minds...more
Por onde começar? Talvez por dizer que na contra-capa deste livro está escrito: Uma obra-prima do suspense. Ponto final. Tudo dito.
Quando leio policiais que adoro tenho enormes dificuldades em expressar tudo o que achei dos mesmos, o autor constrói um enredo em que TUDO bate certo no final. A acção é o tipo de acção que eu adoro, ou seja, rápida e com acontecimentos e revelações constantes. O investigador não é de TODO um santinho e isso imprime ainda um outro "gosto" ao desenrolar da história e...more
Quando leio policiais que adoro tenho enormes dificuldades em expressar tudo o que achei dos mesmos, o autor constrói um enredo em que TUDO bate certo no final. A acção é o tipo de acção que eu adoro, ou seja, rápida e com acontecimentos e revelações constantes. O investigador não é de TODO um santinho e isso imprime ainda um outro "gosto" ao desenrolar da história e...more
A good book. A serial killer loose in London, Scotland Yard is spinning in circles trying to find the killer before he strikes again. The main character "Red Metcalfe" is well known for his ability to read the crime scene and track killers but this time he's struggling.
Flashbacks through out tell a story of a past family tragedy and a secret he has never revealed to anyone.
Supporting characters include the special task force assembled to help solve the crime and of course the killer himself.
A...more
Flashbacks through out tell a story of a past family tragedy and a secret he has never revealed to anyone.
Supporting characters include the special task force assembled to help solve the crime and of course the killer himself.
A...more
Ah, nicely gory stuff and a very enjoyable read, though some of the Bible quotes, though vaguely relevant to the story, rambled on a bit too long. We didn’t need a replay of the Crucifixion – the only relevant bit in that was Judas hanging himself. And I’m not even sure we needed that. I laugh at people who believe in the sky pixie and wouldn’t have the Bible in my house other than for woodburner fuel, but even I knew that. Interesting ending too. I’m not entirely sure the first TV production of...more
I was a little frustrated with this book in the beginning. It started out a little 2 dimensional, and the back and forth of present and past was quite annoying at the time. Especially when the chapters didn't indicate the change of time or tone of the second "story" (until later in the book) Despite that, I found myself glued to the pages eager to know the ending and the plot held my interest until the very end.
At times it felt like the author got side-tracked when explaining minor details and...more
At times it felt like the author got side-tracked when explaining minor details and...more
A primeira vítima foi encontrada pendurada numa corda. A segunda, espancada até à morte, jazendo numa poça de sangue. A terceira, decapitada. Os seus antecedentes são tão diferentes como os métodos do seu assassinato. Mas um pormenor arrepiante liga os três crimes: as suas línguas foram cortadas e substituídas por uma colher de prata. A polícia tem provas suficientes para acreditar que está perante um raro e perturbador fenómeno: o aparecimento de um serial killer, perverso e inteligente... E tu...more
Tyler Succi Book Review for The Messiah 6.4.12
~ Who doesn't love a good mystery involving some hardcore investigating and several dead people? The main characters are Jez, Kate, Red, and Duncan. Red is the lead investigator for the hard case he works on throughout the book. Red also has a brother and then his parents. Throughout the book, there are relationships built and many more suspenseful moments. What the story's about is that there's a specific killer on the loose and has an unpredictable...more
~ Who doesn't love a good mystery involving some hardcore investigating and several dead people? The main characters are Jez, Kate, Red, and Duncan. Red is the lead investigator for the hard case he works on throughout the book. Red also has a brother and then his parents. Throughout the book, there are relationships built and many more suspenseful moments. What the story's about is that there's a specific killer on the loose and has an unpredictable...more
Dec 29, 2009
Conta-me Histórias
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
literatura-estrangeira,
policiais
Acabei este livro no dia 25 de Dezembro e só tenho uma palavra para o descrever: Brilhante!
Um policial mesmo ao meu estilo, arrepiante, perturbador. "Messias" é um livro que assombra mesmo os nossos sonhos.
Red Metcalfe, superintendente da Scotland Yard está envolvido na busca do assassino de três pessoas, onde nada parece comum, não fosse todos terem sido encontrados com uma colher de prata na boca e com a língua removida. Do assassino, nem uma única pista...
Red organiza uma equipa de trabalho e...more
Um policial mesmo ao meu estilo, arrepiante, perturbador. "Messias" é um livro que assombra mesmo os nossos sonhos.
Red Metcalfe, superintendente da Scotland Yard está envolvido na busca do assassino de três pessoas, onde nada parece comum, não fosse todos terem sido encontrados com uma colher de prata na boca e com a língua removida. Do assassino, nem uma única pista...
Red organiza uma equipa de trabalho e...more
I don't usually read mysteries, or thrillers, or books about serial killers. This book was definitely gripping and entertaining, but basically felt a bit empty. Like watching an episode of Law and Order, I was entertained, but don't feel that I walk away having really learned anything about the characters, human interaction, gorgeous sentences, or fascinating trivia.
I also found the killer sort of predictable early on, which is usually not true for me. Maybe the hints or foreshadowing were too s...more
I also found the killer sort of predictable early on, which is usually not true for me. Maybe the hints or foreshadowing were too s...more
What a fabulous thriller! 500 pages of real page-turning action, intrigue and murder. From page one I was hooked by the story of DCI Red Metcalfe and the serial killer known as Silver Tongue. There are some really gory murders and Starling does not hold back with his descriptions, but the pace and speed of the story is so gripping that I can forgive the odd stomach-churning moment.
Red Metcalfe is a fascinating character, I especially liked the way that Starling incorporated the story of how Red...more
Red Metcalfe is a fascinating character, I especially liked the way that Starling incorporated the story of how Red...more
Sep 21, 2007
Friska
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone, police officer, detective
Shelves:
mysterythrillers
Awalnya, saat melihat cover dan resensi para pembacanya, g pikir buku ini bagus. Setelah g baca, buku ini ternyata masih kalah dibandingkan Da Vinci Codenya Dan Brown. model-model ceritanya agak mirip, menegangkan, ada misteri yang harus dipecahkan, dan berhubungan dengan kitab suci. Namun, greget ceritanya masih terasa kurang.
Buku ini menceritakan mengenai seorang pembunuh berantai yang mengganggap dirinya mesias yang datang ke dunia untuk kedua kalinya dan 'memanggil' rasul-rasulnya. Setiap ko...more
Buku ini menceritakan mengenai seorang pembunuh berantai yang mengganggap dirinya mesias yang datang ke dunia untuk kedua kalinya dan 'memanggil' rasul-rasulnya. Setiap ko...more
Jul 28, 2012
Mirella Grace
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
suspense-thriller-adventure
Mantabh... Ini novel suspense kereeeen abis... Kenapa bintang 4? Abis, endingnya rada gimana dehhh gitu..
Oh iya, one more thing... Sepanjang baca buku ini, selalu terjadi deja vu. Deja vu sepertinya saya udah baca novel ini or novel lainnya. Tau kenapa... Asli, deja vu nya dalem banget. Emang gak mengganggu konsentrasi baca sih, tapi bikin saya penasaran, apa jangan jangan saya udah pernah baca buku ini... Tapi nggak ah, lah wong ni buku baru aja saya beli... Atau novel lainnya, tapi kenapa sama...more
Oh iya, one more thing... Sepanjang baca buku ini, selalu terjadi deja vu. Deja vu sepertinya saya udah baca novel ini or novel lainnya. Tau kenapa... Asli, deja vu nya dalem banget. Emang gak mengganggu konsentrasi baca sih, tapi bikin saya penasaran, apa jangan jangan saya udah pernah baca buku ini... Tapi nggak ah, lah wong ni buku baru aja saya beli... Atau novel lainnya, tapi kenapa sama...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A serial killer who's kills mirror the methods of execution for each of the 12 apostles?
Outlandish? Yes.
Ridiculous? No way.
It's been some time since I read it, but this was was one of the first tomes that, when not being read, dared me to pick it up and read just a few pages. I never succeeded in reading just a few pages. If you enjoy the serial killer genre, you'll enjoy this book.
Outlandish? Yes.
Ridiculous? No way.
It's been some time since I read it, but this was was one of the first tomes that, when not being read, dared me to pick it up and read just a few pages. I never succeeded in reading just a few pages. If you enjoy the serial killer genre, you'll enjoy this book.
A British serial killer mystery. The killer is killing the twelve apostles. Tightly written, I thought I knew the killer a quarter of the way through; I changed my mind and about three quarter of the way through, it became obvious. Surprisingly, it did not change the enjoyment level of the book. Good research on Apostles, and not a bad read.
Even though the story itself has its flaws (mainly the switching of the POVs, that occur randomly and aren't really necessary, and once even goes directly against the character that actually did it and seems to be there just to throw the reader off), it's gripping, gruesome (I like that) and urges me as the reader to read on and on, even though I know how it ends. I wish Vodka had the same intensity but I laid that aside, bored after a handful of pages.
Needed more character development for the part of the detective. Too many tired cliches trotted out, detective's marriage goes bad, detective has a tainted past...blah,blah,blah
Also being as this was a thriller I personally found the action went in fits and starts. Interestingly it probably mirrored a real investigation, nothing happens for months then a small lead breaks. However, I like my fictional thrillers to be a little more exciting.
Also being as this was a thriller I personally found the action went in fits and starts. Interestingly it probably mirrored a real investigation, nothing happens for months then a small lead breaks. However, I like my fictional thrillers to be a little more exciting.
My friend, Jean sent me this book out of the clear blue. I think she thinks I would have turned my nose up at it because I don't generally like British mysteries. (She was right, but I've now learned my lesson.) This is one of the greatest books I've read in forever. It's a first novel and it's a gripper from beginning to end. Brutal murders, carefully planned and executed are turning up and Investigator Red Metcalf, renowned for his case solving, is stumped. But, that's only the tip of the iceb...more
Assim sim, que belo livro!! Devo dizer que literalmente o devorei, começei ontem e terminei-o mesmo agora, recomendo-o a todos os que procuram um bom policial... 5 estrelas, a destacar só uma certa repetição dos nomes próprios, mas a sua qualidade faz com isso seja menos importante.
Awesome thriller, even 4 or 5 reads in. Can't actually remember if I guessed who the killer was the first time I read it, even if everybody else seems to think they did! Nicely gory, a few good red herrings, all the histories and back stories tie together well.
It has been a long time since I read this book but I remember being blown away by its descriptive story. I passed it along to several of my friends to read. It also kept the bar high for the rest of the mysteries and thrillers that I tried to read.
This is on my list of my 'Most Read' books. Grim and bleak as anything you'll ever come across, but written with such verve and purpose that your eyes are pretty much glued to it as soon as you begin. A gripping story of madness and retribution.
Page-turning book. One missing star for 2 reasons. It was too easy to "guess" the murder, even too "early" for my taste. :-P And also, I don´t believe that a psychopatic murder, religious phanatic, can "play" a role of a good, fave guy so long and perfectly. But the very end was very great as unusual.
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Jan 10, 2013 06:34am