The Death Sculptor

Robert Hunter #4

by Chris Carter

FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER THE CALLER'Good job you didn't turn on the lights . . .' A student nurse has the shock of her life when she discovers her patient, prosecutor Derek Nicholson, brutally murdered in his bed. The act seems senseless - Nicholson was terminally ill with only weeks to live. But what most shocks Detective Robert Hunter of the Los Angeles Robbery Homicide Division is the calling card the killer left behind. For Hunter, there is no doubt that the killer is trying to communicate with the police, but the method is unlike anything he's ever seen before. And what could the hidden message be? Just as Hunter and his partner Garcia reckon they've found a lead, a new body is found - and a new calling card. But with no apparent link between the first and second victims, all the progress they've made so far goes out of the window. Pushed into an uncomfortable alliance with confident investigator Alice Beaumont, Hunter must race to put together the pieces of the puzzle . . . before the Death Sculptor puts the final touches to his masterpiece.PRAISE FOR CHRIS CARTER 'A touch of Patricia Cornwell about Chris Carter's plotting' Mail on Sunday 'Gripping . . . not for the squeamish' Heat 'A page-turner' Express

Genres: Thriller, Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Suspense, Detective

409 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

Biographies can be an absolute drag, so I won’t bore anyone with a long life story.

I was born in Brasilia, Brazil where I spent my childhood and teenage years. After graduating from high school, I moved to the USA where I studied psychology with specialization in criminal behaviour. During my University years I held a variety of odd jobs, ranging from flipping burgers to being part of an all male exotic dancing group.

I worked as a criminal psychologist for several years before moving to Los Angeles, where I swapped the suits and briefcases for ripped jeans, bandanas and an electric guitar. After a spell playing for several well known glam rock bands, I decided to try my luck in London, where I was fortunate enough to have played for a number of famous artists. I toured the world several times as a professional musician.

A few years ago I gave it all up to become a full time writer.

Reviews

[Mario the lone bookwolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art is in the eye of the beholder, but this is just ridiculously exaggerated by an overachieving torture artist.

What makes it unique
It´s the little details that make a work of music, art, or literature special and the starring killer really understands the importance of good staging with a sudden plot twist and the big aha tada moment. Not enough that the exhibition pieces are already impressive, there is even a physical meta level with hidden messages Hunter has to find to be able to fully enjoy and appreciate the genius of the artist.

How much dark, hidden meaning could there be behind modern art, as if its sight wasn´t already torture enough
The idea of hiding secret messages in any creative piece is an old one, but imagining a real serial killer who does it for fun, ecstasy, celebrating her or his ingenuity or the mentioned vengeance is a new, interesting form of evil. Of course, it would lead to the same modern art disputes as seen around the world, the one describing it as something each low IQed, primitive, animalistic hillbilly killer could do, while others see it as the next big thing of a truly sophisticated murder genius. Probably both of the groups won´t really bother much with thinking about the victims and be more obsessed with talking about the ingenuity of the next big killing installation.

The good old self justice question or why DIY (doesn´t) rock(s)
Again, the big showdown opens up the question of where justice ends and vigilantism begins, if people are legitimized to kill if the law doesn´t help them after misjudgment and injustice, if it´s ok to switch from victim or the one left behind alone to the big avenger.

A wiki walk can be as refreshing to the mind as a walk through nature in this completely overrated real life outside books: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_...
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_C...

[Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best policing series going and coming from law enforcement I think my opinion is pretty valid.

The author Cris Carter is a criminal psychologist and worked for the Michigan DA's office. What he knows and saw gives him incredible insight into the field.

This is book 4 in the series but can be read stand alone. I would suggest though starting with the first as I have read them all and given them all five star reviews.

The hero of the series is Robert Hunter who is based on Carter. He is extremely intellectual having gone through school years ahead of schedule. He chose to get into policing because of what happened to his dad and he is the best at what he does.

Throughout this series the crimes explored are extremely disturbing. It's just great stuff though as it is realistic, phenomenally written and full of twists and turns.

In this novel it begins with the death of a California District Attorney. The series is set in Los Angeles. The DA was on his death bed ridden with cancer and only had weeks to live. Why would someone risk murdering him when he was clearly going to die. And the way he was murdered - just insane with body parts amputated and left for the police is a sculpture containing those body parts. Why? And what is the message behind the sculpture?

Well Detective Hunter is under the gun as the DA's office wants answers and fast. The DA's office lends him one of their best who is Alice Beaumont. PS Carter had a contest for his fans and the winner got to be a character is his book. So cool and kudo's to Alice Beaumont :) Of course Hunter's partner Garcia is always in tow and quite capable on his own. So with the resources of the DA's office as well as the police things will get done quickly.

Based on the first sculpture the team figures out that there will be four murders taking place. When the second involves a cop things really get heated. Like what the heck is going on? And yet another gruesome sculpture left as a clue and this one includes decapitation.

What I liked about this novel is how Carter gives insight into the mind of a serial killer itself. It was great learning so many things and is one of the reasons why I just love this series. When you've worked in law enforcement your whole life and Carter can still teach you a thing or two it is just awesome.

Now why would a killer be intent on leaving clues and why do his victims all relate to law enforcement? Hunter quickly thinks that there is more to these crimes, that the killer is trying to tell the police something.

There are so many twists and turns but I have to confess that towards the last third or so of the book you can start piecing it together. You get a good clue and I think Carter has no problem in letting you in with those clues. He's giving you a chance versus writing some absurd ending that you never see coming. The ending did catch me by surprise on two very big levels and I loved those surprises. It shows that Hunter is just and does the right thing.

Again if you want to see policing at work. If you want to see the DA's office at work. This is just a great series. If you want to see inside the mind of a serial killer this one author with real life experience with regard to all 3 - policing, DA's office and serial killers just knocks this one out of the ball park.

I should note that I did work out of Canada's version of a DA's office for three years. I was the liason with the police and the police are usually not fans of lawyers or prosecutors but I have to admit what I saw out of the DA's office was quite an eye opener. Lawyers in general have to learn everything and anything relating to their case. It is quite amazing. One case for instance dealt with a natural gas explosion that blew up a house and killed the occupant when the gas company was doing routine work so everyone had to learn the insides and outs of what is involved with that. Can you imagine and that goes for the prosecution as well as defence. I really turned my opinion on lawyers in general. They like have to be genius' to be able to do their job competently. I now place Carter in that level of genius too :)

Easy five star and best thriller series I have read by far even though its pretty dark it is not extreme horror though it comes close for those who want a hard dose of reality. READ THIS SERIES!!

[Katerina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5****

Even though it was a good story I felt like something was missing in this one. Happy though to follow another investigation with Robert Hunter and Carlos Garcia but something from their previous banter that made me smile in the first books is missing and they are focusing in more serious issues while discussing over a good scotch. Their professional and personal relationship in developing along with every new story and even though they are different at some aspects they are similar as well and have good chemistry while working. A wonderful detective duo. I also liked the addition of Alice in The death sculptor but I guess it will be short lived since our main character is a loner at least for now...?
The case was intriguing enough but in my opinion they spend way too much time puzzling over the sculptures and I would enjoy if they interrogated more suspects or witnesses. That being said the conclusion to the story makes one wonder how much can a person take before he loses it and how much his actions can be justified? The reveal honestly I couldn't see it coming since not many clues were given as to make look in that direction.

[STEPH · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK. Robert Hunter is absolutely my greatest fictional crush, and yes—I want him for myself. Haha. I don’t want any female character tying him down and becoming an easy target for his enemies. So he better stay single. HAHAHAHA. Selfish, I know.

I missed this book so much. Even though it’s been a year since I finished the series, I still remember how amazing Robert Hunter is—along with the rest of the team. The new killer is merciless, brutal, raging, and driven by a deep-seated hunger for revenge. The MO was blood-curdling. I’ve felt chills from similar stories, but this one hits a completely different level of savage, physical violence.

Chris Carter is a master of mind-games and mystery. The investigation pointed to a suspect, and for a second I thought, “Wait—this can’t be it. The motive isn’t strong enough.” And then boom. When the real killer was revealed, my jaw was on the floor and it took me a while to recover. Well played, Chris. Very well played.

I enjoyed this way too much.

[Γιώργος Δάμτσιος · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ο Κάρτερ έχει μπει ήδη στη λίστα με τους αγαπημένους μου συγγραφείς. Ο τρόπος που κλείνει τα κεφάλαιά του πραγματικά δεν έχει προηγούμενο. Σε αναγκάζει να κολλήσεις με την ιστορία και να φτάσεις με τη μία στο τέλος για να μάθεις τι θα συμβεί.

Ο Γλύπτης είναι με διαφορά το πιο ακραίο του βιβλίο ως τώρα. (Τα εγκλήματα είναι για γερά στομάχια). Ωστόσο αυτό δεν θα σταθεί εμπόδιο στους αναγνώστες του είδους. Είναι πλέον συνηθισμένοι. (Η σύγχρονη αστυνομική λογοτεχνία ακολουθεί την ανθρώπινη παράνοια των ημερών μας και είναι λογικό). Από εκεί και πέρα, η γραφή του Κάρτερ νομίζω ότι έχει βελτιωθεί (ήταν ήδη πολύ καλή) και έτσι δημιουργεί πολύ ζωντανές εικόνες ακόμα και στις πιο απλές σκηνές.

Υπάρχουν 1-2 μικροπράγματα στην πλοκή που μου φάνηκαν ''πολύ εύκολα'' έτσι όπως λύθηκαν αλλά αυτό δεν με απέτρεψε από το να του δώσω πέντε αστεράκια καθώς το απόλαυσα μέχρι την τελευταία του σελίδα.

Δεν τίθεται καν θέμα για το αν συνεχίσω στο πέμπτο. Προπαραγγελία θα γίνει κι εκείνο!

[Angela DeSilva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!! Officially my favorite fiction crime writer of all time!

[Tonkica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Odlično krvavo zanimljiva!
Preporuka čitati bilo koji dio jer nije vezano! Koji god naslov da odaberete, nećete pogriješiti!

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ein Serienmörder geht um in LA! (mal wieder). Diesmal ist es ein Täter, der scheinbar wahllos Männer tötet, ihnen dann professionell die Gliedmaßen abtrennt und aus diesen wirre Skulpturen formt, die auf den ersten Blick wenig Sinn ergeben. Die Szenen sind so brutal und abstoßen (mal wieder), dass selbst erfahrene Polizisten kaum hinsehen können. Die einzigen, die diesem Mörder auf die Schliche kommen können, sind (mal wieder) Profiler Robert Hunter und sein Partner Carlos Garcia.

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Obwohl ich den fast schon obsessiven inneren Zwang habe, Buchreihen zu beenden, glaube ich, dass ich hier einfach den Schlussstrich ziehen muss. Zumindest mal für ein Jahr. Diesmal habe ich mir das gekürzte Hörbuch angehört, in der Hoffnung, dass die Lektüre dann mehr Spaß macht, aber das hat nur bewirkt, dass ich halt ein paar Stunden weniger Lebenszeit verloren habe. Die Geschichte selbst war immer noch nichts. Ich glaube mittlerweile tbh, dass Chris Carter einfach kein guter Autor ist. Er muss auf diese unfassbare Brutalität und allgegenwärtige Extremität von Eigenschaften seiner Charaktere zurückgreifen, weil er es sonst nicht schafft, Spannung aufzubauen.

Man, selbst in dieser Riesenmetropole LA laufen nicht so viele superkreative Serienmörder rum. Je länger ich diese Reihe lese, desto mehr habe ich das Gefühl, der Autor hat gar keine Ahnung davon, wie die meisten Serienmörder so agieren? Ich halte es zumindest für sehr unrealistisch, dass alle paar Monate eine verrückte Person mehrere Morde begeht und der Polizei dabei jedesmal ein zu interpretierendes Zeichen oder Arrangement hinterlässt.
So im Allgemeinen wollen Straftäter eher unerkannt bleiben als der Polizei irgendwelche Hinweise zu geben, die auf sie schließen lassen.

Ansonsten haben mich wieder die üblichen Dinge genervt: Schwache Frauenfiguren (kann nicht irgendein Lektor Carter mal erklären, dass es keinen Sinn macht, dass die Vorgesetzte so dumm und hysterisch ist? So wird man nicht Chef. Die wirkt absolut inkompetent und versteht nichts. Nie im Leben erreicht man so eine Führungsposition. Ich bin nicht mal sauer auf die Figur, ich bin sauer auf den Autor, dass er diese Figur so schreibt), unprofessionelle Dialoge (welcher Polizist sagt denn Dinge wie: „Finden Sie dieses Schwein!“ – so spricht man doch nicht?!), Unlogik in den Betriebsstrukturen (ich bezweifel, dass einem der Fall entzogen wird, wenn man nach ein paar Tagen keinen Verdächtigen vorzuweisen hat. Wichtiger ist doch, dass die Ermittler ihre Arbeit sorgfältig machen und dann fundierte Beweise liefern), schwache Storyline, die man versucht, mit Brutalität und Perversion aufzubauschen und am Ende erklärt der Täter natürlich auch noch lang und breit sein Motiv, um die Lücken der Leserschaft zu füllen, wie echte Kriminelle das ja immer so gerne tun.

Keine Reihe, die sich lohnt zu lesen.

[teach_book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carter JAK Ty to robisz, że nie mogę się oderwać i domyślić zakończenia?!

[João Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Departamento da Polícia de Los Angeles - West 1st Street - Los Angeles

”O Escultor da Morte” - um policial com um título sugestivo – escrito por Chris Carter (n. 1965) é o quarto livro de uma série protagonizada pelo inspector Robert Hunter. Chris Carter nasceu em Brasília, Brasil, mas cedo se mudou para os Estados Unidos da América onde se formou em Psicologia com especialização em Comportamento Criminal.
Robert ”Hunter era filho único, numa família de escassos recursos económicos. Viviam em Compton, um bairro desfavorecido na zona sul de Los Angeles. Sem ninguém além do pai, enfrentar a morte da mãe fora uma tarefa solitária e difícil. Sentia tanto a sua falta que essa dor assumia até contornos físicos.” (Pág. 24)
Em ”O Escultor da Morte” o inspector Hunter, da Divisão de Assaltos e Homicídios de Los Angeles, é encarregado da investigação de um crime brutal, com contornos macabros perpetrado contra Derek Nicholson, um importante advogado da cidade, que fez carreira na Procuradoria Distrital do Estado da Califórnia. O local do crime apresenta um cenário hediondo e extremamente repugnante – com as palavras escultor e escultura a deixarem pouco ou nenhum espaço à imaginação.
A estranheza deste bárbaro crime é acentuada pela constatação de que Derek Nicholson sofria de um cancro no pulmão em fase terminal e, obviamente, com pouco tempo de vida.
Depois há mais crimes e mais mensagens enigmáticas e mais…
”O Escultor da Morte” é sem nenhuma dúvida um dos policiais mais macabros e sinistros que tenho lido; as descrições gráficas e o martírio a que são subjugadas as vítimas é absolutamente indescritível, mas visualizáveis pela mestria tortuosa da escrita de Chris Carter – acentuadas, pelo facto de ser importante e fundamental manter as vítimas conscientes.
”O Escultor da Morte” é um notável policial com uma excepcional proporcionalidade entre o contexto visceral da narrativa e das suas vívidas descrições com a caracterização das personagens e a análise psicológica das motivações que estão por de trás do assassino ou dos assassinos.
Adorei o facto da narrativa ser onisciente na terceira pessoa permitindo ao leitor testemunhar “in loco” as movimentações das personagens e os múltiplos eventos em que participam, mas também pela construção do policial em capítulos curtos, numa escrita excepcionalmente imaginativa.

NOTA: É sempre aconselhável iniciar a leitura de uma série policial pela sequência da sua publicação. No caso específico de ”O Escultor da Morte” não vislumbrei essa efectiva necessidade.

[Bharath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series with an excellent character in Robert Hunter. While I am looking to read the books now largely in order, I am trying to skip those where the crimes seem to be extremely gruesome.

Derek was a prosecutor for the state of California for 26 years; and is now seriously ill with advanced lung cancer. Melinda is in her third year of college at UCLA doing her BS in Nursing & Caretaking. She cares for Derek over the weekend and has been doing this since over 3 months. Derek’s daughters Olivia & Allison visit him every day and there is a different nurse (Amy) for the weekdays. Derek is found brutally murdered by Melinda as she comes in one morning (she stays the weekends in a guestroom above the garage in the property). The body is arranged in a particular way to probably convey a message.

Hunter and his partner Garcia get on the case. They realize that this is a carefully planned murder (potentially based on some personal animosity) and the placement suggests a message. The DA Dwayne Bradley takes a personal interest and force-inserts Alice from his office into the investigation. Alice was Robert's classmate in school. The section head Captain Barbara Blake is also closely involved as the brutal nature of the murder is shocking. More deaths are to follow.

While I mentioned at the start that I wanted to avoid the extremely gruesome crimes in this series, I don’t think I managed that with this. The crimes are terribly brutal, and the descriptions are graphic. Thankfully, the large part of the story is about the uncovering of the plot. The plot is very different and imaginative. Robert Hunter’s investigation, as always, is a delight to follow. Alice’s character is a nice addition, and I hope she continues in a few later books.

Strong plot, procedures & characters – go for it (if you can take a few brutal murders).

[Morana Mazor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genijalno! Moj prvi susret sa Chrisom Carterom i ljubav na prvu knjigu. Ok, prilično je krvavo i brutalno, ali mislim da smo svi mi koji volimo ovaj žanr već oguglali na takve stvari. Sviđa mi se stil pisanja, lako je čitljivo, radnja se brzo odvija, a tu je i zaista, ali zaista neočekivani rasplet.
Čim prije čitam još nešto njegovo!

[Xana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Embora não tenha sido o meu livro preferido de Chris Carter, é muito bom de qualquer forma. Uma história macabra, que me manteve em incógnita até ao final.
Muito bom, recomendo

[spokój.w.głowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ciężko nie spoilerować kryminałów, 5 gwiazdek i nara.

[Made by Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

[Gabyal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado bastante, Carter es increiblemente bueno para poner crímenes cada vez más fuertes (para mi) aunque esta novela siento que le aflojó un poquillo el ritmo, le dió vueltas a la trama y como si se hubiera ciclado en ella.
Al escultor no me vi venir ni de relajo que fuera esa persona, me sorprendió mucho la verdad nunca me lo esperé, lo supo manejar super bien Carter en eso, y cuando lo sabes entiendes sus motivos y todo, así como también su final (vamos es de esperarse que actuara como lo hizo)
Hunter, García y la capitana se llevan las palmas como siempre sus personajes muy bien perfilados. Alice me gustó pero le falta algo a la chica, igual y sale después en otro de sus libros, y si es asi espero que mejore

4.5 estrellas

[Kasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

W swoim gatunku Krisu Karterus jest miszczem. Jakbym mogła czytać zasłaniając oczy, to tak bym czytała. Straszno i krwawo.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Chris Carter last year with his first book of Robert Hunter series, The Crucifix Killer. That book satisfied my needs for serial killers and fast-paced procedural. Starting book #2, the murders Chris Carter described were getting more gruesome and not for the faint-hearted or squemish stomach. In this book, Chris Carter kept giving that violent and gory murders, which of course compelled me to no-end (one reviewer said it was like a slasher movie, and I tend to agree).

As always, there are several red herrings given, to throw readers off from the real killer and the real reason of the murders. However, I find it very interesting, that the victims were not as 'innocent' as they seemed to be. The victims were all 'noble' and 'good' people in the public's eyes. One was a former DA, one was a former LAPD Detective, and the other one was a psychologist. The reason on why they were killed lies in their past ... and I couldn't help to think that they deserved their current fate.

This book introduced a secondary female character, Alice Beaumont, that matches Robert's genius mind. At first, I think that she will be quite interesting as love interest for Robert. But as the story goes, I don't like that Alice seems to take the spotlight from Garcia, Robert's partner. I like Robert and Garcia's camaraderie and friendship ... and I feel like it is a bit missing. I even miss Anna, Garcia's wife.

The identity of the killer is a bit surprising ... but at the same time, makes me a bit confused Especially for Andrew's murder, when Olivia posed as mechanic ... was she really that strong that she could broke Andrew's jaw? And didn't these man ever saw her before, considering that Olivia was the daughter of Derek, the first victim, who once was their friend -- even if they never keep in touch, but Derek must be in the news once or twice, right? He is a DA for years. Why didn't they surprised/knew her before?. Maybe I miss some hints. But it's still good :)

I want a good mystery, gruesome murders, and serial killers. Again, I get it from this and I'm satisfied....

[Goda l Knygu_jura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turbūt jau savo meilės ir susižavėjimo šiam trilerių autoriui pristatinėti nereikia. Detektyvo Roberto Hanterio serija mano mėgstamiausia ir labiausiai laukiama iš visų! “Mirties skulptorius” jau ketvirtoji serijos dalis, tad natūralu, kad kartelė kuo toliau, tuo labiau užkeliama. Tad, šįkart momentais knyga mane šiek tiek nuvylė!

Istorijos pradžia mane labai pašiurpino ir įtraukė nuo pirmųjų puslapių! Tačiau galiu pasakyti tiek, kad pašiurpau tik vieną kartą ir pačioje pradžioje, o vėliau jokių didelių baisybių (na, neskaitant itin kraupių nusikaltimų, kurie yra šio rašytojo ir jo trilerių bruožas) nebuvo. Tad truputį nusivyliau, nes galvojau, kad jei jau pradžioje viena vieta privertė jaustis nepatogiai, tai ar ir likusioje knygoje neturėtų būti kažko panašaus?? 

Tačiau, nepaisant to, kad man pritrūko bauginimo,  nusikaltimai buvo išties kraupūs ir man labai patiko tai, kaip autorius netuščiažodžiauja. Šioje knygoje nėra nieko nereikalingo! Skyreliai trumpi, viskas svarbu, įdomu ir įtraukia! Ypač pats tyrimas, veikėjų bandymas suprasti kas svarbu, kas nelabai, išspręsti žudiko pateikiamas mįsles.. Taip buvo ir šį, ir tris kartus prieš tai, skaitant pirmąsias tris serijos dalis! 

Chris Carter kiekvienoje knygoje sukurpia didelį mįslių ir paslapčių burbulą, kurį knygos pabaigoje puikiai susprogdina! Knygos pabaigoje visada pateikiamas netikėtumas ir tas kaltininkas, kurį mažiausiai arba išvis neįtarei! Šį kartą autorius mane vėl nustebino, BET neįtikino. Žudiko istorija tikrai skaudi, priverčianti susimąstyti kokius sprendimus priimtum pats, bet žudiko veiksmai truputį nelogiški. Tačiau, nenoriu labai išsiplėsti,  kad netyčia neišduočiau kas ir kaip! Tik labai įdomu ar žudiko veiksmai įtikino Jus!🤭

Galiu tik pasidžiaugti, kad nors šį kartą ir radau truputį minusų, bet šis trileris man labai patiko ir aš jau su nekantrumu laukiu naujos dalies! Iš aprašymo sprendžiu, kad susidursime su tamsiuoju internetu, tai tiesiog spirgu iš nekantrumo!!!😍😍📚

[Ugnė | pilna_lentyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

...ir tegul kraujas liejasi laisvai!⠀
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Šioje dalyje jo tikrai netrūko. Carter'is, ketvirtoje serijos dalyje, toliau veda skaitytojus iš proto, tobulai aprašydamas visus groteskiškus žudiko veiksmus. Esu iš tų žmonių, kurių įprastai neveikia aprašomi lavonai, žmogžudystės ir atviros autopsijų scenos, bet Carter'is turbūt vienintelis rašytojas, kurio tekstai priverčia susiraukti skaitant.⠀
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Dažniausiai detektyvuose sutinkami žudymo būdai - sužalojimas buku daiktu, perrėžtas kaklas, pasmaugimas... Kartais, kokia įmantresnė ritualinė žmogžudystė. Bet niekada neskaičiau apie tai, kaip žudikas iš amputuotų aukos kūno dalių, stato skulptūras.. 😳 ⠀
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Jauna slaugytoja randa nužudytą savo pacientą. Vyriškis sunkiai sirgo ir jo dienos jau buvo suskaičiuotos, todėl niekas nesupranta, kam reikėjo jį nužudyti. Nemažiau sukrečia ir tai, ką žudikas paliko aukos kambaryje. Nusikaltimo tyrimas atsiduria Hanterio ir Garsijos rankose. Jiems į pagalbą paskiriama apygardos prokuratūros darbuotoja, Elisė Bjumont. Visi trys jie bando kuo greičiau surasti žudiką ir įminti jo paliktas mįsles. ⠀
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Galvosūkių knygoje netrūko ir juos išnarplioti sunkiai sekėsi ir tyrėjams ir man 😃 Žudiką, galima sakyti, atspėjau, bet autorius mane stipriai supainiojo. Ir nežinau, ar Carter'is suklydo, ar aš 💁‍♀️ Kelios vietos man užkliuvo, kaip nelogiškos, todėl mielai padiskutuočiau su jau skaičiusiais, kaip ten buvo iš tikrųjų. ⠀
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Nors ši dalis neįtraukė taip stipriai, kaip trys pirmosios, vistiek labai patiko! Skaitant vienai kambaryje, vakare, buvo laaabai nejauku ir vis dirsčiojau į užuolaidas, bijodama, kad koks žudikas - maniakas, ten nesislėptų 😃⠀
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Vis dar neatsistebiu Chris'o talentu kurpti tokias baisybes ir labai laukiu greit pasirodysiančios pentos dalies!⠀

[Vicky Ziliaskopoulou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Μάλιστα, τον διάβασα επιτέλους και τον Κάρτερ. Καλός είναι, δίκιο είχατε όσοι μου τον συστήσατε. Δεν έχει πολλά να πω, η υπόθεση μου άρεσε και ήταν επαρκώς αιματηρό. Ήταν ακριβώς ότι έπρεπε για τη διάθεση που είχα τη στιγμή που το διάβαζα. Αυτό που θέλω να τονίσω είναι ότι ο συγγραφέας είναι μεν (αρκετά) βίαιος στις περιγραφές των εγκλημάτων, δεν πέρασε όμως τη λεπτή γραμμή που θα μου δημιουργούσε δυσφορία και ανεπιθύμητη απέχθεια. Μπράβο του, θα διαβάσω κι άλλα δικά του.

[Masudur Tipu · Rating 4 out of 5]

২০২৫ বইমেলার বই পড়তে একটু দেরি হয়ে গেলো! প্রচুর ভায়োলেন্স! স্ল্যাশার থ্রিলার টানা পড়তে একটু গা গুলিয়ে আসছে মাঝে মাঝে, তাই ৪ দিনে পড়লাম ৪০০ পেজের বই।অনুবাদ ভাল, সামনে ভাল করবেন। ব্র‍্যাডলি বানান টা সব গুলা ভুল আর এক জায়গায় নাম বিভ্রাট আছে।পরের মুদ্রনে ঠিক করে ফেলবেন আশা করি।

[Eline Van Der Meulen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Het vierde deel van de Hunter & Garcia reeks van Chris Carter en wat keek ik daar naar uit. De voorgaande drie delen waren telkens goed voor de volle 5 sterren en ook dit boek klonk weer verrukkelijk. Net zoals in die eerdere boeken, was het ook hier weer duimen en vingers aflikken en waren de gruwelijkheden nooit ver weg. Net als je denkt dat je alles wel al eens ergens eerder gelezen hebt, komt Carter met een verhaal dat je verbaast en meeneemt voor enkele hele fijne uren leesplezier. Ik heb lang gewacht om aan dit boek te beginnen omdat ik het per se wou lezen op reis. Ik wist dat het supergoed zou zijn en wie wil er nu geen gruwelijk goed boek in zijn koffer meenemen. Hoewel het bij mij op de e-reader was haha! De personages zijn weer sterk neergezet en het puzzelen naar de dader was als vanouds weer aanwezig met de nodige zijsporen om ons als lezer op een dwaalspoor te brengen. Ik heb genoten van de beeldhouwer dat alle elementen bevat dat een spannende thriller nodig heeft. De originaliteit van Carter is werkelijk ongezien en gezien er nog heel wat boeken in het Engels verschenen zijn van Hunter & Garcia leven we hier in België op goede hoop dat er nog veel spannends zal verschijnen. Mijn hart maakte alvast een grote sprong toen ik zag dat er op 9 januari 2024 een nieuw deel zal verschijnen – Een voor een. Een uitgestelde kerst is het zeker dus met dit cadeautje! Voor De Beeldhouwer geef ik, net zoals bij de vorige delen, het volle pond aan punten en dus 5 dikke sterren!
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2023...

[Athena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ένα καλό και γρήγορο αστυνομικό, που όμως δεν έχει να πει τίποτα που δεν έχει ειπωθεί. Βρήκα τον κεντρικό ήρωα ενδιαφέροντα, αλλά μου έλειψε η εμβάθυνση στους χαρακτήρες. Το τέλος μου φάνηκε κάπως "ξενέρωτο".

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

7.5/10: 3.75⭐️’s rounded up to 4⭐️’s

Art is subjective. The sculptures in this book are horrendous. Shadow finger puppets have now become a bit creepy to me. This killer is, I hate to say this, but creative in an incredibly sick and twisted and terrifying way. They sculpt their victim in a way that it will cast a shadow, such as finger puppets do, on the wall when the lights are out.

The task for Hunter, Garcia, and Alice, from the DA’s office, is to figure out what these sculptured shadow puppets are, what they mean, how are the victims being chosen, is there a connection between them or is it random, who will be the next victim, and who is killing them and why.

I started the audio of this book months ago and finally my paper back version came. I enjoyed reading it because the narration sometimes got to me in some of the other books, but also, listening would have been easier, so ideally a read aloud option for this book would have been amazing😂. I wanted to know how I felt about the audio v reading. Now I know. I am also caught up on the series minus one of the books perhaps?

A few things still bothered me that I caught in the print for v narration. But it was easier to overlook, for the most part. The endings are sometimes a little, okay well that’s it, now we are done. But I do like the detective work that goes into it. I usually don’t feel shocked or surprised because I don’t think I have a list of suspects to go through in these books, at least not presented in a way that some other books do.

Okay, I have to cut off that last thought because I just noticed the time and the hockey game is about to start!

One last thing though…there is a lot of descriptive gore….which isn’t everyone’s thing. So just be aware of that before you decide to read it.

Rating and review posted: 1/6/26
Whoops noticed I put the wrong year for posting this review🤦🏼‍♀️. Corrected it on 1/7/26 (these little notes are just for me, you can ignore them😊)

[Eglė / Gal paskaitom? · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Carter “Mirties skulptorius” 🎭

Jau ketvirtoji serijos apie detektyvą Robertą Hanterį dalis, nuo kitų neatsiliekanti nei žiaurumu, nei originalumu.

Šįkart siaubingų įvykių seka prasideda nuo Dereko Nikolsono. Sunkiai vėžiu sirgęs vyras randamas žiauriai nužudytas ir visiems tyrėjams kyla pagrindinis klausimas – kam žudyti žmogų, kuris ir taip jau skaičiavo savo paskutines dienas? Be visiškai neaiškaus motyvo ši žmogžudystė išsiskiria ir ypatingai kraupia nusikaltimo vieta. Žudikas skyrė laiko joje palikti viską taip, kaip jis norėjo, taip, kad užmintų beveik neįveikiamą mįslę Robertui Hanteriui ir jo kolegoms.

Greitai skrieju aš per šios serijos dalis ir galiu pasakyti, kad Carterio vaizduotė tikrai įspūdingai plati. 🤯 Ir vėl visiškai kitoks žudiko braižas bei paliktos nuorodos, priverčiančios skaitytoją patį bandyti išnarplioti nusikaltimus. Ir vėl atrodė, kad jau nutuokiu kas bus kaltininkas, bet buvau gudriai apgauta ir likau visiškai nustebinta. Smagu, kad į siužetą įtraukiamos vis naujos stiprios, savarankiškos moterys. Patinka man ir kiek nevėkšliškas, bet nuoširdus Roberto pagalbininkas Garsija, o apie patį Robertą man vis norisi sužinoti daugiau. Mielai paskaityčiau apie jo praeitį ar daugiau pasigilinčiau į sapnuojamus košmarus. Bet šios knygos tokios jau yra – be gilių, jausmingų apmąstymų. Greitos, kupinos veiksmo ir neleidžiančios atsitraukti. 🔥

Na, ar dar liko detektyvų mėgėjų neskaičiusių šios serijos? 😄 Jei taip, tai Jums pavydžiu, kad smagus laikas su šiomis knygomis dar tik prieš akis!

4,5 ⭐️ | 2021 – 16 📚

[Φίλιππος ²³ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Γρήγορο και αιματοβαμμένο, όπως όλα του Carter, αλλά προσωπικά το βρήκα κατώτερο από το προηγούμενο του. Με χάλασε που ο εντοπισμός του δολοφόνου γίνεται από μια σύμπτωση (της σύμπτωσης, ω σύμπτωση), γιατί αλλιώς θα τον έψαχναν εις τον αιώνα τον άπαντα!

[Paula Fialho Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mais uma grande leitura! Quanto mais leio deste autor mais fã fico 😊

[Dragana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kakav preokret na kraju i pomešana osećanja 😲
Neočekivano! I zbog toga petica.
Kakav serijal 🔥
I ova, kao i ostale, se može čitati samostalno i ne mora da se prati redosled knjiga.