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Ren Bryce #5
Killing Ways
Dark times lie ahead for Special Agent Ren Bryce and the Rocky Mountains Safe Streets Task Force in the heart-stopping new thriller from the bestselling author of DARKHOUSE and BLOOD LOSS.
In her most shocking case yet, FBI Special Agent Ren Bryce takes on a depraved serial killer fueled by a warped sense of justice.
A master of evasion, each life he takes ramps up Ren’s obsession with finding him. Then one victim changes everything and brings Ren face to face with a detective whose life was destroyed by the same pursuit.
Together, can they defeat this monster? Or will he take them both down?
In her most shocking case yet, FBI Special Agent Ren Bryce takes on a depraved serial killer fueled by a warped sense of justice.
A master of evasion, each life he takes ramps up Ren’s obsession with finding him. Then one victim changes everything and brings Ren face to face with a detective whose life was destroyed by the same pursuit.
Together, can they defeat this monster? Or will he take them both down?
400 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 2015
21 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
About the author
Alex Barclay
39 books156 followersBarclay studied journalism at university and worked for a period in fashion and beauty journalism as a copywriter in the RTÉ Guide. In 2003, she left the fashion industry to write Darkhouse, the first of two novels featuring NYPD detective Joe Lucchesi. Her second novel, The Caller, was released in 2007, and Last Call in 2008. She won the Ireland AM Crime Fiction Award at the Irish Book Awards for her fourth novel, Blood Runs Cold.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 5, 2018
If any of you readers haven't discovered Alex Barclay it is time to jump on the bandwagon.
This crime story has characters that make you get excited about crime fiction. Special Agent Ren Bryce and Agent King are members of the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force. but are the streets safe?
Jonathan Briar, fiancee Hope Coulson is missing. He loved Hope and he always had from when he was just nine-years-old. Ren noticed blood in Jonathan's living room. How did Hope's blood get there? Hope was last seen alone leaving the Good Shepherd church at eight thirty P.M.
Alex Barclay has great writing skills by all high standards as he adds in a dangerous and disturbed brutal rapist, a serial killer, an animal and a psychopath in its truest form. Killing Ways by Alex Barclay is a sheer brilliant novel !.
April 4, 2015
Over the years, I’ve read and enjoyed all of Alex Barclay’s books. Darkhouse, up until now, would have topped my all-time favourite books. As an avid reader, that’s high praise indeed – but that was before I read Killing Ways.
Don’t worry – I guarantee no spoilers – but if you enjoy your crime fiction gritty with plenty of twists and turns then look no further. Engrossed in the story and the characters, about half-way in I had my first of many “oh, my God” moments, as the tension, along with my blood pressure, ratcheted up. Sitting on the Luas I nearly missed my stop and couldn’t wait to dive between the pages again on my return journey; half of me wanted to race through the pages to the end while the other half wanted to savour every moment.
It was reminiscent of reading childhood books where I became so engrossed in the story that my real world virtually dissolved. The characters were alive and I felt as if I knew them as intimately as close friends and family; my mind already worrying about their future, long after that final page. Barclay is, most definitely, at the top of her game!
Don’t worry – I guarantee no spoilers – but if you enjoy your crime fiction gritty with plenty of twists and turns then look no further. Engrossed in the story and the characters, about half-way in I had my first of many “oh, my God” moments, as the tension, along with my blood pressure, ratcheted up. Sitting on the Luas I nearly missed my stop and couldn’t wait to dive between the pages again on my return journey; half of me wanted to race through the pages to the end while the other half wanted to savour every moment.
It was reminiscent of reading childhood books where I became so engrossed in the story that my real world virtually dissolved. The characters were alive and I felt as if I knew them as intimately as close friends and family; my mind already worrying about their future, long after that final page. Barclay is, most definitely, at the top of her game!
November 7, 2016
Another great read from Alex Barclay. Ren Bryce is such a fantastic character. Flawed, hard-shelled and soft inside. Her wit and dark humour are now practically trademarked and I can't wait to start book 5!
January 27, 2016
This is a new author for me and I am a little confused as to my feeling about the book. 90 per cent of me really liked how the story unfolded but I was slightly put off by the inner monologues of the bi polar main charActer. I would definitely read more by this author but wouldn't necessarily be rushing out to buy the back catalogue
February 3, 2016
First my view on Novel:
What was this???? i thought its never going to finish..
you call this a detective novel?? the so called super FBI agents were behaving so naive that even a common man could have solved the case earlier than these FBI agents. there was a whole team of investigators on this and only our hero Ren was highlighted through out the books. all the ideas were occurring to her she was making all the connections and all others were sitting idle and eating candies... doughhh.
i wonder why i picked this up..
Now a brief summary and a suggestion:
a rapeist who is also a serial killer is out in streets and is running freely around the so called safe streets (FBI office in this book). ( i mean what??? what kind of FBI is this??). he goes on raping and killing people and no body seems to be getting an idea who is he and only one person our case agent FBI special agent Ren seems to be behind her. (i wonder how a FBI in charge who knows that his employee is sick and who himself has sent her to doc can appoint her a case agent)
now the whole book revolves hoe Ren links the multiple killings (which a naive can also do) and how he connects this killer to someone in past and how they try to catch him (which obviously does not happen and what happens is totally something which could happen only in this kind of weird book).
My suggestion:
Avoid this and go read something else....
What was this???? i thought its never going to finish..
you call this a detective novel?? the so called super FBI agents were behaving so naive that even a common man could have solved the case earlier than these FBI agents. there was a whole team of investigators on this and only our hero Ren was highlighted through out the books. all the ideas were occurring to her she was making all the connections and all others were sitting idle and eating candies... doughhh.
i wonder why i picked this up..
Now a brief summary and a suggestion:
a rapeist who is also a serial killer is out in streets and is running freely around the so called safe streets (FBI office in this book). ( i mean what??? what kind of FBI is this??). he goes on raping and killing people and no body seems to be getting an idea who is he and only one person our case agent FBI special agent Ren seems to be behind her. (i wonder how a FBI in charge who knows that his employee is sick and who himself has sent her to doc can appoint her a case agent)
now the whole book revolves hoe Ren links the multiple killings (which a naive can also do) and how he connects this killer to someone in past and how they try to catch him (which obviously does not happen and what happens is totally something which could happen only in this kind of weird book).
My suggestion:
Avoid this and go read something else....
March 2, 2016
I won this book as part of a GR giveaway.
It sounded like the kind of book I would really like. And I wanted to. But I struggled. I found the narrative frustrating. The main character is bi-polar and I guess it was used to reflect that. But the constant presence of her thoughts was distracting. For me it took the focus from the main storyline. I never grew to like the main character, perhaps we're not really meant to.
The plot itself is good, but the writing style made me want to consider giving up on this book at times.
It sounded like the kind of book I would really like. And I wanted to. But I struggled. I found the narrative frustrating. The main character is bi-polar and I guess it was used to reflect that. But the constant presence of her thoughts was distracting. For me it took the focus from the main storyline. I never grew to like the main character, perhaps we're not really meant to.
The plot itself is good, but the writing style made me want to consider giving up on this book at times.
December 24, 2015
GOODREADS GIVEAWAY WIN.
A flippantly brutal and almost crassly narrated serial killer police procedural. While to some extent the tone might be attributable to the detective through whose eyes we follow the investigation having entered a full-blown manic phase - after dropping her bipolar medication to "stay sharp" - the writing thoroughly fails to do justice to the characters, subject matter, or plot developments.
A flippantly brutal and almost crassly narrated serial killer police procedural. While to some extent the tone might be attributable to the detective through whose eyes we follow the investigation having entered a full-blown manic phase - after dropping her bipolar medication to "stay sharp" - the writing thoroughly fails to do justice to the characters, subject matter, or plot developments.
August 1, 2018
I've read all the Ren Bruce novels, and so far really enjoyed them all. But this one. This book was too much. This is one of the most fucked up books I have ever read. It crossed a line for me and I wish I hadn't read it.
February 16, 2020
This book has a way to keep you connected to its characters. You feel the grief and pain as much as the characters do. It's an intense story.
Ren has my heart. The ending you wished hadn't happened.
Ren has my heart. The ending you wished hadn't happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2019
I started out not liking this book at all, it was just weird. There was a lot of characters introduced quite quickly (probably not helped that this is number 5 in ther series), and the crimes seemed to point to a weird gaming thing. Then suddenly there was mention of Hawks and something seemed familiar. So I looked back and I had read Dark House by the same author but from a different series but with a connection. From then on parts of the story kept coming back and I finished the book only to see if there was a conclusion this time. Having reached the end, I’m not so sure it was worth the effort, the inner monologue of the bipola agent was annoying.
April 16, 2017
Cracker of a story. Chose Alex Barclay in error but delighted I did. Had me hooked from beginning to end. Special agent Ren Bryce has a task on her hands catching a depraved serial killer. He is as master at what he does raping and killing women evading being caught. Can Ren take this monster down? You will have to read this intense gripping and frightening read to find out. Enjoy
January 18, 2020
An extremely gruesome tale which I couldn't put down. A brilliant thriller with so many twists and turns.
July 7, 2019
I. WILL. NEVER. STOP. CRYING. MY FAVOURITE FBI BOYS! ALEX BARCLAY HOW DARE YOU?!
On a less tear-filled note, I loved this crime thriller! This is the fifth Alex Barclay novel I've read and it was outstanding. I highly recommend reading 'Darkhouse' before this. Alex Barclay managed to evoke my emotions using her highly unique characters to hit a sore spot. The main detective in many of her books, Ren Bryce, is an amazing breath of fresh air when it comes to detective thrillers. She has an explosive personality that always manages to either make me smile or laugh. Her interactions with many of the other characters feel authentic, creating this stunning dynamic between her and her co-workers, all of which are amazingly unique also. I highly recommend this book from the bottom of my heart.
On a less tear-filled note, I loved this crime thriller! This is the fifth Alex Barclay novel I've read and it was outstanding. I highly recommend reading 'Darkhouse' before this. Alex Barclay managed to evoke my emotions using her highly unique characters to hit a sore spot. The main detective in many of her books, Ren Bryce, is an amazing breath of fresh air when it comes to detective thrillers. She has an explosive personality that always manages to either make me smile or laugh. Her interactions with many of the other characters feel authentic, creating this stunning dynamic between her and her co-workers, all of which are amazingly unique also. I highly recommend this book from the bottom of my heart.
November 15, 2015
I have spent the afternoon, reading this, and wow, what a book,
There is sick serial killer on the loose, one pf the most depraved killers FBI Special Agent Ren Bryce has ever come across, and one she wants locked up, before he can kill more.
He evades the police, and when he gets his victims, he taunts and plays sick mind games, before leaving their bodies, battered and abused for all to see. The more he kills the more Ren wants him. One Victim, van help, but will it be to late?
After reading this, I made sure all my windows and doors were locked, curtains closed, and phone by my side, unnerving? yes. but what a great book, just don't read it late at night..
There is sick serial killer on the loose, one pf the most depraved killers FBI Special Agent Ren Bryce has ever come across, and one she wants locked up, before he can kill more.
He evades the police, and when he gets his victims, he taunts and plays sick mind games, before leaving their bodies, battered and abused for all to see. The more he kills the more Ren wants him. One Victim, van help, but will it be to late?
After reading this, I made sure all my windows and doors were locked, curtains closed, and phone by my side, unnerving? yes. but what a great book, just don't read it late at night..
December 1, 2016
No,no,no for the final chapters of this book. This was a great read until then. Really......why did two key characters have to go in that way?? Ren goes off her meds but unlike in an earlier book she seems to keep it more together than usual. The brutality of the murderer and the overall story line was excellent. But then, the knight in shining armour arrives and I'm confused. Does the author have plans for him in the next book? The twist was really good in terms of his family but am still not sure why he acted the way he did once he didn't go to his son's graduation. I felt the author had a rush of blood to the head to finish off the book and I didn't like it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2015
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this book from lovereading, I want to say thank you as I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the first chapter, it is a bit gruesome but the detail in the story is so brilliant, I couldn't stop reading. Reading about all the characters gives you a much better insight into their lives and there is so much description, the author must of done lots of research. I am going to read another of Alex Barclay's books as I really did enjoy this one.
March 5, 2016
I won this book in a goodreads competition ages ago. I started reading it but I'm easily distracted by other things. Felt it was only fair that I picked the book up again since I did get it for free and I'm really glad I did. The story was fast and twisty and I liked how the mental health aspects were intertwined. Brilliant read :) looking forward to reading more by Alex Barclay.
March 19, 2021
Slow burner but one half way through I was addicted.
The suspense was unreal. My heart was literally beating and I was nervous about turning the page. Fantastic tension building.
Such a shame I didnt know it was a series and started at this one number 5 of 6 of Ren Bryce!
The suspense was unreal. My heart was literally beating and I was nervous about turning the page. Fantastic tension building.
Such a shame I didnt know it was a series and started at this one number 5 of 6 of Ren Bryce!
July 27, 2015
Awful, free readers group title. Don't bother!
August 2, 2015
Absolutely brilliant. So dark & disturbing. I think it's the best yet.
December 10, 2015
This was my first Alex Barclay(I won it in a GR giveaway) and it defitly wont be my last.
Great Book!
Great Book!
July 27, 2019
First book I've read by this author, was very impressed. Recommended
January 10, 2020
I think I have a new favourite crime author! Turns out I have 2 others in this series on my tbr pile and of course I’ve read them out of order with this being the most recent. And of course I’m dying to see how things work out for Ren following that shocker of an ending. I’m going to read the two I have first, though and then try to read this series in order.
I have to admit, this was pretty bleak and hard to read at times as the murders were just so twisted and sadistic. I wouldnt mind if that is dialed down a little in the other books, Ren is such a good character, though, and I enjoyed the style and pace of the book. It had quite a few characters, but it wasn't at all hard follow and the ending made sense, which isn't a given for this genre.
I have to admit, this was pretty bleak and hard to read at times as the murders were just so twisted and sadistic. I wouldnt mind if that is dialed down a little in the other books, Ren is such a good character, though, and I enjoyed the style and pace of the book. It had quite a few characters, but it wasn't at all hard follow and the ending made sense, which isn't a given for this genre.
December 12, 2017
I happened upon Alex’s books by chance and really enjoyed my first trip though her books. I love Ren as the main character, flaws and all! To me it helps make the story more believable. This was a great read, I just can’t say it was an enjoyable book though; the main reason is not because it was poorly written the complete opposite! This novel was written so well and so descriptively that due to the storylines it was at times exceptionally graphic and I had to take a break from reading it every now and again. But I will be reading more of her work because of the high calibre of writing. Plus Ren is a great protagonist.
January 31, 2017
what a fantastic book! the fact that you go through the book and think somethings that are going to happen do but then other things you have absolutely no idea that's coming. really good book very impressed with story line and the way in which it is written. this was my first Alex Barclay book I will definitely be investing in more!!
July 29, 2019
I loved this book, I bought it off a cheap rack and thought I would give it a go. I only wish it was book one because now I’m so hooked I have to find the first 4. The ending was shocking but brilliant. Can’t wait to read more. So many twists. This is a must read for anyone that likes serial killer, FBI type books. Well done Alex Barclays.
May 24, 2023
Took a little to get into the story but once in, my goodness the action doesn't stop. It amazes me though how the main character (Ren) manages to keep her life on track as much as she does, especially when you consider her drinking habits and total lack of sleep!!! A great read I highly recommend AAA+++
May 5, 2017
This was a gripping read, plenty of twists and turns to keep me page-turning. The main character's bipolar inner narrative was a bit of a struggle to read at first but okay after a while. I'll be reading more from Alex.
I received a copy this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
I received a copy this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
May 20, 2023
I was pleasantly surprised by my first ever Alex Barclay book! Intriguing crime, insane killer on the loose, lovable yet annoying yet relatable and crazy main character ( 😂 ) and a fantastic pace. Deff won’t be my last Barclay book!
July 26, 2025
4 stars ⭐️
I found it a bit slow on the get go… but then I just couldn’t put it down! And then mic drop at the end, holy cow! Just wish I’d have realised that this was the fifth book in a series
*currently sat ordering the other 5 books, DND*
I found it a bit slow on the get go… but then I just couldn’t put it down! And then mic drop at the end, holy cow! Just wish I’d have realised that this was the fifth book in a series
*currently sat ordering the other 5 books, DND*
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews