I borrowed this book from a friend -- I didn't realize until after I'd started it that it was the middle book of a trilogy. So if you choose to read...don't start with this one. I will say, though, that this book affected me so greatly I won't be reading the others. How's that for a recommendation?It was very well-written. While some of the character motivations and reactions felt somewhat implausible to me in the canvass of real life, the way those characters dealt with their implausibility left little room for critique and I found myself just going with it.However, the subject matter and the no-holes-barred way the author covered death and darkness and the horrible evil that lies within some people actually physically hurt to read. I almost didn't finish after I got a look at the background of the main character, but then, in what could be considered an amusing moment of truth, I needed a book to read at an appointment that would fit in my purse, so I grabbed this one.I read the last 300 pages or so last night -- mainly because I was too afraid of the images that would dance behind my eyes if I stopped reading at any one point before the end. There is so much...awfulness in this book. So much tragic death. I don't want to imagine that it's real; I like living in my world where a dead bolt and an automatic garage door is the only thing separating my family from the potential evil out there. "We're okay. We've always been okay. They won't get us."But this book terrified me with possibility and I've fallen victim to watching too many 'true crime' stories to know that the events depicted in this story -- events of home invasion, of rape, of disfigurement, of a wife being forced to kill her husband and herself while her child watched, of a mother shooting her attacker and killing her child instead, of a child tied to the dead body of her mother for three days -- could be true.I didn't read about the author to find out if he'd done his research. I didn't need to know that much truth. He crafted the events in such a way that I was reading a train wreck. I didn't so much care about the characters as I just had to know what happened. I was numb to death before I'd read the first 100 pages; he could have killed his main character and I wouldn't have been surprised.In the end, the case was solved in five days' time, but it felt as if I and the characters had lived for fifty years with this blood and torture and pain. The tragic stories twisted me up and had me in tears. I woke up in the early hours of this morning and climbed in bed with my daughter just to smell her life.And as soon as we can afford it, I'm investing in a bigger determent for people getting in to us. Because the real villian in this story, as with so many of the stories of the atrocities one human visits up on another, wasn't the killer. It wasn't even his childhood torturer. It was evil. And the thing that really scares me is how close to the surface it is for so many people.
I loved Shadow Man, the book prior to this one. I thought that it was one of the best thrillers I've ever read. Sure, there was some cheesy villian dialogue. The characters were great, though, especially main character, agent Smoky Barrett. I rushed to the library to pick up The Face of Death before I finished Shadow Man, so that I could go right into it. Imagine my disappointment when I read this. I wanted to like it, I really did. Unfortunately, second time is not a charm for Cody McFayden. McFayden clearly felt the need to push the shock factor for this sequel, and it was a detriment to the novel. He definitely created some truly shocking torture/murder scenarios. I actually had to skip parts of the scenes because they were so disturbing, but also because they were just plain gratuitious and unnecessary. Overall, I was okay with the novel. Not blown away by any stretch of the imagination, but I thought it was okay. That was before I got to the ending. I'll keep this review spoiler-free, but I expected better than a Scooby-Doo ending. I half expected the villian(s) to bust out, "And I would have gotten away with it, if it hadn't been for you meddling kids." Yes, it's that bad. After following the team of incredibly smart and gifted agents, I was disappointed that McFayden didn't have more faith in the characters he created. The big reveal comes around in a truly stupid, forehead-slapping moment. I hope the series continues because the characters are so likeable and so interesting to follow. I just hope that McFayden can redeem the series and recapture what made Shadow Man so great.
What do You think about The Face Of Death (2007)?
Special Agent Smoky Barrett is once again needed for what mightbecome her toughest match yet. The police have a situation. Sixteen-year old, Sarah Kingsley has a gun to her head. She tells the police that she will shoot unless she talks to Smoky. Smoky listens to what Sarah has to say. Sarah tells Smokey that a man known as "The Stranger" has been following her all her life. He has killed everyone dear to Sarah. Smoky is ready to bring down "The Stranger" no matter what it takes. Somkey guarantees she will come on top. Is Sarah just a pawn in "The Stranger's" sick game or is Sarah on the side of evil?The Face of Death is the second book that features Smoky Barrett. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great and they had wonderful dimensions, which is hard to find in books. Smoky Barrett can take on the worse of the serial killers. In fact they should be afraid of Smoky. Not to say Shadow Man wasn't good too but I have to say I liked The Face of Death a little more. I think the reason was because I had got to know Smoky and was rooting for her to come on top again. Plus the ending was a huge surprise! I love when the endings are not what I expected. I can't wait to read The Darker Side, which I know will be just as good as Mr. McFadyen's other two books.
—Cheryl
I didn't know this book was a sequel until I was about a third into it. I may have missed some references to the first book, but I really don't feel as if reading the first book is necessary to enjoy this book. I'm learning more and more that I enjoy crime/mystery books. McFadyen did a wonderful job with character development and the characters were so strong! I personally didn't think it was predictable.The subject matter includes pedophilia and the sexual assault of children. I can't recall any extremely graphic childhood scenes, but I know some like to avoid books with child sexual abuse.
—Amanda (LoveofJoe11)
Closer to 4.75, 1 thing keeps it from a 5. Most times sequels whether books or movies or not as good as the original. However this book makes the exception rather than the rule. It is six months later and Smoky is examining her life and deciding what the future holds for her and Bonnie. Her friends gather at her house to help pack up the past when the calls comes. Sarah is demanding to see Smoky, has a gun to her head and 3 dead bodies around her. After diffusing the situation Smoky is drawn in
—Teresa in Ohio
