Scaredy Cat

Thomas Thorne, Book 2

By: Mark Billingham

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

It was a vicious, calculated murder. The killer selected his victim at London's Euston station, followed her home on the tube, strangled her to death in front of her child. At the same time, killed in the same way, a second body is discovered at the back of King's Cross station.

It is a grisly coincidence that eerily echoes the murder of two other women, stabbed to death months before on the same day.

It is Detective Inspector Tom Thorne who sees the link and comes to a horrifying conclusion. This is not a serial killer that the police are up against. This is two of them. Finding the body used to be the worst part of the job, but not any more. Now each time a body is found, Thorne must live with the knowledge that somewhere out there is a second victim, waiting to be discovered.

But whilst the methods might be the same, the manner of the killings is strikingly different. Thorne comes to realize that he is hunting two very different killers. One is ruthless and in control, while his partner in crime is submissive, compliant, terrified.

Thorne must catch a man whose need to manipulate is as great as his need to kill, a man who will threaten those closest to Thorne himself, a man who will show him that the ability to inspire terror is the deadliest weapon of all.

©2002 Original material 2002 Mark Billingham. Recorded by arrangement with Atlantic Monthly Press, a division of Grove/Atlantic, Inc. (P)2013 2013 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"A plethora of pleasures in these pages." ( USA Today)

"Like the best of British and American crime writing rolled up together and delivered with the kind of punch you don't see coming." ( Lee Child)

" Scaredy Cat is an incredibly satisfying and engaging thriller." ( Karin Slaughter)

Brilliantly narrated

Disturbing, Raw, and kept me on the edge of my seat. Simon Prebble is an amazing narrator.

Run of the mill

This run of the mill police drama is moderately interesting, but no more than that.

Kept me guessing

Characterizations spot on. Pacing effective. Narration terrific. Literate. Anxious to read the next one soon.

Another good one that keeps you guessing

I have listened to 2 of the Tom Thorne books, both narrated by Simon Prebble who is excellent. Great story with lots of twists and turns. Will be looking for more!

Excellent performance ruined by story.

This book could have been done in a paragraph. Was Billingham getting paid by the word. Ridiculous. Save your credit.