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Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski #3
Blood of Others
The disappearance and murder of a lonely San Francisco insurance clerk puts a relentless crime reporter and legendary homicide cop on separate tracks in their pursuit of a killer.
The suspect lures solitary women out of their quiet worlds and into his nightmare as he races the clock and travels the globe searching for the one woman who will forgive the unforgivable.
In the course of a widening investigation, Olivia Grant, a shy gift store sales manager who aches to escape her painful solitude, meets Ben Wyatt, an outcast San Francisco cop on the case, Wyatt is a man gripped with self-doubt over the shooting of his former partner.
Blood of Others is a study of loneliness and human frailties; a story steeped in terrifying suspense that threatens to destroy the lives of those drawn into it as it rockets to a heart-pounding conclusion.
The suspect lures solitary women out of their quiet worlds and into his nightmare as he races the clock and travels the globe searching for the one woman who will forgive the unforgivable.
In the course of a widening investigation, Olivia Grant, a shy gift store sales manager who aches to escape her painful solitude, meets Ben Wyatt, an outcast San Francisco cop on the case, Wyatt is a man gripped with self-doubt over the shooting of his former partner.
Blood of Others is a study of loneliness and human frailties; a story steeped in terrifying suspense that threatens to destroy the lives of those drawn into it as it rockets to a heart-pounding conclusion.
480 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2002
2696 people are currently reading
2403 people want to read
About the author
Rick Mofina
67 books1,300 followersRick Mofina is a former journalist who has interviewed murderers on death row in Montana and Texas, flown over L.A. with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He's also reported from the Caribbean, Africa and Kuwait's border with Iraq. His true-crime freelance work has appeared in The New York Times, The Telegraph (London, U.K.), Reader’s Digest, Penthouse, Marie Claire and The South China Morning Post, (Hong Kong). He has written more than 20 crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly 30 countries.
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”
Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”
Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 276 reviews
August 9, 2022
So far this is my favourite Tom Reed/ Walt Sydowski book. In this one, they are both investigating the gruesome murders of lonely, young , single women who were active in online chat rooms.
I like the recurring characters: Anne (Tom's wife), Molly (Tom's colleague), Linda (Walt's partner) and Louise (Walt's girlfriend). There wasn't enough about Walt's loveable father in this one.
There's a new character I hope we get to see again: Ben Wyatt, a cop with computer proficiency who uses his skills to investigate online.
The story was fast-paced and exciting. Being in the perp's head was really disturbing.
The ending was great, even as I was fighting sleep to listen to the last 20 min, so it's probably even better than I realize.
There are only 2 more Tom & Walt books in the series! Onto the next!
I like the recurring characters: Anne (Tom's wife), Molly (Tom's colleague), Linda (Walt's partner) and Louise (Walt's girlfriend). There wasn't enough about Walt's loveable father in this one.
There's a new character I hope we get to see again: Ben Wyatt, a cop with computer proficiency who uses his skills to investigate online.
The story was fast-paced and exciting. Being in the perp's head was really disturbing.
The ending was great, even as I was fighting sleep to listen to the last 20 min, so it's probably even better than I realize.
There are only 2 more Tom & Walt books in the series! Onto the next!
June 12, 2019
"Blood of Others" is probably my favorite of the first three. (Hard to definitively say because each is well done and unique onto themselves :) So far, every episode brings the reader a fresh storyline, and is not so much a continuation to the series, which keeps it new and interesting. Never know quite what is going to unfold and it's great because the plots have yet to loose momentum or become stagnant in places. Tom Reed and his relationship with his family and friends is constantly evolving and this growth and development amongst all the main players is exceptionally and realistically done. All are relatable. . . with their ups, downs, warts and all!
December 2, 2014
Another amazing thriller from author Rick Mofina, "Blood Of Others", is a hard driving thriller packed with suspense. The third of the Walt Sydowski/ Tom Reed series this one goes from grisly murder to national security before it ends. Almost a spinster, Iris Wood is found brutally murdered by stabbing, and redressed into a bridal gown in the front window of a bridal shop. In addition to several stab wounds in the heart, the killer has removed Iris' face. Veteran reporter Tom Reed again hanging by his shoestrings onto his job by editor Clyde Brader must keep coming up with exclusive stories and get what the police seem to miss. Walt on the other hand is forced to add a third member of his team. Ben Wyatt who has been on sidelines for about a year is ready for active field work. Ben's partner was badly shot and almost died the prior year, and most cops think Wyatt did not save his partner and shyed away in fear. Lt. Leo Gonzalez wants Wyatt on Walt's team, especially since he is a computer whiz. What a fantastic story line to be sure. This killer known as the "Scarecrow" because of the scars on his face is one scary monster. He seems to work from coast to coast, and to date left 12 women dead in his wake. Is it really 12 or is the actual number globally much higher ? The interaction between Reed and Sydowski is as outstanding as the previous books were. Intense and lively dialog keep this one roaring through the pages at breakneck speed. Even the bad guys like Clyde Brader is a rooting interest to get what's coming to him. I very much enjoyed reading "Blood Of Others". It's now my favorite Reed/ Sydowski book so far. I'd highly recommend anyone to check out this series by author Rick Mofina. It's nail biting, harrowing, and just pure fun to read. 5 stars out of a possible 5 stars- This is a GOODIE !. I'm jumping right into the fourth book of the series, "No Way Back" right away. So far only 5 books are in this series. I sure hope the author spins out a few more ! Even the character Ben Wyatt may make a good protagonist for a stand along book himself ! Check this out and enjoy as I did. You're gonna love it !
November 5, 2014
One of the best thrillers written!
This book hits every criteria for a five star rating.
Right from the start, the ground work was set for an edge of the seat ride of emotion and suspense. Each player has a story to tell, and connects to the main plot brilliantly. As I read deeper into the story, it was as if I attending a private screening for some Hollywood blockbuster. The storytelling was that good.
There is no getting away from the fact that there was an element of gore in the description of the crime scene, but it was done not so much for shock value, but more to impart the depraved mind of the perpetrator, just as it was important in understanding the genius.
If anything could be considered lacking, I would have to say, it was the very end, where all the loose ends were tied. That it could have been done better is arguable, since at that point, it really doesn't matter. but the closing statements leaves one to wonder of what lies ahead?
This book hits every criteria for a five star rating.
Right from the start, the ground work was set for an edge of the seat ride of emotion and suspense. Each player has a story to tell, and connects to the main plot brilliantly. As I read deeper into the story, it was as if I attending a private screening for some Hollywood blockbuster. The storytelling was that good.
There is no getting away from the fact that there was an element of gore in the description of the crime scene, but it was done not so much for shock value, but more to impart the depraved mind of the perpetrator, just as it was important in understanding the genius.
If anything could be considered lacking, I would have to say, it was the very end, where all the loose ends were tied. That it could have been done better is arguable, since at that point, it really doesn't matter. but the closing statements leaves one to wonder of what lies ahead?
May 16, 2016
Are lonely women being targeted or is a San Francisco insurance clerk the first victim of the killer. And who will be the one woman who will forgive the unforgivable. Can he be stopped.
An interesting read for most of the time. Didn't really care much for the characters of Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski though.
An interesting read for most of the time. Didn't really care much for the characters of Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski though.
June 30, 2023
Blood of Others
By Rick Mofina #3
My Rating:⭐⭐⭐
A mediocre written story.
Bit long winded for my taste.
Story:
The disappearance and murder of a lonely San Francisco insurance clerk puts a relentless crime reporter and legendary homicide cop on separate tracks in their pursuit of a killer.
The suspect lures solitary women out of their quiet worlds and into his nightmare as he races the clock and travels the globe searching for the one woman who will forgive the unforgivable.
In the course of a widening investigation, Olivia Grant, a shy gift store sales manager who aches to escape her painful solitude, meets Ben Wyatt, an outcast San Francisco cop on the case, Wyatt is a man gripped with self-doubt over the shooting of his former partner.
Blood of Others is a study of loneliness and human frailties; a story steeped in terrifying suspense that threatens to destroy the lives of those drawn into it as it rockets to a heart-pounding conclusion.
By Rick Mofina #3
My Rating:⭐⭐⭐
A mediocre written story.
Bit long winded for my taste.
Story:
The disappearance and murder of a lonely San Francisco insurance clerk puts a relentless crime reporter and legendary homicide cop on separate tracks in their pursuit of a killer.
The suspect lures solitary women out of their quiet worlds and into his nightmare as he races the clock and travels the globe searching for the one woman who will forgive the unforgivable.
In the course of a widening investigation, Olivia Grant, a shy gift store sales manager who aches to escape her painful solitude, meets Ben Wyatt, an outcast San Francisco cop on the case, Wyatt is a man gripped with self-doubt over the shooting of his former partner.
Blood of Others is a study of loneliness and human frailties; a story steeped in terrifying suspense that threatens to destroy the lives of those drawn into it as it rockets to a heart-pounding conclusion.
June 16, 2021
I thought that this book was just ok. It wasn’t as good as his other novels. It did entertain me but I did find myself falling asleep a few times.
August 6, 2018
This was a solid 4.5 and raised to a 5 star read. Our two protagonists (who were, by nature of their careers, antagonists) are a San Francisco Detective and a Crime Reporter. Both are investigating the murder of a woman who was then staged in the window of a Bridal Shop. It is a procedural and each works from a different direction all leading to the discovery of more victims throughout the world. It is complex, taut and excellent reading. The villain is truly horrific, brilliant and, appeared to me, pathological. Thanks to the Author and Publisher for an ARC for an honest review.
January 14, 2016
This book is yet another page turner by one of my favorite crime writers--Rick Mofina. I read it on my kindle. I'm not going to say much except that I always like the way he gets my heart racing at 97% of the way through the book when things are hanging on the brink of disaster with no resolution as yet!
October 26, 2017
The best way to spend a quite afternoon is to read a Rick Mofina novel. What a treat!!!!
BLOOD OF OTHERS is a novel that tells a story. A tale of women in their prime who are so alone.
Who hope for companionship. A relationship. To dream of the picket fence,and laughing children.
And they make a mistake. They turn on their computers and tell the electronic devise they are
lonely.
And,Rick Mofina has returned to his cast of characters from his previous novels.
And, this series gets even netter. In San Francisco a bridal shop explodes in BLOOD.
A wedding turns out in murder. A angry stabbing ---many inflicted.
Sydowski and his partner Inspector.Linda Turgeon are in charge for the Homicide Division
at the San Francisco police.
Then there is my favorite reporter TOM REED. Who is always forgetting appointments with his wife Ann and young son Zach. She's always pleading to quit the paper and write novels.
However he becomes obsessive---He loves being a crime reporter.
The evil: Is a man who only wanted someone (a woman) to be truthful to him.
He has a lot problems.
murdering many women.
There many other characters and Mofina winds them like a spinning top into this novel.
BLOOD OF OTHERS is a novel that tells a story. A tale of women in their prime who are so alone.
Who hope for companionship. A relationship. To dream of the picket fence,and laughing children.
And they make a mistake. They turn on their computers and tell the electronic devise they are
lonely.
And,Rick Mofina has returned to his cast of characters from his previous novels.
And, this series gets even netter. In San Francisco a bridal shop explodes in BLOOD.
A wedding turns out in murder. A angry stabbing ---many inflicted.
Sydowski and his partner Inspector.Linda Turgeon are in charge for the Homicide Division
at the San Francisco police.
Then there is my favorite reporter TOM REED. Who is always forgetting appointments with his wife Ann and young son Zach. She's always pleading to quit the paper and write novels.
However he becomes obsessive---He loves being a crime reporter.
The evil: Is a man who only wanted someone (a woman) to be truthful to him.
He has a lot problems.
murdering many women.
There many other characters and Mofina winds them like a spinning top into this novel.
June 28, 2022
Both Walt and Tom frustrated me some on this one. Still a great book with great story. Showcases the dangers of online chatting. You never know who is on the other side of the computer and what their intentions are. So creepy! Narration was great.
June 23, 2018
I like the way Rick Mofina writes, the stories are good too. Off to buy some more books by this author...
October 16, 2020
This is an excellent series of books
July 4, 2023
Better than #2, still fast paced and smart procedural drama that’s very much character driven. Reed just won’t learn and his stories takes over his life to the exclusion of his family.
December 11, 2017
Amazing book
You won't want to put it down. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. Very engaging and realistic characters who feel real.
You won't want to put it down. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. Very engaging and realistic characters who feel real.
January 29, 2023
I cannot get enough of Rick Mofina! This was such an amazing book by this author. The characters were well-developed, the story was well-stated by each of their points of views and the suspense keeps you to the end.
July 24, 2023
Another fast-paced thriller from Rick Mofina. I didn't like this one quite as much as the second one, but it was still enjoyable.
October 25, 2017
Kept Me Up Last Night
Tom Reed really needs someone to organize his life! Always misplacing important papers, doesn’t appear to use a calendar for appointments (including for his kid), seems to treat his wife as an after-thought. In spite of that, I like him.
Walt Sydowski is smart, but he ignores his partner to the detriment of solving the crime sooner. Once Walt agrees to share info with the FBI, things happen quickly. Louise is good for him.
Ben Wyatt and Olivia make a cute couple. There’s one incident that isn’t followed through on regarding Olivia’s home, that might have kept a future event from occurring.
Walt behaved stupidly with Ben, cutting him off all the time, ignoring his computer skills. Their boss should have intervened.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of plot holes that made the story improbable.
Tom Reed really needs someone to organize his life! Always misplacing important papers, doesn’t appear to use a calendar for appointments (including for his kid), seems to treat his wife as an after-thought. In spite of that, I like him.
Walt Sydowski is smart, but he ignores his partner to the detriment of solving the crime sooner. Once Walt agrees to share info with the FBI, things happen quickly. Louise is good for him.
Ben Wyatt and Olivia make a cute couple. There’s one incident that isn’t followed through on regarding Olivia’s home, that might have kept a future event from occurring.
Walt behaved stupidly with Ben, cutting him off all the time, ignoring his computer skills. Their boss should have intervened.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of plot holes that made the story improbable.
October 7, 2017
I was going to finish this book because I was so far in, but I really didn’t want to. It’s written terribly, it’s ok if a little cliche. It’s the characters - specifically Sydowski & Reed. What massive, ridiculous egos. Someone has died. You’d think the lead detective would use every resource available instead of being a pathetically petty bully. And Reed, the journalist- the whole writing the story is more important than passing on crucial information to the police. Sorry. There’s interesting flaws & there’s annoying flaws. Also, a book doesn’t need a gazillion characters, a load of different city settings & a heap of conspiracy theory genius hacking NSA stuff piled on to make it complex & interesting. It just doesn’t. Sorry Rick Mofina fans. He’s just not for me.
December 29, 2017
Good story.
So, again Tom Reed is in deep, and I like the grit of the story, but why is it Tom always has a jerk for a boss, which ends up fired because of his treatment of Tom? Why is it Tom has vital evidence in murders, kidnapping, etc., but finds it fit to hold back information that can save lives? If that's how the media works when it comes to these types of cases, then it's just a sad shame. The actual story was really good.
So, again Tom Reed is in deep, and I like the grit of the story, but why is it Tom always has a jerk for a boss, which ends up fired because of his treatment of Tom? Why is it Tom has vital evidence in murders, kidnapping, etc., but finds it fit to hold back information that can save lives? If that's how the media works when it comes to these types of cases, then it's just a sad shame. The actual story was really good.
August 27, 2015
Ugh! Too much discombobulation in the plot and too much gore. Really? A women dead in the window of a bridal shop with her face removed. Yuk, apparently, I didn't read the publisher's synopsis carefully enough.
July 23, 2014
Meh. Tried to do too many things at once. It is a rare story in that I didn't much like any of the characters.
September 4, 2019
3.5 stars. Good story.
January 3, 2021
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm into Science Fiction, perhaps a little fantasy, and I'm not really a thriller or crime novel aficionado but occasionally I like to read some. Indeed, over the last year or so, I have probably read four or five thrillers. Usually they have something in them that appeals more to me, slightly science fiction like Douglas E. Richards, "Split Second" or computing as Mofina's book did (after all the latter is my day job when I'm working). I feel that Mofina's descriptions of computing in the book are maybe a bit "out there" but they were described in such a way that it didn't bother me and believe me that's something in itself because I detest inaccurate portrayals of science and computing. So yeah, I have read a few thrillers... firstly I think it's important ant to try other genres because that can only widen my own experience and secondly because it benefits me as an aspiring writer.
So, I downloaded the book on my Kindle and began to read... it turns out this book is the third of the Walt Sydowski/Tom Reed series. Who knew?
I thought I was in for a slow starter but chapter two left me so stunned and addicted I just had to stick with it. Suffice to say, the book has some moments of extreme violence but not pointless violence, something I feel makes it worth reading, opening with a brutal murder and the victim gruesomely displayed. The brutality of the killing, the artistic nature of the gruesome display, leads both the lead detective (Sydowski) and reporter (Reed) to the conclusion that the murder was likely to be one of a series, the murderer a serial killer.
Walt Sydowski, a detective with personal problems, is forced to add Ben Wyatt, a disgraced officer and computer expert, to his team. His distrust of both Wyatt and of computers creates serious issues and a conflict between old and modern style policing methods.
Tom Reed is a crime reporter with the San Francisco Star who, in a moment of journalistic brilliance, gained a Pulitzer nomination. Despite that, he has been struggling to keep his job against the wishes of his editor, a former reporter who is jealous of Reed's earlier work and especially of the nomination.
The killer, a computer expert himself, has been trolling the internet seeking the perfect partner, one who will give him the warped form of forgiveness he craves. As the book progresses, the number of women he has killed, women he believes have betrayed him, is slowly revealed.
In writing this book Mofina has woven a story around complex characters with believable personal motivations... I was particularly drawn to Ben Wyatt's character who I think might make a good basis for a series of novels on his own account. It features good dialogue as well as nail-biting, harrowing and gripping scenes, some so much that I was often thinking, "Just one more chapter".
Obviously "Blood of Others" is my favourite Mofina book since I haven't read any others but I would be delighted to read more by him and am happy to recommend his work to anyone bothering to read my blog. I suppose that's the greatest accolade any author can ever seek and I can only apologise to Rick Mofina that I am not (yet) more famous or influential.
So, I downloaded the book on my Kindle and began to read... it turns out this book is the third of the Walt Sydowski/Tom Reed series. Who knew?
I thought I was in for a slow starter but chapter two left me so stunned and addicted I just had to stick with it. Suffice to say, the book has some moments of extreme violence but not pointless violence, something I feel makes it worth reading, opening with a brutal murder and the victim gruesomely displayed. The brutality of the killing, the artistic nature of the gruesome display, leads both the lead detective (Sydowski) and reporter (Reed) to the conclusion that the murder was likely to be one of a series, the murderer a serial killer.
Walt Sydowski, a detective with personal problems, is forced to add Ben Wyatt, a disgraced officer and computer expert, to his team. His distrust of both Wyatt and of computers creates serious issues and a conflict between old and modern style policing methods.
Tom Reed is a crime reporter with the San Francisco Star who, in a moment of journalistic brilliance, gained a Pulitzer nomination. Despite that, he has been struggling to keep his job against the wishes of his editor, a former reporter who is jealous of Reed's earlier work and especially of the nomination.
The killer, a computer expert himself, has been trolling the internet seeking the perfect partner, one who will give him the warped form of forgiveness he craves. As the book progresses, the number of women he has killed, women he believes have betrayed him, is slowly revealed.
In writing this book Mofina has woven a story around complex characters with believable personal motivations... I was particularly drawn to Ben Wyatt's character who I think might make a good basis for a series of novels on his own account. It features good dialogue as well as nail-biting, harrowing and gripping scenes, some so much that I was often thinking, "Just one more chapter".
Obviously "Blood of Others" is my favourite Mofina book since I haven't read any others but I would be delighted to read more by him and am happy to recommend his work to anyone bothering to read my blog. I suppose that's the greatest accolade any author can ever seek and I can only apologise to Rick Mofina that I am not (yet) more famous or influential.
May 24, 2019
This was a really good mystery. Lonely women are found posed horrendously. How is the suspect able to do this? The women are left in public places, and no one seems to see him. He is a ghost. Along with the actual mystery, we learn the story of Ben Wyatt. He is a police officer on this case, and he deals with his own self-doubt about the shooting of another officer years ago, and the animosity from fellow officers. He begins to see Olivia Grant, a woman suffocated by her loneliness. We are also drawn into the stories of other characters in the book.
All of the characters contributed toward the overall book. It didn’t seem like any were extras. We see the thoughts and opinions of the different characters toward one another. We also see how loneliness affects more people than we think. There is Tom Reed, a reporter, who is barely hanging on to his job. He is stretched between his home responsibilities and the demands of his editor.
The story begins with Iris Wood, who is so lonely she tells people that she does have a guy in her life. The guy is her cat. This helps her to save face with her co-workers. When she is found murdered and posed in a wedding dress in a wedding shop window, the story takes off. She has multiple stab wounds and her face is removed. I saw the removal of her face as symbolic. There is no face being shown to the world when we don’t take steps to interact with others.
We learn the background of the killer, who is also known as “Scarecrow” because of the scars he received on his face from a deadly car accident. We also discover why he is able to leave no traces behind. He is searching for that one perfect woman. He stalks women on dating services, and he is interested in finding the one woman who will forgive the unforgivable. If someone of interest ends up disappointing him, she is murdered. How many women has he killed? Without leaving traces, the pattern is hard to put together. He sites are set on Olivia. Will she fall victim to Scarecrow next?
All of the characters contributed toward the overall book. It didn’t seem like any were extras. We see the thoughts and opinions of the different characters toward one another. We also see how loneliness affects more people than we think. There is Tom Reed, a reporter, who is barely hanging on to his job. He is stretched between his home responsibilities and the demands of his editor.
The story begins with Iris Wood, who is so lonely she tells people that she does have a guy in her life. The guy is her cat. This helps her to save face with her co-workers. When she is found murdered and posed in a wedding dress in a wedding shop window, the story takes off. She has multiple stab wounds and her face is removed. I saw the removal of her face as symbolic. There is no face being shown to the world when we don’t take steps to interact with others.
We learn the background of the killer, who is also known as “Scarecrow” because of the scars he received on his face from a deadly car accident. We also discover why he is able to leave no traces behind. He is searching for that one perfect woman. He stalks women on dating services, and he is interested in finding the one woman who will forgive the unforgivable. If someone of interest ends up disappointing him, she is murdered. How many women has he killed? Without leaving traces, the pattern is hard to put together. He sites are set on Olivia. Will she fall victim to Scarecrow next?
November 4, 2017
Love Rick Mofina Thrillers!
I feel like I keep repeating myself with Rick Mofinas books, but “Blood of Others” is one psychological thriller I never expected from Ricks expanding books which includes all his and my favorite characters...such as Tom Reed and Detective Sandowski.
As usual this superb novel, which is excellent as a stand alone, that’s how I came about it, is based in San Francisco, as most of them are and starts with a killing which continues from the most incredible, intellectual, serial killer straight out of ‘Criminal Minds’. He preys on women who are loners, love to find love on-line, and always finds a person they ask, “Can you forgive someone’s sins no matter how bad they are”. The killer continues to ask them the same question, and his pry (his victims) are so much into “looking for love in all the wrong places” they continue to intervene with him via emails. I promise not to give anything other than that as a review, because I truly want you to read, and continue to turn each page with someone next to you, remembering to look behind each door before going to bed, locking all your locks, because if you’re like me you will finish this in one or two sittings, it’s that good.
Yes there are a couple of outlandish settings of which I couldn’t figure out how any serial killer could do what he or maybe she could do...got ya thinking..but the CSI of details doesn’t overpower the gruesome outcome of this great book.
I highly recommend ‘Blood of Others’ but if you don’t mind allowing yourself to get scared in the middle of the night...read it during the day! 5+ ⭐️
I feel like I keep repeating myself with Rick Mofinas books, but “Blood of Others” is one psychological thriller I never expected from Ricks expanding books which includes all his and my favorite characters...such as Tom Reed and Detective Sandowski.
As usual this superb novel, which is excellent as a stand alone, that’s how I came about it, is based in San Francisco, as most of them are and starts with a killing which continues from the most incredible, intellectual, serial killer straight out of ‘Criminal Minds’. He preys on women who are loners, love to find love on-line, and always finds a person they ask, “Can you forgive someone’s sins no matter how bad they are”. The killer continues to ask them the same question, and his pry (his victims) are so much into “looking for love in all the wrong places” they continue to intervene with him via emails. I promise not to give anything other than that as a review, because I truly want you to read, and continue to turn each page with someone next to you, remembering to look behind each door before going to bed, locking all your locks, because if you’re like me you will finish this in one or two sittings, it’s that good.
Yes there are a couple of outlandish settings of which I couldn’t figure out how any serial killer could do what he or maybe she could do...got ya thinking..but the CSI of details doesn’t overpower the gruesome outcome of this great book.
I highly recommend ‘Blood of Others’ but if you don’t mind allowing yourself to get scared in the middle of the night...read it during the day! 5+ ⭐️
December 26, 2018
Rick Mofina knows how to write a thriller. It would be hard to provide a spoiler to this book because, even if you know the ending, you'd still race to the conclusion. Set in San Francisco, the story begins at a leisurely pace, tracking the eventual collision of a reporter, Tom Reed, and a crack detective, Ben Wyatt. The object of their search is a sadistic killer who prowls on-line dating and chat sites to preys on lonely women looking for love. Once lengthy exchanges result in meetings, these women eventually arrive at the mortuary. The killer appeals to his victim's instincts by claiming to be on a search for the one woman who will forgive the unforgivable. He eventually crosses paths with Olivia Grant, a shy gift store sales manager who ironically also meets Wyatt, an outcast San Francisco cop who is struggling with his own demons. As a former journalist himself, Mofina succeeds in his portrayal of reporter Reed as a severely harried, yet dedicated reporter struggling to balance family and a career. As a life-long journalist myself, I've also used journalists as key characters in my own novels, Borderland and Napa Noir. The story builds relentlessly to a wild and dramatic conclusion that will leave you breathless.
December 4, 2022
I love this author! I highly recommend trying one of his kindle unlimited to take a chance you will like it. I'm glad I did!
This is the third novel I've read since discovering this author a few weeks ago. From the first page to the last it was intense and fast. I love the dynamics and players he's created around the main theme. Learned a lot about cybersecurity that I'll never need but still found fascinating. Had never heard of him although he's been writing for a few years. I can't think of any author in this genre that surpasses his writing style. Glad I decided to give him a try. There are plenty of books I put down after a few chapters. If they don't grab me fairly quickly I don't waste my time. I've been only reading the kindle unlimited but am ready to buy others that sound really interesting to me. I don't mind paying for really good novels. I'm one that will pick up a book and reread after a few years if it's really good. He has a few that are unlimited in both kindle and audible. That was how I picked my first read. There are not very many crime thrillers that offer the two together.
This is the third novel I've read since discovering this author a few weeks ago. From the first page to the last it was intense and fast. I love the dynamics and players he's created around the main theme. Learned a lot about cybersecurity that I'll never need but still found fascinating. Had never heard of him although he's been writing for a few years. I can't think of any author in this genre that surpasses his writing style. Glad I decided to give him a try. There are plenty of books I put down after a few chapters. If they don't grab me fairly quickly I don't waste my time. I've been only reading the kindle unlimited but am ready to buy others that sound really interesting to me. I don't mind paying for really good novels. I'm one that will pick up a book and reread after a few years if it's really good. He has a few that are unlimited in both kindle and audible. That was how I picked my first read. There are not very many crime thrillers that offer the two together.
August 13, 2022
Fantastic series!!
This review is pretty much the same as book 5 because I don’t do spoilers and everything I love about this book, I love about all his books in this series.
I’m absolutely in love with Rick Mofina’s work!! Reed and Sydowski are flawed, they are not perfect at all. They sometimes work together, yet they fight more often than not.
I love this about them. In these crime, mystery thrillers there are always multiple suspects (which I never guess correctly) and I love his writing style. He tells the story in multiple POV’s. For me it brings more volume to the story. You are submerged into every one’s thoughts and feelings. We are given a chance to both love and hate a character depending on their story. I love them all.
Christian Rummel is a brilliant voice actor. He not only does the voices but he also performs the emotions & feelings of each of his characters.
This is book 3 with an HEA and can be read as a standalone.
I highly recommend this book/series.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
This review is pretty much the same as book 5 because I don’t do spoilers and everything I love about this book, I love about all his books in this series.
I’m absolutely in love with Rick Mofina’s work!! Reed and Sydowski are flawed, they are not perfect at all. They sometimes work together, yet they fight more often than not.
I love this about them. In these crime, mystery thrillers there are always multiple suspects (which I never guess correctly) and I love his writing style. He tells the story in multiple POV’s. For me it brings more volume to the story. You are submerged into every one’s thoughts and feelings. We are given a chance to both love and hate a character depending on their story. I love them all.
Christian Rummel is a brilliant voice actor. He not only does the voices but he also performs the emotions & feelings of each of his characters.
This is book 3 with an HEA and can be read as a standalone.
I highly recommend this book/series.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
November 3, 2022
Gruesome, Creepy, and Well Done
The Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski combo is a great fit, and these reads have each been well above par. Mr. Mofina pulls no punches in this tale, with a truly troubled antagonist who preys on shy, lonely women. This is not a brand-new novel and shows its age in a few places (how quickly things change!), yet it remains intriguing, relevant, and very well-written.
One of the things I most appreciate about this author's characters is the fact that all of them are quite human. It's easy to identify some of our own traits or those of people we know within these stories. None of these people is perfect, none of them lead easy lives without any worries. In short, they feel like us. I suspect that's why his novels have such a way of getting to the reader's core, as this story does particularly well.
Fans of police procedurals, suspense/thrillers, and psycho-thrillers will enjoy this read. If you're new to these characters, no problem. Each story in this series stands on its own. Dive in and find out why this author is so revered.
The Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski combo is a great fit, and these reads have each been well above par. Mr. Mofina pulls no punches in this tale, with a truly troubled antagonist who preys on shy, lonely women. This is not a brand-new novel and shows its age in a few places (how quickly things change!), yet it remains intriguing, relevant, and very well-written.
One of the things I most appreciate about this author's characters is the fact that all of them are quite human. It's easy to identify some of our own traits or those of people we know within these stories. None of these people is perfect, none of them lead easy lives without any worries. In short, they feel like us. I suspect that's why his novels have such a way of getting to the reader's core, as this story does particularly well.
Fans of police procedurals, suspense/thrillers, and psycho-thrillers will enjoy this read. If you're new to these characters, no problem. Each story in this series stands on its own. Dive in and find out why this author is so revered.
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