Great atmosphere - Rated 
I'm self employed and when I'm working I listen to unabridged audio books from the library, usually crime thrillers, and get through an average of 30/40 hours listening a week. I'm so tired at night that I fall asleep after a couple of pages so I tend to only 'read' on holiday. After a friend told me that listening to books wasn't as 'worthy' as reading them (!) I decided it was time to try and read more so I picked up this book in Tesco's. I was drawn in from the start. I think its one of the most gripping books I have enjoyed in a long time.
I thought it was very well written and you can tell the the author has a natural flair for storytelling in the way he builds up his narration then draws the reader up short with a short, punchy statement. I can't quite put my finger on how he achieves it, but the author manages to create an atmosphere of suspense in which you can just 'feel' the menace lurking, and you can't wait to turn the page and expose it! But the book is much cleverer than delivering that on a plate: it keeps you hanging in there, and has more twists and turns than the average thriller. Even those who love to spot the plot will be pushed to say 'whodunnit' in this story. There are lots of deliberately planted red herrings, and the way the book unfolds towards the end, though unpredictable, is actually believable.
I come from a Scottish island and I thought the contrast between the natural beauty (which visitors rave about) and the claustrophobia of island life (the reality which residents face) in such a setting was beautifully observed.
I found myself actually looking forward to bedtime, or any time I could steal a few minutes to read another chapter. Its been a long time since I felt I had the energy to get into a book in the way I did this one. I would recommend this, particularily if you have time to give it your undivided attention, like on a long flight.
I haven't read his first novel, but having discovered Simon Becket I'm away to order it now !
Great! - Rated 
This was even better than Chemistry of Death. Loved the ending, which I find is the downfall in a lot of crime thrillers. And loved the science. Recommended read.
Could have been much better - Rated 
This was my first Simon Beckett book as I didnt know it was the second in a series. I normally don't like books set in the UK and was hesitant at buying this book but after reading the blurb i decided it was worth the purchase.
I think I set my hopes too high for this book and i expected more. It was a good book and kept me interested through out which is quite impressive considering its almost 500 pages. But I just cant help but feel Beckett should have made more use of the setting of the lonely island of Runa and the power cut. Also I feel some parts of the plot where a bit unbelievable which I wont go into for sake of ruining the story for those who have yet to read it.
Its an average read although you may benefit from reading the first in the series beforehand.
Excellent thriller - Rated
I hadn't read Simon Beckett's earlier novel about the same charchter, David Hunter, but it didn't matter as this is a great stand alone thriller which I enjoyed immensely.Gripping and easy to read, I sat down to read a couple of chapters and found I'd read 200 pages in no time.
It also has several surprising twists to it, not least the one on the last couple of pages. I really enjoyed it and now intend to read his other book 'The Chemistry of Death.'
What an excellent read! - Rated
I thoroughly enjoyed Simon Beckett's first book The Chemistry of Death, which was based on the charecter Dr David Hunter, and was really looking forward to the next installment and I can guarantee you will not be disappointed!
Set on the remote Hebridean island of Runa, Beckett creates a thrilling murder mystery which keeps you hooked to the last page and trust me, I do mean the last page.
A massive storm rages throughout the story which Beckett uses to create a very tense and eerie atmosphere. Hunter and two Police officers are stranded on the island and left to investigate the death of a person who's body was found incinerated in a long since abandoned cottage.
There's a good variation of charecters, very good plot line and plenty of twists and turns.
Just short of 5 stars but an excellent read.
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