Title: Ragdoll
Author: Daniel Cole
ISBN: 9781398704732
Publisher: Orion Books
Pages: 390
Source: Private Copy
William Fawkes, a controversial detective known as The Wolf, has just been reinstated to his post after he was suspended for assaulting a vindicated suspect. Still under psychological evaluation, Fawkes returns to the force eager for a big case. When his former partner and friend, Detective Emily Baxter, calls him to a crime scene, he’s sure this is it: the body is made of the dismembered parts of six victims, sewn together like a puppet–a corpse that becomes known as “The Ragdoll.”
Fawkes is tasked with identifying the six victims, but that gets dicey when his reporter ex-wife anonymously receives photographs from the crime scene, along with a list of six names, and the dates on which the Ragdoll Killer plans to murder them.
The final name on the list is Fawkes.
Baxter and her trainee partner, Alex Edmunds, hone in on figuring out what links the victims together before the killer strikes again. But for Fawkes, seeing his name on the list sparks a dark memory, and he fears that the catalyst for these killings has more to do with him–and his past–than anyone realizes.
Official Summary
14 August 2024
Just for a change, I am late to the party. This debut novel is a gripping and darkly thrilling ride that introduces readers to a new brand of crime fiction, blending a horrific mystery with a breakneck pace and a wicked sense of humour. The story centres on William Fawkes, a controversial detective known as The Wolf, who is reinstated to his post after a suspension for assaulting a vindicated suspect. Fawkes, still under psychological evaluation, is thrust into a chilling case that will test his limits and force him to confront his past.
The narrative kicks off with a gruesome discovery: a corpse made up of dismembered parts from six different victims, grotesquely sewn together to form a “Ragdoll.” This horrifying creation sets the tone for the novel, immediately pulling readers into a twisted and compelling mystery. Fawkes, eager to prove himself, is assigned the daunting task of identifying the six victims, a challenge that becomes even more complex when his reporter ex-wife receives photographs of the crime scene and a list of six names, along with the dates the Ragdoll Killer plans to murder them. The final name on the list is Fawkes himself.
Cole builds suspense as Fawkes, along with his former partner Detective Emily Baxter and her trainee partner Alex Edmunds, race against time to unravel the connections between the victims before the killer strikes again. The interplay between these characters adds depth to the narrative, with Baxter’s sharp intellect and Edmunds’ fresh perspective complementing Fawkes’ intense and often reckless determination.
What stands out in this book is its intricate and twisty plot. Cole keeps readers on their toes with unexpected turns and revelations that add layers to the mystery. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter propelling the story forward and heightening the sense of urgency. Despite the dark subject matter, Cole injects a wicked sense of humour into the narrative, providing moments of lightness that balance the tension and underscore the humanity of the characters.
Fawkes is a compelling protagonist, deeply flawed yet driven by a fierce sense of justice. His journey is not just about solving the case but also about confronting his demons and the dark memories that resurface as the investigation progresses. The personal stakes are high, and the emotional intensity adds another dimension to the story.
“Ragdoll” is a fantastic debut that indicates Daniel Cole is a fresh and exciting voice in crime fiction. I cannot wait to read his next book – Hangman – which has just jumped a little higher onto my TBR pile. The novel’s blend of gruesome crime scenes, complex characters and relentless pacing makes it a must-read for fans of the genre. With its dark humour and twisty plot, this is a thrilling page-turner that will keep you hooked until the very last page.
Also by Daniel Cole
HANGMAN
Meet DCI Emily Baxter, a detective whose life is as complicated as the cases she investigates.
A body is found hanging from Brooklyn Bridge, the word ‘BAIT’ carved into the chest.
In London a copycat killer strikes, branded with the word ‘PUPPET’, forcing DCI Emily Baxter into an uneasy partnership with the detectives on the case, Special Agents Rouche and Curtis.
Each time they trace a suspect, the killer is one step ahead. With the body count rising on both sides of the Atlantic, can they learn to trust each other and identify who is holding the strings before it is too late?
At 33 years old, Daniel Cole has worked as a paramedic, an RSPCA officer and most recently for the RNLI, driven by an intrinsic need to save people or perhaps just a guilty conscience about the number of characters he kills off in his writing.
He has received a three-book publishing and television deal for his debut crime series which publishers and producers describe as “pulse-racing” and “exceptional”.
Daniel currently lives in sunny Bournemouth and can usually be found down the beach when he ought to be writing book two in the Nathan Wolfe series instead.
Ragdoll is his first novel.
Thank you for stopping by to read my review! I discovered this author after seeing frequent posts about his books on Instagram. Without doing any research, I rushed out and added two of his books to my TBR. Fortunately, I got it right and ended up with *Ragdoll* and *Hangman*. I loved *Ragdoll* and can’t wait to dive into more of Daniel Cole’s work. You’ll be seeing more reviews of his books soon. Thank you for supporting the blog—until next time… Happy reading!
