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S. Williams
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THE SKIN CODE an absolutely gripping crime thriller with an astonishing twist (Raine and Hume Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by S. Williams (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,387 ratings
AN ABSOLUTELY GRIPPING CRIME THRILLER WITH AN ASTONISHING TWIST.

Can you crack the code?

Detective Mary Hume is on the trail of a vicious serial killer. A killer who leaves a baffling code carved into the skin of his victims.

The first victim, a young man, lies spreadeagled in his stylish Soho flat. Carved deep into his hairless chest — while he was still alive — are the numbers 1-4-3.

The second victim is a vicar — murdered and mutilated in his own church, his body posed kneeling in the front pew. Etched into his torso are more cryptic numbers.

Detective Inspector Mary Hume knows that to crack the case, she must crack the code. And to do that, she needs the help of maverick ex-police officer Raine, who can reach places — and people — that Mary can’t.

Now the killer has their next victim in sight . . .

A RACE-AGAINST-TIME THRILLER WHICH WILL HAVE YOU TOTALLY ADDICTED.

Perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, Robert Bryndza, Stuart MacBride, Lynda La Plante, Karin Slaughter, Jeffery Deaver, Linwood Barclay, Biba Pearce, Angela Marsons and Patricia Gibney.

READERS LOVE THE SKIN CODE:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A novel that just cannot be put down. Incredible writing and a brilliant story.” Ron B.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “What a page turner of a book from start to finish . . . the character Raine is brilliant this is a book I found hard to put down it is that good.” Deborah B.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Well thought out, well written and, for all the creepiness, has some laughs along the way. A fantastic read.” Aileen G.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Brilliant read! This was a really creepy read, just what I enjoy. The ending definitely left me wanting more.” Karen B.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Now this is what I call a crime thriller and so much more. I literally devoured this book in one sitting and I have no nails left . . . This book deserves more than five stars just for pure entertainment.” Peggy B.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “If I could rate this book with six stars it still wouldn’t be enough. I know it’s subjective, but for me this is the best book I’ve read this year.” Nigel A.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “With a surprise ending, the author leaves us wanting to know what’s next. This is my first book by this author and I loved it.” Stacy G.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A good read . . . I was gripped from page one.” Barbara

“I absolutely loved this book — which is the first I have read by Stephen Williams but definitely won't be the last . . . I was gripped from start to finish.” Lee

MEET THE DETECTIVES
Detective Inspector Mary Hume is in her mid-fifties, a seasoned detective with the Met. She loves her job, but finds the latest technology a challenge. She’s happily married to Robert, practises yoga and watches what she eats. Her friendship with maverick private investigator Raine is fine on the surface — even though Raine’s deep-fried diet fills her with horror — but there are underlying tensions.

Raine is a former police officer turned private investigator. She left the Met in tragic circumstances. She uses irreverent banter and off-colour jokes to cover her quick thinking and sudden flashes of violence. In her mid-thirties, she lives on a houseboat in central London, which she shares with her cat, Melania.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Raine and Hume Series
  2. Print length
    306 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    June 9, 2022
  5. File size
    1.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen lives in rural North Yorkshire with his family. He splits his time between the brutal beauty of the Dales and the frenetic energy of London. He has written several crime novels, including the international bestseller Tuesday Falling. They also contain some good jokes. He has also performed at the Leeds Playhouse, devised several 'pop-up' theatrical events and written lyrics for bands.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B1317DQN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Joffe Books crime thriller, mystery and suspense
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 9, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 306 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1804052587
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Raine and Hume Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,387 ratings

About the author

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S. Williams

S. Williams

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S Williams has written lyrics for several musicians, has poetry published in London magazine Brittle Star and writes, directs and performs bespoke ghost evenings in historic buildings. His thrillers are available in several languages.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,387 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's storyline fascinating and well-thought out, with one review noting it's full of twists and turns. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its readability, character development, and writing quality.

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9 customers mention "Storyline"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, describing it as fascinating and well thought out, with one customer noting it is full of twists and turns.

"...Anyone who enjoys a good story filled with mystery, murder, friendship, and relationships among different classes of individuals; as well as humour..." Read more

"...on this book and, although it didn’t grab me at first, the intriguing main plot line soon pulled me in. I also liked the sub plot...." Read more

"Thus story was riveting. I could not put it down. Hume, Echo, and Raine have special detective talents...." Read more

"In one sitting! Brilliant characters, fascinating well thought out storyline. Absolutely can't wait to read more from this amazing author...." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a great read.

"...Pretty good book." Read more

"...Absolutely can't wait to read more from this amazing author...." Read more

"...Well-developed characters and deep storyline made this a great read...." Read more

"Great book full of twists and turns! It kept me up at night thinking I would read just a couple more pages. Of course that didn’t work!" Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book.

"Totally engrossing story full of interesting characters and gruesome crimes. I was hooked from the beginning to the end...." Read more

"...I could not put it down. Hume, Echo, and Raine have special detective talents...." Read more

"In one sitting! Brilliant characters, fascinating well thought out storyline. Absolutely can't wait to read more from this amazing author...." Read more

"...Well-developed characters and deep storyline made this a great read...." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one mentioning it's so engaging they read until their eyes water.

"...The author is talented. He brought his characters to life...." Read more

"Writing was good. The story kept me hooked. The end , however, leaves the door wide open for another book." Read more

"...More books like this. You will read till your eyes water." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer CA
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Skin Code
    Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Totally engrossing story full of interesting characters and gruesome crimes. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. Anyone who enjoys a good story filled with mystery, murder, friendship, and relationships among different classes of individuals; as well as humour will enjoy this book. The author is talented. He brought his characters to life. I became invested in their lives and solving the mystery of who was doing the killing and their reason for the crimes. You have a new fan.😊
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Strange mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Former London Police Detective, Raine, is an idiosyncratic private detective who still maintains connections to the police and to her former partner, Mary Humes. Together and separate they struggle to solve the serial killer murders through messages carved on the vicious.
    It's A long twisted case that puts Raine at risk and doesn't completely satisfy when they solve the case.
    Pretty good book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • BeeCee
    5.0 out of 5 stars intriguing
    Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I took a chance on this book and, although it didn’t grab me at first, the intriguing main plot line soon pulled me in. I also liked the sub plot.
    Although there’s a glossary at the very end that “translates” some of the British vernacular and acronyms, it doesn’t include a couple that I noticed - “a butchers” means to have a look ( Cockney rhyming slang - butcher’s hook). Also “a scooby” Scooby Doo = clue. You’re welcome!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Nancy Hartill
    4.0 out of 5 stars Eraser
    Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Thus story was riveting. I could not put it down. Hume, Echo, and Raine have special detective talents. Rains saves a Muslim woman trapped in an alley being terrorized by a gang. Murders are happening in London that have signs of a serial killer using drugs to assist his methods. The three detectives get to the bottom of all the answers.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • BritGirl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read it cover to cover!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    In one sitting! Brilliant characters, fascinating well thought out storyline. Absolutely can't wait to read more from this amazing author. Don't hesitate, if you like mysteries, thrillers, dry humor and getting totally wrapped up in a story...get this one!!!!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Sandra K Ragghianti
    4.0 out of 5 stars ending in doubt
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Writing was good. The story kept me hooked. The end , however, leaves the door wide open for another book.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    When someone refers to a gripping crime thriller, this is it! Well-developed characters and deep storyline made this a great read.
    I would highly recommend and can’t wait to find another book from this author!
    Helpful
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  • Rosemary Wilson
    5.0 out of 5 stars not What You Think
    Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Great book full of twists and turns! It kept me up at night thinking I would read just a couple more pages. Of course that didn’t work!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Yvette
    5.0 out of 5 stars Punch of an ending
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I nearly gave up as it seemed a bit slow to start with, as it often can be when starting a new author's work, but I am so happy I kept going.
    Once the book gets past the 1st chapter, the characters build up, and I especially liked Raine and Echo. But every character is so cleverly written that they are so good and like "reverse onions" as layers build up bit by bit.
    The plot, storyline, pace, characters (including the person/s responsible) are all great. But the ending! POW! Really unexpected.
    Can't wait to read the next book.
    Report
  • roger hunter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Product
    Reviewed in Canada on December 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    As per title
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars It is not as gripping as the by-line suggests
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    It was an enjoyable read. I thought I’d predicted the ending but got this partially wrong which is always a good thing and nice surprise.
    Report
  • Brenda D'Agruma
    5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and thrilling!!
    Reviewed in Canada on July 6, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Great book that kept me hooked!! Very I interesting characters from beginning to the end. Lots of twists and turns although quite creepy!! Loved it!!
    Report
  • Vicki @ ILoveReadingUK
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read via Kindle Unlimited
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 27, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    New author for me and I'll certainly be reading the next book in the series.
    Enjoyable read, easy to follow intriguing story line.
    Good believable and likeable characters.
    Report

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