Book – The Judas Game

The Judas Game by Ethan Cross (2016) – An anonymous killer known as the Judas Killer will bring together veteran investigator Marcus Williams and serial killer Francis Ackerman once again.  Working with the team from the Shepherd Organization, these two will try to understand what begins at a federal prison but is intended to spread throughout the nation.  A twisting tale of death, deceit and revenge.

Ethan Cross has created another well crafted, tension filled thriller.  Francis Ackerman is a twisted, evil man who enjoys inflciting maximum pain on other people.  He is also Marcus Williams’s brother.  Ackerman “died” previously in the series (this is the third book in the Shepherd series) and now is allowed to live in return for helping the government deal with other killers like himself.  The story takes you on an uncomfortably intimate journey through the mind of a killer.

But to be honest, Ackerman is not the only character with issues.  Members of the team have lost people they loved and try to ignore some deep brokenness in themselves.  There is the ongoing issues between Williams and Maggie Carlisle, a member of his team and romantic interest.  Then there is Dylan, Marcus’s son and Ackerman’s nephew.  It’s a profoundly difficult emotional terrain to navigate on a good day.  And once the killing starts there are no more good days.  All of this needs to be set aside as they race against the clock.  The challenge facing them is never simple, but it grows more complicated with each passing minute.

While I’m not quite as enamored with serial killers as a lot of thriller fans are, there is no doubt that Cross can create the kind of powerfully terrifying character that will inspire you to sleep with the light on once again.

If you’re a thriller fan, then Ethan Cross should be on your list of authors to watch.  He consistenly brings some great stories to the page.

Why I Liked It – The twists and turns of both the character’s personalities and the plot carry you along at flank speed.

Why You Will Like It – Cross scores again with another can’t put down and hair standing up on the back of your neck thriller.

“The Judas Game” will hit the bookshelves on October 4.

Rating – **** Recommended

Other Ethan Cross titles I’ve reviewed – Blind Justice, and The Prophet.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from The Story Plant.  Please see my Review Policy.