Some things in life defy comprehension, but that doesn’t make them any less real. Or deadly.When a familiar crow drops a cryptic scroll at Shawnee Daniels’ feet, she’s compelled to open it, even though everything in her power warns her not to. Mr. Mayhem—the most prolific serial killer the North Shore has ever known—claims her life is in danger. He “claims” he wants to help her, but just last … just last year he threatened to murder everyone she loves.
While Mayhem taunts her with oddly-placed feathers, like The Creator left at his crime scenes, an interstate killing spree rocks Massachusetts and New Hampshire. A madman is decapitating men and women, dumping their headless corpses on two area beaches. But what Shawnee soon uncovers shatters all she’s ever known, her memories shredded, the whispers of the past in shambles on the ground.
Can she find the strength to move forward, or will the truth destroy her?
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In the third and latest book in the Mayhem series, author Sue Coletta pushes the action to a fever pitch. Someone is leaving a bloody trail of murder behind by beheading victims and leaving cryptic clues. Former cat burglar and legit hacker, Shawnee Daniels, who works for the police department, follows the clues while being caught up in her own twisted web of problems. Notorious serial killer “Mr. Mayhem” has been leaving her messages, delivered by his ominous murder of crows, or posted a secret website.
All three books in this series are exceptional but this one is elevated to a new level of intrigue by the relationship Coletta weaves between Mayhem and Shawnee, threads that hint of joint family history. Brilliant! Mayhem is cultured, precise, and meticulous. Shawnee is a whirlwind of in-your-face action, tough as nails on the outside, with a vulnerable underbelly. The contrast makes for mesmerizing encounters with an odd give-and-take between these two dynamic personalities.
As someone who has read a great deal of books on Native American history and folklore, I found those tie-ins especially riveting. Skinwalkers, serial killers, vendettas—it’s all here. Mayhem’s relationship with his wife is tenderly portrayed. Crows, Poe, Edgar and Allan are given multiple spotlights to shine, and the ending leaves a deadly open thread for the next book in this fantastic series.
I received an ARC of this novel for an honest review, but as someone who has followed this series since its inception, I’ve also pre-ordered my own copy!
Another “Killer” Novel
Sue Coletta has done it again. If you’re a fan of the Mayhem series, you, like me, have been waiting for this book. And you won’t be disappointed.
This is the next installment of the ongoing saga between complicated heroine Shawnee Daniels and Mr. Mayhem, the serial killer who is either trying to help her… or setting a trap for her.
Shawnee is one of my favorite characters. She’s a computer whiz who works for the police, and she’s dating a hot and heroic detective, but she’s also a cat burglar. Doesn’t get more conflicted than that. Except it does. Coletta has given her a mysterious backstory—mysterious to us AND Shawnee. And we finally get to learn more about it. This is a character with more layers than a wedding cake, and all of them are equally delicious.
As much as I love Shawnee, I love Mr. Mayhem more. He’s as disturbed as Hannibal Lecter but we get a lot more of his private life. That makes him, to me, even more fascinating. And if that wasn’t enough, Coletta has managed to link his wife to Shawnee’s history in such a compelling way. I won’t spoil it for you, but you’ve got to see how this all comes together.
The plot, as usual, sets a blistering pace. The last quarter dives pretty heavily into history, which I found moving and thought-provoking. The current mystery is wrapped up, but there’s a fascinating setup for the next book at the end. It has me on the edge of my seat, desperate for more.
If serial killer fiction is your thing, you can’t find better than Sue Coletta. I highly recommend this book—this series—and am eagerly awaiting the next one.
Dynamic, bone chilling, horrifying, riveting
and suspenseful read!!!
Bodies are showing up on the beach. These
bodies have all be decapitated. Is Mr Mayhem
killing again or is this another serial killer??
Each body has a two sevens tattooed on it.
What is the earning of that??
Shawnee Daniels is a computer specialist/hacker
for the police department. She had been a
cat burglar at night but is reformed except
when she needs information not shared.
Mr Mayhem is trying to warn Shawnee that
she is in mortal danger at his wife request.
Shawnee does not want to listen. Shawnee
discovers she has a brother who is raised in
the Indian heritage.
Could he be the deadly WolfMan?
Mr Mayhem besides being an inactive serial
killer really loves his family. Although he may
supervise the killing, he lets a protege perform
the dastardly deeds.
He and his wife’s loving story show what it
means to love, the sacrifices made for those
we love and the emotional loss and grieving he
suffers without his wife.
The characters are multifaceted and three
dimensional involved in a fast paced, complex
plot.
The story was informative about show the
Indians were treated and the meaning of the
tattoos.
Poe, the head crow with his brother crows are
an essential part of the story. Poe sees Shawnee
at the wrong place at the wrong time which will
put her into a very seriously dangerous situation.
The story will grip you from the first word. The
tension and intrigue is heightened to mountainous
proportions until the final word.
A Highly, Highly Recommended Read!!
I volunteered to read Silent Mayhem. Thanks to
the author for the opportunity. My opinion is my own.
A fantastic story! Shawnee is still having problems with serial killers. Mr Mayhem who I personally enjoy is one of them. This killer has so much caring for his wife and his crows. And of course his crow Poe is involved from the beginning along with his brothers. However Mr. Mayhem is not a person one could trust. Loved all the interactions between these two and we found out more about Shawnee as the story progresses and gives her even more to deal with. Some surprises and twist that left me wanting the next book right now! I loved it!!
OMG!!!!! Mr Mayhem is one of the best villains, serial killer, ever! Is it possible to love a villain for his goodness, while hating him for his badness? And the crows…do they seek revenge when slighted?
Shawnee is a fabulous character. If I am ever in trouble, I want her at my side. I love that Levaughn, her cop boyfriend accepts her with all her foibles. I worry for her friends and family, afraid Mr Mayhem or Poe will seek retribution for perceived wrongs.
Sue Coletta pens some of the best stories and is at the top of my reading list, one of my go to authors. Her writing shines with the research and details included in her work. I love the use of the crows and the Indian folklore. Her writing speaks to me and I respond with delight.
I kept putting the book down, because I didn’t want to finish it. I wanted to savor each word, letting my mind mull over what would happen next. Loaded with surprises, Sue Coletta’s imagination knows no bounds and I marvel at how her mind works. Read her biography and you will see how she manages to cover the subject matter, serial killers, so well.
Bring on the next one…soon, please.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Silent Mayhem by Sue Coletta.
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Wow! The Mayhem Series just keeps getting better with each book and Mr. Mayhem becomes more intriguing. He is not just your average typical serial killer but a sophisticated, elegant, highly intelligent one. He is a complex character with many layers and we get to see a new side of him emerge in Silent Mayhem, one of a protector…of sorts. He has a complicated task is this book, given to him by his wife and he has to walk a thin line to orchestrate his plan and protect those he loves from harm. I really enjoyed seeing the softer side to him in this book and more background on his family. I know it is strange saying a serial killer has a softer side, but you will see what I mean when you read the story. There is also more interaction with Poe and the murder of crows, they play a bigger part here, and it was creepy and chilling to see their part unfold. They are fascinating creatures! Just imagining some of the scenarios with them gave me the chills. I would not want to meet up with a vengeful murder of crows on a dark night…just sayin’! There are also some new characters that appear, mixed in myth and legend (or are they?). Just reading about them made me shiver and had the tiny hairs on the back of my neck rising. You never know what might lurk in the shadows…
Levaughn has his work cut out for him in this book with a serial killer crossing state lines and having to work with the FBI, Special Agent Odin Barrett in fact, to solve the cases. Aside from the scalping and decapitation, there seems to be no rhyme or reason for the kills and he has to put in some serious time and do a lot of digging to find the connections to stop the killing spree. Will he be up to the monumental challenge to find answers and stop the murderer before the case hits too close to home? Well, you just have to read the book to find out.
Then there is Shawnee Daniels, ex-cat burglar extraordinaire and official computer specialist and hacker for the police department. Poor Shawnee gets put through the wringer in this third installment of the series. She is a fiery, stubborn, independent woman with a tough exterior and a soft center. She is capable of great compassion and love for her tight-knit group of friends and she will go above and beyond to put herself in danger to save those she considers family. She is cautious to the point of being reckless and ends up in a harrowing situation with her life on the line and the imminent threat of death hanging over her head. When you have a serial killer looking out for your best interests things can ultimately only get worse. She finds out some shocking and devastating things related to her past and her heritage that might shed some insight to the killings and has to weigh the pros and cons of sharing what she knows before someone else’s life is on the line. However, for herself, time may have run out. From her extracurricular exploits she has unknowingly light a match that will consume her and those she holds dear and the clock is ticking.
Silent Mayhem is a spell-binding, intense, bone-chilling read that will hold you in its’ grasp until the last page. You will want to read it with the lights on!
*Though I will purchase this book to add to my collection, I received this advanced copy from the author. I was under no obligation to review this book and am doing so of my own volition. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own. Thank you, Sue Coletta, for a wonderful read.