“Schaffer is the real deal. His writing will knock you out.” —J.A. Konrath WHEN EVIL KNOWS YOUR NAME Nothing fascinates rookie cop Carrie Santero more than serial killers. Now she’s hunting down the sickest, most twisted psychopath she’s ever faced—an “omnikiller.” Unpredictable, unrelenting. A death machine beyond all evil. As the body count rises, Carrie enlists the help of Jacob Rein, … the body count rises, Carrie enlists the help of Jacob Rein, a brilliant, embittered former detective who has gone to the darkest corners of the killing mind. What he knows—what he can never unknow—could lead Carrie to the point of no return. The place she can no longer avoid. The place that has never stopped calling her . . .
“A killer who sets a new standard for lethal danger.”—Lisa Scottoline
“A stylish, attention-getting thriller. . . the most engaging pair of detectives I’ve seen in a long while.” —David Morrell
“Gruesome and honest. Readers will find themselves fascinated.” —Booklist
“Schaffer’s knowledge of detective work is evident.” —Library Journal
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This was my first, but not my last, book by Bernard Schaffer. He is an amazing and talented author with a lot of knowledge, which shines through in this book.
The characters are awesome, even those you dispise. Carrie had me so angry on numerous occassions, but I LOVE her. I feel for Jacob and I truly hope he can get over his past. I’m rooting for him and Carrie. As for Bender, I am NOT a fan!
I truly love when a book can make me so angry that I want to throw my kindle across the room, has me crying, laughing, and wanting more (that ending, WOW). In my eyes that is a 5-star read.
If you have triggers/issues with murder and graphic details than this is not the book for you, but if the darkness doesn’t get to you, you will love this book.
I can’t wait to start An Unsettled Grave.
This book was a fast moving story. Small town police officer Carrie Santero dreams of being a big shot detective but when she is handed a case, it becomes too personal too fast. Jacob Rein, a disgraced former police detective, is consulted by his former partner and becomes involved with the case and Carrie. These characters were very real and the pace of the book was excellent. I am looking forward to what the author does with these characters next.
This little thriller has success written all over it. Intense, well fleshed out, excellent read! I see great things for this author!
When a Chief is trying to help a rookie cop make her way up in the ranking in a small town so that she may move to a larger force some unusual crimes start to happen! Trying to narrow down who may be responsible for this crime he calls on an old friend to help out, who really doesn’t want to help out. The crimes continue to happen and this brings the Chief and the Rookie scrambling to find the suspect!
When an old friend, a Chief, and the Rookie pull together they begin to make some ground of finding the suspect! With the help from people of the past, friends of the present, and putting their thoughts a twist to the story begins leaving them all on edge and on a mission!
I absolutely loved this book! Could hardly put it down. Schaffer is definitely an author to read if you like detective/suspense stories! Well written characters- some that you feel like you’ve known them a long time and some you just love to dislike! Having read the first two in the Santero and Rein series, I’m definitely going to read any future ones!
Great police detective thriller, the first book by this author I have read, quick read, holds your interest. Can’t wait to read next book in series.
I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. It’s dark & twisted but a little bit of humor. This is my first book by this author. I will be reading the next book An Unsettled Grave coming out July 30.
This is a new author for me. And Boy was it a wild ride!! I truly enjoyed how realistic it was, very informative from the police aspect of the writer, and the ending truly blew me away. If you enjoy true crime novels this is a novel for you!! I highly recommend that you get all your life chores out of the way as you will not be able to put this book down!!1
Take one small town rookie cop with some outstanding personal baggage, add in another seasoned cop, a damaged former detective and top it all off with a serial killer who idolizes the worst of the worst predecessor serial killers. Bernard Schaffer takes us on a journey into police work, from procedural to personal perspectives. Without overwhelming the details, allowing us to understand the case and yet not get bogged down in facts. The writing was amazing, story flowed with my heart pounding, chills ran down my spine, left me turning the pages madly until I reached the perfect ending. BUY. THIS. BOOK!!
The Thief of all Light by Bernard Schaffer is a grisly, gruesome tale of a young Detective who wants a big break. She wants a case that will be her big break. The thing that helps her reach detective. Coming with a right hook is an omnikiller, someone who is out to mimic some of the cruelest serial killers to date. Carrie, the young female detective, is a simplistic character at time. She is a bit bull headed, but talks too much. She also has a tendency to not stand up for herself, which is evident in the first part of the book. Although there is some growth visible, I am hoping to see more as Schaffer continues the series. Jacob Rein is a character that I really enjoy and want to see more from. He is loveable and honest, no matter the darkness that he brings. The book could use some more fleshing out of the inside of the brain of the killer, as he feels more like a secondary character when he should feel like the center. Some of the gruesome details seem to be thrown in for shock value verses adding to the story, but it does help shuffle the plot along.
5 Stars to The Thief of All Light, which is the first book in the Santero and Rein Thriller Series. I love murder mysteries with serial killers! There are alot of them out there but none which I read that are this well written. The Santero-Reid characters are partners with the rookie wannabe detective teaming up with the older detective not even on the police force. The author perfectly crafted the characters for this detective team. The serial killer was dark with no humanity in his bones, which one would expect for a serial killer.
This author, who is also a detective knows his craft. At its core, this police procedural is authentic and organic. The writing flows and I was frantically flipping pages to the very end.
I emphatically enjoyed this book! If you loved this book as much as I did, definitely check out Book 2 in this series, An Unsettled Grave, which is due out 7/30/19.
Author Bernard Schaffer has written a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Officer Carrie Santero is a rookie with the dream of becoming a detective one day. A young girl goes missing and Carrie feels there is nothing to it. Until her best friend Molly and six year old daughter, Nubs never come home from the park. After receiving a disturbing photo on her phone, Carrie and Chief of police, Bill Waylon seeks the help of his former partner, Jacob Rein. Rein is known as a master at solving homicides. With Reins help, Carrie discovers a serial killer known as the ” omni killer”. He can’t be profiled because he changes his identities and murders to copy other serial killer’s. Can Carrie and Rein bring the Omni killer to justice? Will it be too late for Molly and her daughter? Grab your copy of The Thief of All Light and be prepared for a wild ride!
This was my first book by this author and it’s I totally awesome book I’ve never read a book that has Been this amazing….. when the serial killer does what he does to the gentleman in the van it Blow Me Away the things he did can never be unseen, trying to be a copycat serial killer taking things in his own hands . But rookie cop Carrie is on this case, her Best Friend goes missing, and young Daughter Nubs..
Leading her and ex cop Jacob Rein
With her captain Waylon on the case…
What they find is …well this is one story you need you read ..it That Good. One I’ll Definitely Read Again..Thank You Bernard Schaffer…
Wow! My first book by Bernard Schaffer but it certainly wont be my last. I love suspense/thrillers yet at times they can be so one dimensional, its like you are reading same books over and over again. I can honestly say with this book you get drawn into the storyline because the the incredible writting on the author and his first hand knowledge of police prodecures. He can bring an intensity to his books that most authors aren’t able to do. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
This is the first book I have read from Bernard Schaffer and I can honestly say I will be reading his books from here on out. Really great storyline smooth progression of the story with plenty of details to help you visualize the characters and the settings. Story was sad in parts but was worth it to get the whole effect. Kept me on the edge waiting to see what would happen. Some police jargen and procedure explanations throughout but it was just enough to help you understand and make story better and not enough to be draggy. Well worth the time to read. Looking forward to the next book of his in this series.
This book is a page turner, and I had a hard time putting it down. I have read 3/4 of it, and I have to get some sleep before I finish it today.
This was a thrilling read. Hated to put it down. Love the look a different types of detectives, their methods and how they differ in finding the killer.
Jamie Gillespie highly recommends this book!
Wow…just wow! I won’t give away any spoilers but, this is a fantastic book. Schaffer is so knowledgeable because of his personal experience in law enforcement (as a detective) and that is very evident in this book. The details are fascinating and the killer is gruesome. I could hardly put it down once I started reading it. The character of Det. Rein really pulled me in and I cannot wait until the next book to hear more of Rein’s backstory. This is one that you will recommend to all your friends to read. This book stands out to me above all the rest I have read in this genre. If you love thrillers that show off great detective work and skills, this one is a must read!
This is an awesome read. Bernard captures so many details and really puts you in the middle of the investigation. Once you start you can’t put it down. This is a stand alone but also first in series. If you like crime thriller and mystery I would strongly suggest this book along with others Bernard Schaffer has written. He totally relates to his readers.
The Thief of All Light by Bernard Schaffer is a terrific start to a new series. Once I started reading I could not put it down it is spellbinding with page turning suspense. The Thief of All Light can easily be read in an afternoon it is a very quick read. This book has all the twists and turns that will keep you guessing throughout. It is both terrifying and thrilling. I read book # 2 The Unsettled Grave first but it did not take anything away from this book. Both books can easily be read as standalones but I would suggest you read this book first to get more of the background. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to see what Bernard has in store for us next.