Halfhead

Not having previously read any of Stuart MacBride’s work I was unsure of what to expect. Yet I was pleasantly surprised. From the first chapter, a killing and a killer on the loose, it became clear that this was no ordinary thriller.

Criminals are dealt with swiftly. For those who commit heinous crimes, a partial lobotomy and removal of jaw, vocal cords and hair leave the halfheads only good enough for cleaning jobs. Their new purpose is to serve as a reminder what will happen to you if you’re bad...or get caught being bad. Will Hunter is part of the Network, a government run agency who ensure safety throughout Scotland. He is caught up in a crime that brings back memories of a previous killer, but it can’t be. She’s dead, isn’t she?

I had great difficulties deciding whether or not to tag this book as science fiction as well as thriller as there are elements which definitely put this book firmly into that genre. However, as these elements are just that, little pieces which enable the story to move forward, it is with ease I place this book into the thriller category. (Ye I still tagged it as sci-fi too.)

Now there was no cover picture available when I reviewed this but I have a copy with a cover that may as yet change - I hope so as I'm not entirely sure it fits the mood of the book as well as it could.

NB - it didn't change!