I thought this book was going to make me hate Cody McFadyen. It was so difficult to read. I began to doubt he was the actual author. It felt nothing like the previous four books. Sometimes it felt like reading a psychology textbook. Other times, it was a serial killer's manifesto.
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And it boggled my mind. I experienced major confusion with a side of boredom.
I'm thinking, Cody, man, you need to get back on your meds. Then, during Chapter 19, things started to turn around.
I felt the buzz. My adrena I thought this book was going to make me hate Cody McFadyen. It was so difficult to read. I began to doubt he was the actual author.
It felt nothing like the previous four books. Sometimes it felt like reading a psychology textbook. Other times, it was a serial killer's manifesto. And it boggled my mind. I experienced major confusion with a side of boredom. I'm thinking, Cody, man, you need to get back on your meds. Then, during Chapter 19, things started to turn around.
I felt the buzz. My adrenaline asked me if I was ready to go. McFadyen wrote, and Smoky said, 'For the first time since all of this began, I can feel a coherent image straining to emerge.' Well, now you've got my full attention, and it's about time. One bright spot in the book has McFadyen describing pregnancy and nursing. I thought that was wonderful. Maybe he's actually a woman, heh?
My advice if you pick up this book is stick with it. Maybe you'll understand the mumbo-jumbo and psychobabble without the benefit of hindsight, unlike me. I want to explain my thoughts with regard to my star rating. Yes, Callie says honey-love too many times. Yes, Bonnie says Mama-Smoky too many times. There was mention of a character that was probably from a previous book and I've just forgotten him.
In spite of my lengthy period of confusion, this book has made me think! There is a scene near the end of the book where the serial killer allows his true self to show. I spent about 15 seconds face-to-face with a man like that once, and this book made me think of him and how I felt. No book has ever done that before. I have been reluctant to read because it seems to be the last Smoky Barrett thriller we will see, since Cody McFadyen seems to have dropped out of circulation. As a fan of the series, however, I was greatly looking forward to seeing what the FBI’s most famous agent and her team would come up against next.
In true McFadyen fashion, the book opens with a grim, gruesome scene. The team is summoned to suburban Denver, where multiple families have been murdered and carefully displaye I have been reluctant to read because it seems to be the last Smoky Barrett thriller we will see, since Cody McFadyen seems to have dropped out of circulation.
As a fan of the series, however, I was greatly looking forward to seeing what the FBI’s most famous agent and her team would come up against next. In true McFadyen fashion, the book opens with a grim, gruesome scene. The team is summoned to suburban Denver, where multiple families have been murdered and carefully displayed. In one home, a message for Smoky is written in blood on the wall.
Before they know it, all hell breaks loose, and Smoky herself is pulled into its very center. These first chapters establish the groundwork for a very puzzling conspiracy. When Barrett is dragged deep into a bunker beneath the neighborhood, she is led to a museum more loathsome than any little shop of horrors imaginable, and that’s only the beginning. What Smoky Barrett and the gang have uncovered is definitely not Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. It turns out, instead, to be a nasty, wicked Pandora’s box, now open and ready to release evil upon the world. Can the FBI’s best team stop the Wolf before he destroys them all?
All of this sounds like it has the makings of a tense, heart-stopping thriller, and that was probably the author’s intent. However, even the early chapters seemed to crawl, rather than race. That’s not to say that there was no excitement or drama, but I felt that it lacked the deep intensity that I’ve come to appreciate in McFadyen’s writing. I loved the previous book, in which Smoky examines her own beliefs and values. We also get a strong sense of her relationships as we learn choice tidbits of information about her team members. Instead, a large portion of the midsection of this book feels like a treatise on the psychology of serial killers and the elements of conspiracies.
For a majority of this story, I was actually bored. Yes, McFadyen gives us what he always does – graphic portrayals of bloodshed, torture, sexual perversion, and psychological cruelty. And, to be fair, he also balances that with tender moments, especially those of Smoky with her family.
More than ever, we see the concern of Tommy and Bonnie as Smoky does her job and puts herself in danger – and her concern for their safety as well. Her team of experts – Alan, Callie, James, and hired gun Kirby – each has a personal connection to Barrett as well.
The highlight of the entire book for me was Smoky’s private session with James after tragedy had struck. Always an enigma, the one member who related to others with sarcasm and aloofness, James finally responds to Smoky, who reaches out to him with understanding and empathy. It is a defining moment, and it seems to solidify his place of honor and respect on the team. Despite the positives in the characters and the relationships, I didn’t feel that they were as prominent as in previous books. The emphasis seemed to be more on the intellectual understanding of what makes serial killers tick.
Some readers may find that fascinating; I did not. Even the interview with the mastermind of the “experiment” didn’t thrill me.
Oh, it chilled; I will say that. But even the revelation of the “who” wasn’t a shock. I’d read at least one other thriller where the doer was someone in a similar position.
Even though we’re left hanging knowing that there are more bad guys out there gunning for Smoky and that it’s in her hard-wiring for her to try to stop them, in many ways, this felt like it was written to be Smoky Barrett’s final chapter. For now, it seems to be, as the world has seen nothing new written under the name of Cody McFadyen. My biggest regret is that he didn’t go out with a fantastic finale. Let me begin by saying that the Smokey Barrett series is one of the best I have ever read. And I have read thousands of books.
My qualifier is that the series should have stopped after Book 4. To say THE TRUTH FACTORY is a major disappointment would be quite an understatement. The book reads more like a textbook on psychology than anything else.
Yes, Smokey is featured. She is now remarried and very pregnant. Her team gets a very small mention here and there, which is a real shame. It's Smok Let me begin by saying that the Smokey Barrett series is one of the best I have ever read. And I have read thousands of books. My qualifier is that the series should have stopped after Book 4. To say THE TRUTH FACTORY is a major disappointment would be quite an understatement.
The book reads more like a textbook on psychology than anything else. Yes, Smokey is featured. She is now remarried and very pregnant. Her team gets a very small mention here and there, which is a real shame.
It's Smokey AND her team that make reading this series so interesting. There is very little mention of her new husband or her adopted daughter, Bonnie.
Again, it was these characters that brought the previous books alive. THE TRUTH FACTORY bears no resemblance to the first 4 books. Because this author seemingly disappeared for years makes me wonder if he actually wrote this book. If you haven't read this series, I would not recommend starting with this one. The Truth Factory, by Cody McFadyen, is the 5th book in his electrifying Smoky Barrett series. Smoky heads a team of FBI agents who hunt down the most horrific of criminals.
With a past filled with pain, violence and death Smoky has become an intensely shrewd and talented leader. As the story begins, a very pregnant Smoky and her team travel to a suburb of Denver where once a small, quiet neighbourhood has now become a baffling scene of grizzly murders. The killer has left a bloody message for Smo The Truth Factory, by Cody McFadyen, is the 5th book in his electrifying Smoky Barrett series. Smoky heads a team of FBI agents who hunt down the most horrific of criminals. With a past filled with pain, violence and death Smoky has become an intensely shrewd and talented leader.
As the story begins, a very pregnant Smoky and her team travel to a suburb of Denver where once a small, quiet neighbourhood has now become a baffling scene of grizzly murders. The killer has left a bloody message for Smoky which leads to gruesome discoveries that will have your heart pounding. Although this is a dark, detailed and disturbing read, full of graphic violence, it is a remarkable addition to the Smoky Barrett series and I highly recommend it. Cody McFadyen is one of my all-time favourite authors and I look forward to where he takes us next. It seems like ages since we last caught up with FBI agent Smoky Barrett & her team but if you thought the author was going to ease you back into their lives, think again. As the book opens, a very pregnant Smoky & her violent crimes unit travel to a suburb north of Denver where a once sleepy little cul-de-sac now resembles something out of a horror movie.
Three houses, three dead families. The killer also left a couple things for Smoky.a bloody message and, well, that would be telling.
It seems like ages since we last caught up with FBI agent Smoky Barrett & her team but if you thought the author was going to ease you back into their lives, think again. As the book opens, a very pregnant Smoky & her violent crimes unit travel to a suburb north of Denver where a once sleepy little cul-de-sac now resembles something out of a horror movie. Three houses, three dead families. The killer also left a couple things for Smoky.a bloody message and, well, that would be telling. What immediately follows will take your breath away & quite possibly have you checking the locks on your doors. The hits just keep on coming as it becomes clear a complex, insidious plan has been in the works for years.
Those responsible have a simple goal. They just want you to tell the truth. I was a quarter of the way through before my heart rate returned to normal.
Then the story settles down as Smoky, Alan, Callie & James try to deal with the trauma they’ve endured. There is a mountain of information to sift through with tentacles that stretch in surprising directions. Real life events of the past 30 years figure into the plot which adds an uneasy truth to the story.
This entry has a different, less linear format than previous books in the series. We spend the middle section largely in Smoky’s head as she revisits old cases, her personal history & everything she knows about serial killers. The author has obviously done extensive research on the subject & doesn’t shy away from providing the gory details. Hence, the following warning. This is a dark, disturbing read full of graphic violence, coarse language & sexual depravity. More than once it shoved me way outside my comfort zone & I wouldn’t recommend it for those with triggers in these areas. The second half follows a more familiar path as the investigative process takes over & picks up speed.
I have to give Mr. McFadyen credit. Despite many scenes that made me squirm, I kept reading because I HAD to know how it would all play out. The plot is incredibly intricate & full of WTF moments.
But nothing beats the unmasking of one particular character & I freely admit my delicate little jaw did a runner as I grasped what I’d just read. Do people like this exist? God, I hope not.
The great irony is that this tendency to deny the presence of evil in the world is exactly what the killers’ message is all about. But in the end, after so much darkness, there is hope beaming out of the final pages.
Hope for Smoky & for us as it’s clear her story isn’t finished. Perhaps the author (whose own life is a mystery in itself) isn’t done with her yet. Not my favourite of this series - certainly waited long enough for it to be published!
To say I was disappointed, would be correct. While it did have the shock/OMG factor, I found it was written more like a psychology text book on the workings of serial killers' minds and the inner sanctum mind of Smoky Barrett - like a total rehash of her whole life and why she is the way she is. Would have liked less sermon and more action like the other books. Extremely wordy book - am wondering if it was all Not my favourite of this series - certainly waited long enough for it to be published! To say I was disappointed, would be correct.
While it did have the shock/OMG factor, I found it was written more like a psychology text book on the workings of serial killers' minds and the inner sanctum mind of Smoky Barrett - like a total rehash of her whole life and why she is the way she is. Would have liked less sermon and more action like the other books. Extremely wordy book - am wondering if it was all just filler (which it seemed to be for me) for a preset number of pages in a book. 3 stars only - sorry. I received a free iBook copy of this novel, just as well or I would have felt I had wasted my money. Having read all the previous novels in the series I was really looking forward to The Truth Factory after such a long wait but I was sadly disappointed. Where to start?
The premise of the novel is excellent with 3 families living next door to each other all brutally murdered and Smokey and the team flying in to Colorado to investigate where they are ambushed. After that it goes downhill with a poo I received a free iBook copy of this novel, just as well or I would have felt I had wasted my money. Having read all the previous novels in the series I was really looking forward to The Truth Factory after such a long wait but I was sadly disappointed. Where to start? The premise of the novel is excellent with 3 families living next door to each other all brutally murdered and Smokey and the team flying in to Colorado to investigate where they are ambushed.
After that it goes downhill with a poor execution, limited resolution of any issues and a cliffhanger at the end paving the way for a second part to the story. The first problem I see with the novel is the first person narration which involves all sorts of touchy-freely emotions and boring discussions of theory. It also allows for a lot of padding and unnecessary discussion. It would have been a much tighter novel/thriller with a straightforward third person narrative. The second problem, although maybe not a problem as much as a criticism, is that it is an extremely violent, nasty novel and all the love shared between Smokey, her family and friends seems saccharine in comparison. I don't envy Mr McFadyen his imagination.
The third problem I have lies in the plotting. I don't think I'm stupid but I found it hard to follow the links they made to arrive at their conclusions, especially after long and unnecessarily detailed expositions on problem analysis and game strategy. Would I read the follow up to The Truth Factory? Yes, if it were more like the first four novels in the series, no, if it were more of the same. I think my earlier comments said enough so my low rating should not surprise anyone. The sad thing is, the story starts really exciting and the case has a lot of potential.
But somewhere around 30-40% the author focuses on psychological anecdotes and explanations for a huge part of the novel. These chapters are not insignificant to the story as a whole, but also what comes later just wasn't as exciting as I had hoped it would be. For me this was too analytical, felt too much like reading a text I think my earlier comments said enough so my low rating should not surprise anyone. The sad thing is, the story starts really exciting and the case has a lot of potential.
But somewhere around 30-40% the author focuses on psychological anecdotes and explanations for a huge part of the novel. These chapters are not insignificant to the story as a whole, but also what comes later just wasn't as exciting as I had hoped it would be. For me this was too analytical, felt too much like reading a text book with lots of examples for different anomalies, to be exciting. The true extent of how tiring such writing can be for me was obvious when I read in bed at night, when the only options were to continue reading or go to sleep. I had lots of early bedtimes last week.
Preordered this as soon as I realized the author is still alive and will publish a new book, which is just a few years late after it was first announced. Word was that he was seriously ill and I expected no more books from him, instead I prepared myself for his death notice. Not knowing what really happened (it may simply be an extreme case of writers block), I am glad he can write on and hope he is not ill anymore.
Sorry to say so, but this book is as bad as it gets. Just having skimmed a few re Preordered this as soon as I realized the author is still alive and will publish a new book, which is just a few years late after it was first announced. Word was that he was seriously ill and I expected no more books from him, instead I prepared myself for his death notice. Not knowing what really happened (it may simply be an extreme case of writers block), I am glad he can write on and hope he is not ill anymore. Sorry to say so, but this book is as bad as it gets. Just having skimmed a few reviews, some people question who wrote the book, given how far (60%) I got, I still think, it is written by Mr. McFadyen - people change, although I think, this smells of writers block, but that is just a guess.
This drags, it is now quite a few years (5 I think) since I read my last book by Cody McFadyen (sidestory, I bought into this author first, as I thought he was a female, but sadly, I was wrong). That last book was which was first published in German - my first language, so I read it in German, and after reading it with its philosophical theme of Nietzsche I understand why. But that was still suspenseful and brutal. This book drags, beginning shortly after an over the top brutal and fast paced beginning with a lot of dead.
It consists of inner musings of the MC, and scenes of torture, some from history (reminding me of aka ). Also an unexpected betrayal which is then so far (61%) not further investigated. The deaths, torture etc. Get personal, but the suspense does not come back. Taking a break I read other books at the 61% mark and am not very keen on going back to this book. My rule is, I do not abandon a book after a third (33,3%). Currently I cannot bring myself to read further and whatever happens, even if it picks up, I think, both I and the author have changed too much, so I might drop this author, even if and when I finish the book.
The vision of the author might be to take a major turn in this series and begin a (short?) series consisting of the investigation to bring this sect-like circle of people down - I cannot see it finished in the remaining space of the book. That might be interesting, even for me, but I do not feel it. Maybe something totally different happens and this might be the last book in this series, I will only know once I finish, but as I do not want to spoil it, just take this: so far I think, this is not recommended, and only hardcore fans of Cody McFadyen and those ADD people who read all from certain authors regardless how bad it is, should read it. Even if some books by my favorite authors dragged in the middle, this one is too long and too far out, even though I had an advanced course in Philosophy during my last school years and have still some interest in it. So far I would rate it 2 meager stars.
And as always my review is longer than usual with this rating. Read at your own peril. After a few days and a few books in between, I am not too sure, I will finish it. Life is too short for bad books! August 21st, 2017, nearly a year since I last looked into the book. In trying to clean up my 50 (e)books strong 'Currently Reading'-shelf, which mostly consists of started-bored-me-on-to-the-next-book, I will try to get 5-10 books either as definite DNF or FF. This one is currently FF (Fast-Forward, like on a VHS-Videoplayer, if you are old enough remember them.
Ah, well, kidding, FF does exist on Netflix / Amazon Prime and 4K Blu-ray whatever). Finished it, finally. Might peek into the next books, to see how it ends, but not if they are as expensive as I expect, and if they take as long to be published - I have lost my drive to read the worst of the worst with this book, and most books I read are not as boring. While I can recognize this over-the-top dark book, it offers no suspense and I do not like the torture offered by it. Strongly discourage picking this up, even for free or lent. The second star is for fans of the series, those who need even the bad books by an author to complete their collection.
For someone in the search for really bad ideas this might be a brilliant book, but then again, there are better examples in older literature, the Classic de Sade's 120 days of Sodom comes to mind. And even that I have only read parts, not everything. The sheer encompassing timeline and the story are strong, but the storytelling not, it reads like non-fiction-lecture-book, lots of inner monologue little action and so it bored me. Even then there are lots of parts (family scenes) which should have been cut for getting a shorter book.
And Callie's way of speaking with her constantly using 'Honey-love' grated on my nerves. Could have been that way in the books before in the series, but they where shorter (I think) and had stronger stories, more crime, more suspense, so even then I could skipp that in those books, or it was not present. I'm glad I was not the only one disappointed with this book. It felt like some parts - the exciting and interesting parts - were written by Cody McFadyen, while others were fillers, soulless manifestos and textbook explanations. I don't know if there'll be more books on this series. There are plenty of loose ends to bring us at least three more books but it's hard to say.
Sometimes an open ending is all we can ask for. I do hope we get at least one more book, and Smoky Barrett and her team go out I'm glad I was not the only one disappointed with this book.
It felt like some parts - the exciting and interesting parts - were written by Cody McFadyen, while others were fillers, soulless manifestos and textbook explanations. I don't know if there'll be more books on this series. There are plenty of loose ends to bring us at least three more books but it's hard to say. Sometimes an open ending is all we can ask for.
I do hope we get at least one more book, and Smoky Barrett and her team go out in a book truly worth of this series. One that'd leave a mark as strong as the first ones. Toooooooooooooooo damn wordy, geesh never thought i wanted a book to end any more than this one. 50% of this book reads like a text book, damn boring as hell, could have cared less. Some parts bored me to tears. The other 50% we got flashes of what made the first four books so good.
But he took a few years off and now we get this, better be glad i read this one last. He must have used the years off to get a psychology degree or some crap, cause thats what this one is like. Story itself was pretty Toooooooooooooooo damn wordy, geesh never thought i wanted a book to end any more than this one. 50% of this book reads like a text book, damn boring as hell, could have cared less. Some parts bored me to tears. The other 50% we got flashes of what made the first four books so good.
But he took a few years off and now we get this, better be glad i read this one last. He must have used the years off to get a psychology degree or some crap, cause thats what this one is like. Story itself was pretty good, i would suggest reading it with alot of noise, bright lights and a few cans of red bull, cause if not you might fall asleep barely deserves three stars, just because i love these characters. Cody McFadyen is an international bestselling author of six thrillers. Five of those thrillers are centered around FBI special agent Smoky Barrett, who hunts serial killers. In 2011 his stand alone thriller Der Menschenmacher was published in Germany with no English translation. Before releasing book five in the Smoky Barrett series in 2016, McFadyen took four years off to care for his ailing pare Cody McFadyen is an international bestselling author of six thrillers.
Five of those thrillers are centered around FBI special agent Smoky Barrett, who hunts serial killers. In 2011 his stand alone thriller Der Menschenmacher was published in Germany with no English translation. Before releasing book five in the Smoky Barrett series in 2016, McFadyen took four years off to care for his ailing parents. According to his German publisher he is the father of a daughter and lives in Southern California.