The Face of Death (Smoky Barrett Series) [Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Cody McFadyen (Author), Joyce Bean (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 29, 2007 | Series: Smoky Barrett Series (Book 2)

“I want to talk to Smoky Barrett or I’ll kill myself.” The girl is sixteen, at the scene of a grisly triple homicide, and has a gun to her head. She claims “The Stranger” killed her adoptive family, that he’s been following her all her life, killing everyone she ever loved, and that no one believes her. No one has. Until now. Special Agent Smoky Barrett is head of the violent crimes unit in Los Angeles, the part of the FBI reserved for tracking down the worst of the worst. Her team has been handpicked from among the nation’s elite law enforcement specialists and they are as obsessed and relentless as the psychos they hunt; they’ll have to be to deal with this case. For another vicious double homicide reveals a killer embarked on a dark crusade of trauma and death: an “artist” who’s molding sixteen-year-old Sarah into the perfect victim – and the ultimate weapon. But Smoky Barrett has another, more personal reason for catching The Stranger – an adopted daughter and a new life that are worth protecting at any cost. This time Smoky is going to have to put it all on the line. Because The Stranger is all too real, all too close, and all too relentless. And when he finally shows his face, if she’s not ready to confront her worst fear, Smoky won’t have time to do anything but die.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A June 2007 Significant Seven Editors' Pick: Don't let the title fool you. Cody McFadyen's The Face of Death is not just another scary-as-hell serial killer novel (although it is that in spades). Drawing a chilling portrait of a child stalked by a serial killer seeking revenge, McFadyen's second novel is surprisingly moving, standing out in an already packed genre by focusing on victim Sarah Langstrom and her struggle to survive. McFadyen knocked our socks off with his first book Shadow Man, but this arguably better sequel gives readers more time with Special Agent Smoky Barrett (Harris fans should imagine a stronger, more deeply scarred Clarice Starling). Barrett is a remarkable character--a ferocious survivor and reluctant heroine who only realizes her true potential in the face of unspeakable tragedy. Shocking, gruesome, and terrifying as it may be, the big kicker of this second novel is that it may also move you to tears. Easily one of my favorite thrillers of the year so far, The Face of Death is a perfect book for fans of Deaver, Koontz and King. But don't let me convince you, have a gander at the first chapter and decide for yourself. --Daphne Durham

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. McFadyen's outstanding sequel to his debut, Shadow Man (2006), provides a chilling reminder: "However bad things may become, evil men only triumph in the most important ways when we let them." FBI Special Agent Smoky Barrett is barely back in fighting form six months after killing the man who murdered her family and best friend before she must deal with another threat. "The Stranger," a serial killer seeking revenge for a miscarriage of justice, has targeted 16-year-old Sarah Langstrom, who asks for Smoky's help after the Stranger kills Sarah's latest foster family. The Stranger's murder spree actually began on Sarah's sixth birthday with her biological parents and dog. Smoky's crackerjack L.A. Violent Crimes Unit whirls into action to catch a monster who inflicts pain on Sarah by systematically killing anyone she loves. Smoky's fierce first-person narrative and Sarah's eerie diary excerpts, supplemented by a great cast, lift this scary thriller far above the usual serial-killer norm. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio on MP3-CD; MP3 Una edition (May 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423338812
• ISBN-13: 978-1423338819
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,574,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cody McFadyen lives in California. He is the author of The Darker Side, The Face of Death, and Shadow Man, which was an international bestseller.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeps getting better and scarier, June 3, 2007

By 

ellen "ellen in atlanta" (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Face of Death (Library Binding)

If you thought Cody Mcfayden was a fluke with a great first novel, you will be pleased to know the man can write like a seasoned veteran.
He continues with Smoky Barrett, the FBI agent who lived through a horror of her own, with a great deal of scarring - not only on her soul, but on her once gorgeous face. That hasn't stopped her from going after evil.
She is called to a gruesome murder scene - a teenage girl with a gun to her head is yelling she will only speak to Smoky Barrett. Smoky goes into the house and into the nightmare of Sarah. Sarah is a girl whose family was murdered when she was a child - she was spared by the murderer. He (the murderer) has an agenda for her...
Mcfadyen takes us on this murderer's journey - he's called The Stranger - and if you were expecting broad strokes of the action - forget it - the language and actions are so strong, you are squirming - almost needing a shower - but his words are powerful.
The same FBI agents and several other characters we came to care about are back in this book. And they do not fail us either.
The Face of Death is a masterful book. Reminded me of early Jeffrey Deaver - but what comes next from Mcfadyen will be a sight to behold.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Best Serial Killer Thriller in Years!, September 3, 2007

By 

R. Jepson "Beccacat" (Rhode Island) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Face of Death (Library Binding)

If you're tired of same old serial killer,psychological thriller stuff,read this,you won't be able to put it down. I agree the great reviews I've just read here,and even emailed the author,and,o boy o boy,more of the "Smoky" series are to come.Just loved these two books,now what do I read?? Whatever it is,it won't be as good.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Serial killing avenging angel, September 1, 2007

By 

Cory D. Slipman (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Face of Death (Library Binding)

Cody McFadyen once again using his lurid imagination conjures up another crime thriller overflowing with grotesque violence and tortuous psychological drama in his follow up to "Shadow Man". In "The Face of Death" FBI Special Agent Smoky Barrett, herself subjected to unspeakable duress after her rape and maiming and the murders of her husband and daughter, is called into this latest affair at the behest of the victim.

Barrett and her L.A. based Violent Crimes team respond to a horrific crime scene in the swanky Malibu suburbs. Sixteen year old Sarah Langstrom is found walking around outside bewildered in her blood soaked nightie with a gun pressed to her temple. After being talked down by a sympathetic Barrett, they enter the residence to find a charnel house splattered with blood and the dead bodies of Sarah's foster parents and her beheaded dog Buster. Sarah claims that this slaughter was choreographed by a shadowy stocking masked psycho called The Stranger.

Barrett and her crew with help from a diary that Sarah has kept learned that this wasn't the first time that people in Sarah's life had been slain. At 6 years old her biologic parents has also been murdered in shocking fashion, again apparently by The Stranger. This forced her into the dire world of foster homes and adoption. Sarah's life had been studded with incidents of violence against those that she held most dear.

Barrett was now the adoptive mother of Bonnie, a ten year old daughter of her best friend who had perished at the hands of the Shadow Man. Suffering incredible psychological scars Bonnie, who had come out of her shell in the six months since the murder, was unable to speak. Barrett naturally viewed the now life hardened Sarah as a similar innocent victim.

The FBI team gave the case top priority status and soon discovered that the ghastly treatment of Sarah by The Stranger was based in the past. Their dedoubled efforts strove to detect the identity of serial killing Stranger and stop the path of destruction he was creating.

While "The Face of Death" was without question a gripping page turning thriller, because it followed a similar storyline to "The Shadow Man" it lacked the impact of that novel. McFadyen is a talented writer but I didn't feel any maturation in his writing style in his second offering, just more of the same.