The Mannequins
Detective Cora Steele thought her darkest case was behind her. Two years out of the academy, her skills are gaining her attention at Church Stretton Police Station, Shropshire. Not all the attention is welcome.
When a body – washed, shaved, and posed – is found in a nearby forest, Cora is trusted to lead her first investigation. As she gathers her team and looks into the murder – the first in a string of brutal killings by a damaged and depraved predator – Cora is tested to the limit and taken to the very edge of her sanity.
No one is safe. Drawn into the vortex of the killer’s twisted psyche, Cora will face impossible choices as she races against time and fights to save those she loves the most. Confronting the mind of a murderer who is both brilliant and broken, facing prejudice and opposition within her own ranks, and wrestling with her own demons, it’s going to take everything Cora has to solve the murder, keep her job, and come out of it alive.
How far will she go? What will she risk, and where is her line? Is she too inexperienced for this case? Where will the trail of bodies lead?
The Mannequins is a thrilling, harrowing mystery, filled with drama, action, and horror, where hope flickers like a fading light and survival demands a heavy price.
Why readers who enjoy crime thrillers with a psychological aspect will enjoy this book:
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Most crime thrillers focus on the HOW rather than the WHY. Instead of a psychopath indiscriminately killing people, The Mannequins explores the reasons why people murder and the years of systematic abuse they endure to become a Monster.
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Something a bit different. Through a dual narrative, while focusing on the present day detective case, The Mannequins also takes you on journey through abuse and trauma. In a series of dark, biographical chapters, we are introduced to the antagonist's horrific upbringing and made to confront the question: what make a murderer?
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Relentless pacing and packed with an explosive, twisting and adrenaline-fuelled plotlines which keeps you on your toes right to the last page.
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Complete with complex, often traumatised, characters whose psychological unravelling intensifies the overall feeling of dread, twists and turns which keep the reader on edge.
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Gritty, dark and disturbing: this book does not shy away from taboo topics and is not afraid to delve into the depths of depravity.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "With a gripping plot, a well-crafted protagonist, and a haunting exploration of the human psyche, this debut novel establishes Toms-Arbel as a formidable new voice in the genre," Sarah Whitton.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "It’s not just a story about a serial killer, it’s a story about the scars people carry, the choices they make, and the fragile line between victim and monster," Sam Cardozo.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY...
VM Larsson
The Mannequins is a chilling mix of horror, murder, and psychological thriller – definitely not for the faint-hearted. I devoured it in one sitting and found myself completely pulled into the unsettling atmosphere. The author has a rare ability to make settings feel alive – the rundown council flat was described so vividly I could almost smell the damp, the desperation, and the anxiety seeping from its walls.
Sarah Caffrey
The Mannequins is a phenomenal debut that deserves recognition and a sequel. It leaves you clamoring for more of Cora Steele’s adventures as she navigates the dark corners of human nature and the horrors that lie within small towns. Toms-Arbel has laid the foundation for a captivating series that I'm eager to follow. This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a blend of mystery, emotional depth, and horror, and it showcases the promising talent of a writer sure to become a household name.
I have read very few books with this perspective, and only a couple have captured the true psychological terror from the killers point of view. This book encapsulates this genre. The characters are well rounded, believable but most of all each has their own story. The ending, without giving too much away, after a heart racing charge to the finale is gut wrenching, heartbreaking and beautifully hopeful at the same time. I truly hope that there are more stories around some of these characters in the future. All in all a sound five star read, six if I could, and if this isn’t a best seller I will eat my hat!
I'm certainly not new to a grittier thriller or even horror; however, I will say this made me want to pick up a darker thriller in the future. The writing was exceptionally well-written and very descriptive. It certainly gave you a cinematic viewpoint, and I could honestly see this as a dark thriller/mystery on television. This is definitely a page-turner; however, it's not for the faint of heart.