Human Remains audiobook

This is a deeply disturbing book, and it is definitely Elizabeth Haynes darkest so far. I devour her books as soon as they are released and I have loved them all so far. In each book I can back track to different times in my life and see a little bit of myself in each central character, which makes them all very real to me.HUMAN REMAINS is told from two main points of view: Annabel -a lonely police analyst who lives alone except for her cat.-why don't lonely woman ever have dogs?-Annabel discovers the decomposed body of her next door neighbour and quickly realises that something just doesn't seem right....and Colin -a socially awkward individual who is trying a tad too hard to meet the ladies, but is he a dangerous psychopath? Maybe...maybe not.-I had a very hard time being in Colin's head. I will admit to sometimes skimming over his thoughts to rush to the safety of Annabel.I have always thought we are all only one big catastrophe (or series of terrible events that break you down a little at a time) away from wanting to shut the rest of the world out and hide away. HUMAN REMAINS is a chilling tale of someone who is ready, waiting, and hoping for his next victim to do just that.[image error]

You can always tell when an author really enjoys writing a story, and I think with this one the reader feels that in spades. The story tackles themes with which Elizabeth is more than familiar, and the psychological component can't be beat.

Go here....http://badassbookreviews.com/human-re...or here....Michelle’s Review – 5 Skulls – A+This book is so disturbing. I hated what it did to me, how it made me think, made me question how I treat others, question my own motives, and question my relationship with my family. I hated how I was so deeply embedded in the mind of a narcissistic sociopath that I could predict his reactions. What does that say about me when I know how a sociopath is going to react (or in this case, not react)? It says nothing about me, and everything about the author and her brilliant writing. Haynes is a master at creating memorable characters in a terrifying but thought provoking story.Human Remains is NOT for everyone. It is NOT a happy story with happy characters. In fact, it is gloomy, sad, and has a character that is now at the top of my “Most Evil” list. In addition, the protagonist, Annabel, is insecure, oblivious, not always the nicest to those around her, and a bit of a bore. As a reader, you often want to scream at Annabel for her actions, or tell her how stupid she is being for her reactions to others.The story is told from two main points of view and additional points of view from minor characters that play a role in the story moving forward (it’s hard to tell you anything about these “minor” characters without spoiling it). While I would usually say this is too many perspectives, once you catch on to the story, you know exactly why the author is doing the multiple points of view and how brilliantly Haynes set this book up for the reader.Main Point of View # 1- Annabel:Getting inside Annabel’s head was absolutely essential to understand her insecurities, and her decisions (or lack thereof). While initially, it was so hard to cheer for her, especially when she was being mean to another character that was trying to help her, you learn so much about why she acts the way she does based on knowing what is going on in her head.There is a turning point for Annabel. It wasn’t an earth shattering moment but you, as the reader, applaud what happens to Annabel and how she transitions beyond what is expected of her.Main Point of View # 2- Colin:The other main point of view belongs to Colin. Holy crap. Seriously. This is where I face a real problem with this review. I knew nothing about the story and had no clue what to expect with Colin. Was he a love interest for Annabel? Why is he important? Why do I care? This was my thoughts at the beginning, and frankly, at the beginning, I was stumped at why I should care about Colin’s thoughts. Trust me, not knowing what Colin’s significance is in the story, makes the book 10 times more enjoyable when you learn what he is doing and what he truly is. Ok, so that was so fricking cryptic but oh well. I’m not going to ruin this story for you. Just trust me, Colin is someone I will never forget.Ok, I have to tell you a little bit. You probably guessed he is the narcissistic, sociopath I mentioned above (that is really my own completely unprofessional diagnosis). Colin is someone that you must pay attention to, not because of what he is saying or doing, or reacting to, but what he is not saying, and not reacting to. Being in Colin’s head was so normal, so uneventful. So boring. However, once you leave Colin’s head and see Colin’s actions from another point of view, you see an entirely new picture of Colin. That is what makes the switching point of views so perfect. You really see how twisted Colin is by seeing the world through Colin’s head and how normal and eventual Colin thinks his actions are and then seeing what Colin is actually doing when you switch views.The Story:What happens to the war refugee that goes from a school teacher with her own friends in her own country, to a manual laborer with no one in her refugee country? She ceases to exist.What happens to the wife of a sex molester who really had no clue what was going on, when all her friends and family have shunned her for being blind to her husband’s criminal acts? She ceases to exist.What happens to the husband that drinks away his broken marriage? He ceases to exist.What happens to the girl who is insecure, and loses her only family member? Does she cease to exist? That’s the story, that’s Annabel’s story.What happens to the guy who thinks he has the answer to the non existing living? He terrifies you.

I decided to read this fantastic novel again as it had so much impact on it when I read it before, my rating stays the same at 5 stars. I have loved all of Elizabeth Haynes' books, this one being no exception. What I love about her books is her inside knowledge because of her career in the police force in the UK that she can put across in detail in her books. Then there is always that underlying creepy tension that makes her books a blend of psychological thriller/crime/police procedural. How well do you know your neighbours? Would you notice if they lived or died? Police analyst Annabel wouldn’t describe herself as lonely. Her work keeps her busy and the needs of her ageing mother and her cat are more than enough to fill her time when she’s on her own. But Annabel is shocked when she discovers her neighbour’s decomposing body in the house next door, and appalled to think that no one, including herself, noticed her absence. Back at work she sets out to investigate, despite her police officer colleagues’ lack of interest, and finds data showing that such cases are frighteningly common in her own home town.The plot cracks on from the start and the book is paced to hold your attention, it's one of those books that as Annabel is considering deep things inside herself and about the human race, I did too. I loved the way she tackles this case even without the support of her mate at the station. And good job she does too.Many have read and praised Into the Darkest Corner so if you enjoyed that you will like this too, if not READ BOTH! As excellent reading, quality writing, great twists. Easy peasy 4 stars from me (again).

This author certainly knows how to create a shocking read! Her stories are dark and hit upon some of the most secretive taboos in society. Told from multiple perspectives but predominately from Annabel, the crime analyst, and Colin, the typically weird loner type with an obsession of decomposing human flesh. When bodies increasingly start to be found in various states of decomposition, Annabel is determined to find the link between them. What she doesn't realise is that the suspect already has her in his sights. At times this story makes for difficult reading: it is undoubtedly graphic and not for the faint hearted! The authors history of working for the police gives her an advantage in her writing. I will definitely be reading more of her books.

Looking for a disturbing thriller that you don't want to put down but at the same time want to cover your eyes? This is the book for you!I saw this book recommended on a book page saying how it was disturbing but an unforgettable read and WOW is that true. There were parts that made me cringe, parts where I just couldn't understand how people could just decide to lay down and sleep, not eat or drink until they die. Obviously that became clear later.Then there was a part where Annabel and Colin meet and I literally shouted NO. I felt so protective of Annabel and Colin's control over her broke my heart. I love her friendship with Sam and I kinda hope that if another book had them both in then it might lead to more than just friendship. I can't really put my thoughts into words because it's still going around in my head. Colin really thought he had done nothing wrong, that he was just helping them with what they wanted 'deep down'. It's just a book that really makes your mind work. A very thought provoking, gasp out loud and want to close your eyes but at the same time not wanting to put it down kind of book. Very much recommend!!

Having loved Into the Darkest Corner, but not enjoyed the storyline of Revenge of the Tide, I was unsure where Elizabeth Haynes third offering would lie but needn't have worried; this psychological thriller had me gripped from the first page, and remained so until the last word was read.Annabel returns from her work as a Police Crime Analyst to find her cat covered in a sticky substance having visited the house next door. Going to investigate she finds far more than she expected.The story is mainly narrated by Annabel and Colin, a worker at the council, and both seem to have difficulties with relationships witnessed by their working relationships, both find office life hard to deal with. Colin studies in his spare (and work) time with a particular interest in Neural Linguistic Programming, unfortunately he studies hard and his interest and motive run far beyond the simplified version that appears on many work training courses.This book is fascinating as well as having a good story line and being well written. Relationships of all sorts except the normal romantic kind feature as well as the bigger picture on how as a society we fail to care about those who retreat from life. It is refreshing to have one of the main characters is a Police Data Analyst based upon the author's profession; they do not often warrant a mention in crime novels.The story is fresh much like Into the Darkest Corner and the writing engaging. There is a real feeling of menace to the book and I have a hunch that it is going to linger for a while.

This wasn't a comfortable read, nor a particularly enjoyable one at times, but it overall did impress me and strike me as impactful. The plot surrounds an apparent epidemic of people being found alone, dead and in a state of decomposition in their own houses, and a journalist and (unusual vocation choice) civilian data analyst for the police trying to get to the bottom of it.I can understand those readers who complained that the book did drag a little at times, there was a slow sense to parts of the narrative, and it certainly isn't a 'seat of your pants' thriller. However for me I found that the lack of pace at times did enhance the sense of unease and creepy mood of the story.I'm not sure I'd be comfortable recommending it to every reader - at times I found aspects of the novel, the comment on the sad lives of victims and the psychopathy of the protagonist to be depressing and upsetting - but there was a definite quality to the book and a sense that Haynes has here succeeded in putting together a thought-provoking and disturbing thriller.

Very disturbing but interesting read. I do think the author captured really well the mind of a psychopath, Colin’s chapters were always my favorite, however it is a bit hard to believe that all these people were depressive enough to just kill themselves or allow to be killed by starving, can’t seem to think of a worse death than that!I was torn between ratings for this one but ended giving it 4 stars, it’s not a perfect book but it was gripping and exciting to read.

Ms Haynes, usually so good at writing about relationships, takes a U-Turn for "Human Remains" and writes about what the lack of relationships can mean. Annabel, Police Analyst,discovers her neighbour's decomposing body in the house next door. Horrified by her discovery, she researches the subject and finds that such cases are terribly common in her home town. Told from the point of view of Annabel, Colin who works for the council and various "victims" this is a chilling read and one that won't leave you easily once completed. If you are expecting a mystery, don't, for this is very much a character driven piece - there is no attempt at a twist, or to hide the villain, but that is what makes it so powerful as a novel. Quite brilliant!

This is the type of book that you stumble upon accidentally and then you can't put down! Haynes tells the story, in great detail, of the inner workings of a serial killer and those of his victims. Although he would not define himself as a "serial killer", which of course, makes it even creepier seeing as he has "willing" victims. This book definitely will make you look twice at people. Although Haynes details of the police investigations can be a bit wordy (I had to read these passages a couple of times!) I guess it can't be helped, with Haynes' occupational background. Overall though, a good read. The perfect amount of chills!

4.5*"Ninguém olha nos seus olhos. E eu percebi que fazia anos e anos que ninguém havia mantido contacto visual comigo, e a última a fazer isso provavelmente foi Bev. Então, o que significava isso? O que podia significar? Se as pessoas pararem de olhar para você, você para de existir? Isso quer dizer que você não é mais uma pessoa? Isso quer dizer que você já está morto?"Opinião aqui: http://baudatanocas.blogs.sapo.pt/res...