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Requiem in E Sharp
A troubled detective.
A tormented serial killer.
Sundays in Pretoria are dangerous for selected women.
As The Bathroom Strangler’s frenzy escalates and the body count mounts, Nico van Staaden, the lead detective on the case, finds himself confronting his own demons as he struggles to solve the brutal murders.
But how many women will die in this deadly game of cat and mouse?
A tormented serial killer.
Sundays in Pretoria are dangerous for selected women.
As The Bathroom Strangler’s frenzy escalates and the body count mounts, Nico van Staaden, the lead detective on the case, finds himself confronting his own demons as he struggles to solve the brutal murders.
But how many women will die in this deadly game of cat and mouse?
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 4, 2012
9 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Joan De La Haye
49 books123 followersI write horror and some very dark thrillers. So I invariably wake up in the middle of the night, because I've figured out yet another twisted way to mess with my already screwed up characters.
I'm interested in some weird stuff. That's probably also one of the reasons I write horror.
I'm deep, dark and seriously twisted.
I'm interested in some weird stuff. That's probably also one of the reasons I write horror.
I'm deep, dark and seriously twisted.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 27, 2020
This is a tough, gritty, unapologetic yet totally captivating tale of a serial killer. Joan De La Haye climbs into the consciousness of the four principle characters with apparent ease, taking the reader through heinous crimes as we look through the cracked, filth-encrusted, irreparably damaged lens that is a serial killer's perspective of his victims as he hunts for the ultimate victim - his nemesis, whose demise would bring him rest. I love the realism that the author brings to crime fiction. There are no red herrings, no flashy techniques, only authentic characters - major and minor alike - and a well thought out storyline. It's clear that a lot of research went into this, and even though this book might prove too grizzly for some I would still highly recommend it. It's excellent.
April 27, 2016
This book is gritty, grisly and very hard to put down!
An interesting title for an interesting book that plunges you into the crime and corruption of South Africa (which a lot of us are blasè about as it is such a common occurrence).
The characters are SO South African and believable! I really did thoroughly enjoy this book and urge you to read it.
Joan De La Haye's book - Requiem in E Sharp is interesting, captivating, dark and disturbing!
An interesting title for an interesting book that plunges you into the crime and corruption of South Africa (which a lot of us are blasè about as it is such a common occurrence).
The characters are SO South African and believable! I really did thoroughly enjoy this book and urge you to read it.
Joan De La Haye's book - Requiem in E Sharp is interesting, captivating, dark and disturbing!
April 19, 2019
You know what I like most about Joan De La Haye's stories? They are so truly South African. I mean, she doesn't try to explain things, or "dumb things down" for an international audience. If you're South African, you'll understand exactly what she's talking about. If not... well, you better catch up quick, bucko, because this lady ain't got time to stop and explain nothin' to no-one.
She also doesn't pull any punches about what life is like in the city. It's dangerous, it's bloody, and gangs and corruption rule. Hearing gunshots and screams in the distance while you're trying to fall asleep at night is no cause for alarm, and the Police Service is as inept and useless as ever.
The constant racial tension is also ever-present; in South Africa, everything's about race. Even when it's not.
So many people try to downplay these things, but they're how we live on a daily basis. And I don't know about my fellow South Africans, but I wouldn't want to live any other way!
The story itself is gruesome and bloody, and the characters, real and desperate. Visceral, you might say. And for the most part, they are totally believable. In lots of these stories, you look at things the characters do, shake your head, and go "No. She just wouldn't do that," but not in this book.
My only gripe was that, at times, I thought it was a little too much "tell", and not enough "show". The author sometimes spends too long explaining to us that someone is angry, or perplexed, or sad, when I would've liked to have SEEN that emotion on display, where I could've figured it out myself.
As a whodunit... it isn't, really. There are plenty of twists and turns, especially around the 60% mark, but for the most part, you know who the killer is by the third chapter. But it's not really meant to be a whodunit, in my opinion - the real fun is picking these characters' brains. Peeling back the layers and finding out what really makes them tick.
She also doesn't pull any punches about what life is like in the city. It's dangerous, it's bloody, and gangs and corruption rule. Hearing gunshots and screams in the distance while you're trying to fall asleep at night is no cause for alarm, and the Police Service is as inept and useless as ever.
The constant racial tension is also ever-present; in South Africa, everything's about race. Even when it's not.
So many people try to downplay these things, but they're how we live on a daily basis. And I don't know about my fellow South Africans, but I wouldn't want to live any other way!
The story itself is gruesome and bloody, and the characters, real and desperate. Visceral, you might say. And for the most part, they are totally believable. In lots of these stories, you look at things the characters do, shake your head, and go "No. She just wouldn't do that," but not in this book.
My only gripe was that, at times, I thought it was a little too much "tell", and not enough "show". The author sometimes spends too long explaining to us that someone is angry, or perplexed, or sad, when I would've liked to have SEEN that emotion on display, where I could've figured it out myself.
As a whodunit... it isn't, really. There are plenty of twists and turns, especially around the 60% mark, but for the most part, you know who the killer is by the third chapter. But it's not really meant to be a whodunit, in my opinion - the real fun is picking these characters' brains. Peeling back the layers and finding out what really makes them tick.
April 25, 2013
After having read Ms de la Haye's book Shadows, I was a little hesitant to pick up Requiem in E Sharp for fear of what it would do to my dreams. I'm very happy to report that this one can be read after dark without ruining your sleep. Well, not quite. This one will keep you up at night but only because you can't put it down, rather than because you're scared of what might be lurking in the dark corners of your room.
Requiem is a great thriller - a creepy and twisted serial killer, an obsessive cop and a rather disturbing friendship all add up to make a very clever story with a twist that you quite simply don't see coming.
I'm not going to give too much away but I will encourage you to pick it up if you're looking for something clever and engaging that will get your heart rate up just enough to count :-)
Requiem is a great thriller - a creepy and twisted serial killer, an obsessive cop and a rather disturbing friendship all add up to make a very clever story with a twist that you quite simply don't see coming.
I'm not going to give too much away but I will encourage you to pick it up if you're looking for something clever and engaging that will get your heart rate up just enough to count :-)
October 3, 2012
Bravo. I picked this book up and couldn't put it down. Dark and grisly at times, the character development pulls you into the lives of these hopelessly screwed up people and doesn't let you go. I'd never dreamt of having a peek into the backstory of a serial killer as intimately as I got in this book. Equally disturbed and enthralled, I am wondering how I am already done reading and yet in want of more?!
May 25, 2022
A deranged killer known as The Bathroom Strangler! Why are his victims elderly ladies? Nico is on his trail and has his suspicions but does not have a clue as to how to catch him. A suspenseful thriller which had me hooked. The killer's psyche was well portrayed. A well defined cast of characters. I like the title and cover of the book.
August 24, 2016
Another outstanding novel by Joan De La Haye, gripping, terrifying and so well constructed. If you haven't read a book by her yet, you definitely need to if you enjoy the horror/thriller genre. She has this amazing ability to dive so deep into the darker elements of society but it really makes the book so much more gripping.
This novel was more of a crime thriller, but so well done. There's a murderer in South Africa, and it's stumping the police. We have a varity of serial killer crime novels to choose from, but what I think makes Requiem in E Sharp so very different is how deep we get into the minds of these characters. It's not often you're presented with a serial killer that you may find some part of you that understands. It's interesting to have a book set in South Africa. I am not too familiar with the culture but I do know there is a large amount of crime there, and this book is really believable.
This book is outstanding. The way the killer and the cop interact together, and seperately really adds a layer of depth to this novel that you don't find in my crime novels. I always enjoy Joan's books because I can tell she puts so much time and effort into the story and crafting things that are highly believable and stick with you long after you close the book.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. It's dark and gritty but in the perfect way that makes you not want to stop reading.
#NerdGirlSunshine
**This review has been done in conjunction with NerdGirl Official. For more information, visit them on Facebook - facebook.com/nerdgirl.ng. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way**
This novel was more of a crime thriller, but so well done. There's a murderer in South Africa, and it's stumping the police. We have a varity of serial killer crime novels to choose from, but what I think makes Requiem in E Sharp so very different is how deep we get into the minds of these characters. It's not often you're presented with a serial killer that you may find some part of you that understands. It's interesting to have a book set in South Africa. I am not too familiar with the culture but I do know there is a large amount of crime there, and this book is really believable.
This book is outstanding. The way the killer and the cop interact together, and seperately really adds a layer of depth to this novel that you don't find in my crime novels. I always enjoy Joan's books because I can tell she puts so much time and effort into the story and crafting things that are highly believable and stick with you long after you close the book.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. It's dark and gritty but in the perfect way that makes you not want to stop reading.
#NerdGirlSunshine
**This review has been done in conjunction with NerdGirl Official. For more information, visit them on Facebook - facebook.com/nerdgirl.ng. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way**
March 21, 2017
South Africans are reminded on a daily basis that their country is the Crime Capital of the World, but when the Bathroom Strangler starts doing his evil business, it becomes all too real for those people who live in Pretoria. Soon the body count escalates and it’s up to a troubled detective to try and stop the serial killer, who seems to prey on the women of the city. Nico van Staaden unfortunately also has to confront his own demons while he’s working on the case and things simply don’t seem like they want to work out for him on either mission. Will he be able to find the mysterious Bathroom Strangler? Will he be able to overcome his own struggles? Only time will tell…
This is not the first time I’ve read a book by Joan De La Haye and although she might not be a writer that everyone is familiar with, I am hopeful that it will change soon. With a grizzly, gore-filled story that is set in Pretoria, South Africa, De La Haye was able to capture my attention from the first page of the novel and keep it throughout. With some interesting plot twists and nail-biting thrills, I say this is a winner for horror fans and thrill-seekers as far as books are concerned.
This is not the first time I’ve read a book by Joan De La Haye and although she might not be a writer that everyone is familiar with, I am hopeful that it will change soon. With a grizzly, gore-filled story that is set in Pretoria, South Africa, De La Haye was able to capture my attention from the first page of the novel and keep it throughout. With some interesting plot twists and nail-biting thrills, I say this is a winner for horror fans and thrill-seekers as far as books are concerned.
June 7, 2016
The South African Police Service has their hands full with a serial killer who kills on Sundays, brutally strangles his victims and leaves them in a bath filled with water. Nico tries to keep himself together to solve the case, yet his own demons haunt him.
Blood is the only payment Louis would accept as payment for his mother's sins.
Suffering abuse can leave mental scars that would drive the sane, insane. By killing women who reminds him of his mother, he slowly takes back the power that was stolen from him.
Can you relate to a serial killer?
While reading this gripping crime thriller, I came to realise that I could relate with Louis. I think we all can relate to some serial killers. Joan had to dig into a dark mentallity to create her characters and she did a fantastic job with this novel.
If serial killers tickles your fancy, this is a must read. 5 stars !!
Blood is the only payment Louis would accept as payment for his mother's sins.
Suffering abuse can leave mental scars that would drive the sane, insane. By killing women who reminds him of his mother, he slowly takes back the power that was stolen from him.
Can you relate to a serial killer?
While reading this gripping crime thriller, I came to realise that I could relate with Louis. I think we all can relate to some serial killers. Joan had to dig into a dark mentallity to create her characters and she did a fantastic job with this novel.
If serial killers tickles your fancy, this is a must read. 5 stars !!
October 25, 2016
This was one helluva murder mystery! You get to piggyback a ride with The Bathroom Strangler as he takes out his anger on women who remind him of his abusive mother. You also get to see the flipside with Nico, the detective on the case, as he deciphers the crime scenes and works to catch the gruesome murderer. With quite a few unexpected twists, some truly gritty cops and murder scenes that will slice right through you, this was one compelling read! Finally an author that will get close and personal with a serial killer inside his insane head! The ending will quite catch you by surprise and had me gripping my tablet with white knuckles and sitting with my back against a wall! Absolutely splendid!
June 1, 2022
Generations of abuse encourages monsters to grow out of childhood victims .
It is when the music stops that the horrors begin again.
Pursuit of monsters breeds more sorrows and death, and vengeance from other quarters.
Dark and dreary psychological thriller with intense drama and action.
It is when the music stops that the horrors begin again.
Pursuit of monsters breeds more sorrows and death, and vengeance from other quarters.
Dark and dreary psychological thriller with intense drama and action.
December 28, 2022
This was a gritty hard nosed page turner. Excellently written the story grabs a hold of the reader and takes you on an action packed search for a serial killer. La Haye not only draws you into the Nico the detectives story but also delves into the mind of the killer. A new best author for me!
March 21, 2024
Serial killer crime thriller set in Pretoria. If you like the genre, you'll probably enjoy the read. Not very long.
October 25, 2024
Couldn't put it down
This is a really good book. Easy to envision the characters and feel like you're a fly on the wall. I couldn't stop reading until I finished it.
This is a really good book. Easy to envision the characters and feel like you're a fly on the wall. I couldn't stop reading until I finished it.
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July 5, 2025Requiem in E Sharp by Joan De La Haye.
Dark, gritty thriller set in Pretoria.
I read the first 6 chapters and gave up. Not for me. I did not finish the book.
Dark, gritty thriller set in Pretoria.
I read the first 6 chapters and gave up. Not for me. I did not finish the book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews