'A Born Victim' is the story of Gill Brogan, a young single mother who is pushed deep into despair by workplace bullying. Just when she thinks nothing could get any worse she finds herself narrowly escaping an attempt on her life.
Set against this troubled life is the story of Lucy Taylor, an ambitious young detective who has dedicated herself to investigating violent crimes against women which all too often go unsolved. As she investigates case after case, each one more disturbing than the last, Taylor begins to see common threads which she hopes she can unravel to find the villains and bring them to justice.
The book reaches a climax as a determined, well organised criminal group emerges from the shadowy world of cyber-space to carry out one last crime in the real world. Lucy Taylor and her geeky side-kick, Mike Watson, are all that stand between the criminals and their victims.
Throughout the book, psychological themes are analysed lending a deeper, more serious note to the fast paced thriller as the author explores the factors which have formed our attitudes toward women and the acceptability of violence against them.
R P Rochford was born in Essex (UK) to Australian parents and lived for some years in Wales before returning to England. He has a first degree in design, a Masters in Computing and now teaches and lectures in both subjects.
He has been writing academic material for some time but really started with fiction in early 2010 initially writing short stories then beginning work on A Born Victim.
When not working, R P Rochford likes to spend time with his family and dog. He likes to travel and has been privileged to spend time in many European countries where he enjoys observing people and using his observations to build characters for fictional stories.
If one lives long enough, one will most likely meet that person who is a born victim. It's that terrible combination of birth and nurture which sets some people up as potential prey. It could be that woman who goes from male abuser to male abuser ... the son or daughter of an alcoholic who wants only to disappear when the bullies show up in the school hallways. It's the person who will do anything, anything at all to please their parent, their spouse, their teacher, their employer ... no matter the cost to themselves. They feel as though this is no more than what they deserve.
So think again when you place the blame or responsibility for a crime onto the victim. Maybe, just maybe, they didn't deserve whatever happened to them.
One such person is Gill Brogan, a single mother of two, who has just been fired from her job ...again. This has become her norm. She works hard, but somehow always seems to attract those who like to use her as their whipping boy. Only this time, something different happens.... when she is escorted from her office building, her employer is waiting for her in his car. He takes her to his house where he proceeds to dish out his brand of love and desire. Gill, being that born victim, goes along with whatever the boss wants. She is one of the lucky ones .... she gets to go home.
DI Lucy Taylor and her colleague Mike Watson, a computer expert, is investigating the deaths of two women. The women had gone missing and found weeks later. According to the medical examiner they had suffered extreme physical and sexual abuse and then were murdered by drowning.
As Taylor and Watson keep digging, what they find stuns them. Not only do they find pictures of these women online, there are also videos. Violence against submissive women is not a new thing .... but someone has created a way to make a lot of money from their clients who enjoy watching/participating in seeing women suffering pain and being humiliated.
This is not a light, fluffy murder mystery. There are graphic descriptions. The author has chosen a subject that is hard to understand and with his writing abilities invites the reader into the dark corners of a certain segment of our society.
My thanks to the author for furnishing a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
A Born Victim by R.P. Rochford is a 2013 self published release. I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
"I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction"- Dalai Lama XIV
A Born Victim begins with the story of Gill. Gill is a single mother of two and if it weren't for bad luck, she would have no luck, as the saying goes. Gill has been a victim of abuse from childhood all the way up to the present where she is now being bullied in the workplace.
Her boss informs her she is a distraction and fires her, only to take her to his place and coerce her into bed.
Gill can't find work in any other way now but as a house cleaner.
Meanwhile, there have been a some very sadistic murders of young women and Mike Watson and Lucy Taylor are investigating. Mike has uncovered some gruesome cyber crimes that involves abusing women and somehow this connects to the murdered women and to Gill.
When it becomes apparent that Gill is the target of a murder plot, a man she works for gets drawn into the melee when his house is the location Gill nearly gets murdered. Now on the run, it's a race against the clock as Mike and Lucy attempt to connect the dots and track down the team of sick sadist responsible.
This mystery/thriller never has a dull moment. Not only is this a mystery with a great deal of action and depth, but it deals with some of today's most disturbing crimes involving the internet and cyber crimes. This book is not for the faint of heart. Some of the crimes are just sick. I found myself sitting up in a rigid position while my stomach was in knots wondering who to trust and whether or not Gill was going to survive this odd situation she found herself in.
I was also impressed with the contrast the author used to show the difference between evil, perverted men and the good guys. The character of Greg, the man Gill cleans for, is an example of how one good positive relationship can make all the difference to a person that has never known a man to really be respectful and gentle and caring.
We were also given a bit of a psychology lesson on why society, or rather some in society, have such a low opinion of women and treat with them as second class citizens that do not need to be respected.
The author not only thrilled us with a very imaginative plot, but touched on some issues such as workplace bullying, domestic violence, and cyber crimes.
The writing was paced just right to build suspense and character development. We watch as Gill begins to realize she is a person that is due respect and that she has the strength within to stand up and fight against those that try to push her around.
A well-paced, on the edge-of-your-seat read. Can't believe it's his "first book"; he writes like a seasoned pro, as others have mentioned also. Bought it two days ago and couldn't put it down... but I had to get some sleep...
*This Book Was Given To Me In Exchange For An Honest Review*
I loved this book! There was a sense of impending doom hanging over me all the way through it that kept me turning pages – Mostly because I read the title and then I met Gill who screams victim from the get go. It was just a matter of time.
Gill Brogan is an unremarkable single mother of two. She had cruel parents and a cruel ex-husband. She has worked hard her entire life to provide for her children but with little success. She is constantly bullied and taken advantage of because of her submissive and shy demeanour. Naturally she is targeted…
As you read Gill Brogans story the book flicks to the perspectives of Cyber Crime Investigator Mike Watson and Police Investigator, DS Lucy Taylor. These two are investigating the deaths of several missing women who have turned up dead, having been tortured within an inch of their lives. The men responsible are neat and organised monsters; they never leave any evidence behind. Mike soon discovers a well hidden trail of disturbing footage on the internet. It becomes apparent that footage of the crimes done to these women is being sold online to those who will pay to watch it. It seems as though the investigators are being mocked by these criminals who continuously evade their efforts to find them.
As you read you know that at some point Gills story is going to collide with the crime investigation which makes it nerve wracking and addictive. You’re constantly waiting for something to happen and wondering who the criminals are. Knowing that at least one person she interacts with must be one of the men that have been murdering these women for online entertainment. I often found myself yelling ‘Don’t drink that!’ and ‘Don’t go in there you idiot!’ And for all my guessing games the plot always surprised me!
This book is brilliantly written, incredibly believable and touches on some heavy issues. If you like crime novels you’ll love this but it’s not for the fait hearted.
**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***
"A Born Victim" by talented Author R P Rochford is his debut fictional novel...however, it reads like it's been penned by a seasoned author with a vast array of experience and knowledge.
Many aspects of this mystery are new to me as I am no computer whiz but the author's area of expertise shines through. One of his main characters, DS Lucy Taylor manages to connect a four year old cold case with the recent murder of two young women. These are no ordinary murders. The women have been carefully selected, abused, beaten, sexually assaulted, and left to die a cruel death while the perpetrators capture the whole ordeal on video. Taylor and fellow police officer, Mike Watson, manage to piece together the puzzle in order to solve these insidious and horrific crimes taking place against unsuspecting young women.
One such female, born victim Gill Brogan, has been bullied for the majority of her life. It starts in her childhood with abuse by her parents followed by another abusive relationship with her husband of four years. He subsequently leaves her with two young children and no matter what line of work she engages in, she wears her victim status like a badge. She is either terminated from almost every job she's ever had or she is mercilessly bullied and blamed for mistakes in the workplace that have absolutely nothing to do with her or her ability to get the job done. She is everybody's scapegoat. Recently fired by her boss, Jacob Spencer, he then sexually pursues Gill with an indescribable and depraved agenda. As the plot unfolds there are many unpredictable twists and turns which take the reader on a painful roller coaster ride along with its wide cast of characters.
"A Born Victim" grabbed my attention right from the onset and held it to the very last page. Parts of this novel are very frightening...difficult to read but impossible to put down. It pretty well captures it all...mystery, intrigue, crime, and just a hint of romance to add a little spice to the storyline. A very enjoyable read. Congratulations to the author for a job well done!
Inspirational Author & Book Reviewer ~ Dolores Ayotte
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Debut Cyber~Thriller., 2 July 2013
This review is from: A Born Victim (Kindle Edition)
I came across Richard Rochford's debut novel quite by chance and I'm so glad I did!
It started quite slowly, introducing the main character before leaving her behind for a bit whilst the story built up to bring her storming back in.
The book covers bullying at work, cyber violence that spilled into real life, sexual violence, verbal bullying and murder in the most horrible detail ~ I loved it!!
There was also simmering romance running through the book, some ended happily others never took off...
There were twists and turns galore. Just when I thought I knew who the perpetrators were I was cleverly (and I was happy it wasn't who I thought they were!) shown who they really were.
I really liked the way the main characters were all linked together and thought their personalities were well developed and on the whole very likeable. The bad guys were described in a way that made me want to reach through the pages and cause them pain and fear like they did to their innocent victims.
I received this excellent novel from the author himself, Richard Rochford, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank You Richard, a well researched debut and I very much look forward to reading your future books.
5 STARS AND 3 I'S ( INTENSE , INTRIGUING AND INCREDIBLE) For the first time in almost a year I have sat spellbound for hours reading, unable to put it down for very long. I found myself nibbling at this novel like it was a piece of cheese cake sitting in the refrigerator calling my name. This author treats the written word like a warm blanket covering the reader on a cold night. When I first picked up the book I thought I would not be able to continue because of the graphic scenes ( sexual in nature) and I thought that the author was just jumping on the 50 SHADES OF GRAY bandwagon, but something told me to just keep going. Once I passed that point I was hooked and there was no turning back. This novel has it all, sex, murder, torture, love, romance and the author has a way of making us believe it can happen or has happened for all of it can be something that we may read about in the daily newspaper or on TV.The last book I felt that way about was THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO and this book is up there with that. Mr. Rochford is genius in his way of weaving a tale and making it all fit in the end. Can't wait till his next novel.
I must admit, I read "A Born Victim" in almost one sitting, having found it difficult to put my Kindle down for any length of time. Fascinating, chilling, engaging, touching deep psychological aspects of our modern-day society, this novel is not of the kind to leave the reader indifferent, or unmoved. The thriller parts of the story were breathtaking, progressing in just the right pace to keep the readers on the edge of their seats, worrying about the characters, fearing for them. At the same time the psychological aspect was incredibly enriching, a read in itself. It set this novel apart from the usual thrillers for me. Chancing a spoiler, I admit rereading the part where two detectives went to consult the famous psychologist, and the conclusions of this conversation. Women are in perpetual risk of violence, in our times as much as in any others, even though one might expect the society to grow up and deal with its issues by now. 'A Born Victim' explores this and many other aspects of violence and crime, why some people seem to put up with being a victim while others prey on this problem and insecurity, or even exploit it to the fullest.
I truly hope there will be a sequel to this book coming out soon, as I didn't want to part my ways with Mike and Lucy, Gill and Greg, and many other fascinating characters of this story.
Predators preying on previously abused women…how chilling! Women who are easy targets for more than one reason are sought out, groomed and then taken to become actors in movies created for depraved online viewing audiences willing to pay for the privilege of watching how they live out their last days on earth. Gill Brogan, a divorced mother of two young children, almost becomes one of the prey but finds a protector that ultimately keeps her safe and eventually provides her with a man she can trust and rely on. The main predator is eventually rounded up, as are most of his gang, BUT the question at the end of the story is whether or not all were collected and the knowing that this will no doubt happen again somewhere. This is not an easy happy read but one that made me think about evil, then contemplate why some people are evil and enjoy being so and finally think about what can be done to prevent the evils mentioned in this book from happening in the future. This is a well paced, well written novel with wonderful characters. The story has a few twists and turns and a few surprises toward the end.
Mesmerizing And Sinister: A Born Victim by R.P. Rochford Women are being found mysteriously tortured and killed. Will Detective Lucy Taylor be able to stop the violent crime spree against women? I gotta find out. This novel caught me by surprise and was an unexpected gem that you’ll only find when giving independent authors a chance. Incredibly well crafted with deep character development and a dark and intense plot that didn’t disappoint. I was so sucked in by the first chapter that I couldn’t put it down. I started reading ‘A Born Victim’ while on a three-mile walk with my family. They of course left me behind because I wasn’t keeping up. The first scene where ‘Gill Brogan’ has a disturbing discussion with her abusive boss ‘Jacob Spencer’ was mesmerizing. Is he trustworthy? Was something sinister going on? It felt that way and I had to find out. This is a remarkable detective novel with plenty of nasty moments and a plot that take you all the way down to the riveting end. I thoroughly enjoy the brutal courtroom drama and the breathtaking conclusion. Michael Connelly fans will love this detective novel. I did.
A Born Victim was not quite the story I was expecting, it was a little bit more. Gill Brogan is not your typical central character. She's weak, beaten, and broken, all before we meet her the morning she learns she is being fired, yet again. Yet, that one event sets into motion as set of circumstances that repairs and strengthens her.
I'll be honest, this is one of those books where writing a review that doesn't give anything away is near impossible. Every scene and character interaction was crafted by Rochford in such a way as you don't realize their interplay until the very end. You suspect how they are related. You surmise who the villains are and their motivations. But I wasn't quite right.
The character development is solid. These are fully fleshed out people who jump out on the page and you can see walking the streets in your own town.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The way the book began was so different from what the book was about but it all intertwined so smoothly. There were several things stories going on in this book. in the end all of the situations were connected but it felt like I was reading several books at once. The author was amazing at giving good insight into the characters and what has made them who they are. the crimes in the book were horrendous but if you like those kinds of things in a book then you'll love this one. I love crime and suspense movies and books so I give this a five. Well done. highly recommended.
I absolutely LOVED this book. Kept me going all the way to the end, like a good book should.
My two favorite lines (that don't give away the plot here) are:
"Because I never thought anyone would listen to me," she filled in the answer before Greg even had a chance to phrase the question. "I never thought anyone would care enough to make it all stop."
It's scary, but not too scary; it's got good relationships - but not too sappy. The characters are all believable.
This book is worth every star. This intense read is like watching three different movies that all merge into one spectacular grand finale. There were times i wanted to scream and times i cried but the whole time i was drawn in to each character's world, trying to figure out how they will fit together, scared that some would fall by the wayside, but I was not disappointed. Everyone had a part to play and it was played out beautifully. Thank you for the great read!