Helpful Score: 2
This is an impressive debut novel, with some truly creepy moments. Even when it's clear "whodunit," the tension doesn't let up and you keep reading compulsively to see how it ends. Well done and well worth reading, if you enjoy psychological thrillers.
Helpful Score: 1
It is difficult to review this book without disclosing the person responsible for the horribly sadistic murders in a small Ohio town. It is possible to relate that the person's identity adds further levels of complexity and pain to this novel. The suspense doesn't conclude when the perpetrator is eventually tracked because the apprehension is thwarted by a family member. The moral dilemma of the sociopath's family becomes the focus and thought-provoking conclusion of this debut novel.
Helpful Score: 1
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A book with a serial killer with the coroner and his family at the center, what a great change to the normal serial killer book. I loved having the main character be a different part of the investigation; it gave a different perspective on how the hunt for a serial killer can unfold.
WHAT a twist! I have to keep this review brief because I just can't reveal anything that would ruin the spoiler on this one! The killer came out of nowhere for me, but not too far that I felt annoyed. It was just out of left field that I wanted to read it again to pick up on any more clues that I think I may have missed! I absolutely adore being surprised!
A book with a serial killer with the coroner and his family at the center, what a great change to the normal serial killer book. I loved having the main character be a different part of the investigation; it gave a different perspective on how the hunt for a serial killer can unfold.
WHAT a twist! I have to keep this review brief because I just can't reveal anything that would ruin the spoiler on this one! The killer came out of nowhere for me, but not too far that I felt annoyed. It was just out of left field that I wanted to read it again to pick up on any more clues that I think I may have missed! I absolutely adore being surprised!
Sorry, this book is not one I would recommend. As the other reader expressed-a lot of medical terms, I didn't understand. The ending didn't impress me. At times, I thought the story line was good, but it wasn't good enough.
Not a good first Book, or a page turner. Kept spinning away from the plot & going in other directions.
Needs to get a more mature writing style
Needs to get a more mature writing style
WOW! This book rates five stars easily. A small town, a sadistic, serial killer throw in the gripping family dynamic you have a book that could easily be read again and again. Whodunit sorta takes a back seat to the people involve and heightens the tension. Try it, you'll like it.
This is a great book. It is well written with great characters. I would have liked this book to go on longer, but alas, all good things must end. I have also read his second book and found it to be good also. So I found a third and ordered it too.
The writing in this book is almost magical. It was a real pleasure to find a book that was so well written.
I highly recommend this book.
I predict that John Burley will be one of the greats.
The writing in this book is almost magical. It was a real pleasure to find a book that was so well written.
I highly recommend this book.
I predict that John Burley will be one of the greats.
I really enjoyed this "not so familiar" thriller. It had an edge and mystery about it that was not predictable and trite. It picked up the pace half way through and you just couldn't put it down. Highly recommend.
I'm clearly in the minority here, but I didn't find this book to be interesting or well-written at all. It felt like maybe the author started out with a good novella, but the publisher wanted the book to be longer, so the author went through and beefed up his word count by adding huge chunks of pointless crap. I know descriptive writing is supposed to be good, but it shouldn't overpower the actual PLOT. Unfortunately, that's what happens over and over in this book -- pointless filler drags the reader away from the actual story.
For example, at one point, it takes three pages for two men to walk into an office and sit down because we have to hear about the sound of the key in the lock, the janitor who cleaned the floor and how often he did it and how much pride he took in it, how long ago one of the men stopped popping his knuckles, the sound the chairs make when they sit down, and the color of every single item in the room. We see the main couple argue because they both care about their kids? (Huh? I really didn't see how that conversation could possibly devolve into an argument.) We spend multiple pages being subjected to their perfect, Huxtable-esque parenting. There are multiple random flashbacks, just dropped into the middle of actual scenes, and whole chapters made up of dreams that don't really matter to the overall plot.
In short, this book would have been 50% shorter if the author had done what all authors are told to do and cut all scenes that didn't directly further the plot. I found myself skimming page after page after page, hoping to find the actual story again.
For example, at one point, it takes three pages for two men to walk into an office and sit down because we have to hear about the sound of the key in the lock, the janitor who cleaned the floor and how often he did it and how much pride he took in it, how long ago one of the men stopped popping his knuckles, the sound the chairs make when they sit down, and the color of every single item in the room. We see the main couple argue because they both care about their kids? (Huh? I really didn't see how that conversation could possibly devolve into an argument.) We spend multiple pages being subjected to their perfect, Huxtable-esque parenting. There are multiple random flashbacks, just dropped into the middle of actual scenes, and whole chapters made up of dreams that don't really matter to the overall plot.
In short, this book would have been 50% shorter if the author had done what all authors are told to do and cut all scenes that didn't directly further the plot. I found myself skimming page after page after page, hoping to find the actual story again.
WOW just wow what a thriller from the get go edge of your seat with twists and turns a serpent could not compete with. Read it in less then 2 days. Great reading.
this is the authors first book and it was very spell bounding from beginning to the very end of the book.
