Helpful Score: 3
I am a new fan of Ted Dekker's while reading only 2 or 3 before The Bride Collector. It was VERY good but was disappointed that they let us know who was doing the killings about 1/2 way through the book. In my mysteries, I like it when i'm left guessing towards the very end, sometimes even second guessing myself. BUT with that said, I loved all the characters in this book--especially the 4 from CWI. All in all a good book from Ted Dekker and certainly won't be my last. Oh, for those of you that are a bit squeamish around blood mentions and violent killings, this won't be the book for you.
Helpful Score: 1
It jumps right in with both feet and in chapter 3 you meet the killer. The killers perspective is interesting since he is psychotic as hell but all the religious references are annoying. The killers doesn't provide any insight into why he's doing what he's doing other than it's God's will. You do find out in the end why.
I liked the mystery of who and why but I could have done with a whole lot less of the psychobabble from the inmates of the mental hospital. This went on again and again for way too long. I really thought Brad Raines was very wimpy to be an FBI agent. He definitely didn't have his ducks in a row. He was overly emotional which is so not a trait of a good FBI man. All in all, not my favorite Ted Dekker novel but not the worst either.
I liked the mystery of who and why but I could have done with a whole lot less of the psychobabble from the inmates of the mental hospital. This went on again and again for way too long. I really thought Brad Raines was very wimpy to be an FBI agent. He definitely didn't have his ducks in a row. He was overly emotional which is so not a trait of a good FBI man. All in all, not my favorite Ted Dekker novel but not the worst either.
Helpful Score: 1
I have always loved Ted Dekker's books, but honestly, I thought this one fell short. I was very disappointed. It did not keep me on the edge of my seat like his writing normally does. I didn't find myself really caring whether any of the characters lived or died. I felt that the romance between Brad and Paradise was really stupid and over the top, and as a different reviewer stated, Brad seemed pretty stupid for an FBI agent too. I mean, compare this Dekker's book Adam, for instance. There really is no comparison between the two. Sure, there was a good message in this one, but it wasn't worth the crappy story. Ted Dekker, I really hope you're not losing your game.