I'm conflicted! Kirkus review said 'A Once in a Lifetime Masterpiece' so I picked it up and read it. I agree with that. Fantastic plot within a plot, very well written, and I want to recommend it to others but want to warn them it is a bit gory..honestly too gory for me...and 'disturbing' as the NY Times Book Review said. That being said, I'd have given it five stars otherwise. But this story plot could only be gory to work, so what to say? Try it on for size if you feel up to the challenge.