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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
I don't like serial killer books, but this one is pretty well constructed.
Eve Singer is a beleaguered TV crime reporter dealing with a pushy boss who wants Eve to be everything: younger, covering every story, and on top of every lead. In her personal life, Eve goes home to her childhood home and her father, Duncan, who is suffering from dementia. When Eve winds up covering the murder of a young woman, she doesn't realize she will soon be entwined with the girl's killer, someone who is obsessed with death, and the desire to be recognized for his "killing performances." As the killer pulls Eve deeper into his twisted web, she has some startling choices to make.
I have to say, my last book of 2016 surprised me. This novel was certainly creepy, but also had a certain nuance and depth to it that I wasn't expecting. Eve is a complicated and likeable character, and the book doesn't just cover murder and gore, it goes into her personal life, and the struggles she has caring for her father and his failing memory. The bits with her father are often both sad and humorous; they are very real and give the book a true humanity. Indeed, there's a real depth to Eve, who is stuck in a man's world and the pressures and unfairness that brings to to her career-wise (there's always a younger, prettier reporter waiting in the wings, as her boss never hesitates to remind her), as well as the burdens a woman feels as a caretaker. After all, it's not her brother taking care of her dad. Further, the book looks at an interesting psychological conundrum: how our society seems to need murder and the way it feeds on the social media aspect of it, as of late. Without society's interest in murder and death, Eve has no job.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It lost me slightly for a bit near the end, but managed to get back on track, and even threw in a very interesting twist I didn't see coming. Although I admit, I kept wondering where the police's behavioral scientist was. Why was the poor Lead Detective reading and deciphering everything from a serial killer alone? However, I digress. This was a well-done thriller with a different and engaging plot. I really found myself drawn to Eve, and her father, Duncan. It was an enjoyable novel with which to end the year.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!); it's available in the U.S. as of 01/03/2017.
I have to say, my last book of 2016 surprised me. This novel was certainly creepy, but also had a certain nuance and depth to it that I wasn't expecting. Eve is a complicated and likeable character, and the book doesn't just cover murder and gore, it goes into her personal life, and the struggles she has caring for her father and his failing memory. The bits with her father are often both sad and humorous; they are very real and give the book a true humanity. Indeed, there's a real depth to Eve, who is stuck in a man's world and the pressures and unfairness that brings to to her career-wise (there's always a younger, prettier reporter waiting in the wings, as her boss never hesitates to remind her), as well as the burdens a woman feels as a caretaker. After all, it's not her brother taking care of her dad. Further, the book looks at an interesting psychological conundrum: how our society seems to need murder and the way it feeds on the social media aspect of it, as of late. Without society's interest in murder and death, Eve has no job.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It lost me slightly for a bit near the end, but managed to get back on track, and even threw in a very interesting twist I didn't see coming. Although I admit, I kept wondering where the police's behavioral scientist was. Why was the poor Lead Detective reading and deciphering everything from a serial killer alone? However, I digress. This was a well-done thriller with a different and engaging plot. I really found myself drawn to Eve, and her father, Duncan. It was an enjoyable novel with which to end the year.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!); it's available in the U.S. as of 01/03/2017.
I always enjoy this author.
This one did not fail to please. A really creepy serial killer and their effects on a crime reporter and her family and friends makes for a good thriller. There were some points where I had to close my eyes, be warned!
This one did not fail to please. A really creepy serial killer and their effects on a crime reporter and her family and friends makes for a good thriller. There were some points where I had to close my eyes, be warned!
I received this book from nudge-book.com in exchange for an honest review.
The Beautiful Dead is a fast paced thriller set in London about Eve Singer a TV crime reporter, trying to keep her flagging career going and keep her home life private whilst caring for her father, who has dementia. She'll do anything to keep her job and satisfy her ghoulish audience. The killer needs Eve to advertise his macabre public performances and so a deadly reluctant partnership begins.
This was first book by Belinda Bauer and certainly won't be my last. It hooked me straight away and kept me reading, although I must admit it was a bit too creepy to read at night time. I loved Eve singer the main character who came across as a real person with real problems and a good sense of humour. I also liked her hamster.
The murderer was very creepy with a very interesting purpose behind the killings and definitely insane. This added to the plot as I wasn't at all sure what he was going to do next. There were some good twists and turns that I wasn't expecting which made this a real roller-coaster of a read.
I definitely recommend this if you like a fast paced thriller and think it could work in book clubs with the dementia theme running throughout.
The Beautiful Dead is a fast paced thriller set in London about Eve Singer a TV crime reporter, trying to keep her flagging career going and keep her home life private whilst caring for her father, who has dementia. She'll do anything to keep her job and satisfy her ghoulish audience. The killer needs Eve to advertise his macabre public performances and so a deadly reluctant partnership begins.
This was first book by Belinda Bauer and certainly won't be my last. It hooked me straight away and kept me reading, although I must admit it was a bit too creepy to read at night time. I loved Eve singer the main character who came across as a real person with real problems and a good sense of humour. I also liked her hamster.
The murderer was very creepy with a very interesting purpose behind the killings and definitely insane. This added to the plot as I wasn't at all sure what he was going to do next. There were some good twists and turns that I wasn't expecting which made this a real roller-coaster of a read.
I definitely recommend this if you like a fast paced thriller and think it could work in book clubs with the dementia theme running throughout.
i was expecting some good paced, psychological thriller with in depth characterization of the killer alas my expectation was set too high by all the five starred reviews & the intriguing, promising premise.
but what makes me more disappointed and baffled by all the high praises is because i thought the writing is unfocused, really all over the place and i don't understand the tonal switch in the narrative. also i thought eve's inner monologues are so juvenile and useless. and the killer HA ha ha
p/s: i feel like this book could work if it's a dark comical book
but what makes me more disappointed and baffled by all the high praises is because i thought the writing is unfocused, really all over the place and i don't understand the tonal switch in the narrative. also i thought eve's inner monologues are so juvenile and useless. and the killer HA ha ha
p/s: i feel like this book could work if it's a dark comical book