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bgamgee's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
julia11's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! It was a book within a book which was fun. AND I loved the POV of the bad guy. It is never a 'who dun it' kind of situation because you know from the beginning but its so interesting to watch it unfold. Getting to see how the bad guys life has evolved, what drives him, and his mind set is really what pulled me in I think.
It's got a major creep factor! It made me happy to have 2 big loud dogs with me at night haha
It's got a major creep factor! It made me happy to have 2 big loud dogs with me at night haha
jansbookcorner's review against another edition
5.0
What a well written thriller. I don’t often get on edge when reading a book but this one sent me there. I had to keep reminding myself that it is fiction. So good!
jorie1023's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
katykelly's review
4.0
Great concept and executed nicely.
Killer first scene and concept - a security guard in a supermarket notices a new book. About a real-life serial killer, written by the girl (now a woman) who escaped him, and is trying to bring him to justice. The security guard recognises himself and his own acts as those in the book. Whaaa..?
Veering between the book itself, with excerpts as Jim reads, and then Jim's own actions and thoughts (and memories) in the present day, the reader or listener is taken on the tense ride with a serial killer deciding how to act, as the story is spun for the 'reader' of the book, and we watch a murderer reflect, plan and attempt to keep himself out of sight.
The audiobook was a great way to experience this, the voice of a killer and that of a victim bringing this tale of violence home. I must say I worked out what was going to happen but enjoyed the combination of a serial killer's point of view, with historic investigations and current thoughts on him as the author interviews and analyses.
Passed in no time, and would make a great film/TV episode.
Killer first scene and concept - a security guard in a supermarket notices a new book. About a real-life serial killer, written by the girl (now a woman) who escaped him, and is trying to bring him to justice. The security guard recognises himself and his own acts as those in the book. Whaaa..?
Veering between the book itself, with excerpts as Jim reads, and then Jim's own actions and thoughts (and memories) in the present day, the reader or listener is taken on the tense ride with a serial killer deciding how to act, as the story is spun for the 'reader' of the book, and we watch a murderer reflect, plan and attempt to keep himself out of sight.
The audiobook was a great way to experience this, the voice of a killer and that of a victim bringing this tale of violence home. I must say I worked out what was going to happen but enjoyed the combination of a serial killer's point of view, with historic investigations and current thoughts on him as the author interviews and analyses.
Passed in no time, and would make a great film/TV episode.
lurker_stalker's review against another edition
5.0
Going with a rounded up 4.5
This is my first Catherine Ryan Howard novel but it won't be the last.
I was honestly surprised by how quickly I became engrossed in this book. The premise, the lone survivor of a serial killer's attack on her family wrote a book about her experience while the never-caught killer reads it, seemed very original to me.
I was taken in by both story lines and was happy to be in either place, which doesn't always happen with split POV books. Although, the POV of the survivor is completely contained within the killer's reading of the book and it worked really well.
The writing style of the author and the plot was great. I definitely recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good murder/thriller book. I listened to the audiobook and thought the two narrators (one for the survivor and one for the killer) did a wonderful job. That's always a bonus!
Big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this really well done book.
This is my first Catherine Ryan Howard novel but it won't be the last.
I was honestly surprised by how quickly I became engrossed in this book. The premise, the lone survivor of a serial killer's attack on her family wrote a book about her experience while the never-caught killer reads it, seemed very original to me.
I was taken in by both story lines and was happy to be in either place, which doesn't always happen with split POV books. Although, the POV of the survivor is completely contained within the killer's reading of the book and it worked really well.
The writing style of the author and the plot was great. I definitely recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good murder/thriller book. I listened to the audiobook and thought the two narrators (one for the survivor and one for the killer) did a wonderful job. That's always a bonus!
Big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this really well done book.
mysteriesandhistories's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Really good, inventive crime fiction with a satisfying conclusion. It is very obviously inspired by the Golden State Killer case and the associated book, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, by Michelle McNamara (highly recommended). This is mentioned in the notes at the end. For me, I was slightly unsettled by this obvious and close connection as I found it a little bit exploitative of true and fairly recent events, but the story is different and unique.
bethmorvant's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This was far more entertaining than I expected, not gonna lie.
If you’re a fan of true crime books, this is a great fiction book for you!! Once I began listening to it, I didn’t want to stop until we got to the end.
This was far more entertaining than I expected, not gonna lie.
If you’re a fan of true crime books, this is a great fiction book for you!! Once I began listening to it, I didn’t want to stop until we got to the end.