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3.18 AVERAGE
3.18 AVERAGE
I gave this book 2 stars because the suspense just did not happen in this book until around page 430. To me a good crime-thriller novel has supense throughout the book and I can't wait to read on to find out what happens. Not this book. I just wanted to be done with it. It also seemed to me that just about every character in this story had a screw loose. I did like Sam Markham's character though, even though he seemed a little off as well.
I enjoyed this book. I read the first of the Sam Markham series, and this one was even better than the first. It is always exciting to follow along with the writer as they grow into great authors. Although it wasn't what I was expecting (I believe this ended up being a prequel to the first!), it was enjoyable an I was hooked. I did find myself skimming parts, because they were unnecessary, and I also found that this was a slower read than the first, I just can't put my finger on why, as I enjoyed this one more than number 1. I look forward to seeing what Funaro cooks up next!
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked this up for a buck at a Dollar Tree for some mindless entertainment. It turned out to be better written than I expected - not a bad thriller at all, really, if you're into that sort of thing.
The Impaler could easily have been just another serial killer novel among many. The plot, its characters and its villain could have been a simple retread of the same old ground under new regalia. After all America knows its favorite human monster very well and his teeth and claws have a gotten a little less fearsome in the last several decades due to overexposure. Novels, true crime tales, and police procedurals on network television have thrown him at us like an old skeleton that we just don’t jump away from as often anymore.
It could have been more of the same…but it wasn’t.
While it does feature an FBI Agent in search of a serial killer it’s also a hell of a lot more involved than I’ve expected a novel of its type to be in a long time. Most authors in the genre create interesting killers and wily heroes to capture them and focus purely on the search for and capture of the villain. Rather than follow this formula completely Furaro dares to create a villain who, while clearly sociopathic and murderous, is nearly as worthy of sympathy as the hero. In fact, I’d say that he may be even more a of a victim than he is a murderer.
Here the dark heart of loss, of manipulation and the desire for control over one’s life when no easy foothold exists creates two men who (while different in many ways) share tragic pasts and lack of ability to come to terms with them.
FBI Agent Sam Markham lost his wife to a killer years ago but her ghost still haunts his dreams and every thought in his day. That loss brought him through the FBI training program which gave him a way to exact vengeance against the forces that took his wife from him. However his last case nearly cost him his life and every day seems as if its just another lived in his own personal hell. Now he’s facing a killer who’s far more savage and brutal than most any serial killer the FBI has ever encountered. The Impaler leaves the bodies of men skewered on wooden stakes in public tableaus that are more of a mystery than the North Carolina FBI really knows how to deal with and now its Markham’s job to find the murderer.
The Impaler looks for signs in the stars, in his dark basement and his victims. These signs lead him to brutally murder men in the name of the Prince he’s dedicated his life to since returning from the fields of war a few years before. Even before that war and the vision he had there his life was filled with events that led him inexorable onward toward the path of ritual murder. Again and again his path leads to death and loss until he takes up a symbol of his own and builds a new identity. Now he follows his ancient Prince who offers him everything he’s every wanted in return for his dedication, sacrifice and an unwavering belief that with his efforts the Prince will return to reign with The Impaler at his side.
More than any other character the villain of this book offers a look deep into the heart of what tragedy and loss can do over the course of a person’s life. The Impaler makes for one of the most interesting villains I’ve found since I read Thomas Harris’ The Red Dragon more than ten years ago. Funaro manages to take a well trod formula, add something refreshing to it and give it vibrant new life. Which is far more than many authors can say in this genre.
I think the only thing that really detracted from the story was some confusing back and forth movements between newly introduced characters at the beginning of the book that can leave you lost on who’s who until you catch up. Once you catch up to the story though the pace really kicks in and you can’t help but get sucked right along with it.
It could have been more of the same…but it wasn’t.
While it does feature an FBI Agent in search of a serial killer it’s also a hell of a lot more involved than I’ve expected a novel of its type to be in a long time. Most authors in the genre create interesting killers and wily heroes to capture them and focus purely on the search for and capture of the villain. Rather than follow this formula completely Furaro dares to create a villain who, while clearly sociopathic and murderous, is nearly as worthy of sympathy as the hero. In fact, I’d say that he may be even more a of a victim than he is a murderer.
Here the dark heart of loss, of manipulation and the desire for control over one’s life when no easy foothold exists creates two men who (while different in many ways) share tragic pasts and lack of ability to come to terms with them.
FBI Agent Sam Markham lost his wife to a killer years ago but her ghost still haunts his dreams and every thought in his day. That loss brought him through the FBI training program which gave him a way to exact vengeance against the forces that took his wife from him. However his last case nearly cost him his life and every day seems as if its just another lived in his own personal hell. Now he’s facing a killer who’s far more savage and brutal than most any serial killer the FBI has ever encountered. The Impaler leaves the bodies of men skewered on wooden stakes in public tableaus that are more of a mystery than the North Carolina FBI really knows how to deal with and now its Markham’s job to find the murderer.
The Impaler looks for signs in the stars, in his dark basement and his victims. These signs lead him to brutally murder men in the name of the Prince he’s dedicated his life to since returning from the fields of war a few years before. Even before that war and the vision he had there his life was filled with events that led him inexorable onward toward the path of ritual murder. Again and again his path leads to death and loss until he takes up a symbol of his own and builds a new identity. Now he follows his ancient Prince who offers him everything he’s every wanted in return for his dedication, sacrifice and an unwavering belief that with his efforts the Prince will return to reign with The Impaler at his side.
More than any other character the villain of this book offers a look deep into the heart of what tragedy and loss can do over the course of a person’s life. The Impaler makes for one of the most interesting villains I’ve found since I read Thomas Harris’ The Red Dragon more than ten years ago. Funaro manages to take a well trod formula, add something refreshing to it and give it vibrant new life. Which is far more than many authors can say in this genre.
I think the only thing that really detracted from the story was some confusing back and forth movements between newly introduced characters at the beginning of the book that can leave you lost on who’s who until you catch up. Once you catch up to the story though the pace really kicks in and you can’t help but get sucked right along with it.
Words can not explain how much I enjoyed this book. I loved both of Gregory's books. Every time I start one I can't put it down. Well done with the Sam Markham books. The Sculptor and The Impaler are genius. I'll buy anything that Gregory Funaro writes.
The Impaler is the second book by Gregory Funaro and is a prequel of sorts to The Sculptor, which I was privileged to read and review earlier this year. I say, "prequel" merely because it takes place about three years prior to the events of The Sculptor and features FBI agent Sam Markham. But otherwise this is very much a stand-alone book and the reader does not need to read one to appreciate the other.
Wow, what a novel! I've read thrillers of all sorts for over 10 years and have learned to spot the winners from the also-rans. Gregory Funaro writes winners and this one is truly a gem in this crowded field. The plot concerns the above mentioned FBI agent and his journey to catch a serial killer. Sounds like a million other plots out there but that is just about all that is "normal" about this novel. It's not your typical thriller plot of "killer commits crime; sleuth spends two thirds of novel finding clues; sleuth closes in on killer; sleuth catches/kills killer after nearly blowing it." Instead this is a very intricate plot with multiple layers to the main characters and is not at all predictable.
And it's an absolute page turner. I finished the last 200 pages in one sitting because I just had to keep going.
I think what truly sets this novel apart is the depth of characterization the author brings to the bad guy. In his first novel, The Sculptor, Mr. Funaro does an incredible job with developing the bad guy character but in this one, he truly goes above and beyond. We get to experience the Impaler's very life from childhood to present day from his point of view and, indeed, he almost becomes a protagonist himself. And this is one baaad dude. For a reader to feel like they understand him and his motivations, despite his nature, (like I did) is a great feat for a writer to pull off.
I will say that this novel is not for the faint of heart. There are lots of bloody, violent scenes, horrifying even in their detail but it is absolutely necessary to portray the events realistically. The pacing of the book is awesome; a lot happens but the furious pace is interspersed with excellent back-story building and scene setting. Much as I thought his first novel was fantastic for a new author, this one proves Gregory Funaro deserves to stand with the great writers of the genre.
Wow, what a novel! I've read thrillers of all sorts for over 10 years and have learned to spot the winners from the also-rans. Gregory Funaro writes winners and this one is truly a gem in this crowded field. The plot concerns the above mentioned FBI agent and his journey to catch a serial killer. Sounds like a million other plots out there but that is just about all that is "normal" about this novel. It's not your typical thriller plot of "killer commits crime; sleuth spends two thirds of novel finding clues; sleuth closes in on killer; sleuth catches/kills killer after nearly blowing it." Instead this is a very intricate plot with multiple layers to the main characters and is not at all predictable.
And it's an absolute page turner. I finished the last 200 pages in one sitting because I just had to keep going.
I think what truly sets this novel apart is the depth of characterization the author brings to the bad guy. In his first novel, The Sculptor, Mr. Funaro does an incredible job with developing the bad guy character but in this one, he truly goes above and beyond. We get to experience the Impaler's very life from childhood to present day from his point of view and, indeed, he almost becomes a protagonist himself. And this is one baaad dude. For a reader to feel like they understand him and his motivations, despite his nature, (like I did) is a great feat for a writer to pull off.
I will say that this novel is not for the faint of heart. There are lots of bloody, violent scenes, horrifying even in their detail but it is absolutely necessary to portray the events realistically. The pacing of the book is awesome; a lot happens but the furious pace is interspersed with excellent back-story building and scene setting. Much as I thought his first novel was fantastic for a new author, this one proves Gregory Funaro deserves to stand with the great writers of the genre.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i will never be the same. (in a good way)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Suicide, Cannibalism, Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Sexual assault, Excrement
There is a serial killer on the loose. Someone is killing men and leaving them staked through the body into the ground for all to see and a message written on one of the bodies that says “I have returned”.
There is only one man perfect for stopping a serial killer. He is FBI Agent Sam Markham. Sam stopped The Sculptor, in the first book. Though, The Impaler is a different beast of his own. Sam has never seen anything like what he has witnessed with this latest victim. The deeper Sam investigates, the clearer the Impaler’s plan becomes. Will Sam be able to stop the killings before the Impaler claims him as his final victim?
The Impaler is the most recent novel from author, Gregory Funaro. Now having read The Sculptor and now The Impaler, I can say with 100% confidence that I am truly a fan of Mr. Funaro. I really like Sam. He has a great eye for detail that even I did not catch until he starts going with his leads. What I enjoy the most is that Sam and which ever killer he is facing next, are evenly matched. There is a method to both the Sculptor and the Impaler’s madness. They take their jobs seriously and turn it into an art form. The Impaler made his presence known all the way through this book. I do admit that I thought the ending of the final battle could have been better but still, I enjoyed this book a lot. I was horrified, memorized, and almost afraid to go to sleep…all thanks to The Impaler!
There is only one man perfect for stopping a serial killer. He is FBI Agent Sam Markham. Sam stopped The Sculptor, in the first book. Though, The Impaler is a different beast of his own. Sam has never seen anything like what he has witnessed with this latest victim. The deeper Sam investigates, the clearer the Impaler’s plan becomes. Will Sam be able to stop the killings before the Impaler claims him as his final victim?
The Impaler is the most recent novel from author, Gregory Funaro. Now having read The Sculptor and now The Impaler, I can say with 100% confidence that I am truly a fan of Mr. Funaro. I really like Sam. He has a great eye for detail that even I did not catch until he starts going with his leads. What I enjoy the most is that Sam and which ever killer he is facing next, are evenly matched. There is a method to both the Sculptor and the Impaler’s madness. They take their jobs seriously and turn it into an art form. The Impaler made his presence known all the way through this book. I do admit that I thought the ending of the final battle could have been better but still, I enjoyed this book a lot. I was horrified, memorized, and almost afraid to go to sleep…all thanks to The Impaler!
Good character development of the protagonist only, extremely slow first half with too many details on stuff I didn't care in the least about, but a pretty satisfying end. Meh.