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beastreader's review against another edition
1.0
This book and series is right up my alley. Yet I struggled with this book. In fact, I don't know how I even got 210 pages into this book. There was nothing intriguing about the story of the characters. For a fleeting moment a few times it did seem like the story was going to go somewhere but for me it did not. This is because there was more talking and not enough action or I hate to say it (killing). I have no issues with the fact that I did not read the first book in this series as I have read many books out of order and been just fine with them. I was left wondering just how Joe got to be so hated as he did not seem smart at all. I could be wrong as again I did not read Cleaner. It just seemed like Joe was a bad actor and not a very good one at trying to be bad. Sadly, I could not read anymore of this book.
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
5.0
In 2006 THE CLEANER was released and the opportunity to review it provided this reader with a life-long obsession with Paul Cleave's books (and a sneaking suspicion he was trying to scare me half to death!)
In my review at that time I said:
"Early on in this book, I'll be perfectly honest, I was thinking that the world could really do without another self-impressed, self-involved, self-narrating serial killer and about the time I was ready to throw this out the nearest window, bang, Cleave suddenly turned THE CLEANER on its head and Joe finds himself in a very very strange place. From then on the book takes you on a bit of a wild ride whilst Joe ramps up the killing spree, and tries to find the perpetrator of the one murder that he didn't do. Professional Pride? More likely a handy scapegoat."
When JOE VICTIM was released the really big question was how on earth Cleave would pull off a follow-up. Something that could continue the journey of the characters in the first book, given the resolution to most elements, albeit with a tiny bit of wiggle room. Which Cleave, being the sort of author that he is, blasts away revealing a whole new scenario, built around some very clever plotting, and a pair of central characters who are unrepentant. Mesmerising but utterly and completely unrepentant.
There's nothing in my rules that says that any book necessarily needs a character that a reader can like, or even sympathise with. What JOE VICTIM does is take the reader into the uncomfortable territory of the ultimate evil person, providing absolutely no grounds with which you can sympathise or even find an inkling of understanding of them, and yet, make them human, absorbing - mesmerising. There's even a point where you could be excused for a bit of barracking for the baddie - really uncomfortable for this reader when realisation dawned. Whilst character is a huge part of this book, the scenario in which Joe (aka the Christchurch Carver) finds himself, his upcoming trial, and the potential of a vote for the return of the death-penalty, all make up parts of a plot that really works. There's not a lot here that's unbelievable, even when it all gets a little weird.
THE CLEANER was the book that announced Paul Cleave to this reader, and since then, it's fair to say that he's not written a book that disappoints. Always different, always confrontational, often laced with dry humour and the unbelievable made perfectly acceptable, there's never a downside to a new book from this author. JOE VICTIM, however, was a particular stand-out, and whilst it will work as a standalone, knowing the first book makes this scenario more intriguing.
When JOE VICTIM first arrived that question of how on earth a follow-up could be achieved resounded. By the end of this book, of course he could do it. What made me ever think otherwise? Not only is JOE VICTIM a strong follow-up, it's a great story in its own right.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-joe-victim-paul-cleave
In my review at that time I said:
"Early on in this book, I'll be perfectly honest, I was thinking that the world could really do without another self-impressed, self-involved, self-narrating serial killer and about the time I was ready to throw this out the nearest window, bang, Cleave suddenly turned THE CLEANER on its head and Joe finds himself in a very very strange place. From then on the book takes you on a bit of a wild ride whilst Joe ramps up the killing spree, and tries to find the perpetrator of the one murder that he didn't do. Professional Pride? More likely a handy scapegoat."
When JOE VICTIM was released the really big question was how on earth Cleave would pull off a follow-up. Something that could continue the journey of the characters in the first book, given the resolution to most elements, albeit with a tiny bit of wiggle room. Which Cleave, being the sort of author that he is, blasts away revealing a whole new scenario, built around some very clever plotting, and a pair of central characters who are unrepentant. Mesmerising but utterly and completely unrepentant.
There's nothing in my rules that says that any book necessarily needs a character that a reader can like, or even sympathise with. What JOE VICTIM does is take the reader into the uncomfortable territory of the ultimate evil person, providing absolutely no grounds with which you can sympathise or even find an inkling of understanding of them, and yet, make them human, absorbing - mesmerising. There's even a point where you could be excused for a bit of barracking for the baddie - really uncomfortable for this reader when realisation dawned. Whilst character is a huge part of this book, the scenario in which Joe (aka the Christchurch Carver) finds himself, his upcoming trial, and the potential of a vote for the return of the death-penalty, all make up parts of a plot that really works. There's not a lot here that's unbelievable, even when it all gets a little weird.
THE CLEANER was the book that announced Paul Cleave to this reader, and since then, it's fair to say that he's not written a book that disappoints. Always different, always confrontational, often laced with dry humour and the unbelievable made perfectly acceptable, there's never a downside to a new book from this author. JOE VICTIM, however, was a particular stand-out, and whilst it will work as a standalone, knowing the first book makes this scenario more intriguing.
When JOE VICTIM first arrived that question of how on earth a follow-up could be achieved resounded. By the end of this book, of course he could do it. What made me ever think otherwise? Not only is JOE VICTIM a strong follow-up, it's a great story in its own right.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-joe-victim-paul-cleave
ivanssister's review against another edition
4.0
I think I'll have to go back and read the first book. Not because I was lost (I could tell there were probably some references that I'd have gotten had I read The Cleaner) but because this was a fun thriller that would be worth going back to fill in the gaps.
yvo_about_books's review
3.0
Finished reading: August 3rd 2023
“I think the very fact he thinks he's going free, and the fact he thinks everybody is believing what he's saying, may just prove he really is completely insane.”
I really enjoyed the first book of this duology, and I decided to read the sequel while memories were still fresh. I have a weak spot for serial killer thrillers, and especially when it includes the killer's POV... This is exactly what Joe Victim offers, and it's a particularly fascinating and twisted serial killer at that. I've been looking forward to learn more about what happens after the events of the first book, but in the end I somehow ended up having mixed thoughts instead. First off a little warning: this is definitely a duology to read in order, because you won't understand the dynamics of the main characters otherwise, and the story simply won't have the same impact. It's hard to fully appreciate Joe in all his 'glory' without reading The Cleaner first... That said, I do think that the first book was a lot stronger than the second. There were things I liked in Joe Victim; especially the prison setting and the whole plan that Melissa is putting together. This sequel also has that same dark dark humor that the first book has, and I liked what it added to the plot. BUT. I also think that Joe Victim was way overlong; the plot could have been so much sharper without all those descriptions, minute details and repetitions. Seriously, I'm talking about at least 200 pages less to get the same message across, and in a much more impactful way. It took me surprisingly long to actually finish this story, mostly because there were a lot of parts that dragged considerably. Which is strange considering the story is about a serial killer locked up in prison, about to start his trial and someone is plotting to kill him... Joe Victim somehow didn't work as well as I hoped, but I'm still considering Paul Cleave as one of my favorite new discoveries so far this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Excrement, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Gore, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Blood, Violence, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Drug use, Animal cruelty, Grief, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Police brutality, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Suicide, Torture, and Sexual assault
ajnel's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The second Rollercoaster ride with the inner monologue with NZ serial killer, Joe Middleton. Cleaver is an absolute genius at writing black comedy / horror noir.
laneylegz's review against another edition
4.0
Picking up where book #1 left off. Slow Joe is now in prison awaiting trial for being the Christchurch Carver. He has a plan to be found insane so he can leisurely spend a couple of years at the mental institution instead of life in prison. Manipulating his psychiatrist with well thought out scenarios, she sees through the "slow" act & gets him to admit some things from his childhood. Detective Schroeder has lost his job & is now consulting on reality TV series about crime scene cleaners and works with a fake psychic. Trying to alleviate his guilt from not recognizing Joe as the killer has left him yearning to find bodies and solve some loose ends. Digging at the bottom of the barrel he & the psychic have an offer for Joe from the TV studio to find a body. Joe sees his chance to break free, along with his psycho girlfriend plotting her own plan, a murderous father with evil intentions, & a whole city that's debating on death penalty or life. Slow Joe has his work cut out for him and also some startling revelations from his mother. A wild ride
stephee's review against another edition
4.0
Paul Cleave. The Christchurch Carver and Melissa X. Prepare to be disturbed.
kadota's review against another edition
4.0
" Life moves on for everybody on the outside but inside these walls life feels like it's come to a standstill." ~Joe Middleton.
I have read about three books by Paul Cleave, and this is the fourth one yet, I would say I have become a great fan of Paul Cleave, I love how he just portrays his characters as dark and secretive as well as having a thinking that Christchurch is a shadow of death and misery no one can escape. All of his writings just keeps a person glued to the book, with a dash of humour and a whole lot of investigations, nothing seems to lag.
I would say I really didn't want to finish the book, firstly because I had no other Paul Cleave book left on my shelf, secondly it was really intriguing, and thirdly I was loving it without even reading the prequel, I was amazed by it... With every turn of the page, came a new twist, and this book for real won't let you complete any of your tasks...
In this book, he puts his main focus on Joe Middleton or best known as The Christchurch Carver. He is in prison waiting for his trial as he had murdered many innocent people. He believes that he didn't commit those horrendous crimes and is trying to convince others that he himself was a victim and not a guilty person. Alongwith his desire to kill further he is being the Optimistic Joe, who is focusing on the good for the mean time... Alongwith all of this going on in the prison cell, outside in the public there is an uproar to reintroduce the death penalty, and for this people think Joe would be the best choice to begin with. Will Joe make it to the death row or would he tackle it, that's a real question...
Also it reintroduces some previous killers like Melissa X, Caleb Cobe (from the laughterhouse).... It also revolves around the love story between Joe and Melissa...
Alongwith former detective Carl Schroder, who is now forced to do a job that he never wanted to do in the first place, is still involved in this case.
Plus with the story's frenzy and twists all of these characters conspire to give the best story full of twists and turns. And with Paul Cleave's profoundly impressive story-telling comes this novel of a serial killer awaiting his final verdict.
I have read about three books by Paul Cleave, and this is the fourth one yet, I would say I have become a great fan of Paul Cleave, I love how he just portrays his characters as dark and secretive as well as having a thinking that Christchurch is a shadow of death and misery no one can escape. All of his writings just keeps a person glued to the book, with a dash of humour and a whole lot of investigations, nothing seems to lag.
I would say I really didn't want to finish the book, firstly because I had no other Paul Cleave book left on my shelf, secondly it was really intriguing, and thirdly I was loving it without even reading the prequel, I was amazed by it... With every turn of the page, came a new twist, and this book for real won't let you complete any of your tasks...
In this book, he puts his main focus on Joe Middleton or best known as The Christchurch Carver. He is in prison waiting for his trial as he had murdered many innocent people. He believes that he didn't commit those horrendous crimes and is trying to convince others that he himself was a victim and not a guilty person. Alongwith his desire to kill further he is being the Optimistic Joe, who is focusing on the good for the mean time... Alongwith all of this going on in the prison cell, outside in the public there is an uproar to reintroduce the death penalty, and for this people think Joe would be the best choice to begin with. Will Joe make it to the death row or would he tackle it, that's a real question...
Also it reintroduces some previous killers like Melissa X, Caleb Cobe (from the laughterhouse).... It also revolves around the love story between Joe and Melissa...
Alongwith former detective Carl Schroder, who is now forced to do a job that he never wanted to do in the first place, is still involved in this case.
Plus with the story's frenzy and twists all of these characters conspire to give the best story full of twists and turns. And with Paul Cleave's profoundly impressive story-telling comes this novel of a serial killer awaiting his final verdict.
eddienewreads's review against another edition
4.0
Really loved this book and series. I couldn't give it a perfect 5 stars because in my eyes the writer left one unanswered question.
debbshock's review against another edition
4.0
This was great, the sequel to The Cleaner. Our serial killer is in jail and it's no fun. His killer girlfriend tries to bust him out. Dark humor and a good plot.