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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Review in the July 2021 Issue of Booklist: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2021/07/what-im-reading-booklists-july-issue_01017660409.html
Three Words That Describe This Book: metafiction, unshakably unsettlingly, strikingly original
From the end of my draft review:
As metafiction, this novel excels. Its palpable proximity to reality adds an unshakable level of unease. With less narrative restraint this book becomes a caricature of itself; however, Chizmar injects just the right amount of self reflection to forge an undeniable, and ironically honest, emotional connection with the reader. The result is strikingly original, a story that will thrill fans of intimately investigated nonfiction like I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by McNamara, and self aware, psychological suspense like My Sister, the Serial Killer by Braithwaite.
Three Words That Describe This Book: metafiction, unshakably unsettlingly, strikingly original
Three Words That Describe This Book: metafiction, unshakably unsettlingly, strikingly original
From the end of my draft review:
As metafiction, this novel excels. Its palpable proximity to reality adds an unshakable level of unease. With less narrative restraint this book becomes a caricature of itself; however, Chizmar injects just the right amount of self reflection to forge an undeniable, and ironically honest, emotional connection with the reader. The result is strikingly original, a story that will thrill fans of intimately investigated nonfiction like I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by McNamara, and self aware, psychological suspense like My Sister, the Serial Killer by Braithwaite.
Three Words That Describe This Book: metafiction, unshakably unsettlingly, strikingly original
dark
This was good. Fiction, but written so convincingly as true crime that I kept having to remind myself of that.
I had expected more of a horror read, and this wasn't that, but it was worth the read.
I had expected more of a horror read, and this wasn't that, but it was worth the read.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've had this book for quite some time and I'm sad that I hadn't read it before now. I'm no stranger to Richard Chizmar; I'm a huge fan of Cemetery Dance and "work" for them as an ARC reader. Somehow this book just kept getting overlooked, but I'm very glad I finally read it.
I'm a huge fan of true crime, and the scope of this fictional "true" crime story is pretty epic. The pictures included were a very nice touch that truly made me feel like this was something that could have happened. The only parts that dragged a bit involved the history of Edgewood, but I did enjoy the stories about the author's childhood. All in all, an excellent story that I highly recommend.
I'm a huge fan of true crime, and the scope of this fictional "true" crime story is pretty epic. The pictures included were a very nice touch that truly made me feel like this was something that could have happened. The only parts that dragged a bit involved the history of Edgewood, but I did enjoy the stories about the author's childhood. All in all, an excellent story that I highly recommend.
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Most boring book I’ve ever read. It was more an autobiography of the author. No suspense no chills and definitely no horror. It is clear that people are being paid to leave rave reviews, disappointed I bought into the hype because this book is not good at all.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was enraptured by the concept of this book. The author, Richard Chizmar, has created a murder mystery story that's based on a real-life series of murders that occurred near his hometown, and has inserted himself into a fictional narrative where he has a direct connection to a key victim and their family, which ends up pulling him into being an armchair detective who has his own observations and theories about links between the victims and ideas about who could be the killer.
Surprisingly, it's not a far reach how the recent college graduate, Richard, becomes embroiled in the murder investigation. In the time between college graduation and starting a career, with a series of grisly murders impacting his hometown, he ends up writing a personal account of how he's affected and driven to investigate the murders himself and follow-up on some of his own hunches. While this is a fictional account, the book includes pictures and documents that represent characters, locations, and information sources related to the murder investigation. These additional touches really heighten the reader's investment in the story.
I found myself liking Mr. Chizmar's writing style quite a lot. I both read the Kindle digital edition and listened to the audiobook, narrated by Chris Andrew Ciulla who did a very good job with the reading of the story. While I can recommend both, it's important that the reader has either the physical or digital version of the book if they want to see the photos and documents added to enhance the experience of consuming this story.
Surprisingly, it's not a far reach how the recent college graduate, Richard, becomes embroiled in the murder investigation. In the time between college graduation and starting a career, with a series of grisly murders impacting his hometown, he ends up writing a personal account of how he's affected and driven to investigate the murders himself and follow-up on some of his own hunches. While this is a fictional account, the book includes pictures and documents that represent characters, locations, and information sources related to the murder investigation. These additional touches really heighten the reader's investment in the story.
I found myself liking Mr. Chizmar's writing style quite a lot. I both read the Kindle digital edition and listened to the audiobook, narrated by Chris Andrew Ciulla who did a very good job with the reading of the story. While I can recommend both, it's important that the reader has either the physical or digital version of the book if they want to see the photos and documents added to enhance the experience of consuming this story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really liked the concept of this book being written as if it is true crime but it is fictitious and I think there was a lot of attention to detail. I especially enjoyed the addition of the pictures throughout the book. However, like some true crime books this did get a bit slow in the middle and focused a bit too much on the "author" and his life at the time. I think if you like the vibe of Daisy Jones and the Six where it is fiction but feels so real and also enjoy thrillers/true crime you might like this one