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thebooktrail88's review against another edition
3.0
A gore fest in more ways than one. Now I know crime novels are essentially gritty and violent, chilling etc but I'm afraid this was just too much of a blood fest for me from page one. The girl running in high heels from a killer in her work building at night - TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF WOMAN - she did, but too late - suffered a horrible end and as for that guy in the cinema - oh dear me. Eve was being sick - vividly sick - as each victim succumbed to their deaths and I'm afraid I was a bit too.
Having said that, the writing was as sharp as that knife the killer stuck through that man's head and there were plot twists a plenty. The premise of Eve being a reporter and looking after her father who had dementia brought a personal note to proceedings. I also liked the clever nod to how people now are sick enough to film a crime scene, or someone taking their last strained breaths. And how news happens and spreads despite the reporters best efforts to get the scoop first.
Just didn't manage to breathe through the choke of the blood for me though.
Claire booktrailer
Having said that, the writing was as sharp as that knife the killer stuck through that man's head and there were plot twists a plenty. The premise of Eve being a reporter and looking after her father who had dementia brought a personal note to proceedings. I also liked the clever nod to how people now are sick enough to film a crime scene, or someone taking their last strained breaths. And how news happens and spreads despite the reporters best efforts to get the scoop first.
Just didn't manage to breathe through the choke of the blood for me though.
Claire booktrailer
bookaholic_22's review against another edition
5.0
This is an amazing crime thriller book, I'm normally not a fan of this genere as much as the others but this book really made me want to read more crime books!!!!
sweet__chaos_'s review against another edition
4.0
Loved it! I loved the twists and turns in the book deffo will reread it again sometime
meloches's review against another edition
5.0
Eve Singer, a TV crime reporter, makes her living off of death; the more grisly, the better. When a rampant serial killer contacts her, to help “advertise” his “exhibitions”, Eve finds herself in a catch 22. Although she welcomes the opportunity to be the first at each gory crime scene, she soon realizes the killer has developed an obsession other than murder. Her.
The Beautiful Dead by Belinda Bauer is an action packed, unputdownable, dark thriller. I was completely enthralled by the story; continuously compelled to keep reading. Once I began, I couldn’t stop and finished this one in a matter of hours. Since I have been reading so many books with red herrings, and lots of twists, this novel was a nice change of pace; we are privy to the killer from the beginning and instead of wondering “whodunit”, we are brought on a journey as the killer masterfully manipulates and evades law enforcement and Eve becomes his puppet.
The novel has a killer opening scene (pun intended!), as we are introduced to a woman fighting for her life and a killer amused by this game of cat and mouse. Cut to Eve Singer, who shows up the crime scene to report on the macabre incident, and ends up getting wrapped up with the perpetrator. He calls her and asks her to report on his next “exhibition”. The rest of the novel becomes a landslide of fast paced action and on the edge of your seat moments.
The novel is narrated in an extremely unique way; throughout each chapter, we are offered narration from all different characters. From Eve Singer, members of the police force, the killer, and even, his victims, we are privy to the unfolding story in multiple perspectives. I loved this! Not only are we able to see the dark moments but through this narrative style, we are also able to read a budding romance and some humor.
Eve Singer is an extremely likable lead; I am a huge fan of a narrative with a strong female protagonist and Eve Singer is about as “take charge” as they come. In fact, I loved the characters in this novel. I found that even the secondary characters were relatable and intriguing. And the characterization from the killer? CREEPY! From his relationship with his mother to his thought process surrounding art; the moments where he narrated were spine tingling. He gave me the same vibe that Kevin Spacy did in Se7en.
This was my first experience with a Belinda Bauer novel and this certainly will not be my last; I would recommend this novel to all fans of fast-paced, crime fiction. If I were you, I’d pick it up ASAP!
Thanks to Grove Atlantic publishing and Belinda Bauer for my copy; it was my pleasure to provide an honest review.
The Beautiful Dead by Belinda Bauer is an action packed, unputdownable, dark thriller. I was completely enthralled by the story; continuously compelled to keep reading. Once I began, I couldn’t stop and finished this one in a matter of hours. Since I have been reading so many books with red herrings, and lots of twists, this novel was a nice change of pace; we are privy to the killer from the beginning and instead of wondering “whodunit”, we are brought on a journey as the killer masterfully manipulates and evades law enforcement and Eve becomes his puppet.
The novel has a killer opening scene (pun intended!), as we are introduced to a woman fighting for her life and a killer amused by this game of cat and mouse. Cut to Eve Singer, who shows up the crime scene to report on the macabre incident, and ends up getting wrapped up with the perpetrator. He calls her and asks her to report on his next “exhibition”. The rest of the novel becomes a landslide of fast paced action and on the edge of your seat moments.
The novel is narrated in an extremely unique way; throughout each chapter, we are offered narration from all different characters. From Eve Singer, members of the police force, the killer, and even, his victims, we are privy to the unfolding story in multiple perspectives. I loved this! Not only are we able to see the dark moments but through this narrative style, we are also able to read a budding romance and some humor.
Eve Singer is an extremely likable lead; I am a huge fan of a narrative with a strong female protagonist and Eve Singer is about as “take charge” as they come. In fact, I loved the characters in this novel. I found that even the secondary characters were relatable and intriguing. And the characterization from the killer? CREEPY! From his relationship with his mother to his thought process surrounding art; the moments where he narrated were spine tingling. He gave me the same vibe that Kevin Spacy did in Se7en.
This was my first experience with a Belinda Bauer novel and this certainly will not be my last; I would recommend this novel to all fans of fast-paced, crime fiction. If I were you, I’d pick it up ASAP!
Thanks to Grove Atlantic publishing and Belinda Bauer for my copy; it was my pleasure to provide an honest review.
emloc13's review against another edition
3.0
3 ⭐️
This was the first novel of Belinda Bauers that I’ve read, I love a gritty thriller so was expecting this to be just that! I wasn’t initially gripped as much as I would have liked and wasn’t finding myself picking up the book as often as I usually would - hence why it took me a lot longer to read this than my recent reads
Eve Singer a crime reporter working for iWitness News, will do anything to satisfy her ghoulish audience
The killer loves to put on public performances as he commits his crimes, where he hopes to show everyone the beauty of dying.
When Eve crosses paths with the killer, she welcomes the chance to be first with the news from every gory scene. Until she realises that the killer now has a second obsession - her!
The book is definitely gritty in areas, the first chapter really pulled me in, but then it did take me a little while to really get into it. This book has everything you’d want from a crime drama, as well as the portrayal of family heartbreak associated with Alzheimer’s.
Overall, a good read, it’s hard for me to give 4-5 stars for this genre of book as I’ve read quite a few and this isn’t up there as one of my favourites, that being said, I’d definitely pick up another of Bauers books in the future
This was the first novel of Belinda Bauers that I’ve read, I love a gritty thriller so was expecting this to be just that! I wasn’t initially gripped as much as I would have liked and wasn’t finding myself picking up the book as often as I usually would - hence why it took me a lot longer to read this than my recent reads
Eve Singer a crime reporter working for iWitness News, will do anything to satisfy her ghoulish audience
The killer loves to put on public performances as he commits his crimes, where he hopes to show everyone the beauty of dying.
When Eve crosses paths with the killer, she welcomes the chance to be first with the news from every gory scene. Until she realises that the killer now has a second obsession - her!
The book is definitely gritty in areas, the first chapter really pulled me in, but then it did take me a little while to really get into it. This book has everything you’d want from a crime drama, as well as the portrayal of family heartbreak associated with Alzheimer’s.
Overall, a good read, it’s hard for me to give 4-5 stars for this genre of book as I’ve read quite a few and this isn’t up there as one of my favourites, that being said, I’d definitely pick up another of Bauers books in the future
ladulcinella's review against another edition
2.0
I am no fan of this book. I thought it contained a few good ideas, but just was a meandering story that was neither interesting, neither suspenseful.
The writing is decent.
The writing is decent.
kenny8ba's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed the fast-paced story. A couple of twists and turns, I would read other books by the author. Some of the murder scenes are quite graphic but it added to the intensity of the characters and story. A good ending I would definitely recommend
sean67's review against another edition
4.0
Belinda Bauer is an exceptional talent and this book again showcases her creation of characters that are in the most part three dimensional and complex.
One - the boss of iWitness news was a let down and his antics were more than over the top and not realistic, but I have not worked in journalism so it is hard to say how accurate he was.
However as a whole there was great story telling here, not always believable, but credible enough and the people largely real enough to sweep you along with the story.
I have now read all of Belinda Bauer's published novels - the next one is released in just 8 days time.
I'll be reading it as soon as I can.
One - the boss of iWitness news was a let down and his antics were more than over the top and not realistic, but I have not worked in journalism so it is hard to say how accurate he was.
However as a whole there was great story telling here, not always believable, but credible enough and the people largely real enough to sweep you along with the story.
I have now read all of Belinda Bauer's published novels - the next one is released in just 8 days time.
I'll be reading it as soon as I can.
lindsaymay92's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
pixieparliament's review against another edition
2.0
Although this book was well written and it's the type of genre I usually like, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to someone. If you see it on a bookshelf or find it in your library and can't find anything else to read I'd say give it a go but don't go out of your way.
This is about a serial killer who feels he needs to feed of the life essence of those around to keep on living and his obsession with Eve, a journalist who is on the 'meat beat' and whose career revolves around getting the best details on the latest murder for her to stay in a job.
I started to skip read towards the end and then went back and read it all because that's what I do, and I wouldn't have missed much by skip reading the end. A small detail here or there but nothing major.
This is about a serial killer who feels he needs to feed of the life essence of those around to keep on living and his obsession with Eve, a journalist who is on the 'meat beat' and whose career revolves around getting the best details on the latest murder for her to stay in a job.
I started to skip read towards the end and then went back and read it all because that's what I do, and I wouldn't have missed much by skip reading the end. A small detail here or there but nothing major.