Scan barcode
dmwhipp's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Stars Rounded Up
Decently written and interesting enough to keep me reading to the end, though often implausible... e.g. socially inept college professor is willing to forgo his job to solve mystery and is able to figure out details way ahead of law enforcement. I'd also like to think the feds would have stepped in a little sooner when the body count started rising.
And I do wish this author would learn a new way to handle gunfire in his books, other than onomatopoeia in screaming capitals with exclamation points. Having read mysteries, spy books, and thrillers for most of my life, I know it can be done.
Decently written and interesting enough to keep me reading to the end, though often implausible... e.g. socially inept college professor is willing to forgo his job to solve mystery and is able to figure out details way ahead of law enforcement. I'd also like to think the feds would have stepped in a little sooner when the body count started rising.
And I do wish this author would learn a new way to handle gunfire in his books, other than onomatopoeia in screaming capitals with exclamation points. Having read mysteries, spy books, and thrillers for most of my life, I know it can be done.
nicola_carstens's review against another edition
5.0
I have never related to a character in a book like I related to Theo. I, too, see patterns in data, but am unbelievably stupid when it comes to people. It felt like I was reading about myself lol. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
sarahlyon's review against another edition
5.0
Great read!
This book was so interesting, and kept me reading! Finished it in 2 days, and was not disappointed by the ending.
This book was so interesting, and kept me reading! Finished it in 2 days, and was not disappointed by the ending.
gareindeedreads's review against another edition
5.0
This one starts of with a bang...deep in the woods late at night and boy is it eerie. The novel then jumps to our protagonist and Mayne wastes not one word getting right into the meat of the plot with this unique and interesting read. While it is at first, a slower read and generous with the pacing, Mayne does a great job of explaining the biology and scientific aspects of this read...even for someone like me who passed Biology by the skin of their teeth. While the pacing is questionable in the beginning of this novel as we focus on biology and forensics and really get to know our leader of this journey, Mayne quickly makes up for it and does not hold back on the violence and creep factor.
As Theo Cray and the reader get deeper into the mystery of this novel, the pace really speeds up and does not slow down. Our fearless leader is a complex, unique, and honest character who really seems to be unapologetic and seemingly brave. With an array of interesting and what I would assume to be challenging characters to write, this novel is full with well-written characters, each one serving a purpose to the plot and fantastically executed.
The action and scare factors to this novel not only blend together seamlessly, but create an adventure full of chilling scenes, explicit violence with adding a touch of what I would describe as an "urban legend" type presence. This novel is highly addictive, terrifying, and action-packed. With elements of mystery, thriller, and suspense, Mayne does an amazing job of adding in some older storylines that blend with the plot and adds in a great deal of science-fiction that is not only realistic, but plausible. The perfect read for anyone who is interested in a brave and unique thriller that I can guarantee is unlike anything you've ever read or ever will get the chance to read.
As Theo Cray and the reader get deeper into the mystery of this novel, the pace really speeds up and does not slow down. Our fearless leader is a complex, unique, and honest character who really seems to be unapologetic and seemingly brave. With an array of interesting and what I would assume to be challenging characters to write, this novel is full with well-written characters, each one serving a purpose to the plot and fantastically executed.
The action and scare factors to this novel not only blend together seamlessly, but create an adventure full of chilling scenes, explicit violence with adding a touch of what I would describe as an "urban legend" type presence. This novel is highly addictive, terrifying, and action-packed. With elements of mystery, thriller, and suspense, Mayne does an amazing job of adding in some older storylines that blend with the plot and adds in a great deal of science-fiction that is not only realistic, but plausible. The perfect read for anyone who is interested in a brave and unique thriller that I can guarantee is unlike anything you've ever read or ever will get the chance to read.
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm ... while this held my interest and kept me entertained, it just seems really over the top if it's expected to be any sort of "realistic" murder mystery. The suspension of disbelief required is huge.
We have our professor ... brought in as a murder suspect, even though it's then decided it was a bear attack. Mr. Professor then decides to play detective, uncovering a bunch of things the police didn't. Then he links this incident to other unsolved missing persons cases, again, going far beyond what the police ever pondered. He finds bodies. He uncovers evidence. He's pretty amazing. And in the end ...
I guess I was okay with some of the scientific process used to uncover things ... not sure I understood the computer program telling him where to look. I liked the idea of the "plants" showing where the soil might have been disturbed in the past.
The villain was a little too over the top too ... wearing claws? Yet being clever enough to plant evidence (bear hair). Over 300 murders, that I realize were spread out over large areas and time, but still ... then his final crazy killing spree.
Like I said, the book kept my interest. But upon ending, I'm like "ummmm, I don't think so" ...
Not a fan of the present tense.
Lots of proFantiy. Some sex. Violence of course.
Listened to the audio edition - part of Kindle Unlimited.
We have our professor ... brought in as a murder suspect, even though it's then decided it was a bear attack. Mr. Professor then decides to play detective, uncovering a bunch of things the police didn't. Then he links this incident to other unsolved missing persons cases, again, going far beyond what the police ever pondered. He finds bodies. He uncovers evidence. He's pretty amazing. And in the end ...
Spoiler
he plants evidence, desecrates a corpse, fakes his own death ... after he figures he's dead anyway (he's been shot), he injects himself with adrenaline so he can attempt to save others, even though that will ultimately kill him ... gets clawed across the back and has his face smashed in. I actually assumed he did die, as the book just ended ... but then there's sequels with him still as the main character, so I guess he didn't. Off to solve more unsolvable stuff ... I did a quick read of the first little bit of the next book to see if they explained his miraculous recovery. Not that I could see, other than to say he was "milometers away from death" ...)I guess I was okay with some of the scientific process used to uncover things ... not sure I understood the computer program telling him where to look. I liked the idea of the "plants" showing where the soil might have been disturbed in the past.
The villain was a little too over the top too ... wearing claws? Yet being clever enough to plant evidence (bear hair). Over 300 murders, that I realize were spread out over large areas and time, but still ... then his final crazy killing spree.
Like I said, the book kept my interest. But upon ending, I'm like "ummmm, I don't think so" ...
Not a fan of the present tense.
Lots of proFantiy. Some sex. Violence of course.
Listened to the audio edition - part of Kindle Unlimited.
bdavis3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have now read this book twice and I enjoyed it both times. I really like the storyline. It is exciting and a quick read. There is a bit too much "science-y" information in it but I do think that helps develop the character. Some parts are a little unbelievable which why I don't rate it higher. I would recommend to those that like quick, light science-fiction, murder mystery, thriller.
svarela's review against another edition
4.0
Pageturner
Grabs your attention. Descriptive writing without being wordy. Smart. A suspenseful fast read with humor sprinkles. It's worth the read.
Grabs your attention. Descriptive writing without being wordy. Smart. A suspenseful fast read with humor sprinkles. It's worth the read.
izzy_olson's review against another edition
4.0
Love reading Andrew Mayne.
His stories are so detailed you’d think he actually lived through the scenarios. So far all his stories have all been amazing. Theo Cray is Ana making character and very stupidly smart. But that’s what you get when you have a scientist who’s not too big on social interactions.
His stories are so detailed you’d think he actually lived through the scenarios. So far all his stories have all been amazing. Theo Cray is Ana making character and very stupidly smart. But that’s what you get when you have a scientist who’s not too big on social interactions.
jess_maldonado's review against another edition
3.0
If I could give 3.5 I would. Interesting read, definitely lacking in character development, and I was hoping for a more original plot. One paragraph early on seemed to be foreshadowing a really cool reveal, and then the plot ended up being a typical crazy serial killer hunt.
I was HOPING that the killer would be someone who had turned cannibal/monster due to overpopulation, like the frogs that he mentioned that will start killing when their environment gets overpopulated and then return to normal behavior when population levels off. That would have been a cool twist and a nice commentary on overpopulation. But alas. Maybe I'll write that book someday.
I was HOPING that the killer would be someone who had turned cannibal/monster due to overpopulation, like the frogs that he mentioned that will start killing when their environment gets overpopulated and then return to normal behavior when population levels off. That would have been a cool twist and a nice commentary on overpopulation. But alas. Maybe I'll write that book someday.