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dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Why did this book give me such high hopes just to crush them in the end? It started with an interesting idea, making the bid bad sound so scary, complicated and intimidating and then when it came to unveiling his identity the writer took such a cheap shot.
Sure, from the start there were telltale signs as overexplaining, repeating points and predictable character dynamics with of course, a stereotypical lead and his side-kick. But I did not expect it to end this easily after the build up.
The whole time the villain's method are described as extremely cruel and in the end his motivation was so weak.
Even with my dissapointment I have to point out that the kill scenes kept me on my toes and I did like the last portrayed conversation. But in the end the story of one of the victims was more interesting than the main character's and the villain's taken together... by tenfold.
Sure, from the start there were telltale signs as overexplaining, repeating points and predictable character dynamics with of course, a stereotypical lead and his side-kick. But I did not expect it to end this easily after the build up.
The whole time the villain's method are described as extremely cruel and in the end his motivation was so weak.
Even with my dissapointment I have to point out that the kill scenes kept me on my toes and I did like the last portrayed conversation. But in the end the story of one of the victims was more interesting than the main character's and the villain's taken together... by tenfold.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Grief
dark
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Also on Snow White Hates Apples.
It’s been a loooong while since the last Chris Carter book I read (6 years!) but I’m glad I returned to Robert Hunter’s world because The Caller is as impressive as I remember of the other books.
What makes this (and the other Robert Hunter books) a stunning psychological thriller would undoubtedly be the author’s familiarity with how criminals work and his attention-catching writing. Carter fearlessly brings to life some of the most realistic and unflinchingly brutal, twisted criminals I’ve ever read. Paired with this is writing that rarely (if ever) drags and well-timed red herrings — which is perfect for hooking one’s attention. I couldn’t guess who the killer was despite actively searching for clues and coming up with various theories.
Nevertheless, for some, The Caller may be too gruesome. Carter doesn’t shy away from details so if you’re unused to gore and violence being described explicitly then this book could make you queasy. Moreover, the portrayal of females here is weak. I’m not against weak females because as there are strong females, there will be weak ones too and this applies to other genders. But, after reading so many Robert Hunter books, I think that it’s a bit dated that if the female characters here aren’t victims or married, they’re potential romantic interests for the protagonist.
Anyway, I still think Carter’s one of the best when it comes to writing for this genre. I genuinely enjoy the complexity of the crimes, the unflinching writing, and the perspective on how societal issues can contribute to the birth of such criminals.
It’s been a loooong while since the last Chris Carter book I read (6 years!) but I’m glad I returned to Robert Hunter’s world because The Caller is as impressive as I remember of the other books.
What makes this (and the other Robert Hunter books) a stunning psychological thriller would undoubtedly be the author’s familiarity with how criminals work and his attention-catching writing. Carter fearlessly brings to life some of the most realistic and unflinchingly brutal, twisted criminals I’ve ever read. Paired with this is writing that rarely (if ever) drags and well-timed red herrings — which is perfect for hooking one’s attention. I couldn’t guess who the killer was despite actively searching for clues and coming up with various theories.
Nevertheless, for some, The Caller may be too gruesome. Carter doesn’t shy away from details so if you’re unused to gore and violence being described explicitly then this book could make you queasy. Moreover, the portrayal of females here is weak. I’m not against weak females because as there are strong females, there will be weak ones too and this applies to other genders. But, after reading so many Robert Hunter books, I think that it’s a bit dated that if the female characters here aren’t victims or married, they’re potential romantic interests for the protagonist.
Anyway, I still think Carter’s one of the best when it comes to writing for this genre. I genuinely enjoy the complexity of the crimes, the unflinching writing, and the perspective on how societal issues can contribute to the birth of such criminals.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Torture, Blood, Stalking
Minor: Vomit
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Medical content, Stalking