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read2create's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
saritaroth's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book . . . until the ending, that is! It felt as if the author just got tired of writing and ended it in a seemingly neat, yet unsatisfying, little package. I would have preferred to read an additional twenty pages if it meant reading a more gradual, realistic climax and finale.
spacecomics's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best crime fiction novels I've ever read. Though some coincidences in the plot were a bit of a stretch, and the ending was a little more believable and realistic than satisfying, in every other way, character development, page-turning suspense, realism, just enough humor, it's perfect.
Francie is cheating on her husband, and therefore cheating on her lover's wife. Her unemployed husband Roger ineptly tries to improve their marriage, but discovers the affair, begins to plot murder. Even looks into getting an ex-con involved. He's see the lovers and other characters as pieces in a chess game to be manipulated into a result with him as winner. It's something like a Columbo movie as he starts taking steps to set up his plan -- but meanwhile other plot twists and development keep making it more and more interesting . . .
The protagonist has the same first name as me (and he's supposed to be a genius . . . but turns out to be as careless as those Columbo murderers . . . not hard to believe I guess). The steadily evolving situation kept me wanting to read on and find out what happens, more so than almost any other book.
Francie is cheating on her husband, and therefore cheating on her lover's wife. Her unemployed husband Roger ineptly tries to improve their marriage, but discovers the affair, begins to plot murder. Even looks into getting an ex-con involved. He's see the lovers and other characters as pieces in a chess game to be manipulated into a result with him as winner. It's something like a Columbo movie as he starts taking steps to set up his plan -- but meanwhile other plot twists and development keep making it more and more interesting . . .
The protagonist has the same first name as me (and he's supposed to be a genius . . . but turns out to be as careless as those Columbo murderers . . . not hard to believe I guess). The steadily evolving situation kept me wanting to read on and find out what happens, more so than almost any other book.
sscs's review against another edition
5.0
I realize I'm in the "just finished the book" high on this one but I really think this is one of the best crime novels I've ever read. Peter Abrahams has an amazing ear for dialogue, and an ability to make immensely fucked up characters' thoughts seems immensely real. Also, when I was eighty percent of the way through the book, I wasn't entirely sure how it would end and that just doesn't happen. The audiobook is read by a lady named Sharon Williams and she does a fantastic job. If you're my friend and you want one, I will mail you a copy. Loved it, loved it, loved it.
beckic's review against another edition
3.0
Started off slow, but really picked up at the end. It was almost too fast, wrapped up too neatly. I liked the story. Abrahams did a good job of writing in the style of each character. Not my favorite, but I'm not going to write this author off just yet.
markfeltskog's review against another edition
Please don't mistake my review as an objective analysis of Peter Abrahams as a writer. This type of thriller really isn't my cup of tea, but make no mistake about one thing: Mr. Abrahams is a superior prose stylist, acute psychologist, and consummate storyteller, and I will probably try other of his books.
seabirdsong's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The reader is voyeur to a handful of interesting characters all keeping secrets from each other and whose lives are all heading toward a dramatic and bloody convergence. The "bad guy" was surprisingly relatable, even while not being made sympathetic. Would definitely read this author again.
judoonplatoonmoon's review against another edition
3.0
I found the plot to be simple and the storyline was somewhat predictable. Off the bat, there was never going to be a perfect crime, because let's face it, Roger was dealing with too many variables, even if he has an IQ score of 181. Guess his biggest mistake was thinking people act like robots, lacking in free will.
I did enjoy the different perspectives and viewpoints of all the characters in the books, but some are very caricature-like. The character of Whitey especially so. As for the love affairs... I got a little annoyed by Ned, to be honest, and even more annoyed by Francie, who seemed to be a strong and intelligent woman but fell for a lounge lizard like Ned. It made me really giddy (I am a horrible person) that she found out about his other affair in the end.
Anyway, this was definitely not a difficult read, but skip it if you want something more thrilling and intricate.
I did enjoy the different perspectives and viewpoints of all the characters in the books, but some are very caricature-like. The character of Whitey especially so. As for the love affairs... I got a little annoyed by Ned, to be honest, and even more annoyed by Francie, who seemed to be a strong and intelligent woman but fell for a lounge lizard like Ned. It made me really giddy (I am a horrible person) that she found out about his other affair in the end.
Anyway, this was definitely not a difficult read, but skip it if you want something more thrilling and intricate.
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