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siglerbooknook's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was left at the end of this book feeling like I needed a bath and not in an entertaining thriller way.
I appreciate the premise of this book and ever some of the morals Dekker was clearly pointing at through the story, morals like not using religion as a shield to condone mistreating others, or that all people are equally important.
That being said, the "Hero" Brad Raines creeped me out as much as the villain. The villain, Quentin we know is evil from the very first chapter we see him and he is clearly insane. Brad, on the other hand, is portrayed as a broken yet wonderful and desireable man, but his interactions with his partner, the victims, and especially the love interest Paradise come across as borderline preditorial.
I wanted to love the inclusion of the residents at the mental health clinic and I think it was neat that Dekker tried to use such an under appreciated part of society to bring home how important and special all people are. However, he wrote all 4 of them so childish and one dimensional that I don't feel like any of them were done justice. He fell into a lot if stereotypes while writing them that left the characters feeling flat.
My biggest fault with the story is near the end and directly deals with the final confrontation. Not only did it feel completely unbelievable, but it also kind of annoyed me how flippantly serious issues were addressed.
This is my second Dekker book so I know this story doesn't encompass his complete style, so even if you dislike this one you may find others of his novels more to your taste. While I doubt this will be one I recommend often, I do appreciate how much it made me think as I read it.
I appreciate the premise of this book and ever some of the morals Dekker was clearly pointing at through the story, morals like not using religion as a shield to condone mistreating others, or that all people are equally important.
That being said, the "Hero" Brad Raines creeped me out as much as the villain. The villain, Quentin we know is evil from the very first chapter we see him and he is clearly insane. Brad, on the other hand, is portrayed as a broken yet wonderful and desireable man, but his interactions with his partner, the victims, and especially the love interest Paradise come across as borderline preditorial.
I wanted to love the inclusion of the residents at the mental health clinic and I think it was neat that Dekker tried to use such an under appreciated part of society to bring home how important and special all people are. However, he wrote all 4 of them so childish and one dimensional that I don't feel like any of them were done justice. He fell into a lot if stereotypes while writing them that left the characters feeling flat.
My biggest fault with the story is near the end and directly deals with the final confrontation. Not only did it feel completely unbelievable, but it also kind of annoyed me how flippantly serious issues were addressed.
This is my second Dekker book so I know this story doesn't encompass his complete style, so even if you dislike this one you may find others of his novels more to your taste. While I doubt this will be one I recommend often, I do appreciate how much it made me think as I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, Death, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gore, Death of parent, Gun violence, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual violence
annamontana's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I have read Dekker before and usually enjoy his writing, although some don't work as well. This one worked. It pulled me in quickly. I loved that you get to know the villain and hear from his view points. He is sufficiently creepy.
I didn't enjoy the lead character Brad Raines, seemed a bit of a himbo. If this was an ongoing series I may have doubts about continuing but because it is only one my lack of enjoyment in this character really didn't affect my feelings on the book.
I loved the parts in the psychiatric facility and the people there. I am not a mental health specialist but several things didn't seem to be reality. If this wasn't meant to be a thriller, it might have bothered me, but again it didn't.
This book was not faultless, but it was exactly what I wanted and expected it to be, a fast paced thriller that kept me reading late into the night.
I didn't enjoy the lead character Brad Raines, seemed a bit of a himbo. If this was an ongoing series I may have doubts about continuing but because it is only one my lack of enjoyment in this character really didn't affect my feelings on the book.
I loved the parts in the psychiatric facility and the people there. I am not a mental health specialist but several things didn't seem to be reality. If this wasn't meant to be a thriller, it might have bothered me, but again it didn't.
This book was not faultless, but it was exactly what I wanted and expected it to be, a fast paced thriller that kept me reading late into the night.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual assault and Child abuse
makenah27's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A decent start on my journey into true crime books. I’m a true crime lover and I’m happy to say this book really exceeded my expectations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual assault
silver_valkyrie_reads's review
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The first few pages felt like a pretty generic thriller and had me questioning if I really still like Ted Dekker as much as I used to. By the end though, I really liked what he did with themes of beauty and love and mental health and (without using this term) neurodiversity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Child abuse, Rape, and Suicide
shereadsmysteries's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Suicide
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