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simonrtaylor's review against another edition
4.0
Ted Dekker returns with another twisting, turning thriller in The Bride Collector, the story of a serial killer with a penchant for beautiful women.
The killer is swiftly introduced to us as Quinton Gauld – though not known to the detective, Brad Raines. Dekker builds a compelling character in Gauld, a man with a troubled but ordered mind. His personality and outlook are quickly and firmly established and remain consistent for the bulk of the adventure. He is intelligent but imperfect, occasionally slipping up and acknowledging it, making him a believable and interesting adversary.
Up against him is Brad Raines, a detective with an unresolved bereavement. Besides this piece of information about his past, Raines’ character is underdeveloped when compared to Gauld. One step behind the audience and devoid of any life or personality outside of the case, Raines is likeable and maintains sympathy but is overall forgettable as another stock investigator. Gauld is by far the more notable lead.
The investigation brings us to a psychiatric hospital and a colourful cast of patients join the story. Roudy, Casanova and Andrea have very much supporting roles while Paradise becomes elevated to a principal cast member. Each has their own quirks, for wont of a better word, and they’re humorously portrayed which is troublesome. At first the fear for the reader is that these characters are parodies, poking fun at mental illness. But it becomes a dominant theme for the remainder of the narrative – what is normality? What, therefore, is insanity? Why isn’t ‘different’, ‘better’, and who defines what that is? And so the characteristics and attributes that set these people apart become endearing, and Dekker encourages us to celebrate their differences and enjoy their eccentricities (for wont of another word, again). In my opinion it’s a theme that’s relevant to the plot and sensitively – even challengingly – handled that leaves you rethinking your views. In the end, I enjoyed their scenes immensely and they became definite highlights enhancing the novel with their colourful personalities. The only drawback, for me, is the Centre manager’s willingness to let the FBI breeze in and out. Although Dekker goes some way to justifying it, I find it hard to swallow.
Two significant developments are designed to come from Paradise’s entrance. One, her relationship (in the broadest sense) with Raines, which is mildly interesting but moreso contrived and predictable. The other – advertised as a USP for the story – is her apparent ability to touch a dead body and see the last thing they saw before their death. The benefits for a murder mystery are obvious, but criminally underused. Unlike Dekker’s previous works – for example, Blink where the ability to see alternate scenarios heavily influences the plot – Paradise’s “gift” is used once, and its overall impact is so negligible the sequence could easily be omitted without affecting any other part of the narrative. Given its obscurity, the gift’s minimal airtime doesn’t harm the story however it is a strange decision on Dekker’s part to include a bizarre piece of supernatural in an ill-fitting genre when it isn’t capitalised on. If anything, it weakens the credibility of the novel slightly and wasn’t a necessary feature.
The dénouement is ushered in by a radical change in Gauld that is entirely unsupported. It’s such a sudden and dramatic turnaround it seriously damages his credibility and disengages the audience. With the rules changed to such an extent, suspended disbelief comes crashing down and the events seem so out of character we stop caring. It’s clawed back nearer the end but could have been so much stronger had continuity and characterisation been more diligently respected.
Overall, it’s a good volume from Dekker which poses some interesting questions for the reader. There are some unexpected twists in the middle that are well-dropped game changers (dénouement-ushering exclusive) but it lacks the trademark Dekker twist at the very end which is instead replaced by a relatively weak – if arguably fitting – ending.
The killer is swiftly introduced to us as Quinton Gauld – though not known to the detective, Brad Raines. Dekker builds a compelling character in Gauld, a man with a troubled but ordered mind. His personality and outlook are quickly and firmly established and remain consistent for the bulk of the adventure. He is intelligent but imperfect, occasionally slipping up and acknowledging it, making him a believable and interesting adversary.
Up against him is Brad Raines, a detective with an unresolved bereavement. Besides this piece of information about his past, Raines’ character is underdeveloped when compared to Gauld. One step behind the audience and devoid of any life or personality outside of the case, Raines is likeable and maintains sympathy but is overall forgettable as another stock investigator. Gauld is by far the more notable lead.
The investigation brings us to a psychiatric hospital and a colourful cast of patients join the story. Roudy, Casanova and Andrea have very much supporting roles while Paradise becomes elevated to a principal cast member. Each has their own quirks, for wont of a better word, and they’re humorously portrayed which is troublesome. At first the fear for the reader is that these characters are parodies, poking fun at mental illness. But it becomes a dominant theme for the remainder of the narrative – what is normality? What, therefore, is insanity? Why isn’t ‘different’, ‘better’, and who defines what that is? And so the characteristics and attributes that set these people apart become endearing, and Dekker encourages us to celebrate their differences and enjoy their eccentricities (for wont of another word, again). In my opinion it’s a theme that’s relevant to the plot and sensitively – even challengingly – handled that leaves you rethinking your views. In the end, I enjoyed their scenes immensely and they became definite highlights enhancing the novel with their colourful personalities. The only drawback, for me, is the Centre manager’s willingness to let the FBI breeze in and out. Although Dekker goes some way to justifying it, I find it hard to swallow.
Two significant developments are designed to come from Paradise’s entrance. One, her relationship (in the broadest sense) with Raines, which is mildly interesting but moreso contrived and predictable. The other – advertised as a USP for the story – is her apparent ability to touch a dead body and see the last thing they saw before their death. The benefits for a murder mystery are obvious, but criminally underused. Unlike Dekker’s previous works – for example, Blink where the ability to see alternate scenarios heavily influences the plot – Paradise’s “gift” is used once, and its overall impact is so negligible the sequence could easily be omitted without affecting any other part of the narrative. Given its obscurity, the gift’s minimal airtime doesn’t harm the story however it is a strange decision on Dekker’s part to include a bizarre piece of supernatural in an ill-fitting genre when it isn’t capitalised on. If anything, it weakens the credibility of the novel slightly and wasn’t a necessary feature.
The dénouement is ushered in by a radical change in Gauld that is entirely unsupported. It’s such a sudden and dramatic turnaround it seriously damages his credibility and disengages the audience. With the rules changed to such an extent, suspended disbelief comes crashing down and the events seem so out of character we stop caring. It’s clawed back nearer the end but could have been so much stronger had continuity and characterisation been more diligently respected.
Overall, it’s a good volume from Dekker which poses some interesting questions for the reader. There are some unexpected twists in the middle that are well-dropped game changers (dénouement-ushering exclusive) but it lacks the trademark Dekker twist at the very end which is instead replaced by a relatively weak – if arguably fitting – ending.
micksland's review
5.0
I love Ted Dekker's books. I usually don't love his stand-alone novels as much as the books in his Books of History Chronicles, but this is one of the best stand-alones he has written in a while. He fixed several things that I didn't like about BoneMan's Daughters. Brad Raines and Quinton Gauld are no more interesting than Dekker's usual heroes and villains (not that they aren't interesting, just that they aren't standouts), but Paradise is amazing. Most of Dekker's bad guys are psychotic, but it's a new experience to read about a psychotic character who doesn't go around murdering people. Also, one of the main characters gets killed halfway through the book, and Dekker usually doesn't bring himself to kill off the good guys. So overall, it was not as good as his Books of History Chronicles, but one of the better stand-alone books that he has written in the past few years. Possibly the best one since House.
alwroteabook's review against another edition
5.0
In a fit of whimsy, I hereby announce I will give everyone five stars, but the reviews may not reflect it.
Okay, I think I'm done with Ted Dekker, at least for now. I've listened to two books, and neither grabbed me. I'd almost go as far as to say that this one annoyed me. It started well, but the whole jolly bunch of mental patients trope is beyond passe at this stage, and he really milked it. Didn't really care for the ending either. I know he has his fans, but I can't say I'm one of them, although I might dip back in after a break. No promises though.
Okay, I think I'm done with Ted Dekker, at least for now. I've listened to two books, and neither grabbed me. I'd almost go as far as to say that this one annoyed me. It started well, but the whole jolly bunch of mental patients trope is beyond passe at this stage, and he really milked it. Didn't really care for the ending either. I know he has his fans, but I can't say I'm one of them, although I might dip back in after a break. No promises though.
rachelb36's review
3.0
This book was a little difficult to get into at first - the first third or so is pretty slow and is focused on the FBI team working on the case of serial killings. I found this part routine/expected.
Once the book started focusing less on the case and more on the patients at a center for the highly intelligent/gifted mentally ill, it became much more interesting. I really liked these characters, and honestly wish Dekker had found a way to write about them without involving a serial killer... I felt that the case detracted from the rest of the story.
The ending was also predictable and incredibly unrealistic... it left me rolling my eyes. It felt like a cop-out and was disappointing, especially since I know Dekker is capable of much better writing.
Once the book started focusing less on the case and more on the patients at a center for the highly intelligent/gifted mentally ill, it became much more interesting. I really liked these characters, and honestly wish Dekker had found a way to write about them without involving a serial killer... I felt that the case detracted from the rest of the story.
The ending was also predictable and incredibly unrealistic... it left me rolling my eyes. It felt like a cop-out and was disappointing, especially since I know Dekker is capable of much better writing.
keylwat's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
xeni's review against another edition
3.0
As crime books go, this was one of the more interesting ones that I have read. This was a book of the month for January for my Serious About Books group.
The plot was very interesting. At times it was really dragging at me, because there was just too much going on while not much was actually happening. That sounds paradoxical, but just imagine a lot of characters talking about things, but nothing is really happening.
The characters were the most interesting. Well, not all of them, since the FBI agents were rather boring, as were the so-called insane. The serial killer, the bad guy, Quinton, he was the most interesting, until about 60% of the way in, when he became mundane and human. Which is why I really didn't enjoy the rest of the book as much as I did the first part.
The fact that he kills women by drilling holes into their heels and then lets their blood drain out seems just wrong to me. Not at all like how a "normal" serial killer would operate. I couldn't come to terms with that part either.
The writing style also bugged me, only because it was so dry. Maybe it's just that I couldn't get into the story, but there wasn't anything special about the writing. Not like Neal Stephenson who would make me squeal with pleasure from some of his sentences.
Not much stood out for me in this novel. I still give it 3 stars, though, because it wasn't a bad book. I'm sure that someone who enjoys crime novels will adore this one; it just wasn't all that for me.
The plot was very interesting. At times it was really dragging at me, because there was just too much going on while not much was actually happening. That sounds paradoxical, but just imagine a lot of characters talking about things, but nothing is really happening.
The characters were the most interesting. Well, not all of them, since the FBI agents were rather boring, as were the so-called insane. The serial killer, the bad guy, Quinton, he was the most interesting, until about 60% of the way in, when he became mundane and human. Which is why I really didn't enjoy the rest of the book as much as I did the first part.
The fact that he kills women by drilling holes into their heels and then lets their blood drain out seems just wrong to me. Not at all like how a "normal" serial killer would operate. I couldn't come to terms with that part either.
The writing style also bugged me, only because it was so dry. Maybe it's just that I couldn't get into the story, but there wasn't anything special about the writing. Not like Neal Stephenson who would make me squeal with pleasure from some of his sentences.
Not much stood out for me in this novel. I still give it 3 stars, though, because it wasn't a bad book. I'm sure that someone who enjoys crime novels will adore this one; it just wasn't all that for me.
tenea_elise's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5