Control Freak [Paperback]

Christa Faust (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1563336332 | ISBN-13: 978-1563336331 | Publication Date: June 1998

The dead girl had called herself Apocrypha. Her real name was Eva, and she had been savagely mutilated within the jagged shadows of Manhattans demimonde. Caitlin McCullough, an author of cheap detective novels who has a nose for the sensational, is fascinated by the grisly particulars of Evas murder. As Caitlins investigation into Evas wild life and brutal death draws her deeper into the labyrinth of New Yorks infamous sexual playground, she finds herself perversely attracted to the killings prime suspect, a notorious SM club owner. Its a deadly game of seduction against clever and dangerous opponents, any one of whom could be a killer. But the darkest truths Caitlin will uncover are the ones hidden inside her own heart.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Christa Faust is a Veronica in a world of Betties. -- Quentin Tarantino

Christa Faust is a fiercely original talent; undeniable and startling. Her enviable rise blends honesty, anarchist perception and a stunning voice that verges on poetry. With impolite intelligence, she uncovers beauty and finds profundity in the unthinkable. -- Richard Christian Matheson

Takes the reader on an odyssey of the spirit leading to places that most of us have neither the imagination nor the courage to envision. -- John Pelan

Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: Masquerade Books (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563336332
• ISBN-13: 978-1563336331
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,987,115 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Christa Faust is the author of nine novels, including the Edgar and Anthony award nominated MONEY SHOT, HOODTOWN, and the Scribe award winning novelization of SNAKES ON A PLANE. She grew up in New York City but now lives in Los Angeles with two Boston Terriers and way too many vintage paperbacks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly enthralling ride!, April 20, 2006

By 

CreepyT "CreepyTendencies" (Colorado, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Control Freak (Paperback)

I must admit that even though I had heard about this novel before it was reprinted, I was not very eager to delve into it. I've never been too terribly interested in the murder mystery, "whodunit" genre, and from the synopses I had read, it seemed to be yet another rehashing of a cop style drama. However, I'm very glad I finally did give this novel a chance, for that is a truly misguided preconception.

Caitlin is a writer looking for the next big real-crime novel. Of course, it helps that her current love affair is with a detective named Mike. When Mike gets a call about a the murder of a young girl which involves sexual mutilation, Caitlin is eager to get the gory details for her next book. Through the help of her internet-savvy friend Wilson, Caitlin learns that the murdered girl, Eva, was a hacker known under the alias Apocrypha who had a penchant for sadomasochism. In the name of research, Caitlin decides to immerse herself in the underground world of SM.

Upon meagerly stepping into the Crypt, a mild SM fetish club, Caitlin becomes enthralled with the whole new world of sights and sounds around her. Being a dominant person at heart, she very quickly finds herself at home in a domineering role within the subculture. However, this eager submission into this whole new world may cloud Caitlin's better judgment and suck her in too deep.

Christa Faust has crafted a truly amazing, genre-transcending novel. Yes, Control Freak is part gritty crime novel, and part thriller, with a splash of romance thrown in for good measure, but it doesn't fit completely into any of those niches. Control Freak is an intimate dive into the SM scene, one which those already familiar with the scene can relate, and those new to SM can use to get a taste of this underground subculture. Faust displays a truly intimate knowledge of not just the scene itself, but the deep-rooted emotions involved with empowerment and submissiveness. Therefore, contained herein is also a tale about finding oneself, and accepting one's true place in the world.

I anxiously await any further novels by this talented writer, and highly recommend Control Freak to fans of good genre-bending literature.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars S&M Mystery, September 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Control Freak (Paperback)

Anyone who likes mystery along with the S&M world must read this book. Christa Faust writes so well that you feel like you are there with the characters. The S&M is not extreme. It is very erotic. The story takes place in New York's Village/Chelsea community. It is so real that you feel like you are there with the characters every step of the way. A must read book!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very unsettling yet enthralling story!, August 23, 1998

By 

P. Legerski (Corona, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Control Freak (Paperback)

CONTROL FREAK is Christa Faust's debut as a novelist, having been a short story writer the past few years. Faust definitely writes what she knows and lives. Being a professional dominatrix has given this tale an air of authenticity others have tried but not pulled off as well.

CF opens up with a girl's murder. During the investigation, it is found out that she worked in an S & M bar. One detective, Mike Kiernan, and a girlfriend-type, Caitlin McCullough are the two main characters who do the job of finding out who killed the girl and why. Each person's way of searching for the truth is as different as the lifestyles of each. Caitlin goes on to become cxaught up in the S & M scene and Mike searches the usual police procedural way. Both find the answers, but some later than others.

This novel has a very seamy underbelly and is, ultimately, about the duality of humanity. Caitlin's dominating demeanor versus her conscience of what's "right and wrong". Her development and fleshing-out as a character is pure genius and stays true to herself all the way through the book.

Faust's prose is clean, her dialogue moves the pace of the story and her realistic portrayals of the S & M and B & D lifestyles make the horrors that are unfolding almost unbearable to read about. A great debut and a worthy competitor with Caitlin Kiernan's SILK as best debut horror novel this year. Buy and read this before everyone is talking about it. Highest recommendation.