The Dead [Paperback]

Ingrid Black (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur (2004)
• ISBN-10: 075530702X
• ISBN-13: 978-0755307029
• ASIN: B000OTJYNG
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,546,940 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tense and suspenseful thriller, July 27, 2004

By 

E. Griffin (Wilton, CT, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dead (Hardcover)

The Dead has all the essential elements of an absorbing thriller including an independent heroine, a cruel and malicious serial killer, police officers with human failings, and the subtext of a love story set in rainy, chilly Dublin. What sets The Dead apart is Saxon, the hero, is a former FBI Agent turned novelist turned killer who is in love with the female Detective Chief Superintendent Grace Fitzgerald. The serial killer seems to have reappeared from the past to recreate new versions of his crimes. Only Saxon knows for sure that the former killer is dead, and this new crime spree is a copycat killer.

The plot of The Dead twists and turns, with suspicion falling on police officers, a newspaper reporter, the son of the alleged serial killer, and past coworkers of Saxon. Each time the reader thinks they are getting close to identifying the killer, Ingrid Black offers surprise and a smooth move down a new path.

The Dead is clever and skillfully written with strong characters and a well-developed plot. A cold and rainy Dublin almost becomes a character itself, creating a background that highlights the character's thoughts and action. The tension and suspense keeps the reader engaged for the entire book. I would strongly recommend this book to fans of mystery, suspense, and women sleuths, and hope that we see more from Ingrid Black.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars engaging Irish serial killer thriller, June 1, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dead (Hardcover)

Five years ago, Ed "The Night Hunter" Fagan killed his last prostitute, but suddenly vanished without being caught. In Dublin Post free lance journalist Nick Elliott informs former FBI agent Saxon that he received a letter from someone claiming to be Fagan and insisting it is time to start again. Saxon pursued The Night Hunter serial killer without success, but kept a journal with hopes of a true crime book coming out of their "joint" endeavor; not catching the killer left that book seemingly dead.

However, Saxon is a bit shocked with Elliott's news because she knows why Fagan and her book vanished since she killed him though everyone else thinks the Night Hunter lost interest temporarily. Saxon agrees to uncover the identity of the letter writer who has begun to kill. Though the killing signature and his modus operendi are slightly different, the Dublin police believe Fagan is back. Teaming with her secret lover Dublin police detective Grace Fitzgerald, the American expatriate searches for a killer who seems like a fun house mirror image of The Night Hunter.

This engaging Irish serial killer thriller hooks the audience due to the somewhat acrimonious narration of Saxon at times juxtaposed by her more intellectual sounding lover as both debate the murders. The story line uses action, though limited, to enhance the cerebral elements of the plot. The climax is terse, twisty, and terrific, but this tale is totally owned by the former American fed whose cat and mouse encounters five years ago and now make for a fine time for readers.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I Couldn't Put It Down, July 15, 2004

By 

pc6 "pc6" (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Dead (Hardcover)

A very absorbing read. I found myself staying up to 4AM to finish it, because I had to know how it all turned out. The identity of the killer turned out to be a complete surprise. I hadn't even come close to suspecting him. The protagonist, Saxon, is a bit of a bitch, but there is something deeply likeable about her. I enjoyed the interactions between Saxon, her lover, and the world at large. Pick this one up, it's worth it!