5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Top-Flight Crime Thriller, December 21, 2010
This review is from: Dead of Knight (Paperback)
Author William Potter has penned one of the more realistic and dramatic crime thrillers I've read in a long time. Dead of Knight tells the story of the "Birthday Boy" serial killer who terrorizes the small town of Hanson, British Columbia. He has earned his name by brutally murdering his victims on their birthdays.
Potter renders true-to-life insights into small town and RCMP police procedures and politics. Dialogue is spot-on, breathing life into the many characters. Cop-speak is entirely realistic -- and appropriately loaded with expletives. (In my opinion, the cursing comes with the territory.)
While the cops beat the bushes for clues to the perp's identity and whereabouts, Potter leads the reader into the twisted mind of the psychotic killer, revealing the pathologies that made "Birthday Boy" the murderous menace he has become.
Editing is, for the most part, superb -- better than in typical NY Times Best Sellers. And Potter crafts the plot line with skill and artifice.
I don't want to give anything away. But suffice it to say that this book is well worth the price of admission.
I rate it a MUST HAVE for crime enthusiasts!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A complex and taut story, great read!, December 8, 2010
This review is from: Dead of Knight (Paperback)
This psychological thriller was of special interest to me because a lot of the action centered around the area where I grew up, Vancouver and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. According to the cover blurb, Canadian author William R. Potter began this book in 2002, put the book on hold, and after completing other work, returned to Dead of Knight. I for one, am very glad he did.
A descriptive book, it takes place in the fictional town of Hanson in British Columbia. The book begins with a journey into the mind of a psychotic murderer, nick-named the Birthday Boy, because his victims were murdered on their birthdays. He sees himself as a hero; he is currently Tyro, training to become what he perceives to be a super hero who will be Damian Knight, Soldier of Justice. He believes he is on the same side as the law. The character is well-defined, as is the character of Jack Staal, the detective who becomes Knight's focused nemesis.
The story is also a police procedural that doesn't always follow procedure, often a sign of office politics versus either the very caring or the corrupt. Jack Staal is one of the caring, but he is fraught with demons of past cases. Some might call him flawed, others a hero. No matter, this is one man who is determined to stop Damian Knight, the psycho-serial killer with a mission. But what is the mission? How do the murders connect?
Jack and his group of allies on the police force must buck authority to bring in the "perp" as soon as possible, while the authorized group bungle and follow wrong leads, rumours abound. This is a very satisfying thriller, complete with background descriptions of what has led to this killing spree, internal strife in the police department, a vendetta against Jack Staal by Damian Knight when he thinks he is getting too close to solving who Damian Knight is, false leads, taunting hints left for Jack, death and injury. The methods of putting the pieces together is compelling. The plot was well thought out, played out with passion and resolve. A complex and taut story that kept my attention throughout. Written for mature readers.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Longlasting Bullying Effects, November 30, 2011
This review is from: Dead of Knight (Paperback)
Francis Campbell experienced bullying during his high school years that exceeded the extreme. The offenders became known as Vince's Girls, who all bestowed upon Francis horrendous cruelty. Now, at 30 years of age, Francis is cunningly taking out these assaulters and becomes known as the "Birthday Boy" serial killer. Detectives Jack Staal and Rachel Gooch take the initiative to capture this serial killer at great risks to their lives. Author William Potter has done a remarkable job of tracking every move they make to accomplish their goal. Who will prevail, Damian Knight or the law enforcers? Excellent thriller.
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