Customer Reviews

The Dead Room

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Agree with the below review, this book is made out to be some sort of serial killer driven thriller and instead plays out like a run of the mill cop action / drama. The author has a habit of ending chapters mid-scene, then continuing with the action in the next, no doubt this is a 'technique' to try to improve the suspense, however after a while it falls flat and is too gimicky. I wanted to be scared, or even just a little spooked but instead I felt like I was reading the equivalent of a long CSI episode.

I had such high hopes for this book--the blurb on the back was interesting, and normally I love this genre. Sadly, the author made every writing mistake there is to make.
--The hero's introduction is so unrealistic I almost put the book down right then and there. I know authors have to insert a scene or two at the beginning that shows how courageous and wonderful the main character is, but this was ridiculous. The hero (an ivy league-educated, stunningly beautiful, super CSI) wasn't a real woman; she was obviously some sort of super FemBot (who can out-maneuver and out-wit the entire Boston Swat Team).
--His physical descriptions are terrible. Every character looks like an actor--the CSI lead looks like a red-haired Kate Beckinsale; her partner looks like David Beckham. That's just lazy writing, and it indicates a total lack of imagination.
--The plot is taken directly from a 2006 movie (which I won't name). The author didn't even attempt to mask the similarities. Again, that just screams "lack of originality."
--The blurb at the back suggests this is a serial killer novel. It's not and shouldn't be promoted as one.
--The book has a "twist" ending (again, taken directly from a recent popular film). Sadly, the twist at the end is not only totally irrelevant to the plot, but it comes out of nowhere. Basically, the book would have been the same with or without the twist ending.

If one takes this story at face value, it is a good but blood-thirsty yarn, though the heroine and rather obscure hero (Cooper) are too gorgeous to be true. Not sure why the main characters always have to be gorgeous. The plot is very complicated and involves a number of what one might say are serial killers - they have in fact killed so many people that one would have to call them that. I don't want to give a spoiler, so will just say that if you can suspend disbelief and take the plot at face value, it could be a good read.

Overall, I would have to say that it held my attention and the ending was a twist which I didn't see coming.

I enjoyed that book and am waiting for another Darby book. I enjoyed it so much I will purchase all of his books