Customer Reviews

Frozen

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

 

 

I've been a longtime fan of Jay Bonansigna, since Black Mariah and Killer's Game. He's is a master at writing fiction that plays like a movie in your head. You hear the dialog. You see the brutality. And this movie is one hell of an adventure.

A modern-day serial killer is following an M.O. that goes back thousands of years. The ensuing manhunt is full of twists and scares, playing out like a prehistoric episode of CSI.

If you've never read Bonansinga before, this is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in his slightly perverse, somewhat twisted, and always entertaining world.

This was my first time with this author and I really enjoyed the book. Thinking it was the typical serial killer type book it came as delightful surprise when the supernatural was introduced. I could hardly wait to read the next book with the Grove charcter. I hope the author keeps them coming

Despite a dashing and brilliant Special Agent, a touch of the supernatural, fabulous locations, and prehistoric intrigue, this "thriller" sadly isn't thrilling. The premise is interesting, but the supernatural elements are not persuasively woven into the law enforcement thriller and historical interest elements. Instead of emerging as the only possible explanation for a series of crimes, the paranormal events overpower the plot and characters from the start, and too many characters have too many cold fingers touching their spines too often. Even outside of the explicitly paranormal realm, numerous critical events in the plot are utterly implausible (for example, a huge gathering of academics from all around the world -- organized on short notice by e-mail invitation). The characters themselves also show initial promise but are insufficiently drawn, including a protagonist whom we want to like and admire but who is inexplicably inconsistent. Indeed, where character detail is added it feels artificial and is at times unbelievable -- for example, the love interest in the book seems forced, based on what we know about the characters. I further was bothered by the liberties taken with descriptions of real places (such as the University of Alaska). And the book suffers from internal inconsistencies and factual problems that a good edit should have helped the author avoid. Even for a casual vacation or airplane read, I found this story flawed.

I've heard a lot about what a great, visual writer Bonansinga is and I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't get into it. It is filled with inconsistencies and labored writing that just doesn't grab the reader and drag him or her along the way a great thriller is supposed to do. It isn't very thrilling--in fact, it's rather boring, with the main idea never very clearly delineated or developed. The lead character, FBI profiler Ulysses Grove, isn't a very compelling character, yet he seems to be the protagonist in a series of books that follow this one. I read this after coming across a rave review, but I consciously had to force myself to keep reading (I should have given up and gone on to something else, but just kept going, hoping it would get better, but it never did). The negative reviews here do a good job of outlining the book's many flaws, though I think it's better than a one-star review. Not much better, though.

I really wanted to like this book but was so disappointed that I found myself skipping over sections hurrying to get to the end to be done with it. Once I start a book I feel obliged to finish it. I wish I had not started this one at all.

Too many sterotypes. Boring story. This is horror? How? Black man (top dog FBI profiler) loses wife and never looks at another woman until (4 years later) a blond white journalist enters the radar screen. He falls fast. Bitchy wife of wealthy guy makes an appearance. How does this add to the story? It doesn't, from what I can see. Accountants are portrayed as the dismal creatures that others no doubt believe them to be (a real firm is named! and you can tell the writer is clueless as to what a Sr Partner of D&T would actually do...and wouldn't the guy be MISSED by his firm if NOT his wife??? Hello?) The writing doesn't improve visual clarity. I found this an extremely difficult read also because of the many extra tangental story lines which went no where and were flimsy attempts at providing background which never added to the story. Texans are also fair game - shown here as less capable/less holy/less omniscient than the hero. The author did everything but have the hero say "you don't understand" because that's principally the whole point of the story. He's the only one that understands, but he can't explain it, or even make a feeble attempt to explain it to even his boss! He hates his mom and can't forgive her after decades - and the reasoning behind THAT is not a pretty sight - just another holier than thou viewpoint. She didn't even abuse him; just didn't provide "mainstream clothes & food". Who is this guy to judge his mom like that? It seems forced. Another tangental line, no doubt... Not a good read. Not a read period. I am only halfway thru this book after 3+ days. It is THAT hard to get into and understand or even care about! Don't say you weren't warned. If I change my opinion after reading the last half, I'll be back and let you know. Heck, I WANTED to like this book but so far there is nothing likable about it. I am beginning to suspect that the movie rights were optioned first and then the book written with an eye to the movie "snapshots" that work so well (horror-wise) on the big screen. Enough...I'm off to continue reading this "story"....

Great thriller with a touch of supernatural evil in the tradition of William Peter Blatty and Ira Levin. Bonansinga has triphammer pacing and a highly readable style.

Block out some time. This is a single-sitting book.

Wow. What a great read. I first read the Black Mariah years ago and couldn't put it down. This one is better. Highly recommended.