Customer Reviews

Night Visions

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

 

 

This is a very well-written book that takes the reader through the anguish of insomniacs. Their sleep deprivation problem is compounded by a series of ghastly murders that, initially to the police, appear to have no connection. As the plot progresses, the heroine and her former lover come to realize that there is something behind all of the deaths, and it may be a secret several centuries old. The plot is fast-paced, and the ending leaves itself open for a sequel, which I understand the author is preparing. I will definitely look forward to reading it!

Fahy's story goes several imaginative steps beyond the typical thriller, and if you ever experience insomnia, this book may make you wonder what the real cause is. The inspired ending provides just enough closure that you won't look over your shoulder until the middle of the night. Be sure to go to the author's website (thomasfahy.com) for a link to the Night Visions page, where you can listen to and view the music and art that is referenced in the novel.

What I liked most about this book was the literary tool that the author used to tell the story. The book is about a series of murders in San Francisco, but there are frequent flash-backs to other murders which span many years. By the end of the book, they are all tied together. Along the way, the story is fast-paced and exciting. This was a great read, and I am looking forward to the expected sequel.

This book will keep you awake at night with descriptions of weird ritualistic killings and their sometimes reluctant perpetrators. A scene in a muddy swimming pool is utterly unforgettable, as are the vivid and troubled characters.

Having low expectations at first, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The format (chapters dealing with the present, interweaved with flashbacks to past, sometimes quite distant) allowed the author to keep the pace pretty quick, at the same time providing good background for the story. The flashbacks, revolving around the same theme, do sound like variations - yes, the book follows the Goldberg Variations format, with 32 chapters, and the Coda. Not very original, but at least here it works better than in other novels. Unfortunately, this committment to the format forced the author to stretch the novel too far. Flashbacks became predictable, and I wished the plot would just move on... The other fallback was the ending. Was it even the ending? I've heard he plans to write sequels (four?), which explains the VERY weak ending. Overall, I liked the concept very much, the writing was good, and the book kept my attention, until it got bogged down by the repetitiveness of the theme. I think it would have been much better as a standalone book, but to really judge that, I will need to keep reading.