Playing Dead [Mass Market Paperback]

R.G. Belsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

It's been eleven years since David Galvin terrorized New York City with a series of gruesome murders. Now Galvin is dying in prison and tells newspaperman Joe Dougherty a shocking secret. His deadly game was the brainchild of a group of wealthy college friends -- thrill seekers who killed for fun, kept their sickening secret, and went on to live successful, prominent lives. Galvin got caught... but someone else is still playing the game!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Belsky's new thriller (after Loverboy), serial killer Felix the Cat mysteriously summons disgraced reporter Joe Dougherty to hear his deathbed confession: he played only a part of a larger conspiracy. Felix predictably dies before he can name his co-killers (who are still active and at large), leaving Dougherty a list of their victims?two of whom are Joe's long-dead wife and son. Hired back to the New York Banner after being fired for fabricating an article, Joe's passion for reporting is reawakened as he falls for one of the lead suspects. Joe struggles to recover his reporting chops but soon pieces the mystery's clues together. Due to many unlikely plot turns?the biggest stretcher being that even the most tabloid of newspapers would not keep a reporter on a story that involves the death of his family members?Belsky's thriller never really comes to life.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

R.G. Belsky lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Avon (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380790696
• ISBN-13: 978-0380790692
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,022 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good second novel, May 16, 1999

By 

Gerrit Ruitinga "gerrit ruitinga" (Antwerp) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Playing Dead (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading his first novel, Lover Boy, I was really positively surprised. So I knew what to expect this time and was not disappointed at all.

The mystery for me is why Belsky has the main protagonists he has. Did I find it rather difficult to like Lucy in Lover Boy, the newspaperman, Joe Dougherty in this novel is downright despicable. A completely self-centered individual who drops people at a whim, has no sense of allegiance or principle and sees people only as instruments to use in his story. In particular the careless way he deals with some of his "resources" is disgusting.

This is in no way a criticism on Belsky. He has developed this character very well and it is part of this wonderfully fast pace novel.

The plot again is full of twists and, indeed like most of the other commentators write, it keeps you guessing until the very end.

Well done and to be recommended to everyone who wants "to escape" for a couple of hours.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A really fun suspense-mystery with lots of twists and turns., April 27, 1999

By 

courtney callum - See all my reviews

This review is from: Playing Dead (Mass Market Paperback)

Confession: I'm not a reader of the mystery genre (I usually wait for the movie!) My preferences lean toward non-fiction, or the social satire of Vonnegut or Martin Amis. But I liked the title and the cover of this one, so I gave it a try. I found Playing Dead a really fun read. R.G. Belsky managed to keep me guessing thru the whole story and I genuinely couldnt begin to speculate on who the culprit was going to turn out to be until the final chapters. The book is full of twists and unexpected surprises. If you're looking for something to escape into, something light and entertaining...and if you ARE a fan of mysteries... I think you'll really enjoy Playing Dead. (Hey, don't take my word, the guy from Sing-Sing said it was "the best book he ever read...". Now that's a testimonial if I ever heard one!)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! LITERARY WHIPLASH!!! TERRRRIFIC!!!!, August 16, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (marvelous marin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Playing Dead (Mass Market Paperback)

i loved this book!!! talk about amazing shocks...wellllll, this book reallly has at least 6 good ones that'll get you! there was never a dull moment in this entire book....i could not put it down! when does his next one come out?? soooon, i hope!!! now i've gotta find 'loverboy' fast!!! thanx for a real old fashioned who-dunnit that had me guessing alllllllll the way to the end!!!