Customer Reviews

Playing Dead

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!)

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!!!

I'm a librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library who spotted this title in the paperback racks. The cover was what attracted me:a fallen chess piece in a pool of blood. Anyway, the book is exactly the kind of book to read on a plane or at the beach-totally escapist and easy to read. The plot is a bit silly(who would anyone trust the word of a confessed serial killer? A newspaper reporter seeking a big story, right?!). But who needs good plotting? As long as it's entertaining, and baby...this one is!!! Interesting characters? Nothing more fascinating than observing sleazeballs...and this one has tons of them. Overall, a good trashy novel that will keep you page turning, although the constant changing of suspects makes a mockery of the whodunit genre. Also, a bit monotonous. Also someone totally F---ed up the printing of the novel.

Mostly an excuse for the author to play out his fantasy of gorgeous women falling in love with him for no good reason. The narrative wanders into his background of compulsive gambling, also for no good reason except that his past interrupts whatever small narrative flow there is (and there isn't much). The victims are relentlessly uninteresting (who cares if they live or die...not this reader). He has created possibly a most boring and unconvincing set of serial murderers with a paticularly petty excuse for their deeds. Give this one a pass.

Another "can't put it down" offering from R.G. Belsky. A fine story teller in the classical sense. PLAYING DEAD is a keeper! Looking forward to more from this author.

R.G. Belsky weaves a tale of suspense that is anything but dull. Playing Dead is full of plot twists, thrills and chills that make you not want to put it down. Totally enjoyable! I would definitely read other works by this author.

Interesting thriller that keeps you guessing right up to the end. Enjoyed the premise and the characters - although there were almost too many to choose from as you are trying to figure out who the primary villain is.

I would read more books by this author.

Belsky has created one of the most innovative and exciting thrillers of the year. A notorious serial killer dies in jail - but just before he expires he reveals that he did not act alone. There are other killers still out there - and they're still killing. Newspaperman Belsky packs his story with surprise after surprise. Nothing is quite as it seems - and everyone is a suspect, including the hero's own colleagues. If you like Michael Connelly's hard-hitting L.A. cop stories, you'll love this New York-based thriller.

Richard Belsky's latest work is brilliant. The writer manages to combine an intricate plot structure with a narrative style that is clear and concise. His description of the world of the compulsive gambler is masterful, researched with the expertise of a veteran reporter who has harnessed his considerable talents to the writing of fiction. The twists and turns in the plot manage to avoid the usual cliches and spring some real surprises on the reader. I enjoyed every page. Beautifully planned and flawlessly executed, this is a book that will assume a place of honour in any mystery lover's library.