Customer Reviews

The Prettiest Feathers

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm not sure why and when I got interested in true crime and fiction about serial killers -- I'm guessing Patricia Cornwell had a lot to do with it. I found myself browsing through Amazon, looking for books by the writer of a current paperback, "The Murder Channel" that I enjoyed and reviewed for Amazon. When I pulled up Philpin's listing, I found this book. I was immediately intrigued by the quality of the reviews and the fact that the book was completely unavailable at the time on any online site I visited. Determined to make a "find", I finally located one at a local bookswap that was in terrific condition, and settled down to read.

Long story short, the other reviewers are absolutely on target with their praise of this collaboration between forensic psychologist John Philpin and private investigator Patricia Sierra. Philpin must have a lot of experience getting inside the heads of brutal killers; he started with two true crime novels, added this, his first fiction book and its sequel ("Tunnel of Night") with Patricia Sierra, and has gone on to write several more.

Although the hero of the book is a woman cop, Detective Lane Frank, it feels as though the role of the profiler who is her father in the novel (Lucas Frank) must be very close to Philpin himself. Having developed the art of telling his true crime novels in part from the point of view of the accused, Philpin embarks on a masterful telling of this tale, from five different points of view; victim, killer, pursuers. This pattern, together with the cruelty of John Wolf and the masterful characterization and plot, resulted in a novel of true worth.

Not since my discovery, pre-publicity, of "The Silence of the Lambs" and the additional unearthing of "Red Dragon", have I been so impressed with a work of the macabre. Parts of The Prettiest Feathers will shock you, much of it will scare you, and all of it will propel you to the end of the tale.

And then on to the sequel, "The Tunnel of Night" -- much as I'm going to do now!

....

Keep the lights on!

The authors have used a first-person format in a way that I have never seen before. Not only do we hear the killer's thoughts, we hear the victim's thoughts. We know their lives. Terrifying. Then it's down to the eager killer, and the tired shrink. These people are human and so real. Lane Frank is my hero!

The more I read of Phipin, the more I enjoy. I was sceptical at first with "The Prettiest Feathers" for the simple fact that it was written by two different authors, but I am so pleased that I did read it. This book jumps from different naratives in each chapter which are aptly named for each character. It is well written and is has a wonderful story line. I highly recommend this read to anyone reading this right now. Pick this up, you wont be disappointed, or at least I wasnt.

This is a book I would not normally read, but it was a selection for a book club that I participate in, so therefore I read. It was a very good book, but very scary. It is written by two people, Dr Philpin that is a forensic psychologist and Patricia Sierra who held a brief career as a private investigator. This book is written in first person, so you know what the killer is feeling and doing. Also, all the characters are written in first person, so you know how they feel as well or their perception of what is going on. This involves a small cast of characters broken down into three books. It is a story about a serial killer and the chase that ensues so that he cannot kill again. Each chapter is about one person's thoughts and perceptions. It is a very interesting way to write a book and it worked for these two authors. I would probably read more by this author just not one right after the other.

From the very first page, Prettiest Feathers is an eminently readable book. The smooth prose is comfortable to read. John Philpin speaks directly to the reader using the unusual device of first person narrative from the deviously brilliant mind of a serial killer, John Wolf. Building a complex scenario of seduction and murder, the reader is guided through the maze of deception by a master of murder and impersonation. I found the author's use of cultural and counterculture references a secondary pleasure to identify and interpret. Probably revealing my age, I will say I felt a twinge of pride having recognized most of what Philpin is alluding to. The music of Julian Cope escaped my knowledge, prompting me to delve into some pretty weird stuff to discover what John Wolf was really listening to. Prettiest Feathers contains enough mental challenges for even the most discerning intellectual. It is also possible to read the story just for the marvelous plot twists and turns. The ending reads like the climax of a motion picture. The pace quickens and excitement mounts. I was left breathless at the conclusion to what seems the final act of a killer seeking acknowledgment of his successful career from his able nemesis. But, is it really over?

I love crime thrillers and I read lots of them by a lot of different authors, but I keep coming back to The Prettiest Feathers. Each time I find something new. Most writers tell a story, skip quickly through a snappy plot, hold my attention, and then it's over. I get entertained and I go pick up another book. I feel like I know the characters in Feathers like they're almost too real. No book has ever creeped me out like this one, and I keep coming back for more.

It has been a long time since I have read a book that got to me the way this one has. These two authors have got it all covered. The "first person" chapters made it really interesting to read. Every 5 star review is dead on!!! Thank you for renewing my faith that there are still good murder/mysteries out there.

This is, hands down, one of the best serial killer novels I have ever read, and I must have read hundreds. Philpin is a retired forensic psychologist who has been consulted on a number of criminal cases, and his knowledge shows-- the depth of psychological insight is, at times, amazing. He even takes a few shots at FBI profilers. You may find, like I did, that this is a hard novel to track down, but I would recommend that you do so, as it will be well worth the effort.

What impressed me the most with this book was the way it is written. It is written in "first person" perspective, but from five different people. The victim, the murderer, the two cops hunting the murderer, and the profiler who comes in to assist on the case. It is well written enough that without the characters name on the chapter you would still know which character was telling the story. Excellent viewpoint, and extremely well executed. The storyline itself never falters, keeps you in suspense, and doesn't disappoint in the end. Sarah wanted to die, and John wanted to murder her. Her ex-husband Robert is the first to find her, but not only can he not take the case because of the family relationship, he is also an alchoholic who is drinking far too much. It's up to Lane, his partner and ex-lover, to find the killer. She brings in her father, a retired profiler, to assist her. Very good murder/mystery/thriller. I highly recommend it.

There are hundreds of books about serial killers. What makes this book unique is that John Wolf speaks to you, invades your dreams, is so real that you expect him to knock on your back door. You know how he thinks, and why he kills, but you never know what he'll do next. A sequel is do out next month. I can't wait.