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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Villian to rival Dr. Lecter, May 10, 2001
This review is from: Still Life (Paperback)
I was surprised at how good this book was, especially for a first-time author. It's a scary police procedural book, but the hero (or maybe antihero) named Touch Benson is really just another human being, and a guy who can't seem to grasp the fact that he's attracted to women who are trouble. Touch falls in love with Teri, who's a beautiful radio psychologist that's being stalked by a serial killer, one that loves to make 'art' out of his victims. His partner, Amanda, is as well drawn as Touch Benson is, and the killer has to be the most chilling character since Silence of the Lambs. I read this book in one setting, and never did guess the ending. Highest recommendations
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning debut novel, May 15, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Still Life (Paperback)
This is a very tasty suspense novel from first time author Bruce Elliot. The basic plot has to do with a particularly nasty and egotistical serial killer who phones in his killings to a very pretty, intelligent radio psychologist, but there is a whole other sublevel that is a rare find in this kind of novel. Every idea seems to work on several levels: the hero, Touch Benson, investigates the crimes with his lovely partner Amanda, but he is drawn physically and romantically to Teri as much for psychological reasons as the killer is. He's the heroic type that isn't comfortable in the part--it's unusual to find a character like this in this genre. He's not your standard former-alcoholic, bitter cop type guy; he is truly complex in his dealings with the opposite sex. The dialogue rivals the best snappy repartee of any Hitchcock or Tarentino film. And Touch has more women in his life than he knows what to do with. Usually in a novel like this, either the plot or the characters suffer. This isn't the case here. The book moves like lightning. The action is amazing. The plot is riviting and a touch bizarre without being silly. Even the smallest players are well-drawn and unique. The ending is totally unexpected but fits perfectly, and is actually scary--this isn't a book to read alone at night. It's haunting and unsettling. I found myself thinking about it for days afterward. Mostly I think this is because I identified with Touch Benson and his utter fascination with Teri as well as the way the writer delves into the darkest side of all the characters without sacrificing their humanity. It was also very well-written, with smooth, non-thriller like prose. I loaned my copy to my mother-in-law and she liked it as much as I did, so I guess it works for women too. The book jacket says Bruce Elliot is a former screenwriter. Obviously he was a good one--he's certainly an excellent novelist. I expect we'll hear more from him.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really good thriller, May 1, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Still Life (Paperback)
This is a great summer read. The characters are amazingly complex, and the 'hero' is a real guy, with flaws, who can't help falling in love with smart, beautiful women that seem to hide a dark past. I really liked Touch Benson, the LA cop. Hope Elliot writes more about him. I read the review that said something about 'clunky prose'. Didn't understand that--this is a beautifully written book, especially for the genre. This guy can really write--it's pretty neat the way he gets into his character's heads. Also I live in Los Angeles and I could practically taste the streets on every page. I'm looking forward to more work by this author.
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