Customer Reviews

Still Life

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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

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.

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.

This is one of the best thrillers I've read in a long time. A friend gave me this and it was definitely worth the read. The hero, Touch Benson, is more real than any other series cop around today. He comes across as vulnerable and at the same time very good at his job. He has a slew of women in love with him and it's easy to see why. When he gets involved with a female radio psychologist, things heat up. She is his link to a savage serial killer with a really peculiar MO.

Touch also has to deal with a crazy ex-wife and a beautiful partner who's smarter than he is. And the ending is really twisted!

STILL LIFE is a rare book--a serial killer, LA cop novel that combines intelligent, thoughtful characterization with complex and exciting storytelling. The hero, Touch Benson, is the kind of guy you'd want in your corner, but you wouldn't necessarily want your sister involved with him. Not that he isn't a good man, and sometimes downright noble, but he does seem to draw the seamier elements of life close, and if it weren't for his good friend and partner Amanda, he might actually drown in the complicated mess his life has become. Luckily, Amanda is the voice of reason, especially when they both are called in on a case involving a pretty radio psychologist and the vicious serial killer that uses her program as his own private sounding board.

Touch and Amanda pursue the killer, who remains a mystery right up until the last chapter in what can only be described as one of the most unexpected and exciting endings this kind of book has to offer. Mr. Elliot should pat himself on the back for a job well done, and promote Touch Benson to permanent character in his undoubtably successful future career.

This one made my top ten list as one of the most disturbing suspense thrillers ever written! Right from the beginning there is an air of ominousness as an egotistic serial killer phones in his crime to a beautiful radio psychologist and describes it in detail to horrified listeners. When Touch Benson comes on the scene, we see the malaise echoed through the seemingly 'normal' characters until you realize that all that separates Touch, Teri (the radio psychologist) and Amanda, his partner, and Touch's ex-wife Liz from the sick fiend who's ravaging gorgeous young models across LA is the degree of arrogance and impulse control!

This is a perfect example of 'we have met the enemy and it is us' thinking, and first-time author Elliot pulls it off beautifully. He is not afraid to make his hero human and at times even as frustrated and confused as the killer, and subsequently we feel for the poor guy. He may be a mess but he's OUR mess. The women he responds to are just as complicated, and while they're attracted to Touch, they have their own demons to work out as well.

The book is a fast read and suspenseful right up to the end, which throws us for a loop! Can't say enough about this initial effort by a very talented writer.

I'd rank this book up there with the best of Michael Connelly, James Ellroy, or John Sandford; there seem to be elements of all three here, although put together in a totally unique way. And Mr. Elliot has a way of making you think you know his characters intimately. Amiel 'Touch' Benson is a detective with the LAPD who gets involved with an artistic murderer and some hot women as well. Even his partner, Amanda, is hot, as well as smart and professional, and his ex-wife, Liz, is an excellent portrayal of a manic-depressive personality. But the woman of the day is Teri, a talk-show host who deals with psychological problems, and the killer has targeted her as the go-between.

The ending is a real shocker and the killer is a total surprise, and super-creepy. Really enjoyable read, altogether.

Finally someone wrote a suspense novel with a male protagonist that will appeal to women too! The hero, Touch Benson, is a police detective that is not only intelligent but sexy as well, and he attracts women like flies. The best part about Touch is how easily he falls in love, even when the woman he falls in love with is a key witness in a string of horrific serial murders.

Touch's partner, Amanda, is also a very appealing character, and the killer turns out to be one of the most odious creations in literature! The excitement never lets up. This is a real page turner. And I defy anyone to guess the ending.

A friend of mine, knowing my taste in thrillers, e-mailed me telling me I had to read this book. He thought it was a winner. Guess I owe him one, it is a winner.

As the characters developed and the plot thickened I was tempted to start on the last page and read backward.

This is a well written book with excellent character development and a plot with more twists and turns than the Colorado River. I'm looking forward to another book by Bruce Elliot. If this is his first book "Whats Taken Him So Long?"

Long Live "Touch"

I wish I had a dollar for every thriller I read that promised an unusual premise or a twist ending, but this one delivers in spades. The hero, Amiel 'Touch' Benson, may not be the standard heroic cop but he's hardly unlikeable--he's just real. And reality comes with certain unpleasant facts, such as a screwed up love life and frustration and guilt over missed opportunities. The fact is that Touch is vulnerable, especially to smart, gifted woman who show him a little kindness. And in this particular case, where he and partner Amanda are pursuing a vicious serial killer who considers murder as a form of artistic expression, this vulnerability gets in the way.

I particularly liked the portrayal of Amanda, a no-nonsense counterbalance to Touch's naivite. She makes sure the job gets done regardless. Mr. Elliot has a way of writing about women that makes you suspect he might be one, but his action sequences rank up there with the most manly ever written. A well-rounded, well-plotted book with a totally unpredictable ending, and a terrific read.