8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Urge to Read, October 13, 2009
Plot/Storyline: 5 Stars
Mr. Lutz juggles several plot threads throughout this novel, from flashbacks to the killer's childhood to an abused woman's plight to the team of detectives brought in to find out the truth behind the newest killings. Each switch in viewpoint brings new insight to the story.
This is not a traditional mystery in that the reader is not presented with clues to solve the murders. As a matter of fact, the detectives are left with precious few actual clues. I do think it makes for a more realistic police procedural novel.
At first, the storyline appears rather disjointed with introductions of characters that appear to not have a part in the plot. However, all lines are eventually revealed to be knotted together.
There was one thread that was entirely unrelated. While reading these portions, I kept wondering how it was going to be tied in to the murders. This never happened. The scenario was resolved, but if you blink, you will miss it. The author used this thread as a metaphor to make a statement on the impact of violence on society.
Character Development: 4 3/4 Stars
This novel is as much of a character study as it is a mystery. The reader is introduced to each character carefully to provide insight into both killer and victim.
Quinn is essentially the main character. Having read previous novels in this series, I already had a feel for him. However, as a standalone, his development was somewhat lacking as the author fails to give much back story on his relationship with Pearl.
Pearl is an interesting contradiction as a strong woman who cannot seem to stand up to her mother. She is realistic and sympathetic far beyond her part in this story.
The victims were made real to the reader. Unlike a lot of serial killer type novels, Mr. Lutz makes his readers truly feel for the victims.
Writing Style: 5 Stars
I enjoy Mr. Lutz's writing style immensely. His prose flows so easily, filled with concise descriptions and excellent dialogue.
Editing/Formatting: 5 Stars
Both were of professional quality.
Rating: R for Graphic Violence and Sexual Discussions
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
In the face of adversity one man thrives., September 26, 2009
I'm a huge Lutz fan, so my anticipation for this book was high -- Lutz is a great writer, so it should be a great book, right? The story's protaganist is, Frank Quinn - a veteran detective that specializes in homicide. While on call, Frank is injured and forced to take a side-lined role for the job he loves. The timing couldn't have been worse. A serial killer has emerged that is unlike any the city has seen before. I can't go into details, but I will say some of the scenes are delivered with enough gruesomeness to satisfy even the most depraved bloodlust. Harley Renz (the commissioner) calls on his side-lined hero to take the case -- which Frank gladly accepts -- especially since, Joe Garlin (a DEA agent) was one of his victims. This latest victim drives Frank to near obsession and he vows to bring this madman to justice. Nothing will stop Frank from achieving this goal -- nothing except the appearance of a second serial killer that is even more gruesome than the first. What is an already over-worked police force to do? Well, Frank sets a trap using himself as bait. I'll stop there so I don't spoil the story for those yet to read it. Over all, the book was an enjoyable read -- John Lutz is one of the best detective thriller writers around, but the whole cat and mouse scene has been done many times before and even the skilled hand of a master writer can't bring anything new to this table. If you just have to read everything by Lutz then by all means waste a few days reading it...but for a more enjoyable read I'd recommend JoAnna Wylde's novel: Price of Freedom
Price of Freedom as your next "must read" book.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hunters, February 8, 2011
This review is from: Urge To Kill (Paperback)
A savage murderer preys on young women, first romancing, then butchering them. That same summer, someone begins targeting men, gunning them down with .25 caliber weapons. Could these two seemingly different rampages be the work of a single serial killer? Veteran homicide team Frank Quinn, Pearl Kasner, and Larry Fedderman slowly but doggedly pick up a clue here, a thread there, but no clear picture emerges until, gradually, Quinn realizes that the killer that he is hunting is now hunting him. What a compelling idea for a crime novel. But what should have been a taut, tightly structured thriller becomes bogged down in redundancy. Talk about padding; cookie cutter sex scenes and stomach turning crime scenes materialize with unvarying regularity, sometimes nearly word for word. As a result, what could have been an edge of the seat reading experience becomes merely OK. Not having read anything else written by John Lutz, I don't know if this sort of "overkill" is typical for him. It was surprising because, in the rest of the book, he did such a good job with the personalities of his characters, particularly in an ongoing, Seinfeld-like situation in which Pearl obsesses over a health issue. On the other hand, a few of them were rather cardboard, such as the profiler, and the psychoanalyst with whom Quinn becomes involved. Overall, Urge to Kill is an uneven production. Readers who enjoy lots of gruesome detail may not find it so, but those looking for carefully controlled psychological suspense may be disappointed.
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