Collectors: A Novel (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "THE CHURCH BELLS STRUCK THREE FOR THE HOUR, THEN began ringing in celebration, so loudly that at first it was impossible to talk, and outside..." (more)
Key Phrases: Salz Brothers, Oliver Brisbane

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Think of Damage and other novels that lace tension with frightening sexual overtones, then add the advantage of literary style and assurance, and you have this mysterious, mesmerizing story of psychological suspense. We meet Griner's protagonist, Boston ad agency art director Jean Dubonnet, at her long-estranged cousin Claudia's wedding. Her general unease is gradually revealed as stemming from a gruesome incident in her past, a youthful "game" that she and Claudia played as teenagers, in which they set fire to Claudia's heirloom-filled house and critically burned Claudia's father. It's obvious that Jean still bears psychological scars: she is edgy, has an acerbic tongue, is emotionally cool and self-protective. Yet she is immediately attracted to handsome, charming Steven Cain, who says that Claudia has told him all about her, and that he has been watching her for some time. Steven invites Jean out on his sailboat, where they have percussive sex. Afterwards, he closes her hand in a car door, and sends herAalone, in a taxiAto the hospital. There, the nurse on duty is Claudia, who comments rather elliptically that Steven has "a lot of accidents." By this time, the reader knows that the alternately ardent and elusive Steven is unstable at best, and that Jean is in peril, but frightening details about the women in Steven's past and the true depth of Jean's penchant for danger are still to come. Meanwhile, Griner (Follow Me) discloses that both Jean and Steven are obsessed collectors: in symbolic expression of their characters, Jean collects antique fountain pens and Steven, binoculars. As readers ponder echoes of John Fowles's The Collector, and events move toward the feared denouement, Griner's meticulous care in setting each scene accelerates the suspense. It is too bad that several character traits that Griner repeatedly emphasizes (Jean's preternatural sense of smell, possible collusion between Claudia and Steven) are left vague Still, he never resorts to the staged faux-frissons of conventional psychological thrillers, and his spare prose convincingly portrays the process by which an intelligent, independent woman becomes the victim of an obsessed predatorAor perhaps of her own bent toward self-destruction. Agent, Nicole Aragi at Watkins/Loomis. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Jean Dubonnet collects antique pens, Steven Cain collects binoculars, and both pursue their hobbies with a devotion that borders on obsessiveness. They meet at a wedding, and Jean is drawn to this enigmatic man, despite his impersonal, secretive demeanor and erratic behavior. Ignoring her instincts, she allows herself to pursue him; of course, their brief and odd courtship can come to no good. A familiar plot line doesn't harm Griner's first novel (after the story collection Follow Me), which is a stunner. Griner contrasts the collectors' bargaining with the daily transactions acquaintances, co-workers, and lovers make with each other. Despite the novel's brevity, Griner doesn't rush the characterization, and he courageously presents Jean as complicit in her situation. He also skillfully fosters a disturbing sense of dread from beginning to end, and readers will enjoy piecing together characters' motives and actions. This novel straddles the literary and thriller genres very well, and readers in both camps should devour it. Enthusiastically recommended for public and academic libraries.
-AMarc A. Kloszewski, Indiana Free Lib., PA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 173 pages
• Publisher: Random House; 1st edition (July 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679448462
• ISBN-13: 978-0679448464
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,126,712 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars eerily rewarding, March 15, 2000

By	Mike Amenta (CT) - See all my reviews

I found this book to be so haunting that I read it a second time. I enjoyed it even more as I picked up some strange feelings about Jeans childhood friend. I feel that the friend set her up by not warning her. She said that she invited Jean to come to her wedding after thinking about the games they used to play.

Think this could be a very good movie if they can create the atmosphere the way the book has. I found myself fascinated by the bargaining sessions for pens and binoculars. Will continue to be on the lookout for more novels by this very interesting writer.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Like a creeping fog but without the mystery, June 1, 2000

By A Customer

The elegant, hypnotic prose is marred by an utterly unbelievable female main character. The underlying message here seems to be "the victim was asking for it." A nasty, cold little book that will leave the reader dashing out to find something else to read that will take away the lingering aftertaste of this one.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Short but suspenseful thriller!, November 30, 1999

By	Joseph J. Hanssen "Joe" (Upstate New York) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

We know from the beginning Jean is the type of person who attracts danger, and when she meets Stephen Cain this becomes a fact. I found little to like in either character, and couldn't understand why anyone such as Jean would still want to be around Stephen after he slammed her hand in the car door. However, knowing her past of seeking dangerous situations, maybe it gave her a thrill.

Yes, the story was suspenseful in the beginning but seemed to end in a very boring, expected way. If you like predictable stories this one is for you. There wasn't much guesswork here!