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Loading... The Killing Circle: A Novelby Andrew Pyper
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won't like
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will love Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.  BrianEWilliams | Nov 28, 2009 |  Who am I to question the NY Times reviewer who commented that this book was “gorgeously written and thoroughly unnerving.” This is, after all, my first attempt at a book review. I’m not even an avid reader. I did not find The Killing Circle to be gorgeously written or at all unnerving. Some of the writing I found to be in the style of old, radio, detective melodrama. That I am familiar with since I listen to it daily. Phrases like “the void that yawns between the doorway and the window” and “candles oozing wax” are amateurish. I can’t even relate to “A low grinding, like air forced through wet sand.” Under what circumstance is that descriptive? Rosemary’s Baby was unnerving. The Exorcist was unnerving. All of Poe and most of Steven King keeps the reader in a state of fear, panic, suspense. I can still hear Poe’s beating heart and see the face of Cujo dripping saliva and blood. Perhaps I should not have read the cover remarks of this book first. Perhaps I would have had lesser expectations. I found the pace to be slow. I was easily past the 200 page mark before any interest in the characters was sparked. I did like the detective, Ramsay. He seemed to have the most character development and interest. I would have liked to hear more from him. I liked the story but the “who done it” devices were flat and obvious. I was not able to figure out the ending in advance, however. It is an easy gimmick to fool the reader with…well you can read that for yourself if you are so inclined. This was not a compelling or moving read. Would I recommend it? Well, I am giving the book to my colleague along with these comments. The choice is hers. And yours. P.S., She declined. (  ) kaslibrary | Nov 17, 2009 | A blurb reads A spine-chilling, mind-twisting psychological thriller — Andrew Pyper’s most gripping novel yet — in which a writing circle is haunted by a serial killer. I seem to be the only reader who did not enjoy this book. I am not a fan of writing negative reviews of fiction: the things that can turn a reader off from a book are so subjective that they wouldn't necessarily apply to anyone else, and I would hate to discourage another reader from taking a chance on what is almost universally praised as "Frightening and action-packed" (Los Angeles Times), "Spookily terrific" (Winnipeg Free Press), "One great read: darkly lyrical and atmospheric, it's as haunting as it is gripping. Highly recommended" (Harlan Coben). I'll just note that there were stylistic elements that did not agree with me, and that unfortunately harmed what is undoubtedly a good read. (  ) EdKupfer | Nov 2, 2009 | Pyper has a talent for creating creepy scenarios which somehow seep into real life. This time, he uses a story within a story creating a mirror effect to loose the reader in the possibilities of horror. I particularly enjoyed walking down the streets of Toronto - it makes the story that much lively. Pyper has a vivid imagination and although this is not his best, it's definitely a thrill. (  ) Cecilturtle | Sep 14, 2009 | In "The Killing Circle", we are plunged into the complicated world of ones inner self, facing all kinds of voices and fantasies. We are particularly invited into the mind of Patrick Rush, an aspiring novelist. Patrick wishing to unleash his own creativity joins Conrad White's writing workshop, a dark and mysterious group that meet each week to share their secret tales. Suffering from a mental block and a lack of fertile imagination he becomes frustrated and envious of Angela's tale of the Sandman. He plagiarize her story and submits it for publication. Problems arise when an eerie similarity is discovered between the novel and multiple murders that are being investigated by Toronto's police force. Paranoia sets into the group when one by one its members disappear. This is one dark, very complex and compelling plot with very disturbing moments. Fear and obsession is palpable, the first person narration brings out the sense of dread and horror and provides an insight into the mind of a murderer. This novel played with my mind, there were moments when I felt like abandoning it but new developments piqued my interest, I stayed riveted to every word in order to find out the killer's identity. Even with its interesting characters and steady moving pace this spooky thriller, full of bogeymen may not be for everyone one ( ) Tigerpaw70 | Aug 9, 2009 |  no reviews | add a review
Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0312384769, Hardcover)From acclaimed, internationally bestselling author Andrew Pyper, a suspenseful page-turner that explores the repercussions of the most dishonest of thefts: stealing another’s story and calling it your own.When Patrick Rush, journalist, single father, and failed novelist, decides to join a creative writing circle, it seems a fertile time for the imagination. Throughout Toronto, a murderer is striking at random, leaving his victims’ bodies mutilated and dismembered, and taunting the police with cryptic notes. (retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:57:51 -0400) The first test round has been closed. Visit the Open Shelves Classification group for details. |
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Wikipedia in English (1)
It's a good book for fans of serial killer books. Those who like Ruth Rendell and Patricia Highsmith will like it.
It's not my kind of book, but | recommend it because it's well-written and very suspenseful. There's a bitter sweet ending. (