Max Manning

Max Manning took a huge artistic risk with The Victim. The dual-plot/timeline concept is fascinating, both from a story perspective and a psychological one. It’s also hard to pull off. I’m not certain the end result here was entirely successful. But I commend Manning for being willing to take that risk.

Whether or not you think the two parallel stories “work” is probably personal. It might also help to read a print version, as flipping back and forth on my phone Kindle app wasn’t show more ideal. I took notes, highlighted in either pink (for the Surrender chapters) or yellow (for the Fight chapters), which helped a bit. Even so, I became confused by what had happened and when for each section.

There were multiple times when I thought some action had already occurred (for example, Gem’s conversation with her boss about returning to work) and wondered why the characters acted as though it hadn’t. Then I realized that, yes, that action had occurred–in the other scenario.

Two things contributed to my confusion:
One, multiple point of view characters
We got the viewpoints of Gem (the victim), Norton (her attacker), Elliot Day (the police investigator), Drew Bentley (Gem’s boyfriend), and Matt Revell (a tabloid journalist exploiting the story). Their individual sections are labelled with their names. Even so, it’s confusing to switch both scenario and point of view between chapters.

For example, one chapter came from Gem’s point of view in her victim/surrender scenario, and the next chapter came from Day’s point of view, but in the Gem-the-Warrior scenario. I had to flip back to the chapter before last to remember what just happened and what Day and his sergeant are discussing.

Two, short chapters
Not all the chapters were extremely short, but some were. This fed into the issue I described. Personally, I would have preferred longer sections from each scenario.

On the positive side . . .
There were definitely intriguing moments. The idea of the two outcomes running parallel to each other gives the opportunity for different reactions to the same plot point.

For example, in Gem’s conversation with Melanie, her boss, there are two scenarios. (No spoilers.) In one, Gem wants to return to work and Melanie is reluctant to allow this. In the other, Gem dreads returning to work and Melanie is angry.
Why? Each Gem (Warrior and Victim) reacted differently to the attack. As a result, the two Gems have different attitudes toward her (their?) work and the two Melanies react based on their attitudes toward that Gem’s response.

Let’s face it: we tend to cheer for people who fight their attacker. (But only if they win. And by “win,” we mean “stay alive.”) People tend to judge those who “freeze” and seem to acquiesce to their attacker. Even though studies have shown that it’s very, very common to freeze rather than fight or flee, people still judge. They shouldn’t. As one character points out, no one should be shamed for an action based on instinct.

Manning’s insightful as he explores this dynamic. Gem feels others judge her based on her actions during the carjacking. And guess what? She’s right. One of the positive aspects of the multiple viewpoints is that we see how various people interpret her actions.

The police investigators try not to judge–but do.
The reporter is only interested in her when she’s the aggressive warrior, not the passive victim. (It makes for a better story, right?)
The attacker interprets her actions in his own delusional, twisted way. (And it’s very twisted!)

What makes it worse for her is that there is not ONE right choice. There’s a lot of contradictory advice on how to respond during an attack. What’s a good choice in one situation may not be a good choice in another. What should someone do if he/she’s attacked? It depends. Manning explores this, too, with great effect.

These insights into the psychology of the attack and response are the highlight of the book. While the plot is suspenseful, I think it’s a mistake to try to read The Victim as a straight-forward suspense/thriller novel. It’s not. It’s an exploration of what it means to be a survivor and how one choice can change our lives.

For those who are interested in the book, I recommend reading it twice: once straight through, and a second time, reading all the “Fight” sections and then all the “Surrender” sections. Or try reading in this order: the Fight sections, the Surrender sections, and the entire novel cover to cover.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. show less

In a category steeped in talent and serial killer thrillers Max Manning has succeeded in producing a stand out novel with Now You See!
Think Kevin Bacon The Following combined with the power of social media and you are on the right track with this book.

Exposing the darker side to human nature, our inclination towards the macabre, and most people’s inability to not look at the horrors around us. Lets be honest, we cant help but look at a car accident as you drive past or google something we show more have heard about that’s not pleasant viewing online!

And then on top of that this book takes you into the mind and thoughts of a serial killer in a way i haven’t come across before in such close proximity and I loved it! What makes killers tick has always interested me and I, Killer could be a real life killer and he certainly comes alive on the pages in such a believable fashion you almost end up waiting for him to show up on the news or on your twitter feed!!! (that might just be me and my imagination running away with its self!)

The other characters bring their own thoughts and traits to the story, DCI Dan Fenton is a brilliant character and I really hope there will be a follow-up book to this one. the kind of detective that is human as well as a police officer. Then there is Blake, an ex journalist suffering with ptsd, he makes a fascinating character that you cant help but like and then there is Leah, the sister to I,Killer’s first victim. She might not have been a huge character but she does stand out with her own personality and input into the search for the I,Killer.

It also makes you think about the power social media and how it has an impact on our lives and how easy it is to set the world on fire with 1 tweet or an instagram, Facebook post!! Not that any of mine have ever gone viral on such a massive scale! But then I haven’t killed anyone and posted the photos online 😀

If you enjoyed Chelsea Cain’s Gretchen and Archie series you will love this!! I certainly did!

The last thing I will say is the ending of the book will leave you needing more!! So Max, if by some miracle you are reading this – Please Please bring Fenton and Blake back – asap!!

This book is out now in kindle format and can be ordered now for a bargain £1.99 from Amazon UK and it will be released on April 19, 2018 in paperback so go pre-order your copy now and make a day free to read it as you won’t be able to put it down once you begin! show less

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Fight or Flight?

Thank you Max Manning the publisher and NetGalley for my digital arc of The Victim. While I believe the author took artistic risks in the way he structured this book I had like many other readers a hard time following certain aspects. It made for an interesting read and added to the psychological factor of the story. show more Whether you think it works is a complete personal matter and honestly this might be the first arc that I have been given that I wish I had the actual book to better be able to go back and forth from chapter to chapter. I will say I loved the concept of Fight or Surrender it has a way of pulling you in what makes it more challenging is that there are far too many chapters and far too many points of views to keep straight and my fear with that for other readers is that most read for enjoyment and not to feel that reading is a task. I will however say that if you give this a chance you will find that Manning takes the time to be insightful as he explores all aspects of the characters personalities. Take Gem for example she feels others judge her based on her actions during the carjacking. And guess what? She’s right. One of the positive aspects of the multiple viewpoints is that we see how various people interpret her actions. The police try not to judge yet you get the impression they do anyway. The reporter is only interested when she is the strong warrior setting an example for others. The attacker in his delusional state of being takes her fear and makes it something horrid. All I kept thinking while reading this book is that quote by Robert Frost “Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
In this case would it make a difference thought?
My highlights of this book are the insights into the psychology of the attack and response While the plot is suspenseful, I think it would be an error of judgement to try to read The Victim as a straight-forward suspense novel. While it is beautifully packaged that way this one takes time an energy to get straight in your head. I know that many people will say that this is not worth the time. Even though I am a little late to the party with my review I will happily disagree and pick up another Max Manning book in the future. show less

3.5 ⭐️’s. A chilling suspense, with a touch of romance. Somewhat predictable in parts, but interesting and worth the read.

A woman is killed in a London park. A demented psychopath that calls himself I, Killer is posting pictures on social media. In order to gain followers, the killer is posting photos of his victims in their final moments, and in the moments just after death. He kills, he posts—he gains more attention.

Lauren is the first victim and her pictures are posted to social show more media before the police find the body. Her ex-boyfriend is guilt-ridden when notified of the murder and agrees to help her sister find the killer.

Dan Fenton is the lead detective on the case. He is the sole caretaker of his daughter, after losing his wife and finds himself overwhelmed as he tries to keep up with both. The killer has a following that increases with every kill, as he taunts the police. His murders are trending and people find it hard to look away.

Thank you Edelweiss, Sourcebooks and Max Manning for the advanced copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review! show less