Mark McNease

Beautiful Corpse is an awesome read that keeps you on edge and takes you on an unpredictable journey, giving you a glimpse inside the 80s. It’s dark and scary and yet the author manages to slip in his twisted wry humor. The character of Marshall James is flawed but still a redemptive guy... and that's why the reader will always root for him. This author is quiet the storyteller and mystery fans that don’t mind same sex characters will really like it.

Very well crafted. Threads braided together: thoughts and actions of the killer, recognition of patterns in the deaths, investigation and projected probable increase in body count, impending personally stressful intrusions, happiness for a good friend. It was a captivating story, and I found that I needed to read it compulsively despite my strong aversion to serial killers, a real nail biter.
I have the audio edition, and K.C. Kelly really nailed the character differentiation and thread of show more suspense.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review upon my request from the publisher, narrator, or author courtesy of AudiobookB00m. show less

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The interweaving of the stories, Danny vs. Linus and Kyle vs. Kiernan, was done masterfully. The book is not a long one, so the author does not waste a lot of time on non-essential sidetracks and is very concise. The characters of Danny, Kyle and Linda are well done and endearing. Set in the world of emerging artists, this book can give the reader a great feel for just how desperate people are to find success and get ahead in their fields as well as find show more satisfying relationships. Also, the insider’s view of NYC is fascinating. The author definitely knows how the city works and how the art world works. I loved the fact that Kyle and Danny's friend Linda just happened to be in town and how the author flawlessly integrated her and her detective skills into the storyline without making this feel phony. The mystery involves Kyle working to uncover who is killing emerging artists, while he and his partner prepare for a visit from his mother and a first showing of his photographs at a gallery. However, though important as a backdrop, it is obvious, from the start, that photography is not Kyle's first love--solving mysteries is. The way the author portrayed the affection and love of the two main characters, Danny and Kyle, without going overboard only added but did not detract from the story. Finally, by integrating the story of Danny and Linus and keeping it to one of the main themes, the search for relationships, was well done--and didn't muddy the book with a lot of extras. I have not read the first book, but, after reading this one, I am definitely going to look for it as well as any other in the series. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery and who is looking for one that is great but not like the usual run-of-the-mill books out there. I received this book from a goodreads give away to read and review. show less

I got this audiobook from the author several months ago and just got around to listening to it. I can't say I "enjoyed" it because the characters became quite annoying but I couldn't stop listening. Laurel was the entitled little princess who wanted to move to the woods of NJ so she could write her book while Jeremy gives up his dreams of being an actor to get a job and commute to Philadelphia to support them. She finds the perfect house in the woods and railroads Jeremy into buying it. So I show more sort of felt sorry for Jeremy, until he becomes a ass. Laurel starts hearing noises and Jeremy rather callously tells her she is hearing things, it's just stress, and she needs to go back into therapy like before. The stranger things get to Laurel the less understanding Jeremy becomes. I wanted to smack him! Laurel finishes her book and it gets rave reviews, and Jeremy signs with an agent and begins to break into acting. If there just wasn't that scratching noise in the basement..... The book builds on the tension to a satisfying and twisted ending. The mark of good characters is that they seem real, not necessarily your best friends and not perfect. Laurel and Jeremy were perfect for this story. The neighbors and townsfolk added to the creepiness. The setting was perfect, an old house in the woods in the middle of nowhere. I thought the story was a great variation on an old theme and I really liked it. It would make a great TV movie. show less