Charles Atkins (1) (1961–2021)

I'm a sucker for an unreliable narrator, but this one was amazing. This story shows just how much damage a crazy genius can cause.

Ed Tyson is a truly evil character, but one that is able to draw some sympathy initially. Based on the beginning of the book, you would think he is a good guy who goes about his problems wrong. By the end, the protagonist and antagonist have flipped, and it becomes hard to tell who the good guy is truly.

I'm sorry to say that this is one of the worst books I've read in many years. Stock characters (the noble overworked physician, handsome blue-eyed detective, mad killer), and an absurdly predictable plot are interrupted by chapter long dissertations on the psychiatric point of view on the nature of evil. What a waste of time.

I think 3 out of 5 may be high for this one. This was not the read I had hoped for. Some of the time it wasn't even interesting, let alone scary. I did keep reading, because I had it find out if he was crazy or not. There were many parts that were predictable, even if the ending was not one that you could have seen coming. Now the parts I liked. I did like seeing the world through the eyes of the character when he was on and off his meds. And the ending (climax to finish) was strong and show more interesting. I recently had a conversation with a writer friend, who looked at me and simply said “make it worse”. This is something Atkins did well I thought, in completely destroying the main character's life in the first few sections of the book. Will I read another by this author? Probably not. If you are at the library, and happen to see it, read the first few pages, and see if it grabs you, maybe it was just me. But I wouldn't go hunting for it. show less

James Martin IV was a former child prodigy and talented cellist. He is a resident of an institution for the criminally insane. James was convicted of stalking a female musician and murdering her. Now from the power of money he is released. James is requesting that Dr. Barrett Conyers treat him as her patient. James is not the typical patient Dr. Conyers would take on but there is just something about James that draws her to him. James may be considered a sociopath but there is more than show more meets the eye with this cellist. James is gearing up for his final duet with... Dr Barrett Conyers.

The Prodigy is one of those books that once you start it you can't stop reading it till the end. I enjoyed the twists The Prodigy brought. It has suspense, drama and intrigue. James had a very unique personality about him. He may be a sociopath but he is nothing like you have ever meet before. If you are ready to dive into the depths of a thriller that will leave you begging for more than check out The Prodigy by Charles Atkins. You will not regret it other than maybe asking yourself why didn't I know about this book sooner. Well don't worry as you still have time to read The Prodigy before Charles Atkins next book Ashes, Ashes comes out. I know I can't wait to see what else Charles Atkins comes up with in Ashes, Ashes. show less