An Evil Mind

If you don't care for gritty, dark mysteries then Chris Carter is not the author for you. At the very beginning of the book Carter makes a statement that you may find quiet disturbing for what it implies. "This novel differs immensely from all my previous books, mainly because this is the first thriller I've written in which most of the plot and characters are based on real facts and people I met during my criminal-behavior-psychology days. The names have been changed for obvious reasons." While reading it try to imagine this monster actually existing and walking among us....sitting down to dinner in the same restaurant...riding the same bus and watching you. If that doesn't give you chills and nightmares then this excellently told show more story certainly will. show less

[An Evil Mind] by Chris Carter
Robert Hunter series Book #6
4.5★'s

From The Book:
A freak accident in rural Wyoming leads the sheriff’s department to arrest a man for a possible double homicide, but further investigations suggest a much more horrifying discovery: a serial killer who has been kidnapping, torturing, and mutilating victims all over the United States for at least twenty-five years.

The suspect claims he is a pawn in a huge labyrinth of lies and deception—but can he be believed?

The case is immediately handed over to the FBI, but this time they’re forced to ask for help from ex-criminal behavior psychologist and lead detective with the Ultra Violent Crime Unit of the LAPD, Robert Hunter. As he begins interviewing the show more apprehended suspect, terrifying secrets are revealed, including the real identity of a killer so elusive that no one, not even the FBI, had any idea he existed…until now.

My Thoughts:
This was a reread for me. I really liked it the first time I read it so when my little brain finally grasped the fact that it sounded familiar because I has already read the book....I was so hooked into the story that I continued to read and I'm very glad that i did.

The story was a tad different form others that I'd read since the majority of the book had the killer already behind bars. LAPD detective and expert on Criminal Behavior, Robert Hunter, was on loan to the FBI because the killer had asked for him...would only speak to him and him alone. Robert Hunter knew the killer...had gone to college with him and during that period of time, was his roommate. So how could he refuse?

Thus begins the interview and the story is slowly rolled out of how this monster...who Robert thought was his friend...had killed 31 known victims and possibly more... because death fascinated him. During the interview he delivered the final atrocity...his last capture was still ALIVE...SOMEWHERE. At this point the reader knew where this was headed but were still hopeful. Without revealing the unbelievable ending I will say that the end had quite an interesting twist. Seriously people...this book should only be read by those that are willing to take a trip to the very, very dark side. show less

I have been having some major health problems just lately so this is my first review in several months and it is also the only book I have started reading and actually made it all the way to the end so for that I am extremely thankful for Chris Carter and An Evil Mind. I am praying he may have fixed my readers block as I have immediately picked up his new book Hunting Evil and it has made me excited about picking up a book again. So again – Thank You!

Being in pain constantly can really get you down so I have been battling with depression as well this time round. Up until now books have been my escape from the pain and illness but this time I lost the ability to do that no matter how many times I tried, and that just added to show more everything. The depression even with being prescribed anti depressants was still so bad I was and still do have days where I haven’t wanted to carry on. Life can feel like it would be better off without me, that I can’t and haven’t wanted to carry on, to the point that I had lined up all of my painkiller boxes, the anti depressants and the 2 boxes of sleeping pills with a bottle of vodka and that was what I was going to do, I was going to take them all just to make the pain and all the feelings, all the emotions just STOP. I had even gone as far as to leave a note on the front door saying; “Please do not come in, call the police and stay outside. I am sorry and I don’t want to put you through any more than I already have so please DO NOT COME IN. Sorry. I love you”

In the end it was the fact that someone would have to find me and I couldn’t do that to my daughter as it would have been her, she is only 16 and what finding me would do to her psychologically wouldn’t have been anything good but it hasn’t taken away me wanting to go down that path and those feelings have still been a daily internal battle. And these days it is small things that help make the day bearable and yesterday it was reading and actually completing reading this book, to actually be able to finish a book is a massive win for me. And the even bigger positive, I am excited about reading his new book. It is the first thing that has made me excited for anything in months. It’s almost a miracle in my tiny little world at the moment. If there was ever a time in my life when I needed a positive, this is it.

And for now this is it – my one little positive – I actually read, finished and enjoyed a whole book, start to finish! And also doing a book review, this is the first review I have attempted in a long time and been in a place to be able to do a review.

And what a book it turned out to be. Possibly not the kind of uplifting, feel good type of book I should have read but still a brilliantly clever read. I would love to be able to read Lucians notebooks, so if Chris Carter ever wrote those I would be in the queue to read them.

Even though it is a work of fiction it would still make great reading for anyone studying criminal psychology or criminology as both the main characters, Robert and Lucian are so well written and the knowledge of the author Chris Carter in those areas really shines throughout. The fact that he studied psychology with specialisation in criminal behaviour and worked as a criminal psychologist gives his books an advantage over other books in this genre giving them that edge.

All his books have been good but for me this one has by far been my favourite because of the look into his best character so far, Lucien Folter. He is the most intriguing fictional character I have ever come across and can not wait to read more about him in Chris Carters new book that has just been published on 2 May 2019 Hunting Evil.

This book is centred around the capture of an evil genius that has been on a killing spree exceeding 25 years completely undetected, a master psychologist who is killing, escalating his kills and documenting them in the name of research.

It is also about his relationship with the head of the Ultra Violent Crime Devision, Robert Hunter, also a phycology major so it is a meeting of minds that both combine to make a fascinatingly disturbing read.

If the minds of killers interest you then this is a book that will blow you away and is one not to be missed.

Very clever, very disturbing and very addictive, An Evil Mind is Chris Carters best book to date.

There is a follow up book Hunting Evil which was published on 2 May 2109 of which I will be reading next 😀

https://debbiesbookreviews.wordpress.com/2019/05/05/an-evil-mind-robert-hunter-6... show less

From The Book Cover:

A freak accident in rural Wyoming leads the sheriff’s department to arrest a man for a possible double homicide, but further investigations suggest a much more horrifying discovery—a serial killer who has been kidnapping, torturing, and mutilating victims all over the United States for at least twenty-five years. The suspect claims he is a pawn in a huge labyrinth of lies and deception—but can he be believed?

My Thoughts:

From the information on the first page Chris Carter tells the reader that the book is different from all his other books as it is his first thriller and is based on real people and real events. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Thus said...we are rushed into the mind of a show more clever, sadistic serial killer. To make matters worse he is the college friend of Police Detective, Robert Hunter. The FBI has no choice but to call Hunter since the monster in the basement cell refuses to speak to anyone else.

The beginning of the book was fascinating as the two friends met for the first time in 25 years and the game began. For me the book lost some stars as the story went on and became less and less believable. I don't think the FBI would be stupid enough to allow a obvious serial killer to travel to the middle of nowhere with only one agent and a police detective that isn't even with the FBI. Be warned the book is gruesome in many places as the killer describes in gory detail his 25 year killing spree but in spite of that it had some very good surprise occurrences. 3.5 stars. show less

I have been having some major health problems just lately so this is my first review in several months and it is also the only book I have started reading and actually made it all the way to the end so for that I am extremely thankful for Chris Carter and An Evil Mind. I am praying he may have fixed my readers block as I have immediately picked up his new book Hunting Evil and it has made me excited about picking up a book again. So again – Thank You!

Being in pain constantly can really get you down so I have been battling with depression as well this time round. Up until now books have been my escape from the pain and illness but this time I lost the ability to do that no matter how many times I tried, and that just added to show more everything. The depression even with being prescribed anti depressants was still so bad I was and still do have days where I haven’t wanted to carry on. Life can feel like it would be better off without me, that I can’t and haven’t wanted to carry on, to the point that I had lined up all of my painkiller boxes, the anti depressants and the 2 boxes of sleeping pills with a bottle of vodka and that was what I was going to do, I was going to take them all just to make the pain and all the feelings, all the emotions just STOP. I had even gone as far as to leave a note on the front door saying; “Please do not come in, call the police and stay outside. I am sorry and I don’t want to put you through any more than I already have so please DO NOT COME IN. Sorry. I love you”

In the end it was the fact that someone would have to find me and I couldn’t do that to my daughter as it would have been her, she is only 16 and what finding me would do to her psychologically wouldn’t have been anything good but it hasn’t taken away me wanting to go down that path and those feelings have still been a daily internal battle. And these days it is small things that help make the day bearable and yesterday it was reading and actually completing reading this book, to actually be able to finish a book is a massive win for me. And the even bigger positive, I am excited about reading his new book. It is the first thing that has made me excited for anything in months. It’s almost a miracle in my tiny little world at the moment. If there was ever a time in my life when I needed a positive, this is it.

And for now this is it – my one little positive – I actually read, finished and enjoyed a whole book, start to finish! And also doing a book review, this is the first review I have attempted in a long time and been in a place to be able to do a review.

And what a book it turned out to be. Possibly not the kind of uplifting, feel good type of book I should have read but still a brilliantly clever read. I would love to be able to read Lucians notebooks, so if Chris Carter ever wrote those I would be in the queue to read them.

Even though it is a work of fiction it would still make great reading for anyone studying criminal psychology or criminology as both the main characters, Robert and Lucian are so well written and the knowledge of the author Chris Carter in those areas really shines throughout. The fact that he studied psychology with specialisation in criminal behaviour and worked as a criminal psychologist gives his books an advantage over other books in this genre giving them that edge.

All his books have been good but for me this one has by far been my favourite because of the look into his best character so far, Lucien Folter. He is the most intriguing fictional character I have ever come across and can not wait to read more about him in Chris Carters new book that has just been published on 2 May 2019 Hunting Evil.

This book is centred around the capture of an evil genius that has been on a killing spree exceeding 25 years completely undetected, a master psychologist who is killing, escalating his kills and documenting them in the name of research.

It is also about his relationship with the head of the Ultra Violent Crime Devision, Robert Hunter, also a phycology major so it is a meeting of minds that both combine to make a fascinatingly disturbing read.

If the minds of killers interest you then this is a book that will blow you away and is one not to be missed.

Very clever, very disturbing and very addictive, An Evil Mind is Chris Carters best book to date.

There is a follow up book Hunting Evil which was published on 2 May 2109 of which I will be reading next 😀

https://debbiesbookreviews.wordpress.com/2019/05/05/an-evil-mind-robert-hunter-6... show less

A special thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Chris Carter delivers an edgy, razor-sharp, evil, dark, and twisted psycho-crime suspense thriller, AN EVIL MIND —a sadistic, psychotic serial killer with only seven words, “I will only speak to Robert Hunter.” A man who has not spoken a word since being arrested. Haunting words which will forever change LAPD detective, and the former criminal behavior psychologist's life.

A labyrinth of creepy twists and grotesque turns. The secrets of the past refuse to keep quiet in this disquieting, taut thriller. Readers beware: what flows through these pages is not always easy to stomach, but I dare you to take your eyes off the page.

A freak accident show more at the local Wyoming diner starts the unraveling of gruesome brutal murders, a chain of events of a sick and twisted serial killer, whose thrills come from torturing and killing. Beginning with two severed heads in the trunk of a car.

Detective Robert Hunter is all set for a vacation in Hawaii, when he receives the call from FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime and its Behavioral Analysis Unit. A FBI specialty department providing support to national and international law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation of unusual or serial violent crimes.

For years the FBI had made attempts to recruit Hunter. Hunter would rather be a detective with the LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Division than join the most advanced serial killer—tracking force in the US, and even, the world.

Hunter is the lead detective for the Ultra-Violent Crimes Unit, a special unit created by the LAPD to investigate homicides and serial homicides where overwhelming brutality and or sadism had been used by the perpetrator. Hunter was the best at what he did. His arrest record provided that. He had always declined their offers.

Now the FBI needs Hunter’s assistance, as he is personally involved with some of the victims and the perpetrator. He is the only one which will be able to provide answers to the clues. What makes this so shocking---the person in question and prime suspect, is Hunter’s former Stanford roommate and fellow criminal psychologist! The three friends in college: Robert, Lucien, and Susan.

How could be have been friends with Lucien? Of course, Lucien was always smart and after obtaining his psychology degree from Stanford, Lucien applied to Yale for a PhD in criminal psychology. He was accepted, did three years of coursework, and then simply disappeared. He never completed his doctorate. When did he turn into a sadistic killer?

Instead of Hawaii for a leisurely vacation, Hunter is quickly whisked away to the FBI Behavioral Research and Instruction Unit in Quantico and into something that could only be described as a hellish nightmare. No one had ever come across anyone quite like this monster. Brutality is actually minor, with what is yet to come. Hunter soon will learn of his own past, and how the evil mind of someone he once knew would bring to light to these events.

At first Lucien says he is innocent, leading Hunter with a series of clues to the remote Western North Carolina area (know this area). However, when Detective Hunter and Taylor arrive at the cabin, a shocking discovery. Lucien is indeed a sociopath, guilty, and worse, the gruesome haunting killings are people close to Hunter. He is taunting, everyone, especially Hunter.

Lucien plays a sick game of cat-and- mouse, so he can showcase his work. He loves to brag, thinking he can change the world. He is proud. All the puppets play along with the puppet master, until they find all the hidden information and notebooks to lead them to all the victims, bodies, remains, and families.

Lucien. Going under many other alias and identities. A living, breathing, walking mystery. Someone who had lied to everyone throughout his life. He was focused and determined. A manipulator. Before it is over there will be 80 families. Someone has to stop this monster. Justice. A twenty-five year murder spree. Sadly, Lucien has all this information and knowledge about psychology and criminal behavior; however, fails to see his own psychosis.

It's gruesome, grisly and attention grabbing! Original, dramatic, dark, and disturbing-- readers will find themselves holding their breath, for the next page. My first book by talented Chris Carter, a former profiler—who definitely knows his way inside the criminal minds of the twisted and sadistic serial killer. Scary, psychopaths abound in our everyday life. Watch out for those pies.

A wicked horrific ride! Carter delivers raw and intense emotions, not only from the killer; also his main characters, pulling you further in to the unfolding drama. Fans of Karin Slaughter and Paul Cleave (two of my favorite crime authors), will devour. I had pre-ordered the audiobook, and after reading the advanced reading copy, glued to my iPod, listening---a chilling performance by George Newburn. Having spent time in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil --could imagine myself back on the beach—with the breath taking views of the mountains. This is one spot you can see both at one time.

Intrigued. After finishing the book, immediately going to Audible to purchase Carter’s back list of books, especially the Robert Hunter series. Was so bummed, as NO other books in the series, offered in English??? Hopefully they will be added (similar to Paul Cleave) . . We are slowly getting some of his back list here in the states. Publishers: Please get Chris Carter’s books on audio for all the US fans. I typically read only new books—my blog focuses on new releases, so when I find an author I love, I rely on audio to get my back list “fix”.

Highly recommend AN EVIL MIND -- if you want an intelligent, and sophisticated—well-written chilling page-turner. An intriguing series, and an author, who not only is a profiling expert---a talented criminal psychological novelist. He nails the details. Carter has been added to my favorite author list.

Can't wait for I AM DEATH , coming to US July 14, 2016. Love the new covers show less

De beste vriend van Chris Carter is het zesde deel intussen van de Hunter & Garcia reeks. In dit deel komt Garcia er niet aan te pas en is de hoofdrol dus volledig weggelegd voor Robert Hunter. Na een ongeval wordt er een verdachte gearresteerd en die blijkt geen onbekende te zijn van Hunter. Beiden waren immers oude schoolvrienden en waren heel close ten tijde van hun studie. In dit deel wordt dan ook meer gefocust op het verleden van Hunter.

Via verhoren leren we de verdachte beter kennen en komen er toch ook wel wat gruwelijke scènes voorbij. Mensen met een zwakke maag laten dit boek dus maar beter aan zich voorbij gaan. De beste vriend heeft een iets andere opbouw dan de voorgaande delen omdat we nu al vrij snel weten wie de show more verdachte is en is het vooral het kat-en muisspel tussen beide kanten die het boek verder bepalen. Toch is deze ietwat andere insteek zeker een mooie meerwaarde voor de reeks en zie je dat Chris Carter perfect vanuit beide oogpunten kan schrijven. De beste vriend was absoluut weer een superspannend boek om te gaan lezen en neemt je vanaf de start weer meteen mee. Voor je het weet is het boek uitgelezen en kijk je alweer uit naar het zevende deel. Gelukkig wordt dat in januari 2025 op de markt gebracht in Vlaanderen. Weer iets om naar uit te kijken dus! Ik ben fan van deze gruwelijk goede serie! Voor dit deel geef ik de volle 5 sterren!

https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2024/09/11/de-beste-vriend-van-chris-carter-5/ show less