Signature Kill: A Novel (Frank Behr)

This was the first book i had read by this author. I usually don't care for books that switch back and forth between characters but David Levien managed to do this with an expert touch. The reader was never confused about who was narrating or what was taking place. The murders were slightly over kill for the most part and the descriptions were gruesome but you never, until the last chapter, knew who the killer was. The author had a good writing style and was very easy to read. I'll be finding more of this series.

This author is truly deranged. He gets inside the mind of a serial killer like no one I have ever read before. His main character is former cop Frank Behr, a likeable though deeply flawed individual, who takes on the case of a missing woman simply to make the reward money. Along the way, he discovers a serial killer is operating in his city’s midst and he expands his focus to take him down. He also screws up his personal life in a number of missteps. However, the ending is the best part of the book. (Kills killer so he no longer can enjoy reliving his kills in prison) While he does not end up with the reward money, he does end as a winner. I loved this book.

It's probably true to say that this book reads a little like a movie or tv series and therefore no surprise to learn that the author David Levien is both a screenwriter and Director. This is the third book I have read starring PI Frank Behr ; ex cop now private eye, a real loner with a sad past, broken relations and a dead son. We now discover him in a relationship ( I use the term loosely) with Susan and a son they have together...Trevor (unusual to find anyone naming a son Trevor! and so great respect to Susan as my name is Trevor!) Frank spots a billboard, the originator is searching for her lost daughter Kendra Gibbons, and he decides to help, attracted by the large reward money on offer. This leads him into a cat and mouse game show more with the perpetrator as this psychopath continues to kidnap and torture, in the most horrific way, innocent young girls. Will Frank be able to bring the killer to justice and at the same time find some peace and reconciliation in his private life?

David Levien's books are easy to read with a very uncomplicated singular plot which probably reflects on his movie and tv background. They are not works of great literary acclaim but this is not always a bad thing as we often read for fun and escapism. For me what really dragged this book up to a 4 star rating was the completely unexpected last few chapters and an ending which although may have been out of character for Frank Behr, surely asks a lot of questions about his own mental state? To say more might disclose the plot in what proved to be once again an enjoyable excursion into the curious, complicated and often violent world of PI F Behr. show less

Quite good up until the ending, disappointed with the conclusion.

I didn't know anything about this author or his works, and that was a mistake. I don't care for good ol' boy / good redneck stories. Didn't like it at all. Purely my fault, that.