Beneath the Skin [Paperback] (New Ed)

What an incredibly powerful, gripping novel this is!. Being narrated in the first person from multiple points of view, it brings the reader into the creepy mind of the book's killer as well as into the minds of his victims as they realize there is no one who can help them. Its psychological power is intense, and it builds to an unexpected (and satisfying) conclusion. This may be the best book of its kind I've read -- I'm stingy with my five star rankings, but this book deserves it. The jumpy reader is advised to read it in a well- lit public place, and not while alone in a dark room...

I remember liking the technique the author used of multiple 1st person POVs. This let me get to know and like each woman and cranked up the emotional impact of her death. I seem to recall that I figured the killer fairly early, but still enjoyed the puzzle.

From my blog

The killer is obsessed with these 3 ladies. He sends them threatening love notes, can you imagine receiving something like this. ...what I'm really interested in is looking at you from the inside, the bits of you that you'll never see but I will. P.S. You look happy when you're asleep. Being dead is only like being asleep forever.

Wouldn't that just spook you out or what. These ladies had full time police protection but they were no match for the killer. I enjoyed the characters, they all seemed real to me, even the police and specialists on the case, so I think NicciF did a fantastic job with that. Each lady was unique and headstrong in ways, feminine but spoke up, I enjoyed their personalities. The story was in sections, show more Zoe, Jenny and Nadia and then the climax. The buildup of the story had a perfect rhythm.

I thought I had it all figured out but of course I still missed a few important factors, but I don't like to figure it all out anyways. Reading this book made me think, there is no such thing as consequences.

Knowing someone wants to kill you puts these ladies through hell and back and it is amazing how the men in their lives are not supportive.

I love the intensity of this book, the buildup of drama, definitely a great thriller. show less

Again a birthday present, I probably would not have chosen it myself, but this one I actually quite liked.

The story follows three women who are being stalked by the same guy. So far, so good, but the clever thing is, that you're supposed to have figured out the whole whodunit halfway trough the book. This gives you enormous advantage over them, and I thought it made it very interesting to read. I was a little bit disappointed by the ending though. Still, an enjoyable read...

I like Nicci French's books very much, and this is one of my favourites (just edged out of the number 1 position by Killing Me Softly). This books comprises three separate, but linked stories. Someone is killing women, and we see the points of view of three of the victims. It kept me guessing, and it was a real page-turner.

This was a fun and light read, but it lacked suspense and it was obvious from quite early on who the culprit was. Good if you don't want to have to think too much but don't read it for a thrill.

It was the first Nicci French novels that I read. I liked this mystery...kept me reading.

Zoe. Jenny. Nadia. Three women of varying ages and backgrounds with little else in common but for one thing: Someone has sent them each a note informing them that they will be killed. A cruel joke? A hoax? The police don't seem to think so. Now, with no clear suspect and amid the growing threat of violence, the victims become the accused as authorities dig into their backgrounds for clues as to why they might have attracted the unrelenting attention of a killer. As Zoe, Jenny, and Nadia find themselves being victimized twice over, once by the faceless stalker and again by the police, each must ultimately face the question of which is stronger: the show more instinct to survive, or the desire to destroy? show less