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Killer Dead, Victim Alive: The serial killer’s dead. The final prisoner's alive. What happened? What’s next?
"A wild ride. We got not just one dysfunctional, dangerous villain but two. Even when I think I know what’s going on Michael manages to pull a surprise out of his hat."
"If you're a fan of Freida McFadden, David Baldacci, or Harlan Coben, you'll find this book captivating and imaginative."
The serial killer is dead; the expected seventh victim is alive, and the Santa Monica detectives and the FBI agents are shaking their heads.
“Who-done-it” meets “why-done-it.” The A twisty mystery, spiked with psychological and cultural implications, all playing out in sun-drenched Santa Monica.
Police Detectives Mollie Granger and Greg Nichols respond to a call near the world-famous pier. A dead male, shot in the forehead at close range, is posed in the sand. He’s Keith Victor, a serial killer who’s murdered six persons and kidnapped a possible seventh, Chrissy Weeks.
Meanwhile, six miles away, Weeks walks into a police station, says, “I think you've been looking for me,” and claims Victor dropped her off outside an hour earlier. Quite the trick, given the coroner says Victor’s been dead for thirty-six hours. Weeks, a narcissist with a complex backstory, views most people as chess pieces to be played. And she’s playing at mega speed, even though her never-ending lies and moves – some of which backfire – quickly turn her into a suspect from a victim.
The case comes at a difficult time for Granger, a middle-class white cop having relationship problems with Gwen Seward, a wealthy African-American civil rights attorney. They’ve drifted apart since the George Floyd murder shined a bright light on their differences and challenges. They’ve even tabled plans for marriage and kids.
Granger focuses on Weeks even as she and Seward attempt to repair their relationship. In the process, the detective learns that families, love, truth, and understanding overcome personal and professional challenges and bring unexpected second chances.
The serial killer is dead; the expected seventh victim is alive, and the Santa Monica detectives and the FBI agents are shaking their heads.
“Who-done-it” meets “why-done-it.” The A twisty mystery, spiked with psychological and cultural implications, all playing out in sun-drenched Santa Monica.
Police Detectives Mollie Granger and Greg Nichols respond to a call near the world-famous pier. A dead male, shot in the forehead at close range, is posed in the sand. He’s Keith Victor, a serial killer who’s murdered six persons and kidnapped a possible seventh, Chrissy Weeks.
Meanwhile, six miles away, Weeks walks into a police station, says, “I think you've been looking for me,” and claims Victor dropped her off outside an hour earlier. Quite the trick, given the coroner says Victor’s been dead for thirty-six hours. Weeks, a narcissist with a complex backstory, views most people as chess pieces to be played. And she’s playing at mega speed, even though her never-ending lies and moves – some of which backfire – quickly turn her into a suspect from a victim.
The case comes at a difficult time for Granger, a middle-class white cop having relationship problems with Gwen Seward, a wealthy African-American civil rights attorney. They’ve drifted apart since the George Floyd murder shined a bright light on their differences and challenges. They’ve even tabled plans for marriage and kids.
Granger focuses on Weeks even as she and Seward attempt to repair their relationship. In the process, the detective learns that families, love, truth, and understanding overcome personal and professional challenges and bring unexpected second chances.
- GenresThriller
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 20, 2023
I jumped between a three and a four rating for Killer Dead Victim Alive by Michael Geczi. I love serial killers…I mean reading about serial killers. But, that’s not all that drew me to the novel. A good title and the tropical content of the cover spoke to me.
We are on the beach near Santa Monica Pier and what do I spy? Why it’s Keith John Victor, serial killer. What??????
Mollie Granger and Greg Nichols, detectives in the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Santa Monica Police Department are on the case. Keith Victor had killed six people and a missing person, Chrissy Weeks, is attributed to him. Is she deal or alive? We shall see. And we do. She walks into the police department with a story that won’t hold water.
Mollie is hard working, has sharp instincts and is always asking questions. I loved this description from a colleague:
….her pupils were shaped like question marks because her eyes always “”looked like they wanted to now more.”
Her significant other, Gwen Seward, is an African America lawyer specializing in civil rights, while Mollie is a white police officer. Not only are they gay, but they will have to deal with racial differences and how they look at life. Many of Gwen’s clients have been profiled by police and the question remains…are the guilty or innocent?
The biggest question…who killed the serial killer? I quickly discovered who, but the motive remained hidden and I loved how Michael Geczi led me to the answer, step by step.
K J…hmmm. I wonder what part she plays in the abduction of the women and Chrissy. Her super power is being invisible, blending into the scenery, living in the shadows. How sad. Life has not been kind to K J and neither is Michael Geczi.
I love how some criminals think they are smarter than those out to catch them and I’m not sure what narcissistic game Chrissy is playing.
Funny what a small world we live in, with lines crisscrossing our lives, woven into a pattern not easily seen. Was it fate or Karma that brought Keith and Chrissy together?
Killer Dead Victim Alive by Michael Geczi was a wild ride. We got, not just one dysfunctional, dangerous villain, but two. Even when I think I know what’s going on Michael manages to pull a surprise out of his hat.
I didn’t get my hand on the first book in this series of books about serial killers, The Deadly Samaritan, but I hope to be there for the next one. Michael Geczi left the surprise ending open and I love it, so maybe….things are not always as they seem and our time in Santa Monica is not over.
We are on the beach near Santa Monica Pier and what do I spy? Why it’s Keith John Victor, serial killer. What??????
Mollie Granger and Greg Nichols, detectives in the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Santa Monica Police Department are on the case. Keith Victor had killed six people and a missing person, Chrissy Weeks, is attributed to him. Is she deal or alive? We shall see. And we do. She walks into the police department with a story that won’t hold water.
Mollie is hard working, has sharp instincts and is always asking questions. I loved this description from a colleague:
….her pupils were shaped like question marks because her eyes always “”looked like they wanted to now more.”
Her significant other, Gwen Seward, is an African America lawyer specializing in civil rights, while Mollie is a white police officer. Not only are they gay, but they will have to deal with racial differences and how they look at life. Many of Gwen’s clients have been profiled by police and the question remains…are the guilty or innocent?
The biggest question…who killed the serial killer? I quickly discovered who, but the motive remained hidden and I loved how Michael Geczi led me to the answer, step by step.
K J…hmmm. I wonder what part she plays in the abduction of the women and Chrissy. Her super power is being invisible, blending into the scenery, living in the shadows. How sad. Life has not been kind to K J and neither is Michael Geczi.
I love how some criminals think they are smarter than those out to catch them and I’m not sure what narcissistic game Chrissy is playing.
Funny what a small world we live in, with lines crisscrossing our lives, woven into a pattern not easily seen. Was it fate or Karma that brought Keith and Chrissy together?
Killer Dead Victim Alive by Michael Geczi was a wild ride. We got, not just one dysfunctional, dangerous villain, but two. Even when I think I know what’s going on Michael manages to pull a surprise out of his hat.
I didn’t get my hand on the first book in this series of books about serial killers, The Deadly Samaritan, but I hope to be there for the next one. Michael Geczi left the surprise ending open and I love it, so maybe….things are not always as they seem and our time in Santa Monica is not over.
February 7, 2024
Killer Dead, Victim Alive? This title jumped out to me as not only did it seem like a thriller, but a change in plots to go with it.
I was back and forth on my rating. There were a few things lacking for me personally, but again I appreciated the switch in your average plot.
I was getting confused and wondering why a number of characters switched between being named by their first name, and then their last name, back and forth, sometimes within the same chapter. It threw me off at times and I never understood why it happened. Then there were characters who were only called by their first name, some almost always by their last name, or a half and half. When the first name was mentioned on one person that was usually called by their last name, it would take me a minute to remember.
I think that there may have been too many characters, so it was hard to remember them all or their story. I think that there should have been more focus on Keith Victor and Chrissy Weeks and more of KJ, and a little less on some of the detectives, although they did need their own back stories as well. Also I got confused a number of times on whether the serial killer's first name was Keith or Victor. Again, the back and forth by being addressed by first or last name, and he had two first sounding names.
This book will make you hate the survivor, the "victim". She is manipulative and she has issues. She could have easily claimed self defense and went to the police right after killing Keith, but her lies never added up. For someone that was so full and sure of herself, she was very sloppy in her delivery.
I think the odds of Keith going out of his pattern and kidnapping Chrissy with her opposite traits when this was supposedly a bad coincidence, and the fact that she ends up being a cousin of the first victim are much too slim, but not impossible. I really think that there should have been more backstory on Chrissy Weeks and what led her to have the personality she had.
I was warned of the abrupt, open ending, and that it was. Why was Nichols given the bag of collectibles? Was the man they looked up related to KJ? Why would Nichols be to blame? Was it just at the head of the police force? Was it Hallie that did it? Was Hallie taken? We may or may never know. I don't know if that's forever up to interpretation or if there will be a sequel.
Overall it was nice to read something different and it was not a very long book dragged out just to drag it out.
Thank you Book Sirens for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was back and forth on my rating. There were a few things lacking for me personally, but again I appreciated the switch in your average plot.
I was getting confused and wondering why a number of characters switched between being named by their first name, and then their last name, back and forth, sometimes within the same chapter. It threw me off at times and I never understood why it happened. Then there were characters who were only called by their first name, some almost always by their last name, or a half and half. When the first name was mentioned on one person that was usually called by their last name, it would take me a minute to remember.
I think that there may have been too many characters, so it was hard to remember them all or their story. I think that there should have been more focus on Keith Victor and Chrissy Weeks and more of KJ, and a little less on some of the detectives, although they did need their own back stories as well. Also I got confused a number of times on whether the serial killer's first name was Keith or Victor. Again, the back and forth by being addressed by first or last name, and he had two first sounding names.
This book will make you hate the survivor, the "victim". She is manipulative and she has issues. She could have easily claimed self defense and went to the police right after killing Keith, but her lies never added up. For someone that was so full and sure of herself, she was very sloppy in her delivery.
I think the odds of Keith going out of his pattern and kidnapping Chrissy with her opposite traits when this was supposedly a bad coincidence, and the fact that she ends up being a cousin of the first victim are much too slim, but not impossible. I really think that there should have been more backstory on Chrissy Weeks and what led her to have the personality she had.
I was warned of the abrupt, open ending, and that it was. Why was Nichols given the bag of collectibles? Was the man they looked up related to KJ? Why would Nichols be to blame? Was it just at the head of the police force? Was it Hallie that did it? Was Hallie taken? We may or may never know. I don't know if that's forever up to interpretation or if there will be a sequel.
Overall it was nice to read something different and it was not a very long book dragged out just to drag it out.
Thank you Book Sirens for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2024
I did NOT see this end coming.
I truly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It was a slow build in the beginning, building up the plot, the characters and the background.
I def felt like I was a part of the whodunnit gang trying to figure out who did what and why. I yelped, screamed at my kindle, looked around like someone was watching and waiting for my reactions because I just KNEW people weren’t falling victim to the madness and the true storm of the main suspect.
I can’t wait to read the next book!
I volunteered to read a copy of this ARC through BookSirens
I truly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It was a slow build in the beginning, building up the plot, the characters and the background.
I def felt like I was a part of the whodunnit gang trying to figure out who did what and why. I yelped, screamed at my kindle, looked around like someone was watching and waiting for my reactions because I just KNEW people weren’t falling victim to the madness and the true storm of the main suspect.
I can’t wait to read the next book!
I volunteered to read a copy of this ARC through BookSirens
December 5, 2023
This was chaotic but... worked? I was intrigued by the storyline and how many people were involved. However, switching between calling an individual by the first name and then just their last name got confusing at times. There's also some parts of the story that I don't really understand why it is was apart of the story but oddly enough... I could not put this book down?
This was an unusual story because we know who the serial killer is but we are trying to figure out the why of it all. I thought the connection was perfect and well thought out. The ending was abrupt but I think that is setting up for the next book. If you do choose to read this book, avoid the blurb. The blurb feels a bit like a movie trailer that just gives away a bunch of stuff.
All in all, the story was promising and kept me engaged. I think the overall flow could have been a bit better. I would read the second book because seriously, I'm intrigued in a weird way.
Thank you to the author for the ARC for my honest review. This is on KU if you're interested in reading it!
This was an unusual story because we know who the serial killer is but we are trying to figure out the why of it all. I thought the connection was perfect and well thought out. The ending was abrupt but I think that is setting up for the next book. If you do choose to read this book, avoid the blurb. The blurb feels a bit like a movie trailer that just gives away a bunch of stuff.
All in all, the story was promising and kept me engaged. I think the overall flow could have been a bit better. I would read the second book because seriously, I'm intrigued in a weird way.
Thank you to the author for the ARC for my honest review. This is on KU if you're interested in reading it!
November 28, 2023
Keith Victor is proud of being a serial killer. He enjoys what he does and he’s happy to let the cops know about it. Actually... that should be “was” since Victor is dead. So why has his seventh kidnap victim Chrissy Weeks pitched up at the police station claiming Victor dropped her off?
So begins the case for detectives Mollie Granger and Greg Nichols, both of whom have more than enough on their plates in their home lives than to go wading through truths and lies. But it’s justice they must get, and thus starts one of the strangest cases they will come across, with some far-reaching repercussions...
Killer Dead, Victim Alive had so much potential. Sure, the case is in the title and, as the reader, you go in with a preconceived notion. The mystery is set up, the characters introduced, and you get yourself ready for a ride. But it’s a bumpy one.
Let’s start with Weeks. The build-up to her manipulative character was strong and the character was designed to irk the reader, which she does. However, you are given a backstory and told how evil she can be and hear her threats, but besides the obvious, not much comes of it. It’s odd that as the reader you know she is the killer but you have to go through the procedural process of them finding out. This means there is a lot of tell as she changes her story a number of times and yet you know she is lying. In essence, there was really only one person manipulated in her whole story.
Granger and her girlfriend Gwen Seward have an interesting parallel story to the main one in that they are fighting cultural and relationship complications for their future. This does add a good dynamic to the story in showing the personal upheavals that people are going through that sometimes cannot be shared when in the work environment. This was true to Nichols too, with the emotional toll his wife’s illness was taking on him. I did feel, however, that there were too many side stories within the police section and a number of them did not need to go into as much detail.
Then there was KJ – would she have given up like she did considering the fighter that she was? Even if she did feel she did wrong? I guess she was manipulated by so many people she didn’t really know where her future was anymore.
As to the story. The reason why Weeks did it was a tenuous connection, as it was based on so many “what ifs.” It almost had to be the perfect timing, the perfect manipulation, and have the perfect co-conspirator to work, and if these weren’t there, the story would not have happened. I truly do not understand how she thought it would end in her favour, especially with her story changing so often between the police, the lawyer, and the media. As for the ending... where was this going? Designed for the next book? It was so abrupt I kept trying to turn to the next page. If you look closely, there is a clue related to the ending early on, but it’s remarked on so randomly that the connection is not obvious, even at the end.
The proofing overall was pretty good. The only consistent errors were the mix of straight and curly quotes and apostrophes and a number of inconsistent uses of action versus dialogue tags. Some quotation marks were missing, too.
So I’m rather ambivalent about this. In a psychological thriller, I’m looking for the who, how, and why. I want to be surprised at the end by how I missed the setup and how it all links together. With this book, the title made the reader assume they knew “who” the killer was (and this gets confirmed early), “how” it happens is also evident early, and when the “why” comes along, well I felt a little cheated. A lot of good stuff in this book, but I think it was the “intent” versus “coincidence” that made it a hard sell for me.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to review the book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
So begins the case for detectives Mollie Granger and Greg Nichols, both of whom have more than enough on their plates in their home lives than to go wading through truths and lies. But it’s justice they must get, and thus starts one of the strangest cases they will come across, with some far-reaching repercussions...
Killer Dead, Victim Alive had so much potential. Sure, the case is in the title and, as the reader, you go in with a preconceived notion. The mystery is set up, the characters introduced, and you get yourself ready for a ride. But it’s a bumpy one.
Let’s start with Weeks. The build-up to her manipulative character was strong and the character was designed to irk the reader, which she does. However, you are given a backstory and told how evil she can be and hear her threats, but besides the obvious, not much comes of it. It’s odd that as the reader you know she is the killer but you have to go through the procedural process of them finding out. This means there is a lot of tell as she changes her story a number of times and yet you know she is lying. In essence, there was really only one person manipulated in her whole story.
Granger and her girlfriend Gwen Seward have an interesting parallel story to the main one in that they are fighting cultural and relationship complications for their future. This does add a good dynamic to the story in showing the personal upheavals that people are going through that sometimes cannot be shared when in the work environment. This was true to Nichols too, with the emotional toll his wife’s illness was taking on him. I did feel, however, that there were too many side stories within the police section and a number of them did not need to go into as much detail.
Then there was KJ – would she have given up like she did considering the fighter that she was? Even if she did feel she did wrong? I guess she was manipulated by so many people she didn’t really know where her future was anymore.
As to the story. The reason why Weeks did it was a tenuous connection, as it was based on so many “what ifs.” It almost had to be the perfect timing, the perfect manipulation, and have the perfect co-conspirator to work, and if these weren’t there, the story would not have happened. I truly do not understand how she thought it would end in her favour, especially with her story changing so often between the police, the lawyer, and the media. As for the ending... where was this going? Designed for the next book? It was so abrupt I kept trying to turn to the next page. If you look closely, there is a clue related to the ending early on, but it’s remarked on so randomly that the connection is not obvious, even at the end.
The proofing overall was pretty good. The only consistent errors were the mix of straight and curly quotes and apostrophes and a number of inconsistent uses of action versus dialogue tags. Some quotation marks were missing, too.
So I’m rather ambivalent about this. In a psychological thriller, I’m looking for the who, how, and why. I want to be surprised at the end by how I missed the setup and how it all links together. With this book, the title made the reader assume they knew “who” the killer was (and this gets confirmed early), “how” it happens is also evident early, and when the “why” comes along, well I felt a little cheated. A lot of good stuff in this book, but I think it was the “intent” versus “coincidence” that made it a hard sell for me.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to review the book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 5, 2024
Full disclosure, I received a copy of this book via Booksirens, however, have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own
Unlucky number Seven
When the body of prolific serial killer Keith Victor is discovered at the Santa Monica Pier several questions are raised. What happened to him? How did his body get dumped there without anyone noticing and most importantly where is his latest victim Chrissy Weeks?
Right around the same time that Victor’s body is discovered, Weeks walks into a police station several miles away. After a series of routine questions, she maintains that Victor drove her to the police station and dropped her off… an impossible feat for someone who was dead at the time. As Weeks continues to weave a tale of release, murder and escape she quicky goes from victim to suspect. And with her story changing to include previously hidden details, depending on her audience the probability that Victor’s seventh victim was his downfall becomes apparent. With Police Detectives Granger and Nichols on the case they slowly begin to piece together the puzzle, but even though they know who their culprit is, technicalities and personal challenges slow down their progress. When the final arrest is made this case can only be described as a bizarre case of hunter becoming the hunted for reasons almost as messed up as the reason Keith Victor found himself a serial killer to begin with.
When I first saw this title, my interest was piqued. Always a fan of police procedurals and serial killers the title jumped out at me. I don’t think I have ever read a story centering around a survivor in quite this manner. Overall Weeks seems basically unscathed for being held by a notorious serial killer for several weeks. The details of her escape and the mysterious KJ’s help was also something unique but all is not as it seems. Weeks is far from a victim and for me the real twist was the revealing of her identity and how it relates to Victor’s prior victims. I spent quite a bit of time trying to speculate why Weeks survived. My speculations ranged anywhere from sheer luck to KJ’s betrayal, or even that Victor targeted another serial killer unknowingly. When the true reason was finally revealed it was not something that I had expected or contemplated.
Not a particularly hard read, Killer Dead, Victim Alive is enjoyable and can be completed in a few days. For those who like to chase down the “why” of the story in all its convoluted complex reasonings this would be a recommended read. It should also be noted that this title appears to be part of a larger “Serial Killer Anthology” by this author. After reading Killer Dead, Victim Alive I would be interested in backing into a few earlier novels to see if they are as good as this one was.
Unlucky number Seven
When the body of prolific serial killer Keith Victor is discovered at the Santa Monica Pier several questions are raised. What happened to him? How did his body get dumped there without anyone noticing and most importantly where is his latest victim Chrissy Weeks?
Right around the same time that Victor’s body is discovered, Weeks walks into a police station several miles away. After a series of routine questions, she maintains that Victor drove her to the police station and dropped her off… an impossible feat for someone who was dead at the time. As Weeks continues to weave a tale of release, murder and escape she quicky goes from victim to suspect. And with her story changing to include previously hidden details, depending on her audience the probability that Victor’s seventh victim was his downfall becomes apparent. With Police Detectives Granger and Nichols on the case they slowly begin to piece together the puzzle, but even though they know who their culprit is, technicalities and personal challenges slow down their progress. When the final arrest is made this case can only be described as a bizarre case of hunter becoming the hunted for reasons almost as messed up as the reason Keith Victor found himself a serial killer to begin with.
When I first saw this title, my interest was piqued. Always a fan of police procedurals and serial killers the title jumped out at me. I don’t think I have ever read a story centering around a survivor in quite this manner. Overall Weeks seems basically unscathed for being held by a notorious serial killer for several weeks. The details of her escape and the mysterious KJ’s help was also something unique but all is not as it seems. Weeks is far from a victim and for me the real twist was the revealing of her identity and how it relates to Victor’s prior victims. I spent quite a bit of time trying to speculate why Weeks survived. My speculations ranged anywhere from sheer luck to KJ’s betrayal, or even that Victor targeted another serial killer unknowingly. When the true reason was finally revealed it was not something that I had expected or contemplated.
Not a particularly hard read, Killer Dead, Victim Alive is enjoyable and can be completed in a few days. For those who like to chase down the “why” of the story in all its convoluted complex reasonings this would be a recommended read. It should also be noted that this title appears to be part of a larger “Serial Killer Anthology” by this author. After reading Killer Dead, Victim Alive I would be interested in backing into a few earlier novels to see if they are as good as this one was.
December 13, 2023
As the title indicates, the story relates the tale of a victim who manages to escape the clutches of a renowned serial killer.
The premises for the story had me intrigued from the beginning. How did the victim escape?
I would perhaps have preferred a less obvious title and blurb. The blurb for the book essentially gives the plot away. You already know who most of the characters are and how they link together. This is somewhat disappointing for a thriller as part of the “thrill” is trying to figure things out before the end.
Knowing early on who the killer is bursts my “intrigue” bubble. It was like reading an episode of Columbo (the old television series with Peter Falk). You keep going because you want to know how the detective works it out and why the killer kills… But even then, I felt it was a bit of a letdown.
The policing and piecing together of the evidence were too easy. Either the police detectives were some of the best detectives around, or they had some major lucky breaks.
There are lots of characters that come into play in the Santa Monica Police Department and the FBI. It’s easy to forget who some of the secondary characters are.
As for the main characters, they felt a little flat. In trying to give them flaws, the author goes too far. They are very cliché.
Christine Weeks is the perfect narcissist but also gets too big for her boots, and it all backfires. Somehow, I find it inconceivable that she genuinely believed her plan would work. Anybody in their right mind can see how flawed her plan is.
On top of that, her aim is only possible because of extreme coincidence. Or are we meant to believe that she manipulated the serial killer to kidnap her?
Detective Mollie Granger and her girlfriend, Gwen, make for an interesting side story, as their different socio-cultural backgrounds and jobs strain their relationship. I liked how the author linked real-life events (the death of George Floyd) to make the characters and the case feel more real.
Detective Greg Nichols, too, has the potential to be an interesting character with a lot of emotional baggage. I’d be interested in learning more about him.
I’m not sure what to make of KJ. She seemed weak, weaker and more naïve than I imagine a person would be given her situation.
As for Keith Victor, I think he’s a more complex character than the reader initially gives him credit for. The book has an interesting passage about the difference between accomplices, enablers, pawns, and victims. The category in which Keith falls isn’t as apparent as one might think the more the story progresses.
However, the writing style, although very easy to read, makes it difficult to grow attached to any characters. The plot twists added for shock value felt flat because I didn’t invest emotionally in the characters.
The author also heavily relies on telling and not showing, giving an overall feeling of awkwardness. Sometimes, the dialogue was complicated to follow. It also lacked a particular flow.
The author also relies a lot on flashbacks, which sometimes interrupt the flow of the narrative. As the reader, we get a bird’s eye view of everything. Nothing is left to the imagination. We often know certain critical elements before the police. And some things, the police don’t ever find out.
The backstory is complex to digest as it is given in large chunks. As a reader, I prefer to get to know the character as the information becomes necessary to the plot, not chapter after chapter of the character’s personal history.
The ending feels rushed, but I imagine it is left open for a sequel. Maybe there is more to the Keith Victor killings. We shall see.
The story in itself was promising. However, I feel the execution and delivery could have been better.
I want to thank the author and BookSirens for providing a free ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.
The premises for the story had me intrigued from the beginning. How did the victim escape?
I would perhaps have preferred a less obvious title and blurb. The blurb for the book essentially gives the plot away. You already know who most of the characters are and how they link together. This is somewhat disappointing for a thriller as part of the “thrill” is trying to figure things out before the end.
Knowing early on who the killer is bursts my “intrigue” bubble. It was like reading an episode of Columbo (the old television series with Peter Falk). You keep going because you want to know how the detective works it out and why the killer kills… But even then, I felt it was a bit of a letdown.
The policing and piecing together of the evidence were too easy. Either the police detectives were some of the best detectives around, or they had some major lucky breaks.
There are lots of characters that come into play in the Santa Monica Police Department and the FBI. It’s easy to forget who some of the secondary characters are.
As for the main characters, they felt a little flat. In trying to give them flaws, the author goes too far. They are very cliché.
Christine Weeks is the perfect narcissist but also gets too big for her boots, and it all backfires. Somehow, I find it inconceivable that she genuinely believed her plan would work. Anybody in their right mind can see how flawed her plan is.
On top of that, her aim is only possible because of extreme coincidence. Or are we meant to believe that she manipulated the serial killer to kidnap her?
Detective Mollie Granger and her girlfriend, Gwen, make for an interesting side story, as their different socio-cultural backgrounds and jobs strain their relationship. I liked how the author linked real-life events (the death of George Floyd) to make the characters and the case feel more real.
Detective Greg Nichols, too, has the potential to be an interesting character with a lot of emotional baggage. I’d be interested in learning more about him.
I’m not sure what to make of KJ. She seemed weak, weaker and more naïve than I imagine a person would be given her situation.
As for Keith Victor, I think he’s a more complex character than the reader initially gives him credit for. The book has an interesting passage about the difference between accomplices, enablers, pawns, and victims. The category in which Keith falls isn’t as apparent as one might think the more the story progresses.
However, the writing style, although very easy to read, makes it difficult to grow attached to any characters. The plot twists added for shock value felt flat because I didn’t invest emotionally in the characters.
The author also heavily relies on telling and not showing, giving an overall feeling of awkwardness. Sometimes, the dialogue was complicated to follow. It also lacked a particular flow.
The author also relies a lot on flashbacks, which sometimes interrupt the flow of the narrative. As the reader, we get a bird’s eye view of everything. Nothing is left to the imagination. We often know certain critical elements before the police. And some things, the police don’t ever find out.
The backstory is complex to digest as it is given in large chunks. As a reader, I prefer to get to know the character as the information becomes necessary to the plot, not chapter after chapter of the character’s personal history.
The ending feels rushed, but I imagine it is left open for a sequel. Maybe there is more to the Keith Victor killings. We shall see.
The story in itself was promising. However, I feel the execution and delivery could have been better.
I want to thank the author and BookSirens for providing a free ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.
December 6, 2023
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"'So we shit-can everything we know, dump all existing notions and theories, and start over from square one. Treat this baby for what it is: a brand-new case, the murder of Keith-fucking-Victor.'" - Greg Nichols
Within the first couple of chapters, I could tell that there was so much more going on in this twist-filled story than it seemed. Pieces of the puzzle came together, some easier than others, and it took until the very last page to see the clear picture.
Chrissy Weeks, the victim who lived, is a complex character, as are her motives. Due to her narcissistic tendencies, readers are forced to question her version of events right alongside the police who attempt to unravel the bigger picture of a serial killer's latest almost victim. She had been a big fish in a little pond her whole life but didn't realize it until she was up against the bright minds of law enforcement.
"'I am always calm and centered. I don't have to work on it. Like I said many times, I spend most of my time thinking about getting away. And playing him, manipulating him - and seeing it develop - kept me focused.'" - Weeks
While running a high-profile investigation, several of the investigators are also dealing with their own challenges in their personal lives.
Detective Mollie Granger and her girlfriend Gwen had a lot against them, their backgrounds, politics, professions, and even the color of their skin. They struggle to understand the other's perspective and despite loving each other, they each wonder if that is enough in the face of so much adversity. Still, their devotion to each other in times of crisis proves that their relationship is as strong as they believe it can be.
The best thriller books keep your heart racing, your mind turning, and leave you with a slack jaw expression as you finish the last page. My biggest grievance with this book is also a high point of Killer Dead, Victim Alive - a cliffhanger indicating the story may be far from over.
More reviews at www.ratherbookish.com
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"'So we shit-can everything we know, dump all existing notions and theories, and start over from square one. Treat this baby for what it is: a brand-new case, the murder of Keith-fucking-Victor.'" - Greg Nichols
Within the first couple of chapters, I could tell that there was so much more going on in this twist-filled story than it seemed. Pieces of the puzzle came together, some easier than others, and it took until the very last page to see the clear picture.
Chrissy Weeks, the victim who lived, is a complex character, as are her motives. Due to her narcissistic tendencies, readers are forced to question her version of events right alongside the police who attempt to unravel the bigger picture of a serial killer's latest almost victim. She had been a big fish in a little pond her whole life but didn't realize it until she was up against the bright minds of law enforcement.
"'I am always calm and centered. I don't have to work on it. Like I said many times, I spend most of my time thinking about getting away. And playing him, manipulating him - and seeing it develop - kept me focused.'" - Weeks
While running a high-profile investigation, several of the investigators are also dealing with their own challenges in their personal lives.
Detective Mollie Granger and her girlfriend Gwen had a lot against them, their backgrounds, politics, professions, and even the color of their skin. They struggle to understand the other's perspective and despite loving each other, they each wonder if that is enough in the face of so much adversity. Still, their devotion to each other in times of crisis proves that their relationship is as strong as they believe it can be.
The best thriller books keep your heart racing, your mind turning, and leave you with a slack jaw expression as you finish the last page. My biggest grievance with this book is also a high point of Killer Dead, Victim Alive - a cliffhanger indicating the story may be far from over.
More reviews at www.ratherbookish.com
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 3, 2023
A top-notch detective novel that you can read in one weekend! With plenty of unexpected twists, this is a very unique story with an unexpected plot. I was racing through the pages to figure out what happened in this bizarre murder case that kept me on my toes. The story was definitely worth the read, though I felt the writing was just a bit choppy in places.
Killer Dead, Victim Alive takes place In Santa Monica, where a chilling mystery unfolds after police detectives discover the lifeless body of a notorious serial killer, Keith Victor. The plot takes a mesmerizing turn when the expected seventh victim, Chrissy Weeks, walks into a police station claiming Victor released her and dropped her off – a perplexing detail considering Victor's demise 36 hours prior.
As the investigation continues, more and more questions arise, but most importantly why is Chrissy Weeks lying, and how did Keith Victor end up dead? The latest victim's bizarre arrogance and skewed sense of reality are certain to throw the investigation off kilter even more. As some answers come to light, the mystery about the killer and the victim deepens.
Overall, I enjoyed this read. The pace was fast and I was genuinely curious to know how things would unravel from the very beginning. The detective elements were all there but didn’t feel forced or cheesy. However, I felt that there were a bit too many characters. Although their backstories were thoughtfully crafted and presented in careful detail, I would’ve liked to focus on just a few to get a better understanding of them. Viewing the story from multiple points of view certainly satisfied my curiosity about nearly all of the characters, but it also felt a bit choppy and clunky at times. I would recommend this for anyone new to detective novels and seasoned readers of the genre who are interested in a fresh take and a surprising concept.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Killer Dead, Victim Alive takes place In Santa Monica, where a chilling mystery unfolds after police detectives discover the lifeless body of a notorious serial killer, Keith Victor. The plot takes a mesmerizing turn when the expected seventh victim, Chrissy Weeks, walks into a police station claiming Victor released her and dropped her off – a perplexing detail considering Victor's demise 36 hours prior.
As the investigation continues, more and more questions arise, but most importantly why is Chrissy Weeks lying, and how did Keith Victor end up dead? The latest victim's bizarre arrogance and skewed sense of reality are certain to throw the investigation off kilter even more. As some answers come to light, the mystery about the killer and the victim deepens.
Overall, I enjoyed this read. The pace was fast and I was genuinely curious to know how things would unravel from the very beginning. The detective elements were all there but didn’t feel forced or cheesy. However, I felt that there were a bit too many characters. Although their backstories were thoughtfully crafted and presented in careful detail, I would’ve liked to focus on just a few to get a better understanding of them. Viewing the story from multiple points of view certainly satisfied my curiosity about nearly all of the characters, but it also felt a bit choppy and clunky at times. I would recommend this for anyone new to detective novels and seasoned readers of the genre who are interested in a fresh take and a surprising concept.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 10, 2023
Complex! That's the first word that came to mind when I thought about this book. Not in a negative way, but because the book deals with murders, relationships (of various types), hot topics like politics, healthcare and cultural issues, and how they may affect our everyday life. Killer Dead, Victim Alive is not a who done it; the killer and victims are known from the start. It is much more of a why? Why did it happen and how? The police are presented with the body of a serial killer, the last victim comes forward alive and innocent? Is she crazy or suffering from physiological problems? Is she the real killer? Or did she kill the serial killer to escape? It wasn't hard to figure out. However, it was entertaining to read and watch the process, and see the characters weave through the cornucopia of issues as they encountered them. The characters were each presented with good background information which enables readers to understand where they are coming from. However, the way they were written didn't so much develop or contribute to moving the story forward, but were rather presented as facts about them, providing insight as to why they may act the way they did. I appreciated the author showing us the impact the issues presented had on regular people. There are lot of moving parts in the story; but it appeared more to do with what is happening in the characters' lives and how they are coping/dealing with it, rather than killer or victim. The book also has an abrupt ending. Not so much a cliffhanger, but more of a huh? What? That's it? No neat bows tying up anything. It could be intentional, perhaps to develop a series. I'm just not sure. Thanks to BookSirens and author Michael Geczi for an ARC of this novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 6, 2024
This was an intriguing, somewhat confusing book with a surprise ending that I have no way of understanding.
A serial killer is holding his victims, both men and women, for days to weeks before killing them. He has an accomplice, an illegal alien, and he uses this status as a hold over her. He seems to be able to kill with impunity and get rid of the bodies without leaving anything to implicate himself, until he unwittingly choses his final victim who is a match for him, both in intelligence and narcissism. The killer is killed, the victim, Christine Weeks is alive and deliberately misleading the police and the FBI, apparently for no other reason than that she can.
It was an interesting premise for a novel; not the first time a victim has been able to kill his or her kidnapper, but with a very original twist. I enjoyed the novel; it was fast-paced and had enough to keep me interested throughout while never being completely convinced by it. The writing was generally good, but in certain places there was far too much telling of the background, the reader was being spoon fed with information the author felt we needed to know and seemingly couldn’t provide in any other way.
I was never wholly convinced by either the killer or his final victim. I fully understood the motivation for the first killing, but never felt it was explained satisfactorily why he continued after that first killing, for which he had some kind of a reason. The same with the victim. Would someone who had gone through that experience, however narcissistic, however ego-driven, really just take the opportunity to mess with the police to prove their superiority?
I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.
A serial killer is holding his victims, both men and women, for days to weeks before killing them. He has an accomplice, an illegal alien, and he uses this status as a hold over her. He seems to be able to kill with impunity and get rid of the bodies without leaving anything to implicate himself, until he unwittingly choses his final victim who is a match for him, both in intelligence and narcissism. The killer is killed, the victim, Christine Weeks is alive and deliberately misleading the police and the FBI, apparently for no other reason than that she can.
It was an interesting premise for a novel; not the first time a victim has been able to kill his or her kidnapper, but with a very original twist. I enjoyed the novel; it was fast-paced and had enough to keep me interested throughout while never being completely convinced by it. The writing was generally good, but in certain places there was far too much telling of the background, the reader was being spoon fed with information the author felt we needed to know and seemingly couldn’t provide in any other way.
I was never wholly convinced by either the killer or his final victim. I fully understood the motivation for the first killing, but never felt it was explained satisfactorily why he continued after that first killing, for which he had some kind of a reason. The same with the victim. Would someone who had gone through that experience, however narcissistic, however ego-driven, really just take the opportunity to mess with the police to prove their superiority?
I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2024
Review of eBook
The discovery of Keith Victor’s body in the sand on the Santa Monica pier isn’t the only surprising thing for the Santa Monica police and the FBI agents who have been searching for him. His last victim, Chrissy Weeks, walks into a police station and asks if they had been looking for her.
As the police and the FBI investigate, they find more questions than answers. And Chrissy’s explanation of what happened to her doesn’t quite fit the facts.
Who killed the serial killer? And who was the victim?
=========
With a strong sense of place . . . especially for readers familiar with Santa Monica . . . and a gripping plot, readers are pulled into the telling of this tale from the outset. Filled with strong, believable, diverse characters, the narrative offers readers some inventive twists and a unique plot.
As the unfolding story twists and turns in unexpected ways, the intriguing plot keeps readers guessing. The pace is brisk, the reveals surprising. Readers are sure to find it difficult to set this book aside before turning the final page.
Readers who enjoy police procedurals will find much to appreciate here. However, it should be noted that the ending leaves readers in a quandary as it sets the stage for the next book in the series and is sure to have readers wishing for it to be available soon.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Readers program and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The discovery of Keith Victor’s body in the sand on the Santa Monica pier isn’t the only surprising thing for the Santa Monica police and the FBI agents who have been searching for him. His last victim, Chrissy Weeks, walks into a police station and asks if they had been looking for her.
As the police and the FBI investigate, they find more questions than answers. And Chrissy’s explanation of what happened to her doesn’t quite fit the facts.
Who killed the serial killer? And who was the victim?
=========
With a strong sense of place . . . especially for readers familiar with Santa Monica . . . and a gripping plot, readers are pulled into the telling of this tale from the outset. Filled with strong, believable, diverse characters, the narrative offers readers some inventive twists and a unique plot.
As the unfolding story twists and turns in unexpected ways, the intriguing plot keeps readers guessing. The pace is brisk, the reveals surprising. Readers are sure to find it difficult to set this book aside before turning the final page.
Readers who enjoy police procedurals will find much to appreciate here. However, it should be noted that the ending leaves readers in a quandary as it sets the stage for the next book in the series and is sure to have readers wishing for it to be available soon.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Readers program and am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 9, 2023
When a serial killer is found dead by the pier in Santa Monica and his latest victim shows up at a police station moments later detectives Molly and Nichols think it weird but that this case is pretty much salt and done with. It won’t be until after they meet the latest victim Christie weeks that they have a whole new case that has just begun. The kidnap victim Christie weeks is arrogant and acts as if the police are wasting her time. Despite the fact she continuously contradicts herself her favorite question is “isn’t it obvious?“ she claims to have told the FBI and the police everything she knows but she neglected to explain who KJ was and how if Keith Victor Allen dropped her off an hour before she arrived at the police station, how was it he had been deceased for almost 2 days before they found his body? This was such a good and different type mystery I also loved the relationship between Molly and Gwynn and Nichols and his wife and thought their back stories were pretty awesome I did not like Christie at all but don’t think anyone who reads this book will. This is a great original type mystery that I definitely recommend to any fan of the genre. I really enjoyed this book and although at the end there was a slight I Rowling moment it isn’t enough to ruin the story at all. I want to thank Book Sirens and the publisher for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
January 2, 2024
Great Premise, But Didn't Deliver
The premise of this novel is intriguing and unique; however, the novel didn't live up to what I expected. It was a fast read and a page turner, but the characters were shallow so I never felt invested. Several random characters got a whole paragraph describing them including things like their full name and each high school and college attended, but were never mentioned again so some of that information felt like filler material since it wasn't relevant to the story or plot. There were some easy editing fixes that were missed such as one characters name being "Thorne" in one chapter and "Thorpe" in the next, and a weapon being a knife in one chapter and then a gun in the next. Those errors really took me out of the story as I was reading it. There's a theme of physiological analysis and behavioral analysis that wasn't believable to me. I did finish the book to see how it ended and would've given it three stars until the very last page. The ending was confusing and I thought I was missing pages. It seems to be a set up for a future book, but it felt out of left field and abrupt. I think with some additional plot and character development, along with additional editing, this could be a four star book. I think this book is good for someone who wants a fast, basic and easy to read thriller that doesn't take much thought or attention to read. I do hope the author continues to write and improves upon the ideas that led to this novel, and that this book finds its ideal audience.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The premise of this novel is intriguing and unique; however, the novel didn't live up to what I expected. It was a fast read and a page turner, but the characters were shallow so I never felt invested. Several random characters got a whole paragraph describing them including things like their full name and each high school and college attended, but were never mentioned again so some of that information felt like filler material since it wasn't relevant to the story or plot. There were some easy editing fixes that were missed such as one characters name being "Thorne" in one chapter and "Thorpe" in the next, and a weapon being a knife in one chapter and then a gun in the next. Those errors really took me out of the story as I was reading it. There's a theme of physiological analysis and behavioral analysis that wasn't believable to me. I did finish the book to see how it ended and would've given it three stars until the very last page. The ending was confusing and I thought I was missing pages. It seems to be a set up for a future book, but it felt out of left field and abrupt. I think with some additional plot and character development, along with additional editing, this could be a four star book. I think this book is good for someone who wants a fast, basic and easy to read thriller that doesn't take much thought or attention to read. I do hope the author continues to write and improves upon the ideas that led to this novel, and that this book finds its ideal audience.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 26, 2024
I finished this book in just three days, and it's one of the best suspense, mystery, and thriller books I've ever read.
I enjoyed reading this book.
This book is full of unexpected twists and turns.
The first three chapters made me curious to know more about the story. I wanted to know the "how" and the "why" of the story.
✅The book teaches:
✨How certain people take advantage of other people's weaknesses and vulnerabilities for their own benefit.
✨Things/people are not what/who they always seem.
✨There will always be people who are smarter than you.
✨How to write descriptions, either character or surroundings.
✅If you plan to read this book, don't read these lines.
✨He was glad he did it, but it didn’t stop him from being scared.
✨There are so many instances where things don’t logically link together or even make sense of their own.
✨Can I turn it around? As I sit here right now, I don’t know.
✨Outcomes? That’s not always in our control. Yes, if we do it right, the chances are the outcome will be positive. But not always. Sometimes, we have to look in the mirror at the end of the day, know we did our best, and set the outcome to the side
Really loved how the book ended - A cliffhanger.
If you enjoy mystery, suspense, and thriller books, this one is for you.
I enjoyed reading this book.
This book is full of unexpected twists and turns.
The first three chapters made me curious to know more about the story. I wanted to know the "how" and the "why" of the story.
✅The book teaches:
✨How certain people take advantage of other people's weaknesses and vulnerabilities for their own benefit.
✨Things/people are not what/who they always seem.
✨There will always be people who are smarter than you.
✨How to write descriptions, either character or surroundings.
✅If you plan to read this book, don't read these lines.
✨He was glad he did it, but it didn’t stop him from being scared.
✨There are so many instances where things don’t logically link together or even make sense of their own.
✨Can I turn it around? As I sit here right now, I don’t know.
✨Outcomes? That’s not always in our control. Yes, if we do it right, the chances are the outcome will be positive. But not always. Sometimes, we have to look in the mirror at the end of the day, know we did our best, and set the outcome to the side
Really loved how the book ended - A cliffhanger.
If you enjoy mystery, suspense, and thriller books, this one is for you.
January 12, 2024
I was intrigued by the plot - a kidnapping victim suddenly becoming the number one suspect in her kidnapper's murder. A twist that could lead to so many questions.
Weeks - the victim turned suspect - is a very strong personality. A very unlikable one, who seems to lie with every breath. Only, what reasons does she have to do so? Would she ever have been suspected if she didn't try so hard to come up with a story?
It didn't hit quite right, but I did enjoy that the detectives had lives outside of their work. While the case was a big part of what they were thinking of, it didn't take over ever aspect, every second. Unfortunately, I didn't quite mesh with the characters, or feel that connection with them that I so often look for.
The plot was solid and kept the story moving, the police work was believable, even if at times it seemed they were coming to dead ends in their case.
And the cliffhanger ending! One thing is for sure - even if there were points that didn't quite sell me on this story, I will definitely be picking up the next installment, to find out what happens next!
I received an ARC from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Weeks - the victim turned suspect - is a very strong personality. A very unlikable one, who seems to lie with every breath. Only, what reasons does she have to do so? Would she ever have been suspected if she didn't try so hard to come up with a story?
It didn't hit quite right, but I did enjoy that the detectives had lives outside of their work. While the case was a big part of what they were thinking of, it didn't take over ever aspect, every second. Unfortunately, I didn't quite mesh with the characters, or feel that connection with them that I so often look for.
The plot was solid and kept the story moving, the police work was believable, even if at times it seemed they were coming to dead ends in their case.
And the cliffhanger ending! One thing is for sure - even if there were points that didn't quite sell me on this story, I will definitely be picking up the next installment, to find out what happens next!
I received an ARC from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 21, 2023
Thank you to#booksirens and #michaelgreczi for the opportunity to read Killer Dead, Victim Alive.
A serial killer is found dead and the victim walks into a police station to tell her story. But is the story all that it seems.
Partners, Molly Granger and Greg Nichols believe there is. Molly is hungry for the truth and doesn’t stop thinking of the case - even a stay in hospital doesn’t stop her thinking and working. Greg follows up with Molly while dealing with matters at home. The FBI is called in and both Granger and Nichols join the investigation team.
Can they decipher what all the victim, Chrissy Weeks, is saying and doing. Slowly the pieces come together and karma comes full circle for Chrissy Weeks. Her identity and connection to a victim of Keith Victor is uncovered.
A well written book, good character development and lots of small twists that the reader doesn’t see coming. A cliff hanger ending will keep me waiting for the next book and I cannot wait. A new author to add to my list of authors I enjoy reading.
A serial killer is found dead and the victim walks into a police station to tell her story. But is the story all that it seems.
Partners, Molly Granger and Greg Nichols believe there is. Molly is hungry for the truth and doesn’t stop thinking of the case - even a stay in hospital doesn’t stop her thinking and working. Greg follows up with Molly while dealing with matters at home. The FBI is called in and both Granger and Nichols join the investigation team.
Can they decipher what all the victim, Chrissy Weeks, is saying and doing. Slowly the pieces come together and karma comes full circle for Chrissy Weeks. Her identity and connection to a victim of Keith Victor is uncovered.
A well written book, good character development and lots of small twists that the reader doesn’t see coming. A cliff hanger ending will keep me waiting for the next book and I cannot wait. A new author to add to my list of authors I enjoy reading.
November 17, 2023
‘Killer Dead Victim Alive’ is a quickly paced novel with a very interesting concept. There is a serial killer stalking the streets of Los Angeles who has murdered six victims already. There is a young woman missing who police believe to have been abducted by the killer and she mysteriously appears at a police station just as the killer’s body is discovered with a gunshot wound to the head.
It turns out that this latest victim is herself a master manipulator and while she was captive, she ended up being able to turn the tables on her wound be killer. However, how she exactly did it is unclear to the police and it turns out that she has her own hidden motives and aspects that she is covering up for which places her in a cat and mouse game with the cops where the victim is revealed to be the murderer.
It's a fast paced book that is easy to read. My main criticism is that from the police side, there are too many characters and it gets hard to follow who is who sometimes.
It turns out that this latest victim is herself a master manipulator and while she was captive, she ended up being able to turn the tables on her wound be killer. However, how she exactly did it is unclear to the police and it turns out that she has her own hidden motives and aspects that she is covering up for which places her in a cat and mouse game with the cops where the victim is revealed to be the murderer.
It's a fast paced book that is easy to read. My main criticism is that from the police side, there are too many characters and it gets hard to follow who is who sometimes.
November 24, 2023
As a beta reader and proofreader for this novel, I am obliged to give an honest review.
The first of Michael's books, which I had the privilege to read and work on. A fantastic new concept to the world of murder mystery! Cosy, but with so many unexpected twists, it's very hard to put down.
A serial killer at large, a picturesque location, local officers with so much hanging by a thread.. and then we throw in a victim who is supposed to be dead but is very much alive.
One of the many beautiful things about this novel in particular is how Michael is able to approach current controversial topics, such as racism in the police force, with an objective yet honest approach. In addition, the ability to have an LGBTQIA+ relationship within the story, without it being ridiculously 'woke', is a talent in itself.
The first of Michael's books, which I had the privilege to read and work on. A fantastic new concept to the world of murder mystery! Cosy, but with so many unexpected twists, it's very hard to put down.
A serial killer at large, a picturesque location, local officers with so much hanging by a thread.. and then we throw in a victim who is supposed to be dead but is very much alive.
One of the many beautiful things about this novel in particular is how Michael is able to approach current controversial topics, such as racism in the police force, with an objective yet honest approach. In addition, the ability to have an LGBTQIA+ relationship within the story, without it being ridiculously 'woke', is a talent in itself.
December 10, 2023
This novel can be described as nothing less than intriguing. From the beginning, the premise of the tale makes readers interested in learning more about how the serial killer ended up dead. I, personally, enjoyed the plot as it was well paced and in-depth. Getting into the actual writing of the novel, the frequent switching of character perspectives can be seen as disconcerting and confusing at best. This caused the book to feel disjointed as the characters were not properly introduced and frequently jumbled together. The addition of diversity felt a little out of place in many points as if it was simply an afterthought. The ending felt rushed and very sudden as even the cliff hanger felt cut off. Even with all this, the story still manages to be entertaining. I kept wanting to come back and finish the novel to try and figure out who did it.
March 3, 2024
When a serial killer is found dead and his final abductee turns up at a police station, investigators must piece together what really happened from the suspicious interview of the victim and the strange circumstances that led to the killer's death.
This was a unique book in that the plot revolves around a victim who seems like she has more to hide than the serial killer. The story is filled with interesting characters and dives deep into the psychology of the victim. This is an intriguing story with several twists along the way to an ending no one will see coming.
My one criticism was the number of characters involved in the investigation. I had a little trouble keeping them straight. This is a minor complaint and doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a unique book in that the plot revolves around a victim who seems like she has more to hide than the serial killer. The story is filled with interesting characters and dives deep into the psychology of the victim. This is an intriguing story with several twists along the way to an ending no one will see coming.
My one criticism was the number of characters involved in the investigation. I had a little trouble keeping them straight. This is a minor complaint and doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 13, 2024
This was a highly stimulating read. It was fast paced and held my interest with all the twists and turns. I think there were two kinds of killers in this story. The serial killer and thrill seeker and the sociopath. Imo the sociopath is worse. They have no emotion, guilt, or remorse. They don't even see it as wrong. To me, that's the worse crime- not to feel something when taking a life. Nichols had more than his share of life's burdens, and he garnered my empathy. He just kept plugging away at his job without much respite. Only to come home and find more work on his door. I can't wait to continue this journey. I had suspicions, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of watching it all unfold piece by piece. Great read.I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.
June 4, 2024
This is one more twisted police procedural/serial killer thriller. It grabs the reader from the very beginning and doesn't let good. The antagonist (which is a good name for her because she antagonized me every time she showed up on the page) is so twisted and demented she would give a classroom full of psychiatrists a run for their money. I must give you one warning, however. This book ends on a cliffhanger (not sure about book 2 because I haven't quite finished it yet) so if at all possible, grab books 1 and 2 at the same time. Otherwise, you are going to drive yourself crazy until you can get a copy of book 2. And be forewarned, once you start reading, you aren't going to want to stop until the last page. I highly recommend this series and can't wait to see what's next.
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this review is my honest opinion.
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this review is my honest opinion.
March 19, 2024
A very unique take on the murder mystery genre. Chrissy Weeks is the seventh victim of Keith Victor, but mysteriously turns herself in at the police station seemingly in perfect health just as Victor's body is discovered across town. Weeks proves very arrogant in the proceeding questioning sessions and soon finds herself to be a person of interest. Did she kill Victor as she made her escape or is something more sinister going on? The story definitely keeps you guessing and the final reveal is certainly intriguing! However I will admit that the ending is a bit confusing as it does seem more like it's just on the side of unfinished than just an outright cliffhanger.
June 11, 2024
This book was definitely intriguing. The serial killer seems to be highly intelligent in that he, or she, does not leave behind anything to implicate him/her. And then there is the one victim who escapes…
This is an interesting premise for a novel, and it will hold your attention from beginning to end as you try to figure out the twists and turns. This is not your typical storyline, but if you enjoy police procedurals, you will appreciate it. Just a warning, the book ends on a cliff hanger so be prepared and have the next book in the series available to you. I received a free copy of this book from Boo Sirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is an interesting premise for a novel, and it will hold your attention from beginning to end as you try to figure out the twists and turns. This is not your typical storyline, but if you enjoy police procedurals, you will appreciate it. Just a warning, the book ends on a cliff hanger so be prepared and have the next book in the series available to you. I received a free copy of this book from Boo Sirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 9, 2023
Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC. I enjoyed the book, but I found some parts of it really bugged me. I felt that there were too many characters who were given a huge chunk of backstory in a way that felt so repetitive and formulaic, I almost lost interest. After the first couple, I really didn't want to have to try to keep so much information in mind whilst attempting to enjoy the story! That being said, I found the characters generally likeable, which was nice. One of the side plots felt really unnecessary, but for the most part I enjoyed the different character's lives.
April 25, 2024
I am an ARC reader and this is my honest opinion. This was a really good book. The author's description of the central character made her sound very creepy. The murder of a serial killer is complicated by the stories told by the last woman he kidnapped, who walked into a police station as calm as can be. The personal stories of the police officers involved made them sympathetic characters. The story was interesting and told from more than one point of view. It ended on a cliffhanger, and I really feel I need to read the next book to carry on the story. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good detective story
September 7, 2024
At first I thought I was going to have to do my first DNF but I am so glad I continued reading! Tho it started a little slow for my tastes and had so many names thrown at you, the pace picked up and the characters were delved into with more details. Authors writing style reminds me of James Patterson in some ways, which is one of my favorite authors. By the last page, I wanted more. This is the first book in the series and cannot wait to read more.I would highly recommend this book to mystery/fictional crime fans. Great job Michael Geczi and please keep them coming!
January 30, 2024
What a book. I looked at The Good Samaritan and I'm almost positive I've read it because I remember Dennis, but I don't remember it offhand. Gah I'm getting old 🤣🤣 This was one great story. I really hate how it ends though. That totally threw me for a loop. And the cliffhanger....ugh. But I guess it's worth it since it's so good. Definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 4, 2024
This was definitely a twisty turny story with an interesting plot line. Overall, I enjoyed it but I do think it could use some more editing. The writing seems to jump between telling you what's happening, telling what happened, and just running down facts as if it were a data sheet an author was using to flesh out a character. It was very peculiar in that sense. But, the story was good and, if you can get past the grammatical nuances, it was a good read.
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