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trolle69's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
4.0
THE KILLING HOUR is Cleave's second book - a totally new direction from THE CLEANER, his first book released (at least in Australia) last year.
And what a direction it takes. Our "hero" Charlie doesn't know what he's done. His clothes are covered in blood, there is a bump on his forehead and there are news reports that two women have been brutally murdered. Charlie knows that Cyris killed them, but nobody else knows that Cyris exists and, let's face it, Charlie's not really sure he does either. He can't think straight as long as the two victims come back to talk to him. He can't think straight as long as the sinister, weird, obsessed Cyris is pursuing him. He can't think straight so he kidnaps his own ex-wife. Charlie really hopes that Jo believes he didn't kill those woman, but dragging her around the countryside, bound and gagged, isn't exactly the best way to win her trust. Meanwhile DI Landry is quite convinced that Charlie is his killer and he's not too fussed about whether he's got enough evidence to charge him or not. He's dying anyway - he's got few months left and he's not about to stuff around when it comes to resolving unfinished business.
THE KILLING HOUR has this marvellous, intimidating, disconcerting sense of weird, creepy, increasing tension. Sure the visions that Charlie has of the victims of the murders have a certain "woo woo" element to them, but it really doesn't matter so much. The sense that you're almost in this story with Charlie - the confusion over whether you're backtracking through the victim's lives; whether the victims are talking to Charlie; whatever is going on with Cyris and Landry - you're just gripped by this creepy, frankly scary, tension. The panic that rises in Charlie and Jo as the book screeches towards it's conclusion infects you, the reader - you're panicked - it's too late to be awake but you're not going to be turning off any lights soon - and besides that you've got to finish this book. And you're left with one question - who is this Paul Cleave and why is he trying to frighten me half to death!
The author's website (http://www.paulcleave.co.nz/) says that his third novel - Cemetery Lake is due for release in 2008. THE CLEANER had me queuing for THE KILLING HOUR. Form an orderly line to the left when CEMETERY LAKE appears.
And what a direction it takes. Our "hero" Charlie doesn't know what he's done. His clothes are covered in blood, there is a bump on his forehead and there are news reports that two women have been brutally murdered. Charlie knows that Cyris killed them, but nobody else knows that Cyris exists and, let's face it, Charlie's not really sure he does either. He can't think straight as long as the two victims come back to talk to him. He can't think straight as long as the sinister, weird, obsessed Cyris is pursuing him. He can't think straight so he kidnaps his own ex-wife. Charlie really hopes that Jo believes he didn't kill those woman, but dragging her around the countryside, bound and gagged, isn't exactly the best way to win her trust. Meanwhile DI Landry is quite convinced that Charlie is his killer and he's not too fussed about whether he's got enough evidence to charge him or not. He's dying anyway - he's got few months left and he's not about to stuff around when it comes to resolving unfinished business.
THE KILLING HOUR has this marvellous, intimidating, disconcerting sense of weird, creepy, increasing tension. Sure the visions that Charlie has of the victims of the murders have a certain "woo woo" element to them, but it really doesn't matter so much. The sense that you're almost in this story with Charlie - the confusion over whether you're backtracking through the victim's lives; whether the victims are talking to Charlie; whatever is going on with Cyris and Landry - you're just gripped by this creepy, frankly scary, tension. The panic that rises in Charlie and Jo as the book screeches towards it's conclusion infects you, the reader - you're panicked - it's too late to be awake but you're not going to be turning off any lights soon - and besides that you've got to finish this book. And you're left with one question - who is this Paul Cleave and why is he trying to frighten me half to death!
The author's website (http://www.paulcleave.co.nz/) says that his third novel - Cemetery Lake is due for release in 2008. THE CLEANER had me queuing for THE KILLING HOUR. Form an orderly line to the left when CEMETERY LAKE appears.
ajnel's review
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another action thriller written in Cleave's uniquely funny first person style. This one is a bit over the top and drags a bit, but still remains hugely entertaining. 3.5/5
kadota's review
4.0
I just finished this novel, and I am very upset at the same time surprised with the ending, first of all it's a mess, it just seems that you can't figure out what's going on, at first you don't believe the protagonist and later on you are believing him, the antagonist is some lunatic. The novel starts in a chilling way, and then it spices up. It's catchy and makes you cling to it till the end. It's true that it feels as if you are watching an action packed and suspense driven movie. In my opinion if you are in the mood for going on a mysterious adventure, and want yourself to keep on guessing then this book is totally for you.
The mystery seems to unravel much quickly than expected but the unveiling of it is an interesting part.
And then follows the series of hide and seek, play or die.
As for me I feel it's lacking a bit of information regarding certain things and events otherwise this book makes you facepalm as well as gasp, groan and complain.
The mystery seems to unravel much quickly than expected but the unveiling of it is an interesting part.
And then follows the series of hide and seek, play or die.
As for me I feel it's lacking a bit of information regarding certain things and events otherwise this book makes you facepalm as well as gasp, groan and complain.
kevinberryauthor's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
pandemoniumpizza's review
4.0
This is Paul Cleave's second published novel, the first being The Cleaner. I really enjoyed The Cleaner and was interested in picking up the second book written by Paul Cleave. While this is not a sequel to The Cleaner, it's set in the same place and references the first book once or twice. There are, I believe a couple of references to a character who will be focused on in a later book too. That being said, I don't think you need to have read any of Paul Cleave's other books to enjoy this.
I went into this book not knowing a lot about it, as I didn't bother reading the synopsis. I think that was a really good way to go into the book as I was really surprised by everything that happened. The synopsis doesn't give a lot of plot away, it was just that I had no idea what was happening right from the start.
I really loved this book. I read it in two days in four settings. I genuinely couldn't put it down. The book starts off with Charlie waking up and things are revealed really slowly about what happened and as they get revealed his story just seems so crazy and unbelievable. It's really hard to tell if Charlie was telling the truth or if he was just making up this insane sounding story.
I don't think there was ever a dull moment in The Killing Hour as there was always something going on. There were a few twists and turns that were really unexpected. It really was just a thrilling book.
In terms of the New Zealand aspect of this book, it's set in Christchurch, New Zealand which I'm quite familiar with so it was very interesting reading the book and finding the main character Charlie finding himself in places which I was quite familiar. It's definitely something different hearing about a killer in a place you're very familiar with.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Killing Hour by Paul Cleave. It's so interesting and fans of thrillers should definitely check it out as it has an interesting spin on the run of the mill thrillers that are out there. I am definitely going to be checking out more by Paul Cleave.
I went into this book not knowing a lot about it, as I didn't bother reading the synopsis. I think that was a really good way to go into the book as I was really surprised by everything that happened. The synopsis doesn't give a lot of plot away, it was just that I had no idea what was happening right from the start.
I really loved this book. I read it in two days in four settings. I genuinely couldn't put it down. The book starts off with Charlie waking up and things are revealed really slowly about what happened and as they get revealed his story just seems so crazy and unbelievable. It's really hard to tell if Charlie was telling the truth or if he was just making up this insane sounding story.
I don't think there was ever a dull moment in The Killing Hour as there was always something going on. There were a few twists and turns that were really unexpected. It really was just a thrilling book.
In terms of the New Zealand aspect of this book, it's set in Christchurch, New Zealand which I'm quite familiar with so it was very interesting reading the book and finding the main character Charlie finding himself in places which I was quite familiar. It's definitely something different hearing about a killer in a place you're very familiar with.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Killing Hour by Paul Cleave. It's so interesting and fans of thrillers should definitely check it out as it has an interesting spin on the run of the mill thrillers that are out there. I am definitely going to be checking out more by Paul Cleave.
kiwimrsmac's review
5.0
Told from the viewpoints of both the antagonist and the protagonist. Caution - this book contains chilling violence, and a madman, or is it men? Not telling.
A great plot twist explaining things, and not one I expected - always good when you're reading a thriller!
Set in and around Christchurch, which I'm sure is the murder capital of NZ, so the storyline is really quite believable. There's a character or two who I felt quite sorry for... for a while.
Just great writing.
A great plot twist explaining things, and not one I expected - always good when you're reading a thriller!
Set in and around Christchurch, which I'm sure is the murder capital of NZ, so the storyline is really quite believable. There's a character or two who I felt quite sorry for... for a while.
Just great writing.
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