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koshpeli's review
2.0
I don't like horror so that was probably my biggest issue with this book. I didn't realize it was a horror movie. I had hoped things would tie together in the end, but they don't. However, my biggest disappointment was that the added personal effects, the whole point of the book, didn't play any role in the story. I had hoped to be sent reading the ID cards and letters to get more information or a different perspective on the events in the story. Maybe a puzzle to solve. But no, nothing. I could have just read the book without the extra items. It's too bad, because I think the idea could be awesome!
bookwitchkatie's review
3.0
Great concept for a book, making it an interactive reading experience. However, the writing just wasn't that great. Wish I could have seen a better writer handle the book, and come up with a fresher plot.
blakemp's review
5.0
I finished this book literally minutes ago, and I loved every page of it. J.C. Hutchins has crafted a smart, crafty horror/thriller that would be a worthy print debut for anyone working in the genre. But along with Jordan Weisman and St. Martin's Press, this book goes further than anything I've ever seen, actually providing you with documents, cards, and other items that expand upon the world of the novel. Every website mentioned in the book is real. The phone numbers are real. This is half book/half alternate reality game. If all you want is to read a good thriller, this will fit the bill. But if you take the time to explore the sites, call the numbers, decipher all the goodies that come with the book, "Personal Effects: Dark Art" can take you further than any book I've ever read.
g0rbash's review
5.0
Written very well, could hardly put it down at night. The ARG part of the novel was nice, though it didn't lend much to the story besides a visual, and sometimes auditory bonus. Hutchins' descriptions of the items were detailed enough that you didn't need the driver's license and copy of the painting and arrest records. The voice mail was also a nice touch, but will it still be around in 5 years when someone new comes to the book? The PixelVixen707 blog is a nice touch, brings a sort of reality to a fictional story.
Hutchins' does this thing where there are two paragraphs running at once, and where on is a constant run of words with no spaces. I found those sections to be a little hard to understand. While this style works better in an audio version of a story to incite tension and the dramatic, the effect is lost in print form.
The end leaves it open for more from Alex the art therapist and his time at The Brink, I'm sorry, Brinkvale Psychiatric Hospital, and I'd welcome them.
Hutchins' does this thing where there are two paragraphs running at once, and where on is a constant run of words with no spaces. I found those sections to be a little hard to understand. While this style works better in an audio version of a story to incite tension and the dramatic, the effect is lost in print form.
The end leaves it open for more from Alex the art therapist and his time at The Brink, I'm sorry, Brinkvale Psychiatric Hospital, and I'd welcome them.
tyardley's review
2.0
I’m sure this book would have read better at the time of publication. Unfortunately the format isn’t quite so groundbreaking anymore. I was disappointed that the included ephemera did not tie into the story as any more than props.
The story itself was hardly a thriller. I found myself wishing for either more supernatural influence or more psychological influence - instead it toed the line in very non-committal way to likely not ostracize one side of the readership.
Overall a mediocre read. Also, how many times can a person “suck air” in a story? I mean, pick another action for a sharp intake of breath already.
The story itself was hardly a thriller. I found myself wishing for either more supernatural influence or more psychological influence - instead it toed the line in very non-committal way to likely not ostracize one side of the readership.
Overall a mediocre read. Also, how many times can a person “suck air” in a story? I mean, pick another action for a sharp intake of breath already.
trishabee2000's review
4.0
I bought this book after reading about it on NPR's website because I was fascinated with the "stuff" that came with it. Funny thing though, that once I started reading it I never even really looked at the stuff that was there besides the one phone number to call early in the book. This book was exciting and kept me wanting to read more and more. In fact I stayed up until 3:30 AM in order to finish it!
Overall the gimmick that lured me in had very little to do with what was actually between the pages because it was such a good story the elements were not needed.
Overall the gimmick that lured me in had very little to do with what was actually between the pages because it was such a good story the elements were not needed.
chestercopperpot_reads's review
3.0
I absolutely loved the fact you had props at your disposal reading this novel. You got to see ID cards, psychiatric notes, photos and more. The story line was great, but I found myself not liking the character Zach Taylor. Other than that it was enjoyable.
selenajournal's review
5.0
Zach Taylor is an art therapist recently employed at Brinkvale Psychiatric. He can be reached at (212) 629-1951. With a dark history of his own, he uses his gift for art to help the most troubled of patients. Which is why his boss gives him the case of Martin Grace, an alleged multiple-murderer.
The book itself opens with a very official and convincing psychiatric report for the patient, Martin Grace. Even before you get to the "strict security measures are necessary" part, it is apparent that the case is going to be tough.
The case brings Zach to many dead ends. Martin says he is blind though his eyes are physically sound. He is being accused of murders for times when he has a rock-solid alibi. In his sessions with Martin, Zach is frightened by how this apparently blind man can understand him so well. And how little he can get through to him. Seeing an old version of himself in Martin, Zach does everything he can (and some things he shouldn't) to help Martin.
J.C. Hutchins (author of 7th Son) and Jordan Weisman (co-author of Cathy's Book) are both authors who create immersible and believable world. Personal Effects: Dark Arts is a murder mystery with a touch of supernatural phenomena to it. Though I love a good mystery, I was most attracted to the idea of being able to see and touch the evidence. With the book comes a set of documents, photos, ID cards that relate to the story.The story works very well without them, but with them, it becomes more engaging and the reader is able to go beyond what is on the page, to discover a new system of storytelling.
The number listed above actually takes you to the main character's voicemail. In the book, Zach tells his girlfriend to listen to a voicemail that his father left him, and gives her the code. By doing this, he gives you the code so you're able to hear the message as well. This story felt so alive to me! The main character feels like a friend by the end, with the reader serving as a Sam to his Frodo.
Please visit http://brinkvalepsychiatric.com/ for more information about Zach's place of employment. I hear they're accepting art for the patient gallery.
The book itself opens with a very official and convincing psychiatric report for the patient, Martin Grace. Even before you get to the "strict security measures are necessary" part, it is apparent that the case is going to be tough.
The case brings Zach to many dead ends. Martin says he is blind though his eyes are physically sound. He is being accused of murders for times when he has a rock-solid alibi. In his sessions with Martin, Zach is frightened by how this apparently blind man can understand him so well. And how little he can get through to him. Seeing an old version of himself in Martin, Zach does everything he can (and some things he shouldn't) to help Martin.
J.C. Hutchins (author of 7th Son) and Jordan Weisman (co-author of Cathy's Book) are both authors who create immersible and believable world. Personal Effects: Dark Arts is a murder mystery with a touch of supernatural phenomena to it. Though I love a good mystery, I was most attracted to the idea of being able to see and touch the evidence. With the book comes a set of documents, photos, ID cards that relate to the story.The story works very well without them, but with them, it becomes more engaging and the reader is able to go beyond what is on the page, to discover a new system of storytelling.
The number listed above actually takes you to the main character's voicemail. In the book, Zach tells his girlfriend to listen to a voicemail that his father left him, and gives her the code. By doing this, he gives you the code so you're able to hear the message as well. This story felt so alive to me! The main character feels like a friend by the end, with the reader serving as a Sam to his Frodo.
Please visit http://brinkvalepsychiatric.com/ for more information about Zach's place of employment. I hear they're accepting art for the patient gallery.
marjorieq's review
3.0
Personal Effects: Dark Art
J.C. Hutchins tries a new form of storytelling in this Supernatural thriller.
“Personal Effects: Dark Art” is by J.C. Hutchins and Jordan Weisman. This is Hutchins second novel, the first being the “7th Son.” Weisman is known for creating marketing campaigns for such famous franchises like “The Dark Knight” and “Halo.”
The story follows an art therapist, Zackary Taylor, and his new patient, Martin Grace. Grace is a blind psychic serial killer convicted of twelve murders. Grace claims he has not killed but takes responsibility for the victim’s deaths. Acting difficult, Taylor has to learn to match wits with Grace. Taylor discovers not only Grace’s secret path but also his own families filled with conspiracies, love triangles, and ghost.
The novel comes with items used and described throughout the book called “Personal Effects.” License, photographs, birth and death certificates were included. The reader can call the phone numbers and search the websites.
The story and writing was engaging. Hutchins does not waste time introducing characters. The narrative is fast paced and action is always present. Character interaction troubled me like with Zack and his brother. The author took to much time explaining the brother’s way of speech and I found myself wishing he would just start speaking normal.
The reason I bought the books was for The “Personal Effects.” I ended up being very disappointed, distracted, and found the items useless. Hutchins does an excellent job of describing objects, events, and characters so there was no need for the interactive substance. Besides, the need to use the material dropped off in the middle of the novel. Calling the phone number threw off my imagination. The character’s tone didn’t match the character’s voice in the book. Zack Taylor’s father did not sound as tough over the phone as he did on the page. The website’s wasted time on useless topics which had no importance with the book.
The novel is a good read. It was appealing and kept my interest. The mystery, murder, and secrets keep the reader wondering to the end. The extra elements didn’t enhance the read like I anticipated. It took me out of the story instead of dragging me in.
J.C. Hutchins tries a new form of storytelling in this Supernatural thriller.
“Personal Effects: Dark Art” is by J.C. Hutchins and Jordan Weisman. This is Hutchins second novel, the first being the “7th Son.” Weisman is known for creating marketing campaigns for such famous franchises like “The Dark Knight” and “Halo.”
The story follows an art therapist, Zackary Taylor, and his new patient, Martin Grace. Grace is a blind psychic serial killer convicted of twelve murders. Grace claims he has not killed but takes responsibility for the victim’s deaths. Acting difficult, Taylor has to learn to match wits with Grace. Taylor discovers not only Grace’s secret path but also his own families filled with conspiracies, love triangles, and ghost.
The novel comes with items used and described throughout the book called “Personal Effects.” License, photographs, birth and death certificates were included. The reader can call the phone numbers and search the websites.
The story and writing was engaging. Hutchins does not waste time introducing characters. The narrative is fast paced and action is always present. Character interaction troubled me like with Zack and his brother. The author took to much time explaining the brother’s way of speech and I found myself wishing he would just start speaking normal.
The reason I bought the books was for The “Personal Effects.” I ended up being very disappointed, distracted, and found the items useless. Hutchins does an excellent job of describing objects, events, and characters so there was no need for the interactive substance. Besides, the need to use the material dropped off in the middle of the novel. Calling the phone number threw off my imagination. The character’s tone didn’t match the character’s voice in the book. Zack Taylor’s father did not sound as tough over the phone as he did on the page. The website’s wasted time on useless topics which had no importance with the book.
The novel is a good read. It was appealing and kept my interest. The mystery, murder, and secrets keep the reader wondering to the end. The extra elements didn’t enhance the read like I anticipated. It took me out of the story instead of dragging me in.
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