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chelseatm's review against another edition
5.0
This was an exciting read with lots of unexpected twists and a good pace. I really enjoyed reading it. The lead character wasn't very likable but the author made sure to give him redeeming qualities like his son, Sam. The book kicks off with a tense, suspenseful event and doesn't let up. Can't recommend this book enough. Great if you're looking for a suspenseful mystery.
blondierocket's review against another edition
3.0
This was an early reviewer when I received it but has since been released. It’s a very interesting book.
It tells the story of an aspiring writer who works for a newspaper. He decides to join a writing circle in the hopes of gaining some inspiration. While he has been spending his time with the group, a killer is targeting people in random patterns, chopping them into pieces and leaving them in the open. As a single father, he fears for his son’s safety against this killer.
Years later, a similar pattern begins to show and Patrick Rush becomes confused as to what is reality, fiction, and a very sick game.
It was definitely an interesting book, I felt it was difficult to start reading and the jump back and forth through time became a little confusing so early to start off. It was definitely worth reading until the end to find out what was fully going on.
It tells the story of an aspiring writer who works for a newspaper. He decides to join a writing circle in the hopes of gaining some inspiration. While he has been spending his time with the group, a killer is targeting people in random patterns, chopping them into pieces and leaving them in the open. As a single father, he fears for his son’s safety against this killer.
Years later, a similar pattern begins to show and Patrick Rush becomes confused as to what is reality, fiction, and a very sick game.
It was definitely an interesting book, I felt it was difficult to start reading and the jump back and forth through time became a little confusing so early to start off. It was definitely worth reading until the end to find out what was fully going on.
billymac1962's review against another edition
3.0
I loved [b:The Guardians|9306085|The Guardians|Andrew Pyper|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1330658384s/9306085.jpg|14189055]. I am surprised at the average rating of that book here, and I gave it a well deserved 5 star rating. It hit all the right buttons for me.
I wish I could say the same thing for The Killing Circle.
While I thought the entire concept of the novel was excellent, I found the pacing was rather uneven. I'm not sure why I found that, perhaps there were a little too many introspective insights by the main character. I just found the story's momentum seemed to suffer for it.
Regardless, Pyper is a fine writer, and you're best to check out The Guardians for evidence of that, particularly if you enjoy Stephen King's nostalgic stories.
I'll definitely read more of him.
I wish I could say the same thing for The Killing Circle.
While I thought the entire concept of the novel was excellent, I found the pacing was rather uneven. I'm not sure why I found that, perhaps there were a little too many introspective insights by the main character. I just found the story's momentum seemed to suffer for it.
Regardless, Pyper is a fine writer, and you're best to check out The Guardians for evidence of that, particularly if you enjoy Stephen King's nostalgic stories.
I'll definitely read more of him.
marshaskrypuch's review against another edition
4.0
After inhaling the Demonologist, I had to get another fix of Pyper. This is a superb articulate literate thriller. Highly recommended. No cookie cutter characters here.
christinamcguire's review against another edition
5.0
Great book. Well developed plot and characters. Definitely reading another book by this author.
trudilibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed parts of this book very much. Andrew Pyper is a talented storyteller and I will continue to seek him out. He gets character development, understands the integrity of back story, knows how to draw out suspense and when to twist the knife in. All of these elements are on spectacular display in his latest novel [b:The Guardians|9519867|The Guardians|Andrew Pyper|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320543741s/9519867.jpg|14189055], but I did find them to be a little lacking here.
This is a good novel, and if you desire an original take on a whodunit mystery with some horror elements thrown in for good measure, there’s a chance it will read as a great novel. I’m not a mystery lover so much of what Pyper achieves here stylistically was lost on me. The long drawn out approach to the missing and murdered, the red herrings, and the process of making just about everyone equally suspicious started to lose its charm for me about three-quarters of the way through.
I will say that this is an expertly plotted piece that hits no wrong notes. It is a unique premise blending several genres together in an interesting way. I love Pyper’s insights into the psyche of aspiring novelists. The sequences describing the writing circle itself cast a spell on me that reminded me both of [b:Ghost Story|19581|Ghost Story|Peter Straub|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167258549s/19581.jpg|445057] and Stephen King’s novella [b:The Breathing Method|2288036|The Breathing Method|Stephen King|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266702305s/2288036.jpg|17960373].
I did appreciate the ending
Spoiler
and the fact that the father was able to sacrifice himself for his son using such currency as his own dark story. I also appreciated that what was looking to be a supernatural story, turned out to not be that at all. At least, I didn’t think so. The villains were vampires alright, but of the human sort. The fact that they could disappear into the night had more to do with their sociopathic tendencies and lifestyle, not anything paranormal.All of this to say it’s my fault that this book didn’t get a higher rating, not Pyper’s. Recommended.
emma_l_f44's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
hctown's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Child abuse and Abandonment