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Night #1
The Night Caller
Ezekiel "Coop" Cooper is lonely. He's no longer with the NYPD due to cancer that's in remission. His daughter Bette is in New Jersey, and he doesn't talk with her about anything personal, but he loves her. He's looking forward to seeing her at the family bungalow, but when he gets there, he finds her dead, curled up in a way that suggests a ritual murder. He investigates the death, eventually joining forces with a mystery writer who believes a serial killer has murdered Bette. By the time they put all the pieces together, they realize that the killer is extremely dangerous, and could be headed to kill more people they know. This book puts a new shine on a classic thriller plot.
Audiobook
First published October 1, 2001
48 people are currently reading
668 people want to read
About the author
John Lutz
234 books300 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John Lutz has captivated suspense enthusiasts for over four decades. He has been one of the premier voices in contemporary hard-boiled fiction. His work includes political suspense, private eye novels, urban suspense, humor, occult, crime caper, police procedural, espionage, historical, futuristic, amateur detective, thriller; virtually every mystery sub-genre. John Lutz published his first short story in 1966 in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and has been publishing regularly ever since. He is the author of more than fifty novels and 250 short stories and articles.
His novels and short fiction have been translated into virtually every language and adapted for almost every medium. He is a past president of both Mystery Writers of America and Private Eye Writers of America. Among his awards are the MWA Edgar, the PWA Shamus, The Trophee 813 Award for best mystery short story collection translated into the French language, the PWA Life Achievement Award, and the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Golden Derringer Lifetime Achievement Award.
He is the author of two private eye series, the Nudger series, set in his home town of St. Louis, and the Carver series, set in Florida, as well as many non-series suspense novels. His SWF SEEKS SAME was made into the hit movie SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh, and his novel THE EX was made into the HBO original movie of the same title, for which he co-authored the screenplay.
Lutz and his wife, Barbara, split their time between St. Louis and Sarasota, Florida.
John Lutz has captivated suspense enthusiasts for over four decades. He has been one of the premier voices in contemporary hard-boiled fiction. His work includes political suspense, private eye novels, urban suspense, humor, occult, crime caper, police procedural, espionage, historical, futuristic, amateur detective, thriller; virtually every mystery sub-genre. John Lutz published his first short story in 1966 in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and has been publishing regularly ever since. He is the author of more than fifty novels and 250 short stories and articles.
His novels and short fiction have been translated into virtually every language and adapted for almost every medium. He is a past president of both Mystery Writers of America and Private Eye Writers of America. Among his awards are the MWA Edgar, the PWA Shamus, The Trophee 813 Award for best mystery short story collection translated into the French language, the PWA Life Achievement Award, and the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Golden Derringer Lifetime Achievement Award.
He is the author of two private eye series, the Nudger series, set in his home town of St. Louis, and the Carver series, set in Florida, as well as many non-series suspense novels. His SWF SEEKS SAME was made into the hit movie SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh, and his novel THE EX was made into the HBO original movie of the same title, for which he co-authored the screenplay.
Lutz and his wife, Barbara, split their time between St. Louis and Sarasota, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
August 10, 2017
I can’t believe I finished this book. The plots seem very impossible at times. A retired policeman seeks the killer of his daughter. Pretty soon it was obvious that the killer is a serial killer. In the process, he meets the beautiful and young sister of another victim. They fell in love. I understand how the retired policeman falls in love with the young woman, but why the young woman falls in love with this man at the first sight requires further explanation. There are other impossible plots. But I don't want to give away too much. The book had interesting conversations and several characters were very well developed, such as the retired policeman’s ex-wife and the killer. Oh, I forgot to mention, the hero policeman also met a female fiction writer during the process. This female writer was ugly and disorganized, and ended up with a terrible fate. I am guessing the author (Mr. Lutz) must have a rival female author who he hates and he used this character to portray his rival. There are some disturbing and gruesome scenes. I recommend this book for airport reading, where there are a lot of people around you. Don't read it at night. You might start to think someone is behind the curtains. This is my first book by this author.
March 3, 2009
Well-done, entertaining thriller set in Gotham featuring a serial killer with an unusual twist. Coop is a retired loo and a cancer survivor. His daughter Bette has been murdered, and Coop is in the thick of the her homicide investigation. Violence isn't too gory. Coop enjoys a romance along the way. Bottom line: I'll read more of Mr. Lutz's thrillers.
August 12, 2013
A library mp3, meaning if I listened to the end I should give it a 3 rating. But. The female characters, especially the detective's ex-wife and the crime novelist, were so self involved and resistant to reason, I down rated it. For that matter, the detective's love interest also didn't listen to advice and did dumb things. Plus, the interior monologues of the serial killer were unpleasant and the killer's murders or women distasteful. Plus plus [is this a spoiler?] the clues to the killer don't appear until 7/8 of the way through the book.
So, why did I listen to the end? Writing was ok and moved along pretty well.
But, I suggest you pick something else. I think Lutz is off my list, despite his many library listings.
So, why did I listen to the end? Writing was ok and moved along pretty well.
But, I suggest you pick something else. I think Lutz is off my list, despite his many library listings.
August 3, 2020
If you have absolutely nothing else to read I suppose this will do. The characters are unlikable and unrealistic. The plot both unimaginative and unbelievable. Even the grammar was bad. I don’t know what woman hurt Lutz, but I hope she had a happier ending than the women in this book.
August 24, 2011
Slow moving, boring, crude.
May 13, 2021
I would like to give it a 3.5 instead of a 3 but wasn't quite a 4. It was good. Author tied together everything really well. Easy read. Just not amazing.
June 19, 2015
John Lutz is a well known for his suspense fiction and in the Night Caller, when a former police officer is the one to discover his daughter dead:
Ezekiel Cooper, Coop to everyone, is a former NYPD detective who is about to be pulled into the hunt of his life. His daughter has been murder and he is determined to find who is responsible. He never thought that he would find himself paired with a novelist who is attempting to make a name for herself in True Crime, but Dani has connections that even Coop does not have and it turns out they need each other in order to solve this case. They want to go about the investigation entirely different ways, and Coop is always questioning Dani's motives, but he needs to find out who murdered his daughter as it looks the killings are not going to stop anytime soon.
I'm pretty sure that this is the first book that I have read by Lutz which I am surprised at as I do tend to read the serial killer thrillers quite often and enjoy the hunt that are within them. I am always searching for something new and someone new in this genre and I think that Lutz succeeded in some points but not others, the serial killer was not that original and seemed very scattered when you read the chapters from their point of view. There is one path in the book that I did not think that Lutz would take as it would probably have been easier to go a different way but I'm really glad with his choice and it was one of the highlights of the book (sorry about being vague but I dont want to give it away). Nevertheless, I never really felt on the edge of my seat in this book, and I think that is a must when a book is set up as a thriller. I found the story and mystery very entertaining but I wanted to feel the suspense of each moment.
I think the aspect I liked the best within this book is Coop being the father of one the Night Caller's victims and the lengths he was willing to go in order to find the killer. This very personal interest is what shapes the story and the plot and basically everything that Coop needs to achieve. In order to add another time limit to things there are additional murders occurring but also Coop has/had brain cancer. This not only limits him physically, it also really limits the time frame he can do it in. Although he does have brain cancer, he doesn't let it slow him down, he is resilient and at times pushes himself too far, but all for a good cause. Coop is resilient, a good detective, patient and likes to take his time to make sure he gets the investigation right, all things I like to see portrayed in a detective (well former detective). I also liked the interaction that Coop had with other characters within the book, especially his ex-wife. I'm not sure if Lutz intended it but those interactions were almost the comic relief for me, as the craziness of some of her views of people, culture and women rights.
I don't think anyone could like Dani and I do not think that Lutz really wants you to like her. I secretly wonder if she is based upon another writer that he either knows or is friends with, but her personality is lacking a friendly vibe. She is only concerned about herself and writing her book so she can "make it big" again. She has no concern for the murder victims, or their families, she only allows them to think this so she can dig additional information out of them for her book. She is also very self centered and will use whatever she can to manipulate people and situations, so I do have to applaud her for being a chameleon, I mean she is even able to charm Coop's ex-wife.
I would read another novel by Lutz and I can begin to understand as to why he is a popular serial killer writer I just hope that some of his other novels have more of the suspense and thrills that I am looking for with these types of books.
Enjoy!!
Ezekiel Cooper, Coop to everyone, is a former NYPD detective who is about to be pulled into the hunt of his life. His daughter has been murder and he is determined to find who is responsible. He never thought that he would find himself paired with a novelist who is attempting to make a name for herself in True Crime, but Dani has connections that even Coop does not have and it turns out they need each other in order to solve this case. They want to go about the investigation entirely different ways, and Coop is always questioning Dani's motives, but he needs to find out who murdered his daughter as it looks the killings are not going to stop anytime soon.
I'm pretty sure that this is the first book that I have read by Lutz which I am surprised at as I do tend to read the serial killer thrillers quite often and enjoy the hunt that are within them. I am always searching for something new and someone new in this genre and I think that Lutz succeeded in some points but not others, the serial killer was not that original and seemed very scattered when you read the chapters from their point of view. There is one path in the book that I did not think that Lutz would take as it would probably have been easier to go a different way but I'm really glad with his choice and it was one of the highlights of the book (sorry about being vague but I dont want to give it away). Nevertheless, I never really felt on the edge of my seat in this book, and I think that is a must when a book is set up as a thriller. I found the story and mystery very entertaining but I wanted to feel the suspense of each moment.
I think the aspect I liked the best within this book is Coop being the father of one the Night Caller's victims and the lengths he was willing to go in order to find the killer. This very personal interest is what shapes the story and the plot and basically everything that Coop needs to achieve. In order to add another time limit to things there are additional murders occurring but also Coop has/had brain cancer. This not only limits him physically, it also really limits the time frame he can do it in. Although he does have brain cancer, he doesn't let it slow him down, he is resilient and at times pushes himself too far, but all for a good cause. Coop is resilient, a good detective, patient and likes to take his time to make sure he gets the investigation right, all things I like to see portrayed in a detective (well former detective). I also liked the interaction that Coop had with other characters within the book, especially his ex-wife. I'm not sure if Lutz intended it but those interactions were almost the comic relief for me, as the craziness of some of her views of people, culture and women rights.
I don't think anyone could like Dani and I do not think that Lutz really wants you to like her. I secretly wonder if she is based upon another writer that he either knows or is friends with, but her personality is lacking a friendly vibe. She is only concerned about herself and writing her book so she can "make it big" again. She has no concern for the murder victims, or their families, she only allows them to think this so she can dig additional information out of them for her book. She is also very self centered and will use whatever she can to manipulate people and situations, so I do have to applaud her for being a chameleon, I mean she is even able to charm Coop's ex-wife.
I would read another novel by Lutz and I can begin to understand as to why he is a popular serial killer writer I just hope that some of his other novels have more of the suspense and thrills that I am looking for with these types of books.
Enjoy!!
November 2, 2013
This was another really disturbing and scary book. I know I wouldn't read it again. Not because it was bad but because John Lutz really knows how to capture the mind of a killer. I wanted to scream sometimes as I was reading this. If your all for the scary-I-may-not-sleep tonight kind of book. This one is for you.
June 4, 2009
Very slow book. A good author but not his best book.
January 4, 2020
Amazing!
The night caller is an amazing book by John lutz! It will keep your attention and make you wonder what will happen next!
The night caller is an amazing book by John lutz! It will keep your attention and make you wonder what will happen next!
April 30, 2024
[Snack-Size Review] The Night Caller, by John Lutz
Quick Bite: The story is good, the rampant misogyny… not so much.
What It’s About: Retired NYPD detective Ezekiel Cooper becomes involved in the worst case of his life - the murder of his daughter Bette. While trying to track down the killer, he ends up partnered with author Deni Green, a novelist who is trying her hand at true crime. And the story she is working is much bigger than just Bette - she believes that Bette was murdered by a serial killer who has been killing all over the country. Meanwhile, the sister of another victim of the Night Caller has decided that the best way to find the killer is to start emulating her dead sister as much as possible to draw him out.
A Word From The Nerd: Ok, duckies, I need to back up just a teensy bit before I hold forth on this one. I ended up reading it, because I found a loved-to-death paperback in a thrift store of the third book in the series (The Night Spider). Given how tattered that book was, I figured it must be something special, but my OCD won’t let me start a series in the middle, so here we are. In a kind of unpleasant place. Mr. Lutz spins a decent yarn, a good old-fashioned whodunit, with the world-weary cop, the nubile young damsel in distress, and the fun added complication of the pushy author. But he also has a real problem with his female characters. The victims of the killer, the sister who ends up in love with Coop (despite a massive age difference and nothing in common) are all perfect angels - beautiful, innocent good girls with no personality at all. However, Deni Green & Coop’s ex-wife (a militant vegetarian & animal rights activist) are both depicted as rigid, unpleasant, unattractive Feminazis who hate men, can’t dress, and have questionable hygiene. It was gross. I’ll be re-donating The Night Spider and passing on any other Lutz books that come my way.
The Nerd’s Rating: TWO HAPPY NEURONS (and a whole lot of mints, to get the taste of disappointment out of my mouth.)
Quick Bite: The story is good, the rampant misogyny… not so much.
What It’s About: Retired NYPD detective Ezekiel Cooper becomes involved in the worst case of his life - the murder of his daughter Bette. While trying to track down the killer, he ends up partnered with author Deni Green, a novelist who is trying her hand at true crime. And the story she is working is much bigger than just Bette - she believes that Bette was murdered by a serial killer who has been killing all over the country. Meanwhile, the sister of another victim of the Night Caller has decided that the best way to find the killer is to start emulating her dead sister as much as possible to draw him out.
A Word From The Nerd: Ok, duckies, I need to back up just a teensy bit before I hold forth on this one. I ended up reading it, because I found a loved-to-death paperback in a thrift store of the third book in the series (The Night Spider). Given how tattered that book was, I figured it must be something special, but my OCD won’t let me start a series in the middle, so here we are. In a kind of unpleasant place. Mr. Lutz spins a decent yarn, a good old-fashioned whodunit, with the world-weary cop, the nubile young damsel in distress, and the fun added complication of the pushy author. But he also has a real problem with his female characters. The victims of the killer, the sister who ends up in love with Coop (despite a massive age difference and nothing in common) are all perfect angels - beautiful, innocent good girls with no personality at all. However, Deni Green & Coop’s ex-wife (a militant vegetarian & animal rights activist) are both depicted as rigid, unpleasant, unattractive Feminazis who hate men, can’t dress, and have questionable hygiene. It was gross. I’ll be re-donating The Night Spider and passing on any other Lutz books that come my way.
The Nerd’s Rating: TWO HAPPY NEURONS (and a whole lot of mints, to get the taste of disappointment out of my mouth.)
January 15, 2023
I am giving it 3 stars because the plot was very good and kept me wondering what was going on. I was not in love with characters.... Coop , a retired NY PD officer and his ex wife... ( total jerk), Deni ( a mystery writer so self absorbed it was ridiculous, Cara ( a victim's sister who is dressing like her sister to lure the serial killer in... cause she is so much smarter than all the cops.. has zero back up and no friends and instantly falls in love with the older Coop and Art ( Coop's old partner also part time restaurant owner) There was alot going in this story. I would have like the story if it did not have the love story in it... calling Coop , lover grated on my nerves. The story went on for a long time and then poof, it was all solved in one chapter with no follow up with any of the secondary characters to say nice job Coop, way to go for solving a nationwide serial killer that no law enforcement agency had on our radar and oh by the way... we roughly figure on 6 people killed but the numbers could be higher.... So it appears that this is number one in a series.. wonder if Coop teams up with his GF or ex partner to solve crimes or does it all on his own with a new GF in every book?
April 22, 2018
I listened to this audiobook. This is my first John Lutz book. Former police detective Ezekiel Cooper ("Coop") is in remission from cancer when he finds his adult daughter murdered in his beach house. He reaches out to his former partner who agrees to let Coop do some snooping on his own. Coop is approached by a self-centered cozy mystery author, Denny, who longs to write a true crime novel. She uses anyone and everyone to reach her goal, but Coop reluctantly agrees to work loosely with her. She is convinced that a serial killer is responsible for Coop's daughter's murder. She shows him how several murders over time and long distances are all related. The "Night Caller" is indeed a serial killer who is arrogant and bold, and very smart. He varies his style and murders in several states so that clues that link the murders are not immediately seen. Denny is obnoxious, but she isn't wrong. Coop is no longer a cop, but he is motivated to find his daughter's killer. Although it is sometimes a little melodramatic, overall it was an okay book for listening.
January 26, 2018
I really did not care much for this book. I could not stand the Deni character - so much so that I found the book difficult to finish because of it. The entire story felt clumsily written. Not sure I would read anything else by this author.
June 22, 2018
What a book! From the first chapter to the last this is a moving book. Murders all over the place. At times it made me think, can people really do this? Super book if you like serial killers thrillers.
February 9, 2022
Too bad we can’t give half points or this would have been a solid 2.5. Parts of it are really good, but other parts are downright stupid…anticlimactic ending and a romance that felt forced. Plus the killer’s name? Nope.
May 25, 2018
difficult to get into, evened out and ended well. Will give the author another try.
January 24, 2019
Meh. Predictable but I loved listening to it - if only because Scott Brick narrated.
April 18, 2019
It wasn't a page turner, but there were some interesting characters. The book was interesting enough that I will try the next book in line.
July 17, 2019
A good mystery. Scott Britt always a great reader.
May 20, 2022
Very slow and boring. One hundred pages of missed opportunities. 10+ chapters of nothing!
September 20, 2022
4.5 stars
Just my jam! Creepy killer, really liked Cooper's character
Just my jam! Creepy killer, really liked Cooper's character
August 4, 2023
Brilliant read. X
October 15, 2023
Always enjoy John Lutz books great author.
October 18, 2024
This one was ok. It was pretty slow moving and never really picked up.
September 8, 2022
Starts out a little slow but definately pulls you in
October 14, 2016
I have read a few book in this series on and off. this is the 1st and it still feels like you don't necessarily have to read everything in order.
July 6, 2023
This was tedious.
July 13, 2008
An ex-cop, Coop, teams up with a mystery writer, Deni, to investigate the death of his daughter for a true crime book thought to revitalize her waning career. Deni attributes the death of Coop's daughter and several others to a yet undiscovered serial killer. A killer so crafty that he changes the rules for what law enforcement expect of a serial killer to avoid being detected. Throw in a bitter ex-wife, a greiving sister holding herself out as bait and a "determined" editor and you have an entertaining read.
Reading primarily mysteries/thrillers along the lines of Patterson, Ablow and Kellerman, I get excited when I find a new author to break up a sometimes monotonous or disappointing series. This is the first book I have read by Lutz, and I enjoyed it enough to read on.
The style is easy to read, the story was entertaining and overall, the book didn't leave me with the feeling that I have read this plot before. The characters are not overly complex, but they are likeable enough. I will be interested in seeing if he carries any of these characters over into his other books (that all seem to have the word "night" in the title).
Reading primarily mysteries/thrillers along the lines of Patterson, Ablow and Kellerman, I get excited when I find a new author to break up a sometimes monotonous or disappointing series. This is the first book I have read by Lutz, and I enjoyed it enough to read on.
The style is easy to read, the story was entertaining and overall, the book didn't leave me with the feeling that I have read this plot before. The characters are not overly complex, but they are likeable enough. I will be interested in seeing if he carries any of these characters over into his other books (that all seem to have the word "night" in the title).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews