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Vigilante #1
Vigilante
With sixteen unsolved murders on his desk, and the only lead, an email from the killer himself, Montreal's Lieutenant Dave McCall calls on the services of Chris Barry, computer guru and industry executive, for help. As murders and emails continue to climb, the two men join forces in bringing the killer to justice. But whose justice will prevail in the end? Theirs, or the Vigilante's?
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
210 people are currently reading
2139 people want to read
About the author
Claude Bouchard
91 books2,112 followers*USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR*
I was born in Montreal, Canada, at a very young age, where I still live with my spouse, Joanne, under the watchful eye of Krystalle and Midnight, two black females of the feline persuasion. In a former life, I completed my studies at McGill University and worked in various management capacities for a handful of firms for countless years. From there, considering my extensive background in human resources and finance, it was a logical leap in my career path to stay home and write crime thrillers.
My first stab at writing was actually in 1995, the result being my first novel, "Vigilante". Two others of the same series followed by 1997 but all three remained dormant until publication in 2009. Since, besides writing a stand-alone, five other thrillers have joined the VIGILANTE series. I also penned "Something's Cooking", a faux-erotica parody and cookbook under the pseudonyms Réal E. Hotte and Dasha Sugah. I'm currently working on "See You in Saigon" and "The First Sixteen", two further installments of my series. I have to say, I'm enjoying this writing gig.
Other interests besides writing and subtly persuading people to buy my books include reading, making noise with my six guitars, painting (oil and watercolour), cooking (year round though I love the grill in the summer), traveling and planning to work out soon. I've also been known to sleep on occasion.
You can visit my website at claudebouchardbooks.com which is almost as fun as DisneyLand and absolutely free.
I was born in Montreal, Canada, at a very young age, where I still live with my spouse, Joanne, under the watchful eye of Krystalle and Midnight, two black females of the feline persuasion. In a former life, I completed my studies at McGill University and worked in various management capacities for a handful of firms for countless years. From there, considering my extensive background in human resources and finance, it was a logical leap in my career path to stay home and write crime thrillers.
My first stab at writing was actually in 1995, the result being my first novel, "Vigilante". Two others of the same series followed by 1997 but all three remained dormant until publication in 2009. Since, besides writing a stand-alone, five other thrillers have joined the VIGILANTE series. I also penned "Something's Cooking", a faux-erotica parody and cookbook under the pseudonyms Réal E. Hotte and Dasha Sugah. I'm currently working on "See You in Saigon" and "The First Sixteen", two further installments of my series. I have to say, I'm enjoying this writing gig.
Other interests besides writing and subtly persuading people to buy my books include reading, making noise with my six guitars, painting (oil and watercolour), cooking (year round though I love the grill in the summer), traveling and planning to work out soon. I've also been known to sleep on occasion.
You can visit my website at claudebouchardbooks.com which is almost as fun as DisneyLand and absolutely free.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
May 23, 2012
Three things made me read this book.
1. The author has a massive following on Twitter and blogs about Indie writing, handing out advice and tips.
2. The reviews are mostly gushing and fullsome in their praise.
3. It was available as a free download.
I have to admit to being ever so slightly disappointed. It's essentially a good story, well structured, with a few clever twists and touches, and he does a good job of juggling the possibilities and suspects. Unfortunately, I guessed the ending about half way through so, for me, it was less revelatory than many other reviewers found it. That's not to say it is patently obvious (it's not) or that I am some kind of genius (as if!), I just thought it was good rather than gobsmacking.
I didn't enjoy a lot of the dialogue. It tended to consist of the characters summarising or describing what had just occurred in the preceding chapter or paragraphs, which made me skim or ignore it. I also thought the description of tone, emotion and so on after each sentence uttered was overdone.
I found the number of grammatical errors - a your instead of a you're for instance - and typos a bit off-putting. With modern electronic files, it is easy to go in and fix such things. This book is several years old and there are other reviews pointing out these glitches. Given the author's penchant for giving advice on writing, I think he should go back over the text and fix these. Don't get me wrong, it is not such a problem that it would spoil the read or the story, but it would improve it if he did.
Overall, I would say it is worth reading and given that the vast majority of readers appeared to thoroughly enjoy it, my nit-picking is likely just that! I suspect my expectations were just a little too high going into it.
1. The author has a massive following on Twitter and blogs about Indie writing, handing out advice and tips.
2. The reviews are mostly gushing and fullsome in their praise.
3. It was available as a free download.
I have to admit to being ever so slightly disappointed. It's essentially a good story, well structured, with a few clever twists and touches, and he does a good job of juggling the possibilities and suspects. Unfortunately, I guessed the ending about half way through so, for me, it was less revelatory than many other reviewers found it. That's not to say it is patently obvious (it's not) or that I am some kind of genius (as if!), I just thought it was good rather than gobsmacking.
I didn't enjoy a lot of the dialogue. It tended to consist of the characters summarising or describing what had just occurred in the preceding chapter or paragraphs, which made me skim or ignore it. I also thought the description of tone, emotion and so on after each sentence uttered was overdone.
I found the number of grammatical errors - a your instead of a you're for instance - and typos a bit off-putting. With modern electronic files, it is easy to go in and fix such things. This book is several years old and there are other reviews pointing out these glitches. Given the author's penchant for giving advice on writing, I think he should go back over the text and fix these. Don't get me wrong, it is not such a problem that it would spoil the read or the story, but it would improve it if he did.
Overall, I would say it is worth reading and given that the vast majority of readers appeared to thoroughly enjoy it, my nit-picking is likely just that! I suspect my expectations were just a little too high going into it.
May 18, 2015
Rarely have I read a novel so pitifully awful as Vigilante. If I were to write a detailed review of what Claude Bouchard got wrong, it would end up longer than the book itself. Instead, I'll stick with a few basic points.
1. The lead detective is pathetically inept, yet portrayed as a superstar. Now, this *can* actually work if you're making a more personal story focusing on character flaws, but the character portrayals in the book are delivered in such a shallow, "tell, don't show" style that it just comes off as jarring and annoying.
2. The killer is unbelievably competent. Even a basic profile would have caught this guy early in the novel, but instead the police relied on techniques that have been outdated since the 80s. I'd make a joke about it being the Canadians, but Canadian police have been cutting edge long before American police.
3. Horrible, horrible scene transitions and pacing. Every murder victim gets a long, dry, impersonal back-story and introduction so the author can tell you (again falling into the tell, don't show trap) that they're really bad and deserve to die. Every murder is sloppily written and performed in such a way that even 1996 forensics, which pre-dated widespread use of DNA, would have been able to figure this out.
I've wasted enough time reviewing this awful novel. Read something else. Anything else.
1. The lead detective is pathetically inept, yet portrayed as a superstar. Now, this *can* actually work if you're making a more personal story focusing on character flaws, but the character portrayals in the book are delivered in such a shallow, "tell, don't show" style that it just comes off as jarring and annoying.
2. The killer is unbelievably competent. Even a basic profile would have caught this guy early in the novel, but instead the police relied on techniques that have been outdated since the 80s. I'd make a joke about it being the Canadians, but Canadian police have been cutting edge long before American police.
3. Horrible, horrible scene transitions and pacing. Every murder victim gets a long, dry, impersonal back-story and introduction so the author can tell you (again falling into the tell, don't show trap) that they're really bad and deserve to die. Every murder is sloppily written and performed in such a way that even 1996 forensics, which pre-dated widespread use of DNA, would have been able to figure this out.
I've wasted enough time reviewing this awful novel. Read something else. Anything else.
April 8, 2010
You'd think, with years of editing fiction and reading countless queries and manuscripts, that I would be an expert at knowing who-done-it. Claude Bouchard has proven me wrong. I had NO idea what the outcome of this mind-bending mystery would be until the big reveal at the end of the novel. Not a clue!
Brilliantly executed, sharp and concise writing, Vigilante is a stellar example of what a crime / mystery / thriller should be. Perfect.
A must read.
Brilliantly executed, sharp and concise writing, Vigilante is a stellar example of what a crime / mystery / thriller should be. Perfect.
A must read.
June 4, 2012
This was my first book by this author but will not be my last, in fact I've already downloaded the next in this series. Maybe not 'quite' amazing but definitely my kind of book.
Fast pace, interesting characters and the author handled the vigilante theme very well, with enough of a twist to keep you involved. While I started to suspect the identity of the killer late in the book it certainly wasn't obvious and the entire plot was fast paced, with the actual killings handled with a relatively light touch.
My only reservation, if you can call it that, was that the finale seemed a little abrupt, with the "clearance" of the last two suspects somewhat abbreviated but it wasn't enough of a glitch to spoil my enjoyment of the book.
Fast pace, interesting characters and the author handled the vigilante theme very well, with enough of a twist to keep you involved. While I started to suspect the identity of the killer late in the book it certainly wasn't obvious and the entire plot was fast paced, with the actual killings handled with a relatively light touch.
My only reservation, if you can call it that, was that the finale seemed a little abrupt, with the "clearance" of the last two suspects somewhat abbreviated but it wasn't enough of a glitch to spoil my enjoyment of the book.
October 5, 2013
I read this out of order but I don't think it matters. I read the second book before this a while back. These are pretty good and I'll continue the series. I have the third one on my bookshelf.
Who is the Vigilante? He's a Robin Hood of sorts killing people that have committed crimes and murders themselves. He is just doing the legal system a favor. He is an expert at hiding himself and all the traces of his activity from the police. Can he be caught? Read and find out.
Who is the Vigilante? He's a Robin Hood of sorts killing people that have committed crimes and murders themselves. He is just doing the legal system a favor. He is an expert at hiding himself and all the traces of his activity from the police. Can he be caught? Read and find out.
May 28, 2022
Since I write a vigilante series I read them all.
This was good.
What I liked:
The story has a big kind of twist that saves our vigilante.
It took place in Canada.
There were multiple storylines that converged.
What I didn't like:
The vigilante never had any problems. He killed everyone easily, he always outsmarted them. It was too easy.
This was good.
What I liked:
The story has a big kind of twist that saves our vigilante.
It took place in Canada.
There were multiple storylines that converged.
What I didn't like:
The vigilante never had any problems. He killed everyone easily, he always outsmarted them. It was too easy.
April 23, 2012
Vigilante was my first step into the inspired world of Claude Bouchard. This spellbinding story kept me guessing until the very end.
A serial killer is busy with a variety of “projects”. You see, this serial killer is on a mission. He wants to rid Montreal of the vermin that keeps good people up at night. He exterminates a variety of criminals. They are the lowlifes that we love to hate; pimps, rapists, drug dealers- you get the idea.
Here is where conflict steps in. While most people feel that the Vigilante is doing good work, there is always that annoying legal issue. The police must find the killer. Moreover, to make it even more complicated, the killer is a likable guy!
Law enforcement teams up with cutting edge technology and discover more than they bargained for. The storyline is brilliant. The characters are complex and you will immediately form strong feelings about each of them. However, will you be able to figure out the identity of the vigilante?
I do not think so.
A serial killer is busy with a variety of “projects”. You see, this serial killer is on a mission. He wants to rid Montreal of the vermin that keeps good people up at night. He exterminates a variety of criminals. They are the lowlifes that we love to hate; pimps, rapists, drug dealers- you get the idea.
Here is where conflict steps in. While most people feel that the Vigilante is doing good work, there is always that annoying legal issue. The police must find the killer. Moreover, to make it even more complicated, the killer is a likable guy!
Law enforcement teams up with cutting edge technology and discover more than they bargained for. The storyline is brilliant. The characters are complex and you will immediately form strong feelings about each of them. However, will you be able to figure out the identity of the vigilante?
I do not think so.
October 6, 2010
Claude is a fantastic guy, first of all. He's so sweet and nice... Vigilante is a great crime thriller. I highly recommend it.
April 4, 2018
I loved it!
Fast paced murder/mystery set in Montreal, Canada. This book has everything. The story deals with Detective Dave McCall who is being tormented by a vigilante that has targeted criminals in the city. The issue is that the vigilante is not your average serial killer. This person is smart and leaves nothing behind that can track him down.
The hunt causes McCall to suspect everyone around him as the stakes are raised. When the vigilante begins contacting both the police and the press with no digital track, he get the help of security expert Chris Barry, but Barry has his own problems.
This story races to a conclusion where nothing is what it seems. It’s the ultimate who-dunnit.
Fast paced murder/mystery set in Montreal, Canada. This book has everything. The story deals with Detective Dave McCall who is being tormented by a vigilante that has targeted criminals in the city. The issue is that the vigilante is not your average serial killer. This person is smart and leaves nothing behind that can track him down.
The hunt causes McCall to suspect everyone around him as the stakes are raised. When the vigilante begins contacting both the police and the press with no digital track, he get the help of security expert Chris Barry, but Barry has his own problems.
This story races to a conclusion where nothing is what it seems. It’s the ultimate who-dunnit.
October 28, 2013
I received this book for free from a contest on simonjenner.com and I really enjoyed it. I like vigilante justice. I like Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood and the idea that the law has failed us in respect to really putting away the guilty and so an ordinary man faces great obstacles and gets the justice he deserves. In Vigilante, the vigilante goes even further than exacting revenge for himself. He takes it upon himself to get revenge for those who have suffered at the hands of criminals. There were no close calls, no near misses and no nail biting moments where it looks like the vigilante was outnumbered and about to be done in. There was simply straight forward action and adventure. There was great planning on the vigilante's part and there was some mystery in the book as to who was the real vigilante. Bouchard writes the story in a way that you think you know who the vigilante is but you keep second guessing yourself because of the plot turns. I can see where this book would leave those who are more liberal minded concerning crime and punishment upset thinking this book was full of hate and violence. I myself am more conservative and enjoy seeing the criminal "get what's coming to him" so to speak. If you are a fan of justice served up cold and calculating then you would enjoy this book and probably this whole series. I am glad I won this book and must say thank you to the author for writing it and to Simon Jenner for sponsoring this book as a "give away" on his website.
October 6, 2014
I first read this book 3 years ago and loved it. I quickly bought the next 4 books in the series which I chewed through in over the next 3 weeks. I just started re-reading the series which is a mark for good books.
I'm a huge action/thriller fan and in particularly the vigilante genre. This book ticks all the boxes of what makes a good action/thriller book. Bad guys, cops, murder, and a vigilante.
I couldn't put this book down. Vigilante, Chris Barry is not some psychopathic serial killer. He's a very intelligent and likable guy. Oddly enough he's called in by the one person he should be avoiding at all costs, Lieutenant Dave McCall and you have to read to believe where that leads to.
Who doesn't have a little vigilante in them? What draws me to the vigilante genre is the righting of wrongs when justice cannot or will not protect the people. Some of the series out there have characters that are clearly psychotic but choose to limit their victim pool to the filth of society. Then others, like this series, contain a character that could be the person next door. They participate in the community events, are well liked and respected. Little do we know that the danger lurking in the dark is really the champion of our safety and in turn the thing that goes bump in the dark for all those out there seeking to find a victim for their sick, perverse pleasures.
I'm a huge action/thriller fan and in particularly the vigilante genre. This book ticks all the boxes of what makes a good action/thriller book. Bad guys, cops, murder, and a vigilante.
I couldn't put this book down. Vigilante, Chris Barry is not some psychopathic serial killer. He's a very intelligent and likable guy. Oddly enough he's called in by the one person he should be avoiding at all costs, Lieutenant Dave McCall and you have to read to believe where that leads to.
Who doesn't have a little vigilante in them? What draws me to the vigilante genre is the righting of wrongs when justice cannot or will not protect the people. Some of the series out there have characters that are clearly psychotic but choose to limit their victim pool to the filth of society. Then others, like this series, contain a character that could be the person next door. They participate in the community events, are well liked and respected. Little do we know that the danger lurking in the dark is really the champion of our safety and in turn the thing that goes bump in the dark for all those out there seeking to find a victim for their sick, perverse pleasures.
April 21, 2018
KU loan: A super smart tech genius, Chris Barry, and an honest cop, Dave McCall, work together to find a supposed vigilante killer. 16 bodies later, all who have committed heinous crimes; will they solve the case? SHOULD they solve it? Plenty of, I mean, PLENTY of twists and turns you won’t suspect coming. Several possible suspects. Very well written, great characters, plausible story, heart-beating action!
August 29, 2013
A serial killer is on the loose in Montreal but his sights are only set on criminals. But this is more than just a vigilante thriller - it is a cleverly woven mystery with plenty of red herrings thrown in along the way to torment the reader. We are pointed towards one suspect but doubts creep in as the story progresses. Although I had my suspicions as to the vigilante's identity, I wasn’t 100% sure who it was until the last sentence. As soon as I realised that the identity of the vigilante was actually unknown, I was really drawn into the book. I couldn't put it down until I'd found out. I particularly enjoyed the pacing of this book as it interspersed the vigilante killings with back story and the progress of the investigation. While I did miss getting inside the head of the vigilante, although that would have given away the whole mystery part, the cleverly woven intrigue kept me reading well into the night.
October 12, 2011
When I first started this book I was amazed at how each page pulled me in more. Great start, intriguing middle and a shocking ending. What more can you ask of a great book.
Vigilante makes you side with him, relate and cheer him on. All of the characters come to life to make this story the grand thrill it is.
The Vigilante is a good mannered killer who just wants to clean up the streets without the red tape. McCall is the cop hot on his tail. Power, crime and justice never seemed so fascinating.
The first of a series that will get you hooked. Claude Bouchard holds back no punches - you will not be disappointed. A great read that is both well thought out and written. Bravo!Vigilante
Vigilante makes you side with him, relate and cheer him on. All of the characters come to life to make this story the grand thrill it is.
The Vigilante is a good mannered killer who just wants to clean up the streets without the red tape. McCall is the cop hot on his tail. Power, crime and justice never seemed so fascinating.
The first of a series that will get you hooked. Claude Bouchard holds back no punches - you will not be disappointed. A great read that is both well thought out and written. Bravo!Vigilante
January 18, 2013
I personally found the IDEA of a Vigilante STOPPING a crime before the victim is abused, punishing the criminal in a way that they will NEVER hurt anyone again, FASCINATING!
Cold Blooded Killer or Knight in Shining Armor? I thought the identity of the killer was obvious from the start, was surprised when I began to doubt who it was. Again and again I revised my ideas and finally just gave in and read the story allowing it unfold in its own way.
Claude Bouchard has woven a complex theme with very realistic characters, that kept me glued to the pages. The sensitivity in his writing deeply impressed me.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a little more than just a crime drama. It would make a great Lifetime TV movie, about JUSTICE being served, on numerous levels!
Cold Blooded Killer or Knight in Shining Armor? I thought the identity of the killer was obvious from the start, was surprised when I began to doubt who it was. Again and again I revised my ideas and finally just gave in and read the story allowing it unfold in its own way.
Claude Bouchard has woven a complex theme with very realistic characters, that kept me glued to the pages. The sensitivity in his writing deeply impressed me.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a little more than just a crime drama. It would make a great Lifetime TV movie, about JUSTICE being served, on numerous levels!
November 21, 2012
Vigilante (Claude Bouchard)
Set in Montreal Lieutenant Dave McCall, the head of the special task force is on a mission to find a killer. This killer calls himself the "Vigilante" and he kills those who he feels deserved to die. He targets murderers, rapists, the meanest killers around.
He teams up with Chris Barry who runs a security firm in computer communications. He is an expert in the computer field. Together they try to stay a step ahead of this killer and try to bring him down before he strikes again,
Fast paced thriller. I look forward to reading the next in the series:
The Consultant
Set in Montreal Lieutenant Dave McCall, the head of the special task force is on a mission to find a killer. This killer calls himself the "Vigilante" and he kills those who he feels deserved to die. He targets murderers, rapists, the meanest killers around.
He teams up with Chris Barry who runs a security firm in computer communications. He is an expert in the computer field. Together they try to stay a step ahead of this killer and try to bring him down before he strikes again,
Fast paced thriller. I look forward to reading the next in the series:
The Consultant
November 19, 2012
I read 'The Consultant', the second in Claude Bouchard's Vigilante series, a couple of months ago and gave it five stars at the time. I'm giving its predecessor, 'Vigilante', five stars too for exactly the same reasons. It's fast-paced, inventive, full of twists and turns, keeps you guessing and defies you to put it down. It also has the virtue of confronting the reader with a big moral dilemma. How do you feel about a killer who, on one hand, rids society of evil criminals but, on the other, does it by taking the law into his own hands?
Claude Bouchard's racy, exhilarating style keeps you hooked from first page to last. He is a highly skilled operator, a master of the thriller genre.
Claude Bouchard's racy, exhilarating style keeps you hooked from first page to last. He is a highly skilled operator, a master of the thriller genre.
March 17, 2015
Not too bad
If I could, I would have given this 3 1/2 stars. It wasn't the best and it wasn't the worst crime/mystery I've read. The author tried for a twist ending, but something about the number of red herrings and the way they were written led me to figure out who the Vigilante was - and I'm not the type that usually even tries to figure that out.
I own the next two books in the series, so I'm going to read them and hope the author's writing grows a little more mature.
If I could, I would have given this 3 1/2 stars. It wasn't the best and it wasn't the worst crime/mystery I've read. The author tried for a twist ending, but something about the number of red herrings and the way they were written led me to figure out who the Vigilante was - and I'm not the type that usually even tries to figure that out.
I own the next two books in the series, so I'm going to read them and hope the author's writing grows a little more mature.
May 24, 2011
I think I have a new favorite serial killer! I can't really say much about him without spoiling the story. It will simply suck you in and you won't be able to put it down until you finish!
Claude has an amazing way to tell his stories and I can't wait to read more of his work!
Claude has an amazing way to tell his stories and I can't wait to read more of his work!
April 2, 2012
Good story with interesting twists. There were too many scene changes, one only a paragraph long, that made the story sometimes hard to follow. Action was done well but sometimes very violent. Dialog was done very well.
Overall, I would reccomend the book to others.
Overall, I would reccomend the book to others.
January 6, 2013
I got this book on a free promo. Not usually into reading this genre, but I couldn't put it down and found myself loving the lines the vigilante killer would say before offing his victims. Now I'm on book 2 in the series, The Consultant.
December 13, 2010
Just read the first 29 pages. Impressed. Very Impressed :-)
Just finished it. My opinion has not changed #impressed
Just finished it. My opinion has not changed #impressed
April 11, 2012
Bouchard keeps you guessing until the last page! Vigilante has a nicely twisted plot line and believeable characters...a very good read!
March 11, 2013
Great start to the Vigilante series, a crime novel with a number of twists that will keep you guessing until the last page. If you like James Patterson, you'll love Claude Bouchard.
July 4, 2012
A thriller for sure. Watch out for the language...
October 16, 2013
Great addition to his series of mysteries. All true mystery fans should 'discover' Claude before Hollywood does. "The book is always better!"
August 23, 2017
POSSIBLE SPOILER:
LOVED the surprise ending! The book was written in a tight (everything related to the plot), somewhat matter-of-fact style, which is not a criticism, just a comment. The reader really becomes invested in the outcome as the story progresses, and just when you think you have it figured out, BOOM, you find out you were wrong. I do want to go back and check to see whether the author cheated. The apparent solution was so obvious and spoon-fed, it will be interesting to see if the storyline holds up under closer scrutiny, knowing the outcome. Regardless, it was a very fun read. It also had a subplot that was fun to follow. Recommended for mystery/suspense lovers.
LOVED the surprise ending! The book was written in a tight (everything related to the plot), somewhat matter-of-fact style, which is not a criticism, just a comment. The reader really becomes invested in the outcome as the story progresses, and just when you think you have it figured out, BOOM, you find out you were wrong. I do want to go back and check to see whether the author cheated. The apparent solution was so obvious and spoon-fed, it will be interesting to see if the storyline holds up under closer scrutiny, knowing the outcome. Regardless, it was a very fun read. It also had a subplot that was fun to follow. Recommended for mystery/suspense lovers.
February 17, 2020
First of all, it's a book about someone bumping off nasty oiks that the police can't touch. What's not to like? However, to me, it felt like a first book where I found some of the passages a little amateurish. However, I enjoyed the concept, will give the next in the series a read, and will hopefully find it better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews