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Andrew Z. Thomas/Luther Kite #2
Locked Doors
Sequel to Desert Places and prequel to Crouch's and Konrath's STIRRED...
Seven years ago, suspense novelist Andrew Thomas's life was shattered when he was framed for a series of murders. The killer's victims were unearthed on Andrew's lakefront property, and since he was wanted by the FBI, Andrew had no choice but to flee and to create a new identity. Andrew does just that in a cabin tucked away in the remote wilderness near Haines Junction, Yukon. His only link to society is by e-mail, through which he learns that all the people he ever loved are being stalked and murdered. Culminating in the spooky and secluded Outer Banks of North Carolina, the paths of Andrew Thomas, a psychotic named Luther Kite, and a young female detective collide. LOCKED DOORS is a novel of blistering suspense that will scare you to death.
Seven years ago, suspense novelist Andrew Thomas's life was shattered when he was framed for a series of murders. The killer's victims were unearthed on Andrew's lakefront property, and since he was wanted by the FBI, Andrew had no choice but to flee and to create a new identity. Andrew does just that in a cabin tucked away in the remote wilderness near Haines Junction, Yukon. His only link to society is by e-mail, through which he learns that all the people he ever loved are being stalked and murdered. Culminating in the spooky and secluded Outer Banks of North Carolina, the paths of Andrew Thomas, a psychotic named Luther Kite, and a young female detective collide. LOCKED DOORS is a novel of blistering suspense that will scare you to death.
268 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2005
1212 people are currently reading
3310 people want to read
About the author
Blake Crouch
79 books59.2k followersBlake Crouch is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of the forthcoming novel, Dark Matter, for which he is writing the screenplay for Sony Pictures. His international-bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy was adapted into a television series for FOX, executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan, that was Summer 2015’s #1 show. With Chad Hodge, Crouch also created Good Behavior, the TNT television show starring Michelle Dockery based on his Letty Dobesh novellas. He has written more than a dozen novels that have been translated into over thirty languages and his short fiction has appeared in numerous publications including Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Crouch lives in Colorado with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 357 reviews
May 21, 2011
Well, the good news is that Blake Crouch's second novel, Locked Doors is a fast read. And it doesn't rely on one of the most aggravating, cliched, lazy devices of the thriller genre which marred his first novel, Desert Places, the repressed memory.
But the fact is that this book, a sequel to first, still has plenty of cliches, predictability, and "idiot plot" moments. And on top of all that, the book reads like a barely fleshed-out screenplay in a whole lot of places. Crouch isn't a terrible writer; in fact, he lets slip the fact that he has the ability to write a poetically phrased sentence. Unfortunately, this makes the majority of the novel stand out as either rushed or intentionally pared down. The characters are mere sketches, scarcely rising above central casting types, and the lack of depth makes it difficult to care about any of the killer's victims or even for the ostensible protagonist. The switches from first- to third-person seem like another mark of narrative laziness, giving away the survival of one character (and undermining the suspense as a result) and also fragmenting the narrative in ways that diffuses the tension.
Having heard David Morrell praise Crouch's work at a conference several years ago, I picked up both Desert Places and Locked Doors. It took me four years to muster the interest to read the second book after being profoundly disappointed in the first. This reading of the sequel makes me wonder what Morrell, or anyone else for that matter, sees in Crouch's concoctions. There are many better thriller writers out there who don't take narrative shortcuts. The occasional scene that seems more sadistic than necessary is only the rancid icing on this rather stale cake. This isn't the worst thriller I've read, but it certainly has little to recommend it. Spend your money on something better.
But the fact is that this book, a sequel to first, still has plenty of cliches, predictability, and "idiot plot" moments. And on top of all that, the book reads like a barely fleshed-out screenplay in a whole lot of places. Crouch isn't a terrible writer; in fact, he lets slip the fact that he has the ability to write a poetically phrased sentence. Unfortunately, this makes the majority of the novel stand out as either rushed or intentionally pared down. The characters are mere sketches, scarcely rising above central casting types, and the lack of depth makes it difficult to care about any of the killer's victims or even for the ostensible protagonist. The switches from first- to third-person seem like another mark of narrative laziness, giving away the survival of one character (and undermining the suspense as a result) and also fragmenting the narrative in ways that diffuses the tension.
Having heard David Morrell praise Crouch's work at a conference several years ago, I picked up both Desert Places and Locked Doors. It took me four years to muster the interest to read the second book after being profoundly disappointed in the first. This reading of the sequel makes me wonder what Morrell, or anyone else for that matter, sees in Crouch's concoctions. There are many better thriller writers out there who don't take narrative shortcuts. The occasional scene that seems more sadistic than necessary is only the rancid icing on this rather stale cake. This isn't the worst thriller I've read, but it certainly has little to recommend it. Spend your money on something better.
April 17, 2023
So over the top. So page turning. So kill or be killed. So spiked with adrenaline. So many stab wounds. So many creaking stairs. So many sharp edges. So many clicked hammers. So many tears in the dark. So many untrustworthy. So many final breaths. So many wrong turns. So many in the shadows.
So few second chances..
3 1/2 Bedlam-Steeped Stars
So few second chances..
3 1/2 Bedlam-Steeped Stars
November 2, 2014
The 2nd installment of the Andrew Thomas series was a serious kick in the pants. The moment you think that everything is okay you get double the punishment in the best way possible. This was such a great read, truly a heck of a ride! I’ve been a Crouch fan for a while now, read a bunch of his works, his single books and his series with J A Konrath and the stuff he wrote with his brother, it’s hard to stay away from this literary titan, the man is genius and delivers beyond what you’d expect and then some…
Locked Doors follows the trail of Andrew Thomas from the first book, Desert Places, which should be read in order simply because it’s so damn good in the sea of stuff that’s out there… blamed for the crimes of his sadistic brother Orson, Andrew has to go into hiding but someone is back to taunt his existence. After seven quiet, peaceful years an enemy that is not only relentless but one who truly enjoys what he does with people that matter is back and Luther wont back off until Andrew resurfaces. I had to put this book down many, many times as I read it, it was so good that it was scary, and the writing, the characterization and depth was all so seamlessly merged that it truly made the story, it shone with quality and stealth of what was going on and it not only scared me but it excited me for more, each character was exceptionally fleshed out and well throughout.. Luther, Andrew, the Kites, Violet, Elizabeth, Beth, many many faces and people, places and feelings will put the reader through the meat grinder in this one, and trust me, no one is safe. Do not be fooled here; don’t make any favorites… even if it’s the bad guys.
- Kasia S.
Locked Doors follows the trail of Andrew Thomas from the first book, Desert Places, which should be read in order simply because it’s so damn good in the sea of stuff that’s out there… blamed for the crimes of his sadistic brother Orson, Andrew has to go into hiding but someone is back to taunt his existence. After seven quiet, peaceful years an enemy that is not only relentless but one who truly enjoys what he does with people that matter is back and Luther wont back off until Andrew resurfaces. I had to put this book down many, many times as I read it, it was so good that it was scary, and the writing, the characterization and depth was all so seamlessly merged that it truly made the story, it shone with quality and stealth of what was going on and it not only scared me but it excited me for more, each character was exceptionally fleshed out and well throughout.. Luther, Andrew, the Kites, Violet, Elizabeth, Beth, many many faces and people, places and feelings will put the reader through the meat grinder in this one, and trust me, no one is safe. Do not be fooled here; don’t make any favorites… even if it’s the bad guys.
- Kasia S.
January 23, 2022
Soooo good. Better than the first in the series.
October 11, 2021
Implausible and unnecesarily violent. And it didn't end!!! I think there is a third book and I'm bitter. I cannot understand how people gave this book four to five stars when the story is ridiculous, the characters are dull and poorly developed, one of the "shocking" moments has no appropriate back story or follow up and falls flat. I actually groaned and rolled my eyes. If I hadn't read the Wayward Pines series and loved it, I would never have gotten past these two books of his.
February 16, 2025
I have to admit that I liked the first book better. This one introduced a lot of characters, and I prefer books that focus on just a few, especially in this cat-and-mouse genre. Nonetheless, it was a good read. Now we know why Luther is the way he is.
Some things are left unclear for me - e.g., does Andrew ever get his name cleared?, does Horace actually publish his book?, does anyone ever find Max?, who else is still in the basement?, what was the legal aftermath between the last chapter and the epilogue?, how did/did Andrew recover physically?, and so many more questions still!!
I suppose/hope some of these questions will be answered in the third book.
Felt like Crouch ran out of story in the end for it to have had the ending that it did. Perhaps he just wanted it over so he could get on with the third. I still can't believe this series hasn't been produced as a TV show or movie. It's pretty high in the octane and action.
Some things are left unclear for me - e.g., does Andrew ever get his name cleared?, does Horace actually publish his book?, does anyone ever find Max?, who else is still in the basement?, what was the legal aftermath between the last chapter and the epilogue?, how did/did Andrew recover physically?, and so many more questions still!!
I suppose/hope some of these questions will be answered in the third book.
Felt like Crouch ran out of story in the end for it to have had the ending that it did. Perhaps he just wanted it over so he could get on with the third. I still can't believe this series hasn't been produced as a TV show or movie. It's pretty high in the octane and action.
September 8, 2014
The 2nd installment of the Andrew Thomas series was a serious kick in the pants. The moment you think that everything is okay you get double the punishment in the best way possible. This was such a great read, truly a heck of a ride! I’ve been a Crouch fan for a while now, read a bunch of his works, his single books and his series with J A Konrath and the stuff he wrote with his brother, it’s hard to stay away from this literary titan, the man is genius and delivers beyond what you’d expect and then some…
Locked Doors follows the trail of Andrew Thomas from the first book, Desert Places, which should be read in order simply because it’s so damn good in the sea of stuff that’s out there… blamed for the crimes of his sadistic brother Orson, Andrew has to go into hiding but someone is back to taunt his existence. After seven quiet, peaceful years an enemy that is not only relentless but one who truly enjoys what he does with people that matter is back and Luther wont back off until Andrew resurfaces. I had to put this book down many, many times as I read it, it was so good that it was scary, and the writing, the characterization and depth was all so seamlessly merged that it truly made the story, it shone with quality and stealth of what was going on and it not only scared me but it excited me for more, each character was exceptionally fleshed out and well throughout.. Luther, Andrew, the Kites, Violet, Elizabeth, Beth, many many faces and people, places and feelings will put the reader through the meat grinder in this one, and trust me, no one is safe. Do not be fooled here; don’t make any favorites… even if it’s the bad guys.
- Kasia S.
Locked Doors follows the trail of Andrew Thomas from the first book, Desert Places, which should be read in order simply because it’s so damn good in the sea of stuff that’s out there… blamed for the crimes of his sadistic brother Orson, Andrew has to go into hiding but someone is back to taunt his existence. After seven quiet, peaceful years an enemy that is not only relentless but one who truly enjoys what he does with people that matter is back and Luther wont back off until Andrew resurfaces. I had to put this book down many, many times as I read it, it was so good that it was scary, and the writing, the characterization and depth was all so seamlessly merged that it truly made the story, it shone with quality and stealth of what was going on and it not only scared me but it excited me for more, each character was exceptionally fleshed out and well throughout.. Luther, Andrew, the Kites, Violet, Elizabeth, Beth, many many faces and people, places and feelings will put the reader through the meat grinder in this one, and trust me, no one is safe. Do not be fooled here; don’t make any favorites… even if it’s the bad guys.
- Kasia S.
July 15, 2012
Spoilers in second paragraph.
This author needs an editor who will make him kill his darlings. The darling in question is his strange habit of combining adjectives into one word. For example, it's not a "dark navy sea" it's a "navydark sea." He did it over a hundred times, and it drove me crazy every time. Hard to enjoy a book when there is something like that happening every few pages that makes you feel like you hit a lump of tinfoil in your nice roast beef sandwich every time it happens.
SPOILER.
I am fine with suspension of disbelief, as long as the author obeys the laws of his universe consistently. In this book, Crouch doesn't. In book one of this series, he says that Luther Kite was captured by Orson and turned into a serial killer. In this second book, however, Crouch reveals that Kite's parents are also serial killers of long standing. I don't think Orson would have had to do much turning in that case. I found it ridiculous to have the parents be serial killers. It was eye-rollingly hokey to me.
Also, it was unrealistic to have the Kites hold three people hostage for four or five days in order to build an electric chair to use on one of them. I know serial killers often get off on torture, but when, as a reader, you are thinking "For Pete's sake just SHOOT THEM ALREADY" it's too much.
This author needs an editor who will make him kill his darlings. The darling in question is his strange habit of combining adjectives into one word. For example, it's not a "dark navy sea" it's a "navydark sea." He did it over a hundred times, and it drove me crazy every time. Hard to enjoy a book when there is something like that happening every few pages that makes you feel like you hit a lump of tinfoil in your nice roast beef sandwich every time it happens.
SPOILER.
I am fine with suspension of disbelief, as long as the author obeys the laws of his universe consistently. In this book, Crouch doesn't. In book one of this series, he says that Luther Kite was captured by Orson and turned into a serial killer. In this second book, however, Crouch reveals that Kite's parents are also serial killers of long standing. I don't think Orson would have had to do much turning in that case. I found it ridiculous to have the parents be serial killers. It was eye-rollingly hokey to me.
Also, it was unrealistic to have the Kites hold three people hostage for four or five days in order to build an electric chair to use on one of them. I know serial killers often get off on torture, but when, as a reader, you are thinking "For Pete's sake just SHOOT THEM ALREADY" it's too much.
September 19, 2017
Crouch is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I've only read two of his books so seems weird to say that already but wow....if you've never read his stuff check out Desert Places and this one. Locked Doors is the sequel to DP and a pretty darn good one. I think I liked Desert a tad more because this one takes a little bit longer to get going but once it does...brace yourself. It's dark, violent, creepy and somewhat far fetched at times but I can't wait to read more by this talented author.
June 16, 2017
Crouch REALLY needs to work on writing women. Need proof?
Exhibit A: The 26 year old main female character, despite being a cop who has already been promoted in her short career, is constantly referred to as "adorable" with "tiny feet." (No idea why we repeatedly need to be reminded that her feet are tiny. We just do.)
Exhibit B: She behaves more like a kindergarten teacher than a cop. She sucks at her actual job, constantly gets saved by men, spends much of the book being protected and coddled by others, does nothing remotely cop-like other than one brief interlude near the end.
Exhibit C: She then (of course) ends up involved with the 40- something male lead character. Because that's what all beautiful 20-something females long for: middle aged men who like their tiny feet.
If I had a nickel for every book by a middle aged male author about a middle aged male writer who magically ends up in a relationship with a gorgeous 20-something female, I'd be one rich bitch.
Exhibit A: The 26 year old main female character, despite being a cop who has already been promoted in her short career, is constantly referred to as "adorable" with "tiny feet." (No idea why we repeatedly need to be reminded that her feet are tiny. We just do.)
Exhibit B: She behaves more like a kindergarten teacher than a cop. She sucks at her actual job, constantly gets saved by men, spends much of the book being protected and coddled by others, does nothing remotely cop-like other than one brief interlude near the end.
Exhibit C: She then (of course) ends up involved with the 40- something male lead character. Because that's what all beautiful 20-something females long for: middle aged men who like their tiny feet.
If I had a nickel for every book by a middle aged male author about a middle aged male writer who magically ends up in a relationship with a gorgeous 20-something female, I'd be one rich bitch.
October 25, 2010
Crouch did it again! Another electrifying tale.
This one started out slightly slower but picked up quickly. When I got to a certain point, I couldn't put it down til I finished. Yes, another all nighter. I love when a book is that suspenseful and thrilling.
Horrors and thrillers are a genre that I think do best in stand alone stories. Crouch has me taking a different view on the subject now. Locked Doors was every bit as raw, shocking and terrifying as Desert Places. And I'm hoping for a #3.
Crouch has joined the ranks of my favorite authors. The man knows how to tell a story.
This one started out slightly slower but picked up quickly. When I got to a certain point, I couldn't put it down til I finished. Yes, another all nighter. I love when a book is that suspenseful and thrilling.
Horrors and thrillers are a genre that I think do best in stand alone stories. Crouch has me taking a different view on the subject now. Locked Doors was every bit as raw, shocking and terrifying as Desert Places. And I'm hoping for a #3.
Crouch has joined the ranks of my favorite authors. The man knows how to tell a story.
August 11, 2021
It's like reading the novelization of a horror movie. That means there are some decent twists and turns accompanied by some interesting set pieces, but the characters all make just a series of outstandingly bad decisions. You also have to check your brain at the door a few times and just give yourself over to the plot contrivances so that the story can move along. Not my favorite of Crouch's work.
September 9, 2021
I would really give this one a 4.5, pretty good sequel if I do say so myself.
Part of it was a bit slow but for the most part it was fast paced and interesting.
I'm not gonna lie the last 1/3 felt a but hopeless, I really wasn't sure how it was going turn out. There was also one really great twist and man it was a shocker. Satisfying ending too, great way to get us into book #3.
I'm not surprised this book was great, Crouch always is.
Part of it was a bit slow but for the most part it was fast paced and interesting.
I'm not gonna lie the last 1/3 felt a but hopeless, I really wasn't sure how it was going turn out. There was also one really great twist and man it was a shocker. Satisfying ending too, great way to get us into book #3.
I'm not surprised this book was great, Crouch always is.
November 30, 2012
LOCKED DOORS is the sequel to DESERT PLACES and features as a pivotal early piece in the ‘serial universe’ alongside other titles by Crouch and Konrath. Central character, Andrew Z. Thomas returns, the accused novelist now living in hiding is thrust into the dangerous world of serial killers once more when he learns of the re-emergence of Lucifer, a deranged and emotionally detracted killer.
LOCKED DOORS doesn’t have the same polished feel as DESERT PLACES with the second instalment in the Andrew Z. Thomas trilogy reading much like a typical serial killer tale. Yet, it’s the overly brutal manner by which it’s delivered that separates it from the pack. No character is safe as Lucifer does whatever it takes to enact revenge on Andrew for leaving him to bleed out at the end of DESERT PLACES.
At its core, LOCKED DOORS is driven by revenge. Lucifer, let to live regains his strength and targets those who were previously close to Andrew – once the bait is set and subsequently latched upon – the real gore begins.
Despite the graphical content, I felt it was warranted. Unlike other serial killer novels where the blood leads to distraction, the brutality and cruel ways of the killings served to enhance Lucifers lore and establish a truly menacing character.
I also liked the inception of a more investigative angle this time round. Violet, a young detective is on the hunt for Andrew – accused for murders his deranged brother committed, ends up forming a rather unique and interesting relationship with Andrew and Lucifer for that matter. I really liked the way Crouch wrote Violet – her story adds further humility to the series.
LOCKED DOORS is a pretty decent serial killer novel with plenty of gore with cause and thrills typical of the genre. Andrew Z. Thomas continues to grown on me as a ‘man wronged’ with his resolve tested to the fullest in this instalment. I’m interested to see what transpires in BREAK YOU, the conclusion to the Andrew Z. Thompson trilogy.
On a side note – Crouch includes a very handy read list of the Serial Universe up to LOCKED DOORS at the end of the novel in the kindle edition.
LOCKED DOORS doesn’t have the same polished feel as DESERT PLACES with the second instalment in the Andrew Z. Thomas trilogy reading much like a typical serial killer tale. Yet, it’s the overly brutal manner by which it’s delivered that separates it from the pack. No character is safe as Lucifer does whatever it takes to enact revenge on Andrew for leaving him to bleed out at the end of DESERT PLACES.
At its core, LOCKED DOORS is driven by revenge. Lucifer, let to live regains his strength and targets those who were previously close to Andrew – once the bait is set and subsequently latched upon – the real gore begins.
Despite the graphical content, I felt it was warranted. Unlike other serial killer novels where the blood leads to distraction, the brutality and cruel ways of the killings served to enhance Lucifers lore and establish a truly menacing character.
I also liked the inception of a more investigative angle this time round. Violet, a young detective is on the hunt for Andrew – accused for murders his deranged brother committed, ends up forming a rather unique and interesting relationship with Andrew and Lucifer for that matter. I really liked the way Crouch wrote Violet – her story adds further humility to the series.
LOCKED DOORS is a pretty decent serial killer novel with plenty of gore with cause and thrills typical of the genre. Andrew Z. Thomas continues to grown on me as a ‘man wronged’ with his resolve tested to the fullest in this instalment. I’m interested to see what transpires in BREAK YOU, the conclusion to the Andrew Z. Thompson trilogy.
On a side note – Crouch includes a very handy read list of the Serial Universe up to LOCKED DOORS at the end of the novel in the kindle edition.
March 1, 2017
Desert Places was jolly good, but this is even better. Obviously I can't say anything about the plot because of the fact that it's a sequel, and it would give away what happens in Book One, so I'll give the reasons why I liked it:
There's no exposition-type recapping of the previous book, and the situation of the main character, writer Andrew Thomas, seven years on from the end of the last book, is all that you would hope for him. He's in Yukon, and I loved the description of the lonely cabin where he lives (okay, okay, I wanted to live there too....). When the psychopathic Luther Kite beckons, though, he can't help responding....
The pace is terrific. It alternates between characters, and from first to third person, and each change is just right, building the suspense perfectly - I'd swear that on occasion I got that adrenalin flutter of excitement as I moved from one section to another!
The new characters brought in are terrific - there's young Christian detective, Violet, plus Andrew's 'biggest fan', Horace Boone... and the parents of the evil killer.
It's realistic - although all books of this type (serial killer thrillers in which your average guy takes on ultimate evil) can get a little far-fetched, all of this is well within the bounds of feasibility. It's not predictable, either. Just when you think it's going to be okay, it gets bad again. And Crouch shows no fear about killing off people you badly, badly want to stay alive.....
A fab example of its type. Really looking forward to the next one, Break You. The reviews for that aren't so good... we'll see. Incidentally, like all Blake Crouch books, this one finishes by about 80%, followed by excerpts from other books and bits and bobs generally telling you how awesome Blake Crouch is. I don't mind this, if the book's been really good, but some people feel ripped off by anything that doesn't end at 99%, so I thought I'd better mention it.
There's no exposition-type recapping of the previous book, and the situation of the main character, writer Andrew Thomas, seven years on from the end of the last book, is all that you would hope for him. He's in Yukon, and I loved the description of the lonely cabin where he lives (okay, okay, I wanted to live there too....). When the psychopathic Luther Kite beckons, though, he can't help responding....
The pace is terrific. It alternates between characters, and from first to third person, and each change is just right, building the suspense perfectly - I'd swear that on occasion I got that adrenalin flutter of excitement as I moved from one section to another!
The new characters brought in are terrific - there's young Christian detective, Violet, plus Andrew's 'biggest fan', Horace Boone... and the parents of the evil killer.
It's realistic - although all books of this type (serial killer thrillers in which your average guy takes on ultimate evil) can get a little far-fetched, all of this is well within the bounds of feasibility. It's not predictable, either. Just when you think it's going to be okay, it gets bad again. And Crouch shows no fear about killing off people you badly, badly want to stay alive.....
A fab example of its type. Really looking forward to the next one, Break You. The reviews for that aren't so good... we'll see. Incidentally, like all Blake Crouch books, this one finishes by about 80%, followed by excerpts from other books and bits and bobs generally telling you how awesome Blake Crouch is. I don't mind this, if the book's been really good, but some people feel ripped off by anything that doesn't end at 99%, so I thought I'd better mention it.
August 24, 2007
(A) DESERT PLACES / (B) LOCKED DOORS (Suspense-Cont) – NR/DNF
Crouch, Blake – 1st and 2nd in series
St. Martin's Press, 2004/2005 - Hardcover
(A) Thriller writer Andrew Thomas is set up as a serial killer and has no way of proving he is not. (B) It appears on of the bad guys from book (A) is still alive and again out to terrorize Andrew.
*** I group these together as I accidentally started book (B) first, couldn't get into it and thought it might be better if I read book (A) first. I was wrong. These are books that a light in character development, but very heavy on gore and violence. I should like to author to have taken the "less is more" approach; his suspense is effective, but for me, the overt violence and gore made it impossible for me to stay with. True horror lovers will probably enjoy these but they just weren’t for me.
Crouch, Blake – 1st and 2nd in series
St. Martin's Press, 2004/2005 - Hardcover
(A) Thriller writer Andrew Thomas is set up as a serial killer and has no way of proving he is not. (B) It appears on of the bad guys from book (A) is still alive and again out to terrorize Andrew.
*** I group these together as I accidentally started book (B) first, couldn't get into it and thought it might be better if I read book (A) first. I was wrong. These are books that a light in character development, but very heavy on gore and violence. I should like to author to have taken the "less is more" approach; his suspense is effective, but for me, the overt violence and gore made it impossible for me to stay with. True horror lovers will probably enjoy these but they just weren’t for me.
April 6, 2020
I still like Crouch's way with words, but this story is just bad.
"Desert Places" was psychological, haunting. This is just ridicolous.
Characters are flat, dull, identical to each other. They move in this nightmarish enviroment without any kind of contest; you just know that everything will go dark and hopeless for them until the very end. Their actions barely have consequences at all.
Andrew and Luther survive anything, whilst the others are all expendable. The villains are simply crazy psychopaths who want to torture people (and barely do, I might add), and the main character just wants to live in peace.
This all fell flat and pointless. I am sure I will forget this book in no time as it had nothing remarkable about it.
"Desert Places" was psychological, haunting. This is just ridicolous.
Characters are flat, dull, identical to each other. They move in this nightmarish enviroment without any kind of contest; you just know that everything will go dark and hopeless for them until the very end. Their actions barely have consequences at all.
Andrew and Luther survive anything, whilst the others are all expendable. The villains are simply crazy psychopaths who want to torture people (and barely do, I might add), and the main character just wants to live in peace.
This all fell flat and pointless. I am sure I will forget this book in no time as it had nothing remarkable about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2011
Andrew Thomas is a suspense novelist. Seven years ago his life was shattered when he was framed for a series of murders. The killer buried his victims on Andrews lake front property, now wanted by the FBI.Andrew fled and created a new identity.He lives in a cabin tucked away in the remote wilderness of Haines Juntion, Yukon.His only link to society is through e-mail which is how he learns that all the people he ever loved are being stalked and murdered. Culminating in the outer banks of North Carolina, Andrew Thomas, Luther Kite a psychotic killer and a young female detective collide. Locked doors is a great suspense story that will give you chills , and just might scare you to death.
May 18, 2019
Holy crap, this was a good book . . . even better than the first one! I have to admit that the main reason I read this series was because I was making my way through the Jack Daniels series and I wanted to catch up before I read about the great showdown between her and the psychotic Luther Kite. This book was so fast paced and introduced new characters (loved Violet!!). There was so much drama and blood and yes, it was grittier and darker and bloodier than the last one. Maybe that's why I loved it so much. I was on the edge of my seat with this one up until the very last page. Amazing!!!
November 6, 2013
The second visit with Andrew Thomas, doesn't feel like if you missed a gear from third to fourth...this damn thing is leaving rubber from the starting line. This is one scary thriller, with that psycho without a conscious named Luther Kite, seeking revenge. There are some gut-wrenching moments and with a couple of glances to see if my doors were locked....this was a hell of a ride.
October 26, 2012
Brutal stuff, by still somehow lyrical. The plotting can make you question the characters, but not enough to sidetrack the propulsive action.
April 28, 2022
I would like to unlock the door,
turn the rusty key
and hold each fallen one in my arms
but I cannot, I cannot.
I can only sit here on earth
at my place at the table.
- Anne Sexton, "Locked Doors"
I enjoyed this sequel more than the first book, Desert Places. Locked Doors reminded me of two disturbing Jack Ketchum novels I've read: Hide and Seek and Off Season.
Favorite Passages:
We are alone in this tiny bookstore of new and old mysteries, only marginally larger than a dorm room. It is dim inside the store. The floor and shelves consist of dark knotty wood. There are no windows, but this is no shortcoming. Every book is a window.
_______
They need this noise. They would go mad without it. They think this is silence . . . they have never known silence.
_______
He was more vivid in her mind that he'd been in a long time. What she felt toward him wasn't sadness or nostalgia or even love. It was beyond an emotion she could name. She thought of him now as light and time and energy - a being her earthbound soul could not begin to comprehend. Did he watch her now? she wondered. From some unfathomable dimension? She had the warmest inkling they would meet again as pure souls in the space between stars. They would communicate their essence to each other and luminously merge, becoming a single brilliant entity. This was her afterlife, to be with him again in some inconceivable form.
________
The waitress chuckles. "We don't serve pancakes."
Luther glances up from the menu.
"Is that a joke?"
"Umm, this is the Waffle House. We serve waffles."
turn the rusty key
and hold each fallen one in my arms
but I cannot, I cannot.
I can only sit here on earth
at my place at the table.
- Anne Sexton, "Locked Doors"
I enjoyed this sequel more than the first book, Desert Places. Locked Doors reminded me of two disturbing Jack Ketchum novels I've read: Hide and Seek and Off Season.
Favorite Passages:
We are alone in this tiny bookstore of new and old mysteries, only marginally larger than a dorm room. It is dim inside the store. The floor and shelves consist of dark knotty wood. There are no windows, but this is no shortcoming. Every book is a window.
_______
They need this noise. They would go mad without it. They think this is silence . . . they have never known silence.
_______
He was more vivid in her mind that he'd been in a long time. What she felt toward him wasn't sadness or nostalgia or even love. It was beyond an emotion she could name. She thought of him now as light and time and energy - a being her earthbound soul could not begin to comprehend. Did he watch her now? she wondered. From some unfathomable dimension? She had the warmest inkling they would meet again as pure souls in the space between stars. They would communicate their essence to each other and luminously merge, becoming a single brilliant entity. This was her afterlife, to be with him again in some inconceivable form.
________
The waitress chuckles. "We don't serve pancakes."
Luther glances up from the menu.
"Is that a joke?"
"Umm, this is the Waffle House. We serve waffles."
February 15, 2018
Blake Crouch is like a guilty little secret that I dip my toe into occasionally. This book is the second featuring Andy Thomas and Luther Kite and picks up seven years after the events of the first book. The start was a bit pedestrian but we had to catch up with what Andy had been doing for the last seven years. It then quickly built up a head of steam.
At the end of Dessert Places Luther was still alive. Andy had not bothered to finish him off, left him for dead but a good samaritan paid with his life when he rescued Luther. This book sees Andy drawn from his sanctuary in the Yukon by the headline grabbing actions of Luther as he went on a killing spree in Andy's old home town and kidnapped Beth, a former neighbour of Andy's. So he heads off to rescue Beth and finally put a stop to Luther.
Others get caught up in this drama along the way. Violet, a young detective from Davidson County travels to Luther's home town to interview his parents after a fingerprint at the house where one family has been massacred is identified as belonging to Luther Kite, not Andy Thomas as everyone expected. There is also a young student who wants to make his name by writing about Andy and who follows him into hell. There is lots of violence and some pretty dark stuff going on and it doesn't end well for everyone. I don't think I can read book 3 just yet because, by all accounts, its pretty gruesome. Ah well, maybe one day when I'm really bored from some lame psychological thriller that isn't...
At the end of Dessert Places Luther was still alive. Andy had not bothered to finish him off, left him for dead but a good samaritan paid with his life when he rescued Luther. This book sees Andy drawn from his sanctuary in the Yukon by the headline grabbing actions of Luther as he went on a killing spree in Andy's old home town and kidnapped Beth, a former neighbour of Andy's. So he heads off to rescue Beth and finally put a stop to Luther.
Others get caught up in this drama along the way. Violet, a young detective from Davidson County travels to Luther's home town to interview his parents after a fingerprint at the house where one family has been massacred is identified as belonging to Luther Kite, not Andy Thomas as everyone expected. There is also a young student who wants to make his name by writing about Andy and who follows him into hell. There is lots of violence and some pretty dark stuff going on and it doesn't end well for everyone. I don't think I can read book 3 just yet because, by all accounts, its pretty gruesome. Ah well, maybe one day when I'm really bored from some lame psychological thriller that isn't...
November 19, 2024
Oh man, alot to unpack here. I'll start by saying that the book is very cliche at times and over the top. The employee at Walmart... all that over customer service? And the ending scene on the ferry.... did everyone really have to die? 😂
Detective Vi is about as worthless as a cop as it gets if I am being honest. Andrew is still just chilling in the woods, somehow not getting caught years later. We get to see more of Luther and he's yeah, he's creepy, but also kinda funny. Dude went to Waffle House and tried order a pancake. WHAT AN IDIOT!
Speaking of Luther, in the first book we were lead to believe that he was captured by Orson and converted to a killer. In this book we find out that his parents are also killers. Was this an error in writing? Did Crouch forget his own characters origin, or can we just assume that Luther did in fact come from killers and thats why he turned so quickly with Orson.
The ending is left open, but knowing there is more to read in Break You and then also Stirred, I am hoping we get a conclusion. Definitely not his best work but I was interested nonetheless and read the last 100+ pages in one sitting.
I will give it a 3.5 rounded up to a 4
Detective Vi is about as worthless as a cop as it gets if I am being honest. Andrew is still just chilling in the woods, somehow not getting caught years later. We get to see more of Luther and he's yeah, he's creepy, but also kinda funny. Dude went to Waffle House and tried order a pancake. WHAT AN IDIOT!
Speaking of Luther, in the first book we were lead to believe that he was captured by Orson and converted to a killer. In this book we find out that his parents are also killers. Was this an error in writing? Did Crouch forget his own characters origin, or can we just assume that Luther did in fact come from killers and thats why he turned so quickly with Orson.
The ending is left open, but knowing there is more to read in Break You and then also Stirred, I am hoping we get a conclusion. Definitely not his best work but I was interested nonetheless and read the last 100+ pages in one sitting.
I will give it a 3.5 rounded up to a 4
June 8, 2025
Almost done with my dive into the back catalogue of Blake Crouch now. As always, I would suggest not to start in publication order but dive straight into the Wayward Pines trilogy or Dark Matter.
Knowing that the writing gets much better makes the early books easier to digest and it is fun seeing the evolution and progress of an author learning their craft. Sure there are badly written scenes and characters but Crouch had an ability to make each chapter hook you enough to keep moving to the next despite the disbelief in some of the character motivations.
Think I just have a few short stories and collaborations left to read but I'll be a day one reader for whatever he releases next.
Knowing that the writing gets much better makes the early books easier to digest and it is fun seeing the evolution and progress of an author learning their craft. Sure there are badly written scenes and characters but Crouch had an ability to make each chapter hook you enough to keep moving to the next despite the disbelief in some of the character motivations.
Think I just have a few short stories and collaborations left to read but I'll be a day one reader for whatever he releases next.
August 14, 2023
This unputdownable thriller kept me riveted to the page and on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Just now seeing that this is book 2 of a series so now I must read book 1 as soon as I can obtain it!
May 18, 2021
Loved it, found it far more engaging than the first. i think it was because Andrew wasn't the moaning shit he was in the first. so on to the 3rd
November 5, 2020
I loved Crouch's Recursion and Dark Matter so I reserved a bunch of his books from the library. I really disliked Desert Places so I didn't realize I was getting a sequel in Locked Doors. So my bad for not checking that out first. But I was out of books and needed something to read while waiting for my next book from the 'brary! You've been there so don't judge! This was a thoroughly crappy read. Where Desert Places had an interesting premise that just turned into a depraved torture session, Locked Doors was an improbable continuation using the character of Luther from the first novel (a character that had only a small part in the first book). Of the many issues I had with this book, at the top is how Luther was supposedly turned into a serial killer by Orsen in the first novel when he was obviously raised by crazy-ass parents who themselves were serial killers. This is ridiculous. A close second is how poorly Blake Crouch writes female characters. Violet is how you would write a female character if you know nothing about women and have no respect for women at all. She's stupid and awful at her job and I felt no real bond was established between Violet and Andrew in order to create their "relationship" that was starting as the novel closed. I think as Crouch continues to get better as an author (based on his two most recent books), these early works will become more and more embarrassing.
September 7, 2015
another amazing book by Blake Crouch! never disappoints! full of action and adventure.. constantly on the edge of your seat and never ever a happily ever after! ended on a huge cliffhanger and of course i just bought and downloaded the 3rd and final book in the Luther Kite trilogy!
a lot of the unanswered questions from
book 1 are answered in book 2! and I'm
hoping for the rest of the million questions I was left with after this one will be answered in book 3!
the way this book was concluded really surprised me actually! not only was it a huge cliffhanger but it actually had some "awe" factor to it.. a little bit of sweetness in a very dark world. I was surprised but loved it! wondering how the survivors of book 2 will play into book 3!
jumping back into this amazing world right now !
can't wait!
where has this author been all my life!
a lot of the unanswered questions from
book 1 are answered in book 2! and I'm
hoping for the rest of the million questions I was left with after this one will be answered in book 3!
the way this book was concluded really surprised me actually! not only was it a huge cliffhanger but it actually had some "awe" factor to it.. a little bit of sweetness in a very dark world. I was surprised but loved it! wondering how the survivors of book 2 will play into book 3!
jumping back into this amazing world right now !
can't wait!
where has this author been all my life!
September 20, 2018
Pretty good read and not boring! Just not as edge of your seat, oh my god as Wayward Pines series. Just ok
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