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January David #1
Girl 4
Detective Inspector January David has always put his professional before his private life, but the two worlds are about to clash horrifically as he visits his latest crime scene. He is confronted by a lifeless figure suspended ten feet above a theatre stage, blood pouring from her face into a coffin below. This gruesome execution is the work of an elusive serial killer. Three women from three different London suburbs, each murdered with elaborate and chilling precision. And as January stares at the most beautiful corpse he's ever seen, he detects the killer's hallmark.But Girl 4 is she is alive - barely. And January recognises her...
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2011
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777 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
May 6, 2018
Everything I love about a serial killer story is contained in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and found it easy to follow and extremely hard to put down.
Although very much an adult book and not for the faint hearted or easily offended, this has been excellently written of which I've never seen the likes of before. Told from the viewpoints of the victims, killer and main protagonist DI January David, before, during and after death, this had a very unique way of storytelling involving psychic apparitions that I enjoyed very much and found hugely entertaining. I already have book number two lined up to read straight away and believe this is going to be a very exciting series for me to follow. With twists and turns throughout and a very tense and scary ending, I'd happily recommend "Girl 4" and the author Will Carver.
5 stars
Although very much an adult book and not for the faint hearted or easily offended, this has been excellently written of which I've never seen the likes of before. Told from the viewpoints of the victims, killer and main protagonist DI January David, before, during and after death, this had a very unique way of storytelling involving psychic apparitions that I enjoyed very much and found hugely entertaining. I already have book number two lined up to read straight away and believe this is going to be a very exciting series for me to follow. With twists and turns throughout and a very tense and scary ending, I'd happily recommend "Girl 4" and the author Will Carver.
5 stars
July 6, 2015
Wow, this is one heck of a ride. Carver tells the tale of a serial killer on the loose from multiple perspectives, including victims after they have been killed. This makes for a fascinating narrative, carried off in high style due to Carver's wicked writing skills. The story is fast-paced with quick, biting chapters, veering off in a direction towards the end that you don't expect, with more than an echo of . In the hands of a lesser writer, the ending could have been ridiculously over-the-top, but Carver makes it work. I was entertained from beginning to end. If you want a serial killer thriller that's not run-of-the-mill, seen that a million times, then this is the one to read, and I've read a lot of them. Very highly recommended.
May 22, 2013
Okay, I read this one, well audio-booked it, after I read the second one, The Two. The things I liked about that one, mostly apply to this one where it comes to style and organization.
This book reminds me more of the movie "Momento" than it does a traditional crime story. It's written in First Person, Present Tense and, it's the first book writen interely in that POV-Tense that I have liked, (not counting "The Two" that is.) It starts in the middle rather than at either end, and, since all life is, is a circle it comes back to the middle and goes the other way around as more clues are revealed.
It's also unusual in that, many crimes stories either focus on the hunt, or the villain, this one focuses on the victims. There is a lot of slieght of hand, in an honest way (the difference between a pick pocket or a con and a stage magician. Carver's the stage magician here.) Normally I tend to mistrust slieght of hand and tricks and count against them. That's another thing that's different about this book The scattered out of order scenes and points of view aren't ordered around a chronological pole.
To me they make more sense when I think of them as organized around a thematic pole. In this case relationships. Book two, The Two, has a pseudo-spiritual, psuedo-religous theme that it's organized around. This book is built around relationships. Each victim, for there own reasons, is between relationships or, otherwise, isolated from the relationship they want by cages of convention that do not allow for their vision to come to pass, or by desire for more than is offered.
I don't know how much the author thinks like I do, or rather how accurate my impressions are when compared to his intentions when writing. It's likely this thematic organization concept is purely of my own making and not anything like what the author sees when he reads or thinks of his own book. That said, I still think it's a fair assessment, intended or not, based on my preception or not (I am the reader right?). So, as always, I'll continue as if I am all knowing and the universe really does turn on me and give my thoughts as I precieved the book while listening. (I did buy a kindle copy so I cold go back and check things out at my own pace.)
Though I'm sure somebody somewhere has written a book about the hunt for a serial killer before, like this, this felt fresh and new to me. I'll also say that it's less a "Who-done-it" where you can guess and find the clues to figure it out yourself than it is a dramatic thriller that you experience like watching television or attending a dark violent play.
If you put things in chronological order, rather than a circle where both ends meet, it's a figure eight which goes backwards then forewards past the point you started, then back again at the end where we learn what really happened. Though I'm sure that most of the clues to figure out who, where or why these murders were happening are here, the bigest clue being "relationships", there is some misdirection (slieght of hand, I've called it above) in the presentation. That's fitting since there is a stage magician theme to each murder that comes out in an Ah-ha moment during the police investigation.
These are some of the things that I think are "slieght of hand." I'm putting them under a spoiler tag because, they could spoil for you.
Fabulous stuff.
I could go on, but I'm not. I just think, in this case, the slieght of hand was very artistic in a very good way. There was wonderful symetry between the characters, killers, victim, January David, the other cops his wife you name it and, the point where we swithc sides of the mirror image is with "Girl 4" or Victim 4, January David's Wife.
All of this serves to make a normally straight foreward plot that is spiced with vanity and violence turn complicated and artful. The strange chronologic organization gives it the feel of an allegorical painting like Michael Angelo's "Judgement Day."
Instead of letting us befriend or fall in love with the main character, he's a bit abrassive, incompetent and stuck on himself, he gives us these short scenes where we experience the lives of each victim and find more to like about them than anyone else. Their death softened for us by them telling us they are dead as soon as we meet them to save us the agony of loosing them. All of these people are flawed, in a way that makes them very human, and, if we can't learn to like them, we can surely empathize with them, understand their hopes and their emotional hang ups by the time they meet the killer and their lives are ended.
I find the entire way of presenting a police procedural unique (to me anyway) and interesting. Told through the lives of the victim, rather than the poice chasing them down. In ways it reminds me of the past TV series "Without a Trace" though the FBI agents were far more likeable and competent than January David and his gang. The way that show built scene by scene to show us how the victim came to be a victim in bits and pieces of their lives. This was similar but much more interesting and complex.
I found a reason to dislike all of the London Officers, and I think Carver, was, in a way, poking fun at them. Their flaws grated on me because of the hypocracy. I thought they were designed that way and, with the unusual organization of the story, that fit well for me. I also like that the author doesn't suddenly come clean at the end and unmask all of his art, so the reader is left wondering what happened, did they catch him, or... is January a good cop or...
I also liked the taste of London, or England. I've only visited the UK, I've never lived there. I felt the story gave me a view of life in London that was worth seeing, even if it was macbre, dark and, at times, frightening.
The audiobook came across as more of a performance than a naration with a male and female Narrator, able to manage different accents in a way that helped me get a sense of them and revealing the experience second by second in first person present tense was also a winner. Good job by the narrators.
Summary - Good Audio book, 4 stars because I liked "The Two" better. Organized around relationships as a theme, with scattered chronology where the scenes were concerned and told in first person Present tense. The Content is not for all people. It's violent, and racy and pushes boundaries that may make some people uncomfortable. It's also unique in style which will be an "either you love or hate it" issue for most readers. I don't see many in the middle of the road on this one. Everything that the author shows winds up getting turned inside out and backwards by the time the story's over.
4 stars, not as good as "the two" but, pretty darned good read.
This book reminds me more of the movie "Momento" than it does a traditional crime story. It's written in First Person, Present Tense and, it's the first book writen interely in that POV-Tense that I have liked, (not counting "The Two" that is.) It starts in the middle rather than at either end, and, since all life is, is a circle it comes back to the middle and goes the other way around as more clues are revealed.
It's also unusual in that, many crimes stories either focus on the hunt, or the villain, this one focuses on the victims. There is a lot of slieght of hand, in an honest way (the difference between a pick pocket or a con and a stage magician. Carver's the stage magician here.) Normally I tend to mistrust slieght of hand and tricks and count against them. That's another thing that's different about this book The scattered out of order scenes and points of view aren't ordered around a chronological pole.
To me they make more sense when I think of them as organized around a thematic pole. In this case relationships. Book two, The Two, has a pseudo-spiritual, psuedo-religous theme that it's organized around. This book is built around relationships. Each victim, for there own reasons, is between relationships or, otherwise, isolated from the relationship they want by cages of convention that do not allow for their vision to come to pass, or by desire for more than is offered.
I don't know how much the author thinks like I do, or rather how accurate my impressions are when compared to his intentions when writing. It's likely this thematic organization concept is purely of my own making and not anything like what the author sees when he reads or thinks of his own book. That said, I still think it's a fair assessment, intended or not, based on my preception or not (I am the reader right?). So, as always, I'll continue as if I am all knowing and the universe really does turn on me and give my thoughts as I precieved the book while listening. (I did buy a kindle copy so I cold go back and check things out at my own pace.)
Though I'm sure somebody somewhere has written a book about the hunt for a serial killer before, like this, this felt fresh and new to me. I'll also say that it's less a "Who-done-it" where you can guess and find the clues to figure it out yourself than it is a dramatic thriller that you experience like watching television or attending a dark violent play.
If you put things in chronological order, rather than a circle where both ends meet, it's a figure eight which goes backwards then forewards past the point you started, then back again at the end where we learn what really happened. Though I'm sure that most of the clues to figure out who, where or why these murders were happening are here, the bigest clue being "relationships", there is some misdirection (slieght of hand, I've called it above) in the presentation. That's fitting since there is a stage magician theme to each murder that comes out in an Ah-ha moment during the police investigation.
These are some of the things that I think are "slieght of hand." I'm putting them under a spoiler tag because, they could spoil for you.
Fabulous stuff.
I could go on, but I'm not. I just think, in this case, the slieght of hand was very artistic in a very good way. There was wonderful symetry between the characters, killers, victim, January David, the other cops his wife you name it and, the point where we swithc sides of the mirror image is with "Girl 4" or Victim 4, January David's Wife.
All of this serves to make a normally straight foreward plot that is spiced with vanity and violence turn complicated and artful. The strange chronologic organization gives it the feel of an allegorical painting like Michael Angelo's "Judgement Day."
Instead of letting us befriend or fall in love with the main character, he's a bit abrassive, incompetent and stuck on himself, he gives us these short scenes where we experience the lives of each victim and find more to like about them than anyone else. Their death softened for us by them telling us they are dead as soon as we meet them to save us the agony of loosing them. All of these people are flawed, in a way that makes them very human, and, if we can't learn to like them, we can surely empathize with them, understand their hopes and their emotional hang ups by the time they meet the killer and their lives are ended.
I find the entire way of presenting a police procedural unique (to me anyway) and interesting. Told through the lives of the victim, rather than the poice chasing them down. In ways it reminds me of the past TV series "Without a Trace" though the FBI agents were far more likeable and competent than January David and his gang. The way that show built scene by scene to show us how the victim came to be a victim in bits and pieces of their lives. This was similar but much more interesting and complex.
I found a reason to dislike all of the London Officers, and I think Carver, was, in a way, poking fun at them. Their flaws grated on me because of the hypocracy. I thought they were designed that way and, with the unusual organization of the story, that fit well for me. I also like that the author doesn't suddenly come clean at the end and unmask all of his art, so the reader is left wondering what happened, did they catch him, or... is January a good cop or...
I also liked the taste of London, or England. I've only visited the UK, I've never lived there. I felt the story gave me a view of life in London that was worth seeing, even if it was macbre, dark and, at times, frightening.
The audiobook came across as more of a performance than a naration with a male and female Narrator, able to manage different accents in a way that helped me get a sense of them and revealing the experience second by second in first person present tense was also a winner. Good job by the narrators.
Summary - Good Audio book, 4 stars because I liked "The Two" better. Organized around relationships as a theme, with scattered chronology where the scenes were concerned and told in first person Present tense. The Content is not for all people. It's violent, and racy and pushes boundaries that may make some people uncomfortable. It's also unique in style which will be an "either you love or hate it" issue for most readers. I don't see many in the middle of the road on this one. Everything that the author shows winds up getting turned inside out and backwards by the time the story's over.
4 stars, not as good as "the two" but, pretty darned good read.
August 6, 2014
Girl 4 drove me mad. He solves the case because of prophetic dreams, magic in other words. Then there was the way all the victims described how they got to their sorry points and died. The whole police investigation also looked hinky. I have no idea how a real police investigation runs but this just didn’t feel right. Cool idea for a book plot mind, but Will Carver did not do it justice.
I won’t be reading the second book and only read this one all the way thru because I paid for it. I was so pleased when it was over … my new next book is great, hard to put down.. just like a real book should !
I won’t be reading the second book and only read this one all the way thru because I paid for it. I was so pleased when it was over … my new next book is great, hard to put down.. just like a real book should !
April 21, 2012
The reason that I have decided to write a review is because as well as really enjoying this book it is such a different way of writing a thriller that I felt it was worth a mention.
Grisly murders are happening in London and January David is the oficer in charge. It is up to him and his unusual talents to find the killer.
The story is told in many different voices, The author tells the story and writes about David but the killer and the victims also speak and tell their story before and after the event, really eerie and chilling.
Think it is book that has to be read quickly to keep the pace but the chapters are short and the plot frenetic, i was gripped and moved a much more personal thriller than many I have read. 4.5*
Grisly murders are happening in London and January David is the oficer in charge. It is up to him and his unusual talents to find the killer.
The story is told in many different voices, The author tells the story and writes about David but the killer and the victims also speak and tell their story before and after the event, really eerie and chilling.
Think it is book that has to be read quickly to keep the pace but the chapters are short and the plot frenetic, i was gripped and moved a much more personal thriller than many I have read. 4.5*
March 18, 2012
Wowza - When can I get my hands on The Two??
This is not your average, run of the mill thriller. It is also not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. My word is it good though. I finished the book in a couple of sittings (someone with a reading age higher than a 5 year old could probably have done it quicker.)
It's all well and good thinking of an interesting way to tell a story but that isn't enough on it's own. The story has to have the substance to back it up and in my opinion, this one more than delivers. The short sharp chapters keep you hooked and fill the narrative with events from all the central characters points of view, giving a more three dimensional feel. The author knows just when to tease you with a new bit of information to confuse and intrigue in equal measure.
The plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing (I even turned to a paper and pen at one point to work out a pattern but that probably says more about me) and is well thought out with interesting slants on the traditional serial killer persona. There is also a heavy dose of social commentary throughout which I felt really added something. Whether you agree with them or not, the opinions expressed by some of the characters should certainly get you thinking.
I thoroughly enjoyed this interesting approach to a what is often a very formulaic genre and urge you all to grab a copy. Lets hope The Two lives up to this great debut from Will Carver.
This is not your average, run of the mill thriller. It is also not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. My word is it good though. I finished the book in a couple of sittings (someone with a reading age higher than a 5 year old could probably have done it quicker.)
It's all well and good thinking of an interesting way to tell a story but that isn't enough on it's own. The story has to have the substance to back it up and in my opinion, this one more than delivers. The short sharp chapters keep you hooked and fill the narrative with events from all the central characters points of view, giving a more three dimensional feel. The author knows just when to tease you with a new bit of information to confuse and intrigue in equal measure.
The plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing (I even turned to a paper and pen at one point to work out a pattern but that probably says more about me) and is well thought out with interesting slants on the traditional serial killer persona. There is also a heavy dose of social commentary throughout which I felt really added something. Whether you agree with them or not, the opinions expressed by some of the characters should certainly get you thinking.
I thoroughly enjoyed this interesting approach to a what is often a very formulaic genre and urge you all to grab a copy. Lets hope The Two lives up to this great debut from Will Carver.
May 7, 2013
This book is a psychological, serial killer, thriller fest that I liked, I liked a lot!
A couple of chapters in and I knew why. This reminded me of a great BBC drama a few years back called Messiah with the great actor that is Ken Stott. But before anyone panics, let me assure you there is no religious connection here, not at all, breathe!!
No, I mean about the way the bodies were staged, the thought process behind it, the length of time it took, practically gave me goosebumps!
Each chapter is written from a different character's perspective and some have commented on this complicated approach, but I found it very easy to follow. Refreshing even. Never has the adage 'the clue is in the title' been so apt!! I thought it was brilliant and clever to know what everyone was thinking, to see the same scenario from different viewpoints.
The writing style, sometimes wonderfully descriptive, then veering abruptly into almost note form again held my attention. The chapters were short and punchy and suited the book. Too often chapters can be long and wearisome and you find yourself wondering into 'what's for dinner' territory. The pace was great and the tension built to points where I actually found my heart racing a couple of times!!
To sum up, if a book can keep me up to 2 am to finish, the author has achieved what he/she has set out to do, especially in this genre. It's also a safe bet I shall be reading book two!!
A couple of chapters in and I knew why. This reminded me of a great BBC drama a few years back called Messiah with the great actor that is Ken Stott. But before anyone panics, let me assure you there is no religious connection here, not at all, breathe!!
No, I mean about the way the bodies were staged, the thought process behind it, the length of time it took, practically gave me goosebumps!
Each chapter is written from a different character's perspective and some have commented on this complicated approach, but I found it very easy to follow. Refreshing even. Never has the adage 'the clue is in the title' been so apt!! I thought it was brilliant and clever to know what everyone was thinking, to see the same scenario from different viewpoints.
The writing style, sometimes wonderfully descriptive, then veering abruptly into almost note form again held my attention. The chapters were short and punchy and suited the book. Too often chapters can be long and wearisome and you find yourself wondering into 'what's for dinner' territory. The pace was great and the tension built to points where I actually found my heart racing a couple of times!!
To sum up, if a book can keep me up to 2 am to finish, the author has achieved what he/she has set out to do, especially in this genre. It's also a safe bet I shall be reading book two!!
July 3, 2016
A strange little book, which I initially thought I'd quite like, but one which became increasingly disappointing the more I progressed into it. A hunt for a serial killer which is told in the unusual, although hardly original, format of short chapters with alternating narrators - the lead detective (who has the strange name January David), the killer Eames and the various victims.
Alas, the whole thing soon descends into mumbo-jumbo land. David (who is haunted by the childhood abduction of his younger sister - a probable steal from Mo Hayder's central character Jack Caffery, whose younger brother was abducted by a paedophile) has recurring "visions/dreams" where "The Smiling Man" (looks like Mr. Carver has read Henning Mankell as well!) shows him how the next victim will die - although not the location or their identity. Also, many of the victims' narrations appear to be posthumous and we are expected to believe that a major murder investigation is being conducted by just a Detective Inspector and his two incompetent Sergeants.
Easily the worst book I've read this year.
Alas, the whole thing soon descends into mumbo-jumbo land. David (who is haunted by the childhood abduction of his younger sister - a probable steal from Mo Hayder's central character Jack Caffery, whose younger brother was abducted by a paedophile) has recurring "visions/dreams" where "The Smiling Man" (looks like Mr. Carver has read Henning Mankell as well!) shows him how the next victim will die - although not the location or their identity. Also, many of the victims' narrations appear to be posthumous and we are expected to believe that a major murder investigation is being conducted by just a Detective Inspector and his two incompetent Sergeants.
Easily the worst book I've read this year.
March 13, 2013
A first outing for Detective Inspector January David, this bodes well for a brilliant new series in the world of, what I call, Crime Fiction Plus. January is investigating a serial killer, and 3 victims in, there are no clues and the killings just stop. Then comes Girl 4..someone January knows. Well he should do...its his wife. And she is still alive. Told from the point of view of January, the Killer and also his victims, this is a terrific "serial killer thriller" with just a touch of a supernatural twist. Be warned though - have "The Two" at the ready because the ending to Girl 4 is a twisty cliffhanger and you won't want to stop reading there!
January 10, 2014
Well where to start - this is a new author to me - and to be honest he is a new author full stop with only a few titles published to his name but do not let that fool you. He is very talented - and he needs to be this a very grand book. The story is pretty straight forward (at least as you think it is) although the manner in which it is told and the few plot twists certainly make it very entertaining and challenging at the same time. The way the narrative is broken up and then told in different tenses can make it hard to follow (there were a few times early on where I had to stop and check to see if I really had read that correctly) but it gets easier as you read through it.
The book was a random find at the book store and the cover intrigued me - reading the back cover it made even less sense but also challenged me to think - hmm this sounds straight forward - well it wasn't and I must admit the way the plot turned out and how it ended I am eager to get hold of the two sequels and see how it all unfolds as they cannot leave it as it is.
A very enjoyable read but at little confusing in places but well worth hanging in there
The book was a random find at the book store and the cover intrigued me - reading the back cover it made even less sense but also challenged me to think - hmm this sounds straight forward - well it wasn't and I must admit the way the plot turned out and how it ended I am eager to get hold of the two sequels and see how it all unfolds as they cannot leave it as it is.
A very enjoyable read but at little confusing in places but well worth hanging in there
November 1, 2011
Extremely well-done serial killer novel, and a bit of a study in the inner narcissism of deluded murderers. The shifting perspectives from detective, to killer to victims was a bit strange at first, but actually works very well and really heightens the tension. The reader is lead up plenty of blind alleys, and always kept off-balance, and some of Detective David's dream-sequences have a decidedly off-kilter quality about them.
And I absolutely did not see what was coming towards the end. Well worth resisting the urge to skip to the final pages to see what happens!
And I absolutely did not see what was coming towards the end. Well worth resisting the urge to skip to the final pages to see what happens!
April 25, 2021
Will Carver has had my favourite book of the year for two years running. So I went into Girl 4 with high expectations and ready to critique EVERYTHING.
Still no faults. Except this book has made me not want to leave my home ever again.
It’s dark and sinister, with sooooo many jaw-dropping moments and honestly mind-blowing. I just could not suss this out until the revelations which is like “hold on, what”, and then “wait WHAT” then “what a bloody genius”.
Read in one sitting as highly addictive with a fantastic, unforgettable plot and protagonist I am HERE FOR.
Can’t recommend this book (and author) enough.
Still no faults. Except this book has made me not want to leave my home ever again.
It’s dark and sinister, with sooooo many jaw-dropping moments and honestly mind-blowing. I just could not suss this out until the revelations which is like “hold on, what”, and then “wait WHAT” then “what a bloody genius”.
Read in one sitting as highly addictive with a fantastic, unforgettable plot and protagonist I am HERE FOR.
Can’t recommend this book (and author) enough.
June 11, 2013
Came across this while googling another book. The positive reviews and twist at the end is enough to capture my attention hoping it would be another book which would 'wow' me.
I didn't really know how to put this book. I felt overwhelmed and exhausted after I had finished it. It somehow managed to creep me out, messes with me mentally therefore living up to being a psychological thriller. I have read other books which contains more graphic violence and gore than this but still this book somehow managed to disturb me. This may be due to the fact that the killer appears in the protagonist, January David, dreams and the way he taunts him feels as if it's more of a horror genre.
When I first saw the protagonist name I was excited. It was a female which means I am able to relate to her but after reading the synopsis I chuckled. What a weird name for a man. I definitely never met or even heard a guy who is called January which he prefers to be called Jan instead. I would if I am him. I found his personality weird as he is shown to be loving at one point and violent in another. That being said I was not able to relate or feel sympathy for him or his wife. And who would expect that a title in a book actually means more than you think.
The writing itself was one that I did not expect. At first I thought I would hate it since I never read a book from an author who wrote in this form before. But as the story passes I got used to it although I won't say I prefer this way of writing. It differs from other books because it tells the story from the characters view and goes straight to the point. Despite that it is still fairly easy to comprehend although I find it unrealistic how the victims are able to tell their story when they are dead. It was also a good way to see what was going on inside a killer's mind and even though it scares you, it was not what you expected to read.
I was more surprised of the supposedly first twist than the original one. Not because I had guessed the killer (although I had doubts it could be the person) but because I have watched shows which follows the same plot. The ending was not satisfying at all and I felt it was left for the readers to know in Will's next book. I also felt that we didn't get to know more about the killer's identity, motive or life.
This book was a fast read but it does not grab me as I first thought it would. It is a good book if you want to kill some time.
I didn't really know how to put this book. I felt overwhelmed and exhausted after I had finished it. It somehow managed to creep me out, messes with me mentally therefore living up to being a psychological thriller. I have read other books which contains more graphic violence and gore than this but still this book somehow managed to disturb me. This may be due to the fact that the killer appears in the protagonist, January David, dreams and the way he taunts him feels as if it's more of a horror genre.
When I first saw the protagonist name I was excited. It was a female which means I am able to relate to her but after reading the synopsis I chuckled. What a weird name for a man. I definitely never met or even heard a guy who is called January which he prefers to be called Jan instead. I would if I am him. I found his personality weird as he is shown to be loving at one point and violent in another. That being said I was not able to relate or feel sympathy for him or his wife. And who would expect that a title in a book actually means more than you think.
The writing itself was one that I did not expect. At first I thought I would hate it since I never read a book from an author who wrote in this form before. But as the story passes I got used to it although I won't say I prefer this way of writing. It differs from other books because it tells the story from the characters view and goes straight to the point. Despite that it is still fairly easy to comprehend although I find it unrealistic how the victims are able to tell their story when they are dead. It was also a good way to see what was going on inside a killer's mind and even though it scares you, it was not what you expected to read.
I was more surprised of the supposedly first twist than the original one. Not because I had guessed the killer (although I had doubts it could be the person) but because I have watched shows which follows the same plot. The ending was not satisfying at all and I felt it was left for the readers to know in Will's next book. I also felt that we didn't get to know more about the killer's identity, motive or life.
This book was a fast read but it does not grab me as I first thought it would. It is a good book if you want to kill some time.
December 7, 2016
Review originally published on A Keyboard and an Open Mind November 28, 2016:
This was a really enjoyable thriller, and I enjoyed sinking my teeth into something dark again.
Detective January David is called to a murder scene, the fourth by a serial killer terrorising London, and finds that he recognises the victim, and that she is actually still alive… As the novel progresses, we hear from not only January, his wife, the murderer and the other murder victims as January races to try to prevent the murder of a Girl 5.
This book has a really interesting format. While it is written in first person present tense, it is like the characters are watching a movie of the events and giving commentary. Though they’re narrating as things happen, they also have knowledge of events that yet to come. “Little do I know that the killer is standing right behind me…”, that sort of thing. The other murder victims are often narrating from beyond the grave, which seemed a bit weird at first, but eventually I settled into the format and it didn’t seem so strange.
None of the characters were particularly likeable, but I still wanted to know exactly what was going on, and how the case would unfold. The story starts in the middle, with the discovery of Girl 4, then goes back to the beginning when Girl 1 was murdered, then comes back and through to several more murder victims. I did find the twist at the end a little bit unbelievable, though there had been some clues to it previously, so it wasn’t completely out of the blue.
There is a small speculative fiction element to the novel in the form of January’s prophetic dreams that warn him that another murder victim will be found within 24 hours. At first it felt a bit out of place in an otherwise straight thriller/detective novel, but it actually worked quite well, and I think this plays more of a part in the later books in the series as well.
Overall, while it took a little while to really settle into this book, I found it quite entertaining in the end and look forward to continuing the series.
This was a really enjoyable thriller, and I enjoyed sinking my teeth into something dark again.
Detective January David is called to a murder scene, the fourth by a serial killer terrorising London, and finds that he recognises the victim, and that she is actually still alive… As the novel progresses, we hear from not only January, his wife, the murderer and the other murder victims as January races to try to prevent the murder of a Girl 5.
This book has a really interesting format. While it is written in first person present tense, it is like the characters are watching a movie of the events and giving commentary. Though they’re narrating as things happen, they also have knowledge of events that yet to come. “Little do I know that the killer is standing right behind me…”, that sort of thing. The other murder victims are often narrating from beyond the grave, which seemed a bit weird at first, but eventually I settled into the format and it didn’t seem so strange.
None of the characters were particularly likeable, but I still wanted to know exactly what was going on, and how the case would unfold. The story starts in the middle, with the discovery of Girl 4, then goes back to the beginning when Girl 1 was murdered, then comes back and through to several more murder victims. I did find the twist at the end a little bit unbelievable, though there had been some clues to it previously, so it wasn’t completely out of the blue.
There is a small speculative fiction element to the novel in the form of January’s prophetic dreams that warn him that another murder victim will be found within 24 hours. At first it felt a bit out of place in an otherwise straight thriller/detective novel, but it actually worked quite well, and I think this plays more of a part in the later books in the series as well.
Overall, while it took a little while to really settle into this book, I found it quite entertaining in the end and look forward to continuing the series.
July 16, 2012
Detective Inspector January David has always put his professional before his private life, but the two worlds are about to clash horrifically as he visits his latest crime scene. He is confronted by a lifeless figure suspended ten feet above a theatre stage, blood pouring from her face into a coffin below. This gruesome execution is the work of an elusive serial killer.
But Girl 4 is different: she is alive – barely. And January recognises her…
Girl 4 is the debut novel from Will Carver. Told from the perspective of not only the main character, January David, but also, through first person narrative, the victims of a serial killer as well as the serial killer himself. This unusual way of storytelling can be confusing to some, however I found it original, fresh and compelling. The fact that each chapter is a different characters viewpoint, which is clearly marked by the title, means there should be no confusion.
With the right mix of shocking imagery, clever plotting and well rounded characters, 'Girl 4' is an intense thriller with just the right amount of police procedural involved to not take away from the main thrust of the story. With supernatural elements also involved, I was very impressed with this novel and look forward to reading more of Carver's work.
Engrossing, with twists you won't see coming, 'Girl 4' is a stunning debut. Will Carver is a refreshing entry into the world of crime/thriller fiction and I for one will be waiting in anticipation for his next novel.
But Girl 4 is different: she is alive – barely. And January recognises her…
Girl 4 is the debut novel from Will Carver. Told from the perspective of not only the main character, January David, but also, through first person narrative, the victims of a serial killer as well as the serial killer himself. This unusual way of storytelling can be confusing to some, however I found it original, fresh and compelling. The fact that each chapter is a different characters viewpoint, which is clearly marked by the title, means there should be no confusion.
With the right mix of shocking imagery, clever plotting and well rounded characters, 'Girl 4' is an intense thriller with just the right amount of police procedural involved to not take away from the main thrust of the story. With supernatural elements also involved, I was very impressed with this novel and look forward to reading more of Carver's work.
Engrossing, with twists you won't see coming, 'Girl 4' is a stunning debut. Will Carver is a refreshing entry into the world of crime/thriller fiction and I for one will be waiting in anticipation for his next novel.
January 1, 2012
I found that I couldnt put this book down...but I didnt love it.
I think I just wanted to finish it to see what was happening and how the bad guy was going to be found out.
I have to say though, I was not expecting the twist at the end and this was what made my mind up for me. I loved the twist, I didn't see it coming and I couldnt wait to read more.
None of the characters jumped out at me as likeable and the way the writer jumped from person to person got a bit confusing at times. I would have liked there to have been less people to read from as like I said it did get confusing trying to keep up with who was what girl etc.
The writing didn't flow as well in the beginning either, but once I got used to the style of writing I was fine.
I wanted to like January, but I didn't, he was a bit annoying and self pitying...altho maybe thats understandable. But then again I think one of the reasons I liked the book in the end is because of Jan. Its good that he has started off not quite as good as he could be because it means there should be a lot of progress for his character in the future books.
This wasnt great but the potential is there for this to be a great series of books so i will definately be reading his next book "The Two" to see how January's story progresses, and if things from this book finally come to a head in the next one.
I think I just wanted to finish it to see what was happening and how the bad guy was going to be found out.
I have to say though, I was not expecting the twist at the end and this was what made my mind up for me. I loved the twist, I didn't see it coming and I couldnt wait to read more.
None of the characters jumped out at me as likeable and the way the writer jumped from person to person got a bit confusing at times. I would have liked there to have been less people to read from as like I said it did get confusing trying to keep up with who was what girl etc.
The writing didn't flow as well in the beginning either, but once I got used to the style of writing I was fine.
I wanted to like January, but I didn't, he was a bit annoying and self pitying...altho maybe thats understandable. But then again I think one of the reasons I liked the book in the end is because of Jan. Its good that he has started off not quite as good as he could be because it means there should be a lot of progress for his character in the future books.
This wasnt great but the potential is there for this to be a great series of books so i will definately be reading his next book "The Two" to see how January's story progresses, and if things from this book finally come to a head in the next one.
May 9, 2012
This book is utter brilliance.
The author draws you in and you become part of the story. You hear the murders, the detectives and the victim’s point of view however unlike other books you don’t get the full story till the very end. Without giving too much away – you have no idea what to expect. I will hold my hands up and say I was going off crime books but this has changed my mind. It’s his first ever book and I pray it’s not his last. Excellent novel!
Its gets a bit confusing for a bit in the middle –as you don’t understand the killer motives till the last few chapters - But keep going the ending will blow your mind. I can’t stop praising this man – move over James Patterson.
AMAZING just doesn’t cover it.
The author draws you in and you become part of the story. You hear the murders, the detectives and the victim’s point of view however unlike other books you don’t get the full story till the very end. Without giving too much away – you have no idea what to expect. I will hold my hands up and say I was going off crime books but this has changed my mind. It’s his first ever book and I pray it’s not his last. Excellent novel!
Its gets a bit confusing for a bit in the middle –as you don’t understand the killer motives till the last few chapters - But keep going the ending will blow your mind. I can’t stop praising this man – move over James Patterson.
AMAZING just doesn’t cover it.
January 20, 2015
This may sound cliche, but this book was a poorer version Gone Girl. It had a lot of the same elements, but could not orchestrate the storyline without going off on tangents that's made it hard to want to continue reading it. The supernatural meets mystery elements was a good try, but it just ended up being two storylines lines happening in one book that were very foreign to one another.
Regardless, I had a few moments were I was emerged in this book and moments when I couldn't wait to finish. I'm debating to finish the series bc the ending was the only climatic point of the novel.
We shall see!
Regardless, I had a few moments were I was emerged in this book and moments when I couldn't wait to finish. I'm debating to finish the series bc the ending was the only climatic point of the novel.
We shall see!
December 31, 2012
Intriguing writing style that doesn't quite work for me.
Initially, it moves along at a comfortable pace, however,the protagonist appears to have complete free reign to run this investigation, with no mention of any superiors. Also, research into police procedure seems to be lacking , so after a while I just stopped believing in this book.
Not terrible, just disappointing as it could have been so much better.
Initially, it moves along at a comfortable pace, however,the protagonist appears to have complete free reign to run this investigation, with no mention of any superiors. Also, research into police procedure seems to be lacking , so after a while I just stopped believing in this book.
Not terrible, just disappointing as it could have been so much better.
August 5, 2016
I rarely re-read crime novels but this one, given the complexity of the narrative, seemed to warrant it before moving on to read Carver's latest in the series, Dead Set, especially as it is clear from the synopsis and teaser short ebook that it will be continuing the case featured here. It proved as good the second time around even though I was aware of the ending.
January 26, 2018
*****Amazing Book!!
this book had me from page one, the twists and turns i couldn't keep up (in a good way) i was intrigued and the style of writing is very unique. i love how we meet the killer very early on, how i connected with the main characters, and the victim is actually not a victim. loved it!!
this book had me from page one, the twists and turns i couldn't keep up (in a good way) i was intrigued and the style of writing is very unique. i love how we meet the killer very early on, how i connected with the main characters, and the victim is actually not a victim. loved it!!
July 9, 2014
Finished 345 pages in one go as fast as I can before I changed my mind and flip to the final chapter just to know what is the ending. The next thing I knew it's already 3.00am, I can pretty much say this is an interesting book to keep me up this late, a bit (quite) disturbing but very addictive.
June 2, 2024
Absolutely loved this book, multiple first person perspectives, all very cleverly written and had me hooked throughout. If you like crime-thrillers then you'll love this.
December 19, 2014
How can a book you didn’t want to put down annoy you just as much? I am still somewhat confused as to how I felt about this book. Having said that, this is the first in the series and as I have learnt with other authors sometimes you just need to go with the flow. No doubt Will Carver has a plan for January David and I am hoping that as time goes on I will understand a bit more.
January David has a name you certainly won’t forget, but his personality seems a bit mixed in this book. He is a good copper that much is obvious, but there are elements to him that I am struggling with, namely his ‘supernatural’ abilities. I try not to judge but as this isn’t a favourite theme of mine I tend to struggle with it. We also meet Jan’s wife Audrey and if I’m honest I didn’t take to her at all from the beginning. What I did take to was the very unique and unusual style of writing. The chapters are written from various characters points of view, whether that be January, the victims or the killer. This was such a novelty to me and the way the victims describe their last few hours was frankly quite chilling.
The murders themselves leave nothing to the imagination with brutal and grisly scenes described in vivid detail. I found myself wondering whether I knew who the killer was or not, and then less than a few pages after I would feel like I was back at square one. This was by no means a perfect book and if I am being 100% honest I don’t know how I will fair with the series. But….there was so much I really loved about this book. Yes it was weird, but it was also gripping, engaging and a whole lot more. I think the main issue I have is the stretch between believable fiction, and personal belief in terms of the supernatural.
This book certainly won’t be fore everybody but it was so unique that I really didn’t want to put it down. I will move straight on to book 2, to see if I can form more of an understanding of January David. Hopefully this character will grow on me as I think the writing itself is fabulous.
January David has a name you certainly won’t forget, but his personality seems a bit mixed in this book. He is a good copper that much is obvious, but there are elements to him that I am struggling with, namely his ‘supernatural’ abilities. I try not to judge but as this isn’t a favourite theme of mine I tend to struggle with it. We also meet Jan’s wife Audrey and if I’m honest I didn’t take to her at all from the beginning. What I did take to was the very unique and unusual style of writing. The chapters are written from various characters points of view, whether that be January, the victims or the killer. This was such a novelty to me and the way the victims describe their last few hours was frankly quite chilling.
The murders themselves leave nothing to the imagination with brutal and grisly scenes described in vivid detail. I found myself wondering whether I knew who the killer was or not, and then less than a few pages after I would feel like I was back at square one. This was by no means a perfect book and if I am being 100% honest I don’t know how I will fair with the series. But….there was so much I really loved about this book. Yes it was weird, but it was also gripping, engaging and a whole lot more. I think the main issue I have is the stretch between believable fiction, and personal belief in terms of the supernatural.
This book certainly won’t be fore everybody but it was so unique that I really didn’t want to put it down. I will move straight on to book 2, to see if I can form more of an understanding of January David. Hopefully this character will grow on me as I think the writing itself is fabulous.
June 14, 2011
Product description
Detective Inspector January David has always put his professional before his private life, but the two worlds are about to clash horrifically as he visits his latest crime scene. He is confronted by a lifeless figure suspended ten feet above a theatre stage, blood pouring from her face into a coffin below. This gruesome execution is the work of an elusive serial killer.
Three women from three different London suburbs, each murdered with elaborate and chilling precision. And as January stares at the most beautiful corpse he’s ever seen, he detects the killer’s hallmark.
But Girl 4 is different: she is alive – barely. And January recognises her…
Review
This book is written from the viewpoint of several people. Each person having their time to talk. Murder victims talk about what it was like for them before their death and Detective Inspector January David tells the story from his viewpoint, on the trail of a serial killer. This very serial killer even gets a voice.
The chapters are kept short to accommodate this style and it keeps things fairly fast paced.
It took me a few chapters to get used to the chopping and changing of viewpoints on such a regular basis, but once I had, I found I really enjoyed the different style I was reading.
The climax is lengthy and I couldn't put the book down for the last 100 pages. I'm not sure how I felt when it ended as it wasn't what I expected, but I will definitely buy another January David book.
If you're a crime reader and you want to try a different style, I'd recommend giving this a try and pushing past the first few chapters if you struggle with the style - though you could easily take to it straight away. It's a great read.
Detective Inspector January David has always put his professional before his private life, but the two worlds are about to clash horrifically as he visits his latest crime scene. He is confronted by a lifeless figure suspended ten feet above a theatre stage, blood pouring from her face into a coffin below. This gruesome execution is the work of an elusive serial killer.
Three women from three different London suburbs, each murdered with elaborate and chilling precision. And as January stares at the most beautiful corpse he’s ever seen, he detects the killer’s hallmark.
But Girl 4 is different: she is alive – barely. And January recognises her…
Review
This book is written from the viewpoint of several people. Each person having their time to talk. Murder victims talk about what it was like for them before their death and Detective Inspector January David tells the story from his viewpoint, on the trail of a serial killer. This very serial killer even gets a voice.
The chapters are kept short to accommodate this style and it keeps things fairly fast paced.
It took me a few chapters to get used to the chopping and changing of viewpoints on such a regular basis, but once I had, I found I really enjoyed the different style I was reading.
The climax is lengthy and I couldn't put the book down for the last 100 pages. I'm not sure how I felt when it ended as it wasn't what I expected, but I will definitely buy another January David book.
If you're a crime reader and you want to try a different style, I'd recommend giving this a try and pushing past the first few chapters if you struggle with the style - though you could easily take to it straight away. It's a great read.
December 23, 2015
The quality of the writing and the fresh approach to the story's structure meant that I enjoyed the first two-thirds of this book in spite of myself. It is the story of a detective in pursuit of a serial killer, narrated in short chapters cutting between the voices of the detective, the killer and the victims (who are dead by the time they are speaking to us). Against my expectations, I liked this and found the character sketches of the victims in particular very convincing.
However, at bottom the story is yet another in the sea of books, films and TV shows about killers performing monstrous acts of vicious brutality on women for his (and our) gratification and doesn't add anything to a now hackneyed and implausible genre. There is a serial killer preying on women in inventively sadistic ways, making a show of the bodies and sending notes with clues to the police. The killer plays psychological games and targets the detective himself. There is a detective to whom vital clues appear in dreams and who has a complex psychological back-story. He is insomniac and drinks excessively. Reality and fantasy become blurred. The emotional delirium becomes ever more intense...and so on and so on. Eventually, in spite of a couple of twists which I didn't see coming, this all got so tiresome and familiar that I got extremely fed up with it and the final revelation of the killer's motives seemed simply ludicrous to me.
It's a shame because Will Carver is obviously a talented writer, and I did keep reading to the end to find out what happened, but overall I found this unsatisfying and unmemorable and can only give it three stars.
However, at bottom the story is yet another in the sea of books, films and TV shows about killers performing monstrous acts of vicious brutality on women for his (and our) gratification and doesn't add anything to a now hackneyed and implausible genre. There is a serial killer preying on women in inventively sadistic ways, making a show of the bodies and sending notes with clues to the police. The killer plays psychological games and targets the detective himself. There is a detective to whom vital clues appear in dreams and who has a complex psychological back-story. He is insomniac and drinks excessively. Reality and fantasy become blurred. The emotional delirium becomes ever more intense...and so on and so on. Eventually, in spite of a couple of twists which I didn't see coming, this all got so tiresome and familiar that I got extremely fed up with it and the final revelation of the killer's motives seemed simply ludicrous to me.
It's a shame because Will Carver is obviously a talented writer, and I did keep reading to the end to find out what happened, but overall I found this unsatisfying and unmemorable and can only give it three stars.
June 13, 2017
This is weird, rated it 3 stars - I liked it - but did not want to finish it -but had to. Does that make sense? It is a book I really like (5 stars) but it takes you into the mind of the killer and (most sadly) his victims. A lot of the dialog is the thought of his victims. Written so well it makes your heart bleed with sorrow for them. And, it makes you feel as if you could be a victim that is being watched/stalked. I am in a quandary as to what to give this ..... Five stars all around - but three is what I gave it because it was too painful for me to continue with. Poor girls, so realistic.
Addition: I'm giving it 4 stars after reading my own review. Split the difference.
Addition: I'm giving it 4 stars after reading my own review. Split the difference.
October 21, 2011
At first I didn't think I was going to like this book because of the way it's set out which I thought was going to prove too confusing. Each chapter is told from the POV of a different character so it alternates between the lead detective, the serial killer and the victims. Great to see a change from the usual styles in this genre and the twist at the end was one I didn't see coming which I am glad about as they're usually so obvious I know what's going to happen. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
June 8, 2017
A really interesting novel - with a twist at the end that was really well done.
Throughout the book we see these killings from multiple viewpoints, allowing us a full view of what is going on; and yet, as I discovered, not at all revealing the truth.
While I enjoyed the overall story, I did find the frequency of the switches and the very short chapters didn't leave me enough time to really emotionally invest in any character in particular. With a book like this it's somehow better if it's devastating..
But definitely enough to give the next book in the series a try.
Throughout the book we see these killings from multiple viewpoints, allowing us a full view of what is going on; and yet, as I discovered, not at all revealing the truth.
While I enjoyed the overall story, I did find the frequency of the switches and the very short chapters didn't leave me enough time to really emotionally invest in any character in particular. With a book like this it's somehow better if it's devastating..
But definitely enough to give the next book in the series a try.
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