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Final Victim
Leonard Land is a seven-foot-tall, completely hairless computer genius, wired to the cyber-punk subculture of Death Metal and Satan worship. He is also a twisted, multipersonality maniac who is systematically murdering women. When he is The Rat, he is smart and cunning; when he becomes The Wind Minstrel, he is God and the Devil. The Rat only covets women; The Wind Minstrel possesses them.
Hot on Land's trail is a formidable, if unlikely, trio of John Lockwood - a renegade U.S. Customs agent who never met a rule he didn't break or a regulation he didn't violate; Karen "Awesome" Dawson - a beautiful and brainy forensic psychologist who never met a challenge she couldn't overcome; and Malavida Chacone, a street-wise master hacker who never met a computer program he couldn't crack.
They pursue their quarry through the convoluted corridors of cyberspace and deep into the Florida swamps. But when Land discovers who has been infiltrating his programs, his nemesis becomes his prey. The hunters are now the hunted, and they must stop Land before he claims...the Final Victim.
Hot on Land's trail is a formidable, if unlikely, trio of John Lockwood - a renegade U.S. Customs agent who never met a rule he didn't break or a regulation he didn't violate; Karen "Awesome" Dawson - a beautiful and brainy forensic psychologist who never met a challenge she couldn't overcome; and Malavida Chacone, a street-wise master hacker who never met a computer program he couldn't crack.
They pursue their quarry through the convoluted corridors of cyberspace and deep into the Florida swamps. But when Land discovers who has been infiltrating his programs, his nemesis becomes his prey. The hunters are now the hunted, and they must stop Land before he claims...the Final Victim.
405 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
127 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
Stephen J. Cannell
68 books268 followersStephen J. Cannell was an American television producer, writer, novelist, and occasional actor, and the founder of Cannell Entertainment (formerly Stephen J. Cannell Productions) and the Cannell Studios.
Cannell created or co-created several successful TV series from the 1970s to the 1990s. Creations included The Rockford Files, The A-Team, The Greatest American Hero, 21 Jump Street, and The Commish. He was an Emmy winner and was awarded The Eye - Lifetime Achievement Award by the Private Eye Writers of America.
Cannell created or co-created several successful TV series from the 1970s to the 1990s. Creations included The Rockford Files, The A-Team, The Greatest American Hero, 21 Jump Street, and The Commish. He was an Emmy winner and was awarded The Eye - Lifetime Achievement Award by the Private Eye Writers of America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
September 2, 2017
In this novel, irreverent US customs agent John Lockwood assembles a team including a beautiful PhD and a computer whiz ex con to track down a Florida serial killer. Leonard Lane, is a little different than the average serial killer. He’s an obese man of genius level intelligence. There is a good bit of violence as they reach the killer and John has to rescue Karen, one of his team members, from a certain death.
This novel was a big disappointment after having read some of Cannel’s previous work. It was not nearly at the same level. The plot was not coherent and the narrative had a bit of a rambling quality to it. It seemed like the author was trying too hard to make Lockwood cool, and not fit the norm of typical protagonists in thrillers. I would avoid this novel and instead read White Sister, which was a much better novel from Cannel.
Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
This novel was a big disappointment after having read some of Cannel’s previous work. It was not nearly at the same level. The plot was not coherent and the narrative had a bit of a rambling quality to it. It seemed like the author was trying too hard to make Lockwood cool, and not fit the norm of typical protagonists in thrillers. I would avoid this novel and instead read White Sister, which was a much better novel from Cannel.
Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
March 9, 2019
An interesting crime drama come finding oneself.
An ageing Cop who doesn't always play by the rules gets sent to the basement while another IA complaint is investigated. There he works with Karen, a person who is living up to a promise she made with her Dad as he died.
Karen is working on a off the books project and hitting barriers, Lockwood inserts himself into the project by bring in a computer hacker he put into prison.
The case soon turns out to be bigger and stranger than they expected. They come to rely on each other and come into their own as they track down a serial killer
An ageing Cop who doesn't always play by the rules gets sent to the basement while another IA complaint is investigated. There he works with Karen, a person who is living up to a promise she made with her Dad as he died.
Karen is working on a off the books project and hitting barriers, Lockwood inserts himself into the project by bring in a computer hacker he put into prison.
The case soon turns out to be bigger and stranger than they expected. They come to rely on each other and come into their own as they track down a serial killer
March 16, 2021
DNF @ 54%.
It should never had taken nearly a month to try to finish a by the numbers criminal potboiler that's poorly written and reads like a really bad episode of Criminal Minds. I have enough books on my TBR to worry about not finishing this soulless piece of dreck.
It should never had taken nearly a month to try to finish a by the numbers criminal potboiler that's poorly written and reads like a really bad episode of Criminal Minds. I have enough books on my TBR to worry about not finishing this soulless piece of dreck.
September 27, 2023
$3 steal from The Last Bookstore in LA. This was like watching a really good episode of Criminal Minds or SVU. I loved Karen, Malavida, and Lockwood - they all went through some messed up sh*t but made a great unconventional team. A classic crime thriller, loved it.
May 16, 2013
This is a solidly entertaining serial killer thriller. Though Cannell spent the bulk of his career writing for television, that experience really shows in the cinematic quality this novel exudes. Even the cover claims it will soon be a major motion picture. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find any evidence that a film version ever moved into production. Still, it is easy to see why it had been optioned. Yes, there are some problems with the writing itself (abrupt shifts in perspective and an introduction that drags for about a hundred pages), but once the story itself starts to come together, it becomes quite thrilling. The plot takes a few predictable turns, the romance angle is unfortunate, but the grotesque villain and the genuine scares along the way even the balance somewhat.
Perhaps most entertainingly, however, is the emphasis on technology in this 1996 release. This book really serves as something of a time capsule since the research seems quite solid into ‘90s Internet hacking, and even the legal/criminal aspects of the story. Sure, the hacking may border on the comical for the 2013 reader, but it is fun to see its effects be put to frightening use (and recognize their uses in more current films - especially the scene with the traffic cameras). Still, the threats of computer crimes takes on a frightening light here. And though the romance does fall flat, the characters are actually more developed than I expected. It’s an entertaining book, though I imagine reading it seventeen years ago that the book had a greater impact with all of its modernity - from the computer lingo and its use of different fonts. All in all, it is a fun read.
Perhaps most entertainingly, however, is the emphasis on technology in this 1996 release. This book really serves as something of a time capsule since the research seems quite solid into ‘90s Internet hacking, and even the legal/criminal aspects of the story. Sure, the hacking may border on the comical for the 2013 reader, but it is fun to see its effects be put to frightening use (and recognize their uses in more current films - especially the scene with the traffic cameras). Still, the threats of computer crimes takes on a frightening light here. And though the romance does fall flat, the characters are actually more developed than I expected. It’s an entertaining book, though I imagine reading it seventeen years ago that the book had a greater impact with all of its modernity - from the computer lingo and its use of different fonts. All in all, it is a fun read.
March 9, 2010
I didn't expect much from Final Victim, seeing as how both the title and the picture on the cover make it seem like one of those "steamy thriller" plots you get on late-night cable. And, once again, Stephen J. Cannell made me sorry for ever having doubted him. This is an excellent novel, one that marries a lot of techo-thriller aspects to your standard serial killer/detective storyline. A lot of research went into this, and the offbeat details are what really gets this story off the ground. As with most Cannell novels, it will stretch your credulity at times (like how characters always turn on the TV at just the right time to catch the beginning of an important news story that pertains to them), but I find that to be part of Cannell's charm, the way he is totally brilliant one moment and then a little cheesy the next.
March 29, 2013
When I grabbed this for my next read I thought, a serial killer story written seventeen years ago. I noticed it had all the main characters -the renegade FBI agent (OK, US Customs agent), a beautiful/brilliant profiler and a young computer hacker serving time, that our renegade weaseled out of prison for his help. But, with the prolific TV creator Cannell as the author, he gives the reader (back then) of what a very smart killer that is also a computer whiz. Really gave me the creeps, what someone could do to kill you/find you/get back at you...with the use of cyber space. Good read.
October 20, 2015
This is the first book I have read by this author. It caught my attention immediately. The author chose a very unlikely team and threw them together to use their skills to catch a serial killer. In some ways it is your typical serial killer/cop novel but the author really focused on the profiling and technical aspects of solving the crimes. Throughout the book, I was rooting for this team to succeed despite everything standing in their way. This was a quick and easy read and I look forward to more books by this author.
June 25, 2016
When I read the first chapter, I thought this was NOT a book I wanted to read. However, I decided to tough it out another 30 pages or so. Fortunately, additional characters were introduced and I became hooked - and this turned out to be one of the better books I've read. Great suspense and character development.
August 12, 2016
Another novel that reads like a TV-Movie from Cannell.
A maverick customs agent springs a computer hacker out of jail to pursue a serial killer who also happens to be an ace hacker.
A beautiful forensic psychologist is around to get into distress.
Just about what it sounds like
A maverick customs agent springs a computer hacker out of jail to pursue a serial killer who also happens to be an ace hacker.
A beautiful forensic psychologist is around to get into distress.
Just about what it sounds like
March 31, 2022
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS:
(Available in Print: COPYRIGHT: 6/1/1996; PUBLISHER: William Morrow & Co—1st edition; ISBN 978-0688147755; PAGES 405.)
* This edition: Audio: COPYRIGHT: 2/6/2007; PUBLISHER: Phoenix Books, Inc.; DURATION: 5:14:31; PARTS: 6; Abridged
(Available as Digital: Yes.)
(Available as/on Feature Film or tv: Not that I know of.)
SERIES: No
SUMMARY/ EVALUATION:
No, I didn’t like this one. I even wondered if it was read by the author because no one else was willing to narrate it. I hadn’t realized I’d selected an abridgement, but I’m pretty glad I didn’t have to listen to a longer one—I checked to see how long that would be, and it doesn’t appear that it was recorded in its entirety. I suspected from the first paragraph that it was going to be violent, graphic, and creepy throughout, but I liked Stephen’s later works, so I held out hope. I kept hoping we’d get off the creepy bad guy and move on to the people who would stop him, but it took way longer than I’d hoped. I prefer mysteries and detective stories that spend little to no time describing the perpetrator or their crimes.
AUTHOR:
Stephen Cannell (February 5, 1941 – September 30, 2010). According to Wikipedia, Stephen “was an American television producer, writer, novelist, and occasional actor, and the founder of Cannell Entertainment (formerly Stephen J. Cannell Productions) and the Cannell Studios.
After starting his career as a television screenwriter, Cannell created or co-created several dozen successful TV series from the 1970s to the 1990s, often with his creative partner Frank Lupo. Cannell's creations included The Rockford Files, The A-Team, The Greatest American Hero, 21 Jump Street, and The Commish. He also wrote novels, notably the Shane Scully mystery series.”
NARRATOR:
Stephen Cannell. (see above).
GENRE:
Mystery; Fiction; Thriller; Detective; Suspense; Crime; Murder; Psychology; brutality; violence; child abuse
LOCATIONS:
Florida; California; Washington D.C.
TIME FRAME:
Contemporary
SUBJECTS:
Murder; Psychology; Religion
DEDICATION:
"For my best friend.
My father,
Joseph K. Cannell.”
SAMPLE QUOTATION:
From Chapter 1: “The Rat”
“His mother, Shirley, had transformed him into The Rat. When he was bad or woke up with an erection, she would take him into the basement and light the Trinity candles she got from the church. She would hold his hand in the flame until his flesh burned. Fire would cleanse him, she said . . . and, for a while, it did. When he was The Rat, he was pitiful and ugly, but he knew everything. The smallest details were vivid and sharp. His skin irritated him when he was The Rat, except for the last few days before he transformed, when his nipples and skin burned, but he didn’t have to wear silk. When he was The Rat he never got erections.”
RATING:
2 stars. I can’t say it wasn’t written well, I just didn’t care for how graphic it was.
STARTED READING – FINISHED READING
3-24-2022 to 3-30-2022
(Available in Print: COPYRIGHT: 6/1/1996; PUBLISHER: William Morrow & Co—1st edition; ISBN 978-0688147755; PAGES 405.)
* This edition: Audio: COPYRIGHT: 2/6/2007; PUBLISHER: Phoenix Books, Inc.; DURATION: 5:14:31; PARTS: 6; Abridged
(Available as Digital: Yes.)
(Available as/on Feature Film or tv: Not that I know of.)
SERIES: No
SUMMARY/ EVALUATION:
No, I didn’t like this one. I even wondered if it was read by the author because no one else was willing to narrate it. I hadn’t realized I’d selected an abridgement, but I’m pretty glad I didn’t have to listen to a longer one—I checked to see how long that would be, and it doesn’t appear that it was recorded in its entirety. I suspected from the first paragraph that it was going to be violent, graphic, and creepy throughout, but I liked Stephen’s later works, so I held out hope. I kept hoping we’d get off the creepy bad guy and move on to the people who would stop him, but it took way longer than I’d hoped. I prefer mysteries and detective stories that spend little to no time describing the perpetrator or their crimes.
AUTHOR:
Stephen Cannell (February 5, 1941 – September 30, 2010). According to Wikipedia, Stephen “was an American television producer, writer, novelist, and occasional actor, and the founder of Cannell Entertainment (formerly Stephen J. Cannell Productions) and the Cannell Studios.
After starting his career as a television screenwriter, Cannell created or co-created several dozen successful TV series from the 1970s to the 1990s, often with his creative partner Frank Lupo. Cannell's creations included The Rockford Files, The A-Team, The Greatest American Hero, 21 Jump Street, and The Commish. He also wrote novels, notably the Shane Scully mystery series.”
NARRATOR:
Stephen Cannell. (see above).
GENRE:
Mystery; Fiction; Thriller; Detective; Suspense; Crime; Murder; Psychology; brutality; violence; child abuse
LOCATIONS:
Florida; California; Washington D.C.
TIME FRAME:
Contemporary
SUBJECTS:
Murder; Psychology; Religion
DEDICATION:
"For my best friend.
My father,
Joseph K. Cannell.”
SAMPLE QUOTATION:
From Chapter 1: “The Rat”
“His mother, Shirley, had transformed him into The Rat. When he was bad or woke up with an erection, she would take him into the basement and light the Trinity candles she got from the church. She would hold his hand in the flame until his flesh burned. Fire would cleanse him, she said . . . and, for a while, it did. When he was The Rat, he was pitiful and ugly, but he knew everything. The smallest details were vivid and sharp. His skin irritated him when he was The Rat, except for the last few days before he transformed, when his nipples and skin burned, but he didn’t have to wear silk. When he was The Rat he never got erections.”
RATING:
2 stars. I can’t say it wasn’t written well, I just didn’t care for how graphic it was.
STARTED READING – FINISHED READING
3-24-2022 to 3-30-2022
July 30, 2022
I read the uncorrected proof copy of this book that I found in a second hand book store. I sure hope it underwent some serious revision before it got printed.
I was so taken aback by the amateur writing until I saw that Cannell was a television writer, first time novelist … which explained all the brash, tell over show, robotic take on human emotions and narrative progression. Each character is like a stereotype chewed up and spat out from film noir and gangster films.
Cliche after cliche, I like reading this book for the exact reason I hated it. Cannell really leaves nothing to the readers imagination (which is rather insulting to the reader).
Absolutely baffling that a romance is introduced between Lockwood and Karen Dawson, considering she would have had to fall in love with him in the first few weeks they spend together enough to sustain being apart for the remaining two thirds of the book. Oh and btw, she has 180 IQ, is sexy, masculine, and her emotional walls can only be broken by the two men she works with 😫.
The villain is probably the best writing in this book, but even then it’s crass and toes ableist lines, verging on the trivialisation of psychopathy.
I was so taken aback by the amateur writing until I saw that Cannell was a television writer, first time novelist … which explained all the brash, tell over show, robotic take on human emotions and narrative progression. Each character is like a stereotype chewed up and spat out from film noir and gangster films.
Cliche after cliche, I like reading this book for the exact reason I hated it. Cannell really leaves nothing to the readers imagination (which is rather insulting to the reader).
Absolutely baffling that a romance is introduced between Lockwood and Karen Dawson, considering she would have had to fall in love with him in the first few weeks they spend together enough to sustain being apart for the remaining two thirds of the book. Oh and btw, she has 180 IQ, is sexy, masculine, and her emotional walls can only be broken by the two men she works with 😫.
The villain is probably the best writing in this book, but even then it’s crass and toes ableist lines, verging on the trivialisation of psychopathy.
May 8, 2020
1) this book is so over the top, but for the most part it’s well done- it all fits together, it all works. So if you can suspend your disbelief it’s a lot of fun.
2) that said, the ending disappointed. I won’t ruin anything, but- it just feels like there’s 2 or 3 writing decisions id have done differently. It gets more desperate and crazy, and I just feel like- no, it’s good, wrap it up, let these guys ride into the sunset. Not saying it’s too long, not at all, just.. the plot gets increasingly wild when I wish Karen had just solved it earlier, maybe.
So good book overall, but if the original craziness of the bad guy turns you off.. it doesn’t get more normal from the 7 foot hairless multi-personalitied murderer.
2) that said, the ending disappointed. I won’t ruin anything, but- it just feels like there’s 2 or 3 writing decisions id have done differently. It gets more desperate and crazy, and I just feel like- no, it’s good, wrap it up, let these guys ride into the sunset. Not saying it’s too long, not at all, just.. the plot gets increasingly wild when I wish Karen had just solved it earlier, maybe.
So good book overall, but if the original craziness of the bad guy turns you off.. it doesn’t get more normal from the 7 foot hairless multi-personalitied murderer.
August 23, 2024
Nothing negative to say.
As fictional crime thrillers go, this one was a great soap opera, and no less a superlative crime thriller. I loathed the bad guy. Grew to love the 3 protagonists. I was amused by what appeared to be '90s computer technology. Maybe late '90s - they all had cell phones, though Lockwood wound up at pay phones a lot. Truly a great ride. All the Florida action made me think of John D. Macdonald. He and Cannel are perhaps the best ever.
As fictional crime thrillers go, this one was a great soap opera, and no less a superlative crime thriller. I loathed the bad guy. Grew to love the 3 protagonists. I was amused by what appeared to be '90s computer technology. Maybe late '90s - they all had cell phones, though Lockwood wound up at pay phones a lot. Truly a great ride. All the Florida action made me think of John D. Macdonald. He and Cannel are perhaps the best ever.
May 18, 2024
Final victim by Stephen J Cannell.
A very interesting serial killer, traumatized by his mom forms the core of this story. The hero of the book was kind of a wuss that’s why I only gave it. Three stars Stephen Cannell has created some very very interesting and challenging. Heroic characters unfortunately this wasn’t one of them.
A very interesting serial killer, traumatized by his mom forms the core of this story. The hero of the book was kind of a wuss that’s why I only gave it. Three stars Stephen Cannell has created some very very interesting and challenging. Heroic characters unfortunately this wasn’t one of them.
November 4, 2017
I liked Stephen J. Cannell's novel, Final Victim, except for the ending.
Loose ends: those investigating the crimes did not discover the reason the killer branded his victims with a symbol, nor discovering how he was choosing them.
Loose ends: those investigating the crimes did not discover the reason the killer branded his victims with a symbol, nor discovering how he was choosing them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2021
This is a good one. A renegade customs agent, a brilliant forensic psychologist and an imprisoned computer hacker team up to find out who's been dicing up women and shipping the body parts around. This is a good one.
November 5, 2024
Nail biter!
Twists, turns, and terrifying! Cannell crafts a great page turning thriller with some crazy villains. If you enjoy a book that has you turning pages as fast as you can read them jump in!
Twists, turns, and terrifying! Cannell crafts a great page turning thriller with some crazy villains. If you enjoy a book that has you turning pages as fast as you can read them jump in!
March 8, 2018
Good quick read, I had forgotten about Stephen J. Cannell and his TV shows. Did not realize he was an author as well.
February 24, 2019
Good. I finished it. Not for the squeamish.
May 23, 2019
Creepy and wonderfully written. Characters are well developed and the story flows well. Enjoyed the book!
August 11, 2019
Really enjoyed this one, thought the ending was a little soft though.
June 9, 2020
Such a great storyteller. Very cinematic in his writing style if that makes sense? This is a great read!!
May 19, 2021
This is a great author but this book did not appeal to me very much.
Read
August 14, 2022DNF. Too melodramatic and run-of-the-mill.
August 22, 2023
Great story, good character development and pacing as usual.
April 8, 2024
Cyber two personality killer. Don’t remember at all
May 6, 2024
Fantastic cat-and-mouse thriller. Shades of True Detective and Criminal Minds.
December 14, 2024
A variation on the serial killer genre. The last half of the book is much better than the first.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews