Playing Dead: A Dark Psychological Thriller Where a Serial Killer's Confession Exposes a Wealthy Elite Conspiracy

by R.G. Belsky, Richard Belsky

It's been eleven years since David Galvin terrorized New York City with a series of gruesome murders. He picked his victim at random and stalked her silently, taking pleasure in a game of pretend until he captured his prey, played out his sick fantasies, and reached his ultimate passion watching her die. Then it was time to choose his next pretty woman.Now Galvin is dying in prison and he's chosen newspaperman Joe Dougherty to hear the shocking story he never revealed. Galvin's deadly game of make-believe was not his alone, but the brainchild of a group of wealthy college friends -- thrill seekers who killed for fun, kept their sickening secret, and went on to live successful, prominent lives. Galvin got caught. But among the rich and powerful, silence still prevails...and someone is still playing the game!

Genres: Suspense

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Co-author with Bonnie Traymore of Swipe (2025);Author of Broadcast Blues (Oceanview - 2024); It's News to Me (Oceanview - 2022); Beyond The Headlines (Oceanview 2021); The Last Scoop (Oceanview-2020) Below The Fold (Oceanview - 2019) Yesterday's News (Oceanview - 2018) Blonde Ice (Atria - 2016; Shooting for the Stars (2015); and The Kennedy Connection (2014).

Also writes thrillers under the pen name of Dana Perry.

Former Managing Editor of NBCNews.com

Worked as Managing Editor of NY Daily News; News Editor of Star magazine; Metropolitan Editor of NY Post.

Author of numerous other mystery novels including Loverboy and Playing Dead.

Contributing Writer for The Big Thrill magazine and BookTrib.

Reviews

[Betty]

Belsky does not disappoint with his twists and turns to the very end of this suspense filled story. Every time I thought I had things figured out -- another twist! Where are R.G. Belsky's movies Hollywood?

[Mikel Pfeiffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this paperback for $1 on one of outside the store cart shelves so my expectation weren't set high. However, I really liked Playing Dead! It was an exciting thrill ride filled with surprises. I love a good reporter cracking a story novel. I miss the old days when newspapers had more prominence in society. Joe Daugherty is the narrator of PD, he's a very flawed person and he doesn't even recognize how flawed he is, as he makes mistake after mistake. He's also a terrible detective. I had to throw plausibility out the window a few times but this was a real page turner I could not put down. It's a serial killer thriller but with some very unexpected turns. R.G. Belsky is one of the smaller names in thrillers but I'll try and find more from him.

[Dorothy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept this book in my bag to read when waiting at the doctors office etc. The plot line is easy enough to follow when book is only read occasionally. I found the story line and main characters OK nothing really exciting or interesting.

[Shawn William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing Dead Will Entertain You if You have a Pulse

Playing Dead is a well-crafted, smooth-flowing suspense thriller with some interesting characters and some fun roller coaster twists and turns.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery was good, but the ending kept me from giving this four stars.

[Kirsten · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unlikable and somewhat unreliable narrator. Lots of bad stereotypes. Jumps all over the place. Overall not a good read.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite author! Twists and turns and everything in between.

[Arieanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I thought I knew what was going on, it twisted again. I absolutely loved it!

[Todd F · Rating 3 out of 5]

The underlying story was good…for me for too much time was “wasted” on the main character development and “life” through the middle of the book …we get who he is early on…overall a decent book 🙂

[Jai · Rating 3 out of 5]

....Yeah, it was good but I don't really like it when books end the way it did.