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A Perfect Crime
Distraught by a failing marriage, Francie Cullingwood enters into a secret affair with charismatic radio psychologist Ned Demarco. But what seems like a refuge takes a decidedly dark turn. For when the liaison is discovered, a seething, enraged genius begins to construct the perfect, flawless murder, manipulating Francie, her lover, and her best friend like chess pieces in a lethal game. But even the most brilliant mind can make mistakes. And soon the intricate plan is spinning wildly out of control--in shocking, fatal directions. . . .
An unfaithful wife. A cheating lover. A loyal friend. A jealous husband. In this stunning thriller, four lives hang in precarious balance--as a cunning killer prepares their roles in A Perfect Crime.
An unfaithful wife. A cheating lover. A loyal friend. A jealous husband. In this stunning thriller, four lives hang in precarious balance--as a cunning killer prepares their roles in A Perfect Crime.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 16, 1998
103 people are currently reading
1664 people want to read
About the author
Peter Abrahams
117 books419 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Peter Abrahams is an American author of crime fiction for both adults and children.
His book Lights Out (1994) was nominated for an Edgar Award for best novel. Reality Check won the best young adult Edgar Award in 2011. Down the Rabbit Hole, first in the Echo Falls series, won the best children's/young adult Agatha Award in 2005. The Fan was adapted into a film starring Robert De Niro and directed by Tony Scott (1996).
His literary influences are Vladimir Nabokov, Graham Greene, and Ross Macdonald. Stephen King has referred to him as "my favorite American suspense novelist".
Born in Boston, Abrahams lives in Falmouth, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. He is married and has four children including Rosie Gray. He graduated from Williams College in 1968.
Peter Abrahams is also writing under the pseudonym Spencer Quinn (Chet and Bernie Mysteries).
Peter Abrahams is an American author of crime fiction for both adults and children.
His book Lights Out (1994) was nominated for an Edgar Award for best novel. Reality Check won the best young adult Edgar Award in 2011. Down the Rabbit Hole, first in the Echo Falls series, won the best children's/young adult Agatha Award in 2005. The Fan was adapted into a film starring Robert De Niro and directed by Tony Scott (1996).
His literary influences are Vladimir Nabokov, Graham Greene, and Ross Macdonald. Stephen King has referred to him as "my favorite American suspense novelist".
Born in Boston, Abrahams lives in Falmouth, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. He is married and has four children including Rosie Gray. He graduated from Williams College in 1968.
Peter Abrahams is also writing under the pseudonym Spencer Quinn (Chet and Bernie Mysteries).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
November 21, 2015
This book was very suspenseful and thrilling. It might've been a little cliché here and there, but overall it was great. But let me explain why this is a 4 star book and not a 5 star. In all honesty, some characters aren't well written enough to make you care about them. Especially, Whitey. He seems like the most interesting character, but isn't written to his full potential. The book is also not very fast paced, thus making you a bit bored at certain points. But what was done well was, the chapter endings that just hook you back and make you want to keep reading. I also really like how surprises arent revealed right on the spot, like when Anne was murdered instead of Francie, it was revealed very subtly that it makes you simply rewind to that sentence and go: "Oh my god!", even details or descriptions of a house or place or daily routine, is done so well and engages you into the moment. This is something that many other authors fail to do and simply put you to sleep, describing a sunset, for example. This book was very well written, planned and thought through. If only the chracters were more endearing, the plot was a bit more unpredictable and more fast paced, it would be a perfect 5 star book. I recommend this book for those interested in suspensful thrillers that really give you a glimpse into criminal minds and how they see the world.
February 22, 2016
This is the first time that I read a book and did NOT understand the ending of it! I've read books that had great endings, good ending, so-so endings and awful endings- but this? I must have read the last 4 pages of this book 10 times and I am CLUELESS. My sister read the book, and said STOP EVERYTHING, read this book NOW and tell me what the hell the ending is all about- I thought, she was crazy- (my sister) so, read the book- and I was like WHAT?! So , if any of you nice folks out there can explain to me WTH the ending is about - I would be thrilled ! Other than that- I really liked the book, and if the ending was clear most like I would have given this book close to 4 stars ....
March 3, 2016
"Ένα τέλειο έγκλημα", εκδόσεις Bell.
Το βιβλίο ουσιαστικά το διάβασα μέσα σε μια μέρα, χθες, όμως μόλις τώρα βρήκα λίγο χρόνο για να γράψω κριτική. Εγώ έτσι και αλλιώς διαβάζω γρήγορα (ανάλογα βέβαια και με την δυσκολία του κείμενου), ειλικρινά όμως ούτε που κατάλαβα πότε τελείωσα το συγκεκριμένο θρίλερ. Ο Στίβεν Κινγκ έχει αναφερθεί σ'αυτό το βιβλίο, λέγοντας τα καλύτερα, έχοντας το πλέον τελειώσει, μπορώ να συμφωνήσω μαζί του, αν και όχι στον απόλυτο βαθμό.
Ας πούμε όμως λίγα λόγια για την ιστορία: Η Φράνσι έχει μια εξωσυζυγική σχέση με τον Νεντ, έναν ψυχίατρο που έχει ραδιοφωνική εκπομπή. Άντρας της Φράνσι είναι ο Ρότζερ, αριστούχος του Χάρβαρντ και με σπάνια ευφυΐα, ο οποίος μένει ξαφνικά άνεργος και απομονώνεται από την γυναίκα του. Κάποια στιγμή καταλαβαίνει την απιστία της. Και σχεδιάζει να κάνει το τέλειο έγκλημα, σκοτώνοντας την γυναίκα του και ίσως τον εραστή της. Στην όλη ιστορία θα μπλεχτεί και η ευάλωτη γυναίκα του Νεντ, η Ανν, καθώς και ένας αποφυλακισμένος εγκληματίας.
Η ιστορία μπορεί αρχικά να κινείται αργά, όμως έτσι είναι το σωστό, αφού πρέπει πρώτα να γνωρίσουμε τους πρωταγωνιστές του δράματος. Μετά όμως οι ρυθμοί γίνονται πιο γρήγοροι, πιο έντονοι, μέχρι το αρκετά δυνατό και ενδιαφέρον φινάλε. Υπάρχουν δυνατές σκηνές και ανατροπές, το σασπένς είναι σίγουρα έντονο σε πολλά σημεία της ιστορίας, προσωπικά ο συγγραφέας μου κράτησε το ενδιαφέρον από την αρχή μέχρι το τέλος. Η γραφή μου φάνηκε πάρα πολύ καλή, ευκολοδιάβαστη και εθιστική, με ωραίες περιγραφές των διαφόρων καταστάσεων και με πειστικούς διαλόγους.
Τέλειο θρίλερ δεν είναι, όμως χωρίς αμφιβολία προσφέρει ψυχαγωγία στον αναγνώστη. Υπάρχει αγωνία για την συνέχεια, υπάρχουν δυνατές σκηνές και λίγες ανατροπές, δύσκολα δεν θα ικανοποιήσει τον μέσο αναγνώστη βιβλίων θρίλερ. Εδώ πρέπει να αναφέρω ότι το τελευταίο κεφάλαιο δυο σελίδων, μ'έκανε να ξινίσω λιγάκι τα μούτρα, μιας και μου φάνηκε μη πειστικό και καθόλου απαραίτητο. Πάντως δεν μου χάλασε την θετική εικόνα του βιβλίου.
Το βιβλίο ουσιαστικά το διάβασα μέσα σε μια μέρα, χθες, όμως μόλις τώρα βρήκα λίγο χρόνο για να γράψω κριτική. Εγώ έτσι και αλλιώς διαβάζω γρήγορα (ανάλογα βέβαια και με την δυσκολία του κείμενου), ειλικρινά όμως ούτε που κατάλαβα πότε τελείωσα το συγκεκριμένο θρίλερ. Ο Στίβεν Κινγκ έχει αναφερθεί σ'αυτό το βιβλίο, λέγοντας τα καλύτερα, έχοντας το πλέον τελειώσει, μπορώ να συμφωνήσω μαζί του, αν και όχι στον απόλυτο βαθμό.
Ας πούμε όμως λίγα λόγια για την ιστορία: Η Φράνσι έχει μια εξωσυζυγική σχέση με τον Νεντ, έναν ψυχίατρο που έχει ραδιοφωνική εκπομπή. Άντρας της Φράνσι είναι ο Ρότζερ, αριστούχος του Χάρβαρντ και με σπάνια ευφυΐα, ο οποίος μένει ξαφνικά άνεργος και απομονώνεται από την γυναίκα του. Κάποια στιγμή καταλαβαίνει την απιστία της. Και σχεδιάζει να κάνει το τέλειο έγκλημα, σκοτώνοντας την γυναίκα του και ίσως τον εραστή της. Στην όλη ιστορία θα μπλεχτεί και η ευάλωτη γυναίκα του Νεντ, η Ανν, καθώς και ένας αποφυλακισμένος εγκληματίας.
Η ιστορία μπορεί αρχικά να κινείται αργά, όμως έτσι είναι το σωστό, αφού πρέπει πρώτα να γνωρίσουμε τους πρωταγωνιστές του δράματος. Μετά όμως οι ρυθμοί γίνονται πιο γρήγοροι, πιο έντονοι, μέχρι το αρκετά δυνατό και ενδιαφέρον φινάλε. Υπάρχουν δυνατές σκηνές και ανατροπές, το σασπένς είναι σίγουρα έντονο σε πολλά σημεία της ιστορίας, προσωπικά ο συγγραφέας μου κράτησε το ενδιαφέρον από την αρχή μέχρι το τέλος. Η γραφή μου φάνηκε πάρα πολύ καλή, ευκολοδιάβαστη και εθιστική, με ωραίες περιγραφές των διαφόρων καταστάσεων και με πειστικούς διαλόγους.
Τέλειο θρίλερ δεν είναι, όμως χωρίς αμφιβολία προσφέρει ψυχαγωγία στον αναγνώστη. Υπάρχει αγωνία για την συνέχεια, υπάρχουν δυνατές σκηνές και λίγες ανατροπές, δύσκολα δεν θα ικανοποιήσει τον μέσο αναγνώστη βιβλίων θρίλερ. Εδώ πρέπει να αναφέρω ότι το τελευταίο κεφάλαιο δυο σελίδων, μ'έκανε να ξινίσω λιγάκι τα μούτρα, μιας και μου φάνηκε μη πειστικό και καθόλου απαραίτητο. Πάντως δεν μου χάλασε την θετική εικόνα του βιβλίου.
December 17, 2020
I really liked this novel. It was suspenseful and I was always eager to get back to it. There were only two things that kept it from a 5 star read for me. One was that there were many coincidences that seemed extremely handy, though this can be excused, because the character who was plotting the murder believed himself to be the smartest one in the room, would have deemed these coincidences to be divine in nature and would have showed him to be the arrogant sociopath he was. And two, I felt the ending was strange. However, an excellent well-written suspenseful book.
August 7, 2016
One of the best crime fiction novels I've ever read. Though some coincidences in the plot were a bit of a stretch, and the ending was a little more believable and realistic than satisfying, in every other way, character development, page-turning suspense, realism, just enough humor, it's perfect.
Francie is cheating on her husband, and therefore cheating on her lover's wife. Her unemployed husband Roger ineptly tries to improve their marriage, but discovers the affair, begins to plot murder. Even looks into getting an ex-con involved. He's see the lovers and other characters as pieces in a chess game to be manipulated into a result with him as winner. It's something like a Columbo movie as he starts taking steps to set up his plan -- but meanwhile other plot twists and development keep making it more and more interesting . . .
The protagonist has the same first name as me (and he's supposed to be a genius . . . but turns out to be as careless as those Columbo murderers . . . not hard to believe I guess). The steadily evolving situation kept me wanting to read on and find out what happens, more so than almost any other book.
Francie is cheating on her husband, and therefore cheating on her lover's wife. Her unemployed husband Roger ineptly tries to improve their marriage, but discovers the affair, begins to plot murder. Even looks into getting an ex-con involved. He's see the lovers and other characters as pieces in a chess game to be manipulated into a result with him as winner. It's something like a Columbo movie as he starts taking steps to set up his plan -- but meanwhile other plot twists and development keep making it more and more interesting . . .
The protagonist has the same first name as me (and he's supposed to be a genius . . . but turns out to be as careless as those Columbo murderers . . . not hard to believe I guess). The steadily evolving situation kept me wanting to read on and find out what happens, more so than almost any other book.
September 5, 2019
This guy is good with words, but his plots leave something to be desired. This is the second of his books I've read and while I was lukewarm on the first one, I hated this. Several important characters are very cliched, and ridiculous coincidences abound. AND there are situations that are not believable. Such as....two women are introduced and become tennis partners, #1 never mentions her husband by name to #2, even though he's a radio personality. Surely this would have come up ONCE, especially when #1 asks all about #2's husband. (But, ) I don't know why someone goes to all of the trouble to write a novel and leaves it full of holes and implausibilities.
February 12, 2015
I picked up this book in a used bookstore because Stephen King had it as number one on his list of books for writers (http://goo.gl/7MWs10). Definitely lived up to expectations. Full of suspense until the very end...
December 6, 2017
Onvan : A Perfect Crime - Nevisande : Peter Abrahams - ISBN : 345426800 - ISBN13 : 9780345426802 - Dar 384 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 1998
did-not-finish
November 27, 2021I read the first five chapters and couldn't stand any of the characters, so I quit.
January 22, 2017
I am a sucker for marketing blurbs.
So when Stephen King calls the author his favorite suspense novelist, there was no way avoiding him.
But this book was a bit of a letdown.
(My high expectations might be the primary cause for that feeling)
As a pure entertainer, it definitely fits the bill.
The base of the story is the tried and tested formula of love, deceit, jealousy, revenge.
The path to achieving the revenge has a twist, laced with crime and violence.
The lives of two couples, seemingly unrelated, gets intertwined and not in a comfortable sense. As they try to struggle and extricate themselves, the knots grow tighter.
The inclusion of an ex-con into their lives cause these knots to snap…brutally.
The language is simple. The author has a knack for using metaphors to draw one into the world of the characters. He succeeds in giving us a feel of the atmosphere pervading the entire narrative.
If fear is in the air, you will feel it.
Similarly, the action sequences are well written. He can effortlessly place us at the scene; we feel the tension, we hear the swish of the blade.
Where the book loses out is in the simplicity of the narrative.
The story flow never feels natural. Never feels intelligent. It is a patchwork of good scenes held together by the feeble threads of coincidence.
Entire narrative shifts and story twists are driven by luck.
Person X chances upon incident Y when by chance he walked into room Z.
What could have been a rich and complex narrative, gets weakened.
And the reader (well, this reader) feels belittled.
As a lover of suspense novels, the reader will enjoy the book.
But it is a one trip relationship.
The moment you shut the last page, the events and the story will not meander in your head.
You will not come back to it.
So when Stephen King calls the author his favorite suspense novelist, there was no way avoiding him.
But this book was a bit of a letdown.
(My high expectations might be the primary cause for that feeling)
As a pure entertainer, it definitely fits the bill.
The base of the story is the tried and tested formula of love, deceit, jealousy, revenge.
The path to achieving the revenge has a twist, laced with crime and violence.
The lives of two couples, seemingly unrelated, gets intertwined and not in a comfortable sense. As they try to struggle and extricate themselves, the knots grow tighter.
The inclusion of an ex-con into their lives cause these knots to snap…brutally.
The language is simple. The author has a knack for using metaphors to draw one into the world of the characters. He succeeds in giving us a feel of the atmosphere pervading the entire narrative.
If fear is in the air, you will feel it.
Similarly, the action sequences are well written. He can effortlessly place us at the scene; we feel the tension, we hear the swish of the blade.
Where the book loses out is in the simplicity of the narrative.
The story flow never feels natural. Never feels intelligent. It is a patchwork of good scenes held together by the feeble threads of coincidence.
Entire narrative shifts and story twists are driven by luck.
Person X chances upon incident Y when by chance he walked into room Z.
What could have been a rich and complex narrative, gets weakened.
And the reader (well, this reader) feels belittled.
As a lover of suspense novels, the reader will enjoy the book.
But it is a one trip relationship.
The moment you shut the last page, the events and the story will not meander in your head.
You will not come back to it.
September 13, 2015
Roger Cullingwood, graduate of Harvard, heir to the family home on Beacon Hill in Boston, and proud -- much too proud -- man with an IQ of 181. He's now unemployed after more than twenty years at a company where he had attained senior vice president status.
Roger's wife, Francie, is working, and doing well in art acquisition for a famous foundation. No matter, Roger takes full credit for having put his wife through school so she could follow this career. In Roger's mind, Francie owed any success to him and him alone.
As Roger's professional career teeters and threatens to plunge, he leans more on alcohol and his thoughts become erratic. His marriage, never one full of affection, has become more like two people sharing the same house -- but not the same bed.
Francie, in her quest to find the love and warmth she's been missing in her marriage, turns to a handsome and intelligent psychologist. He, too, is married, so their trysts seem all the more romantic in their secrecy.
But is their affair a secret? Do their spouses suspect or know anything that would endanger their relationship?
Peter Abrahams wrote a splendid thriller with characters lifelike in their good and bad traits, a plot that moves ever forward, keeping the reader on the edge until the end.
Roger's wife, Francie, is working, and doing well in art acquisition for a famous foundation. No matter, Roger takes full credit for having put his wife through school so she could follow this career. In Roger's mind, Francie owed any success to him and him alone.
As Roger's professional career teeters and threatens to plunge, he leans more on alcohol and his thoughts become erratic. His marriage, never one full of affection, has become more like two people sharing the same house -- but not the same bed.
Francie, in her quest to find the love and warmth she's been missing in her marriage, turns to a handsome and intelligent psychologist. He, too, is married, so their trysts seem all the more romantic in their secrecy.
But is their affair a secret? Do their spouses suspect or know anything that would endanger their relationship?
Peter Abrahams wrote a splendid thriller with characters lifelike in their good and bad traits, a plot that moves ever forward, keeping the reader on the edge until the end.
June 16, 2014
This book was incredibly intense, but there are still a couple things that make it less than a perfect rating. For one thing, it moved a bit slowly at the beginning. The middle part does merit a perfect rating; so many connections, all tied together in ways that seem so incredible, and yet logical and obvious when you look back on it. The ending was also pretty good--certainly a lot of action going on, particularly in the second-to-last chapter--but the last chapter sort of killed it for me. The fact is, that character was introduced so late in the novel, and given so much less attention compared to the other characters, that I really don't care much about what happens to him. Kind of a weird basis for a relationship between the two of them, too.
Despite the ending, it was still a very suspenseful book and was reasonably well-paced. I would recommend it if you like looking for a crime novel that explores the mind of the criminal.
Despite the ending, it was still a very suspenseful book and was reasonably well-paced. I would recommend it if you like looking for a crime novel that explores the mind of the criminal.
February 1, 2015
Whoa! Creepy.
November 12, 2021
I picked this up because my 3-year-old son picked it for me randomly at our local public library, and I thought, "Sure, why not?" (and made more amusing by the fact that he picked a large print edition).
This is definitely not a book I would have picked up for myself, as I find it hard to immerse myself in a lot of popular thrillers. Here, part of my dislike was the situation--our apparent heroine was having an affair with a married man (never a way to endear me as a reader). At some point, her own husband finds out, and as he's a psychopath, he begins to plot a "perfect crime" to get rid of her. I suppose the writing was mostly fine, but I just wasn't intrigued by the characters or the so-called perfect crime, even if it did backfire in horrendous ways.
This is definitely not a book I would have picked up for myself, as I find it hard to immerse myself in a lot of popular thrillers. Here, part of my dislike was the situation--our apparent heroine was having an affair with a married man (never a way to endear me as a reader). At some point, her own husband finds out, and as he's a psychopath, he begins to plot a "perfect crime" to get rid of her. I suppose the writing was mostly fine, but I just wasn't intrigued by the characters or the so-called perfect crime, even if it did backfire in horrendous ways.
March 14, 2023
Ilgs build-up. Pēdējā trešdaļa liekās, ka atsver sākuma vilcināšanos. Ļoti intriģējoši pagrieziena punkti.
April 24, 2018
A pretty good way of writing and a good character development, in addition the writer expressed their thoughts well.
May 31, 2017
I've been putting off writing a review for this book, because I simply don't know what to say about it. It wasn't a strong, "blow you away" novel, but it could have been. The storyline and plot itself were intriguing, which is what kept me reading. There were a few plot inconsistencies and the ending left me somewhat perturbed. There were loose ends that weren't quite tied up.
The characters, however, are lacking depth in this book. Each character in this novel: Francie , Roger, Whitey, and Ned all had the beginnings of superb characters. The kind of characters you don't forget after the final page is read. But, they were just shells of the phenomenal characters they could have been. I really wish the author had fleshed them out more and made me sympathize with them, love them, hate them. However, that wasn't the case. I can't really say I would recommend this novel to my fellow mystery/suspense readers.
The characters, however, are lacking depth in this book. Each character in this novel: Francie , Roger, Whitey, and Ned all had the beginnings of superb characters. The kind of characters you don't forget after the final page is read. But, they were just shells of the phenomenal characters they could have been. I really wish the author had fleshed them out more and made me sympathize with them, love them, hate them. However, that wasn't the case. I can't really say I would recommend this novel to my fellow mystery/suspense readers.
October 15, 2017
Wow, I feel like I have been missing out without reading Abrahams sooner! I had read some of his YA books and loved them and picked this one up partially because of Stephen King's quote on the front of book, "Impossible to put down. Books this well written and involving don't come along often". Most times these quotes do not mean much to me because famous people say things to help a product sell however this was so true about this book. It was a thriller like many others I have read but it was so well written that it made it even better! I have to check out more by this amazing writer!
The other quote on the back of the book from The New York Times Book Review is also very fitting, "Peter Abrahams gets the human dimensions just right...a perverse puzzle constructed with deadly artistry".
This book truly is a gem, thank you Peter Abrahams!
The other quote on the back of the book from The New York Times Book Review is also very fitting, "Peter Abrahams gets the human dimensions just right...a perverse puzzle constructed with deadly artistry".
This book truly is a gem, thank you Peter Abrahams!
October 13, 2012
Oh Dang. I suffer in reading a book with main characters, none of which I like, respect, or even sympathise with. Cheating, lying egotistical, spouses are the core of this book so I was kind of rooting for a meteor to crash and fry thier sleezy little neighborhood, with them all in it, to bedrock.
Minor Spoiler: The only redeaming character one could learn to like gets bludgened to death while checking out her husband and her best friends hook-up cabin.
I've heard that Art in writing is about stirring emotion and getting a reaction . Both happened and I liked neither. I won't be back to this writer or another story like this if I can help it.
Minor Spoiler: The only redeaming character one could learn to like gets bludgened to death while checking out her husband and her best friends hook-up cabin.
I've heard that Art in writing is about stirring emotion and getting a reaction . Both happened and I liked neither. I won't be back to this writer or another story like this if I can help it.
October 28, 2011
I realize I'm in the "just finished the book" high on this one but I really think this is one of the best crime novels I've ever read. Peter Abrahams has an amazing ear for dialogue, and an ability to make immensely fucked up characters' thoughts seems immensely real. Also, when I was eighty percent of the way through the book, I wasn't entirely sure how it would end and that just doesn't happen. The audiobook is read by a lady named Sharon Williams and she does a fantastic job. If you're my friend and you want one, I will mail you a copy. Loved it, loved it, loved it.
August 10, 2012
I thought I knew what was going to happen from the very beginning, and continued to believe it was all too predictable. Then I altered my conclusions after the first major twist, but thought I had it all figured out after that....still, I was wrong! With out spoiling the end for those who have not yet read this book, I will only say that the book was much more interesting than I initially thought it was going to be, much more suspenseful than I initially thought it was going to be. Well worth reading!
March 29, 2018
Ah, this book. Right from the beginning I wanted to put the book down, but I had taken it to a place where I had no other books to read so I kept reading. After awhile, I found I needed to keep reading because I was invested in finding out how the storyline was going to play out and I was pretty much dead on with one exception. I didn't like any of the characters whatsoever. Strike that, I liked one of them, but he was minor.
I gave it three stars because though I didn't like the book, I can see where others would love it.
I gave it three stars because though I didn't like the book, I can see where others would love it.
December 20, 2015
Warning: The book description on Goodreads has nothing to do with the actual book.
Stephen King is quoted about his thoughts on Abrahams as a suspense writer. I agree with several of the other reviewers that Abrahams did a good, solid job building suspense at various points in the novel but several of the "twists" we're actually predictable and the first fourth of the book moved very slow. I will likely read this author again though since overall I liked his style
Stephen King is quoted about his thoughts on Abrahams as a suspense writer. I agree with several of the other reviewers that Abrahams did a good, solid job building suspense at various points in the novel but several of the "twists" we're actually predictable and the first fourth of the book moved very slow. I will likely read this author again though since overall I liked his style
February 19, 2021
This was the first Peter Abrahams book that I have read. I must say that I thought it to be quite good, especially the parts where he is writing from the view of one of the criminals. The characters were mostly unlikeable but realistic. It is hard to give a book 5 stars when you don't really like anyone in the book. But Mr. Abraham's writing is exceptional. The plot is good but the only twist is not much of a twist. And the ending is somewhat odd.
August 6, 2016
The story of Francie, who works for an art foundation and is unhappily married to Roger and is having an affair with Ned, who hosts a radio show and is a psychiatrist. Ned is married to sweet Anne and quite by accident Anne and Francie become tennis partners and friends. So this is the setup for this page-turner with believable events and characters and a plot that will keep you interested until the last page. Finally I have read a good book.
July 25, 2011
Let's pay back hockey players and smooth sounding radio DJ's. A demented criminal enters the plot as an unfaithful wife tries to hide her infidelity from a husband who is painted as evil and undeserving--hence, sympathy for the adulterer.
Great story well told, with that tawdry, lurid element Abrahams is expert at utilizing to draw the reader in.
Great story well told, with that tawdry, lurid element Abrahams is expert at utilizing to draw the reader in.
March 14, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. The reader is voyeur to a handful of interesting characters all keeping secrets from each other and whose lives are all heading toward a dramatic and bloody convergence. The "bad guy" was surprisingly relatable, even while not being made sympathetic. Would definitely read this author again.
November 28, 2009
Pure pulp. No sympathetic characters to be found. No believable characters even, just bad caricatures. I ought to know it's a bad sign when it's liked by Stephen King, but it's a really bad sign when the author seems to hate all of his characters from the start.
February 5, 2013
I started reading it and remember I've read it already! But I started thinking about it, and I remember almost every detail about the book. So it must have been good, if I can remember all of that from years (like 5-6) ago! :)
August 1, 2015
Of course not the best thriller I have read but yet it was engaging and fast paced. Perfectly crafted coincidences, beautiful insights in lead characters' mind before and after actions and simple but elegant crime plan made this read timeworthy.
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