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Criminal Minds #1
Mindgames
Ze zijn lid van de Behavioral Analysis Unit, een team van FBI-experts dat de taak heeft om de gedachtegang van de meest verknipte criminelen te analyseren, en op hun acties te anticiperen voordat ze opnieuw toeslaan.
Het BAU-team wordt naar Lawrence in Kansas gestuurd om onderzoek te doen naar een aantal moorden onder de plaatselijke daklozenbevolking. De slachtoffers zijn allemaal vers gedoucht, netjes gesoigneerd en in nieuwe kleding gestoken. Volgens teamlid Jason Gideon zijn het zorgvuldig geënsceneerde moorden op geïsoleerde locaties die zijn ontsproten aan de zieke geest van een of meerdere unknown subjects.
Wanneer de BAU met een tweede, in eerste instantie niet-gerelateerde misdaad geconfronteerd wordt, de ontvoering van een jonge erfgename, ontdekt Gideon, ondanks de verschillen in de manier waarop de dader te werk is gegaan, lugubere verbanden. Het is zaak om het slachtoffer zo snel mogelijk te vinden voor ook zij speelbal wordt van de zieke geest van een paar daders die al meerdere afgrijselijke moorden op hun geweten hebben.
Mindgames is een superspannende thriller van Max Allan Collins, auteur van meerdere CSI-thrillers.
Het BAU-team wordt naar Lawrence in Kansas gestuurd om onderzoek te doen naar een aantal moorden onder de plaatselijke daklozenbevolking. De slachtoffers zijn allemaal vers gedoucht, netjes gesoigneerd en in nieuwe kleding gestoken. Volgens teamlid Jason Gideon zijn het zorgvuldig geënsceneerde moorden op geïsoleerde locaties die zijn ontsproten aan de zieke geest van een of meerdere unknown subjects.
Wanneer de BAU met een tweede, in eerste instantie niet-gerelateerde misdaad geconfronteerd wordt, de ontvoering van een jonge erfgename, ontdekt Gideon, ondanks de verschillen in de manier waarop de dader te werk is gegaan, lugubere verbanden. Het is zaak om het slachtoffer zo snel mogelijk te vinden voor ook zij speelbal wordt van de zieke geest van een paar daders die al meerdere afgrijselijke moorden op hun geweten hebben.
Mindgames is een superspannende thriller van Max Allan Collins, auteur van meerdere CSI-thrillers.
221 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2007
42 people are currently reading
2459 people want to read
About the author
Max Allan Collins
802 books1,321 followersReceived the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) in 2006.
He has also published under the name Patrick Culhane. He and his wife, Barbara Collins, have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name Barbara Allan.
Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black
Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリンズ
or マックス・アラン コリンズ
He has also published under the name Patrick Culhane. He and his wife, Barbara Collins, have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name Barbara Allan.
Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black
Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリンズ
or マックス・アラン コリンズ
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
March 11, 2021
"Het was een goed tussendoortje met een passende vaart in het verhaal en het is tof om de karakters uit de serie terug te zien in boekvorm, maar ik hou het toch liever bij de serie."
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2021...
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2021...
October 2, 2011
This is the third Criminal Minds book that I’ve read, probably sixth from Max Allan Collins. The author also penned tie-in novels for the CSI shows, among others. As you know, I am a huge fan of Criminal Minds. I even got my mother and brother on board the wagon. I am into the crime procedural, serial killers, FBI profiling, and all that good stuff. This book was just okay.
It stays true to the TV show. It starts with a cold open, in the form of the prologue, setting up a scenario in Lawrence, Kansas. We follow a couple of homeless people, peering into their thoughts and day to day lives. The UnSub’s thoughts are in bold face. As with the show, a relevant quote is used to introduce the team (and to end the story). Bodies of homeless people begin to appear around the city, all of them cleaned up, dressed… and stabbed dead. As the death toll rises, it’s up to the BAU and Lawrence PD to track these criminals down and stop them.
Read the rest of the review on Reading Good Books .
It stays true to the TV show. It starts with a cold open, in the form of the prologue, setting up a scenario in Lawrence, Kansas. We follow a couple of homeless people, peering into their thoughts and day to day lives. The UnSub’s thoughts are in bold face. As with the show, a relevant quote is used to introduce the team (and to end the story). Bodies of homeless people begin to appear around the city, all of them cleaned up, dressed… and stabbed dead. As the death toll rises, it’s up to the BAU and Lawrence PD to track these criminals down and stop them.
Read the rest of the review on Reading Good Books .
November 11, 2019
I have to admit in all honesty that CSI, CSI New York or Criminal minds are on the telly and I have nothing pressing to do I do enjoy watching their episodes. So when I came across a e-book version of Criminal Minds episode I did not think long to add it to my growing list of e pubs to read.
This story does feel like an episode you might have watched and with a writer like Max Allan Collins you've got the right writer who makes you live the story and at the same time give some depth to the leading characters, who I thought I knew anyhow with watching the TV series.
The story is about homeless people turning up dead while dressed up and the police cannot make head or tails with the case. The leading policeman does dislike the modern Technics used by the BAU team and is won of over of course at the end. The story actually works quite well and can be added to the list of possible but freakish murders as committed by a killer.
This book still has got Gideon who always was my favorite character form the early series so that was a nice bonus.
A nice little thriller that does not outstay its welcome and delivers Criminal minds as you experienced it n the small screen for so many years. Nice way to spend your time if you enjoy the series.
This story does feel like an episode you might have watched and with a writer like Max Allan Collins you've got the right writer who makes you live the story and at the same time give some depth to the leading characters, who I thought I knew anyhow with watching the TV series.
The story is about homeless people turning up dead while dressed up and the police cannot make head or tails with the case. The leading policeman does dislike the modern Technics used by the BAU team and is won of over of course at the end. The story actually works quite well and can be added to the list of possible but freakish murders as committed by a killer.
This book still has got Gideon who always was my favorite character form the early series so that was a nice bonus.
A nice little thriller that does not outstay its welcome and delivers Criminal minds as you experienced it n the small screen for so many years. Nice way to spend your time if you enjoy the series.
January 29, 2025
This is definitely a confusing one. Mostly because I am not quite sure who the target for this book is. If author wanted to write a book for a reader that is not familiar with the Criminal Minds TV Show... Well... It's not good. The characters have few lines here and there to describe them, but it feels shallow. So they would not enjoy this book as a random thriller picked up from a shelf. On the other hand, if it was suppose to be "a gift" for Criminal Minds fans... Let's just hope this "gift" came with a receipt so you can return it. It almost reads like a caricature in some moments, or at least like a bad cliche. Three starts because I am a hugeeee Criminal Minds fan, and because it was a quick read (yes, it took me two months... I am in a reading slump, please don't judge me).
June 9, 2018
A strange fascination with describing what everyone is wearing and frequently referring to the characters with their extended job titles ("Supervisory Special Agent...") aside this was a very good book that captures the characters and feel of the series perfectly. Definitely worth a read if you are a fan of the series or just a fan of crime fiction.
February 3, 2012
Having recently become close to obsessed with Criminal Minds, there was no way for me to not buy the books available about the series. There's three, all in all, and this is the author's first try at a BAU case in written form.
I should start with what I liked about the book.
I did like the story, it was good, it was interesting, it made sense. Two cases suddenly became one and the team hot on the trail of the UnSubs. I liked the alternating POV's as well, each chapter is told from a different agent's side, except J.J., who's pushed aside a little. I liked how well Collin's has the characters down in general, he's certainly done his homework with their biographies.
Now for what I didn't like or better, what I found a little disturbing. More than once, the team members' speech was utterly out of character. Reid asking Hotch who teams up with who (which he'd never do, hello?), Morgan talking about Garcia in an almost impersonal way (when really, they're closest of all), and Hotch throwing in comments that he would never utter in the series. Then the excessive description of everybody's clothes. I mean why? Also there was the best friend of the kidnapped girl who (voluntarily) went back to her college class instead of waiting around when a new ransom note was delivered. This clearly goes against all human logic and was just a bad paragraph.
All in all, I do have to admit that I liked the book though. It's not the same as on TV and I believe you have to be a hardcore Criminal Minds fan to enjoy it but it's a good attempt and I'm more than curious what Collin's will do in the second book.
I should start with what I liked about the book.
I did like the story, it was good, it was interesting, it made sense. Two cases suddenly became one and the team hot on the trail of the UnSubs. I liked the alternating POV's as well, each chapter is told from a different agent's side, except J.J., who's pushed aside a little. I liked how well Collin's has the characters down in general, he's certainly done his homework with their biographies.
Now for what I didn't like or better, what I found a little disturbing. More than once, the team members' speech was utterly out of character. Reid asking Hotch who teams up with who (which he'd never do, hello?), Morgan talking about Garcia in an almost impersonal way (when really, they're closest of all), and Hotch throwing in comments that he would never utter in the series. Then the excessive description of everybody's clothes. I mean why? Also there was the best friend of the kidnapped girl who (voluntarily) went back to her college class instead of waiting around when a new ransom note was delivered. This clearly goes against all human logic and was just a bad paragraph.
All in all, I do have to admit that I liked the book though. It's not the same as on TV and I believe you have to be a hardcore Criminal Minds fan to enjoy it but it's a good attempt and I'm more than curious what Collin's will do in the second book.
February 20, 2009
I've been watching Criminal Minds since day one. This is, by far, my favorite show - I'm glued to the Tv every Wednesday night. I wasn't sure if the novels could live up to the show, however I was pleasantly surprised. This is a great read, especially if you are into the crime drama-esque shows (CSI, NCIS, ETC.) One thing that I enjoyed was that Collins really wrote the characters, through their mannerisms and even the subtle nuances of their vocabulary, exactly like they are in the show. I was very impressed!
February 24, 2010
This is the third of Max Collins' Criminal Minds novels that I've read. Again, it was basically like watching an episode of the show, so I have to give it kudos for that - yet again, the voices and non-verbal mannerisms of all of the characters were captured beautifully.
In this instalment, there's someone hunting and killing homeless people - leaving their bodies washed, groomed and dressed in various costumes. Later on in the book, the daughter of a wealthy family in the same town is kidnapped, and it starts looking as though the cases might possibly be connected.
It was odd reading this book last, since it's actually first in the series, and has Gideon in it where the other two have had Rossi. That was a bit of a disconnect initially, but I soon settled into it; and again, Mr Collins captured Mandy Patinkin's distinctive gestures and vocal cues for the character every bit as well as he captured the rest of the team's.
I have the same criticism for this one as I've had for all the others though: enough with the freaking clothes descriptions already. I don't need to know exactly what everyone is wearing unless it's materially relevant to what's going on in the plot. It wasn't quite as intrusive in this instalment as it has been in the other two, but it's still very definitely there.
All up, I've given this one a 6.5 - great for fans of the show, although I'm not sure how well it really holds up as a book in its own right.
In this instalment, there's someone hunting and killing homeless people - leaving their bodies washed, groomed and dressed in various costumes. Later on in the book, the daughter of a wealthy family in the same town is kidnapped, and it starts looking as though the cases might possibly be connected.
It was odd reading this book last, since it's actually first in the series, and has Gideon in it where the other two have had Rossi. That was a bit of a disconnect initially, but I soon settled into it; and again, Mr Collins captured Mandy Patinkin's distinctive gestures and vocal cues for the character every bit as well as he captured the rest of the team's.
I have the same criticism for this one as I've had for all the others though: enough with the freaking clothes descriptions already. I don't need to know exactly what everyone is wearing unless it's materially relevant to what's going on in the plot. It wasn't quite as intrusive in this instalment as it has been in the other two, but it's still very definitely there.
All up, I've given this one a 6.5 - great for fans of the show, although I'm not sure how well it really holds up as a book in its own right.
December 26, 2009
Criminal Minds: Jump Cut, by Max Allan Collins
In a town in Kansas homeless people are being found murdered, cleaned up, and dressed in clean clothes. It's a case for the Behavioral Analysis Unit, a FBI profiling team out of Quantico, a team mainly featured in the TV drama "Criminal Minds."
"Jump Cut" is very true to the show it is based on, with Collins capturing the essence of each of the profilers, and creating a plot that would fit right into the series. The format of the book even matches the show's format, including voice-over quotes, scenes from the perspective of the UnSub, and trivia from real-life related cases. I felt like I was almost reading an episode, and could imagine each character's voice talking to me as the book progressed. I only have a few complaints: Collins sometimes puts too much into details, such as describing what every person is wearing, and the book starts off slowly.
I'd say this is a good book for anyone who's a fan of "Criminal Minds" and may want something to tide them over between episodes. I personally liked reading the profiling process being described, rather than shown as in episodes.
3/5.
In a town in Kansas homeless people are being found murdered, cleaned up, and dressed in clean clothes. It's a case for the Behavioral Analysis Unit, a FBI profiling team out of Quantico, a team mainly featured in the TV drama "Criminal Minds."
"Jump Cut" is very true to the show it is based on, with Collins capturing the essence of each of the profilers, and creating a plot that would fit right into the series. The format of the book even matches the show's format, including voice-over quotes, scenes from the perspective of the UnSub, and trivia from real-life related cases. I felt like I was almost reading an episode, and could imagine each character's voice talking to me as the book progressed. I only have a few complaints: Collins sometimes puts too much into details, such as describing what every person is wearing, and the book starts off slowly.
I'd say this is a good book for anyone who's a fan of "Criminal Minds" and may want something to tide them over between episodes. I personally liked reading the profiling process being described, rather than shown as in episodes.
3/5.
February 7, 2013
I've read tie-in novels for several series that left me cold. Or scratching my head in confusion. They usually come off flat, beloved characters written as overly simple and two-dimensional. So I was pleasantly surprised by this first book in the Criminal Minds series. It was a solid story with a clear understanding of all the BAU members and how they might think, act, and interact. The original characters were also well developed. I didn't figure out the motive for the Unsub until shortly before the characters. That's a plus. The book pretty much read like an episode, from which some other series could learn. That's what the fans want. These tie-in novels are to fill the void while waiting for new episodes. I'll definitely check out the other Criminal Minds novels, especially if they're also written by Collins.
One minor negative note (hence the 4 stars) was the excessive attention to wardrobe. I know we need a little descriptive to visualize the story, but maybe one generalization of a character's style would be sufficient. No need to describe new wardrobe changes every time.
One minor negative note (hence the 4 stars) was the excessive attention to wardrobe. I know we need a little descriptive to visualize the story, but maybe one generalization of a character's style would be sufficient. No need to describe new wardrobe changes every time.
November 21, 2021
they should've made an episode about this..
May 26, 2017
"May 26, 2017 –
100.0%
May 26, 2017 –
90.0% "And here is the genius!"
May 26, 2017 –
90.0% "Where is the fucking genius?
...
When Dr. Reid"
May 26, 2017 –
90.0% "Oh yeah... oh yeah... I know that comment... very a rough one and by itself very useless..."
May 26, 2017 –
90.0% "Little reminder for a Jigsaw killer.... but now in Criminal Minds...
and now the biggest question is why there are 3 books and 12 seasons?
...
Or even 13...!?"
May 26, 2017 –
90.0% "Will it be a long journey... so far from this here picture
Season 1 episode 22... I see that he knows very well the agents... it looks like there is will be a part 2."
May 26, 2017 –
90.0% "Rough cuts... again... little difficult to give a good rate
Season 1 episode 21"
May 25, 2017 –
60.0% "Season 1 episode 20
14:27"
May 25, 2017 –
60.0% "Season 1 Episode 19"
May 25, 2017 –
60.0% "Season 1 episode 18 - Somebody's Watching
28:28"
May 24, 2017 –
50.0% "I am just in the mood for something around studying
Criminal Minds... and that's why I am back here for stories which were bound to be told."
May 19, 2017 –
50.0% "You get few dices... in your hands you have your team lifes... and what are you planning to do with that?"
May 19, 2017 –
50.0% "Season 1 episode 16
...
Next"
May 19, 2017 –
10.0% "Now is comming for what I am really talking about!"
May 19, 2017 –
6.0% "Season 1 Episode 13
...
34:55"
May 7, 2017 –
6.0% "Season 1 episode 9
...
You ain't gonna find something much better than this
...
But rough cuts can't be declined!"
May 5, 2017 –
5.0% "You can't stop watching or reading this material...
...
It's very useful... studying killers and more and more...!"
May 5, 2017 –
5.0% "Season 1 episode 8 - Next!"
May 5, 2017 – Started Reading"
100.0%
May 26, 2017 –
90.0% "And here is the genius!"
May 26, 2017 –
90.0% "Where is the fucking genius?
...
When Dr. Reid"
May 26, 2017 –
90.0% "Oh yeah... oh yeah... I know that comment... very a rough one and by itself very useless..."
May 26, 2017 –
90.0% "Little reminder for a Jigsaw killer.... but now in Criminal Minds...
and now the biggest question is why there are 3 books and 12 seasons?
...
Or even 13...!?"
May 26, 2017 –
90.0% "Will it be a long journey... so far from this here picture
Season 1 episode 22... I see that he knows very well the agents... it looks like there is will be a part 2."
May 26, 2017 –
90.0% "Rough cuts... again... little difficult to give a good rate
Season 1 episode 21"
May 25, 2017 –
60.0% "Season 1 episode 20
14:27"
May 25, 2017 –
60.0% "Season 1 Episode 19"
May 25, 2017 –
60.0% "Season 1 episode 18 - Somebody's Watching
28:28"
May 24, 2017 –
50.0% "I am just in the mood for something around studying
Criminal Minds... and that's why I am back here for stories which were bound to be told."
May 19, 2017 –
50.0% "You get few dices... in your hands you have your team lifes... and what are you planning to do with that?"
May 19, 2017 –
50.0% "Season 1 episode 16
...
Next"
May 19, 2017 –
10.0% "Now is comming for what I am really talking about!"
May 19, 2017 –
6.0% "Season 1 Episode 13
...
34:55"
May 7, 2017 –
6.0% "Season 1 episode 9
...
You ain't gonna find something much better than this
...
But rough cuts can't be declined!"
May 5, 2017 –
5.0% "You can't stop watching or reading this material...
...
It's very useful... studying killers and more and more...!"
May 5, 2017 –
5.0% "Season 1 episode 8 - Next!"
May 5, 2017 – Started Reading"
August 18, 2019
The main reason for the 3 star rating is because it seems the author is unsure of what a TV tie-in is. A TV tie-in should read as if you are watching an episode of the show. This means the language of the book (if any) should mirror the language of the show. The ridiculous amount of language in this book, including f-bombs practically every other page, frustrated me. To the author's credit, this strong language never came from the characters of the show, but it still ruined the idea that you're "reading an episode of the show."
The author's writing style is not my cup of tea. His descriptions, while they may be accurate, were awkward and caused me to stop reading and reread portions of the book to make sure I understood it correctly. The author also talked down to the readers, spelling out why the characters asked certain questions the way they did, whereas 9 times out of 10 the show assumes you're smart enough to figure out the reason yourself.
Reid's character was a little off (which I was expecting since the actor brings as much to the character as the writers do) and JJ was almost non-existent, but the author was pretty on point with Gideon and Hotch. (Even though he did try to insinuate some romantic relationship for Gideon?)
The story itself was enjoyable, a quick, easy read with a few laugh out loud moments when the characters were on point. There were a few plot holes, where I was questioning why the characters didn't ask simple questions that could have helped everything get wrapped up quicker. But overall, my main dislike of the book is the amount R-rated language and the author's writing style. Basically I've determined that outside of the Criminal Minds books, I won't be picking this author's books up.
The author's writing style is not my cup of tea. His descriptions, while they may be accurate, were awkward and caused me to stop reading and reread portions of the book to make sure I understood it correctly. The author also talked down to the readers, spelling out why the characters asked certain questions the way they did, whereas 9 times out of 10 the show assumes you're smart enough to figure out the reason yourself.
Reid's character was a little off (which I was expecting since the actor brings as much to the character as the writers do) and JJ was almost non-existent, but the author was pretty on point with Gideon and Hotch. (Even though he did try to insinuate some romantic relationship for Gideon?)
The story itself was enjoyable, a quick, easy read with a few laugh out loud moments when the characters were on point. There were a few plot holes, where I was questioning why the characters didn't ask simple questions that could have helped everything get wrapped up quicker. But overall, my main dislike of the book is the amount R-rated language and the author's writing style. Basically I've determined that outside of the Criminal Minds books, I won't be picking this author's books up.
February 13, 2024
I have read and even written better Criminal Minds fan-fiction than this book. I know the main characters better than this guy. The writing itself was misogynistic, racist, prejudiced against those from the US South, not very compelling. Not enough showing and yet.. not enough telling either? The actual crime/UnSub was not fully developed, which, as this is adjacent to fan-fiction, could be excusable if the rest of the story held up. It does not. I'm not saying I could have written this better from scratch, but I would have overhauled it as an editor. What baffles me most is the amount of context needed to understand the cast dynamics yet the overkill amount of telling the audience the most basic attributes of the characters. As if we know about Reid's [alluded to] traumas yet don't know that Gideon wears casual outfits in contrast to Hotchner? Also what was with the way the author kept forgetting about Morgan? If you can't write more than two-three people in one scene, then take a leaf from fan-fiction and write one/more the characters out of the action. (This extended past the Morgan issue.) I mean, sure, I read the whole thing. It was the closest to "guilty pleasure" read I have read. But it kind of sucked. If you were a casual fan of the show and like reading mystery/detective stories, sure go for this. If you were any more serious a fan than that, skip this. Peace and love and light.
April 6, 2019
Since this mystery novel was a book based on a TV show (as in, the TV show came first), I wasn't sure how good it would actually be, but, for the most part, I was pleasantly surprised. This novel, even with its many points-of-view being as it's focused on a team of people rather than one protagonist, had a fairly well-drawn cast of characters, and the writing style itself was decent. The author also did a good job describing the crime scenes and the corpses without being really graphic about it, and he also did a decent job talking through the case itself, as in, who were the victims, what evidence there was, and, eventually, what the FBI teams determined the Unsub's (Unknown Subject; i.e., the serial killer they were looking to identify) profile to be. However, my biggest pet peeve with this novel was how much time the author spent describing what outfit that chapter's point-of-view character had chosen to wear that day as compared to how much time he spent writing about the character's thought processes, and, in addition, there was very little dialogue throughout the whole short story, which made it really heavy on description. To be honest, even though I liked the plot and even liked the character development, what there was of it, I just had the impression that the author needs more practice with writing; I kept wanting to advise him to "show, not tell" like my writing teachers used to tell me in college.
July 22, 2022
You know those memes going around the internet about male authors writing women? That's essentially what a lot of this book boils down to: various female AGENTS being reduced to introductions such as "sharp featured attractiveness", "full lips could invite a lingering look from any healthy, heterosexual male", and "the attractive female detective". And let's not ignore the infantilizing portrayal of well-respected female characters by describing them as "looked especially young today" or "very pretty girl. He knew that wasn't politically correct in the current climate, but still" -- and other drivel of that ilk.
Oh, and the bad writing doesn't stop at being creepy about the female characters. Nope, every scene/day spends at least a page to 3 pages vividly describing the outfits of each character -- just about bored my eyes out. And so many of the characters were completely out of character from their on screen portrayal. It feels like Collins saw maybe 3 episodes of Criminal Minds and thought he could write a whole novel about the characters. If you're looking for an actually good story set in the Criminal Minds universe, check out "Shadows and Light" by TheGreyLadyWeeps on AO3.
Oh, and the bad writing doesn't stop at being creepy about the female characters. Nope, every scene/day spends at least a page to 3 pages vividly describing the outfits of each character -- just about bored my eyes out. And so many of the characters were completely out of character from their on screen portrayal. It feels like Collins saw maybe 3 episodes of Criminal Minds and thought he could write a whole novel about the characters. If you're looking for an actually good story set in the Criminal Minds universe, check out "Shadows and Light" by TheGreyLadyWeeps on AO3.
August 31, 2023
Agenci BAU (jednostki analizy behawioralnej) FBI zostali poproszeni o pomoc przy sprawie serii zabójstw na bezdomnych. Niestety morderstwa nie są zwykłe - wyróżnia je sposób porzucania ciał. Osoby zostawiane są na ulicy umyte, uczesane i ubrane w nowe stroje. W między czasie dochodzi również do porwania córki małżeństwa a wszystko wskazuje na to, że obie sprawy są ze sobą połączone.
Wow- ok, nie spodziewałam się, że książka napisana na podstawie serialu będzie tak dobra. Może to przez fakt, że jest to świeża sprawa, taka która nie została przedstawiona w serialu (w każdym razie nie w takim składzie i nie w tych odcinkach, które zdążyłam obejrzeć😅).
Criminal Minds pokochałam, więc jak tylko zobaczyłam, że istnieje taka książka to musiałam ją mieć.
Nie wiem czy podobała mi się aż tak przez to, że znam serial i postacie czy przez samą fabułę.
Może to moją obsesja wpływa na ocenę ale nie wstydzę się tego i polecę wam tą książkę bo jeśli lubicie kryminały i bardziej psychologiczne podejście do sprawy to właśnie to będzie książka dla was.
Wow- ok, nie spodziewałam się, że książka napisana na podstawie serialu będzie tak dobra. Może to przez fakt, że jest to świeża sprawa, taka która nie została przedstawiona w serialu (w każdym razie nie w takim składzie i nie w tych odcinkach, które zdążyłam obejrzeć😅).
Criminal Minds pokochałam, więc jak tylko zobaczyłam, że istnieje taka książka to musiałam ją mieć.
Nie wiem czy podobała mi się aż tak przez to, że znam serial i postacie czy przez samą fabułę.
Może to moją obsesja wpływa na ocenę ale nie wstydzę się tego i polecę wam tą książkę bo jeśli lubicie kryminały i bardziej psychologiczne podejście do sprawy to właśnie to będzie książka dla was.
March 10, 2017
Książka została napisana w oparciu o serial, którego nie miałam okazji oglądać.
Niestety w porównaniu z takimi autorami jak Larsson czy Mankell wypada bardzo blado. Profilerzy JAB bardzo szybko dochodzą do wniosków, które czytelnikowi wydają się wyssane z palca i wszelkie nowo zebrane dowody/informacje wydają się zwyczajnie same wpadać w ich ręce. Wszystko napisane jest przyzwoitym językiem i bardzo szybko się czyta, ale w trakcie lektury miałam wrażenie, że oglądam po prostu kiepski serial.
W moim odczuciu brakowało większej ilości zagadek, tzw. "płotków", przez które śledczy powinni przeskakiwać. Cała akcja rozgrywa się w taki sposób, jak gdyby żaden z policjantów niespecjalnie "pobrudził sobie ręce".
Niestety, zbyt przeciętnie. Mam tę książkę na odsprzedanie.
Niestety w porównaniu z takimi autorami jak Larsson czy Mankell wypada bardzo blado. Profilerzy JAB bardzo szybko dochodzą do wniosków, które czytelnikowi wydają się wyssane z palca i wszelkie nowo zebrane dowody/informacje wydają się zwyczajnie same wpadać w ich ręce. Wszystko napisane jest przyzwoitym językiem i bardzo szybko się czyta, ale w trakcie lektury miałam wrażenie, że oglądam po prostu kiepski serial.
W moim odczuciu brakowało większej ilości zagadek, tzw. "płotków", przez które śledczy powinni przeskakiwać. Cała akcja rozgrywa się w taki sposób, jak gdyby żaden z policjantów niespecjalnie "pobrudził sobie ręce".
Niestety, zbyt przeciętnie. Mam tę książkę na odsprzedanie.
October 23, 2018
This was a weird one. It wasn't bad by any means but it didn't really feel like a "Criminal Minds" episode or story. The interactions and behaviours of characters seemed strange, out of place and forced. The prose also read in a clumsy way, but seeing how accomplished the author is, I tend to think it is more due to the translation. In other ways though it was similar to a Criminal Minds story, complete with quotes at the beginning and end. The plot itself also wasn't that bad and felt as on par for the series.
Not the most thrilling or gripping book but a quick and enjoyable read nevertheless.
Not the most thrilling or gripping book but a quick and enjoyable read nevertheless.
February 24, 2022
Someone is killing the homeless population in Lawrence, KS, but only after cleaning them up and giving them new clothes. Not bad as a crime drama, a good beach read. As a Criminal Minds story, it wasn't great. Collins writes like he has maybe seen an episode of Criminal Minds, but hasn't actually watched the show. The dialogue was jarringly off and the character mannerisms were just wrong. Things like Hotch censoring Garcia and Reid using an iPod. If it were just a crime novel it wouldn't be bad at all, but when you are writing preexisting characters I their should be greater attention to detail about them. Such as Prentis has black hair, not dark auburn.
October 13, 2017
I've fallen behind on my Goodreads challenge because I've fallen into binging Criminal Minds to a quite frankly unhealthy degree, to the point that I have watched 8.5 seasons in one month. So, in order to allow my brain to stay in that world while also making progress on my book count, we have, this. Essentially published fanfic, and it's not like....good, exactly, or clever or well thought out. But whatever, the author talented at evoking the natures of the actors, and it was nice to get one more Gideon storyline.
February 19, 2022
3-1/2 stars. Very enjoyable book. Good story with so many of my favorite CM characters. The only thing I didn’t like was that the author gave all of the BAU team members (except Garcia) the title “Supervisory Special Agent”. I could be wrong, but I thought only Hotch and Gideon (and later Rossi, and much later Prentiss, but not at this point in time) were SSAs and the rest were Special Agents. But a very minor criticism and I may be wrong about it anyway.
Added - In the second half of the “Foeyet” story, JJ is introduced as Supervisory Special Agent. So? It appears that I am wrong. Oh well, there’s a first time for everything. Clearly I do not have Reid’s eidetic memory! 😃
Added - In the second half of the “Foeyet” story, JJ is introduced as Supervisory Special Agent. So? It appears that I am wrong. Oh well, there’s a first time for everything. Clearly I do not have Reid’s eidetic memory! 😃
October 12, 2025
wait this book was so good it really felt like an episode of criminal minds! The little details from the show, like the humor and the rhythm were present. I loved this new canon that Reid listens to jazz post hankel to ground himself! The concept of Reid going through case files with his headphones on is everything to me. I’m excited for the rest of the series! I’m suprised at how well it fits in the timeline of the show without feeling out of place or like fanfiction.
December 16, 2025
As a fan of the show, this was very fun to read. The characterisation of everyone was on point, and we even got some additional insight into the team. The case was also interesting though the ending felt rushed and underdeveloped. A few outdated things here or there, most notably describing Emily's hair being cut "cut as straight as an ancient Egyptian Princess" and all the "he or she" instead of "they" pronoun uses. Still, a quick and engaging reading experience!
September 22, 2017
Glad I picked this up so I wouldn't make the mistake of watching the show. Not well written at all. If I ever hear anyone say unsub it will instill an unforgiving homicidal rage.
Had to read over 100 pages to get to any part half way interesting and was still disappointed. If u have it skip it not worth the brain cells.
Had to read over 100 pages to get to any part half way interesting and was still disappointed. If u have it skip it not worth the brain cells.
September 11, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book. I’m a huge Criminal Minds fan so when i found out there are books I had to give them a try. I liked the story, it was interesting and it made sense. I loved that the chapters are told from the pov of a different agent. It was a quick read with a great storyline so I recommend to BAU team fans.
November 27, 2024
Short and an easy read - I enjoyed expanse to the Criminal Minds universe. However, I wish the author didn't feel the need to start almost every sentence with "Supervisory Special Agent,", I also think there wasn't a real need to go into such big detail about what everyone was wearing and their hairstyles.
September 18, 2020
If you are a fan of Criminal Minds (like myself), then you will love this book. I loved reading about Gideon, Hotch, Morgan, Reid, JJ, Reid, Emily and of course Garcia. It was fun to read about a case that they were solving in Kansas.
July 24, 2025
Ive watched the entire series and honestly love the original 3 the most. It felt like i was immersed in an episode which I liked. Super easyyy read especially knowing the characters so well. I would say probably more accurately a 3.5 but i enjoyed it. Not something i would read again though.
July 13, 2018
An episode written into a book. Nothing more.
And an incredibly quick read.
And an incredibly quick read.
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