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Shame
Nominated for the Anthony and Macavity Awards for Best Mystery Novel of the Year.
Although it’s been many years since the death of his father—an infamous serial killer known as Shame—Caleb Parker still struggles to free himself from his father’s dark shadow. Caleb wishes only for a normal life without being branded a “killer’s son,” but his dreams are shattered when a new string of murders surfaces that are all too reminiscent of Shame’s terrible killings.
When the police label him the prime suspect, Caleb forges an unlikely partnership with true-crime author Elizabeth Line, a writer whose career began when she survived an encounter with Shame and who then went on to document his life—and death. As the body count begins to pile up, Elizabeth and Caleb come to the conclusion that one of them has been targeted by the killer, and a game of cat and mouse begins as they try to uncover the murderer’s identity before becoming his next victims.
Brutal and unapologetic, Shame draws you into the mind of a serial killer with no chance of escape until the last page is turned.
Although it’s been many years since the death of his father—an infamous serial killer known as Shame—Caleb Parker still struggles to free himself from his father’s dark shadow. Caleb wishes only for a normal life without being branded a “killer’s son,” but his dreams are shattered when a new string of murders surfaces that are all too reminiscent of Shame’s terrible killings.
When the police label him the prime suspect, Caleb forges an unlikely partnership with true-crime author Elizabeth Line, a writer whose career began when she survived an encounter with Shame and who then went on to document his life—and death. As the body count begins to pile up, Elizabeth and Caleb come to the conclusion that one of them has been targeted by the killer, and a game of cat and mouse begins as they try to uncover the murderer’s identity before becoming his next victims.
Brutal and unapologetic, Shame draws you into the mind of a serial killer with no chance of escape until the last page is turned.
Audio CD
First published April 7, 1998
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About the author
Alan Russell
24 books290 followersFollow Alan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alanrussellmysteryau...
Alan Russell is the author of The Last Good Dog, the sixth book in the #1 bestselling series featuring LAPD detective Michael Gideon and his K-9 partner, Sirius.
In 1990 Walker & Company published Alan's first book, No Sign of Murder, which received positive reviews, including a standalone rave from The New York Times. The work was followed up by The Forest Prime Evil and comedic mysteries The Hotel Detective and The Fat Innkeeper, which won him the Lefty Award, given to the best humorous mystery of the year, and a Critics’ Choice Award. His novel Multiple Wounds, a psychological thriller, earned him a nomination for both an Anthony Award and the Macavity Award for best novel of the year. Russell then published Shame, a novel of psychological suspense. His novels Exposure, Political Suicide, A Cold War, and The Homecoming, have been categorized as suspense novels. Alan is also the author of St. Nick, a Christmas Cop Novel, and the Gideon & Sirius novels, which include Burning Man, Guardians of the Night, Lost Dog, Gideon's Rescue, L.A. Woman, and The Last Good Dog.
Alan Russell is the author of The Last Good Dog, the sixth book in the #1 bestselling series featuring LAPD detective Michael Gideon and his K-9 partner, Sirius.
In 1990 Walker & Company published Alan's first book, No Sign of Murder, which received positive reviews, including a standalone rave from The New York Times. The work was followed up by The Forest Prime Evil and comedic mysteries The Hotel Detective and The Fat Innkeeper, which won him the Lefty Award, given to the best humorous mystery of the year, and a Critics’ Choice Award. His novel Multiple Wounds, a psychological thriller, earned him a nomination for both an Anthony Award and the Macavity Award for best novel of the year. Russell then published Shame, a novel of psychological suspense. His novels Exposure, Political Suicide, A Cold War, and The Homecoming, have been categorized as suspense novels. Alan is also the author of St. Nick, a Christmas Cop Novel, and the Gideon & Sirius novels, which include Burning Man, Guardians of the Night, Lost Dog, Gideon's Rescue, L.A. Woman, and The Last Good Dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
January 26, 2014
My Synopsis: I don't know if I can even begin to describe how this novel affected me. None of the characters are what they seem and all of them drag with them some hidden shame that causes them to try to change who they are. Looming over them, from the distant past, is a serial murderer named Gray Parker - but better known as "Shame" for his signature of writing "shame" on the bodies of the women he killed. Maryelizabeth is the only woman to survive meeting him and she is now known as the Queen of True Crime since the book she wrote about him paved the way for her to become a very well-known true-crime author. Flash-forward to present day San Diego: women are being killed and the signature looks the same. Gray's son - who presents himself as Caleb rather than his birth name Gray, Jr. - lives and works in the area with his wife and two children. Is the son re-living the sins of his father? Circumstances certainly make it appear to be so. However, after meeting him, Maryelizabeth believes in his innocence and tries her best to help him, even when it seems the case against him is open and shut.
Characters: We meet some truly magnificent characters along the way - Lola is probably my favorite and I was very impressed with the research that Alan Russell did to come up with the various Native beliefs that she tells Caleb about. Strangely, though Lola was fleshed out very strongly and given a good background, etc.; Caleb's wife was much less real. I felt like we barely got to know her at all. Same with the antagonist - we only had a few brief scenes actually inside the antagonist's head, so the reasoning behind everything is only extrapolated by outsiders after the fact. I suppose that makes sense, in a way - but it seemed odd after how beautifully and lovingly Lola's character was created.
My Thoughts and Recommendations: There truly isn't much I can express about the plot of the book itself without giving away important aspects thereof. I do highly recommend it to just about everyone; despite a couple mildly graphic scenes of murder, it is overall a very well-done psychological thriller with important overtones about understanding ourselves, rooting out our own inner demons, discovering what our own inner "shame" is and getting rid of that poison before it is too late. A very strong recommend from me for this extremely interesting novel.
Characters: We meet some truly magnificent characters along the way - Lola is probably my favorite and I was very impressed with the research that Alan Russell did to come up with the various Native beliefs that she tells Caleb about. Strangely, though Lola was fleshed out very strongly and given a good background, etc.; Caleb's wife was much less real. I felt like we barely got to know her at all. Same with the antagonist - we only had a few brief scenes actually inside the antagonist's head, so the reasoning behind everything is only extrapolated by outsiders after the fact. I suppose that makes sense, in a way - but it seemed odd after how beautifully and lovingly Lola's character was created.
My Thoughts and Recommendations: There truly isn't much I can express about the plot of the book itself without giving away important aspects thereof. I do highly recommend it to just about everyone; despite a couple mildly graphic scenes of murder, it is overall a very well-done psychological thriller with important overtones about understanding ourselves, rooting out our own inner demons, discovering what our own inner "shame" is and getting rid of that poison before it is too late. A very strong recommend from me for this extremely interesting novel.
September 1, 2017
Close to really good
Alfred Hitchcock knew you lost the audience when the protagonist did something obviously stupid. The Grey Junior character did unbelievably stupid things several times. There's no plausible reason the writer character is alive at the end. The serial killer pathology parts were fun.
Alfred Hitchcock knew you lost the audience when the protagonist did something obviously stupid. The Grey Junior character did unbelievably stupid things several times. There's no plausible reason the writer character is alive at the end. The serial killer pathology parts were fun.
December 10, 2014
This book was awesoooommmee!
It begins with an excerpt from a book by Elisabeth Line, which was so good, I googled her to find her book, which was quite silly really, because Elisabeth Line is a fictional character and one of the main ones in Alan Russell's Shame.
I enjoyed that the author knew how to give us the right amount of clues and suspense, I also enjoyed when the 'big reveal' of who the killer was, happened. We were not patronised, once this person was mentioned, a few pages later, the author confirmed it was indeed them, it wasn't even a reveal, it was there clear as day, like he had assumed we were all smart enough to realise who it was. It was fantastic.
I loved that there did not seem to be a clear cut evil/good scale, it was mixed, confusing and off kilter. It addressed humanities need to believe a murderer is 100% evil, as opposed to realising that they are the same as us, human, potentially capable of the same things we are, including love, twisted, exclusive and somewhat warped love depending on who it is, but love non-the-less.
I found this fascinating, and enjoyed Elisabeth's confession, I also adored Caleb, and reading about his childhood made me wish I could have adopted him as a child and sheltered him away from all the awful people he grew up with, including his parents. Shame's history opened a few doors of explanation whilst ensuring he was in no way cleared of his wrong doings because of it.
All in all, this was a fantastic read that kept me up well into the night to finish it!
It begins with an excerpt from a book by Elisabeth Line, which was so good, I googled her to find her book, which was quite silly really, because Elisabeth Line is a fictional character and one of the main ones in Alan Russell's Shame.
I enjoyed that the author knew how to give us the right amount of clues and suspense, I also enjoyed when the 'big reveal' of who the killer was, happened. We were not patronised, once this person was mentioned, a few pages later, the author confirmed it was indeed them, it wasn't even a reveal, it was there clear as day, like he had assumed we were all smart enough to realise who it was. It was fantastic.
I loved that there did not seem to be a clear cut evil/good scale, it was mixed, confusing and off kilter. It addressed humanities need to believe a murderer is 100% evil, as opposed to realising that they are the same as us, human, potentially capable of the same things we are, including love, twisted, exclusive and somewhat warped love depending on who it is, but love non-the-less.
I found this fascinating, and enjoyed Elisabeth's confession, I also adored Caleb, and reading about his childhood made me wish I could have adopted him as a child and sheltered him away from all the awful people he grew up with, including his parents. Shame's history opened a few doors of explanation whilst ensuring he was in no way cleared of his wrong doings because of it.
All in all, this was a fantastic read that kept me up well into the night to finish it!
January 2, 2013
I wanted to like this novel. It started off with a fast pace. The telling of the past details and over characterizations made the story too heavy for me. It became something I just wanted to get through, and skipped pages to do so. It took three pages to say what only one should have. The plot was a good one. The son of an executed serial killer and the true crime writing author or tormented by a "copycat" killer. Even finding out who the killer was lack luster. His Character was not brought into the storyline till well past the half way point. There were some high points. There brief moments of terror of some of the victims, left me with the need to check the locks more than once. Unfortunately these scenes were few and far between.
December 24, 2012
This is the reissue of a book originally put out in 1998. I think it has stood the test of time quite well. It is very dark centering on ritualistic mass murders of young women. The principal character in a true crime writer who ends up getting herself into the vortex of all the violence without really wanting to be. It is a gritty well written book and it moves along at a good pace. My main drawback was a character named Lola who surfaces about half way through the book who takes an extreme interest in one of suspects of the murders for little apparent reason. Oh well. I still think the book is worth reading.
June 9, 2015
inner workings of serial killer.
As the story goes, this psychological thriller is very interesting book. Not only the book's audio version made it more interesting. Elizabeth, Caleb and Lolo characters are well researched and written. First sentence before the first page will make me think long time.
As the story goes, this psychological thriller is very interesting book. Not only the book's audio version made it more interesting. Elizabeth, Caleb and Lolo characters are well researched and written. First sentence before the first page will make me think long time.
January 1, 2017
finished this one this afternoon. good story.
May 25, 2025
An ok book, not amazing. Nice idea but just not that well executed.
The book starts by introducing us to a notorious serial killer (Shame) who was executed many years ago, with an author (Elizabeth Line), writing a best selling book about him.
Fast forward to present day, when it looks like a copycat killer has started up. Elizabeth takes it on herself to muscle in on the investigation, trading her ‘expertise’ on the original killer for details she can use in books.
They discover Shame’s son, and the old ghosts are stirred up for Elizabeth. And so the story sets off, all characters with their own secrets and suspicions.
Like another book of this author, it definitely helps if you have an idea of the geography of Southern California, otherwise the locations for certain scenes won’t hold any meaning.
There’s a lot of really dumb decisions being made by just about everyone at one point or other in the book, some of them really did have me executing the involuntary eye-roll.
The book concludes nicely. Some unexpected skeletons come out of the closet, and I liked that most about the book. It’s just that the rest of it didn’t grasp me or engage me as much as it should have.
The book starts by introducing us to a notorious serial killer (Shame) who was executed many years ago, with an author (Elizabeth Line), writing a best selling book about him.
Fast forward to present day, when it looks like a copycat killer has started up. Elizabeth takes it on herself to muscle in on the investigation, trading her ‘expertise’ on the original killer for details she can use in books.
They discover Shame’s son, and the old ghosts are stirred up for Elizabeth. And so the story sets off, all characters with their own secrets and suspicions.
Like another book of this author, it definitely helps if you have an idea of the geography of Southern California, otherwise the locations for certain scenes won’t hold any meaning.
There’s a lot of really dumb decisions being made by just about everyone at one point or other in the book, some of them really did have me executing the involuntary eye-roll.
The book concludes nicely. Some unexpected skeletons come out of the closet, and I liked that most about the book. It’s just that the rest of it didn’t grasp me or engage me as much as it should have.
August 4, 2018
"An Explosive Creative Story"
In this intense, riveting novel, Caleb Parker is still haunted by the death of his father who was an infamous serial killer called "Shame." Caleb only wants a normal life, but soon more killings appear which seem to be linked to Shame's killings. Caleb is now the suspect but he links up with true crime author Elizabeth Line who had documented the life of Shame. This is a mind-bending novel which draws you into the mind of the serial killer. You'll not put this book down, and the ending will shock you! I believe this would make a block buster movie on the big screen. Reading this made me feel I was already watching the movie! Highly recommend.
In this intense, riveting novel, Caleb Parker is still haunted by the death of his father who was an infamous serial killer called "Shame." Caleb only wants a normal life, but soon more killings appear which seem to be linked to Shame's killings. Caleb is now the suspect but he links up with true crime author Elizabeth Line who had documented the life of Shame. This is a mind-bending novel which draws you into the mind of the serial killer. You'll not put this book down, and the ending will shock you! I believe this would make a block buster movie on the big screen. Reading this made me feel I was already watching the movie! Highly recommend.
August 4, 2020
I am not a huge fan of psychological thrillers and mysteries, but this held my interest. I could have given it 3-1/2 stars.
Elizabeth Line is a crime author who has written about a serial killer who becomes known as Shame.
She chronicles his story all the way to his execution in the electric chair.
A copy cat serial killer appears on the scene years later and Shame's son, Caleb, is a prime suspect.
Caleb has managed to keep his identity a secret, even from his wife and children, to no avail.
Elizabeth Line is a crime author who has written about a serial killer who becomes known as Shame.
She chronicles his story all the way to his execution in the electric chair.
A copy cat serial killer appears on the scene years later and Shame's son, Caleb, is a prime suspect.
Caleb has managed to keep his identity a secret, even from his wife and children, to no avail.
July 29, 2017
Like father like son?
Seems the biggest twist in this book could be summed up as ' I told you so.'
Elisabeth Line was too involved with the serial killer would she fall in love with him or remain true to her story.
Anytime you are involved with others you have some type of reaction to them. We get to see many sides to the characters in this book good better and dangerous. This shows lives really exposed
Seems the biggest twist in this book could be summed up as ' I told you so.'
Elisabeth Line was too involved with the serial killer would she fall in love with him or remain true to her story.
Anytime you are involved with others you have some type of reaction to them. We get to see many sides to the characters in this book good better and dangerous. This shows lives really exposed
August 19, 2017
It feels cheap to say this is one of those books I've munched through in a couple of days just for something to read, but that's what I did, and that's what it is. That's not to say I didn't find any merit in the book though. It's well written and the characters are all really interesting and make you want continue reading to find out what happens to them. Shame is dealt with in many ways during this novel, in clever ways.
September 17, 2018
360 degree view of mankind.
This is the third 'variety ' of book I have read by Alan Russell .
With each topic I find myself being drawn to his characters, he exposes their being with honesty & sensitivity.
His explanation of Lola's part Lakota heritage, the Two Spirits co-existence, was superbly done - no lurid or homophobic derision - just a statement.
Very rarely have read an author as talented as Mr. Russell, I hope there are many, many more books to come from him.
This is the third 'variety ' of book I have read by Alan Russell .
With each topic I find myself being drawn to his characters, he exposes their being with honesty & sensitivity.
His explanation of Lola's part Lakota heritage, the Two Spirits co-existence, was superbly done - no lurid or homophobic derision - just a statement.
Very rarely have read an author as talented as Mr. Russell, I hope there are many, many more books to come from him.
December 7, 2018
Sifting through the bargain bin of Kindle unlimited sometimes leads to an uncommon gem.
While this book looked on the surface like a mill pond, a chase for a serial killer, it turned out to be a body of uncommon depth. The characters are real, complex, afflicted, yet engaging. The ambiguity is not contrived, rather deep and and fascinating. I am going to continue reading the work of this author!
While this book looked on the surface like a mill pond, a chase for a serial killer, it turned out to be a body of uncommon depth. The characters are real, complex, afflicted, yet engaging. The ambiguity is not contrived, rather deep and and fascinating. I am going to continue reading the work of this author!
February 22, 2018
Although there is fairly graphic description of murder in the opening chapters of this book, I am glad to report that the story soon becomes that of everyone who is linked to those deaths rather than some endless diatribe of misogynistic monstrosities, which sadly tends to be the case so often in recent times.
April 2, 2018
Entertaining, insightful.
Well written, interesting study of the workings of the mind of a transgender individual and the empathy and compassion that a "normal" person can develop, in a relatively short time, toward them. Equally intriguing is the workings of the mind of a deranged person, traumatized by familial circumstances. Altogether an enjoyable story.
Well written, interesting study of the workings of the mind of a transgender individual and the empathy and compassion that a "normal" person can develop, in a relatively short time, toward them. Equally intriguing is the workings of the mind of a deranged person, traumatized by familial circumstances. Altogether an enjoyable story.
July 13, 2019
Not my favorite Alan Russell book.
Not my favorite Alan Russell book. While the writing was as good as usual I found the content hard to read. If you are sensitive this thriller may not be for you. Animal cruelty was brought up and that really did me in. I also felt let down by the ending.
Not my favorite Alan Russell book. While the writing was as good as usual I found the content hard to read. If you are sensitive this thriller may not be for you. Animal cruelty was brought up and that really did me in. I also felt let down by the ending.
February 11, 2017
Interesting points
The narrator is not only one of the characters in the book she also has a hard time dealing with how her life is going has she missed out on life or chosen this life she has. Who has it better or worse.
The narrator is not only one of the characters in the book she also has a hard time dealing with how her life is going has she missed out on life or chosen this life she has. Who has it better or worse.
November 21, 2024
An engaging whodunit that has enough tension and twists to make this story a good read. For people who let the past and circumstances not in their control make them not face and enjoy the present that they are living in. Facing and accepting your differences
July 13, 2017
An unexpected intense thriller
It took a few chapters to get into the groove with this book, but once I was in, I found it fascinating, troubling and moving in equal measure.
It took a few chapters to get into the groove with this book, but once I was in, I found it fascinating, troubling and moving in equal measure.
May 4, 2018
Good read, enjoyable
Really enjoyed the read, kept you interested all the way through to the end, with a clever ending. Would recommend
Really enjoyed the read, kept you interested all the way through to the end, with a clever ending. Would recommend
August 4, 2019
Nach rund 15% abgebrochen, mein Deppenalarm wollte gar nicht mehr aufhören, Alarm zu schlagen...
October 11, 2020
A total snoozefest, but I'm too stubborn to not finish a book.
Wouldn't read another by this author.
Wouldn't read another by this author.
January 15, 2022
Just wasn't for me.
May 28, 2025
Great and believe able read
This was easy to follow and kept up a good pace that made you want get back to read more every time you had to put it down
This was easy to follow and kept up a good pace that made you want get back to read more every time you had to put it down
March 26, 2017
I really loved Russell's Gideon & Sirius series, but all of his others I've read (4 of them) aren't worth my time.
May 9, 2016
2 Stars
Caleb Parker is trying to run away from his past and get out from under the shadow of his father. A father who happened to be a prolific serial killer with the moniker of Shame. He had branded his victims by carving the word Shame into their bodies. Years after his death sentence was carried out, a new string of murders are eerily similar to those of Shame. Caleb quickly becomes the prime suspect in these murders when police learn who he is and his proximity to the victims.
Caleb forges an unlikely alliance with Elizabeth Line, a writer who published his father's story after being his only surviving victim. As the body count increases, they find themselves playing a game of cat and mouse with the killer. They know that the killer is out to get one of them, but the question is who? As the killer escalates and comes ever closer to them, they know that their time is short.
The premise was great. Child of a serial killer being accused of following in his father's footsteps. And the surviving victim being thrown back into the mix wondering if someone is trying to finish the job. That was tantalizing enough to draw me in and made me want to find out more, to see how it would pan out. But sadly, for me, that didn't happen. What started out promising, ended with a whimper.
None of the characters are convincing. It's hard to empathize with either Caleb or Elizabeth. The shocking discoveries aren't so shocking. The ultimate reveal was an absolute let down. The clues are given to it way in advance, so there's no shock value, there's no real surprise. By the end, I just didn't care enough anymore. The flipping back and forth between multiple points of view and going from the present to the past was jarring and really didn't lend anything to the story. I think it could have been a much stronger story if it was told from the point of view of one character instead of many.
This one just wasn't for me. It is a quick read and the premise is strong. But the story just didn't live up to what I think it could have been. It's a shame...
Caleb Parker is trying to run away from his past and get out from under the shadow of his father. A father who happened to be a prolific serial killer with the moniker of Shame. He had branded his victims by carving the word Shame into their bodies. Years after his death sentence was carried out, a new string of murders are eerily similar to those of Shame. Caleb quickly becomes the prime suspect in these murders when police learn who he is and his proximity to the victims.
Caleb forges an unlikely alliance with Elizabeth Line, a writer who published his father's story after being his only surviving victim. As the body count increases, they find themselves playing a game of cat and mouse with the killer. They know that the killer is out to get one of them, but the question is who? As the killer escalates and comes ever closer to them, they know that their time is short.
The premise was great. Child of a serial killer being accused of following in his father's footsteps. And the surviving victim being thrown back into the mix wondering if someone is trying to finish the job. That was tantalizing enough to draw me in and made me want to find out more, to see how it would pan out. But sadly, for me, that didn't happen. What started out promising, ended with a whimper.
None of the characters are convincing. It's hard to empathize with either Caleb or Elizabeth. The shocking discoveries aren't so shocking. The ultimate reveal was an absolute let down. The clues are given to it way in advance, so there's no shock value, there's no real surprise. By the end, I just didn't care enough anymore. The flipping back and forth between multiple points of view and going from the present to the past was jarring and really didn't lend anything to the story. I think it could have been a much stronger story if it was told from the point of view of one character instead of many.
This one just wasn't for me. It is a quick read and the premise is strong. But the story just didn't live up to what I think it could have been. It's a shame...
May 31, 2015
I like Alan Russell's psychological thrillers. Most of his writings are very well done with great characters in the books This book was no different. This was rather a dark read, about the son of a serial murderer. I didn't read the synopsis well before I grabbed this book. I had read some of Russell's other books and enjoyed them quite a lot. This book was definitely a little bit more 'deep' as well as dark, than some of his other books. This is due to the topic. Years ago, I got on a bit of a true crime kick, trying to understand the psychological underpinnings of serial murderers. Luckily it didn't last long. I didn't want to spend any more time on those type of people...it was a more of a curiosity thing on my part. But coming into this book which was fictional, it was obvious that Russell did some research on both how these criminals work, their psychology, and also into those people who may write about serial murderers. (Most of the books I read about serial murderers were from FBI profilers.)
This book was rough for me to get through. It had a great premise...about what happens to the families that are left behind from a serial murderer. Many of them do have families, and like most people, I never stopped to think about those people.
This book had two protagonists, the writer of the book about the original Shame serial killer, and his son, who had to deal with his fallout after he was put to death. The writer was the one person who survived Shame, and literally lived to tell the tale. But though Shame is dead, another group of women are being killed the same way as Shame had done, and they are being made to look like the son is the main suspect. The son asks for the writer's help in proving he is not the killer, and both of them end up in the sights of the murderer.
This is a really good story. The language was rougher than I usually like my fiction, but then I'm probably a rarity as concerns this...
This book was rough for me to get through. It had a great premise...about what happens to the families that are left behind from a serial murderer. Many of them do have families, and like most people, I never stopped to think about those people.
This book had two protagonists, the writer of the book about the original Shame serial killer, and his son, who had to deal with his fallout after he was put to death. The writer was the one person who survived Shame, and literally lived to tell the tale. But though Shame is dead, another group of women are being killed the same way as Shame had done, and they are being made to look like the son is the main suspect. The son asks for the writer's help in proving he is not the killer, and both of them end up in the sights of the murderer.
This is a really good story. The language was rougher than I usually like my fiction, but then I'm probably a rarity as concerns this...
January 9, 2013
I received this as a First Reads giveaway because the book is being re-released. It was originally published in 1998.
The premise of the book is clever. A series of murders in the San Diego area appears to have the same M.O. as that of serial killer Gray "Shame" Parker. Maryelizabeth Line, a true crime writer who survived Shame's killing spree some twenty years earlier, is assisting law enforcement with the investigation. The prime suspect is Gray Parker Jr. who goes by his middle name, Caleb. Caleb is greatly assisted by a female impersonator named Lola and somewhat less so by Maryelizabeth.
Mr. Russell's talent for writing dialogue is really what keeps this book going. I believe the narrative portions of the book would have greatly benefited from more of a "show, don't tell" approach to writing. The character of Gray Parker Sr. is a bit too Ted Bundy-ish in my opinion. He shares many characteristics of Bundy and a more original killer would have been welcomed by this reader. The characters of Caleb and Maryelizabeth were adequately developed but nowhere near as much as the character of Lola. The pace was mostly consistent but began to lag in a couple of chapters. The ending wrapped everything up nicely but I believe if the fate of one of the characters would have been handled differently, it would have made for a better ending.
It seems that Mr. Russell was beginning to find his voice as a writer in this early book and I would be interested in reading some of his later works to see how he evolved as a writer. Overall, a decent enough diversion and worthy of three stars.
The premise of the book is clever. A series of murders in the San Diego area appears to have the same M.O. as that of serial killer Gray "Shame" Parker. Maryelizabeth Line, a true crime writer who survived Shame's killing spree some twenty years earlier, is assisting law enforcement with the investigation. The prime suspect is Gray Parker Jr. who goes by his middle name, Caleb. Caleb is greatly assisted by a female impersonator named Lola and somewhat less so by Maryelizabeth.
Mr. Russell's talent for writing dialogue is really what keeps this book going. I believe the narrative portions of the book would have greatly benefited from more of a "show, don't tell" approach to writing. The character of Gray Parker Sr. is a bit too Ted Bundy-ish in my opinion. He shares many characteristics of Bundy and a more original killer would have been welcomed by this reader. The characters of Caleb and Maryelizabeth were adequately developed but nowhere near as much as the character of Lola. The pace was mostly consistent but began to lag in a couple of chapters. The ending wrapped everything up nicely but I believe if the fate of one of the characters would have been handled differently, it would have made for a better ending.
It seems that Mr. Russell was beginning to find his voice as a writer in this early book and I would be interested in reading some of his later works to see how he evolved as a writer. Overall, a decent enough diversion and worthy of three stars.
March 24, 2013
Started yesterday, March 20th 2013.
Obvious parallels to Ted Bundy - Ann Rule's Book "The stranger beside me".
Frequent flashbacks from the present to a serial killer case 25 years earlier, where the killer, like Bundy, was killed on the electric-chair.
No page-turner, felt too long - with 280 pages that should not be the case!
Good idea, too many discussions about personal feelings, which did nothing for me nor to further the story.
The most interesting character was the Senior Serial Killer.
Also the only sympathetic one, Elizabeth was ok, but I did not care wether she lives or dies.
There where a few twists, and although I did not guess who the real killer was I was not too far off.
But the twists came late, most near the end and in a way that they only concluded the story, more like an afterthought explanation.
Rather lame writing.
Want to give 2.5 stars, but that is not possible, it is not so bad as to warrant only 2 stars, so 3 it is.
Looking back I thought that this would be better, more terrorising or at least the hunt would be good.
Got this as a 99 ct. book from Amazon, got one other from him a few months later (Burning Man), will read this soon as to decide wether I drop this writer from my to-buy/to-read list.
Recommendation: read this if you are interested how someone might handle being the son of a convicted serial-killer.
Do not read this if you suspect a lot of mystery or a page-turner.
I would rather recommend A J Holt: Broken, but that is out of print and not even here on Goodreads to be found. And it has been a long time since I read this, so I may be wrong.
Obvious parallels to Ted Bundy - Ann Rule's Book "The stranger beside me".
Frequent flashbacks from the present to a serial killer case 25 years earlier, where the killer, like Bundy, was killed on the electric-chair.
No page-turner, felt too long - with 280 pages that should not be the case!
Good idea, too many discussions about personal feelings, which did nothing for me nor to further the story.
The most interesting character was the Senior Serial Killer.
Also the only sympathetic one, Elizabeth was ok, but I did not care wether she lives or dies.
There where a few twists, and although I did not guess who the real killer was I was not too far off.
But the twists came late, most near the end and in a way that they only concluded the story, more like an afterthought explanation.
Rather lame writing.
Want to give 2.5 stars, but that is not possible, it is not so bad as to warrant only 2 stars, so 3 it is.
Looking back I thought that this would be better, more terrorising or at least the hunt would be good.
Got this as a 99 ct. book from Amazon, got one other from him a few months later (Burning Man), will read this soon as to decide wether I drop this writer from my to-buy/to-read list.
Recommendation: read this if you are interested how someone might handle being the son of a convicted serial-killer.
Do not read this if you suspect a lot of mystery or a page-turner.
I would rather recommend A J Holt: Broken, but that is out of print and not even here on Goodreads to be found. And it has been a long time since I read this, so I may be wrong.
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