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Fear Collector by Gregg Olsen
"YOU'LL SLEEP WITH THE LIGHTS ON AFTER READING GREGG OLSEN." --Allison Brennan
Ted Bundy. America's most notorious serial killer. For two women, he is the ultimate obsession. One is a cop whose sister may have been one of Bundy's victims. The other is a deranged groupie who corresponded with Bundy in prison--and raised her son to finish what Bundy started. To charm and seduce innocent girls. To kidnap and brutalize more women than any serial killer in history. And to lure one obsessed cop into a trap as sick and demented as Bundy himself. . .
Praise for Gregg Olsen's novels
"WICKEDLY CLEVER! TWISTED."--Lisa Gardner
"OLSEN WRITES RAPID-FIRE PAGE-TURNERS."--The Seattle Times
"GRABS YOU BY THE THROAT."--Kay Hooper
Ted Bundy. America's most notorious serial killer. For two women, he is the ultimate obsession. One is a cop whose sister may have been one of Bundy's victims. The other is a deranged groupie who corresponded with Bundy in prison--and raised her son to finish what Bundy started. To charm and seduce innocent girls. To kidnap and brutalize more women than any serial killer in history. And to lure one obsessed cop into a trap as sick and demented as Bundy himself. . .
Praise for Gregg Olsen's novels
"WICKEDLY CLEVER! TWISTED."--Lisa Gardner
"OLSEN WRITES RAPID-FIRE PAGE-TURNERS."--The Seattle Times
"GRABS YOU BY THE THROAT."--Kay Hooper
Mass Market Paperback
First published October 24, 2011
905 people are currently reading
1818 people want to read
About the author
Gregg Olsen
116 books7,101 followersThroughout his career, Gregg Olsen has demonstrated an ability to create a detailed narrative that offers readers fascinating insights into the lives of people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
March 12, 2022
Two people obsessed with Ted Bundy for different reasons. One is a detective that has lived her whole life thinking Bundy killed her sister. The other is a deranged groupie that can't let him go. Meanwhile, dead women are turning up, with Bundy's M.O. Can the detective find justice for her sister and solve the copycat murders?
Meh, the plot was alright. I figured everything out halfway through the book. I found the detective whiny. The groupie is a sick pervert. It is an okay read. I am glad I got this off of Kindle Unlimited.
Meh, the plot was alright. I figured everything out halfway through the book. I found the detective whiny. The groupie is a sick pervert. It is an okay read. I am glad I got this off of Kindle Unlimited.
November 19, 2012
Did you ever read a book by one of your favorite authors and were totally confused and disappointed by their latest new release? Well that's what I thought of Gregg Olsen's new book. He has written lately a couple new teen books and my daughter loved them. (Envy and Betrayal) but I think in the process he got a bit long winded on the writing of his newest adult thriller. This is the story of Grace as a young child and a detective this also is the story of Ted Bundy's son who stepped into his father's shoes by killing young women. This story flips between three diffent scenes over and over and quite honestly loses your interest. If this was a shorter and to the point story it would of been an okay book. Disappointed but I will look for his next because his past books were very good.
December 24, 2012
Grace Alexander is a Tacoma, Washington police detective. She's married to an FBI agent. She also grew up in the shadow of an older sister she never knew. An older sister her parents are sure was a victim of Ted Bundy. Most children grow up hearing stories about family members and gazing at family pictures. Grace grew up hearing stories about a notorious serial killer and being quizzed on his life. Grace wasn't abused or unloved, but she knew that her parents’ primary focus was on her missing sister Tricia. Now that Grace is a police officer, she knows that she must always try to bring some closure to her mother and find out what exactly happened to Tricia.
Ted Bundy is dead but his legacy lives on in more ways than can be believed. Grace and her partner, Paul Bateman, are currently investigating the disappearance of several young girls from the Tacoma area. When the body of one missing girl is found on a beach, presumed to be a drowning, remains of another girl are also uncovered. These remains are older but not ancient and just may be the remains of a presumed Bundy victim.
Fear Collector is a story that provides multiple stories that are deftly woven into one master picture of horror. One story is of Grace and her mother and their search for definitive information on Tricia's disappearance. Another facet of this story is Grace and her job, specifically the investigation into the missing girls -- all remarkably similar in looks. Then there's the story of Emma Rose, one of the missing girls, as she struggles to survive in captivity. Seemingly minor stories include those of a real estate developer and his son, an aging professor that knew Tricia, a retired police detective and expert on Bundy, and an obviously delusional woman and her ties to Bundy and Tricia. Just when you think you know where the story is going, there's a twist that pulls you off into what appears to be another direction. Mr. Olsen kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly wondering is this bit of information important in solving the serial killer mystery or is it simply another piece to the puzzle, if so which puzzle. Fear Collector is a story that literally grabbed me from the first few pages until the very end . . . and what an end! If you enjoy mystery-suspense-thriller reads, then this is one book you want to read.
Ted Bundy is dead but his legacy lives on in more ways than can be believed. Grace and her partner, Paul Bateman, are currently investigating the disappearance of several young girls from the Tacoma area. When the body of one missing girl is found on a beach, presumed to be a drowning, remains of another girl are also uncovered. These remains are older but not ancient and just may be the remains of a presumed Bundy victim.
Fear Collector is a story that provides multiple stories that are deftly woven into one master picture of horror. One story is of Grace and her mother and their search for definitive information on Tricia's disappearance. Another facet of this story is Grace and her job, specifically the investigation into the missing girls -- all remarkably similar in looks. Then there's the story of Emma Rose, one of the missing girls, as she struggles to survive in captivity. Seemingly minor stories include those of a real estate developer and his son, an aging professor that knew Tricia, a retired police detective and expert on Bundy, and an obviously delusional woman and her ties to Bundy and Tricia. Just when you think you know where the story is going, there's a twist that pulls you off into what appears to be another direction. Mr. Olsen kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly wondering is this bit of information important in solving the serial killer mystery or is it simply another piece to the puzzle, if so which puzzle. Fear Collector is a story that literally grabbed me from the first few pages until the very end . . . and what an end! If you enjoy mystery-suspense-thriller reads, then this is one book you want to read.
December 1, 2015
I'm always on a lookout for good stand alone psychological mystery thrillers. This one sort of kind of falls into that category, depending on the flexibility of one's definition of good. It's more like decent. Reminded me of when I tried another one of these type of things by O'Brien, also prolific, also stand alones, but something flat to the writing. Fear Collector was superior of the two by far, Ted Bundy is a more interesting subject and the final plot twist was very nice, but there was an undeniable blandness to characters and even actions, like they were being reported on, more so than explored. Plainly here the plot was the driver and the uninspired, more often then not two dimensional scenery outside the window went by the wayside. But again, perfectly decent entertainment and a quick read.
July 2, 2021
I was a little girl in Washington State when the bogey man ‘Ted’ was around. Of course my memory of that time is rather vague. I remember being scared but not understanding what I would hear on the news, or the adults talking. His name was a childhood taunt on the playground: ‘Ted is gonna get you!’
Yet another page-turner Mr. Olsen! Well written.
Yet another page-turner Mr. Olsen! Well written.
January 21, 2013
Far too repetitive and long winded for its own good. A great concept that never really makes good on the promise. The narrative was choppy and confusing and at times too earnest to make some sort of statement. It takes a lot for me to give up on a book and this is one I just couldn't finish.
March 15, 2022
Story 3.5/5
Narration 4/5
Narration 4/5
December 19, 2012
I have always been a huge fan of Gregg Olsen's work both fiction and non fiction, this one is no exception. Taking a piece from the real world and placing it in an exceptionally thrilling fictious world worked wonderfully. The book is somewhat of a slow mover int he beginning, however stay with it, it picks up quickly and is sure to send you into a sleepless night!
September 1, 2013
Wow, what a firecracker of a novel! Kept me reading. A great story with wonderful, believable characters. Can't wait to read more of Mr. Olsen's novels!
January 2, 2013
Fear Collector delivered a suspenseful thriller about the ripple effect of Ted Bundy a notorious serial killer. Olsen takes us up close and personal into the lives of police detective Grace Alexander, her mother and an obsessed woman who loved Ted and thinks she is raising his son.
Grace was born after her sister’s murder. Her mom believes Ted Bundy murdered Tricia but her body was never recovered and he denied any involvement. Grace grew up completely in Tricia's shadow and entered law enforcement in search of answers. Peggy loved Bundy, she obsessed about him and raised her son to be just like his daddy. When girls start showing up dead, and the bones of a female wash up along the river; Grace and her partner Paul Bateman search for clues. The tale that unfolds was suspenseful as Olsen gave us multiple perspectives from the killer, Bundy, a kidnapped girl, Peggy and Grace.
Olsen did a great job of taking us into the psyche of all of the characters. While I understood Grace’s mother, I also mourned for the loss of Grace’s childhood. The killer’s perspective and Peggy’s was deliciously creepy and kept me reading late into the night. Bundy and his letters sent chills down my spine. I found it interesting that I was able to identify with each character good or evil. The characters were well fleshed out making the tale seem all too real.
The world building was excellent as Olsen weaved this suspenseful tale. He brought all of the key players to life. Even secondary characters help build the suspense and added believability to the case. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives and even the letters between Bundy, and the victim’s parents. The tale weaved back and forth with the different characters, but always in a forward motion, slowly allowing the reader to recreate events, draws conclusions and watch the depth of the characters unfold. The conclusion while not a surprise did have a little clever twist. The author provided an update on all of the characters after the tale ended and I enjoyed reading about what became of each of them and felt it added to the realism.
I want to thank Kensington for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review. Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Grace was born after her sister’s murder. Her mom believes Ted Bundy murdered Tricia but her body was never recovered and he denied any involvement. Grace grew up completely in Tricia's shadow and entered law enforcement in search of answers. Peggy loved Bundy, she obsessed about him and raised her son to be just like his daddy. When girls start showing up dead, and the bones of a female wash up along the river; Grace and her partner Paul Bateman search for clues. The tale that unfolds was suspenseful as Olsen gave us multiple perspectives from the killer, Bundy, a kidnapped girl, Peggy and Grace.
Olsen did a great job of taking us into the psyche of all of the characters. While I understood Grace’s mother, I also mourned for the loss of Grace’s childhood. The killer’s perspective and Peggy’s was deliciously creepy and kept me reading late into the night. Bundy and his letters sent chills down my spine. I found it interesting that I was able to identify with each character good or evil. The characters were well fleshed out making the tale seem all too real.
The world building was excellent as Olsen weaved this suspenseful tale. He brought all of the key players to life. Even secondary characters help build the suspense and added believability to the case. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives and even the letters between Bundy, and the victim’s parents. The tale weaved back and forth with the different characters, but always in a forward motion, slowly allowing the reader to recreate events, draws conclusions and watch the depth of the characters unfold. The conclusion while not a surprise did have a little clever twist. The author provided an update on all of the characters after the tale ended and I enjoyed reading about what became of each of them and felt it added to the realism.
I want to thank Kensington for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review. Caffeinated Book Reviewer
January 20, 2013
Oh goddamn, this book freaked me out! It was like those scarey movies you watch, under the blanket, with one eye covered and one peaking at the T.V. Olsen has his own unique style of storytelling, a style that allows him to weave multiple lives of multiple characters together leading you to that ever pressing question.. who did it?!
Taking on the notorious Ted Bundy story, Olsen did a fantastic job of transforming us into each characters mind. Going back and forth we look through the eys of the killer, Bundy, a kidnapped girl, Peggy and Grace. Even the secondary characters get their due, adding to the suspense of the story and giving it creedance. My personal favorite was Grace, now a cop, but born in the shadow of her sister whom her mother believes was a victim of Bundy's. When bodies start turning up in the same style as the notorious serial killer, Grace and her partner delve into the case.
Fear Collecter is a suspensefull, well written novel that will have you turning on all the lights, and double checking the locks as the sun goes down. I love Olsens attention to detail and the way he drops bread crumbs early on in the story, and allows his characters to pick them up as we flow toward the ending. I'm sad that this is a stand alone novel as I still had a few questions at the end, but overall this is a splendid scarey as hell read! I give this one 4/5, but that's just my two cents.
Taking on the notorious Ted Bundy story, Olsen did a fantastic job of transforming us into each characters mind. Going back and forth we look through the eys of the killer, Bundy, a kidnapped girl, Peggy and Grace. Even the secondary characters get their due, adding to the suspense of the story and giving it creedance. My personal favorite was Grace, now a cop, but born in the shadow of her sister whom her mother believes was a victim of Bundy's. When bodies start turning up in the same style as the notorious serial killer, Grace and her partner delve into the case.
Fear Collecter is a suspensefull, well written novel that will have you turning on all the lights, and double checking the locks as the sun goes down. I love Olsens attention to detail and the way he drops bread crumbs early on in the story, and allows his characters to pick them up as we flow toward the ending. I'm sad that this is a stand alone novel as I still had a few questions at the end, but overall this is a splendid scarey as hell read! I give this one 4/5, but that's just my two cents.
November 9, 2014
DNFd at page 156.
This thriller was somewhat interesting, but let's be real. There are a million books like this, and a slew of better writers. I don't want to read a book that's pissing me off this badly.
I counted three different times that the author insinuated that a guy that read comics, played video games, or enjoyed Star Wars was undateable and even suspected of being a serial killer solely based on these attributes. The thing that was the last straw for me was when he said that people that were introverts and had trouble relating to others were "almost handicapped". Ex-fucking-cuse me? I tried to get past it, but the more it sat in my head, the angrier I got.
Like I said, there are much better books and authors out there. Not going to read anymore by this dude.
This thriller was somewhat interesting, but let's be real. There are a million books like this, and a slew of better writers. I don't want to read a book that's pissing me off this badly.
I counted three different times that the author insinuated that a guy that read comics, played video games, or enjoyed Star Wars was undateable and even suspected of being a serial killer solely based on these attributes. The thing that was the last straw for me was when he said that people that were introverts and had trouble relating to others were "almost handicapped". Ex-fucking-cuse me? I tried to get past it, but the more it sat in my head, the angrier I got.
Like I said, there are much better books and authors out there. Not going to read anymore by this dude.
Read
December 27, 2012this is a very good read. who would think up this story only gregg olsen. very well written. a must read.
February 7, 2015
This has a great plot story with a back story regarding Ted Bundy. This is the first time I read Gregg Olsen and really enjoyed his writing.
January 24, 2013
It took a little while to get into because it jumped about a bit, when I did get into it really enjoyed it and it ended with a twist (great read).
February 22, 2013
Well, I have to say reading this book at night was a stupid idea on my part! This book had me peeking out my window to make sure no body was out there to get me, it gave me the creepy chills and has made me twice as paranoid as I already was. Gregg Olsen is an author that knows how to get in your head and give you chills that's for sure. This book gave me those type of chills where you feel someone is watching you, but when you turn around no one is there. That is how Fear Collector made me feel.
I for one am an avid watcher of the ID (Investigation Discovery) channel, I watch that channel all the time, I watch documentaries on serial killers, and woman who one day snapped and killed their husbands etc. I love watching shows like that, there has never been a documentary that I have watched and thought it was getting under my skin and creeping me out, does it disgust me or maybe upset me? Yes. But they have never made me feel uncomfortable, Fear Collector made me uncomfortable.
When I finished Fear Collector I couldn't really understand why it got under my skin and freaked me out, and then I realized what it was. It was getting inside the head of the killer that freaked me out. When I watch documentaries it's all people that are knowledgeable about that person or people that are professionals such as a psychologist etc. You never hear from the killer themselves, and if you do you still don't know what was going through their head while they did the horrible things they did, in Fear Collector you get a sneak peek into the killers mind, and it's a creepy place that I didn't like being in.
Gregg has proven to me now after reading 2 of his novels that he is hands down a very talented writer. Fear Collector has a good number of characters and yet the book flowed nicely. I never got confused with names or what was going on, the whole book was written amazingly. Although it was a fairly long book, I felt like I flew through it very quick cause I just couldn't put it down! I needed to know what was going to happen.
This is my first adult true crime fiction/mystery/thriller and it definitely made a good first impression. If you are someone that enjoys true crime fic, or are someone that maybe wants to give it a try, I highly recommend Fear Collector, just don't forget to leave the light on!
I for one am an avid watcher of the ID (Investigation Discovery) channel, I watch that channel all the time, I watch documentaries on serial killers, and woman who one day snapped and killed their husbands etc. I love watching shows like that, there has never been a documentary that I have watched and thought it was getting under my skin and creeping me out, does it disgust me or maybe upset me? Yes. But they have never made me feel uncomfortable, Fear Collector made me uncomfortable.
When I finished Fear Collector I couldn't really understand why it got under my skin and freaked me out, and then I realized what it was. It was getting inside the head of the killer that freaked me out. When I watch documentaries it's all people that are knowledgeable about that person or people that are professionals such as a psychologist etc. You never hear from the killer themselves, and if you do you still don't know what was going through their head while they did the horrible things they did, in Fear Collector you get a sneak peek into the killers mind, and it's a creepy place that I didn't like being in.
Gregg has proven to me now after reading 2 of his novels that he is hands down a very talented writer. Fear Collector has a good number of characters and yet the book flowed nicely. I never got confused with names or what was going on, the whole book was written amazingly. Although it was a fairly long book, I felt like I flew through it very quick cause I just couldn't put it down! I needed to know what was going to happen.
This is my first adult true crime fiction/mystery/thriller and it definitely made a good first impression. If you are someone that enjoys true crime fic, or are someone that maybe wants to give it a try, I highly recommend Fear Collector, just don't forget to leave the light on!
March 14, 2021
True crime groups on facebook can't shut up about Gregg Olsen, specifically If You Tell, and when I say can't shut up about I mean there's a mention of it every day. That book might be worth the hype but this one was a fail. Disjointed and bland sum up the mess that is Fear Collector as it bounced all over the place in time, had too many subplots that were resolved in a hurried manner, and character after character introduced. There's a ton of potential here that went to waste.
June 28, 2021
Let me find a mystery book stamp and I’ll show you the similarities between this and dozens of others. Same office troubles the jerk detective. The supervisor only concerned with self advancement. Not enough staff, etc. Chopped up bodies. Terrible parent/child relationships. Overkill on Grace and her mother’s trials over the death of Tricia. Too much of the Bundy story. I really didn’t care for this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2013
This book got very hard to put down at times - especially towards the end! Greg Olsen kind of sneaks up behind you and what happens next will probably be not what you expected, but will leave you creep'd out and satisfied! I will read again someday!
February 2, 2013
An interesting take on the Ted Bundy story, combined with a modern day serial killer mystery. Unfortunately it tended to jump back and forth a bit too much, making it hard to follow at times. There is also a short story at the end of the book by the same author which was quite good.
September 6, 2022
Too much Ted info at one point, but it was a fun read. In the beginning there was to much small chapters with new characters in each one that made it confusing. I just could not concentrate and remember everybody. But I have often problems with beginnings of books, so no surprise there.
December 26, 2025
Review to come
November 19, 2017
Gregg Olsen books are always great!! This one is no exception. An intricate plot that brings back memories of the Ted Bundy days. The current day killings mimic Bundy's exactly. What the reader finds out is that Ted Bundy's son is being groomed to become even greater and more prolific than his famous father.
Read it to find out more!
Read it to find out more!
April 18, 2024
Too many new characters introduced in the last third of the book. This made the plot difficult to follow. The pace was slow at times, but the ending felt rushed.
January 27, 2024
I’ve loved some of the author’s true crime, and was perplexed in the beginning thinking this was nonfiction about Ted Bundy. It’s not.
It’s clever FICTION - kind of a “what if”.
Clever, but I found myself not fully engaged so giving it 4 stars.
It’s clever FICTION - kind of a “what if”.
Clever, but I found myself not fully engaged so giving it 4 stars.
February 21, 2013
There were two reasons I was eager to read Fear Collector. The first was wanting to see how Gregg's writing in an adult novel would differ from his YA. Honestly, not much. His style is smooth like butter. It grabs you immediately. Sucks you in completely and dares you to look away. Like a carefully planned train wreck. The second was that the story revolved around the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. I'm dating myself here, but Ted had his reign of terror when I was a young girl. I knew quite a bit about him. Saw his face and those of his victims plastered all over our newspapers and televisions. I was old enough to know this was a man to fear. And I did. But even back then I had a strange need to understand what makes a man like Ted Bundy become such a monster.
Gregg and Fear Collector gave me that opportunity as an adult, a bit more removed from the nightmare and more equipped to deal with the details of the events. That's not to say that it's not as chilling as it was then. Hell, it's downright frightening. I found myself checking my doors and windows, and hiding under the covers to feel secure. A little "overkill"? Maybe, but that goes to show how intense and real this telling felt.
But this isn't just a true crime story. It's a story of survival, dealing with a past that has too many questions left unanswered. That still haunts you and leaves you broken. We're following the families directly affected by Bundy and seeing how the cycle of abuse and depravity can carry on long after the beast has been put to rest.
Set in the present we have an incredible cast of characters. Detective Grace Alexander, her mother who is convinced Bundy murdered Grace's older sister Tricia, her FBI husband, her partner, and the many people that come into play as victims, suspects and innocent bystanders. No one is unaffected or above suspicion.
I suffered along with Grace and her mother, as well as those struck by the new evil. Grace can't help but see the similarities between current events and Bundy's crimes. The acts are as depraved and senseless but can how could they possibly be related? Is there a copycat on the loose? Are the missing girls and murders even connected to one killer? While a community tries to stop an unknown threat Grace continues to struggle with not knowing what really happened to her sister all those years ago and her mother's obsession with Bundy and inability to move on.
But Sissy O'Hare isn't the only one obsessed with Theodore Bundy and we're privy to the actions and calculations of a killer (or killers) just as wicked and deranged as Bundy himself. The way Gregg so masterfully spins his tale makes it difficult to separate fact from fiction. It's so compelling and you find yourself wrapped up in these characters lives. You want to seek the truth and find justice just as desperately as they do. You need resolution and closure. And you pray that it comes before anyone else falls prey.
A couple of items that help to make this tale seem more true to life than fiction are quotes from Bundy included throughout the book, and letters created as correspondence between Bundy and key players. Each exchange is twisted, manipulative and unsettling.
Gregg Olsen's writing is truly fantastic. Cunning, suspenseful, and utterly disturbing, with multiple story lines that continually intersect, Fear Collector is a heart pounding thriller that has you second guessing, shocked and abhorred, all the while glued to the page.
Gregg and Fear Collector gave me that opportunity as an adult, a bit more removed from the nightmare and more equipped to deal with the details of the events. That's not to say that it's not as chilling as it was then. Hell, it's downright frightening. I found myself checking my doors and windows, and hiding under the covers to feel secure. A little "overkill"? Maybe, but that goes to show how intense and real this telling felt.
But this isn't just a true crime story. It's a story of survival, dealing with a past that has too many questions left unanswered. That still haunts you and leaves you broken. We're following the families directly affected by Bundy and seeing how the cycle of abuse and depravity can carry on long after the beast has been put to rest.
Set in the present we have an incredible cast of characters. Detective Grace Alexander, her mother who is convinced Bundy murdered Grace's older sister Tricia, her FBI husband, her partner, and the many people that come into play as victims, suspects and innocent bystanders. No one is unaffected or above suspicion.
I suffered along with Grace and her mother, as well as those struck by the new evil. Grace can't help but see the similarities between current events and Bundy's crimes. The acts are as depraved and senseless but can how could they possibly be related? Is there a copycat on the loose? Are the missing girls and murders even connected to one killer? While a community tries to stop an unknown threat Grace continues to struggle with not knowing what really happened to her sister all those years ago and her mother's obsession with Bundy and inability to move on.
But Sissy O'Hare isn't the only one obsessed with Theodore Bundy and we're privy to the actions and calculations of a killer (or killers) just as wicked and deranged as Bundy himself. The way Gregg so masterfully spins his tale makes it difficult to separate fact from fiction. It's so compelling and you find yourself wrapped up in these characters lives. You want to seek the truth and find justice just as desperately as they do. You need resolution and closure. And you pray that it comes before anyone else falls prey.
A couple of items that help to make this tale seem more true to life than fiction are quotes from Bundy included throughout the book, and letters created as correspondence between Bundy and key players. Each exchange is twisted, manipulative and unsettling.
Gregg Olsen's writing is truly fantastic. Cunning, suspenseful, and utterly disturbing, with multiple story lines that continually intersect, Fear Collector is a heart pounding thriller that has you second guessing, shocked and abhorred, all the while glued to the page.
February 10, 2013
Fear Collector is a chilling story that takes real events and people and stirs it in a thrilling fictitious world that only author Gregg Olsen can bring. He brings a suspenseful page-turner about the continuing and spreading effect of the notorious serial killer, Ted Bundy. Readers are presented with an unsettling experience with police detective Grace Alexander and a fanatical woman, Peggy, who adored Bundy and believes to be raising his son. Before Grace was born, her sister Tricia was murdered and her mother believes that Ted Bundy was responsible. In order to find answers, she gets involved with a career in law enforcement. Peggy’s mammoth-sized love for Bundy makes her raise her son to be just like his father. As the dead bodies of girls start appearing, Grace begins her search for clues and answers that unearths a very suspenseful tale.
The one thing that readers will appreciate in this book is how Gregg is able to flawlessly take them inside the minds of all his dynamic characters. The upbringing of Grace is saddening as her mother had to cope with the loss of a daughter as she drifted away from being part of Grace’s childhood. The chill-factor multiplies each time Gregg takes readers into the perspectives of the killer and Peggy. Although it was absolutely frighteningly creepy, the writing etiquette of Gregg made it lusciously satisfying reading their parts. The characters are so well-rounded that it made the story seemed so real.
Like all of his previous works, the world building is precise and on-point. The multiple perspectives, the letters from Bundy, and secondary characters all seemed to lead to confusion as the story went back and forth with different characters. However, it never looked back and the story progresses in a well-paced manner. Readers are able to create their own events and predictions and be fully entertained to read how this chilling story unfolds. The surprises and twists that are sprinkled throughout the story will have readers’ eyes glued to Gregg’s wonderful writing. Fear Collector is like an art. Taking something real from our world and mixing it in your own rather dark and twisted idea takes quite the talent to do so. It is not an easy task to do but Gregg does it naturally with ease like breathing.
The one thing that readers will appreciate in this book is how Gregg is able to flawlessly take them inside the minds of all his dynamic characters. The upbringing of Grace is saddening as her mother had to cope with the loss of a daughter as she drifted away from being part of Grace’s childhood. The chill-factor multiplies each time Gregg takes readers into the perspectives of the killer and Peggy. Although it was absolutely frighteningly creepy, the writing etiquette of Gregg made it lusciously satisfying reading their parts. The characters are so well-rounded that it made the story seemed so real.
Like all of his previous works, the world building is precise and on-point. The multiple perspectives, the letters from Bundy, and secondary characters all seemed to lead to confusion as the story went back and forth with different characters. However, it never looked back and the story progresses in a well-paced manner. Readers are able to create their own events and predictions and be fully entertained to read how this chilling story unfolds. The surprises and twists that are sprinkled throughout the story will have readers’ eyes glued to Gregg’s wonderful writing. Fear Collector is like an art. Taking something real from our world and mixing it in your own rather dark and twisted idea takes quite the talent to do so. It is not an easy task to do but Gregg does it naturally with ease like breathing.
April 22, 2013
I am always giddy with excitement when I see Gregg Olsen has released a new book, and i know I will always get a great murder/mystery/crime suspense. Fear Collector was no different. What was different is the fact that I didn't like this one nearly as much as his others. Unfortunately, I just can't even figure out why. I was 10 when Ted Bundy was electrocuted and while I remember some of the news coverage and I always knew he was a serial killer, I never knew the depravity he was convicted of. One thing I can say is this book made me "Wikipedia" him. Once I did that and read his entire history it made me appreciate the book more. I still love Gregg Olsen books and can honesty say he has quickly become an addition to my favorite author short list.
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January 30, 2013Another great book by Gregg Olsen. He very seldom disappoints me. I bought a bunch of his books on kobo. This story grabbed me right away. As soon as I saw the name Ted Bundy, I knew I had to read it. Ted Bundy has become one of my favourite subjects in true crime. In the story, Ted's son continues his father's "work"...pushed by his crazy mother. Yes, it's a novel, but what if? Bundy does have children out there...what if?
January 18, 2013
Not my favorite Gregg Olsen book, but a fast read.
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