CAN THEY MAKE THE MADNESS END? TIME IS RUNNING OUT.
The Scavenger's Song introduces us to ace homicide detectives, Angus Carlyle and Skeeter Sherwood. The Austin PD is stumped by numerous disappearances of young women in a seedy, neon-lit area downtown. The scavenger is doing his chilling, evil deeds, but no bodies can be found. Until they can produce bodies, technically, no homicides have actually been committed. One day the disappearances end. Where is the serial killer? His absence lasts for over ten years. When the scavenger finally sings, Angus and Skeeter are confident the case is arriving at its conclusion.
Now what did he do with the bodies? Bones begin presenting themselves in the most macabre ways. The scavenger's method of disposing of the human evidence is not to be believed. Along the twisted, torturous path, Angus is maimed and Skeeter is almost destroyed. Can they claw their way back up to be productive and sharp once again? Let's hope so--a whole new series of murders is occurring right under their noses and they are probably the only ones who can make the madness end. Good detective work, hunches, psychics, long shots, the words of a bug man--they must hurry. Time is running out.
I thought the premise was unique. The beginning had me hopeful for an enjoyable read. But, the main characters, Angus and Skeeter, I just couldn't picture them being real. Maybe because I didn't feel like I got to know them enough in the beginning and then boom, it's ten years later. I felt the story was mapped out, I was guided all the way through, always knowing what was going to happen, and that tends to leave me restless and wanting to move on. I kept waiting for a plot twist or a surprise. Many points of the police scenarios didn't ring quite right, or seem possible. A couple examples - Skeeter saw her partner get shot in the leg and she was ordered on bed rest, house arrest, and had to be on medication? Seemed a bit drastic. Then there was "stubby" the torso, and the experiments which I can't say would never happen because I am not a forensic expert, but it seemed far fetched. I did think that making the tapes to use in later crimes was good, the way the remote control planes played into the story was interestingly creepy, and the landlord was suitably evil. I just had a hard time with this one. I honestly feel there were points of brilliance, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I am stuck between two and three stars. I didn't completely like it or dislike it. I find myself among four and five star reviews, and so therefore, the book may appeal to others more than it did to me. I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 Stars Ten years ago, homicide detectives Angus and Skeeter were confused by the numerous missing women cases. Abruptly the disappearances stopped, yet no evidence was ever found. Now, bones are appearing and someone is after Angus and Skeeter. Will they be able to put this decade long mystery to rest or will they become the next victims?
This is a very confusing, short story, with several points-of-views and a big time jump. The details are graphic and not for the faint of heart. The suspense aspect is predictable. This story is geared towards fans of forensics. The chapters needed to be fleshed out more, to help explain some of the behind the scenes action. Overall, this is a quick read mystery.
Notes: The author provided a copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review. This review was originally posted on the Ariesgrl Book Reviews website.
The only thing that kept me from giving this book 4 stars was the so so writing and the fact that it's only 178 pages long, leaving little room for background information and character development. The story itself is taut and fast paced, less a who-done-it than a how did they catch who-done-it. Overall I liked the book and I look forward to the next book in the series.