ALEX

by Sidney Knight

The Best Selling Number 1 Thrillers & Suspense DebutOn 1st June, 2010, an unspeakable act of murder was committed – a crime so evil that its perpetrator, Alex Merton, could never be forgotten. He left behind not just bloody fingerprints staining the city, but also debate, confusion, and question upon question as to why he did it. How could a man in possession of such genius – a man so deeply in love – unleash such horror on the living? How could a man so seemingly invisible in the community become the face of a nation’s nightmares? And who was the mystery somebody who knew of his murderous blueprints way beforehand, yet decided to do nothing until it was too late? This is the story of Alex Merton – the truth behind the mystery, the man, the monster...

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Ebooks

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2012

About the author

After growing too familiar with the pleasantries of the English countryside, Sidney Knight embraced city life in London. It was here that he began Alex, his first novel which took three years to complete.

It has since gone on to be a #1 Kindle Thrillers & Suspense Best Seller, and has now sold over 250,000 copies worldwide.

A lifelong admirer of literary and genre fiction, he enjoys creating a hybrid of both, writing plot-driven stories with an emphasis on psychologically complex characters.

Walking a different road to most, Alex is a fusion of crime, mystery, psychological suspense and romance, told with a bold, unflinching style. Knight is happily married and currently working on his second novel which he hopes to release soon.

Reviews

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

On 1st June, 2010, an unspeakable act of murder was committed – a crime so evil that its perpetrator, Alex Merton, could never be forgotten. He left behind not just bloody fingerprints staining the city, but also debate, confusion, and question upon question as to why he did it.

How could a man in possession of such genius – a man so deeply in love – unleash such horror on the living? How could a man so seemingly invisible in the community become the face of a nation’s nightmares? And who was the mystery somebody who knew of his murderous blueprints way beforehand, yet decided to do nothing until it was too late?

This is the story of Alex Merton – the truth behind the mystery, the man, the monster...

Congratulations to Sidney Knight on writing an engaging, marketable thriller that ends with a cold, hard slam. This reporter’s only issue was the conclusively irresolute ending, which left me wanting a sequel, perhaps by design. After following the trail of incrementally enhanced the confusion from page one, the ending hits you hard. I’m not letting slip any spoilers, don’t ask.

Readers may ask themselves: How many like Alex are there, all around us, always, just going unnoticed? How unlike Alex am I? Are you another Alex? Isn’t everyone Alex in one way or another? Being bullied mercilessly by one Sam or another until one day they finally snap. Some readers may not enjoy such an abrupt unflinching conclusion, but life’s not always a tea party. The most accurate pictures are candid.

After growing too familiar with the pleasantries of the English countryside, Sidney Knight embraced city life in London. It was here that he began Alex, his first novel which took three years to complete. It has since gone on to be a #1 Kindle Thrillers & Suspense Best Seller, and has now sold over 250,000 copies worldwide. A lifelong admirer of literary and genre fiction, he enjoys creating a hybrid of both, writing plot-driven stories with an emphasis on psychologically complex characters.

[Lissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delves into the twisted mind of Alex Merton, who is a shockingly relatable character. You know from the very beginning how his story is going to end and you spend the entirety of the book watching the characters you have grown to love hurtle towards the inevitable train wreck that is the ending of the story. You watch them reach the highest points of their lives and hope against hope that things really will get better for Alex, and then watch everything crumble to the ground.

It sounds like a depressing read and I suppose it would be for someone who didn't enjoy psychological suspense. I quickly became addicted to it and read the book in almost one sitting. It's definitely going to be shelved as a new found favorite that I am very glad I accidentally came across and decided it was worth the read.

I think probably the most terrifying and singularly depressing thing about this book is that the truth is, any of us at any time could become Alex. All it takes are the correct circumstances and the right amount of pressure.

Additionally there were some gems of quotes strewn throughout the novel that I found myself highlighting as I went along such as:

"I feel like I can almost see inside him. That's all. Like I've been him once- kinda. I recognize that look in his eyes." Layla

"I just think I am that person who should help him. I think he's trapped like I was. But maybe he won't get out of the bubble...and realise he needs to go looking for help." Layla

"The best photos are the ones you don't know have been taken." Alex

The book was a tragedy but a beautiful one and I highly recommend this novel to anyone who isn't afraid of the darkness.

[Jan Nichols]

I am sorry to say this is probably the worst book I've ever read. The story line was excellent ..but the style in which it was delivered was so hard to read I was actually stressed by the time I finished it.

[Elaine]

gave up at 9%

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing is all over the place in this without actually saying or meaning very much. Very, very hard going.
I mean, passages like this, "And as he felt his inner voice beating at him from within, patronising through its hideous, rancorous malice, one side of his jaw locked" and ".....all coming from the same stuff, spawning from the birth pool of assimilation, every one of them a product of the same sickening bile." I mean to say, just write in plain, simple English and spare us the flowery stuff.
In the next breath he spells aisles as isles and wrote boy's and not boys' so 'nuff said, really !!
He talks about wanting to kill something and we're then at a pet shelter where he's meeting a puppy and that was it for me. You just knew something REALLY unpleasant was going to happen and I wasn't prepared to be party to that.

[Ian Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mental health is becoming an increasing focus in the world and not before time

I am not sure if the author has personal experience but I love the way the books is written and how the characters minds are described

I think we all have some of the thoughts described and numerous others which could lead to radical activity

[Brandi Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mystery thriller took me by absolute surprise because it steered clear of the typical genre clichés. (You know the type) Just when I was about to condemn the main character, Alex, for the horrors he was capable of, and the rest of the characters, they were revealed to be not so different from the rest of us... which, in all actuality, was kind of disturbing.
Because of the clear details of all of the characters, and the depth of each of their personalities, I almost felt like I had known all of them or had met them at some point in my life. The story, events, and the tragically flawed characters were utterly believable and you cared about them a great deal – which is not something I typically feel as I read a book. As a reader of romances I was also particularly touched by the powerful, yet unspoken, love between Alex and Layna. A greatly refreshing read!

[Ginny McMath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! I finished it in one night and couldn't stop thinking about it. I love thrillers and especially psychological thrillers and this book was one of the best I've ever read. Written from the killers point of view you really get to see why people do the bad things they do. Every character in the book was so well developed and you saw flaws in all of them as well as redeeming values. Because of that the book made me keep thinking how people respond differently to things. You find yourself understanding and even hoping Alex will get his happy ending. I'm really hoping there is a sequel and even a prequel to this book! I highly recommend it! Also, Bullies beware!
If you're looking for a book that is a page turner and will make you think long after you put it down, Alex is the book for you.

[Maryann Breedlove · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love authors who try to guide a reader through the mind of a tortured soul. I also love an author who gives the reader their story the way they want us to have it and does not bow down to the ordinary readers need for a happy ending. Sidney Knight is an author who is true to the story and makes no apologies to the reader.

"Alex" is a dark disturbing look at the war raging inside our minds... the voices in our head that talks to us... conscience, self doubt and our optimist. Just how dark can it get inside one's brain... what motivates us to find hope and optimism... and what extinguishes all light forever?

All the main characters are complicated dark tortured souls and there are a million of these people we bump into every day. I love what this author had to say to us as readers.

[Kris Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the dark subject matter, the author did an excellent job of never exploiting it into shock material. The characters were also portrayed well, which is something I always look for in fiction. Well layered, they were truly horrible at times. Sometimes evil. But due to the inner dialogue, you begin to realise these people are far from soulless – in fact, you start to feel sorry for them and sometimes pray they are going to be OK on the next page! I left the book thinking about a lot. But I was ultimately left feeling optimistic about the human spirit, and that love still exists in this world.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read! The characters are all well developed and the psychological insight into how each of them thinks and feels about themselves and the world around them was fascinating. The individual stories of each character were well told and their interconnectivity and the impact of each one on the others (for good and/or bad) was well done. It gave me insight into how a person can fall off the deep end, and commit one of the tragic news stories we are sadly all too familiar with.

Be forewarned this is a dark read, but I will be looking for other books by this author.

[Tina Chelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My emotions were all over the place reading this! The author lets you into the secret world of his characters brilliantly. No one is as they seem. This is a tale of man to monster with a serving of romance and mystery on the side, which contrasts well with the darker tones of the book. Awesome read if you fancy trying a fusion of crime drama with a touching love story.

[Michelle Gross · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book incredibly dark and disturbing. I kept hoping for a hero or at the least one moral human being, but was severely disappointed in every character. I look through a different colored pair of glasses in my world, and I hope you all do too. This coming from an avid fan of dark mysteries and thrillers.

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is twisted because the characters are twisted. There isn't a person who is just "normal". Each character is developed nicely. It was a great read that led to some twisted dreams and took a while to shake off. If you are one who enjoys happy sappy stories then don't read this - there's no happy ending here!

[Abbi Hutchings · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book and I feel incredibly let down. I feel like it had potential to start with, but that got ruined very quickly. The writing felt pretty juvenile, the narration jumped from character to character making it hard to follow. Just, no! I mean, I guess it was interesting to read his point of view about things but otherwise the story was terrible. Don't read it.

[Kathy Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.

Good psychological thriller. It just got a bogged down sometimes repeating things too much. I don't like skipping over stuff because I'm afraid I'm going to miss something

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a good read but the internal monologues became a little tedious. Something different though and I would recommend it.

[Kym Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really hard to put down. Great character development.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual!! A very entertaining read.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a mystery, Not enough background.
This could have been awesome but left me disappointed

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

A different kind of psychological thriller told through the psycho's point of view. Dark and quite disturbing at times but oddly an OK read. Maybe that means I'm one of them ;) ???