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Andrew Z. Thomas/Luther Kite #1-3
Bluteskälte (Die Trilogie um Andrew Z. Thomas 4)
Alle Romane um Andrew Z. Thomas und Luther Kite, die zu dem von Blake Crouch und J. A. Konrath geschriebenen Thriller »Kite« führen.
DER ANRUF (Ein Roman): »Guten Tag. Auf Ihrem Grundstück ist eine Leiche vergraben, an der Ihr Blut klebt. Der Name der unglücklichen jungen Dame ist Rita Jones. In ihrer Jeanstasche finden Sie eine Notiz mit einer Telefonnummer. Rufen Sie diese Nummer an. Wenn ich bis 20 Uhr nichts von Ihnen gehört habe, erhält die Polizei einen anonymen Anruf. Ich werde ihnen sagen, wo Rita Jones auf Ihrem Grundstück vergraben ist, wie Sie sie ermordet haben und wo die Mordwaffe in Ihrem Haus versteckt ist. (Ich vermute, dass in Ihrer Küche ein Schälmesser fehlt.) Rufen Sie nicht die Polizei, denn ich habe Sie ständig im Auge.«
Andrew Z. Thomas ist ein erfolgreicher Krimiautor und lebt im Bergvorland von North Carolina in einem Haus am See. Eines Nachmittags im Frühling erhält er einen seltsamen Brief, der letzten Endes seine Karriere, seine geistige Gesundheit und das Leben aller, die er liebt, gefährdet. Ein Mörder bestimmt jetzt über seine Zukunft, und Andrew weiß nicht, wie er ihm entkommen kann.
HINTERWALD (Ein Roman): Vor sieben Jahren wurde das Leben des Krimiautors Andrew Z. Thomas zerstört, als man ihm eine Mordserie angehängt hat. Die Opfer des Mörders wurden auf Andrews Grundstück am See gefunden, und da er vom FBI gesucht wird, hatte Andrew keine andere Wahl, als zu fliehen und sich eine neue Identität zu schaffen. Nun haust er in einer Holzhütte in der entlegenen Wildnis in der Nähe von Haines Junction, Yukon. Er ist nur per E-Mail mit dem Rest der Welt verbunden, und so erfährt er auch, dass alle Menschen, die er je geliebt hat, verfolgt und ermordet werden. In den schaurigen und abgelegenen Outer Banks in North Carolina kreuzen sich die Wege von Andrew Z. Thomas, einem Wahnsinnigen namens Luther Kite und einem jungen weiblichen Detective. »Hinterwald« steckt voller packender Spannung, die Sie nicht mehr loslassen wird.
ZERBROCHEN (Eine Kurzgeschichte): Nach den Ereignissen aus »Der Anruf« und »Hinterwald« verbergen sich Andy Thomas und Violet King in der Wildnis im nördlichen Kanada. Violet hat einen vier Monate alten Sohn und beginnt eine Romanze mit Andy. An einem kalten, regnerischen Abend wird ihre Hoffnung auf ein idyllisches Leben in ihrer Hütte im Wald zerschmettert, als ein Mann aus ihrer Vergangenheit, ein bösartiges Monster, zurückkehrt. Was er mit ihnen vorhat, wird ihr Bild des Bösen ins Wanken bringen und ihre Liebe auf die Probe stellen.
730 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
127 people are currently reading
978 people want to read
About the author
Blake Crouch
81 books60k followersBlake Crouch is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of the forthcoming novel, Dark Matter, for which he is writing the screenplay for Sony Pictures. His international-bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy was adapted into a television series for FOX, executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan, that was Summer 2015’s #1 show. With Chad Hodge, Crouch also created Good Behavior, the TNT television show starring Michelle Dockery based on his Letty Dobesh novellas. He has written more than a dozen novels that have been translated into over thirty languages and his short fiction has appeared in numerous publications including Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Crouch lives in Colorado with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 2, 2017
I was really thrilled to find a Blake Crouch trilogy all in one audiobook. You feel like you're getting a deal by spending one credit on what is actually three novels. I had recently devoured Crouch's novel, Dark Matter, and really enjoyed it. It was an easy and thrilling read, which given the subject matter cannot have been easy to write while maintaining the easy flow.
The first novel, Desert Places took a little bit to grab me. Once it did, it was really exciting and often took some twists and turns that I wouldn't have expected. The characters eventually grew on me, even the ones that didn't deserve sympathy. Andrew Thomas never quite grew on me the way the author was hoping he would, I imagine. I always felt kind of lukewarm towards him and that feeling only seemed to increase as I started to realize that anybody he has any association with is essentially cannon fodder. As the book came to a close, I was rather excited to move on to the next on.
The second, Locked Doors gets going right away. Though it takes place several years in the future from the first one, it continues Andrew's story as he deals with the ramifications of his actions from the first book. There's no conflict of emotion when it comes to Luther. He's awful and meant to be. I seemed to enjoy the second book a little more in terms of action. It feels a lot like a movie, especially because the author uses the "Oh, everything is going to be OK" only to take that away at the last second-trick quite often.
The last, Break You was kind-of disappointing. Maybe I had too high of an expectation after spending two books with Andrew Thomas. I should have realized that throughout the books, nobody is safe. Anybody can be fodder and often when you think things are going to be OK, they're not. It's a little disappointing to spend all that time with characters and then be left with an empty feeling, but within the scope of the series, it does make sense to end the series that way.
Overall, I liked it. It was at times, a very messed up psychological thriller, but also a very exciting series. I could any of these becoming a movie at any time. They're written as if for the screen, in a way. Action, suspense and plenty of blood and violence.
The first novel, Desert Places took a little bit to grab me. Once it did, it was really exciting and often took some twists and turns that I wouldn't have expected. The characters eventually grew on me, even the ones that didn't deserve sympathy. Andrew Thomas never quite grew on me the way the author was hoping he would, I imagine. I always felt kind of lukewarm towards him and that feeling only seemed to increase as I started to realize that anybody he has any association with is essentially cannon fodder. As the book came to a close, I was rather excited to move on to the next on.
The second, Locked Doors gets going right away. Though it takes place several years in the future from the first one, it continues Andrew's story as he deals with the ramifications of his actions from the first book. There's no conflict of emotion when it comes to Luther. He's awful and meant to be. I seemed to enjoy the second book a little more in terms of action. It feels a lot like a movie, especially because the author uses the "Oh, everything is going to be OK" only to take that away at the last second-trick quite often.
The last, Break You was kind-of disappointing. Maybe I had too high of an expectation after spending two books with Andrew Thomas. I should have realized that throughout the books, nobody is safe. Anybody can be fodder and often when you think things are going to be OK, they're not. It's a little disappointing to spend all that time with characters and then be left with an empty feeling, but within the scope of the series, it does make sense to end the series that way.
Overall, I liked it. It was at times, a very messed up psychological thriller, but also a very exciting series. I could any of these becoming a movie at any time. They're written as if for the screen, in a way. Action, suspense and plenty of blood and violence.
April 10, 2013
I'm extremely happy I chose to read this trilogy in one volume. It saved me loads of time having to jump from book to book (ok, not really loads.) With stories this good, I was glad not to discover the first before the final was published. I don't think I could have held out waiting between volumes. I've only read this trilogy and the SERIAL KILLERS UNCUT/Jack Daniels collaborations with Konrath/Kilborn, but I'm sure I'll be going back and reading Blake's previous works (I think I have all of them in digital already!)
January 9, 2022
#LutherKite
November 5, 2016
A great "edge of your seat" thriller. This one will keep you turning the pages but it's not for the squeamish as there is a lot of blood. A mystery writer, Andrew Thomas, find himself plunged into his own nightmare of mystery and death. His long lost twin brother appears out of nowhere and where Andrew writes about killing people his brother actually does it and slowly draws Andrew in against his will. This version actually contains three separate novels consisting of the "Andrew Z. Thomas Series". The audio version was excellent with a great narrator.
August 25, 2012
This is one of those books that I started and was so into that I just couldnt put it down but when I did put it down then I couldnt pick it back up. One day I will finish reading this book but I have to be in a certain frame of mind in order to read about that much murder and be able to process it.
May 30, 2013
Liked "Desert Places", thought "Locked Doors" turned in a weird direction on the ferry boat, then completely lost interest in "Break You" as it seemed like a "SAW" movie, which I don't care for. Guess this isn't my genre.
December 7, 2016
4 stars for the great first entry, "Desert Places," which is a clever psychological thriller. It goes downhill from there, finishing with the disappointing novella "Break You." Not included is the true final conclusion "Stirred," which combines this series from Blake Crouch with J.A. Konrath's Jack Daniels series. And this is why the series, which started off nicely, loses its appeal for many Crouch fans.
There are mixed reviews about these books, and I have my own ambivalence. I have gone from thinking this series was a masterpiece to a piece of you-know-what within the same sitting. When you consider the numerous reviews of fans of Crouch and Konrath, the open-minded new reader will come to the same conclusion I have. Two brilliant authors have screwed up big time and don't know it yet.
Both authors were younger and hungrier when they began their perspective stories about Jack Daniels and Andrew Z. Thomas. But both epics, despite exquisite build-up of tension that is key to any thriller or horror, were flawed by an immature lack of consideration for the audience. Thus, in the "Thicker Than Blood" series, we have the main protagonist, Andrew, doing the stupidest things to keep the series going. This is not really a spoiler to say that when the killer films his own face on tape, gives it to the protagonist, and spells out his plan to blackmail said protagonist, well, that pretty much blows any credibility for the rest of the story about why the bad guy is not in jail immediately. But that wouldn't drag out every dollar this nonsense had to offer from the gore-porn fiends out there who think writers like Edward Lee are cutting edge.
And here lies the fundamental problem of the Crouch/Konrath collaboration. Konrath is pretty good at a variety of genres, including thrillers, horror, sci-fi, and erotica, and yet, he excels at none. I think he realizes this, as he goes by more pseudonyms than Michael Crichton and Dr. Seuss. Clearly, as a professional, Konrath hasn't embraced his identity as a writer as much as his bad guys have embraced their life's work as murderers.
And neither does Blake Crouch, who, in his early forties, should be sharpening his image to the public as a writer. But instead, he has stunted his career with this friendship with Konrath, and it's this little cutesy game that has become the selling point of his novels, rather than the strength of his work's own merit.
So now we have them not only collaborating on and finishing each other's books (in the name of a new wave of writing books via current technology), but now they are selling each other's books, leaving reviewer comments for each other’s novels on Goodreads, interviewing each other, and leaving intros and apologies on each other's reprints. This is not cutting edge as they want us to believe. Nor was this collaboration thanks to technology. This is two relatively young authors who might have once been competing with each other who lost their way and found they could make easy money mimicking and marketing each other to draw in two ready-made audiences rather than one.
Hence we have lovers of Crouch wondering why the third entry of the Andrew Thomas series (known as "Break You") is so violent and torture-hungry compared with earlier entries (which were not tame in the least, I assure you!) This is because Crouch started writing in the style of Konrath's "Kilborn" pen name. The intrigue and tension Crouch was going for in his series was replaced by a rushed sequence of nasty torture fantasies. Similarly, folks wonder what happened to their beloved Jack Daniels at the end of Konrath's series (aka "Stirred," which is also the ultimate end of the Andrew Thomas series.) Well, that's again because of a similar lack of focus on Konrath, who was now intent on making a book to profit on two separate audiences, thus being forced to write in a way that sacrificed the charm of his earlier entries for those who had already been hooked.
In the end, this collaboration probably led to an inevitable conclusion for Andrew Thomas. But the delivery of the denouement of this otherwise brilliantly kickstarted series was as poor as Rob Zombie's sell-out of Halloween.
As always, art and life are one, so the collaboration between these two authors has imitated the very subject matter that has prevailed in the bulk of their work since they got together: serial killers living the obligatory solitary life meeting up together by chance and finally having someone to share their depravity with. Except they start destroying each other, because that's what they know (see "Serial Killers Uncut," which outlines further back story behind "Break You.")
Similarly, Crouch and Konrath are two guys sharing the same sick need to destroy people in their writing. It's exciting to them and their fans right now. But it will be the end of their careers, and their fans will forget them. That's a shame, because both of them are good. Really good. I hope they grow up so we can read what they really can do.
To new initiatives of this series, read the fantastic two first books of this volume and quit. For those folks who already are fans of the third book because you read it as part of "Serial Killers Uncut," read on to "Stirred." You will find satisfaction there, even if you've already somewhat predicted what comes next.
There are mixed reviews about these books, and I have my own ambivalence. I have gone from thinking this series was a masterpiece to a piece of you-know-what within the same sitting. When you consider the numerous reviews of fans of Crouch and Konrath, the open-minded new reader will come to the same conclusion I have. Two brilliant authors have screwed up big time and don't know it yet.
Both authors were younger and hungrier when they began their perspective stories about Jack Daniels and Andrew Z. Thomas. But both epics, despite exquisite build-up of tension that is key to any thriller or horror, were flawed by an immature lack of consideration for the audience. Thus, in the "Thicker Than Blood" series, we have the main protagonist, Andrew, doing the stupidest things to keep the series going. This is not really a spoiler to say that when the killer films his own face on tape, gives it to the protagonist, and spells out his plan to blackmail said protagonist, well, that pretty much blows any credibility for the rest of the story about why the bad guy is not in jail immediately. But that wouldn't drag out every dollar this nonsense had to offer from the gore-porn fiends out there who think writers like Edward Lee are cutting edge.
And here lies the fundamental problem of the Crouch/Konrath collaboration. Konrath is pretty good at a variety of genres, including thrillers, horror, sci-fi, and erotica, and yet, he excels at none. I think he realizes this, as he goes by more pseudonyms than Michael Crichton and Dr. Seuss. Clearly, as a professional, Konrath hasn't embraced his identity as a writer as much as his bad guys have embraced their life's work as murderers.
And neither does Blake Crouch, who, in his early forties, should be sharpening his image to the public as a writer. But instead, he has stunted his career with this friendship with Konrath, and it's this little cutesy game that has become the selling point of his novels, rather than the strength of his work's own merit.
So now we have them not only collaborating on and finishing each other's books (in the name of a new wave of writing books via current technology), but now they are selling each other's books, leaving reviewer comments for each other’s novels on Goodreads, interviewing each other, and leaving intros and apologies on each other's reprints. This is not cutting edge as they want us to believe. Nor was this collaboration thanks to technology. This is two relatively young authors who might have once been competing with each other who lost their way and found they could make easy money mimicking and marketing each other to draw in two ready-made audiences rather than one.
Hence we have lovers of Crouch wondering why the third entry of the Andrew Thomas series (known as "Break You") is so violent and torture-hungry compared with earlier entries (which were not tame in the least, I assure you!) This is because Crouch started writing in the style of Konrath's "Kilborn" pen name. The intrigue and tension Crouch was going for in his series was replaced by a rushed sequence of nasty torture fantasies. Similarly, folks wonder what happened to their beloved Jack Daniels at the end of Konrath's series (aka "Stirred," which is also the ultimate end of the Andrew Thomas series.) Well, that's again because of a similar lack of focus on Konrath, who was now intent on making a book to profit on two separate audiences, thus being forced to write in a way that sacrificed the charm of his earlier entries for those who had already been hooked.
In the end, this collaboration probably led to an inevitable conclusion for Andrew Thomas. But the delivery of the denouement of this otherwise brilliantly kickstarted series was as poor as Rob Zombie's sell-out of Halloween.
As always, art and life are one, so the collaboration between these two authors has imitated the very subject matter that has prevailed in the bulk of their work since they got together: serial killers living the obligatory solitary life meeting up together by chance and finally having someone to share their depravity with. Except they start destroying each other, because that's what they know (see "Serial Killers Uncut," which outlines further back story behind "Break You.")
Similarly, Crouch and Konrath are two guys sharing the same sick need to destroy people in their writing. It's exciting to them and their fans right now. But it will be the end of their careers, and their fans will forget them. That's a shame, because both of them are good. Really good. I hope they grow up so we can read what they really can do.
To new initiatives of this series, read the fantastic two first books of this volume and quit. For those folks who already are fans of the third book because you read it as part of "Serial Killers Uncut," read on to "Stirred." You will find satisfaction there, even if you've already somewhat predicted what comes next.
November 29, 2017
First book of the three was great, the 2nd not so much, last one was terrible. If the Saw movie series is your thing u might like the last book. Not for me, but the first one was a great read. Also the three books together come with alternate endings etc. These endings were rejected by the editor originally, and with good reason, there are bad.
January 5, 2020
This series introduced me to Luther Kite who has become my favorite literary character. This series broke all the ideas that i ever had about horror and ruined other books for me . Its to the point, lts bloody, lts graphic, its brilliant and its nonstop shock. This series will always be my fav series
September 22, 2025
Awesome. Do not read if you don't like violence. I love that the writer adds alternate endings for the 3 stories contained in this book. I have to compare this author to Jo Nesbo who is my favorite author.
January 21, 2018
Reviewed individually.
September 10, 2019
3 stars is generous. More like 2.5.
December 2, 2020
This gave me the creeps and sleepless nights
January 25, 2021
A better than Stephen King thriller.
May 23, 2021
I've started this one twice now, and I'm putting it down again, for good this time. Too violent for my taste.
March 26, 2024
I really, really like Blake Crouch, and I really like Stephen King. This trilogy reminded me of Stephen King. Really good story, well written, good characters. I loved the ending!!!
July 18, 2024
First two stories are great, third less so
December 9, 2025
Wtf Blake crouch. You sicko. Loved desert places, although it disturbed me. The next two volumes were weaker but still worth reading. Wish I understood the ending.
December 7, 2020
Ahh! I guess I have to finish the series. This is one you try to put down but just can’t.
January 14, 2015
SPOILERS AHEAD DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOKS!!!
I am so utterly disappointed with this series! I only read crime and mystery but even for me there was way too much torture especially in the last book. Almost every person was killed, maimed or tortured. I got to like and admire Horace( I think that was his name)in the first one, only to have him also die violently, same for Sara and Walter. Yes he got to have a modicum of revenge on Luther in the end and even that was shot to hell considering the ending. The completion of the series felt a bit too lazy for me. We wanted to see Andrew clear his name and find a minute amount of happiness. I'm not saying everyone has to have a happily ever after but geesh, this guy has had nothing but darkness, pain, torture and more torture. After everything he had gone through, the ending was quite unsatisfactory for me. Sorry.
I am so utterly disappointed with this series! I only read crime and mystery but even for me there was way too much torture especially in the last book. Almost every person was killed, maimed or tortured. I got to like and admire Horace( I think that was his name)in the first one, only to have him also die violently, same for Sara and Walter. Yes he got to have a modicum of revenge on Luther in the end and even that was shot to hell considering the ending. The completion of the series felt a bit too lazy for me. We wanted to see Andrew clear his name and find a minute amount of happiness. I'm not saying everyone has to have a happily ever after but geesh, this guy has had nothing but darkness, pain, torture and more torture. After everything he had gone through, the ending was quite unsatisfactory for me. Sorry.
February 27, 2013
My full in depth review, which includes mini reviews of each book in this series can be found here: Shivers of Horror
For a quick spoiler free breakdown: Really enjoyed the first half of Desert Places. Found Locked Doors a little boring until the end. And Break You (which is a short story running only 12% of this entire collection) was very interesting! I would have liked to see the story go on longer as I loved the concept of it. I’m excited now to venture into the other authors books so I can get the full story of the other serial killers who appeared in “Serial” and the Andrew Z. Thomas novels.
For a quick spoiler free breakdown: Really enjoyed the first half of Desert Places. Found Locked Doors a little boring until the end. And Break You (which is a short story running only 12% of this entire collection) was very interesting! I would have liked to see the story go on longer as I loved the concept of it. I’m excited now to venture into the other authors books so I can get the full story of the other serial killers who appeared in “Serial” and the Andrew Z. Thomas novels.
September 9, 2014
I had mixed feelings while reading this. It was nice being able to start with the first book in the trilogy and then go on to the next two in order. But I also read the alternate endings for the first two, and then found myself increasing confused about what had happened earlier.
I'm not sure what might have improved that situation besides reading the ones with different endings from start to finish each time, and I don't have the patience to do that. I have so many books on my "to be read" shelf that I'm in a hurry to get to, and I'm impatient. Maybe waiting a year or two before reading the alternate version would be more satisfying.
I'm not sure what might have improved that situation besides reading the ones with different endings from start to finish each time, and I don't have the patience to do that. I have so many books on my "to be read" shelf that I'm in a hurry to get to, and I'm impatient. Maybe waiting a year or two before reading the alternate version would be more satisfying.
December 1, 2011
I'll add a proper review soon, but let me first say, that if you are a fan of psychological thrillers and horror, this book will blow you away. Like most of Crouch's work, this is not for the faint of heart...there are psychopaths a plenty, a fantastic plot, and more twists than you can imagine. This version includes alternate endings for each novel, which are unbelievable. I found myself staring at the words with my mouth open too many times to count. Fair warning though. The subject matter delves into the mind and methods of serial killers, with a twist, but don't read right after dinner.
February 13, 2012
This set of books was supposed to be a page turning horror and compared to Steven King or Dean Koontz’s books was PURE CRAP, not worth reading, finished it and was glad to have to over with! ---still wondering why I did finished it……………
April 13, 2012
This complete series was one of the best purchases i have ever made.
So worth the money paid. Mr. crouch is a talent to be reckoned with.
The whole series is a real nail bitter. I couldn't put it down. I had to keep reading to find out what would happen and at the end i wanted more, more, more.
So worth the money paid. Mr. crouch is a talent to be reckoned with.
The whole series is a real nail bitter. I couldn't put it down. I had to keep reading to find out what would happen and at the end i wanted more, more, more.
September 8, 2015
Firs one was good... they were all good. The intensity and severety of the crimes and malice got pretty disturbing by the 3rd novel in the series. A little to graphic for me but still held enough interest for me to finish it
March 14, 2013
I enjoyed this trilogy very much. I think the last book was the best of the 3. This could be transformed into a thriller phsyco horror movie!
May 30, 2013
Intense to say the absolute least about this omnibus containing all three of the Andrew Z Thomas novels.
January 19, 2014
The first book is pretty good, but I could not get through the second book as it became too violent for me. I prefer a good mystery rather than a thriller.
November 14, 2014
very dark
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews