Skin Deep

by Gary Braver

Someone is killing the most alluring women of Boston. Someone whose keen eye for beauty masks a twisted mind. Someone who insinuates himself into his victims’ lives and leaves them with nothing but an elegant black stocking knotted around their necks.

Homicide detective Lt. Steve Markarian must stop the killer before another vulnerable woman is sacrificed—possibly even his own estranged wife.

Beset with loneliness and addictions, Steve pursues leads all over greater Boston—from the haunts of blue-blooded Brahmins, to seedy strip joints, to mansions by the sea, to the halls of prestigious universities, to the offices of his own precinct—and to the recesses of his own heart, only to discover that he himself may actually be the killer.

In this stunning psychological thriller, bestselling author Gary Braver explores the nature of beauty, how women may strive to achieve it, and the forbidden yearnings that kill in its name.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Medical, Crime

448 pages, Hardcover

First published July 8, 2008

About the author

Gary Braver is the pen name of Gary Goshgarian, the author of six critically acclaimed suspense novels: three under his own name--Atlantis Fire, Rough Beast and The Stone Circle--and three under his pen name--Elixir, Gray Matter, and Flashback. He is also the author of four popular college writing textbooks--Exploring Language, The Contemporary Reader, Dialogues, and What Matters in America.

Gary Goshgarian

Reviews

[Kasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right of the bat I have to say that this isn't a medical thriller, I have read dozens in the last decade and this is laced with some procedures but don't expect Robin Cook or Michael Palmer, nevertheless this had some bits and pieces of surgery laced story that added to the tale and made for an interesting ending. This was my first time reading Gary Braver and after this experience I am curious enough to read more in the future. This tale starts off with a crime, unfortunately this is the only crime that happens for a very long time, how long I can't say but when serial killers are involved, one would expect a bit more action. It appears that beautiful and provocative women are in danger, someone is stalking and killing them, reasons are unknown but for one cop his work becomes reality when it hits little too close to home.

Lieutenant Steve Markarian has just separated from his wife Dana, only to find her visage in all his latest victims. Suddenly every face he sees in criminal files seems to resemble his wife, to make things worse she declares her need for plastic surgery to get rid of imperfections, adding herself to the list of beautiful women that seem to be in danger. Steve is torn between his failing link to his wife and a strange and cruel killer that is outsmarting everyone and running circles around his toughest enemies. The story is fast and intense but seems to run longer than necessary, although it's hard to tell which parts could have been eliminated. The mystery is childishly easy, I pretty much knew who the suspect was from the beginning but it was a decent read with some seductive tid-bits thrown in to keep the reader spell bound.

[Casey Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel as though I should be kind because this book was a gift and I am roughly acquainted with the author (who is a very nice man), but I got 123 pages into this book and had to put it down. I found myself rewriting while I was reading. Nothing concise about it. If you took Creative Writing in college you will know that Braver goes against everything you were taught, and not in a "all the best authors break the rules" sort of way. Too bad, but it's the sad truth.

[Terrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't even believe this is from the same author as Elixir and Gray Matter. It was both predictable and unbelievable.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started this as an audio book, which was a mistake. Creepy, and gross. Well written but never agian.

[Vic · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admit—he had me on the Neil red herring but I swapped to Monks pretty quickly after he started investigating. The only real surprise was the reveal that Monks was a trans woman which. Some real yikes representation there. When Tor betrays me they really go for the kill. Disappointing—especially since I like his other books a lot

[Eliece · Rating 1 out of 5]

YUK!

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skin Deep
Author: Gary Braver
Reviewed by Fran Lewis

Terry Farina had a date. So, what could be deadly or harmful about that? Just the date! A fitness trainer, beautiful and friends with many men on the police force, her gruesome death hit more than a strong chord or nerve when her body was discovered. A black stocking was tied around her neck and she was strangled.

Detective Steve Markarian is the lead on this case. Entering the crime scene he handles things in a professional and meticulous manner. But, he has had some issues with his job with the Boston PD after misreading a case and not handling up to standard. When a Terry Farina is killed and those first on the scene declare it an accidental death as a result of a scaring session, he disagrees. The more he delves into the case, the more clues lead him to realize that it’s murder. This is far from an accident and this victim will not be the last. Imagine women being killed because of their looks? What role does his partner have in all of this since he feels the should not investigate any further? Neil French is Steve’s partner and they disagree on how they should proceed.

Steve’s wife Dana is vain. Although they are separated he still cares about her and becomes more concerned about her safety as time goes on. She is beautiful, striking and yet discontented with her appearance and want to make some changes. At 39 years old she wants to look much younger. Switching gears in her career and changing professions she feels now would be the better time to make some changes in order to compete with women who are much younger. Dana is susceptible to the thoughts of others and is influenced into making an appointment with one of Boston’s best plastic surgeons. Once, there can she change her mind and keep things the way they are? Added to the mix there are many more victims, many more scarfings and one serious connection. All of the women resemble or have some characteristics of Dana, Steve’s wife. Unsettling, scary and frightening to say the lease. Every face, every victim looks like Dana and although he is aware of the connection she now becomes a prime victim for the killer. Skin Deep: Most people just themselves and others by their outer appearances of their facial features. Skin Deep can mean so many different things if you think about it.

As he investigates the murder he begins to realize some memory lapses in his own whereabouts and it frightens him. Even going to the surgeon with Dana enlightens him into the depths that some women will go to in order to have the perfect outer appearance. Trying hard to rekindle his relationship with her proves futile and reconstructing Terry’s murder even more disturbing. Added into the mix is the author’s back-story about a young boy who had an odd or unusual relationship with his stepmother, Lily, an aspiring actress who seems to have a strong hold over him. How this connects to the story you won’t believe and just who it is will surprise you. Gary Braver takes you on an inside journey into the minds of women who feel the need to as he states “reinvent themselves in more ways than one.” Terry Farina was a fitness instructor by day and two nights a week a pole dancer. Her family surprised and not really supportive of Steve’s investigation into their sister’s death finds out that her brother was practically divorced from her life and her sister had limited contact and both new nothing of her second life which was supposed to support her financially to go to school. But, the plot will thicken and more women will be killed and the best is yet to come.

As Steve delves into deeper the comes across an English professor who has the proclivity for coming on to his female students and have rather intense sexual conversations and discussions during his classes. Added to that he asks some out, intimates that their grades might suffer and has a Perv alert attached to his file including suspensions. Not the best professor to have but a suspect nonetheless. But, wait until you learn more about our perverted stepmother, why she thinks what she is doing with her stepson is right, how she explains what she wants him to learn and why he needs to hide her teachings from his father is really sick but will enlighten you to the reasons behind many of the final outcomes. But, wait. There is still more to come and Dana has yet to have her first treatment from Dr. Monks in her effort to turn back the clock as Steve envisions what might have happened to Terry, what she looked like in her other life, other name and sorted activities, leading him to many dead ends and several unanswered questions. As Neil finally admits she was murdered and attempts to assist on the case. You can feel his resentment of Steve and his great skills as a detective.

But, then the body count rises and more women are victims of this killer and the similarities are evident and Steve realizes that Dana just might be in trouble. The author flashes back to the 70’s many times allowing the reader to understand why this person became so determined to kill these women, who inspired him to become the way he is and why he had a fixation with women with red hair and much more. Dealing with an abusive stepmother, a father who turned somewhat of a blind eye and wanting to please her, this person became who he was but not who should have been. This book definitely brings to light what many decide to hide under the rug the issue of child abuse and sexual molestation which the stepmother herself endured at the hand of her own father.

The lessons that Lila teaches her stepson leave scars that are far more reaching than the ones that someone can inflict with a smack. Possessing this child as a man, partner to make her feel wanted and controlling his every move was not only noticed by her husband but by his friends and girlfriend too. Every relationship he had she interfered and ruin. Wanting to become more a movie star she often did not get the part and took it out on everyone else. But, in the present the professor is arrested and the end result you just won’t believe as the suspect list grows, one detective is suspended and one marriage might be permanently over.

Calls come in from other precincts, old cases come to light and more victims of this killer are brought into the forefront even though their deaths were not deemed as murders. As the author once again flashes back to Lila , something happens that changes everything and leaves this young man as a ward of his uncle and aunt. Just what happens to change the complexion of his life you will have to read for yourself. What happened to his father Kirk? Only the killer knows for sure and I won’t reveal that.

Steve reveals his secret regarding the case and the investigation takes on a different turn. As his partner is investigated, the original victim commits suicide and the light in the operating room is turned on Dana. As the killer is once again on the prowl for his next victim will it be too late or will they finally put the pieces of the puzzle together? Each of the victims resemble each other, including Dana, Steve’s wife. Eager for some reason to reconnect with her even though she is trying to move on, what happens will surprise the reader and definitely make you wonder whether plastic surgeons only care about the money or really care about the patient and the end result. Who is the killer? Who enjoys taking a black stock and strangling the victim? You will never guess it in a million years and I surely won’t spoil it for you.

When the pieces of the faces begin to fall into place you won’t believe which one the killer wants to destroy next. An ending that is spinetingling and a detective that is relentless to make sure that Dana won’t be the killer’s next victim. The killer’s plan too diabolical to reveal. What happens will make you think twice about what is really important in life. Your outer appearance is not what makes you the person you are it is what is inside of you in your heart that is really Skin Deep.

Author Gary Braver takes the reader inside the operating room of a noted plastic surgeon, the mind of a demented killer and the investigators that stop at nothing to find him before another victim gets scarfed. One great thriller. One great author. One great detective. Hope he brings him back for more.

Fran Lewis: Reviewer

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wasn't going to read this book, I was going to skip it cause I had thought I'd already read Skin Deep but according to goodreads, this doesn't have a review. So, unless I have read it before but never reviewed it or maybe it's just gone spot from spot in my room and my mind went "yeah, this is read"..who knows.

But I do know that if I like this one, work has its next book in our free library, so I can nab the copy after reading this.

Not gonna lie..I can't really tell you what I read. No, not cause of the internet's censorship but I mean, I didn't retain a thing from this book.

Something to do with a boy getting sexually and emotional abused by his step mum. Also a woman being struggled by black stocking and looking like a sex act gone wrong. As well as a doctor who performs plastic surgery.

Even though it explained how all three are connected, I'm still not sure.

[Snork · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a special place in my heart as the book that got me back into reading. even though it was fairly predictable, and some of the ways the author describes women could find a place on r/menwritingwomen, i loved it. it was weird and it was gross. i found it at the thrift store for free and it's stuck with me.

[Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skin Deep was a decent Horror/Thriller genre book. I must admit that I knew who the killer was from the first few chapters. Other than that it was a interesting to read tons of detail and definitely made my skin crawl with the description of the murder.

[Jerry Peace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read for a lot of reasons. And one reason is to take a little vacation. And on this little vacation, I just had to run across Donald Trump on page 357. Great.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

eind beetje ongeloofwaardig. de rest wel aardig. je hebt gevoel dat 1 vd 3 hoofdrolspelers de dader is.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a killer on the loose in Boston!

This killer leaves his victims breathless. The victims are strangled with a black stocking. The latest victim to fall prey is none other then Terry Farina. Terry was a professional fitness trainer during the day and part -time stripper by night. Now it's Detective Steve Markarian's job to find the killer before it's too late. When starts investigating why Terry Farina was killed, Steve uncovers the disturbing and twisted mind of a psychopathic killer. But the more Steve digs, he realizes that the killer just may be closer then he thinks. In fact the killer's next victim is none other then Steve's wife Dana. The problem is Steve still has no clue who the killer's true identity really is. Can Steve solve the mystery before Dana's put to rest forever?


First off let me start by saying when I saw that Skin Deep by Gary Braver was coming out, I was so excited. This is one author that anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers will enjoy. I read Elixir by Mr. Braver a couple of years ago and was captivated by it. So much that I can remember it still. The plot in Skin Deep is dark as well as a heart-pounding thrill ride. From the moment I picked up this book I found myself immersed in it. I couldn't stop reading it. In fact I finished this book in two days. I felt that the killer's character has some great depth to it. Detective Steve also has a good range of emotion to him. Skin Deep is everything I thought it would be and more. Gary Braver's books are a must read! So go out and pick yourself up a copy today of Skin Deep. You won't regret it. In fact you will be asking yourself "Why didn't I read one sooner".

[Nate Vasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was a good book it kept me going its one of the books i actualy have stayed up tio read at night.Its a book that keeps u wondering you want to know more information.But i uasualy take a month to two months to read big books because i uasualy dont have time.This book on theother hand right after football practice i ride the bus reading this book i make my time to read it was A outstanding book.

this book took place in boston,someone is cleverly murdering very buitefull woman.And the person that is despret to find the killer is detective steve markarianwhose normaly razor sharp mind may just be a little cluttered with his own personal issues including dealing with a recent seperation from his wife and a couple of very incompatible adittions as he trys to find the nameless faceless killer

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book, but nothing special. The beginning was tough to get through for me, lots of technical jargon. But one of the threads of the story is very interesting to read and I found myself rushing through the other parts to get back to that one intriguing and beautifully articulated story line. It really picks up at the end and I think it was worth the time spent to read, but this definitely did not grab me by the throat by any means. I expect more suspense from thrillers, so in the end I was disappointed. But there were enough moments along the way to make the overall experience more positive than negative. From what I've read here, I might have better luck with some of Mr. Braver's other novels.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Gary Braver's Skin Deep, he explored another angle of medical science in this intriguing thriller. Someone was killing alluring woman in Boston, who also had the keen eye for beauty, and had insinuated himself into their lives, except for leaving a knotted stocking around their necks. For Homicide Detective Steve Markarian, he was on the hunt for the killer, before another vulnerable woman might be sacrificed, like his estranged wife. With loneliness and addictions, he searched everywhere in the heart of Boston for the killer, including his police precinct, and into the deep recesses of his heart, to discover he might be the killer himself.

[Darden North · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read over a week-long vacation, but a disturbing piece of fiction. Braver is able to hide the real killer from the reader until about 3/4 of the way through and handles the disguise in a clever way. He convolutes the ending to break the predictable "cops to the rescue just in the nick-of-time" climax but spoils it somewhat with wordy backstory in the last few pages.

I recommend this novel to thriller fans.

[Jackie Jameson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good for what it was. Cop and wife relationship kinda stupid to me, but that didn't stand in the way of it being a fairly good read. I won't remember reading it 2 months from now, but the writing was good enough compared to some other stuff I've attempted lately out there. Read kind of like an episode of "Nip, Tuck", if you saw that defies some years ago. Pretty good for what it presented itself to be. Color me "pleased."

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good! I kind knew what was going to happen, but wasn't certain enought to let the ending be spoiled. In fact, about 5 pages from the end a sligt twist was added that made me think I was wrong - Kudos! Interesting characters and good dialogue. The only thing I didn't like was the wife - what a total jerk!

[Roger Scherping · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, but very little suspense until the very end. For the first 400 pages, the only exciting thing that happened was the search of the partner's apartment. For the most part, I really felt that the book just dragged on and on. Most of the plot came just from observing the lives of two very insecure people.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must not read enough thrillers because I didn't catch on who the killer was until it was revealed.

The step-mother was truly SICK!! She created the killer.

His thwarted plan at the end was horrific.

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover of this book advertises it as a medical thriller...not so sure it qualifies as medical! But it kept me guessing most of the way through and the characters were well-drawn and believable. Good mystery and I enjoyed it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping medical thriller, intricate plot, with a fitting twist at the end. I liked the Boston setting, although none of the characters rode the T and they never went to Cambridge.

[Ted · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent but not great read. Formulaic and predictable plot but good pacing.

[Zulma Diaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, though very graphic! I couldn't put it down, even when I was most uncomfortable reading some of the more disturbing parts. I would read another of his books.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent murder mystery with some good twists and turns. Good medical thriller undertones as well.

[Cindy Bertossa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those where you think you have it figured out, but then when you actually do figure it out you have to go back and re-read parts and then it's like "oh yeah, now I get it". Loved it!

[JP O'Donnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good dialogue and character descriptions, but an uncomfortable topic that sometimes makes you squirm. I thought there were too many early clues that gave the ending away.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing author, really knows how to write. As for the book itself, I found the idea very....original,wouln`t really call it a medical drama though but still very good.

[Victoria Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opening scene is nerve wracking and gruesomely descriptive. Precisely what any horror fan would love. Gary Braver is a fantastic writer.