Becker's Ring

by Steven Martin Cohen

What David Lynch's Blue Velvet and Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction brought to movie audiences, Becker's Ring brings to the reading public--a dark, daring portrait of America, delivered with a manic, off-the-wall humor. Weird, wild, and utterly original, Becker's Ring will have readers teetering on the uneasy edge between fear and antic fun.

Hardcover

First published January 30, 1996

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Slow going to start, because it’s a bit cold, but the combination of meticulous science and audacious plotting led to a slow building climax that was thoroughly satisfying. I’ll definitely look for other books by this unique author.

[Susan Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a GREAT thriller - it's pretty gruesome but a terrific story that holds you from first word until last.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like my gory horror film, and although I wouldn't say this is gory it's certainly strange and disturbing. Someone is kidnaping recently released criminals and turning them into.....hoopers as Nigel calls them. Their arms are sewn together and their lips are sewn shut with a hole in their mouth for them to fed through.

What a deranged mind! And I loved it. My favourite characters were actually Nigel who is the scientist that helps the detective, he is just so off the wall and has a thing for Asian women with red hair.

The first 3/4 were very good with what was happening to the ex-cons, and the last third where they are trying to find out who the villain is was a bit slower spaced for me. It didn't detract from the book I just enjoyed the start more then I did the ending.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this book. It's disturbing, dark, crude, and often times hilarious. There's something about reading a story where the antihero is carving up murderers on parole to satisfy their own sick and twisted ideas on the demands of justice that really makes you sit back and think. At first I was cheering the culprit on, then toward the end you realize just what this person is doing and thinking and it's easy to cheer against them. Overall, worth the read. I would probably visit this book again in the future.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good story that puts a sick twist on vigilantism.
The cover blurb pretty much sums up what to expect: 'bound to be compared to the works of Lynch and Tarantino'. I did like it but the only beef I have is I would have liked it to be less light-hearted. This could have been much creepier, but I think a lot of you will still enjoy it.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid thriller, liberally laced with humor, centering on some "very in-ter-es-ting" crimes.

[Shari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hoop people? Weird!

[Drachen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem of a book. The premise is unique, characters are very balanced and the dialogue is very witty. One of my favorite books.

[Lynne Block · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tedious/not believable

[Sharon Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisted subject matter but very well written, making it one of those books you just can't put down.

[Skye Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read. Fast paced and keeps you guessing.