What do you think?
Rate this book
Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne #8
Ο Κουκλοποιός
Μια γυναίκα κάνει ποδήλατο με την κόρη της σ' ένα ήσυχο προάστιο της Φιλαδέλφειας.
Εκεί, μπροστά από έναν παλιό σιδηροδρομικό σταθμό, ανακαλύπτει ένα νεκρό κορίτσι καθισμένο σ' ένα φρεσκοβαμμένο παγκάκι. Το κορίτσι έχει δολοφονηθεί. Και δίπλα του υπάρχει μια επίσημη πρόσκληση σε μια χοροεσπερίδα για την επόμενη εβδομάδα.
Εφτά μέρες αργότερα, δύο ακόμη θύματα ανακαλύπτονται σε ένα εγκαταλελειμμένο κτίριο. Δυο δολοφονημένα αγόρια, τοποθετημένα πάνω σε δύο βαμμένες κούνιες. Και δίπλα τους μια πανομοιότυπη πρόσκληση. Αυτή τη φορά, όμως, υπάρχει και κάτι άλλο. Πίσω από τα δύο θύματα στέκεται μια πορσελάνινη κούκλα. Πρόκειται για ένα μήνυμα. Μια απειλή.
Τώρα, οι ντετέκτιβ Κέβιν Μπερν και Τζέσικα Μπαλζάνο έχουν μπροστά τους μόλις εφτά μέρες για να ανακαλύψουν τη σύνδεση μεταξύ των φόνων και να εμποδίσουν τον φρικτό θάνατο ενός ακόμη παιδιού. Και ο χρόνος τρέχει…
Εκεί, μπροστά από έναν παλιό σιδηροδρομικό σταθμό, ανακαλύπτει ένα νεκρό κορίτσι καθισμένο σ' ένα φρεσκοβαμμένο παγκάκι. Το κορίτσι έχει δολοφονηθεί. Και δίπλα του υπάρχει μια επίσημη πρόσκληση σε μια χοροεσπερίδα για την επόμενη εβδομάδα.
Εφτά μέρες αργότερα, δύο ακόμη θύματα ανακαλύπτονται σε ένα εγκαταλελειμμένο κτίριο. Δυο δολοφονημένα αγόρια, τοποθετημένα πάνω σε δύο βαμμένες κούνιες. Και δίπλα τους μια πανομοιότυπη πρόσκληση. Αυτή τη φορά, όμως, υπάρχει και κάτι άλλο. Πίσω από τα δύο θύματα στέκεται μια πορσελάνινη κούκλα. Πρόκειται για ένα μήνυμα. Μια απειλή.
Τώρα, οι ντετέκτιβ Κέβιν Μπερν και Τζέσικα Μπαλζάνο έχουν μπροστά τους μόλις εφτά μέρες για να ανακαλύψουν τη σύνδεση μεταξύ των φόνων και να εμποδίσουν τον φρικτό θάνατο ενός ακόμη παιδιού. Και ο χρόνος τρέχει…
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
83 people are currently reading
3098 people want to read
About the author
Richard Montanari
25 books885 followersRichard Montanari is the Top Ten Sunday Times bestselling author of The Rosary Girls, The Killing Room, The Stolen Ones and the upcoming thriller, The Doll Maker.
Series:
* Jack Paris
* Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne
Series:
* Jack Paris
* Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews
January 17, 2024
Some children vanished and were killed. The case seems to be closed. A mysterious woman awaiting death penalty for killing children. Again children who abducted and murdered in a spectacular way. Can Jessica Balzano and Kevin Byrne identify the mysterious perp(s)? This is a very compelling tight knit story about some lost souls trying to save their mother. Who was their mother? What do we know about her children. Who are Mr Marseille and Annabelle? Excellent detective work. You feel directly by their side. What is the reference to dolls? Why remind the corpses on dolls? Richard Montanari does it again. This is hell of a thriller. A true nightmare with many eerie motifs. Highly recommended!
October 3, 2016
Richard Montanari has quickly climbed the list of my favorite, and go-to authors when I need a fix on a well written crime procedural that keeps me guessing from page one to page...whatever. I was first introduced to the crime-fighting duo Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balsano in The Stolen Ones. It is there I first realized Montanari was an author I should be on the lookout for.
The Doll Maker is a multi-layered mystery that leads Byrne and Balzano on a race against time and a criminal mastermind who invites each of his victims on a the Dansant that is a tea dance that's more macabre than Cinderella-esque. The first victim found on a lonely park bench, leads to the next invitation, and clue for the "Dansant". A dansant that includes the death of innocent children, ending in an intricate display of them as dolls. Seems familiar?
We are allowed moments, and clues, that help us to determine who the possible killers could be. And while we work on the clues provided, there's another mystery brewing. Byrne is haunted by a case from 10 years earlier that is similar to the one at hand. A woman was accused and found guilty of killing children. Byrne is not satisfied with the case being closed and goes as far as... well you'll just have to read it. All I'll divulge is that the two crimes might have more in common than expected.
Anyway, The Doll Maker is definitely a must-read. This is only the second book I've read by Richard Montanari but he's proven his position on my list of must reads. I can't wait for the next installment of the Byrne and Balzano series. Montanari is definitely an author to watch for.
Copy provided by Mulholland Books via Netgalley
The Doll Maker is a multi-layered mystery that leads Byrne and Balzano on a race against time and a criminal mastermind who invites each of his victims on a the Dansant that is a tea dance that's more macabre than Cinderella-esque. The first victim found on a lonely park bench, leads to the next invitation, and clue for the "Dansant". A dansant that includes the death of innocent children, ending in an intricate display of them as dolls. Seems familiar?
We are allowed moments, and clues, that help us to determine who the possible killers could be. And while we work on the clues provided, there's another mystery brewing. Byrne is haunted by a case from 10 years earlier that is similar to the one at hand. A woman was accused and found guilty of killing children. Byrne is not satisfied with the case being closed and goes as far as... well you'll just have to read it. All I'll divulge is that the two crimes might have more in common than expected.
Anyway, The Doll Maker is definitely a must-read. This is only the second book I've read by Richard Montanari but he's proven his position on my list of must reads. I can't wait for the next installment of the Byrne and Balzano series. Montanari is definitely an author to watch for.
Copy provided by Mulholland Books via Netgalley
April 29, 2015
When I was going to add and rate this novel I discovered that it was the eighth in a series of novels featuring the two main detectives.
I had no idea. It’s weird for me to come across a series going on this long and not having any clue about it’s existence. I still can’t picture a single other book by this author in my head. I don’t know exactly what that says either about the popularity of the series or my ability at my job.
I didn’t love this book. I really liked the prologue, and I really liked the voices given to the criminals in their chapters, but a lot of the rest of the book left me not so excited.
There was a scene early on in the book where the detectives come across the first body and a clue / taunt from the killer is left. One of the words is in French. There is a point made that none of the detectives or the cops at the crime scene speak any French. Maybe some would know Spanish but none of them knew any French. There is the feeling of, damn if we could just know what this word means maybe we could make heads or tails of this clue!
Why doesn’t one of them just pull out their smart phone? It had already been established that at least one of them had one.
Why do I bring this up? I don’t really know, it’s just a small kind of thing that irritates me, and a reason why I think I like crime novels that take place in the distant past where people didn’t have phones on them, there is a larger element of disbelief you need to establish when people are walking around with GPS enabled super-computers in their pockets.
Is that this books fault? No. It’s just something I got annoyed at.
Thinking of the book as the eighth in a series makes me wonder if there is something ‘comfortable’ in this book that fans of the series would like and which I just couldn’t slip into. I didn’t really like the dialogue between most of the cops, but maybe it was just because there were established relationships that let that kind of dialogue work, I want to give it the benefit of the doubt, especially since i see so many raves here in a quick perusal of the community reviews.
The book was fun though. And it was better than some other mystery novels I’ve read recently (which makes me think maybe I should spend the little free time I have these days picking my own books to read not reading just released mystery/crime novels, and maybe pick some other types of books from the towering 9 stacks of ARCs threatening to crush me in my sleep—or better yet maybe actually read some of those other giant stacks of books I spent actual money on? (***disclaimer I rarely read anything I’ve paid money for, this book included, no one in their right mind would give me money to write a review for their book and a free copy of a book would be a really shitty enticement to write a good but dishonest review of a book (Hi, Federal Trade Commission!)***)).
Actually I think I would have liked the book a lot more if it had been pruned down a little bit, like by about 20 percent. But that could just be because I wasn’t emotionally involved with any of the characters and maybe reading the previous novels I’d be more interested in some of the details of their life. But I didn’t think that it should have been a bit leaner. It was a fast read though so it wasn’t a giant complaint.
As I’ve written this I realized that there was something very Pelecanos about the novel, but not just in the areas that Pelecanos excels, but also in some of the ways in giving a bit too much local color and making the dialogue sometimes feel like it’s been taken from a travel guide promoting all the best local favorites of a city.
This review kind of sucks, I’m really out of practice writing these things. The book is better written than this crap I’m about to click post and litter the internet with.
I had no idea. It’s weird for me to come across a series going on this long and not having any clue about it’s existence. I still can’t picture a single other book by this author in my head. I don’t know exactly what that says either about the popularity of the series or my ability at my job.
I didn’t love this book. I really liked the prologue, and I really liked the voices given to the criminals in their chapters, but a lot of the rest of the book left me not so excited.
There was a scene early on in the book where the detectives come across the first body and a clue / taunt from the killer is left. One of the words is in French. There is a point made that none of the detectives or the cops at the crime scene speak any French. Maybe some would know Spanish but none of them knew any French. There is the feeling of, damn if we could just know what this word means maybe we could make heads or tails of this clue!
Why doesn’t one of them just pull out their smart phone? It had already been established that at least one of them had one.
Why do I bring this up? I don’t really know, it’s just a small kind of thing that irritates me, and a reason why I think I like crime novels that take place in the distant past where people didn’t have phones on them, there is a larger element of disbelief you need to establish when people are walking around with GPS enabled super-computers in their pockets.
Is that this books fault? No. It’s just something I got annoyed at.
Thinking of the book as the eighth in a series makes me wonder if there is something ‘comfortable’ in this book that fans of the series would like and which I just couldn’t slip into. I didn’t really like the dialogue between most of the cops, but maybe it was just because there were established relationships that let that kind of dialogue work, I want to give it the benefit of the doubt, especially since i see so many raves here in a quick perusal of the community reviews.
The book was fun though. And it was better than some other mystery novels I’ve read recently (which makes me think maybe I should spend the little free time I have these days picking my own books to read not reading just released mystery/crime novels, and maybe pick some other types of books from the towering 9 stacks of ARCs threatening to crush me in my sleep—or better yet maybe actually read some of those other giant stacks of books I spent actual money on? (***disclaimer I rarely read anything I’ve paid money for, this book included, no one in their right mind would give me money to write a review for their book and a free copy of a book would be a really shitty enticement to write a good but dishonest review of a book (Hi, Federal Trade Commission!)***)).
Actually I think I would have liked the book a lot more if it had been pruned down a little bit, like by about 20 percent. But that could just be because I wasn’t emotionally involved with any of the characters and maybe reading the previous novels I’d be more interested in some of the details of their life. But I didn’t think that it should have been a bit leaner. It was a fast read though so it wasn’t a giant complaint.
As I’ve written this I realized that there was something very Pelecanos about the novel, but not just in the areas that Pelecanos excels, but also in some of the ways in giving a bit too much local color and making the dialogue sometimes feel like it’s been taken from a travel guide promoting all the best local favorites of a city.
This review kind of sucks, I’m really out of practice writing these things. The book is better written than this crap I’m about to click post and litter the internet with.
August 22, 2016
Είμαι απο τους ανθρώπους που πιστεύει ότι το ultimate beach read είναι ένα καλό αστυνομικό βιβλίο. Εφέτος έκαμα το λάθος και πήρα μαζί μου εις την Κεφαλληνία μερικούς τίτλους βιβλίων που ενώ είμαι σίγουρη πως είναι εξαίρετοι δεν μου έκαναν καθόλου “κλίκ”. Έμεινα χωρίς βιβλίο και αυτό όπως ξέρουμε δεν είναι καθόλου καλό για εμάς τα σκουλικάκια των βιβλίων. Κόντα στον τόπο διαμονής μου ήσαν ένα μικρό βιβλιοπωλείο το οποίο το τίμησα δεόντως αγοράζοντας όχι μόνο αυτό το βιβλίο για το οποίο θα σας μιλήσω σήμερα αλλά και δυο συλλογές ποιημάτων για τις οποίες θα σας μιλήσω σε άλλο ποστ.
Λοιπόν back to the point, το βιβλίο το συμπάθησα. Ανοίγοντας τις σελίδες και διαβάζοντας την αρχή φοβήθηκα ότι θα πάρει την ήδη πεπατημένη οδό αλλα γρήγορα με διέψευσε και συνέχισε με ένα ομόρφο και ικανοποιήτικο ρυθμό. Το μυθιστόρημα αυτό ανήκει σε μια σείρα με αυτοτελή βιβλία που έχουν σα κεντρικούς ήρωες τον Κέβιν Μπέρν και την Τζέσικα Μπαλζάνο, ντεντέκτιβ της αστυνομίας της Φιλαδέλφειας. Διαβάζεται χωρίς να γνωρίζεις τίποτα απο τα προηγούμενα βιβλία μιας και οι χαρακτήρες γίνονται πολύ οικείοι, τους συμπαθείς και μπορείς εύκολα να τους τοποθετήσεις μέσα στις εικόνες που σου δημιουργεί η ιστορία. Τα κεφάλαια εναλλάσσονται μεταξύ των κεντρικών ηρωών, των δύο υπόπτων αλλά και δυο ακόμα ηρωών ένα στοιχείο που εμένα μου αρέσει διότι με ξεκουράσει και μπορώ να γνωρίζω καλύτερα και άλλους χαρακτήρες.
Η υποθέση είναι αρκετά ενδιαφέρουσα και έχει ενα ανατριχιαστικό “αέρα”. Αμα σε φρικάρουν οι πορσελάνινες κούκλες τότε πρέπει να ξέρεις πως στο βιβλίο υπάρχουν πολλές! Παρόλο που όπως προείπα ήταν [η ιστορία] αρκετά ενδιαφέρουσα μερικές φορές ένιωθα ότι δεν ήταν τόσο “στερεά” δεμένη, μετά το πέρας της ανάγνωσης αισθάνομουν ότι κάτι δεν με έπεισε στην υπόθεση. Ένω στην άρχη μέσα απο τις ματίες των ενόχων νίωθεις πως σου δίνεται η ευκαίρια να δεις τους κακούς της ιστορίας να εξελίσονται μπροστά σου στην πορεία αισθάνεσαι πως δεν λαμβάνεις πολλά απο αυτούς, είναι ιδιαίτερα πλασμάτα αλλά δεν τους βλέπεις στο βάθος του.
Εν κατακλείδι, το ευχαριστήθηκα. Ήταν ότι πρέπει για τις υπέροχες παραλίες του νησίου και με έκανε να θυμηθώ τα χρόνια που διάβαζα μόνο αστυνομικά!
Το συστήνω!
Λοιπόν back to the point, το βιβλίο το συμπάθησα. Ανοίγοντας τις σελίδες και διαβάζοντας την αρχή φοβήθηκα ότι θα πάρει την ήδη πεπατημένη οδό αλλα γρήγορα με διέψευσε και συνέχισε με ένα ομόρφο και ικανοποιήτικο ρυθμό. Το μυθιστόρημα αυτό ανήκει σε μια σείρα με αυτοτελή βιβλία που έχουν σα κεντρικούς ήρωες τον Κέβιν Μπέρν και την Τζέσικα Μπαλζάνο, ντεντέκτιβ της αστυνομίας της Φιλαδέλφειας. Διαβάζεται χωρίς να γνωρίζεις τίποτα απο τα προηγούμενα βιβλία μιας και οι χαρακτήρες γίνονται πολύ οικείοι, τους συμπαθείς και μπορείς εύκολα να τους τοποθετήσεις μέσα στις εικόνες που σου δημιουργεί η ιστορία. Τα κεφάλαια εναλλάσσονται μεταξύ των κεντρικών ηρωών, των δύο υπόπτων αλλά και δυο ακόμα ηρωών ένα στοιχείο που εμένα μου αρέσει διότι με ξεκουράσει και μπορώ να γνωρίζω καλύτερα και άλλους χαρακτήρες.
Η υποθέση είναι αρκετά ενδιαφέρουσα και έχει ενα ανατριχιαστικό “αέρα”. Αμα σε φρικάρουν οι πορσελάνινες κούκλες τότε πρέπει να ξέρεις πως στο βιβλίο υπάρχουν πολλές! Παρόλο που όπως προείπα ήταν [η ιστορία] αρκετά ενδιαφέρουσα μερικές φορές ένιωθα ότι δεν ήταν τόσο “στερεά” δεμένη, μετά το πέρας της ανάγνωσης αισθάνομουν ότι κάτι δεν με έπεισε στην υπόθεση. Ένω στην άρχη μέσα απο τις ματίες των ενόχων νίωθεις πως σου δίνεται η ευκαίρια να δεις τους κακούς της ιστορίας να εξελίσονται μπροστά σου στην πορεία αισθάνεσαι πως δεν λαμβάνεις πολλά απο αυτούς, είναι ιδιαίτερα πλασμάτα αλλά δεν τους βλέπεις στο βάθος του.
Εν κατακλείδι, το ευχαριστήθηκα. Ήταν ότι πρέπει για τις υπέροχες παραλίες του νησίου και με έκανε να θυμηθώ τα χρόνια που διάβαζα μόνο αστυνομικά!
Το συστήνω!
September 10, 2024
Another average thriller read, I was losing track of who's who in parts, I'm not sure if that was because they weren't different enough from each other or because this is the 8th in a series. I do think this is readable as a standalone but I might have felt more connected to the characters if I had read the other books in the series.
The plot line was interesting enough with a good amount of exploration into mental health and what might create a killer. The parts surrounding dolls were the highlight's of this book, very creepy and well researched. It was well written but it didn't do a great job of building suspense. It kept me wanting to read on for sure, but it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat I was just plodding along.
Mr Marselle was the best written characters and I would have liked more chapters surrounding him, the relationship between him an Annabelle was also interesting to read. This is a book I will forget in a few weeks time and I won't be looking out for more in the series.
The plot line was interesting enough with a good amount of exploration into mental health and what might create a killer. The parts surrounding dolls were the highlight's of this book, very creepy and well researched. It was well written but it didn't do a great job of building suspense. It kept me wanting to read on for sure, but it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat I was just plodding along.
Mr Marselle was the best written characters and I would have liked more chapters surrounding him, the relationship between him an Annabelle was also interesting to read. This is a book I will forget in a few weeks time and I won't be looking out for more in the series.
December 18, 2018
Έξυπνο και "αρρωστημένο",γεμάτο εκπλήξεις και ανατροπές.Ιδιαίτεροι χαρακτήρες όλοι τους, ύποπτοι,δολοφόνοι και δολοφονημένοι,σε μια ιστορία που μπλέκει τη θανατική ποινή και την αβυσσαλέα παιδική ψυχή σε ένα πολύ δυνατό αστυνομικό θρίλερ.Πολύ καλός Montanari για άλλη μια φορά!5🌟
March 18, 2015
A well written serial killer thriller, concerning a series of bizarre child murders in Philadelphia, weaving realistic police procedural, and a complex mystery into a better than average chiller.
The twists and turns in the manhunt for the maniacs are refreshingly unexpected, as are the killers themselves, and the lead characters are well rounded and fascinating.
I will definitely be checking out the rest of this series.
This was an e-ARC from Netgalley.
The twists and turns in the manhunt for the maniacs are refreshingly unexpected, as are the killers themselves, and the lead characters are well rounded and fascinating.
I will definitely be checking out the rest of this series.
This was an e-ARC from Netgalley.
July 17, 2014
So another outing for one of my favourite detective duo’s Byrne and Balzano, and another terrifically chilling journey into the heart of darkness.
I love these books even though, frankly, Mr Montanari’s “bad guys” tend to scare the bejeezus out of me and usually stalk me around my dreams during the reading experience, often lingering for quite a while afterwards. Hey we all like to be scared occasionally and for me, the scariest moments come not from monsters under the bed but the monsters hidden in plain sight – and this is what this author pulls off so well every single time.
The series has grown in stature with every book since its beginnings in “The Rosary Girls”, one of the best things about it being the main character progression – both Jessica and Kevin have come a long way since we first met them way back when, and meeting them again is always a joy. In this instalment they are facing true horror as the city’s children are in danger and it is a race against time to prevent another loss – but this may come a little closer to home than either of them expect.
I’m always addicted once I start – the plotting is intelligent and keeps you on the edge of your seat, but there is also a lot of emotional depth to all the people and a really really good sense of place which keeps you immersed in the story throughout. The villains get as much attention as our good guys – the reason why I get so freaked out by them is because the psychological depth is always extremely well drawn, the backstory clever and the feel for them real. They could be you. They could be me. Its ok…its not me!
Overall a brilliant addition to an already brilliant series and one I would highly recommend for any Crime Fiction fan.
Happy Reading Folks!
**Received via Netgalley**
I love these books even though, frankly, Mr Montanari’s “bad guys” tend to scare the bejeezus out of me and usually stalk me around my dreams during the reading experience, often lingering for quite a while afterwards. Hey we all like to be scared occasionally and for me, the scariest moments come not from monsters under the bed but the monsters hidden in plain sight – and this is what this author pulls off so well every single time.
The series has grown in stature with every book since its beginnings in “The Rosary Girls”, one of the best things about it being the main character progression – both Jessica and Kevin have come a long way since we first met them way back when, and meeting them again is always a joy. In this instalment they are facing true horror as the city’s children are in danger and it is a race against time to prevent another loss – but this may come a little closer to home than either of them expect.
I’m always addicted once I start – the plotting is intelligent and keeps you on the edge of your seat, but there is also a lot of emotional depth to all the people and a really really good sense of place which keeps you immersed in the story throughout. The villains get as much attention as our good guys – the reason why I get so freaked out by them is because the psychological depth is always extremely well drawn, the backstory clever and the feel for them real. They could be you. They could be me. Its ok…its not me!
Overall a brilliant addition to an already brilliant series and one I would highly recommend for any Crime Fiction fan.
Happy Reading Folks!
**Received via Netgalley**
April 2, 2017
Philadelphia homicide detectives Byrne & Belzano have appeared in some great stories over the years, but sadly this isn't one of them. Richard Montanari creates a rather plodding & lifeless story, which only has glimpses of his usual gripping narratives. My only criticism of his previous works featuring theses detectives is that too much time is spent on the character's home lives & not on the crimes themselves. This time he avoids those problems, but fails to produce a satisfying tale in its place.
April 29, 2015
Here we meet the detective duo’s Byrne and Balzano again in this book. The previous books were chilling I thought, but this one, boy, oh boy. This one entered my dreams.
You don't have to read the others in the series to appreciate this one, this can be read as a stand alone.
We take a look at serial killers in this book, killers of children. But....when these children are found, so is a doll in the replica of them!!! oh boy was this so chilling, so chilling I am sure my blood was not just running cold but freezing.
Although the ending could be predicted, I can't say it spoiled the excitement for me.
Children + killers are a sore subject to read about and I wasn't sure if I could stomach it.
I did though, its cleverly written, however, its so cleverly written that if you have a vivid imagination like mine.....you see it all in technicolor!!!
Super thriller
My thanks go to Mulholland Books via Net Galley for my copy to read and review
October 1, 2015
The Doll Maker by Richard Montanari is a intrinsically woven mystery of murder, terror, and madness that is as dark and disturbing as sitting down to a quiet brunch and coming to the realization that you are what's on the menu. Obviously I loved it! At a time when we are receiving watered down versions of murder and mystery, Montanari has written a scary, bloody, unapologetic mentally disturbed novel of death and mayhem.
In a quiet suburb of Philadelphia, a murdered young girl is found posed on a bench in front of a train depot. The bench is freshly painted and beside the body is an envelope. Inside, is a formal invitation to a tea dance in the upcoming week. The body of the dead girl is Nicole Solomon, whose father commits suicide upon learning of his daughter's death. There is no motive for her murder and in the following week, two more young victims are found.
"...In the corner of the room, behind the two dead boys, stood a doll. The doll was perhaps twelve inches tall, and appeared to be made of porcelain. It seemed to be looking at the two victims in the center of the room.
But as bizarre as this tableau was, as strange as it was to have a doll deliberately placed in the corner of the room, these things were not what took Jessica's breath away.
She had seen the doll before. She had seen the white blouse, the dark skirt, the dark shoes. She had seen the deep brunette hair, as well as the chocolate brown eyes with irises flecked with gold.
I worked that scene. Last week. I was there.
Now Jessica understood what Officer Lynn Betley meant.
The doll was Nicole Solomon.
Detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano are faced with the serial murders of young children. The bodies posed and left behind, the porcelain re-creations of the prior killing. Along with it, an invitation to the next killing, a tea party. Along with this is the haunting cold cases that weighing on the Detectives, deaths of young children in the past that are open only because the murderess will not confess. The murderess who is presently on death row and will take the closure of those missing children with her when she dies. Leaving the families never knowing the truth.
What ties Nicole to the two boys? Why did her father kill himself when learning the truth and why did he call the phone number of a woman who had no idea who he was? A woman who is the mother of two young boys.
Byrne and Balzano are chasing a faceless killer. But as the clues begin to come together, the Detectives know they are faced with a darker madness than they had first believed. Killers groomed from their childhood to do what they are doing. For the killers are doing more than killing the children.
"...They rode in silence on the way back to the Roundhouse. Jessica was certain that the images floating through her partner's mind were all but identical to the images in hers.
The killer was marking his victims with a sewing needle, after they had died.
Neither detective said it out loud, but there could be no mistake.
The killer was turning his victims into dolls..."
Montanari has crafted a mystery that will encompass generations of pain and trauma to result in the development of killer whose sole purpose is to punish those who has stolen from them the only thing the killer held dear. It is gritty and harsh and with incredible cadence as the tale moves deftly through the past and the present of each of the characters. Montanari ties these together with the talent of an old world seamstress, until finally the motive, the pain and the blood pour forth.
What is best about this novel is finding out that it is part of an on going series and that there up at least seven more mysteries of Byrne and Balzano and the dirty streets of Philadelphia to enjoy.
This is an author who has just blown up my TBR list!
In a quiet suburb of Philadelphia, a murdered young girl is found posed on a bench in front of a train depot. The bench is freshly painted and beside the body is an envelope. Inside, is a formal invitation to a tea dance in the upcoming week. The body of the dead girl is Nicole Solomon, whose father commits suicide upon learning of his daughter's death. There is no motive for her murder and in the following week, two more young victims are found.
"...In the corner of the room, behind the two dead boys, stood a doll. The doll was perhaps twelve inches tall, and appeared to be made of porcelain. It seemed to be looking at the two victims in the center of the room.
But as bizarre as this tableau was, as strange as it was to have a doll deliberately placed in the corner of the room, these things were not what took Jessica's breath away.
She had seen the doll before. She had seen the white blouse, the dark skirt, the dark shoes. She had seen the deep brunette hair, as well as the chocolate brown eyes with irises flecked with gold.
I worked that scene. Last week. I was there.
Now Jessica understood what Officer Lynn Betley meant.
The doll was Nicole Solomon.
Detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano are faced with the serial murders of young children. The bodies posed and left behind, the porcelain re-creations of the prior killing. Along with it, an invitation to the next killing, a tea party. Along with this is the haunting cold cases that weighing on the Detectives, deaths of young children in the past that are open only because the murderess will not confess. The murderess who is presently on death row and will take the closure of those missing children with her when she dies. Leaving the families never knowing the truth.
What ties Nicole to the two boys? Why did her father kill himself when learning the truth and why did he call the phone number of a woman who had no idea who he was? A woman who is the mother of two young boys.
Byrne and Balzano are chasing a faceless killer. But as the clues begin to come together, the Detectives know they are faced with a darker madness than they had first believed. Killers groomed from their childhood to do what they are doing. For the killers are doing more than killing the children.
"...They rode in silence on the way back to the Roundhouse. Jessica was certain that the images floating through her partner's mind were all but identical to the images in hers.
The killer was marking his victims with a sewing needle, after they had died.
Neither detective said it out loud, but there could be no mistake.
The killer was turning his victims into dolls..."
Montanari has crafted a mystery that will encompass generations of pain and trauma to result in the development of killer whose sole purpose is to punish those who has stolen from them the only thing the killer held dear. It is gritty and harsh and with incredible cadence as the tale moves deftly through the past and the present of each of the characters. Montanari ties these together with the talent of an old world seamstress, until finally the motive, the pain and the blood pour forth.
What is best about this novel is finding out that it is part of an on going series and that there up at least seven more mysteries of Byrne and Balzano and the dirty streets of Philadelphia to enjoy.
This is an author who has just blown up my TBR list!
May 30, 2015
Excellent entry in the Byrne/Balzano series about the hunt for serial killers who use dolls as part of their grand scheme. Very well-written and full of procedural details that make you feel like you're part of the investigation. Every fan of the series should read this one. If you're not familiar with the series, you should get started. One of the best thriller writers around. Highly recommended.
August 23, 2019
Hundred pages in I discovered that I was reading the 8th book of a series. But by then it was already to late.
I was caught in Montanari's Web and just couldn't put the book down.
I will most definitely go find and read all his other published work. I discovered a new favorite.
I was caught in Montanari's Web and just couldn't put the book down.
I will most definitely go find and read all his other published work. I discovered a new favorite.
April 12, 2024
Gruesome.
Prologs bija tik biedējošs, grafisks un šausminošs, ka es jau gribēju mest šo grāmatu mistkastē, jo galīgi nejutos tā, ka gribas ko šitik riebīgu ielaist pašlaik savā dzīvē.
Par laimi man, prologs bija pietiekami īss, lai turpinātu lasīt un atklātu, ka pati grāmata nav tik satricinoša, lai arī nebūt ne no tām maigākajām.
Filadelfijā viens pēc otra tiek atklāti bērnu līķi, jo pilsētā plosās neparasts pāris Mr. Marseille un Anabella. Pie līķiem tiek atstāta porcelāna lelle, bet, šis nav no vienkāršākajiem uzdevumiem detektīvu pārim.
Ļoti interesanti savērpts, neparasti pavērsieni un intriģējoši.
Visiem tiem, kuri nebaidās no vardarbīgām lappusēm.
4⭐️
Prologs bija tik biedējošs, grafisks un šausminošs, ka es jau gribēju mest šo grāmatu mistkastē, jo galīgi nejutos tā, ka gribas ko šitik riebīgu ielaist pašlaik savā dzīvē.
Par laimi man, prologs bija pietiekami īss, lai turpinātu lasīt un atklātu, ka pati grāmata nav tik satricinoša, lai arī nebūt ne no tām maigākajām.
Filadelfijā viens pēc otra tiek atklāti bērnu līķi, jo pilsētā plosās neparasts pāris Mr. Marseille un Anabella. Pie līķiem tiek atstāta porcelāna lelle, bet, šis nav no vienkāršākajiem uzdevumiem detektīvu pārim.
Ļoti interesanti savērpts, neparasti pavērsieni un intriģējoši.
Visiem tiem, kuri nebaidās no vardarbīgām lappusēm.
4⭐️
August 21, 2018
📕 Η άποψη μου 📕
Τίτλος: Ο κουκλοποιός
Η πρώτη μου επαφή με τον συγγραφέα και είμαι πολύ ενθουσιασμένη που είχα την ευκαιρία να διαβάσω το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο του.
Είναι ακριβώς ότι ζητάω από ένα καθαρόαιμο αστυνομικό, χωρίς περιττές και ανούσιες αναφορές. Ξεκινάει με κλιμακούμενη ένταση (αυτό
το αγάπησα ) μας εντασει στο περιβάλλον, μας προσφέρει τα στοιχεία που πρέπει,ακονίζοντας το μυαλό μας προσπαθώντας να βγάλουμε τα δικά μας συμπεράσματα, μας βάζει στις ζωές και στις σκεψεις όλων των πρωταγωνιστών(χωρίς υπερβολές) και κάπου εδώ ξεκινάει το κυνήγι του δολοφόνου... είσαι έτοιμος να μπεις στις ζωές του θύτη και των θυμάτων; Να νιώσεις το καρδιοχτύπι ;
Tου βάζω 4,5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫💋
Σύνοψη του βιβλίου "Ο κουκλοποιός"
Μια γυναίκα κάνει ποδήλατο με την κόρη της σ' ένα ήσυχο προάστιο της Φιλαδέλφειας. Εκεί, μπροστά από έναν παλιό σιδηροδρομικό σταθμό, ανακαλύπτει ένα νεκρό κορίτσι καθισμένο σ' ένα φρεσκοβαμμένο παγκάκι. Το κορίτσι έχει δολοφονηθεί. Και δίπλα του υπάρχει μια επίσημη πρόσκληση σε μια χοροεσπερίδα για την επόμενη εβδομάδα.
Εφτά μέρες αργότερα, δύο ακόμη θύματα ανακαλύπτονται σε ένα εγκαταλελειμμένο κτίριο. Δυο δολοφονημένα αγόρια, τοποθετημένα πάνω σε δύο βαμμένες κούνιες. Και δίπλα τους μια πανομοιότυπη πρόσκληση. Αυτή τη φορά, όμως, υπάρχει και κάτι άλλο. Πίσω από τα δύο θύματα στέκεται μια πορσελάνινη κούκλα. Πρόκειται για ένα μήνυμα. Μια απειλή.
Τώρα, οι ντετέκτιβ Κέβιν Μπερν και Τζέσικα Μπαλζάνο έχουν μπροστά τους μόλις εφτά μέρες για να ανακαλύψουν τη σύνδεση μεταξύ των φόνων και να εμποδίσουν τον φρικτό θάνατο ενός ακόμη παιδιού. Και ο χρόνος τρέχει…
Συγγραφέας: Montanari Richard
Κατηγορία: αστυνομική λογοτεχνία
Ημερ/νία έκδοσης: 20/07/2016
Εκδότης: Bell
Σελίδες: 512
Γλώσσα πρωτοτύπου: Αγγλικά
Τίτλος πρωτοτύπου: The doll maker
Συντελεστές: ΣταύροςΝικολάου (Μετάφραση)
Τίτλος: Ο κουκλοποιός
Η πρώτη μου επαφή με τον συγγραφέα και είμαι πολύ ενθουσιασμένη που είχα την ευκαιρία να διαβάσω το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο του.
Είναι ακριβώς ότι ζητάω από ένα καθαρόαιμο αστυνομικό, χωρίς περιττές και ανούσιες αναφορές. Ξεκινάει με κλιμακούμενη ένταση (αυτό
το αγάπησα ) μας εντασει στο περιβάλλον, μας προσφέρει τα στοιχεία που πρέπει,ακονίζοντας το μυαλό μας προσπαθώντας να βγάλουμε τα δικά μας συμπεράσματα, μας βάζει στις ζωές και στις σκεψεις όλων των πρωταγωνιστών(χωρίς υπερβολές) και κάπου εδώ ξεκινάει το κυνήγι του δολοφόνου... είσαι έτοιμος να μπεις στις ζωές του θύτη και των θυμάτων; Να νιώσεις το καρδιοχτύπι ;
Tου βάζω 4,5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫💋
Σύνοψη του βιβλίου "Ο κουκλοποιός"
Μια γυναίκα κάνει ποδήλατο με την κόρη της σ' ένα ήσυχο προάστιο της Φιλαδέλφειας. Εκεί, μπροστά από έναν παλιό σιδηροδρομικό σταθμό, ανακαλύπτει ένα νεκρό κορίτσι καθισμένο σ' ένα φρεσκοβαμμένο παγκάκι. Το κορίτσι έχει δολοφονηθεί. Και δίπλα του υπάρχει μια επίσημη πρόσκληση σε μια χοροεσπερίδα για την επόμενη εβδομάδα.
Εφτά μέρες αργότερα, δύο ακόμη θύματα ανακαλύπτονται σε ένα εγκαταλελειμμένο κτίριο. Δυο δολοφονημένα αγόρια, τοποθετημένα πάνω σε δύο βαμμένες κούνιες. Και δίπλα τους μια πανομοιότυπη πρόσκληση. Αυτή τη φορά, όμως, υπάρχει και κάτι άλλο. Πίσω από τα δύο θύματα στέκεται μια πορσελάνινη κούκλα. Πρόκειται για ένα μήνυμα. Μια απειλή.
Τώρα, οι ντετέκτιβ Κέβιν Μπερν και Τζέσικα Μπαλζάνο έχουν μπροστά τους μόλις εφτά μέρες για να ανακαλύψουν τη σύνδεση μεταξύ των φόνων και να εμποδίσουν τον φρικτό θάνατο ενός ακόμη παιδιού. Και ο χρόνος τρέχει…
Συγγραφέας: Montanari Richard
Κατηγορία: αστυνομική λογοτεχνία
Ημερ/νία έκδοσης: 20/07/2016
Εκδότης: Bell
Σελίδες: 512
Γλώσσα πρωτοτύπου: Αγγλικά
Τίτλος πρωτοτύπου: The doll maker
Συντελεστές: ΣταύροςΝικολάου (Μετάφραση)
May 5, 2015
My View:
Gripping! This is the read I have been waiting for…
After a few average reads this week I was so pleased that I picked up my e-reader and settled in for the night with this incredibly creepy read. The prologue had me hooked (and is probably the most gruesome and violent part of the narrative) the creepy parts comes later :)
The Doll Maker had my attention in a vice like grip. I felt the urge to read and read…and I did …my husband has no idea what time I turned the bedroom light off… (And I am not saying). He slept peacefully as I read the entire book start to finish.
A great, fast moving, tension packed police procedural with the creepiest villains I have come across in a long time (no spoilers here) but I think is the juxtaposition of manners/politeness against loathsome serial murders that makes these antagonists so creepy. This narrative is well plotted, very well executed and delivers in every way a good work of crime fiction should – you are left believing this could happen. Such evil does exist.
And surprisingly this is Book 8 in the Byrne and Balzano series – and I hadn’t read the other 7 and it didn’t matter! (But now I would like to).
Gripping! This is the read I have been waiting for…
After a few average reads this week I was so pleased that I picked up my e-reader and settled in for the night with this incredibly creepy read. The prologue had me hooked (and is probably the most gruesome and violent part of the narrative) the creepy parts comes later :)
The Doll Maker had my attention in a vice like grip. I felt the urge to read and read…and I did …my husband has no idea what time I turned the bedroom light off… (And I am not saying). He slept peacefully as I read the entire book start to finish.
A great, fast moving, tension packed police procedural with the creepiest villains I have come across in a long time (no spoilers here) but I think is the juxtaposition of manners/politeness against loathsome serial murders that makes these antagonists so creepy. This narrative is well plotted, very well executed and delivers in every way a good work of crime fiction should – you are left believing this could happen. Such evil does exist.
And surprisingly this is Book 8 in the Byrne and Balzano series – and I hadn’t read the other 7 and it didn’t matter! (But now I would like to).
July 15, 2018
Another one in the Bolzano and Byrne series. A good read with a decent story of the two detectives, as ever, a great team, on the hunt for some serial killers, with a link back to an old case.
April 21, 2015
https://lynnsbooks.wordpress.com/2015...
Just finished reading The Doll Maker by Richard Montanari. This is a thoroughly good, creepy, serial killer story.
The story gets off to a serious and fairly gruesome start in the opening scenes. There was a somewhat scary prologue – the relevance of which doesn’t become obvious until fairly well into the story, followed by the opening chapters which present an elaborately staged murder scene.
The two detectives working on the scene are a very easy to read partnership involving Byrne and Balzano. Apparently this isn’t the first novel that they appear in although I wasn’t aware of that at the time and i would most definitely be interested in backtracking and reading some of their previous tales. That being said this is definitely a self contained novel and I didn’t feel any confusion at all picking it up in this way.
The victim at the start of the story has been placed in a way that looks like a set for a play or some such. Seated on a painted bench at a station she at first appears simply to have nodded off while awaiting the next train. The truth is a bit more sinister and reveals an intricate web of murder and mayhem. At the stage of the first murder an invitation has been left giving the date of a mysterious ‘the danse’ – when the date on the invitation comes round of course another victim is found – this time not only with an invitation but also with a porcelain doll. And so a race against the clock begins. The police desperately seeking new clues before yet more victims adorn these macabre scenes.
I don’t really want to go further into the plot because I think it would spoil the read. I will instead outline the things that I liked about this novel.
It without doubt gripped me and kept me fully occupied trying to second guess what was coming next and I’m not too proud to admit that I didn’t manage to do so. It also seemed to be fairly realistic in terms of police procedure – although I’m certainly not an expert – I felt like rather than ignore procedure in order to gain more of a dramatic effect it stuck to reality. I liked this – sometimes things have to follow a certain route and a crime scene investigation is one of those things – and I didn’t feel that this sticking to reality adversely affected the story in any way – I preferred it having a real feel.
I liked the two main characters and thought they were easy to read with a pretty convincing partnership and enough back story and personal history to keep them interesting without bogging the story down. I particularly liked Byrne although his choice of house buying is a bit dubious – and you’ll know what I mean if you read this book.
There is plenty of tension involved with enough wtf moments to catch me unawares just as I seemed to be getting comfortable and the ending really takes it up a notch or two and the plot is very well conceived and cleverly structured.
Basically put, this is a well written and absorbing chiller that kept me hooked from start to finish. I can’t deny that some of the opening scenes were a bit nasty – and believe me, I really struggled for the right word there because they’re not necessarily blood thirsty or gruesome – well, I suppose they are gruesome. I just wouldn’t want to put anybody off by saying this is overly violent or bloody because I don’t think it is. The first few chapters made me wonder how I’d get on with the rest of the story but I pretty soon became immersed. Its odd to say but the murders themselves are not overly elaborated upon and whilst, yes, they’re murders, they almost have an underplayed value to them – which sounds kind of odd but I can’t really describe it any differently. I suppose what I’m trying to get at is it’s more about the motive and seeking out the clues than anything else.
I don’t read a lot of crime/chillers but I thought this was really good and I would certainly recommend it if you want something with a quick pace, a fair bit of tension and a murderous plot that will keep you hooked.
I received a copy from the publishers via Netgalley for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Just finished reading The Doll Maker by Richard Montanari. This is a thoroughly good, creepy, serial killer story.
The story gets off to a serious and fairly gruesome start in the opening scenes. There was a somewhat scary prologue – the relevance of which doesn’t become obvious until fairly well into the story, followed by the opening chapters which present an elaborately staged murder scene.
The two detectives working on the scene are a very easy to read partnership involving Byrne and Balzano. Apparently this isn’t the first novel that they appear in although I wasn’t aware of that at the time and i would most definitely be interested in backtracking and reading some of their previous tales. That being said this is definitely a self contained novel and I didn’t feel any confusion at all picking it up in this way.
The victim at the start of the story has been placed in a way that looks like a set for a play or some such. Seated on a painted bench at a station she at first appears simply to have nodded off while awaiting the next train. The truth is a bit more sinister and reveals an intricate web of murder and mayhem. At the stage of the first murder an invitation has been left giving the date of a mysterious ‘the danse’ – when the date on the invitation comes round of course another victim is found – this time not only with an invitation but also with a porcelain doll. And so a race against the clock begins. The police desperately seeking new clues before yet more victims adorn these macabre scenes.
I don’t really want to go further into the plot because I think it would spoil the read. I will instead outline the things that I liked about this novel.
It without doubt gripped me and kept me fully occupied trying to second guess what was coming next and I’m not too proud to admit that I didn’t manage to do so. It also seemed to be fairly realistic in terms of police procedure – although I’m certainly not an expert – I felt like rather than ignore procedure in order to gain more of a dramatic effect it stuck to reality. I liked this – sometimes things have to follow a certain route and a crime scene investigation is one of those things – and I didn’t feel that this sticking to reality adversely affected the story in any way – I preferred it having a real feel.
I liked the two main characters and thought they were easy to read with a pretty convincing partnership and enough back story and personal history to keep them interesting without bogging the story down. I particularly liked Byrne although his choice of house buying is a bit dubious – and you’ll know what I mean if you read this book.
There is plenty of tension involved with enough wtf moments to catch me unawares just as I seemed to be getting comfortable and the ending really takes it up a notch or two and the plot is very well conceived and cleverly structured.
Basically put, this is a well written and absorbing chiller that kept me hooked from start to finish. I can’t deny that some of the opening scenes were a bit nasty – and believe me, I really struggled for the right word there because they’re not necessarily blood thirsty or gruesome – well, I suppose they are gruesome. I just wouldn’t want to put anybody off by saying this is overly violent or bloody because I don’t think it is. The first few chapters made me wonder how I’d get on with the rest of the story but I pretty soon became immersed. Its odd to say but the murders themselves are not overly elaborated upon and whilst, yes, they’re murders, they almost have an underplayed value to them – which sounds kind of odd but I can’t really describe it any differently. I suppose what I’m trying to get at is it’s more about the motive and seeking out the clues than anything else.
I don’t read a lot of crime/chillers but I thought this was really good and I would certainly recommend it if you want something with a quick pace, a fair bit of tension and a murderous plot that will keep you hooked.
I received a copy from the publishers via Netgalley for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
September 30, 2015
Solid thriller with an excellent premise. The "twists" and "turns" were a little predictable, but Montanari's prose was fantastic. Some books fail when trying to go back and forth between the killer's POV and that of the detectives in pursuit. This one, fortunately, got it right. A worthwhile read and dive into a dark premise.
February 10, 2017
https://anaslair.wordpress.com/2015/0...
Even though I love crime investigation shows - my personal favourite being Criminal Minds(and I even recall a similar themed episode!) - for some reason I was never attracted to books of this genre. I guess I prefer more quick closure, I don't know. The fact is I felt that I needed to catch a breather from the genres I usually gravitate towards and, after reading Lynn's review of this book, and looking at that gorgeous cover (shallow, I know!!), I ended up requesting this from Netgalley. The reading experience was different, for sure.
Even though it is the 8th in a series, it works just as well as a standalone. We get to know a bit of the two detectives and that was good enough for me.
The author obviously performed a thorough investigation for the subjects addressed in the book - I particularly liked the bit about calligraphy. However, it also caused me to feel that the book dragged on in some parts, particularly the ones explaining police procedures and some scene descriptions; it struck me as info dumping, and I can see why other readers skimmed through large sections of the book. I just wanted it to move on to juicy parts, you know? Not necessarily action packed but just more exciting.
There were a few things I tended to see repeated that, personally, I didn't enjoy much but didn't cause a dent in my enjoyment of the book, like the good question pat on the back from the different units agents involved in the investigation and certain expressions like not the least of them (...) or some variation.
The story itself is quite eerie. To be frank, when I first read the prologue and the first two chapters I felt I was reading three different books - but then it all came together. In those first two, when murders are being committed, the imagery is vivid and gruesome. Then it tones out on the gore side for the rest of the book and focuses more on the psychological/psychopathic aspect. You see, the perps have a language and world concept of their own. They are so scary because they are able to hide in plain sight and even sound adorable and those are the worst type of criminals in my book - you would never say they are, well, evil. It was very interesting and engaging and creepy all at once.
On the other hand, the detectives are real people with real and even ordinary issues and that allowed me to connect with them. And they actually follow procedures and they don't engage romantically! That was so refreshing and made everything more real.
A couple of things I remember at the moment of not finding very believable or wanting better explained:
All in all, I had a very good time reading this. The last 25% or so was much faster paced and I was really engaged. The two main villains chilled my bones. I don't know who scared me the most - Mr Marseilles with his ruthlessness or Anabelle being so cut out from the real world and her past. I think one of the things that impressed me the most, besides their platonic love towards each other, was that they were so young. It put me off in the beginning, particularly because of the language they used, such controlled behaviour and sophistication of the crimes (I think part of me still wishes they had been older), but the fact is the story flowed well and I got plenty of closure in the end.
I recommend The Doll Maker to all fans of crime novels and psychological thrillers.
Disclaimer: I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Even though I love crime investigation shows - my personal favourite being Criminal Minds(and I even recall a similar themed episode!) - for some reason I was never attracted to books of this genre. I guess I prefer more quick closure, I don't know. The fact is I felt that I needed to catch a breather from the genres I usually gravitate towards and, after reading Lynn's review of this book, and looking at that gorgeous cover (shallow, I know!!), I ended up requesting this from Netgalley. The reading experience was different, for sure.
Even though it is the 8th in a series, it works just as well as a standalone. We get to know a bit of the two detectives and that was good enough for me.
The author obviously performed a thorough investigation for the subjects addressed in the book - I particularly liked the bit about calligraphy. However, it also caused me to feel that the book dragged on in some parts, particularly the ones explaining police procedures and some scene descriptions; it struck me as info dumping, and I can see why other readers skimmed through large sections of the book. I just wanted it to move on to juicy parts, you know? Not necessarily action packed but just more exciting.
There were a few things I tended to see repeated that, personally, I didn't enjoy much but didn't cause a dent in my enjoyment of the book, like the good question pat on the back from the different units agents involved in the investigation and certain expressions like not the least of them (...) or some variation.
The story itself is quite eerie. To be frank, when I first read the prologue and the first two chapters I felt I was reading three different books - but then it all came together. In those first two, when murders are being committed, the imagery is vivid and gruesome. Then it tones out on the gore side for the rest of the book and focuses more on the psychological/psychopathic aspect. You see, the perps have a language and world concept of their own. They are so scary because they are able to hide in plain sight and even sound adorable and those are the worst type of criminals in my book - you would never say they are, well, evil. It was very interesting and engaging and creepy all at once.
On the other hand, the detectives are real people with real and even ordinary issues and that allowed me to connect with them. And they actually follow procedures and they don't engage romantically! That was so refreshing and made everything more real.
A couple of things I remember at the moment of not finding very believable or wanting better explained:
All in all, I had a very good time reading this. The last 25% or so was much faster paced and I was really engaged. The two main villains chilled my bones. I don't know who scared me the most - Mr Marseilles with his ruthlessness or Anabelle being so cut out from the real world and her past. I think one of the things that impressed me the most, besides their platonic love towards each other, was that they were so young. It put me off in the beginning, particularly because of the language they used, such controlled behaviour and sophistication of the crimes (I think part of me still wishes they had been older), but the fact is the story flowed well and I got plenty of closure in the end.
I recommend The Doll Maker to all fans of crime novels and psychological thrillers.
Disclaimer: I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 28, 2017
The story in brief is children are being killed & their bodies presented in tableaus watched on by hidden dolls. It's up to Byrne & Balzano to decipher the invitation left at the scene (how hard is it to translate a couple of words of french?!) & track down Mr Marseille & his sidekick Anabelle - who would appear to be the perpetrators of these dark deeds - before another child is killed.
Now recently I've been bemoaning the fact that some of the crime novels I've been reading are not very credible & you would think that this unlikely scenario would fall into that category. But there was no eye rolling at events here (however unlikely!) as I was totally engrossed from start to finish. Maybe that's because as a fan I knew what to expect eg: killers with twisted ways of presenting their victims, a gripping story line & two good lead characters,....& Montanari certainly delivered.
Definitely one of those I'll just read ONE more chapter- type books that has you up into the wee hours :o)
Now recently I've been bemoaning the fact that some of the crime novels I've been reading are not very credible & you would think that this unlikely scenario would fall into that category. But there was no eye rolling at events here (however unlikely!) as I was totally engrossed from start to finish. Maybe that's because as a fan I knew what to expect eg: killers with twisted ways of presenting their victims, a gripping story line & two good lead characters,....& Montanari certainly delivered.
Definitely one of those I'll just read ONE more chapter- type books that has you up into the wee hours :o)
November 7, 2015
My head is spinning after finishing this book. The story grabbed me from the start and never let me go. Gripping, exciting, creepy to the core. This book is filled with it. The characters are so well developed and fascinating. The plot is solid and he did excellent research on all the psychological aspects and data presented when it came to children's psychology and the use of play therapy. I had several theories about what was going on, and I was wrong with all of them. He surprised me chapter after chapter. It consumed me until the end.
Even though it is part of a series, it stands alone just fine. I think Mr. Montanari just got himself a new fan.
I'm shamelessly declaring this book as flawless. Solid five stars.
March 31, 2015
Thank you to Mulholland Publishers & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.
This is the 8th in a series featuring Detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano. Although it is the latest in the series, it does very well as stand-alone.
Once again, Richard Montanari brings a deliciously horrifying look at serial killers. Children are coming up missing and then later dolls, that look like the missing children, are found around the bodies of children that have been murdered.
There is a method to the madness and its up to Byrne and Balzano to find the missing pieces.
I absolutely recommend this one (and the entire series) who like murder, mysteries and mayhem. A solid 5 stars.
This is the 8th in a series featuring Detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano. Although it is the latest in the series, it does very well as stand-alone.
Once again, Richard Montanari brings a deliciously horrifying look at serial killers. Children are coming up missing and then later dolls, that look like the missing children, are found around the bodies of children that have been murdered.
There is a method to the madness and its up to Byrne and Balzano to find the missing pieces.
I absolutely recommend this one (and the entire series) who like murder, mysteries and mayhem. A solid 5 stars.
March 21, 2023
There's a killer on the loose. Going after teenagers. Boys or girls. It doesn't matter. The killer just wants to fix you. If you are sad or something is broken inside you, or you are beautiful and would make a beautiful doll to be put on a shelf
This killer leaves behind little dolls in the exact replica of the teen that has been killed before
Who's next?
Lock your doors
Never know, the killer may be coming for you
This killer leaves behind little dolls in the exact replica of the teen that has been killed before
Who's next?
Lock your doors
Never know, the killer may be coming for you
November 12, 2014
Took a little while to get into but so so good! I couldn't put it down.
May 5, 2021
Pretty solid detective thriller from an author I hadn't even heard of until I saw this book in an audible sale. The Philadelphia setting is pretty cool. I also like the 2 detective aspect of it, and I like both detective characters. The case itself was really interesting, and the investigation aspect was quite good. You do get small POVs from the suspects, but not in a way that gives away very much so you are still solving the case along with the detectives. And it added to the creepy atmosphere of the story.
I think what kept this from being really good for a detective book is that the resolution/climax was a bit of a letdown, and there were certainly some plot conveniences that didn't make a ton of sense. It felt like the author needed to have certain things intersect for plot reasons, but it really stretched real world plausibility.
All in all I always love to find a new detective series in the police procedural style so since my library has a few of these on audio I'll be checking out more of them.
I think what kept this from being really good for a detective book is that the resolution/climax was a bit of a letdown, and there were certainly some plot conveniences that didn't make a ton of sense. It felt like the author needed to have certain things intersect for plot reasons, but it really stretched real world plausibility.
All in all I always love to find a new detective series in the police procedural style so since my library has a few of these on audio I'll be checking out more of them.
July 31, 2024
As someone actively bothered by a porcelain doll (no Chucky's CGI body doesn't bother me, it's those porcelain doll blinky eye things that are creepyyyyy af. Anyway, went off on a tangent there.)
This book was a favorite. Serial Killer and dolls, doesn't get much creepier than that.
This book was a favorite. Serial Killer and dolls, doesn't get much creepier than that.
July 9, 2015
4.5★s: I'm new to this author and series (Bryne & Balzano) so I'm glad it was a BOTM for a GR Group (Mystery, Crime, Thriller, I think & it included them all). Even picking up a book in the middle of the series, didn't seem to effect it poorly for me at all. It's one of the best serial killer books with so many layers with original story line and great characters. Just wish I had more time to read the 484 pgs or had access to an audiobook, but it was so worth it esp. with the extra bonus that it was set in my area.
Detectives Kevin Bryne and Jessica Balzano (possibly soon-to-be an ADA since she finished law school) are called to a crime scene at an abandoned train station where a teen girl is found dead but positioned sitting up on a freshly painted yellow bench with an invitation close by (the date a week later turns out to be another killing and so on). At the same time Det. Bryne is agonizing over a woman he arrested 10 yrs ago that is about to be put to death in a few weeks for killing a child and he believes there were others that they have been unable to find their bodies or them in the last 10 yrs and he would like to try to get this info out of her before she dies. Simultaneously, it also gives the mysterious serial killers view and some history. With many layers and many things revealed overtime, intermingling, things that slip through the cracks, etc.
So hard to explain without giving spoilers, but definitely worth checking out.
Detectives Kevin Bryne and Jessica Balzano (possibly soon-to-be an ADA since she finished law school) are called to a crime scene at an abandoned train station where a teen girl is found dead but positioned sitting up on a freshly painted yellow bench with an invitation close by (the date a week later turns out to be another killing and so on). At the same time Det. Bryne is agonizing over a woman he arrested 10 yrs ago that is about to be put to death in a few weeks for killing a child and he believes there were others that they have been unable to find their bodies or them in the last 10 yrs and he would like to try to get this info out of her before she dies. Simultaneously, it also gives the mysterious serial killers view and some history. With many layers and many things revealed overtime, intermingling, things that slip through the cracks, etc.
So hard to explain without giving spoilers, but definitely worth checking out.
March 8, 2015
4.0 out of 5 stars -- An excellent police procedural thriller, the 8th in the series featuring Philadelphia Homicide Detectives Jessica Balzano and Kevin Byrne, is a winner!
I've read a couple others in this series, and loved the author's writing style. After tearing through this one, I'm determined to go to the backlist to catch up on what other great stories I've missed. This was a very fast-paced read that kept me glued to the pages and had great characters. It never let up!
Haunting and disturbing drama centering on a series of chilling murders where the victims appear eerily staged. With each successive death, Balzano and Byrne are stymied by what appears to be a tenuous connection to a death row inmate and cold case files of kidnapped or missing children. And what about the dolls? As the clues are pieced together, Balzano and Byrne race to find a very unusual type of killer before another victim can be invited to a sinister and deadly "tea dance".
I'd recommend this to any fan who wants to read a complex suspense novel with multidimensional main characters and great "bad guys". I loved that there were no romantic overtones and that the relationship of the partners was based in mutual respect and deep friendship. I can't wait to read the next in this series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland books for the e-book ARC to review!
I've read a couple others in this series, and loved the author's writing style. After tearing through this one, I'm determined to go to the backlist to catch up on what other great stories I've missed. This was a very fast-paced read that kept me glued to the pages and had great characters. It never let up!
Haunting and disturbing drama centering on a series of chilling murders where the victims appear eerily staged. With each successive death, Balzano and Byrne are stymied by what appears to be a tenuous connection to a death row inmate and cold case files of kidnapped or missing children. And what about the dolls? As the clues are pieced together, Balzano and Byrne race to find a very unusual type of killer before another victim can be invited to a sinister and deadly "tea dance".
I'd recommend this to any fan who wants to read a complex suspense novel with multidimensional main characters and great "bad guys". I loved that there were no romantic overtones and that the relationship of the partners was based in mutual respect and deep friendship. I can't wait to read the next in this series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland books for the e-book ARC to review!
November 8, 2016
Audiobook: I have read one other book in this series, The Rosary Girls. I went back to read my review only to discover I had not bothered. I almost did the same with this book, having finished it months ago, yet not having jotted down any notes or thoughts while reading it.
It’s -- they both? -- were satisfying enough, I guess, if you are looking for a time-waster, but I remember being a bit dissatisfied with the premise of both: damaged person becomes a serial killer who poses his victims in ways determined by events in his childhood. The detectives solve the case more by their involvement rather than active problem-solving, sort of like “Midsomer Murders” where the crimes are solved only by the accretion of more bodies. There’s really not much of a mystery, as the reader is treated periodically to the mind and activities of the killer, who, I must say, seemed more a fantastical, rather than “real,” figure. True crime is far more prosaic motivations less extraordinary.
Nevertheless, the book, perhaps thanks to the reader, held my interest while walking the dog, so 3, rather than 2, stars.
It’s -- they both? -- were satisfying enough, I guess, if you are looking for a time-waster, but I remember being a bit dissatisfied with the premise of both: damaged person becomes a serial killer who poses his victims in ways determined by events in his childhood. The detectives solve the case more by their involvement rather than active problem-solving, sort of like “Midsomer Murders” where the crimes are solved only by the accretion of more bodies. There’s really not much of a mystery, as the reader is treated periodically to the mind and activities of the killer, who, I must say, seemed more a fantastical, rather than “real,” figure. True crime is far more prosaic motivations less extraordinary.
Nevertheless, the book, perhaps thanks to the reader, held my interest while walking the dog, so 3, rather than 2, stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews