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Killing Me Softly
Now that you've read GONE GIRL...
Alice Loudon has it a devoted boyfriend, a marvelous circle of friends, a challenging job as a research scientist. Then one morning, on her way to work, she exchanges a lingering look with a devastatingly attractive man. Adam Tallis is the essence of every female fantasy--a daring mountain climber who has been hailed as a hero. As a lover, he is more passionate than Alice's wildest imaginings. Soon there isn't anything or anyone she wouldn't give up to stay by his side. Soon all she has is Adam, and life with this stranger will take her to new heights of madness...and fear.
Alice Loudon has it a devoted boyfriend, a marvelous circle of friends, a challenging job as a research scientist. Then one morning, on her way to work, she exchanges a lingering look with a devastatingly attractive man. Adam Tallis is the essence of every female fantasy--a daring mountain climber who has been hailed as a hero. As a lover, he is more passionate than Alice's wildest imaginings. Soon there isn't anything or anyone she wouldn't give up to stay by his side. Soon all she has is Adam, and life with this stranger will take her to new heights of madness...and fear.
385 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
413 people are currently reading
4201 people want to read
About the author
Nicci French
80 books3,635 followersNote: (Nicci Gerrard and Sean French also write separately.)
Nicci Gerrard was born in June 1958 in Worcestershire. After graduating with a first class honours degree in English Literature from Oxford University, she began her first job, working with emotionally disturbed children in Sheffield. In that same year she married journalist Colin Hughes.
In the early eighties she taught English Literature in Sheffield, London and Los Angeles, but moved into publishing in 1985 with the launch of Women's Review, a magazine for women on art, literature and female issues.
In 1987 Nicci had a son, Edgar, followed by a daughter, Anna, in 1988, but a year later her marriage to Colin Hughes broke down.
In 1989 she became acting literary editor at the New Statesman, before moving to the Observer, where she was deputy literary editor for five years, and then a feature writer and executive editor.
It was while she was at the New Statesman that she met Sean French.
Sean French was born in May 1959 in Bristol, to a British father and Swedish mother. He too studied English Literature at Oxford University at the same time as Nicci, also graduating with a first class degree, but their paths didn't cross until 1990. In 1981 he won Vogue magazine's Writing Talent Contest, and from 1981 to 1986 he was their theatre critic. During that time he also worked at the Sunday Times as deputy literary editor and television critic, and was the film critic for Marie Claire and deputy editor of New Society.
Sean and Nicci were married in Hackney in October 1990. Their daughters, Hadley and Molly, were born in 1991 and 1993.
By the mid-nineties Sean had had two novels published, The Imaginary Monkey and The Dreamer of Dreams, as well as numerous non-fiction books, including biographies of Jane Fonda and Brigitte Bardot.
In 1995 Nicci and Sean began work on their first joint novel and adopted the pseudonym of Nicci French. The Memory Game was published to great acclaim in 1997 followed by The Safe House (1998), Killing Me Softly (1999), Beneath the Skin (2000), The Red Room (2001), Land of the Living (2002), Secret Smile (2003), Catch Me When I Fall (2005), Losing You (2006) and Until It's Over (2008). Their latest novel together is What To Do When Someone Dies (2009).
Nicci and Sean also continue to write separately. Nicci still works as a journalist for the Observer, covering high-profile trials including those of Fred and Rose West, and Ian Huntley and Maxine Carr. Novels include Things We Knew Were True (2003), Solace (2005) and The Moment You Were Gone (2007). Sean's last novel is Start From Here (2004).
Nicci Gerrard was born in June 1958 in Worcestershire. After graduating with a first class honours degree in English Literature from Oxford University, she began her first job, working with emotionally disturbed children in Sheffield. In that same year she married journalist Colin Hughes.
In the early eighties she taught English Literature in Sheffield, London and Los Angeles, but moved into publishing in 1985 with the launch of Women's Review, a magazine for women on art, literature and female issues.
In 1987 Nicci had a son, Edgar, followed by a daughter, Anna, in 1988, but a year later her marriage to Colin Hughes broke down.
In 1989 she became acting literary editor at the New Statesman, before moving to the Observer, where she was deputy literary editor for five years, and then a feature writer and executive editor.
It was while she was at the New Statesman that she met Sean French.
Sean French was born in May 1959 in Bristol, to a British father and Swedish mother. He too studied English Literature at Oxford University at the same time as Nicci, also graduating with a first class degree, but their paths didn't cross until 1990. In 1981 he won Vogue magazine's Writing Talent Contest, and from 1981 to 1986 he was their theatre critic. During that time he also worked at the Sunday Times as deputy literary editor and television critic, and was the film critic for Marie Claire and deputy editor of New Society.
Sean and Nicci were married in Hackney in October 1990. Their daughters, Hadley and Molly, were born in 1991 and 1993.
By the mid-nineties Sean had had two novels published, The Imaginary Monkey and The Dreamer of Dreams, as well as numerous non-fiction books, including biographies of Jane Fonda and Brigitte Bardot.
In 1995 Nicci and Sean began work on their first joint novel and adopted the pseudonym of Nicci French. The Memory Game was published to great acclaim in 1997 followed by The Safe House (1998), Killing Me Softly (1999), Beneath the Skin (2000), The Red Room (2001), Land of the Living (2002), Secret Smile (2003), Catch Me When I Fall (2005), Losing You (2006) and Until It's Over (2008). Their latest novel together is What To Do When Someone Dies (2009).
Nicci and Sean also continue to write separately. Nicci still works as a journalist for the Observer, covering high-profile trials including those of Fred and Rose West, and Ian Huntley and Maxine Carr. Novels include Things We Knew Were True (2003), Solace (2005) and The Moment You Were Gone (2007). Sean's last novel is Start From Here (2004).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 652 reviews
November 20, 2023
Another nail biting suspense novel by this duo (Nicci French are a married couple), a woman in a stable 'normal' relationship, with great friends and good job, leaves her partner for a sensual, dominant man, that she locks eyes with in the street - and the closer they get to each other, the more consumed she is by him, until she begins to realise just how consuming his love is. Good suspense thriller set around the world of modern mountaineering - I kid you not! 7 out of 12.
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An original and compelling dark tale embedded in a romance! Nicci French as ever, use some of the most bone chilling and dark concepts and situations to se their story around; in this case I felt that they set the bar so high with the situations they created, they were unable to sustain the story or rationalise the story in anyway that could match the impact of their original concept. That doesn't take away from the fact that I still really enjoyed reading their work yet again 6 out of 12. Three Stars.
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2014 and 2008 read
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An original and compelling dark tale embedded in a romance! Nicci French as ever, use some of the most bone chilling and dark concepts and situations to se their story around; in this case I felt that they set the bar so high with the situations they created, they were unable to sustain the story or rationalise the story in anyway that could match the impact of their original concept. That doesn't take away from the fact that I still really enjoyed reading their work yet again 6 out of 12. Three Stars.
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2014 and 2008 read
January 14, 2020
Jar of Death Pick #27
I have no clue how I feel about this book.
I think I hated it but I also think I liked it.
As I read this I at various times thought that I would rate this 2 stars and at other times I thought I would rate it 4 stars.
After finishing this book I still don't really know what to rate this so I'm just going to give it 3 stars.
This book baffles me.
It was cheesy and I hated how it was written but it wasn't written badly. It was super predictable but at the same time I couldn't stop reading it.
I think I need to watch the movie to help me decide if I liked it or not.
In conclusion..
Did I like this book?
I don't know!
Did I hate this book?
I don't know!
Was the story good?
I don't know!
Should you read this book?
I DONT KNOW!!
I have no clue how I feel about this book.
I think I hated it but I also think I liked it.
As I read this I at various times thought that I would rate this 2 stars and at other times I thought I would rate it 4 stars.
After finishing this book I still don't really know what to rate this so I'm just going to give it 3 stars.
This book baffles me.
It was cheesy and I hated how it was written but it wasn't written badly. It was super predictable but at the same time I couldn't stop reading it.
I think I need to watch the movie to help me decide if I liked it or not.
In conclusion..
Did I like this book?
I don't know!
Did I hate this book?
I don't know!
Was the story good?
I don't know!
Should you read this book?
I DONT KNOW!!
December 23, 2013
Opening Line: “He knew he was going to die.”
Killing Me Softly is a love story but not in the typical sense; it’s obsessive, all consuming, violent, intense, desperate and ultimately terrifying. And oh my god is it good. I literally could not put this down.
If I could compare this book to anything I would say that initially it reminded me of a combination of 9 ½ weeks and that Richard Gere/Diane Lane movie from a few years ago (Unfaithful) -based on the passion, intensity and utter randomness of our couples first encounter. Of course it then unravels into a tense psychological thriller which much in a car wreck sort of way you can’t take your eyes off of. Throughout I had a feeling of, this just can’t end well.
I should mention that despite the fact that the blurb on the jacket describes this book as ‘erotic’ all the sex scenes are off page; it’s still sexy as hell -in an alarming sort of way. And I’ll admit to being very uncomfortable in sections, shaking my head at our heroine’s decisions and basic lack of “self” (“what the hell are you thinking girl?”) I also doubted myself, doubted Alice and Adam and was left utterly raw and heartbroken by the end. Just the kind of reading experience I love.
Alice Loudon has it all: a comfortable life, a stable (nice) live-in boyfriend, a good job, clever friends, and then one day while walking down a London street on her lunch hour she sees him, standing there, staring, as if waiting for her. The attraction is immediate; it’s unexplainable, like a lightning bolt that neither of them can turn away from. He is Adam Tallis and without speaking a word she follows this complete stranger to his apartment where she proceeds to let him take her clothes off and engages in the most intense love making she has ever known. In fact with Adam she needs a new word for sex. He envelopes her, obliterates her, he is unlike any man she has ever known, and within days she is lost to him.
Abandoning everything (and I mean that literally) Alice leaves her boyfriend and moves in, within months they’re married. Nothing matters except him and them and her world becomes very small. She barely recognizes herself in the mirror anymore as Adam begins to possess every aspect of her being. He worships her, desires her, loves her in an all-consuming way and there isn’t room for anyone or anything else. Alice’s world shrinks to being just Adam; the stranger she fell in love with on a street.
Adam. Her enigmatic husband, world renowned mountain climber, guide and reluctant hero after his last expedition in the Himalayas left half of their group dead. Adam comes with a whole circle of mysterious and exotic friends and it’s when Klaus decides to write a book about the tragedy of the Chungawat expedition that Alice opens her eyes. Reality creeps in, jealousy and doubt takes hold and the tension level rises. How well does she really know this man? Told entirely from the first person we witness Alice’s inner turmoil, doubts and fears as curiosity about her husband’s past and former lovers becomes in of itself an obsession.
“What a ghastly farce it all was. Our whole marriage was built on desire and deception.”
359jb5
Killing Me Softly is a love story but not in the typical sense; it’s obsessive, all consuming, violent, intense, desperate and ultimately terrifying. And oh my god is it good. I literally could not put this down.
If I could compare this book to anything I would say that initially it reminded me of a combination of 9 ½ weeks and that Richard Gere/Diane Lane movie from a few years ago (Unfaithful) -based on the passion, intensity and utter randomness of our couples first encounter. Of course it then unravels into a tense psychological thriller which much in a car wreck sort of way you can’t take your eyes off of. Throughout I had a feeling of, this just can’t end well.
I should mention that despite the fact that the blurb on the jacket describes this book as ‘erotic’ all the sex scenes are off page; it’s still sexy as hell -in an alarming sort of way. And I’ll admit to being very uncomfortable in sections, shaking my head at our heroine’s decisions and basic lack of “self” (“what the hell are you thinking girl?”) I also doubted myself, doubted Alice and Adam and was left utterly raw and heartbroken by the end. Just the kind of reading experience I love.
Alice Loudon has it all: a comfortable life, a stable (nice) live-in boyfriend, a good job, clever friends, and then one day while walking down a London street on her lunch hour she sees him, standing there, staring, as if waiting for her. The attraction is immediate; it’s unexplainable, like a lightning bolt that neither of them can turn away from. He is Adam Tallis and without speaking a word she follows this complete stranger to his apartment where she proceeds to let him take her clothes off and engages in the most intense love making she has ever known. In fact with Adam she needs a new word for sex. He envelopes her, obliterates her, he is unlike any man she has ever known, and within days she is lost to him.
Abandoning everything (and I mean that literally) Alice leaves her boyfriend and moves in, within months they’re married. Nothing matters except him and them and her world becomes very small. She barely recognizes herself in the mirror anymore as Adam begins to possess every aspect of her being. He worships her, desires her, loves her in an all-consuming way and there isn’t room for anyone or anything else. Alice’s world shrinks to being just Adam; the stranger she fell in love with on a street.
Adam. Her enigmatic husband, world renowned mountain climber, guide and reluctant hero after his last expedition in the Himalayas left half of their group dead. Adam comes with a whole circle of mysterious and exotic friends and it’s when Klaus decides to write a book about the tragedy of the Chungawat expedition that Alice opens her eyes. Reality creeps in, jealousy and doubt takes hold and the tension level rises. How well does she really know this man? Told entirely from the first person we witness Alice’s inner turmoil, doubts and fears as curiosity about her husband’s past and former lovers becomes in of itself an obsession.
“What a ghastly farce it all was. Our whole marriage was built on desire and deception.”
359jb5
November 8, 2022
Alice Loudon, een jonge vrouw met een goede job en een liefdevolle vriend, komt op een dag Adam Tallis tegen op straat. Bij het eerste oogcontact wordt ze gegrepen door zijn schoonheid en charisma.
En als ze dan van haar werk komt, staat Adam haar op te wachten. Hij neemt haar mee naar de flat van een vriend en ze bedrijven de liefde. De relatie wordt heel intens, lichamelijk dan toch. Want Alice weet niets van Adam. Alleen dat hij bergbeklimmer is, gids eigenlijk.
Alice is betoverd door hem, en verlaat Jake, haar vriend, om heel kort daarna te trouwen met Adam.
Maar het duurt niet lang of er komen barsten in de relatie, langs Alice's kant dan toch. Ze wordt nerveus van zijn bezitterigheid, waardoor hij haar zo goed als afgesloten heeft van het 'normale' leven. Ze verwaarloost haar werk, haar uiterlijk, haar gezondheid, en ze komt bijna niet meer uit de flat.
Stukje bij beetje komt ze toch meer over Adam's verleden te weten, en ze krijgt schrik. Want ze begint Adam te verdenken van moord...niet één, maar zelfs meerdere moorden. En ze krijgt hoe langer hoe meer het gevoel dat zij de volgende zal zijn.....
Super spannend verhaal, ook goed geschreven.
Het enige waar ik me aan ergerde was het feit dat een mooie, intelligente vrouw van rond de 30, die niets te kort komt in haar leven, ze heeft een goed betaalde functie bij een belangrijk bedrijf, ze is samen met een intelligente lieve hardwerkende man die ook een hooggeplaatste functie in zijn bedrijf heeft, eigenlijk staan ze zo goed als op het punt om aan trouwen te gaan denken....en dat alles laat ze achter voor een passionele relatie met iemand die ze van haar nog pluim kent, die weinig over zijn verleden wil vertellen, die geen vaste job of woonplaats heeft, leeft van de liefde en zich niks aantrekt van huishoudelijke beslommeringen of het 'normale' leven. Hoe is dat toch mogelijk? Ze is tenslotte geen puber meer die zich in een doldwaas avontuur zou storten. Maar nee, ze is zo door Adam betoverd dat ze geen moment meer rationeel kan denken. Dat was wel een afknapper voor mij. Maar ja, als je dat uit je hoofd zet, is de rest van het verhaal wel zeer goed.
En als ze dan van haar werk komt, staat Adam haar op te wachten. Hij neemt haar mee naar de flat van een vriend en ze bedrijven de liefde. De relatie wordt heel intens, lichamelijk dan toch. Want Alice weet niets van Adam. Alleen dat hij bergbeklimmer is, gids eigenlijk.
Alice is betoverd door hem, en verlaat Jake, haar vriend, om heel kort daarna te trouwen met Adam.
Maar het duurt niet lang of er komen barsten in de relatie, langs Alice's kant dan toch. Ze wordt nerveus van zijn bezitterigheid, waardoor hij haar zo goed als afgesloten heeft van het 'normale' leven. Ze verwaarloost haar werk, haar uiterlijk, haar gezondheid, en ze komt bijna niet meer uit de flat.
Stukje bij beetje komt ze toch meer over Adam's verleden te weten, en ze krijgt schrik. Want ze begint Adam te verdenken van moord...niet één, maar zelfs meerdere moorden. En ze krijgt hoe langer hoe meer het gevoel dat zij de volgende zal zijn.....
Super spannend verhaal, ook goed geschreven.
Het enige waar ik me aan ergerde was het feit dat een mooie, intelligente vrouw van rond de 30, die niets te kort komt in haar leven, ze heeft een goed betaalde functie bij een belangrijk bedrijf, ze is samen met een intelligente lieve hardwerkende man die ook een hooggeplaatste functie in zijn bedrijf heeft, eigenlijk staan ze zo goed als op het punt om aan trouwen te gaan denken....en dat alles laat ze achter voor een passionele relatie met iemand die ze van haar nog pluim kent, die weinig over zijn verleden wil vertellen, die geen vaste job of woonplaats heeft, leeft van de liefde en zich niks aantrekt van huishoudelijke beslommeringen of het 'normale' leven. Hoe is dat toch mogelijk? Ze is tenslotte geen puber meer die zich in een doldwaas avontuur zou storten. Maar nee, ze is zo door Adam betoverd dat ze geen moment meer rationeel kan denken. Dat was wel een afknapper voor mij. Maar ja, als je dat uit je hoofd zet, is de rest van het verhaal wel zeer goed.
October 19, 2016
A stand alone novel by the writing team that work under the name Nicci French. I enjoy reading the successful Frieda Klein series so have been tempted to read more from the writing duo. This book falls short of the other books I have read but nevertheless gripped me and made me want to read more.
At times the book was very good but sadly it drifted at other moments and for the first time since reading their combined work I felt that it was actually written by two authors rather than the seamless style I am used to.
The novel is about the obsessive love affair of Alice and Adam that leads to passion and mistrust. Alice is already in a relationship with her live in boyfriend Jake when she meets Adam and very quickly an intense relationship begins that will cause a lot of hurt and mistrust. Very quickly Alice's life changes as she falls in love with Adam and he appears to worship her to the point of obsession.
Once Alice leaves Jake to move in with Adam her life changes forever and serious doubts appear about his past, she is living with a stranger a man she hardly knows.
I really did have mixed feelings about this book, I did enjoy it and couldn't put it down but overall felt it lacked reality and the writing style was not as polished as I have got to expect from Nicci French.
At times the book was very good but sadly it drifted at other moments and for the first time since reading their combined work I felt that it was actually written by two authors rather than the seamless style I am used to.
The novel is about the obsessive love affair of Alice and Adam that leads to passion and mistrust. Alice is already in a relationship with her live in boyfriend Jake when she meets Adam and very quickly an intense relationship begins that will cause a lot of hurt and mistrust. Very quickly Alice's life changes as she falls in love with Adam and he appears to worship her to the point of obsession.
Once Alice leaves Jake to move in with Adam her life changes forever and serious doubts appear about his past, she is living with a stranger a man she hardly knows.
I really did have mixed feelings about this book, I did enjoy it and couldn't put it down but overall felt it lacked reality and the writing style was not as polished as I have got to expect from Nicci French.
July 30, 2009
Maybe I'm just jaded, but I expect MORE from my mysteries! MORE MORE MORE!
Predictable, predictable, predictable.
Beach read, definitely.
The first 60% of the book just made me mad. Alice has a good, healthy, strong relationship with Jake, but as all we weak women are, she's lured out of it by the promise of a roll in the hay with studly Adam. There...I just summed up in one sentence what it took the author 60% of the book to say.
The book only gets interesting (and mildly so at that) in the final 40% of the book. Most avid mystery readers will at least guess at the ending and there's just too much graphic sex and salacious swearing for the propriety of the book. Look, I recognize that the topic of the book is largely the perverse sex life of studly Adam, but really...no one speaks like that - ESPECIALLY if they're dark and mysterious. And, if anyone did, women would laugh in his face. It just doesn't work that way, and it's ridiculous to even fantasize that it would.
There were other dropped storylines - for instance; Alice is learning to speak French, but there is no reason, and the French is never explained. Any first-year French student will understand the language used, but anyone who has not had exposure will not. What was the point, Ms. French? Why bother? Alice doesn't find any clues in French. Is it just because you are Ms. French, Ms. French? Is that clever? I say, Non. C'est ne pas.
"Predictable and boring," says the MOP Book Review
Having said all of that...D, this book is headed your way. You're going to love it. HA! ;-)
Predictable, predictable, predictable.
Beach read, definitely.
The first 60% of the book just made me mad. Alice has a good, healthy, strong relationship with Jake, but as all we weak women are, she's lured out of it by the promise of a roll in the hay with studly Adam. There...I just summed up in one sentence what it took the author 60% of the book to say.
The book only gets interesting (and mildly so at that) in the final 40% of the book. Most avid mystery readers will at least guess at the ending and there's just too much graphic sex and salacious swearing for the propriety of the book. Look, I recognize that the topic of the book is largely the perverse sex life of studly Adam, but really...no one speaks like that - ESPECIALLY if they're dark and mysterious. And, if anyone did, women would laugh in his face. It just doesn't work that way, and it's ridiculous to even fantasize that it would.
There were other dropped storylines - for instance; Alice is learning to speak French, but there is no reason, and the French is never explained. Any first-year French student will understand the language used, but anyone who has not had exposure will not. What was the point, Ms. French? Why bother? Alice doesn't find any clues in French. Is it just because you are Ms. French, Ms. French? Is that clever? I say, Non. C'est ne pas.
"Predictable and boring," says the MOP Book Review
Having said all of that...D, this book is headed your way. You're going to love it. HA! ;-)
July 21, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
This is a story of reciprocal obsession and lust, though the couple believes it is love. Alice meets Adam literally in the street and boom, they are off. She is a scientist but apparently science went out the window when she left her friends and live-in boyfriend in the lurch to jump off a figurative cliff. Of course, it is no surprise that Alice begins to miss normalcy and friends, and then the relationship takes a downward twist when she begins to realize there is a lot to unpack in the mysterious Adam’s life, and boy, is there!
This is a good read for the most part, and I like this author’s style. The story itself kept me interested but it was fairly predictable.
This is a story of reciprocal obsession and lust, though the couple believes it is love. Alice meets Adam literally in the street and boom, they are off. She is a scientist but apparently science went out the window when she left her friends and live-in boyfriend in the lurch to jump off a figurative cliff. Of course, it is no surprise that Alice begins to miss normalcy and friends, and then the relationship takes a downward twist when she begins to realize there is a lot to unpack in the mysterious Adam’s life, and boy, is there!
This is a good read for the most part, and I like this author’s style. The story itself kept me interested but it was fairly predictable.
January 7, 2009
I'm sorry to say that I thought this book was truly awful. I found it neither gripping nor thrilling. Irritating and unbelievable were probably better adjectives. Alice was so naive I wanted to smack her and the 'bad guy' was so obviously sinister, anyone who didn't notice it must have had their head buried in the sand. I didn't find the conclusion particularly convincing either. It's the first Nicci French I have read and I have a feeling it might be the last.
Sorry all, but it was just not for me.
Sorry all, but it was just not for me.
March 2, 2024
Книга виявилась зовсім не такою, як я очікувала. За легковажною назвою і такою ж легковажною обкладинкою, криється психологічно тяжка історія.
Дуже руйнівне чтиво. Для мене це було настільки депресивно, приблизно, як і "Маленьке життя".
Це не та книга, аби можна було оцінити на рівні "сподобалось/не сподобалось"
Я не шкодую, що прочитала її, але й радити теж нікому не стану. Тут точно не про "хтивці" й "печерки"
Дуже глибока похмура психологічна проза.
Роман про одержимість. І прочитавши книгу, нарешті я сповна розумію це твердження.
Просто тепер стала боятись усіх чоловіків на планеті.
Дуже руйнівне чтиво. Для мене це було настільки депресивно, приблизно, як і "Маленьке життя".
Це не та книга, аби можна було оцінити на рівні "сподобалось/не сподобалось"
Я не шкодую, що прочитала її, але й радити теж нікому не стану. Тут точно не про "хтивці" й "печерки"
Дуже глибока похмура психологічна проза.
Роман про одержимість. І прочитавши книгу, нарешті я сповна розумію це твердження.
Просто тепер стала боятись усіх чоловіків на планеті.
May 15, 2012
This book surprised me. It was not what I expected. To be honest, the book’s description on the back cover doesn’t give too much details on what it’s about and when I first began to read it, I asked myself “Why did I pick this one up”? Maybe it was because I got it on clearance for a buck @ the local bookshop. Nonetheless, I am happy I picked this one up. It turned out to be suspenseful and a good read. Here is what this book is about since the book description lacks some knowledge.
Alice meets Adam randomly on the street one day and they soon (very soon actually) embark on a passionate love affair. Alice is already in a relationship with a man named Jake but this does not stop her from pursuing something with Adam. Eventually in a week’s time she leaves Jake and her life behind. Adam is a mystery, his past is very secretive other than the fact that he is a mountain climber. Soon their sex lives begin to get violent. (This is where I would say goodbye Adam!). Alice thinks that it’s not a bad thing, maybe he is just into some Kinky stuff? She meets a woman who claims to be his ex and shows her welding scars to her and tells her Adam did that to her. At this point in the book even weirder things begin to occur. Notes are randomly left at Alice & Adam’s home…….
There were several times that I thought to myself “Come on now!” as I was reading this. This whole story is something that can happen in real life. & I’m sorry but whoever this has happened to is just plain dumb! To leave a serious committed relationship that you are in for some random man with 3 toes for sex, and get chocked out while you’re having sex, and get notes threatening that your being stalked, well your just a plain stupid woman for staying! I was a bit annoyed with Alice for her irresponsible life decisions and I thought she was getting what she deserved. Adam right from the beginning seemed like a macho-possessive man. I wasn’t buying his whole lustful mannerisms one bit!
The ending did surprise me though!
Alice meets Adam randomly on the street one day and they soon (very soon actually) embark on a passionate love affair. Alice is already in a relationship with a man named Jake but this does not stop her from pursuing something with Adam. Eventually in a week’s time she leaves Jake and her life behind. Adam is a mystery, his past is very secretive other than the fact that he is a mountain climber. Soon their sex lives begin to get violent. (This is where I would say goodbye Adam!). Alice thinks that it’s not a bad thing, maybe he is just into some Kinky stuff? She meets a woman who claims to be his ex and shows her welding scars to her and tells her Adam did that to her. At this point in the book even weirder things begin to occur. Notes are randomly left at Alice & Adam’s home…….
There were several times that I thought to myself “Come on now!” as I was reading this. This whole story is something that can happen in real life. & I’m sorry but whoever this has happened to is just plain dumb! To leave a serious committed relationship that you are in for some random man with 3 toes for sex, and get chocked out while you’re having sex, and get notes threatening that your being stalked, well your just a plain stupid woman for staying! I was a bit annoyed with Alice for her irresponsible life decisions and I thought she was getting what she deserved. Adam right from the beginning seemed like a macho-possessive man. I wasn’t buying his whole lustful mannerisms one bit!
The ending did surprise me though!
April 21, 2017
Alice locks eyes with a beautiful man in the street and her life is overturned. Leaving her comfortable home, her friends, her boyfriend, she immerses herself completely into this new love. But Adam is more than he seems and his refusal to discuss his past holds more secrets than Alice can imagine...
This is an intelligent read which probes the boundaries between overwhelming 'true' love and obsession; between submission and victimisation; and between consensual sex and something much darker.
The idea of 'the One' great love has become such a cliche and yet is still an ideal which underpins so much of contemporary culture. This book takes that idea and pushes it to its logical extremes, exposing the dark underside where both romantic and erotic love shade into madness and violence.
There are elements of this book which don't quite hold together but overall this is a compulsive read, written in a deceptively easy to read style. Excellent, and the more you think about it the more frightening it becomes.
This is an intelligent read which probes the boundaries between overwhelming 'true' love and obsession; between submission and victimisation; and between consensual sex and something much darker.
The idea of 'the One' great love has become such a cliche and yet is still an ideal which underpins so much of contemporary culture. This book takes that idea and pushes it to its logical extremes, exposing the dark underside where both romantic and erotic love shade into madness and violence.
There are elements of this book which don't quite hold together but overall this is a compulsive read, written in a deceptively easy to read style. Excellent, and the more you think about it the more frightening it becomes.
February 1, 2016
So .... thrillers, romance, erotic, suspense with cheating .... not really my thing! Who knew!
March 22, 2024
DNF: foca-se apenas na relação tóxica entre 2 pessoas q se encontram por acaso na rua. Pouco credível, uma vez que Alice tinha um namorado, um grupo de amigos, trabalhava. Não era propriamente um jovem inocente sem qualquer experiência. Não faltaram red flags para lhe abrir os olhos. Li praticamente 50% do livro só para tentar descobrir a que ponto chega... mas é sempre mais do mesmo... Resumidamente, bom livro para ter vontade de dar duas bofetadas à personagem principal...
July 20, 2017
My first Nicci French book and it was obvious to me that this was written by two people. The writing didn't gel and lacked consistency at times. The storyline came across as just ridiculous: Alice, happy and settled in her life with Jake, spies Adam in the street and ..... pow! ....... gives everything up to be with him. It is fairly evident from the outset that Adam is a very dangerous person but Alice seems to have been hypnotised into stupidity and doesn't get away ASAP. This is the inconsistency. We are told that Alice is a very together person, a scientist holding down a responsible job, but her actions with Adam suggest the opposite. Other details jarred: she is constantly absent from work because of Adam but nothing is made of this by her boss. She is learning French for some unexplained reason. Things happen but are not picked up on later. And she hides important incriminating evidence in her underwear drawer! Surely the first place one would look? This had the potential to be a very good book about obsession and power and fear but, for me, it just didn't work.
January 14, 2022
So I’m only 26 pages in and I had to DNF it already. First you have a great boyfriend and a great career. Then you happen to see a dude on the street and all he says is “I’ve been waiting for you.” Instead of touching his face and looking at his features, you should of ran for the hills lady! Did you forget about your boyfriend Jake that fast??? She starts to take his shoe off and notices his right foot only has 3 toes along with other scars all over his body. Not sure if we find out what happened to him later on. Then she has sex with him and heads back to work like nothing happened. I have so many questions and this is supposed to be a thriller similar to Gone Girl. I can’t take it seriously at all.
May 23, 2024
This book is a legal drug. I wanted to dive in based on the absolutely insane, campy and completely different 2002 movie adaptation with Heather Graham, but the original mystery is actually well constructed and the dark romance, haunting and heartbreaking in a way that actually makes sense. I even enjoyed learning about the mountain climbing bits and how everything tied together so chillingly and perfect. Obsession can easily turn into paranoia if you commit to love before having all the answers. Before you know it the fever dream of passion has turned into a nightmare.
August 26, 2024
Este livro é muito chato no início. Bastante chato. A forma como ela descreve as relações de amizade e como o Adam e o Jake e o seu trabalho e vida quotidiana. É como se estivesse a ler um relatório. A segunda metade do livro fica bem melhor. Mas o final é muito irrealista: não o suicídio, mas o fato de ninguém ir descobrir essa história. Depois de tudo resolvido e investigado, duvido que os envolvidos não falem. Já agora, estão me a dizer que o Adam trocou a corda azul pela amarela e ninguém reparou?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2011
Man can I give this book a 3.5..LOL anyways I really did enjoy this book as it is subtitled as A Novel of Obsession and that is exactly what she was, obsessed, like to the extreme..Okay so the book starts out with an ordinary woman just like any one of us in a great relationship with a guy who is comfortable with her, and wants to marry her--she has a great circle of college friends and a great job as a scientific researcher for a female contraceptive..everything a thirty-something woman could want then one day as she is crossing the street she locks eyes with a beautiful mysterious stranger..Yeah he's hot and she is intrigued but forgets him as she goes to work, however when she leaves work he is still there and without even giving her his name she follows him to his borrowed residence and has mind blowing sex..Okay so with just that intro I was alittle lost on relating to her, who does this, she doesnt even know anything about him, where she is going or anything but follows this crazy quiet dude anywhere it was creepy..So like I said she follows him, begins this crazy affair where she lies to everyone, alienates herself from her friends and eventually breaks it off with her boyfriend and then get this, she marries the dude she knows nothing about..and yup he's crazy..He is ultra secretive, gets into kinky masochistic sex and becomes obsessesed with her, while she is finally wising up and investigating him as well..She delves into his past with an almost unhealthy fixation and finds everything she wanted to, and more..Like I said I enjoyed this book and felt the writing was superb, alive and expressive and I cant wait to read more from this author (interesting side note: found out this author was a husband and wife tag team writing duo, how amazing)--however as noted the plot was silly and kinda unbelievable, what woman would do anything she did, no intelligent self respecting female I know but hey thats why I read, to find out what I dont know and see what others do..Love it
April 10, 2014
Chilling. I love the way the book starts and then backtracks. Doesn't always work but it does here. The authors show how deep obsession can go, how the victim can be pulled in without even realising it's happening, and even when they do, it's still difficult to believe what's going on. Adam is a damaged individual. So kind and caring, so vile and manipulative. Well drawn characters all round. I've read this book twice - psychological suspense novels don't come better than this. Not a romance!
May 9, 2007
Okay, this book is like a lifetime movie meets Showtime. Another one of my guilty pleasures. This is a curl yourself in a blanket and never get up book. It's a bad car accident. You're surprised you're so interested and a little disappointed in yourself, but you can't peel yourself away!
June 29, 2013
This was revoltingly gross. One of those "My husband was a rapist and a murderer but I still love him" stories, complete with sexual violence and controlling behaviour. I have to say I don't understand the appeal of these writers and I won't be reading any more of their books to find out.
July 22, 2013
Another reviewer mentioned something to the effect that this book reminded her of one of those cheesy made-for-TV movies on Lifetime. I wholeheartedly concur. Cannot think of a better way to phrase it. Period.
This was a First-reads giveaway, thank you.
This was a First-reads giveaway, thank you.
April 17, 2018
Listened to in audio format.
Marry in haste, repent at leisure comes to mind.
I love husband and wife team Nicci Gerard and Sean French and I am in the process of listening to their books.
However for some reason I kept putting off listening to Killing Me Softly.
Scientist Alice Loudon was in relationship with boyfriend Jake. Jake and Alice had lovely set of friends called 'the crew' which included her best friend who is also Jake's sister.
One morning Alice crossed the road near her office and spotted an attractive man on the opposite side of the road. Frozen to the spot they both stared at each other until Alice crossed the road and went to work. Alice was vshocked by her reaction but then forgotbhim. At lunchtime the mysterious man wasvlnoutside waiting for her, Alice wordless followeev him back to his flat to have sex.
The man was called Adam Talis and was a famous mountaineer. Alice and Adam started an affair, Alice quickly became obsessed with Adam and left the lovely Jake after one week and moved in with him.
Alice loved Adam but was disturbed by his cruel sado masochist tendencies. Unable to see reality they marry shortly after. After getting married she finds out Adam was involved with a disastrous trip to Chungawat and he tried to save the climbers.
When a reporter tells Alice that Adam had been charged with rape at College she starts to see his dark side. When Adam's friend tells her his ex girlfriend was on the Chungawat trip she tries to find out what happened on the expedition. After alienating her friends Alice has no one to talk too. She starts to look into the lives of the dead members including visiting their relatives and searching through the victims bins. When Alice's suspicions are realised she finds her life in danger.
I did enjoy this book, but there was no mystery, suspense or even romance in the story. I could forgive this if I cared about Alice, but I did not. I liked Jake and his sister who was Alice's BF but felt betrayed because Alice had cheated on her brother.
I was also surprised by the ending I thought it was an anti-climax.
I recommend Nicci French's books just not this one.
Marry in haste, repent at leisure comes to mind.
I love husband and wife team Nicci Gerard and Sean French and I am in the process of listening to their books.
However for some reason I kept putting off listening to Killing Me Softly.
Scientist Alice Loudon was in relationship with boyfriend Jake. Jake and Alice had lovely set of friends called 'the crew' which included her best friend who is also Jake's sister.
One morning Alice crossed the road near her office and spotted an attractive man on the opposite side of the road. Frozen to the spot they both stared at each other until Alice crossed the road and went to work. Alice was vshocked by her reaction but then forgotbhim. At lunchtime the mysterious man wasvlnoutside waiting for her, Alice wordless followeev him back to his flat to have sex.
The man was called Adam Talis and was a famous mountaineer. Alice and Adam started an affair, Alice quickly became obsessed with Adam and left the lovely Jake after one week and moved in with him.
Alice loved Adam but was disturbed by his cruel sado masochist tendencies. Unable to see reality they marry shortly after. After getting married she finds out Adam was involved with a disastrous trip to Chungawat and he tried to save the climbers.
When a reporter tells Alice that Adam had been charged with rape at College she starts to see his dark side. When Adam's friend tells her his ex girlfriend was on the Chungawat trip she tries to find out what happened on the expedition. After alienating her friends Alice has no one to talk too. She starts to look into the lives of the dead members including visiting their relatives and searching through the victims bins. When Alice's suspicions are realised she finds her life in danger.
I did enjoy this book, but there was no mystery, suspense or even romance in the story. I could forgive this if I cared about Alice, but I did not. I liked Jake and his sister who was Alice's BF but felt betrayed because Alice had cheated on her brother.
I was also surprised by the ending I thought it was an anti-climax.
I recommend Nicci French's books just not this one.
February 1, 2025
Все, що я могла б сказати про книгу - соціопати не покінчують життя самогубством. Але напишу трохи більше про роман, який не варто було і читати. Наголошу, що це тільки моя особиста думка, бо фанатів багатенько, і у фільмах і в оригінала.
Головна героїня максимально нудна і не цікава. Тому я до кінця не можу зрозуміти, чим саме Еліс зацікавила Адама. До речі, закоханість з першого погляду тут досить дивно прописана. Як на мене виглядає на звичайну хтивість, яка переросла в нездорову залежність, аб'юз та насилля. Одержимість усім, що вона робить, говорить, її тілом. Одруження з нічого, знайомі декілька місяців, він дивно поводиться, вона змінюється і їй це не подобається, але ж чому не зробити все офіційним?
Детективне розслідування не так щоб і цікаве. Ніхто не склав до купи всі частинки пазлу, а їй було не байдуже шукати прогалини у минулому коханого чоловіка. Спочатку наївна, довірлива, а пізніше параноїчка.
Фінальна сцена наче марення, Еліс біжить, Адам доганяє, на вулиці ніхто не реагує, а в поліції не вірять. Те що здавалося логічним і справжнім, втратило сенс за одну розмову з поліцейським. Друзі теж не вірять в її історію, зате в адекватністі Адама, якого знають ще менше, ніж вона, впевнені.
Екранізацію не дивилась, маю передчуття, що мені сподобається ще менше, ніж першоджерело. Акторськмй склад дуже підходить до образу персонажів, які я собі створила в голові.
Головна героїня максимально нудна і не цікава. Тому я до кінця не можу зрозуміти, чим саме Еліс зацікавила Адама. До речі, закоханість з першого погляду тут досить дивно прописана. Як на мене виглядає на звичайну хтивість, яка переросла в нездорову залежність, аб'юз та насилля. Одержимість усім, що вона робить, говорить, її тілом. Одруження з нічого, знайомі декілька місяців, він дивно поводиться, вона змінюється і їй це не подобається, але ж чому не зробити все офіційним?
Детективне розслідування не так щоб і цікаве. Ніхто не склав до купи всі частинки пазлу, а їй було не байдуже шукати прогалини у минулому коханого чоловіка. Спочатку наївна, довірлива, а пізніше параноїчка.
Фінальна сцена наче марення, Еліс біжить, Адам доганяє, на вулиці ніхто не реагує, а в поліції не вірять. Те що здавалося логічним і справжнім, втратило сенс за одну розмову з поліцейським. Друзі теж не вірять в її історію, зате в адекватністі Адама, якого знають ще менше, ніж вона, впевнені.
Екранізацію не дивилась, маю передчуття, що мені сподобається ще менше, ніж першоджерело. Акторськмй склад дуже підходить до образу персонажів, які я собі створила в голові.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2017
I might have given this book a three star review, as despite my frustrations with it, it was an easy and strangely compelling read, IF by the end Alice came to the realisation that Adam had never loved her or any other woman, he was a narcissist with an ego the size of Everest. If you love someone you don't kill them if they want to leave you, you might be heartbroken but if you love someone you ultimately want them to be happy. I cringed at Alice boasting about her friend Clive thinking of her as the only woman who had known true 'romantic love'. Sorry Alice, but no one should ask you for romantic advice.
Read
April 19, 2021I found the story line of this book rather hard going...it didn't grip me like I thought it was going to,it was dull and boring for me and didn't hold many surprises...I guessed rather early on in the book what was happening and what was going to happen...I was very disappointed with this book, I expected more from it,An OK read if you don't have anything else in the house to read!!
October 23, 2007
This book is excellent, and got me snapping up every Nicci French book I could find. Just please, please don't watch the movie! It's one of the worst movies I've ever seen! If I had seen the movie first I would never have read the book.
October 15, 2023
воу, треш
несподівано для мене, ця книга виявилась класною, І ЗОВСІМ НЕ ПРО ТЕ, ЩО Я ДУМАЛА
от через такі ситуації і не треба сліпо піддаватися пристрасті…
несподівано для мене, ця книга виявилась класною, І ЗОВСІМ НЕ ПРО ТЕ, ЩО Я ДУМАЛА
от через такі ситуації і не треба сліпо піддаватися пристрасті…
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