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A Life Removed
Detectives Bruce Marklin and Jocelyn Beaudette have put plenty of criminals behind bars. But a new terror is stalking their city. The killer’s violent crimes are ritualistic but seemingly indiscriminate. As the death toll rises, the detectives must track a murderer without motive. The next kill could be anyone… maybe even one of their own.
Officer Aaron Pimental sees no hope for himself or humanity. His girlfriend is pulling away, and his best friend has found religion. When Aaron is thrust into the heart of the investigation, he must choose who he will become, the hero or the villain.
If Aaron doesn’t decide soon, the choice will be made for him.
Officer Aaron Pimental sees no hope for himself or humanity. His girlfriend is pulling away, and his best friend has found religion. When Aaron is thrust into the heart of the investigation, he must choose who he will become, the hero or the villain.
If Aaron doesn’t decide soon, the choice will be made for him.
280 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2017
427 people are currently reading
828 people want to read
About the author
Jason Parent
50 books690 followersIn his head, Jason Parent lives in many places, but in the real world, he calls New England his home. The region offers an abundance of settings for his writing and many wonderful places in which to write them. He currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with his cuddly corgi named Calypso.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists into a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
Please visit the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonP..., on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AuthorJasParent, or at his website, http://authorjasonparent.com/, for information regarding upcoming events or releases, or if you have any questions or comments for him.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists into a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
Please visit the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonP..., on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AuthorJasParent, or at his website, http://authorjasonparent.com/, for information regarding upcoming events or releases, or if you have any questions or comments for him.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
June 28, 2017
Detectives Bruce Marklin and Jocelyn Beaudette have been called in to catch a new killer that seems to hunt their victims at random. With no clues as to how or why the victims are being chosen or just how the killer is managing to complete the murders the detectives find themselves chasing down clues.
Officer Aaron Pimental has been in a bit of a personal spiral with his girlfriend pulling away and depressed with life. Aaron was at the scene of one of the killings and finds himself really losing faith in humanity but then finds himself right in the middle of the chase for justice from the ritualistic killings.
A Life Removed was a completely different type of story than I've experienced from Jason Parent before which wasn't necessarily a bad thing but I found myself not as big of a fan of this one than ones I'd read earlier leaving me to rate the story at 3.5 stars. This book is more heavily a police procedural than the horror reads I'd experienced before from Mr. Parent. Once getting more into the killings and suspects I saw the tinges of horror but had wished there were more to it than I found. I would warn though that the story can be a bit graphic for those that would shy from that but not too terrible with serial killings involved. Overall, a good read but I wasn't quite wowed with this one.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Officer Aaron Pimental has been in a bit of a personal spiral with his girlfriend pulling away and depressed with life. Aaron was at the scene of one of the killings and finds himself really losing faith in humanity but then finds himself right in the middle of the chase for justice from the ritualistic killings.
A Life Removed was a completely different type of story than I've experienced from Jason Parent before which wasn't necessarily a bad thing but I found myself not as big of a fan of this one than ones I'd read earlier leaving me to rate the story at 3.5 stars. This book is more heavily a police procedural than the horror reads I'd experienced before from Mr. Parent. Once getting more into the killings and suspects I saw the tinges of horror but had wished there were more to it than I found. I would warn though that the story can be a bit graphic for those that would shy from that but not too terrible with serial killings involved. Overall, a good read but I wasn't quite wowed with this one.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
June 18, 2017
Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review.
Trusting, faithful followers. Believers and redeemers. Soul stealers. Lemmings. One is evolving, one is regaining his sight. A man with a God complex and a disarming smile. Do not let him into your heart.
A tantalizing mixture of police procedural and horror. The blend makes for a tasty read if you don't mind a healthy helping of gore. I thought it was swell.
Trusting, faithful followers. Believers and redeemers. Soul stealers. Lemmings. One is evolving, one is regaining his sight. A man with a God complex and a disarming smile. Do not let him into your heart.
A tantalizing mixture of police procedural and horror. The blend makes for a tasty read if you don't mind a healthy helping of gore. I thought it was swell.
June 1, 2017
Review copy
Not exactly what I was expecting from Jason Parent, but WOW, what a great read.
“'Are you looking for some company?' she asked, knowing they wouldn’t be talking to her for any other reason. 'Actually, we were looking for you.' The man’s smile and his voice’s velvet tone oozed with charm."
Eliza, one of the victims of a serial killer like none other. Assigned to the case are Detective Bruce Marklin, a man no one liked, and his partner, Detective Jocelyn Beaudette.
“They sawed through all four victims’ chests and removed their hearts like scooping the pulp out of a jack-o’-lantern."
Office Aaron Pimental is the author's main protagonist. In his guest post on my blog yesterday, the author asked, "Can you become emotionally invested in a character whose morals are questionable or absent altogether?" For me, the answer would be a resounding YES!.
“'Well, that gives us a hooker, an attorney, a diddler ex-con, and— what did the fourth guy do again?' 'Antiques dealer and appraiser. Yeah, if these four are somehow connected, their employment doesn’t seem to be the common link.'”
The horror builds slowly until it ultimately becomes oppressive.
"As the blade entered his chest, Peter’s eyes flew open involuntarily. The metal seared inside him, his every nerve ending screaming their torture into his brain. The blade pierced flesh and bone until its hilt rested against Peter’s chest. He felt it tugging at his insides. His ribcage put up some resistance before it yielded. He squealed as his life slipped away. Numb with shock, Peter stared up to see his killer was still smiling. "
At its core A Life Removed is a gritty police procedural, yet so much more. It's a compelling read with a wicked twist. Stomach churning at times and one of the best books I've read this year.
"Given the right circumstances, anyone could be a hero… or a killer, the distinction was only a matter of perception."
From Red Adept Publishing A Life Removed is currently available only as an e-book.
From Jason's bio - In his head, Jason Parent lives in many places, but in the real world, he callsNew England his home. The region offers an abundance of settings for his writing and many wonderful places in which to write them. He currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with his cuddly corgi named Calypso.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists in a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
Not exactly what I was expecting from Jason Parent, but WOW, what a great read.
“'Are you looking for some company?' she asked, knowing they wouldn’t be talking to her for any other reason. 'Actually, we were looking for you.' The man’s smile and his voice’s velvet tone oozed with charm."
Eliza, one of the victims of a serial killer like none other. Assigned to the case are Detective Bruce Marklin, a man no one liked, and his partner, Detective Jocelyn Beaudette.
“They sawed through all four victims’ chests and removed their hearts like scooping the pulp out of a jack-o’-lantern."
Office Aaron Pimental is the author's main protagonist. In his guest post on my blog yesterday, the author asked, "Can you become emotionally invested in a character whose morals are questionable or absent altogether?" For me, the answer would be a resounding YES!.
“'Well, that gives us a hooker, an attorney, a diddler ex-con, and— what did the fourth guy do again?' 'Antiques dealer and appraiser. Yeah, if these four are somehow connected, their employment doesn’t seem to be the common link.'”
The horror builds slowly until it ultimately becomes oppressive.
"As the blade entered his chest, Peter’s eyes flew open involuntarily. The metal seared inside him, his every nerve ending screaming their torture into his brain. The blade pierced flesh and bone until its hilt rested against Peter’s chest. He felt it tugging at his insides. His ribcage put up some resistance before it yielded. He squealed as his life slipped away. Numb with shock, Peter stared up to see his killer was still smiling. "
At its core A Life Removed is a gritty police procedural, yet so much more. It's a compelling read with a wicked twist. Stomach churning at times and one of the best books I've read this year.
"Given the right circumstances, anyone could be a hero… or a killer, the distinction was only a matter of perception."
From Red Adept Publishing A Life Removed is currently available only as an e-book.
From Jason's bio - In his head, Jason Parent lives in many places, but in the real world, he callsNew England his home. The region offers an abundance of settings for his writing and many wonderful places in which to write them. He currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with his cuddly corgi named Calypso.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists in a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
May 23, 2017
A LIFE REMOVED, by Jason Parent, is an intense genre combination horror novel. It encompasses a crime/police procedural thriller with dark, sinister action, gore, and an added abundance of psychological horror. The end result is a novel that you feel you've "lived" through, so well defined are the characters and events that unfold. I'd wager that there is a character in this book that almost everyone could relate--in some part--to.
Aaron Pimental is a policeman with the "usual" duty of waiting to find speeding violations, going home to a girlfriend who's grown increasingly distant, and friends that have "found God", and now have seemingly much less time for Aaron. A sense of overwhelming depression is practically expected here.
". . . just another long day in a long sad string of them. The definition of living . . . "
When some horrific ritualistic murders are discovered, Fall River detectives Bruce Marklin and his partner, Jocelyn Beaudette are called in. Despite their impressive records, this particular case isn't giving up any leads easily.
While all of this is going on, Aaron's life just keeps looking worse and worse from his perspective. As he turns to his best friends to get his mind on other things, all he finds there is increasing pressure to join their religious group--a notion that Aaron does not bother to entertain.
" . . . If God was real, he didn't believe in Aaron . . . "
Each of the characters that Jason Parent presents us with are fully fleshed out. You feel that you actually know and understand each of them, rather than being bombarded with a string of forgettable faces. The problems and frustrations building in Aaron begin like cracks in a dam; widening and spreading out in every direction until you expect it to burst at any moment.
". . . peace had become an illusion, a lie like all the others he'd tricked them into believing . . ."
If at any point you think you know where this novel is going, think again. There are enough twists, turns, secrets, and revelations to keep your emotions on edge throughout each and every page. In spite of the physical atrocities being committed, the horrendous torture and murders, I found that it was a "mental connection" with the characters that really made A LIFE REMOVED an exceptional, five-star novel, in my opinion. Their individual personalities gradually unfold over the course of the story, allowing you to get a sense of both the people you are seeing now, and who they were before these events.
"Only those you truly love can hurt you."
As certain things come together (and others fall apart), we are taken on a tour of some of the most basic human motives/emotions, and given insight into some . . . NOT as commonplace or expected. Jason Parent is not afraid to breach those socially unacceptable thoughts and desires in order to show the reader what--or who--else we could be sharing our morning bus commute with.
". . . Given the right circumstances, anyone could be a hero . . . or a killer . . . maybe the distinction was only a matter of perception . . . "
It's his ability to give the readers these deeply flawed--and human--characters, and put them into a situation that you'll find yourself thinking about long after, which makes this type of horror novel--one both physical and psychological--stand out among so many others.
Pick up a copy and see what you think. Be prepared to want to stay and read through the entire novel in one sitting . . .
Highly recommended!
Aaron Pimental is a policeman with the "usual" duty of waiting to find speeding violations, going home to a girlfriend who's grown increasingly distant, and friends that have "found God", and now have seemingly much less time for Aaron. A sense of overwhelming depression is practically expected here.
". . . just another long day in a long sad string of them. The definition of living . . . "
When some horrific ritualistic murders are discovered, Fall River detectives Bruce Marklin and his partner, Jocelyn Beaudette are called in. Despite their impressive records, this particular case isn't giving up any leads easily.
While all of this is going on, Aaron's life just keeps looking worse and worse from his perspective. As he turns to his best friends to get his mind on other things, all he finds there is increasing pressure to join their religious group--a notion that Aaron does not bother to entertain.
" . . . If God was real, he didn't believe in Aaron . . . "
Each of the characters that Jason Parent presents us with are fully fleshed out. You feel that you actually know and understand each of them, rather than being bombarded with a string of forgettable faces. The problems and frustrations building in Aaron begin like cracks in a dam; widening and spreading out in every direction until you expect it to burst at any moment.
". . . peace had become an illusion, a lie like all the others he'd tricked them into believing . . ."
If at any point you think you know where this novel is going, think again. There are enough twists, turns, secrets, and revelations to keep your emotions on edge throughout each and every page. In spite of the physical atrocities being committed, the horrendous torture and murders, I found that it was a "mental connection" with the characters that really made A LIFE REMOVED an exceptional, five-star novel, in my opinion. Their individual personalities gradually unfold over the course of the story, allowing you to get a sense of both the people you are seeing now, and who they were before these events.
"Only those you truly love can hurt you."
As certain things come together (and others fall apart), we are taken on a tour of some of the most basic human motives/emotions, and given insight into some . . . NOT as commonplace or expected. Jason Parent is not afraid to breach those socially unacceptable thoughts and desires in order to show the reader what--or who--else we could be sharing our morning bus commute with.
". . . Given the right circumstances, anyone could be a hero . . . or a killer . . . maybe the distinction was only a matter of perception . . . "
It's his ability to give the readers these deeply flawed--and human--characters, and put them into a situation that you'll find yourself thinking about long after, which makes this type of horror novel--one both physical and psychological--stand out among so many others.
Pick up a copy and see what you think. Be prepared to want to stay and read through the entire novel in one sitting . . .
Highly recommended!
May 22, 2017
Review of A LIFE REMOVED
by Jason Parent
I found this mystery/thriller novel riveting. Jason Parent has quite a talent for writing complexity, and truly I did not see the twists this novel would take. Everything fit together quite well, though, and the tapestry is tautly woven and ultimately horrifying. It's easy to dismiss such a story as fiction, but the discerning reader is left pondering, “But what if--?”
This is not a good-guys vs. bad guys simplicity. This plot is complicated, as are the characters (even though some of them persist in denying their complexity) and some aspects were quite revelational to this reader. Granted, the story is quite violent and gory; again, this is not done for prurient satisfaction, but is an integral part of the characterization and plotting. For writers, there is a definite character arc and character evolution; for readers, enthrallment and “can't put the story aside” focus.
by Jason Parent
I found this mystery/thriller novel riveting. Jason Parent has quite a talent for writing complexity, and truly I did not see the twists this novel would take. Everything fit together quite well, though, and the tapestry is tautly woven and ultimately horrifying. It's easy to dismiss such a story as fiction, but the discerning reader is left pondering, “But what if--?”
This is not a good-guys vs. bad guys simplicity. This plot is complicated, as are the characters (even though some of them persist in denying their complexity) and some aspects were quite revelational to this reader. Granted, the story is quite violent and gory; again, this is not done for prurient satisfaction, but is an integral part of the characterization and plotting. For writers, there is a definite character arc and character evolution; for readers, enthrallment and “can't put the story aside” focus.
September 16, 2017
It is no secret - I am a huge fanboy for Jason Parent, and for good reason. The man is a talented writer, and as long as he is scribbling word, I will read them. Not to be cliche, but I would read his letter to Santa with wide-eyes wonder.
With the gushing out of the way, I also have to disclose Jason is a good friend as well. I've had the pleasure of hanging out with him a couple times, and he is a great guy. The fact that I know him bears no impact on my review of this book.
I really enjoyed A Life Removed. True to form, Jason formulated a tightly constructed plot, executed it with deadly precision, and left me begging for more. This book is hard to categorize, but that's one of the reasons Jason's books are so damn fun to read. You might think this is going to be a by the numbers police procedural, but you would be mistaken. There are several different genres deftly woven together to create a mysterious story which unravels like a cobra uncoiling, ready to spray venom in your eyes and sink its fangs into your jugular.
Read it. Then you should check out all of his other work. You won't be disappointed.
With the gushing out of the way, I also have to disclose Jason is a good friend as well. I've had the pleasure of hanging out with him a couple times, and he is a great guy. The fact that I know him bears no impact on my review of this book.
I really enjoyed A Life Removed. True to form, Jason formulated a tightly constructed plot, executed it with deadly precision, and left me begging for more. This book is hard to categorize, but that's one of the reasons Jason's books are so damn fun to read. You might think this is going to be a by the numbers police procedural, but you would be mistaken. There are several different genres deftly woven together to create a mysterious story which unravels like a cobra uncoiling, ready to spray venom in your eyes and sink its fangs into your jugular.
Read it. Then you should check out all of his other work. You won't be disappointed.
September 11, 2017
"To summarise: Jason Parent is a master storyteller. From the first word, you will be lost in the story. Just remember this: it’s make believe. Or is it?"
See here for the full review:
A Life Removed
See here for the full review:
A Life Removed
June 22, 2017
Faith is for the lemmings.
Let me start by saying that this is the first novel I've read by Jason Parent. I can't say that I loved it, though it wasn't a terrible read, it just wasn't for me.
Let's start with the premise of the story shall we... it's told from several points of view, the main being Aaron Pimental, a small time police officer who's life seems to be rather mundane, he's been with his girlfriend, Arianna, for 6 years and things couldn't be more "routine" for them if they were married. His job as a police officer lacks that allure and excitement that one might come to expect, he spends most of his days on speed patrol and filling out mindless paperwork for the occasional fender bender. Aaron is on-duty when he is called to a nearby murder scene of a woman who has been discovered in a dumpster behind a sandwich shop. This is where we meet detective Bruce Marklin, a Harvard graduate is was one hell of a detective, but prefers to work alone. He is arrogant, stubborn, and generally pissy, which is likely why he had two failed marriages. We also meet detective Jocelyn Beaudette, an ambitious woman who was every bit the opposite of her mentor, polite, approachable, soft but not weak. Genuinely likeable. We discover that there is a ritualistic serial killer on the loose that is slicing the wrists of it's victims and removing their hearts. What's believed to be a sign of stigmata. Aaron, Marklin, and Beaudette are brought together under the most unusual circumstances throughout this case as it devolves. We find that Aaron's character is forced to make some pretty tough decisions about his friends, his career, and his own morals.
The ubiquity of religion in the novel was a bit too much for me. I realize that religion is a common thread that binds many, and it's found in quite a bit of literature, but something about the way it was intertwined in this novel simply didn't work for me. I also found Aaron's character a bit too melodramatic. I get that it was intended, but as a main character, he turned me off to the novel entirely. The other big problem I had is that key character just goes missing and although the epilogue is intended to close this gap on what happens to this character, it just doesn't quite work for me.
I will say that the book was well edited and that Jason Parent's writing was impressive, I just didn't care for the story itself. He is a talented author, and I'm willing to check out his other work.
I want to thank NetGalley and Red Adept Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my review.
Let me start by saying that this is the first novel I've read by Jason Parent. I can't say that I loved it, though it wasn't a terrible read, it just wasn't for me.
Let's start with the premise of the story shall we... it's told from several points of view, the main being Aaron Pimental, a small time police officer who's life seems to be rather mundane, he's been with his girlfriend, Arianna, for 6 years and things couldn't be more "routine" for them if they were married. His job as a police officer lacks that allure and excitement that one might come to expect, he spends most of his days on speed patrol and filling out mindless paperwork for the occasional fender bender. Aaron is on-duty when he is called to a nearby murder scene of a woman who has been discovered in a dumpster behind a sandwich shop. This is where we meet detective Bruce Marklin, a Harvard graduate is was one hell of a detective, but prefers to work alone. He is arrogant, stubborn, and generally pissy, which is likely why he had two failed marriages. We also meet detective Jocelyn Beaudette, an ambitious woman who was every bit the opposite of her mentor, polite, approachable, soft but not weak. Genuinely likeable. We discover that there is a ritualistic serial killer on the loose that is slicing the wrists of it's victims and removing their hearts. What's believed to be a sign of stigmata. Aaron, Marklin, and Beaudette are brought together under the most unusual circumstances throughout this case as it devolves. We find that Aaron's character is forced to make some pretty tough decisions about his friends, his career, and his own morals.
The ubiquity of religion in the novel was a bit too much for me. I realize that religion is a common thread that binds many, and it's found in quite a bit of literature, but something about the way it was intertwined in this novel simply didn't work for me. I also found Aaron's character a bit too melodramatic. I get that it was intended, but as a main character, he turned me off to the novel entirely. The other big problem I had is that key character just goes missing and although the epilogue is intended to close this gap on what happens to this character, it just doesn't quite work for me.
I will say that the book was well edited and that Jason Parent's writing was impressive, I just didn't care for the story itself. He is a talented author, and I'm willing to check out his other work.
I want to thank NetGalley and Red Adept Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my review.
July 18, 2017
I've read and listened to the author's books before and have come to expect a sort of lowbrow entertainment, but I'm thrilled to see that he's actually improving as an author. With this one, somewhat unimaginatively named thriller, Parent enters a new territory. It's more ambitious, the dialogue is stronger and more importantly the characters are finally acquiring some dimensionality. This might have been just another middle of the road cops chasing a serial killer story, but Parent elevated the plot with the ambiguous protagonist who hears the siren's song luring him to the dark side and fights to resist it. That internal moral struggle made the book a much more interesting and compelling read. Plus it was fun, lots of fun and had some genuine thrills in it to appease genre fans. Nice done. Always great to see an author up their game. There's enough mediocrity out there plus one should really reach for the stars. Thanks Netgalley.
January 9, 2018
Detectives Bruce Marklin and Jocelyn Beaudette have put plenty of criminals behind bars. But now there is a killer out there somewhere who kills without motive, and doesn't care who he/she kills. Officer Aaron Pimental was the first officer at the first murder. He is going through some personal issues. There is a paranormal through the story, which isn't a high side for my liking. There is some descriptions of murder. Can the police figure out the killer is? You will need to read the book to find out.I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. This is my opinion of it.
January 6, 2018
This was given to me in exchange for my honest review from hiddengemsromance.com and I was hooked from the very beginning of this one.
July 22, 2018
Book source ~ ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.
Fall River, Massachusetts has a serial killer and it’s up to Detectives Bruce Marklin and Jocelyn Beaudette to find him before more bodies pile up. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a pattern to his killing and he’s getting bolder. Things really get rolling when it appears that Officer Aaron Pimental knows the killer. But are things what they seem?
A dark and twisted killer sets things in motion that he’s been planning for awhile. The detectives have a hard time getting a handle on who is doing the killing and, like most breaks in cases, an enterprising young officer stumbles upon a crucial piece of info after the detectives have exhausted all their leads. From there it’s just a race of catch me if you can before the killer gets away.
I’m not sure if I missed something, but the killer’s connection with Aaron confused me. I’m being vague because I don’t want to give away anything. Also, Aaron is really unlikeable. I just wanted to slap him most of the time. I’m not sure if that was the author’s intention, but that’s the way I ended up feeling. All-in-all this is a twisty, turny, fucked up suspense that has a surprising ending. I really didn’t see that coming.
Fall River, Massachusetts has a serial killer and it’s up to Detectives Bruce Marklin and Jocelyn Beaudette to find him before more bodies pile up. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a pattern to his killing and he’s getting bolder. Things really get rolling when it appears that Officer Aaron Pimental knows the killer. But are things what they seem?
A dark and twisted killer sets things in motion that he’s been planning for awhile. The detectives have a hard time getting a handle on who is doing the killing and, like most breaks in cases, an enterprising young officer stumbles upon a crucial piece of info after the detectives have exhausted all their leads. From there it’s just a race of catch me if you can before the killer gets away.
I’m not sure if I missed something, but the killer’s connection with Aaron confused me. I’m being vague because I don’t want to give away anything. Also, Aaron is really unlikeable. I just wanted to slap him most of the time. I’m not sure if that was the author’s intention, but that’s the way I ended up feeling. All-in-all this is a twisty, turny, fucked up suspense that has a surprising ending. I really didn’t see that coming.
November 13, 2021
This was an odd story. To say that I wanted to maybe go out and kill a noisy neighbor and munch on their heart might be a little overblown.......but then I had a snickers. I didn't get the energy boost from it that I might have received from a bloody, still beating heart, but hey, the neighbors are still alive! I loved everything about this story. The murderers and their motives were truly screwey. I like that. The police however were bumblers. Think keystone cops, without the billyclubs. While I finished this book yesterday, as of today I can't recall any of the characters names, except Aaron, he's impossible to forget. I don't know what that says about the book or the main characters, but I'm not sure that's a good thing. I prefer more character development. It's still a book I'd recommend. My thanks to Red Adept Publishing and Netgalley.
June 22, 2017
A Life Removed by Jason Parent is a thrilling criminal tale. Inside, readers will follow an investigation. Murder happening more than once. A former officer once good turns into a monster. With two of the best detectives following the evidence, it's only time until Aaron Pimental's life stops. The chase is exciting. The detectives, Bruce Marklin and Jocelyn Beaudette, are interesting to follow. A killer is loose and it will take time before they stop him. Death, danger, and intrigue are covered on every page. I enjoyed reading this novel. I look forward to reading more books by this talented writer. Overall, A Life Removed is one thriller I recommend to all.
May 24, 2017
When a ritualistic murderer comes to town, Detectives Marklin and Beaudette have their hands full. With no known motive for the killings they must work through a maze of potential suspects. Officer Aaron Pimental would like to solve this crime not only for promotion but as a way to straighten out his life. His girlfriend is slowly slipping away and he is losing his friends to religious mania. Will he be the hero who saves the day? Jason Parent has written an amazing thriller with lots of twists. Must read.
June 12, 2017
This is my first read by Jason parent. The description was just a bit too vivid for me but nonetheless, a well written book. A mixture of horror and police procedural set in small town America. Good characterisation and plenty twists to keep you engrossed. A good plot with plenty suspense means I would recommend this book. Many thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
June 30, 2018
Featured at The Review Period with Cat Ellington from 2018-06-16 - 2018-06-30, my review of A Life Removed by Jason Parent has been archived for its place in The Complete Anthology series.
https://catellington.blogspot.com
Thank you, Jason! You're a wonderful writer.
—Cat
https://catellington.blogspot.com
Thank you, Jason! You're a wonderful writer.
—Cat
July 24, 2017
'A Life Removed' is a thriller which runs the gamut from psychological to horror. When several bodies are found missing their hearts, detectives Marklin and Beaudette have a hard time investigating the case. The book has no fix POV, as parts of the story describe the police investigation, while others follow Aaron Pimental, who happened to be the first officer at the first crime scene. As a third angle, we have the viewpoint of the culprit, so we also know the who, how and where of each next murder. As the reader knows from the start who the murderer is, this is not a typical 'whodunnit' mystery, though of course one focus is on how and when the murderer will be caught, if at all. However, a large part of the book centers on the psychological aspect of the murders and the persons involved.
My favorite chapters where those featuring Marklin and Beaudette, both not necessarily likable characters, but I liked how they complemented each other in their work. On the other hand, I felt an instant dislike towards Aaron Pimental, who was complaining too much, showed too little initiative and turned out to be a very unstable and troubled character. With his psychological profile and background, I wondered how he managed to become a police officer at all. The psychopath responsible for the gruesome deaths at least had a clear and simple motive for his deeds. It was fascinating to see how he was able to easily influence, or rather brainwash, other people to serve his purpose, abusing religious belief for his cruel benefit.
While I enjoyed the unusual concept of this thriller at the same time I think it was unnecessarily long and often slow which too much dialogue. I also could have done with one or two less detailed descriptions of the murders, not because of their shocking brutality, but because it got boring.
At about sixty percent I was tempted to put the book down, as most questions where answered and, even with the subsequent turn of events, there was no tension left to hold my interest. While I did finish the book, the final twist held no surprise and rather felt like an overlong epilogue. Overall, this was an interesting story, but not exceptionally so.
(Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)
My favorite chapters where those featuring Marklin and Beaudette, both not necessarily likable characters, but I liked how they complemented each other in their work. On the other hand, I felt an instant dislike towards Aaron Pimental, who was complaining too much, showed too little initiative and turned out to be a very unstable and troubled character. With his psychological profile and background, I wondered how he managed to become a police officer at all. The psychopath responsible for the gruesome deaths at least had a clear and simple motive for his deeds. It was fascinating to see how he was able to easily influence, or rather brainwash, other people to serve his purpose, abusing religious belief for his cruel benefit.
While I enjoyed the unusual concept of this thriller at the same time I think it was unnecessarily long and often slow which too much dialogue. I also could have done with one or two less detailed descriptions of the murders, not because of their shocking brutality, but because it got boring.
At about sixty percent I was tempted to put the book down, as most questions where answered and, even with the subsequent turn of events, there was no tension left to hold my interest. While I did finish the book, the final twist held no surprise and rather felt like an overlong epilogue. Overall, this was an interesting story, but not exceptionally so.
(Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)
January 7, 2018
Wow, what a story! This story was full of feels and horror for me. I enjoyed the book, but found myself making faces at times. It is a well written crime thriller. The characters are very well formed and they pull you into the story completely.
A small town in Massachusetts is being terrorized by a killer who is brutal and very organized. The police are stumped and have no leads as to who the killer is. A well seasoned detective and a young detective are partnered to investigate and they work very well together, even though most of the precinct does not want to work with the seasoned detective, Bruce Marklin. He is a detective who has seen too much death, but his mind works like a computer and he is very good at what he does. There are few cases that he works on that are solved. This case is a challenge for him and his partner, Jocelyn Beaudette is also good at her job and she has a lot of barriers to overcome since she is a woman, a mom, and a young detective.
Aaron Pimental is a street cop who is not happy with his job, and has struggled with depression since he was a teen. Can he make his life have meaning and find anything in his job to make him happy? It seems as though his life is just a big screw up. He tries, but everything is against him.
I read this book in one day, it was too good to put down. It drew me in from the first page and kept my interest throughout the entire story. It did leave me with a few questions though. If you like a book to draw you in and keeps you turning the pages until the end, then you should read this book. I give this book a 5 star review.
A small town in Massachusetts is being terrorized by a killer who is brutal and very organized. The police are stumped and have no leads as to who the killer is. A well seasoned detective and a young detective are partnered to investigate and they work very well together, even though most of the precinct does not want to work with the seasoned detective, Bruce Marklin. He is a detective who has seen too much death, but his mind works like a computer and he is very good at what he does. There are few cases that he works on that are solved. This case is a challenge for him and his partner, Jocelyn Beaudette is also good at her job and she has a lot of barriers to overcome since she is a woman, a mom, and a young detective.
Aaron Pimental is a street cop who is not happy with his job, and has struggled with depression since he was a teen. Can he make his life have meaning and find anything in his job to make him happy? It seems as though his life is just a big screw up. He tries, but everything is against him.
I read this book in one day, it was too good to put down. It drew me in from the first page and kept my interest throughout the entire story. It did leave me with a few questions though. If you like a book to draw you in and keeps you turning the pages until the end, then you should read this book. I give this book a 5 star review.
June 9, 2017
3 and 1 / 2 stars
When the first victim is lured to her death and found in a dumpster, Officer Arron Pimental responds to the call. He is sickened by what he sees. The victim is naked and her heart has been removed.
Detectives Bruce Marklin, who no one likes and Jocelyn Beaudette show up at the scene. Aaron is offended by the cool manner in which Marklin takes in the scene. Beaudette is more human and able to feel more for the victim. They soon discover that this is not the first victim, and before the carnage is over, four victims die in the same manner.
Aaron is having problems with his girlfriend pulling away from him and his best friend has turned into a religious nut. He wants badly to be a part of the investigation, but is basically shut out.
We learn early on who the murderer is and why he is doing it. He has help. Aaron knows these people and is somewhat torn between good and bad. When he finally chooses, his life is in serious danger. Betrayed by his good friend, Aaron and his partner Brian are kidnapped and taken to a secret place where things turn very serious.
The book turns on a dime and gets even more enthralling.
This is an exciting and interesting read. It is fairly well written and plotted. This is my first Jason Parent book and I will be looking into his other novels. The suspense hits you from the very first and it only gets better.
I want to thank Netgalley and Red Adept Publishing, Inc. for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
When the first victim is lured to her death and found in a dumpster, Officer Arron Pimental responds to the call. He is sickened by what he sees. The victim is naked and her heart has been removed.
Detectives Bruce Marklin, who no one likes and Jocelyn Beaudette show up at the scene. Aaron is offended by the cool manner in which Marklin takes in the scene. Beaudette is more human and able to feel more for the victim. They soon discover that this is not the first victim, and before the carnage is over, four victims die in the same manner.
Aaron is having problems with his girlfriend pulling away from him and his best friend has turned into a religious nut. He wants badly to be a part of the investigation, but is basically shut out.
We learn early on who the murderer is and why he is doing it. He has help. Aaron knows these people and is somewhat torn between good and bad. When he finally chooses, his life is in serious danger. Betrayed by his good friend, Aaron and his partner Brian are kidnapped and taken to a secret place where things turn very serious.
The book turns on a dime and gets even more enthralling.
This is an exciting and interesting read. It is fairly well written and plotted. This is my first Jason Parent book and I will be looking into his other novels. The suspense hits you from the very first and it only gets better.
I want to thank Netgalley and Red Adept Publishing, Inc. for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
October 21, 2017
There's a serial killer on the loose in Fall River, Massachusetts; someone who's seriously sick. He kills indiscriminately and cuts out his victims' hearts. Police officer Aaron Pimental finds himself thrust into the limelight when he's first on scene at another grisly murder, then later discovers friend Craig has also fallen prey to the killer. Detectives Marklin and Beaudette begin to wonder if there's more to Pimental than meets the eye.....
A Life Removed is an excellent police procedural crime novel. Parts are very descriptive and will leave you wishing you hadn't eaten that last ham sandwich (!!!). The plot is extremely original and the twists and turns superb. Pimental comes across as a bit of an oddball; his current relationship is falling apart and his past is somewhat murky. His outlook on life is tainted and he's carrying not so much as a chip on his shoulder but more of a crater. More to the point, is he a hero or is he the perpetrator? Author Jason Parent has created a truly interesting character.
I personally enjoyed the departure from the run-of-the-mill 'cop catches killer' scenario and loved all the gory stuff but admittedly it may be not be everyone's cup of tea. I couldn't fault the writing; it's clearly by an author who knows his craft inside-out and upside-down. A very refreshing and original read.
My thanks to author Jason Parent for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
https://barnseybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2...
A Life Removed is an excellent police procedural crime novel. Parts are very descriptive and will leave you wishing you hadn't eaten that last ham sandwich (!!!). The plot is extremely original and the twists and turns superb. Pimental comes across as a bit of an oddball; his current relationship is falling apart and his past is somewhat murky. His outlook on life is tainted and he's carrying not so much as a chip on his shoulder but more of a crater. More to the point, is he a hero or is he the perpetrator? Author Jason Parent has created a truly interesting character.
I personally enjoyed the departure from the run-of-the-mill 'cop catches killer' scenario and loved all the gory stuff but admittedly it may be not be everyone's cup of tea. I couldn't fault the writing; it's clearly by an author who knows his craft inside-out and upside-down. A very refreshing and original read.
My thanks to author Jason Parent for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
https://barnseybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2...
June 27, 2017
This fast-paced, psychological thriller/murder mystery is not for the faint of heart or the weak stomach (play on words ;) ). The narration was well done by Parent as he painted an intricate and multi-layered plot that engrosses the reader from page 1 through the epilogue. The shifts in perspectives add suspense in addition to knowledge we have and the other major characters do not, laying out insecurities and inner struggles. Content-wise, I felt like I was reading an episode for The Blacklist because of the obscure nature of the heroes/criminals plus the motives and reasoning behind their acts. We see the motivations linked to what can be argued as a cult, using the Bible as a weapon. There is also interesting commentary on policing and potential corruption in the force when it comes to providing safety for those who feel in danger. Additionally, there are themes of depression, anxiety, and self-control that underpin many interactions. Although for me it was too gory and vividly detailed, it had the right amount of horror, terror, and mystery to keep you thinking long after you finish.
Read A Life Removed if you like the themes of:
Redemption
Psychological thriller
Horror
Detective work/Policing
Read A Life Removed if you like the themes of:
Redemption
Psychological thriller
Horror
Detective work/Policing
July 14, 2017
Officer Aaron Pimental attends a crime scene only to find a young lady naked and with her heart missing, detectives Marklin and Beaudette are to investigate the crime and when there are more bodies found it seems a serial killer has moved into their town. Marklin and Beaudette find it odd that Pimentall seems to turn up at their crime scenes more and more and they can't help wondering why.
This is a police procedural with added horror. It's told in the 3rd person and even though it changes to different characters it is so easy to follow and means you get to know the characters more. It's not for the feint hearted though as there is snippets of gore but totally appropriate and enhanced the plot. I did however find a couple of parts that were slightly amusing when Aaron finds himself in a canoe in the middle of a lake for instance. It's a fabulous book that that keeps you in suspense all the way through.
Thank you to NetGalley and Red Adept for a copy of the book.
This is a police procedural with added horror. It's told in the 3rd person and even though it changes to different characters it is so easy to follow and means you get to know the characters more. It's not for the feint hearted though as there is snippets of gore but totally appropriate and enhanced the plot. I did however find a couple of parts that were slightly amusing when Aaron finds himself in a canoe in the middle of a lake for instance. It's a fabulous book that that keeps you in suspense all the way through.
Thank you to NetGalley and Red Adept for a copy of the book.
March 2, 2019
One of the better police procedurals I have read the last few years.
This is a really intriguing and well put together crime story with a bit of paranormal horror thrown in.
The police are finding staged and positioned naked bodies of people whose hearts have been hacked out. The author takes us through the process as detectives Bruce Marklin and Jocelyn Beaudette piece together the crimes. Bruce and Jocelyn are brilliant. Unfortunately for them, the other police staff seem to be inept to incompetent. Aaron Pimental, the patrol officer is not an endearing character. He resents his life situation, but does nothing to change it for the better.
The villains are much more interesting. We see them as they perform their ritual murders and mutilations, and get to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
I found this a thoroughly readable and enjoyable crime / horror book.
I received an ARC copy and am posting this review freely.
This is a really intriguing and well put together crime story with a bit of paranormal horror thrown in.
The police are finding staged and positioned naked bodies of people whose hearts have been hacked out. The author takes us through the process as detectives Bruce Marklin and Jocelyn Beaudette piece together the crimes. Bruce and Jocelyn are brilliant. Unfortunately for them, the other police staff seem to be inept to incompetent. Aaron Pimental, the patrol officer is not an endearing character. He resents his life situation, but does nothing to change it for the better.
The villains are much more interesting. We see them as they perform their ritual murders and mutilations, and get to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
I found this a thoroughly readable and enjoyable crime / horror book.
I received an ARC copy and am posting this review freely.
July 20, 2017
I have received this books as an ARC from netGalley with intentions of writing an honest and truthful review.
I have never read a book from Jason Parent, but have heard some really good things about his writing, so when I saw this one on NetGalley I wanted to give it a shot. Wow is all I can say I will be reading more books from him in the future. He is a well written author and awesome story teller. His book had my attention from the minute I started the book to the minute I finished the book. It transported me to another realm, I felt like I was in the book with the characters. It is a good mix of two genres, intense genre and horror. I tend to not like horror books but I found this one was pretty good. A Life Removed was a real page turner because it had you always guessing what was going to happen on the next page.
I have never read a book from Jason Parent, but have heard some really good things about his writing, so when I saw this one on NetGalley I wanted to give it a shot. Wow is all I can say I will be reading more books from him in the future. He is a well written author and awesome story teller. His book had my attention from the minute I started the book to the minute I finished the book. It transported me to another realm, I felt like I was in the book with the characters. It is a good mix of two genres, intense genre and horror. I tend to not like horror books but I found this one was pretty good. A Life Removed was a real page turner because it had you always guessing what was going to happen on the next page.
June 9, 2017
A killer who removes the hearts of the victim is roaming the city and Detectives Bruce Marklin and Jocelyn Beaudette are assigned to the case. Unfortunately for Officer Aaron Pimental he becomes embroiled in the case.
An enjoyable, interesting read with some good twists.
A NetGalley Book
An enjoyable, interesting read with some good twists.
A NetGalley Book
May 29, 2017
A definite page turner, and it'll keep you guessing. Recommended reading!!
February 23, 2019
A story of multiple murders, committed by a serial killer(s), being investigated by a rather jaded, older detective, Marklin, and his younger female partner Jocelyn. The first dead body is found by a young beat cop called Aaron, shocked at the sight of a horrific scene of a naked, young female body found dumped on some garbage in a back alley. His naïve reaction mucks about with the forensics on scene and doesn’t make him very popular with Marklin.
The story is quite dark and covers several groups of people, showing you how they are interacting with each other and some of how their paths are crossing. Bodies continue to pile up, with the same M.O., with suggestions of a serial killer(s), a religious or some sort of satanic cult, being responsible. You get to see which of the characters are actually bad, as the story show you what is happening from each viewpoint and leaves you to put some of the rest of it together yourself.
The author, of course, does leave some wicked twists and surprises, in the story, for you to gasp at. Officer Aaron has a deeply hidden secret past, which will reveal his evil side and some definite horrors from the past! The story gets very graphic at times and is definitely a gory tale, so not for the light hearted type of reader, so be warned. Towards the end of the book, the action steps up and the actions of the serial killer(s) escalates and is very personal in its attacks.
The book really grabs your attention from the first few pages and doesn’t let go at all. Will any hero of the tale, remain a hero by the end of the book, or will the acts of evil tarnish their very souls? The detectives have a hard time solving this and are put into harm’s way, making it a very realistic crime thriller, where not every case can be solved nor every criminal can be caught.
A gruesome and realistic crime thriller that intrigues you and horrifies you at the same time. I had a great time reading it, working out what was happening and wondering if the murder spree would ever end. I would recommend this thriller to others, but with the warning that it is a very graphic and descriptive book – so read with caution. I receive an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
The story is quite dark and covers several groups of people, showing you how they are interacting with each other and some of how their paths are crossing. Bodies continue to pile up, with the same M.O., with suggestions of a serial killer(s), a religious or some sort of satanic cult, being responsible. You get to see which of the characters are actually bad, as the story show you what is happening from each viewpoint and leaves you to put some of the rest of it together yourself.
The author, of course, does leave some wicked twists and surprises, in the story, for you to gasp at. Officer Aaron has a deeply hidden secret past, which will reveal his evil side and some definite horrors from the past! The story gets very graphic at times and is definitely a gory tale, so not for the light hearted type of reader, so be warned. Towards the end of the book, the action steps up and the actions of the serial killer(s) escalates and is very personal in its attacks.
The book really grabs your attention from the first few pages and doesn’t let go at all. Will any hero of the tale, remain a hero by the end of the book, or will the acts of evil tarnish their very souls? The detectives have a hard time solving this and are put into harm’s way, making it a very realistic crime thriller, where not every case can be solved nor every criminal can be caught.
A gruesome and realistic crime thriller that intrigues you and horrifies you at the same time. I had a great time reading it, working out what was happening and wondering if the murder spree would ever end. I would recommend this thriller to others, but with the warning that it is a very graphic and descriptive book – so read with caution. I receive an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
March 28, 2022
A life removed by Jason Parent.
Detectives Bruce Marklin and Jocelyn Beaudette have put plenty of criminals behind bars. But a new terror is stalking their city. The killer’s violent crimes are ritualistic but seemingly indiscriminate. As the death toll rises, the detectives must track a murderer without motive. The next kill could be anyone… maybe even one of their own.Officer Aaron Pimental sees no hope for himself or humanity. His girlfriend is pulling away, and his best friend has found religion. When Aaron is thrust into the heart of the investigation, he must choose who he will become, the hero or the villain.
If Aaron doesn’t decide soon, the choice will be made for him.
A very good read with good characters. I do like this author. 4*.
Detectives Bruce Marklin and Jocelyn Beaudette have put plenty of criminals behind bars. But a new terror is stalking their city. The killer’s violent crimes are ritualistic but seemingly indiscriminate. As the death toll rises, the detectives must track a murderer without motive. The next kill could be anyone… maybe even one of their own.Officer Aaron Pimental sees no hope for himself or humanity. His girlfriend is pulling away, and his best friend has found religion. When Aaron is thrust into the heart of the investigation, he must choose who he will become, the hero or the villain.
If Aaron doesn’t decide soon, the choice will be made for him.
A very good read with good characters. I do like this author. 4*.
May 28, 2019
The writing is exceptional. Fast paced, easy to follow along, and more importantly, you care for the characters. Aaron turned out to be a weak kneed little worm, but with Jason's writing you don't see that coming until 3/4 of the way thru the book. It's full of surprises, twists, and turns, and shocks. I loved it, and if you like dark, and sleek, then this book surpasses a lot of what your expectations are about this book. It's a page Turner, I am a big fan of Jason's work, now all you have to do to be the same, is give up your fear and accept it into your heart. I give this 6 out of 5 stars, I don't normally do that, but this is my review and if you don't like it, Eat your heart out....lol
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