Blood Marks

by Bill Crider

Recently divorced Casey Buckner meets three exciting men in her new apartment--a married accountant, a single writer, and a psychologist--and one of them is a serial killer who has already brutally killed nine women.

Genres: Horror, Mystery

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Taught English at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Tex., and went on to become the chair of the Division of English and Fine Arts at Alvin Community College in Alvin, Tex.; prolific writer of mystery, science fiction, western, horror, and children's books, not to mention short stories, articles, reviews, and blog posts; perhaps best known for his Sheriff Dan Rhodes mystery series.

Reviews

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very poor book about a serial killer. The book is about child abuse and insanity and describes in detail many of the murders. I couldn't see any reason for this books' existance other than for gratuitous violence. I try not to put a book down once I start reading, but I almost made an exception with this one. I like Crider's Dan Rhodes series, but other than that one series I cannot for the life of me understand why everyone is so gaga over him. Not recommended.

[DJMikeG · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one insanely suspenseful, intricately plotted, well written, impossible to put down serial killer novel. Bill Crider brings you into the story like no one else and creates one hell of an excellent, terrifying read. This was one of the best suspense novels I've ever read. I've enjoyed everything I've read by Crider, but this is definitely the best thing I've read by him yet. Pretty heavy on the gore, so if you are sensitive to that kind of stuff, you may want to steer clear. Its also highly emotionally disturbing, especially during flashbacks to the killer's childhood, so be warned. Highly recommended for those looking for an edge your seat suspense novel.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a while, no one believed the murders in Houston were connected. Nine women killed over a couple of years. Two blonds, four brunettes, a redhead, two bleached blonds. Different ages, different professions, different methods of death, different parts of the city.

Howland was the cop in charge of the investigation. He gets his first clue when he is reviewing the cases with a police psychologist, who points out that, except for the first murder, there is no physical evidence left by the killer.

What ere the odds that a number of different killers are cleaning up the murders like that?

Divorcee Casey Buckner has just moved to Houston with her nine year old daughter. She's only met a few people at her apartment complex. A married man, a psychologist, and a writer.

And she's being stalked as the next victim.

The killer, in alternating chapters, is writing his story. He's the only one that sees the blood marks on his victims. He doesn't know why he has been chosen, but he knows what he has to do. Kill them violently and cut the blood marks off. It's the only way to KILL them!

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good psychological Thriller, that is tense in a tightly woven plot. You feel for the cop Howard trying to find clues. Or the young mother who just moved here, and has different suiters. The dark side is the flashback of the killer which was heavy in detailed. Over all another good one by the author. Given audio for my voluntary review and.

[Chuck Byrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Bill Crider for 20 years. His novels are always enjoyable.. Blood Marks moves quickly and deadly. The serial killer theme is sometimes overused and abused, but Mr. Crider keeps it fresh. I love Bill's westerns and his Sheriff Dan Rhodes novels.

[Tara Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good and scary serial killer tale that keeps you guessing. Predictable in the vein of Red Dragon in regards to the serial killer's history of abuse, but well written.

[Al Stoess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting. I did not figure out who "dunit". I may have read it before.