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Killing Season #1-3
Killing Season
New York Times bestselling author Faye Kellerman delivers an electrifying novel of suspense as a young man s investigation into his sister s death draws him into the path of a sadistic serial killer.
He went searching for the truth. Now a killer has found him.
The more you know, the more there is to fear
Four years ago, fifteen-year-old Ellen Vicksburg went missing in the quiet town of River Remez, New Mexico. Ellen was kind, studious, and universally liked. Her younger brother, Ben, could imagine nothing worse than never knowing what happened to her until, on the first anniversary of her death, he found her body in a shallow grave by the river s edge.
Ben, now sixteen, is committed to finding the monster who abducted and strangled Ellen. Police believe she was the victim of a psychopath known as the Demon. But Ben a math geek too smart for his high-school classes continues to pore over the evidence at the local police precinct, gaining an unlikely ally in his school s popular new girl, Ro Majors. In his sister s files, Ben s analytical mind sees patterns that don t fit, tiny threads that he adds to the clues from other similar unsolved murders. As the body count rises, a picture emerges of an adversary who is as cunning and methodical as he is twisted.
At first the police view Ben s investigation with suspicion. Soon his obsession will mark him as a threat. But uncovering the truth may not be enough to keep Ben and those he loves safe from a relentless killer who has nothing left to lose."
He went searching for the truth. Now a killer has found him.
The more you know, the more there is to fear
Four years ago, fifteen-year-old Ellen Vicksburg went missing in the quiet town of River Remez, New Mexico. Ellen was kind, studious, and universally liked. Her younger brother, Ben, could imagine nothing worse than never knowing what happened to her until, on the first anniversary of her death, he found her body in a shallow grave by the river s edge.
Ben, now sixteen, is committed to finding the monster who abducted and strangled Ellen. Police believe she was the victim of a psychopath known as the Demon. But Ben a math geek too smart for his high-school classes continues to pore over the evidence at the local police precinct, gaining an unlikely ally in his school s popular new girl, Ro Majors. In his sister s files, Ben s analytical mind sees patterns that don t fit, tiny threads that he adds to the clues from other similar unsolved murders. As the body count rises, a picture emerges of an adversary who is as cunning and methodical as he is twisted.
At first the police view Ben s investigation with suspicion. Soon his obsession will mark him as a threat. But uncovering the truth may not be enough to keep Ben and those he loves safe from a relentless killer who has nothing left to lose."
704 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2017
875 people are currently reading
2414 people want to read
About the author
Faye Kellerman
180 books2,024 followersFaye Kellerman was born in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in Sherman Oaks, California. She earned a BA in mathematics and a doctorate in dentistry at UCLA., and conducted research in oral biology. Kellerman's groundbreaking first novel, THE RITUAL BATH, was published in 1986 to wide critical and commercial acclaim. The winner of the Macavity Award for the Best First Novel from the Mystery Readers of American, THE RITUAL BATH introduced readers to Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus, termed by People Magazine "Hands down, the most refreshing mystery couple around." The New York Times enthused, "This couple's domestic affairs have the haimish warmth of reality, unlike the formulaic lives of so many other genre detectives."
There are well over twenty million copies of Faye Kellerman's novels in print internationally. The Decker/Lazarus thrillers include SACRED AND PROFANE; MILK AND HONEY; DAY OF ATONEMENT; FALSE PROPHET; GRIEVOUS SIN; SANCTUARY; as well as her New York Times Bestsellers, JUSTICE, PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD - listed by the LA Times as one of the best crime novel of 2001; SERPENT'S TOOTH; JUPITER'S BONES, THE FORGOTTEN, STONE KISS, STRAIGHT INTO DARKNESS, THE BURNT HOUSE, THE MERCEDES COFFIN and BLINDMAN'S BLUFF. . The novels, STALKER and STREET DREAMS, introduced Kellerman's newest protagonist, Police Officer Cindy Decker. In addition to her crime series, Kellerman is also the author of New York Time's bestseller MOON MUSIC, a suspense horror novel set in Las Vegas featuring Detective Romulus Poe, as well as an historical novel of intrigue set in Elizabethan England, THE QUALITY OF MERCY. She has also co-authored the New York Times Bestseller DOUBLE HOMICIDE, with her husband and partner in crime, Jonathan Kellerman. She has also written a young adult novel, PRISM, with her daughter, Aliza Kellerman
Faye Kellerman's highly praised short stories and reviews have been anthologized in numerous collections including two volumes of the notable SISTERS IN CRIME SERIES, Sara Paretsky's, A WOMAN'S EYE; THE FIRST ANNUAL YEAR'S FINEST CRIME AND MYSTERY STORIES; THE THIRD ANNUAL BEST MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR; WOMEN OF MYSTERY AND DEADLY ALLIES 11. Her personally annotated collection of her award winning stories, THE GARDEN OF EDEN and OTHER CRIMINAL DELIGHTS, was published in August of 2006. H
Her other hobbies include gardening, sewing and jogging if her back doesn't give out. She is the proud mother of four children, and her eldest son, Jesse, has just published his fourth novel, THE EXECUTOR, from Putnam. She lives in Los Angeles and Santa Fe with her husband, Jonathan, their youngest child, and their French Bulldog, Hugo.
There are well over twenty million copies of Faye Kellerman's novels in print internationally. The Decker/Lazarus thrillers include SACRED AND PROFANE; MILK AND HONEY; DAY OF ATONEMENT; FALSE PROPHET; GRIEVOUS SIN; SANCTUARY; as well as her New York Times Bestsellers, JUSTICE, PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD - listed by the LA Times as one of the best crime novel of 2001; SERPENT'S TOOTH; JUPITER'S BONES, THE FORGOTTEN, STONE KISS, STRAIGHT INTO DARKNESS, THE BURNT HOUSE, THE MERCEDES COFFIN and BLINDMAN'S BLUFF. . The novels, STALKER and STREET DREAMS, introduced Kellerman's newest protagonist, Police Officer Cindy Decker. In addition to her crime series, Kellerman is also the author of New York Time's bestseller MOON MUSIC, a suspense horror novel set in Las Vegas featuring Detective Romulus Poe, as well as an historical novel of intrigue set in Elizabethan England, THE QUALITY OF MERCY. She has also co-authored the New York Times Bestseller DOUBLE HOMICIDE, with her husband and partner in crime, Jonathan Kellerman. She has also written a young adult novel, PRISM, with her daughter, Aliza Kellerman
Faye Kellerman's highly praised short stories and reviews have been anthologized in numerous collections including two volumes of the notable SISTERS IN CRIME SERIES, Sara Paretsky's, A WOMAN'S EYE; THE FIRST ANNUAL YEAR'S FINEST CRIME AND MYSTERY STORIES; THE THIRD ANNUAL BEST MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR; WOMEN OF MYSTERY AND DEADLY ALLIES 11. Her personally annotated collection of her award winning stories, THE GARDEN OF EDEN and OTHER CRIMINAL DELIGHTS, was published in August of 2006. H
Her other hobbies include gardening, sewing and jogging if her back doesn't give out. She is the proud mother of four children, and her eldest son, Jesse, has just published his fourth novel, THE EXECUTOR, from Putnam. She lives in Los Angeles and Santa Fe with her husband, Jonathan, their youngest child, and their French Bulldog, Hugo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 496 reviews
December 14, 2017
My mother taught me If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all .😞🤐
December 14, 2017
ugh, ugh, ugh!
This is not the worst book I ever read but it is the second worst one. What a bunch of junk and it got junkier the further you go into the 700+ pages. The one good thing that can be said of this book is that it is a most effective sleeping aid.
What the heck were you thinking, Ms Kellerman?
This is not the worst book I ever read but it is the second worst one. What a bunch of junk and it got junkier the further you go into the 700+ pages. The one good thing that can be said of this book is that it is a most effective sleeping aid.
What the heck were you thinking, Ms Kellerman?
November 11, 2017
Killing Season
Years ago, as an early fan of Jonathon Kellerman, I decided to give his wife, Faye, a try. I reasoned that a good author would be attracted to another good author. In the case of Ms. Kellerman, this was not the case. I abandoned the book — whatever it was — early. But yesterday in the library, I saw she had a new book out and thought I’d try again, this time thinking she may have grown as a writer.
I’m sad to report she hasn’t. This book is a mess: the writing (and editing) are poor, the plot is lame, the characters wooden and preposterous, the dialogue from another universe. “Killing Season” is a mystery about the murders of four teenage girls, murders that occur in four different cities in four different seasons. The first victim is the sister of the book’s hero, Ben Vicksburg, who is, we are told, a genius, which makes him the ideal amateur detective for this tale. Presumably the book is about him solving the case, or at least that’s one of the things it’s about, but I wouldn’t know; I quit halfway through. Keep that in mind as you read this; maybe the book makes a complete turnaround. I wouldn’t know.
I won’t go into all my complaints about “Killing Season.” Three points should suffice. First, I don’t know if Ms. Kellerman ever really knew what book she wanted to write. Is it a coming of age story about two teenagers who meet under trying circumstances and have to work out how to have a relationship? Is it a whodunit? Is it a police procedural? I’m not sure, but it fails on all three plots. These teenagers are like no teenagers I have EVER met: their conversations are unrealistic, their attraction to one another or anyone else is never quite explained, and the dynamics of the larger high school group haven’t existed since 1950. There’s tension in the relationship that hasn’t much basis; the sex, given the odd puritanism of the group, is just weird; and the extent to which each of them tolerates undesired behavior is ridiculous. And how is it that 17-year-olds are getting on airplanes, flying 1000 miles, renting cars, staying in motels, all without any parental involvement or even parental knowledge? Last I heard you have to be 25 to rent a car, you need serious money to buy a plane ticket, and the parents of a murdered girl might not be all that eager/willing to talk to the brother of another girl, even if he is a genius.
And don’t get me started on the parents. To a person, the three sets of parents I met in this book are disengaged from their children despite serious catastrophes in their families. On the one hand, they are described as caring, loving, good parents; on the other hand, they ricochet through bad behavior: abandoning the kids at meals, failing to engage in serious dialogue, invading privacy, and getting angry when they should be getting worried. They are, as the King of Siam would say, a puzzlement.
But I think the icing on the cake is the police. We have detectives who show this 17 year old boy the complete files on his sister’s murder, have conversations with him in which they are stunned by HIS insight into the case. They alternate between telling him to quit investigating and then pleading for his notes. And as an aside: we have magic. Vicks, the boy, tells us he collects data, puts it into his computer, and waits for the analysis; yup, magic happens. And the magic reveals pretty basic stuff, like the meaningfulness of the dates of the disappearances of the girls.
Okay, one more point. These kids are repeatedly told by important people in their lives to stop doing stuff: don’t go on that hike, turn over the files, stop asking questions, do this, don’t do that. And they are NEVER obeyed, and nothing ever happens to convey to these kids that they should be paying attention. No one gets grounded, has the car keys taken, loses phone privileges, nada. What universe do these people occupy?
I'm curious; it's clear Kellerman has devoted readers. And it's clear I'm not one of them. So just who does she write for? I ask that in all seriousness. I'm going to read the other reviews so I have a better understanding of what others see.
Years ago, as an early fan of Jonathon Kellerman, I decided to give his wife, Faye, a try. I reasoned that a good author would be attracted to another good author. In the case of Ms. Kellerman, this was not the case. I abandoned the book — whatever it was — early. But yesterday in the library, I saw she had a new book out and thought I’d try again, this time thinking she may have grown as a writer.
I’m sad to report she hasn’t. This book is a mess: the writing (and editing) are poor, the plot is lame, the characters wooden and preposterous, the dialogue from another universe. “Killing Season” is a mystery about the murders of four teenage girls, murders that occur in four different cities in four different seasons. The first victim is the sister of the book’s hero, Ben Vicksburg, who is, we are told, a genius, which makes him the ideal amateur detective for this tale. Presumably the book is about him solving the case, or at least that’s one of the things it’s about, but I wouldn’t know; I quit halfway through. Keep that in mind as you read this; maybe the book makes a complete turnaround. I wouldn’t know.
I won’t go into all my complaints about “Killing Season.” Three points should suffice. First, I don’t know if Ms. Kellerman ever really knew what book she wanted to write. Is it a coming of age story about two teenagers who meet under trying circumstances and have to work out how to have a relationship? Is it a whodunit? Is it a police procedural? I’m not sure, but it fails on all three plots. These teenagers are like no teenagers I have EVER met: their conversations are unrealistic, their attraction to one another or anyone else is never quite explained, and the dynamics of the larger high school group haven’t existed since 1950. There’s tension in the relationship that hasn’t much basis; the sex, given the odd puritanism of the group, is just weird; and the extent to which each of them tolerates undesired behavior is ridiculous. And how is it that 17-year-olds are getting on airplanes, flying 1000 miles, renting cars, staying in motels, all without any parental involvement or even parental knowledge? Last I heard you have to be 25 to rent a car, you need serious money to buy a plane ticket, and the parents of a murdered girl might not be all that eager/willing to talk to the brother of another girl, even if he is a genius.
And don’t get me started on the parents. To a person, the three sets of parents I met in this book are disengaged from their children despite serious catastrophes in their families. On the one hand, they are described as caring, loving, good parents; on the other hand, they ricochet through bad behavior: abandoning the kids at meals, failing to engage in serious dialogue, invading privacy, and getting angry when they should be getting worried. They are, as the King of Siam would say, a puzzlement.
But I think the icing on the cake is the police. We have detectives who show this 17 year old boy the complete files on his sister’s murder, have conversations with him in which they are stunned by HIS insight into the case. They alternate between telling him to quit investigating and then pleading for his notes. And as an aside: we have magic. Vicks, the boy, tells us he collects data, puts it into his computer, and waits for the analysis; yup, magic happens. And the magic reveals pretty basic stuff, like the meaningfulness of the dates of the disappearances of the girls.
Okay, one more point. These kids are repeatedly told by important people in their lives to stop doing stuff: don’t go on that hike, turn over the files, stop asking questions, do this, don’t do that. And they are NEVER obeyed, and nothing ever happens to convey to these kids that they should be paying attention. No one gets grounded, has the car keys taken, loses phone privileges, nada. What universe do these people occupy?
I'm curious; it's clear Kellerman has devoted readers. And it's clear I'm not one of them. So just who does she write for? I ask that in all seriousness. I'm going to read the other reviews so I have a better understanding of what others see.
November 1, 2017
Ugh! Awful! The teen dialog was almost unreadable and very unrealistic! Did they publish the unedited 1st draft by mistake?
November 17, 2017
Truthfully, I am surprised at all of the negative reviews for this book. It is not as good as her long-standing series featuring Rina Lazarus & Peter Decker. Instead, this book is about teenagers and, in particular, Ben Vicksburg, whose 16-year old sister was raped, murdered, and buried when he was much younger. He has sworn an oath to make the killer pay for his deed. With this as his singular focus, he has abandoned his friends, and spends most of his time researching other cases. He's a total nerd, but makes several major breakthroughs, as the local police make no progress: yes, I know this is unrealistic, but that's why it's called fiction. Eventually, Ben draws the attention of the killer and the prettiest girl in the high school. The book reminded me of Barry Lyga's Jasper Dent trilogy. Rated R.
October 29, 2017
Where was the editor? This nearly 700 page book about teenage angst, filled with overused metaphors, and sexual interludes unrelated to the limited plot, was by far the worst book by this author. If I could award it a negative rating I would. Avoid at all costs.
October 30, 2017
Too much like a young adult novel for my taste...
November 6, 2017
The Killing Season. May I give it more stars?
I have enjoyed Faye Kellerman's novels since her very first. As all series do - they became formulaic and I think she may have thought this too. She left behind her Decker books and went to a place she knows well. New Mexico. And in this setting between Santa Fe and Albuquerque she created one of the most polished and beautifully written novel/thrillers in her career. It was big - over six hundred pages and it was dense and it was her best - one of the best I have read in years. The plot never lost hold of the story or its people. The characters were visible and alive and the conclusion was held closely until nearly the end. Crossing genres of thrillers, mystery, cross cultural families and terror she created a book I shall remember for a long time. She did not so much as raise any bar - she created her own and jumped high - very high. The Kellermans write. So far two of their children have joined them and they have had their ups and downs (The Golems were marvellous) but as they mature and/or collaborate it becomes evident that together or separately this family has much more to say and I look forward, especially to Faye Kellerman, saying much more.
I have enjoyed Faye Kellerman's novels since her very first. As all series do - they became formulaic and I think she may have thought this too. She left behind her Decker books and went to a place she knows well. New Mexico. And in this setting between Santa Fe and Albuquerque she created one of the most polished and beautifully written novel/thrillers in her career. It was big - over six hundred pages and it was dense and it was her best - one of the best I have read in years. The plot never lost hold of the story or its people. The characters were visible and alive and the conclusion was held closely until nearly the end. Crossing genres of thrillers, mystery, cross cultural families and terror she created a book I shall remember for a long time. She did not so much as raise any bar - she created her own and jumped high - very high. The Kellermans write. So far two of their children have joined them and they have had their ups and downs (The Golems were marvellous) but as they mature and/or collaborate it becomes evident that together or separately this family has much more to say and I look forward, especially to Faye Kellerman, saying much more.
October 24, 2017
I used to love both Kellermans writing, Faye the best. However this book was terrible. The main character was unbelievable. I have teenagers, one of which has worked with police through the school system. I know how it works, even with obsessions.
This must have been a first draft mistakenly sent to be published. Words left out, poor spelling, and details not matching all lead to my theory.
Maybe this was a way for her to try to bring in a younger audience? I don't know. I definitely prefer Pete and Rina to this.
This must have been a first draft mistakenly sent to be published. Words left out, poor spelling, and details not matching all lead to my theory.
Maybe this was a way for her to try to bring in a younger audience? I don't know. I definitely prefer Pete and Rina to this.
June 28, 2017
Disclaimer: I am a huge fan of most of Faye Kellerman's work, so I'm surprised at this unfortunate review, but you seem to want an honest opinion, so. I sent this opinion to the publisher in hopes that significant changes occur before actual publication.
This book is a slog -- I read it in digital format, so it's hard to tell how long it is, but boy could it use some editing. Slow paced, which I initially thought was for the purpose of Kellerman's usually fantastic character development, but the characters in this book are just flat.
Is it because they are teens? Is it because so much of the development is through dialogue? Not sure. However, the dialogue is also... lacking -- there are some clever moments, but then there are the painful attempts to add some teen lingo in -- and yes, I am using that word in the most awkward way possible so that you can get an idea of how dreadful the add-ins are. Killer dope! Ugh. I read YA lit and work with teens all the time. This dialogue is painful. The sex is even more so -- between the implied anal from our "smoking hot" cheerleader main character to the boy's fistfight that just got real because "she was cherry" and one boy had her first, this book has tipped into offensive and revolting, and I'm not talking about the serial killer. It's entirely possible that this is a realistic depiction of boys objectifying girls in our current culture. My problem with it is that these are the good guys, and that is appalling.
Most of this book is set in the senior year of the main characters and if the point is to make the audience feel trapped in a pointless, drama filled exercise, then this book is a total success. If you are looking for the next fast-paced, hard to put down thriller, then I can't recommend it.
Finally, having read through to the end, what is up with the extended fantasy of future romance between our overprotective main character and his new life-obsession? She's a young teen with a crush on a guy and a terrible attack in her life. Don't further disenfranchise her personality by making a prediction that her future holds neither surprises nor triumphs.
What a bummer.
Advanced reader's copy provided by edelweiss.
This book is a slog -- I read it in digital format, so it's hard to tell how long it is, but boy could it use some editing. Slow paced, which I initially thought was for the purpose of Kellerman's usually fantastic character development, but the characters in this book are just flat.
Is it because they are teens? Is it because so much of the development is through dialogue? Not sure. However, the dialogue is also... lacking -- there are some clever moments, but then there are the painful attempts to add some teen lingo in -- and yes, I am using that word in the most awkward way possible so that you can get an idea of how dreadful the add-ins are. Killer dope! Ugh. I read YA lit and work with teens all the time. This dialogue is painful. The sex is even more so -- between the implied anal from our "smoking hot" cheerleader main character to the boy's fistfight that just got real because "she was cherry" and one boy had her first, this book has tipped into offensive and revolting, and I'm not talking about the serial killer. It's entirely possible that this is a realistic depiction of boys objectifying girls in our current culture. My problem with it is that these are the good guys, and that is appalling.
Most of this book is set in the senior year of the main characters and if the point is to make the audience feel trapped in a pointless, drama filled exercise, then this book is a total success. If you are looking for the next fast-paced, hard to put down thriller, then I can't recommend it.
Finally, having read through to the end, what is up with the extended fantasy of future romance between our overprotective main character and his new life-obsession? She's a young teen with a crush on a guy and a terrible attack in her life. Don't further disenfranchise her personality by making a prediction that her future holds neither surprises nor triumphs.
What a bummer.
Advanced reader's copy provided by edelweiss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2018
I am being generous with giving this book 2 stars. I had high hopes based on the premise and the author's writing style, but HOLY SHIT did I have issues with this book.
1. The author was clearly confused about what type of novel she was writing. Is this YA? Mystery? WHO KNOWS.
2. The story follows a group of teenagers who talk like they're 40 years old. What 17 year old calls their younger sister and her friend "kids" and calls everyone "hon", "honey", etc? WTF. Not only that, but they're all beautiful, all at the top of their class, and oh yeah.... all having sex with each other?
3. Literally no character in this book is single. They're all hooking up and dating each other in a weird orgy type situation.... it's okay to be alone.....
4. Where the f*** do these kids get money to fly around to different states and rent cars? You have to be at least 18 to rent a car with SERIOUS financial implications.
5. The parents don't give a tiny rats ass about their kids.....
6. The police force would REALLY show a MURDER case to a 17-year old kid? And the 17-year old kid would crack the case????
7. Ben SERIOUSLY had time to Google for a "throat doctor" (really, a genius who knows the word "adroit" doesn't know the proper term for a throat doctor?) while Lily is bleeding out..... and he was able to get a direct line. LOL.
8. There was an element of Native American culture in here, yet it was completely irrelevant to the story line? Decide if you want the element, and if you do, make it relevant to the story.
9. I'm sorry, but when Ben came out of the library, he really was able to recall that there was a white compact missing and that just so happened to be the same car that the murderer used? And then Ro was able to make a few calls and get the license plate. What the literal f...
The characters were unlikable. Ro was self-absorbed, immature, and petty. Ben never listened to anyone, only cared about himself. Ugh. Thinking about this makes me angry.
This was 700 pages of DO NOT READ.
1. The author was clearly confused about what type of novel she was writing. Is this YA? Mystery? WHO KNOWS.
2. The story follows a group of teenagers who talk like they're 40 years old. What 17 year old calls their younger sister and her friend "kids" and calls everyone "hon", "honey", etc? WTF. Not only that, but they're all beautiful, all at the top of their class, and oh yeah.... all having sex with each other?
3. Literally no character in this book is single. They're all hooking up and dating each other in a weird orgy type situation.... it's okay to be alone.....
4. Where the f*** do these kids get money to fly around to different states and rent cars? You have to be at least 18 to rent a car with SERIOUS financial implications.
5. The parents don't give a tiny rats ass about their kids.....
6. The police force would REALLY show a MURDER case to a 17-year old kid? And the 17-year old kid would crack the case????
7. Ben SERIOUSLY had time to Google for a "throat doctor" (really, a genius who knows the word "adroit" doesn't know the proper term for a throat doctor?) while Lily is bleeding out..... and he was able to get a direct line. LOL.
8. There was an element of Native American culture in here, yet it was completely irrelevant to the story line? Decide if you want the element, and if you do, make it relevant to the story.
9. I'm sorry, but when Ben came out of the library, he really was able to recall that there was a white compact missing and that just so happened to be the same car that the murderer used? And then Ro was able to make a few calls and get the license plate. What the literal f...
The characters were unlikable. Ro was self-absorbed, immature, and petty. Ben never listened to anyone, only cared about himself. Ugh. Thinking about this makes me angry.
This was 700 pages of DO NOT READ.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2018
I'm honestly torn about the rating for this book. 75% of the book is solidly 4 stars; the mystery is compelling and the main character is (mostly) likeable, if occasionally a little bit overbearingly chivalrous. The romance between Ben and Ro is necessary for character development BUT... this is where I'm torn. There's TOO much of the relationship stuff. It goes into way too much detail. I feel highly uncomfortable reading about detailed, nearly pornographic sex scenes between TWO UNDERAGE CHILDREN. Not that I think that never happens or that I disapprove of teenagers having responsible sex, just that I, as a 38 year old woman, do not want to read that much detail about two kids getting their rocks off. I do, however, feel that Kellerman nailed (HAHA) most of her teenage boy characters - they were all spoiled white boy douchecanoes and exactly what is wrong with the world. So... good job I guess? ANYWAY. Besides the teenage relationship stuff, I actually really enjoyed the story and felt like it was properly suspenseful. I'm giving it 4 stars with a caveat that at times it falls to 3 stars and on occasion, 1 star. But not often enough to ruin the story or make me feel like giving up on the book.
November 24, 2017
I won this book in a giveaway. I've been interested in reading some of Faye Kellerman's work for some time, but this is my first.
Overall I loved this story. The mystery, the action, and the characters are excellent. I was worried with its length that it would get difficult to keep going, but it didn't. This is one quality thriller that I really enjoyed.
The major drawbacks for me that knocked it down to three stars are the maturity of the teenage characters and the abundance of teen sex. Most of the sex isn't overly graphic, but it's very present, too much so in my opinion. As for the maturity of the characters, the teenage characters in this story consistent demonstrate knowledge and experience beyond their years, but there are also flashes of teenage normality throughout the story.
I came away with a healthy respect for the intricacy of this story's plot and for Kellerman's ability to keep the reader engaged and intrigued throughout such a long book.
Overall I loved this story. The mystery, the action, and the characters are excellent. I was worried with its length that it would get difficult to keep going, but it didn't. This is one quality thriller that I really enjoyed.
The major drawbacks for me that knocked it down to three stars are the maturity of the teenage characters and the abundance of teen sex. Most of the sex isn't overly graphic, but it's very present, too much so in my opinion. As for the maturity of the characters, the teenage characters in this story consistent demonstrate knowledge and experience beyond their years, but there are also flashes of teenage normality throughout the story.
I came away with a healthy respect for the intricacy of this story's plot and for Kellerman's ability to keep the reader engaged and intrigued throughout such a long book.
November 16, 2017
I found this book in the mystery section of the library with thriller written across the front. Since I like Faye Kellerman's Decker/Lazarus series, I thought I'd found a winner in this standalone book. I had no idea this was actually full of teenage dialogue. If I'd known then what I know now, I wouldn't have checked it out because I'm simply too old to find teen drama interesting. I bet young people would like it though. The editor/publisher should have marketed this book correctly.
January 24, 2018
Faye Kellerman is BACK! I was a fan of the Decker/Lazarus books for years, but the last few have been dull. It felt like Faye was as bored with them as I was. I didn't even finish the last one. HOWEVER. Killing Season has nothing to do with the Deckers, and it is fresh and exciting and...just great. So much suspense! It's 700 pages long, but I read it in a few days because I couldn't stop. Highly recommended!
October 25, 2017
I really enjoy Faye Kellerman's books but not this one. Way too long. I thought she repeated over and over again. I found it quite tiresome. Just didn't work for me.
August 9, 2018
What genre was this? Crime? Maybe, if you cut out half the pages from the book. Coming of age? Not quite. Romance? Sometimes.
This was a mess. Characters have personalities that change from chapter to chapter. The main character is originally a socially awkward emo-edgelord that becomes a caring and sensitive guy within 60 pages. Ro is the most confusing character ever.
The writing often made me cringe. I laughed during scenes that weren't supposed to be funny (most of the sex scenes, and there are quite a few). At least one character tears up every chapter.
The whole murder plot is exceedingly unentertaining, the police is incompetent, the killer is the most stereotypical killer ever in terms of personality. "Oh, my IQ is so high you can't even aspire to find anymore smarter than me. Also, I've learned to ignore the voices in my head."
This book wasn't good. But it was surprisingly midly enjoyable, because of the laughs and cringing. That's why I'm giving it two stars.
Excuse the messy review.
This was a mess. Characters have personalities that change from chapter to chapter. The main character is originally a socially awkward emo-edgelord that becomes a caring and sensitive guy within 60 pages. Ro is the most confusing character ever.
The writing often made me cringe. I laughed during scenes that weren't supposed to be funny (most of the sex scenes, and there are quite a few). At least one character tears up every chapter.
The whole murder plot is exceedingly unentertaining, the police is incompetent, the killer is the most stereotypical killer ever in terms of personality. "Oh, my IQ is so high you can't even aspire to find anymore smarter than me. Also, I've learned to ignore the voices in my head."
This book wasn't good. But it was surprisingly midly enjoyable, because of the laughs and cringing. That's why I'm giving it two stars.
Excuse the messy review.
November 8, 2017
This book left me torn: I liked the characters, thought the mystery was compelling... And the writing, although it loses track of the mystery often and in long passages, was good. But this is a book that should really be classified as YA--and I believe it would fare better there, as there was a fair amount of teen content better suited for that audience.
I can't say I'd recommend it for adults, but I could see teen readers enjoying this one. Wish it had been labeled YA.
I can't say I'd recommend it for adults, but I could see teen readers enjoying this one. Wish it had been labeled YA.
Read
September 18, 2021This is not a mystery. This is not a thriller. I'm a decent way into the story and so far it's just petty high school drama with some dark edge lurking behind it.
November 3, 2017
Interesting how the police and teachers and adults got to appreciate Ben's intellect and OCD. The characters were complex, and the mystery kept me in suspense.
April 1, 2021
I wanted to enjoy Killing Season, but Kellerman’s poor grasp of modern teenagers was too distracting for me to care about Ben’s dead sister. I couldn’t get over a female author excusing predatory older boys groping freshman girls; once Ben apologized for attacking the kid who’d pawed all over his kid sister I completely checked out.
I would give the book one star, but the writing itself isn’t that horrible so I have to give Kellerman some credit.
I would give the book one star, but the writing itself isn’t that horrible so I have to give Kellerman some credit.
February 8, 2018
Fooled into reading the first 200 pages, skimmed the next 500 pages.
What a terrible book. How did I give it one star.
What a terrible book. How did I give it one star.
November 12, 2017
I received a free copy of Killing Season by Faye Kellerman courtesy of Goodreads and William Morrow, the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would post a review to Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and my hitory book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Google Plus pages.
I requested this book as I the author is well known and I thought it might be interesting as I have not read any of her other books.
To say this book is a piece of trash would be kind. If the rating scales would let me list it as a zero then that would have been my ranking. It is a poorly written, uncoordinated and nonengaging book. The author cannot decide if it is a serial killer book, a family dealing with the death of a daughter by a serial killer book or a high school angst book. In any case none the above comes across well.
I have to admit that I made to slog through the first 600 pages, but gave up at the point as the writing continued to go downhill into an abyss.
I cannot recommend this book to anyone unless you are looking to be bored out of your mind or if you need something that will definitely not hold your attention and put you to sleep.
I requested this book as I the author is well known and I thought it might be interesting as I have not read any of her other books.
To say this book is a piece of trash would be kind. If the rating scales would let me list it as a zero then that would have been my ranking. It is a poorly written, uncoordinated and nonengaging book. The author cannot decide if it is a serial killer book, a family dealing with the death of a daughter by a serial killer book or a high school angst book. In any case none the above comes across well.
I have to admit that I made to slog through the first 600 pages, but gave up at the point as the writing continued to go downhill into an abyss.
I cannot recommend this book to anyone unless you are looking to be bored out of your mind or if you need something that will definitely not hold your attention and put you to sleep.
November 21, 2017
I really wanted to like Killing Season, as I was excited that Faye Kellerman departed from her normal series to write this book. As a suspense and mystery thriller, the novel was average. Because it topped out at almost 700 pages, the suspense did not really build until it reached a crescendo, but instead just fizzled out. The main character, sixteen year old Ben Vicksburg, was a contradiction. He did not speak in a normal teenage way, using the endearment "hon" entirely too much for my liking. Somehow, Ben was able to use his superior brain to figure out what seasoned professionals were unable to do. Going back and forth between acting like a typical teenager and acting like a 30 year old man, Ben is the type of character that is almost impossible for readers to form a connection with. By the end of Killing Season, I no longer cared about the story, the characters, or the conclusion. This book was a miss for me and one that I would not recommend to other readers.
January 15, 2018
I didn't expect this one to be a YA mystery when I started it. I liked Ben, liked how he couldn't let his sister's death go and investigated on his own. Due to Ben's math mind he was able to think in ways the cops didn't and come up with some great leads.
What I could have done with out was all the teen drama/angst. Part of it was because I didn't like Ro, who wanted her cake and to eat it too. I hated how Ro hurt Ben. I think if they had stuck to friendship things would have been better.
The action at the end of the book had me holding my breath, I was glad that Ben was able to do what he set out to and that able to save the day. I especially liked the vision that Ben had at the end, think it was perfect for those involved.
What I could have done with out was all the teen drama/angst. Part of it was because I didn't like Ro, who wanted her cake and to eat it too. I hated how Ro hurt Ben. I think if they had stuck to friendship things would have been better.
The action at the end of the book had me holding my breath, I was glad that Ben was able to do what he set out to and that able to save the day. I especially liked the vision that Ben had at the end, think it was perfect for those involved.
October 30, 2018
I recommend The Ritual Bath by Faye Kellerman. However, this book is not nearly as good as her others. The Killing Season *could* be trimmed into a good crime novel but unfortunately the book never decides whether it is a mystery thriller or a coming-of-age teen novel about a brainy nerd and the prom queen who loves him. The two fight, have sex, fight some more -- in ways that are often not really believable.
Parts of the novel are quite good -- the crime thriller plot keeps one turning pages but the "Are you banging her? I can't believe you'd do that!" dialogue in between the excitement should be skipped.
Don't let this turn you off Faye Kellerman. Go read the Ritual Bath and other Decker/Lazarus novels. They are shorter, move more quickly, and will keep your interest!
Parts of the novel are quite good -- the crime thriller plot keeps one turning pages but the "Are you banging her? I can't believe you'd do that!" dialogue in between the excitement should be skipped.
Don't let this turn you off Faye Kellerman. Go read the Ritual Bath and other Decker/Lazarus novels. They are shorter, move more quickly, and will keep your interest!
November 25, 2023
1.5～1.85 stars???? This thing is so freaking long!!
.5 stars for the first chunk then 2 stars, then 3 stars then 2 stars. I HATED Ro & JD, they ruined the story for me. Also, if I wanted to read about High School drama and steam (🙅♀️), I would have picked a YA book... I liked the MC (Ben) and was intrigued enough by the mystery to keep on reading. Also, the Last like 30-50% was better than the first bit (either because I got a little bit used to the annoyingness of certain characters or because it was more focused on the mystery than the drama)
.5 stars for the first chunk then 2 stars, then 3 stars then 2 stars. I HATED Ro & JD, they ruined the story for me. Also, if I wanted to read about High School drama and steam (🙅♀️), I would have picked a YA book... I liked the MC (Ben) and was intrigued enough by the mystery to keep on reading. Also, the Last like 30-50% was better than the first bit (either because I got a little bit used to the annoyingness of certain characters or because it was more focused on the mystery than the drama)
July 23, 2019
Fast paced and a real thriller with a perfect sprinkling of angst, sex and romance!
February 9, 2026
Mostly, I thought that this book was too long and not quite possible for two 17 year-old main characters. If you are thinking about reading only one book by this author, this would not be the one I would recommend.
Here are some thoughts from Claude AI:
Here’s a comprehensive review of Killing Season by Faye Kellerman:
Killing Season by Faye Kellerman
Published: October 17, 2017 | Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins | Pages: 704
The Premise
Three years ago, fifteen-year-old Ellen Vicksburg went missing in the quiet town of River Remez, New Mexico. Ellen was kind, studious, and universally liked. Her younger brother, Ben, could imagine nothing worse than never knowing what happened to her — until, on the first anniversary of her death, he found her body in a shallow grave by the river’s edge.  Ben, now seventeen, is committed to finding the monster who abducted and strangled Ellen. Police believe she was the victim of a serial killer known as the Demon, but Ben’s keen analytical mind sees patterns that don’t fit the Demon’s homicides. 
Setting & Atmosphere
One of the novel’s genuine strengths is its sense of place. The rendering of River Remez is palpably atmospheric, with the blinding heat of summer and the bone-cold chill of winter creating exterior manifestations that mirror the characters’ internal trepidation.  Kellerman knows New Mexico well, and that lived-in familiarity gives the landscape a vivid, grounded quality that anchors the story.
Where It Works
The core premise — a grieving teenager obsessively pursuing his sister’s killer — is genuinely compelling and emotionally resonant. Some readers found the book nearly impossible to put down, praising its suspenseful buildup and the way it runs through a full range of emotions. Kellerman does a commendable job of capturing the requisite bravado, competitiveness, insecurities, and volatility of adolescence — particularly as they pertain to romantic rivalries and the uncertainty of post-high school life. 
Where It Stumbles
The novel is deeply divisive, and the criticism centers on a few recurring issues. The result is a peculiar amalgam of one-quarter amateur detective work and three-quarters high school romance — the mystery gets buried in the coming-of-age story.  At 704 pages, many readers felt the pacing was too slow and the mystery itself didn’t receive enough attention relative to the teen romance and angst.
The dialogue was a frequent point of contention. Ben and Ro take self-analysis to the extreme, engaging in lengthy conversations that are dated in language, overly indulgent, and information-packed.  Multiple reviewers noted that the characters simply don’t sound like convincing teenagers, with Ben’s habit of calling girls “hon” being a particularly cited oddity.
The killer is seen by many as the most stereotypical killer ever in terms of personality.  The killer himself remains a presence throughout the narrative, though mostly as a speculative entity rather than a more fleshed-out and fully present character. 
The Verdict
Killing Season is a polarizing departure for Kellerman, who is best known for her long-running Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus mystery series. Fans expecting a tight, police-procedural thriller may be disappointed by the novel’s heavy YA-influenced tone and its sprawling length. However, readers who are drawn to character-driven coming-of-age stories with a mystery woven in may find it more rewarding. The New Mexico setting is evocative, and the emotional core of a brother’s grief-fueled quest is hard to dismiss entirely — but the book would have benefited significantly from tighter editing and a more balanced focus between its romance and its suspense.
On Goodreads, the combined edition holds a rating of around 3.66 out of 5, reflecting the sharp split in reader opinions.
Here are some thoughts from Claude AI:
Here’s a comprehensive review of Killing Season by Faye Kellerman:
Killing Season by Faye Kellerman
Published: October 17, 2017 | Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins | Pages: 704
The Premise
Three years ago, fifteen-year-old Ellen Vicksburg went missing in the quiet town of River Remez, New Mexico. Ellen was kind, studious, and universally liked. Her younger brother, Ben, could imagine nothing worse than never knowing what happened to her — until, on the first anniversary of her death, he found her body in a shallow grave by the river’s edge.  Ben, now seventeen, is committed to finding the monster who abducted and strangled Ellen. Police believe she was the victim of a serial killer known as the Demon, but Ben’s keen analytical mind sees patterns that don’t fit the Demon’s homicides. 
Setting & Atmosphere
One of the novel’s genuine strengths is its sense of place. The rendering of River Remez is palpably atmospheric, with the blinding heat of summer and the bone-cold chill of winter creating exterior manifestations that mirror the characters’ internal trepidation.  Kellerman knows New Mexico well, and that lived-in familiarity gives the landscape a vivid, grounded quality that anchors the story.
Where It Works
The core premise — a grieving teenager obsessively pursuing his sister’s killer — is genuinely compelling and emotionally resonant. Some readers found the book nearly impossible to put down, praising its suspenseful buildup and the way it runs through a full range of emotions. Kellerman does a commendable job of capturing the requisite bravado, competitiveness, insecurities, and volatility of adolescence — particularly as they pertain to romantic rivalries and the uncertainty of post-high school life. 
Where It Stumbles
The novel is deeply divisive, and the criticism centers on a few recurring issues. The result is a peculiar amalgam of one-quarter amateur detective work and three-quarters high school romance — the mystery gets buried in the coming-of-age story.  At 704 pages, many readers felt the pacing was too slow and the mystery itself didn’t receive enough attention relative to the teen romance and angst.
The dialogue was a frequent point of contention. Ben and Ro take self-analysis to the extreme, engaging in lengthy conversations that are dated in language, overly indulgent, and information-packed.  Multiple reviewers noted that the characters simply don’t sound like convincing teenagers, with Ben’s habit of calling girls “hon” being a particularly cited oddity.
The killer is seen by many as the most stereotypical killer ever in terms of personality.  The killer himself remains a presence throughout the narrative, though mostly as a speculative entity rather than a more fleshed-out and fully present character. 
The Verdict
Killing Season is a polarizing departure for Kellerman, who is best known for her long-running Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus mystery series. Fans expecting a tight, police-procedural thriller may be disappointed by the novel’s heavy YA-influenced tone and its sprawling length. However, readers who are drawn to character-driven coming-of-age stories with a mystery woven in may find it more rewarding. The New Mexico setting is evocative, and the emotional core of a brother’s grief-fueled quest is hard to dismiss entirely — but the book would have benefited significantly from tighter editing and a more balanced focus between its romance and its suspense.
On Goodreads, the combined edition holds a rating of around 3.66 out of 5, reflecting the sharp split in reader opinions.
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