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Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer
In 1999 Australia, Sergeant Rick McCoy investigates the murder of a woman found packed inside a suitcase.
The Killer abducts another victim and threatens to dismember her slowly. His life is further complicated by a marriage in tatters. Frustrated at every turn, he is paired with glamorous Criminal Psychologist and profiler, Patricia Holmes.
While trying to rebuild his marriage, he finds himself in a desperate race against time to free the victim and fight his desire for his new partner.
The Killer abducts another victim and threatens to dismember her slowly. His life is further complicated by a marriage in tatters. Frustrated at every turn, he is paired with glamorous Criminal Psychologist and profiler, Patricia Holmes.
While trying to rebuild his marriage, he finds himself in a desperate race against time to free the victim and fight his desire for his new partner.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2018
10 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Stephen B. King
33 books73 followersI left Perth, Australia to go East and find fame and fortune in the music business as a long-haired rock guitarist. I wrote poems and music, and my band used to open for some pretty big groups in my wild days. I gave it all up for love and got married (as you do when the right one comes along). Then, real life took over, children came along and I threatened to write a book for so many years my long-suffering wife eventually pushed me into it by buying me a laptop and said: "No more excuses, do it." And so began this amazing journey.
My first book, Forever Night, was contracted and published by now defunct Totally Entwined Group 's Evidence Press. It features a returned veteran soldier who has suffered horrifically, physically and mentally to become a serial killer while hunting for his runaway wife. As an SAS soldier he is far more highly trained to kill and survive, than the cops are trained to stop him. If you enjoy dark, Scandinavian type crime thrillers, you will love this story.
That was followed by a trilogy, about the rise of a cop through the ranks from Detective to Detective Inspector, when his world falls apart. Domin8, is about a married man who is drawn into the dark world of online dating, until someone starts murdering his lovers. The Vigilante Taxi features a man who knows tragedy, his life has been full of it and with nothing to live for he becomes a vigilante during the night shift while driving his cab. When he falls in love, and wants to stop, it's too late; the cops and an underworld figure are closing in. Burial Ground, is about newly appointed Detective Inspector Sam Collins, who is handed the job of finding a serial killer who has been killing and burying his victims in an old disused gravel pit for seventeen years. He is a close to a pure psychotic evil as you will find, worse then Hannibal Lecter, or anything from the mind of the great Stephen King.
Repo saw me return to two characters from Forever Night. New private investigator husband and wife sleuths trying to save a man from jail for a murder he did not commit. He returns home from working in a mine to find his wife gone, bank accounts empty, and fully restored classic muscle car repossessed. When his wife's body is found, he is arrested for murder. Dillon and Jayne enter a world of illegal poker games, protected by the underworld, to find the real killer and free their first client.
Next, I wrote a beautiful love story/thriller about Jenny, who travels in time to save the world from an all consuming blight that was genetically modified. She falls in love in the past, but can only stay for thirty-three days. This was picked up by my new publisher: The Wild Rose Press of NY. They have also contracted a trilogy, called The Deadly Glimpses. Book 1 is called Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer, and Book 2, Glimpse, The Beautiful Deaths have been released. Book 3, Glimpse, The Tender Killer will be released in three months. The trilogy follows the fortunes of two married colleges who are attracted to each other while working together to track down three serial murderers. What will the effect be on their marriages, and their relationship if they act on the desires they have?
Thrillers and crime genres have always fascinated me, and in particular, the dark world of serial killers. I love a good, unputdownable, thriller. You know, the kind you just want to read one more chapter of at three in the morning before bed, but you have to be up at six to go to work. Have I succeeded in creating stories that can take people to that place? Boy I hope so.
Check out my website and blog for fee stories and previews. www.stephen-b-king.com
My first book, Forever Night, was contracted and published by now defunct Totally Entwined Group 's Evidence Press. It features a returned veteran soldier who has suffered horrifically, physically and mentally to become a serial killer while hunting for his runaway wife. As an SAS soldier he is far more highly trained to kill and survive, than the cops are trained to stop him. If you enjoy dark, Scandinavian type crime thrillers, you will love this story.
That was followed by a trilogy, about the rise of a cop through the ranks from Detective to Detective Inspector, when his world falls apart. Domin8, is about a married man who is drawn into the dark world of online dating, until someone starts murdering his lovers. The Vigilante Taxi features a man who knows tragedy, his life has been full of it and with nothing to live for he becomes a vigilante during the night shift while driving his cab. When he falls in love, and wants to stop, it's too late; the cops and an underworld figure are closing in. Burial Ground, is about newly appointed Detective Inspector Sam Collins, who is handed the job of finding a serial killer who has been killing and burying his victims in an old disused gravel pit for seventeen years. He is a close to a pure psychotic evil as you will find, worse then Hannibal Lecter, or anything from the mind of the great Stephen King.
Repo saw me return to two characters from Forever Night. New private investigator husband and wife sleuths trying to save a man from jail for a murder he did not commit. He returns home from working in a mine to find his wife gone, bank accounts empty, and fully restored classic muscle car repossessed. When his wife's body is found, he is arrested for murder. Dillon and Jayne enter a world of illegal poker games, protected by the underworld, to find the real killer and free their first client.
Next, I wrote a beautiful love story/thriller about Jenny, who travels in time to save the world from an all consuming blight that was genetically modified. She falls in love in the past, but can only stay for thirty-three days. This was picked up by my new publisher: The Wild Rose Press of NY. They have also contracted a trilogy, called The Deadly Glimpses. Book 1 is called Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer, and Book 2, Glimpse, The Beautiful Deaths have been released. Book 3, Glimpse, The Tender Killer will be released in three months. The trilogy follows the fortunes of two married colleges who are attracted to each other while working together to track down three serial murderers. What will the effect be on their marriages, and their relationship if they act on the desires they have?
Thrillers and crime genres have always fascinated me, and in particular, the dark world of serial killers. I love a good, unputdownable, thriller. You know, the kind you just want to read one more chapter of at three in the morning before bed, but you have to be up at six to go to work. Have I succeeded in creating stories that can take people to that place? Boy I hope so.
Check out my website and blog for fee stories and previews. www.stephen-b-king.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 8, 2019
This is a powerful story, a real page turner, of two men. One is Sgt. Rick McCoy, the man who is investigating a killer of women. The other is the serial killer himself, who takes the reader on a roller coaster ride through his mind. The reader will learn the Who .. the What .. the Where .. The When .. and most importantly the Why.
The story starts with an abduction of woman doing nothing more sinister than going into a grocery store to buy a couple of things while her husband sat in the car listening to a ball game. She is never seen again .... until her body is found a month later.
The killer contacts McCoy directly .. sending him a video of another woman , bound to a chair. Who is she? How did she wind up on the killer's orbit? And how does this killer have a connection with McCoy?
The characters are finely drawn. McCoy is a man on a mission, doing the right thing, finding justice for the victims and taking down those responsible. He is flawed, has marital problems and the stress of this latest case isn't helping. I really like how the professional and personal work together to put a real face to this man. The killer is evil, pure and simple. It begs to ask ... Nurture vs Nature. Was he born evil ... or taught to be evil?
This one totally satisfied my fascination with serial killers.
The story starts with an abduction of woman doing nothing more sinister than going into a grocery store to buy a couple of things while her husband sat in the car listening to a ball game. She is never seen again .... until her body is found a month later.
The killer contacts McCoy directly .. sending him a video of another woman , bound to a chair. Who is she? How did she wind up on the killer's orbit? And how does this killer have a connection with McCoy?
The characters are finely drawn. McCoy is a man on a mission, doing the right thing, finding justice for the victims and taking down those responsible. He is flawed, has marital problems and the stress of this latest case isn't helping. I really like how the professional and personal work together to put a real face to this man. The killer is evil, pure and simple. It begs to ask ... Nurture vs Nature. Was he born evil ... or taught to be evil?
This one totally satisfied my fascination with serial killers.
November 12, 2018
I got this as a e book from net galley. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. It is my first book by this author. I hope to read more books by this author.
July 11, 2019
Trigger Warning: If you have triggers about sexual violence and extreme violence be warned. It is very graphic.
I don't believe there has ever been a book about a serial killer like this one. The author has taken a unique dual POV approach to give the reader a gritty look into the mind of a serial murderer.
Fans of Seven and even the Saw films will love this book series.
You have the mind of the killer fully on view from his 'diary'. Then you have the anti-hero Detective Rick. He has as much trouble taking down a sadistic killer as he does keeping his life on the right path. Rick is caught between being a family man and great cop and his own inability to keep it in his pants.
Fraught with drama and suspense, this book is a whirlwind of action and thrills that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. If you get your hands on this book, you will not want to wait one second before getting your hands on the next book in this trilogy. I can't wait to start book two.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
I don't believe there has ever been a book about a serial killer like this one. The author has taken a unique dual POV approach to give the reader a gritty look into the mind of a serial murderer.
Fans of Seven and even the Saw films will love this book series.
You have the mind of the killer fully on view from his 'diary'. Then you have the anti-hero Detective Rick. He has as much trouble taking down a sadistic killer as he does keeping his life on the right path. Rick is caught between being a family man and great cop and his own inability to keep it in his pants.
Fraught with drama and suspense, this book is a whirlwind of action and thrills that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. If you get your hands on this book, you will not want to wait one second before getting your hands on the next book in this trilogy. I can't wait to start book two.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
March 22, 2019
Detective Rick McCoy is after a serial killer who seems to know him personally, but how? He searches every avenue while fighting his own inner demons. He pairs up with criminal psychologist Patricia Holmes, who gives insight into the killer more detailed than he thought possible. But, can he convince his superiors and co-workers to accept her help?
The killer—this author takes us into the mind of this madman. We get to see what made him the deranged individual he is in such detail you’ll actually understand his reasoning even if you don’t agree with it.
Stephen B. King’s Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer is a work of literature on the level of greats such as Jefferey Deaver,(The Bone Collector) and Thomas Harris, (Silence of the Lambs).
The killer—this author takes us into the mind of this madman. We get to see what made him the deranged individual he is in such detail you’ll actually understand his reasoning even if you don’t agree with it.
Stephen B. King’s Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer is a work of literature on the level of greats such as Jefferey Deaver,(The Bone Collector) and Thomas Harris, (Silence of the Lambs).
November 6, 2018
This novel has a great plot and story, and very well painted characters. It's horrible, with lots of blood, but there are some funny situations as well. Maybe it's a little dependent on people being extremely smart and at the same time extremely dumb, but this is fiction.
October 18, 2018
Just finished this novel and loved every page of it. The story was terrifying and kept me on the edge of my seat without being gory. The characters were well developed and interesting—Rick, Juliet, Pat, and especially little Amy. The setting descriptions were wonderful. The author has a unique way of making his reader feel smack dab in the middle of the story without boring us with too wordy descriptions (a personal peeve of mine!) His dialogue made the characters come alive.
The story flowed well throughout, and the last several chapters kept me up at night. I couldn’t put it down. Well written. Realistic. I highly recommend to murder-mystery fans. I'm looking forward to a sequel.
The story flowed well throughout, and the last several chapters kept me up at night. I couldn’t put it down. Well written. Realistic. I highly recommend to murder-mystery fans. I'm looking forward to a sequel.
October 14, 2018
Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer (Deadly Glimpses Book 1), by Stephen B. King, is an exciting, thrill-packed read. The action begins on the first page and doesn’t let up until the end of the novel. The author takes the reader inside the mind of a vicious, serial killer as he plots a series of increasingly brutal murders.
Add in a damaged police sergeant and a beautiful criminal psychologist who are in a race against time to find the killer’s identity before the body count mounts, and you have the perfect recipe for a great book. If you like police procedurals, this is the book for you. Well done, Mr. King!
Add in a damaged police sergeant and a beautiful criminal psychologist who are in a race against time to find the killer’s identity before the body count mounts, and you have the perfect recipe for a great book. If you like police procedurals, this is the book for you. Well done, Mr. King!
Read
June 4, 2019"This gruesome thriller really dives into the thinking of a serial killer."
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
June 13, 2019
This gruesome thriller really dives into the thinking of a serial killer. Warning!
Read full review in the 2019 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2019 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.
March 1, 2022
Thank you to the author and the publisher, The Wild Rose Press, for sharing with me this book through Bookstaframmers.com, to read and review.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: violence, murder, serial killer, children abuse, homophobia, SA, rape, abuse of power, betrayal, adultery, death, torture, blood
"I was five years old when I fist saw someone bleed out"
"Psychopaths hear voices, which tell them what to do and how to do it. Sociopaths have no conscience, they don't feel guilt, and you can't argue with them logically"
Well this book was just something.
I have to be honest I wasn't expecting a story such as this. But I can say that from the very first 10 a
pages I felt completely captivated both by the plot and the characters' development.
I loved having a double pov. The author wrote this book with the extremely clever idea of giving the reader both sides of the story. Not that hearing the serial killer's thoughts justified his actions, mind you.
More like it gave me perspective in what it feels like to study their psychology and trying to understand what's the pattern behind their operations, just enough to get to them even before they get to someone else.
I really liked Patricia's character. I felt like hers was the key to uncover the mystery of the PPP killer. Without her, I'm sure, not many discoveries would have been made.
I feel conflicted about Rick though. He is a normal man, with normal struggles. He is a great cop, a great father but not a great husband. It seems he too has his own pattern.
Now it's all about finding out where it'll lead him.
I'm a firm believer in happy endings... but I believe that, since we're talking about serial killers, it's way too far to have even a glimpse of one.
Just bear in mind that if you read this book ... you will want to read the others too !!
"People think it's about the killing, that it is the act of committing murder that is the attraction; it's not. For me, it's about the control"
TRIGGER WARNINGS: violence, murder, serial killer, children abuse, homophobia, SA, rape, abuse of power, betrayal, adultery, death, torture, blood
"I was five years old when I fist saw someone bleed out"
"Psychopaths hear voices, which tell them what to do and how to do it. Sociopaths have no conscience, they don't feel guilt, and you can't argue with them logically"
Well this book was just something.
I have to be honest I wasn't expecting a story such as this. But I can say that from the very first 10 a
pages I felt completely captivated both by the plot and the characters' development.
I loved having a double pov. The author wrote this book with the extremely clever idea of giving the reader both sides of the story. Not that hearing the serial killer's thoughts justified his actions, mind you.
More like it gave me perspective in what it feels like to study their psychology and trying to understand what's the pattern behind their operations, just enough to get to them even before they get to someone else.
I really liked Patricia's character. I felt like hers was the key to uncover the mystery of the PPP killer. Without her, I'm sure, not many discoveries would have been made.
I feel conflicted about Rick though. He is a normal man, with normal struggles. He is a great cop, a great father but not a great husband. It seems he too has his own pattern.
Now it's all about finding out where it'll lead him.
I'm a firm believer in happy endings... but I believe that, since we're talking about serial killers, it's way too far to have even a glimpse of one.
Just bear in mind that if you read this book ... you will want to read the others too !!
"People think it's about the killing, that it is the act of committing murder that is the attraction; it's not. For me, it's about the control"
September 25, 2019
'Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer' by Stephen B. King is one of the best thrillers I've read in a long while. The novel was stunning, shocking & marvelously crafted. I was totally pulled into this book & put all my other reading aside to finish it. Now I'm looking forward to finishing the rest of the series. I loved the tale of Rick the police inspector who found a cut up body in a suitcase, of Paul the serial killer with an abused past, of Juliet who can't trust her husband after his unfaithfulness, of Pat who wants to get closer into the mind of a serial killer that she will risk anything to do so & so many other memorable characters that will stick in your head & won't let you forget the genius that is Stephen B. King. This book gets 5 stars from me. I loved the book & you will too, pick up your copy of Stephen B. King's book today. Looking for a new thriller that will set your pulse racing, then this is the book you should be reading. Looking for a really racy & scary thriller with a down to earth cop as the main character then this is the book for you. Looking to sink into an awesome cop-serial killer thriller on a cold fall night with a cup of hot tea in your hand then buy your copy of 'Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer' by Stephen B. King today. I loved the story & hope to read the complete series. I was mesmerized by the killer Paul, the butcher & the diary he kept to keep track of his change from a regular innocent child watching horror movies at 5 into a deadly serial killer. Want to get into the mind of a killer, read this book & be stunned. Kudos to Stephen B. King on a job well done!
November 30, 2021
4.5 stars
Sargeant Rick McCoy is trying to track down a serial killer who enjoys torturing victims and taunting the police, and criminal psychologist and profiler Patricia Holmes is brought in to assist in the investigation. With the killer always a few steps ahead, no one is safe.
I was pretty excited to read this one, and I had a blast with it. I found it to be a very easy read and flew though the pages, and then was thrilled when I realized this story was partially inspired by one of my favorite horror stories! In addition to watching the investigation unfold, we also get to read journal entries from the killer. I particularly loved reading those entries, and getting to see things from the killer's point of view - it was very interesting getting backstory that way. This story is quite dark and brutal, which is exactly what I wanted, but be aware that it has practically every trigger.
I do wish the author had more experience with psychology, because there are more than a few inaccuracies, when it came to that subject, and I don't think Holmes could have realistically surmised as much as she did. Also, I'm not sure if this book had an editor, as I couldn't find one listed, but it doesn't seem like it did - which is a shame, since the story was so entertaining. That being said, I enjoyed it so much, I wouldn't feel right giving a lower rating. I'll definitely be picking up the sequels.
Trigger warnings: infidelity, blood, violence, murder, rape, bullying, pedophilia, torture, homophobia, racism
Thank you to Stephen B. King, The Wild Rose Press, and Bookstagrammers.com for providing me with a copy of the book!
Sargeant Rick McCoy is trying to track down a serial killer who enjoys torturing victims and taunting the police, and criminal psychologist and profiler Patricia Holmes is brought in to assist in the investigation. With the killer always a few steps ahead, no one is safe.
I was pretty excited to read this one, and I had a blast with it. I found it to be a very easy read and flew though the pages, and then was thrilled when I realized this story was partially inspired by one of my favorite horror stories! In addition to watching the investigation unfold, we also get to read journal entries from the killer. I particularly loved reading those entries, and getting to see things from the killer's point of view - it was very interesting getting backstory that way. This story is quite dark and brutal, which is exactly what I wanted, but be aware that it has practically every trigger.
I do wish the author had more experience with psychology, because there are more than a few inaccuracies, when it came to that subject, and I don't think Holmes could have realistically surmised as much as she did. Also, I'm not sure if this book had an editor, as I couldn't find one listed, but it doesn't seem like it did - which is a shame, since the story was so entertaining. That being said, I enjoyed it so much, I wouldn't feel right giving a lower rating. I'll definitely be picking up the sequels.
Trigger warnings: infidelity, blood, violence, murder, rape, bullying, pedophilia, torture, homophobia, racism
Thank you to Stephen B. King, The Wild Rose Press, and Bookstagrammers.com for providing me with a copy of the book!
March 9, 2022
I really love serial killer stories and that gore scenes and this book was very powerful!
In one side we have Rick McCoy, that is investigation the murder of a women, and in the other side we have Paul, the serial killer.
Both sides are very but very descriptive but the Paul part? OMG you enter in his mind and even if is not easy you actually learn a lot about him (past, present, why, how, what and who)
The book start as any thriller book: someone disappear and appear a month later. Investigation is started until comes to a dead end. But that change everything when the killer decide to contact Rick directly. And that's when everything start to be like a web: Did Rick know the killer? Why the killer is murdering like that? Is Rick the connected with the murders? Why that victims?
All characters are well done as there back story: Rick have is job and it's his mission to protect everyone but got marital problems. It is very interesting to see that even trying professional and personal will mix in a way or other.
Paul (the killer) you can see that he is not "normal" but I was unable to actually blame him for being like this: if you see (and understand) his past you may also see how it will end... So was he born like that and life make sure to develop that evil part or was the all experiences that made him like that?
Want to thank bookstagrammers.com program for this wonderful book!
In one side we have Rick McCoy, that is investigation the murder of a women, and in the other side we have Paul, the serial killer.
Both sides are very but very descriptive but the Paul part? OMG you enter in his mind and even if is not easy you actually learn a lot about him (past, present, why, how, what and who)
The book start as any thriller book: someone disappear and appear a month later. Investigation is started until comes to a dead end. But that change everything when the killer decide to contact Rick directly. And that's when everything start to be like a web: Did Rick know the killer? Why the killer is murdering like that? Is Rick the connected with the murders? Why that victims?
All characters are well done as there back story: Rick have is job and it's his mission to protect everyone but got marital problems. It is very interesting to see that even trying professional and personal will mix in a way or other.
Paul (the killer) you can see that he is not "normal" but I was unable to actually blame him for being like this: if you see (and understand) his past you may also see how it will end... So was he born like that and life make sure to develop that evil part or was the all experiences that made him like that?
Want to thank bookstagrammers.com program for this wonderful book!
November 1, 2019
The mind of a killer (an audio review)
This is a seriously creepy book. Just saying.
Sergeant Rick McCoy has a problem. He’s in charge of finding the killer of the woman found dismembered. The suitcase murder, they’ve labelled it. On top of that headache, his marriage is going through a rocky period and he’s drinking and smoking way too much. Now another woman has gone missing and it looks like he has a serial killer at work. Not much to ask for, eh?
This book works on so many levels. I loved getting into the nitty gritty of Rick’s life. His infidelity. His problems on the job. His desire to solve a murder before the next woman dies. I liked the thriller aspect – the running out of time. What I really loved was the memoir aspect of the book. The chapters alternate between Rick and the serial killer. That’s right, the memoir of the killer. And it was fascinating to get into his psyche. To see his perspective on his trajectory that took him from neglected little boy to abused young man to vindictive murderer. These glimpses are what made the book so unique.
Geoffrey Boyes is a wonderful Australian narrator. I’ve listened to him before and he never disappoints. He was perfect for this book. I can recommend this book and I can’t wait to read the rest in the series.
This is a seriously creepy book. Just saying.
Sergeant Rick McCoy has a problem. He’s in charge of finding the killer of the woman found dismembered. The suitcase murder, they’ve labelled it. On top of that headache, his marriage is going through a rocky period and he’s drinking and smoking way too much. Now another woman has gone missing and it looks like he has a serial killer at work. Not much to ask for, eh?
This book works on so many levels. I loved getting into the nitty gritty of Rick’s life. His infidelity. His problems on the job. His desire to solve a murder before the next woman dies. I liked the thriller aspect – the running out of time. What I really loved was the memoir aspect of the book. The chapters alternate between Rick and the serial killer. That’s right, the memoir of the killer. And it was fascinating to get into his psyche. To see his perspective on his trajectory that took him from neglected little boy to abused young man to vindictive murderer. These glimpses are what made the book so unique.
Geoffrey Boyes is a wonderful Australian narrator. I’ve listened to him before and he never disappoints. He was perfect for this book. I can recommend this book and I can’t wait to read the rest in the series.
December 13, 2018
This was fascinating! I haven’t read anything like it.
The chapters told from the view of PPP, the serial killer, are riveting. The connections made by Pat, the psychologist, also spot on. The evolution of how a child becomes pure evil is built slowly and with great skill.
Rick was an interesting character, slightly flawed. He doesn’t always make the right choices. I waffled between sympathy and frustration when reading his inner thinking.
There is a bit of a side story with Y2K that didn’t add much for me. I think maybe it was to unite the family together again but it was a bit strange. Also, reason for my missing star on rating, I was a bit disheartened by the constant sexual tension between Rick and Pat. I am hoping the second installment doesn’t go there...
Those two small issues aside, I really enjoyed this story, would highly recommend and look forward to the next.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Backlit PR for a copy in exchange for a review.
The chapters told from the view of PPP, the serial killer, are riveting. The connections made by Pat, the psychologist, also spot on. The evolution of how a child becomes pure evil is built slowly and with great skill.
Rick was an interesting character, slightly flawed. He doesn’t always make the right choices. I waffled between sympathy and frustration when reading his inner thinking.
There is a bit of a side story with Y2K that didn’t add much for me. I think maybe it was to unite the family together again but it was a bit strange. Also, reason for my missing star on rating, I was a bit disheartened by the constant sexual tension between Rick and Pat. I am hoping the second installment doesn’t go there...
Those two small issues aside, I really enjoyed this story, would highly recommend and look forward to the next.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Backlit PR for a copy in exchange for a review.
March 5, 2022
Thank you to the Wild Rose Press who provided me a free copy for review through Bookstagrammers.com.
Reading this reminded me of first discovering Steven James in my early college years and being equal parts horrified and enthralled as the author dragged me through the minds of some of the most depraved characters I'm sure imagination has ever thought up. King has a very unique (and sometimes disturbing) ability to give insights into an incredibly macabre mind. We get to see the creation of a serial killer through his diary entries, and how events dating all the way back to childhood shaped the person he became. The MC was interesting as well, but for me the book really shone when it focused on the killer. I cared far less about the marital disputes and the struggle with work/life balance than I did about reading just one more diary entry from our killer. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading this author's next book!
Reading this reminded me of first discovering Steven James in my early college years and being equal parts horrified and enthralled as the author dragged me through the minds of some of the most depraved characters I'm sure imagination has ever thought up. King has a very unique (and sometimes disturbing) ability to give insights into an incredibly macabre mind. We get to see the creation of a serial killer through his diary entries, and how events dating all the way back to childhood shaped the person he became. The MC was interesting as well, but for me the book really shone when it focused on the killer. I cared far less about the marital disputes and the struggle with work/life balance than I did about reading just one more diary entry from our killer. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading this author's next book!
June 30, 2019
I found this book to be an enjoyable read, that may sound a tad odd considering the subject matter. However, the author does such a brilliant job with the plot and then in telling the story that I enjoyed reading it. He does a fantastic job of taking the reader into the mind of a serial killer so that the good and the bad times he experienced in his life are very real. This story is an emotional rollercoaster at times and that includes having some fun parts to the plot. This is a page-turner so my advice is don’t start reading it unless you have the time to sit there and read it through cover to cover, you are not going to want to put this book down once you have started it. Wish I could give it more than 5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 15, 2018
I really want to give 3.75 stars!!
A story about a serial killer and a detective. I don’t want to go into too much detail it ruins the book for others. It’s well written and has the story from the side of the killer as well as others, mainly the detective. The characters are interesting but some parts of this book felt regurgitated from character to character .... hence repeated but nevertheless it was an enjoyable read and one that I would recommend to fans of a gory murder mystery.
I think that the cover of this book gives it an older feel. It felt much more modern day. I would have been put off my this cover, the picture of the bloke should have been one that was less formal!
I received this book from net gallery in return for an honest review.
A story about a serial killer and a detective. I don’t want to go into too much detail it ruins the book for others. It’s well written and has the story from the side of the killer as well as others, mainly the detective. The characters are interesting but some parts of this book felt regurgitated from character to character .... hence repeated but nevertheless it was an enjoyable read and one that I would recommend to fans of a gory murder mystery.
I think that the cover of this book gives it an older feel. It felt much more modern day. I would have been put off my this cover, the picture of the bloke should have been one that was less formal!
I received this book from net gallery in return for an honest review.
October 4, 2019
Glimpse, The Tender Killer #3 - Absolutely, the perfect ending to the Glimpse Trilogy. Tying up all the storylines from the previous two books and this one, the author has done a good job with his storytelling. The fast pace keeps the reader immersed in the pages making it difficult to put down.
I do wish an experienced editor was used; the blaring mistakes do distract from the stories.
I read the first two books to this Trilogy and found them good. My reviews were lost when my all electronics were hacked. Start with the first book since the foundations/storylines have been steadily built upon and there's greater reading satisfaction. Of course, that's not necessary but it's like eating a chicken fried steak without the peppery gravy. I found this author on Booksprout. 4*
I do wish an experienced editor was used; the blaring mistakes do distract from the stories.
I read the first two books to this Trilogy and found them good. My reviews were lost when my all electronics were hacked. Start with the first book since the foundations/storylines have been steadily built upon and there's greater reading satisfaction. Of course, that's not necessary but it's like eating a chicken fried steak without the peppery gravy. I found this author on Booksprout. 4*
July 15, 2019
Exciting and fascinating psychological thriller
A fast moving hunt for a murderer, alongside insights into his motives and psychology for killing.
The police are stumped as to who murdered the body in the suitcase, and then another person goes missing. In an attempt to solve the crimes a criminal psychologist is brought into help, and then things start getting personal.
Whilst following the police’s efforts to track down the very intelligent killer, the reader is introduced to the murderer by way of a memoir he is writing for posterity. This memoir is a dark and fascinating look into the motives and psychology of a killer, which got me wondering whether people become killers by nature or nurture, or both.
Det Sergeant McCoy and the criminal psychologist, Patricia Holmes, are great characters in themselves, and add an extra dimension to this already exciting and dramatic book.
I did actually consider stopping reading this book because the murderer’s memoir is rather dark, but the psychological side of it fascinated me. I’m glad I kept going because the insights into the murderer’s thought processes were very thought provoking and interesting.
4 out of 5*s from me, purely because I found the first part of the murderer’s memoirs a little too dark and realistic for me. The psychology, the police hunt, the characters and the story definitely merited 5*.
This is the second book by Stephen B King I have read; I read the 2nd book (Glimpse, the Beautiful Deaths) in this series first! Both books are stand-alone reads. What a great author this is for anyone interested in what makes murderers tick.
A fast moving hunt for a murderer, alongside insights into his motives and psychology for killing.
The police are stumped as to who murdered the body in the suitcase, and then another person goes missing. In an attempt to solve the crimes a criminal psychologist is brought into help, and then things start getting personal.
Whilst following the police’s efforts to track down the very intelligent killer, the reader is introduced to the murderer by way of a memoir he is writing for posterity. This memoir is a dark and fascinating look into the motives and psychology of a killer, which got me wondering whether people become killers by nature or nurture, or both.
Det Sergeant McCoy and the criminal psychologist, Patricia Holmes, are great characters in themselves, and add an extra dimension to this already exciting and dramatic book.
I did actually consider stopping reading this book because the murderer’s memoir is rather dark, but the psychological side of it fascinated me. I’m glad I kept going because the insights into the murderer’s thought processes were very thought provoking and interesting.
4 out of 5*s from me, purely because I found the first part of the murderer’s memoirs a little too dark and realistic for me. The psychology, the police hunt, the characters and the story definitely merited 5*.
This is the second book by Stephen B King I have read; I read the 2nd book (Glimpse, the Beautiful Deaths) in this series first! Both books are stand-alone reads. What a great author this is for anyone interested in what makes murderers tick.
December 28, 2020
I did like this book but at the same time I found it boring more than half the time. This police procedural if exactly that. I felt it went more on a over detailed book. The book is suppose to be fiction but I felt like I was in the police room minute by minute but over many months time. I also didn't believe Pat she felt too knowledgeable about exactly what the killer was like by only reading a couple of case files. She was to on the nose with everything she said and that seemed false to me that she was that good. I did like the Memoir part and reading in the killers own words his point of view and thinking.
*I received this free book from Hidden Gems and am leaving my honest opinion*
*I received this free book from Hidden Gems and am leaving my honest opinion*
November 9, 2024
Ok, this book was not what I expected, and I am so glad it exceeds my expectations. I couldn't put the book down and wanted to read more. Sargeant Rick McCoy is chasing a serial killer, and all signs point to his personal relationship with this serial killer but no one but the serial killer knows why. Paul has been let down by the system so many times and literally has no one else to blame but Rick McCoy, let the games begin.
June 30, 2019
An interesting review told mostly from the point of view of the serial killer. The characters were well written and it has a great storyline. What connection did the killer have with Detective Rick McCoy? Would Rick be in time to save the most recent victim?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 13, 2019
Wow, what a great psychological thriller. Well-written and with intense but wonderful characters, this book is difficult to put down. Intense action that kept me turning pages.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 15, 2019
I’ve always had an unnatural interest in serial killers. I love the POV of the killer and his background story in how upbringing. Also some of his thoughts had laugh out loud moments. Looking forward to the sequel.
August 16, 2019
this was a actually really good book! . the only problem there was no mystery as to who the killer is. it basically gives away right away. two detectives are to work together on a case. only something happens. you must read to find out what it is.
October 31, 2020
This was a dark & intriguing story that I found very hard to put down. The policeman annoyed me at times but I found the Killers chapters completely captivating. I look forward to more in this series and from this author.
October 25, 2022
ewwwww what drivel. Sexist tropes and crappy characters. What a waste. i originally thought this was a Stephen King novel I missed and downloaded the audiobook. Imagine my surprise. The only thing horrifying was the writing.
August 15, 2019
Fantastic writing! Keep me on the edge of my seat! Could not stop listening! 👏👏👏
January 21, 2020
I think the book was really creepy, but it was fun to read since I love creepy things. It was Gorey but also cool. I give this book 5 stars.
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