جنیفر بانوی مرموز

by Bari Wood, سیروس گنجوی (Translator)

شیشه‌ی جلوی اتومبیل درهم شکست. در طرف راننده، با فشار باز شد. چرخ‌های عقب اتومبیل که از سطح جاده جدا شده بود هنوز دیوانه‌وار به چرخش خود ادامه می‌دادند و گرد و غبار ناشی از گردش چرخ‌ها را به اطراف می‌پاشیدند؛

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Paranormal, Novels

488 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You don't think I'm strange?

His hand moved up her back, into her hair. I think you're the strangest girl in the world.”
Bari Wood- "The Killing Gift."

One of my all time favorites.

First off, this is not a mystery or a thriller in the conventional sense.

It is a character study of a detached, lonely woman who has always been alone. And the strange and impossible things that seem to happen when she is around.

And the detective who, while investigating a strange death becomes obsessed with her.

The Killing Gift was a best seller when it first launched. But that was a long time ago. It is notable that of the reviews, most are positive.

It is a classically atmospheric, haunting gem of a book that I fell in love with on my first read of it.

Jennifer has always been strange. People are scared of her and they do not know why. So as in reality, people tend to avoid what they cannot understand. Jennifer is alone as a child and as a woman. She is always alone.
SPOILERS:

But so many odd things happen. When Jennifer is a child and being bullied, the boy bullying her drops dead. Nobody can figure out why. This is not the first time an event like this occurs.

When a detective finds a criminal he has been tracking and wanting to arrest for years, died of a broken neck with seemingly nobody anywhere near him, he begins to investigate. And that is how he finds Jennifer.

This is not a love story. It is not a "who done it". It defies genre . It is however a haunting character study of a woman so human she could step off the book pages.

The ending was a shock and I think it one of the best and most "different" endings I have ever read. Not predictable and very fitting the book.

Recommended to anyone who likes great stories.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

First published in 1975, TKG definitely resonates with the horror themes of the era, such as King's Firestarter and Carrie. Jennifer is the featured character, although not the main protagonist. Due to her mother getting a X-ray just after she was conceived, (her mom was in a nasty car wreck), Jennifer is something of a mutant; she looks normal, but she has some sort of ESP.

The main protagonist is a police chief named Stavitsky, a somewhat obsessive type of guy. He keeps files (around a dozen or so) on the biggest lowlifes in the city (NYC) who somehow have managed not to get arrested or killed. One day he finds out that one of the nastiest ones was killed during a home break in so he checks out the case with relish. Turns out the lowlife was killed in a very strange way-- his neck was broken and his spinal cord torn, but there were no signs of trauma on the body. Further, the doctor who performed the autopsy is confused and puzzled; the injury that killed the guy seems flat out impossible!

I mentioned that Stravitsky was an obsessive character; so much so it is hard to take after a while. He starts looking into the case and keeps finding more and more odd things that just do not add up. The witnesses (it was Jennifer's house the crooks broke into) all claim the lowlife just dropped to the ground dead. Something fishy is going on and Stravitsky becomes more and more obsessed with Jennifer-- a rich research doctor. He starts checking into her past and more flags start to get raised...

This was a fun read, something of a police procedural/thriller and horror mashup. Wood has several sections of the book devoted to different eras (Jennifer as a child, Jennifer in college, etc.) that pop up to clarify what the cop is finding out about Jennifer's past. I really loved the ending and while I should have seen it coming, I did not. That alone bumps this to 3.5 stars, although I am rounding down because Stravitsky's obsessiveness was a little hard to buy into.

[Sandi Whipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in the mid or late 70’s. Close to 40 years ago! I still love it. It was even better the second time around because I’m older and can now appreciate the creativity and talent of the author.

It all starts in the past. After a couple has a terrible car accident the wife, reluctantly, has an X-Ray. (In those days they weren’t perfected and precautions weren’t taken.) No one, including her, knew she was pregnant. Well, the X-Ray did something to the unborn child, (Jennifer). When she was born, everything was wonderful. But not for long. Sensing something wasn’t right, no one wanted to be around this kid.

Her mother was oblivious to the fact, then one day felt there was something strange about her daughter. When Jennifer, with her mind, stops a vase from being broken, her mom nearly has a nervous breakdown. Obviously the growing years were pretty hard on poor Jennifer.

Fast forward to Jennifer as an adult. One day she gets robbed, and for no explained reason, one of the muggers simply drops dead. When the detective assigned to the case meets Jennifer, well, you’re now at the point of grinding your teeth and turning pages!

I hate it when a story starts slow and doesn’t grab me right away, and this is kind of close to that. But just close. Once it grabs you, you’re in for quite a read! The creation and development of the characters is good, but it’s better than well done where Jennifer is concerned. The author had me nearly believing she was real! I’ll read this again in a year or two because it’s a great book!

[Antonella Imperiali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inquietante, ma non tanto da meritarsi le 4 stelle piene... 3,5.

[Kittiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well it has been a long time since I last read this. At least fifteen plus years. I still happen to really like it. It didn't disappoint me for a minute.

With that being said... The book begins in the past, with a couple who are just starting there Honeymoon. There is a car accident. The husband who was driving is fine, but his wife has broken her hip. Hours later they get her to the local hospital. Where her doctor and husband fight about her getting an X-Ray. Since this is the past they are fairly new, haven't gotten all there kinks fixed quite yet. The doctor says they are now safe no big deal. She must have one if she is going to get any help. She gets one and is then put in a cast. The doctor didn't know she was pregnant. Well none of them did, since it's was just dividing cells still. The X-Ray did something to the fetus...changing her (soon to be Jennifer) and everyone around her forever.

The baby is born and she seems to be fine. Her mother is the last to sense to know something is very different about her daughter. No one including her father wants to be around her. Then one day it happens Jennifer is able to keep a vase from being dropped and broken with her mind. This freaks out the mom. Things only get worse for Jennifer from there.

It's now present time, Jennifer is an adult. She has been robbed. One of the robbers has dropped dead. With no good medical explanation why. The detective on the case wants to know why and how the criminals death has occurred. When he and Jennifer meet you never know what could happen.

The story starts there and gets better as it goes along.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recall reading a little of this book as a kid, probably around 10 or so (I always was a precocious reader) but found it boring at the time & quickly put it back on my grandmother's book shelf. I still took it out and looked at the cover occasionally because I found it so fascinating, and I wished it wasn't so boring, but exciting like the cover... Now, having read it as an adult, it wasn't boring at all- I think the reason I couldn't get into it so many years ago is that it was just over my head. I couldn't relate to adults, marriage, sex, having children, etc because I hadn't experienced any of that for myself- I had no points of reference. Upon reading this as the adult I am now, having experienced all those things and much more, I really enjoyed this book. There were a couple of slow-paced parts, usually during a scene or chapter that was being told from the detective's point of view, but for the most part the story was imaginative, beautifully descriptive, and thoroughly engrossing. It played out in my mind as if I was watching a movie of it. Honestly, I could easily see it being made into a movie, or maybe a miniseries or TV show. I think it has a lot of potential & would be highly enjoyable on the screen.

[Sharla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long time favorite- I've nearly read the hardcover edition I own to death. It is pretty much an annual read for me.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This paperback horror from the '70s is great for fans of The X-Files and Paperbacks From Hell! While a bit of a slow burn, it offers a lot of intense moments and vivid descriptions that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. It's unfortunately a product of its time, however, and features very outdated ideas about women and is rather sexist at times. It also doesn't escape the racism of the late 1970s, but honestly I was surprised that there wasn't more.

The narrative switches between character and time, focusing on both the 'present' from the perspectives of both Dr. Jennifer Gilbert (a wealthy doctor with an extraordinary gift) and Captain David Stavitsky (chief of homicide), and flashbacks in Jennifer's past. We learn about Jennifer's history with her gift (curse), and about Stavitsky's growing obsession with her involvement in the mysterious death of a man breaking into her apartment. That obsession becomes confusing, however, as his feelings start to be sexual despite being terrified and repulsed by Jennifer.

Jennifer is frequently described as being both ugly and beautiful. Her physical features are inconsistent, as are the ways men feel about her. This actually seemed like a good example of how many men feel about women who are more powerful than them. Jennifer is a member of the 1%. She has extreme generational wealth. She is a medical doctor doing critical research at a well respected institution. And, she has this incredible power. She is superior to the men in her life in all ways, and as a reaction to this men get physically ill in her presence. They become enraged for no reason. This is blamed on her powers. And yet, these men also covet her. Sounds like pretty standard misogyny to me. I found this pretty interesting, but Wood does not explore this idea on a deeper level in the book (at least not in my opinion), and that seems like a huge missed opportunity.

The ending of The Killing Gift might be the most interesting part and seems to set it up for a fun series concept that I would have loved to experience. Stavitsky offers her a deal...she can use her telekinesis to murder the criminals on his 'list' and he won't expose her. He decides to offer her this deal instead of actually killing her, which is what the male doctors he consults want him to do. He does this because he desperately wants to fuck her. She decides to take the deal, and that's how it ends. I want to see them team up to take down disgusting criminals! But alas. It doesn't appear that this is the case, however, and because of that the ending leaves Jennifer in a spot all women who hold power and value independence dread. She is left to the whims of an inferior man. Despite all this, I generally enjoyed this book and Wood's writing! I have more of her work and will definitely be reading it.

[Pablo Bueno · Rating 3 out of 5]

La verdad es que empieza mucho mejor de lo que acaba, y eso que las ultimísimas páginas no están nada mal. Lo he leído en una edición súper antigua, con ese olor característico de libro viejo y un montón de erratas. Además, muchas de las oes están como descolgadas respecto a la línea. Pese a esto, la sensación era bastante buena hasta mitad de libro, más o menos, donde noté un parón en el ritmo. A partir de ahí no podía parar de pensar "¡Venga, venga, que se acaba y no te da tiempo a terminar!".

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read The Tribe by Bari Wood and fell in love with her writing, but her books are hard to find. Shortly after, the thrift gods were on my side as I found a copy of The Killing Gift at Goodwill and almost cried from happiness.

The pacing of this story is faster than The Tribe, and I found the main character Jennifer to be fascinating. Just like all the people in her life, I was perplexed by her, but a bit scared to find out the truth under the surface.

There is animal cruelty, so be warned if that’s your trigger. You can just skip a few sentences like I did. I usually find animal cruelty in books & movies to be unnecessary & forced, but the way it was used in this book would strike a chord with fellow John Wick fans, so I can’t totally fault the author because it was effective.

If you enjoyed Allison by Jeff Strand, give The Killing Gift a try! I think anyone who enjoys character driven horror & suspense novels would enjoy this one.

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit, it took me quite a while before I actually got into this book. In the beginning it is really dry, at least in my opinion. At around the half way mark that all changed though, I couldn't put the book down. The story finally drew me in and I loved every second of it. My mother was the one to suggest the book to me actually, and I'm really happy she did. Despite the beginning this book deserves a high rating just because of how amazing the story is. Before I was even done reading the book I was already suggesting it to my friends and family. Definitely a keeper!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely wonderful!
it tells the story in a different, interesting way that makes you read more and quicker and just draws you in more. you start to feel emotion for the characters and for the situations they are in. you grow apart of the book. its wonderful, i couldn't put it down.

[Mikeal Burgin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Exceptionally intriguing premise that starts off really strong but then devolves into a painfully slow reading experience that never seems to generate any traction.

Majority of the story revolves around a homicide detective trying to piece together how a robbery transpired into a brutal death which presented one of the most confusing murders anyone has ever seen. Sadly, once homicide gets involved, this story becomes relatively uninspired and drags on for the rest of novel, as the detective is one of the more uninteresting characters I’ve read recently.

With an extremely smart, and well educated, antagonist gifted telekinetic powers that she may, or may not, comprehend just how strong her abilities are, “The Killing Gift” had unlimited potential for stirring the psychic pot of chaos, however the author could never seem to get over her infatuation with trying to make the worlds most bland detective an interesting force, and chose to force feed the readers with repetitive facts about the case. Nothing like reading over and over again things we already know.

There was a flashback section that delved into some psychic research that involved telekinetic manipulation of paper airplanes that was quite interesting, however it was fleeting at best and, not unlike the rest of the book, never truly explored the way that would have captivated the reader.

Sadly, this was another disappointing read that I had very high hopes for, and was saved from being my first DNF in years due to its strong start and fascinating paper airplane sequence.

⭐️⭐️ - ☹️

[J McEvoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thuggish and unpleasant detective obsesses over a middle-aged woman's ability to defend herself from criminals, bullies and psychopaths by means of telekinesis.

The book is a fairly accomplished re-write of Peter Van Greenaway's artful novel The Medusa Touch (published in 1973), even adopting the same structure - detective unravelling the story in flashback. Unlike The Medusa Touch, The Killing Gift evinces very little sympathy for or insight into its subject. If Jennifer List Gilbert is treated as a freak, the author seems to encourage the characterisation by attempting to portray detective Stavitsky in an incorruptible and sympathetic light. Truth is, if he had left well alone the ensuing tragedy would not have happened - instead, because of his thuggish pig-headedness, and his initial determination to defend known criminals against the unknown, the use of telekinesis in self-defence becomes some form of extreme vigilantism.

A frustrating read, probably of most interest to those who enjoy esoteric police procedurals. Do yourself a favour and read The Medusa Touch as well.

[nadir ali süter · Rating 5 out of 5]

killing gift'e gelecek olursak bu muhteşem romanı konu olarak yakın durduğu sisters,carrie ve the fury filmlerini yöneten brian de palma yetmişlerde çekse müthiş bir film olabilirmiş.1976 yılı new york:dedektif stavistky 20 yıldan beri peşinde olduğu bir suç dünyası tiplerinden birinin korkunç,olanaksız ve vahşi ölümünün ardından ipuçlarını takip etmeye başlar.şehrin en zengin ailelerinden birinin kızları doktor jennifer list'in 1930'lardaki doğumuna kadar uzanan bir gizem ve ürkünç ölümler çemberinin merkezindedir dedektif.müthiş bir kitapmış.o yıllara özgü çeviri ve baskı hatalarına rağmen elinizden bırakamadan bitiriveriyorsunuz.maalesef 70'lerde basılan pekçok roman gibi yeni baskısı yok.sahaflar,nadir kitap veya gittitigidiyor'da bulunuyor.

[Jill Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story by Bari Wood. The characters were well developed, interesting and most of them likable.

I love the way the time line jumps around. I definitely rolled my eyes at the beginning with the X-ray/psychic powers set up. However, I quickly got over that with the development of the story.

I guess I would have liked to know Jennifer a little better. She was like a main character who was only talked about, but you didn’t interact with her like the rest of the characters. Loved the ending nonetheless.

[Leta ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, it’s a really good book. Why doesn’t it have the hype it deserves?!

I loved Jennifer’s story about her power. The plot was so original and interesting. The writing style and the character development weren’t perfect but it was still a really enjoyable book.

I got it from an old book sale because I thought it is the book on which story the movie "Jennifer's body" is based. I was wrong. There are some similarities but the book's story is way better.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Fantasy, Paranormal

[Daniel Polansky]

A telekinetic woman who can kill with her mind!!! is pursued by a police detective to unclear ends. This felt like the kind of book that I sneaked off my father's shelves in middle school, which isn't really anything one way or the other as far as you're concerned. A competent if unexceptional 80's horror story.

[Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

It may sound strange to describe this book about a rich lady whose brain commits murder as restrained, but it is! Less refined writers would have filled it with more gore, I feel certain. Wood's horror story is all the more chilling for its slow burning, quiet dread. And not to sound like a psychopath, but psychic killing would indeed be a gift. Used only on ticks and arch enemies, of course.

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
This book was even better than I thought it would be! The story kept me engaged and I loved every moment of it. The ending wasn’t my favorite, but the lead up to it was wonderful. Jennifer is terrifying, but you also can’t help but feel so sorry for her, which makes this book even better. I would definitely recommend this to others.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt there was a lot that could have been cut from this already short book, but the concept of someone being able to kill with their mind is genuinely unsettling. The ending is also top notch, so unexpected.

[Hayan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was catching, buy the ending is a little unexpectedly disappointing.

[Debutante Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best mystery novel I ever read. I tried looking for more books by this author but I haven't had any luck.

[Stephen Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Kelly Gossen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to read on a rainy day

[Reevrb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so much a horror as it was a good mystery. Didn't know until the very end what was going to happen!

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1977. A seemingly normal woman has a "Gift" which she discovers when a murderous home invader dies an inexplicable mysterious and painful death. Sounds interesting.

[Chuck Robinzine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read.

[Dayna Keiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. An unusual premise yet quite believable.

[Shane Headlam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling little thriller.
I very much enjoyed this novel, it has all the ingredients you need.