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Knife Edge
2020's most terrifying psycho thriller
The craving never ends
"Make me beautiful, make me beautiful…" Ella Fallon makes this secret wish every night.
She and her lover Ed Leeming were born brilliant but ugly and their lives are made a misery at California's most exclusive college by Scott Stockton, leader of 'The Beautiful Elite'.
Stockton has it made. He is heir to an industrial multinational and plays the 'rich boy who gets what he wants' role to the hilt. If only Ella and Ed could be transformed into beautiful people. If only they could take over Scott Stockton's life and fortune. They would kill to have what Stockton has – and more.
Enter Thomas Startz. The Svengali futuristic body remodeller/plastic surgeon who is about to make their dreams come true - but at what cost?
Praise for Knife Edge
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ' I was breathless by the time I finished Knife Edge' - Glenda Bixler
The craving never ends
"Make me beautiful, make me beautiful…" Ella Fallon makes this secret wish every night.
She and her lover Ed Leeming were born brilliant but ugly and their lives are made a misery at California's most exclusive college by Scott Stockton, leader of 'The Beautiful Elite'.
Stockton has it made. He is heir to an industrial multinational and plays the 'rich boy who gets what he wants' role to the hilt. If only Ella and Ed could be transformed into beautiful people. If only they could take over Scott Stockton's life and fortune. They would kill to have what Stockton has – and more.
Enter Thomas Startz. The Svengali futuristic body remodeller/plastic surgeon who is about to make their dreams come true - but at what cost?
Praise for Knife Edge
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ' I was breathless by the time I finished Knife Edge' - Glenda Bixler
558 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2006
49 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
David Callinan
26 books133 followersDavid Callinan is Anglo-Irish, born into a family from Limerick in the west of Ireland who grew up in the UK. After a spell at art school, early years saw a host of jobs from telegraphist to salesman – before discovering music. After busking all over Europe he rediscovered Irish music and formed The Spalpeens playing all over the UK, Europe and Ireland touring with The Dubliners, Sweeney's Men, The Chieftains and many others.
He appeared in films such as The Lion In Winter (Peter O'Toole, Katherine Hepburn) and Sinful Davey (John Hurt) and scores of television advertisements (was even directed by the late, great John Huston).
Later, he formed Urban Clearway, touring and performing with artists such as Elton John, Billy Connolly, Rod Stewart and Long John Baldry.
He co-wrote a Celtic rock opera for the Edinburgh Festival. 'Pucka-Ri' starred a young Pierce Brosnan and became one of the hits of the Fringe, before transferring to the Arts Theatre in London.
Latterly, an earlier spacey, folk-rock album, Freedom's Lament, recorded by Callinan-Flynn, has emerged as a highly sought after title on the Internet – and new wave Irish chanteur Sean Tyrrell has recorded a number of his songs on recent albums.
He began to write seriously, producing a string of screenplays and novels, the first of which, 'Fortress Manhattan' was published by Gollancz (Orion) and the '10-Minute Miracle' by HarperCollins.
Current books include thrillers: 'The Immortality Plot'; 'Knife Edge'; 'Bodyswitch' and 'An Angel On My Shoulder'.
He has written the YA fantasy trilogy, 'The Kingdoms Of Time And Space' and a chapter series for 7-10 year olds, 'The Weather Kids'.
He appeared in films such as The Lion In Winter (Peter O'Toole, Katherine Hepburn) and Sinful Davey (John Hurt) and scores of television advertisements (was even directed by the late, great John Huston).
Later, he formed Urban Clearway, touring and performing with artists such as Elton John, Billy Connolly, Rod Stewart and Long John Baldry.
He co-wrote a Celtic rock opera for the Edinburgh Festival. 'Pucka-Ri' starred a young Pierce Brosnan and became one of the hits of the Fringe, before transferring to the Arts Theatre in London.
Latterly, an earlier spacey, folk-rock album, Freedom's Lament, recorded by Callinan-Flynn, has emerged as a highly sought after title on the Internet – and new wave Irish chanteur Sean Tyrrell has recorded a number of his songs on recent albums.
He began to write seriously, producing a string of screenplays and novels, the first of which, 'Fortress Manhattan' was published by Gollancz (Orion) and the '10-Minute Miracle' by HarperCollins.
Current books include thrillers: 'The Immortality Plot'; 'Knife Edge'; 'Bodyswitch' and 'An Angel On My Shoulder'.
He has written the YA fantasy trilogy, 'The Kingdoms Of Time And Space' and a chapter series for 7-10 year olds, 'The Weather Kids'.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 20, 2020
Some women ... and men .... will do anything to be one of the beautiful people. Both Ella and Ed have brilliant minds ... but their time at an exclusive college is downright miserable. They each dream of how different their lives would be ...could be.
Meet Thomas Startz ... The Svengali futuristic body remodeller/plastic surgeon who is about to make their dreams come true - but at what cost?
This struck me more of being horror, rather than a thriller. It is riveting, no matter what you want to call it. It's complex with characters I cannot identify with ... but like looking at an accident at the side of the road, you look and can't turn your eyes away.
The story line is different .... a unique look at "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Although I wasn't enthralled, it did sporadically hold my interest.
Many thanks to the author / Endeavour Media / Netgalley for the digital copy of KNIFE EDGE. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Meet Thomas Startz ... The Svengali futuristic body remodeller/plastic surgeon who is about to make their dreams come true - but at what cost?
This struck me more of being horror, rather than a thriller. It is riveting, no matter what you want to call it. It's complex with characters I cannot identify with ... but like looking at an accident at the side of the road, you look and can't turn your eyes away.
The story line is different .... a unique look at "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Although I wasn't enthralled, it did sporadically hold my interest.
Many thanks to the author / Endeavour Media / Netgalley for the digital copy of KNIFE EDGE. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
December 13, 2020
Wow! Crazy book with great suspense
July 9, 2019
Knife Edge - a review by Rosemary Kenny
What if you could wave a magic wand and look like your screen or pop idol, instead of an ugly klutz, who gets ridiculed and taunted by a world-class spoiled trust-fund bully and his clique of yes-men, every time you crossed paths at the elite college all three of you attend? Would you...no matter the moral and ethical cost?
Then your name must be Ella Fallon or Ed Leeming...their wishes do come true, but for one of them in a singularly awful and twisted way, when they happen upon vengeful psychotic plastic surgeon Thomas Startz, who promises to fulfil their dearest fantasy.
How this happens is revealed in Knife Edge, which has a double meaning and leads to literally 'double trouble' for the young dreamers.
Be careful what you wish for...should be the tag line for Knife Edge by David Callinan.
Get your copy today and learn to love the face/body you were born with - not the one you go 'under the knife' for!
What if you could wave a magic wand and look like your screen or pop idol, instead of an ugly klutz, who gets ridiculed and taunted by a world-class spoiled trust-fund bully and his clique of yes-men, every time you crossed paths at the elite college all three of you attend? Would you...no matter the moral and ethical cost?
Then your name must be Ella Fallon or Ed Leeming...their wishes do come true, but for one of them in a singularly awful and twisted way, when they happen upon vengeful psychotic plastic surgeon Thomas Startz, who promises to fulfil their dearest fantasy.
How this happens is revealed in Knife Edge, which has a double meaning and leads to literally 'double trouble' for the young dreamers.
Be careful what you wish for...should be the tag line for Knife Edge by David Callinan.
Get your copy today and learn to love the face/body you were born with - not the one you go 'under the knife' for!
November 3, 2021
Read Full & Detailed review: https://cynthology.blogspot.com/2021/...
Ella Fallon is miserable, teased and belittled as an ugly bitch at Winfield, the college she has been admitted to on scholarship. A straight-A student, she believes she is ugly. The only friend she has is Ed Leeming, just as intelligent and just as reviled for his looks.
Both Ella and Ed are constantly humiliated by Scott Stockton, the scion of a wealthy man, who is the biggest donor to the college. Scott is manipulative, vicious and mean.
Thomas Startz is a cosmetic surgeon who runs an enterprise called Heaven’s Gate, where he surgically alters the looks and bodies of paying clients. The biggest proof of his skill is his sister, supermodel Holly Startz.
During the graduation race, Scott pushes Ed into the valley. He survives but is in a coma.
Ella’s path crosses with Thomas, who transforms her face, opening up her world. When both Ed and Ella become more beautiful than their wildest dreams could have hoped for, they begin to long for revenge. But where will the thirst for revenge lead them?
The book highlights the fear of aging and the desire to retain one’s beauty at all costs. The story show us how beauty opens doors for the characters while those with the slightest blemish are looked down upon in a world that worships perfection. It also raises questions on how far it is okay for science to play god.
The author is good at the descriptive and narrative bits. I got a sense of the landscape, the harsh desert, the massive topographical elements.
The writing was eclectic and vibrant in some places and totally uninspired in others.
I wonder what kind of research the author must have done before writing this book. The effort has helped ground the book, despite the futuristic setting.
I found the presentation annoying. There were no connections between scenes or any indication at all that the scene was about to shift focus or perspective, making for an abrupt change.
While in Holly’s viewpoint, the author references Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Grey, and I was excited at the possibilities this might suggest, but that thought turned out to be literal.
All in all, there was so much that was happening in the book. It felt a bit like the author had bitten off more than he could chew. The book felt as if it were all over the place, making the resolution appear weak. It’s also very coincidental that the two persons in a coma should both recover miraculously at the same time. These random coincidences reduced the credibility of the story.
Ella Fallon is miserable, teased and belittled as an ugly bitch at Winfield, the college she has been admitted to on scholarship. A straight-A student, she believes she is ugly. The only friend she has is Ed Leeming, just as intelligent and just as reviled for his looks.
Both Ella and Ed are constantly humiliated by Scott Stockton, the scion of a wealthy man, who is the biggest donor to the college. Scott is manipulative, vicious and mean.
Thomas Startz is a cosmetic surgeon who runs an enterprise called Heaven’s Gate, where he surgically alters the looks and bodies of paying clients. The biggest proof of his skill is his sister, supermodel Holly Startz.
During the graduation race, Scott pushes Ed into the valley. He survives but is in a coma.
Ella’s path crosses with Thomas, who transforms her face, opening up her world. When both Ed and Ella become more beautiful than their wildest dreams could have hoped for, they begin to long for revenge. But where will the thirst for revenge lead them?
The book highlights the fear of aging and the desire to retain one’s beauty at all costs. The story show us how beauty opens doors for the characters while those with the slightest blemish are looked down upon in a world that worships perfection. It also raises questions on how far it is okay for science to play god.
The author is good at the descriptive and narrative bits. I got a sense of the landscape, the harsh desert, the massive topographical elements.
The writing was eclectic and vibrant in some places and totally uninspired in others.
I wonder what kind of research the author must have done before writing this book. The effort has helped ground the book, despite the futuristic setting.
I found the presentation annoying. There were no connections between scenes or any indication at all that the scene was about to shift focus or perspective, making for an abrupt change.
While in Holly’s viewpoint, the author references Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Grey, and I was excited at the possibilities this might suggest, but that thought turned out to be literal.
All in all, there was so much that was happening in the book. It felt a bit like the author had bitten off more than he could chew. The book felt as if it were all over the place, making the resolution appear weak. It’s also very coincidental that the two persons in a coma should both recover miraculously at the same time. These random coincidences reduced the credibility of the story.
July 29, 2020
I received this ARC book from Netgalley for honest Review.
What a great thrill and suspense it was to read. What a great psychological thrill! This novel had everything in it. The thrill, the suspense, the psychological, and the twist is crazy. This novel will keep you thinking and guessing. When you think you right, well let me just say that you might be wrong. This had me all over the place. My heart beating so fast! I couldn't believe what I was reading. If had me in shock. Every page, every chapter was a page turner. I couldn't believe my eyes what I was reading. It will surprise you in every way.
4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
The storyline was very good! The theme and setting was well put together. The characters was well put together in the story. This story will have in a rollercoaster with all the spooky and secrets. Was so well put in the story. Everything all in one book. It was just perfect! I highly recommend everybody get this and read it. What a great read! This had me hooked from the beginning. What a Rollercoaster! The sitting, theme, and the Characters had me pulled so in. Everything was well put together and it was just perfect. This novel would have you guess and thinking all the way to the end. What a great thrill and suspense. I love a great suspense that would have me think and guessing. This novel did just that to me. To the point that am wrong. When the ending comes am on shock. I wouldn't of never believe or guess. Like OMG! Highly recommend everybody get this book and read it. Its so good! Can't wait for his next book.
#netgallery #knifeedge
What a great thrill and suspense it was to read. What a great psychological thrill! This novel had everything in it. The thrill, the suspense, the psychological, and the twist is crazy. This novel will keep you thinking and guessing. When you think you right, well let me just say that you might be wrong. This had me all over the place. My heart beating so fast! I couldn't believe what I was reading. If had me in shock. Every page, every chapter was a page turner. I couldn't believe my eyes what I was reading. It will surprise you in every way.
4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
The storyline was very good! The theme and setting was well put together. The characters was well put together in the story. This story will have in a rollercoaster with all the spooky and secrets. Was so well put in the story. Everything all in one book. It was just perfect! I highly recommend everybody get this and read it. What a great read! This had me hooked from the beginning. What a Rollercoaster! The sitting, theme, and the Characters had me pulled so in. Everything was well put together and it was just perfect. This novel would have you guess and thinking all the way to the end. What a great thrill and suspense. I love a great suspense that would have me think and guessing. This novel did just that to me. To the point that am wrong. When the ending comes am on shock. I wouldn't of never believe or guess. Like OMG! Highly recommend everybody get this book and read it. Its so good! Can't wait for his next book.
#netgallery #knifeedge
November 20, 2020
Don't bother
The only reason I gave this book one star is because I couldn't put in a review without at least putting 1 star. If I could have put in a review with no stars I would have. This book was the most confusing book I have ever read in my life. For example, In the middle of a chapter It would all of a sudden start talking about something else. If this is an example of this man's Writing ability I Strongly Suggest He Not give up his day job!!!
The only reason I gave this book one star is because I couldn't put in a review without at least putting 1 star. If I could have put in a review with no stars I would have. This book was the most confusing book I have ever read in my life. For example, In the middle of a chapter It would all of a sudden start talking about something else. If this is an example of this man's Writing ability I Strongly Suggest He Not give up his day job!!!
June 5, 2020
Full Of Twists and Tevenge
Interesting story, with some gruesome moments. Revenge seems to make the story scary and confusing. Feelings of empathy for the various characters make you think about how to treat others.
Interesting story, with some gruesome moments. Revenge seems to make the story scary and confusing. Feelings of empathy for the various characters make you think about how to treat others.
November 24, 2020
I was quite surprised by this book, it was hard to put down. The story keeps changing in intensity. I was not expecting what kept coming. It's a great story, one that could very well happen without it being science fiction. I will read this author's other books.
November 28, 2020
Riveting
Unbelievable tension and anxiety with suspense unparalleled. Romance in an eventful manner and resulting passion. Murder in unexpected ways. Corporate workings at its best. My, I couldn't put this down and the end left me wanting more.
Unbelievable tension and anxiety with suspense unparalleled. Romance in an eventful manner and resulting passion. Murder in unexpected ways. Corporate workings at its best. My, I couldn't put this down and the end left me wanting more.
May 27, 2020
Be careful what you wish for.
I have never read a story quite like this before. Can plastic surgery fulfill your dreams or become your worst nightmare.
I have never read a story quite like this before. Can plastic surgery fulfill your dreams or become your worst nightmare.
July 9, 2020
Didn’t love this book and two stars is generous. You could tell the author was from the U.K, as it came out in the supposed American dialogue. The characters didn’t so much as converse as they did monologue at each other. Needed a better editing job and I stopped caring what happened about 3/4 of the way through. Disappointed.
December 14, 2020
Great book
This book was a easy read and very good. I would recommend this to other teen readers. I really enjoyed reading it.
This book was a easy read and very good. I would recommend this to other teen readers. I really enjoyed reading it.
October 12, 2023
Crime. Good revenge story. Anything else would be a spoiler. Nice twist at end. Stay tuned........
March 9, 2020
The craving never ends
"Make me beautiful, make me beautiful…" Ella Fallon makes this secret wish every night. She and her lover Ed Leeming were born brilliant but ugly and their lives are made a misery at California's most exclusive college by Scott Stockton, leader of 'The Beautiful Elite'.
Stockton has it made. He is heir to an industrial multinational and plays the 'rich boy who gets what he wants' rle to the hilt. If only Ella and Ed could be transformed into beautiful people. If only they could take over Scott Stockton's life and fortune. They would kill to have what Stockton has – and more.
Enter Thomas Startz. The Svengali futuristic body remodeller/plastic surgeon who is about to make their dreams come true - but at what cost?
Knife Edge is the most terrifying psycho-thriller you will read this year. Perfect for fans of Dean Koontz and Stephen King.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuousluy.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
"Make me beautiful, make me beautiful…" Ella Fallon makes this secret wish every night. She and her lover Ed Leeming were born brilliant but ugly and their lives are made a misery at California's most exclusive college by Scott Stockton, leader of 'The Beautiful Elite'.
Stockton has it made. He is heir to an industrial multinational and plays the 'rich boy who gets what he wants' rle to the hilt. If only Ella and Ed could be transformed into beautiful people. If only they could take over Scott Stockton's life and fortune. They would kill to have what Stockton has – and more.
Enter Thomas Startz. The Svengali futuristic body remodeller/plastic surgeon who is about to make their dreams come true - but at what cost?
Knife Edge is the most terrifying psycho-thriller you will read this year. Perfect for fans of Dean Koontz and Stephen King.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuousluy.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
January 29, 2020
Thank you Netgalley fro the opportunity to preview Knifes Edge by David Callinan. I would call this more of a horror story vs. mystery.
The plot centers on two people who think they are ugly and are bullied. That's until they meet a doctor who can change their looks, make them beautiful, but the cost of beauty does not come cheap.
I am not sure about this book - some parts were not right! I just could not get into the plot, so for me this book just was not satisfying.
I think the topic for me was off putting - the writing is good, and it is fast paced. Just not my cuppa!!!
2 stars.
The plot centers on two people who think they are ugly and are bullied. That's until they meet a doctor who can change their looks, make them beautiful, but the cost of beauty does not come cheap.
I am not sure about this book - some parts were not right! I just could not get into the plot, so for me this book just was not satisfying.
I think the topic for me was off putting - the writing is good, and it is fast paced. Just not my cuppa!!!
2 stars.
February 18, 2020
This has got to be one of the strangest and most un plausible books I have ever read BUT it had a hold on me!
The storyline was intriguing, even though somewhat 'out there' but I felt the delivery was slightly shortcoming and failed in places.
A very intense and complex novel that did have me gripped, perhaps because it was so weird but the totally unrealistic plot just didnt hit the spot for me sadly.
Still I'm going to give a solid 3* because of the fact it kept me turning the page and grabbed my attention!
Thanks to netgalley and Endeavour Media for the ARC.
The storyline was intriguing, even though somewhat 'out there' but I felt the delivery was slightly shortcoming and failed in places.
A very intense and complex novel that did have me gripped, perhaps because it was so weird but the totally unrealistic plot just didnt hit the spot for me sadly.
Still I'm going to give a solid 3* because of the fact it kept me turning the page and grabbed my attention!
Thanks to netgalley and Endeavour Media for the ARC.
April 11, 2020
Knife edge by David Callinan.
They craved beauty, riches and immortality. And they will stop at nothing.
Two brilliant but ugly losers are tormented at college by 'the handsome rich boy who has it all'.
If only they could be transformed into beautiful creatures and take over his life and fortune. Would they kill to get what they want?
An ok read with some good characters. I liked Famie. I couldn't get into it I was just reading it. Took my time. 3*.
They craved beauty, riches and immortality. And they will stop at nothing.
Two brilliant but ugly losers are tormented at college by 'the handsome rich boy who has it all'.
If only they could be transformed into beautiful creatures and take over his life and fortune. Would they kill to get what they want?
An ok read with some good characters. I liked Famie. I couldn't get into it I was just reading it. Took my time. 3*.
February 7, 2020
A sad and tragic tale of people who have heartbreaking body image issues and the lengths they will go to in order to be beautiful and "happy".
This is one intense, twisted, addictive, complex, insane, jaw-dropping novel! Not only is this a very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters, but the suspense builds at just the right pace as the story unfolds.
#KnifeEdge #NetGalley
This is one intense, twisted, addictive, complex, insane, jaw-dropping novel! Not only is this a very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters, but the suspense builds at just the right pace as the story unfolds.
#KnifeEdge #NetGalley
April 13, 2020
Wow what a read, i would not call this a thiller per sei it had tones of horror in it too. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book
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February 17, 2013
Really enjoyed this book! Exciting, thoroughly gripping story. Fast paced with a great storyline.
June 10, 2020
It was a fun read for me and although it seems to be written sloppily and in a rush (at least my version is) I was still able to enjoy it. This would make a great Movie or Series.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews