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Falling
In Falling , Christopher Pike explores the depth and breadth of human emotion through two brilliantly etched Kelly Feinman, who pays a terrible price to understand the nature of true evil; and Matt Connor, a classic anti-hero who captures the reader's sympathy.
Kelly Once a brilliant FBI profiler and field agent, Kelly went rogue on her last case, hunting the serial killer known as the Acid Man. Now, still recovering from the madman's brutal assault, regarded by her fellow agents as a weak link, Kelly struggles to find her footing on a new the kidnapping of an infant, Jimmy Techer. Making matters worse, Kelly's husband has taken their daughter and left. Kelly fears she cannot even trust her own instincts.
Matt Deeply in love with his girlfriend, Matt is devastated when Amy leaves him for another man. He plots a diabolical revenge that begins with his apparent death. By the time Matt is through, Amy--Jimmy's mother--will know the intensity of Matt's pain, because it will have become her own. And Matt…Matt will pass through the fires of hell and, in the eyes of baby Jimmy, will recover his soul.
Matt Connor is a kidnapper. Kelly Feinman is the agent on his trail. They should be enemies. Instead, they become friends, and together, they help each other become whole.
Kelly Once a brilliant FBI profiler and field agent, Kelly went rogue on her last case, hunting the serial killer known as the Acid Man. Now, still recovering from the madman's brutal assault, regarded by her fellow agents as a weak link, Kelly struggles to find her footing on a new the kidnapping of an infant, Jimmy Techer. Making matters worse, Kelly's husband has taken their daughter and left. Kelly fears she cannot even trust her own instincts.
Matt Deeply in love with his girlfriend, Matt is devastated when Amy leaves him for another man. He plots a diabolical revenge that begins with his apparent death. By the time Matt is through, Amy--Jimmy's mother--will know the intensity of Matt's pain, because it will have become her own. And Matt…Matt will pass through the fires of hell and, in the eyes of baby Jimmy, will recover his soul.
Matt Connor is a kidnapper. Kelly Feinman is the agent on his trail. They should be enemies. Instead, they become friends, and together, they help each other become whole.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
34 people are currently reading
1256 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Pike
261 books5,465 followersChristopher Pike is the pseudonym of Kevin McFadden. He is a bestselling author of young adult and children's fiction who specializes in the thriller genre.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
McFadden was born in New York but grew up in California where he stills lives in today. A college drop-out, he did factory work, painted houses and programmed computers before becoming a recognized author. Initially unsuccessful when he set out to write science fiction and adult mystery, it was not until his work caught the attention of an editor who suggested he write a teen thriller that he became a hit. The result was Slumber Party (1985), a book about a group of teenagers who run into bizarre and violent events during a ski weekend. After that he wrote Weekend and Chain Letter. All three books went on to become bestsellers.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
McFadden was born in New York but grew up in California where he stills lives in today. A college drop-out, he did factory work, painted houses and programmed computers before becoming a recognized author. Initially unsuccessful when he set out to write science fiction and adult mystery, it was not until his work caught the attention of an editor who suggested he write a teen thriller that he became a hit. The result was Slumber Party (1985), a book about a group of teenagers who run into bizarre and violent events during a ski weekend. After that he wrote Weekend and Chain Letter. All three books went on to become bestsellers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
July 6, 2008
WOW! WOW! WOW! When I was browsing through the shelves at Barnes & Noble and saw that Christopher Pike had written an adult novel, I was thrilled! I remember reading his books as a kid, and absolutely loving them. The very first chapter catches your attention and pulls you in so quickly that before you know it, you're quite literally trapped in this story. There are more twists and turns in this story that you can count, so it really keeps you guessing. And just when you think you've got it figured out, something goes terribly wrong and you don't know how our characters are going to get out of their predicament. It's about a man who decides he's going to fake his death because his ex-girlfriend wronged him. As you can imagine, this leads to all sorts of interesting problems. A must read for thriller lovers!
June 6, 2011
This book is amazing! By far my favorite book ever! On the cover it says, "literary crack cocaine" & boy is that right! It was fantastic! I found the character very relatable and just awesome because they were VERY unique, but still real and believable. The plot was so complex and engaging-which kept me captivated with every page. The ending was also satisfying in that i thought that every character got what he/she deserved(especially Amy). I also admired the emotions displayed by the characters. Every tear, crunched eye brow, and smirk was done with a passion that i've never seen before! The way the character connect is also unusual and delightful! I love the passion, intensity, pain, hate, and power between each character! Phenomenal work of art! Highly recommended for those who love mystery, deception, and even comedy.
June 15, 2011
Falling is a curious book. Mr. Pike chooses to narrate an awful lot of events through a sub-400 page novel, including plenty of set-up and backstory that other authors may have chosen to reveal later in the book through flashbacks or dialogue.
The story revolves around two central characters: Matt Connor, a bright, passionate young man who has become unhinged by his unhealthy obsession with a poisonous girl named Amy, and Kelly Feinman, a brash FBI agent struggling to balance her exciting work with her dull home life. There is so much ground covered here, from a gruesome serial killer Kelly chases to Matt's elaborate plan for extracting revenge from Amy to the strange relationship and juxtaposition between the two as they fight their parallel but strangely intertwined private battles.
At times Mr. Pike's need to describe so much of the action results in passages that feel rushed, like Kelly's initial investigation into the enigmatic Acid Man and the lead-up to Matt and Amy's fateful alliance that sets up the last third of the book. There are also plenty of credibility-stretching contrivances and events that unfold just so which allow a bit too many of the puppet strings to show. Still, while it is at times ridiculous the events that unfold are fascinating and Mr. Pike rarely takes the story in the expected direction.
It's difficult to discuss the book without blowing away major spoilers: Even reading the book jacket reveals key early events but that has more to do with the fact that nothing in Falling remains static very long. Broadening the conversation then, Falling manages to portray several characters very well, mostly secondaries. Kelly's partner, Charlie, is welcome in the few scenes he has, and Amy competes at times with the Hannibal Lecter-esque Acid Man for the central antagonist, creating a fascinating foil for the frustrating but likable Matt. Unfortunately it is Kelly who ends up being the book's greatest weakness, her consistent foolishness is never believably explained, despite plenty of effort being made to wave it away. She is neither a strong female lead nor as tragic as the story seems to want her to be, resulting in a whiny neurotic who steals too much of the book's point of view.
There are times when Falling genuinely surprises and times when it blunders from scene to scene. At no point is it dull or uninteresting, though, making it a truly gripping book that one wishes were just a bit more restrained. The final curiosity lies in the book's dismally unsatisfying conclusion which is really a non-ending. For a book that wanted to tell readers so very much about these characters, for it to end without telling what actually became of them is truly baffling.
The story revolves around two central characters: Matt Connor, a bright, passionate young man who has become unhinged by his unhealthy obsession with a poisonous girl named Amy, and Kelly Feinman, a brash FBI agent struggling to balance her exciting work with her dull home life. There is so much ground covered here, from a gruesome serial killer Kelly chases to Matt's elaborate plan for extracting revenge from Amy to the strange relationship and juxtaposition between the two as they fight their parallel but strangely intertwined private battles.
At times Mr. Pike's need to describe so much of the action results in passages that feel rushed, like Kelly's initial investigation into the enigmatic Acid Man and the lead-up to Matt and Amy's fateful alliance that sets up the last third of the book. There are also plenty of credibility-stretching contrivances and events that unfold just so which allow a bit too many of the puppet strings to show. Still, while it is at times ridiculous the events that unfold are fascinating and Mr. Pike rarely takes the story in the expected direction.
It's difficult to discuss the book without blowing away major spoilers: Even reading the book jacket reveals key early events but that has more to do with the fact that nothing in Falling remains static very long. Broadening the conversation then, Falling manages to portray several characters very well, mostly secondaries. Kelly's partner, Charlie, is welcome in the few scenes he has, and Amy competes at times with the Hannibal Lecter-esque Acid Man for the central antagonist, creating a fascinating foil for the frustrating but likable Matt. Unfortunately it is Kelly who ends up being the book's greatest weakness, her consistent foolishness is never believably explained, despite plenty of effort being made to wave it away. She is neither a strong female lead nor as tragic as the story seems to want her to be, resulting in a whiny neurotic who steals too much of the book's point of view.
There are times when Falling genuinely surprises and times when it blunders from scene to scene. At no point is it dull or uninteresting, though, making it a truly gripping book that one wishes were just a bit more restrained. The final curiosity lies in the book's dismally unsatisfying conclusion which is really a non-ending. For a book that wanted to tell readers so very much about these characters, for it to end without telling what actually became of them is truly baffling.
March 19, 2019
Been a fan of Pike for some time, but sadly this book is a misfire, and easily the work of his that I dislike the most. For a thriller, some parts move at a frustratingly glacial pace, even supposedly high-octane ones. Some of the events, actions, coincidences, and il/logical leaps are so unbelievable as to strain the reader's credulity. The whole thing just felt so contrived. I can't believe that I'd actually encounter a Pike book that would bore me, but here we are.
Though the lead, Matt, was described as an anti-hero in the blurb, one feels that the author really wants you to root for or at least like him, even calling him an "innocent" (?!?) at one point. I dunno about you, but kidnapping a baby to hurt an ex and demanding millions of dollars as ransom for his well-being automatically makes one a baddie for me. Yup, even if the author doth protesteth too much that he only did it out of excessive/obsessive love, that the ex was an ice-cold bitch, etc etc.
And what a thoroughly professional cop we have in Kelly! With policemen like these, who needs lawbreakers?
So far this year, this is the only book that I had to struggle to finish. It gets 2.5/10 from me, or 1 star out of 5. I still shan't dismiss Pike as an author because I did enjoy his books.
Though the lead, Matt, was described as an anti-hero in the blurb, one feels that the author really wants you to root for or at least like him, even calling him an "innocent" (?!?) at one point. I dunno about you, but kidnapping a baby to hurt an ex and demanding millions of dollars as ransom for his well-being automatically makes one a baddie for me. Yup, even if the author doth protesteth too much that he only did it out of excessive/obsessive love, that the ex was an ice-cold bitch, etc etc.
And what a thoroughly professional cop we have in Kelly! With policemen like these, who needs lawbreakers?
So far this year, this is the only book that I had to struggle to finish. It gets 2.5/10 from me, or 1 star out of 5. I still shan't dismiss Pike as an author because I did enjoy his books.
June 11, 2022
As someone who spent their youth obsessed with the young adult novels of Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine, I was very excited to come across a novel by Pike that was directed at an adult audience. I was excited for the nostalgia to come back but this time with more complex characters and plots.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. This book was absolutely awful. I don’t know how this book ever got published. It went from one train wreck to another. Honestly the only reason I’m giving it the 1 star it has, is because at the most basic level the plot was somewhat decent. But it’s completely ruined by the characters themselves and the subplots and weird morality nonsense.
Pike tries so hard to create this antihero out of one of the main characters doing everything he can to create a likable main character while at the same time the character is doing horrifically monstrous acts.
The book has two intertwined plot lines that somehow intersect. An FBI agent pursuing a ghastly serial murderer that kills adulterous wives who after almost killing the agent is put on permanent house arrest from what essentially becomes a government coverup so as not embarrass the very elite and rich men who were the husbands of said murdered wives. The second plot point is of a scorned and rejected lover…if you can even really call him that. Who fakes his own death and kidnaps his ex girlfriend’s baby in order to teach her a lesson. The FBI agent is then tasked with pursuing the kidnapper and finding the baby and it’s here the two stories intersect. It is also at this point that Pike tries so very hard to make the kidnapper a likable guy when I’m sure that every single woman reading this book has dealt with a man they rejected refusing to back down and creating uncomfortable scenarios and potentially committing crimes like stalking/harassment/etc it just doesn’t work. And yet, everyone else involved seems to believe that cheating is somehow the worst crime imaginable and kidnapping, murder, stalking, etc is somehow all forgivable because this poor little man was cheated on. It’s preposterous. I honestly finished the book because it was like a train wreck I couldn’t take my eyes off of. Again the most basic plot could have worked in another setting, and I love when books bring in historical and mythological touches, so the ancient literature and clues was a breath of fresh air amongst this disaster.
I’d recommend Pike stick to young adult, or at least when he ventures into his next adult orientated novel, perhaps he shouldn’t make the cliche and ridiculous “incel” the hero of his next book.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. This book was absolutely awful. I don’t know how this book ever got published. It went from one train wreck to another. Honestly the only reason I’m giving it the 1 star it has, is because at the most basic level the plot was somewhat decent. But it’s completely ruined by the characters themselves and the subplots and weird morality nonsense.
Pike tries so hard to create this antihero out of one of the main characters doing everything he can to create a likable main character while at the same time the character is doing horrifically monstrous acts.
The book has two intertwined plot lines that somehow intersect. An FBI agent pursuing a ghastly serial murderer that kills adulterous wives who after almost killing the agent is put on permanent house arrest from what essentially becomes a government coverup so as not embarrass the very elite and rich men who were the husbands of said murdered wives. The second plot point is of a scorned and rejected lover…if you can even really call him that. Who fakes his own death and kidnaps his ex girlfriend’s baby in order to teach her a lesson. The FBI agent is then tasked with pursuing the kidnapper and finding the baby and it’s here the two stories intersect. It is also at this point that Pike tries so very hard to make the kidnapper a likable guy when I’m sure that every single woman reading this book has dealt with a man they rejected refusing to back down and creating uncomfortable scenarios and potentially committing crimes like stalking/harassment/etc it just doesn’t work. And yet, everyone else involved seems to believe that cheating is somehow the worst crime imaginable and kidnapping, murder, stalking, etc is somehow all forgivable because this poor little man was cheated on. It’s preposterous. I honestly finished the book because it was like a train wreck I couldn’t take my eyes off of. Again the most basic plot could have worked in another setting, and I love when books bring in historical and mythological touches, so the ancient literature and clues was a breath of fresh air amongst this disaster.
I’d recommend Pike stick to young adult, or at least when he ventures into his next adult orientated novel, perhaps he shouldn’t make the cliche and ridiculous “incel” the hero of his next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2009
This book drove me absolutely crazy. I hated the characters, and couldn't believe anyone's motivation. I found horrible mistakes that lead me to believe the writing and editing were lazy...a thesis for a PhD? NO!! A 'good' thesis will earn a PhD faster? NO!! A working mother would go home and fix a roast turkey for dinner as a treat after work??? NO!! Blood from a vein throbs with the heartbeat? NO!! Even I know that!
And yet, some interesting writing...I found lots of quotes I liked. So, I know Pike is clever, if over-the-top: "he felt the famliar ache: pain and love, the devil stabbing the angel." And "they were not a couple who regualrly contemplated their wedding vows."
This was such a contrast...too many coincidences, too many leaps of logic. All that said, I read every word.
I'm supposed to believe a PhD in literature becomes an FBI agent who puts being a hero above her family, who then goes rogue?? Nope!
Interesting discussions about the women in Lord of the Rings...such a contradictory book. Will never read another of his.
And yet, some interesting writing...I found lots of quotes I liked. So, I know Pike is clever, if over-the-top: "he felt the famliar ache: pain and love, the devil stabbing the angel." And "they were not a couple who regualrly contemplated their wedding vows."
This was such a contrast...too many coincidences, too many leaps of logic. All that said, I read every word.
I'm supposed to believe a PhD in literature becomes an FBI agent who puts being a hero above her family, who then goes rogue?? Nope!
Interesting discussions about the women in Lord of the Rings...such a contradictory book. Will never read another of his.
December 14, 2019
Not YA horror from Pike but an adult crime thriller and it was intricate and gripping, I raced through it.
January 22, 2015
Wow it is really hard for me to rate a murder/thriller novel as a five star because it is so tricky to thoroughly entertain and scare me at the same time I admit however this book did both wonderfully, I was literally addicted to this book and read every spare moment I could with a mixture of awe, disgust, respect and serious intrigue..the book cover calls it "literary crack" and that is exactly what it was from the first page..The book has such realistic and brilliant characters it is admirable to read, you feel these characters, the manipulations of Amy, the doggedness and determination despite everything from Kelly, the hatred of Matt and the pure evil genius of the Acid Man and it all works..The novel begins with the twisted revenge scheme of the brokenhearted and delusionally intelligent Matt as he plans to make his ex-girlfriend feel what she put him though times ten..this plot then coolly interlaps another one with a smart and independent FBI analyst chasing a serial kiler called the Acid Man as he murders adulterous wives of prominent men with a coldness I felt through the pages..I loved the book I wanted to stay lost with the characters and follow them through life, I felt everyone had a successful ending and I loved to hate the sneaky, mean two-timing Amy who was written so well and cruel that it was scary..I highly recommend this book for the superb writing, the inventive and surprising plot twists and the characters you root for and feel it all with..Great read.
February 16, 2010
EXCELLENT book! I love these sort of horror thrillers. This book grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go until the very end. I am upset that there are no more pages to read.
Pike has done some great character development. I love that Kelly is the type of person who uses her FBI status as a way of finding adventures. I love how she sympathizes with the "bad guys" and uses them to gain knowledge about herself and life in general.
I think one of Pike's goals in writing this book was to have his readers feel frustrated by the situation and it worked! I was so frustrated at times when Matt kept falling under Amy's spell. I was frustrated when Amy kept twisting him around her finger. She was really convincing! I would beleive her if she was telling me her lies!
Anyways, it is going to be hard to find another book that is as great as this one.
Pike has done some great character development. I love that Kelly is the type of person who uses her FBI status as a way of finding adventures. I love how she sympathizes with the "bad guys" and uses them to gain knowledge about herself and life in general.
I think one of Pike's goals in writing this book was to have his readers feel frustrated by the situation and it worked! I was so frustrated at times when Matt kept falling under Amy's spell. I was frustrated when Amy kept twisting him around her finger. She was really convincing! I would beleive her if she was telling me her lies!
Anyways, it is going to be hard to find another book that is as great as this one.
February 26, 2015
I absolutely loved Christopher Pike when I was younger and had read all his YA books for the late 80's early 90's. So, like many others, when I saw he a written an adult novel I had to read it. The problem he is lifted many of the plot points straight from the novels I remember from my childhood: faked death, false identities, etc. The key difference from the YA fare was ramped up gruesomeness and crudeness/profanity. You would think that use already well trod plots he might delve into more character development, but you'd be wrong. I was exasperated by the characters and their wafer thin motives. What felt thrilling at 13 just reads as tedious now. I stuck it out until the end, but if you have read Pike before you will probably guess the twists and turns.
March 3, 2017
I think I have finally reached the point where I cannot continue to review Christopher pike books based on the memory of how his books made me feel when I was a teenager.
The truth is this book wasn't very good at all! It was a slightly( hardly at all) more mature version on master of murder.
I was confused by what the main character is supposed to be... It felt like pike was trying to create a superhero.
The storyline was weak, the connections in the story were tenuous and there was no attempt made at realism.
The day has arrived! I have outgrown Christopher pike.
The truth is this book wasn't very good at all! It was a slightly( hardly at all) more mature version on master of murder.
I was confused by what the main character is supposed to be... It felt like pike was trying to create a superhero.
The storyline was weak, the connections in the story were tenuous and there was no attempt made at realism.
The day has arrived! I have outgrown Christopher pike.
June 5, 2016
This made me think a lot. Lots of dot connecting went down in my head as I was reading this book. I loved the psychology of the characters. I can't reveal the name of the serial killer otherwise that'd ruin the book but he's one of my favorite characters in this book. Also the way Matt thinks and the things he manages to plot and pull off in this book are really interesting. I liked this book, I read it in about two sittings, this book was a drug.
April 29, 2015
Ok, I get Amy cheated on Matt. But that makes her evil? Sooooooo evil. Sooooooo manipulative. Clearly deserves whatever pain comes her way.
Ummm, didn't we condemn Acidman for this?
I am so done with this over usage of this female character type. Le sigh.
Ummm, didn't we condemn Acidman for this?
I am so done with this over usage of this female character type. Le sigh.
August 21, 2014
All the characters were annoying...I had to keep putting the book down :(
May 14, 2022
It was very intriguing in the beginning but became too repetitive by the end. Couldn't sympathize with any of the characters.
September 9, 2010
This being my long over due reintroduction to Christopher Pike, I was at first a bit disappointed. It had been so long since I'd read any of his work that I was bored by the story. But then I remembered that Pike is the kind of storyteller that *eases* you into a plot. Sure, he'll thrust you into the action - but that's wholly separate. Once I was introduced to the web of the plot it was intriguing and gripping. The gradual reveal of the twists and turns were sometimes sudden and other times not.
My favorite thing about Pike, as an writer, is his understanding that when you have a conversation between two people - it doesn't have to be marred down with "he said" "she said" descriptions. They were quick and felt natural and never did I have to ask, "Who is saying what?" I was anxious to hear what was going to be said next and was glad I didn't have to wade through a river of internal thoughts and theories - there is a time and a place for internal monologue and Pike was always aware that it's not during gripping dialogue. God Bless him :D
I would have given this 5 stars, but I just don't like profanity and crude language no matter how much brutality it is lending to the story - sorry!
My favorite thing about Pike, as an writer, is his understanding that when you have a conversation between two people - it doesn't have to be marred down with "he said" "she said" descriptions. They were quick and felt natural and never did I have to ask, "Who is saying what?" I was anxious to hear what was going to be said next and was glad I didn't have to wade through a river of internal thoughts and theories - there is a time and a place for internal monologue and Pike was always aware that it's not during gripping dialogue. God Bless him :D
I would have given this 5 stars, but I just don't like profanity and crude language no matter how much brutality it is lending to the story - sorry!
November 8, 2012
I REALLY enjoyed this book. It goes back and forth between a man's point of view and a women's. This makes it easier for reader to connect. At the beginning of the story, when I started to first read it, I was confused about why the author had been going from a different point of view every chapter. Then as I started to get more into the story, I love how the author merges both of two main character's stories together and get them to actually meet. I would recommend this book to both males and females. That's because there is action and curiosity through out the book. There isn't much drama but just enough to keep you wanting to read more!
January 22, 2009
I'm probably stupid for trying to read this book after reading Chuck Palaniuk, but that doesn't give Mr. Pike an excuse to make sure all sentences are less than 7 words and beat me over the head with details. I will typically power through a book out of spite, but not this time. This time I got to page 20 and put it down. Bah!
July 16, 2012
I have to say. This one is amazing. I loved it. When I first opened the book and started reading, I thought it was going to be just ok. When I was through, I couldn't believe how much I loved it! I've never been much of a "thriller" reader but now I'm hooked!
July 31, 2008
I REALLY did not like this book - Pike is on of my favorite Authors & has been for almost 15 years, but this book seemed pointless. It's not a long read, but one I did regret wasting my time on.
December 30, 2023
I'm about 200 pages in and I LOVE it!!! Pike never dissapoints!!
My reread of this book was great! This book is so good.
My reread of this book was great! This book is so good.
March 17, 2016
This book wasn’t terrible, but could not finish it. There’s a lot of potential, but everything was so shallow. Couldn’t care about any of the characters, no matter what happened to them.
April 29, 2022
This was incredibly clever, but also made me want to hand-palm my face with how ridiculous it was. Well-written. Not my favorite characters to follow. You feel like you're in the dark about a lot of things, while at the same time you're told everything that's happening. You'll be questioning everyone's morals the entire time.
June 25, 2023
What a wild ride! I can’t even compare it to any other books I have read.
July 2, 2019
So I re-read Falling, and I can’t help but feel that Gillian Flynn might have picked up some pointers from it when she wrote Gone Girl. Spoilers for both to follow:
Speaking of the lady cop, there’s a whole other plotline about her being a wannabe Clarice complete with a knockoff Hannibal Lecter, but it doesn’t really correlate with Gone Girl.
Speaking of the lady cop, there’s a whole other plotline about her being a wannabe Clarice complete with a knockoff Hannibal Lecter, but it doesn’t really correlate with Gone Girl.
August 26, 2011
You're probably thinking "Christopher Pike? Isn't that the guy who was second only to RL Stine in cheesy tween horror books of the nineties?" Why, yes, he was. However, Christopher Pike has been writing the occasional book for adults for quite some time. This book is a thriller but not in the Stephen King sense. There are two central characters. Matt is a man who fakes his own death as part an elaborate plan to get back at his ex-girlfriend. The other character is an FBI agent who (and this will sound cliche) doesn't play by the rules and it always comes back to bite her in the ass. There is a connection between the two of them but I won't give that away. It's an intellectual thriller where you are trying to figure out everyone's next move and what their true motivations are. The characters are not always likeable so if you're expecting to fall in love with them...you might but not because they're perfect. They are flawed which I enjoyed. This is a fast paced story which I found difficult to put down.
January 23, 2024
This book is very good. Pike outdid himself with a complex adult novel.
It is unusual for me to like a Pike that is devoid of the supernatural, but I enjoyed it. The story revolves around cheating and lies, love triangles involving the nice guy and bad boy, paying for one's sins of cheating and adultery, choices, and, most of all, pain.
What I like about this story is the number of stories—both real and fictional. There are about five stories of cheating, and the stories, both short and long, are deep.
The murder mystery part is the reason I almost stopped reading the book, but it was well done. I was curious about 'who dun it' the whole time and also curious about how Matt would achieve his goal.
The characters were well done. None were perfect; all were intensely complex and both likable and hatable.
The best part of it all was the ending. You never know what Pike will do with the endings, but this was good. I was satisfied and happy.
Personally, I abhor cheating, so this was just the book for me.
It is unusual for me to like a Pike that is devoid of the supernatural, but I enjoyed it. The story revolves around cheating and lies, love triangles involving the nice guy and bad boy, paying for one's sins of cheating and adultery, choices, and, most of all, pain.
What I like about this story is the number of stories—both real and fictional. There are about five stories of cheating, and the stories, both short and long, are deep.
The murder mystery part is the reason I almost stopped reading the book, but it was well done. I was curious about 'who dun it' the whole time and also curious about how Matt would achieve his goal.
The characters were well done. None were perfect; all were intensely complex and both likable and hatable.
The best part of it all was the ending. You never know what Pike will do with the endings, but this was good. I was satisfied and happy.
Personally, I abhor cheating, so this was just the book for me.
May 1, 2014
I just finished this book last night.
Honestly, sometimes Christopher Pike's characters feel all too real for me, that as a writer myself, I get so jealous in the fact that he makes this come across as easy. I know that it isn't.
This book is a great read.
I was in love with the character Matt, wishing I was as brave as Kelly, hating Amy because she was the most real character I could think of, and intrigued by the Acid Man.
Now, my only regret is I felt like I was left not knowing enough about the Acid Man. I know, we got to find out his back-story. His life and why he did what he did. But I felt that there was so much more to him left to be discovered. And his brother as well. The two were... maniacal.
But I have suggested this book to my best friend, who indeed, just purchased it today and I am anxious to hear what she thinks of it. If you have not read it, I encourage you to do so as well.
Honestly, sometimes Christopher Pike's characters feel all too real for me, that as a writer myself, I get so jealous in the fact that he makes this come across as easy. I know that it isn't.
This book is a great read.
I was in love with the character Matt, wishing I was as brave as Kelly, hating Amy because she was the most real character I could think of, and intrigued by the Acid Man.
Now, my only regret is I felt like I was left not knowing enough about the Acid Man. I know, we got to find out his back-story. His life and why he did what he did. But I felt that there was so much more to him left to be discovered. And his brother as well. The two were... maniacal.
But I have suggested this book to my best friend, who indeed, just purchased it today and I am anxious to hear what she thinks of it. If you have not read it, I encourage you to do so as well.
May 16, 2010
I bought this book for three reasons: 1. Christopher Pike is the author 2. It was 3$ and 3. I had a long flight ahead of me. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I have read some of Pikes fantasy/paranormal books and thought this book might fall in the same genre. It doesnt, but that does not take away from the overall plot/story. It is about a guy whose girlfriend betrays him, and a FBI agent whose own life is falling apart as a result of her attachment to her job and cases. I don't want to give away too much of the story but It does come together nicely. The only fault I have with this book, and the reason for the 4 instead of 5 stars, is I would have liked to learned more about what happened "after". This is probably typical of most novels which is why I like to read series books. Overall though, a great read.
December 7, 2010
I very much enjoyed this book. A well written thriller mystery by one of my favorite authors.
That said, this was not my favorite Pike offering. I grew up with Christopher Pike, devouring young adult novels with themes so mature I wouldn't truly comprehend what I had read until years later. His best works feature a compelling blend of mystery, the supernatural and spirituality. Unfortunately for me, while this work was heavy on mystery, the other two didn't play a large role in the piece. What may be worse is that Pike teases the reader, with early references to ancient myths that represent the themes of the work. I spent a bulk of the book waiting for the myths to play a large role, such as the stories in The Midnight Club (a remarkable young adult novel).
An interesting book and a great read, but not about to make my top ten list of Christopher Pike novels.
That said, this was not my favorite Pike offering. I grew up with Christopher Pike, devouring young adult novels with themes so mature I wouldn't truly comprehend what I had read until years later. His best works feature a compelling blend of mystery, the supernatural and spirituality. Unfortunately for me, while this work was heavy on mystery, the other two didn't play a large role in the piece. What may be worse is that Pike teases the reader, with early references to ancient myths that represent the themes of the work. I spent a bulk of the book waiting for the myths to play a large role, such as the stories in The Midnight Club (a remarkable young adult novel).
An interesting book and a great read, but not about to make my top ten list of Christopher Pike novels.
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