Twice Dying

Carroll Monks #1

by Neil McMahon

Outside San Francisco, a sting of NGI's--violent sociopaths found not guilty by reason of insanity --have been sent back into society, and, one by one, mysteriously disappeared.... Beautiful psychologist Alison Chapley wants to know why and sets off on a search for answers that lures her and her former lover, medical examiner Carroll Monks, into a menacing and increasingly macabre dance with a brilliant psychopath known only as Naia.... Naia's perverse and carefully chosen clues--plaster masks, a snuff videotape, a deadly cobra--draw Alison into a psychological seduction she's powerless to resist. Running out of time, Monks's only chance to save Alison is to outwit this twisted mastermind in a deranged and deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

Genres: Mystery

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2000

About the author

aka Daniel Rhodes.



Neil McMahon grew up in Chicago, holds a degree in psychology from Stanford, and has lived in Montana since 1971. His wife, Kim, coordinates the annual Montana Festival Of The Book. Along with writing, he spent many years working as a carpenter. He has published ten thrillers in addition to co-authoring, with James Patterson, the #1 New York Times bestseller, TOYS. His first three novels, horror thrillers NEXT, AFTER LUCIFER; ADVERSARY; and CAST ANGELS DOWN TO HELL, are newly released for the first time since their original publication 1987-90.

Reviews

[Judah Clayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Allllllllright, whoa. I simply cannot get past the initial reaction of wow. First of all, I'm not sure if I like this book or not? So I could only give it three stars. The characters in this book are something else. They're oddly three-dimensional, and you can't clearly see why all of them make the choices that they make, much like how people have many different sides to their personality. Even the minor characters have personality, they're not just empty husks.

Okay, now to the elephant in the room: Plot. I can't even start with this plot. I got confused in the last fifteen pages, but perhaps that's due to my own personal incompetence. The plot of this book is nothing short of a rollercoaster, one that takes so many twists and turns and probably sprays you with water near the end so that you walk off slightly dazed and with the vague feeling that you are going to be ill. I don't know if this is a particularly good or bad thing, but no other book has produced this kind of reaction from me, so good job. The pacing was unique, and not bad at all, I could follow most parts along nicely. If I had the choice, I think I'd give it 3.5 stars.

[Haley Dues · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started off painfully slow, for about the first third. The rest of the book however was good with a great twist. I felt like it was over too quickly at the ending though, the twist didn't get the time to shine that I thought it deserved.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neil McMahon is a very good writer. Picked it up on a whim and was very pleased. It's a dark book but a fast moving well written psyco thriller.

[Lisa Rapple · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dis not like this book. The writing was not clear, the characters confusing. I like action, but did not care for the way this story was written.

[Booknblues · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Twice Dying, the debut thriller by Neil McMahon we are introduced to Emergency room physician Carroll Monks. Dr. Monks is a divorced man who lives with three cats, drinks a good deal of vodka and dabbles in detective work as a hobby. His ex-lover psychologist Allison Chapley leaves him a present in his car as a method of asking for help. Allison is given to kinky sex and likes to live life on the edge. She is currently working in a rehab facility which houses the criminally insane. Allison believes she has stumbled onto a plot to release these dangerous criminals prematurely. She seeks Monks assistance in uncovering the facts. Neither of them realize the true risks involved.
This novel moves at a fast pace and keeps the reader guessing. It remains a mystery until the end.

[Steven Howes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but I didn't think it was quite as good as some of the author's other books.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick read. Enjoyable.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll be damned if I can remember what this book was actually about, what happened or how I felt about it. It mustn't have been that great if I can't remember. So I'll give it a 3.