The Sculptor

Sam Markham #1

by Gregory Funaro

Killing Is An ArtIn life, they were flawed. In death, they are perfect works of art--killed, preserved, and carefully molded into replicas of Michelangelo's most celebrated creations. Only The Sculptor can bring forth their true beauty and teach the world to appreciate his gift.He Is The MasterFBI Special Agent Sam Markham has a reputation for tracking serial killers, but this artful adversary is meticulous, disciplined, and more ruthless than any he's encountered. The only clue is a note dedicating the latest "statue" to Cathy Hildebrant, an art historian who shares Sam's fear that the killing has just begun.And She Is The Perfect SubjectIn a quiet Rhode Island town, The Sculptor shapes his latest macabre creation, waiting for Cathy to draw nearer so that his message can be understood at last. And the only way to save her is for Sam to unlock a psychopath's twisted mind before his final, terrifying masterpiece is revealed. . ."Funaro provides clever plotting and plenty of suspense." --John Lutz, New York Times bestselling author "Fast-paced, exciting. . .Funaro delivers gasp-out-loud terror and relentless suspense. A genuine page-turner!" --Kevin O'Brien, New York Times bestselling author"It reminded me of why I loved Silence of the Lambs so much." --Gregg Olsen"A stone cold thrill ride! Unique and unexpected twists make this one a keeper!" –Lisa Jackson, New York Times bestselling author

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Horror, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Crime

401 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2009

About the author

Gregory Funaro is a NY Times best-selling author of stories for both children and adults. His books have been translated into over a half-dozen languages and have received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and ALA Booklist. WATCH HOLLOW (HarperCollins, 2019) was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. His latest adult novel, ALL THE SILENT BONES, will be released in June of 2025. Gregory is a professor emeritus and lives with his family in Rhode Island, where he is busy working on his next novel. Please visit his official web site at www.gregoryfunaro.com.

Twitter: @GregoryFunaro
Instagram: Gregory.Funaro

Reviews

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars for Goodreads means just "it was okay," so I seem to be in a minority here. While I enjoy a good thriller, the writing style in this one made it hard going, especially in the copious dialogue between the two main characters, Cathy Hildebrant and Sam Markham. People just don't talk like that!

Granted, Cathy is referred to dozens of times as "the pretty art history professor" at Brown University, and it's carefully pointed out that FBI Special Agent Markham was once a high school English teacher, so perhaps that's supposed to mean he can keep up with her in their lengthy conversations about the serial killer who calls himself The Sculptor (always with capital T) and the importance of Italian Renaissance art in understanding his motivations.

Still, when they speak both of them seem to be lecturing from carefully prepared texts, full of complicated syntax that just doesn't happen in spontaneous speech. Even the most pretentious faculty members at Ivy League schools (and I speak from considerable experience here) use much simpler sentence structures in informal settings, and that includes when they launch into one of their favorite topics.

Not only would it have helped this novel if characters had spoken more naturally, but the author's own narration often feels slow and ponderous, with too many reflective comments and oddly peppered with "Yes, ..." and "No, ..." at the beginning of sentences. Despite the style, though, the author has developed Cathy, Sam, and Special Agent in Charge Burrell into fully rounded people for whom I felt deep sympathy. It's their interactions that don't feel real to me.

This is one of those serial killer thrillers with many scenes from the killer's point of view (and we get the points of view of victims, bereaved family members, and others as well). The narrative takes us into each character's thoughts and feelings, very carefully in the case of the (sorry, The) Sculptor to create a painfully slow revelation of his unique psychology and what he sees as his purpose. That purpose is stated fairly early as a mission to wake the world up and thereby to change life on earth, but it's never clear what he imagines the result of his bizarre acts would be.

The sexual component of the killer's psychology is brought out in graphic, cringe-worthy scenes, but you probably don't need that trigger warning if you've read the publisher's blurb, reprinted at the top of this Goodreads page, and realize that the killer's acts of turning people into statues are very graphically described--and from a victim's point of view right in the prologue!

Besides a unique, puzzling motivation, this killer is extremely intelligent, unbelievably strong, and highly self-disciplined. He has unlimited funds as caregiver to his wealthy father, an invalid with serious brain injury whom he cares for diligently. All three principals, Cathy, Sam, and The Sculptor, have tragic backstories, which are carefully explored.

The Sculptor's connection to Cathy is established early by dedicating his first horrible statue to her, and it becomes clear that he draws inspiration from her book on Michelangelo; that engraved dedication on the statue brings Sam to Cathy's doorstep and pulls her into the FBI investigation as witness and consultant. It's a quick beginning to a long journey.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Sculptor (Sam Markham #1) by Gregory Funaro was completely new to me when I picked it up at a thrift shop. I think I was hoping for something like the tv series Hannibal, but this wasn't that and it never managed to quite work for me.

[Selin Özkan · Rating 5 out of 5]

0 kişiden, 0 kişi bu değerlendirmeyi beğenmiş
sLn
10 puan

Mükemmel ! Yorumuma bu kelimeyle başlamak istiyorum çünkü devamında gelecek cümlelerimin gizli öznesi budur :)
Harika bir kitaptı.Okundu ve ne yazık ki bitti.İtiraf ediyorum iyi olacağını düşünmüştüm ama bu kadarını beklemiyordum doğrusu.Kitabın konusu beni aldı götürdü diyebilirim.
İlk olarak kitabın en sevdiğim yanı klasik polisiye romanlarında olduğu gibi katili merak ettirmeye çalışıp konuyu kasan yada sıkan türden değildi.Daha ilk sayfalarda katil ile tanıştırıyor sizi yazar.İlk bakışta katili tanımak,ana karakterlerin aradığı bazı şeyleri önceden bilmek kitabı mahvetmiş gibi düşünebilirsiniz belki ancak kesinlikle tam tersi.İnanın bazı şeyleri bilmek kitabı daha da okunur kılmış.Örneğin yaşadığı yeri biliyorsunuz ve polisler yan evine soruşturmaya gittiklerinde 'hayırr orası değil yan ev !' gibi içten karakterlerle iletişim kurmaya çalışıyorsunuz :D Bu kitabı inanılmaz heyecanlı hale getirdi.Elimden bırakamadım.İkinci en sevdiğim kısım ise kitaptaki bilgilerdi.Michelangelonun hayatına dair,eserlerine dair bilgileri konuyla çok iyi bir şekilde bütünleştirerek anlatmış yazar.Şöyle ki kitaptaki katilimiz Michelangelonun heykellerinin insan versiyonunu yapıyor.Katil ünlü heykeltıraşın bakışını benimsemiş ve hayatının amacı kılmış biri.Katili Michalengeloyla dolaylı yoldan tanıştıran kişi ise diğer ana karakterimiz Dr.Cathy.Michelangelonun büyük hayranlarından olan Cathy bunun üzerine akademik bir kitap yazmış.Ve Katilimiz de Cathynin yazdığı kitaba bir şekilde denk geliyor.Böylece hayatının anlamını bulduğu için Cathy'e bir anlamda minnettar kalıyor.Bunu da cinayetlerini ona itaf ederek gösteriyor.Böylece olaya Cthyde karışmış oluyor.Michelangelo o kadar harika anlatılıyor ki şahsen ben kitabı okurken sürekli internetten katilin yeniden yaptığı heykellerin resimlerine ve onun geçmişine bakıyordum. :) İşin bir diğer güzel yanı kitabımız sadece polisiye değil.Aynı zamanda aşk da katmış yazar.FBI ajanı ile Dr.Cathy birbirlerinden etkileniyorlar.Çok klasik durduğunu biliyorum ancak emin olun kitapta bunu öyle iyi işlemiş ki yazar,ilk kez okuyormuş gibi hissediyorsunuz :))
İşin özü,uzun süredir okumayı ertelediğim polisiye/gerilim romanı türünü bana yeniden sevdirdi bu kitap.Hep aynı şeyler yazılıyor diyerek benim gibi bu türden vazgeçmek üzereyseniz eğer kesinlikle vazgeçmeden önce bu kitabı okuyun derim.Daha önce olmadığınız kadar bu türe bağlanacaksınız eminim :)) Şahsen benim favorilerim arasındaki yerini aldı bile ...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Sculptor" by Gregory Funaro is an ‘I can’t put it down…’ serial killer page-turner book. It is filled with all of the elements that would make it a good thriller movie. It has romance, terror, twisted relationships, art history and a bit of science.

A fanatic and psychopathic serial killer is inspired by Brown University Art History Professor Cathy Hildebrant’s book on Michelangelo. In the killers own demented way he makes mental connections to his own fantasies, desires and obsessions and creates his own art. Funero weaves in information about the methods used by the sculptor to create his art but it isn’t overdone and provides a much needed break in the face paced action of the novel.

The book is fairly graphic and contains descriptions of sexual satisfaction using strong language and describing very twisted relationships. A developing friendship between the FBI Special Investigator and the Professor add tension and personal connections in the story. The ending of the story may allow for sequels in the future.
I highly recommend this book for those who like thrillers and don’t mind a bit of the macabre.

[Nina R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AWESOME! I couldn't put it down, but forced myself to take it slow since there were a lot of clues and references to Michelangelo!

The Sculptor provided me with suspense, mystery, light romance, and information on Michelangelo I never knew! It caught my eye when I was at Borders - I checked the reviews out on Amazon/Goodreads (both 5-star), then I finally bought it! It was worth the money!

To provide a brief summary, Dr. Cathy Hildebrandt, local professor, art historian, and author of "Slumbering in the Stone," has an admirer -who happens to be a serial killer (aka the Sculptor). His murders are modeled after Michelangelo's sculptures and refer to her theories (provided in her book)on his work. FBI Special Agent Sam Markham is the agent handling the case. Markham working with Dr. Hildebrandt, hope to catch the "Sculptor" and stop him before his next victom.

I didn't want to put the book down and was very curious as how the Sculptor would get caught (would he get caught?). I wanted to see how the relationship between Sam and Cathy played out as well. The romance was not overly written up and flowed well within the story. I learned a lot about Michelangelo I did not know and often found myself googling his pieces to see what they looked like. The book played out as a movie in my mind. I really enjoyed this read and highly recommend it to others!

****SPOILERS BELOW ****
Did Christian really die? How did his "David" get discovered? Did someone possibly mimic his creations? I am eager to find out more about the questions I asked and of the relationship between Sam and Cathy.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hunt for a deranged killer begins when a replica of Michelangelo’s Bacchus, formed from human corpses, is discovered in a topiary garden. FBI Special Agent Sam Markham contacts art historian Cathy Hildebrant for two reasons: she published a book on Michelangelo’s work and the killer dedicated the sculpture to her. Hildebrant is brought into the investigation as a consultant, working closely with Markham. Both grieving the loss of their spouses - Hildebrant through divorce and Markham through death - are somewhat surprised at their attraction to one another. The media quickly learns of the macabre sculpture and dubs the killer The Michelangelo Killer. When another statue is discovered, this one a replica of the Pieta, the killer leaves a message calling himself The Sculptor. Through extensive research, Markham and Hildebrant begin uncovering clues as to The Sculptor’s identity. The killer, now seeing Hildebrant’s aid to the FBI as betrayal, begins to plan his next sculpture, one utilizing Hildebrant’s body.

Funaro delivers a galvanizing thriller, packed with suspense around a mystery readers will enjoy trying to solve. Woven into the story are intriguing historical facts about Michelangelo and his works of art which enrich the read. Characterization is exceptional and the plot moves at a fast pace and with such intensity the reader will be vested throughout the book. An excellent debut thriller.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually I read urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels. However, when I read the book description for The Sculptor I was somewhat intrigued. Initially, I feared that the plot would mimic the classic Vincent Price movie, The Wax Museum. Boy, was I wrong. Gregory Funaro manages to write an eerie murder mystery that leaves the reader on the edge of their seat.

Recently separated, Dr. Cathy Hildebrant is visited by FBI agent, Sam Markham. It seems two bodies were staged to mimic Michelangelo's marble statue of Bacchus. Since Cathy is the leading authority of Michelangelo's work as well the author of the critically acclaimed book,"Slumbering in the Stone," her assistance is requested to help solve a series of murders mimicimg the famous sculptor's works. This is where the plot takes off.

Gregory Funaro expertly weaves an inticing yet disturbing tale exploring the demented mind of a killer. However, he also manages to reveal/ explore facts and theories regarding Michelangelo and his works in a very profound way. He had me hooked from page one and I could not put the book down. Wow! what a great read.

[Doreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really glad I read the author's 2nd Markham thriller, The Impaler, before this one, because this was nowhere near as good. Don't get me wrong, the premise was great, and the background material exhaustively researched and intriguingly presented, but the conversations were oddly wooden (i.e. the characters didn't seem so much to talk to as to lecture one another,) the romantic relationships seemed perfunctory, and certain phrases were beaten to pulps. If I had to read "the pretty art history professor" as a description for Cathy one more time, I might have ditched the book altogether. Towards the end, I wavered as to whether to give this book 3 stars at all: for a while there Cathy seemed so useless, but she definitely redeemed herself and this book in the last few chapters.

I'd actually recommend reading this after The Impaler. You can tell that the author is in the process of honing his craft with The Sculptor, and with The Impaler, he's written a much-better novel. That said, I'm glad I read The Sculptor, because the stuff on Michaelangelo was really well done. The book just wasn't as well written as the follow-up.

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I'm having to amend my original 2-star rating and move it up to 3-- simply because this book has "stayed with me."

I originally gave it that rating because I'm not a fan of thrillers generally. But in retrospect, and in good conscience, I had to give Mr. Funaro his due because the book is well-written. He definitely did his homework (in regard to art history and the biology of "plastination"-- I'm very intrigued by the Body Worlds exhibits).

While The Sculptor was, indeed, a sick and twisted individual (portions of this book actually made me cringe), some part of me felt horrible for Christian (or the child portion of him) for what he endured and what made him into the monster he became.

So, kudos to the author for a) creating a storyline intriguing enough that I would even pick up a thriller and b)keeping me in rapt attention so that I basically read it one sitting.

[Scott Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally from Dread Central:
Serial killers have long held the fascination of horror fans, with names like Hannibal Lecter and Norman Bates topping the list. But unlike those icons of madness, there are others, like John Doe from Seven, whose brutality is about something more than death and the unbridled need for carnage in that it is intended to send a message. In Gregory Funaro's debut novel, The Sculptor, the killer has a message, and his way of sending it is chilling.

The Sculptor centers on art historian Cathy Hildebrant, who is the world's foremost authority on the sculpted works of Michelangelo. When a victim turns up posed and preserved in a near exact likeness of Michelangelo's "Baccus" (and with her name neatly inscribed on the statue's base), the FBI contacts her to try to make sense of the crime, and to discover what the killer wants.

To say that the character of "The Sculptor" is fascinating is an understatement. Brutal, methodical, and twisted, Funaro has created a nightmarish human being of not only gargantuan proportions, but frighteningly intelligent as well. The reader gets to watch as he chooses his victims, confronts them with what's about to happen to them, and butchers them into his gruesome works of art. We get to see the thought process behind his madness, and it's a darkly interesting window. The concept of preserving victims and putting them on display is a trope used in hundreds of thriller books, but the amount of effort, the detail paid to the process, is what stands out here.

There are a couple of flaws with The Sculptor, none of which make the book any less of a great read. First, Funaro's dialogue is very stilted. Granted, for the character of "The Sculptor," it should be so, but for the FBI agent and the art history professor, it doesn't quite work. They just don't talk like real living, breathing characters as much as they do a narrator who is full of himself. There are also places where, instead of taking the reader along for the ride, we are given long, pages-long explanations of what's going on. Also, the ending seems rushed. With the scope of The Sculptor's plans, and with the complex relationships built between the main characters, Funaro could have drawn this story out into a real pot-boiling, slow-burn-style thriller. What we get, however, is a break-neck paced novel with plenty of twists and turns, and a terrifying new "monster" to boot.

While The Sculptor isn't perfect, it is an impressive first offering that shows a great deal of potential for Gregory Funaro. It is, all things considered, a great read with enough teeth that readers will be looking forward to his next book, the prequel The Impaler.

[Carl Brookins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is a novel firmly rooted in that element of crime fiction where one finds “Silence of the Lambs” and other darkly shining noir novels of dread. This is a novel of almost unrelenting dread and horror. It is heavy on psychological introspection, not just among FBI members searching for the “Michelangelo killer,” but visited upon every important member of the cast on both sides of the contest. The author demonstrates a high level of ability to feed the reader a carefully orchestrated menu of information designed to ratchet up the tension, bit by bit. But because “The Sculptor” is a horror/thriller, rather than a mystery, the carefully, one might suggest contrived, plot, advances in fits and starts with asides into questions of the value of popular culture today.

An unknown psychopath has taken misshapen hold of a popular text which examines theories about the work of the Italian sculptor, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti, born in a small town in Tuscany. He went on to be celebrated as the creator of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the Rome Pieta, and the amazing David, among many other works of art. It is the statuary of Michelangelo that figures prominently in the story.

Dr. Catherine Hildebrant, an art historian in Rhode Island, has written what may be the definitive work on the sculptor called “Slumbering in the Stone.” She has managed to make the book popular in the bargain. A neat trick. The deranged sculptor of the title of the novel creates a statue of human flesh and dedicates it to Cathy Hildebrant, which brings her into intimate contact with an FBI behavior analyst named Sam Markham.

The chase is exciting, tension filled and holds one’s attention, even when the author decides to make sure we get his messages, namely alcohol is really bad, popular culture, including pro sports, is not worth our time when compared to the Renaissance, and people with a lot of money tend to be snobs. No, I’m not suggesting the novel is deeply flawed and should be avoided, Yes, I am suggesting “The Sculptor,” is a good story with endearing characters and a smashing good climax. I just wish his editors had paid closer attention to some obvious patterns of a first-time novelist. The book would have had improved pace and even better dynamics. Yes.

[givemeabook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to read and review Gregory Funaro’s second book “The Impaler”, with is now available in bookstores everywhere. It was one of those books that you can’t put down. The powerful story kept me wanting for more.

Now I have “The Sculptor” in my hands and can hardly wait to start reading.


Sleepless Nights...

I loved this book and read it in 4 nights. It kept me scared like “The Impaler”, wondering if I would have nightmares for months.
You are immediately introduced into the details of the murder scene and quickly find out how perverse the “Sculptor” is. Tommy Campbell, a Boston Rebels wide receiver, was murdered and his preserved body was painted and posed like one of Michelangelo’s statues.
I enjoyed the characters of Sam Markham, the FBI behavioral analyst and Dr. Catherine Hildebrant, author of the book “Slumbering in the Stone” and leading authority of Michelangelo’s work.
The twists and turns made it impossible to put down. Gregory Funaro delivers a gripping reading. Another plus point was the information about Michelangelo and the statues he created out of marble blocks from the quarries of Carrara.
Can Dr. Hildy’s knowledge help Sam to understand the killer’s motivations and predict his movements? If you are a fan of chilling horror novels, do not miss this one!

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this novel; it's so much more than "just" a serial killer novel. While it did, indeed, revolve around a serial killer, what a great character he turned out to be. As I've said many times in reviews and on my blog, I like my bad guys to be great characters. "The Sculptor", who uses his victims to re-create Michelangelo's greatest statues, is not only evil, twisted, etc. but he is also a fully formed character. As the plot of the novel unfolds we get bits and pieces of his history that makes his complete story a compelling one and even a bit sympathetic. The protagonists of the story, Dr Cathy Hildebrant and Special Agent Sam Markham of the FBI are also fully developed characters and a joy to live with through the course of the novel.

The plot moved along nicely, the pacing was spot on, and the settings were realistic. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the next development. I also enjoyed learning about Michelangelo without feeling like I was being lectured. Frankly, it is hard to believe this is Mr Funaro's first published novel. It reads as good as or better than many of the top mystery/thriller writers today. I understand there is more coming from this author and I will look for them in the future.

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahunt for a deranged killer begins when a replica of Michelangelo,s Bacchius , formed from human Corpes , is discovered in a Topiary Garden. Special Agent Sam Markham calls in Cathy Hildebrant for her extensive knowledge as an art historian. The sculptor use's his victims to recreate Michelangelo's greatest statues, he is not only evil , and twisted. But as the story progresses we begin to fully see his character. Rhe plot moved along nicely. The settings where realistic. kept me on the edge of my seat . I would diffently buy more books by this author.

[Princessjay]

Everyone has certain requirements that must be satisfied before they can move on to enjoy the rest of the novel. I require a basic level of serviceable, if not necessarily good, writing, in order for me to move on to the plot, atmosphere, etc.

With this in mind, I knew I was in trouble when I started reading about "half-Asian, half-German smile lines" in mirrors, and other indescribable awkwardness of phrasing and sentence structure, overly-fussy descriptions, and the numerous signs of a very new writer.

If such things bother you as well, give this one a miss.

[Mdub · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good, but a little far fetched. There also seemed to be a lot of unnecessary foul language and general lewdness (and I'm not really sensitive to such things!) Still, this was free on the Kindle and overall it was a decent read.

[Mfjofre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a fast paced book that is hard to put down. It sat on my table for a few weeks but since I started reading it, I have not been able to put down (317 pages in four day!).

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apa yang terjadi saat seorang psikopat yang artistik ngefans berat pada sang seniman Italia Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti? Patung berkualitas dengan detail mengagumkan dan menggunakan tubuh yang diawetkan sebagai bahan baku adalah hasilnya. Sakit jiwa tapi juga totalitas dalam melakukan seni dalam kejahatannya. Hal ini yang membuat Dr Cathy Hildebrant seorang professor sejarah seni sekaligus penulis buku tentang karya Michelangelo takjub dan ngeri. Apalagi sang "pemahat" punya perhatian khusus pada bukunya dan mendedikasikan karya itu untuknya.

Premis awal serial killer di sini mengingatkanku pada penjahat artistik serupa yang hobby membuat patung Yunani indah dari korbannya dari serial Korea Connect. Tapi kemiripannya cuma sampai di situ karena di buku ini penulis melakukan riset yang mendalam tentang sejarah Michelangelo sekaligus karya dan interpretasinya. Jujur kadang aku gak paham dengan analisa antara sang profiler FBI Markham dan Dr Cathy. Apalagi sangkut pautnya dengan homosexuality dan agama.

Aku suka cara bercerita novel ini. Di gambarkan dari banyak POV POV ke-3 serba tahu, pembaca bisa mengikuti Dr Cathy, Agen Markham, Det dan juga si penjahat. Penulis jelas melakukan riset karena beliau juga menjelaskan sebagian besar bagaimana patung-patung itu dibuat dan instalasinya di tempat umum. Proses investigasinya sendiri berjalan lambat. Aku personally bukan fans sisi romantis buku ini. Rasanya sangat instan, terlalu dipaksakan dan jadi filler tambahan untuk novel ini. Dan aku juga bosan baca narasi vain dan glorifikasi dari Dr Cathy yang di sebut sebagai pretty art history professor tak kurang dari 9x diluar ungkap2an lain yang sejenisnya.
Berharap lebih pada buku yang kedua.

[Haris Sladic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jako dobra knjiga. Podsjetila me je dosta na serije Hanibal i Dexter. Knjiga na ovaj kalup ima bezbroj, al nekako svaka je zanimljiva na svoj nacin. Ubica je vrlo dobar, ubistva su jako zanimljiva, pogotovo sto su povezana sa umjetnosti (konkretno sa Mikelađelom) te samim time mislim da ce se ova knjiga mnogo svidjeti ljudima koji vole i prate umjetnost.

[Smiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intrigue, action packed ending - letting me suppose at a sequel? A sweet romance that barely distracted from the plot. That was a great book.

[Sara Ristović · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ništa specijalno, već viđeno. Kraj zbrzan, kao da je žurio da što pre završi roman.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Serial killer thriller. Killer obsessed with Michaelangelo and recreates his sculptures with humans. Writing was a little corny at times, but a good read.

[Grey Liliy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a close call between a 3 and a 4. If we were going based on the killer alone, it'd be a four--but there were all those protagonists in the way, so we'll go with a three-point-five.

Overall? A fast, easy read. I had no problem knocking it out in a day during lunch, and a little after work. I was pretty pleased for the most part.

Loved 'The Sculptor' - he was great. The killer in this book is just so over-the-top and out there it's hard not to love him, even though he's doing such horrific things. He doesn't even take himself all that seriously while he's being a total card whether it's hanging around his house naked or going super dramatic with his one-on-one time with each victim. It's sort of got this dark humor going on, and he feels like he'd fit right in with a bunch of comic book super villains. I know that's not for everyone, but I rather enjoyed it.

And then you feel bad for him, when he's doing completely human things like going "oops" when he accidentally kills a child because he doesn't realize his own strength--granted, he was going to do it anyway, but there's just that moment of 'oh,' that reminds me of the kid who didn't realize they were shaking their pet too hard.. Or when he's showing genuine interest in his victims and feels that he's actually doing them a favor. It's horrific, but he doesn't show any ill will or malice. Plus, he takes care of his immobile, vegetable of a father with love and devotion. It's easy to relate to a character like that, and it really brings you into the story even while your stomach turns a little from his 'art.'

Honestly though, the most horrific character in the book by far was The Sculptor's Mother, whose actions were downright repulsive. I almost wished I hadn't read those two pages describing the abuse that she put The Sculptor through as a child.. If there was a character to truly hate, it was this one.

But that's enough about him. It's the main characters that gave me all the trouble. While Sam and Cathy aren't bad by any means, they just suffer from severe info-dumping. It feels like all of their dialogue is either a history lesson on Michelangelo or a lengthy interpretation of his and The Sculptor's statues. It drones on forever and got rather repetitive after a while (read: after the first time). And it left both characters lacking, for a better word, for more depth. I understand the need for some analysis to catch the criminal, but I don't think we needed it in large, paragraph sized chunks that consisted of similar themes.

I almost felt more in tune and attached to The Sculptor's victims with their four to five page blips than I did with the main protagonists. The Victim's one-on-one time with The Sculptor, by the way, are some of the best and most intense scenes in the book. You grip each page knowing what's going to happen, but feeling for them regardless, which works quite well.

Overall, the book was a great read. The killer was fun and innovative, the action was great, and the climax of the book had the killer in his full over-dramatic glory with a great chase scene.

If you can get through the art history lessons, and like a good serial killer thriller, I'd definitely recommend it.

[Court The Tort · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. I loved it. Really enjoyed reading from the killers pov. The book is filled with art history and science and all that fun jazz that makes it seem more accurate. I found it funny that even though it was written in 2010, they still use yahoo to do their internet searches. That gave me a chuckle.
The characters were written to have personalities and their own problems and history.
Didn't love that they called the killer a seriel killer before they knew for certain he killed more than 2 people though.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agent Sam Markham and art history professor Catherine Hildebrant team up with the local police to track a suspected serial killer who is using his victims to recreate some of Michaelangelo's famous sculptures (Pieta and Baccchus). This guy is super creepy (and so's his mother- yikes). He's also incredibly clever, which of course makes him nearly impossible to catch. Enter Sam Markham: My new favorite FBI agent.
I would actually rate it 4 1/2. Taut and gripping storytelling, with a good mix of crime scene/policework and psychopath point of view. I really enjoyed the Michaelangelo background, because you get to learn about art history (Michaelangelo's sculptures and his life as an artist) and it's in no way boring. You also get to learn about the science of Plastination - again, definitely not boring. Super-cool, if somewhat creepy - and fascinating.
FBI Agent Sam Markham is a fabulous character. I read the second book first (The Impaler) and developed a huge, fictional-character crush on this guy. ;)
I just re-read my review of The Impaler and my only disappointment was no romantic entanglement for Sam. Which I did appreciate, because it's not the usual fare you get these days. However, I wished he had - well in this story, there IS romantic entanglement ... and it's my only disappointment. So, I stand corrected. Don't get me wrong, the love affair subplot does not take away from the story... I just really wasn't that crazy about the character of Cathy Hildebrant, and I can admit it may possibly be because I have my own little novel crush on Sam Markham.
My only question is... Where the Hell is Sam Markham #3??! I can't wait for the next one...!

[Joy (Cheery♡Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is the longest I took to finishing a book. I was busy when Uni started and left off reading it until I had the time. Thus, the very belated review.
The title and synopsis of the book really caught my attention. I was expecting some really thrilling and chills-down-my-spine roller coaster ride of a read, but was somehow surprised by its somewhat less suspenseful plot. The murders were horrible of course but I just didn't expect the twisted mind of The Sculptor to be revealed so easily and early. I already sort of knew the killer's mind a quarter into the book and expected a romantic relationship to sprout between SA Sam Markham and Dr. Cathy Hildebrant. I really appreciated the author's thorough research on the life and artistic works of Michaelangelo. Wow, I felt like I was going down the history of memory lane. I really gained lots of knowledge from this crime novel about Michaelangelo. Good work, Mr. Funaro.
I didn't really have any problems with this book. The goriness and blood pounding action are rather mild. The action only really started near the end of the book. But what really got me all "WTF?! Ahhhhh!!" was the last scene in the epilogue. Who the effing hell was that muscular statue with a head of curly hair??? I'm so dying to know and it kills me to totally have no clue whatsoever. Damn it!!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone is replicating famous sculptors by one of the great artist, Michelangelo. Only this killer draws his inspiration from live human subjects.

Cathy Hildebrant has been called in by the FBI for her extensive knowledge as an art historian to help track down a serial killer.

FBI Agent Sam Markham has tracked down many serial killers but none like The Sculptor. He will have to relay on Cathy to help him figure out the killer’s next move as the bodies start piling up.

This book kind of reminded me of the original movie House of Wax starring Vincent Price. That movie was creepy and would give you chills. This is exactly what Gregory Funaro did with The Sculptor. The killer or as he was called “The Sculptor” is one twisted person. I grabbed this book as I was getting ready for bed, which was a bad idea. I ended up staying up reading half the book. I had no clue or what the killer’s motive was till towards the end of the book, which is how it was suppose to be. FBI Agent Markham and Cathy worked well together. Though, Cathy was more the brains between her and Markham. Fans of thrillers will be screaming for joy with The Sculptor. Mr. Funaro has sculpted a place on my bookshelves for life.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would actually have to have two reviews for this book.
I am aware that a lot of people do not mind some of the things that I mind in books. So, for those people, I would give this book four stars. It was extremely well written. I cried, I laughed, and I have to admit, when it got suspenseful, I had both my hands over my mouth. The research that had to have gone into this book is incredible. It was so detailed and brought up so many things that I didn't know. The villain was disturbing, of course, but also really interesting. The storyline is unique, which is refreshing.
For anyone who cares, here are a few things you might want to know about:
Language - It depends on the character and what's happening at the time. It's been a while since I've read Tom Clancy, but I think the language is somewhat comparable to his books.
Sexual Content - These are few and far between. There is a disturbing masturbation scene that you might want to skip over. There are also scenes from the villain's past that get a little detailed. However, these are an important part of the storyline, so skipping might not be the best idea.

[Ronald Roseborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book with it's unusually creepy serial killer. The thought of turning his victims into works of art mirroring those of Michelangelo was very disquieting. The characters were very engaging. The Sculptor was a very complex character, his many layers gradually peeled back for the reader as the story progresses. The heroes, Sam Markham, the FBI behavioral analyst and Dr. Catherine Hildebrant, whose book on Michelangelo has inspired the Sculptor's "art", are a bit less complicated, but none the less strong characterizations. Why is it that villainy seems to require higher (or is it lower) degree of depth of character? Perhaps we have more fun and freedom when we create in the dark zone. The detail given to Michelangelo's works and the interpretation of his art is very enlightening. It contributes to the story, while not slowing down the suspense. I was a little disappointed with the ending, as I could see it coming and it had what I felt was a familiar feel about it. This was in contrast to the originality of the villain and his gruesome acts. Highly readable and very entertaining.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book 3 & 1/2 stars. There is a killer loose that uses his victims to make famous art by Michaelangelo. He got the idea to do so from reading a book that Cathy Hildebrandt wrote about the famous artist. Detective Sam Markham is on the case and tries to fight his feelings for Cathy as he tries to capture the rich, smart serial killer. Can he do so before time runs out for Cathy?
This story started out great and I enjoyed how smart the killer was. He was very believable to a point. It was almost too perfect how rich and strong he was. The author explains everything very nicely, but it was all too perfect. It would have been better for me if the author would have made the serial killer slip up at least once. Sam and Cathy seemed to have a natural affinity for figuring out how the killer ticks. Most of the profile they conducted of him was spot on so much it was slightly too easy. The relationship that forms between them could have used more development. One minute they are normal, then suddenly they are together. I would have liked a little more focus on how they got to that point in their relationship. Overall, a good book, but needs a little something more.