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The Luke Titan Chronicles #1
The Surgeon
It's time for your operation. Christian Windsor is a certified genius. He's also autistic. Social situations? Not for him. Friends? No thanks. At twenty-three years old, with two PhDs, Christian joins the FBI's most dangerous division. The Exceptional Crimes Unit. His first assignment? A serial killer on a rampage. Nicknamed The Surgeon, he's cutting the eyeballs out of women. That's not the only psychopath lurking in the shadows, though. There's another, and Christian can't see his partner. The world renowned psychiatrist, Luke Titan. Bodies are showing up with dark holes instead of eyes, and Christian is racing against time to understand The Surgeon's identity before more die . . . Can he stop The Surgeon, though, before his own partner kills him?
Audio CD
First published April 4, 2017
710 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
David Beers
73 books215 followersI used to deliver pizza. I was pretty good at it, too. I mean, it's not that hard, but if I'm not going to brag, who is, right? Anyways, so I'm delivering pizza while I'm in college, and my boss has been in the pizza industry like six years. He's supposed to graduate from college this year, and I ask him, what are you going to do after college? We're all supposed to go out and conquer the world right after college, so this guy has to have some kind of plan.
He looked at me like I was delusional.
"I'm a writer, man."
Those four words changed my life more so than anything else ever spoken to me.
I'd always written, since I was twelve participating in online-wrestling forums in which you acted out your character. I wrote because it came naturally. Never once, in the entirety of my nineteen years did I think that writing could be a career though, until a Pizza Sage said those four words to me.
So what did I do? I went home and wrote a short story and immediately understood that I was the greatest writer to ever touch a keyboard. I brought it to the Pizza Sage and he told me what anyone could have told me--it was horrible. I might be dumb, probably am, but I'm also tenacious.
I spent the next seven years writing almost every day. My first novel grew to the length of 40,000 words, then I threw it away. My second novel grew to 140,000 words. I didn't throw it away, but it was rejected about 50 times by agents. My next novel ended up at around 55,000 words, which I showed to a few friends and shelved. Then I wrote Dead Religion, which is the only reason I have an author page at Amazon.
I have had four short stories published, paid and unpaid. 'Effects May Vary' won an award that was voted on by readers, which was pretty cool.
I'm currently getting my Masters in Business at the University of Georgia's Terry School of Business. I'm doing this in order to not deliver pizzas but still keep the lights on. I have a girlfriend who will soon be my fiancé, and after ten years, I imagine she's ready for that title.
I want to own a yacht.
He looked at me like I was delusional.
"I'm a writer, man."
Those four words changed my life more so than anything else ever spoken to me.
I'd always written, since I was twelve participating in online-wrestling forums in which you acted out your character. I wrote because it came naturally. Never once, in the entirety of my nineteen years did I think that writing could be a career though, until a Pizza Sage said those four words to me.
So what did I do? I went home and wrote a short story and immediately understood that I was the greatest writer to ever touch a keyboard. I brought it to the Pizza Sage and he told me what anyone could have told me--it was horrible. I might be dumb, probably am, but I'm also tenacious.
I spent the next seven years writing almost every day. My first novel grew to the length of 40,000 words, then I threw it away. My second novel grew to 140,000 words. I didn't throw it away, but it was rejected about 50 times by agents. My next novel ended up at around 55,000 words, which I showed to a few friends and shelved. Then I wrote Dead Religion, which is the only reason I have an author page at Amazon.
I have had four short stories published, paid and unpaid. 'Effects May Vary' won an award that was voted on by readers, which was pretty cool.
I'm currently getting my Masters in Business at the University of Georgia's Terry School of Business. I'm doing this in order to not deliver pizzas but still keep the lights on. I have a girlfriend who will soon be my fiancé, and after ten years, I imagine she's ready for that title.
I want to own a yacht.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
March 20, 2020
Audio - 4.5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
Awesome beginning to a series featuring an autistic FBI agent with an uncanny ability to more than profile a killer.
Story - 4.5 Stars
Awesome beginning to a series featuring an autistic FBI agent with an uncanny ability to more than profile a killer.
March 14, 2020
5 stars audio and story.
August 5, 2018
This book was beyond good and on a different level if crazy when it comes to serial killers. Never did I expect the twists this storyline had!!
I couldn't put this book down!!
I couldn't put this book down!!
February 14, 2025
This was good, but at the same time I couldn't help but think what kind of person the author is, lol.
The blurb is rather misleading actually as Luke, while yes, technically he wants Christian out of the way (aka dead), he isn't overt about it. Christian is a unique person and can sense there is something going on with Luke, there have been no acts taken by Luke against Christian. Based on the blurb - "he’s up against two psychopaths. One, named The Surgeon, cuts the eyeballs out of his victims. The other is Christian’s partner, the brilliant and world-renowned Luke Titan," I thought Luke would be a known enemy, but he was in shadows. Very dark. This is a good thriller and quick - no time wasted on unnecessary details which I very much appreciated. Too often books are longer than necessary because there is additional fluff, mostly to add to the page count.
I do recommend for those who like twisted thrillers. The audio narration is good too.
The blurb is rather misleading actually as Luke, while yes, technically he wants Christian out of the way (aka dead), he isn't overt about it. Christian is a unique person and can sense there is something going on with Luke, there have been no acts taken by Luke against Christian. Based on the blurb - "he’s up against two psychopaths. One, named The Surgeon, cuts the eyeballs out of his victims. The other is Christian’s partner, the brilliant and world-renowned Luke Titan," I thought Luke would be a known enemy, but he was in shadows. Very dark. This is a good thriller and quick - no time wasted on unnecessary details which I very much appreciated. Too often books are longer than necessary because there is additional fluff, mostly to add to the page count.
I do recommend for those who like twisted thrillers. The audio narration is good too.
September 21, 2024
I normally hate these type of stories, where the main character automatically knows what's going on, because duh. I did find that annoying in this, so I won't continue on with the series (I didn't know it was that type of book before I read it)
However, nothing wrong with this book. It was decent, just the obvious eye roll of "oh course you know what's happening"
However, nothing wrong with this book. It was decent, just the obvious eye roll of "oh course you know what's happening"
January 10, 2018
Good one
Definitely, food for thought. Very well written and moves fast. I think I read it in two days. And, will read the next one in the series.
Didn’t understand 100% how Christian came to his conclusions. I wonder if the author is making up the facts or there is a logical thread that is beyond my grasp?
I like the idea of going into one’s head to develop and further analyze observations. Btw, building mansions with rooms in one’s head is not a new concept. That’s how Hannibal Lector functioned.
There is a gaping whole at the end of the book. Shouldn’t Tommy and Christian be asking themselves who knocked them out. If in their minds it wasn’t Luke because he wasn’t there then who was it?
The conclusion is staring them in the face. It has to be Luke.
Definitely, food for thought. Very well written and moves fast. I think I read it in two days. And, will read the next one in the series.
Didn’t understand 100% how Christian came to his conclusions. I wonder if the author is making up the facts or there is a logical thread that is beyond my grasp?
I like the idea of going into one’s head to develop and further analyze observations. Btw, building mansions with rooms in one’s head is not a new concept. That’s how Hannibal Lector functioned.
There is a gaping whole at the end of the book. Shouldn’t Tommy and Christian be asking themselves who knocked them out. If in their minds it wasn’t Luke because he wasn’t there then who was it?
The conclusion is staring them in the face. It has to be Luke.
August 23, 2025
Audio version of this book 📕- A little too dark for me
December 22, 2017
This book was so mind riveting that I just couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Two FBI partners Tommy Phillips and Luke Titan have been called to a murder that had been decomposing for a while. Agent Phillips still has issues when viewing decomposing bodies, but his partner seems to be almost immune to it. The head was decapitated and placed on the counter, while the rest of the naked body was posed on the sofa. Both eyes had been removed, as well as the tongue. One eyeball had been placed inside of the woman’s mouth. While this is taking place, Christian Windsor, an autistic savant, FBI Analyst is being interviewed by the FBI Director. The Director has read Agent Windsor’s file and notes his special talents and idiosyncratic challenges. However, the Director feels that Agent Windsor will be a good fit for his special team out in the field that hunts down serial killers. Soon the bodies start to pile up, and all with the same MO. It takes some time for the two agents to become accustomed to Christian’s idiosyncrasies, but they sense that he will be valuable to catching the killer and closing the case. A reporter shows up and starts doing research on writing a book about Luke Titan, and a project he spearheaded, called “Sphere.” Strange how more bodies are starting to show up, during her research though. But Christian senses that something is very different and wrong about this particular crime scene. There is a man and a wife, instead of a single woman, and the scene has such violence compared to the other crime scenes. Christian is picking up something from Luke, but he’s not quite sure what yet. Why would a genius academia professor switch careers to become an FBI agent? There has to be a story here. What is the motive for the killings? Will the reporter start to uncover clues that could possibly help the FBI, or will she just concentrate on writing the book about Luke? Christian believes that he can see inside of the serial killers mind and starts feeding the team with clues and information. Why does the killer remove only blue eyes? How is he enticing these women to be alone with him? Where is the location that he is torturing them and removing their eyes? What is Luke’s secret? Will Christian discover the secret? Will they find the killer before more women are killed? I felt that this book had an amazing plot and the character developement was brilliant. The reader could almost relate to what was in the mind of the serial killer as well as his victims. Incredible read, but I wasn’t too thrilled with the ending. I would have expected something more sensational. I will definitely be looking forward to more books being written by this author.
October 19, 2017
Unexpectedly Brilliant and a Great Read
This book has a great storyline, however the characters and their interplay are the truly captivating aspect IMHO. I don't like to give spoilers, so I will just advise that I find this writer to be an exceptional thriller/ mystery/horror and crime writer. I am going to read the whole series now, which is rare for me. I must learn more and submerge myself in this darkly interesting world. I cannot find fault with anything, aside from one typographical error, a homophone that slipped through. Hardly a reason not to enjoy this book. Happy reading to all, from one bibliophile to her fellow literature addicts!
This book has a great storyline, however the characters and their interplay are the truly captivating aspect IMHO. I don't like to give spoilers, so I will just advise that I find this writer to be an exceptional thriller/ mystery/horror and crime writer. I am going to read the whole series now, which is rare for me. I must learn more and submerge myself in this darkly interesting world. I cannot find fault with anything, aside from one typographical error, a homophone that slipped through. Hardly a reason not to enjoy this book. Happy reading to all, from one bibliophile to her fellow literature addicts!
January 2, 2018
Two brilliant minds working together to solve a serial killer case. One is a star FBI agent; the other a FBI analyst put into the field for the first time. David Beers does a great job of working with the two similar but different personalities to work towards solving the case but with a truly brilliant twist to the story. I highly recommend this book to people who like psychological thrillers.
January 23, 2019
WOW! What a page turner! I could NOT put this down! I kind of expected more twists tho? That doesn’t change my rating whatsoever, but I did expect more twists! Anyway, I usually sell every book I read once I’ve read it, but this is one of the rare books I’m going to keep!!!!!! I loved it that much!!!!
August 12, 2018
Very good book with a few excellent unexpected twists.
June 6, 2024
Maybe start by buying the whole series as the book gets you hooked. Very creepy and interesting twists and turns.
May 20, 2024
A bit too easy to have a detective having amazing insight because it allows the author to make sleuthing leaps without justification.
June 9, 2017
Why David Beers isn't a more well known author baffles me. He is insanely talented. And I say insanely talented because I think there's a little bit of insanity in someone that can write thriller books as well as he does. He truly immerses himself in the mind of the killers he creates. And he has this innate ability to make you feel sympathy for the killer (and in one of his other series - root for them!).
The Surgeon is about a madman that removes the eyes of his victims and pins them onto a wall in his garage - which he's turned into a freezer. Bradley Brown, abused as a child, feels like the eyes are the windows to the soul. And he feels like he's smarter than all the other serial killers out there. He won't get caught because he'll be able to control himself and not make the same mistakes all those other killer made.
Enter the FBI - Tommy and Luke - to the first victim of Brown's. Tommy is your normal guy. But Luke has a sense about him. Genius IQ, doctorate degrees behind him, Luke is smart. Luke can see thing Tommy can't - can see things no one else can. Which is why he's on this team and on this case. Imagine Luke's surprise when the FBI director adds a third member to the team.
Christian Windsor is different. He's awkward around people and in social situations but he's probably the smartest person in the room. All he wants to do is be an analyst for the FBI. But the director thinks he'd be better in the field - working with Tommy and Luke to catch The Surgeon. It isn't long before Christian begins to see that something isn't right with Luke.
I won't go into detail (because I like spoiler free reviews), but I will say this: you start out thinking that Luke will be the hero and then realize that maybe, just maybe, there is something to Christian's suspicions and where it goes from there is an interesting ride. I'll say this too - it does end on a cliffhanger so be prepared to jump right into book 2 of this series.
And finally, if you've gone so far as to read this entire review, please check out David Beer's other series. The Red Rain series is what got me hooked (I mean, wow), and The Devil's Dream is another one that will leave you breathless.
The Surgeon is about a madman that removes the eyes of his victims and pins them onto a wall in his garage - which he's turned into a freezer. Bradley Brown, abused as a child, feels like the eyes are the windows to the soul. And he feels like he's smarter than all the other serial killers out there. He won't get caught because he'll be able to control himself and not make the same mistakes all those other killer made.
Enter the FBI - Tommy and Luke - to the first victim of Brown's. Tommy is your normal guy. But Luke has a sense about him. Genius IQ, doctorate degrees behind him, Luke is smart. Luke can see thing Tommy can't - can see things no one else can. Which is why he's on this team and on this case. Imagine Luke's surprise when the FBI director adds a third member to the team.
Christian Windsor is different. He's awkward around people and in social situations but he's probably the smartest person in the room. All he wants to do is be an analyst for the FBI. But the director thinks he'd be better in the field - working with Tommy and Luke to catch The Surgeon. It isn't long before Christian begins to see that something isn't right with Luke.
I won't go into detail (because I like spoiler free reviews), but I will say this: you start out thinking that Luke will be the hero and then realize that maybe, just maybe, there is something to Christian's suspicions and where it goes from there is an interesting ride. I'll say this too - it does end on a cliffhanger so be prepared to jump right into book 2 of this series.
And finally, if you've gone so far as to read this entire review, please check out David Beer's other series. The Red Rain series is what got me hooked (I mean, wow), and The Devil's Dream is another one that will leave you breathless.
February 11, 2020
You can’t put it down!
I read this in one sitting! IT IS NONSTOP, PAGE AFTER PAGE!
So, go potty, get some snacks and a cold drink, turn off the TV
and lock the door......you won’t be moving till the story is told!
I read this in one sitting! IT IS NONSTOP, PAGE AFTER PAGE!
So, go potty, get some snacks and a cold drink, turn off the TV
and lock the door......you won’t be moving till the story is told!
June 19, 2018
This is a quick and interesting read. Luke Titan has recently joined the FBI and his first case involves a psycho who kidnaps people and removes their eyeballs while they are still alive. FBI agents are calling him "The Surgeon" because of the precision with which he removes the eyes. Here's the thing, Luke Titan has an agenda of his own here which I won't discuss too much so as not to spoil things. Suffice it to say that Luke is every bit as nasty as The Surgeon.
I liked this book and will likely continue with the series. The author is very descriptive with his characters and also with the evil they do. The Surgeon is the perfect villain and Luke Titan is the perfect...well, let's just say he's flawed a bit.
There is not a lot of mystery as to whodunit because that is revealed early on. The real mystery is why the characters are the way they are.
I liked this book and will likely continue with the series. The author is very descriptive with his characters and also with the evil they do. The Surgeon is the perfect villain and Luke Titan is the perfect...well, let's just say he's flawed a bit.
There is not a lot of mystery as to whodunit because that is revealed early on. The real mystery is why the characters are the way they are.
June 9, 2019
Katilin baştan belli olduğu kitapları genelde sevmem, çünkü bilerek ilerlemek bana heyecan vermiyor. Bu kitabı da sevemedim ama çok enteresan bir şekilde merakla okudum. Kurgu basitti, FBI ajanı gözlerini kapadığında katilin geçmişini falan görüyordu gibi saçmalıklara rağmen kendini sıkılmadan okuttu resmen. İnsan beğenmediği kitabı su gibi okur mu diyorum kendime ama okudum. Sonu beni pek tatmin etmedi. Daha farklı bir son bekledim. Kısacası, çerez niyetine bir polisiye okumak isterseniz işte tam da bu kitap o.
October 19, 2018
Unbelievable
When I started to read this book it was good, a story about a serial killer and how 3 FBI agents where tracking him....well let me tell you it is further from the truth. I don't want to say to much without spoiling it for the rest of you...but I couldn't put it down, I could not believe where this book was taking me. Unbelievable! Can't wait to start book 2 in this series. Hope it is as good as the first one.
When I started to read this book it was good, a story about a serial killer and how 3 FBI agents where tracking him....well let me tell you it is further from the truth. I don't want to say to much without spoiling it for the rest of you...but I couldn't put it down, I could not believe where this book was taking me. Unbelievable! Can't wait to start book 2 in this series. Hope it is as good as the first one.
March 14, 2019
.
.
🔪 Christian Windsor otistik bir dahidir. Çok farklı bir plan yaparken kendini FBI’ın istisnai suçlar biriminde, kanlı bir cinayeti araştırırken bulur. Birimin cerrah adını verdiği katil, kadınların gözlerini oymaktadır. Peki bu katil tek psikopat olabilir mi? Tabii ki hayır 😃 Esas psikopat Christian’ın FBI’da beraber çalıştığı ortağı Luke Titan’dır 😳 bakalım Christian katili yakalayıp Luke’un foyasını meydana çıkarabilecek mi ? Luke, adamım,seni özleyeceğim pis herif 😏 .
March 10, 2019
Very disappointing
Not what I expected of the first book in what appears to be a series featuring the hero Like Titan. Luke it seems is no better a human being than the serial killer he is trying to catch. Luke is himself a murdering fiend and not someone I am interested in reading more about. Fire that reason even though I purchased "The Priest" along with "The Surgeon" I am deleting it from my Kindle without even bothering to read it. No more from this author do me thanks.
Not what I expected of the first book in what appears to be a series featuring the hero Like Titan. Luke it seems is no better a human being than the serial killer he is trying to catch. Luke is himself a murdering fiend and not someone I am interested in reading more about. Fire that reason even though I purchased "The Priest" along with "The Surgeon" I am deleting it from my Kindle without even bothering to read it. No more from this author do me thanks.
November 26, 2017
This is a gripping psychological thriller. A psychotic killer called the Surgeon is at work. FBI agents are trying to stop him before he kills again. Both killer and agents have secrets in their lives that cause them to act as they do. David Beers fully develops these characters. I recommend this book. I want to read more of the Luke Titus Chronicles.
August 21, 2019
The Surgeon is well deserving of a five star rating.
The Surgeon by David Needs is well deserving of a five star rating. The story line understand the characters are well defined. I would recommend this book to all mystery lovers out there. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series The Priest.
The Surgeon by David Needs is well deserving of a five star rating. The story line understand the characters are well defined. I would recommend this book to all mystery lovers out there. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series The Priest.
July 15, 2017
Wow. This is a chilling, and yes rather gory, suspense thriller. Very well written and hard to put down. I felt I was right there in the story, and that was occasionally very disturbing. If that would really bother you then you should pass on this book. Otherwise I highly recommend!
January 7, 2018
Surgeon
Wow! What an interesting take on a serial killer (or two). Hard to put down once I started. So glad that there is a follow up book. But I have to admit I'm nervous to start. Will the good guys make it? I've gotta find out!
Wow! What an interesting take on a serial killer (or two). Hard to put down once I started. So glad that there is a follow up book. But I have to admit I'm nervous to start. Will the good guys make it? I've gotta find out!
June 21, 2018
The first and last
I don't know why anyone would want to make a sociopath the hero of a series of books ... unless the author is one himself? I do know I will not be reading anymore of this author's books.
I don't know why anyone would want to make a sociopath the hero of a series of books ... unless the author is one himself? I do know I will not be reading anymore of this author's books.
September 30, 2018
Gratuitous violence and The Anti-Christ
If you like serial killers with sadistic tastes, and an FBI character masquerading as a hero who is also a sadistic killer and is a continuing character in upcoming books then read this. I won’t be reading more of these.
If you like serial killers with sadistic tastes, and an FBI character masquerading as a hero who is also a sadistic killer and is a continuing character in upcoming books then read this. I won’t be reading more of these.
October 22, 2018
I was given this book free for a review. It was an amazing book. I am so looking forward to reading The Priest that continues on with the story. I want to see how Christian will fare out, and how Luke's mind is working and what his true nature is. Amazing!!!
June 14, 2018
Really enjoyed this book, great author!
July 3, 2018
Very exciting. No stereotypes here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews