Taking Lives

by Michael Pye

A riveting psychological novel about a young serial killer who takes on the identities of his victims.

The first one he didn't really have to kill. The yound college-bound kid had been hit by a car. He was almost, if not already dead when Martin Arkenhout smashed his head with a stone.

With this chilling opening scene, Michael Pye begins a brilliantly daring and suspenseful novel about the fragile borders that define who we are and the hidden desire in each of us to reinvent ourselves. When Arkenhout can no longer maintain the identity of his first victim, he takes another. Then another. He thinks he can live their lives better than they do, and he continues the pattern until he happens to choose the wrong victim and his secret begins to unravel.

We are taken from New York to the Bahamas to Amsterdam, and finally to Portugal, where Arkenhout (now living the life of one Professor Christopher Hart) is eventually tracked down by the story's narrator, John Costa, who is in pursuit of the real Hart because of a theft he committed. Costa has his own set of troubling a failing marriage, the slow uncovering of his tormented family history, and a growing desire to leave it all behind by tasting Arkenhout's brand of dangerous freedom.

With exhilarating apeed and psychological suspense, the plot of this extraordinary novel drives to its startling conclusion.

Genres: Fiction, Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Book Club, Suspense

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Michael Pye (b. 1946) is a writer who reported on business for The Sunday Times of London in the 1960s and 1970s. He has also authored many books, two of which are about the entertainment industry: The Movie Brats: How the Film Generation Took Over Hollywood (with Lynda Myles, 1979), and Moguls: Inside the Business of Show Business (1980).

Reviews

[Jess ❈Harbinger of Blood-Soaked Rainbows❈]

Just watched this film again and totally forgot how much I love it. I've also heard the book is pretty different so I'm bumping it up on the list.

The movie includes one of the kinkiest, hottest, most arousing sex scenes I have ever seen. So that's a bonus.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Taking Lives" by Michael Pye is a complex story of a serial killer who murders people and then assumes their identity.

The story begins slowly as Martin Arkenhout kills his first victim, finds it's an easy thing and gives him an appetite for murder..

John Costa is the story's narrator. He's a keeper at a museum and is searching for a Professor John Heart.concerning some missing papers. By the time this portion of the story gets under way, John Heart has become Martin Arkenhout's victim and Arkenhout has taken over Hart's identity. Arkenhout has had a narrow escape from one of his false identities and thinks that pretending to be a professor would be easy.

As a museum keeper, what was so important about why he was searching for Heart wasn't very well explained. I would have enjoyed knowing what was so important and why it was stolen. I've enjoyed the novels of Preston & Child and their descriptions of the goings on at the New York Museum of Natural Art.

The reader does get to know about John Costa while dealing with Costa's father's demise. The story takes the reader to many places and much is set in Portugal which is interesting.

Another point I was interested in is that the book has been made into a movie, starring Ethan Hawke; Angelina Jolie, Kiefer Sutherland and Gina Rowland. Imagining those stars acting out their roles in the movie added a fun element to my reading experience. I also feel that the victims of the killer could have been described more thoroughly so the reader might come to be interested or sympathetic to them.

There were times when I was reading the story and didn't know if the character was one of the serial killer's victim or the actual character.

[Jacque Newman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Normally I don't write reviews. However, I was super disappointed in this book. I had seen the movie and expected similar if not better. I do realize there is a tendency to change things from the book but this was a drastic difference. The book went on and on. Eventually I found myself waiting for the book to be over. If I didn't have a finish once you started policy with books I would have stopped sooner. Really bummed.

[André · Rating 4 out of 5]

Citaat : Een slachter keek naar een slacht. Hij was zijn stuk gebracht, vertelde hij me later. Hij was gewend geraakt aan plaatsen met veel groen, rust, mooie zwembaden, aan beschikbare vrouwen die van verhalen hielden, en nu werd hij geconfronteerd met een karikatuur van zijn eigen geregelde werkwijze. Ook hij was praktisch als hij doodde. Hij hield van verandering, niet van het doden dat er voor nodig was.
Review : Op zijn zeventiende rijdt de Nederlander Martin Arkhout samen met een Amerikaanse student Seth Goodman per bus door Florida. Ze hebben mekaar pas op de bus leren kennen maar kunnen dadelijk vrij goed met mekaar opschieten. Halverwege de trip besluiten ze in een motel te overnachten. De volgende dag reizen ze per huurauto verder. Ze krijgen autopech en Seth gaat hulp zoeken. Hij is nog maar net weg of hij wordt aangereden door een voorbijflitsende wagen. Martin heeft de kreet van Seth gehoord en spoedt zich in diens richting. Hij vindt er zijn nieuwe vriend die in levensgevaar verkeert.



In plaats van hulp te bieden sleurt hij het lichaam van Seth naar een poel van alligators en slangen die ze nog maar even daarvoor bezocht hebben. De oppasser die nu afwezig is wist hen toen te vertellen dat je eigen moeder je niet meer zou herkennen als die lieverdjes eens op je los werden gelaten. Hij neemt de papieren van Seth en legt zijn eigen papieren in de omgeving in de kuil. Het lichaam van Seth dumpt hij ijskoud in de poel. Later op de dag, als hij weet dat 'die lieverdjes' hun werk gedaan hebben, gaat hij naar de politie om het ongeval aan te geven. Als vermiste persoon geeft hij Martin Arkhout op en zelft 'steelt' hij het leven van Seth Goodman. Hij neemt contact op met Seths ouders, die nu zijn ouders zijn, en meldt hen dat hij rechtstreeks naar New-York gaat. Hij is Seth Goodman, tot de vader van de jongeman wiens leven hij gestolen heeft besluit om hem te komen bezoeken. Dan besluit hij dat Seth Goodman moet plaats maken voor een andere identiteit. Deze keer gaat het niet meer om een ongeluk maar wel om koel berekende moord, onherkenbaar maken van het lijk, zorgen dat zijn foto in het paspoort van het slachtoffer staat en last but not least voldoende kredietwaardigheid.

Hij neemt leven na leven, identiteit na identiteit. Hij zoekt altijd alleenstaande mannen uit, observeert hen een tijdje, tracht zoveel mogelijk over hen te weten te komen, zoekt dan diverse keren contact met hen, probeert een soort vriend te worden en slaat dan toe. Tien jaar kan hij ongestoord zijn gangetje gaan maar dan begint het mis te lopen.



Op de flap wordt Gestolen levens een literaire thriller genoemd die op waar gebeurde feiten berust. Dat deze thriller inderdaad op waar gebeurde feiten berust wil ik meteen geloven. Ook met het literaire aspect wil ik, zij het met gemengde gevoelens, grotendeels akkoord gaan. Het grote probleem is echter dat het verhaal niet duidelijk genoeg uit de verf komt. Daar ik het originele Engelse werk niet gelezen heb, kan ik niet echt oordelen of het aan de vertaler te wijten is of aan de auteur zelf.

[Sarah Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting plot but the writing style was just too hard to read and enjoy. In this case the movie was SO much better than the book. I really wanted to like it but found myself even skipping whole paragraphs to get done quicker and I didn't feel like I missed anything. And the extra story about Costa's father just didn't make any sense what the point was and why that was even included in the story- it was like a filler or something. I just did not like this book at all.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very interesting for the first few chapters but I quickly became bored with it and just wanted it to end. I wouldn't recommend it.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Made it about 50 pages and just couldn't make myself read any more. The choppy style felt like I was reading someone's grocery list.

[Lauren Crum · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry but this was the worst book I've ever read. So hard to follow and stay interested. I also hate 3rd person present tense, so that made it worse.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

so far i am so very glad to see it is not told from the perspective of the female detective. In fact, now that I am finished I can tell you, there are only two things that this book has in common with the movie: they used two of the names from the book (but with a completely different character roles for both), and a guy kills people for their identity. Other than that absolutely NOTHING in common between the two. And I must say the book ended badly. the last few pages make no sense: " 'But I cut off the guys head and stole his money?!?' The police officer replies, 'We understand you were under a lot of stress. It's okay you are free to go.'" WTF?!?

[Riley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know where to begin with this...

The pace of the whole story was very slow. I didn't feel like there was ever a climax; and if there was one, it wasn't that good, evidently. The way Maria and Anna were portrayed made it feel like they weren't necessary; in fact, I found them both very annoying. The story wasn't really built up properly - a mere repetition.

I can't believe I'm actually saying this but in my opinion, the movie was so much better than the book.

This is such a disappointment.

[Spylow · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disapointing book. Couldn't finish it. The basic idea that someone is killing people and taking over their identity and live is fascinating. But they way the book is written... horrible... lame characters, boring dialogs, no twists and turns...
I never thought I would ever say/write something like this but... the movie is much better. So my advice in this case: forget about the book watch the movie

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this years ago back when I found out it was a book after watching Taking Lives. It's pretty different from the movie. But I found it enjoyable. Might reread it sometime to refresh my memory.

[Erased230 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book YEARS ago, and I remember thoroughly enjoying it. I walked away wanting to read more novels of this genre, and I have, and it's thanks to this book.

[Jo Cameron-Symes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is currently out of print but I got a second hand copy of it on ebay. I'd not heard of it before but was interested in the story after my Dad told me about it and that it was based on a real life case that is near to his holiday home in Portugal. My Dad met people there who had encountered the real life murderer without knowing his history. The story is kind of similar to The Talented Mr Ripley, though the narrative isn't as tight and it does meander a bit. The start is strong and it puzzles me why it's marketed as an erotic thriller, as yes there are a few sex scenes, but they're not the main focus of the plot at all. I think if the narrative drive had been stronger then the story would have been more compelling, as at its heart, there is a fascinating tale here of a man who doesn't just stop at killing people but who then decides to take on their identities also. There is a brief exploration at the end of the book as to why and how this man ended up with such a complex psychology that compelled him to choose to live in this manner but I think it could have been improved and made a little clearer, e.g. was it nature or nurture that created this monstrous man? It's also important to note that this book is set in the early to mid nineties, when computing was far less advanced than it is today, so it's harder to imagine the same scenario playing out as it did then, thankfully!

[Aaron · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not give this book a "0" rating, which is unfortunate. I tried, I really, really tried. I read the first 120 pages, forcing myself along the way. Every 10-15 pages, I would either fall asleep, or lose interest. Loved the movie. This is only the third book my entire life that I was unable to finish; I thought I'd be able to force myself through it, but didn't have the willpower. I don't know which I am more disappointed in, the book itself or my inability to finish it!! I will say, the best part of this book is that whatever I decide to read next, will definitely be better. Onward!

[Jamie Belty · Rating 1 out of 5]

I went into reading this book knowing that it was nothing like the movie, but that actually intrigued me so I was excited to read it.
I have never read a more pointless book.
There was nothing good or interesting about it. I finished it only because I desperately wanted something to happen. Nothing did.

[David DeLuca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Imagine a novel that is so dull, awkward, and pointless that it takes four different screenwriters to finally create a workable screenplay. Yes, it's true: four different screenwriters, each working alone, adapted this dreck into a script. The first three failed, because the source material is garbage. How does something this bad even get published?

[B. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved the movie, and when I finally grabbed a copy of the book, I was hoping I was in for a real treat. Sadly, that was not the case. This is a shining example of the rare instance where the movie is better than the book. Words cannot begin to express the disappointment that was this book.

[Sandy Gurile · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the movie, but I just could not seem to get into the book.

[Lauren Dandridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had the potential to be so much more interesting than it actually ended up being. I was hooked for the first 100 or so pages but ended up disappointed.

[Jen]

One of the few times the movie is so much better than the book. Stated out pretty well, got incredibly boring and stilted very quickly

[Janessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Realistically, more of a 2/5 stars.

But wow, that was so unsatisfying. Pye writes well, but doesn't know what to write about.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mí me ha encantado!! Salvo por el final que no lo he entendido mucho pero bueno, el inicio del libro de verdad que de lo mejorcito

[floriana · Rating 2 out of 5]

wanted this book to end so bad

[Jennifer Peterson · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the few times that I can say the movie is better than the book. At least it gave us the movie.

[Dru · Rating 2 out of 5]

The incongruity in this book was its downfall for me. Not to mention the huge lag it takes with an unwanted Portugese history lesson and a story about a character I was not all that interested in. It picked up pace a little when the serial murderer (Hart/Arkenhout) returns to the story, but since the focus did not shift back to him, it was not enough to keep me interested.
Among many dissapointments and unexplained motives (such as why does Costa suddenly lust after Maria in the final pages), the final downfall of this book was the plot hole. All throughout the book Costa tells us that he knows what happened behind closed doors and inside the mind of the serial killer because Hart/Arkenhout tells him so later in the story. The book ends without this dialouge. He makes no mention of any disclosure before the death of Hart/Arkenhout. This fact invalidates the entire book. But I was too exhausted from the unfortunate slide, from a four-star suspense book to a two-star frustration, to really care.
I hope his other book 'the pieces from Berlin' is better written and that he spares his readers from another unwanted tangent.

[Liz Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book fell short of my expectations. I have not seen the film so I hope it has a more punchy script than the book and the actors give the characters more edge and verve. The beginning of the book is good and I thought it was going along the lines of 'The lovely Bones ' so to speak but alas it starts to fade with too many side characters which do not advance the story. The sins of the Father in the war were not made clear soon enough and went out with a fizzle at the end. The ending I thought was rather a cop out and could have been so much more. The book was an ok read but the story faded in and out and the scene between the two men in the house lacked tension for me. I hope the actors gave it much more oomph in the film.

[Peter Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intiguing story about creating identities.Complex story with multiple perspectives but really too long.I enjoyed the pursuit of the serial killer but was not too convinced by his motives or why he didn't try to escape once he knew he was under investigation.I enjoyed the mystery of John Costa's father in Portugal.I felt the author was trying to do too much as there two main plots fighting for attention,each getting in the way of the other.So an ambitious novel worth a read but ultimately not resolved satisfactorily to my mind.

[Chad M · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea is intriguing and it started off captivating but after page 50 it just becomes an unbelievable storyline with unneeded plot lines. Culminating in a lack luster showdown between the villain and the story teller...followed by 30 pages of bleh. Perhaps it was the story or perhaps it was the writing style but regardless it didn't work me. Others my find it enjoyable and wonderful but alas I'm not one of them. I really wanted this book to be great but for me it wasn't.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book a difficult read and I gave up on it after the first 100 pages. It started off reasonably well, but became a little boring. The prose was poor, and went off into confusing tangents. Still, I only paid 75p for it in a charity shop.