This is a dark ride, a very dark ride. I am not usually a big fan of stories full of sex and violence, because the authors often seem to forget to include other elements, like a plot and a point.
I'll be the first to admit a story doesn't necessarily need a point - it can just be an entertaining read - but I do insist on a plot, and if it manages to also raise an interesting question, so much the better. Lowrance manages all of the above.
The question that he pursues is the psychology of death groupies - the people who fall in love with serial killers. As far as I know most of these sad cases are women (because most of the murderers are men?) but Lowrance's protagonist, Jim, is a guy who becomes obsessed with the Butcher Girl, who is convicted of what used to be called thrill killings, slaughtering three men in sexual situations.
We see their relationship begin and grow and when she is released due to a botched trial, it's inevitable that they wind up together. But what does Jim want from her? And what does she want from him?
I certainly didn't guess what was coming. And the sex and violence are essential to the story. A good job all around.
Hi Robert, I just came across this. Thank you so much for the kind words.
ReplyDeleteHeath certainly excels at highly dramatic stories. This is one of his finest--and that's saying something.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.