Brian Benson (1)

When I first saw this book I thought it was non-fiction, true-crime. As I was reading it, it read like true crime, but something was off, so I went back and re-read the description and discovered it was fiction.

The copy I got was in desperate need of editing and proofreading, however the plotline was solid and the writing good. There were no twists and turns this is a straight mystery, guy is killing girls and investigators are trying to find him. The story is in how they go about it and the interactions between the team. I believe this is his first and it is an impressive debut novel.… (mais)

This is an entertaining first novel from Brian Benson. The story reads much like a police procedural, only the investigators here are private rather than police and/or FBI. The action takes place in the late 1970s, before technology made investigative work a little easier and faster. We've come to rely so heavily on technology that we forget what it was like before everyone had cell phones with computer access. The hurdles the team has to overcome to gather information made for a fascinating glimpse back.

I would have liked to get to know Brent Dulac, the main character, a bit better. We do get to know the Cob Killer quite well. The metamorphosis from his disturbing childhood to his psychotic adulthood is chilling in its realism.

This book leaves plenty of room for a sequel, and I'm looking forward to spending more time in Brent's world.… (mais)