Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, descriptive with fully drawn "human" characters
Review: Harris' first horror novel is the best of the series. Will Graham (who was/is most like retired FBI serial killer catcher John Douglas) is the most interesting and mysterious "human" character in any of the three books. That he is barely mentioned in Silence and not mentioned at all in Hannibal is a great disappointment to me. I suppose I had fantasies that in Hannibal, Crawford and Starling would enlist the help of the man who originally CAUGHT Lecter. What a concept! But Red Dragon is a great read both for the suspense and the truly heartbreaking description of turning a troubled child into a serial killer of the worst order. Highly recommended
Rating: 
Summary: creepy but not perfect
Review: Overall I enjoyed this book very much, but I got impatient frequently and skipped around quite a bit. Perhaps it's this skipping around which led to my confusion about the book's implication that Will Graham was really on the edge. He's written as very morose and distant and it's difficult to identify with him--to get a sense for why he feels so fragile. I think we're supposed to believe that he has a "serial killer" mind or he's on the brink of madness, but he's so responsible and committed to his work that I don't buy it. He never seems really in danger of slipping, so it leads one to wonder why Lecter's taunting was threatening to him. How is he just like the monsters he seeks? This is never illustrated. I would have liked Will to have been more dangerous or close to the edge. Or just skip this facet of his character and just stick with him as a smart and committed investigator, which works just fine.The film "Manhunter" is very MiamiVice-esque but definitely a worthwhile rental. It's best if you think of it as a different entity than the book, though I must admit I had the film characters in my mind as I read.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling!
Review: I was intrigued by parallels between the psychological terror rampant in "Red Dragon" and the psychological terror common to great war novels like "The Naked and the Dead" or "The Triumph and the Glory." We shouldn't need reminding, but the greatest serial killers in human history wore uniforms, and I find myself as darkly fascinated with war novels like Rustad's or Mailer's as by Harris' masterful books, Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, and Red Dragon. While I ramble on forever, order this book from amazon and start reading!
Rating:
Summary: A delightful romp through the mind of the insane...
Review: As a student in criminal justice, this book is assigned in our profiling courses. As a result, we are forced to read it in order to obtain a good grade; however, "Red Dragon" is a book you'll WANT to finish...I couldn't put it down! One problemmatic feature in this book is its legalese -- it is deeply rooted in justice terminology which might hinder some novice readers looking for a light, quick read. Steer clear of this book if that is what you seek. However, if you are looking for a book that, although it is dated nearly two decades ago, still pertains to todays criminal justice system, do read it. Not only is it entertaining, it is also very informative. Nicely done, Mr. Harris.
Rating:
Summary: Horrifyingly realistic
Review: Ooh, where to start?! Horrifyingly realistic and gave me chills. You just have to get a copy of this, it's worth every little penny.
Rating:
Summary: Quite simply the best book in the Thomas Harris library.
Review: If you have seen the movie Manhunter, you haven't experienced all that story has to offer. While the movie is brilliant in its own idiom, the book takes you deep into the mind of the killer in such a way that you both sympathize with and detest him. Red Dragon is sure to surprise you with every chapter (including a MUCH different ending than seen in the film), and the introduction of Hannibal Lecter is some of the most intense reading you'll ever come across. Think you've seen it all with Silence of the Lambs? Give this one a try... it's sure to become your favorite.
Rating:
Summary: TRULY GREAT FICTION
Review: This is the first novel by Harris I have read. I couldn't put it down, and read it within 48 hours. Harris is a gifted writer!
Rating:
Summary: The very best of the genre.
Review: Red Dragon is perhaps the finest serial killer novel ever written, rivaled only by its sequel Silence of the Lambs. For most of the novel the story and writing is superior to the sequel and the empathy developed for the child Francis Dolarhyde, unmatched in any oher novel of this type, makes this stand apart. However, the ending wasn't as strong, Whereas the ending to Silence of the Lambs was PERFECT, so overall these two Thomas Harris novels are about tied.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping, Scary Murder thriller
Review: I wanted to read about Hannibal Lector after watching "Silence of the Lambs" and had more than I bargained for. This is a really scary book, I couldn't stop reading the minute I picked it up and finished it in 1 sitting. There are at least a few monsters in this story, we have the "hero" Will Graham and the monster on the killing spree and of course Dr Hannibal Lector pulling some strings behind bars. The storyline is well developed and the characters are incrediblely vivid, almost can visualise them.... scary thought that monsters can be created from such sad background.. Get some coffee and biscuits, you won't put down the book till you're done.
Rating:
Summary: Intricate and entertaining.
Review: I ordered this book because I wanted to read it before I read "Hannibal". I read "silence of the Lambs" and did not realize that there had been a previous book. I, unfortunately only get to read on my lunch hour at work and I was late back from lunch at least three times! A very intriguing read. The character of Graham was likeable and easy of sympathize with...on the other hand Dolarhyde(by the way I had a 6th grade teacher by that name) was creepy in the extreme! In a world where good books are hard to find, this is one. I recommend it and can hardly wait to get my hands on "Hannibal". Does this mean I'm warped?
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