Messiah

Rating:
Summary: What's With The Dates?
Review: Although I am not finished with Messiah, I am thoroughly frustrated to the point that I may stop reading it.

The book begins on Friday May 1st, 1998, and on that date two bodies are found. The next date, Friday February 12th, 1982, sixteen years earlier, begins chapter four. While I understand the concept of flashbacks, I can not understand how the two bodies found in 1998 can be discussed in 1982. The next date, Thursday, February 18th, 1982 begins chapter nine, and again the same deaths are discussed. The next date, Saturday, May 2nd 1998 begins chapter 18, and is followed by an interlude which is chapter 20.

The story line remains the same regardless of the year, but it is confusing and I think impossible. Three months have gone by and yet the crimes seem to span 16 years.

Have I lost my mind, or have the dates been confused?

Someone please let me know what I have [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: An Original Thriller of Biblical Proportions
Review: Clearly one of the most original thriller plots I've read this year. Sometimes a religious or biblical undertone can make a thriller more sinister; downright "creepy".

Starling did a great job of building the suspense in this one. Despite some less-than stellar writing at times, overall it was an excellent first effort and I look forward to more work from him. My only diappointment was that I was able to pick the killer about midway through the story. It still had an interesting, and rather unpredictable ending.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: Character, plot are all quite good. Kept my attention.

Rating:
Summary: Best Book I've Read This Year
Review: Boris Starling has managed to describe the most terrifying scenes of macabre I've ever seen. I really recommend this book to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: One word: WHOA
Review: WOW!!! What an incredible novel. I have never read a book before that has proved to be such a thought out and planned masterpiece. It is obvious that the author took just as much time to plan out the whole book as he did to write it. It is a masterful puzzel that fits together perfectly. From the first intrest grabbing chapter to the last, it is a piece of work that can not be taken lightly!! It is as thought provoking as it is interesting, and as interesting as it is scary. This book is HIGHLY recommended!!!!

Rating:
Summary: very good
Review: messiah is one of the best of its genre. it could be made into a great film. i like the way the police study the patterns of the killer and make a lot of guesses before they get it right. and it was clever of red metcalfe to get it right. i learned along the way with them as if were a detective on the case. brillant story. only drawback for me was that it was a bit unpleasant. this killer makes jeffrey dahmer seem kind and gentle. i one for one dont really like thomas harris. but i like boris starling

Rating:
Summary: Starry-Eyed
Review: I'm a little bewildered by all the 5 star ratings given to this book. Sure it's a fast read but it doesn't approach the standards for the genre, i.e. "Red Dragon" and "Silence of the Lambs" (from which some ideas for the plot appear to be lifted, but without the same effect). The murder scenes were written well but large sections of the book just come off as filler. The characterization of "Red", the relentless hunter of "Silver Tongue", while voluminous, didn't seem to draw him out all that well and the minor characters were the equivalent of card board cut outs.

I bought this book based on the mega ratings it received here and my two stars won't drop it's overall rating one iota. But to potential buyers I say "Lower your expectations."

Rating:
Summary: Unbelieveable!
Review: Excellent book! I could not put it down because I was so involved with the story. The ending will blow you away! Boris Starling is an author to watch.

Rating:
Summary: Stunning Debut!
Review: Boris Starling's freshman novel reads as though he's been writing fiction for decades! The spiraling plot crescendos into a surprising ending that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

Following Detective Inspector Red Metcalfe as he untangles the web of an investigation into a brutal serial killer takes the reader on a wild ride that continues to build, little by little, keeping interest and suspense high throughout. Red's characterization is thorough and we become voyeurs as we watch him peal back the layers of the killer's mind, putting his own sanity at risk. I liked the fact that Red is not infallible, he is a real person who exposes his flaws and accepts responsibility for them.

This is one of those murder mysteries that provides a plot twist at the end that doesn't disappoint. Messiah is a taut thriller that will keep you flipping pages start to finish!

Rating:
Summary: so cool
Review: most 15 year olds wouldnt pick up this book but i did. At first the writting style of the author seemed strange and i put down the book for a whil but when i did read it.....it was so superb. You would never guess who did it and the detail is fantastic. This writer is truly gifted and skilled and i am suprised this is his only book. The intricate characters were perfect and the storyline was excellent. When you reach the end you feel so shocked an you wish you could erase the memory of the story and expierence the thrilling tingle of the story all over again. With the right dorector this movie would be the next oscar winner. It has the makings of a great, great movie, but the book will always be better. This book is excellent.