Rating: 
Summary: Definitely feels like a debut, but great potential in Crouch
Review: Blake Crouch, Desert Places (St. Martin's, 2003)Is it me, or does the name "Blake Crouch" just scream nom de plume to you? One almost wonders if Mr. Crouch hasn't cooked up a little semi-autobiographical tale here. But that aside... Desert Places, Blake Crouch's debut novel, shows us an author with a great grasp of character, pacing, and plot, and perhaps not enough of an editing team. The novel roars to a start when successful thriller novelist Andrew Thomas gets an anonymous piece of mail telling him a body's buried on his property, his blood is on the victim, his fingerprints are on the murder weapon, and he has twenty-four hours to verify all this and call the real killer. This done, said real killer leads him into a rather ingenious trap, from which Mr. Thomas must escape in the most interesting of ways. And so far, so good. We've covered about half the novel. There's also another really strong section at the end. But, just like Saving Private Ryan, you get stuck with this middle portion that drags. It's the shortest part of the novel, but it's also the most interminable. To Crouch's credit, he does wait for long, tedious setup until after the reader is already hooked, but it's still there, and could probably have been compressed into fewer pages than it actually took. That said, the stronger parts of this novel are well worth reading, and they go by extremely quickly. That it dips in quality halfway through can be gotten past, if you're expecting it. Definitely one to check out, and an author to keep an eye on. *** ½
Rating: 
Summary: perverse, gripping tale
Review: Debut or not, the book is a perverse gripping tale of horror....though the central characters are stereotypical of any of the genre, the conversations are well depicted. Not a single chapter in the book is devoid of torture or gruesome details of some murder....it is definetly not a book for light reading. Though the plot reeks of perverse and sadistic-masochistic themes, it is well-written and fast-paced.
Rating: 
Summary: Snuff movie on paper.
Review: I enjoy a good serial killer story as much as the next guy, but I have to tell you, this book is so unremittingly violent, it descends to the level of pornography.
I'm sure it'll be a big hit.
Rating:
Summary: Like a very bad movie
Review: I hate to give bad reviews to books, but this one just drove me insane. My advanced apologies to the author, since no work deserves terrible criticism... but this was just awful... I almost believe that all of the good reviews for this book on Amazon are from his friends. I mean the plot that could be described in three sentenses could be that of a typical crime novel, but the writing is so poorely executed! So many holes in the plot! The author whips things out for his advantage at any moment like a bad dream! The characters are so empty - and I still have no idea what happened at the end! Maybe if I haven't read other good novels, this could be a rating of three stars. I barely finished this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Scared me to death!
Review: I hated it, but I couldn't quit reading it! This book was one of the scariest things I've read since Kiss the Girls. I can't wait to get it out of my house so I don't have to look at the creepy guy on the cover anymore. It's a book you're even afraid to put next to your bedside table. It has a life of its own. Darn scary book. If you like terror and fright, this is the book for you!
Rating:
Summary: simple plot, interesting take from a new author
Review: I have never reviewed a novel in Amazon, but since I was already shopping, I figured I'd give my take on Desert Places. Desert Places is not the type of novel I would read, normally, but for anyone into thrillers I would suggest giving this book a try. Mr. Blake has a fertile imagination and it will be nice to see how he develops in future writings. I read through the other reviews and I have to agree that the middle drags a little, and the ending wasn't the best, but I also thought his friend died rather conveniently-but hey life has its conveniences, so why not? Overall, Desert Places is a quick and easy read, and good for a change of pace.
Rating:
Summary: A definate must read
Review: I have read many many serial killer thrillers, and this one was told in such a unique and complex but uncomplicated way to be a true original. I have never felt compelled to review a book here before, but I had to with this one. I wouldn't recommend reading before bedtime though.
Rating:
Summary: New Talent, New Blood, A Roller Coaster Ride
Review: I have to admit that I saw this book jacket and it alone scared me, so after reading the reviews here I decided to spend the money on the hardcover and try it. I was some of the best money that I ever spent. I was blown away by the stoyline and really began to feel for Andy. His characters were believable, scary as that may be, and the plot was think with suspense. I found myself reading huge chunks of the book at a time and it was a very fast read. Was it gory - yes - is it for everyone - no - BUT this is a well written book that has the potential to capture a huge following of fan waiting for the sequel. This book did not contain anything new in terms of violence or blood. The violence was second to a plot that was explosive. Give it a try - I think you will be a fan of this debut as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Guaranteed to unnerve
Review: I've never been into the slasher/thriller genre, but when I read the synopsis of this debut novel by Blake Crouch, I had to try it...and I'm glad I did! Andrew Thomas is a successful writer of, what else, thrillers who has just completed his latest novel and is living his dream life. All that changes when he receives an anonymous note that directs him to the body of a missing teacher - who is buried on his property and covered in his blood. What follows is a descent into desperation and murder that will surely chill you. There is also an interesting subtext about the difference between the desire to kill that is in people's hearts and the people who actually commit the murder that's in their hearts. While there were some horrifying scenes of carnage in the story, it is the randomness of the victims and emotions of the captors that will make you want to make sure you're locks are bolted. The only complaint I have is that the ending was a little too pat...while reading the conclusion, I could definitely envision the story as a typical Hollywood slasher movie. Other than that, if you are looking for a book to raise your hackles, then look no further. The scariest part is that this is a book of potential reality - and the fact that there really are sick people capable of committing these crimes out in the world is what chilled me the most.
Rating:
Summary: Gruesome and fast-paced fun
Review: If you like your thrillers crammed full of constant tension, wicked violence, and hair-pin twists and turns, pick up a copy of DESERT PLACES.
Crouch doesn't wade into the serial killer genre; he jumps in with both feet. The antagonist of this novel, the brilliant but psychotic Orson, is one of the creepiest maniacs in recent memory.
Fans of early John Sandford and James Patterson will find a lot to like here, as will afficionados of Koontz and Richard Laymon. There have been some great serial killer novels this year, like Jack Kerley's The Hundredth Man and Jeff Lindsay's Darkly Dreaming Dexter. I'd put this in the same league.
My only complaint is it went by too fast. I eagerly await the follow-up.
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