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Summary: John Philipin--Dreams In The Key Of Blue
Review: Copyright: 2000
Pages: 352Continuing the story of forensic psychiatrist Lucas Frank, who was the main protagonist in Philipin's "The Prettiest Feathers" and "Tunnel of Night", this speed-of-light thriller will leave readers spellbound. After six years of retirement, Frank travels to Harbor College to teach a serial killer college course, which is something he has a little knowledge of. When one of his students is found killed in her apartment, Frank has a gut feeling this he is dealing with no ordinary murderer...and he is correct. This serial killer fits no profile, follows no pattern, and never makes a mistake. Yet, what makes this case even difficult for Lucas is not the killer itself, but that it may be connected with his past. Philipin does a fine job extending his thoughts and creating believable three-dimensional characters, making his third novel just as entertaining as his previous. A top-notch thriller from an up-and-coming writer.
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Summary: dream fades slightly, but still worth a read
Review: Dreams in the Key of Blue starts excellently, with realistic characters, snappy writing, and a definite edge to the storytelling. A retired forensic psychiatrist emerges from seclusion to teach a 'Gender and Violence' course at an exclusive women's college - whereupon, in short order, people start dying violently and horribly. The author is in fact himself a retired forensic psychiatrist, accounting for the credibility of his main character Lucas Frank, and the early part of the book is full of interesting crime history. The plot offers a few obvious cliches and the story eventually falls into them, ending up chasing it's own tail at the end, too much psychiatry and not enough forensics. Nevertheless, it's a worthy addition to the serial killer shelf. I'll definitely read more John Philpin books.
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Summary: Even When You Know Who Did It - You Don't
Review: Excellent read. The book flowed perfectly and quickly. Dr. Lucas Frank is likable and believable. Even when you know who commited the murders - you have no clue. Keeps you on your toes and interested through. I can't wait to read his other books.
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Summary: Weak, badly written, shallow...
Review: I finished reading this book because I had paid 6.50 plus shipping. Nothing is exactly right in this book. At page 30 I already knew "whodunit". It was so obvious that I really expected a twist, sth to give me a thrill in the end. Hmph. The caracther's developments are simplorious, the plot is irregularly paced and the reader's intelligence is neglected all the time. Detection is nonexistant: the "detective" simply listens to others telling him every single thing about the crimes. Crime-solving becomes crime-listening. No twist worth mentioning, and the subplots are left loose toward the ending. Really a bad bad reading. I'm feeling betrayed by the previous recommendations!!!
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Summary: Spellbinding
Review: I just wanted to make sure that no one paid attention to the negative review of this book listed below. I read Dreams in the Key of blue last summer and it is one of the best books I've read in years. The point when I realized who the killer was, literally sent chills down my spin. It's a fast read and every second is thoroughly enjoyable!!! Gets my highest praise!!!
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Summary: Read "Dreams in the Key of Blue" and have nightmares!
Review: Lucas Frank, retired psychiatrist and criminal profiler, is a curmudgeon pure and simple. He hates technology. He has no use for the FBI, and less for government task forces. He's irritable and acerbic. So why do I like this guy? Nothing gets in his way when he's tracking a killer. Dr. Frank agrees to teach a course at a small college in Maine. Three woman are killed. Chief Herb Jaworski, who has read Dr. Frank's book on crime reconstruction, calls on Lucas to help. The story takes off from there, snakes its way through a myriad of twists and turns (even Lucas becomes a suspect, AND he becomes a target), and roars to the most startling conclusion of any psychological thriller I've ever read! The beauty of this book is that it's so real. The chills are also real! I may never eat an orange again.
Rating:
Summary: Spellbinding
Review: Philpin's first solo effort turns to more traditional crime territory, in which a serial killer plays only a tangential role in a convoluted plot of mysterious motives, corruption, and conspiracy. Like a lot of recent crime fiction, this one has a lot of twists and turns to keep you guessing, but for the most part, Philpin is able to keep his plot dead on target. It reminded me a lot of, say, James Ellroy, though without his brooding sense of menace. If the book has a fault, it is that the plot may be a little too clever for its own good and/or there is not enough insight into the killer's more recent state of mind. Still, this is highly recommended. I read his first three thrillers back-to-back-- a very enjoyable and rewarding week.
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Summary: The Mirrors of the Mind
Review: Recently I had the pleasure of reading John Philpin's latest effort "The Murder Channel." I was so pleased with the writing style and imaginative verve of that novel that I made a point of ordering his previous book "Dreams in the Key of Blue." I am entirely delighted with my decision. In the serial killer genre there are many imitators, but few minds as innovative as John Philpin. The 'investigator' in the Philpin tales is Lucas Frank, a retired forensic psychiatrist. He lives in the Michigan woods and avoids unnecessary contact with modern civilization. He dislikes technology with the passion of a Luddite. Only occasionally can he be lured out, and never to hunt. This time he finds himself the guest of Harbor College, an exclusive liberal arts school in Maine. His task there is to teach a seminar on gender and serial violence for the Woman's Studies Program. Frank is iconoclastic, irreverent, and even a bit insufferable, but the reader will find him perfect company. Lucas Frank's class has barely started when one of the students and her two room mates are murdered in their apartment. Frank senses the touch of a psychotic, but the crime presents a bewildering array of possibilities, none of which quite makes sense. As Frank struggles to fit the pieces together the murderer continues killing. Frank works closely with Chief Herbert Jaworski, a sincere and thoughtful man with whom he develops a natural rapport. When the news breaks that Stanley Markham, a killer that Frank helped convict, has escaped, the state police seize on him as the likely suspect. But Frank is not convinced, and one clue after another leads him to a completely different conclusion. As the case develops Lucas Frank finds himself under double attack, threatened by the killer and under suspicion by the state police and the FBI, who resent his interference. As he pursues clarity you will me an extensive and rich cast. In this heady concoction each character, major and minor, plays a particular and gemlike part. There seems to be little waste in a Philpin novel, but there is still a rich supply of the key ingredients that make an excellent suspense tale. Philpin does an excellent job of creating and maintaining a sense up mystery that persists until the very end. Several big clues are revealed right up front, and readers worth their salt will have made their guesses and felt very smug, only to retreat in dismay as Philpin unveils layer after layer of deception and misdirection. But he never cheats, or pulls rabbits out of a hat. If the killers progress is pure horror, Frank's hunt is pure detection. Recommended
Rating:
Summary: The Mirrors of the Mind
Review: Recently I had the pleasure of reading John Philpin's latest effort "The Murder Channel." I was so pleased with the writing style and imaginative verve of that novel that I made a point of ordering his previous book "Dreams in the Key of Blue." I am entirely delighted with my decision. In the serial killer genre there are many imitators, but few minds as innovative as John Philpin. The 'investigator' in the Philpin tales is Lucas Frank, a retired forensic psychiatrist. He lives in the Michigan woods and avoids unnecessary contact with modern civilization. He dislikes technology with the passion of a Luddite. Only occasionally can he be lured out, and never to hunt. This time he finds himself the guest of Harbor College, an exclusive liberal arts school in Maine. His task there is to teach a seminar on gender and serial violence for the Woman's Studies Program. Frank is iconoclastic, irreverent, and even a bit insufferable, but the reader will find him perfect company. Lucas Frank's class has barely started when one of the students and her two room mates are murdered in their apartment. Frank senses the touch of a psychotic, but the crime presents a bewildering array of possibilities, none of which quite makes sense. As Frank struggles to fit the pieces together the murderer continues killing. Frank works closely with Chief Herbert Jaworski, a sincere and thoughtful man with whom he develops a natural rapport. When the news breaks that Stanley Markham, a killer that Frank helped convict, has escaped, the state police seize on him as the likely suspect. But Frank is not convinced, and one clue after another leads him to a completely different conclusion. As the case develops Lucas Frank finds himself under double attack, threatened by the killer and under suspicion by the state police and the FBI, who resent his interference. As he pursues clarity you will me an extensive and rich cast. In this heady concoction each character, major and minor, plays a particular and gemlike part. There seems to be little waste in a Philpin novel, but there is still a rich supply of the key ingredients that make an excellent suspense tale. Philpin does an excellent job of creating and maintaining a sense up mystery that persists until the very end. Several big clues are revealed right up front, and readers worth their salt will have made their guesses and felt very smug, only to retreat in dismay as Philpin unveils layer after layer of deception and misdirection. But he never cheats, or pulls rabbits out of a hat. If the killers progress is pure horror, Frank's hunt is pure detection. Recommended
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Summary: Philpin writes another winner!!!!
Review: This book keeps you on edge and makes you wonder who is connected to who. A well written and entertaining book. The detective in the story is at his best with the mystery. Each and every move of the characters is thought out and well planned. A great book to enjoy with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. Enjoy and see if you can keep up with Lucas Frank.
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