Figure of 8

Rating:
Summary: Great dark thriller
Review: Gee, for a book supposedly about a skater, there sure isn't much skating in it. In fact there isn't any. As for the skating community being upset over issues being raised... What issues? Where? If the book spent any time talking about eating disorders, the harsh life a skater has, skating injuries, the dangers of skating without a helmet, skaters with drug problems, skaters sexually abused by their coaches (all very real and important issues that I would welcome in a book), I must have missed it. Did the author write another secret book that exposed problems in the figure skating world? This book was about a celebrity (who incidently was a skater in another life) being stalked. And if you've read one book about a celebrity stalker, you've read them all. This one wasn't even a particulary well-written one.

Rating:
Summary: Riveting story with an unforgettable climax
Review: I bought this novel because I'd heard generally favorablereports of Patrick Lynch's thrillers. Even so, I was pleasantlysurprised. The book builds tension quite expertly, allowing the reader some lighter, satirical moments now and again (mainly concerning the press, TV and celebrity management), before plunging him or her into newer, ever darker territory. You soon get the feeling that something very shocking and terrible is going to happen, but nothing will fully prepare you for the climax when it comes. Good characters (I'd read more of Pete Golding's case history eagerly) and a very clever plot make for great entertainment. One to keep on the shelf and re-read another time.

Rating:
Summary: Starts slowly, then becomes a "can't put down" book
Review: I nearly put this one down and am SO glad I didn't, as the original story, plot twists and action were a notch above the usual suspense or thriller type novel. Be forewarned, however, that you need to get through the first 4 chapters before this one weaves its spell (or at least, I did). I prefer books with strong characters and this book does have compelling characters but the reader doesn't meet them immediately and I felt there were too many pages of background, information that could have been shortened and presented more tightly. Even so, there were many mysteries to puzzle through and that made for fun reading. The characters, once they DID appear, were fascinating.

Rating:
Summary: Starts slowly, then becomes a "can't put down" book
Review: I nearly put this one down and am SO glad I didn't, as the original story, plot twists and action were a notch above the usual suspense or thriller type novel. Be forewarned, however, that you need to get through the first 4 chapters before this one weaves its spell (or at least, I did). I prefer books with strong characters and this book does have compelling characters but the reader doesn't meet them immediately and I felt there were too many pages of background, information that could have been shortened and presented more tightly. Even so, there were many mysteries to puzzle through and that made for fun reading. The characters, once they DID appear, were fascinating.

Rating:
Summary: A cut above...
Review: I'd never read anything by Patrick Lynch, but after reading this book I immediately ordered more! I thought...ice skating? Boring. I was wrong! The lead characters are flawed but likeable. The plot and twists are sharply defined and kept me on the edge of my seat! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the writing style. Very easy to read, the writing flowed and wasn't full of too many adjectives (one of my pet peeves). Can't wait to get the other books I ordered!

Rating:
Summary: A dark, edgy psychological thriller
Review: I've read all of Patrick Lynch's books and was pleased to see another one out. However I didn't really enjoy this book as much as some of his others.

Why not? I'm reading parts thinking "WHAT is going on here" (only to have those questions answered 3/4 of the way thru the book). Hate that, not having a clue what's going on.

Also didn't find Ellen/Yelena particularly sympathetic or even very interesting. That makes it very hard to even care what happens to her. The "hero" Pete Golding is a bit more detailed and alot more interesting. He saved the book from 1 star as far as I was concerned.

Some of the other reviewers commented on the skating information not being correct. There was so little in this book about skating that she could have been a rock star or actress or anything in the entertainment field for that matter. So for the average reader, I don't think that is a real problem.

An OK thriller, not great, not horrible.

Rating:
Summary: A dark, edgy psychological thriller
Review: Just finished Figure of Eight. My first Patrick Lynch book, and a great read. A kind of stalker story, but with a difference. Keeps you guessing right from the start. Draws you on with leads, intriguing & sometimes downright strange pieces of information, and just when you think maybe you've worked out how all the pieces are going to fit, it changes. Builds the suspense very well, right up to a literally explosive end. Develops strong main characters well too - especially the 'hero' Pete Golding. There are times when you're not sure what Golding's going to do next, or even if he's the good guy - but you can't help liking him and by the end you're with him 100%. I'd like to have gotten a little more into his character, he's strong and complex enough to carry a story. I'd like to see him reappear in another Lynch thriller down the road.

Rating:
Summary: A cut above...
Review: This is a fascinating novel. A tight, gripping story, rich in psychological insight, and with a billiant climax. One to read in one sitting!

Rating:
Summary: A great read
Review: This was my first Patrick Lynch. It won't be my last. I've rarely enjoyed a thriller more. It's taut, well written, original and very scary. I didn't know they still wrote them like that!