Tunnel of Night

Rating:
Summary: An incredible read!
Review: "The Prettiest Feathers" began the bizarre saga of two men, Lucas Frank, the reluctant, semi-retired psychiatrist who knows crime and criminals inside out, and John Wolf, the brilliant, insatiable killer fixated on Dr. Frank. "Tunnel of Night" continues the tale. The authors' characterizations are real and totally believable, and give substance to a quick moving plot that doesn't let up. Read these books! They are psychological thrillers and so much more! With a supporting cast of quirky characters, and a myriad of seemingly unrelated details that tie up nicely at the end, these novels are tremednously satisfying. Can't wait for the movie that's sure to come. A month ago I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Philpin speak and read from his work. He is every bit as mesmerizing as his books. Best news: he assured me that there will be additional titles in the Lucas Frank series.

Rating:
Summary: Very good but....
Review: A dead killer resurrected. An ex forensic psychiatrist who though he'd killed him. It is set in stone from the beginning that they must meet. John Philpin and Patricia Sierra team up to write this incredibly intense page-turning thriller. It's a murder mystery from the start, as Lucas Frank, ex homicide investigator, now retired, is shot in his home and left for dead. He doesn't die, and neither does his assassin, who turns out to be a man he was sure he had killed a year ago in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Lucas and his daughter Lane, now a homicide detective herself, must convince the FBI that John Wolf, infamous serial killer thought dead, actually survived a tragic explosion at his own home one year ago. The FBI is not buying it, and Wolf's victim count begins to accelerate at an alarming speed. Lucas Frank has studied and lived serial killers all his life. He is a legend at getting into the mind of killers, of thinking like they think, and being able to plan their next move as easily as they themselves do. Lucas Frank may have met his match in John Wolf. As the famous Dr. Frank searches for answers, the victim count rises, until Dr. Frank realizes that he himself may be the next victim. The clock races, the story unfolds with page after breathtaking page, and the killer wants vengeance.

Rating:
Summary: A superb literary act of symmetry.
Review: A dead killer resurrected. An ex forensic psychiatrist who though he'd killed him. It is set in stone from the beginning that they must meet. John Philpin and Patricia Sierra team up to write this incredibly intense page-turning thriller. It's a murder mystery from the start, as Lucas Frank, ex homicide investigator, now retired, is shot in his home and left for dead. He doesn't die, and neither does his assassin, who turns out to be a man he was sure he had killed a year ago in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Lucas and his daughter Lane, now a homicide detective herself, must convince the FBI that John Wolf, infamous serial killer thought dead, actually survived a tragic explosion at his own home one year ago. The FBI is not buying it, and Wolf's victim count begins to accelerate at an alarming speed. Lucas Frank has studied and lived serial killers all his life. He is a legend at getting into the mind of killers, of thinking like they think, and being able to plan their next move as easily as they themselves do. Lucas Frank may have met his match in John Wolf. As the famous Dr. Frank searches for answers, the victim count rises, until Dr. Frank realizes that he himself may be the next victim. The clock races, the story unfolds with page after breathtaking page, and the killer wants vengeance.

Rating:
Summary: sequel rivals the original for brilliance
Review: In TUNNEL OF NIGHT, Philpin and Sierra have pulled off an amazing feat-- they have crafted a believable yet chilling sequel, and they have made it every bit as good as the original. No, on second thought, it is probably even better; this is the book Harris' HANNIBAL wanted to be. One reviewer faulted the book for its abrupt ending; I didn;t think that was a problem, though I did think that the shifting first-person POVs was a little annoying at times. Still, this is well worth hunting down and likely to shoot to the top of the list of your favorite crime novels.

Rating:
Summary: sequel rivals the original for brilliance
Review: In TUNNEL OF NIGHT, Philpin and Sierra have pulled off an amazing feat-- they have crafted a believable yet chilling sequel, and they have made it every bit as good as the original. No, on second thought, it is probably even better; this is the book Harris' HANNIBAL wanted to be. One reviewer faulted the book for its abrupt ending; I didn;t think that was a problem, though I did think that the shifting first-person POVs was a little annoying at times. Still, this is well worth hunting down and likely to shoot to the top of the list of your favorite crime novels.

Rating:
Summary: This is an amazing book!
Review: It is rare, indeed, for a sequel to be better than the original book; Tunnel of Night is even better than the Prettiest Feathers! This writing team is superb--their style is unique, their plots and characters absolutely awesome. I can't wait for more stories from these two!

Rating:
Summary: Frightning, chilling and believable-very scary mood piece
Review: John Wolf was supposed to be Lucas Frank's final case as a psychiatric profiler, but the cunning sociopath had other plans. Lucas, accompanied by his daughter Lane, tracks Wolf to his Vermont lair. Lucas uses the killer's bomb against Wolf to enact justice.

Almost a year has passed since that explosive summer day in Vermont. Frank is enjoying his retirement. However, unbeknownst to Frank, John Wolf turns out to be a cat as he survived the bomb. Wolf has been working on vengeance against those who tried to stop him with Lucas and Lane heading up the list. By the time law enforcement officials realize that Wolf is back, it is too late as the killings have begun anew. The stage for a final confrontation between profiler and serial killer is set with only one person expected to walk away alive.

TUNNEL OF NIGHT is hair raising psychological suspense that evokes terror in the bravest of humans because readers will believe that Wolf is modeled after a real human monster. Lucas is an anti-hero who does his job well because he values his principles instead of a simple law book. John Philpin and Patricia Sierra address social issues with dignity inside a well designed novel that will have the audience demanding the return of the father and daughter team.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: An excellent thriller
Review: Nobody has ever heard of Philpin but I rate him up there with Connelly, Patterson, and T. Jefferson. NONE of his books disappoint. Start at the first one and you'll read em all.

Rating:
Summary: Dead Serial Killer?
Review: Serial killer John Wolf was dead ? or was clearly believed to be. A year after his death, former FBI agent Lucas Frank begins to suspect that Wolf is not only alive but he is perilously close. Authors John Philipin and Patricia Sierra have created fascinating characters here. The story has the reader traveling the country with Wolf and Frank as it reveals itself. A gripping mystery with fascinating information on the patterns of serial killers. Totally believable.

Rating:
Summary: WOLF HOWLING
Review: The serial killer in this novel, originally introduced in "The Prettiest Feather" is named John Wolf, and boy is he one sick but intelligent individual. His cold, calculating approach to murder goes beyond what most of us have experienced in other serial killer novels.

Philpin and Sierra have given us a credible coda to the first book, bringing the notorious Wolf back in a highly believable manner. Matching the evil Wolf is the less than perfect hero, Lucas Frank. His understanding of the dark side of evil is enhanced by his own dark thoughts and obsession with solving murderous crimes.

The authors use effective narratives in the first person by Lucas, his daughter Lane, and Wolf. Much suspense and mystery are piled on throughout and the resolution, although a little quick, is satisfying.

A great entry in the serial killer genre.