Denial

I have read and enjoyed two or three of this author's novels. This one began so promisingly - aging film star, strange relationship with son, radio psychiatrist (I love Frasier), intriguing and well-drawn characters. But then I arrived at the sadism. Why so graphic and unpleasant? I suspended reading after the first few chapters because I simply do not want to read graphic accounts of torture and murder. I would be grateful if readers could direct me towards Peter James novels that don't descend into gore and mutilation - because I do rate him highly as a writer. I just can't stomach this.

I have read all of Peter James' "Roy Grace" books and now i am working my way through his earlier works. Some I have enjoyed others not so much. I have just finished this book which I believe was written in 2000. His portrayal of the troubled Thomas' complicated personality disorder had me feeling both loathing and sympathy. The character's misplaced loyalty to his mother had me frustrated, I wanted to shake him.The investigations of a death in Brighton and missing persons in London demonstrated the interaction between different forces and relied on some coincidence. We saw the introduction of a character Glen Branson who later appears in the Roy Grace stories, was this the precursor?All in all a good read.

I am writing this review only minutes after finishing this boook so it is very fresh in my mind.Once more Peter James has written a book which is gripping, full of suspense and up to his usual high standard.The title gives very little away as to what the story is actually about, but I was certain it would be a cracking good read. The main character is mad and very very dangerous partly due to the way his mother treated him as a child, his childhood being not the normal sort of motherly love, and also,although not described in any way,some sort of mental disfunction from birth.The first two unfortunate victims have no hope of escaping their fate,the third and fourth ones begin as lovers and the tenacity of the man when the woman goes missing leads him to the right place but he is very quickly caught and they are both then in the hands of a mad man out for revenge and you really cant see that they will get out alive,wether they do or not will not be for me to say,much better to read the book.It is a very fast paced read I kept thinking just this chapter and of course at the chapters end you just wanted to carry on,didnt want to put it down and couldnt wait to pick it up,i cant recommend this highly enough so for a good Peter James read you will not go wrong with this.

I asked Mr James about putting his earlier books to be available on Kindle and to his credit, all of them were. So thank you from all us wanderers around the world! It was great to 'see' things through the distorted view of a disturbed individual. Absent minded and seeing things with a clarity untainted by the morals we are taught when we grow up.... a masterful piece of writing. As the book goes to a climax, it is interesting that the main characters closing in on the bad guy become more 'posessed' or 'driven' almost going towards the phsyche of the bad guy. I wonder if Michael Rowbotham saw the potential of using a phsychologist as the accidental hero in his more recent books. Certainly there is room for many more such stories in this niche. The pace in the book was good, graphic in parts and certainly making it life-like. This could happen in real life... no doubt! I will now go through more of Mr James' older books on Kindle; Denial certainly makes you want to read more of his novels.

The product is good, although the delivery service left the package at the gate opening on the drive, fortunately the neighbour took the package in otherwise the book would have been ruined in the rain!

I have read all of Peter James' Roy Grace novels which are just brilliant. When I was bought my Kindle, I decided to download a couple of his earlier books, this one included.WOW! I read this on holiday and was probably a bit of a party-pooper on occasion because I just couldn't put this one down. The pivotal character is a disturbingly calm madman capable of truly grisly deeds based on intelligent research. There are a few points in the storyline which are almost too cruel for words but, peversely, compulsive reading.One of the other main characters is Glenn Branson from the Roy Grace series in a very different, happy, state of wedlock.

This is a psychological thriller of a man who had an incestuous relationship with his mother who controlled and protected him all of his life. This resulted in him murdering people who had some where along in her life upset her or had rejected her. Amazing story gruesome at times. Certainly the next Stephen King. Hard to put down.

I've read and enjoyed many of this author's books. I stopped reading after a few chapters. Vivid descriptions of torture just seem to be there for titillation. They repel me especially when they are so unnecessary for plot or character development. This writer is too good to indulge in this sadistic porn.