Review: Not as Good as the First, Something Was "Off" the Entire Time
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 05 19, 2014
Sorry to make this two stars, after giving four stars to "Beneath the Mask of Sanity".I realize that this is a work of fiction and things have to happen rather quick, but the small time it takes for the sheriff to build trust in this sicko is unbelievable.  He's taking off his gun within three days of being around a known murderer and rapist, and the sheriff let him move in to his own home?  You expect me to believe a highly regarded, somewhat logical cop has lost his edge and his ability to read people?  Nope, not buying it.  Even if he's feeling guilty for beating the crap out of someone who deserves it.  Still not buying it.  Maybe if there was more of a progression, maybe three years, or three months, even three weeks (but even that would be totally pushing it).While reading the whole book, it just had that layer of unbelievability to it.  The first book was fanciful, graphic and highly sadistic, yet there was always an edge of believability to it because there are sick people out there.  The opening quote said it best, "We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere. And there will be more of your children dead tomorrow." Ted BundyHad I not read the first book, would I be this critical?  Hm...  Could this book stand alone.  No, you need both books together to appreciate Bentley's evolution as a "person".Also, the first book was written with passion.  The voice of the author was definitely watered down in this one.  The author comes off as more mainstream (for lack of a better word).  Not that this book needed to be as violent, but something was missing.  The first book kept me guessing (when is it going to end? (because I didn't want it to), is this going to end? (crime never sleeps), can someone really be this sick? etc.).  Also, there was an element of surprise (to me) at the end.  This book, I knew what was going on, not to the minutest detail, but I knew what was happening.  I don't want to give it away.  However, there were a couple of slips that I caught on to.  Perhaps that was intended, but I really liked the element of surprise in the first book.Also, this book contained more typos.  Major typos.  Dunham's name misspelled in the beginning, and that's very confusing to the readers.  Perhaps the chief's name was changed at the time of production, but they didn't "find and replace" them all.  I submitted a majority of the typos to the Kindle team, which I don't mind because I respect the author's work, and the typos were less than 10.  (Some books are such a joke that I just return them.)Had I not read the first book, would I be this critical?  Probably not.  The author set a pretty high standard for himself with that first book.  It might have taken decades to write, where he really crafted it to perfection.  This one could have been an answer to the readers or publishers wanting more, and I'm guessing this was a more rushed job.