Review: Dark and Taboo
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 15, 2012
I thought I really read it all in "Pines" and "Run". But I didn't see what my new favorite author was really made of until I read the Andrew Z. Thomas books. Oh...my...God! Mr. Blake Crouch is so hardcore - finally there is an author not scared to shock his readers and these books in the Andrew. Z. Thomas trilogy will shock you. I mean, it will rock you to the very core - I was having odd dreams all the while reading this twisted stuff. But I totally loved it!I understand that Desert Places was Mr. Blake Crouch's debut novel. That is one kick-ass debut!As I always say, I don't like to give spoilers in a review, but just to give you something of an idea of what you're getting into when you pick up this book - Andrew Thomas is a writer of thrillers (much like the author who created him) and basically this man wakes up one morning and his life goes straight to hell for the next 7 years of his life.The trilogy starts from less than humble beginnings when Thomas receives an anonymous phone call from a very special ghost from his past telling him that there is a dead body buried on his property with his blood left on both the victim and murder weapon - a murder weapon that came from Andrew's very house. From there, Andrew finds himself at the mercy of the surprisingly intellectual madman whose trying to ruin his life.The series of events that follow leaves Andrew in a very bad place. He ends up with innocent blood on his hands and a murderous intent of his own. In that respect you can say that the one who was blackmailing him sort of got the upper hand because that was his intent all along - to awaken Andrew's inner serial killer, so to speak.But from the second book in the series,Locked Doors, it just get darker and more taboo. There are things that some might find offensive like the graphic detailing of Luther Kite's execution of the children in the Worthington's home (I think that was the family's name) - he breaks their necks - but I respect that Mr. Blake Crouch was trying to give a realistic account into the mind of a real psychopath. The readers are supposed to be disturbed by it. If you could read it an not be disturbed, then you should worry.With that said, you learn what happened after the unexpected events of Desert Places. And, unfortunately for Mr. Andrew Thomas, his life isn't about to get any better. His life is officially over as he has been framed for every murder that the killer from the first one committed - including that of his own mother - and now has to contend with the vanquished serial killer's new and provocatively frightening protege, Luther Kite, who is every bit as frightening as the teacher he learned from - if not more so.By the time the last story in the trilogy comes along, Break You, Andrew Thomas is a broken man. More innocent people die because of him and now a new love interest from the second story is a new target of Luther's twisted affections. Mr. Blake Crouch takes suffering to a terrifying new level where we're forced to wonder if confronted by a similar fate if we'd be able to do the same? When a loved one says that they wish they could take their lover's pain and make it their own, Mr. Blake Crouch might make you rethink that after reading the level of torture that Luther bestows on Andrew and Violet.I'm gonna be honest and say that this story isn't for everyone. It definitely isn't for the faint of heart. If you're prone to disturbing dreams - don't read this book. If you've ever been the victim of violent crime - don't read this book. If you're offended by blasphemy and/or a person of high moral and of deep spiritual faith - I'm also going to tell you not to read this book. But if you are one of these people and are still open-minded enough to indulge in the masochistic themes of the story, then you will not be disappointed.I've heard some people say in the negative reviews of these stories say that the characters weren't likeable and I couldn't disagree more. Maybe Andrew Thomas' character is a little dry and ordinary, but by the end of this trilogy, that changes. As twisted as this sounds, I have a thing about serial killers (no, I don't get off on the terrible things they do to people. I'm just fascinated by their presence) and I found the serial killer from Desert Places - who I deliberately won't reveal in case people are new to the stories, of course - especially likeable in a deranged sort of way. Luther Kite was just terrifying and, thus, I found him more than interesting as well. I'd love to read something about him exclusively - I know Stirred is out and I haven't read that yet but I notice its about him so that will likely be my next go-to.In the end, this book left me breathless and I am so glad to have stumbled onto this author by accident. I hate to say it because Mr. Stephen King is a legend and typically anything that man touches turns to gold, but he might have just been toppled from his throne because I am in love with this author, Mr. Blake Crouch. He writes with such abandon and very clearly isn't scared to go too far. I love it.Reading is wonderful for the fantasy it creates. Some of us have darker fantasies than others. And Mr. Blake Crouch appeals to those of us with just such an appeal. From this moment on, I can say with all clarity that I crave anything this author puts out.