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A review by thecosynook
The Killing Lessons by Saul Black
5.0
(Actual rating 4.5)
Now I'm going to start this review off by saying there should be so many trigger warnings attached to this book, there is torture, rape and abuse. Also the torture is dark, REALLY DARK. I know what you're probably thinking "yeah ok but how dark can it be" but seriously there are some vile descriptions in this book so seriously consider that before picking this up
Ok so, wow this book. I don't really go for police crime books as I just find them boring, you follow the clues, throw in a couple of red herrings but eventually get the killer - same story different characters. However in this book I was completely shocked, you get the story from both the police and the killers. You see inside their mindset and just how dark their views are (the killers that is, not the police). All the way through I was hooked trying to figure out how they would catch them, why those specific objects, what made them get like that etc.
This is definitely a stand out for me from all the other police crime books. It is an incredibly chilling read with some of the descriptions being so disgustingly vivid that in parts I did have to stop reading (there was a scene with some scissors and although nothing happened the thought of what could made me feel so sick).
We immediately get thrown into the action which just sets the scene for the book perfectly, it's dark, its fast paced and its incredibly tense. Normally books tend to drop off throughout the story but not this one, all the way through I was rushing to find out what happened and if everything would turn out ok. I loved the fact that there was an actual reason for the killing rather than the usual dead body murder case, here we had two killers that had a backstory and a motive and this added depth made the book so much better.
My only downside with this book was the ending (no spoilers don't worry), I just think things just went slightly over the top, nothing drastic but just teetering on the edge of too much. That pulled my rating down a bit but I still cannot recommend this book enough.
Looking at this book you think it's just going to be another boring murder book (which is why it sat on my shelves for 3 or 4 years) but honestly once you start reading you won't be able to stop. Its an amazing read and you will be hooked. I think if you can read dark torture and rape scenes then I do think this book will be a 5* for you because it is just written so well. I would definitely recommend this book if you're ok with the subject matter. Go pick it up now and you won't be disappointed!
Now I'm going to start this review off by saying there should be so many trigger warnings attached to this book, there is torture, rape and abuse. Also the torture is dark, REALLY DARK. I know what you're probably thinking "yeah ok but how dark can it be" but seriously there are some vile descriptions in this book so seriously consider that before picking this up
Ok so, wow this book. I don't really go for police crime books as I just find them boring, you follow the clues, throw in a couple of red herrings but eventually get the killer - same story different characters. However in this book I was completely shocked, you get the story from both the police and the killers. You see inside their mindset and just how dark their views are (the killers that is, not the police). All the way through I was hooked trying to figure out how they would catch them, why those specific objects, what made them get like that etc.
This is definitely a stand out for me from all the other police crime books. It is an incredibly chilling read with some of the descriptions being so disgustingly vivid that in parts I did have to stop reading (there was a scene with some scissors and although nothing happened the thought of what could made me feel so sick).
We immediately get thrown into the action which just sets the scene for the book perfectly, it's dark, its fast paced and its incredibly tense. Normally books tend to drop off throughout the story but not this one, all the way through I was rushing to find out what happened and if everything would turn out ok. I loved the fact that there was an actual reason for the killing rather than the usual dead body murder case, here we had two killers that had a backstory and a motive and this added depth made the book so much better.
My only downside with this book was the ending (no spoilers don't worry), I just think things just went slightly over the top, nothing drastic but just teetering on the edge of too much. That pulled my rating down a bit but I still cannot recommend this book enough.
Looking at this book you think it's just going to be another boring murder book (which is why it sat on my shelves for 3 or 4 years) but honestly once you start reading you won't be able to stop. Its an amazing read and you will be hooked. I think if you can read dark torture and rape scenes then I do think this book will be a 5* for you because it is just written so well. I would definitely recommend this book if you're ok with the subject matter. Go pick it up now and you won't be disappointed!