I’m not a huge mystery/thriller fan but this was a pretty good book. I didn’t exactly find it terrifying. When I first saw this book at the used bookstore I expected it to be more horror than thriller so I was slightly disappointed with that. I’m used to reading his newer books which are more science fiction types and I really enjoy those. This is pretty good though for a mystery/thriller ( )

Page turner. Truly suspenseful. Quick read. Gory but wouldn't classify as splatterpunk - maybe close. The serial killer likes to hear himself talk so there is plenty of sadistic dialogue that will creep you out. ( )

Andy is a popular author who receives a note about a dead body on his property covered in his DNA & location of the murder weapon. He is to contact no one. The blackmailer kidnaps Andy & the nightmare begins. To Andy's surprise he knows the cunning killer who takes him on a psychotic journey of murder, mayhem, & enlightenment. Pretty gory detailed book with lots of stabby stabby bloody murder. ( )

Dust and Devils

A backstory:

Andrew who is an author is feeling in relaxed mode from the book he just completed, but the relaxation doesn't last for long when he gets an eerie letter in the mail telling him there is a body buried on his property and if he does not call the number on a note that is buried with the body by a certain time then a phone call will be made to the police informing them of the so called body and where it can be found.

Andrew at first thinks it is a joke as he has received weird letters before from readers but just on a hunch he decides to go to the spot where the body is supposed to be buried and notices that something isn't right. When he digs down in that spot and uncovers a body is when he goes into high alert. When he makes the phone call to the person he cannot figure out who it is as their voice is muffled, but when the person tells him that he has to do exactly what is required of him or else the police will become involved, Andrew has no choice but to comply.

Andrew ends up putting his life on hold as he is forced to do what this person wants or else even so much as taking a plane to a specific place to be escorted to meet with this person. When the "person" is finally revealed to be his long lost twin brother (Orson) who everyone thought was dead is when things go into overdrive.

When Andrew sees that there will probably be no escape as the place where Orson is located is out in the desert with no one else around for miles. Andrew finds out that Orson has actually turned into a sadistic serial killer and Andrew wonders if he will make it out of this situation alive or if he will also become one of his brother's victims!

Why did Orson plant the dead body on Andrew's property? Why does Orson go through with an elaborate plan to bring Andrew to him? Does Andrew escape from Orson? No spoilers here as you will need to read the book!

Thoughts:

This book is my third Crouch book as I read one of his books a few years back that I really enjoyed and I read another book by him that he collaborated on with three other authors. The writing style is smooth and with this book, something happens right away within the first chapter so there is no time to get all settled in my cozy chair before things go awry right away!

I love the character, Andrew as I could feel the trepidation and anxiety that he was going through as he had to make plans with leaving his life behind temporarily and having to meet up with someone (a stranger) who wouldn't let him know much of nothing of what was in store for him. The pace of the book moves at a great clip and I kept wanting to see what was going to happen next.

The book does escalate when things become topsy turvy for Andrew but the book takes a twisted turn around the 30% mark putting Andrew in control and Orson in dire straits. From that point on in the story I read almost 30% more of the book within just a couple or so hours as the suspenseful twist kept me on the edge of my seat. There are three books in this trilogy, so I will need to continue on with the next book at some point in time as I want to see what happens next for Andrew. Giving this book five "Dark Desert" stars.


For more thoughts with images, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/2021/11/desert-places-andrew-z-thomasluther...
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Andrew Z. Thomas writes suspense novels. His newest book is about to be published and he has a long list of signings and public appearances scheduled. But then he receives a note that will change his life forever. The note tells him that a dead body is buried somewhere on his property, and the body is covered in his blood. The police will be anonymously tipped off as to the whereabouts of the body if Andrew doesn't do exactly as he is told. Soon he finds himself at a secluded cabin in the desert....at the mercy of a serial murderer. But, the killer isn't a stranger. He knows this person quite well....or at least he thought he did.

This book completely freaked me out. Once I started reading I couldn't put the book down....I was horrified and intrigued at the same time. I kept wondering what I would do in the same situation. Not going to give away any spoilers, but Blake Crouch did a great job writing a demented, scary-as-hell thriller! The plot line is brutal, but doesn't descend into unnecessary gore-fests or spurting blood as some similar stories do. The violence is there, but the psychological aspect of the story is front-line rather than the act of murder itself.

Desert Places is the first book in the Andrew Z. Thomas/Luther Kite series. I'm definitely going to read the other two books (Locked Doors and Break You). This first book was definitely creepy-cool enough to keep me reading!

Crouch is also the author of the Wayward Pines series and Dark Matter. To find out more about the author and his books, check out his website: http://www.blakecrouch.com/

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