Taking Lives

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Summary: Just so you know...
Review: All these negative reviews baffle me, so much so I feel compelled to write my own review. This book is really good. I mean, really, really good. Anyone looking for a smart, thrilling read-- one that also gives you a lot to think about-- won't be disappointed. If you're looking for mindless escape, however, look elsewhere. Light & fluffy it ain't.

Taking Lives is the story of two men whose paths intersect: Martin Arkenhout, a man who kills people and steals their identities, convinced as he is that he can live their lives better than they ever could. His victims tend to be solitary men, with no roots, and no one to care if they suddenly were to disappear. But one of his victims ends up being the wrong guy-- Professor Christopher Hart, a man wanted for an art theft. Enter John Costa, a keeper at an art museum who is assigned to track down the suspected art thief, not knowing that he's dealing with a sociopath assuming the persona of Christoper Hart, a man far more dangerous than he thinks.

The whole novel is a meditation on identity, perspective, the pieces that make up a life, and the desire one often has to leave themselves behind and become someone else. All threads of this story offer variations on the theme, making up a comprehensive whole that facilitates thought on the subject. It's written in a style that is often beautifully lyric, with descriptions so lush you feel as if you're there, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the various locales in Europe. I won't spoil the ending, but I will say that it's satisfying in its ambiguity and weight.

If this sounds like your kind of book, ignore the negative reviews, pick it up!

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Summary: Riveting psychological Novel?
Review: Beautifully written, elegantly plotted, marvelously conceived,diabolical . . . and what style!

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Summary: Beautifully written, but action movie fans beware!
Review: I read this book before the movie came out, and it's a dark but beautiful story of a murderer who makes his way across the world, finally settling in Portugal. It was a wonderful picture of life in a tiny mountain town; the simplicity, the isolation, the scenery, the people...
and as soon as I saw the first preview for the movie, I knew it was a total departure. I went to see it, and I was right.
If you like edge-of-your-seat suspense, gunplay, car chases, etc, you'll be disappointed with this book. But if you want a clever read, you'll be satisfied. It's slow, but that's kind of the point, and the story is excellent.
The movie was good in its own right, but it had absolutely NOTHING to do with the book. (Except for the first name "Martin", and a passing mention of "Chris Hart".) I recommend reading the book first, and then you'll be happy with both experiences. Reading the book will reveal nothing of the plot of the movie, so you'll still be surprised up to and including the last scene.
By the way - if you're afraid of making a $30.00 investment, you can buy this book CHEAP at www.edwardrhamilton.com. It's certainly worth what you'll pay for it there.

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Summary: well....
Review: I think this is better than American Psycho. But like the reviews here, it is boring and flat. Tony Scott of Top Gun and Crimson Tide will direct a movie based on this. I will expect so much!

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Summary: Smart, surprising, thrilling and crafted like a Rolls Royce.
Review: It can't possibly be a compliment to the writer who no doubt spent years crafting such a fine novel, but truth be told, I consumed it in an afternoon. Not that it's a "light read" -oh no. It's intense, surprising, shocking...and the only cliché about it is that it's impossible to put down. The author has taken the concept of "literary thriller" and dusted it off, made it new and exciting again. Completely original, and very cinematic, Taking Lives is a BUY IT NOW book.

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Summary: Flat, Boring, Lifeless, Pretentious
Review: Just a note to echo the other negative reviews found here: If similes like, "I was baffled like a grandchild out visting whose grandparents go on playing cards" are your idea of good "literary" writing than maybe you will pat yourself on the back if you manage to slog through this great clod of rubbish. The rest of us will just lament our squandered time.

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Summary: Unusual and Rewarding
Review: Taking Lives is the first Michael Pye book I've read. Based on an unusual, but plausible premise, it is an engrossing read. Pye writes very well and does a great job of putting you in the scene. The story starts off and finishes off well, but sags a bit in the middle. Despite this, Taking Lives is worth reading if you like this genre.

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Summary: Stolen Plot
Review: The movie had bits and pieces of the book in it. Someone read this book and thought it would make a good movie but needed to add other characters to make it more sexy to sell to audiences. IF YOU GO TO THIS MOVIE EXPECTING THE BOOK YOU WILL BE ANGRY BECAUSE IT IS NOT TRUE TO THE BOOK AT ALL. It was a good movie, nice twist ending but shares very little with the book. BE WARNED! :)

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Summary: Interesting premise but ultimately disappointing..
Review: The premise of this book, about a serial killer who assumes the identities of his victims, hooked me from the get-go. That, plus the interesting title that sums up the plotline, made me think that here was a witty writer who had gone beyond the usual cliched serial killer premise. For about 50 pages, I thought I was right. I was even with the author when the museum curator begins to track down the killer who had assumed the wrong identity, that of a professor who had taken valuable pictures from a library. Still, so far, so good. But the whole time there was something bothering me; the unbelievably affected writing style of this author. It's one thing to move beyond commercial fiction; it's another to devolve into a style that captures your imagination and no one else's. As the plot began to spin out of control and became less and less believable, the affected writing had me grinding my teeth more and more. Finally, I could take no more and barely got through with the book. Ultimately, the author tossed credibility out the window and fell in love the bizarre voice of his narrator. Ugh! A promising premise down the drain. Don't bother.

Rating:
Summary: High Merits - Taking Lives - One Reader at a Time
Review: The type of book any avid reader can easily delve into, and stay hooked. The writing technique was sophisticated and superb, brought the story to life.

After the plot thickened, I was able to piece together what would happen, but I finished, and was glad I did! Mind blowing conclusion... would recommend to any body.

I wasn't a fan of John Costa's character.. not sure if that's just me? But I liked the writing techniques, that displayed the personalities of Martin. So many people can be related to him, and it helped bring him to life. Very haunting, but very reverent.

Based on the merit, this book has received in reviews, I'm shocked to find so many disapproved of it. This story captures every aspect of any other suspense thriller. This book held everything for me.. drama, suspense, crime.. you name it.. This book deserves better credit! A+