Killer on the Road

I think it was his best book, even better than L.A. Confidential. Ellroy is an expert on the subject. His mother was murdered when he was ten years old. He's a strange dude (read his piece, "My Life As a Creep" in his collection of stories, articles, DESTINATION MORGUE), but an excellent writer. I like the small touches he adds, like when the main character was working at the Hollywood Public Library (where the true life teen Ellroy used to hang out with his glue sniffing friends). Or when he crosses paths with another serial killer. Almost as scary as BTK.

This is one of the most unpleasant books I have ever read. Nowhere have I encountered a narrative depiction of the crimes and motivations of a serial killer more realisitc than KILLER ON THE ROAD. What worries me about this book is how realistic it is. I am sure that there are readers who are not revolted by the acts portrayed in this book, or worse, find them somehow amusing or exciting. If you know someone like that, someone who says, "Yeah I loved that book, it was really cool," STAY AWAY FROM THEM BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO CUT YOU INTO LITTLE PIECES!

This book is facinating--plain and simple. The way Ellroy plunges the twisted psyche of Martin Michael Plunket is expert; you won't want to put this down. It rates maximum creepiness, and the brilliance of the book is that you actually root for the guy. Just when it seems like his psychopathic jig is up, the real fun begins. The last line of the book is one you will never forget.

Books do not come any creepier or more disturbing than this. A serial killer coming of age story about a guy who fashions himself after a comic-book villian named "Shroud Shifter." He kills to attain invisibility like his comic book idol. He calls his own psychotic day dreams "brain movies." The sick thing is, you find yourself rooting for killer. This book is freaky.