Scavenger

Hitchcock would have loved Tom Savage. He has a talent for creating a heightened dramatic realism that manages to stay just credible enough to allow suspension of disbelief, and his plots are exceedingly intricate and well thought out.Newly celebrated author Mark Stevenson writes a popular mystery based on the real-life exploits of a never-apprehended serial killer called The Family Man, and becomes the target of someone calling himself "Scavenger." Scavenger involves Stevenson in a deadly clue-hunting game of cat-and-mouse, with the prize being the revelation of The Family Man's true identity. Along the way, a few new victims are tallied...Jaded mystery and suspense buffs may find themselves a jump or two ahead of this one, but it doesn't matter. Savage's usual talent for creating characters who are not what they seem is at its best, here. He is skillful at misdirection, and always manages to provide a few surprises even to those who figure out some of the major plot twists before the end.Most importantly, Savage delivers. He promises much, and actually delivers more. The reader is taken on the same merry rollercoaster ride as Mark Stevenson throughout the book, with not a few clammy, white-knuckle moments, and a great deal of tension. It can only whet the reader's appetite to know in advance that there are echoes of Seven and Strangers On A Train in this book, because anyone thinking they can figure out what's going on by being in possession of that knowledge will be duly and truly surprised when they discover Savage's variations on the themes.

All I can say about this devilishly clever novel is, Wow! It punches you in the gut from the get-go and will knock your socks off at the end. Mark Stevenson, whose family was killed some years before by a serial killer known as the Family Man, has written a book based on the case. After the book comes out, he receives an anonymous letter from someone claiming to know the identity of the Family Man and sending Mark on a macabre scavenger hunt. If Mark can successfully complete the "game", all will be revealed ... unless he dies first. As Mark, following his increasingly bizarre instructions, criss-crosses the country from New York to D.C. to New Orleans, L.A., and Chicago, innocent people begin dying around him as he homes in on the truth. And yet ... nothing in this delightfully Machiavellian plot is what it seems. If you love a well-crafted tale of creepy suspense, you have to read this! You absolutely will not be disppointed.

With the release of "Scavenger" Tom Savage has become one of my very favorite authors. His other three were also excellent, but this one was by far the best yet! I thought I was very smart and had the ending all figured out, but Mr. Savage put me in my place with one of the greatest twists ever invented. I can't wait for the next book. Hurry up, Mr. Savage!

He's done it again! I'm surprised Tom Savage isn't more of a household name. Scavenger, like his previous works, was easy to read, contained an excellent twist at the end, and keeps you on your toes the whole way through. Tom Savage, keep writing!

Tom Savage has done it again, but even more thrilling, as I started this book I just couldn't put it down. Mark Stevenson is such a great,believeable writer. I would advise anyone who likes serial killing mystery books to buy this one right away. And I hope Mr. Savage, that we soon see a "New Game". Wonderful work!