The Death List

If you like Harlan Coben, Linwood Barclay, Richard Matheson and other masters of the what would you an average person do in this terrifying sudden situation reads, and you also don't mind the violence and graphic descriptions of mutilated killings going up a notch, then you'll love this. In fact if you've read Charlie Huston's books then you know exactly what you're in for The Death List. Basic plot is once upon a time successful author Matt Wells has had novel after novel flop at the checkout. His publisher and agent have both dumped him and his ex wife Caroline only tolerates him in their daughter Lucy's life because she has to. She constantly tells him he needs to get a real job as do a lot of other people in his life. He does have a fan though who he thinks appreciates his work. In fact his fan wants him to write a biography on his life and exploits and has even sent him a substantial cash up front down payment. Unfortunately his fan's life involves violent torturous vengeance against those who bullied, abused and humiliated him as a child. His fan knows Matt may be tempted to say no and go to the police so he guts and positions the corpse of his ex wife's neighbour's dog on his daughter's bedspread. With a warning that Lucy and everyone else Matt cares about could easily have the same thing happen to them Matt decides it's best to just write the book. It doesn't take Matt long to learn every action he does is being observed and that his fan knows everything about himself, his girlfriend, family and friends. As Matt reads about each murder he realises they are following scenes from his books. When the fan lets him know he has also started on a second list because he's such a nice guy, of the people who have wronged Matt realises he's in the frame. He wants out and has a plan that involves his rugby league buddies who coincidentally happen to include a millionaire, ex SAS paratrooper and a guy who is a better hacker than the top London police. Of course we all know the fan doesn't react too kindly to those who betray him. The Death List is a really good book that definitely has the can't put down factor. It is a little far fetched and has conveniences that are a little to strong such as the members of his local Rugby League club. It is though fiction though and it is very entertaining! The ending of the SAS side story was a bit of let down, I would hardly think with their previous actions what they do in their final side story scenes would be satisfying at all but this is not enough to drop the novel down a star in rating. Definitely be looking for other books by Paul Johnston.

This was the first book that I have began to read, and couldn't put down. Suspensful the entire time. My favorite book I have ever read.

this book is now one of my favorites, i recommend it to any reader who likes a mildly realistic, modern day, crime-thriller that doesn't skimp on the details of the grotesque crimes that are committed throughout the book. i was never a big fiction reader but over the last few months i decided to dust off my library card and just walk around seeing anything catches my eye. it happened to be the library was closing in a few minutes and on my way out i saw the word DEATH in CAPS so i flipped thru a few pages and took it. currently, i am reading Mr. Johnston's sequel to this book entitled "The Soul Collector" to put it in perspective, when i found out the soul collector was set to hit america May 2009 i ordered it on ebay from england.

"The Death List" was white knuckle thrilling, quickly paced, with believable characters and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. Some parts of the plot seemed a bit far fetched but it's fiction it's to be expected. I wanted to read it all in one sitting then was upset when I finished it-I wanted more! One note-it is quite gory and graphic. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author!

I carry around a box of books to be read in the car and pulled this one out last week. The plot falls somewhat into the crazed fan genre immortalized by King's Misery. However, the author has added a novel plot with well fleshed out characters. Readers who enjoy literary references will enjoy the many discussions and attributions to John Webster. And, while the killings are quite spectacularly violent, they are thankfully described post mortem. I have difficulty with books written by authors who appear to relish horrifying scene by scene descriptions of despicable acts. This book was an unexpected pleasure. If you enjoy Harlen Coben, you should enjoy this book.