Urge to Kill

John Lutz has created an interesting concept that has passed under the radar of some readers but, for fans of mystery and thriller fiction, is worth a second and third look. The concept is remarkable: take a former New York homicide detective who was frog-marched out of his job, his ex-lady friend and a retired law enforcement colleague, and retain them in a private capacity to solve the cases that the police department can't. Frank Quinn is the ex-detective; Jewel, the former flame (for whom Quinn still retains a flicker); and Fedderman, the Florida retiree who makes the trek back to New York at Quinn's intermittent request. Lutz, a veteran wordsmith, has chosen to infuse his primary character with age and guile in place of youth and experience; with URGE TO KILL, he has come up with a solid and compelling winner. Those familiar with Quinn and company from such previous works as NIGHT KILLS and IN FOR THE KILL will find Lutz's trademark elements of sharp characterization, compelling dialogue and graphic depictions of evil present in URGE TO KILL. Quinn is brought in to the hunt for a serial killer who seems to be targeting his victims --- including a retired cop with a reputation for being bent --- in broad daylight. The murderer is dubbed "the 25 caliber killer" and appears to be unstoppable. What neither Quinn nor the politically astute New York police commissioner realize, however, is that another series of murders is being committed at the same time. When the victims --- young women who are strung up, bled out and gutted like hunting trophies --- are discovered, it creates a controversy: Is this the work of the same person due to the common elements of hunting that are present in both sets of murders, or is the commonality a coincidence? Quinn himself isn't entirely sure, but under pressure from the commissioner, he treats the two cases as if they have a common killer. Jewel feels that the team is heading in the wrong direction. Additionally, she is at loose ends from dealing with a medical problem and her own conflicted feelings over Quinn. Sure that she was done with him, she is nonetheless aggravated over Quinn's attraction to a psychiatrist who may hold the key to the case. The true star of URGE TO KILL, however, is the intricate plot, which puzzles and intrigues not only the reader but also the characters who remain a step behind the killer (or killers) until almost the very end. In order to bring matters to a head, Quinn engages in a risky and dangerous ploy to draw the culprit(s) out, putting his own life on the line while inadvertently drawing Jewel into mortal danger as well. Lutz knows how to keep the pages turning, and the pages that make up URGE TO KILL fly by. The prickly interplay between the perpetually smart-mouthed Quinn and the perennially grumpy Jewel is worth the price of admission alone, but the various dances between killer and victim and good and evil will keep you on the edge of your seat and steal your sleep awa

This book popped up on my Kindle recommended reading list, an occurrence I found surprising since I'm not particularly into crime-related thrillers. I took a flying leap and purchased it, and from that point on was unable to put it down. John Lutz does an amazing job of interweaving several storylines together into a plot that is simultaneously realistic, gory, and fascinating. An avid reader of fiction, this is one of the better books I've encountered in recent times, and is perfect for a long weekend or flight. This is easily five stars. John Lutz has a new fan!

This was my first John Lutz read and I really enjoyed it. The extra twist was not at all what I expected.

John Lutz has written another in his line of serial killer thrillers, and this one has a new and intriguing plot line -- is there one killer or are there two. The killings are vastly dissimilar and yet the professionals believe it possible that both serial killers are in fact one. It takes some very scary twists and turns to unravel this mystery and you are left guessing until the very end. Along the way, a totally unrelated plot line about domestic violence is wound through the story -- you wonder if there is a tie, and worry about the resolution of this story along with the predominant plot -- and it has a very satisfying conclusion. Lutz had great character development for his killer(s) -- want to leave you guessing here -- with plenty of flashbacks to give the reader insight into compulsions. I loved this book, and if you like hard hitting thrillers, you should love it too.

Plot/Storyline: 5 Stars Mr. Lutz juggles several plot threads throughout this novel, from flashbacks to the killer's childhood to an abused woman's plight to the team of detectives brought in to find out the truth behind the newest killings. Each switch in viewpoint brings new insight to the story. This is not a traditional mystery in that the reader is not presented with clues to solve the murders. As a matter of fact, the detectives are left with precious few actual clues. I do think it makes for a more realistic police procedural novel. At first, the storyline appears rather disjointed with introductions of characters that appear to not have a part in the plot. However, all lines are eventually revealed to be knotted together. There was one thread that was entirely unrelated. While reading these portions, I kept wondering how it was going to be tied in to the murders. This never happened. The scenario was resolved, but if you blink, you will miss it. The author used this thread as a metaphor to make a statement on the impact of violence on society. Character Development: 4 3/4 Stars This novel is as much of a character study as it is a mystery. The reader is introduced to each character carefully to provide insight into both killer and victim. Quinn is essentially the main character. Having read previous novels in this series, I already had a feel for him. However, as a standalone, his development was somewhat lacking as the author fails to give much back story on his relationship with Pearl. Pearl is an interesting contradiction as a strong woman who cannot seem to stand up to her mother. She is realistic and sympathetic far beyond her part in this story. The victims were made real to the reader. Unlike a lot of serial killer type novels, Mr. Lutz makes his readers truly feel for the victims. Writing Style: 5 Stars I enjoy Mr. Lutz's writing style immensely. His prose flows so easily, filled with concise descriptions and excellent dialogue. Editing/Formatting: 5 Stars Both were of professional quality. Rating: R for Graphic Violence and Sexual Discussions