Horrifically enthralling book about two separate sets of serial killings linked in the most intricate fashion. One is a cold methodical psychopath who preys on the vulnerable, the other is a pair of sadistic lowlifes who travel in a van preying on children and young women in the vilest manner possible. the two cases seem so far apart in MO that that you cannot believe there is a link between them, but the world-weary detective who is the hero of the story finds one through the most intricate plotting you will ever find and manages to bring both sets of killers to some kind of justice. This is a brutal, ugly story about the worst instincts of mankind, but it is enthralling to the end. ( )

You know, it's hard to rate this book. The story is good, and I learned all kinds of fascinating things about the psychology of serial killers, as well as some interesting US history. The characters, while somewhat... sparse, were people I wanted to know more about, although their motivations and histories were a bit trite. All the makings of a good book, right? Except that the writing (and editing) is execrable. There were multiple times when I couldn't work out what a sentence meant, despite knowing all the words in it, and multiple times when a sentence meant the opposite of what the author was obviously trying to say. Grammar was often wrong, words were used in inappropriate contexts, and you could tell that the author didn't have a firm grasp on the meanings of a lot of words. I slogged through the writing because I wanted to know the end of the story, and I found the psychology fascinating, but it was an irritating read. ( )

This book just blew me away! Its hard to believe that this is an authors first book.Its the total package,the real deal.I WANT MORE!!Nobody is this fantastic on their first attempt,well that is until now.Unbelievabley polished and ingrossing.I will buy any and all that Mr Van Arman writes. ( )

One of the best books I've ever read. Why hasn't this guy written anything else? ( )