From Jonathan Nasaw, whose heart-stopping debut was hailed as "a superior thriller" ( The Washington Post ) and "wickedly compelling" ( The Oregonian ), comes a new novel that takes readers into the depths ofFear ItselfIs it possible to be scared to death? FBI Special Agent E. L. Pender thinks so -- when a man afraid of heights falls nineteen stories to his death and a woman terrified of blood is found with her wrists slashed. Could it be that the apparent suicides are actually the work of a twisted psychopath?To stop him, Pender joins forces with Investigative Specialist Linda Abruzzi, and before long they find themselves facing their own worst terrors -- and a madman who is as immune to fear as he is fascinated by it.
This takes the well-utilised serial murder-by-phobia idea and does absolutely nothing to make it fresh. Then there's the usual: Mr. Killer has a tragic childhood, kills everyone who helps him, makes lots of mistakes, then his stupidity eventually completely overwhelms the apparent intelligence that's kept him from notice for years.
It's a real shame because there's something about this series that draws me, but it just doesn't live up to what i'm expecting, and i'm not even sure why that is. I think it might be the writing, just too far to the wrong side of cheesy, and it doesn't have that flow, that feeling of real conversation or inner monologue to bring you into either the story or the people in it. Every joke or comment is slightly off, the beat is missed, and as a reader, you feel that misstep every time.
As much as I still like main character, I think this is it for me.
This wasn't one of my favorites by this author. In the beginning, I enjoyed the mystery right up until the FBI figured out who the murderer was. Then the chase was on but the story dragged and was rather boring. I liked FBI agent Linda Abruzzi but wasn't all that enamored of E.L. Pender (the semi-retired agent). The murderer was a total freak but he really loved his Down Syndrome sister which was sweet but surprising in such a grisly murderer.
I've had my eye on Fear Itself for a long time, however I wasn't sure if I would like it enough to buy it full price. Luckily enough I found a copy second hand but of course it sat on my TBR pile for ages still. Well, I read it at last, and I genuinely really enjoyed it. I'd probably give it a high 4 stars however as it's an older book there is some language in it that made me uncomfortable. This book is exactly why I want to read more books outside of the young adult genre, the deaths were unique to each character, I thought it was pretty fast paced and I was eager to find out how it ends.
FEAR ITSELF By Jonathan Nasaw [E.L. Pender Series Book 2] MY BOOK REVIEW FIVE STARS*****
I finished reading FEAR ITSELF last night, and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this dark psychological suspense thriller featuring the author's famous FBI sleuth whose forte is hunting down and exterminating serial killers.
Let's FACE it---not our "fear" yet---but just how difficult that it must be for an author to be gifted enough to "imagine" the existence of a truly original serial killer. But not just original, a serial murderer with a psyche that intrigues and yet horrifies us---and whose modus operandi and signature leaves an indelible impression that make him (or her) both unique and unforgettable.
Nasaw possesses that kind of incredible dark imagination, but equally as impressive, he is able to breathe life into his chilling creations, to endow them with a personae and to render his fictional villains in full Technicolor and in 3-D. They are so real that we can sometimes feel a slight chill or the hairs raise of the back of our neck before we shudder and close the book.
The author's penetrating research into the topic of phobias, and his ability to convey a number of blinding snapshots that illuminate a picture of what it must be like to live with this fear on a day to day basis is chilling enough without a sadistic psychopath showing up. He "lives" to turn the sharp edge of their own unique fear prescription toward them until they see their own worst nightmares reflected like a mirror and staring back at them. These emotional cripples are unfortunate hostages to their phobias, and our killer in this novel feeds upon their anxiety, their panic, and their terrifying all-consuming fear to satiate his own appetite for the sheer thrill of feeling so close to the purity of their terror. But his appetite is never whetted for long, and the cooling off period between his kills is getting shorter and shorter. This is especially frightening in that he has been operating with impunity for years and the authorities are unaware of his existence.
The colorful and ever entertaining FBI Agent Pender is readying himself for retirement in this novel, and the agency sends "Special Investigative Officer" Linda Abruzzi to fill his shoes... but not really. In fact, the computer age has pretty much erased the need for a physical liaison been the FBI and the locals. That "fits" because Abruzzi (formerly FBI Special Agent Abruzzi) was stripped of her title and her service weapon when she was diagnosed with MS and given a fatal diagnosis with progressive neurological impairment and increasing physical disability until the end of her shortened lifespan. Her bravery, sense of humor, strength of character, and dedication to her career was an inspiration. I couldn't seem to make myself remember that Abruzzi was a fictional character when I found myself smiling at one of Linda's reflections, or reaching for a tissue when she was talked to like a worthless embarrassment to the bureau.
Colorful characters seem to be Nasaw's wheelhouse. This was the second book of his that I read, and the first one I read was a veritable kaleidoscope of colorful characters. In any case, a witty and intelligent artist notices that several acquaintances of hers with phobias have been dropping like flies. Dorie contacts the FBI and crosses paths with Pender. He takes an immediate liking to the colorful and enchanting Dorie. She is handicapped by a paralyzing phobia of her own but is happy that someone is finally taking her seriously. Unfortunately, the killer is taking her the most seriously of all.
This story was well paced throughout, but toward the end of the novel the action kicks into overdrive. It is intense, a real page-turner, full of shocks, twists and surprises. I would have to say that the most dramatic, fascinating interactions were between the serial killer Simon and the physically impaired FBI Agent Linda Abruzzi as the book escalates toward its climax. I felt like biting my nails, I literally laughed out loud (and not once or twice), and I felt tears wetting my cheeks. That's a lot of emotion---and different flavors of feelings---to be extracted from a reader as the book winds down.
I've thought a lot about what this writer does that is just so darn great. I love his dark humor, but that goes without saying. I believe that one of his greatest talents lies in his unbelievable skill in writing great dialogue for his characters. If you have read his works you know exactly what I mean. And if you haven't (read any of Nasaw's books) I would highly recommend that you give him an opportunity to provide you with an enjoyable reading experience.
This is a really good book, and although it was very different from WHEN SHE WAS BAD, I would have to say that this novel also should be awarded a well deserved 5-STARS.
Książka jest drugą częścią z cyklu, w której bohaterem jest agent FBI Ed Pender.
Strach jest naturalną częścią naszej psychiki. Można go wypierać lub próbować nad nim zapanować. Czasami lubimy się bać oglądając horrory i filmy grozy, ale raczej robimy to z przyjemności i są to emocje kontrolowane. Bywają jednak takie lęki, które są przerażające, powodują poważne komplikacje zdrowotne, a nawet prowadzą do śmierci. Są to fobie, przybierają różne postacie, np. ofidiofobia - lęk przed wężami, arachnofobia - lęk prze pająkami czy też awiatofobia - lęk przed lataniem. 56-letni agent FBI E.L.Pender odchodzi na (prawie)emeryturę. W Wydziale Łączności swoje stanowisko odstąpił chorej na stwardnienie rozsiane Lindzie Abruzzi. Agent Pender otrzymuję list od niejakiej Dorie Bell. Kobieta cierpiąca na dziwaczną fobię (boi się masek) zauważyła, iż kilka osób poznanych na konferencji poświęconej fobii popełniło samobójstwo w dość nietypowy sposób. Jest przekonana, że to dzieło seryjnego mordercy. I ma niestety rację. Od tego momentu zaczyna się dramatyczny wyścig z czasem i walka o życie wielu ludzi. Wiele osób zginie zanim psychopata zostanie pokonany. "Lęk pierwotny" to thriller psychologiczny. Bardziej dla czytelnika o mocnych nerwach. Dobrze się czyta, a historia wciąga niesamowicie. Można ją śmiało polecić.
I developed a (somewhat strange perhaps) affection/fascination with the whole serial killer/crime type genre many years ago when I first picked up and became enthralled with Jonathan Nasaws 'the girls he adored'. Now maybe it's an age thing... or that in between back then and now, I've read many different twisted (and not so twisted) tales of killers and apparent good guy law enforcement agents that chase and inevitably catch or kill them, but I found 'Fear Itself' just a little bit, boringly predictable. In seemingly typical Ed Pender story style, it builds rather easily throughout the book to a big(ish) final showdown between cop and bad guy at the end that can be seen coming from pretty much page 1. Pender (who I personally picture as a mix of Bruce Willis and John Goodman) is a great character, readable and relatable enough to actually like the guy, but as overly and unnecessary descriptive as the phobias and medication stuff included when it came to Simons parts of the story, I found the character a little too stereotypical b-grade cop show killer. Not an unenjoyable book to read, it's a bit of good fun easy reading if you're in to this type of thing, I just almost wish there was a some kind of unexpected twist or something. 3 starts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A pretty decent B-grade crimey thriller. Not much to say about this, I wouldn't tell everyone I met to go and find a copy, but well worth a read if you ever come across it. I believe it's the second book in a series, but having not read the first, there's almost definitely no overlap to worry about. Also, if implausibility annoys you, this isn't for you, the body count is silly.
This book must've been written during the dotcom bubble, there's vague references to Google and Mapquest and things that seem so strange in 2017. The main guy has a mobile and I can't help but think of it as one of those massive Nokias from the late 90's with the fat aerial. I like stuff like that in oldish books.
One of the main things that grated on me here is how he crams a bunch of pompous wankiness into the writing. He's obviously very clever (I bet he plays chess ALL the time, while listening to Bach) and he'd obviously got a new floppy disk of Grey's Anatomy, so spatters this book with a bunch of Latin and medical nonsense that's a little unnecessary. Dan Brown does the same thing with Pope-ish facts and it drives me nuts.
3.5 stars. Perfect holiday read, but don't go spending £2k on a signed first edition.
Despite being a huge fan of 'The Girls He Adored' and its sequel, I found this book underwhelming. If I get into a book I tend to read it quickly but this one took me quite a while.
The idea behind the killer was fabulous, enough to draw me in, but I just didn't feel thrilled or captivated by this book really. Parts were interesting but that's all.
I wouldn't let it put me of buying his other books in future since, as previously stated, I am already a fan.
I loved the story but I found it too long. I got to the end and I’m glad I did but it just seemed to go on forever. I nearly lost the will to live about 2/3 of the way through but stuck with it and am pleased that I did.
Loved this. It was a very unique story and I enjoyed reading it. I also really enjoyed that you know who the killer was almost right away. Kept my interest!
A horror crime novel with a serial killer using phobias to scare his victims to death. Definitely gave me the creeps. With characters who really draw you in.
I’m really disappointed after reading this. I loved the first book but can’t say this for the second. The plot sounded really intriguing to me as I hadn’t read a book with this premise before. I just didn’t really find Simon that engaging. And I think this book lacked the graphic details of the first book. Still loved Pender when he made an appearance and will continue on. Hopefully onwards and up? Bit of second book syndrome me thinks
I don't like crime novels but I did actually enjoy this one! A series of murders are taking place and the common link is that the victims all are phobics who are murdered using the methods that most frightens them. At first it looks like suicides but then the victims are all traced to a phobia conference that they all attended.
Investigating the case is Linda Abruzzi, an FBI agent trying to hide her own medical problems and semi-retired agent Pender who decides to break the rules to catch the killer. I liked both characters and the fact that they had their own personal problems to deal with. I liked the way Linda's medical problems hampered her ability to investigate and it was an excellent piece of plot where her own phobia was used against her by the killer.
Our killer was really well written. Yes he is a complete psycho who tortures and kills people inside his own home but the loving and devoted way that he looks after his Down Syndrome sister shows that even the most evil people have a good side to them somewhere. Isn't that the scariest thing about the monsters among us? We don't notice them because they appear to be as normal as us.
The book built the tension nicely, building up to the big confrontation at the end which I really enjoyed. I did not see the ending coming at all and I liked the way it finished. I do enjoy it when I can't predict how things will end. If someone like me who doesn't like crime novels enjoys this one, then it must be worth a read to those of you who like this genre!
just a few days before retirement, FBI agent Pender received a letter from Dorie, mentioning some unlikely deaths of people like her, who attended conference for suffering a variety of phobias. however, these deaths seemed strange, not some random suicides as they appeared to be - a man afraid of heights fell nineteen stories to his death, a woman terrified of blood was found with her wrists slashed. now that her friend Wayne missed their appointment, Dorie was afraid that the killer was coming for them next. the moment Pender stepped into the case, he suspected these suicides were the works of a twisted psychopath.
it was so much fun following Pender on his chase and Dorie on her run. as always, Pender had his intuition to lead him to the intelligent killer, who was so good in covering his tracks that he overdid it and left a empty spot behind. the mystery was at its peak until they figured out who the killer was. but when he was on the run that sent Pender on the chase, the story became slightly dragging. fortunately when Pender caught up, there were a final showdown that made it all interesting again, giving it a perfect end. while the fear of heights and blood were much more infectious and relatable, Dorie's fear of masks was less terrifying and it could have been better if her phobia had been a more relatable one.
That was a great read. Not my usual genre. There are several characters in this book, and they are in each other’s lives. Very descriptive, thinking the author put a lot of time and effort in research.
FBI agent Pender is celebrating his last day, and the last thing he needs is a new case, but it peaks his interest and he is soon entangled in Doris’s life.
Dorie hates masks with a passion, in fact they bring on panic attack’s and fainting. Joining a group of phobics they meet up. And when Dorie finds out several of the group have died in mysterious circumstances, she needs the FBI to investigate. And when she’s kidnapped and forced to face her fear, she’s worried that Pender won’t find her in time.
And the killer ....... well, he/she really is a piece of work. I did feel sorry for him/her😉at some point, but when he/she gets going with killing his/hers victims with their greatest fears, then I have to say, I changed my mind.