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Think of a Number: A Novel | |
 | Crown 432 $22.00 4.0 124 315 eBooks B0036S4ATA |
Product Description An extraordinary fiction debut, Think of a Number is an exquisitely plotted novel of suspense that grows relentlessly darker and more frightening as its pace accelerates, forcing its deeply troubled characters to moments of startling self-revelation. Arriving in the mail over a period of weeks are taunting letters that end with a simple declaration, "Think of any number...picture it...now see how well I know your secrets." Amazingly, those who comply find that the letter writer has predicted their random choice exactly. For Dave Gurney, just retired as the NYPD's top homicide investigator and forging a new life with his wife, Madeleine, in upstate New York, the letters are oddities that begin as a diverting puzzle but quickly ignite a massive serial murder investigation. What police are confronted with is a completely baffling killer, one who is fond of rhymes filled with threats and warnings, whose attention to detail is unprecedented, and who has an uncanny knack for disappearing into thin air. Even more disturbing, the scale of his ambition seems to widen as events unfold. Brought in as an investigative consultant, Dave Gurney soon accomplishes deductive breakthroughs that leave local police in awe. Yet, even as he matches wits with his seemingly clairvoyant opponent, Gurney's tragedy-marred past rises up to haunt him, his marriage approaches a dangerous precipice, and finally, a dark, cold fear builds that he's met an adversary who can't be stopped. In the end, fighting to keep his bearings amid a whirlwind of menace and destruction, Gurney sees the truth of what he's become - what we all become when guilty memories fester - and how his wife Madeleine's clear-eyed advice may be the only answer that makes sense. A work that defies easy labels -- at once a propulsive masterpiece of suspense and an absorbing immersion in the lives of characters so real we seem to hear their heartbeats - Think of a Number is a novel you'll not soon forget. From the Hardcover edition. | |
4 out of 5] A Good Thriller From A New Author September 4, 2010 I purchased this hard back book because I thought the premise was was quite interesting. The questions and the oddities that come up during the first murder scene were quite unique and set it apart from other novels in this genere. The core mystery was very well thought out and really made me question not only "who" but "how." I did find there were times that the novel was a bit "wordy" which slowed down the pace and at times took away from the core mystery. I kept waiting for something to happen Gurney's wife since there was a lot of time and attention given to their "off" marriage. Unfortunatly, there was really no pay-off on that sotryline. I look forward to John Verdon's next novel and I think he has great potential as a novelist as long as he tightens up his writing a little bit. 4 out of 5] Drawn to the emotional scenes September 4, 2010 Think of a Number by John Verdon came with some very impressive blurbs. I'll just give you the most memorable one, from John Lescroart: "one of the best thrillers I've read in a lifetime of thriller reading." What an endorsement! Was Think of a Number the best thriller I've read this year? As far as police procedurals go, yes. But thriller? No. Read my review of The Whisperers by John Connolly. Oddly enough, I was drawn more to the emotional scenes rather than the fast-paced, plot-driven ones. Verdon is adept at writing about the complexity and fraught nature of relationships. In particular, the scenes between Gurney and his wife, Madeleine, were beautifully done, exploring their marriage and hidden, unresolved heartbreak. "They had moments like this from time to time, moments of easy affection and quiet closeness, that reminded him of the early years of their marriage, the years before the accident. "The Accident"---that dense, generic label with which he wrapped the event in his memory to keep its razor-wire details from slicing his heart. The accident--the death--that eclipsed the sun turning their marriage into a shifting mixture of habit, duty, edgy companionship, and rare moments of hope---rare moments when something bright and clear as a diamond would shoot back and forth between them, reminding him of what once was and might again be possible." Some characters seemed like caricatures, such as a slick politician and ridiculously obtuse chief of police. Verdon does give Gurney flaws but he still seemed too much like the perfect hero as compared to the other cops who are mostly depicted as bumbling, clueless idiots. While I did not figure out how the "think of a number" trick worked, I did figure out the killer as soon as he/she appeared in the narrative. However, that did not detract from the pleasure of seeing how Gurney figures out the many puzzling and seemingly indecipherable clues laid before him. 5 out of 5] think of a number September 3, 2010 for a first novel think of a number is great. it's not your typical detective novel. i hope to see a lot more from john verdon 5 out of 5] fantastic thriller September 1, 2010 This book was a bit slow going at the beginning but well worth it. Verdon does a wonderful job of developing his characters, especially the protagonist Gurney who is more in tune with his life of "retirement" than his wife. As details of Gurney's history are revealed, the detective investigates a brutal slaying and travels great distances--both geographically and within his mind--to try and capture the killer... highly recommended. 5 out of 5] Psychological Thriller Worth a Read August 31, 2010 When I read the first chapter, I thought the book was going to be boring. I was so wrong. I was hooked after reading the first letter. Others have summarized the book, so I won't repeat that. I found the characters well developed and was intrigued by the parallels in personalities and/or histories of some of them. Although at least one reviewer thought Dave Gurney was too introspective, I enjoyed following his thought processes. I correctly guessed who the "perp" was early in the book, but I soon dismissed my idea and incorrectly guessed a couple of others may have done it. I have often found errors in books in recent years that should have been caught by proofreaders or editors, but I didn't see any in this book. I read the Kindle edition. This book is worth a read. I had trouble putting it down. | |
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