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Melissa H. (Stowe Twp., PA)
Psychopaths you will love!
A reviewer said this was a book they wanted to portion out to make it last but also didn't want to put it down, which is a perfect description of this fantastic debut!
The premise of 7 psychopaths in a college clinical study when 1 is murdered is intriguing enough to get you to open the book and from there you will have a hard time closing it until you reach the last page!
John W. (Saint Louis, MO)
Unusual Who Dunit Novel
The main character Chloe is an 18 year-old that changed her name from Michelle and identity after being raped and videotaped when 12. Chloe has been labelled a psychopath — empathy and a conscience, and part of a program studying psychopaths at a university in Washington, D.C. Her rapist is also a student athlete at the same school. At the beginning she continually is focused on killing him and his death couldn't come soon enough.
The novel is primarily told from Chloe's point of view. Alternating chapters are told from the perspective of other characters that interact with Chloe. While this writing style
…more provides greater insight into all of the characters and their thoughts it at times becomes cumbersome. My personal preference would have been that the entire novel was told only from Chloe's perspective.
Another odd aspect of the novel is most of the action occurs in the first half of the book with the balance of the book focused on the characters attempting to figure out what happened and what's happening now. There's also a bit of a twist at the end of the book. (less)This debut novel started out strong, with Chloe Sevre - a Freshman student at a Washington, D.C. college. What makes her stand out is that she's a psychopath, and is part of a psychological program to study people with psychopathic tendencies. For her participation she gets a full-ride scholarship at the university. But her main reason to being there is to avenge her rape against Will - an upperclassman and typical frat boy.
Chloe's plans to avenge Will come to a halt when students in her program drop dead, and there's a serial killer on the lose. So, she starts to spy on who could be the killer, and she starts
…more working with two fellow students, one of them is Andre, who is also part of the program, but who isn't a psychopath, just pretending to be one in order to get the scholarship. Andre is a big true crime fan, so he joins Chloe in solving the murders.
Although the premise had a lot of promise, the book fell flat midway, then picked up a bit towards the end when the murders are solved. The chronology of the days was a bit confusing, and the length of the book was longer than it should be, but it was an enjoyable read with many interesting plot points, and it gives you a fascinating look into how the mind of a psychopath works.
I give this three stars, rounding up to three and a half. This will come out in September 2021, and I thank BookBrowse for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. (less)A college campus, a program for teenage psychopaths and a serial killer .. a most unsettling melange of characters. Charles is working to understand his disorder, Chloe is letting her freak flag fly and Andre is trying to blend in; but somehow maybe they are all quintessential unreliable narrators. And is the serial killer part of their group? Or just preying on the group? This is a really disturbing, yet fascinating read.
Eileen S. (Marlboro, NJ)
Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurlan
I just finished reading Never Saw Me Coming by debut author Vera Kurlan. I very much enjoyed this fast paced, suspenseful, psychological thriller. I found it interesting that this novel was written mostly from the perspective of college aged students who also happen to be diagnosed psychopaths. The whodunit aspect is weaved throughout the novel and keeps you guessing until the very end. I found myself savoring the last several chapters as I didn't want it to end! Bravo! Well done. I recommend this book to anyone who likes this type of book as well as to those looking to read something new and different. I can't
…more wait to see what the author will write next as I will read that too! (less)Never Saw Me Coming with it's modern setting and age old theme had me from beginning to end. At first the characters and storyline is so interesting. As the story continues and more characters are introduced the book seems to take on a Scooby-Doo theme. That is even mentioned toward the end of the book. But it all comes together in a surprise ending.
Elizabeth @Silver's Reviews
An odd story line
Chloe was admitted to a number of colleges, but she chose this particular college because she would receive a full scholarship and get to participate in a study for psychopaths. She also chose this college because a boy who raped her when she was twelve would be attending, and she planned to kill him.
Will had no clue what she was up to and didn't recognize her until one night that Chloe drugged him and attempted to kill him at a party.
As all this was going on, a serial killer was murdering students in the psychopath program. Chloe was worried she would be next.
We follow Chloe as she tries to find out who the
…more killer is and as she is protecting herself. She does risky things.
I honestly didn’t like any of the characters, and the story line was just ok for me.
My rating is upped from a 2/5 to a 3/5 because the author put so much time and work into the book.
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. (less)I was excited to read this book because the premise really grabbed me. It sounded unique. I found the first third of the book gripping but something happened in the middle and later sections that to me was disappointing. I think the plot went off in too many directions at times and there were scenes that seemed to replicate earlier ones with just a little more depth. I didn't like any of the characters except maybe Charlie. He seemed to have more dimensions than the others. I think the doctor could have had more depth and been portrayed better.The resolution of the book was ok but not great. It really isn't a
…more book I would recommend because my primary feeling is disappointment at what could have been. Too bad! (less)
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