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361st out of 967 books
—
3,444 voters
Billy
by
Whitley Strieber (Goodreads Author)
A chilling tale that could only come from the pen of the bestselling wizard of suspense, Whitley Strieber. Here is a story so terrifying it will leave you breathless. Whitley Strieber's newest novel about a young boy who is kidnapped by a deranged misfit is a shocking look into the dark soul of a psychopath. Whitley Strieber is also the author of such novels as Communion a
...moreHardcover, 317 pages
Published
August 20th 1990
by Putnam Publishing Group
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I found this older paperback laying around and decided to read it because the title is the same as my father’s name, Billy. I know that’s a strange reason, but that’s why I read this book. I didn’t read the quick blip on the back of the book, but quickly found that it was about a child abduction – not my usual or favorite reading fare.
Although the book seems to be based on a true story, it is fiction. Its beginning is chilling as you get into the mind of the abductor, Barton Royal, while he is s...more
Although the book seems to be based on a true story, it is fiction. Its beginning is chilling as you get into the mind of the abductor, Barton Royal, while he is s...more
5 likes · like · see review
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Billy is a haunting, suspense novel that tackles the terrifying topic of stranger abduction. I tore through this book under the perception that it was based on a true story. After reading it I found it hard to believe that the sequence of events outlined could possibly be factual, especially based on the statistics surrounding abductions by psychopaths. I come to find out that it is, if anything, loosely based on John Wayne Gacy, and that it is in no way an accurate depiction of his gruesome cri...more
Mar 10, 2010
Peachy
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
disturbing,
family,
loss-of-innocence,
mental-illness,
psychology,
spirituality,
survival,
suspense
Billy is a haunting, suspense novel that tackles the terrifying topic of stranger abduction. I tore through this book under the perception that it was based on a true story. After reading it I found it hard to believe that the sequence of events outlined could possibly be factual, especially based on the statistics surrounding abductions by psychopaths. I come to find out that it is, if anything, loosely based on John Wayne Gacy, and that it is in no way an accurate depiction of his gruesome cri...more
Best book ever best ending ever, Camila should read it.
2 likes · like · see review
I read the blurb and wonder if I listened to the same book as is described here. This is a well written story about an ordinary boy that is kidnapped out of his home, by someone who thinks they can give him a proper home. It's very plausible and makes you wonder, do I know where my children are? As it develops you see the story from both sides, but it didn't make me breathless - probably seen too many thrillers on TV? It is thought provoking, and with Roddy McDowell reading it you feel the drama...more
I read this book a long time ago. It was one of those books I found lying out on trash day in the university neighborhood. It is weird that I find it here on one of my friend's reading lists.
This book has stuck with me through the years but not in a good way. It is realistic horror at its finest. I know bad things happen in the world, but this book is written in such a way that the images are always with me. It was well written if you like this type of stuff. I wish that I had never read it.
This book has stuck with me through the years but not in a good way. It is realistic horror at its finest. I know bad things happen in the world, but this book is written in such a way that the images are always with me. It was well written if you like this type of stuff. I wish that I had never read it.
I don’t usually read this type of thriller but I picked up this older paperback to release as a Bookcrossing book and decided to read it. The book is about a man, Barton, who is obsessed with boys and sets his sights on a 12-year-old named Billy. Barton kidnaps Billy and the story is about that ordeal. The book is very creepy but griping at the same time and I didn’t want to put it down.
There were flashes of brilliance throughout the book – the description of the kidnapper picking out his next victim, chilling self-talk of the abductor convincing himself that he’s not a pedophile/child killer, and the abducted boy’s descent into his own mind when things become unbearable. But something was off kilter just enough to keep the fourth star out of reach. It's worth reading once.
horrifying premise, a boy being kidnapped in his own house, and seeing the story through the eyes of the kidnapper, the child and the parents.
Well told, but not the most memorable crime/tragedy story I've read.
Well told, but not the most memorable crime/tragedy story I've read.
I had never heard of this author nor this book before I read it. Now, I can't recall how I happened to hear about it, but it was good, and I intend to read other books by this author.
Unsettling. This book will make you feel dirty as you go into the mind of a psychopath. Some parts of this book are genius. But some seem rushed and unnecessary.
This book freaked me right out. I'd love to say that I hated it but if a book can get to me the way this one did, I have to respect that.
I loved this book. One of Whitley's best works of fiction. It's a very simple concept but, boy, it's a page turner!
I read this many many years ago. I think I was a young teen- anyways it has haunted me sense.
great read and revealing. my pet theory on alien abductions is a repressed memory of sexual abuse.
suspenseful, kidnapping, gross, I didn't really like it
chilling book...
loved it
Very scary book. Intense reading.
A creepy book about child abductions; he gets as close to real life situations as he can get without crossing into the non-fiction genre.
Couldn't put this book down. It was like seeing a suspense movie. At the end, I was trying to read it as fast as I can so I can see what's next. I recommend it!!
as happened with The Grays the neat 3-act narrative resolution was a bit of a let down (for me). I loved the writing though, the emotion, the edge-of-seat.
Actually quite good. Likeable boy hero in a very bad situation. Not gratuitous 130 pages in but gripping. I've never read anything exactly like it.
This book was very creepy--you got to see the points of view of both the serial killer pedophile and the young boy he stalks and kidnaps.
amazing and controversial, about a child abduction, I believe this book has been pulled and is no longer in print due to the content.
Jul 04, 2007
Todd
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of the macabre
Trashy pulp in the vein of "Hostel" or "Captivity," but a true page turner and fast read.
I found the pedophilia disturbing but not at all gratuitous.
Really really disturbing but in a really good way.
Blood chilling. Every parents nightmare.
2006 Review:
Ok, for the most part, this book was stupid. It's about a man that kidnaps a boy named Billy. The boy is between the ages of 9 and 12-they do give his real age, but I don't remember.
This book took me a really long time to read. The parts with the kidnapper-Barton, and the boy, Billy, were somewhat interesting but any part that had to do with the police and especially with the parents should be completely skipped. Those parts were all annoying, and boring, and just really dumb.
Ok. So,...more
Ok, for the most part, this book was stupid. It's about a man that kidnaps a boy named Billy. The boy is between the ages of 9 and 12-they do give his real age, but I don't remember.
This book took me a really long time to read. The parts with the kidnapper-Barton, and the boy, Billy, were somewhat interesting but any part that had to do with the police and especially with the parents should be completely skipped. Those parts were all annoying, and boring, and just really dumb.
Ok. So,...more
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American writer best known for his horror novels The Wolfen and The Hunger and for Communion, a non-fiction description of his experiences with apparent alien contact. He has recently made significant advances in understanding this phenomenon, and has published his new discoveries in Solving the Communion Enigma.
Strieber also co-authored The Coming Global Superstorm with Art Bell, which inspired t...more
More about Whitley Strieber...
Strieber also co-authored The Coming Global Superstorm with Art Bell, which inspired t...more
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