In my opinion, this book was much better than the first novel. Although a lot of my opinion is based on the fact that I knew the entire plot of the first book before I even read one page.
The writing in this book is clever, intelligent, and funny. I know this doesn't seem like things which go with a book series about a serial killer. But, this novel was at times hilarious. Besides the comedic relief the author provides with this novel, there are parts in the book which are entirely bone-chilling and mentally enthralling. This was a fast-paced crime novel which didn't slow until the very last page. Jeff Lindsay is a true artist in the crime novel genre and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.