Scavenger

by Tom Savage

Mark Stevenson has just published a bestselling novel inspired by “The Family Man,” a long-ago serial killer who murdered entire families all over America and left them posed in gruesome tableaus of holiday merriment, whose crimes were never solved. The book has garnered the New York author critical praise, financial success, a beautiful fiancée--and the macabre attention of a devoted fan. He calls himself Scavenger, and he’s also obsessed with “The Family Man.” But he knows something that Mark doesn’t. He knows what really happened to the killer. He knows his identity. He knows why the killings stopped. He knows why they’ll begin again. Now Scavenger has devised a cunning little game, a scavenger hunt. He’s planted grisly clues at the scene of each original crime, clues that will eventually reveal the identity of “The Family Man.” And he wants Mark to come out and play.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Horror, Suspense, Crime, Mystery Thriller

409 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

TOM SAVAGE is the USA Today bestselling author of A Penny for the Hangman, the Nora Baron series, and many other novels and short stories. His books have been published in fifteen countries, and his bestselling novel, Valentine, was made into a Warner Bros. film. Raised in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, he now lives in New York City, where he worked for many years at Murder Ink®, the world’s first mystery bookstore.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Tom Savage, you never want to assume anything! He always has the last laugh. Scavenger is one of only a handful of Tom Savage novels, all of which are cleverly plotted mystery thrillers. This one is short, only 275 pages. The plot was very unique. A man writes a novel about the real serial killer, The Family Man. One day he is contacted and asked to play a game. The only person it could be was the presumed dead serial killer. So, the Scavenger hunt begins. Assume nothing until the very last page!!! Overall a B +.

[IPF · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amusing (partly, at least), but not great. The initial stages of the book are OK, sometimes interesting, though a bit formulaic here and there (which is not a problem, and frankly part of the 'feel good' sensation of reading thrillers like these).

Scavenger has quite an infuriating ending though: as some reviewers on this site have rightfully remarked before, the writer misleads the reader in an 'unfair' manner. Put in a slightly round-about way so as not to immediately spoil the plot, certain thoughts and reactions by some of the key persons are illogical and/or highly unlikely in view if how things turn out to have been.

The art of fictional deception should not be confused with the fallacy of introducing plot and perception inconsistencies to facilitate 'surprising twists'. Pity really, with tighter plotting or some more restraint this could have been a lot better book altogether I suppose.

[Angela Melton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the way through I had this as average (3 stars in my head) but then things changed toward the end and it improved my perspective on it. Pretty good twist and not one I saw coming..

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was recommended to me by one of my best girls- and man, was she right on in her recommendation!

this was the first book that I have ever read that I wasn't able to figure out who the antagonist was. usually, I play detective while reading, but I was so engrossed by everything going on, that I was shocked (mouth wide open) upon finding out who the culprit was.

it's a great mystery/thriller.

p.s. I was just told I reviewed the wrong book, I stand corrected. THIS is the right one!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had been a long time since I read something by this author, but I remembered that one book was in my top 25 favorites, so I was thrilled to find this one by him. Sadly the book didn't quite live up to my expectations. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but the ending just didn't do it for me...I had kind of figured it out by the time I got there whereas the previous book had totally taken me by surprise. It's still a good read...I think I tackled it in less than two days...it just won't blow your mind!

[Daniel Weissenberger · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's just terrible. Tom Savage has always had a habit of misleading his audience to the point of outright lying, but this one is just beyond the pale - while I won't go into details for fear of spoiling it, suffice to say that his love of twist endings gets well out of hand this time, to the point where literally nothing that happened in the book makes sense in retrospect. It's a book that can only be read once, because on second reading it transforms from a mildly engaging thriller with a bad ending into an incoherent mess.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It always makes me nervous when I read phrases from reviews on the cover of a book as I don't like to read book reviews before I've read a book or written my own thoughts about a novel. In this case, there are two (2) selections on the front cover as shown on the edition I read. Jeffrey Deaver said it in one word, "Brillant". Michael Connelly said, "Scavenger grabs you and never lets you go". For me the word is "Riveting".

[Sylwia Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay book. After initial moment of fast pace suspense, story became bit boring and all those "unexpected twists" were quite easy to predict. Overall it was a descent read and I did not guessed the name of serial killer so after all ending surprised me, which is great as I can guess who the murderer is in 9 out of 10 books ;)

[Brian O'Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good serial killer book.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic premise: author writes a novel based on real life serial killer, gets contacted by a person who claims to know the identity of the killer. The problem? He wants to reveal it one clue at a time. He sends the author on a macabre scavenger hunt to find the clues.

My immediate problem with this is why the author would be so outright stupid as to participate. The novel slowly teases out the very practical reasoning for his participation as the writer tumbles on a macabre spiral of twists and turns that readers more astute than myself might see through before the end of the novel.

The novel focuses on the macabre and grisly details of the original killings. However, the focus remains steadfast, will the identity be revealed? Will the writer become the next victim? Will the scavenger frame him for further killings?

The novel winds up in a spectacular manner that is certain to please the reader seeking plenty of Alfred Hitchcock inspired twists. Well worth my time.

[Dave H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A serial killer thriller by the always reliable Tom Savage, with several plot surprises along the way, including two at the end of the book. Without giving anything away, I rather suspected the first, and primary, ending but the 2nd one, in my opinion (probably because I read far too many of these types of books) was anticlimatic and unnecessary. Regardless, recommended for those who love a fast exciting read.

[Janita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was phenomenal......This book was so crazy and good, and like a wild rollercoaster ride, but so good you couldn't bear to stop reading it and then you finally finish it and you are like what the heck?? What did I just read? I love his endings-always surprising and crazy..........This book is a huge favorite of mine........

[Shell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m honestly not sure how to rate this, it was engaging enough that more than one night I kept reading “just a little more” and then realized it was an hour later. But. The end, the reveal of who did what was frigging ridiculous and I felt a little like I wasted my time when I could have been reading a better story.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat nearly the entire time I was reading it. Overall, it was fantastic! The twists throughout are severely interesting, and in sum, going to change your perspective of innocence.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out great then fell apart at the end. The end was wrapped up too fast with an over blown unbelieable and stupid ending. Too bad because he is a good writer.

[Glen Guldbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the macabre world of Tom Savage. This is a tightly written thriller that will keep you awake well into the night. Highly recommended for the serial killer genre.

[Anya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending is very surprising, towards the end it felt like I was watching a reality tv prank show.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sinister, scary book. Really didn’t like this story.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 2002. Serial killer thriller.

[Leorah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good solid writing...this novel kept me guessing. It had a double twist at the end that I didn't see coming.

[Brooke Covington · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time fav books. I’ve read it several times and it still a great read!

[Mahder Zemene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book a very good book with suspense and plot. Thoigh The first 100 pages were rather tedious to read The final chapters make up for it.

[Jon Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

So predictable. Enjoyed some of it though.

[Shera Melton · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I tell you, Tom Savage was slapping me across the face with the twists and turns and surprises in the last 50 pages! I got whiplash! In the best way though! I didn't see any of it coming, but looking back there were definitely clues that I should have picked up on that reveal the truth. They are very small, very innocuous things though until you know what to look for. This book was a wild ride, and I loved it.

[David - proud Gleeman in Branwen's adventuring party · Rating 2 out of 5]

After the wonderful "The Inheritance", I was hoping Tom Savage would be the next great mystery writer. Unfortunately, he turned out to be a one-trick pony in the end.

This novel basically reads as a watered-down version of "The Inheritance", and I knew almost immediately who the killer would be since Mr. Savage employed the same exact twist as he did in that novel. If you haven't already read "The Inheritance", there's a chance you might enjoy this...but I would still recommend checking out "The Inheritance" instead!

[Tessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think Savage is a bad writer, and maybe his other books are better, but this book just didn't grip me at all. I did not once feel drawn into his world, I didn't find myself caring for the characters, and I was extremely disappointed in the ending. I absolutely love suspense and murder books, and had high hopes for this one, but I was left merely confused and disappointed. Perhaps I will try another of Savage's books to see if it gets better.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually liked his writing style very much. However, I was able to figure out the ending for the most part very early on in the book. Also didn't like the ending so that sort of messed it up for me as well. I would read another by him. Want to give three stars but too predictable.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. The book is full of twists and turns and an ending you will never forget

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suspenseful and keeps your attention. Liked the twist at the end. Though I should have seen it coming, I didn't.

[Diane Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have EVER read. Sure wish he would write another.