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Evil Guardian
Charles Lundquist is chaplain at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women in Westchester County, New York, located forty-five miles northwest of Manhattan. He is also a serial killer who preys on teenage girls. Lundquist is a cold-blooded psychopath who calls his murderous alter ego the guardian because he believes that he is serving God and protecting innocent females from evil by killing them. Ironically, he loves to kill and his lust for blood is insatiable.
When New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton realizes that a serial killer is on the loose in Manhattan, he assigns homicide captain James Pritchard to lead the manhunt. Pritchard is a talented but troubled detective who is dealing with the deaths of his wife and teenage daughter killed by a drunken driver.
The hunt for the guardian quickly becomes a personal obsession for Pritchard. Joining him in his quest to find the guardian is a brilliant and attractive FBI special agent named Julia Cassidy. Cassidy, too, becomes obsessed with stopping the guardian, and she and Pritchard quickly form a powerful, intimate bond.
By the time that the guardian has claimed his fifth victim, the city of New York is in a state of complete panic. Making matters worse, the killer is taunting James Pritchard in letters he sends to the news media; daring the homicide captain to catch him. Pritchard and Cassidy become desperate in their investigation due to the absence of leads. They soon recognize that they are facing an adversary unlike any other they have ever encountered.
The guardian is cunning, meticulous, arrogant, compulsive, unremorseful, and he will never stop killing.
"Dr. Scott Bonn’s in-depth interviews with real-life serial killers gives us great insights into their minds in this novel. Dr. Bonn has made it his life’s quest to understand what “evil” truly is and he delivers it in this powerful and disturbing story. His writing should be required reading for both students and law enforcement professionals."
Sal LaBarbera - Retired Detective Supervisor, LAPD Homicide and TV Personality
"Scott Bonn is an expert on mass deception, serial killers, and manipulation of perception. BONN’s EVIL GUARDIAN is a fact-based serial killer novel that is as daring, gripping and relentless as the killer himself."
Burl Barer, Edgar Award winning author
"Everything Scott Bonn learned studying real-life serial perpetrators for his book Why We Love Serial Killers he now puts into this compellingly told and twisted fictional tale of serial homicide."
Peter Vronsky, Author of Sons of Cain
Dr. Bonn has taken his vast experience in true crime and put it to great use in his novel "Evil Guardian. He takes you inside the mind of a psychopathic killer. You'll love this book but don't be surprised if you have trouble sleeping for a while after you finish. It's that good!
Tricia Griffith, Owner and Host of Websleuths Radio
Compelling read from start to finish! A treat for crime fans!
Levi Page, Journalist/TV Personality. Host of Crime and Scandal podcast
When New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton realizes that a serial killer is on the loose in Manhattan, he assigns homicide captain James Pritchard to lead the manhunt. Pritchard is a talented but troubled detective who is dealing with the deaths of his wife and teenage daughter killed by a drunken driver.
The hunt for the guardian quickly becomes a personal obsession for Pritchard. Joining him in his quest to find the guardian is a brilliant and attractive FBI special agent named Julia Cassidy. Cassidy, too, becomes obsessed with stopping the guardian, and she and Pritchard quickly form a powerful, intimate bond.
By the time that the guardian has claimed his fifth victim, the city of New York is in a state of complete panic. Making matters worse, the killer is taunting James Pritchard in letters he sends to the news media; daring the homicide captain to catch him. Pritchard and Cassidy become desperate in their investigation due to the absence of leads. They soon recognize that they are facing an adversary unlike any other they have ever encountered.
The guardian is cunning, meticulous, arrogant, compulsive, unremorseful, and he will never stop killing.
"Dr. Scott Bonn’s in-depth interviews with real-life serial killers gives us great insights into their minds in this novel. Dr. Bonn has made it his life’s quest to understand what “evil” truly is and he delivers it in this powerful and disturbing story. His writing should be required reading for both students and law enforcement professionals."
Sal LaBarbera - Retired Detective Supervisor, LAPD Homicide and TV Personality
"Scott Bonn is an expert on mass deception, serial killers, and manipulation of perception. BONN’s EVIL GUARDIAN is a fact-based serial killer novel that is as daring, gripping and relentless as the killer himself."
Burl Barer, Edgar Award winning author
"Everything Scott Bonn learned studying real-life serial perpetrators for his book Why We Love Serial Killers he now puts into this compellingly told and twisted fictional tale of serial homicide."
Peter Vronsky, Author of Sons of Cain
Dr. Bonn has taken his vast experience in true crime and put it to great use in his novel "Evil Guardian. He takes you inside the mind of a psychopathic killer. You'll love this book but don't be surprised if you have trouble sleeping for a while after you finish. It's that good!
Tricia Griffith, Owner and Host of Websleuths Radio
Compelling read from start to finish! A treat for crime fans!
Levi Page, Journalist/TV Personality. Host of Crime and Scandal podcast
- GenresFictionTrue Crime
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2018
26 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 7, 2018
Evil Guardian is a mesmerizing crime thriller by criminology professor Scott Bonn. Charles Lundquist, a chaplain at a women’s correctional facility in Westchester County, New York, doubles as a psychopath and serial killer of females. Homicide detective James Pritchard and FBI special agent named Julia Cassidy join forces to try and capture the elusive and taunting killer, with the clock ticking and more victims falling prey to his blood thirst. A great read for fans of page turning mystery fiction and police procedurals! -- R. Barri Flowers, bestselling author of Kauai Killer and Alive in the Rose City
November 18, 2018
I could hardly come up for air whilst reading this book. It certainly had me on the edge of my chair! It felt as if i was racing around with the FBI trying to catch the Guardian (Charles Lundquist), who was killing young girls and dropping them in to the river, tied up with blue cord and a heavy iron cross around their necks. I will certainly be wanting to read more by this author. Recommended.
My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review.
My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review.
November 9, 2018
A serial killer on a mission
A serial killer is operating in New York City. He calls himself the guardian, and he abducts teenage girls, strangles them with his strong hands, and rapes them postmortem. Then he binds them with rope, ties a heavy iron cross around their necks, and drops them in the river.
Charles Lundquist is the prison chaplain at the New Bedford Correctional Facility for Women. His alter ego, the guardian, believes he is being directed by God to rescue young women from the sinful world.
The police are trying to gather enough information to identify the killer and stop him before he kills again.
5
A serial killer is operating in New York City. He calls himself the guardian, and he abducts teenage girls, strangles them with his strong hands, and rapes them postmortem. Then he binds them with rope, ties a heavy iron cross around their necks, and drops them in the river.
Charles Lundquist is the prison chaplain at the New Bedford Correctional Facility for Women. His alter ego, the guardian, believes he is being directed by God to rescue young women from the sinful world.
The police are trying to gather enough information to identify the killer and stop him before he kills again.
5
November 28, 2018
The blurb about this book promises a compelling serial killer novel written by a respected criminologist. I read a lot of crime fiction, listen to an unhealthy amount of true crime podcasts and am fascinated by the science of criminology and profiling. So when this novel popped up on Netgalley it sounded right up my street. Unfortunately, it was all a bit disappointing.
The story itself is fine but there are many similar plots out there in print and on screen. If you were to deconstruct some of the books I’ve enjoyed it would be easy to say ‘oh, that has been done a million times’ but it’s the quality of the writing which really matters and that’s what is lacking with Evil Guardian. The prose (especially the large sections of exposition) reads more like plot notes for a screenwriter than an actual novel and the dialogue just doesn’t sound realistic. I think that this is the author’s first piece of true fiction so I don’t want to be unfair, this book just didn’t grab me. There are already a few advance reviews giving this 5 Stars so obviously some people will find this entertaining, it just fell a little flat for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
2.5 Stars
The story itself is fine but there are many similar plots out there in print and on screen. If you were to deconstruct some of the books I’ve enjoyed it would be easy to say ‘oh, that has been done a million times’ but it’s the quality of the writing which really matters and that’s what is lacking with Evil Guardian. The prose (especially the large sections of exposition) reads more like plot notes for a screenwriter than an actual novel and the dialogue just doesn’t sound realistic. I think that this is the author’s first piece of true fiction so I don’t want to be unfair, this book just didn’t grab me. There are already a few advance reviews giving this 5 Stars so obviously some people will find this entertaining, it just fell a little flat for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
2.5 Stars
December 19, 2018
This one was a disappointment - I wanted to like it, but it was so wooden I had a tough time caring about anyone involved. It was a very quick read. The concept is interesting and the story itself is fine but it reads like a statement of facts rather than a novel. I've seen another review that compared it to a screenplay treatment, and that is sort of how it feels - like the descriptions given are meant as notes for an actor who has to portray this character rather than a novelist's description that furthers the story. It sets the stage but never gets under your skin as a result... A fair amount of the dialogue felt a bit forced and overly dramatic - again, like it was meant to be a guide to creating the characters/setting the scene, rather than an actual story on its own. Overall it was interesting, because of the underlying story, but it needs a rather strong edit and rewrite if it wants to be a real addition to the crime novel genre.
Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.
Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.
April 24, 2019
Evil Guardian had so much promise ,but sadly it did not deliver. I struggled to finish this book. The writing was off for w.
April 28, 2019
Thankyou to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and the author, Scott Bonn, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of Evil Guardian in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I thought this book provided a good read. The storyline was well thought out and written with well developed characters. The imagery was highly descriptive and realistic enough to make you cringe.
Worth a read.
I thought this book provided a good read. The storyline was well thought out and written with well developed characters. The imagery was highly descriptive and realistic enough to make you cringe.
Worth a read.
May 9, 2019
THE EVIL GUARDIAN BY DR. SCOTT BONN, PhD.
Dr. Scott Bonn Ph D. has written this book in the crime-fiction genre. He is a criminologist, professor and orator. It was an enjoyable read and was well researched; the author has an excellent understanding of the criminal mind and psychopathic behaviour as well as a good understanding of forensics and police procedure. His knowledge and expertise shine throughout his book.
The villain, Charles Lundquist, is well portrayed. Lundquist is a character we love to hate, and we do hate him, BONN did well by creating such a despicable character; the guardian is Lundquist’s alter ego and his crimes are based on religious motives. Character development for the supporting characters is kept simple, and keeps the reader’s focus on the villain and the protagonist, brought to us in the form of Detective James Pritchard, and is more than adequate and his characters further his plot line.
The plot line is explained by the author as a real crime, which he has fictionalised by changing the names and places of those involved. Thus, any mystery is ‘already solved’ and the author does not keep the reader guessing as to any sub-plot, this is openly discussed from the beginning. This is about the psychology (or lack thereof) of a serial killer, a glimpse (an uncomfortable one) into a mind that is a bit...off. Uncomfortable because Lundqvist and his alter ego have a belief system, an order, a way of making judgments and assumptions about people that resonates in all of us. He is like us, but his thinking is skewed, just a tad, but not enough to make him a monster, which to my thinking is scarier than Lundquist actually being a monster.
He operates on the Madonna-Whore theory (although, like Ted Bundy, he was a necrophiliac) of choosing victims for his purposes and his alter ego furthers this theory predictably. Charles Lundquist is protective of his alter ego persona (the guardian); it is his belief that the guardian has a duty to save young women from the evils of this world by sending them to heaven. He is an organised and intelligent killer who uses caution in his abductions.
The NYPD works hand in hand with FBI profilers and the media in an attempt to draw out and identify their killer. There is little suspense but rather a ‘step by step’ investigation procedure, which is rigidly adhered to until they identify Charles Lundquist as their man. James Pritchard’s character is well developed; he is portrayed as a man with his own issues and yet remains dedicated to his job. Dogged with a past and memories he struggles with on a daily basis, he proves to be somebody that overcomes and succeeds none the less. The forensic procedural and observation scenes are written with a large degree of professionalism. These are instrumental in gaining a deeper insight into the psychological nature of the guardian.
My overall impression of this story is that it is a first attempt at fiction. It has a mechanical feel to it, which detracted a little from my enjoyment of the book. It also lacks a certain descriptiveness, which would certainly benefit the story. In other words, it reads more like a work of non-fiction than a fictional crime story. I rate this book 3 stars, true crime enthusiasts and non-fiction crime readers will enjoy this. (Scottishlad)
Dr. Scott Bonn Ph D. has written this book in the crime-fiction genre. He is a criminologist, professor and orator. It was an enjoyable read and was well researched; the author has an excellent understanding of the criminal mind and psychopathic behaviour as well as a good understanding of forensics and police procedure. His knowledge and expertise shine throughout his book.
The villain, Charles Lundquist, is well portrayed. Lundquist is a character we love to hate, and we do hate him, BONN did well by creating such a despicable character; the guardian is Lundquist’s alter ego and his crimes are based on religious motives. Character development for the supporting characters is kept simple, and keeps the reader’s focus on the villain and the protagonist, brought to us in the form of Detective James Pritchard, and is more than adequate and his characters further his plot line.
The plot line is explained by the author as a real crime, which he has fictionalised by changing the names and places of those involved. Thus, any mystery is ‘already solved’ and the author does not keep the reader guessing as to any sub-plot, this is openly discussed from the beginning. This is about the psychology (or lack thereof) of a serial killer, a glimpse (an uncomfortable one) into a mind that is a bit...off. Uncomfortable because Lundqvist and his alter ego have a belief system, an order, a way of making judgments and assumptions about people that resonates in all of us. He is like us, but his thinking is skewed, just a tad, but not enough to make him a monster, which to my thinking is scarier than Lundquist actually being a monster.
He operates on the Madonna-Whore theory (although, like Ted Bundy, he was a necrophiliac) of choosing victims for his purposes and his alter ego furthers this theory predictably. Charles Lundquist is protective of his alter ego persona (the guardian); it is his belief that the guardian has a duty to save young women from the evils of this world by sending them to heaven. He is an organised and intelligent killer who uses caution in his abductions.
The NYPD works hand in hand with FBI profilers and the media in an attempt to draw out and identify their killer. There is little suspense but rather a ‘step by step’ investigation procedure, which is rigidly adhered to until they identify Charles Lundquist as their man. James Pritchard’s character is well developed; he is portrayed as a man with his own issues and yet remains dedicated to his job. Dogged with a past and memories he struggles with on a daily basis, he proves to be somebody that overcomes and succeeds none the less. The forensic procedural and observation scenes are written with a large degree of professionalism. These are instrumental in gaining a deeper insight into the psychological nature of the guardian.
My overall impression of this story is that it is a first attempt at fiction. It has a mechanical feel to it, which detracted a little from my enjoyment of the book. It also lacks a certain descriptiveness, which would certainly benefit the story. In other words, it reads more like a work of non-fiction than a fictional crime story. I rate this book 3 stars, true crime enthusiasts and non-fiction crime readers will enjoy this. (Scottishlad)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews