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Library of the Dead
(Will Piper #1)
by
The most shocking secret in the history of mankind is about to be revealed...A murderer is on the loose on the streets of New York City: nicknamed the Doomsday Killer, he's claimed six victims in just two weeks, and the city is terrified. Even worse, the police are mystified: the victims have nothing in common, defying all profiling, and all that connects them is that each
...more
Paperback, 410 pages
Published
May 21st 2009
by Arrow
(first published 2009)
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Tracy Wood
I think they are the same book, but the one released in England has a different title than the one released in the US.
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Start your review of Library of the Dead (Will Piper, #1)

Oh good lord, can you say cliched? There were some interesting and occasionally chilling moments in this book but they were few and far between. The main character was appallingly misogynistic - he's only attracted to the main love interest when she's lost weight and basically changed her personality. The main antagonist was a far more believable and sympathetic character than the hero whose characterisation kept this novel at severely third level thriller.
The basic premise was interesting enoug ...more
The basic premise was interesting enoug ...more

Excellent! Those who haven't read it yet have a treat in store for them. This book lives up to its promotion and then some.
I was not too sure when I started if I was going to like it (slightly over-use of the F-word and a particular scene that was unsettling violence personally). But that all quickly fades into the background as the well-written story takes off.
I so don't want to ruin this masterfully written story for anyone else but if you like suspense, I heartily recommend Secret of the Seve ...more
I was not too sure when I started if I was going to like it (slightly over-use of the F-word and a particular scene that was unsettling violence personally). But that all quickly fades into the background as the well-written story takes off.
I so don't want to ruin this masterfully written story for anyone else but if you like suspense, I heartily recommend Secret of the Seve ...more

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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Stopped at the local Borders for a “beach read” and found this book in the “bargain” section. What a find! The story jumps from present day to early days (starting at 777) to post WWII as it reveals a library of sorts discovered on an island owned by England. Since England had enough on their plate to recoup after the War, they contact President Truman. The story opens with a class reunion of four college roommates, one currently an FBI agent. Will Piper is one of the best hunters of serial kill
...more

LIBRARY OF THE DEAD by GLENN COOPER
Whilst on a recent holiday with friends in a rental property in the Dordogne region of France; where I had gone to soak up the history and archaeology of the area – particularly the spectacular examples of Cave art; I was loaned a copy of “ Library Of The Dead “.
Being a voracious reader of varied interests I was delighted to receive this unexpected windfall – as I had, in my usual disorganised way, omitted to pack any books to read. A glance at the précis on ...more
Whilst on a recent holiday with friends in a rental property in the Dordogne region of France; where I had gone to soak up the history and archaeology of the area – particularly the spectacular examples of Cave art; I was loaned a copy of “ Library Of The Dead “.
Being a voracious reader of varied interests I was delighted to receive this unexpected windfall – as I had, in my usual disorganised way, omitted to pack any books to read. A glance at the précis on ...more

Dec 21, 2018
Berenike
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
absolutely nobody
I'm done! I'm free! I've finally finished this piece of shit!
... Okay maybe it wasn't that bad. But it was pretty bad. And it took me more than a month to finish (partly because it was bad and partly because I was dumb enough to read it in Spanish).
Will Piper, FBI agent and certified Asshole™, gets assigned to a case where seemingly random people get a postcard with the date of their death a few days before they do, indeed, die, on the exact date the card predicted. He also needs to work with a ...more
... Okay maybe it wasn't that bad. But it was pretty bad. And it took me more than a month to finish (partly because it was bad and partly because I was dumb enough to read it in Spanish).
Will Piper, FBI agent and certified Asshole™, gets assigned to a case where seemingly random people get a postcard with the date of their death a few days before they do, indeed, die, on the exact date the card predicted. He also needs to work with a ...more

Not only do I rarely rate a book less than three stars, but I almost never DNF one either. Often books that I wasn't sure about at first end up being fantastic stories in the end.
Yeah... I didn't see that happening with Library of the Dead at all. Plus, it was getting physically hard to read it what with all the eye rolling it prompted.
Probably the best way I could describe the 40 pages I suffered through is to refer you to Season 4 Episode 6 of The Good Place. Brent, the embodiment of what happ ...more
Yeah... I didn't see that happening with Library of the Dead at all. Plus, it was getting physically hard to read it what with all the eye rolling it prompted.
Probably the best way I could describe the 40 pages I suffered through is to refer you to Season 4 Episode 6 of The Good Place. Brent, the embodiment of what happ ...more

Wow, this was fascinating indeed. Wonder how many were facts from fiction. A very interesting theory indeed. So Doomsday will be on 9 February 2027. This was a fast read, only I took my time to savor all the plot twists. A very captivating read between the past and present. Fast paced. Though the romance was thrown in to spice the storyline which I felt was not necessary but yet expected.

The author combines a modern murder mystery with historical fiction.
He let's the cat out of the bag a bit to early, but still I couldn't wait to read what would happen next.
I'm pretty sure this book will stay in my collection and I'll be looking for more books from this author. ...more
He let's the cat out of the bag a bit to early, but still I couldn't wait to read what would happen next.
I'm pretty sure this book will stay in my collection and I'll be looking for more books from this author. ...more

Time taken to read - in and out over 3 days
Pages - 410
Publisher - Arrow
Blurb from Goodreads
The most shocking secret in the history of mankind is about to be revealed...A murderer is on the loose on the streets of New York City: nicknamed the Doomsday Killer, he's claimed six victims in just two weeks, and the city is terrified. Even worse, the police are mystified: the victims have nothing in common, defying all profiling, and all that connects them is that each received a sick postcard in the ...more
Pages - 410
Publisher - Arrow
Blurb from Goodreads
The most shocking secret in the history of mankind is about to be revealed...A murderer is on the loose on the streets of New York City: nicknamed the Doomsday Killer, he's claimed six victims in just two weeks, and the city is terrified. Even worse, the police are mystified: the victims have nothing in common, defying all profiling, and all that connects them is that each received a sick postcard in the ...more

Very, very interesting book with a refreshingly original idea. Library of the Dead starts off as your usual serial homicide story, seemingly unsolvable, until you find out what really happens. You'll never be able to guess. This is a very refreshing alternative to the usual religious-conspiracy-secrets genre. Still finds its roots in some ancient brotherhood that just has to be related to Christianity, but it's not what you think. This book is full of surprises that will keep you turning page af
...more

This was not the story I was expecting. But it was a pleasant surprise. At first it seemed like there were three or four completely unconnected stories going on, murders in present day New York, dodgy goings on in England just after WWII, strange monks in AD777. None of them seemed to have any link. And there was no mention of a library!! Most confusing.
However it does all come together and provides some suspense as the FBI agent in charge of the murder investigation tries to workout what is go ...more
However it does all come together and provides some suspense as the FBI agent in charge of the murder investigation tries to workout what is go ...more

I am surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was recommended to me by a friend and I wasn't sure I would like it but read it anyway, mostly to humour her. Library of the Dead, started out slow, and confusing. There are a number of different timelines woven into the book, 777AD, 1947 and 2009, each with their own story. As I read, I wondered how they would all come together and I don't mind saying, I was a little confused as each time frame told a completely separate story. However, each st
...more

Keeps you entertained, at the edge of your seat. Very well written, you can tell the writer knows what he's talking about, where he's going. The mixture of past events, and contemporaneous events make this book really interesting and relatable. Can't wait to start the next book of the series.
...more

Wow what a book! I couldn't stop reading it. You must read it, infact I bought the trilogy and will read it again and again, it's a fantastic story and kept me hooked I kept turning the pages I couldn't put it down
...more

Oct 04, 2018
Jo Carter
marked it as did-not-finish
Dnf-ed on 4th October 2018 at 50 pages.
I'm quite sad to be abandoning this book as I had high hopes based on the cover and the title, but I should have known since I wasn't engaged with the blurb other than being interested because I've newly discovered my enjoyment of crime fiction.
I gave up at the Winston Churchill chapters in the 1940's as I'd already had a gutful.
First off, the supposed "hero" Will Piper is a jerk. Aside from being the stereotypical drunken lawman (and for someone who has ...more
I'm quite sad to be abandoning this book as I had high hopes based on the cover and the title, but I should have known since I wasn't engaged with the blurb other than being interested because I've newly discovered my enjoyment of crime fiction.
I gave up at the Winston Churchill chapters in the 1940's as I'd already had a gutful.
First off, the supposed "hero" Will Piper is a jerk. Aside from being the stereotypical drunken lawman (and for someone who has ...more

Every so often I like to temper my reading with something that is more like a pastime — the kind of non-taxing reading that this book promised to be. There are a few rules that are required to enjoy this type of work: turn off one’s critical mindset; don’t worry too much about the writing as such; concentrate more on the plot; and don’t expect too much in characterisation (usually two-dimensional, if you’re lucky, and all the men at least seeming never to have matured beyond a sexist college men
...more

LIBRARY of the DEAD by Glenn Cooper.
This book is set across 3 different time-lines 1996, 1945, 777. It starts in 1996 with a series of gruesome murders & deaths all thought to be the work of a serial killer dudded "the Doomsday Killer" because of postcards that were sent to each of the victims. Each one had a coffin drawn along with their names & DOD.
It quickly becomes apparent that there is no serial killer.
The other all story line is good but it is really let down by the characters & very pred ...more
This book is set across 3 different time-lines 1996, 1945, 777. It starts in 1996 with a series of gruesome murders & deaths all thought to be the work of a serial killer dudded "the Doomsday Killer" because of postcards that were sent to each of the victims. Each one had a coffin drawn along with their names & DOD.
It quickly becomes apparent that there is no serial killer.
The other all story line is good but it is really let down by the characters & very pred ...more

Three and a half

Hey, Glenn Cooper, you are terribly boring.
Yes, I know, Library of the dead is a bestseller in America, in Europe and in Italy too. Now that I've read it I don't know why. Honestly, I expected a bit more; the plot is interesting but it isn't enough. There are a few cliché and, excuse me author, where is the suspense? There was a lot of bore, but I didn't find suspense and thriller.
I am definitely not going to get the second book.
La domanda, com'è legittimo, sorge spontanea: perché ho deciso di ...more
Yes, I know, Library of the dead is a bestseller in America, in Europe and in Italy too. Now that I've read it I don't know why. Honestly, I expected a bit more; the plot is interesting but it isn't enough. There are a few cliché and, excuse me author, where is the suspense? There was a lot of bore, but I didn't find suspense and thriller.
I am definitely not going to get the second book.
La domanda, com'è legittimo, sorge spontanea: perché ho deciso di ...more

I didn't get caught by the very first page as other Cooper's books. But the pace grows in a nice and proper way, developing the story to the point that you can't stop read it!
I will definitely go for the second chapter of the saga. ...more
I will definitely go for the second chapter of the saga. ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Adult Thriller. Monks writing people's names & their dates of death. [s] | 3 | 13 | Nov 11, 2020 09:03AM | |
Goodreads Librari...: Book with incorrect author | 3 | 11 | Dec 28, 2018 10:55AM | |
Patrulla Kindle: 12/11 - La Biblioteca de los Muertos, Glenn Cooper | 23 | 35 | Jan 09, 2012 08:18AM |
Glenn Cooper is an internationally bestselling thriller writer.
Glenn was born in New York City and grew up in nearby White Plains. He attended White Plains High School before enrolling at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts where he graduated from Harvard with an honors degree in archaeology. He then attended Tufts University School of Medicine and did his post-doctoral training at the ...more
Glenn was born in New York City and grew up in nearby White Plains. He attended White Plains High School before enrolling at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts where he graduated from Harvard with an honors degree in archaeology. He then attended Tufts University School of Medicine and did his post-doctoral training at the ...more
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