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Sam Markham #2
The Impaler
A Killer Without A Conscience.
The crimes are barbaric. The victims are found in desolate rural areas, naked and impaled on long wooden stakes. There are no clues. No DNA evidence. Just a message, etched over and over again on one broken body: "I have returned."
Without Control.
FBI Agent Sam Markham's last investigation ended with a serial killer's death and Sam's promotion. But back then, Sam had luck on his side. This time, the murderer's methods are evolving too fast, his bloodlust growing too swiftly. This time, no one is safe. Without Limits. With each mutilated body, new depths to The Impaler's brutality are revealed. And as the clues finally slip into place, Sam will discover how easy it is to cross the line from hunter--to hunted. . .
The crimes are barbaric. The victims are found in desolate rural areas, naked and impaled on long wooden stakes. There are no clues. No DNA evidence. Just a message, etched over and over again on one broken body: "I have returned."
Without Control.
FBI Agent Sam Markham's last investigation ended with a serial killer's death and Sam's promotion. But back then, Sam had luck on his side. This time, the murderer's methods are evolving too fast, his bloodlust growing too swiftly. This time, no one is safe. Without Limits. With each mutilated body, new depths to The Impaler's brutality are revealed. And as the clues finally slip into place, Sam will discover how easy it is to cross the line from hunter--to hunted. . .
471 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
40 people are currently reading
773 people want to read
About the author
Gregory Funaro
8 books438 followersGregory Funaro is a NY Times best-selling author of stories for both children and adults. His books have been translated into over a half-dozen languages and have received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and ALA Booklist. WATCH HOLLOW (HarperCollins, 2019) was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. His latest adult novel, ALL THE SILENT BONES, will be released in June of 2025. Gregory is a professor emeritus and lives with his family in Rhode Island, where he is busy working on his next novel. Please visit his official web site at www.gregoryfunaro.com.
Twitter: @GregoryFunaro
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Twitter: @GregoryFunaro
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
December 9, 2010
Just won this in a Goodreads giveaway! I read Funaro's first book The Sculptor and really liked it. Just got this book in and it was signed by the author too!
The Impaler is the second book from Gregory Funaro and it features FBI agent and profiler Sam Markham. It is a truly fast paced but very convoluted novel and there are lots of twists and turns that keep you reading. I enjoyed the book but I have to tell you it is gory. The killer tortures and literally impales his victims (Like Vlad the Impaler). Funaro’s descriptions are eerily detailed, grim, and seem very realistic.
The characters are complex and believable, they don’t go running around doing things that make you scratch your head and say, “that would never happen.” You care for them, and you may even start to understand the killer in a weird way too. (Note I didn’t say sympathize, he is far too sick for that.)
The book starts with the torture and murder of a lawyer in North Carolina and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Sam Markham, a widower, whose wife’s killer is about to be executed, and he has been promoted to the Behavioral Analysis unit in Quantico, Virginia. He is sent to North Carolina to investigate three murders connected by their gruesome method but seemingly nothing else. From there all I can say is hang on because the ride is going to get very bumpy. You will have to read it yourself.
I liked Funero’s first book and recommend it but The Impaler is an improvement in every way. This author has topped his first book and I can’t wait to read the next one.
The Impaler is the second book from Gregory Funaro and it features FBI agent and profiler Sam Markham. It is a truly fast paced but very convoluted novel and there are lots of twists and turns that keep you reading. I enjoyed the book but I have to tell you it is gory. The killer tortures and literally impales his victims (Like Vlad the Impaler). Funaro’s descriptions are eerily detailed, grim, and seem very realistic.
The characters are complex and believable, they don’t go running around doing things that make you scratch your head and say, “that would never happen.” You care for them, and you may even start to understand the killer in a weird way too. (Note I didn’t say sympathize, he is far too sick for that.)
The book starts with the torture and murder of a lawyer in North Carolina and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Sam Markham, a widower, whose wife’s killer is about to be executed, and he has been promoted to the Behavioral Analysis unit in Quantico, Virginia. He is sent to North Carolina to investigate three murders connected by their gruesome method but seemingly nothing else. From there all I can say is hang on because the ride is going to get very bumpy. You will have to read it yourself.
I liked Funero’s first book and recommend it but The Impaler is an improvement in every way. This author has topped his first book and I can’t wait to read the next one.
May 2, 2011
The Impaler could easily have been just another serial killer novel among many. The plot, its characters and its villain could have been a simple retread of the same old ground under new regalia. After all America knows its favorite human monster very well and his teeth and claws have a gotten a little less fearsome in the last several decades due to overexposure. Novels, true crime tales, and police procedurals on network television have thrown him at us like an old skeleton that we just don’t jump away from as often anymore.
It could have been more of the same…but it wasn’t.
While it does feature an FBI Agent in search of a serial killer it’s also a hell of a lot more involved than I’ve expected a novel of its type to be in a long time. Most authors in the genre create interesting killers and wily heroes to capture them and focus purely on the search for and capture of the villain. Rather than follow this formula completely Furaro dares to create a villain who, while clearly sociopathic and murderous, is nearly as worthy of sympathy as the hero. In fact, I’d say that he may be even more a of a victim than he is a murderer.
Here the dark heart of loss, of manipulation and the desire for control over one’s life when no easy foothold exists creates two men who (while different in many ways) share tragic pasts and lack of ability to come to terms with them.
FBI Agent Sam Markham lost his wife to a killer years ago but her ghost still haunts his dreams and every thought in his day. That loss brought him through the FBI training program which gave him a way to exact vengeance against the forces that took his wife from him. However his last case nearly cost him his life and every day seems as if its just another lived in his own personal hell. Now he’s facing a killer who’s far more savage and brutal than most any serial killer the FBI has ever encountered. The Impaler leaves the bodies of men skewered on wooden stakes in public tableaus that are more of a mystery than the North Carolina FBI really knows how to deal with and now its Markham’s job to find the murderer.
The Impaler looks for signs in the stars, in his dark basement and his victims. These signs lead him to brutally murder men in the name of the Prince he’s dedicated his life to since returning from the fields of war a few years before. Even before that war and the vision he had there his life was filled with events that led him inexorable onward toward the path of ritual murder. Again and again his path leads to death and loss until he takes up a symbol of his own and builds a new identity. Now he follows his ancient Prince who offers him everything he’s every wanted in return for his dedication, sacrifice and an unwavering belief that with his efforts the Prince will return to reign with The Impaler at his side.
More than any other character the villain of this book offers a look deep into the heart of what tragedy and loss can do over the course of a person’s life. The Impaler makes for one of the most interesting villains I’ve found since I read Thomas Harris’ The Red Dragon more than ten years ago. Funaro manages to take a well trod formula, add something refreshing to it and give it vibrant new life. Which is far more than many authors can say in this genre.
I think the only thing that really detracted from the story was some confusing back and forth movements between newly introduced characters at the beginning of the book that can leave you lost on who’s who until you catch up. Once you catch up to the story though the pace really kicks in and you can’t help but get sucked right along with it.
It could have been more of the same…but it wasn’t.
While it does feature an FBI Agent in search of a serial killer it’s also a hell of a lot more involved than I’ve expected a novel of its type to be in a long time. Most authors in the genre create interesting killers and wily heroes to capture them and focus purely on the search for and capture of the villain. Rather than follow this formula completely Furaro dares to create a villain who, while clearly sociopathic and murderous, is nearly as worthy of sympathy as the hero. In fact, I’d say that he may be even more a of a victim than he is a murderer.
Here the dark heart of loss, of manipulation and the desire for control over one’s life when no easy foothold exists creates two men who (while different in many ways) share tragic pasts and lack of ability to come to terms with them.
FBI Agent Sam Markham lost his wife to a killer years ago but her ghost still haunts his dreams and every thought in his day. That loss brought him through the FBI training program which gave him a way to exact vengeance against the forces that took his wife from him. However his last case nearly cost him his life and every day seems as if its just another lived in his own personal hell. Now he’s facing a killer who’s far more savage and brutal than most any serial killer the FBI has ever encountered. The Impaler leaves the bodies of men skewered on wooden stakes in public tableaus that are more of a mystery than the North Carolina FBI really knows how to deal with and now its Markham’s job to find the murderer.
The Impaler looks for signs in the stars, in his dark basement and his victims. These signs lead him to brutally murder men in the name of the Prince he’s dedicated his life to since returning from the fields of war a few years before. Even before that war and the vision he had there his life was filled with events that led him inexorable onward toward the path of ritual murder. Again and again his path leads to death and loss until he takes up a symbol of his own and builds a new identity. Now he follows his ancient Prince who offers him everything he’s every wanted in return for his dedication, sacrifice and an unwavering belief that with his efforts the Prince will return to reign with The Impaler at his side.
More than any other character the villain of this book offers a look deep into the heart of what tragedy and loss can do over the course of a person’s life. The Impaler makes for one of the most interesting villains I’ve found since I read Thomas Harris’ The Red Dragon more than ten years ago. Funaro manages to take a well trod formula, add something refreshing to it and give it vibrant new life. Which is far more than many authors can say in this genre.
I think the only thing that really detracted from the story was some confusing back and forth movements between newly introduced characters at the beginning of the book that can leave you lost on who’s who until you catch up. Once you catch up to the story though the pace really kicks in and you can’t help but get sucked right along with it.
March 28, 2011
***SPOILERS***
I really jumped into this book wanting to really engross myself in the pages, because it takes place in the town I was born and raised. However, Gregory Funaro did a better job on his debut book The Sculptor. The reason I was not as enchanted with this book like I wanted to be was because the villain was a little too quirky for me. Having a psychotic villain is one thing, but one who is constantly hallucinating and going off into different realms after a while caused me to become a little disconnected and bored with that character.
As I was going through the novel I began to get a little tired of reading names like Ereshkigal over and over, and the complex algorithms that the killer was doing in his mind to make all the dots connect. It rang in my head like the horrible Jim Carey movie, "The Number 23". If 9 and 9 is 18, and we multiply by the circumference of Jupiter and then do a mass quantitative matrix of pi then subtract eggs we'll get a Venn diagram of tiramisu! Also, I think throwing in a few pictures of the symbols may have fixed this issue for me.
Oddly enough The main protagonist was way more developed in the first book, yet in this book felt extremely stale for some reason. No, offense Mr. Funaro I know that writing a book can be a very painstaking process, but in my opinion The Impaler just wasn't my cup o' tea. The Sculptor had me genuinely worried for the main characters, but in writing a prequel, lets just say my overall concern for Sam Markham's life and well being was at a negative 10. I never had any of those moments where I'd say to myself, "Oh wow, how is he going to get out of this situation. He's probably going to bite the dust or be really scarred up after this altercation." Reason being: I already read "The Sculptor", and Markham had no visible problems, limp, disfigured face, etc..
Perhaps on Gregory Funaro's next book he can come up with a more developed main character and perhaps a villain I will enjoy seeing toppled, rather than feeling like "Meh, thank goodness it's over."
I really jumped into this book wanting to really engross myself in the pages, because it takes place in the town I was born and raised. However, Gregory Funaro did a better job on his debut book The Sculptor. The reason I was not as enchanted with this book like I wanted to be was because the villain was a little too quirky for me. Having a psychotic villain is one thing, but one who is constantly hallucinating and going off into different realms after a while caused me to become a little disconnected and bored with that character.
As I was going through the novel I began to get a little tired of reading names like Ereshkigal over and over, and the complex algorithms that the killer was doing in his mind to make all the dots connect. It rang in my head like the horrible Jim Carey movie, "The Number 23". If 9 and 9 is 18, and we multiply by the circumference of Jupiter and then do a mass quantitative matrix of pi then subtract eggs we'll get a Venn diagram of tiramisu! Also, I think throwing in a few pictures of the symbols may have fixed this issue for me.
Oddly enough The main protagonist was way more developed in the first book, yet in this book felt extremely stale for some reason. No, offense Mr. Funaro I know that writing a book can be a very painstaking process, but in my opinion The Impaler just wasn't my cup o' tea. The Sculptor had me genuinely worried for the main characters, but in writing a prequel, lets just say my overall concern for Sam Markham's life and well being was at a negative 10. I never had any of those moments where I'd say to myself, "Oh wow, how is he going to get out of this situation. He's probably going to bite the dust or be really scarred up after this altercation." Reason being: I already read "The Sculptor", and Markham had no visible problems, limp, disfigured face, etc..
Perhaps on Gregory Funaro's next book he can come up with a more developed main character and perhaps a villain I will enjoy seeing toppled, rather than feeling like "Meh, thank goodness it's over."
December 2, 2010
Funaro’s new novel, which is actually a prequel to last year’s The Sculptor, once again follows FBI agent Sam Markham as he unravels the mystery behind a series of gruesome murders. While most serial killers in fiction strain the reader’s credulity to the limits, the killer in this novel (who “impales” his victims on stakes and leaves them on display, similar to Vlad The Impaler) is so well defined and developed, which Funaro does with a keen psychological eye, that we not only see the macabre behind the killer’s actions, but the science. This novel is constructed within a well-researched narrative of FBI “find the killer” cliff hangers, plot twists, back-story, and emotionally rich prose.
If the purpose of the novel is to entertain and to inform, Funaro certainly hits the mark and is well on his way to becoming a master of thrillers. While I preferred the subject matter of The Sculptor, The Impaler’s story construction and character development is actually quite an improvement. So if you liked The Sculptor, you’ll love this.
February 8, 2011
2/8/11 I liked this book very much. The mystery was good & the characters were well-developed. Some expected things happened (I don't do spoilers in reviews) in the story, but they fit well. The ending was quite suspenseful and there were even a couple surprises in the epilogue. Overall, I enjoyed it although it contained a bit more gore than I care for. From the title, I was not surprised at the gore and cannot complain. LOL I have added this author's other book to my tbr pile.
1/30/11 Going to start this even though I have others that I'm reading. I love a good mystery and this one sounds great!!
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I look forward to reading it once I receive it.
1/30/11 Going to start this even though I have others that I'm reading. I love a good mystery and this one sounds great!!
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I look forward to reading it once I receive it.
February 10, 2011
Gregory Funaro is one of the true masters of crime/horror fiction..no question about that. The Impaler only cements his reputation as a writer many notches above others in his chosen genre. The story, the characters,so chillingly drawn and the pacing..perfect in every sense elevate The Impaler from the standard "Horror" book into a work of sheer art. I challenge anyone to read the first few pages and NOT become glued to Mr. Fumaro's impulsively written prose. One might keep the lights on at night for a few days after reading this book- but for a literary Chiller..can there be a greater compliment??
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
January 13, 2024
Buku ke-2 dari seri profiler FBI bernama Markham ini mengambil setting waktu era sebelum kasus di buku pertama. Penyusunan yang tidak biasa ini sedikit membingungkan pada awalnya.
Buku ini mengangkat premis menarik tentang serial killer yang punya kebiasaan menyula korbannya seperti Pangeran Vlad Tepes yang terkenal menginspirasi novel Dracula. Sayangnya proses penyelidikan kurang menarik bagiku. Segala fakta tentang angka-angka, susunan rasi bintang, tato, merk mobil, mythology, dewa dewi, perlambang binatang terasa tak fokus dan seperti ilmu cocoklogi. Aku suka detail crime investigasi yang kuat, karakter yang fokus dan peringkusan penjahat yang detailnya bikin berdebar. Sayangnya setengah buku ini terasa kayak diseret-seret dan ditarik kesana kemari dengan repetitif.
Setengah buku ini diisi dengan random POV dari banyak pihak mulai dari Markham, patnernya, pelaku, Ibu pelaku, para korban, teman kerja pelaku. Semua ini sangat ramai dan jadi distraksi yang membingungkan.
POV dari narator yang angsty, delusional, berhalusinasi, mabuk atau sakit jiwa sangat tidak bisa diandalkan. Tipe narasi seperti ini sangat melelahkan dan bukan favoritku. Di sini kita mendapatkan 2 sekaligus. Satu dari sang pelaku yang agak dimaklumi mengingat latar belakang trauma hidupnya sejak kecil. Tapi
Markham di sini masih di dera duka pribadi atas kematian istrinya yang tewas terbunuh. Dia masih sering melihat dan bercakap-cakap dengan bayangan istrinya. Bahkan penampakan ini memberikan beberapa ide dan pencerahan dalam penyelidikan.
Aku suka kreatifitas penulis dengan kasus-kasusnya dan kelihaihan beliau menciptakan penjahat psikopat yang berkualitas. Aku juga suka nerdy agen yang punya dasar literatur dan memasukan seni budaya dalam penyelidikan. Tapi aku mau si MC tampil lebih memikat dan menonjol dibanding karakter penjahatnya.
Buku ini mengangkat premis menarik tentang serial killer yang punya kebiasaan menyula korbannya seperti Pangeran Vlad Tepes yang terkenal menginspirasi novel Dracula. Sayangnya proses penyelidikan kurang menarik bagiku. Segala fakta tentang angka-angka, susunan rasi bintang, tato, merk mobil, mythology, dewa dewi, perlambang binatang terasa tak fokus dan seperti ilmu cocoklogi. Aku suka detail crime investigasi yang kuat, karakter yang fokus dan peringkusan penjahat yang detailnya bikin berdebar. Sayangnya setengah buku ini terasa kayak diseret-seret dan ditarik kesana kemari dengan repetitif.
Setengah buku ini diisi dengan random POV dari banyak pihak mulai dari Markham, patnernya, pelaku, Ibu pelaku, para korban, teman kerja pelaku. Semua ini sangat ramai dan jadi distraksi yang membingungkan.
POV dari narator yang angsty, delusional, berhalusinasi, mabuk atau sakit jiwa sangat tidak bisa diandalkan. Tipe narasi seperti ini sangat melelahkan dan bukan favoritku. Di sini kita mendapatkan 2 sekaligus. Satu dari sang pelaku yang agak dimaklumi mengingat latar belakang trauma hidupnya sejak kecil. Tapi
Markham di sini masih di dera duka pribadi atas kematian istrinya yang tewas terbunuh. Dia masih sering melihat dan bercakap-cakap dengan bayangan istrinya. Bahkan penampakan ini memberikan beberapa ide dan pencerahan dalam penyelidikan.
Aku suka kreatifitas penulis dengan kasus-kasusnya dan kelihaihan beliau menciptakan penjahat psikopat yang berkualitas. Aku juga suka nerdy agen yang punya dasar literatur dan memasukan seni budaya dalam penyelidikan. Tapi aku mau si MC tampil lebih memikat dan menonjol dibanding karakter penjahatnya.
June 22, 2022
Think twice if you have a problem reading about someone shoving things, HUGE things up peoples' butts!
With this being the 2nd Sam Markham book, yes, he is the main character.....IMO this was far from the excellant first one, 'The Sculptor' which is actually a sequel to this one.....though they were published in reverse order. So, I guess this is the Prequel to Sculptor. This starts out very, very creepy and great then just takes a nose dive into becoming a SLOW police procedural.
Cannot recommend this one before 'The Sculptor'.
2.5 🩸🩸
With this being the 2nd Sam Markham book, yes, he is the main character.....IMO this was far from the excellant first one, 'The Sculptor' which is actually a sequel to this one.....though they were published in reverse order. So, I guess this is the Prequel to Sculptor. This starts out very, very creepy and great then just takes a nose dive into becoming a SLOW police procedural.
Cannot recommend this one before 'The Sculptor'.
2.5 🩸🩸
April 11, 2012
This book is probably hanging out in 3.5 star land like The Sculptor, but since I liked this one quite a bit more I'll round up for a change. :)
Overall, I feel this was a much stronger book than Sam Markham's "first" adventure (the joys of telling stories out of order, right?). The entire premise was tighter, and the killer was much more well rounded.
Starting with our protagonist: nixing the love story helped Markham's character more than I thought it would. We got to know him as a person a little more before throwing him into romance. Seeing him interact with the local authorities, and his past in both the cemetery & his , were more telling about his personality and issues. Plus, he managed to pull off a few cute scenes: Markham is good with kids & I loved the scenes with him and the little girl.
Overall though, Markham is your pretty standard good guy agent. Nothing really stands out about him to separate him from the rest of FBI agents out there just yet--but there's hope for future novels.
The real meat of The Impaler by far though, is its antagonist--The General, aka Edmund Lambert. A good chunk of the novel (it felt like 2/3rds, but it could have been less), is dedicated not only to his killings, but also to his personal life--including everything that entails from his childhood to present day stage helper/equipment designer. I almost would to go so far as to say Edmund is the novel lead, pulling Markham along for the ride.
Which is by no means a bad thing.
Edmund is wonderfully, and horribly sympathetic. He's committing atrocious acts, but there's no defining malcontent in any of his actions. After enough back story on his part, you spend most of your time forgetting he's the 'bad guy' and just end up feeling sorry for him. The novel does an amazing job of getting into his head, and his motivations behind everything--the guy is seriously disturbed, and you get the feeling that most, if not all of it, really isn't his fault. It's sort of grey--he should be held accountable for his actions, but you want him to catch a break at the same time. Edmund's struggles with what he's doing, his own fears and thoughts--and the underlying abuse that drove it all is compelling. Even his love story on the side, helps push things more in his favor than Markham's.
Regardless, it all comes crashing together at the end with the showdown between Markham and The General, wrapped up nicely with an epilogue that fills in the gaps from Edmund's memories.
But, I guess what it all comes down to is I enjoyed this book quite a bit & I'm excited for the next Markham book--which is what matters, right? :)
Overall, I feel this was a much stronger book than Sam Markham's "first" adventure (the joys of telling stories out of order, right?). The entire premise was tighter, and the killer was much more well rounded.
Starting with our protagonist: nixing the love story helped Markham's character more than I thought it would. We got to know him as a person a little more before throwing him into romance. Seeing him interact with the local authorities, and his past in both the cemetery & his , were more telling about his personality and issues. Plus, he managed to pull off a few cute scenes: Markham is good with kids & I loved the scenes with him and the little girl.
Overall though, Markham is your pretty standard good guy agent. Nothing really stands out about him to separate him from the rest of FBI agents out there just yet--but there's hope for future novels.
The real meat of The Impaler by far though, is its antagonist--The General, aka Edmund Lambert. A good chunk of the novel (it felt like 2/3rds, but it could have been less), is dedicated not only to his killings, but also to his personal life--including everything that entails from his childhood to present day stage helper/equipment designer. I almost would to go so far as to say Edmund is the novel lead, pulling Markham along for the ride.
Which is by no means a bad thing.
Edmund is wonderfully, and horribly sympathetic. He's committing atrocious acts, but there's no defining malcontent in any of his actions. After enough back story on his part, you spend most of your time forgetting he's the 'bad guy' and just end up feeling sorry for him. The novel does an amazing job of getting into his head, and his motivations behind everything--the guy is seriously disturbed, and you get the feeling that most, if not all of it, really isn't his fault. It's sort of grey--he should be held accountable for his actions, but you want him to catch a break at the same time. Edmund's struggles with what he's doing, his own fears and thoughts--and the underlying abuse that drove it all is compelling. Even his love story on the side, helps push things more in his favor than Markham's.
Regardless, it all comes crashing together at the end with the showdown between Markham and The General, wrapped up nicely with an epilogue that fills in the gaps from Edmund's memories.
But, I guess what it all comes down to is I enjoyed this book quite a bit & I'm excited for the next Markham book--which is what matters, right? :)
October 29, 2014
The Impaler is the second book by Gregory Funaro and is a prequel of sorts to The Sculptor, which I was privileged to read and review earlier this year. I say, "prequel" merely because it takes place about three years prior to the events of The Sculptor and features FBI agent Sam Markham. But otherwise this is very much a stand-alone book and the reader does not need to read one to appreciate the other.
Wow, what a novel! I've read thrillers of all sorts for over 10 years and have learned to spot the winners from the also-rans. Gregory Funaro writes winners and this one is truly a gem in this crowded field. The plot concerns the above mentioned FBI agent and his journey to catch a serial killer. Sounds like a million other plots out there but that is just about all that is "normal" about this novel. It's not your typical thriller plot of "killer commits crime; sleuth spends two thirds of novel finding clues; sleuth closes in on killer; sleuth catches/kills killer after nearly blowing it." Instead this is a very intricate plot with multiple layers to the main characters and is not at all predictable.
And it's an absolute page turner. I finished the last 200 pages in one sitting because I just had to keep going.
I think what truly sets this novel apart is the depth of characterization the author brings to the bad guy. In his first novel, The Sculptor, Mr. Funaro does an incredible job with developing the bad guy character but in this one, he truly goes above and beyond. We get to experience the Impaler's very life from childhood to present day from his point of view and, indeed, he almost becomes a protagonist himself. And this is one baaad dude. For a reader to feel like they understand him and his motivations, despite his nature, (like I did) is a great feat for a writer to pull off.
I will say that this novel is not for the faint of heart. There are lots of bloody, violent scenes, horrifying even in their detail but it is absolutely necessary to portray the events realistically. The pacing of the book is awesome; a lot happens but the furious pace is interspersed with excellent back-story building and scene setting. Much as I thought his first novel was fantastic for a new author, this one proves Gregory Funaro deserves to stand with the great writers of the genre.
Wow, what a novel! I've read thrillers of all sorts for over 10 years and have learned to spot the winners from the also-rans. Gregory Funaro writes winners and this one is truly a gem in this crowded field. The plot concerns the above mentioned FBI agent and his journey to catch a serial killer. Sounds like a million other plots out there but that is just about all that is "normal" about this novel. It's not your typical thriller plot of "killer commits crime; sleuth spends two thirds of novel finding clues; sleuth closes in on killer; sleuth catches/kills killer after nearly blowing it." Instead this is a very intricate plot with multiple layers to the main characters and is not at all predictable.
And it's an absolute page turner. I finished the last 200 pages in one sitting because I just had to keep going.
I think what truly sets this novel apart is the depth of characterization the author brings to the bad guy. In his first novel, The Sculptor, Mr. Funaro does an incredible job with developing the bad guy character but in this one, he truly goes above and beyond. We get to experience the Impaler's very life from childhood to present day from his point of view and, indeed, he almost becomes a protagonist himself. And this is one baaad dude. For a reader to feel like they understand him and his motivations, despite his nature, (like I did) is a great feat for a writer to pull off.
I will say that this novel is not for the faint of heart. There are lots of bloody, violent scenes, horrifying even in their detail but it is absolutely necessary to portray the events realistically. The pacing of the book is awesome; a lot happens but the furious pace is interspersed with excellent back-story building and scene setting. Much as I thought his first novel was fantastic for a new author, this one proves Gregory Funaro deserves to stand with the great writers of the genre.
August 7, 2016
Once again, real life interfered with the time usually spent reading, and I had to spend a few weeks out of state for work, with no time left to read or relax. I managed to read a couple chapters on the plane there, only to have to re-read them on the return flight because I had forgotten what I'd read. Nevertheless, I had a hell of a time getting through this book, and it wasn't just because I was traveling.
First off, this is the second book in a series, with the first book beginning with the main character, an FBI agent, still haunted by the murder of his wife, but it ends with him getting re-married. This second one opens with that same FBI agent haunted by the murder of his first wife, awaiting the execution of her killer. There's no mention of the second wife at all. I thought perhaps that, being distracted by work, I had missed some explanation, but I went back, and no, nothing. It took me a while to figure out that this was a prequel…I guess the use of a blackberry and an AOL account by the characters was supposed to be explanation enough. If only this were the most confusing thing about this book.
For the most part, the chapters are split between being told from the protagonist's point of view, to being told from the killer's, and that's where the book gets more disjointed and hard to follow. Forget that you know who the killer is throughout the whole book, which leads to a disappointing ending when there's no big whodunnit build-up, but the killer also experiences visual and auditory hallucinations! It's impossible for the reader to relate, understand, or even find anything he says or thinks intriguing or insightful. It's just the jumbled thoughts of a delusional schizophrenic…usually about equations and doorways…which doesn't make for a compelling read at all. Then there's the ancient Babylonian texts and astrological mythology. And Vlad the Impaler. And a song from the 80s. Oh, and Shakespeare. And don't get me started on the bizarro childhood flashback. And somehow, the FBI was able to miraculously zero in on all these concepts out of thin air and just leap to the conclusion that these far-fetched, otherwise random ideas are somehow connected and then use them to help catch their killer. Seriously?
Overall, this book was a convoluted mess and I couldn't wait for it to be over.
First off, this is the second book in a series, with the first book beginning with the main character, an FBI agent, still haunted by the murder of his wife, but it ends with him getting re-married. This second one opens with that same FBI agent haunted by the murder of his first wife, awaiting the execution of her killer. There's no mention of the second wife at all. I thought perhaps that, being distracted by work, I had missed some explanation, but I went back, and no, nothing. It took me a while to figure out that this was a prequel…I guess the use of a blackberry and an AOL account by the characters was supposed to be explanation enough. If only this were the most confusing thing about this book.
For the most part, the chapters are split between being told from the protagonist's point of view, to being told from the killer's, and that's where the book gets more disjointed and hard to follow. Forget that you know who the killer is throughout the whole book, which leads to a disappointing ending when there's no big whodunnit build-up, but the killer also experiences visual and auditory hallucinations! It's impossible for the reader to relate, understand, or even find anything he says or thinks intriguing or insightful. It's just the jumbled thoughts of a delusional schizophrenic…usually about equations and doorways…which doesn't make for a compelling read at all. Then there's the ancient Babylonian texts and astrological mythology. And Vlad the Impaler. And a song from the 80s. Oh, and Shakespeare. And don't get me started on the bizarro childhood flashback. And somehow, the FBI was able to miraculously zero in on all these concepts out of thin air and just leap to the conclusion that these far-fetched, otherwise random ideas are somehow connected and then use them to help catch their killer. Seriously?
Overall, this book was a convoluted mess and I couldn't wait for it to be over.
September 2, 2011
The impaled bodies of two male victims are discovered in a cemetery with the cryptic message “I have returned” on their torsos. When the impaled body of a criminal defense attorney is subsequently found, the killer is given the nickname The Impaler, named for Vlad the Impaler, upon whom Bram Stroker’s Dracula was based. This is the first case for FBI agent Sam Markham since his promotion to Raleigh, North Carolina. Markham, still grieving his wife’s death, tries not to be distracted by the execution date of her killer looming in the near future. He immerses himself in the investigation, frustrated by the lack of DNA or trace evidence at each crime scene. He begins to suspect the serial killer’s reason for impaling his victims has nothing to do with Vlad Tepes but is connected to a stolen Babylonian seal and the god Nergal, guardian of the underworld. At first the victims seem to have nothing in common but Markham finds a connection and he and his team begin to close in on their killer whose kills are escalating and who always seems one step ahead of them. As Markham zeroes in, he’s unaware the Impaler is now focused on him.
Funaro came out swinging with The Sculptor and does not disappoint his readers with The Impaler. Although some scenes are gruesome, they are intrinsic to the plot and well-executed. The characterization of the serial killer is fascinating as the reader learns of past traumas he experienced that formed him into the deranged monster he is. One sympathizes with Markham and his ongoing bereavement of his wife’s violent death. The plot is complicated yet so well-written readers will not have trouble following along. Rarely does this reviewer read a book that captures the attention so thoroughly. Characterization, plot, and dialogue excel. Funaro proves himself worthy of status on the best-seller list with this intense, electrifying thriller which deserves more than 5 stars.
May 13, 2011
Dark. Edgy. Brutal. At times graphic and raw in its depictions. I thought Chelsea Cain had led the way with brutal characters and writing with her offering of "Heart Sick" and Gretchen Lowell, but I think Gregory Funaro has one-upped her on the brutality scale. Still Ms. Cain did a better case of laying it out on the page and she did it with style and intrigue.
"The Impaler" is a psychotic thriller, but not much of a mystery. You always know who did it, and you know pretty much where it’s going. The ending was predictable very early on; it just took a long time to get there. The plot became repetitious and plodding, almost to the point of being boring and tiring. At times the story was convoluted and difficult to follow with all the personality changes of the lunatic Edmund Lambert. A side trip by lead FBI agent and protagonist Sam Markham to witness the execution of his wife’s killer just seemed to interrupt the flow. With the last one hundred or so pages I just wanted to get to the end and confirm what I knew would be the eventual outcome.
A good editor could have easily cut a hundred pages out and not have sacrificed anything of value. The writing style at times was aggravating, continually repeating phrases as an attempt, I suppose to establishing the psychosis of the killer. At times the author incorporated cheap theatrics to convey the psychotic images being experienced by the killer. The style at times read more like a screen play or a TV script.
I really looked forward to reading the book, intrigued in part by the setting near our home in North Carolina. Initially it was “cool” to read the names of familiar cities, but after a few references the novelty wore off, and it even became a bit of a distraction until eventually it just became background noise.
“The Impaler” was "just good enough" that I might try reading Mr. Funaro's "The Sculptor".
"The Impaler" is a psychotic thriller, but not much of a mystery. You always know who did it, and you know pretty much where it’s going. The ending was predictable very early on; it just took a long time to get there. The plot became repetitious and plodding, almost to the point of being boring and tiring. At times the story was convoluted and difficult to follow with all the personality changes of the lunatic Edmund Lambert. A side trip by lead FBI agent and protagonist Sam Markham to witness the execution of his wife’s killer just seemed to interrupt the flow. With the last one hundred or so pages I just wanted to get to the end and confirm what I knew would be the eventual outcome.
A good editor could have easily cut a hundred pages out and not have sacrificed anything of value. The writing style at times was aggravating, continually repeating phrases as an attempt, I suppose to establishing the psychosis of the killer. At times the author incorporated cheap theatrics to convey the psychotic images being experienced by the killer. The style at times read more like a screen play or a TV script.
I really looked forward to reading the book, intrigued in part by the setting near our home in North Carolina. Initially it was “cool” to read the names of familiar cities, but after a few references the novelty wore off, and it even became a bit of a distraction until eventually it just became background noise.
“The Impaler” was "just good enough" that I might try reading Mr. Funaro's "The Sculptor".
March 2, 2011
I won this book through the Goodreads First Read Giveaway on 02/02/2011 and received my copy on 02/07/2011!
The Impaler. I just don't know where to start. I just finished this book and everything is still really fresh. The first thing that comes to mind is that it was a good book. There were a couple of points I want to hit on. The first is that this is a super, SUPER detailed book. I really enjoyed the astrological aspect of it. My problem was that when I was reading some of these parts, I felt like it could really be it's own stand alone book. I would get so into what one of the characters was talking about in respect to the signs and constellations that getting back into the actual story was a bit of a fight in the middle of the book. Don't get me wrong, everything fit together really well. Gregory Funaro is a phenomenal writer. Sometimes it may have been just a little much, for me anyway.
It was also interesting how Funaro detailed the villan in the story. The way that he got into the villans head in a way that I haven't read by an author in a long time and was quite captivating. It reminded me a bit of Thomas Harris and his style of writing.
If you like books that are psychological and twisted, this is a perfect book for you. The Impaler really creeped me out. Knowing that there are people out there who are like the villan makes you want to go check the locks on your doors and windows four or five times before you go to bed. Being able to touch on that is what makes an amazing writer. I love it when authors can make me cry, get angry or scare the pants off of me and Funaro definately delivered on the latter.
The Impaler. I just don't know where to start. I just finished this book and everything is still really fresh. The first thing that comes to mind is that it was a good book. There were a couple of points I want to hit on. The first is that this is a super, SUPER detailed book. I really enjoyed the astrological aspect of it. My problem was that when I was reading some of these parts, I felt like it could really be it's own stand alone book. I would get so into what one of the characters was talking about in respect to the signs and constellations that getting back into the actual story was a bit of a fight in the middle of the book. Don't get me wrong, everything fit together really well. Gregory Funaro is a phenomenal writer. Sometimes it may have been just a little much, for me anyway.
It was also interesting how Funaro detailed the villan in the story. The way that he got into the villans head in a way that I haven't read by an author in a long time and was quite captivating. It reminded me a bit of Thomas Harris and his style of writing.
If you like books that are psychological and twisted, this is a perfect book for you. The Impaler really creeped me out. Knowing that there are people out there who are like the villan makes you want to go check the locks on your doors and windows four or five times before you go to bed. Being able to touch on that is what makes an amazing writer. I love it when authors can make me cry, get angry or scare the pants off of me and Funaro definately delivered on the latter.
February 9, 2011
The Impaler is a dark, disturbing and mysterious story about a serial killer who impales his victims. If three and one half stars were available, I would have given it to this book. Sam Markham is an FBI agent who has been put in charge of tracking down the killer. In addition to apprehending the killer, Markham is dealing with the issue of attending the excecution of the man responsible of killing his wife and unborn child eleven years earlier.
At first, the FBI explore the possibility that the killer is channeling at connection to Vlad Tepes, the Impaler. However, later they realizes that impaling of the victims is the only connection to Vlad. The plot is rich with historical references to ancient Mesopotamia and Babylonia. I found the references to be instructional and interesting. There were times I wished Mr. Funaro had included some illustrations for the symbols, drawings etc he referenced because even though I did internet research to get a visual, I was not always successful in finding what I was looking for.
At times, the flashback of the killer's early life was sluggish and a bit of too much information (TMI). I found myself wanting to skip ahead on some of the pages because I was getting bored. However, I preservered until I made it to end. This book was intriguing but not as good as Mr. Funaro's first book, The Scuptor. I think the reason for that is that the first book ended on a happy note and this book left me feeling hopeless and defeated. It is definitely a good read and worthy of consideration when seeking something new and different to add to your reading list.
At first, the FBI explore the possibility that the killer is channeling at connection to Vlad Tepes, the Impaler. However, later they realizes that impaling of the victims is the only connection to Vlad. The plot is rich with historical references to ancient Mesopotamia and Babylonia. I found the references to be instructional and interesting. There were times I wished Mr. Funaro had included some illustrations for the symbols, drawings etc he referenced because even though I did internet research to get a visual, I was not always successful in finding what I was looking for.
At times, the flashback of the killer's early life was sluggish and a bit of too much information (TMI). I found myself wanting to skip ahead on some of the pages because I was getting bored. However, I preservered until I made it to end. This book was intriguing but not as good as Mr. Funaro's first book, The Scuptor. I think the reason for that is that the first book ended on a happy note and this book left me feeling hopeless and defeated. It is definitely a good read and worthy of consideration when seeking something new and different to add to your reading list.
February 27, 2011
There is a serial killer on the loose. Someone is killing men and leaving them staked through the body into the ground for all to see and a message written on one of the bodies that says “I have returned”.
There is only one man perfect for stopping a serial killer. He is FBI Agent Sam Markham. Sam stopped The Sculptor, in the first book. Though, The Impaler is a different beast of his own. Sam has never seen anything like what he has witnessed with this latest victim. The deeper Sam investigates, the clearer the Impaler’s plan becomes. Will Sam be able to stop the killings before the Impaler claims him as his final victim?
The Impaler is the most recent novel from author, Gregory Funaro. Now having read The Sculptor and now The Impaler, I can say with 100% confidence that I am truly a fan of Mr. Funaro. I really like Sam. He has a great eye for detail that even I did not catch until he starts going with his leads. What I enjoy the most is that Sam and which ever killer he is facing next, are evenly matched. There is a method to both the Sculptor and the Impaler’s madness. They take their jobs seriously and turn it into an art form. The Impaler made his presence known all the way through this book. I do admit that I thought the ending of the final battle could have been better but still, I enjoyed this book a lot. I was horrified, memorized, and almost afraid to go to sleep…all thanks to The Impaler!
There is only one man perfect for stopping a serial killer. He is FBI Agent Sam Markham. Sam stopped The Sculptor, in the first book. Though, The Impaler is a different beast of his own. Sam has never seen anything like what he has witnessed with this latest victim. The deeper Sam investigates, the clearer the Impaler’s plan becomes. Will Sam be able to stop the killings before the Impaler claims him as his final victim?
The Impaler is the most recent novel from author, Gregory Funaro. Now having read The Sculptor and now The Impaler, I can say with 100% confidence that I am truly a fan of Mr. Funaro. I really like Sam. He has a great eye for detail that even I did not catch until he starts going with his leads. What I enjoy the most is that Sam and which ever killer he is facing next, are evenly matched. There is a method to both the Sculptor and the Impaler’s madness. They take their jobs seriously and turn it into an art form. The Impaler made his presence known all the way through this book. I do admit that I thought the ending of the final battle could have been better but still, I enjoyed this book a lot. I was horrified, memorized, and almost afraid to go to sleep…all thanks to The Impaler!
March 17, 2011
This book could be a "Criminal Minds" episode (it actually features the Quantico BAU) or a movie (it reminded me of "Hannibal"). FBI Agent Sam Markham is tasked to track down a serial killer dubbed "Vlad the Impaler" -- yes, after the historical Vlad Tepes -- who is impaling his (male) victims and leaving the bodies (some decapitated) symbolically placed around Raleigh, South Carolina.
I really liked this book although I have to say it did get somewhat convoluted in places. It's a high-concept crime story - positively rife with symbolism, which, while interesting could also drift into confusion. There's a whole back story to the killer - his (extremely) troubled childhood, this odd stuff about secret experiments and possible abuse by his grandfather (who is nominated for my award for Creepiest Character of the Year), his time as a Sergeant in Iraq... that I think quite frankly became a little too disjointed and hard to follow.
The character of Sam Markham is your typical flawed hero but he's a great character. He's got his own back story that I think would have been better explored than The Impaler's (maybe that's another novel). I'm impressed that there was no romantic entanglement whatsoever (there usually is in these types of novels) but I ended up really wanted to see Sam get romantically entangled, as his past involves the senseless murder of his wife, for whom he is still in deep mourning.
I had a hard time putting this one down, so I'm giving it 4 stars.
I really liked this book although I have to say it did get somewhat convoluted in places. It's a high-concept crime story - positively rife with symbolism, which, while interesting could also drift into confusion. There's a whole back story to the killer - his (extremely) troubled childhood, this odd stuff about secret experiments and possible abuse by his grandfather (who is nominated for my award for Creepiest Character of the Year), his time as a Sergeant in Iraq... that I think quite frankly became a little too disjointed and hard to follow.
The character of Sam Markham is your typical flawed hero but he's a great character. He's got his own back story that I think would have been better explored than The Impaler's (maybe that's another novel). I'm impressed that there was no romantic entanglement whatsoever (there usually is in these types of novels) but I ended up really wanted to see Sam get romantically entangled, as his past involves the senseless murder of his wife, for whom he is still in deep mourning.
I had a hard time putting this one down, so I'm giving it 4 stars.
June 19, 2011
Another well-researched, frightening serial killer mystery from Gregory Funaro. Sam Markham appears again as the sadly damaged FBI agent hunting for a serial killer dubbed (incorrectly) Vlad the Impaler. This is a prequel to The Sculptor, so we are actually "introduced" to Sam as agent, even though we've met him before.
This book gave me nightmares because The Impaler (the General, Edmund)is a sick, scary man! (I often wonder about authors who have the imagination to devise such damaged characters. Where does THAT come from?!) But what makes Mr. Funaro's books a cut about your typical serial killer novel is the knowledge you gain along the way. In The Sculptor I was fascinated by Michelangelo's life & facts about his era I never heard before. In The Impaler, I learned more about Vlad the Impaler & his techniques than I really ever wished to know. And there is mixed in historical & mythological information that is not found in your average novel. All of these facts, are intricately woven with the back-story of The Impaler to compose a dense, plot and jaw dropping resolution. Add to that Sam's own tragedy that he must deal with, and you have a fascinating, can't-put-it-down novel.
Thank you Gregory Funaro, for the opportunity to read this book. I can't wait for another!
This book gave me nightmares because The Impaler (the General, Edmund)is a sick, scary man! (I often wonder about authors who have the imagination to devise such damaged characters. Where does THAT come from?!) But what makes Mr. Funaro's books a cut about your typical serial killer novel is the knowledge you gain along the way. In The Sculptor I was fascinated by Michelangelo's life & facts about his era I never heard before. In The Impaler, I learned more about Vlad the Impaler & his techniques than I really ever wished to know. And there is mixed in historical & mythological information that is not found in your average novel. All of these facts, are intricately woven with the back-story of The Impaler to compose a dense, plot and jaw dropping resolution. Add to that Sam's own tragedy that he must deal with, and you have a fascinating, can't-put-it-down novel.
Thank you Gregory Funaro, for the opportunity to read this book. I can't wait for another!
March 23, 2012
A chilling look inside the mind of an insane murderer, this book employed some fairly gruesome scenes and kept me on the edge of my seat. Except for FBI agent Sam Markham, who I already knew would survive, I didn't know how many people the killer would take out, so there were some genuinely surprising deaths and twists. The FBI investigation into the killer was also well done, and to the author's credit they should have and did get some things wrong based on false assumptions from the evidence.
That said, this book is a bit too confusing to give it my full endorsement. While it's clear the murderer's entirely crazy and was influenced by his time spent in the Middle East, I didn't entirely get the connection with Nergal. Most readers unfamiliar with Sumerian mythology would probably be completely lost, especially with the killer's more convoluted than just plain insane scheme to use strategically placed corpses to communicate with this Nergal deity. The astrology part of the plan I got, but the numerology part went way over my head.
This confusion probably explains why Markham stumbles into the killer based almost entirely on sheer luck rather than investigative skill or work, which really sours the plot. Without a clear picture of the killer's methodology, the reader can only stumble along with the investigators to the conclusion, which is disappointing.
That said, this book is a bit too confusing to give it my full endorsement. While it's clear the murderer's entirely crazy and was influenced by his time spent in the Middle East, I didn't entirely get the connection with Nergal. Most readers unfamiliar with Sumerian mythology would probably be completely lost, especially with the killer's more convoluted than just plain insane scheme to use strategically placed corpses to communicate with this Nergal deity. The astrology part of the plan I got, but the numerology part went way over my head.
This confusion probably explains why Markham stumbles into the killer based almost entirely on sheer luck rather than investigative skill or work, which really sours the plot. Without a clear picture of the killer's methodology, the reader can only stumble along with the investigators to the conclusion, which is disappointing.
March 30, 2011
Ummmm....ok...first...I love Katie Wawak. She is a dynomo of a teacher at our school, and she wears amazing shoes. Shoes that I only dream of owning and being able to wear. She also brightens my day with her big smile and the way she says my name...and this book was her book club pick, I read it for her, so keep that all in mind.
Honestly, this book was kind of confusing. I couldn't understand what was going on at times. I didn't understand the Prince and Nergal, and Leo Minor, and how it all tied together. I kind of got it, but not totally. Partly my fault because I didn't read the book every day. Partly my fault because I had to skim some of the more icky parts which might have contributed to my confusion.
Having said that, I loved Sam Markham. Wouldn't mind reading another book with him as the main character. I am so glad he got to save the day, and thank goodness he was smarter than I am and he could figure the whole equation thing out. Funaro did a good job of story-telling and making Edward seem human even while he was doing inhuman things. And speaking of Funaro, when I turned to the back cover and saw the author I wondered how something so scary could come from someone so ordinary looking!
Overall 3 starts. Not bad!
Honestly, this book was kind of confusing. I couldn't understand what was going on at times. I didn't understand the Prince and Nergal, and Leo Minor, and how it all tied together. I kind of got it, but not totally. Partly my fault because I didn't read the book every day. Partly my fault because I had to skim some of the more icky parts which might have contributed to my confusion.
Having said that, I loved Sam Markham. Wouldn't mind reading another book with him as the main character. I am so glad he got to save the day, and thank goodness he was smarter than I am and he could figure the whole equation thing out. Funaro did a good job of story-telling and making Edward seem human even while he was doing inhuman things. And speaking of Funaro, when I turned to the back cover and saw the author I wondered how something so scary could come from someone so ordinary looking!
Overall 3 starts. Not bad!
May 8, 2011
The average rating right now on Goodreads for this book is about 3.5, and I think that's about right, so I just rounded up to four.
In Gregory Funaro's thriller The Impaler FBI agents Sam Markham and Andy Schaap are looking for a serial killer. One who appears to be copying the methods of the historical Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula, impaling his victims on wooden stakes. As the investigation continues, Sam and Andy learn that not everything is as it seems. Funaro puts us in the head of a twisted and deranged killer, from an intense past, and shows us what's happening just one step ahead of Sam and Andy.
While there isn't a lot of guessing involved in reading (the author spoils any secrets about halfway through the book) in's an intense read that will keep your attention. Very much a thriller, not a mystery. A lot of the Killer's thoughts will confuse you if you don't keep on top of them and aren't making the right connections, but if you do you'll understand everything just fine.
Funaro really has a great character with Sam Markham, and I think most readers will enjoy The Impaler.
In Gregory Funaro's thriller The Impaler FBI agents Sam Markham and Andy Schaap are looking for a serial killer. One who appears to be copying the methods of the historical Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula, impaling his victims on wooden stakes. As the investigation continues, Sam and Andy learn that not everything is as it seems. Funaro puts us in the head of a twisted and deranged killer, from an intense past, and shows us what's happening just one step ahead of Sam and Andy.
While there isn't a lot of guessing involved in reading (the author spoils any secrets about halfway through the book) in's an intense read that will keep your attention. Very much a thriller, not a mystery. A lot of the Killer's thoughts will confuse you if you don't keep on top of them and aren't making the right connections, but if you do you'll understand everything just fine.
Funaro really has a great character with Sam Markham, and I think most readers will enjoy The Impaler.
February 7, 2011
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. Thanks for the signed copy!
"The "Impaler" is an impeccably researched and well written story.
We are introduced to a very nasty killer in the prologue who is gradually filled out as a character as the story progresses.
Gregory Funaro spends a good portion of the book exploring the makeup of this killer, and it is more than just the typical nature vs. nurture debate found in other books in this genre. There are several minor (and a few major) psychotic breaks in the life of this character that the author uses to show the slow evolution of a child into an adult serial killer.
The story is also a good FBI procedural story, with believable characters. We are not inundated with excessive acronyms or insider language, but are shown the drudgery, boredom and often times luck that goes into solving serious crimes.
I am going to go back and read "The Sculptor" and I eagerly look forward to more work from Greg.
Thanks again!
"The "Impaler" is an impeccably researched and well written story.
We are introduced to a very nasty killer in the prologue who is gradually filled out as a character as the story progresses.
Gregory Funaro spends a good portion of the book exploring the makeup of this killer, and it is more than just the typical nature vs. nurture debate found in other books in this genre. There are several minor (and a few major) psychotic breaks in the life of this character that the author uses to show the slow evolution of a child into an adult serial killer.
The story is also a good FBI procedural story, with believable characters. We are not inundated with excessive acronyms or insider language, but are shown the drudgery, boredom and often times luck that goes into solving serious crimes.
I am going to go back and read "The Sculptor" and I eagerly look forward to more work from Greg.
Thanks again!
December 1, 2010
Excellent thriller, with good pace and suspense. The characters are believable, but more importantly, the plot is a complex page-turner that had me riveted from start to finish. The only thing that made me pause was Danny Gibbs' death. If Claude hadn't known of his significance, why did he die? I could make up an explanation on my own, but felt this could have been better handled by the author. Also, I'm still unsure of the reason behind Claude checking his kids' teeth in such a manner, but those two are pretty much minor plot-points in an otherwise enthralling narrative. I very much liked how Mr Funaro eschews the usual, hackneyed reasoning for why serial killers become who they are in favor of something out of the ordinary. I was also intrigued by his telling us outright who the killer was within the first 100 pages, and relieved that his story could withstand such an early revelation. Good stuff.
I received this book gratis via GoodReads FirstReads' program.
I received this book gratis via GoodReads FirstReads' program.
May 25, 2011
I could NOT put this book down! It's thrilling, suspenseful, disturbing, and contains a cast of complex charachters--all necessary elements of a great horror novel. I will admit I was a little upset when I found out who the killer was so early in the story but that faded fast once I realized why. One of my favorite aspects of serial killer/murder mysteries is learning how the killer became what he is. This book describes that process in great detail and I was hanging on every word. I also enjoyed "accidentally" learning a bit of history which I previously found uninteresting. It's fairly obvious that the author is a history buff and he does a great job of making history part of the story without feeling like you're reading a text book. It's been a long time since I was so excited about an a new (to me) author, I stalked his website and immediately bought The Sculptor, now I'm waiting on pins and needles for Vollendung!
July 5, 2011
Sam Markham must hunt down a serial killer who likes to leave his victims impaled in a pattern only he can make sense of. I picked this book up mainly because I thought, much like the name implies, that the killer was a Vlad the Impaler wannabe, but the story goes much deeper than that, as it turns out the killer is worshipping the obscure god Nergal.
A lot of this book is dedicated to the mind of a killer, which I really enjoyed. It was an in-depth look at how a normal enough boy could grow up to become a sociopathic killer. I liked the chapters dedicated to the killer, but I thought they were so well told that they detracted from the rest of the story--I found it hard to really like Markham. His chapters were okay, but I really didn't feel like there was enough of them. As he pieces together the clues to the killer's puzzle, he seems to take a few leaps of logic that are hard to follow. Still, this was a great read for those who enjoy thrillers.
A lot of this book is dedicated to the mind of a killer, which I really enjoyed. It was an in-depth look at how a normal enough boy could grow up to become a sociopathic killer. I liked the chapters dedicated to the killer, but I thought they were so well told that they detracted from the rest of the story--I found it hard to really like Markham. His chapters were okay, but I really didn't feel like there was enough of them. As he pieces together the clues to the killer's puzzle, he seems to take a few leaps of logic that are hard to follow. Still, this was a great read for those who enjoy thrillers.
April 9, 2011
I enjoyed this book, which is why I gave it three and a half stars...it was not a "could not put down" or a "will read it again"...right from the start it reminded me of "Red Dragon" which I loved...in the middle somewhere it turned towards "Silence of the Lambs" and then it ended back into the class of "Red Dragon"...it is just me...I like action on at the very least every other page...not much for getting an education while I am being entertained...but this really was a good book...I do not want to take anything away from the author who penned it...he hit a homerun with this and being compared to Tom Harris right from the first page should be taken for the compliment it was put as...I am looking forward to Gregory's next book...this one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys Tom Harris type writing...you will not be disappointed
December 9, 2010
T-E-R-R-I-F-Y-I-N-G
I’m glad I did win this Goodreads First Reads giveaway (thank you Mr. Funaro and Goodreads).
“The Impaler” by Gregory Funaro gets scary on page 1 and I didn't want to put it down once I started reading it. What makes this novel so special is the sense of doom that you can feel as you read the words “How could you think I’d let you get away?” Gregory Funaro installed fear into me as a reader.
I felt the thumping of my heart as I continued reading the horror of impalement. The storyline did flow very well. I liked the back story about Vlad and what motivated Edmund to kill, what transformed him into being weird, creepy, evil and unremorseful.
I just put "The Sculptor" on my “what I want for Christmas” list.
I’m glad I did win this Goodreads First Reads giveaway (thank you Mr. Funaro and Goodreads).
“The Impaler” by Gregory Funaro gets scary on page 1 and I didn't want to put it down once I started reading it. What makes this novel so special is the sense of doom that you can feel as you read the words “How could you think I’d let you get away?” Gregory Funaro installed fear into me as a reader.
I felt the thumping of my heart as I continued reading the horror of impalement. The storyline did flow very well. I liked the back story about Vlad and what motivated Edmund to kill, what transformed him into being weird, creepy, evil and unremorseful.
I just put "The Sculptor" on my “what I want for Christmas” list.
June 25, 2011
i've never been into the murder/detective noval, but i was instantly hooked on this book from the start. all the characters were believable and well written. the plot was not confusing and did not lose me in a way that would make me lose interast as with some crime novals. i felt my self being drawn to edmund lambert and in many ways understood what it was he was trying to achieve and why he thought the way he did. the end was a little bit of a let down, it seemed to be building up to something spectacular that just didn't really happen. i thought it the book could have being a little longer as i felt the ending was rushed unlike the rest of the noval. i did really enjoy reading this book and may start reading more of this genre.
October 10, 2011
THERE ISNT MUCH TWIST TO THE STORYLINE, IT MORE LIKE A DIRECT STRAIGHT PITCH DARK TUNNEL. SOMEHOW, THE PSYCHO, EDMUND LAMBERT WAS REALLY INTENSE, ESPECIALLY THE PART ABOUT HIS FAMILY. EXTREME CASE OF MENTAL ILLNESS, FROM HALLUCINATION, DELUSIONAL TO CANNIBALISM, NECROPHILIA, ALL TOO GRUESOME AND CREEPY. WHEN HE WAS SHOT BY FBI AGENT SAM MARKHAM, HIS LAST WORDS WERE "COME BACK", I FELT SAD FOR HIM. HE WAS ALSO A VICTIM OF HIS SOCIOPATH GRANDFATHER.
THE BOOK FOCUS MORE ON THE KILLER THAN THE FBI AGENTS (GOOD GUYS), WHICH IS MORE OF MY LIKING. HOWEVER THE ENDING SEEMS RATHER INCOMPLETE AS THEY "WERE KILLED ALONG WITH EDMUND LAMBERT".
THE BOOK FOCUS MORE ON THE KILLER THAN THE FBI AGENTS (GOOD GUYS), WHICH IS MORE OF MY LIKING. HOWEVER THE ENDING SEEMS RATHER INCOMPLETE AS THEY "WERE KILLED ALONG WITH EDMUND LAMBERT".
December 22, 2010
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. “The Impaler” is a prequel to Gregory Funaro’s book “The Sculptor”. Having not yet read “The Sculptor” I can say that this book still makes sense on its own and does not need to be read second. I had a hard time putting this down. Despite all the goriness and torture, I found myself at times beginning to understand the killer. I was, of course, reminded of Vlad the Impaler which meshed history with the modern United States in a way I hadn’t imagined before. This was a great read, full of fear and entertainment.
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