A sociopath kills a young boy, a quiet teen, and then an entire family before turning his attention upon Pavel Trusnik, an elderly shut-in from across the street.
Loneliness can drive a normal man to madness, and Pavel Trusnik is not a normal man. After committing a crime that leaves him shunned and isolated, Pavel has only the fading memories of his tragically flawed life, and his one great love. When the violent sociopath sets his murderous desires upon Pavel, only an ancient order that knows Pavel's secrets can intervene. But for the isolated old man, the vicious intruder is the only company he has had in decades...
A native Californian, Alisa Tangredi currently resides in Van Nuys with her husband and their dog. She has written all her life, though most manuscripts were hidden in a drawer. She studied theatre and music at San Francisco State University and worked as a stage actress for thirty years, with sporadic employment in commercials and television. She was also an active participant in several Los Angeles–based theatre companies and continues to support live theatre throughout the L.A. area. She has written several stage plays in addition to her novels. For more information, please visit her on FB at https://www.facebook.com/writer.alisa... or Twitter @AlisaTangredi, or her website http://www.alisatangredi.com/.
** I got this book as a Goodreads First Reads giveaway **
What do you get when you cross an Angel of Death, who is in denial of his purpose on Earth, and a teenager, who is a diobolical sociopath? You get a wonderful read that keeps you engrossed in the story to the very end. Pavil Trusnik's story begins in Prague three hundred years ago and tells of the trials he emcompasses throughout his life while in the hunt to find solace in love and hope. Fast forward to present day: Kevin has mastered his appearance as a typical teenage boy who enjoys his skateboard and "music," only to use that as his guise to prey on the unsuspecting. That is, until he sets his sights on the old man who lives in the house across the street. Thinking his next "music" encounter will be the most memorable and thrilling, Kevin has no idea that he may have just met his match. This book has all the ingredients of making it a perfect, spooky read just in time for Halloween.
I enjoyed this psychological thriller/fantasy cross. After all it had so much that I love - puppets, a Czech setting, history and a large chunk of fantasy. The author Alisa Tangredi has really researched her puppet and Czech history backgrounds to create a totally authentic feel to her descriptions. The book is beautifully and intelligently written.
The book might disappoint those people who read it expecting violence and gore, but if you like intelligent books which do not conform to the expectations of genre then you will find much to enjoy. I really enjoyed the cross-genre nature of the book - the mix of historical fantasy and modern day thriller.
The only reason I have given this book four stars rather than five is that I have a problem with the role of the other main character the young psychopath Kevin (what is it about that name in fiction?) and the set up of the final showdown. As can be seen from the book blurb, we know that Kevin is not going to kill Pavel, that the showdown will be very one-sided. We have also seen enough to work out what might happen.
Kevin is also much less well-drawn than Pavel, who is wonderfully drawn - complex, flawed and hurt. In some ways this is a study of loneliness - not only has Pavel Trusnik been confined to his house for decades, but he has been denied the comfort of human touch for his entire life, something which drives him to the verge of madness and possibly over it. Alisa Tangredi is a very intelligent writer and I am sure could have done more to develop the parallels and contrasts between these two angels of death - one unwilling and one willing - and to create more suspense for the reader. But regardless of this quibble The Puppet Maker's Bones is wonderful book and I recommend it to you.
I received a free copy in return for a honest review.
It's rare I get a free book on Amazon and actually feel sort of badly about it: this is one of those times.
I loved the non-linear narrative structure, I loved the concept. Just a really well-executed story with plenty of room for the series to grow. I'm looking forward to reading her next books.
Pavel is a shut-in, an old man who seems like an easy target to a local predator – but who will be the hunter and who, the hunted?
The Puppet Maker’s Bones is an interesting blend of psychological study, dark fantasy and mystery. The action is set in the present day, but the great majority of the novel is concerned with the historical background of Pavel, the protagonist. Who is this old man who avoids contact with the outside world – and more importantly, why does he avoid contact with the outside world? This question sends the reader into Pavel’s past to explore his upbringing and what follows is a peculiar and fascinating study of a man born an outcast and raised in an eccentric family.
Eventually, Pavel’s origins are understood and his peculiarities revealed. Pavel has had a rather unfortunate life and I really enjoyed experiencing his tragic past. He is a fascinating character and I oscillated between sympathy and horror as he developed throughout the novel. Eventually, I began to understand that this story was unlikely to have a happy ending. Pavel’s upbringing was too unusual, his nature and self-imposed isolation too damaging. He was both highly intelligent and emotionally immature and disaster was inevitable. In another story he would have been a serial killer – in this he is a time bomb, ticking its way to self-destruction.
I always enjoy a story that tries to take a new perspective and for me, this story was both fresh and original. If you were born a curse incarnate, how would that impact your upbringing? If people who came into contact with you met with an untimely death – how would that impact you emotionally? This is the kind of study that the author creates with Pavel as the subject. Meanwhile we’re introduced to a shadowy background organisation created to support such a creature, otherwise known as Death’s Order.
Kevin, our predator, a sociopath destined for serial killer status, provides the mechanism for a one-act climax to the novel. He actually makes an intriguing juxtaposition to Pavel. While Pavel was destined to cause suffering to others, he has attempted even through his growing madness to suppress his nature. In contrast, Kevin has a relatively privileged upbringing – and yet still chooses an evil path. The author keeps Kevin’s character only as fleshed-out as required – to me, a deliberate decision to ensure a lack of sympathy. It is a very strong statement when the author manages to elicit far more sympathy from the reader for a veritable angel of death than for a teenage boy.
The Puppet Maker’s Bones is a successful demonstration of the author’s obvious talent in weaving an original and multi-layered story. The historical Czech setting was vivid, the scenes played out in the puppet theatre were entertaining and the tragic romance of Pavel and Zophie was satisfyingly devastating. Additionally, the prose was clear, well-formed and error free – certainly a bonus.
This novel is apparently the first book in a series or trilogy involving the organisation called Death’s Order. However, given that there is definite closure for the character of Pavel, the book would happily stand alone. If the author never completed a second book, the story would not feel somehow incomplete.
I highly recommend The Puppet Maker’s Bones for those who like creative, dark fantasies with interesting (if warped) characters and rather unsettling conclusions. Another example of indie done right.
This book takes a bold step beyond the usual realms of supernatural and paranormal genre. I do like quirky and new concepts and this one sneaks up on you in a slow unsuspecting way. From the moment of his birth Pavel is connected with death and it takes him many years to find out why death follows him around. Indeed much like the scars on his shoulders, his real identity and scope of his true being remains a mystery for many years. Pavel almost reminds me of various animals used to demonstrate the effects of solitary confinement on the human, or in this case non human psyche. Eventually he starts to lose a grip on reality, because he digs himself so deeply into his own hole of Plot wise I am not so sure why Pavel's act was considered worse and worthy of a harsher punishment than his friend Cheidu. I have to say I am not sure having the two major plotlines run side by side did the book any justice. Kevin's serial killer tendencies and ultimate plan seemed so far removed from the other storyline that it didn't gel very well. I think that is perhaps because Pavel and his story in combination with his supernatural heritage, was a far superior conceptually. It was like throwing a banana in a bag full of chocolate truffles. I liked the off the wall thinking this author brought to the story. It is quite dark and there is no use of the usual components of the genre. I received a free copy of this book for my review.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I can honestly say that I absolutely love this book from beginning to end! Unlike many of the books I have read recently, The Puppet-Makers Bones was pure enjoyment. Alisa Tangredi doesn't try to be overly complicated or extremely intellectual with her story but she captures everything necessary to make the story a joy to read.
Although the story is a sad, dark tale, it was written in a way that made the reader want to keep going and find out more. I found it to be a truly unique story and look forward to reading more from the author.
My only complaint in the book was that the murderer, Kevin (not a spoiler), seemed a bit one-dimensional. I think it would have really added to the story to have his character be a bit more complicated. Other than that, this book was wonderful and I highly recommend it!
This one came in today's mail, as I won a copy from Goodreads. Having lost my ereader..again... I started reading this one. Remember when horror stories were really suspenseful and made you want to sleep with a light on, without being full of gratuitous guts, gore, and violence? Well, it seem the GREAT ones are back again! As my students would say, this book is 'creeping me out!' Thank you, Alisa Tangredi!
I lost track of the week... but not the book! I've now finished it, and I wasn't disappointed. A child is born, is orphaned, and is 'adopted' by a puppetmaker and his wife, who explain the child's mysterious scars by saying he was a 'lost puppet' who was found and his strings removed. The story has a 'Pinocchio'feel to it, although in this case, the puppets are manipulating the strings. I'm looking forward to the next book. Enjoy!
Actually; I would rate this a (4.5). Sometimes you just take a chance on a selection to read. And sometimes you get lucky; very lucky. Well, call me Mr. Lucky because this selection was a hit in several phases of interest; ie. psychological thriller, suspense, horror, some fantasy, and a step into the supernatural and paranormal realm. Come on; what's not to like. Disturbed (sociopath) teen vs. disturbed (shut-in) elder. What a battle and what a story. Alisa Tangredi wrote this as Book 1 in the Death's Order series. "Without Intent" (Book 2) is scheduled for release in Spring, 2013. Am looking forward to this and future books by Ms. Tangredi. Highly recommend to all those interested in above mentioned genres.
One of the most erudite, tension-packed, gut-wrenching stories I've read in a long time.
The emotional story is very real. It's about a man driven to madness by loneliness, until the only person he can relate to is a sociopath hell-bent on killing him for pleasure.
But if you think you're in for another sadistic serial-killer thriller, or another Stephen-King style horror story, or any of the Halloween franchise, you're in for either a treat or a disappointment. This book is not "inside the lines" in any way. Is methodically breaks every genre rule it approaches in a way that is refreshingly original, literate and dramatically well-structured.
The story of Pavel Trusnik was a new concept for me. It was very refreshing to find a new idea in the paranormal genre.This author made me care about Pavel and the others like him. She also made me hate the teenaged sociopath who lives across the street from our poor, dear Pavel. I don't want to put any spoilers in here because this is a rich story that really should be enjoyed as it unfolds, without any more hints. I recieved a free copy of this book for review. I liked it so much that I intend to go now to look for more of author Alisa Tangredi's work.
This was quite a different spin on legends and cupids. It brings the legend to life in a very emotional and exciting way. You always want to know what's going to happen to the main character Pavel. Pavel sticks on you as well. You feel what he feels, what he thinks, and know what certain things will bring. It keeps you involved through the book. It would recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction, twists on legends, or just a small story of murder.
The final confrontation between the teenage psychopathic killer Kevin and the mysterious shut-in Pavel is a little anti-climatic, but the story of Pavel's long life and growing understanding of what he is makes this an intriguing read.
This was a refreshing book to read in the paranormal genre. Of course paranormal always has me thinking about lame little romances. Anyway, this is about Pavel Trusnik who is very old but you also are taken back through time of his and explanation of what he is which is an angel of death.
I felt really, really bad for Pavel because he just wanted to have a normal life. He wanted to love and be loved but with the way he was, he was unable to do that or there would be horrible outcomes.
We also meet Kevin who is a horrible person. He is a 17 year old killer. He has killed many people as well as countless animals. He has never gotten caught though. He made the mistake of picking Pavel as his next victim since Pavel is a shut in and no one visits him. An easy victim to kill, right?
The history that Pavel had was fascinating as well as heartbreaking. He has been around for many years and so there is a lot of back story and I really enjoyed it. His parents (adoptive) were fantastic with him and to him. He does go a bit crazy and doesn't listen to the people who advise him in a lot of things and some bad stuff happens because of it.
At the end of it and during the story I was so sad for Pavel but this book was amazing. It's a book that people would foolishly pass over and not think twice about. I was sent it as a blind book type of thing and am glad I was.
This book is extraordinary. It is extremely beautifully written and mannered. The characterisation of the main character is superior - I feel for Pavel, ache for Pavel and ultimately weep for him. This is catergorised as horror and I could not think of a more horrid existence. That said, it doesn't really fit that genre unless you look toward gothic horror of days past. The story is ingenious and I really wanted to know what was to become of the characters. You feel all along that it cannot be anything good and this is foreshadowed in the story by Trope. This is a cleverly executed book. I salute it.
Kevin is young, charming and kills for fun. His old seclusive neighbour Pavel Trusnik who has no relatives and no friends looks like the perfect victim. Kevin is wrong. Pavel has a dark secret and he stays away from other people for a reason.
It is an interesting premise and while many books have one but fail to deliver, this one lives up to its promise. The writing is good and as the story unfolds we learn more and more about Pavel's past until the book reaches its climax with the meeting between Kevin and Pavel.
Recommended for fans of horror, thrillers, dark and urban fantasy.
A very interesting story that takes place both in the present and in the distant past, connected by a VERY long-lived character. I really liked the angel-of-death mythology. I had mixed feelings about the ending--while it seemed a bit abrupt, at the same time it was totally appropriate for the arc of the character's story. I'd be interested to see if there will be more books written as companions to this one. I'd definitely read them!
3.75 stars. Well written dark fiction with memorable characters. However, for me, the resolution was unequal to the buildup of the two stories. So much was also left unexplored; I don't need all of the details to make a good story, but small things that slid by without consequence (like the first kiss) bothered me.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is many things, but boring is not one. It is a psychological thriller, love story, murder story, a story about a journey of discovery, and a sci-fi horror mix. The author combines these elements and characters into a very very good cohesive story with plenty of strong characters, decent secondary characters, and very intense, dark, sneaky action
Ms. Tangredi’s The Puppet Maker’s Bones has elements of a Shakespearian tragedy and is as well written as any I have ever read. This compelling novel also has horror and paranormal elements, AND it’s a love story. Pavel Trusnik is a mysterious recluse who lives with a tragic secret that is revealed to us in layers as his story unfolds. The manner in which the author shifts seamlessly to the past and present makes for an entertaining read. From the first mention of the strange pair of scars on his back, you begin to wonder, “what the heck is going on?” Who is Pavel Trusnik? The prose is brilliant (as it was in another book I read by the same author, UNDER THE LOOKING GLASS). Loved the details presented regarding the craft of puppet making. On a more esoteric level, Ms. Tangredi writes stories involving insanity and madness that draws you in gradually until you are so immersed in the characters, it would be impossible to pull away until you complete the journey. I’m not alluding Pavel is insane, not by any means, but where do you draw the line between decades of isolation and utter loneliness and the madness that can ensue? No doubt he is an empathetic character and you want things to turn out well for him. If you enjoy stories that really get into the characters’ heads, and by doing so, get into the reader’s head, pick up THE PUPPET MAKER’S BONES. The title itself is intriguing enough to make you want to read the story. Once you begin, you won’t want to stop!