Review: Bad Signs

Author: R.J. Ellory

Started reading: July 30th 2022

Finished the book: August 25th 2022

Pages: 436

Genres: Thriller

Published: October 27th 2011

Source: Bought the book

Goodreads score: 3.92

My score:

Synopsis

Orphaned by an act of senseless violence that took their mother from them, half-brothers Clarence Luckman and Elliott Danziger have been raised in state institutions, unaware of any world outside. But their lives take a sudden turn when they are seized as hostages by a convicted killer en route to death row.

Earl Sheridan is a psychopath of the worst kind, but he has the potential to change the boys' lives for ever. As the trio set off on a frenetic escape from the law through California and Texas, the two brothers must come to terms with the ever-growing tide of violence that follows in their wake - something that forces them to make a choice about their lives, and their relationship to one another.

Will the boys manage to elude the dark star that has hung over them since their mother's death or will they succumb to the pull of Earl Sheridan's terrifying but exhilarating vision of the world?

My thoughts

Thanks to Arjen for reading this book together with me! This book was a RIDE. If you're into crime/thrillers, this is definitely one to pick up. I was a bit surprised that it doesn't even have 1000 ratings on Goodreads. I thought it was a bit more well known. So I would definitely understand if you have not heard of this one!

Pros

• Fast paced: A lot is happening in this book. It definitely did not feel like a 400+ book, because it is so fast paced. The story keeps moving and moving. Every chapter something important is told or happening. It's not too fast paced, it was exactly the pace it should have. I didn't feel like things were skipped, or anything like that. For me, it was exactly what I like!
• Writing style: I don't know how to describe this the best way, but the writing style was so unique. I've read the Dutch translation and I feel like it was really well done. This author has a writing style that you could pick out of a bunch. It really stands out and I love it if an author has their own voice.
• Ending: The ending was so, so fast paced and I felt like anything could happen. I could not predict what would happen. I was definitely happy about the ending. But I was also hoping for a bit more? I don't want to spoil anything but I feel like the ending, overall, was pretty good.

Cons

• Characters: This is one of those books with many, many characters, but I couldn't connect or relate to any of them. It's not that they are badly written, not at all. It's just that I didn't like them all that much. Even with the "good guys" I couldn't connect.

Overall

A very unique thriller with an author voice that is so unique. The story is fast paced, and because of all the horrible things that happen in this book, I had no idea how this would end. It's definitely one of the darker books, so if that's not your thing, I wouldn't pick it up! It didn't cross my gross-line, so I definitely enjoyed reading this one!

Other opinions on this book

"A haunting thriller. An existential look af the nature of fate. Gripping."

- Kirkus Reviews

"A tale of the darkness within all of us, the inherent hope for salvation, and the ultimate consequences of evil. Ellory has once again penned a spellbinding and compelling thriller of a novel that will hold the reader's rapt attention from beginning to end."

- Midwest Book Review

Thanks for reading!

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