I saw The Bodies Left Behind by Jeffery Deaver when my friend, Jessica, was showing me the Amazon Significant Seven, which apparently is actually called Best of the Month. The review of The Bodies Left Behind in the November 2008 edition of Best of the Month was glowing, and both Jessica and I instantly put it on our must read list.
The Bodies Left Behind begins with a great premise: An aborted 911 call is followed up on by an off-duty deputy, Brynn. When Brynn gets to the remote vacation house from where the 911 call came, she finds two dead bodies, two men, Hart and Lewis, who instantly try to kill her, both of them holding guns, and a woman, Michelle, who had been visiting with the dead couple and had surprised the men when she came down the stairs. Brynn and Michelle run into the woods to escape Hart and Lewis, and a game of cat and mouse ensues.
This book was great. I loved how Brynn and Hart set traps for each other, and try to trick the other into going a different direction. Every time you think you’ve got things figured out, PSYCH! the story has taken another turn, another plot twist upsets the balance.
Even though the book is told from alternating points of view, the reader isn’t omniscient and only gets a glimpse of what various characters are thinking and doing. You can’t take anything on face value in this book, because just when you think you know why someone’s done something, you find out you’re wrong and you have to put all the puzzle pieces back together again.
My only complaint is that the ending seemed a little too “just so”, but it’s hard to complain about the ending when I couldn’t figure out the ending until I was right up on top of it.
Something I thought I would complain about but can’t has to do with the main character. I’ve noticed that sometimes in books like this, the main character will have some crazy knowledge or skill, and all of a sudden it comes in useful when they’re being hunted by a killer. Brynn knows all kinds of stuff about trees, and surprise! she gets chased into a woodland area. But her knowledge of trees is very secondary and doesn’t come in overly useful at this harrowing time. Which I appreciate.
I’ve never read any books by Jeffery Deaver, and in looking over some of the reviews on Amazon, this isn’t his best work. My jaw dropped open and I was like, Dude, if this isn’t his best work, then I’ve GOT to read more, ’cause I thought this book was awesome!
Rating: 94 out of 100
You can check out the author’s website here.
Or support an independent bookstore and buy the book from Powell’s.
Other (probably better) reviews:
| Tags: book review, Books, jeffery deaver, mystery, suspense, the bodies left behind, thriller 15 comments »
January 29th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
I haven’t read any Jeffrey Deaver either, but this one does sound good.
January 29th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Sounds good…I love starting with the “not the best” work and loving it so that I can especially enjoy the rest.
January 29th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
I love Jeffery Deaver and I’ll definitely check this out when it’s published in Germany. So far, I’ve only read books in the Lincoln Rhyme/Amelia Sachs series. I’ll post a review of The Cold Moon later today.
January 30th, 2009 at 12:35 am
I haven’t read anything by him and I’m always looking for good recommendations, thanks!
January 30th, 2009 at 6:54 am
If this isn’t his best, it’s all uphill from here!! I’ve never read anything by him but it does sound exciting! I like how he didn’t have his character use special skills or vast knowledge of some obscure thing (the trees) to get out of a sticky situation. That kind of thing always makes me roll my eyes and think- where are MY special skills?? What are MY super powers?? LOL
January 30th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Wow, I’ve never read anything by Jeffrey Deaver either, but it sounds like this book is right up my alley. Thanks for letting me know about it.
Sarah
January 30th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I had an opportunity to meet Jeffrey Deaver at a conference a few years ago – he’s a very nice man. I first heard of him when The Bone Collector was made into a movie and now love his work.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Not to sound like a broken record, but I haven’t read anything by this author yet either. I just might now though – I loved your review and am very interested in seeing exactly what happened in the book!
Wendi
January 31st, 2009 at 4:42 pm
very cool review!! He’s been on my TBR list for like forever…now, after reading your post I’m going to have to bump him up a few notches!!
February 1st, 2009 at 8:02 am
Looking for a new author and would like to try J. Deaver. Thanks and a neat deal you have.
February 1st, 2009 at 8:37 am
This sounds like a great book! I’ve read a few of his books and have always loved them. I’ll be picking this one up too!
martasmeanderings.blogspot.com
February 1st, 2009 at 11:33 am
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February 26th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
[...] I have a few already, like The Help by Kathryn Stockett, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and The Bodies Left Behind by Jeffery Deaver. So what’s captured your attention so far this [...]
July 7th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
[...] you like to read thriller/mysteries? You need to read this great review by Trish from “Hey Lady” of The Bodies Left Behind by Jeffery [...]
October 7th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Great book! Just finished reading it today on my flight. I’ve already read one Deaver’s book before, “The Broken Window” and they are both quite exciting. “Bodies” do seem a bit better for me, as the main plot is more down-to-earth and has nothing to do with hi-tech or surreal issues. One of the best twist of plot I’ve seen in a while, I highly recomend this book.