Signature Kill

By: David Levien

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

A stunning serial-killer novel from David Levien, featuring his acclaimed and indomitable investigator, Frank Behr.... This is the bigger thriller we've been wanting from Levien.

A young woman's body is found on a side street in Indianapolis, horrifyingly arranged. Meanwhile Frank Behr, who is down on his luck and virtually broke, takes on a no-win case to locate a single mother's wayward daughter who's been missing for months. Suddenly Behr feels the two cases may be connected, but he is years removed from his life as a legitimate police officer and has few friends left on the force. His relentless focus has always been his greatest strength...and his deepest flaw.

As the death toll rises, it becomes clear Indianapolis has a serial killer in its midst...an invisible average Joe who passes beneath the radar but commits unspeakable acts. Frank Behr's pursuit will lead him to a dark place - and ultimately to a devastating decision from which he will not be able to turn back.

Signature Kill is David Levien's most masterful novel yet - an audiobook that will attract attention from a wider group of thriller fans.

©2015 Levien Works, Inc. (P)2015 Recorded Books

Story is too authentic at times...narration is BAD

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have a Criminal Justice degree and watch all the true crime shows I can. I have read extensively on many serial killers and what acts they have committed. That being said my stomach was turned a few times in this book and I don't think the scenes were necessary for the story. Yes we know that killers start with small animals... I DON'T need to hear those kinds of acts explicitly described in a leisure book. I am an animal lover and could've handled the general commentary of animal torture but to tell me how, and why and how long the specific type of torture continued was despicable on the part of the author. Wire hangers and fireworks aren't necessary for story movement.

Based on that, no I would not recommend this book.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

It didn't really keep me on the edge of my seat. I finished the book because I always do but the story ending was so ludicrous that I do not believe it at all as a possible outcome. I won't be picking up any of the other books in this series either.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Scott Brick?

You know, he might have been ok as the narrator if he hadn't over acted every chapter that was in the criminals voice. My impression of the perpetrator was a strong, confident man and the voice used was of a shy, timid and scared, slightly high and not in touch with reality. Of course the criminal isn't in touch with reality completely but this man was holding up a marriage and a job and so wasn't as 'out of his mind' as the narrator made him sound.

Any additional comments?

I listened to this book based on other customer reviews. I hope my review helps others to not be surprised by what they end up hearing compared to the reviews.

All I can say is WOW!Where has this author hiding?

Where does Signature Kill rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

With 600+ books in my library this one would be in my top 100 and that's saying a lot.

What other book might you compare Signature Kill to and why?

If I didn't know better I would have thought I was listening to a Frank Quinn book by John Lutz who is one of my favorites.

Any additional comments?

If you're a Lutz fan this is a book you will really like. Graphic at times but this is a story with a really good in depth plot. Both the antagonist and protagonist are multilayered with multiple subplots (but not so many that it gets confusing). I also like that you don't know who the killer is until the end. As his story unfolds it is reminiscent of many serial murderers that have been in past headlines and follows his path in life from childhood torture of animals and the adults who missed it but could have put a stop to his escalation into depravity as so often happens in real life. I will definitely go back and get the other three books in this series. I Highly RECOMMEND this book! This one is truly worthy of your credit. If you are anything like me you guard these closely, this one is worth it...

Wow!!!! One of the best thrillers I've come across

Great book from an author I've never read. I found it by chance while looking to see if Scott brick had any new releases and stumbled on "signature kill."

I was hooked in the first five minutes! The characters were well written, the story line fascinating and there were things that surprised me which is rare. I read so many serial killer murder mysteries and they all start to sound the same but this one I will remember and I REALLY hope there is a sequel. I'd love to see where bear is headed.

Scott brick was a very smart choice for the narrator, no one reads creepy sadistic killer quite like him!

Holy Cow!!!

Scary read and even better narrator! Scott Brick was AWESOME! Keep the lights on, this will give you chills! Wow!

Murder inc. with feeling, feeling, and more fe....

What did you love best about Signature Kill?

Where to start, David Levien does not pull any punches in his descriptions very graphic, bold, and without apology. This book would not have been my first choice because of the nature of the story, but once into the book I have no regrets.
I found it very difficult to turn it off and visit with others while listening to this story .

What other book might you compare Signature Kill to and why?

I have close to 300 books in my library and as far as I know this book stands alone in subject matter and its morbid graphic nature, with that said it is a great thriller. The cast of characters will give you feelings of admiration to making your skin crawl.
The book will also make you hope that you never have and will never know people that are so warped and possess such deranged thinking.

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Scott Brick reads the story in a laid back matter of fact voice the almost makes you think the subject matter in the book is just an everyday occurance.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The fight in the front yard with the dog, man and his wife...and the dialogue following, but that was only one incident of many that are memorable.

Cuts to the Bone

Where does Signature Kill rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the middle of my preferences… It has good interesting developments…but somewhat predicable

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Finally a realistic ending…

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

Always enjoy listening to him read

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

very graphic…. makes a person wonder how another person can be so non emotional and can justify the violent acts that the killer uses.

Not bad, but true to the formula.

Do you think Signature Kill needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I'd probably give a sequel a try if I was in the right mood. The writing was workmanlike and kept me engaged, but wish the plot offered something new.

Any additional comments?

Pretty standard serial killer book. Kept feeling like I'd read this before. The descriptions of the killings are pretty disgusting, but no worse than in a Val McDermid book. Not too original overall: troubled former macho cop whose marriage/relationship has cracked under the strain of The Job, becomes a PI seeking killer committing sadistic acts against young women. Of course his former cop boss considers him a Loose Cannon.

Scott Brick serves the material well enough, utilizing his two gears, Tough Guy and Creepy Killer. Just okay, but okay enough for me to try one more from this very competent author to see if there's anything more original up his sleeve.

Thrilling

Great Thriller! Antagonist was AMAZINGLY Deranged... Just, WOW!
Never a dull moment in this mystery/thriller!

Best Ever!

David Levien just gets better and better! The story keeps you riveted and wanting more.

Straight forward

i love stories that have a lot of twist and turns and surprises especially at the end. This story had Non of that. The plot and ending was prerty straight forward but i still really liked this story. This isn't a love story labeled as a thriller, this is a true thriller in my opinion. Good book.