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Frank Behr #4
Signature Kill
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 for 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—a book that will attract attention from a wider group of thriller fans.
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—a book that will attract attention from a wider group of thriller fans.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published March 24, 2015
36 people are currently reading
707 people want to read
About the author
David Levien
24Ìýbooks87ÌýfollowersDavid Levien is an American screenwriter, novelist, director, and producer. Best known as the co-writer of Ocean's Thirteen, Levien has also produced films such as The Illusionist and The Lucky Ones.
As a screenwriter, he has a deal with Paramount Studios. His next project with the studio is the 2009 film The Winter of Frankie Machine, starring Robert DeNiro.
As a novelist, he has published City of the Sun with Random House.
As a screenwriter, he has a deal with Paramount Studios. His next project with the studio is the 2009 film The Winter of Frankie Machine, starring Robert DeNiro.
As a novelist, he has published City of the Sun with Random House.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
November 13, 2016
It's probably true to say that this book reads a little like a movie or tv series and therefore no surprise to learn that the author David Levien is both a screenwriter and Director. This is the third book I have read starring PI Frank Behr ; ex cop now private eye, a real loner with a sad past, broken relations and a dead son. We now discover him in a relationship ( I use the term loosely) with Susan and a son they have together...Trevor (unusual to find anyone naming a son Trevor! and so great respect to Susan as my name is Trevor!) Frank spots a billboard, the originator is searching for her lost daughter Kendra Gibbons, and he decides to help, attracted by the large reward money on offer. This leads him into a cat and mouse game with the perpetrator as this psychopath continues to kidnap and torture, in the most horrific way, innocent young girls. Will Frank be able to bring the killer to justice and at the same time find some peace and reconciliation in his private life?
David Levien's books are easy to read with a very uncomplicated singular plot which probably reflects on his movie and tv background. They are not works of great literary acclaim but this is not always a bad thing as we often read for fun and escapism. For me what really dragged this book up to a 4 star rating was the completely unexpected last few chapters and an ending which although may have been out of character for Frank Behr, surely asks a lot of questions about his own mental state? To say more might disclose the plot in what proved to be once again an enjoyable excursion into the curious, complicated and often violent world of PI F Behr.
David Levien's books are easy to read with a very uncomplicated singular plot which probably reflects on his movie and tv background. They are not works of great literary acclaim but this is not always a bad thing as we often read for fun and escapism. For me what really dragged this book up to a 4 star rating was the completely unexpected last few chapters and an ending which although may have been out of character for Frank Behr, surely asks a lot of questions about his own mental state? To say more might disclose the plot in what proved to be once again an enjoyable excursion into the curious, complicated and often violent world of PI F Behr.
November 13, 2016
The violent world of PI Frank Behr It's probably true to say that this book reads a little like a movie or tv series and therefore no surprise to learn that the author David Levien is both a screenwriter and Director. This is the third book I have read starring PI Frank Behr ; ex cop now private eye, a real loner with a sad past, broken relations and a dead son. We now discover him in a relationship ( I use the term loosely) with Susan and a son they have together...Trevor (unusual to find anyone naming a son Trevor! and so great respect to Susan as my name is Trevor!) Frank spots a billboard, the originator is searching for her lost daughter Kendra Gibbons, and he decides to help, attracted by the large reward money on offer. This leads him into a cat and mouse game with the perpetrator as this psychopath continues to kidnap and torture, in the most horrific way, innocent young girls. Will Frank be able to bring the killer to justice and at the same time find some peace and reconciliation in his private life?
Ìý
David Levien's books are easy to read with a very uncomplicated singular plot which probably reflects on his movie and tv background. They are not works of great literary acclaim but this is not always a bad thing as we often read for fun and escapism. For me what really dragged this book up to a 4 star rating was the completely unexpected last few chapters and an ending which although may have been out of character for Frank Behr, surely asks a lot of questions about his own mental state? To say more might disclose the plot in what proved to be once again an enjoyable excursion into the curious, complicated and often violent world of PI F Behr.
Ìý
David Levien's books are easy to read with a very uncomplicated singular plot which probably reflects on his movie and tv background. They are not works of great literary acclaim but this is not always a bad thing as we often read for fun and escapism. For me what really dragged this book up to a 4 star rating was the completely unexpected last few chapters and an ending which although may have been out of character for Frank Behr, surely asks a lot of questions about his own mental state? To say more might disclose the plot in what proved to be once again an enjoyable excursion into the curious, complicated and often violent world of PI F Behr.
January 12, 2015
Give me a good thriller/mystery and I rarely come up for air. David Levien's Signature Kill is just that kind of book. It hooked me immediately and now I'm sleep deprived from reading into the wee hours of the night.
Frank Behr is a private eye in a relationship with Susan. They have an infant son together and the relationship is very complicated. They don't live together but Frank spends a lot of time with Susan and is supposed to share childcare duties. He is an ex-policeman and now is a private eye, essentially living hand to mouth. Driving his car one day, he sees a billboard offering a $100,000 reward for solving the case of Kendra Gibbons, a young prostitute who has disappeared without a trace, leaving her mother and young child behind. Frank decides that this is how he'll make his next paycheck. However, he gets more than he bargained for.
It turns out that the murderer is likely a signature killer, similar to a serial killer but they leave a special mark or setting to their kills. "A serial killer is two or more, by any means. But we use the term 'signature' because even though the MO can change from crime to crime, due to the specific and random circumstances of each act, the key element of the crime that gives the killer the satisfaction is the same even when the little details present slightly differently." What I especially enjoyed in this book is that chapters alternate from Frank's perspective to ones from the point of view of the killer. We get to see inside the killer's mind and watch as he stalks and heinously kills his victims. This may be too much for some people but I found it fascinating.
Frank gets the help of a profiler by the name of Misretta and not only do they get along, but things sizzle between them. They realize that there have been 24 murders over 16 years in the Indianapolis area where they live, all most likely by the same criminal. The killer looks for white women, all blond and mostly hookers. After he kills them he sets them up in poses and removes some feminine body parts. Yes, it is gross.
This is not the first book in the Frank Behr series so I'm coming into it a bit late but I plan on reading the rest of the series. Levien knows how to write and this book would make a great movie. Since Levien has experience as a screenwriter and director, that may be his goal here. I can't wait to read the whole series. I found the characterization, action and plot all superb.
Frank Behr is a private eye in a relationship with Susan. They have an infant son together and the relationship is very complicated. They don't live together but Frank spends a lot of time with Susan and is supposed to share childcare duties. He is an ex-policeman and now is a private eye, essentially living hand to mouth. Driving his car one day, he sees a billboard offering a $100,000 reward for solving the case of Kendra Gibbons, a young prostitute who has disappeared without a trace, leaving her mother and young child behind. Frank decides that this is how he'll make his next paycheck. However, he gets more than he bargained for.
It turns out that the murderer is likely a signature killer, similar to a serial killer but they leave a special mark or setting to their kills. "A serial killer is two or more, by any means. But we use the term 'signature' because even though the MO can change from crime to crime, due to the specific and random circumstances of each act, the key element of the crime that gives the killer the satisfaction is the same even when the little details present slightly differently." What I especially enjoyed in this book is that chapters alternate from Frank's perspective to ones from the point of view of the killer. We get to see inside the killer's mind and watch as he stalks and heinously kills his victims. This may be too much for some people but I found it fascinating.
Frank gets the help of a profiler by the name of Misretta and not only do they get along, but things sizzle between them. They realize that there have been 24 murders over 16 years in the Indianapolis area where they live, all most likely by the same criminal. The killer looks for white women, all blond and mostly hookers. After he kills them he sets them up in poses and removes some feminine body parts. Yes, it is gross.
This is not the first book in the Frank Behr series so I'm coming into it a bit late but I plan on reading the rest of the series. Levien knows how to write and this book would make a great movie. Since Levien has experience as a screenwriter and director, that may be his goal here. I can't wait to read the whole series. I found the characterization, action and plot all superb.
July 2, 2016
This is my first Frank Behr book, he is a good, no nonsense detective. I do think this book stood on its own as a somewhat gruesom police procedual. I would read more of this series as it did have a good story line.
February 13, 2015
Actually 4.5/5
Signature Kill by David Levien in the fourth in his Frank Behr series and the first I have read, but it will not be my last, as I plan start the series from the beginning, nothing is better than discovering a new masterful suspense/thriller author. Frank Behr is down on his luck and close to broke, and is working a no-win missing persons case when a young women is discovered murdered and hideously arranged on a side street in Indianapolis. Behr believes the two cases may be connected, however he has almost no friends left on the police force he was once apart of. As the body count increases, it is clear there is a serial killer on the loose and Behr relentlessly pursues the cases, but this time his greatest strength could prove devastating. Levien has crafted a powerful suspense thriller with a strong plot and unexpected twists and turns. His main character is well drawn out and while I could not put the book down, I kept wishing I had read the previous books; I personally wanted more insight into Behr’s life. Signature Kill definitely can be read as a standalone, I think the reader would benefit even more from reading the previous books, however Levien’s writing style and deeply suspenseful atmosphere with unexpected twists will keep readers new to his works riveted to the story. I highly recommend Signature Kill to readers who enjoy exceptional suspense thrillers.
Signature Kill by David Levien in the fourth in his Frank Behr series and the first I have read, but it will not be my last, as I plan start the series from the beginning, nothing is better than discovering a new masterful suspense/thriller author. Frank Behr is down on his luck and close to broke, and is working a no-win missing persons case when a young women is discovered murdered and hideously arranged on a side street in Indianapolis. Behr believes the two cases may be connected, however he has almost no friends left on the police force he was once apart of. As the body count increases, it is clear there is a serial killer on the loose and Behr relentlessly pursues the cases, but this time his greatest strength could prove devastating. Levien has crafted a powerful suspense thriller with a strong plot and unexpected twists and turns. His main character is well drawn out and while I could not put the book down, I kept wishing I had read the previous books; I personally wanted more insight into Behr’s life. Signature Kill definitely can be read as a standalone, I think the reader would benefit even more from reading the previous books, however Levien’s writing style and deeply suspenseful atmosphere with unexpected twists will keep readers new to his works riveted to the story. I highly recommend Signature Kill to readers who enjoy exceptional suspense thrillers.
March 24, 2015
Don't let the time it took me to read this book fool you. I had several days of TV binging and did not read for a week. This, to me, was a very good book. I found it well written and very entertaining. The main character Behr seemed a brooding sort, but aren't most detectives with some type of a bad trait. The villain in this book was definitely a gross one when you finally discovered the full extent of his nature and his crimes. It was definitely fast paced and my heart is still pounding after just having finished reading it. The ending was definitely different from most books of this nature in the decision the investigator makes. I definitely recommend this book.
Thanks Doubleday Books and Net Galley for providing me with this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks Doubleday Books and Net Galley for providing me with this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2015
This story was a bit disturbing in its imagery of the villian's crime spree and the characters not as nuanced as I had hoped but the ending was interesting. The setting was the best part of the novel as it is set in Indianapolis. I know all the locations referenced and therefore could envision the locales quite easily. Indy was gritty, grimy and seedy where the predator killer targeted his victims. A perfect story for a cable tv series. Now, I must leave you with thoughts of Indy racing cars and the delightful pork tenderloins our city is know for!
July 12, 2024
this book pleasantly surprised me. i was headstand at first but as i kept reading it really kept me in the story to the very end.
i have screamed, cursed and cried a bit at everything that went on in this book. i have never felt fear of my surroundings the way this book made me feel.
the ending is not what i was hoping for but it is what it is 😔
i have screamed, cursed and cried a bit at everything that went on in this book. i have never felt fear of my surroundings the way this book made me feel.
the ending is not what i was hoping for but it is what it is 😔
September 2, 2024
That was good!
July 5, 2018
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher.
If you ever wondered what it was like to be inside the mind of a mad man, you need not look any further than this new terrifying thriller, Signature Kill.
The story is told by the killer’s voice, as well as the quiet, sometimes seemingly standoffish, Frank Behr. Behr is an ex-cop turned private eye and in need of some much needed cash. As he’s driving home from a deer hunting outing with a buddy of his, he sees a billboard with a pretty young woman’s face plastered up with information asking if anyone has seen this woman? Behr further gleams there will be a reward in the amount of $100,000 given to the person who finds her. As much as Behr’s gut tells him to leave the whole situation alone, that $100,000 is calling out his name.
Meanwhile, his old cronies at his former police precinct are called to a park in Indianapolis where a body is discovered or what would appear to be what a human body is supposed to look like. This sickly disturbing twisted attempt of leaving a woman’s body exposed to the elements for the world to see sets off a series of women’s murders displayed in ways the human body cannot possibly set itself—thereby leaving one to question who or what could be sick enough to distort and pose these women, who once went about their daily lives never knowing they were so close to death, only to be left as empty carcasses without regard or respect to their lives?
Hmm, that’s the $64 million dollar question of the night and only one way to find out the answers is to read this bone chilling, gruesomely riveting thriller. I caution readers if you don’t have a strong stomach, you’re likely to lose its contents! (chuckle). The reader will come away with two stories in one—taking the journey down a dark path inside the mind of a sadistic murderer and the man who puts himself in the middle of it all to catch him.
David Levien is an amazing author bringing his readers into his characters� sick and twisted world. This novel had me sitting on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, as I turned the pages wondering what other discoveries Frank Behr and I were going to make?
These characters are so life like, and yes, including the killer. You’ve probably heard or read about killers similar to this fictional one. What I found most captivating was the brilliant ending! It felt so damn good and I only wish that, in this case, life would imitate art�(the ending) I mean.
If you ever wondered what it was like to be inside the mind of a mad man, you need not look any further than this new terrifying thriller, Signature Kill.
The story is told by the killer’s voice, as well as the quiet, sometimes seemingly standoffish, Frank Behr. Behr is an ex-cop turned private eye and in need of some much needed cash. As he’s driving home from a deer hunting outing with a buddy of his, he sees a billboard with a pretty young woman’s face plastered up with information asking if anyone has seen this woman? Behr further gleams there will be a reward in the amount of $100,000 given to the person who finds her. As much as Behr’s gut tells him to leave the whole situation alone, that $100,000 is calling out his name.
Meanwhile, his old cronies at his former police precinct are called to a park in Indianapolis where a body is discovered or what would appear to be what a human body is supposed to look like. This sickly disturbing twisted attempt of leaving a woman’s body exposed to the elements for the world to see sets off a series of women’s murders displayed in ways the human body cannot possibly set itself—thereby leaving one to question who or what could be sick enough to distort and pose these women, who once went about their daily lives never knowing they were so close to death, only to be left as empty carcasses without regard or respect to their lives?
Hmm, that’s the $64 million dollar question of the night and only one way to find out the answers is to read this bone chilling, gruesomely riveting thriller. I caution readers if you don’t have a strong stomach, you’re likely to lose its contents! (chuckle). The reader will come away with two stories in one—taking the journey down a dark path inside the mind of a sadistic murderer and the man who puts himself in the middle of it all to catch him.
David Levien is an amazing author bringing his readers into his characters� sick and twisted world. This novel had me sitting on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, as I turned the pages wondering what other discoveries Frank Behr and I were going to make?
These characters are so life like, and yes, including the killer. You’ve probably heard or read about killers similar to this fictional one. What I found most captivating was the brilliant ending! It felt so damn good and I only wish that, in this case, life would imitate art�(the ending) I mean.
March 17, 2015
Signature Kill is a dark,powerful suspense novel.It is very well written with attention to detail.Frank Behr,a damaged man and former cop,is now a private investigator.His latest case is a missing person,a prostitute who disappeared one night.He discovers there are many other missing women fitting the same physical description and he is now on the hunt for a serial killer.David Levien gets inside the killer's mind and it is quite disturbing.He is a sadistic monster who sees himself as an artist.I could smell the smells,hear the sounds and feel the victims' terror.I was tempted to read this book in one sitting but I wanted to prolong the suspense.I highly recommend this novel as long as you don't mind a bit of bloody violence.
March 29, 2015
In David Levien's Signature Kill, the 4th installment in the Frank Behr thriller series, Frank returned on a most devastating and heart-breaking case that might cost him his family. When he investigated a disappearance of a missing prostitute, he didn't know what to expect. With his boss breathing down his neck, his relationship with his son and his girlfriend became more in jeopardy.He required the help of a profile he became attracted to, while he became more obsessive to track down his killer. The closer he learned the truth and discovered the identity of the killer, he track him down and took matter of his own hands, before he killed again, and tied up loose ends, when it was over.
February 11, 2015
Great Detective procedural with a believable villain and a dedicated PI on his trail. This book grabs you right away and holds your attention. Some stock characters, but true to the genre. It is, however very dark and a little gruesome- well maybe a lot at times. Not for the squeamish! Well written, logical with some unexpected twists that raise it above the run-of-the-mill thriller. I recommend it!
June 16, 2015
Another really good book in this series. The two main characters really stood out in this installment. The lead, Frank Behr, went through a lot in this book and you really got to know more about him. And throughout the book, you get the story told from the voice of the killer, which is very creepy and chilling. This is a dark suspense novel and is pretty graphic at times.
January 20, 2016
I loved this book, it was a real page turner and had me gripped and in suspense from the beginning to the end . There was plenty of twists that had me engrossed and wanting to keep reading till the end. It was well written and Frank Behr is now one of my favourite characters
Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this
Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this
April 27, 2016
Fairly solid detective fiction, if that's your cup of tea. A flawed hero is all well and good but without wanting to spoil things, the ending in particular made the main character completely unlikable and totally unredeemable.
February 27, 2016
On the edge of your seat thrilling! One that you can't put down and absolutely MUST keep reading, although I don't recommend pulling an all nighter
April 7, 2015
First book I read on David Levien and won't be the last. Excellent read
December 4, 2017
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
He's disturbed and dark. Very dark. For this man, killing is like a craving he just can't satisfy. Death is his art and his victims simply his materials. But half the fun is in the planning, and this killer knows how to plan, and how to stay unseen.
Frank Behr isn't even a cop. He used to be a cop, but now he's just a man, down on his luck, and tangled up in a whole lot of trouble. When he discovers a connection between a missing persons case and one of the serial killer's victims, he is forced to go it alone to find the culprit.
This is a hunt that will push Behr to the limits of his skills, and the limits of his morals. Because as Behr is drawn further into this killer's grotesque mind, he finds that the line between good and evil is more grey than he ever imagined.
This is a tough review - some very good points to it, but some stuff that let it down for me.
Let's start with the good: this was one heck of a thrilling, page-turning read. The suspense was dialled in nicely and the pacing of the story was just about spot-on (for my liking!) The plot, the twists and turns were well done and think these things are really hard to get right in tandem.
The downsides, however, are here too: Frank was a walking cliché - a down-on-his-luck former cop, now P.I.; can't hold a relationship with a woman, although a number of them like him - didn't get into him at all. The other thing was that every other chapter, the bad guy is dismembering something. Just really graphic and violent - and could have done with a lot less.
Still, I recommend this book - and will go back and see what the earlier books were like.
Paul
ARH
He's disturbed and dark. Very dark. For this man, killing is like a craving he just can't satisfy. Death is his art and his victims simply his materials. But half the fun is in the planning, and this killer knows how to plan, and how to stay unseen.
Frank Behr isn't even a cop. He used to be a cop, but now he's just a man, down on his luck, and tangled up in a whole lot of trouble. When he discovers a connection between a missing persons case and one of the serial killer's victims, he is forced to go it alone to find the culprit.
This is a hunt that will push Behr to the limits of his skills, and the limits of his morals. Because as Behr is drawn further into this killer's grotesque mind, he finds that the line between good and evil is more grey than he ever imagined.
This is a tough review - some very good points to it, but some stuff that let it down for me.
Let's start with the good: this was one heck of a thrilling, page-turning read. The suspense was dialled in nicely and the pacing of the story was just about spot-on (for my liking!) The plot, the twists and turns were well done and think these things are really hard to get right in tandem.
The downsides, however, are here too: Frank was a walking cliché - a down-on-his-luck former cop, now P.I.; can't hold a relationship with a woman, although a number of them like him - didn't get into him at all. The other thing was that every other chapter, the bad guy is dismembering something. Just really graphic and violent - and could have done with a lot less.
Still, I recommend this book - and will go back and see what the earlier books were like.
Paul
ARH
November 22, 2022
Bro wtf.
I got this book at a library sale for only $2 (yay) but I missed the part where this is the fourth book in a detective series. I hateeeee detective series, especially finding myself unwittingly in the middle book of a series. You just miss so much and there always the references to past books.
Also this is a detective series written by a MAN. I don’t have any issues reading books written by men but any sort of law enforcement/ military/ detective book written by a man is bound to be chalk full of military jargon and guns and hunting and bourbon and this is exactly what this book is and this is exactly something that I don’t particular care about.
The main character is so unbearable. Maybe he’s always been like this maybe his attitude and decisions have gotten worse because of whatever happened in the other books but I absolutely hated Behr. The man brought his baby to a stake out. A DANGEROUS stakeout. And he’s a cheater? And what the hell was that ending? Do they all end like that?
This book is also not for the weak of stomach. It is incredibly descriptive and incredibly gory about the stalking, assault, murder, and dismemberment of women. And as a woman, it made me very uncomfortable. I’m just laying in bed and my anxiety is heightened thinking about this book.
I need to take a break from thrillers after reading this.
For all that I’ve said, the book is not bad if you like this kind of writing style. The plot is memorable and well written but it’s really just not my cup of tea.
I got this book at a library sale for only $2 (yay) but I missed the part where this is the fourth book in a detective series. I hateeeee detective series, especially finding myself unwittingly in the middle book of a series. You just miss so much and there always the references to past books.
Also this is a detective series written by a MAN. I don’t have any issues reading books written by men but any sort of law enforcement/ military/ detective book written by a man is bound to be chalk full of military jargon and guns and hunting and bourbon and this is exactly what this book is and this is exactly something that I don’t particular care about.
The main character is so unbearable. Maybe he’s always been like this maybe his attitude and decisions have gotten worse because of whatever happened in the other books but I absolutely hated Behr. The man brought his baby to a stake out. A DANGEROUS stakeout. And he’s a cheater? And what the hell was that ending? Do they all end like that?
This book is also not for the weak of stomach. It is incredibly descriptive and incredibly gory about the stalking, assault, murder, and dismemberment of women. And as a woman, it made me very uncomfortable. I’m just laying in bed and my anxiety is heightened thinking about this book.
I need to take a break from thrillers after reading this.
For all that I’ve said, the book is not bad if you like this kind of writing style. The plot is memorable and well written but it’s really just not my cup of tea.
January 5, 2020
This is another book that has been on my "to be read" list since 2015 and I have finally got round to reading it and so pleased I did as I really enjoyed it. Although this is book 4 in the Frank Behr series, I haven't read any of the others and I admit that it would probably be better to read the others in order to get some clarity and background to Frank but having said that, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this book so will say it works well as a standalone.
This is a pretty disturbing story written from Frank's perspective and that of the killer; this I think was genius in that it gave Frank a strong voice and made him come alive but it also did the same for the killer which was chilling and oddly satisfying but perfect for this book.
The writing style was excellent and easy to read; the suspense and action scenes were described perfectly and all the characters were well developed and authentic.
This is a gritty, dark, atmospheric and suspenseful read that I found gripping and very difficult to put down; I will certainly read more of this series and from this author but hopefully won't delay it so long next time.
Thank you to RandomHouseUK / Transworld Publishers via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
June 18, 2019
I hate when I accidentally read a book that's out of order in a series, and I had a strong feeling throughout this one that I had done just that. This is the fourth book in a series I have never read before but the story was so gripping that I couldn't stop. Frank Behr, ex-cop turned under-employed PI, is in need of a payday so he decides to track down a missing prostitute for the reward money being offered by her mother. Behr has limited resources and connections as a result of bridges burned from his days on the force: this is where having read earlier books would have been helpful. Behr, however, cobbles together enough information to determine that he's not dealing with just one missing woman, but several, and that there is a serial killer on the loose. This killer is particularly twisted and grotesque, and the author was not shy about describing in detail the things the killer liked to do with his victims. So if that's not your thing, you will not like this book. However, if you can gloss over that, this is very intense and enjoyable book. I plan to go back an start from the beginning.
September 5, 2019
This is a very dark entry in a very dark series. I like Frank Behr but it's probably just as well there are no new entires in this series. It is very grim and the subject matter leaves you feeling the need for a shower for your soul.
In this entry, Frank is down on his luck. His PI business and his personal life are both in the dumpster. With little work, he figures he has nothing to lose by looking into a missing person case that promises a $100,000 reward.
But he invests time, money and a lot of his own goodness as he discoveres the missing girl may be the victim of a very sadistic serial killer who leaves his victims dismembered and posed in "artful" settings.
The bad guys in this series are very bad. The series may have ended just because the author couldn't take b eing inside such evil minds any more.
In this entry, Frank is down on his luck. His PI business and his personal life are both in the dumpster. With little work, he figures he has nothing to lose by looking into a missing person case that promises a $100,000 reward.
But he invests time, money and a lot of his own goodness as he discoveres the missing girl may be the victim of a very sadistic serial killer who leaves his victims dismembered and posed in "artful" settings.
The bad guys in this series are very bad. The series may have ended just because the author couldn't take b eing inside such evil minds any more.
May 17, 2025
Signature Kill, was an exciting and fine example of a serial killer novel. Frank is still Frank, but I didn't get as much of the loner, bust-em-up, bull in the china shop vibe on this one. In this one Fank, I can call you Frank, goes more by the book and follows an investigators procedure, something the police aren't capable of. The serial killer parts of the book are violent and explicit enough for fans of that genre. The short family scenes are poignant enough, with Frank deserving much of the blame. His flaws are almost endearing, especially in these days of near perfect protagonist.
So I've come to the end of the Frank Behr series. I'm a bit sad, since this last one was written ten years ago, and I doubt if there will be more. David Levien how about another? Please?
So I've come to the end of the Frank Behr series. I'm a bit sad, since this last one was written ten years ago, and I doubt if there will be more. David Levien how about another? Please?
October 19, 2017
Disturbing serial killer mystery with an unexpected ending. Frank Behr, former Indianapolis cop now detective is in need of work. He decides to look for a missing woman for the $10,000. reward money. While searching for the missing woman he uncovers what seems to be a serial killer who has been working for years. There is good character development and the typical serial killer phenotype that works his way up from killing small animals as a child to prostitutes later in life. What makes this book a bit different is the lead character and the decisions he makes at the end of the book.
January 17, 2018
This was the first book i had read by this author. I usually don't care for books that switch back and forth between characters but David Levien managed to do this with an expert touch. The reader was never confused about who was narrating or what was taking place. The murders were slightly over kill for the most part and the descriptions were gruesome but you never, until almost the last chapter, knew who the killer was. The author had a good writing style and was very easy to read. I'll be finding more of this series.
July 19, 2018
I was so intrigued when I picked this book up at the library, and to see it’s a story based out of Indianapolis!!! The street names, businesses, towns it mentions...it’s like I was there for this entire story. I could picture those exact intersections, I am familiar with all of them. It was insane. I loved it, being aware of which part of the city this story took place on. Crazy feeling. I very much enjoyed this story plot as well. I did not expect that ending at all.
July 11, 2017
This is my first book in the Frank Behr series and I found no problem starting in the middle. The story stands on its own. The only thing I missed is his relationship with his son and mother. The story was good and well defined, making me want to read another.
April 12, 2018
Private detective Frank Behr investigates a missing prostitute and finds a link with other killings going back almost two decades which leads towards a serial killer. This brings nothing new to the genre but it was just freaky enough to hold my attention.
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May 7, 2020It was good, although as I started reading I realized I'd actually already read this one. I always like when get to read from the killer's perspective as well as cop's. Also enjoyed how the ending wasn't your typically crime book ending.
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