I have just finished my first novel of 2011. Kindle has offered several free books over the past few months and among them was The 7th Victim by Alan Jacobson. The book is one of three best-selling novels about an FBI profiler named Karen Vail. Vail is one of the first female profilers.[1] The story is about a series of murders done by the Dead Eyes Killer. The Dead Eyes killer is notoriously skillful in the art of death. He is an organized serial killer who has perplexed Karen’s FBI unit.
The book also centers on the complex personality of Karen Vail who was domestically abused and is now fighting to begin a new life with her son, Jonathan. But nothing is ever that easy. Karen’s vicious fight for the custody of Jonathan; her personal conflicts within the unit, the ever mysterious nature of the killer, and the dramatic deaths of the victims, build up to a remarkable crescendo in the end of the book.
Alan Jacobson is a remarkable writer not only because of his ability to keep your attention, but for his gift of bringing the reader directly into the drama of the story. Further, Jacobson is a researcher of first rate. He has dedicated many years to the study of serial killers by interviewing FBI profilers and digging deep into the criminal mind. All of this makes for a compelling story.
Christians reading this book will get a profound sense of the depravity of man and that if it were not for the common grace of God restraining the monstrosity of sins the world would be saturated with Dead Eyes Killers.
Cautions and Considerations:
a) The novel uses strong language and describes strong scenes.
b) Romantic relationships are developed in a context of unbelief.
c) What role does biblical femininity play?
d) Should women be involved in such dangerous and violent professions?
e) How are husbands protecting and loving their wives?
Miscellaneous Details:
Both Velocity and Crush are follow ups to the trilogy. The 7th victim is being considered a motion picture.
[1] If you are familiar with the TV series Criminal Minds you will have an idea of the type of work involved in profiling units; or the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit).
Thanks, Uri. Do you think it’s beneficial to read best-selling mysteries? I enjoy them, but I wonder if they’re a waste of time.
It can be a waste of time…for every novel I read I read four books on theology/history or something of non-fiction nature. It’s a principle I’ve had for a couple of years.