Play Dead

Review by Bindi Lavelle
Author: Richard Montanari

Montanari, provides another dark case for detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano to solve in Play Dead.
Play Dead is another thriller featuring Montanari's recurring characters, Philadelphia homicide detectives Byrne and Balzano with a page turning tone of cold case as written by Michael Pye (Taking Lives).
Play Dead follows the detectives as they track down The Collector, a serial killer obsessed with puzzles and illusions preying on teenage runaways. His crime scenes are intricate, littered with clues to lead the investigators to his next victim; as to be expected the killings accelerate, forcing the detectives to race the clock to save lives.
The collector, through the course of the book becomes just oh so clever to the point where you’re rooting for the cops simply to end his smugness. Thankfully just as the character becomes too grating the pace of the book changes from slow atmospheric investigation into a rapid game of cat and mouse.
The change of pace also affects the tone, making it less ambient but packing a greater punch.
The overall mood of the book is dark and gritty, borrowing heavily from the I can’t believe it’s not horror school of thriller so popular in the early 90s. There are elements of slasher and neo noir for good measure too.
Fans of Monanari may be let down by the books change of pace and lack of heavy tone found in the likes of The Skin Gods; but it still remains interesting enough to keep the reader engaged.
If you like your serial killers as clever as they are crazy, Play Dead is a great choice.
6.5/10.