Signature Kill

By: David Levien

Narrated by: Scott Brick

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

Wow! What a great book!

This was the best book I have listened to in a long time. I enjoyed every minute of it. I am a new fan of David Levien what a great writer.

Great 85% and then ......what the ?????

The majority of the book was enjoyable -- good writing, good character development, and excellent performance by the narrator. As the book progressed, it did seem to drag on a little, and it was seeming that there would remain insufficient clues or break in the case. However, the story and its development remained entertaining. Then, fairly abruptly, fortuitous coincidences began occurring, and from there the story derailed and became fantastical and meaningless. Definitely lent an unforeseen twist!

Good not Great

Any additional comments?

Good book. Not a lot of twists or surprises, just a good story unfolding as you go. I liked the narrator because it was easy to tell when he was reading for both parties. Good not great. People complained about the book talking about how the killer tortured animals but what he does to people is way worse. Amazes me that people really are more empathetic for fictional animals than fictional people.

Mixed Feelings

I'm conflicted when it comes to this novel. My favorite genre is thrillers/mysteries and this story delivers. The bad guy was definitely evil incarnate, and the protagonist, while thoroughly flawed, was someone you could root for. The writing was also quite good. Scott Brick, as usual, gave a superior performance.

So, you ask, what was the problem, and why not 5 stars? My biggest problem with this book is I hated - really hated - the ending (NO SPOILERS HERE). It wasn't realistic, and not worthy of our hero. It was presented as the only acceptable option. No, no, and no. I could think of a couple of alternatives that would have brought a much more satisfying conclusion, but none of them were even considered. Secondly, I echo the sentiments of some other reviewers in that it was, in my opinion, unnecessarily graphic...particularly, the animal cruelty flashbacks. A broad overview, as opposed to the gritty, heartbreaking details, would have been more my cup of tea. There are passages that were honestly just painful to listen to, but that's a subjective opinion. It might not affect others as it did me.

For me, this novel ran out of gas at the end. However, if you're in the market for a thriller with a sadistic bent, have a strong constitution, and can suspend belief with an unbelievable ending, then this is your book.

My first in the series

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.

4th out of 4

Have read the whole series, this edition is not set in the same tone as the previous 3. I suppose character growth or the series coming full circle. There’s a lot to unpack in this book and will have to read again. It’s very dark, though I felt by the end I had a greater understanding of what the antagonist was or wasn’t for that matter.

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!

Kind of hard book to listen too.

The story keeps your attention and is well written. The subject matter in hard to not be repulsed by. The author does a great job keeping the story going along the edge of little more detail would be too much. I glad it was a nonfiction book.

Ok Book

This was an ok book. Wish it had a follow up book. Performance was great and the story kept my attention.

Ruined by a cardboard lead character

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. The main character showed himself to be little more than a fool and a bully with the first couple of encounters with potential suspects/witness. I should have stopped listening when he confronted the known murderer with his small son in the car. Why did he do that? There was nothing in the story up to that point that indicated an urgency great enough to put a small child in harm's way. And, having lost his first son, it seems unlikely that he would do anything to risk this child.

What was most disappointing about David Levien’s story?

The writing isn't too bad and there's no glaring plot holes, but when the main character is a selfish ass who shows really bad judgement, it's hard to enjoy the story.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Scott Brick is a very competent narrator. At times his reading sounds like he is giving a sermon from on high, but it's always good. Tonally and emotionally, there's not much difference in Scott's performance from one book to another.

Was Signature Kill worth the listening time?

NO

Any additional comments?

Mr. Levien please throw away the formula. Write real people. You don't need a big tough as nails character who plays by his own rules. Or at least work a little harder on the reasons your character does what he does. It shouldn't simply be that he's selfish and immature with poor impulse control.