by Gregg Olsen
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"YOU'LL SLEEP WITH THE LIGHTS ON AFTER READING GREGG OLSEN." --Allison Brennan Ted Bundy. America's most notorious serial killer. For two women, he is the ultimate obsession. One is a cop whose sister may have been one of Bundy's victims. The other is a deranged groupie who corresponded with Bundy in prison--and raised her son to finish what Bundy started. To charm and seduce innocent girls. To kidnap and brutalize more women than any serial killer in history. And to lure one obsessed cop into a trap as sick and demented as Bundy himself. . .
Fear Collector delivered a suspenseful thriller about the ripple effect of Ted Bundy a notorious serial killer. Olsen takes us up close and personal into the lives of police detective Grace Alexander, her mother and an obsessed woman who loved Ted and thinks she is raising his son.
Grace was born after her sister’s murder. Her mom believes Ted Bundy murdered Tricia but her body was never recovered and he denied any involvement. Grace grew up completely in Tricia’s shadow and entered law enforcement in search of answers. Peggy loved Bundy, she obsessed about him and raised her son to be just like his daddy. When girls start showing up dead, and the bones of a female wash up along the river; Grace and her partner Paul Bateman search for clues. The tale that unfolds was suspenseful as Olsen gave us multiple perspectives from the killer, Bundy, a kidnapped girl, Peggy and Grace.
Olsen did a great job of taking us into the psyche of all of the characters. While I understood Grace’s mother, I also mourned for the loss of Grace’s childhood. The killer’s perspective and Peggy’s was deliciously creepy and kept me reading late into the night. Bundy and his letters sent chills down my spine. I found it interesting that I was able to identify with each character good or evil. The characters were well fleshed out making the tale seem all too real.
The world building was excellent as Olsen weaved this suspenseful tale. He brought all of the key players to life. Even secondary characters help build the suspense and added believability to the case. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives and even the letters between Bundy, and the victim’s parents. The tale weaved back and forth with the different characters, but always in a forward motion, slowly allowing the reader to recreate events, draws conclusions and watch the depth of the characters unfold. The conclusion while not a surprise did have a little clever twist. The author provided an update on all of the characters after the tale ended and I enjoyed reading about what became of each of them and felt it added to the realism.
I recommend Fear Collector to fans of crime thrillers and suspenseful mysteries. This was the first book I have read by Olsen but I can assure you it will not be my last. You can find a complete list of his works here.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Samantha
I’m wanting to read this one so badly especially after reading your review!! It sounds like an amazingly creepy read! I’m definitely going to be reading this one!!
kimbacaffeinate
sweet, it was creepy good!
kindlemom1
I have a couple of his other books to read, it sounds like he is a great writer if you want a psychological thriller, which I do love every now and then.
I will have to look into this one. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
This was good, and my father-in-law snagged my copy before he left..so this will appeal to young and old.
Blodeuedd
My friend would love it, I..well I’d see the movie 😉
Kristin Clifton
Updates on the characters at the end of books either fail miserably or they really add to the story. Sounds like the update here really completed the story. I usually like to know what happened to the characters after the story but so many authors get it all mucked up and cheesy. What a scary story, though!! I’d definitely need closure after this one!!! Great review!!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes Kristen it was well done, kind of like those you see at the end of a movie based on a real event.
Christa
When I was a teenager I was obsessed with True Crime novels and I read so many about Bundy. This sounds incredibly creepy!
Jenny Zemanek
Wow, people are scary sometimes. She raises her son to finish Bundy’s work? *shudders* Sounds like a brilliant mystery/thriller though, the blurb alone gave me chills so I can’t imagine what Bundy’s letters will do. Fantastic review Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
I agree Jenny, and I have watched shows about these woman
who romanticize serial killers..freaky!
GRgenius
Ooh…sounds like an exhilirating read though one perhaps to not partake of just before bed. *-* Great review my friend…thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
Hehehe…i love reading in bed late at night ..it’s so scary (although I might mention my husband is sleeping beside me; nearest the door)
Candace's Book Blog
I can’t read these books that are based on real things. It just freaks me out too much! I think it would be REALLY interesting if only I didn’t let it get to me so much.
But last summer I met Gregg when he invited a few bloggers to Port Gamble where his YA books take place and he fed us lunch in a haunted house (yes, haunted for real) and a tour of the town. He talked about some of his adult books a bit too and it was really interesting! He’s really nice too! It made me definitely want to read more of his books but I just know it would freak me out.
My mom is really into true crime and I meant to get her one of his books, so thanks for the reminder!
kimbacaffeinate
Wow Candace that sounds like such fun, I need to look up his YA novels. If your mom likes crime thrillers she will probably love this!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes I remember that movie…creepy! This blends some facts into fiction making it feel very real.
Heidi
Is there any truth to this tale? Ted Bundy is a fascinating character even after all these years, I know this dates me but I know you can relate, do you remember that made for TV movie (when MFTM were so popular) with Mike Harmon starring as Ted Bundy? Still gives me the creeps. They think he kidnapped and killed a couple of girls where I went to college. Anyway this sounds like a scary and interesting read. I have an Olson book, Envy and I have been meaning to try his work. Happy New Year!
kimbacaffeinate
seriously right *eyes neighbor’s houses and wonders*
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
Hmmm…I don’t know that I’d be so into this sort of crime fiction but it does sound fascinating to get all of those perspectives!
kimbacaffeinate
It was a nice change up..you know me i like all kinds of genres!
Vicky
This one has been on my wishlist for quite a long time and now your review made me want to pick it up ASAP. I LOVE books that are written -partly or entirely- from the killer’s point of view so I’m pretty sure this one would keep me up all night. 0_0
Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
this was clever and yes I do think you would like it!
Christy (Love of Books)
This sounds interesting. I love studying serial killers.. I scheduled an entire year of classes in college around one specific class on serial killers that was taught by a well-known profiler. I was NOT going to graduate without taking his class. I just find them disturbingly fascinating.
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe..me too !
Nick
This sounds so so good. I used to devour crime thrillers before I was introduced to YA. If you take a look at my book shelf, it’s full of Patricia Cornwell, Agatha Christie, Tess Gerritsen, Ian Rankin etc …
I don’t think I’ve read anything by this author yet though. I always enjoy when the author adds the POV of the serial killer. It makes the whole situation even more realistic and amplifies the creepiness of the book. The woman who’s obsessed with Ted Bundy seems as creepy as him! I’ll try to look for this book at the library!
Lovely review, Kim! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh my goodness Nick..i love authors like Tess Gerristen and Agatha I have read All of their books! This was cool and I love getting inside the mind of the killer!
Giselle Cormier
Ooh I’m in need of a seriously awesome serial killer story and this one sounds exactly right! I got the creeps just reading your review. Bundy was sending letters? And we see his perspective? Dude those are total wins!!! I used o be really into crime thrillers since high school–before I started to notice YA–and it remains my favorite type of book to read so I’m for sure going to be getting into this one! Great review, love!
kimbacaffeinate
You sound like me Giselle, I still like to add them into my melting pot of genres.
Turning the Pages
This might just be my next nomination for one of my book clubs to read in February, it sounds like a great read and I haven’t read Andy of this authors stuff before.