Birdman

by Mo Hayder

Book Overview

This dark and disturbingly compelling thriller from bestselling and prize-winning author Mo Hayder is not for the faint-hearted. Perfect for fans of Stephen King, Stuart MacBride and Karin Slaughter,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 038549694X
• ISBN13: 9780385496940
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 327 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Nice

I enjoyed this book, but I wasn’t blown away. It was certainly interesting, but not my favorite

One of the best books I've ever read

when you see Mo Hayder's picture, you can't imagine her writing this book. She looks sweet. Complex characters, many levels of story line. Dark with a deep story. This may not be for everyone, but if you like deep dark stories, go for it. I usually figure all books out. I had no clue. If you read it, pay attention to the details.

Birdman Soars

Mo Hayder has written a thriller of amazing depth and feeling. Her protagonist is a troubled detective who struggles with his own demons while searching for a human monster. Ms. Hayder's writing style is clear, chilling, and sound. Her characters abound with life and the dialogue is crisp and real. She skillfully meshes the lives of her characters while leaving her readers gasping at the scope of her themes and plots. A word of advice: this novel should be read before reading THE TREATMENT. They are both masterpieces of the genre. Few writers have Hayder's narrative skill, sense of time and place, ear for dialogue, and wisdom of human nature. This novel is more than a thriller since it could hold its own with any skilled work of fiction. Ms. Hayder is a genius.

Best ever

I'm a huge fan of thrillers and very picky about my authors. I read this one out of bordem for a new book and boy was I surprised. Withen in 10 pages I was Stuck and in love, true love. The suspense, graphic nature, and element of imagination left me heartbroken when it was done with no sequel. It's 3 o'clock in the morning and I'm franticly trying to find another one. Thank God this is only her first and I'm able to find more. This book has it all including the sweet little romance with Becky. I hope this will not be the end of my new Hero DI Jack Caffery. Please read them all and pass them on to enlighten your friends on the wonderful and talented skills of Mo Hayder.

Cast-Iron Stomachs Only

This book should come with a warning label for those who are easily shocked or are frail of stomach to think carefully before turning to the first page. Alternatively, for those with stronger constitutions, the warning should be more along the lines of ensuring that you've got some time up your sleeve because this one's going to hook you and hold on tight. Mo Hayder has produced a stunningly grisly chiller that is as gripping as it is stomach churning.D.I. Jack Caffery is the new recruit to the Area Major Investigation Pool (AMIP) team, which is the Met's crack murder investigation unit. He's thrown in at the deep end when five mutilated bodies are discovered, buried at a work site. It's only during the autopsy that Caffery finds out just how grim the case is likely to become after a rather shocking discovery.Although he's young, Caffery is a driven and at times desperate detective who manages to remain unphased no matter what is thrown at him. He is also haunted by his own demons in his past, continually blaming himself for his own perceived shortcomings. He is a strong protagonist who is made all the more likable for his faults, both real and imagined. It's his driven nature that controls the frantic pace that the investigation maintains and compelled me to keep the pages turning as quickly as I could.A short word on the shocking nature of the book to which I alluded in the opening paragraph. This refers to the detailed descriptions of the mutilated bodies, and the actions and feelings of the psychopath responsible. While not enough to give you nightmares, they were still sufficient to turn my stomach ever so slightly squeamish. In an era of some really bad bad-guys, Hayder has produced one who's right up there near the top of the sicko list.I found this to be a wonderfully compelling story. Just when I felt that I had a pretty good handle on where it was headed, it suddenly threw me for a loop with a clever change of direction. It contains a well-constructed plot that clicked seamlessly into place and a strong protagonist to hold it all together.

Birdman. A Dark Read.

Chilling. Having just returned from Greenwich and her new Millennium Dome site, I found Mo Hayder's writing most realistic. A page turner, but with slow contemplation and thought allowed between the lines. I await this writer's next offering with excitement.

Makes Hannibal, Buffalo Bill, & Dog from Gray Matter ...

and Jeffrey Dahmer look like choir boys!This is a story that got off to a slow beginning (for me), but I hung with it simply because Mo is a new author, and I wanted to give her writing a good chance. I'm glad I did.The last two-thirds of the book had me on the edge of my seat; near London, five bodies were discovered w/birds sewn INTO their chest cavities. The police are trying to discover the who, what, when, where, why when they follow a lead to a very good suspect. Only problem: the suspect commits suicide (this info was also told in a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review--so I'm giving very little away!) & another body is discovered ... after the suspect's demise!Slowly the puzzle pieces begin to come together ... the action picks up & takes off like a run-away truck down a mountain road as the ultimate bad guy loses all touch w/reality (like he had any to begin with!).What happens to the victims in this story is NOT pretty; nor is it fun to read about what they are put through. You'll be squirming & closing your eyes & shaking your head & crying out & the whole nine yards if you decide to take this story on.It's a disturbing story. A haunting story. One that will stay w/me for awhile. To be honest w/you, I have to go back & reread parts--simply because the tension was so high, I had to (just HAD TO) keep turning the pages to find out what was going to happen. I can't wait for more stories from Mo!