David Gordon

A DARK AND STYLISH PAGE-TURNER FROM A BOLD NEW VOICE IN FICTION Harry Bloch is a struggling writer who pumps out pulpy serial novels—from vampire books to detective stories—under various pseudonyms. But his life begins to imitate his fiction when he agrees to ghostwrite the memoir of Darian Clay, New York City’s infamous Photo Killer. Soon, three young women turn up dead, each one murdered in the Photo Killer’s gruesome signature style, and Harry must play detective in a real-life murder plot as he struggles to avoid becoming the killer’s next victim. Witty, irreverent, and original, The Serialist is a love letter to books—from poetry to pornography—and proof that truth really can be stranger than fiction.

A Novel

The Serialist

Melody Izard

This starts out strong. It's about an author, who is writing sleazy books. For the money. Only he still doesn't make much. Then he gets this request - to write the story of a man serving time for a series of murders. He agrees. He goes to interview all these women who have been writing to the man who has been convicted of killing these women. A man, who, by the way, insists he is innocent. But still it's rather creepy that these women are attracted to him and write professing their love. So Harry Bloch, the fictitious author, goes to each of their houses to write their story. And every time he leaves, the woman turns up murdered. So these series of interviews are also supposed to prove that Darian Clay, the New York City’s infamous Photo Killer, is innocent. I mean, he's locked up. He couldn't be killing these girls. Same pattern. Must be and have been someone else. 

And so I said it starts out strong. Well it doesn't sustain that bold step it started with. So it's just a 3 star. But I'd still recommend it.

The Serialist A Novel

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