Official Review: Marathon Murders by Dr. Gary Evans

Please use this sub-forum to discuss any crime, thriller, mystery or horror books or series.
User avatar
Gabrielle Sigaki
Posts: 1275
Joined: 19 May 2020, 10:08
Currently Reading: Business Basics BootCamp
Bookshelf Size: 279
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-gabrielle-sigaki.html
Latest Review: Zona: The Forbidden Land by Fred G. Baker

Official Review: Marathon Murders by Dr. Gary Evans

Post by Gabrielle Sigaki »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Marathon Murders" by Dr. Gary Evans.]
Book Cover
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


Michael is a man who worked as a chemical analyst, liked to run in marathons, but he also enjoyed killing. Therefore, he aggregated his knowledge as a chemist with his passion for races and his desire to murder people. However, his crimes didn’t pass unnoticeable, and the FBI got involved, especially agent Susan Harvey, with whom Michael fell in love. This relationship had its advantages, such as the possibility for the protagonist to learn every step of the operation. It also had its disadvantages, for example, the fact she was looking for the murderer, and she wouldn’t stop.

Marathon Murders is a fiction novel narrated in the first person by Michael, the serial killer. Dr. Gary Evans wrote a gripping story that enables the readers to see the protagonist’s motivations and thoughts with details. Michael seems to be a sociopath since he has no remorse for his crimes, and he enjoys people’s suffering. However, behind this murderer, there is also a passionate man with a dark past.

My favorite part of the novel was the character development. It takes a lot of chapters to know Michael’s background story, but it seems that the author did it on purpose since the protagonist’s personality and behavior start to make sense. Besides, Michael is not only a killer because he loves and cares about other people, sometimes taking his actions too far to protect them.

There’s nothing I disliked in this novel, but one aspect disturbed me. The book’s ending seemed abrupt, but since it seems to fit the author’s intention of writing in a way similar to a journal, I’m not going to lower my rating. The author developed a remarkable and unique plot since the serial killer was the one talking about his actions and feelings. The book also seems professionally edited since I didn’t find a single error in my reading. Evans also described the races very realistically since he ran 65 marathons, which makes the novel an excellent guide for people who are looking for reasons to start running.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It’s a gripping and fascinating fiction story of a murderer with exceptional plot progression. I recommend it for adult readers who enjoy novels about crime, murders, and especially about marathons. I don’t recommend it for young readers and for people who are sensitive to the themes of violence, the use of poisons, profanities, and erotic scenes. There are a lot of descriptive chapters with moderate sexual content and profanities that might disturb some readers.

******
Marathon Murders
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
User avatar
Saint Bruno
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 1799
Joined: 28 Aug 2020, 14:47
Favorite Author: Agatha Christie
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 192
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-saint-bruno.html
Latest Review: The vampires missing cape by Steve Stables
fav_author_id: 2484

Post by Saint Bruno »

What a sporty serial killer :lol: I enjoyed reading your detailed and engaging review. I wish for the opportunity to read this one. Thanks for the recommendation.
User avatar
AnnOgochukwu
Posts: 617
Joined: 20 Mar 2020, 09:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 91
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-annogochukwu.html
Latest Review: Our Autumn Years by Arthur Hartz

Post by AnnOgochukwu »

The summary of this book reminds me of the famous 'Money Heist' movie, where the Professor and the relentless detective in charge of the heist case, Raquel, got into a romantic entanglement. The storyline of this book is super exciting! It would make a perfect heart-racing read.
Great review!
Live and let live, baby.
Tablito
Posts: 431
Joined: 04 Apr 2018, 06:39
Favorite Book: The Mountain and The Goat
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 38
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tablito.html
Latest Review: Divided World by Kenneth Pickering

Post by Tablito »

Susan is her own obstacle in finding the culprit, she unknowingly updates the culprit on the progress they're making.
User avatar
Stephanie Elizabeth
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 2989
Joined: 18 Jul 2018, 15:41
Currently Reading: We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
Bookshelf Size: 212
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-stephanie-elizabeth.html
Latest Review: Do You Remember Me? by Wm M Crouch

Post by Stephanie Elizabeth »

This is definitely a unique premise, and I am intrigued by your review. Between the stellar character development and unusual storyline, I am convinced this would be a great read. Thanks for the engaging review.
User avatar
Ada Ling
Posts: 373
Joined: 29 Mar 2020, 17:42
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 21
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ada-ling.html
Latest Review: Catapulting Commissions by Anthony Garcia

Post by Ada Ling »

This is an unique combination - Marathon runner and Murder. Would like to take a look at this book. Thank you for the introduction!
Cjcreanz
Posts: 2
Joined: 05 Sep 2020, 11:45
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by Cjcreanz »

That killer is a massive! Bu I like how the story told and its plot...
Thanks for reviews!
User avatar
Sakura5
Posts: 208
Joined: 19 May 2020, 04:58
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 43
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sakura5.html
Latest Review: We are Voulhire: The Knights of Chalethire by Matthew Tysz

Post by Sakura5 »

It seems to be quite an interesting novel! Not a huge fan of crime fiction, but maybe I could try it for the "scientific" part added to it!
User avatar
Honest-reviewer
Posts: 1566
Joined: 17 Feb 2020, 10:18
Currently Reading: The Lost Symbol
Bookshelf Size: 120
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-honest-reviewer.html
Latest Review: Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath by Randy Miller

Post by Honest-reviewer »

Wow! He literally seems like a psychopath to me 😂. But I would love to read this book. Thanks for your wonderful review!
User avatar
Ellylion
Posts: 3249
Joined: 01 Mar 2019, 15:33
Favorite Book: The Altitude Journals
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 136
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ellylion.html
Latest Review: The Islands Tell Of It by Patty Fischer

Post by Ellylion »

I always appreciate character-driven stories and would give this one a try for sure :) Thank you for a great review!
User avatar
NDeMeer
Posts: 422
Joined: 27 Sep 2019, 06:09
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 26
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ndemeer.html
Latest Review: Sormara The Evil Tome by Sandra L. Reel

Post by NDeMeer »

This sounds like such a thrilling novel! I love that the main character, despite being a murderer, was so well worked out and has such a rounded personality. This sounds truly fascinating. Thank you for this wonderful review!
Happy reading! :techie-studyingbrown:
User avatar
NetMassimo
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 7599
Joined: 24 Jul 2019, 06:37
Currently Reading: Mindweavers I
Bookshelf Size: 527
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-netmassimo.html
Latest Review: Chloe The Clone by William E. Mason
2025 Reading Goal: 60
2025 Goal Completion: 61%

Post by NetMassimo »

This seems an engaging thriller with well-developed characters that help to keep the readers' attention. Thank you for your great review!
Ciao :)
Massimo
Menace Crypto
Posts: 332
Joined: 21 Jun 2020, 19:32
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 89
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nonny2208.html
Latest Review: Pandemic (The U.S. Pandemic in India) by Dieter Gartelmann

Post by Menace Crypto »

Wow! This book does certainly seem to contain lots of actions and suspense. Love your review.
User avatar
Asimroy2002
Posts: 9
Joined: 02 Sep 2020, 01:26
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 9
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-asimroy2002.html
Latest Review: Genex of Halcyon by Joshua Stelling
Reading Device: B07V3F7SNR

Post by Asimroy2002 »

Wowww!!!! the story has a definitely unique plot. A marathon runner who loves murdering people and running marathons, and also the same murderer falls in love with the investigator involved in his case, which puts an extra bit of salt to the plot and makes it more twisted. By the way Loved reading your review and would love to read the novel.
kasfy_allama
Posts: 35
Joined: 06 Jul 2020, 09:11
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 14
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kasfy-allama.html
Latest Review: The Poison Profession by Rachel Wright

Post by kasfy_allama »

The cover itself already attractive to me. This review made me curious about the book, especially related to unique relationship between the murderer and an FBI agent who worked on the case. I hope I could read the whole story.
Post Reply

Return to “Crime, Thrillers, Mystery and Horror Books”