Official Review: Post Pattern by David Chill

[Misaela]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Post Pattern" by David Chill.]

I recently finished reading Post Pattern, a thriller by David Chill. Here are my thoughts on it.

The Story

Burnside, a private investigator, is hired by Norman Bates and his fiancée, Ashley Stark. Norman used his brother Robbie's car, and almost got killed: someone shot at him. He was not sure who had they been trying to kill; he himself, or his brother. They hired Burnside by recommendation of Dick Bridges, his former college football coach. Norman's father, Mr. Freeman, was paying the PI's high rate ($600 per day) to fund Norman's investigation.

As part of Burnside's case, he gets invited to Norman's bachelor party pretending to be a friend, so he could get to know the brothers' closest friends. Most of them are football jocks, from the University of Southern California (USC) campus. Like the stereotype, beer, loud music and recklessness was the norm. A couple of strippers started to entertain the bachelors, and Burnside decided to leave, not wanting to witness their activities. Just after he signed the visitors log of Robbie's apartment building (where the party was happening) at precisely 11:01 p.m., a body fell down the 22 stories from the bachelor party into a white Corvette. Someone was murdered.

Burnside now has his work cut out for him, with a killer on the loose, and many unanswered questions.

The Characters

There are many characters to this story, and most of them have detailed backstories. Here are three of the main characters' descriptions, omitting any detail that might be a spoiler to the rest of the novel.

Burnside - He went to USC looking to play college football and, possibly, start his pro football career. He did neither because of an accident, and ended up becoming a cop. Once one of the most trustworthy and do-it-by-the-book officers on the force, he experienced some trust-shattering events that had him eventually leaving LAPD.

He is now a hardened ex-cop that tried not to care for anyone, especially vulnerable, young women. He is very sarcastic, and likes to push people's buttons, much to his undoing. He has almost no credibility and confidence in the Justice System.

Norman Bates - While in college, he used to be one of the best football players of the current USC team. He and his brother were the best assets that came to the team, their chemistry and ability to read each other making it almost impossible to defeat.

Norman is engaged to Ashley, and is now in training to take over the family business, a number of car dealerships.

Ashley Stark - A trophy wife in training, Ashley is just what any millionaire bachelor would dream of having: pretty blonde hair, enviable body, beautiful face. She is eager to wrap up Norman's investigation, so they both can marry and be happily ever after.

My Reaction and Rating

I really enjoyed this story. This was a very original plot, and was not highly predictable. Burnside's sarcasm made me laugh a few times, and relate to his hardened exterior persona. Also, I enjoyed learning a little bit about football, which was so important to the story. It was not hard for me to get those sport terms and be able to get into the story.

However, I had a little bit of trouble with the narration. I understand it was narrated in the 1st person, with Burnside doing all the talking. The character is supposed to be cynical, but in the narrations it was a bit too much. I would have enjoyed them more if the character detailed the events more.

I give this story 3 out of 4 stars.

***
Buy "Post Pattern" on Amazon