Still Life

by Bruce Elliot

The line between artistic vision and insanity is crossed when mutilated bodies are discovered arranged into grotesque shapes and forms. To stop the killer, Detective Amiel Touch Benson must work with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451409841
• ISBN13: 9780451409843
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: Onyx Books
• Length: 375 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Disturbing suspense in the best sense of the word

This one made my top ten list as one of the most disturbing suspense thrillers ever written! Right from the beginning there is an air of ominousness as an egotistic serial killer phones in his crime to a beautiful radio psychologist and describes it in detail to horrified listeners. When Touch Benson comes on the scene, we see the malaise echoed through the seemingly 'normal' characters until you realize that all that separates Touch, Teri (the radio psychologist) and Amanda, his partner, and Touch's ex-wife Liz from the sick fiend who's ravaging gorgeous young models across LA is the degree of arrogance and impulse control!This is a perfect example of 'we have met the enemy and it is us' thinking, and first-time author Elliot pulls it off beautifully. He is not afraid to make his hero human and at times even as frustrated and confused as the killer, and subsequently we feel for the poor guy. He may be a mess but he's OUR mess. The women he responds to are just as complicated, and while they're attracted to Touch, they have their own demons to work out as well.The book is a fast read and suspenseful right up to the end, which throws us for a loop! Can't say enough about this initial effort by a very talented writer.

Stunning debut novel

This is a very tasty suspense novel from first time author Bruce Elliot. The basic plot has to do with a particularly nasty and egotistical serial killer who phones in his killings to a very pretty, intelligent radio psychologist, but there is a whole other sublevel that is a rare find in this kind of novel. Every idea seems to work on several levels: the hero, Touch Benson, investigates the crimes with his lovely partner Amanda, but he is drawn physically and romantically to Teri as much for psychological reasons as the killer is. He's the heroic type that isn't comfortable in the part--it's unusual to find a character like this in this genre. He's not your standard former-alcoholic, bitter cop type guy; he is truly complex in his dealings with the opposite sex.The dialogue rivals the best snappy repartee of any Hitchcock or Tarentino film. And Touch has more women in his life than he knows what to do with. Usually in a novel like this, either the plot or the characters suffer. This isn't the case here. The book moves like lightning. The action is amazing. The plot is riviting and a touch bizarre without being silly. Even the smallest players are well-drawn and unique.The ending is totally unexpected but fits perfectly, and is actually scary--this isn't a book to read alone at night. It's haunting and unsettling. I found myself thinking about it for days afterward. Mostly I think this is because I identified with Touch Benson and his utter fascination with Teri as well as the way the writer delves into the darkest side of all the characters without sacrificing their humanity. It was also very well-written, with smooth, non-thriller like prose. I loaned my copy to my mother-in-law and she liked it as much as I did, so I guess it works for women too. The book jacket says Bruce Elliot is a former screenwriter. Obviously he was a good one--he's certainly an excellent novelist. I expect we'll hear more from him.

Great premise

I'd rank this book up there with the best of Michael Connelly, James Ellroy, or John Sandford; there seem to be elements of all three here, although put together in a totally unique way. And Mr. Elliot has a way of making you think you know his characters intimately. Amiel 'Touch' Benson is a detective with the LAPD who gets involved with an artistic murderer and some hot women as well. Even his partner, Amanda, is hot, as well as smart and professional, and his ex-wife, Liz, is an excellent portrayal of a manic-depressive personality. But the woman of the day is Teri, a talk-show host who deals with psychological problems, and the killer has targeted her as the go-between.The ending is a real shocker and the killer is a total surprise, and super-creepy. Really enjoyable read, altogether.

A Villian to rival Dr. Lecter

I was surprised at how good this book was, especially for a first-time author. It's a scary police procedural book, but the hero (or maybe antihero) named Touch Benson is really just another human being, and a guy who can't seem to grasp the fact that he's attracted to women who are trouble. Touch falls in love with Teri, who's a beautiful radio psychologist that's being stalked by a serial killer, one that loves to make 'art' out of his victims.His partner, Amanda, is as well drawn as Touch Benson is, and the killer has to be the most chilling character since Silence of the Lambs. I read this book in one setting, and never did guess the ending. Highest recommendations

Really good thriller

This is a great summer read. The characters are amazingly complex, and the 'hero' is a real guy, with flaws, who can't help falling in love with smart, beautiful women that seem to hide a dark past. I really liked Touch Benson, the LA cop. Hope Elliot writes more about him.I read the review that said something about 'clunky prose'. Didn't understand that--this is a beautifully written book, especially for the genre. This guy can really write--it's pretty neat the way he gets into his character's heads. Also I live in Los Angeles and I could practically taste the streets on every page. I'm looking forward to more work by this author.