Joe Victim

Like other reviewers commented I too sort of liked Joe even though he is a sick so and so. I didn’t think I’d enjoy book two as much as the first but I’m sorry it isn’t a trilogy. A well plotted story.

Honestly, I have never read a book where despite disliking the messed up, homicidal serial killing maniac, I also kinda liked him too!I have loved both books in The Cleaner series, and I truly wish there were more.I love Paul Cleaves style of writing and I loved all the different array of characters in the books.There may not be another book in this series, but I will most definitely be reading more books by this fab author

Should have stopped writing at the end of the first book.

Fast paced, scary, funny.

He’s baaaa-aaack. Joe, the charmingly brutal serial killer who masqueraded as a slow-witted police janitor while terrorising Christchurch in Cleave’s raw but outstanding 2006 debut, THE CLEANER, makes a long-awaited bloody return to the page in this latest thriller from our dark prince of crime writing.Ever since THE CLEANER exploded onto the scene in Europe, immediately mixing it up with Lee Child, Dan Brown, and Stieg Larsson at the top of German bestseller lists, and becoming one of the fastest and best-selling New Zealand novels of modern times, fans all over the world have been clamouring for more of 'Slow Joe'.It's easy to see why: despite all his ferocity and bloodlust, Joe Middleton is an intriguing and layered character: funny at times, caring or compassionate at times (in his own twisted way), expressing things about the world we might occasionally wonder but never would dare to say. He's warped and definitely has a view askew, but like Hannibal Lecter or Tony Soprano, we can find ourselves intrigued, even slightly warming to, this monster of a man - while still wanting to see him get some kind of come-uppance and justice.Cleave digs us deep into Joe's psyche, with first-person narratives of the world of Christchurch through Joe's eyes. Not so much a rose-tinted version of the Garden City; instead, blood orchid drenched.In the several years since 'the Christchurch Carver' first appeared on the page, Cleave has gathered awards, acclaim, and bestseller status across the world for his gripping and gory thrillers. Yet, for Joe, only one year has passed. Awaiting trial on multiple murder charges, he sees himself as the victim. Stuck in prison, unable to continue his ‘work’, forced to liaise with lawyers and psychologists as he plots a defence that he wasn’t in control of his actions. And then there’s the growing nationwide movement calling for the reintroduction of the death penalty, with him as poster child for the hangman. As well as former cops, victims’ family, and a sociopathic ex-girlfriend - the viciously twisted Melissa X - all coming for him.Cleave writes vividly and violently, ratcheting up the tension as we wonder what will happen to Joe, and all those whose lives he touches. Ferocious and fun.

This is the very first book I've read by Paul Cleave. (Don't you just love that name for a serial killer writer!) The book itself is a direct sequel to the the very first thriller he wrote set in Christchurch, New Zealand and is his seventh thriller set in that city. From what I can gather, there is a small series running within these books, this not being one of them, but all the books do take place in the same city, the same police force and within the same timeline so references are made between them. Characters know each other etc. This sounds entirely exciting to me and I'd love to go and read his books in published order. Not having read any of the other books, I didn't have any problem jumping in with this one, much background information was given to fill us in or refresh readers minds. Being a serial series reader though, I am more than certain I would have loved getting all the insider references. The story was great and very intense and creepy. This one is told half the time through the killer's point of view and he is the one in danger this time making him a creepily sympathetic character at times. Yuck! but true... I was fascinated that the book took place in NZ and found the cultural and police procedures to add another dimension to the story when I'm so used to American/British (OK,Scandi) crimes all the time. .An intense look inside the mind of a psychopath that I enjoyed very much but would probably have to recommend reading, at least, the sequel to this book first, "The Cleaner". I'll be going back and reading it myself! I think I may have found a new favourite author. Duh-duh-DUH!

Great....Interesting Joe Victim another great read from Paul Cleave.He continues to take you on an exciting perilous and complex journey, never knowing what the next page offers up . Can't wait for the next book.Note to publisher. PLEASE PUT HIS BOOKS ON E BOOKS...WHATS THE PROBLEM ITS 2013!!!!

Very well written, funny and entertaining throughout! A great follow on from book one. Would highly recommend and look forward to more from the author