jireh's review against another edition
3.0
This was kind of interesting but not what I expected at all going into this. Jeremy Balint is supposed to be a sociopath but the motive that triggered his crimes was terribly pedestrian. A short and entertaining read but nothing groundbreaking. It's just a story about another awful man.
(Also, as a doctor, I can honestly say a not insignificant number of doctors are bad people. There's really no way to screen for this.)
(Also, as a doctor, I can honestly say a not insignificant number of doctors are bad people. There's really no way to screen for this.)
biteintobooks's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In the crime/thriller genre, we usually have a POV from the police or victim. It's usually the side of the good guys. This book gives you the perspective of the bad guy. That was so refreshing to read. I remember reading a book like that this summer, and I enjoyed that a lot. I think it's a lot harder too, to write from the POV of the bad guy.
A longer review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
Definitely worth the read if you're into Thrillers and a bit of Crime. It's refreshing to read a book from a totally different POV. I also felt like the book wasn't romanticized, like it was very real. Could use a book like this every now and then! It's fun to root for evil instead of good guys!
In the crime/thriller genre, we usually have a POV from the police or victim. It's usually the side of the good guys. This book gives you the perspective of the bad guy. That was so refreshing to read. I remember reading a book like that this summer, and I enjoyed that a lot. I think it's a lot harder too, to write from the POV of the bad guy.
A longer review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
Definitely worth the read if you're into Thrillers and a bit of Crime. It's refreshing to read a book from a totally different POV. I also felt like the book wasn't romanticized, like it was very real. Could use a book like this every now and then! It's fun to root for evil instead of good guys!
theseasonedreader's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, this was an interesting and somewhat entertaining read but I found it to be a bit boring during several parts. None of the characters were likable (and I know, it's a book about a serial killer, not. much to like!), with Amanda being the most likable and it just seemed like there was a lot of information in the book that didn't make a difference to the story. He really was insane though so that was good writing I suppose.
Another thing to mention is that because I was so far behind in reading this, I had gotten the audiobook and I think had I read it instead of listened, it might have been better. Balint sounded more like a bad guy in a black and white movie talking about the "coppers". It was hugely distracting and did absolutely no good thing for the story itself.
Another thing to mention is that because I was so far behind in reading this, I had gotten the audiobook and I think had I read it instead of listened, it might have been better. Balint sounded more like a bad guy in a black and white movie talking about the "coppers". It was hugely distracting and did absolutely no good thing for the story itself.
celestialviolence's review against another edition
5.0
When you think of a sociopath, usually that has highly negative connotations. But the strange and almost absurd thing about the main character of this story is that while he is certainly a sociopath, he is also incredibly relatable. That being said, I'm not going to set out to commit murder, but the motivation behind the act and the exposure of the character's thoughts are reminiscent of a "The Making of a Murderer" documentary. It's somewhat a step-by-step detailed guide behind Balint's descent into madness. But while the plot sounds like something out of a horror movie directed by Hitchcock, the story is told in an almost whimsical and light-hearted manner, with quite a bit of dry and dark humor thrown in. So even if you're not a horror lover, don't be put off by the title and the description of the plot. Think of it more like the movie Everything Must Go - Darkly entertaining and while the events are a trainwreck waiting to happen, it's almost laughable when they happen as opposed to heart-wrenching or overly dramatic.
As always, Appel never fails to tell a darned good story.
As always, Appel never fails to tell a darned good story.
jmeyers888's review against another edition
5.0
As an inpatient Clinical Forensic Mental Health Specialist who has done extensive research regarding psychopathy, I found this book to be a very good fictional novel with an accurate portrayal of the thinking patterns of a “white collar psychopath” it’s refreshing to see an accurate depiction of this disorder.
sci_fi's review against another edition
4.0
probably the best serial killer/"sociopath" pov i've read, ever. felt like i had a fist clenched around my intestines the whole time. it was refreshing to closely follow the protagonist‰ЫЄs clinical decision to turn from normalcy and choose at every point to take it further. appel avoids being gratuitously violent; the book's built on the tension as you wonder if he'll get away with it and the dread as he does and continues to. but the horror does build up and there were some parts where balint's rationalization and lack of empathy got so disturbing i had to pause. yet the rhythm of the narrative voice always compelled me forward.
a star off bc in the last act it got too formulaic.
and to talk about the ending, because the ending is there to be talked about...
a star off bc in the last act it got too formulaic.
Spoiler
there was still dread and tension, but frustration as well as it became apparent if would all be mundane life improvements going forward. i just never recovered from how disappointed i was by balint‰ЫЄs non-reaction to amanda divorcing him, a moment that i felt flipped the entire story because the purpose of all of his actions is gone. i think it was a glaring oversight not to look more closely at balint's relationship with his daughters. the narrative plays with lampshading how delusional he is in playing house with them but never commits. it's like his genuine emotional attachments were a can of worms appel didn't have time to open.and to talk about the ending, because the ending is there to be talked about...
Spoiler
of course there's no "real" answer but i'm enjoying my interpretation that it was amanda. but it was cheap, as far as twist endings go, so it also contributed to the star off.jennyrbaker's review against another edition
2.0
I struggled to get into this novel, so I finally gave up. My first attempt at reading this was back in February or March when I got an ARC from NetGalley. I couldn't get into it, so I put it on hold. I tried it again with the published version, but I stopped at page 76. I refuse to DNF this, because I put so much time and effort trying to get through those 76 pages.
I love novels with sociopaths or any severe mental illness. They’re fascinating case studies and one of my favorite types of novels. Sorry, but The Mask of Sanity did nothing for me.
I had several issues with this. I expected to be immediately reeled in, but the setup of the story was just too slow and tame for me. It lacks the intensity, character development, and emotional investment that I’m accustomed to in this genre. I feel like I needed more evidence of his illness or more internal dialogue to help me get into Balint’s head. I needed to feel the impact of his mental illness and I just didn’t. Part of the problem is that it’s written in third person. When a main character is a sociopath, I prefer the novel to be in first person. A great example of this is The Cleaner by Paul Cleave. If I’m not mistaken, Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris is in third person (and I could be wrong), but I had no problems getting inside Jack’s mind. In The Mask of Sanity, I just felt the narrator was too removed from the characters and the pacing felt off.
Overall, I'm disappointed. There was just no spark for me.
I love novels with sociopaths or any severe mental illness. They’re fascinating case studies and one of my favorite types of novels. Sorry, but The Mask of Sanity did nothing for me.
I had several issues with this. I expected to be immediately reeled in, but the setup of the story was just too slow and tame for me. It lacks the intensity, character development, and emotional investment that I’m accustomed to in this genre. I feel like I needed more evidence of his illness or more internal dialogue to help me get into Balint’s head. I needed to feel the impact of his mental illness and I just didn’t. Part of the problem is that it’s written in third person. When a main character is a sociopath, I prefer the novel to be in first person. A great example of this is The Cleaner by Paul Cleave. If I’m not mistaken, Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris is in third person (and I could be wrong), but I had no problems getting inside Jack’s mind. In The Mask of Sanity, I just felt the narrator was too removed from the characters and the pacing felt off.
Overall, I'm disappointed. There was just no spark for me.
tderby's review against another edition
4.0
Very intriguing. I read it in one sitting...my eyes were heavy with sleep but I needed to know what was going to happen.
eena's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5