Reviews with content warning for Murder - Psycho

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Psycho by Robert Bloch

30 reviews

erinn_wilkins's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

m4rtt4's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

the plot twist (and the whole of the plot) is very predictable if you are familiar with serial killer stories, but the reading experience was enjoyable nonetheless — especially considering when this was written!

haven't seen the movie (yet), but this made me curious :)

Content Warnings

itmegreg's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

A titan of classic horror for good reason, Psycho is an compelling character study that manages to unnerve and petrify still to this day. An atmosphere of unease permeates every page and the story and setting feel almost out of time.
While Bates is a fascinating villain who set the mold for many horror classics to follow, in the moments that the reader is in Bates' head, we find a surprisingly human, sympathetic individual. The exploration of Bate's mental illnesses aren't as explored as thoroughly as a modern story might, but the glimpses we get into his world are still rife for contemplation.

Tense, shocking and unsettling, this book will remain a classic.

Content Warnings

stephanieanneauthor's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This story is a classic for a reason. Obviously, you can't argue how iconic the film is, but after reading the book I firmly believe that this is one of those instances where the book is better than the movie. We get more insight into the characters' thoughts and motivations, especially when it comes to Norman Bates. Just as I've re-watched the film multiple times, I would absolutely re-read this book.

Content Warnings

gentle_garbage_baby's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

Not as exciting as I thought it was going to be. Figured out the plot twist a fair while before it was revealed. Not the most engaging horror I've ever read.

Content Warnings

add_a_little_spook's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

greenan26's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

Content Warnings

rachaelcwilson's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Content Warnings

bookbelle5_17's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Review of Psycho

By: Robert Bloch

This is another classic horror story that out lived its original and probably more known by its movie predecessor, the Hitchcock film, not the remake with Vince Vaughan. I don’t know how accurate the adaptation is as I have never truly watched the whole movie, but I’m sure it’s pretty close, because the story isn’t complicated. You don’t need to change a lot, or really anything for that matter. The only difference I know for sure is Norman is described as fat and the actor who played him was skinny. Maybe they didn’t want to offend anyone or maybe that actor gave the best performance. I don’t know.

If you aren’t familiar with the plot, Mary Crane is traveling with stolen money to help her boyfriend and she arrives at the Bates Motel, run by a mother and son. Things aren’t right with Norman Bates and Mary might not be safe with him and his mother. When her sister Lila, her boyfriend Sam, and her boss don’t hear from her for week, they all decide to investigate. Lila is determined to find her sister, thinking something happened at the motel, and that the odd Norman Bates might be involved her disappearance.

Now, I was already spoiled for this, because even though I have never watched the movie fully, I know the plot, so it wasn’t really a surprise. Still, this was good, and I was eager to read more as the plot progressed. It was morbidly intriguing and disturbing to be inside Norman’s head, though I doubt every female reader would want to be. He and his mother have very hateful thoughts, especially about women and have a toxic relationship. His relationship with his mother was quite unhealthy and I pitied him for it. He needed to get away from her, but he would probably never leave her. He needed help, clearly. Like a lot of horror story antagonists, he was the most interesting character and half the book you were inside his head. I think that helped with the mystery of Norman and his mother. You didn’t know if you could trust him and what is going on between him and his mother remains confusing throughout, but in fascinating way. Mary Crane wasn’t around long enough for me to get to know her, but she came off as kind and nurturing, while Lila came off as more openly passionate., and I was on her side about how to handle things. Sam Loomis was okay. I didn’t hate him but didn’t love him either. I wish he had been on Lila’s side, but I think it proved he didn’t love Mary or have enough time to love her. The atmosphere Bloch created was perfect. The motel was isolated, and the two most important scenes took place in the rain adding to the atmosphere. When we get to see the inside of the house with its antiquarian aesthetic gave me chills. This was a modern-day Oedipus complex.

Content Warnings

abookwormspov's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

More...