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lovestodancw_81's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know why I revel in reading about fictional and nonfictional people with Asperger's Syndrome but I find studying how their mind works to be fascinating.
Eighteen year old Aspie Patrick Fort is an eighteen year old is one such interesting character. He has a fraught relationship with his put-upon mother whom he's never had a warm relationship with. Patrick he leaves to study anatomy at university. Unlike his peers, he doesn't really want to be a doctor. He's always had a fascination with death, ever since he dissected dead animals as a child. Patrick came upon something odd about a cadaver he was studying. He began to try to track down answers but became increasingly suspicious that the body in question may have been murdered.
This novel toggles back and forth between Patrick's sleuthing and an unknown patient in a coma until we discover how these two narratives relate. One of the things I loved best about the story were the characters, from a nurse in the hospital to medical school peers, his instructors, roommates, a new friend, and a policeman. I liked most of the characters in this book and the ones I didn't like, I loved to hate them.
Both Patrick's interpretation of words and nonverbal cues and the way in which he responded to others and situations made school and home life difficult for him. This quickly puts him on the bad side of most of his peers as well as his superiors. It's in these instances where we get to see Bauer's deft hand at dark comedy. I rooted for Patrick, especially whenever his actions were interpreted incorrectly by those who refused to get to know him, give him a chance, and accept him for his attributes, not his deficits.
This is my second Belinda Bauer read and it won't be my last.
Eighteen year old Aspie Patrick Fort is an eighteen year old is one such interesting character. He has a fraught relationship with his put-upon mother whom he's never had a warm relationship with. Patrick he leaves to study anatomy at university. Unlike his peers, he doesn't really want to be a doctor. He's always had a fascination with death, ever since he dissected dead animals as a child. Patrick came upon something odd about a cadaver he was studying. He began to try to track down answers but became increasingly suspicious that the body in question may have been murdered.
This novel toggles back and forth between Patrick's sleuthing and an unknown patient in a coma until we discover how these two narratives relate. One of the things I loved best about the story were the characters, from a nurse in the hospital to medical school peers, his instructors, roommates, a new friend, and a policeman. I liked most of the characters in this book and the ones I didn't like, I loved to hate them.
Both Patrick's interpretation of words and nonverbal cues and the way in which he responded to others and situations made school and home life difficult for him. This quickly puts him on the bad side of most of his peers as well as his superiors. It's in these instances where we get to see Bauer's deft hand at dark comedy. I rooted for Patrick, especially whenever his actions were interpreted incorrectly by those who refused to get to know him, give him a chance, and accept him for his attributes, not his deficits.
This is my second Belinda Bauer read and it won't be my last.
coffeecurls's review against another edition
4.0
I greatly enjoyed Exit by Belinda Bauer and so have been keen for a while to read Rubbernecker.
The central character in the book, Patrick, is sweetly charming with his directness and innocence - his Asperger's makes him not quite fit and yet it also gives him a captivating brilliance.
The whole medical student side to things was utterly fascinating too! As was the coma ward - I've never heard coma patients described in that manner and yet it instinctively felt true.
Belinda Bauer has a way of speaking to my heart - there are some deeply poignant moment scattered throughout the book discreetly hidden under the story.
Fabulous book - interesting and ingenious - I loved it.
The central character in the book, Patrick, is sweetly charming with his directness and innocence - his Asperger's makes him not quite fit and yet it also gives him a captivating brilliance.
The whole medical student side to things was utterly fascinating too! As was the coma ward - I've never heard coma patients described in that manner and yet it instinctively felt true.
Belinda Bauer has a way of speaking to my heart - there are some deeply poignant moment scattered throughout the book discreetly hidden under the story.
Fabulous book - interesting and ingenious - I loved it.
dirice724's review against another edition
5.0
Death is confusing, and Patrick's initial inability to navigate it due to his Asperger's Syndrome reflects just how difficult understanding others' motivations is. Excellent book.
Unlike other books I've read with protagonists with AS, this was a realistic and respectful approach.
Unlike other books I've read with protagonists with AS, this was a realistic and respectful approach.
relf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Patrick Fort, an anatomy student who is on the autism spectrum, finds evidence that the person whose cadaver his group is dissecting may have been murdered. His efforts to prove it--and to get others to believe him--form the major storyline, but we also get glimpses into his home life with an alcoholic mother, into his interactions with his university flatmates and classmates, and into the lives of staff and patients in a hospital's coma ward--the connection soon becomes clear. A gripping novel, set in Wales. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Andrew Wincott, whom I recognize from The Archers on BBC radio.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, and Murder
andyshute's review
3.0
I enjoyed this more than Snap and it’s a very quick read though I’m not going to go so far to call it great.
Patrick is a likeable enough character and the set up is interesting (when it finally kicks in around the half way mark). This is also where it becomes obvious who the killer is. For some thrillers, the identity isn’t important or is revealed early and becomes part of the plot. When it’s being left as a mystery it pays to create some potential red herrings for whom it may be. If there’s only one then it’s pretty obvious. It felt a little like she ran out of steam as we went from mystery to reveal and then easily identified explanation within about 10 pages. And that was that.
But don’t worry as there are a few other subplots here to be distracted by. At least one of them is entirely superfluous and seems designed purely to provide an off screen death for a purposefully unpleasant character.
Despite my qualms it was a welcome and enjoyable enough distraction for a few hours. Just don’t expect too much.
Patrick is a likeable enough character and the set up is interesting (when it finally kicks in around the half way mark). This is also where it becomes obvious who the killer is. For some thrillers, the identity isn’t important or is revealed early and becomes part of the plot. When it’s being left as a mystery it pays to create some potential red herrings for whom it may be. If there’s only one then it’s pretty obvious. It felt a little like she ran out of steam as we went from mystery to reveal and then easily identified explanation within about 10 pages. And that was that.
But don’t worry as there are a few other subplots here to be distracted by. At least one of them is entirely superfluous and seems designed purely to provide an off screen death for a purposefully unpleasant character.
Despite my qualms it was a welcome and enjoyable enough distraction for a few hours. Just don’t expect too much.
eleanorhyde98's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
clairet16's review
dark
medium-paced
3.0
easy to read, compelling. Weird ending. Not great character writing for some of them
hpnyknits's review
4.0
The audio version on a long flight was perfect. This murder mystery is suspenseful, witty, and well paced. The main character, who has Asperger, which can be difficult in social situations, is very logical and methodical- perfect traits for a sleuth. The book was totally logical and followed an effective path, until the very end
Took away a star because the ending was less believable.
It was refreshing to NOT have the drunk, brooding detective, who goes against the whole police to solve the crime.
Took away a star because the ending was less believable.
It was refreshing to NOT have the drunk, brooding detective, who goes against the whole police to solve the crime.
nickiep's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
dianaeberhardt's review against another edition
5.0
Great mystery! It pulled me in and rushed along.