Title: The Beautiful Dead
Author: Belinda Bauer
Publisher: Grove Atlantic
Date of publication: January 3rd 2017
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Number of pages: 341
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
TV crime reporter Eve Singer’s career is flagging, but that starts to change when she covers a spate of bizarre murders—each one committed in public and advertised like an art exhibition. When the killer contacts Eve about her coverage of his crimes, she is suddenly on the inside of the biggest murder investigation of the decade. But as the killer becomes increasingly obsessed with her, Eve realizes there’s a thin line between inside information and becoming an accomplice to murder—possibly her own.
A seamlessly-plotted thriller that will keep readers breathless until the very end, The Beautiful Dead cements Belinda Bauer’s reputation as a master of heart-stopping suspense.
What brought me to this book was its title. I was told departed people looked beautiful because the burden of life had been taken away from them. That is a way of seeing things. Still, the title was poetic and intriguing enough for me to hit the request button before even taking a look at the blurb. Had I done this, I would have realized the author had merged two of my favorite elements in a story. A bad guy killing people, and a journalistic edge.
See, I’m a believer in a stronger and better journalism that what we are getting today. To quote the highly idealistic show The Newsroom “There was a time journalism wasn’t a career, it was a calling.” (Yes, this was from memory, I could go on for two hours but I can’t find the right quote on Nancy Drew). Blame Aaron Sorkin and his fabulous but utopian TV show for making me believe the news could find its way back to what it was supposed to be instead of feeding this never-ending viewer morbid curiosity. The Beautiful Dead deals with what it takes to bring images to the screen, and how far you are willing to go to please the audience.
No story was worth telling unless it was funny at the end – however painful it might be along the way.
Eve, the crime journalist and main protagonist of the story, needs to find a way to keep the machine going, his blood-sucking boss happy, and her job, with grisly tales and reports on the despair of human beings. This only had my body temperature rise as I revolted against the system and how we people can’t get enough of polluted news. The writer had me hooked by having Eve in the middle of this system that sucked the life out of her with a precise and frightening style that depicted the constant urgency to be the first on the scene, to get an exclusive, to go away and beyond to win that 1% of the audience that makes the difference for channels.
Nothing sold like murder, and death was how she paid the mortgage.
But the tension was only starting as another POV made its appearance. Darker, more dangerous, with a very special idea of “beautiful” And with Eve on the line, or should I stay on the screen, it did not take long for that disturbed mind to find the perfect plan. Get his most beautiful piece and get Eve her hour of fame, whether she truly wants it or not.
Strangers he repaid with the handsome interest of being immortalized by art.
If this is not enough to give you goosebumps, don’t worry, the characters will make sure you have your dose of action, creepiness and danger. I am leery of POVs that make me dive into a killer’s head as I have issues understanding their motives or thoughts no matter how good the narration. But this time I was grappling with the deepest and darkest ideas, creepiness oozing off the and a disturbing feeling finding its way through my own mind. It’s frightening when you are able to follow such a character’s feelings and actually make sense of them. The writer made an excellent job at making me feel for him. Oh, no love or sympathy, but something different, something empathetic, something that whispered to me ear “go deeper, find what’s hidden inside. Look for the “why”” His game with Eve had me on the edge of my seat and whenever I thought he could not do worse, I was proved otherwise. I won’t underestimate a killer again. I won’t reveal any of his plans but you’re in for a twisted ride. Hold on to your book and “enjoy” the view.
I enjoyed everything about Eve. She was determined to do her job even if doubts riddled her and she hated that mad thirst for bad news and shocking headlines. I felt her struggle against her principles and it made me warm to her so quickly I was enthralled with her within a chapter. While Eve the journalist was a fantastic protagonist to share this story with, Eve the daughter, Eve the young woman also deeply moved me. There are things in her life she keeps secrets and juggling a killer, a sick father, and a mad job without losing your edge is not a walk in the park.
Apparently, men grew wiser with every grey hair, while women just grew invisible.
Despite all of dark and twisted of this book, there is a certain light, a feeling that you are not alone even it feels like it. Be it a neighbor or a work partner. I loved that the focus was on everything because life is about juggling it all at the same time. For most of us, it’s work, kids, laundry. For Eve it’s dementia, news reports, cold coffee with a colleague and getting friendly with the right people to get the right info. Until the bad encounter that changes everything. Several scenes gave me the heebie-jeebies. Now I know, I get scared easily, but the writing grasps you and envelops you into this foggy and creepy atmosphere until you suffocate and find yourself so immersed into the story that you feel every word on your skin.
The Beautiful Dead was my first book from the author and I’m looking forward to reading more!
I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Meggy's Bookish Corner 
That is a great title and lovely cover too! It sounds really interesting. So glad you enjoyed it!
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Some covers just attract your eyes and it’s so good when the story inside is just as good 🙂
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Wow,another book that I need to read soon.This book sounds interesting and I like the fact that journalism features in it somehow.Great review.I’ll definitely try and get a copy soon.
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The journalism issue was just as well-developed as the rest of the story. In fact, it all blends so well you get every angle in every twist!
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I didn’t really like the one book I’ve read by Belinda Bauer (Darkside) but this one sounds it really hit the spot! Reminds me a little about The Killing Game, which focuses on the reporting too in the middle of a hostage situation. The killer in this one definitely intrigues me and it seems he’s a real character and you get to know a lot about him, more than in some other crime stories.
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I’m sorry that your experience with the author did not go so well, I’m really curious about getting to know her work better because this one just blew my mind!
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It’s actually quite crazy how we (OK I) judge an author on one book… maybe they all deserve two chances 😉
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Haha, I do that too! That’s why I won’t read another Rainbow Rowell!
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I’ve only read one of hers too, same reason!
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Wonderful review! I have this one sitting on my shelf; looks like I should read it sooner than later!
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Thank you! I can’t wait for you to read it so we can chat about it!
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Fantastic review, Donna. I discovered I had added to book to my tbr pile already and yep, it’s the cover and the title. They caught me as well. I am pleased to hear that it delivers so well and I really-really-really need to start acting on those crime titles I see you reading and which make in wanting as well… Just a few more fantasy titles to go on the review list and I shall hop right in! 😀
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Haha, come to the crime club, we have waffles and tea :p This book is definitely a strong one!
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Wonderful review, Bestie! 🙂 I’m glad you liked it. There’s no abs on the cover. Lol
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I know, all covers deserve abs!!!
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ooh I loved the Newsroom , despite not being from America , I did find myself agreeing to the way they represented news show , these days news is all about click-bait sensationalism and trying to impose the reporters view on the audience … I really like what your take on this book … on to the TBR shelf it goes
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Same here, I have never set foot in America but I am used to their news and I find my country’s not doing any better. I really liked that the plot included a questioning of this derivation of the news 🙂
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Great review Donna, and wow before reading the blurb and your review I was a little hooked on the title and cover of this one as well. Eve sounds like a wonderfully written character but beyond that I kind of intrigued with how the killer gets his own POV as well. I didn’t expect that in this book for some reason but it sounds like it added a very scary side to the story seeing things though his eyes as well as Eve’s. Again great review, and I’m glad to see you enjoyed this one as well! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Beth ❤ This book is very hard to put down because there is no respite and the darkness seems to come from everywhere.
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That’s all right, and that makes it sound like a really heavy read as well. I guess that could have gone either way right? I’m glad you ended up enjoying it in the end. 🙂
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Lovely review! You have definitely convinced me I need to read this book as well. 😀
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Yes, another book to feed your TBR 😀
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Poor poor TBR is pretty much obese already. xD
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That is impossible :p Your TBR is just like Hermione’s bag, bottomless and happy to be!!
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Haha I love that description! Wouldn’t it be wonderful having a bag just like that?
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The dream! My bag is so heavy it’s killing my back, haha!
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This sounds frightfully delicious to be honest. I feel for Eve just from having read this review. What a dark but somewhat relatable concept which makes it very clever in my opinion. I can appreciate that!
I have to admit that I enjoyed this review a lot. Your quotes were so perfectly placed ❤ Although, after years of nursing and even hospice care, while I admit that there is a certain peace to be found in those who have recently passed, it is also riddled with sadness.
This was great Waffle Lover! Oh.. that cover wins too!
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Aw thank you so much my favorite Tea queen! I dived into this book without any expectations and I was just left speechless at the perfect pace, the dark places and the general feeling it gave me.
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Oh sigh.. I need to buy it. But I have so many to read. Sttttoppppp..
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Stop is not a valid word. Try again later :p
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😘haha
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I think Belinda Bauer is exceptionally talented and I’ve enjoyed all her books – The Facts of Life and Death is my favourite though
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I’ll make sure to check this one, I was told some of her other works were less of a success, thank you for the rec!
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This sounds absolutely wonderful. It feels like it has the right dose of darkness to keep the whole reading experience compelling and eerie. Somehow I was reminded of Nightcrawler (the movie) with Jake Gyllenhaal, about a psychopath newsreporter who’s trying to make a name for himself (whatever that takes!). Great review! 🙂
– Lashaan
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Exactly, the balance between the dark things and every day life is perfect and the lines keep being blurred, it’s gripping! Ooooh I don’t know that movie!!! (My knowledge on cinema is … well, let’s not talk about things that don’t exist xD) I need to watch it!
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ooh I like the sound of this book- particularly the journalistic edge, because I agree, there’s innumerable problems in that profession today- so dealing with the issue of how far journalists are willing to go and twisting it into a psychological thriller sounds amazing! Great review!
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Thank you ❤ The journalism issue brings a lot to the story and was so interesting. I love that the author managed to find the right balance between this and the killer thing!!
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You’re welcome ❤ Ah that's so cool!!
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I got to check this one out too
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It’s a real good one 🙂
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