Normal

By: Graeme Cameron

Narrated by: Julian Elfer

Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

"The truth is I hurt people. It's what I do. It's all I do. It's all I've ever done."

He lives in your community, in a nice house with a well-tended garden. He shops in your grocery store, bumping shoulders with you and apologizing with a smile. He drives beside you on the highway, politely waving you into the lane ahead of him. What you don't know is that he has an elaborate cage built into a secret basement under his garage. And the food that he's carefully shopping for is to feed a young woman he's holding there against her will - one in a string of many, unaware of the fate that awaits her.

This is how it's been for a long time. It's normal...and it works. Perfectly. Then he meets the checkout girl from the 24-hour grocery. And now the plan, the hunts, the room...the others - he doesn't need any of them anymore. He only needs her. But just as he decides to go straight, the police start to close in. He might be able to cover his tracks except for one small problem - he still has someone trapped in his garage.

Discovering his humanity couldn't have come at a worse time.

"Hypnotic and chilling - you won't forget this in a hurry." (Lee Child, number-one New York Times best-selling author)

©2015 Graeme Cameron (P)2015 Audible Inc.

Waste of time

This book kept me interested then slapped me with that horrible ending. I got no closure with this book at all. Very disappointed

Terrifying Trip

We are taken on a journey in the mind of a... collector of sorts. He collect women, until one day he meets a woman he doesn't want to collect but rather know. The book is entertaining and a page turner up until the end. I didn't appreciate the lackluster ending and that is reflected in my low star rating. It is a thrill ride of a book and the narrator is a peach to listen to.

It was okay

The story line was interesting until the end. What a crappy way to leave things! Like a great movie that just skids to a halt without warning.

Short but very entertaining!

Not your typical murder mystery. Sometimes funny sometimes horrifying.
I do recommend this book. It's a quick listen as well.

Interesting Serial Criminal Perspective

Would you consider the audio edition of Normal to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version. I really enjoyed the life the reader put into this audio version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Normal?

I don't want to spoil anything, but my favorite part was when the plot takes a very comical and fun twist from the normal gloomy serial murder books. It was an all around great read.

Which character – as performed by Julian Elfer – was your favorite?

Erika turns out to be my favorite character. She has such a crappy life before she is kidnapped that the outcome of the story is totally unexpected and unpredictable.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I had a strong emotional response to the ending.

Any additional comments?

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. Serial killer books can be tedious and yucky to listen to however, this book was enjoyable.

Good book, decent ending

The overall journey was a fun one. The author does a spectacular job of bringing to life what it's like being inside the mind of a serial killer. The ending felt a little rushed, but either way, I would absolutely recommend this read if you're looking to spend a credit.

Twisted

What a unique perspective. Loved the narrator as well. The main character was polite and horrifying and charming. I may have to re-read this one to pick up all the terrifying subtleties.

Bad Boys Have All The Fun

What made the experience of listening to Normal the most enjoyable?

The narration of this title was particularly enjoyable. I'm fairly certain if I met a crazed serial killer with such a soothing voice, I might just forgive him all his .. um .. quirks. I found myself sort of rooting for the guy.

Which character – as performed by Julian Elfer – was your favorite?

The only trouble I had with the book was that the narrator didn't have much change in the way he portrayed the various characters. Many times I lost track of who was saying what because what differences there were, were very subtle. It never took me long to get back on track, and I far prefer that being the problem than (as with other narrators) certain characters being very annoying in the way they are voiced.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The last couple of chapters had me really hoping for a particular outcome. I'll not spoil anything and just leave it at that.

Any additional comments?

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Very engrossing, IMO. A couple of times I found myself sitting in the car just trying to get to a chapter break before I shut off the stereo.

Great listen/read

The wit is much more dry and British. Very likeable killer. Great narrator ! Perfect for Dexter fans.

Credit worthy !

What made the experience of listening to Normal the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the narrator. And I loved that I was cheering on the bad guy, holding my breath in case he gets caught. It is twisted, sick and funny.

What other book might you compare Normal to and why?

None. I have not listened to any books like this. I suppose Dexter and other serial killer POV books could be similar but I haven't listen to any.

Which scene was your favorite?

Not one scene was my favorite. I like how unpredictable the story was. I never knew what would happen next. And I thought the ending was perfect !

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I did not like stopping. I wanted to hear it all without interruptions.