REVIEWS

Sex, violence and video games...not necessarily in that order

Die For Me by: Karen Rose Grand Central Publishing, 2007 ISBN: 0-446-61691-5

Many of you may have heard the saying “I would die for her/him.” This is usually in reference to a loved one, namely a child. But in Die for Me, the author twists this sentiment into a horrifying tale in which a deranged killer seeks victims who he poses in videotapes and then brutally kills in order to create his video game.

The game becomes a sensational hit amongst gamers because the graphics appear to be real even though the scenes are part of a virtual game. In order for the game to appear as real as it possibly can without tipping his hand, the killer uses ancient medieval weapons to torture his victims.

He does not lurk in the darkness, but does disguise himself in different characters so as to find other actors; there is one that gets in his way and he will stop at nothing to create his masterpiece. In doing so, he goes after Sophie, an archeologist and museum curator who is brought into the matrix of murder in order to unearth a killer. Sophie’s character is strong, beautiful, tall and has an intuitive sense of self. During the mayhem, there is a scene in which Sophie is pulled back to a time in her life where she has experienced the death of a loved one. Throughout the book, the reader gets a glimpse into the archeologist’s heart and mind. As she grapples with the horror she is in charge of digging up, she finds herself having to come to terms with her nightmares.

Vito Ciccoteli is a homicide detective who is passionate about his work as well as his family and the author does a wonderful job in showing both sides to Vito Ciccoteli. He is a likable character and has the innate desire to track down the criminal mind behind these viscous murders. As the bodies keep appearing, he gets tangled up with Sophie, whose body, heart and soul, he wishes to keep safe. When she becomes the target of the killer’s desire, Vito will match the killer’s intensity.

As Vito and Sophie work together to catch a killer, the attraction between the characters ignites between the pages and between the sheets. Despite the horrific circumstance that brings these two together, love, desire, passion that lives deep within their souls is unearthed and is given breath to blossom. This is a welcoming relief to the reader who is able to replace the horrific images the torture scenes has left in the imagination with scenes of bliss-even if it is for just a few pages before the gore begins again.

This book is a great example of a shock ending, which leaves the reader feeling “what the…” It is brilliantly orchestrated. You won’t be able to put the book down.