This is a very creepy story. Definitely horror but much more. Peirce's soon to ex wife has disappeared and he is intent on tracking her down. Pauline is a beautiful and beloved actress. This book is heavy on film making terms as much of the book centers around filming scenes. If you have interest in movie making and can handle gore this is the book for you. Its well written and Peirce is an intriguing character sent into a horrifying adventure all to save a women who wants to divorce him.

This book should come with a big warning because it really, really isn’t for the faint of heart. I was intrigued by the description, comparing it to “a Luis Buñuel screenplay adaptation of a Shirley Jackson novel by way of Sigmund Freud,” but I wasn’t prepared for visit to a very twisted museum curated by a deranged billionaire. That said, the plot is very addictive and it’s a quick read. Pierce Danser’s estranged wife is a famous actress and she’s gone missing. They’re about to get divorced, but he’ll still literally drag himself through the jungle to find her. I liked Pierce as a character. He’s funny and hardboiled. Even if he’s not a detective, he reminded me of Sam Spade. The actions of the Collector, though, required a considerable suspension of disbelief, but I was still entranced by the insanity. I normally don’t get into trigger warnings but, in this case, I need to mention (and this may be a bit of a spoiler) that there are dead children. I was surprised at how much some parts terrified me. This is a good read, but it won’t be for everyone.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/ BHC Press!

This is my third read by the author and I’ve finally researched him enough to understand that he’s got an entire series dedicated to the fictional exploits of the Danser family, with rhyme, reason and order behind it. Something that wasn’t initially obvious, having read View Finder (unnumbered Danser?) and then Black Veil (apparent standalone?).
So anyway, this one doesn’t have a number to it either as of yet, nor any reviews or ratings for that matter, I’m the first. And actually mostly good things to say. I wasn’t enamored with View Finder, the twisted depravity of Black Veil lended itself to a much more entertaining read. But the thing is, either way, Jolley’s books draw me in with their premises, the man writes about movies, thus combining two of my favorite things. This book is in fact a perfect intersection of the two I’ve read so far, it features the Danser family like the View Finder and it’s as darkly depraved as the Black Veil.
The story follows Pierce Danser, a man who walked away from the movie business and whose wife, the glamourous actress Pauline Place, has walked away from him. And yet, when she ends up being the proverbial damsel in distress, becoming the latest acquisition in an especially disturbing collection by an especially disturbed, albeit very wealthy, individual, Pierce throws himself at the business of saving Pauline like a classic heroic movie protagonist.
Will he get there in time? Will his efforts be enough? Read and find out. It’s well worth checking out. The book is lean, mean and fun, albeit in a dark and twisted way. The collector character is a proper nightmare, like something out of a Bond movie but ratcheted up way past what Bond movie ratings would allow. There’s a ton of action, it’s all very and appropriately cinematic and very entertaining.
Lots of graphically disturbing imagery, violence, etc. Not for the faint of any kind. In fact, quite suitable for fans of various horrific endeavors. And, of course, tons about movie making, all kinds (very wrong kinds of) movie making.
So yeah, lots of fun, probably out of order within the Danser chronology, but worked perfectly well as a standalone. I’d definitely read more of these. Recommended, albeit for a very specific interest audience. Thanks Netgalley.