Master of the Game 
By William Tepper

      This is the first book I have had the pleasure of reviewing, and was a good way to start. The book is an inside, upfront look at the mind of a serial killer. It takes you on a ride with those who are trying to stop him, one who is trying to be a writer and publish a book about him, and the Special FBI Serial Killer Units that get involved with and torn to shreds by this man. He is ruthless and highly intelligent and shows all of the basest characteristics which, but for his obvious intelligence, would turn him totally, brutally savage. His truth is not in the obvious, rather in the revenge from a horrible start.

    This book is gritty, believable and a fascinating look behind the scenes of the FBI. To say I enjoyed the book, would not be correct; but that is not because of the writing, which is masterful, or the storytelling, which is genuine and will leave you wanting to know more. This author goes into the details of his story and into the mind of this killer, giving so much insight and so many painful truths, that it is not a really comfortable read. However, anyone who wants to understand men like Dahmer and others of that ilk, should read Master of the Game. Forget being comfortable with the outcome, it leaves you turning and looking beside you to see who is sitting next to you on the bus, or is beside you in the movie theater, or looking at you a bit to closely at you at the store. It leaves you wondering who that person next to you really is, and what they might be capable of.

    The style is there, and well done, keeping you coming back for more. I would put the book down, because it was a bit to graphic for me at times, and I am not used to that type of story, but I would pick it up again, for just the same reasons, and because I had to learn the final outcome. Killers kill because they are driven to it, readers read because they want to finish and find the truth to the reasons.

    This is William Tepper's first book, and his writing career of off to a good start. I feel that he can follow up with another book, one that will be as well written as this. He leaves you wondering about his next work, and where will The Master of the Game fit into it. There is a catch to the ending that leads to future speculation and more horrendous plots for another master story of intrigue.

   Thought-provoking read, a good book. Could be a Master of the Game for the author.