Joe Victim: A Thriller (Christchurch Noir Crime Series)

The internationally bestselling author of The Laughterhouse brings back one of his most infamous characters, the dreaded Christchurch Carverbut in this darkly fascinating psycho-thrillerhe's the target. Joe Middleton has a lot on his plate, to say the least. Arrested for a whole slew of murders he says he can't remember, Joea.k.a. the Christchurch Carverhas been in jail for the last year awaiting trial, charged with the task of convincing the psychiatrists interviewing him that he wasn't of sound mind and can't be blamed for what he did. And, incredibly, that's the least of his worries. That's because there's no shortage of people who like the idea of seeing Joe dead, some of whom are on the inside with him. On the outside, there's Melissa, Joe's accomplice in one of the murders, who plans on shooting him on his way to the courthouse before he gets a chance to start talking. To get himself out of this epic mess, Joe has a desperate plan involving the disgraced ex-detective who put Joe away and a television psychic who's looking to get rich. It's a long shot, but it had better workbecause the people of New Zealand are voting to bring back the death penalty, and the Christchurch Carver is just the poster boy to make it happen. An award-winning author, New Zealand-based Paul Cleave is known for blending action, sardonic humor, ingenious plot twists, and dark wit into his novels, all of which are on full display in Joe Victim . This is a masterful example of the crime thriller genre, from an author who has won the admiration of critics, writers, and readers around the world. NOMINATED FOR THE 2014 EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL Sometimes reality can really get in the way of a good story. Joe Middleton’s story is this: He doesn’t remember killing anyone, so there’ s no way a jury can convict him of serial murder. He calls himself Joe Victim, trying, as he awaits trial, to convince the psychiatrists that he wasn’t in control of his actions, trusting that the system will save him in the end. But others know Joe as the infamous Christchurch Carver and they want to see him dead. There’s Melissa, Joe’s accomplice in one of the murders, who plans on shooting him on his way to the courthouse before he gets a chance to start talking. Then there’s Raphael, whose daughter was one of the Carver’s victims. Though he’s tried to move on with life as the leader of a counseling group for grieving family members, he’d like nothing more than to watch Joe pay. Finally there’s Carl Schroder, the ex-detective who locked Joe up and is determined to put things right for the case of his career. To extract himself from this epic mess, Joe has come up with a desperate plan involving a television psychic who’s looking to get rich by making people believe just about anything. It’s a long shot, but it had better work before he becomes the poster boy for a death penalty that may be reinstated in New Zealand, which isn’t quite the dramatic ending he is hoping for... Sometimes reality can really get in the way of a good story. Joe Middleton?s story is this: He doesn?t remember killing anyone, so there? s no way a jury can convict him of serial murder. He calls himself Joe Victim, trying, as he awaits trial, to convince the psychiatrists that he wasn?t in control of his actions trusting that the system will save him in the end. But others know Joe as the infamous Christchurch Carver and they want to see him dead. There?s Melissa, Joe?s accomplice in one of the murders, who plans on shooting him on his way to the courthouse before he gets a chance to start talking. Then there?s Raphael, whose daughter was one of the Carver?s victims. Though he?s tried to move on with life as the leader of a counseling group for grieving family members, he?d like nothing more than to watch Joe pay. Finally there?s Carl Schroder, the ex-detective who locked Joe up and is determined to put things right for the case of his career. To extract himself from this epic mess, Joe has come up with a desperate plan involving a television psychic who?s looking to get rich by making people believe just about anything. It?s a long shot, but it had better work before he becomes the poster boy for a death penalty that may be reinstated in New Zealand, which isn?t quite the dramatic ending his is hoping for In this psycho-thriller the infamous serial killer known as the Christchurch Carver is serving time in prison and may face execution. He's also the target of sinister forces inside and outside the prison.