To be honest, I wasn't all that interested in Black Lightning when I started. The only reason I picked it up is because I felt guilty for NOT reading it; it had been sitting on my shelf since around 2002 gathering dust. I didn't expect to really get into it, let alone LIKE it. Sometimes, it's the books you expect to hate that end up surprising you the most. Black Lightning is one of them. The supernatural flavoring (I can't say more; it'll ruin it) added to the thriller genre to which BL belongs delighted me. I was unable to predict who the killer was, and even though I had my suspicions, I found myself doubting: "Naw, it COULDN'T be him; could it? No, there's just no way!" So the ending caught me completely off guard, shocking me right into giving Black Lighting 4 stars when I had expected to give it two. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because the only character that didn't annoy me to no end was Glen Jeffers, Anne's husband. Anne Jeffers and her cop friend Mark Blakemoor bothered me, especially the repressed sexual tension between them. I felt in light of the fact that HELLO, THERE'S KILLING GOIN' ON, PAY ATTENTION PEOPLE, Anne's firm "Kraven was the killer, all is well, end-of-story" attitude and Mark's panting at her heels was just a nuisance to read. I found myself rooting for the killer, even after his identity was revealed: if Anne died, I wouldn't have to read about her any more. It's this complete disconnection with the protagonists that stops me from granting Black Lighting five stars. Four is fair enough.
A serial killer is executed at noon in Seattle, and reporter Ann Jeffers is covering the highly controversial event. Across the country, at exactly the same moment, Anne's husband suffers an all but fatal heart attack, requiring multiple efforts at resuscitation. Anne flies home, relieved to discover that Glen will recover. When he's well enough to go home, Anne rejoices, but little by little, it becomes evident that this is not the man she married. The doctor reassures her that some personality changes are to be expected, but Glen sure is acting weird. Meanwhile, although the killer is now dead, there seems to be a copycat starting his own rampage, following the same MO. Did they execute the wrong man?There are some very gruesome scenes in Black Lightening, and if grisly were all it takes to make a thriller, Black Lightening would be a winner. But much more is required, and this novel misses the mark. Yes, mutilated bodies are discovered, all people that the Jefferses know, and the police think the killings are carried out by more than one person. So far so good. But Saul stretches credulity to the breaking point, and doesn't do it well. Creepy does not equal suspenseful, and in sections, Black Lightening is almost laughable, especially at the end. Preposterous.
What do You think about Black Lightning (1996)?
John Saul was one of a number of American authors I grew up with but seemed to disappear from the bookshops here in England.I was pleased to find some of his books available through the Irish booksellers kennys.ie,Black Lightning was a book I had wanted to read for many years,though to be honest it was a bit of a disappointment.A serial killer is executed for his crimes,then the murders begin again.This time the killer homes in on the family of the Jounalist who campaigned for the death sentence,it,s a bit silly but it is entertaining enough so 3 stars.
—Andy
My rating is 2.5 stars.Anne Jeffers is a journalist who has led a crusade against Richard Kraven who is a convicted serial killer. Richard receives the death penalty and Anne is a witness to his execution. The only problem is that his mode of killings has started up again.This is a middle of the road book. There wasn't much to the mystery aspect of this novel as it was pretty easy to figure out what was going on. The thriller aspect and the supernatural aspect was there but was neither engaging or left me disinterested. If you looked up in the dictionary for an image of an average book, I believe this book would be its representative. Within a month I will probably forget about this book as it does not leave an impression. I never felt like I wasted my time reading this book but I never felt like I gained anything either.There are better books out there in this genre and I would recommend them before this one. This wasn't horrible but it wasn't good.
—Jim C
I keep giving John Saul second chances. Even after the abysmal Blackstone Chronicles. I thought this book might redeem him as an author, it does show effort of trying something new as in no more kid driven plots, this is about a serial killer with a bit of, shall we say, voltage. Saul can write page turners, his pacing is good, it's just that the characters and the plot itself were so blah and so predictable. It'll do to pass the time if you don't particularly want to get invested with the story or pay that much attention, but in a world of so many awesome books, why settle for blah.
—Bandit
