When I picked up this book to read during the holidays, I expected something different. For me it was a bit disappointing. The characters were unbelievable, and here is why: **SPOILER ALERT** Brad Raines: he is a 32 year old FBI agent, who is in charge of a high profile case involving a serial killer dubbed the Bride Collector. I expected this character to be more rational, but to me he appeared more like a corny teenage girl, who falls in love with a mental patient in 5 days, while struggling with his feelings for his dead fiancé and an attractive co-worker, who conveniently (for purposes of him getting finally falling for the mental patient) becomes the serial killer's sixth victim. Along the plot, we see a lot of: "Oh no! I might be falling in love with this girl and I am so scared" kind of thing that I would expect from an insecure teenage character. Aside form that, instead of focusing in solving the case, he spends unnecessary time at a mental institution recruiting the help of some patients, who in the end, crack it. Brad came across as incompetent and immature.
Paradise: She is the novel's "heroine", who has suffered at least, 2 huge traumas (she witnessed the murder of her family in the hands of her father and nearly became a rape victim) and as a result has been institutionalized for 7 years. She doesn't care much for her appearance or personal hygiene, wears jeans that are too short and doesn't trust men. Additionally, she is agoraphobic and mnemophobic. However, in only 5 days, she manages to overcome her phobias, trust and fall in love with a George Clooney type of guy, who in return, falls for her (in
spite of his own commitment issues with women) and, pretty much save his life.
Allison: She is the head of the mental institution, who loves Paradise as her own child, but notwithstanding encourages the FBI
agent to make her fall for him and kind of exposes her to him. I'm not sure her behaviour regarding her patients can be deemed either common or ethical for someone in her position. In any case, I found it unbelievable.
Nikki: She is this incredibly attractive woman and insightful psychologist that works for the FBI, who finds herself attracted to the
main character and is conveniently murdered just after her first date with him.
Ruby: She used to be Brad's fiancé. He describes her as beautiful, smart and witty. Brad claims that they were
very happy and that she was as much in love with him as much as he was with her and they were
engaged to be married. However, inexplicably she commits suicide because "she didn't feel beautiful enough".
Really???? Come on! And to make matters worse ther is this bizarre love triangle (which could have easily become a square if the Nikki character had survived) among the three main characters. Coincidentally, (1) the man who tried to rape Paradise a few years ago is our one and only Bride Collector, (who murders people as a result of Paradise's rejection), (2) is being hunted by FBI agent Brad Raines who, against all odds, falls in love with Paradise and (3) in turn becomes her love interest. It felt that the writer just tried to hard to surprise the reader. The " twists" didn't seem natural, and frankly seemed ridiculous.
The characters were frivolous and acted in absurd ways. Along the book, there were many unrealistic situations, especially since the characters are supposed to be extremely smart, insightful and capable.

Good and evil clash in Ted Dekker's newest thriller. On the side of good is Special Agent Brad Raines, an FBI investigator. He, along with his partner, Nikki Holden, is hunting a maniacal killer who has become known as The Bride Collector. Four women have been killed by having small holes drilled in their heels, allowing the blood to drain from their body. They have then been glued and hung on the wall of a deserted barn. A handwritten note and a bridal veil have been found with each victim. Nikki and Brad have deduced that the killer may have some sort of psychoses, so they have enlisted the help of the Center for Wellness and Intelligence, a private home for gifted, mentally challenged patients.

On the side of evil is Quinton Gauld. A former employee of CWI, Quinton now lives a rich life, driving fancy cars and living in an upscale apartment. Quinton believes that he's on a mission from God; to deliver the most beautiful women in the world to Him as His brides. Four have already been accosted by Quinton, and that number soon grows to six. The seventh awaits.

Meanwhile, Brad has enlisted the help of four people from CWI. The most intriguing is Paradise; a disturbed young woman who suffers from manic depression. However, she has a gift; the ability to see images. Brad believes that she might be able to help catch the Bride Collector. However, the game is about to get much more deadly than Brad and Paradise can begin to imagine. Will Paradise and Brad be able to catch the Bride Collector before it's too late, or will the Bride Collector succeed in delivering his 7th and final victim to God?

This is a first-rate thriller. The battle boils down to Brad & Paradise vs. the Bride Collector, and only one side can win. The story is exciting and full of twists and turns. The character development is excellent, especially the growth of the relationship between Brad and Paradise. The reader develops a real connection with each of the characters. Dekker throws in plenty of surprises along the way, too.

I give this fine book my highest recommendation. I've only recently started reading Ted Dekker's books ("Boneman's Daughters" was my first), but he has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I especially like the way he includes good vs. evil in his stories. His style of writing is first-rate, and the reader is quickly drawn in. If you like fast-paced, thrilling stories, then don't miss "The Bride Collector".