The Killer Inside Me
After reading Charlie Higson’s top 10 horror books article in ‘The Guardian’, I decided to purchase The Killer Inside Me, by Jim Thompson.
Based in a small town in Texas the novel plays upon the stereotype of a small town, where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Cleverly, Thompson uses this to his advantage and creates a chilling read with the main character, a man in high authority, Deputy Sheriff Lou Ford being a psychopathic murderer under the noses of everyone in the town. His violent and disturbing character is hidden by a well presented facade of good manners and commitment to his position.
The vivid use of language by Thompson successfully conveys the dark thoughts and feelings of Lou Ford. The novel beautifully shows the transition of evil within Ford affecting others around him. The acts Ford commits are gruesome and almost unbearable at times, but the scenes are cleverly constructed and written, leaving the reader in suspense.
I feel the novel itself represents corruption amongst society and the ill judgements made of others. Although, the theme and content is very graphic and violent, Thompson manages to capture a character that leaves the hairs standing on the back of your neck.
Reading a different novel genre has proved to be enlightening. It is a good way to expand your vocabulary and even though the thriller genre is not for everyone, I recommend this book for a change of reading.
The novel was recently adapted for film this year [2010] :
Rebecca's Rambles... 
Must agree would definately recommend this read.