The Killing Game | Techniques

The Killing Game Techniques

The Killing Game is one of the new serial killer novels and uses the same techniques developed by Thomas Harris in Red Dragon and The Silence of the Lambs. There are two narratives, Dom's and Eve's, that chronicle the actions and thoughts of the antagonists.

The omniscient narrator also shows us the thoughts of the minor characters, including those of the dog, Monty. The split narrative is suggestive of movies but is a necessity in serial killer novels because the reader needs to know why the killer kills. Johansen does not give us that information until the end but still skillfully maintains interest in Dom's activities. One fillip the author adds is the telephone conversations between Eve and Dom where he reveals his plan and his personality. This device augments the horror because he always knows where she is.

The idea of stalking is frightening, and...
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