Security: A Novel

I have often thought that of all the horror sub-genres, the "slasher" seemed like the one that would make the least interesting book, a notion which seemed born out by the relative lack of any good examples. In her debut however, Gina Wohlsdorf has managed to make one. It follows the few staff members working in the brand new Manderley Resort as they make last minute preparations for the impending grand opening, as an unnamed someone is watching them on the myriad security cameras hidden throughout the hotel. While they are going about their day, dealing with issues related to both their professional and personal lives, we learn about them and come to care about them, which only makes the fact that a masked man is stalking the halls and killing them off one by one that much more unsettling. Since everything is being told from the perspective of the man watching the monitors, we are often being given descriptions of multiple simultaneous events. This does sometimes dull the suspense of a situation, but more often than not, the juxtaposition of 2 disparate scenes, like a brutal murder being observed alongside a steamy romance, with everyone but the watcher being unaware of the others' circumstances, only ups the creepiness factor. So who is the man watching everything transpire? Why does he do nothing to help these people he seems to know so well? Who is the killer and what are their motivations? Who will make it through the night? In the end, not all of these questions get answers, which allows the book to linger with you even more after you've finished. This clever horror story will keep you up reading long into the night, and promises a bright future for Ms. Wohlsdorf.

It’s possible I am the perfect audience for this book. I love horror and I love romance, I love Rebecca and The Shining. Regardless of the reasons, Security just worked for me on almost every level.I really appreciate the risks Wohlsdorf took in her novel approach to this story; the camera-switching device was cool. The only thing that didn’t click so well for me was the dialogue, which I felt could have been stronger in places. I do wonder, though, if that was part of Wohlsdorf’s homage to slasher films, which aren’t exactly known for their sparkling dialogue? If so, then never mind, the book was near-perfect :).BTW, if you’re on the fence about trying to read this due to concerns about the e-book formatting, I wouldn’t let it deter you. FWIW, I read this on my Kindle Fire and didn’t have any trouble following the “camera switches,” nor did I find the multiple POVs confusing. And there is only one narrator, they just are able to see from more than one vantage point, due to the security cameras.

Security isn't a run-of-the-mill murder mystery. For one thing, the story appears to be told from varying security camera angles, and there can be abrupt switches in points of view when the action moves from one camera angle to another. I had no problems following this, but I did have a couple of issues with other things.I tend to be a character-driven reader. I like to have at least one character whom I like and/or trust, but even that's not cast in stone-- which is a good thing because none of the characters here are very likable. Tessa (hotel employee) and Brian (a man who shows up out of the blue) seem to be the main characters, but the rest of the cast are mere cannon fodder for the roaming team of killers while readers are treated to voyeuristic scenes from various cameras. To be honest, I only began to enjoy the book once the real narrator was revealed toward the end.One of the main reasons I love to read crime fiction is to have the universal question of "Why?" answered. I want to know why the crimes are being committed. In Security, readers are never told with any certainty why ruthless killers are turning Manderley Resort into a blood-soaked house of horrors.Multiple points of view, unanswered questions, and a story that ends with an unfinished sentence (I liked that)... while I didn't find Security to be wholly satisfying, I did find its more unconventional aspects intriguing and promising. I'll be interested in reading Gina Wohlsdorf's next book.

Got halfway through the book and the only reason I finished it was because I was already halfway through it. Took way too long to get interesting, and the ending was unsatisfying. There is more romance and relationship stuff than there are "scary" scenes. Good idea for a book, did not create as much horror as I thought. I guess I expected a more fast paced slasher book, rather than the focus being on two distant lovers with some people being killed around them. The story was too heavy on this couple, and not heavy enough about the killers.

Ever since I first came across Security, there was something intriguing about the book; it has a “big brother” aspect about it that piqued by interest. I downloaded the sample, something I would recommend, and was captivated and strangely intrigued by the point-of-view from which the story was told.I find it strange to say that the point-of-view was the best part of the book. It is told in first person, but who is this person? I ran with many theories as I continued through the story. The narrator has omnipotent knowledge, and complete access to everything going on within the Manderley Resort and its grounds, yet does nothing to influence what is going on.Wohlsdorf has created a unique premise with her cast of characters being hunted through the hotel as they are in their final preparations for the grand opening. The story was filled with some great twists and turns. It kept my interest and I wanted to know who was responsible for all of this mayhem.My biggest issue with Security was with the characters. I just didn’t care. I don’t know if I was just preoccupied with the narrator or if they were just lacking in development. Perhaps, as in any slasher movie, I knew that they would all have to go eventually.The strength of Security lies squarely on the narrator. Who is it? Well, the question does get answered, and it all comes together then. If you like to try new perspectives within a good story, Security could be a great change of pace.

I adored this thriller. Could not put it down at all. What an original idea for a novel. Well done to the author. Keen to read her next one.

非常に読みづらく、途中で放り出しそうにもなった。しかし全体の3分の2まで読み進むとようやく謎（？）が解け、作品の独創性も理解できるようになる、非常にユニークな作品といえる。

This is one of the most graphic, bloodthirsty books I have read. In saying that I did enjoy it to a point. I found the writing a bit stilted but worth a read.

Very exciting. It held my attention well but sometimes it was slightly far fetched. To compensate that the characters were well presented and setting immaculate. Reminded me of The Shining.