Beast in View

by Margaret Millar
Beast in View cover
Good Books rating 3.58
Crime, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense
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  • ID: 11148
  • Added: 2026-02-21
  • Updated: 2026-02-21
  • ISBN: 9781780220314
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2011-08-18
  • Reviews: 3

Helen Clarvoe, a thirty-year-old woman living in isolation, receives mysterious phone calls from a stranger with a compelling voice. This stranger lures her into a dark world of extortion, pornography, vengeance, and ultimately, murder. The novel is praised for its cunning plot and ingenious final twist, making it a classic in the crime fiction genre. /n/n The book's gothic elements and modern relevance create a haunting atmosphere that keeps readers on edge. With its intricate plot and surprising ending, Beast In View is a testament to the author's mastery of suspense and psychological thriller elements.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2026-02-21
enjoyable 4.25

The book is an enjoyable psychological thriller but is slightly marred by outdated views on psychology and homosexuality. The writing is engaging and keeps the reader hooked.

The reviewer found 'Beast In View' to be a very enjoyable psychological thriller, praising its engaging writing and ability to keep the reader hooked. However, they noted that the book is tarnished by some outdated 1950s psychological ideas and the handling of a gay character, which feels dated and potentially offensive by modern standards.

Quick quotes

    An very enjoyable psychological thriller tarnished a bit by 1950s psychological ideas and handling of a gay character.

    I have been aware of this book for a long time and finally got around to reading it.

    I would recommend it to fans of psychological thrillers, but be aware of its dated elements.

Bitter Tea and Mystery · 2022-04-30
mixed 2.50

The book is intense and fast-paced with a groundbreaking plot, although some elements may feel stale and overused now.

The reviewer noted that 'Beast in View' is intense and fast-paced, with a groundbreaking plot that was innovative for its time. However, they felt that some elements of the plot may feel stale and overused by modern standards. The reviewer acknowledged that many other reviewers liked the book much more than they did, but they found the plot to be somewhat predictable and the characters less compelling.

Quick quotes

    First, many reviewers liked it much more than I did.

    It is a groundbreaking novel, although the plot can be seen as stale and overused now.

    I found the plot to be somewhat predictable and the characters less compelling.

Criminal Element · 2019-01-18
pleasurable 4.00

The book is a pleasure to read with its elements of satire and expertly drawn characters. The portrayal of multiple personality is well-handled.

The reviewer found 'Beast in View' to be a real pleasure to read, highlighting its elements of satire and the expertly drawn characters. They appreciated the way Millar portrays multiple personality, a condition frequently handled in modern-day crime fiction. The reviewer enjoyed the depth of the characters and the clever use of satire throughout the novel.

Quick quotes

    I found this book a real pleasure to read with its elements of satire.

    Every character is expertly drawn with just a few strokes, and I really enjoyed the depth of the characters.

    The portrayal of multiple personality is well-handled and adds a layer of complexity to the story.

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