Book Review of the Bride Collector by Ted Dekker

The Bride Collector is a thought provoking story about a serial killer and his obsession with the perfect bride for God. Ted Dekker introduces some interesting thoughts about people that are often marginalized by society and locked up in medical facilities. The killer himself is of high intelligence but is also a diagnosed schizophrenic.

The Storyline of The Bride Collector

The novel opens by introducing Special Agent Brad Raines, the main male character. Brad is at a crime scene set up by the man they name The Bride Collector. A woman has been killed by draining her blood from her heel. This done, the murderer mounted her on the wall and posed her perfectly before adding a bridal veil.

As the story progresses, Brad bounces ideas off forensic psychologist, Nikki Holden, not realizing that she has been targeted as a future victim. The Bride Collector continues to kill and also leaves a couple of coded notes that Brad finds impossible to decipher. In desperation he decides to approach some inmates of a residential facility for the mentally ill. The facility is unique in that it only accepts inmates who display exceptional intelligence.

Brad meets four people who will ultimately help him unravel the truth about The Bride Collector. Roudy, Andrea, Cass and Paradise are diverse characters with problems ranging from agoraphobia to OCD to bipolar disorder. Brad doubts they will be of any use but as the case unfolds, he seeks their assistance in increasing measure. At the same time, Paradise experiences an awakening in her own life as she confronts fears from her past.

As the story progresses, Brad realizes that there is a connection between his helpers and The Bride Collectorwho is revealed as being a man by the name of Quinton Gauld. It becomes a race against time as he seeks to put the final pieces of the puzzle together to rescue the final victim from the killer.

What is the Message in The Bride Collector

Ted Dekker fashions a fascinating story and at the same time introduces truths that make the reader stop and think. He explores the ideas of true love and learning what it is to be beautiful. Thoughts about everyone being loved equally by God are discussed. The reader is also given an insight into the world of people with mental illness and conditions such as psychosis and schizophrenia.

The Bride Collector is an action-packed novel that explores some interesting themes as well as exposing the misconceptions that people hold about those with mental illness. The reader's attention is held by the story of a serial killer with great intelligence and his twisted belief that he is killing brides for God. Although the book has high entertainment value, it also leaves the reader thinking about the deeper things in life such as true beauty and God's love.

Dekker, Ted, The Bride Collector, Hachette Book Group, 2010.