Break You

Andrew Z. Thomas/Luther Kite #3

by Blake Crouch

Somehow, Luther Kite has found them. At long last, the third installment in the Andrew Z. Thomas series. Following the events of DESERT PLACES and LOCKED DOORS, Andy Thomas and Violet King are hiding out in the wilds of northern Canada, where Violet has a four-month-old son and a burgeoning romance with Andy. On a cold, rainy night at their cabin in the woods, the promise of an idyllic life that seems just around the corner is shattered when a man from their past, a monster of pure malevolence, returns. What he has in store for them will challenge their understanding of evil and stretch the fibers of their love to the breaking point.

This ebook, a 20,000-word novella, is both the sequel to Desert Places and Locked Doors and the bridge between Locked Doors and Stirred, coming this year from Crouch and J.A. Konrath. It isn't necessary for you to read either Desert Places or Locked Doors to fully understand and be terrified by Break You. Additional material includes a foreword, afterword, bonus interview with Blake and J.A. Konrath, excerpts from DESERT PLACES and LOCKED DOORS by Crouch, and SHAKEN by Konrath.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Novella

110 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 26, 2011

About the author

Blake Crouch is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of the forthcoming novel, Dark Matter, for which he is writing the screenplay for Sony Pictures. His international-bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy was adapted into a television series for FOX, executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan, that was Summer 2015’s #1 show. With Chad Hodge, Crouch also created Good Behavior, the TNT television show starring Michelle Dockery based on his Letty Dobesh novellas. He has written more than a dozen novels that have been translated into over thirty languages and his short fiction has appeared in numerous publications including Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Crouch lives in Colorado with his family.

Reviews

[Dave Pope · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, an unsatisfying conclusion to the trilogy. This short novella is intense and as a short horror / thriller story it works - however it kind of leaves a hole relating to the entire trilogy involving Thomas and Kite relating to the conclusion of the story.
One of those things in horror movies that annoys me intensely is where the hero or heroine incapacitates the bad guy and doesn't follow through. For goodness sake! - if you get the upper hand then use it to effectively conclude the problem and end your misery. Kill the guy - don't walk away while he's breathing - it takes a few seconds - or is there an insane glee in having the monster get up to chase you around again so that he can finish what he started?

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Blake Crouch but this is the only book I've truly disliked so far. In a way, I was glad it was a short novel. Too much extreme and senseless violence, not enough story and character development for my liking.

[Dystopian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This third installment of the series proves that Crouch has many original ways to torture the victims in his books; what he lacks are original story lines. The bad guys force the good guys into killing people in an attempt to turn them into serial killers. The characters trade off capturing each other, torturing each other a bit, and never quite just pull the trigger and kill each other. And how many times can a character be incapacitated by drugged drinks without starting to be wary of anything their nemesis might have gotten his hands on? By the end you've kinda had enough and just want one of them to wise up and stop messing around and pull the damn trigger.

The end was kind of good, and more horrifying to me than the lovingly described tortures.

[Vicki Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short novella really packed a punch. I don't know why I waited so long to read this one! It started off fast and furious and was tense all the way to the last word. I loved how he ended it and found out that there is a little more Luther Kite in the crossover book Stirred which I will also be definitely reading. This one is graphic and very evil. If you liked the first 2, you have got to read this one.

[Pierre · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I loved Desert Places and Locked Doors, Blake Crouch somewhat blew it for me in this conclusion story. I understand how he wanted to explore the philosophical implications of the tribulations of his characters but I kept kringing at some of the author's choices and saying "What?" out loud. Characters that had pulled through horrific events didn't seem to have learned from them. They made the same mistakes. The ending in particular didn't work for me at all. The main character made a huge but plausible mistake at the end of Locked Doors, but he repeats it a second time at the end of this story. Come on...

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The conclusion to the Andy Thomas trilogy focuses on three central characters; Andy, the writer portrayed as a serial killer to the broader community, Violet, the tough ex-cop now shacked up with Andy largely due to them surviving a harrowing ordeal with a crazed killer in LOCKED DOORS, and Luther Kite, the sadistic serial killer who still mourns the loss of Andy’s twin and like-minded killer Orson. The novella’s premise is simple; test character’s endurance by subject them to horrendous physical and physiological torture, all the while showcasing Luther’s truly sinister self and exposing the black hearted serial killer that he is.

While not as good as it predecessors, BREAK YOU will entertain, primarily by virtue of the shock and awe methods used for torture and manipulation (of human joints that is). For me, BREAK YOU didn’t really add anything to the trilogy – certainly not anything new. The core characters were already established and the chain of events leading to this point had left a lasting impression. I suspect, more than anything else, BREAK YOU is more a pit stop and bridge to STIRRED than actual stand-alone or designed specifically for the Andy Thomas series. That said, readers of the fiction set within the serial universe will lap this up – it’s violent, confronting, scary and entertaining. A one sitting read that will leave goose bumps. 3 stars.

View more on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...

[Susan Kennedy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I came to this after reading Run, the first Blake Crouch book I've read, which I enjoyed. That novel had a filmic, edge-of-your-seat feel which kept me gripped despite some misgivings. This, however, was a different kettle of fish. Barely half an hour of reading in I was questioning whether I could/should finish it. The gratuitous violence, the sickening scenes and cliched good-versus-evil 'dilemmas' made this feel pornographic and objectionable. Still, I questioned myself and thought that I should persevere. Just at the point where it descends into repetitive, nauseous tosh, it abruptly ended. Having downloaded it, I hadn't realised it was a novella. With a sigh of relief and a degree of annoyance at myself for having got to the end, I dispensed with it. if this were a film I'd have walked out within minutes. I've never experienced that same feeling with a book before. I won't be reading any more Crouch. Believe me, I don't simply read happy, la-la books but this didn't add to my understanding of human nature other than to make me wonder who's getting off on this stuff.

[Kevin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe this entire trilogy just wasn't for me. What an awful ending.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 2 out of 5]

They say that what you mock
Will surely overtake you
And you become a monster
So the monster will not break you
- U2, Peace on Earth

Break You would have been better as a fully fleshed-out novel rather than a novella. I really could have done without this one, but wanted to read book three before reading book four. I hope Stirred, written with Konrath will be more satisfying.

Of note is the use of babies/young children in this story - most authors would choose not to cross that controversial line.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrew Thomas thinks that after the events of the previous two books, he can rest in peace and enjoy life. There's Violet and baby Max to take care of now, and his home in the Canadian wilderness. BUT...well Luther Kite just won't die! And therein lies the problem. He's back, he adbucts baby Max, and forces Violet and Andrew to follow his instructions through murder, torture, and pain. This book is shorter than the first two, but just as intense. I can honestly say, I am completely engrossed with this series! And I was quite surprised when I came to the end to find that it's not really the end, but that the book will continue and intermingle with another series by Blake Crouch's buddy author, J.A. Konrath. So now I have to go read those and get caught up before I read the final book and find out what happens!! :/

Content Rating: R - LV (L) Again, not as much as in book 1 or 2. (V) Including torture scenes.

[Teresa G Evans · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother...

False advertising for one. The story ends at 69% and the rest is interviews and excerpts from the previous books. Not worth the price and frankly I was happier with the end of the last book. I can't unread this waste of time, but it is in my past now.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read the "Thicker Than Blood" version of this (not sure that there is a difference).

Anyhow, my full in depth review, which includes mini reviews of each book in this series can be found here: Shivers of Horror

This is a very short (20,000 words, or 12%) story. From what I’ve read it is a prequel to the final story (Stirred) about Andrew Thomas. Stirred is also the final book to the Jack Daniels series by Jack Kilborn/J.A. Konrath. So for me, I’d like to go back and read that series before picking up Stirred.

Anyhow, this story revolves around Andrew and Vi living together raising her son in hiding. Quite frankly I don’t get why Vi felt the need to run off with Andrew at the end of Locked Doors. But anyhow, her son gets kidnapped by Luther and then they both get captured and Luther plays with them. Forcing Vi to murder for the safety of Andrew and her son. Eventually Andrew and Vi are both strapped to a chair and must basically hurt one another until death. Or rather, until Andrew convinces Luther that he’s just as nuts as him and releases him.

While I loved the concept in this, making Vi murder for the safety of her child and Andrew, and vise versa sort of. I didn’t like the ending. For those that don’t care to be spoiled I gladly go into details on my review site linked above.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was short but definitely not sweet. You get all the torture and sadism from Locked Doors with only a third of the reading time. Luther is like Kenny from Southpark...you think he's dead at the end of each episode but nope, there he is again alive and well.

There isn't much I can tell you about the story - if you read Locked Doors then I'll give something away and if you're new to the series you'll wonder why a sane person would be reading this horrorshow of a book. All I can say is it's all about Andy. I just have to know what's happening to him and now I have to read Stirred to find out how it ends. Crouch did a great job in making me care about this poor schmuck. Even if he dies in the end it will be a relief.

The one thing I didn't like about Locked Doors was not immediately knowing who's point of view the story was being told at the start of each chapter. It must have been an annoyance to others as well because it was rectified in this instalment.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

not worth it. The ending to the second book is enough.

[Kait · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first novella and it was fine, I think. “Break You” was really tense and horrible (in keeping with the tone of this Andrew Thomas/Luther Kite series). And it felt mostly resolved but d—it, I think I’m going to have to read the *next* book to feel at peace about the characters and I’m like, “Ugh, what have I done.” Anyway, they’re quick reads because I stumble through the chapters hurriedly to make sure everyone’s going to be OK (or get through the torture and murder more quickly!) and if you’re wondering why I’m still reading these books, just know that I’m kind of wondering too.

[Cynthia (Bingeing On Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This one is more of a novella and it's short. I usually find it hard to get into novellas because I usually think the author falls short in some way since the story is so short. That is not the case here. Blake Crouch sucked me in from the very first page and he did not freaking let up. OMG, it was AMAZING! Fast paced, intense and that ending? Wow. I need more!

[Timothy Huynh · Rating 2 out of 5]

book was mid. this was a novella, so it was a pretty short ending to this exciting trilogy which underwhelmed me. everything seemed rushed and didn’t hit the same as the other two books :/ #blueballed

[Ricky Hollow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate how short this one was, because damn was it good. I could feel everything happening, to the point I would get uneasy at times and have to take a break. Constantly amazed at Blake's writing. Round of applause for this entire series, really.

[Lisa O'donovan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in what I thought was going to be the conclusion of the trilogy. There wasn’t much of a story line & parts were very choppy. There was a lot of torture, trying to develop some mental games, but it didn’t work. Also, didn’t wrap up what happened to all of the main characters.

[Steph Dery · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but also didn’t. I couldn’t put it down, but am glad the story is over.

[Richelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing book.. but I didn't like how it ended.. I was lead to believe that I was reading the conclusion to the Luther Kite series.. but at the end of this book I come to find out now there's one more.. in which Crouch teamed up with JA Konrath. it's called "Stirred" and it's going to contain both authors famous characters. I'm not sure how I feel about this considering I don't know this author or his series/ character. This novella was really good but totally left me on the edge again.. now I have to buy another ebook.. I'm not impressed .. I was hoping and believed that this was the final book in the series. this novella was terrifying.. and I have a huge love/ hate feeling with how it ended.. I don't want to believe that Andy would do everything he did to get back on top.. to just throw it all away again! aggravates me!
I also want to know what happened to Violet and baby Max.. this ending again just opened a whole new can of worms .. I loved this book.. don't take my aggravation as negativity.. just a little mad with how things turned out ...
I guess my to read list gets bumped down another book now .. onto "stirred"
hoping I like this other author.. cuz I need some closure ! good or bad !

[Dekaydreader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fascinatingly horrible - and this is the end of my reading this genre, because I simply can't handle any more... after a certain point, there's no longer thrill or tension, just a wish for it to end, already.
When Luther first reappeared on the scene, I could only think that Andrew Z was severely lacking in any sense of self-preservation, and this bothered me for several chapters. Then things began to get progressively more insane, and I just soldiered on to the bleak, hopeless end. Have to say that there's no sunshine, and never, ever, ever a happy ending (or even a satisfying one) in Crouch's universe.

I'm going to stick with Stephen King, who can deliver thrills and chills without destroying my peace of mind.

I have to add this, because it continues to drive me out of my mind. Scene with the solder, which Luther crows about having specially concocted to bond to skin. How about having it specially concocted so it will actually respond to magnetic force? All solder is made of non-ferrous metals, which means you can get out all the neodymium magnets you like, you're not going to attract the solder. Might as well coat his skin with boiling sugar syrup and try to pull that off with a magnet after it cools. That's some sloppy research, yo?

[Josh Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of Saw quite a bit. Quite a lot a bit. Andrew and Violet wind up in the hands of Luther once again, lost in an industrial complex without any knowledge of where they are. Luther speaking in their ear as they try to figure out how to survive.

This really was just a bootleg version of Saw. It was also pretty short. There was a 6 year span between the release of the second book and this one but if that break hadn't have happened this could easily fit on the end of Locked Doors. Good thing I liked Saw; the first few at least.

Upside is that this is Blake Crouch and one hell of a thriller. Downside...uh...I guess the only thing I can say is that it's short. It's a psychological roller coaster which is fun. Some people might find it tough to read the torture scenes but it was as close to a liveleak video that I've ever come across in a book.

So I guess there isn't much of a downside. The ending looks to be interesting since it's concluding with the Jack Daniels series from J.A. Konrath. That sounds like a life goal now that I think about it. Writing a series then finding someone with a similar series and having them come together.

[Amber Riegel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Barely a new story here. More torture, more killing, the protagonists are no smarter than they were the first time around. You'd think after being poisoned several times and leaving the killer alive the last go around, you might be expecting his return, maybe even have some protection in place? But no. They are captured easily, have no plan in place and run solely on emotion. These characters are shallow and hard to like because they are so foolish. What kind of thrill writer, who has been kidnapped TWICE before doesn't at least have a security system? I was happy to be finished with it.

[NicholeReadsWithCats · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not impressed

I read the first two books in three days and loved them; was excited when this popped up as a suggestion. Highly disappointing ending for a thrilling series. I don't want to spoil anything so I'll just say seemed like a sloppy ending for such a well written story otherwise.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Say what?

Okay I still like this 3rd installment by but it was only more of the same. I get it cold, murderous, pain. For me I would have liked to see just a little hope written in. Just an opinion.

[Beth Ort · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree wth the "False Advertising" labels. This is not the conclusion. Lots of exhausting torture and stupid decision making. I read "Stirred" because I want to know what happens but I am frustrated that "Break You" was not actually the conclusion :(

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this one was not quite as good as the last two but still awesome!!! Wow I need an ending! Luther is just psycho

[Andy Cumming · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is getting a bit silly.