Should Have Killed the Kid

by R. Frederick Hamilton

At the time it seemed so cut and dry. When the old man held out the knife and asked him to kill the kid, Dave didn't think twice. The man was clearly nuts. Raving about an apocalypse that only the boy's death could stop. Dave had done what any rational person would have - knocked the lunatic out. A lucky punch and all had been over... or so he thought. Locked in a skyscraper in Melbourne, Dave Thomas has ample time to rue and lament his decision. As he watches the city burn, it's a little difficult to escape the enormity of his mistake. Claws have invaded the shadows. Billions are dead. Continents in ruin. And to rub salt in the wounds, the only hope for salvation is to face that decision all over again. He really should have killed the kid.

Genres: Horror, Apocalyptic, Fantasy

296 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2011

About the author

R Frederick Hamilton is an author from Melbourne, Australia.

Reviews

[David Agranoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK let me say off the bat that the marketing and exterior look of this book had me scratching my head. The cover is a pretty looking take on the Melbourne (Australia) skyline engulfed in flames. This where a good portion of the book takes place. That is not the curious part, inside the cover is four blurbs and I know that is far from weird. Except that two of the blurbs were straight up bad reviews that almost scared me out of reading the book. It was a review book so I kept going. The book has no description to draw me in either, All it says on the back of the book is “Fuck...”

Which is what the main character says when faced with most unpleasant situations. This book is filled to the brim with very unpleasant situations, but if your a fan of good creepy unsettling horror fiction then that is what you are looking for. I am thinking that Legume man thought your reading experience would be better served if you didn't have any clue what the plot was to spoil the surprises.

I am not sure I agree with that thinking, but reguardless it is an excellent horror novel, that builds amazing amounts of tension and suspense throughout. If you trust my opinion stop reading this review and just get your hands on the book. If you still need more convincing and think a little plot description is needed before you invest well read on.

Should have killed the Kid is a supernatural Apocalypse thriller which has both Lovecraftian vibe (without direct connection to the mythos) and an extreme horror feel. At first I thought of it as Stephen King's The Mist with A Quentin Tarantino structure, but after the first 100 pages the structure smoothes out into a linear fashion. The book is structured and patterned for maxium suspense that left me with only a few nitpicks.

The main character is named Dave, when we meet him he is hiding with a group of survivors after creatures referred to as the Claw of the Shadows have appeared over Australia and begun to erase humanity and it's vast civilization from the earth. So what makes Dave so interesting? The people hiding with him don't know it, but Dave caused the whole thing to happen.

The novel then takes us back to the time, when Dave failed to act on the a duty which would have prevented the whole thing from happening. Judging from the title you may have figured out that Dave was supposed to kill a child.

The more pure the heart of the sacrifice the more happy the claw of the shadow will be. So we are set up for an adventure to sacrafice the right kid, at the right place and end the mess.

This a excellent example of how independent publishing brings us interesting and original horror fiction. I am very happy I read this book, I think serious horror fans will like it. My only nitpicks are to do with the ending. Towards the end I lacked sympathy for the boy, and I thought the child Dave had to sacrafice could have had a little more dimensions to him. It would have made the ending more tense and suspensful. Also the book is set up for a sequel that I didn't really feel completely sold on.

Should Have Killed the kid was a pleasant surprise for me. I always say that great suspense novels feel like climbing a very tall unstable ladder. And that is what I felt like I was doing when I read this novel. Thumbs up.

[Horror DNA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many talented authors choose to add to the existing mythos created by some of the biggest names in fiction. However, a very small number of writers has what it takes to create a narrative with its own mythology. R. Frederick Hamilton belongs to the second group. Last year, Hamilton made my Best of 2012 list with Spare Key , which contained a novella and two short stories. That book also made me seek out whatever else he had published. I got my hands on Should Have Killed The Kid, but decided to wait a bit before digging into it. Why? Because I'd read somewhere that the sequel would be arriving in 2013. When I finally read it, it was all I'd hope for and more. In fact, it was enough to cement Hamilton on my list as one of the best voices in contemporary horror.

You can read Gabino's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.

[Christopher Hivner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not familiar with the author R. Frederick Hamilton before buying this book but man can the guy write. Should Have Killed the Kid is a wildly imaginative story and Hamilton does a masterful job of weaving the threads of the story together to keep you riveted and to build the suspense. I loved the title of the book because it made me curious about the story before I even started reading. When the main character doesn't kill the kid, the hell that is unleashed on Earth is unlike anything else I've read. As the story progresses questions are answered but the circumstances get stranger and more brutal. This is definitely not a book for the faint of heart. Hamilton pulls no punches with his language, both in dialogue and description. The ending actually leads into Hamilton's sequel to Should Have Killed the Kid which I have on my wish list to read when it comes out.

[Scott Tyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should Have Killed The Kid

Who wouldn't want to read a book with that title?

This was my second exposure to R. Frederick Hamilton's writing, the first being Spare Key. Both completely different books, but I enjoyed both.

Almost like a surreal, Aussie version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Should Have Killed The Kid deals with hopelessness, despair, right and wrong, magic, and blood. Lots and lots of blood. Don't Panic? No, you better panic. 'Cause if you don't, there's probably no salvation in sight.

I look forward to further books (hopefully) in the series, and indeed from Hamilton. Recommended reading for lovers of horror, with a definite Sci-Fi slant, something right up my alley.

[Derek Dewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very odd book, not really like any others I have read before. Yet interesting, even compelling. Mu only real objection is the ending - it seems a lot of new writers like to abruptly end their books with the idea that the action will be immediately picked up in the next book. Sort of like the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" thing, making that last film two parts that cannot stand alone.

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this unique take on the pre-apocalyptic genre...highly recommend!