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The Knight Chronicles #1
Killing Matt Cooper
A FEMA crisis manager by day and serial killer by night becomes romantically involved with the FBI unit chief hunting him down. Will she learn his dark secret?
61 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2013
17 people are currently reading
1226 people want to read
About the author
John Cassian
7 books95 followersJohn Cassian is an author of horror/thrillers centered around a serial killer who goes by many names. He has also contributed a short story to a horror anthology series called "Prey." Cassian is not nearly as disturbing in real life as his characters -- or so he would like you to believe....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
July 24, 2014
4 HELP.....I Have the Hots for a Serial Killer Stars!!
**A gifted copy was received in exchange for a honest review from the author. Thanks John, you rock!!**
***Thanks ladies for the crazy fun I had in this buddy read with you all: JaHy, Bev, Ashlee, Sophia, Silvana, Valerie, Vera, Princess Nhya!!***
Those of you that know me are probably thinking WTF did Shannie read............
While this story was out of my comfort zone, I really did find it brilliantly written. Samuel Knight is a FEMA crisis worker by day and your friendly serial killer at night. He has numerous alias identities, including Samuel Knight, which help to insure nobody can identify him as the Greek Death.....yes that's what the press has named him. Knight doesn't like it either.
Although Knight is a serial killer he also has a dominant, charming, romantic side to him that I just couldn't resist falling for.
I know.....I can't believe it either. That's just how I feel. Knight has his deep rooted reasons for the way he is. He used to want to be someone better; that of course was until his first kill. Now Knight needs to get that rush back by trying to recreate that night.
Of course like every man we read about, Knight's world shifts when he meets Special Agent Kathleen Underwood. Knight has feelings for Ms Underwood and she's made his creepy, stalker wall of fame in his house.
With the meeting of Agent Underwood, this short story really takes off & Knight gets off!! The sexy times in this book were erotically satisfying.
I'm not going to give you anymore of the details of this little gem; you're just going to have to read for yourself. I will be reading the next book in this series because I HAVE to know what happens. I hope everyone will give this short story a chance & pick it up to read!! MWAH!!
**A gifted copy was received in exchange for a honest review from the author. Thanks John, you rock!!**
***Thanks ladies for the crazy fun I had in this buddy read with you all: JaHy, Bev, Ashlee, Sophia, Silvana, Valerie, Vera, Princess Nhya!!***
August 27, 2016
Mr. Knight is cray cray. You hear me? What a sick puppy he is.
Reading this brief novel has left me scared, confused, & not wanting to touch the subject of Crazy.
What made this even more disturbing for me, was his voice. Everything about his outer packaging, just screams "I'm a nice, decent, hard working, compassionate guy!" But his thoughts are the most vile, dark & sinister thoughts ever. What makes this the most frightening is that he could be anybody. He could be my neighbor across the street! He could be the author of this book! LOL! You just don't know.
And there in lies the fear that drives this story. The train wreck that you just can't look away from. No matter how hard you may want to. We as human beings always have to have the answers. We always must know the why of something. We must make sense of all the cray cray chaos surrounding us & unfortunately, also inhabiting some around us. Here is the definition of true fear: There is no rhyme or reason. No sense that can be made or come from the face of pure evil.
And that's what this story was. Mr. Knight was simply pure evil. But having said that, I can understand who he was before he truly snapped. I get & understand the why of the "Trigger" but I will never understand why the trigger exists in the first place. This is what I mean when I say you can never make sense of such things. So don't drive yourself insane trying.
This was a very dark, frightening, just flat out disturbing read. And I would still recommend it.
Reading this brief novel has left me scared, confused, & not wanting to touch the subject of Crazy.
What made this even more disturbing for me, was his voice. Everything about his outer packaging, just screams "I'm a nice, decent, hard working, compassionate guy!" But his thoughts are the most vile, dark & sinister thoughts ever. What makes this the most frightening is that he could be anybody. He could be my neighbor across the street! He could be the author of this book! LOL! You just don't know.
And there in lies the fear that drives this story. The train wreck that you just can't look away from. No matter how hard you may want to. We as human beings always have to have the answers. We always must know the why of something. We must make sense of all the cray cray chaos surrounding us & unfortunately, also inhabiting some around us. Here is the definition of true fear: There is no rhyme or reason. No sense that can be made or come from the face of pure evil.
And that's what this story was. Mr. Knight was simply pure evil. But having said that, I can understand who he was before he truly snapped. I get & understand the why of the "Trigger" but I will never understand why the trigger exists in the first place. This is what I mean when I say you can never make sense of such things. So don't drive yourself insane trying.
This was a very dark, frightening, just flat out disturbing read. And I would still recommend it.
July 18, 2014
4 I love me a serial killer Stars
Samuel Knight is a serial killer, and why I love these personalities, in books, is beyond me.
No really…I am fine and I will keep selling that story.
Okay, all joking aside. I really enjoy these reads because we get to see the mindset of these serial killers. Some of Samuel’s lines in this book had me laughing out loud for example:
"I watched Ashley tell her professional wrestler boyfriend she loved him before going home to her husband and two children. Even though I wanted to tell Ashley, simply, that professional wrestling is fake (and, by extension that her boyfriend was not real), I knew that would not convince her.”
It may just be me and my twin here, but seeing how he thinks is so entertaining. It is completely calm and rational thoughts, but they do not logically make sense.
Let’s get back on track…
Samuel is a serial killer by night and FEMA employee by day. These government workers obviously have too much time on their hands...
Samuel is constantly searching for his love, and they always seem to disappoint them, thus resulting in their death/rape.
When he first sees Kathleen, FBI unit chief hunting him down, he is immediately drawn to her.
From here you will have to read the story.
This is a short read, and has a sequel that is already out. I am going to jump into book 2 and see where things go. I wouldn’t call this a cliffhanger ending more of a see where things go.
Samuel Knight is a serial killer, and why I love these personalities, in books, is beyond me.
No really…I am fine and I will keep selling that story.
Okay, all joking aside. I really enjoy these reads because we get to see the mindset of these serial killers. Some of Samuel’s lines in this book had me laughing out loud for example:
"I watched Ashley tell her professional wrestler boyfriend she loved him before going home to her husband and two children. Even though I wanted to tell Ashley, simply, that professional wrestling is fake (and, by extension that her boyfriend was not real), I knew that would not convince her.”
It may just be me and my twin here, but seeing how he thinks is so entertaining. It is completely calm and rational thoughts, but they do not logically make sense.
Let’s get back on track…
Samuel is a serial killer by night and FEMA employee by day. These government workers obviously have too much time on their hands...
Samuel is constantly searching for his love, and they always seem to disappoint them, thus resulting in their death/rape.
When he first sees Kathleen, FBI unit chief hunting him down, he is immediately drawn to her.
From here you will have to read the story.
This is a short read, and has a sequel that is already out. I am going to jump into book 2 and see where things go. I wouldn’t call this a cliffhanger ending more of a see where things go.
August 13, 2016
** 4 " CUDDLY SERIAL KILLER" STARS **
Dexter Morgan has some competition and one of his fake persona's is named Samuel my Knight In shining armor. Okay, it's just Samuel Knight, I added that other shit because his character just got me out of my book funk.
Full review to come later.. I need to read Killing Sam Knight ASAP.... which is currently free btw http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Sam-Kni...
Dexter Morgan has some competition and one of his fake persona's is named Samuel my Knight In shining armor. Okay, it's just Samuel Knight, I added that other shit because his character just got me out of my book funk.
Full review to come later.. I need to read Killing Sam Knight ASAP.... which is currently free btw http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Sam-Kni...
October 27, 2015
**** 4 Pure Love's Kiss Stars ****
I am not sure what is happening to me but right now I am just loving these crazy serial killing men. I love their thought process. I especially love when they have a sweet side that tries to take over their darkness but always comes up short. If you really want to suck me in, add a kick ass woman that has the same darkness hidden inside but remains in total control until she finds a man that can unleash her beast!!
Killing Matt Cooper is a Dexter meet Criminal Minds and I LOVE IT!!
Sam is a killer. His mission in life is to end the evil that some woman live with as cheaters. They don't deserve to live.
Sam is also a functional "normal" person working for FEMA. He works close with the FBI as well. As he begins working another case, one very close to home for Sam. This case is SAM. His killing spree has some attention now. He knows it is only a matter of time before he is caught.
As Sam is tossed into the middle of his own case, he sees his LOVE....Kathleen, the lead FBI agent working to catch this killer.....to catch Sam.
Kath-leen. Just the shape of her name on my tongue felt so grand. So true. So loving. And the fact that she was hunting me, that made the whole thing even more delicious.
Sam and Kathleen's relationship is hot and steamy. They connect instantly but this is NOT insta-love...this is insta-heat.
It takes a while to find out who Matt Cooper is but damn, that is a really good twist and really helps you to figure out what makes Sam's brain tick and where all his darkness began.
I have a sneaky suspicion that Kathleen is up to something more than we are let on in this book. I am excited to see what is next for these two in book 2.... Killing Sam Knight
I am not sure what is happening to me but right now I am just loving these crazy serial killing men. I love their thought process. I especially love when they have a sweet side that tries to take over their darkness but always comes up short. If you really want to suck me in, add a kick ass woman that has the same darkness hidden inside but remains in total control until she finds a man that can unleash her beast!!
Killing Matt Cooper is a Dexter meet Criminal Minds and I LOVE IT!!
Sam is a killer. His mission in life is to end the evil that some woman live with as cheaters. They don't deserve to live.
Sam is also a functional "normal" person working for FEMA. He works close with the FBI as well. As he begins working another case, one very close to home for Sam. This case is SAM. His killing spree has some attention now. He knows it is only a matter of time before he is caught.
As Sam is tossed into the middle of his own case, he sees his LOVE....Kathleen, the lead FBI agent working to catch this killer.....to catch Sam.
Kath-leen. Just the shape of her name on my tongue felt so grand. So true. So loving. And the fact that she was hunting me, that made the whole thing even more delicious.
Sam and Kathleen's relationship is hot and steamy. They connect instantly but this is NOT insta-love...this is insta-heat.
It takes a while to find out who Matt Cooper is but damn, that is a really good twist and really helps you to figure out what makes Sam's brain tick and where all his darkness began.
I have a sneaky suspicion that Kathleen is up to something more than we are let on in this book. I am excited to see what is next for these two in book 2.... Killing Sam Knight
April 20, 2015
This review is also posted on my blog: http://theshortreviewer.blogspot.com/...
I normally enjoy stories that are told through the viewpoint of someone you can feel for—you know, a good guy or girl. Being that I knew this story would be told through the eyes of someone truly evil, then I got past that and found myself both intrigued and utterly disgusted at the same time. I do like a good disturbing thriller after all. And this book certainly delivered on that.
Fearlessly written, the author holds absolutely nothing back. This is not an exaggeration. The main character is a serial killer, and you are taken into his sick and twisted mind. The repetitiveness of his thoughts is indicative of how I believe someone like him would think. I had no empathy for this character at all. I found myself hoping this was fiction and not an autobiography in disguise! That is how good of a job the author does with bringing you inside this psycho’s demented world.
The story is graphic, and many of the scenes are deeply horrifying and troubling. And what is even more terrifying is that there are people out there who do commit atrocious crimes such as this. So even though this is fiction, it is probably more realistic than most of us would like to believe.
It often read more like a diary, where the killer tells a lot of his story, and the dialogue is limited. It was a short, quick read, and I do sincerely hope for a sequel. The story did not feel finished as there is definitely more to be told here.
I recommend this for anyone who thinks they can take it for what it is - a messed up and gritty story.
I normally enjoy stories that are told through the viewpoint of someone you can feel for—you know, a good guy or girl. Being that I knew this story would be told through the eyes of someone truly evil, then I got past that and found myself both intrigued and utterly disgusted at the same time. I do like a good disturbing thriller after all. And this book certainly delivered on that.
Fearlessly written, the author holds absolutely nothing back. This is not an exaggeration. The main character is a serial killer, and you are taken into his sick and twisted mind. The repetitiveness of his thoughts is indicative of how I believe someone like him would think. I had no empathy for this character at all. I found myself hoping this was fiction and not an autobiography in disguise! That is how good of a job the author does with bringing you inside this psycho’s demented world.
The story is graphic, and many of the scenes are deeply horrifying and troubling. And what is even more terrifying is that there are people out there who do commit atrocious crimes such as this. So even though this is fiction, it is probably more realistic than most of us would like to believe.
It often read more like a diary, where the killer tells a lot of his story, and the dialogue is limited. It was a short, quick read, and I do sincerely hope for a sequel. The story did not feel finished as there is definitely more to be told here.
I recommend this for anyone who thinks they can take it for what it is - a messed up and gritty story.
November 13, 2020
3.5 in-the-mind-of-a-serial-killer stars ☆☆☆
Utterly insane! You'll get the inner perspective of a (I hope imaginary) serial killer. He kills girls. Who are just like his Love, his first love.
We get to know his alias, Sam Knight, here is my Sam:
So, in his free time he follows and kills girls who are cheaters or whoring behind their boyfriends back... And, in daytime, he is a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) crisis manager who goes around the country, and whenever there is a crisis situation (fire, flood, tornado), he organises help and leads life of the people hit by the crisis back to normal.
A killer wolf disguised in a sheep clothing. A sick bastard with a twisted mind.
He did have some charming, even funny lines, but, that's it. His killings are a desperate and sick way of reliving his first love and his first victim. He even meets an FBI agent who might as well be his match.
If you love a crime story full of sick scenes, reasoning of a killer, you will like this.
I found it... different, cuz that's not what I usually read.
There were some stuff that bothered me, and that is:
*how did he pick his killings, that's not nearly enough explained.
*And, the fact that his physical appearance is not described, so I can't imagine him.
*Also, could have been a bit longer.
Utterly insane! You'll get the inner perspective of a (I hope imaginary) serial killer. He kills girls. Who are just like his Love, his first love.
We get to know his alias, Sam Knight, here is my Sam:
So, in his free time he follows and kills girls who are cheaters or whoring behind their boyfriends back... And, in daytime, he is a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) crisis manager who goes around the country, and whenever there is a crisis situation (fire, flood, tornado), he organises help and leads life of the people hit by the crisis back to normal.
A killer wolf disguised in a sheep clothing. A sick bastard with a twisted mind.
He did have some charming, even funny lines, but, that's it. His killings are a desperate and sick way of reliving his first love and his first victim. He even meets an FBI agent who might as well be his match.
If you love a crime story full of sick scenes, reasoning of a killer, you will like this.
I found it... different, cuz that's not what I usually read.
There were some stuff that bothered me, and that is:
*how did he pick his killings, that's not nearly enough explained.
*And, the fact that his physical appearance is not described, so I can't imagine him.
*Also, could have been a bit longer.
August 29, 2013
This book is fucked up to say the least. You are in the mind of a serial killer and going through each situation with his victims.
"pure-love's kiss
This book is dark. Even after finishing this book I can't get it out of my head. It was that good. Dark and twisted good. There's moments when I wanted him to get caught but by the end of the book I wanted to keep going on his journey with him. How fucked up is that? I'm not sure but, I really enjoyed this short story.
"pure-love's kiss
This book is dark. Even after finishing this book I can't get it out of my head. It was that good. Dark and twisted good. There's moments when I wanted him to get caught but by the end of the book I wanted to keep going on his journey with him. How fucked up is that? I'm not sure but, I really enjoyed this short story.
June 5, 2014
This was an intense psychological thriller told through the very disturbed mind of a serial killer.
Killing Matt Cooper was intense and fast paced. Intended for mature audiences, there were plenty of dark and twisted scenes that shocked even me.
Very well written with some likeable and oh so unlikeable characters, this novel is not for the faint at heart. If you dare...go for it.
Killing Matt Cooper was intense and fast paced. Intended for mature audiences, there were plenty of dark and twisted scenes that shocked even me.
Very well written with some likeable and oh so unlikeable characters, this novel is not for the faint at heart. If you dare...go for it.
June 1, 2013
Sympathy for the Devil
This is a psychological crime novel, 'whydunnit' as much as anything else, but with some exciting plot twists and, while pleasingly tightly written, with sufficient detail to hold the attention of readers of high quality fiction as well as of page-turning thrillers.
My general criteria for a five star rating are either that the book is superbly written with few irritants or very well-written with lots to say. This book lies mainly in the former category as a brilliantly written book, although there are enough ideas to nudge the review towards the latter category in addition.
The author avoids the usual deterministic view of the damaged criminal, in favour of a more existential villain. Like Raskolnikov, he of Crime and Punishment fame, our villain is similar in his revolving like a moth around the investigator's flame, without his air of superiority being held as philosophically as Dostoyevsky's antihero.
Like the Russian killer, a mixture of the noble and the manipulative is part of the killer's constitution, with the possibility of redemption in the wings. It is left to the reader in the end to decide on the likelihood of this, and the opportunities available to a man who has condemned himself to the confusion of love with lust, power with submission to the forces of perverted sex.
This is essentially crime fiction, so the reader of literary fiction must be warned that there is a lot of violent sex. I am reminded of Orwell's answer to the conundrum of Salvador Dali's art as works of genius or disgusting; both, sayeth Orwell. For what it's worth, this reviewer is generally a reader of literary fiction rather than the crime genre, but this story beats Thomas Harris with ease. The killer is neither ordinary barring his crimes, nor is he super-controlled. Again, Raskolnikov comes to mind more than one of these cardboard villains.
A page-turner of some considerable quality.
This is a psychological crime novel, 'whydunnit' as much as anything else, but with some exciting plot twists and, while pleasingly tightly written, with sufficient detail to hold the attention of readers of high quality fiction as well as of page-turning thrillers.
My general criteria for a five star rating are either that the book is superbly written with few irritants or very well-written with lots to say. This book lies mainly in the former category as a brilliantly written book, although there are enough ideas to nudge the review towards the latter category in addition.
The author avoids the usual deterministic view of the damaged criminal, in favour of a more existential villain. Like Raskolnikov, he of Crime and Punishment fame, our villain is similar in his revolving like a moth around the investigator's flame, without his air of superiority being held as philosophically as Dostoyevsky's antihero.
Like the Russian killer, a mixture of the noble and the manipulative is part of the killer's constitution, with the possibility of redemption in the wings. It is left to the reader in the end to decide on the likelihood of this, and the opportunities available to a man who has condemned himself to the confusion of love with lust, power with submission to the forces of perverted sex.
This is essentially crime fiction, so the reader of literary fiction must be warned that there is a lot of violent sex. I am reminded of Orwell's answer to the conundrum of Salvador Dali's art as works of genius or disgusting; both, sayeth Orwell. For what it's worth, this reviewer is generally a reader of literary fiction rather than the crime genre, but this story beats Thomas Harris with ease. The killer is neither ordinary barring his crimes, nor is he super-controlled. Again, Raskolnikov comes to mind more than one of these cardboard villains.
A page-turner of some considerable quality.
October 18, 2015
3.5 *Creepy as HELL* Stars!
June 22, 2013
This is one of those books your either going to love or hate.
Being a fan of the darker side, I did enjoyed this.
Its a short story told from a serial killers POV. He explains at the start about his first kill. His first love, my love. We don't really know what triggers it off or why until later in the book and also where the tittle Killing Matt Cooper comes in.
He always tries to justify his killings in some way. He doesn't kill any women only a certain type of woman and he knows as soon as he sees her.
Then he meets Kathleen....
His new my love
Katheleen is working for the FBI and is working to try and solve the murders, when her and the killer meet a connection is formed.
My Thoughts
This is really a very clever book, the writing is excellent and when you delve into the killers mind it makes disturbing reading.
I have read far more dark and disturbing stories but I'm not taking anything away from this author.
I'm hoping there is more to come
And I think this sums it up.......
July 26, 2014
I feel bad in a way that I did not finish this book as the author sent me it free in exchange for review but sadly Im hearing he is commenting on other book reviews telling people to try his books therefore I just feel like I was only added by him in order to get me to read his book.
I am on Goodreads for the social aspect of my reading habit not to be a guinea pig for authors if I wanted to do that Id log into my un-used Net gallery account.
I wish the author all the luck with his future work.
DNF 41%
I am on Goodreads for the social aspect of my reading habit not to be a guinea pig for authors if I wanted to do that Id log into my un-used Net gallery account.
I wish the author all the luck with his future work.
DNF 41%
October 3, 2014
This was great! It was a very dark and dirty quick read. I loved that it was told completely from the killer's point of view. Great writing style, It was creepy and scary but also made me laugh. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
August 20, 2013
First thing I would warn, if the synopsis is not enough, this is a very sexually and violently explicit novella. Definitely for mature audiences only, and for audiences that are not upset about explicit subject matter.
This was a very quick read, but I could not put it down. I can't honestly say I liked it due to the brutal and disturbing nature, but it was most certainly very engrossing.
I have read several reviews complaining about repetition, but I have to say that didn't bother me in the slightest during the read. I don't know how much of that is that it fit with the story and how much of that was just the train wreck quality of the story; you just cannot help but continue to read and watch the carnage unfold.
As with all my favorite thrillers, it left many unanswered questions to the imagination. I would love to know more about Kathleen, and how truly similar to our staring killer she is. There are so many ways this story could go from the unfinished ending we were left with. I know other reviewers have complained about this as well; to me that is one of the things that draws me to psychological thrillers - I honestly do not like them to wrap everything up in a neat little bow in the last couple of paragraphs or pages.
Overall, very well written, very engrossing and leaves much food for thought on many levels.
Entering spoiler territory:
Final thoughts on this: I will definitely be looking for more from this author when looking for truly dark and twisted reads.
This was a very quick read, but I could not put it down. I can't honestly say I liked it due to the brutal and disturbing nature, but it was most certainly very engrossing.
I have read several reviews complaining about repetition, but I have to say that didn't bother me in the slightest during the read. I don't know how much of that is that it fit with the story and how much of that was just the train wreck quality of the story; you just cannot help but continue to read and watch the carnage unfold.
As with all my favorite thrillers, it left many unanswered questions to the imagination. I would love to know more about Kathleen, and how truly similar to our staring killer she is. There are so many ways this story could go from the unfinished ending we were left with. I know other reviewers have complained about this as well; to me that is one of the things that draws me to psychological thrillers - I honestly do not like them to wrap everything up in a neat little bow in the last couple of paragraphs or pages.
Overall, very well written, very engrossing and leaves much food for thought on many levels.
Entering spoiler territory:
Final thoughts on this: I will definitely be looking for more from this author when looking for truly dark and twisted reads.
August 2, 2013
I received a free download of "Killing Matt Cooper" by John Cassian by the author through the psychological thriller group in Goodreads, in exchange for an honest review. This is the diary of a serial killer.
LOVE_SEX_DEATH
I was interested in learning more about the mindset of someone who could carry out these horrendous acts. Did he feel remorse? What causes someone to flip out and do the things he did? Many questions.
When the monster raped and killed the love of his life, he realized who he was meant to be. This was his first kill. He had to keep finding her.
He found it easy to disguise his features, no one ever notices him. As for his victims, he compares each one to his love. The way she moves, her smile, the lies she tells to so many other men, her husband and her children. He spent much time researching all his victims. He had a list of targets, all stored in his mind. He raped and killed his victims, and left them at the city dump in a nice plot surrounded by medical waste. He was nicknamed " The Greek Death."
One of his alias, was Sam Knight, working for FEMA, a part of Homeland Security, fixing broken things and bringing order to chaos. This job suited him well, and he was good at it, as it allowed him to travel extensively, and never meet the same people again. He never came from a dysfunctional family. He had been loved. Never abused. It was him who had driven people away. He had only ever connected with My Love...and has been searching for that connection again.
Then through work, he meets Kathleen Underwood, a hot FBI agent, a criminologist who was the unit chief of the Behavioral Analysis Group of the FBI. And he saw sparks of Love in her eyes. Through some of his disguises, he was able to gain peripheral access to the police. That way he could see what he was up against. Kathleen trusted him and disclosed some information to him. A fire next to the city dump, revealed that he FBI had four body bags, 3 men and one girl. Without forensic evidence yet, the FBI wouldn't know who the killer was. So Sam had two options; sabotage the FBI's investigation or Run. It was a matter of time before Kathleen put all the pieces together...
I really enjoyed this book. I was totally glued to my seat, to see what would happen next. Many things are explained by the end of the book, including the title of the book. Well worth reading.
LOVE_SEX_DEATH
I was interested in learning more about the mindset of someone who could carry out these horrendous acts. Did he feel remorse? What causes someone to flip out and do the things he did? Many questions.
When the monster raped and killed the love of his life, he realized who he was meant to be. This was his first kill. He had to keep finding her.
He found it easy to disguise his features, no one ever notices him. As for his victims, he compares each one to his love. The way she moves, her smile, the lies she tells to so many other men, her husband and her children. He spent much time researching all his victims. He had a list of targets, all stored in his mind. He raped and killed his victims, and left them at the city dump in a nice plot surrounded by medical waste. He was nicknamed " The Greek Death."
One of his alias, was Sam Knight, working for FEMA, a part of Homeland Security, fixing broken things and bringing order to chaos. This job suited him well, and he was good at it, as it allowed him to travel extensively, and never meet the same people again. He never came from a dysfunctional family. He had been loved. Never abused. It was him who had driven people away. He had only ever connected with My Love...and has been searching for that connection again.
Then through work, he meets Kathleen Underwood, a hot FBI agent, a criminologist who was the unit chief of the Behavioral Analysis Group of the FBI. And he saw sparks of Love in her eyes. Through some of his disguises, he was able to gain peripheral access to the police. That way he could see what he was up against. Kathleen trusted him and disclosed some information to him. A fire next to the city dump, revealed that he FBI had four body bags, 3 men and one girl. Without forensic evidence yet, the FBI wouldn't know who the killer was. So Sam had two options; sabotage the FBI's investigation or Run. It was a matter of time before Kathleen put all the pieces together...
I really enjoyed this book. I was totally glued to my seat, to see what would happen next. Many things are explained by the end of the book, including the title of the book. Well worth reading.
May 30, 2013
Devilish and fun in a creepy sort of way. And out of my normal reading pattern, being a psychological thriller/ horror story. Which I am, in some ways, ashamed to have found as captivating as I did.
Killing Matt Cooper is very short book (about 25,000 words -- either a long novelette or short novella) which I got for free on smashwords.com.
Cassian's style is interesting. At first, I was put off by the opening. It begins with a super-creepy and unsettling revelation by the first-person narrator: "I raped the love of my life." And then he continues to reveal that he had murdered her. Crazy sick. And the narrator's persona becomes even ickier in the next scene, where we see him abduct, rape and kill another victim.
Which he does, according to him, out of love. A really weird, demented soul this.
But then the story gets interesting. Enter a sexy FBI agent who is placed in charge of his case, Agent Kathleen Underwood. When the killer's professional life entwines with hers, they meet. And really fall in love.
Irony at its peak. A mass murderer, convinced he is acting out of "love" for his victims. Falling in love for the first time in his life with a woman who reciprocates. Who is hunting him down. And, when she throws in the towel with the case, wanting to keep her around, he does what any love-struck psycho would do to keep his love around...
We'll leave it at that. And avoid spoilers.
Since this is Cassian's first outing, I was impressed. The writing evokes both the physical and psychological realities of the story.
But I did have some issues with it. The first was that some of the sex seemed gratuitous. I am not a prude, but prefer that the sex in my novels actually mean something. It should develop something, or reveal something about the character. In this case, it frequently did not. At times, it read like a Penthouse Letter. Which, to me, made the sex seem less than real.
There are also some procedural errors with FEMA and FBI operations that I wish the author would have researched. They did not so much get in the way of the story, but they did strain my ability to "suspend my disbelief" at times.
Still, no book is perfect. This is not great literature. But it is a wickedly good story.
Killing Matt Cooper is very short book (about 25,000 words -- either a long novelette or short novella) which I got for free on smashwords.com.
Cassian's style is interesting. At first, I was put off by the opening. It begins with a super-creepy and unsettling revelation by the first-person narrator: "I raped the love of my life." And then he continues to reveal that he had murdered her. Crazy sick. And the narrator's persona becomes even ickier in the next scene, where we see him abduct, rape and kill another victim.
Which he does, according to him, out of love. A really weird, demented soul this.
But then the story gets interesting. Enter a sexy FBI agent who is placed in charge of his case, Agent Kathleen Underwood. When the killer's professional life entwines with hers, they meet. And really fall in love.
Irony at its peak. A mass murderer, convinced he is acting out of "love" for his victims. Falling in love for the first time in his life with a woman who reciprocates. Who is hunting him down. And, when she throws in the towel with the case, wanting to keep her around, he does what any love-struck psycho would do to keep his love around...
We'll leave it at that. And avoid spoilers.
Since this is Cassian's first outing, I was impressed. The writing evokes both the physical and psychological realities of the story.
But I did have some issues with it. The first was that some of the sex seemed gratuitous. I am not a prude, but prefer that the sex in my novels actually mean something. It should develop something, or reveal something about the character. In this case, it frequently did not. At times, it read like a Penthouse Letter. Which, to me, made the sex seem less than real.
There are also some procedural errors with FEMA and FBI operations that I wish the author would have researched. They did not so much get in the way of the story, but they did strain my ability to "suspend my disbelief" at times.
Still, no book is perfect. This is not great literature. But it is a wickedly good story.
May 27, 2013
Killing Matt Cooper by John Cassian is a first-person novel taking the reader into the mind of a rapist and serial killer. Unlike many books written in first person, Killing Matt Cooper never gets bogged down with the minutia of day-to-day details. Instead, the story flows quickly and effortlessly from event to event, providing exactly the correct amount of 'inner thinking' to give the necessary background into the killer and his driving forces.
The only aspect of the story that I wish had been explained just a bit more in depth is the "disguises" of the killer. I would have liked to have seen a better explanation as to how these differ as well as an explanation as to the purpose or need for each as it relates to the killer's frame of mind. He seems to have more disguises than he ever uses in the book, which leaves me wondering why he has the others and what purpose they serve.
The voice of the main character is very distinct. He is articulate and precise. As for the nature of the story being told, many people will likely be uneasy with it. The powerful character voice and the fact that the story is told first-person will only enhance that. That said, the story is very graphic, but probably not quite as graphic as you would expect from the description. If you like the idea of a story that can give you a seemingly realistic and very plausible glimpse into the mind of a rapist and serial killer -- the hows and whys behind the monster -- you will likely enjoy Killing Matt Cooper. It is a very solid, very well-written story.
The only aspect of the story that I wish had been explained just a bit more in depth is the "disguises" of the killer. I would have liked to have seen a better explanation as to how these differ as well as an explanation as to the purpose or need for each as it relates to the killer's frame of mind. He seems to have more disguises than he ever uses in the book, which leaves me wondering why he has the others and what purpose they serve.
The voice of the main character is very distinct. He is articulate and precise. As for the nature of the story being told, many people will likely be uneasy with it. The powerful character voice and the fact that the story is told first-person will only enhance that. That said, the story is very graphic, but probably not quite as graphic as you would expect from the description. If you like the idea of a story that can give you a seemingly realistic and very plausible glimpse into the mind of a rapist and serial killer -- the hows and whys behind the monster -- you will likely enjoy Killing Matt Cooper. It is a very solid, very well-written story.
November 7, 2013
A short, sharp read probably bordering dark due to the subject matter, but doesn't quite reach that mark due to the 'matter of fact' internal monologue of the protagonist.
Not really my regular reading genre although I do have a peripheral interest in genuine serial killers and their inner ego's, which is what quite probably drew me to the story in the first place.
I'm not sure I found the inner psyche believable for a serial killer or the coincidences that developed around his 'new love interest' but what did intrigue me, was it got me thinking about the underlying synergies that the writer was trying to get across about the uniqueness in similarities between the Good person and the Bad person and the fine line that was between them (or was I reading too much into that?).
Oh yeah, after reading, I was able to appreciate the title too!!
Anyway, would I recommend it?
Yes, why not? You don't have to invest too much time as it's quick, and it's interesting enough to keep you intrigued for as long as it takes to read.
Bonus: If you're down on your reading challenge, it'll boost the numbers!!
Not really my regular reading genre although I do have a peripheral interest in genuine serial killers and their inner ego's, which is what quite probably drew me to the story in the first place.
I'm not sure I found the inner psyche believable for a serial killer or the coincidences that developed around his 'new love interest' but what did intrigue me, was it got me thinking about the underlying synergies that the writer was trying to get across about the uniqueness in similarities between the Good person and the Bad person and the fine line that was between them (or was I reading too much into that?).
Oh yeah, after reading, I was able to appreciate the title too!!
Anyway, would I recommend it?
Yes, why not? You don't have to invest too much time as it's quick, and it's interesting enough to keep you intrigued for as long as it takes to read.
Bonus: If you're down on your reading challenge, it'll boost the numbers!!
June 25, 2013
Killing Matt Cooper by John Cassian is definitely a page turner. I couldn’t stop reading it once I started it in spite of the graphic descriptions he gives. John hooks you with the first statement and keeps you hooked all the way through.
The story is told from the point of view of a serial killer whose alias is Samuel Knight, a FEMA worker. He vividly describes the killings he has committed and takes you along for a couple of them. An unforeseen accident leads the police and FBI to the bodies of a girl and three men. Now Samuel only kills women so this is something new- someone is using his dump site. He comes into contact with the team leader of the FBI Kathleen Underwood. A new phase begins of Samuel’s career that you do not expect.
John does a wonderful job of keeping you entranced in the book and adds a touch of whimsy when he uses himself as one of Samuel’s aliases. Generally I am not into books about serial killers but make an exception for this one. It is graphic.
The story is told from the point of view of a serial killer whose alias is Samuel Knight, a FEMA worker. He vividly describes the killings he has committed and takes you along for a couple of them. An unforeseen accident leads the police and FBI to the bodies of a girl and three men. Now Samuel only kills women so this is something new- someone is using his dump site. He comes into contact with the team leader of the FBI Kathleen Underwood. A new phase begins of Samuel’s career that you do not expect.
John does a wonderful job of keeping you entranced in the book and adds a touch of whimsy when he uses himself as one of Samuel’s aliases. Generally I am not into books about serial killers but make an exception for this one. It is graphic.
November 11, 2024
Sam & Kat
Meh, I was mostly bored during the book. It is a small book, which means I should have read it in one day but it took me soo long because I was so bored during it.
I didn't feel anything for Sam or Kat. It looks like most people liked this book or at least enjoyed it, I, on the other hand, was yawing from the beginning to the end. I love to read about bad boys, sick guys, crazy, serial killers, but this book, couldn't connect with it.
Like Sam said that he wants to find that connection with another woman he had with his Love, I want that with all my books. There was nothing here for me sadly, I really liked the story and where it was going, a serial killer with an FBI agent. Maybe I just can't get over the Mindf*ck series and I look for that love of serial killer & FBI agent, I don't know, but this book disappointed me.
I doubt I will continue the series since I didn't enjoy this one, but I might just to finish it.
Meh, I was mostly bored during the book. It is a small book, which means I should have read it in one day but it took me soo long because I was so bored during it.
I didn't feel anything for Sam or Kat. It looks like most people liked this book or at least enjoyed it, I, on the other hand, was yawing from the beginning to the end. I love to read about bad boys, sick guys, crazy, serial killers, but this book, couldn't connect with it.
Like Sam said that he wants to find that connection with another woman he had with his Love, I want that with all my books. There was nothing here for me sadly, I really liked the story and where it was going, a serial killer with an FBI agent. Maybe I just can't get over the Mindf*ck series and I look for that love of serial killer & FBI agent, I don't know, but this book disappointed me.
I doubt I will continue the series since I didn't enjoy this one, but I might just to finish it.
August 15, 2013
This book is not for the faint of heart! It's a nonstop gripping pageturner, told from the sick mind of a serial killer as he goes about plotting his kills and trying to find his "Love" again. This is for VERY mature audiences only, but if you can stomach it, then it's worth it. The story is sickly compelling and you'll be surprised time and again until the end. I didn't love the cliffhanger ending, but it DID feel right for the character, since he seems to have a love/hate relationship with himself, and seems equally prone to getting himself out of trouble or causing that trouble himself. Again: Not for the faint of heart!
May 31, 2013
Killing Matt Cooper is a hot and sexy thrill ride -- no chapters, no breaks just one long expose told from the sick mind of a serial killer. Well written, and hard to put down once you start it, the book grabs you from the first line. The ending also seems apropos -- the sicko doing what he does best to keep his girl from leaving town. I recommend if you have the stomach for it.
June 15, 2014
Even though it was short,it was engaging and intriguing.....i enjoyed being in his head with his fucked up logic!
January 24, 2018
Crazy story!!
It was sick to be in the mind of a psychopath but yet it kept me glued to the pages....needing to see what happens next - lol.
It was sick to be in the mind of a psychopath but yet it kept me glued to the pages....needing to see what happens next - lol.
July 24, 2016
I have to admit that I didn't have high hopes for this one, going in. I had it in my head that it was going to be some base attempt to pass sexual amoralism off as excusable fetish play. And therefore declare itself admirably open minded and liberal...(read liberated) in the process. I mean, the Amazon page comes with this warning: "*GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING!* *ABDUCTION, NON-CONSENSUAL, SNUFF* *This is a work of fiction meant for MATURE, 18+ AUDIENCES ONLY!*"
I was wrong. It wasn't nauseatingly permissive, like I expected. There is some real depth here. But it took me a little while to figure that out. 'Cause, in the beginning, the book did a good job of setting itself up as just such a piece of shallow exploration of sexual escapism and male entitlement.
The whole first 15% is taken up entirely by an extended, first person (from the POV of the aggressor) account of a rape and then a brief murder. At the time I found this horribly distasteful and thought, 'yep there it is. This guy is really gonna try to play this off as OK, isn't he?' I was discomfited not by the eventual murder, but because, in the end, the woman was supposed to have enjoyed being dominated and raped. God I hate that trope! I really really do.
Honestly, I almost didn't make it. At about 13%, and having gotten nothing more than an unusually long (for such a short book) and uncomfortable rape scene, I almost gave up. I essentially said to myself, 'if this is just some literarily handed 'sick fuck' living out his rape fantasies I'm not interested. I'm out!' But I figured in all fairness I should at least make it into the meat of the book before abandoning it...giving it the benefit of the doubt, of course, that there would eventually be meat. There is.
I'm thrilled I did. 'Cause Samuel Knight has a great voice! He's mocking and self-deprecating, delusional and poignantly self-aware. Sometimes, it's not possible to tell which is which and that makes him eminently relatable in that respect. Oh...and he's sick as shit. (So not wholly relatable, after all.) He's seriously twisted in the head, totally crackerjacks, and not in a harmless, stupid-happy kind of way, but in a dangerous, remorseless psycho-killer kind of way. The thing is, you still kind of like him. Hell, you do like him; you just tell yourself that you shouldn't, 'cause, you know, he's nutzo.
The upside of that agonising first scene (and I'm sorry to keep harping on about it, but it was a bit like riding shotgun with Anthony Sowell for a little while there) is that the reader is painfully aware of what Samuel is doing while he goes about his normal sexual-predator-routine, without the author ever having to do anymore than drop a euphemism. It wasn't until later in the book that I was able to appreciate the purpose of dropping such a detailed event so early on. Plus, the book does have a great opening line.
There are also some real situational gems. I wish I could relate them all, but they would be spoilers and in such a short piece it wouldn't take much to ruin if for others. I'll just say, for those who have read it, Samuel's postcoital thoughts on his facial expression was my favourite. (There, I think that's clear enough to identify and vague enough to not give anything away.)
I don't know if this is the first of a series. There are certainly threads left open...Matt Cooper for one. But the story still has a complete feel to it. After a rough start...which, no doubt, was intended to be just so...I ended up really liking it. I liked the character's internal dialogue, his attempt to find human closeness, his willingness to accept his own ugliness and welcome his eventual just rewards. I may have hated his actions, but I liked HIM. The thing is that they really shouldn't be separable.
I was wrong. It wasn't nauseatingly permissive, like I expected. There is some real depth here. But it took me a little while to figure that out. 'Cause, in the beginning, the book did a good job of setting itself up as just such a piece of shallow exploration of sexual escapism and male entitlement.
The whole first 15% is taken up entirely by an extended, first person (from the POV of the aggressor) account of a rape and then a brief murder. At the time I found this horribly distasteful and thought, 'yep there it is. This guy is really gonna try to play this off as OK, isn't he?' I was discomfited not by the eventual murder, but because, in the end, the woman was supposed to have enjoyed being dominated and raped. God I hate that trope! I really really do.
Honestly, I almost didn't make it. At about 13%, and having gotten nothing more than an unusually long (for such a short book) and uncomfortable rape scene, I almost gave up. I essentially said to myself, 'if this is just some literarily handed 'sick fuck' living out his rape fantasies I'm not interested. I'm out!' But I figured in all fairness I should at least make it into the meat of the book before abandoning it...giving it the benefit of the doubt, of course, that there would eventually be meat. There is.
I'm thrilled I did. 'Cause Samuel Knight has a great voice! He's mocking and self-deprecating, delusional and poignantly self-aware. Sometimes, it's not possible to tell which is which and that makes him eminently relatable in that respect. Oh...and he's sick as shit. (So not wholly relatable, after all.) He's seriously twisted in the head, totally crackerjacks, and not in a harmless, stupid-happy kind of way, but in a dangerous, remorseless psycho-killer kind of way. The thing is, you still kind of like him. Hell, you do like him; you just tell yourself that you shouldn't, 'cause, you know, he's nutzo.
The upside of that agonising first scene (and I'm sorry to keep harping on about it, but it was a bit like riding shotgun with Anthony Sowell for a little while there) is that the reader is painfully aware of what Samuel is doing while he goes about his normal sexual-predator-routine, without the author ever having to do anymore than drop a euphemism. It wasn't until later in the book that I was able to appreciate the purpose of dropping such a detailed event so early on. Plus, the book does have a great opening line.
There are also some real situational gems. I wish I could relate them all, but they would be spoilers and in such a short piece it wouldn't take much to ruin if for others. I'll just say, for those who have read it, Samuel's postcoital thoughts on his facial expression was my favourite. (There, I think that's clear enough to identify and vague enough to not give anything away.)
I don't know if this is the first of a series. There are certainly threads left open...Matt Cooper for one. But the story still has a complete feel to it. After a rough start...which, no doubt, was intended to be just so...I ended up really liking it. I liked the character's internal dialogue, his attempt to find human closeness, his willingness to accept his own ugliness and welcome his eventual just rewards. I may have hated his actions, but I liked HIM. The thing is that they really shouldn't be separable.
July 1, 2013
"I raped the love of my life."
That is how this book starts. I would label that as one of the most disturbing and powerful opening lines ever. The disturbing doesn't end here. The protagonist is a serial killer who recreates the killing of "the love of his life" over and over again in search for ... whatever it is that serial killers want to feel when they kill someone in just the right way. I won't pretend to understand. I don't. And I find it super disturbing and creepy. The protagonist was creepy and obsessive and scary. Scary not just because he's a serial killer and is crazy enough to kill so many women, but scary also because he's so smart that he has gotten away with so many murders for so many years! That is terrifying. To me. And creepy. Cause serial killers are creepy. Especially the type who have specific requirements for their prey, who stalk them successfully, and then easily lure them to their ultimate demise.
There are erotic elements in this story, however I would not label this as erotica. There is no romance. The erotic elements here are mostly disturbing and in the context of psycho serial killer murdering his victims. So, not exactly wanking material. Also, in case you haven't gotten the message, it was creepy. The key word here - creepy.
I thought that the story was well written. I felt sufficiently disturbed and creeped out. I also felt torn at some points between wanting the protagonist (the psycho killer) to get caught or killed, yet also secretly wanting him to somehow redeem himself. It's pretty twisted. The ending left me conflicted. I won't tell you why, cause I don't want to spoil it. There were some parts of the story that confused me, but I think that some of it was by design.
If you like creepy horror(ish) type mystery stories then this could be a great story for you. If you're looking for sexy erotica or romance, then don't touch this book, cause that's not what it's about.
That is how this book starts. I would label that as one of the most disturbing and powerful opening lines ever. The disturbing doesn't end here. The protagonist is a serial killer who recreates the killing of "the love of his life" over and over again in search for ... whatever it is that serial killers want to feel when they kill someone in just the right way. I won't pretend to understand. I don't. And I find it super disturbing and creepy. The protagonist was creepy and obsessive and scary. Scary not just because he's a serial killer and is crazy enough to kill so many women, but scary also because he's so smart that he has gotten away with so many murders for so many years! That is terrifying. To me. And creepy. Cause serial killers are creepy. Especially the type who have specific requirements for their prey, who stalk them successfully, and then easily lure them to their ultimate demise.
There are erotic elements in this story, however I would not label this as erotica. There is no romance. The erotic elements here are mostly disturbing and in the context of psycho serial killer murdering his victims. So, not exactly wanking material. Also, in case you haven't gotten the message, it was creepy. The key word here - creepy.
I thought that the story was well written. I felt sufficiently disturbed and creeped out. I also felt torn at some points between wanting the protagonist (the psycho killer) to get caught or killed, yet also secretly wanting him to somehow redeem himself. It's pretty twisted. The ending left me conflicted. I won't tell you why, cause I don't want to spoil it. There were some parts of the story that confused me, but I think that some of it was by design.
If you like creepy horror(ish) type mystery stories then this could be a great story for you. If you're looking for sexy erotica or romance, then don't touch this book, cause that's not what it's about.
November 1, 2013
I received a copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
Thrillers are usually not my genre but this one just sounded so interesting I thought I would give it a try and I am glad that I did. I was intrigued by the plot and the POV being that of a serial killer, this isn't something that I have read before so I was eager to find out how John Cassian thinks a killer may tick.
I was warned that I was going to be disturbed by this book, I have to say that I wasn't. Not sure what that says about me but I wasn't. The first murder was explicit in nature and I found it kind of erotic....... The method used by the killer seems to me to be a very passive and gentle way to bring about someone's end, I don't feel that the way he killed his victims really chimed with the feelings behind his motivation to kill. The caveat behind the choice of victim was also a way for the author to play it safe, it gave a small justification to his murders where I don't think that the character would have logically needed one. But then I cut my teeth on Richard Layman novels where the only things his victims needed were to be blonde, early 20s and wearing a chambray shirt....
I did feel sorry for the killer, he clearly had some kind of personality disorder that stopped him from understanding how to deal with people. The FBI agent was also very refreshing, its nice to have a female with such a kick butt attitude!
It was a very short book and I think there is more that can be explored here, maybe the author will delve into some of the past mentioned in the story or maybe it was just one of those ideas that needed to be exorcised?
But that said I liked the open ending, I felt that it left lots to the reader's imagination!
All in all a great entertaining yarn and well worth a read!
Thrillers are usually not my genre but this one just sounded so interesting I thought I would give it a try and I am glad that I did. I was intrigued by the plot and the POV being that of a serial killer, this isn't something that I have read before so I was eager to find out how John Cassian thinks a killer may tick.
I was warned that I was going to be disturbed by this book, I have to say that I wasn't. Not sure what that says about me but I wasn't. The first murder was explicit in nature and I found it kind of erotic....... The method used by the killer seems to me to be a very passive and gentle way to bring about someone's end, I don't feel that the way he killed his victims really chimed with the feelings behind his motivation to kill. The caveat behind the choice of victim was also a way for the author to play it safe, it gave a small justification to his murders where I don't think that the character would have logically needed one. But then I cut my teeth on Richard Layman novels where the only things his victims needed were to be blonde, early 20s and wearing a chambray shirt....
I did feel sorry for the killer, he clearly had some kind of personality disorder that stopped him from understanding how to deal with people. The FBI agent was also very refreshing, its nice to have a female with such a kick butt attitude!
It was a very short book and I think there is more that can be explored here, maybe the author will delve into some of the past mentioned in the story or maybe it was just one of those ideas that needed to be exorcised?
But that said I liked the open ending, I felt that it left lots to the reader's imagination!
All in all a great entertaining yarn and well worth a read!
June 19, 2013
The end? The end??? Nooooo. Aw, man. What happens to him next?
Ok. This was a very different book for me, one that I thoroughly enjoyed. As with the creators of Dexter (and I mean the Showtime show because I haven't read the books), this author finds a way to make being inside a serial killer's head as he plots, murders...and other things, both compelling and cringe-worthy. The internal ramblings of this psycho also made me laugh out loud a few times. If you like the show, you may like this, but I must warn that this character goes further than even Dexter does. The character in this book lacks the code that Dexter has to guide him, but as with Dexter, you may find yourself on the edge of your seat wondering if he will get caught. I can't say that I rooted for him as much as Dexter, but like the show, I was curious as to how it would end. With the current ending, there are so many possibilities still. It's been a while since I've seen American Psycho (nope, haven't read that book either), but if you were able to stomach that movie, you'll be all right with this book.
A few things my OCD picked up--none of the numbers were ever spelled out. I can't remember another book where the numbers were formatted as 1, 2, 3 instead of one, two, three. Since the editing was excellent in all other regards, I have to chalk the numeric thing up to the author's personal style. So be it. That, nor the fact that exclamation points were used constantly, took away from the story. In fact, the ! usage added to the effect of feeling the character's mania. It worked! <-- :-)
I live in Houston, so it was both creepy and fun to see the setting between Galveston and Houston. I hope I never have to run into this guy though...or any of his many aliases.
Ok. This was a very different book for me, one that I thoroughly enjoyed. As with the creators of Dexter (and I mean the Showtime show because I haven't read the books), this author finds a way to make being inside a serial killer's head as he plots, murders...and other things, both compelling and cringe-worthy. The internal ramblings of this psycho also made me laugh out loud a few times. If you like the show, you may like this, but I must warn that this character goes further than even Dexter does. The character in this book lacks the code that Dexter has to guide him, but as with Dexter, you may find yourself on the edge of your seat wondering if he will get caught. I can't say that I rooted for him as much as Dexter, but like the show, I was curious as to how it would end. With the current ending, there are so many possibilities still. It's been a while since I've seen American Psycho (nope, haven't read that book either), but if you were able to stomach that movie, you'll be all right with this book.
A few things my OCD picked up--none of the numbers were ever spelled out. I can't remember another book where the numbers were formatted as 1, 2, 3 instead of one, two, three. Since the editing was excellent in all other regards, I have to chalk the numeric thing up to the author's personal style. So be it. That, nor the fact that exclamation points were used constantly, took away from the story. In fact, the ! usage added to the effect of feeling the character's mania. It worked! <-- :-)
I live in Houston, so it was both creepy and fun to see the setting between Galveston and Houston. I hope I never have to run into this guy though...or any of his many aliases.
June 12, 2013
I had my doubts about this one, but combine a coupon for a free copy and an 8 hour day of nothing to do....well, I took the plunge and downloaded a free ePub to my iBooks app and read this novella in less than an hour.
I'm a bit confused as to what my 2-star rating even means, to be honest. Perhaps I should be ashamed to admit that, despite my complete and utter repulsion to the subject matter, this was a page turner for me. And even though the rapist's choppy thought process and narration drove me CRAZY, it soon became clear that this was done purposefully and was not a case of poor writing. I know nothing about John Cassian, and this is the only sample of his work that I have read, but I believe he is a talented writer. The parallels presented throughout this book surprised me...I simply had this preconceived notion that a book with such subject matter could not possibly hold much depth, but I was proven wrong. Kudos, Cassian.
As always, I held out hope for the "bad boy" to change his ways and seek redemption.
Even after typing this review, I still can't decide if I liked or disliked this book. Did I enjoy the subject matter? No, but something kept me reading. Would I recommend it to my friends and family to read? Highly doubtful, but probably just because I'd have a guilty or possibly embarrassed conscience. Did the book meet my expectations? No, but I'm known to have ridiculously high and unreasonable expectations.
I'm a bit confused as to what my 2-star rating even means, to be honest. Perhaps I should be ashamed to admit that, despite my complete and utter repulsion to the subject matter, this was a page turner for me. And even though the rapist's choppy thought process and narration drove me CRAZY, it soon became clear that this was done purposefully and was not a case of poor writing. I know nothing about John Cassian, and this is the only sample of his work that I have read, but I believe he is a talented writer. The parallels presented throughout this book surprised me...I simply had this preconceived notion that a book with such subject matter could not possibly hold much depth, but I was proven wrong. Kudos, Cassian.
As always, I held out hope for the "bad boy" to change his ways and seek redemption.
Even after typing this review, I still can't decide if I liked or disliked this book. Did I enjoy the subject matter? No, but something kept me reading. Would I recommend it to my friends and family to read? Highly doubtful, but probably just because I'd have a guilty or possibly embarrassed conscience. Did the book meet my expectations? No, but I'm known to have ridiculously high and unreasonable expectations.
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