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The Confetti Killer
In the 1980s, the Confetti Killer terrorized Chicago, leaving a trail of blood and glitter. Fifty years after the infamous unsolved slayings, a copycat killer thrusts Kylie Watts’ upcoming book into the limelight. Normally, she holes up in her Virginia home and writes true crime, using her dreams of the past to solve cold cases. She hopes to put the original Confetti Killer nightmares to rest by cracking the fifty-year-old mystery.
Detective Egan forces Kylie out of seclusion and into the current day investigation. Her intimate knowledge of the cold case and uncanny insight into the Confetti Killer’s mind arouse his suspicions. His penchant for blondes and addiction to the powerful narcotic Tranquility cloud his judgment. While chasing the killer, her seductive powers lure him into her bleak world of pain and deception.
WARNING * * * Unlike my YA Ripsters series, this thriller is fairly gritty and is adult fiction.
Detective Egan forces Kylie out of seclusion and into the current day investigation. Her intimate knowledge of the cold case and uncanny insight into the Confetti Killer’s mind arouse his suspicions. His penchant for blondes and addiction to the powerful narcotic Tranquility cloud his judgment. While chasing the killer, her seductive powers lure him into her bleak world of pain and deception.
WARNING * * * Unlike my YA Ripsters series, this thriller is fairly gritty and is adult fiction.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2013
About the author
Chris Myers
12 books145 followers
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 6, 2014
3.5
Triggers:
There are two unlikeable main characters. Detective Egan is a weak man. I both hated and liked him if that is possible. Kylie Watts is a well-known author who is researching 1980s murders for her new book. It's 2033 and someone seems to be trying to copy those murders. I really didn't like Kylie at first. She has a bit of Mary Sue in her: knows-it-all who can fight, shoot and is the most beautiful natural blonde ever. Natural is very important because the 2033 world seems to be lacking those. It is mentioned so many times that I thought it would mean something.
At the same time there are series of rapes in Chicago and the rapist's choice are definitely not blondes. He went in the opposite direction.
The rest of the characters are a bit stereotypical: jealous academics married to slutty wives, absent-minded cute students, Goth-like vampire wannabes (there aren't any in the story, they are just young people who change their appearance and drink blood and attack people).
Kylie's success is based on her dreams: she has solved over three hundred old cases. She doesn't rely on them only. After the dreams, she does her research, finds solid evidence, then presents it. She is not a fraud.
So, there are a number of things that need solving in the story: the 1980s murders, 2033 copy-cat murders, the rapes. Add to all that personal issues of the characters and you have a complete picture. The murders get an explanation that isn't anything new, but I haven't seen that particular trope used for a while, so it works well here. As far as the rapist go, he got off too easily. And I am not sure why some people, like the Goths got as much attention as they did.
There are some annoying errors in Kindle edition of the book: 'Who’s DNA? ', 'What going on?', 'I’ve only read about vampire-want-to-bees', but that isn't overwhelming.
The story kept me awake until I finished it. Even with the things and characters I found annoying at best, it is good.
Triggers:
There are two unlikeable main characters. Detective Egan is a weak man. I both hated and liked him if that is possible. Kylie Watts is a well-known author who is researching 1980s murders for her new book. It's 2033 and someone seems to be trying to copy those murders. I really didn't like Kylie at first. She has a bit of Mary Sue in her: knows-it-all who can fight, shoot and is the most beautiful natural blonde ever. Natural is very important because the 2033 world seems to be lacking those. It is mentioned so many times that I thought it would mean something.
At the same time there are series of rapes in Chicago and the rapist's choice are definitely not blondes. He went in the opposite direction.
The rest of the characters are a bit stereotypical: jealous academics married to slutty wives, absent-minded cute students, Goth-like vampire wannabes (there aren't any in the story, they are just young people who change their appearance and drink blood and attack people).
Kylie's success is based on her dreams: she has solved over three hundred old cases. She doesn't rely on them only. After the dreams, she does her research, finds solid evidence, then presents it. She is not a fraud.
So, there are a number of things that need solving in the story: the 1980s murders, 2033 copy-cat murders, the rapes. Add to all that personal issues of the characters and you have a complete picture. The murders get an explanation that isn't anything new, but I haven't seen that particular trope used for a while, so it works well here. As far as the rapist go, he got off too easily. And I am not sure why some people, like the Goths got as much attention as they did.
There are some annoying errors in Kindle edition of the book: 'Who’s DNA? ', 'What going on?', 'I’ve only read about vampire-want-to-bees', but that isn't overwhelming.
The story kept me awake until I finished it. Even with the things and characters I found annoying at best, it is good.
November 27, 2013
Such a great book! This is a definite page-turner and I could not put it down. Kylie's story is both gritty and captivating as you delve deeper and deeper into her mystery. I love Chris' writing and can't wait to read her next one!
March 12, 2014
Interesting mystery set in the future and tied with reincarnation. Glad it had a good ending
June 29, 2014
The Confetti Killer by Chris Myers
Source: Purchase
Rating: 4/5 stars
Recluse, genius, professor and author Kylie Watts has a gift, she dreams of the lives of others and more specifically, their deaths. Kylie dreams of deaths throughout time, many of which have gone unsolved until Kylie dreams of them. Parlaying what she learns in her dreams into her teaching and her books has earned Kylie a tidy income and a world-wide reputation. For Kylie, the income allows her to remain as she likes to be, a recluse who only comes out into the “real” world when she absolutely has to.
Apparently the Confetti Killer wants Kylie out in the “real” world. For 50 years the Confetti Killer murders have gone unsolved and now, on the anniversary of the original killings, the madness is beginning again. Though just a child when the original murders occurred, Kylie has dreamt of the murders for as long as she can remember but has yet to be able to see the killer. With what is apparently a very well-informed copycat on the loose, Kylie is now working with the cops to solve both the old and new murders. To say the least, there are a multitude of problems including Kylie’s total lack of social skills, her extreme attraction to Detective Egan Lange, Lange’s addiction to a variety of narcotics and his ex-partner’s wife, the extremely gruesome nature of the current killings and, the fact that the old and new killings seem to share far, far more than anyone including Kylie ever suspected.
As the murder victims begin to pile up, Kylie and Egan are at a loss for who is committing the crimes and the list of suspects keeps getting longer. Though Kylie is absolutely drawn to Egan, she prefers to work alone and often finds it frustrating having to share her information with the seasoned detective. Her research into the old killings keeps taking the most unusual twists and turns, her dreams about the old murders are becoming increasingly intense and, someone keeps trying to kill Kylie. As Kylie is working on her on her own, Egan is trying desperately to keep up with her and solve the murders. Additionally, Egan’s personal life is way out of control and takes a seriously unexpected turn when his ex-partner’s wife is damn near killed in a brutal attack. For both Kylie and Egan, the world is spinning out of control and the stakes are rising with every single passing minute.
The Bottom Line: Holy crap was this read a weirdly intense ride. My biggest criticism of this read is the really slow start but once you get past the first part of the book, it is well worth the time and effort. Kylie is a very cold, very calculating character that is also incredibly likeable. She has a hard, hard past and Myers teases you with information about that past throughout the read. Kylie’s present is just as interesting as her past and reading about how she handles each and every moment of drama and danger is fascinating. Despite her cold nature, Kylie really is a very good character that I found absolutely intriguing. Though the plot does start out slowly, the middle and end of this read is crazy and I can honestly say I didn’t see that ending coming and am quite glad I stuck with this read. I like it when an author can still surprise me. :)
P.S. For those of you who are wondering if this is the same Chris Myers who writes the Ripsters and Lennon’s Girls series, yes, it is the same author. I am a HUGE fan of her Rispsters reads and believe me when I tell you, The Confetti Killer is nothing like her YA/NA books but still equally well-written and interesting.
Source: Purchase
Rating: 4/5 stars
Recluse, genius, professor and author Kylie Watts has a gift, she dreams of the lives of others and more specifically, their deaths. Kylie dreams of deaths throughout time, many of which have gone unsolved until Kylie dreams of them. Parlaying what she learns in her dreams into her teaching and her books has earned Kylie a tidy income and a world-wide reputation. For Kylie, the income allows her to remain as she likes to be, a recluse who only comes out into the “real” world when she absolutely has to.
Apparently the Confetti Killer wants Kylie out in the “real” world. For 50 years the Confetti Killer murders have gone unsolved and now, on the anniversary of the original killings, the madness is beginning again. Though just a child when the original murders occurred, Kylie has dreamt of the murders for as long as she can remember but has yet to be able to see the killer. With what is apparently a very well-informed copycat on the loose, Kylie is now working with the cops to solve both the old and new murders. To say the least, there are a multitude of problems including Kylie’s total lack of social skills, her extreme attraction to Detective Egan Lange, Lange’s addiction to a variety of narcotics and his ex-partner’s wife, the extremely gruesome nature of the current killings and, the fact that the old and new killings seem to share far, far more than anyone including Kylie ever suspected.
As the murder victims begin to pile up, Kylie and Egan are at a loss for who is committing the crimes and the list of suspects keeps getting longer. Though Kylie is absolutely drawn to Egan, she prefers to work alone and often finds it frustrating having to share her information with the seasoned detective. Her research into the old killings keeps taking the most unusual twists and turns, her dreams about the old murders are becoming increasingly intense and, someone keeps trying to kill Kylie. As Kylie is working on her on her own, Egan is trying desperately to keep up with her and solve the murders. Additionally, Egan’s personal life is way out of control and takes a seriously unexpected turn when his ex-partner’s wife is damn near killed in a brutal attack. For both Kylie and Egan, the world is spinning out of control and the stakes are rising with every single passing minute.
The Bottom Line: Holy crap was this read a weirdly intense ride. My biggest criticism of this read is the really slow start but once you get past the first part of the book, it is well worth the time and effort. Kylie is a very cold, very calculating character that is also incredibly likeable. She has a hard, hard past and Myers teases you with information about that past throughout the read. Kylie’s present is just as interesting as her past and reading about how she handles each and every moment of drama and danger is fascinating. Despite her cold nature, Kylie really is a very good character that I found absolutely intriguing. Though the plot does start out slowly, the middle and end of this read is crazy and I can honestly say I didn’t see that ending coming and am quite glad I stuck with this read. I like it when an author can still surprise me. :)
P.S. For those of you who are wondering if this is the same Chris Myers who writes the Ripsters and Lennon’s Girls series, yes, it is the same author. I am a HUGE fan of her Rispsters reads and believe me when I tell you, The Confetti Killer is nothing like her YA/NA books but still equally well-written and interesting.
November 28, 2013
Stayed up all night to finish The Confetti Killer early this morning. This is Myers' best one so far and so different from her other two series. This thriller has a much edgier tone. Though like her other books, the characters get to you.
The Confetti Killer is definitely a thriller with a couple steamy sex scenes.
This book opens up with a bang, one of Kylie's brutal nightmares. Her dreams are so real she's missing a chunk of hair the next morning. Kylie solves cold cases using her dreams of long ago. What a cool concept. She's an expert with a bow and loves to hunt. Though this woman is rough around the edges and has an icier exterior, her soft spot comes from protecting the young girl next door.
Kylie's ripped from her secluded home to Chicago to where a copycat killer glitters his victims with confetti, the same one she's writing about. It doesn't take long for Detective Egan to suspect her. Myers weaves a well-thought out mystery where everyone is suspect, especially the main character. The ending was a huge shock to me, think The Others or Sixth Sense, so I won't spoil it for you. But everything is completely explained with some very thought provoking philosophical questions.
Myers' Ripsters series is a fun, action-packed ghost hunting teen fiction.
Lennon trilogy is romance that gets your heart racing with some serious issues. All good so far. Keep writing Myers!
Merged review:
Stayed up all night to finish The Confetti Killer early this morning. I couldn't help but notice the 1 star on Nov 26. The book didn't come out until the 27th because I've been waiting on this one. So no way that person read the book. Also because this is Myers' best one so far and so different from her other two series. This thriller has a much edgier tone. Though like her other books, the characters get to you.
This book opens up with a bang, one of Kylie's brutal nightmares. Her dreams are so real she's missing a chunk of hair the next morning. Kylie solves cold cases using her dreams of long ago. What a cool concept. She's an expert with a bow and loves to hunt. Though this woman is rough around the edges and has an icier exterior, her soft spot comes from protecting the young girl next door.
Kylie's ripped from her secluded home to Chicago to where a copycat killer glitters his victims with confetti, the same one she's writing about. It doesn't take long for Detective Egan to suspect her. Myers weaves a well-thought out mystery where everyone is suspect, especially the main character. The ending was a huge shock to me, think The Others or Sixth Sense, so I won't spoil it for you. But everything is completely explained with some very thought provoking philosophical questions.
The Confetti Killer is definitely a thriller and fairly gritty with a couple steamy sex scenes.
Myers' Ripsters series is a fun, action-packed ghost hunting teen fiction.
Lennon trilogy is romance that gets your heart racing with some serious issues. All good so far. Keep writing Myers!
The Confetti Killer is definitely a thriller with a couple steamy sex scenes.
This book opens up with a bang, one of Kylie's brutal nightmares. Her dreams are so real she's missing a chunk of hair the next morning. Kylie solves cold cases using her dreams of long ago. What a cool concept. She's an expert with a bow and loves to hunt. Though this woman is rough around the edges and has an icier exterior, her soft spot comes from protecting the young girl next door.
Kylie's ripped from her secluded home to Chicago to where a copycat killer glitters his victims with confetti, the same one she's writing about. It doesn't take long for Detective Egan to suspect her. Myers weaves a well-thought out mystery where everyone is suspect, especially the main character. The ending was a huge shock to me, think The Others or Sixth Sense, so I won't spoil it for you. But everything is completely explained with some very thought provoking philosophical questions.
Myers' Ripsters series is a fun, action-packed ghost hunting teen fiction.
Lennon trilogy is romance that gets your heart racing with some serious issues. All good so far. Keep writing Myers!
Merged review:
Stayed up all night to finish The Confetti Killer early this morning. I couldn't help but notice the 1 star on Nov 26. The book didn't come out until the 27th because I've been waiting on this one. So no way that person read the book. Also because this is Myers' best one so far and so different from her other two series. This thriller has a much edgier tone. Though like her other books, the characters get to you.
This book opens up with a bang, one of Kylie's brutal nightmares. Her dreams are so real she's missing a chunk of hair the next morning. Kylie solves cold cases using her dreams of long ago. What a cool concept. She's an expert with a bow and loves to hunt. Though this woman is rough around the edges and has an icier exterior, her soft spot comes from protecting the young girl next door.
Kylie's ripped from her secluded home to Chicago to where a copycat killer glitters his victims with confetti, the same one she's writing about. It doesn't take long for Detective Egan to suspect her. Myers weaves a well-thought out mystery where everyone is suspect, especially the main character. The ending was a huge shock to me, think The Others or Sixth Sense, so I won't spoil it for you. But everything is completely explained with some very thought provoking philosophical questions.
The Confetti Killer is definitely a thriller and fairly gritty with a couple steamy sex scenes.
Myers' Ripsters series is a fun, action-packed ghost hunting teen fiction.
Lennon trilogy is romance that gets your heart racing with some serious issues. All good so far. Keep writing Myers!
May 14, 2014
I think I understood this book, and I think I liked it.
It's a mash-up of different genres: science fiction, futuristic, murder mystery, suspense, crime, action, some sexual content, some vampire stuff, maybe some romance?
The story follows two main story lines from 1983 and 2033. I could have used a little more description on the futuristic items, like Tranquility. I eventually figured it out, but you have to infer a lot to understand what some of the modern gadgets are.
There is a third storyline that is hinted at, but not explored until more than half way through the book. A third unexplained death story! Layered death stories…
There are a few other death stories and their importance are explained later on.
I definitely understood the murder mysteries from 1983. I didn't quite figure it out, but it was interesting. I was following the 2033 mysteries, thought I knew who did it, and I was wrong. But the explanations of why and how were really kind of quick, and I'm still trying to figure it out. If I describe it, or even try to talk about it, I will spoil. So I'll just leave it there. I think I understand. And I think I understood the third plot. Everything winds up making some sort of sense, but it's not where I thought the author was going with it all.
There are some intense action scenes. The sentences are rather short and not as embellished, so these scenes read a little dry. The rest of the writing is fairly good with occasionally really good descriptions. My kindle version had some errors and missing words or just plain wrong words. The character development was not very strong, but it didn't really need to be. There were quite a few characters to follow, so enough detail was given.
A major theme through out the book was the feeling of emptiness without a family - and that everyone should have a family. A lot of books focus more on relationships, so I liked that this one explored the necessity of having a family and how that completes a person.
One thing that could be bothersome to some readers is the level of sexual chemistry that is written in. There's a lot of it. Like every where someone goes, one character is really burning for another one. Lots of sexual tension all. Only one real sex scene in the book. I'm impartial to it. It was explained that it "had been a while" for some of the characters, and I guess that is why they were so hungry for each other.
The one thing that really irked me was the measurements in meters. There were quite a few measurements throughout the book. And all in meters. The first couple were not labeled as being metric measurements, so I wasn't sure what the number referred to. Then later on, it clearly stated meters. Lost on me. The book takes place in the U.S. Don't use meters to describe!
I read this book fairly quickly. It reads fast. Because it crosses so many genres, it could appeal to many different readers. The ending is not necessarily a nice tie-up, but more of a wanting to know a little more about what happens next. I appreciate that.
It's a mash-up of different genres: science fiction, futuristic, murder mystery, suspense, crime, action, some sexual content, some vampire stuff, maybe some romance?
The story follows two main story lines from 1983 and 2033. I could have used a little more description on the futuristic items, like Tranquility. I eventually figured it out, but you have to infer a lot to understand what some of the modern gadgets are.
There is a third storyline that is hinted at, but not explored until more than half way through the book. A third unexplained death story! Layered death stories…
There are a few other death stories and their importance are explained later on.
I definitely understood the murder mysteries from 1983. I didn't quite figure it out, but it was interesting. I was following the 2033 mysteries, thought I knew who did it, and I was wrong. But the explanations of why and how were really kind of quick, and I'm still trying to figure it out. If I describe it, or even try to talk about it, I will spoil. So I'll just leave it there. I think I understand. And I think I understood the third plot. Everything winds up making some sort of sense, but it's not where I thought the author was going with it all.
There are some intense action scenes. The sentences are rather short and not as embellished, so these scenes read a little dry. The rest of the writing is fairly good with occasionally really good descriptions. My kindle version had some errors and missing words or just plain wrong words. The character development was not very strong, but it didn't really need to be. There were quite a few characters to follow, so enough detail was given.
A major theme through out the book was the feeling of emptiness without a family - and that everyone should have a family. A lot of books focus more on relationships, so I liked that this one explored the necessity of having a family and how that completes a person.
One thing that could be bothersome to some readers is the level of sexual chemistry that is written in. There's a lot of it. Like every where someone goes, one character is really burning for another one. Lots of sexual tension all. Only one real sex scene in the book. I'm impartial to it. It was explained that it "had been a while" for some of the characters, and I guess that is why they were so hungry for each other.
The one thing that really irked me was the measurements in meters. There were quite a few measurements throughout the book. And all in meters. The first couple were not labeled as being metric measurements, so I wasn't sure what the number referred to. Then later on, it clearly stated meters. Lost on me. The book takes place in the U.S. Don't use meters to describe!
I read this book fairly quickly. It reads fast. Because it crosses so many genres, it could appeal to many different readers. The ending is not necessarily a nice tie-up, but more of a wanting to know a little more about what happens next. I appreciate that.
August 23, 2024
not my normal kind of read
I found it confusing at times and had to reread it . It’s written in the future about a murder that was done in 1980’s. Just wasn’t the style I normally read maybe someone else will like it better.
I found it confusing at times and had to reread it . It’s written in the future about a murder that was done in 1980’s. Just wasn’t the style I normally read maybe someone else will like it better.
November 13, 2013
The Confetti Killer won first place in the Paul Gillette literary contest. Hope you enjoy.
Kylie Watts
Detective Egan
Renee Voltz
Kylie Watts
Detective Egan
Renee Voltz
December 6, 2014
I won this book as part of a goodreads first reads giveaway.
Pros- the book was exciting. I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. The characters actions and the reveal of the murderer were not predictable at all.
Cons- it got really confusing at the end. I don't want to say more because I don't want do spoil anything. I definitely had to keep rereading done paragraphs at the end many times until they made a little bit of sense. I also didn't care for the futuristic setting. Some things about it were cool but I mostly felt like random "future" things were thrown in here and there and it distracted me a bit from the story.
Overall, an enjoyable mystery book.
Pros- the book was exciting. I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. The characters actions and the reveal of the murderer were not predictable at all.
Cons- it got really confusing at the end. I don't want to say more because I don't want do spoil anything. I definitely had to keep rereading done paragraphs at the end many times until they made a little bit of sense. I also didn't care for the futuristic setting. Some things about it were cool but I mostly felt like random "future" things were thrown in here and there and it distracted me a bit from the story.
Overall, an enjoyable mystery book.
January 28, 2014
Kylie Watts uses her nightmares of the past, not only to solve cold cases but to write true fiction best sellers. When a present day copy killer uses the same MO as the Confetti Killer in the 1980s, Kylie must solve the current killing spree as well as the unsolved case committed years ago to clear her name. Detective Egan doesn’t trust her and for good reason. With her uncanny ability, she knows more than the police about both killers.
The writing is clean and the mystery well-plotted, and the ending will blow you away. Kylie’s sixth sense leads her to the killers but at a great personal cost. Awesome thriller.
The writing is clean and the mystery well-plotted, and the ending will blow you away. Kylie’s sixth sense leads her to the killers but at a great personal cost. Awesome thriller.
July 25, 2016
KILLER THRILLER.
I love the premise of a writer solving real murders via clues revealed in her dreams, and I especially appreciate the great personal cost that comes with this for the writer. The broken detective is compelling--his faults only make him more loveable and interesting. Myers uses a deft hand as she sprinkles in details about the future world, making the environment come alive and the atmosphere ring true for me, and the connection between the future and the past is a hook that doesn't disappoint. The combination of complex characters and complex mystery kept me turning the pages. I highly recommend this book.
I love the premise of a writer solving real murders via clues revealed in her dreams, and I especially appreciate the great personal cost that comes with this for the writer. The broken detective is compelling--his faults only make him more loveable and interesting. Myers uses a deft hand as she sprinkles in details about the future world, making the environment come alive and the atmosphere ring true for me, and the connection between the future and the past is a hook that doesn't disappoint. The combination of complex characters and complex mystery kept me turning the pages. I highly recommend this book.
March 18, 2014
I didn't understand the one star rating. This book was very good. It was filled with action, suspense, mayhem, reincarnation, you name it. I was blown out of the water when I found out who the killer was. I won't spoil it for you but you need to read it. It's good.
November 7, 2019
Who is Kylie?
This book has more twists and turns than a mountain road. Just when you think you have it figured out it twist. If Kylie can find out who she is she maybe able to sole the murders.
This book has more twists and turns than a mountain road. Just when you think you have it figured out it twist. If Kylie can find out who she is she maybe able to sole the murders.
free-read
February 22, 2014Free on Amazon today, 02-22-14 (gritty romantic suspense)
http://www.amazon.com/The-Confetti-Ki...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Confetti-Ki...
April 19, 2014
This book had a lot of great reviews, but I really struggled to get into the story and plot line.
April 26, 2014
I really couldn't get into this book. It's just not what I like to read.
April 16, 2014
Confusing but I don't like paranormal and this had touches of that. TTS-enabled.
February 26, 2015
The book has a very interesting plot, but the author has a strange writing style which does not appeal to me.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews