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The Killings
In 1911, Atlanta's African American community was terrorized by a serial killer that preyed on young bi-racial women, cutting their throats and mutilating their corpses. The killer was never found. In the 1980s, more than twenty African American boys were murdered throughout Atlanta. In 2011, another string of sadistic murders have begun, and this time it's more brutal than ever. Carmen Mendoza, an investigative reporter working forAtlanta's oldest newspaper. has uncovered a link between the three murder cases suggesting an unending series of murders going back more than a century. If she can solve the murders, she may find the key to ending the violent curse grippingAtlanta's Black community. If not, she might just become the next victim. From J.F. Gonzalez and Wrath James White comes a novel of hatred, prejudice, extreme violence and bone-chilling terror.
174 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 2012
6 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
J.F. Gonzalez
80 books366 followersJesus F. Gonzalez was an American author, primarily of horror fiction (writing under the pseudonym J. F. Gonzalez). He has written many notable novels and has done collaborations with Bram Stoker Award winners Mike Oliveri and Brian Keene. His novel Survivor has been optioned for film.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 22, 2015
I was given a copy of this book by Sinister Grin Press in exchange for an honest review. In no way has this shaped my opinion on this book.
The Killings is a book that is cooperatively written by the two authors. Each chapter moves forward or back 100 years and is clearly indicated by adding a date before the chapter begins. Each story would do well on its own but compliment each other well.
This is a story of slavery, of revenge, of voodoo. Sable is a powerful voodoo priestess, so powerful in fact there is some evidence that she had lived to see 170 years. No one wants to talk about her, for fear her voodoo curse come into their lives. Originally, her voodoo spell was something designed for the protection of her grandson but something happened and Sable put a dark and hateful energy into her ritual and conjured forth something very dark, something that wanted to kill, maim, torture and disfigured. The scenes of torture in this book are not for everyone, but they illustrate the deep seated hate that this spirit has for the opposite sex. Our story takes place in Atlanta. Three generations since have had it's boogeyman. An unsolved series of serial murders. The killer each time wasn't found. The killings have just started again. Carmen Mendoza is a reporter who works for the oldest paper in Atlanta. She is trying to solve the case by looking into the past murders and she is getting close to answers, but will it cost her everything.
This book was a superb story. A tribute to the writing styles of both men. (RIP JF Gonzalez) The main characters from each timeline, Carmen and Robert, are fleshed out and very detailed. They really help to keep the story moving. I really enjoyed this book... until the ending. It really lost me after the garage scene. The action that takes place after that scene in the present time just wasn't in line with the rest of the book for me. It seemed forced to me. Overall, though, this story was a good example of great books coming out of Sinister Grin.
If you are a fan of horror, you will want to pick up this one!!
The Killings is a book that is cooperatively written by the two authors. Each chapter moves forward or back 100 years and is clearly indicated by adding a date before the chapter begins. Each story would do well on its own but compliment each other well.
This is a story of slavery, of revenge, of voodoo. Sable is a powerful voodoo priestess, so powerful in fact there is some evidence that she had lived to see 170 years. No one wants to talk about her, for fear her voodoo curse come into their lives. Originally, her voodoo spell was something designed for the protection of her grandson but something happened and Sable put a dark and hateful energy into her ritual and conjured forth something very dark, something that wanted to kill, maim, torture and disfigured. The scenes of torture in this book are not for everyone, but they illustrate the deep seated hate that this spirit has for the opposite sex. Our story takes place in Atlanta. Three generations since have had it's boogeyman. An unsolved series of serial murders. The killer each time wasn't found. The killings have just started again. Carmen Mendoza is a reporter who works for the oldest paper in Atlanta. She is trying to solve the case by looking into the past murders and she is getting close to answers, but will it cost her everything.
This book was a superb story. A tribute to the writing styles of both men. (RIP JF Gonzalez) The main characters from each timeline, Carmen and Robert, are fleshed out and very detailed. They really help to keep the story moving. I really enjoyed this book... until the ending. It really lost me after the garage scene. The action that takes place after that scene in the present time just wasn't in line with the rest of the book for me. It seemed forced to me. Overall, though, this story was a good example of great books coming out of Sinister Grin.
If you are a fan of horror, you will want to pick up this one!!
July 19, 2017
I almost didn't read this book because the description made it sound like more of a thriller. It's not. It is a horror story. It is extreme horror. It is extreme horror with a bit of a thriller aspect. It has good characters and a well written story. It has a depth you rarely find in the genre. Don't be put off by the description saying it deals with hate and racism. This is 360 degrees of hate and racism, and the evil that hate creates.
Read it.
Then look in the mirror.
Dare you.
Read it.
Then look in the mirror.
Dare you.
Want to read
January 19, 2016This is copy 86 of 150 copies signed and numbered by J. F. Gonzalez.
December 5, 2024
nasty, vicious and very compelling.
Having enjoyed books from both these authors, I was expecting a bloodbath and happily, I got both. What I also got was one of the more compelling stories of both authors careers.
Duel stories detailing a series of serial killings and the link between them are told in a brisk, almost journalistic style that’s refreshing and entertaining to read.
Having enjoyed books from both these authors, I was expecting a bloodbath and happily, I got both. What I also got was one of the more compelling stories of both authors careers.
Duel stories detailing a series of serial killings and the link between them are told in a brisk, almost journalistic style that’s refreshing and entertaining to read.
July 23, 2018
A brilliant fictionalized account of two real life murder sprees. Wonderful.
August 1, 2025
steaming guts and psychotraumatic roots
tangibly nihilistic, the fury rids socail morals and established conventions knowingly, totally self aware in it's nihilism not by accident
tangibly nihilistic, the fury rids socail morals and established conventions knowingly, totally self aware in it's nihilism not by accident
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2021
Ive Not Read Anything By J F Gonzalez, So Have Nothing To Compare It To, But Ive Read A Few From WJW And I Could Feel His Influence In This Book. I Really Enjoyed It, And The Twist At The End Was Great 🖤
July 22, 2012
Hot damn!!
OK, first let me get this out of the way. This book is the first of hopefully many, limited edition hard covers put out by Sinister Grin. I have to say they did a beautiful job on it, from the font, binding, cover and inner one page illustration. I haven't seen such thick, blood red, end papers in a limited edition in along time and this sucker is worth every penny!
Now onto the story: I've said it before and might as well say it again, I'm a sucker for a good supernatural story and dammit this one is juicy. WJW and JFG have constructed a superb mystery filled with gruesome imagery, intense emotions, supernatural evils and the horrors when each of these worlds collide.
Their writing styles mesh into complete perfection and the reader may be hard pressed to decipher who wrote what, but really that is a mote point, as the story will drag you under its dark wing and keep you up all night. Really there is nothing better then a book you can't put down, now is there?
The story flip-flops back and forth between 1911 and 2011 as Richard a simple hairdresser, who chances on working for the Atlanta police department to help solve a string of murders and Carman a journalist for the Atlanta Constitution who begins to investigate at first the Atlanta Child Murders and finds herself tangled in of web of murders that seemingly pop up throughout Atlanta's Black community going back all the way to 1911.
And at the center of the mystery is Grandma Sable, the fury...and...oh, don't you just want to know...don't ya'?
The writing in this fine book is top notch. Fast paced, well drawn out characters who never speak with weak tinny voices. For the gorehounds who probably buy both these guys books for their detailed escapades into morbidity, there are some stomach churning moments of gore soaking this pages....
"With delicate care, Michael peeled Nona Gates's vagina off in one piece and held it up to the moonlight. He held it to his face and peeked through the orifice that had once led to man's greatest obsession. He dragged his tongue languorously over the silken folds of flesh, tasting her meaty blood, the acrid tang of urine, inhaling the musky earthy aroma of her. Michael shoved this last trophy into his pocket as well."
Seriously...seriously!!!??? GAHHH!!!!
But hey that's why I buy these books...but don't let that one quote throw you off as this novel is much richer in context then a gruesome set piece. There are as I stated above some deep emotions running through this novel, as someone once said..."A white man could never understand racism..." this novel gives an interesting history of some of the deep hatreds and fears that can wallow in a community that is daily living in the midst of racism. If the supernatural trappings where removed from the novel, this would probably be an underrated classic amongst students of urban history, but because of the moniker "horror novel" it'll be relegated to weirdo's like me.
Simply put these two can write...they can write their asses off and drag the reader into a richly detailed world, giving us a beautiful escape from the real horrors of everyday life...If you are one of the lucky 150 people to buy this you'll be pleased. If you've been wondering, hmmm, should I spend almost 50 bucks on a book...damn right you should.
For the others lets hope Sinister Grin or Deadite are gonna release this in paperback for everyone else, since, once again, this is a must read for fans of WJW and JFG.
OK, first let me get this out of the way. This book is the first of hopefully many, limited edition hard covers put out by Sinister Grin. I have to say they did a beautiful job on it, from the font, binding, cover and inner one page illustration. I haven't seen such thick, blood red, end papers in a limited edition in along time and this sucker is worth every penny!
Now onto the story: I've said it before and might as well say it again, I'm a sucker for a good supernatural story and dammit this one is juicy. WJW and JFG have constructed a superb mystery filled with gruesome imagery, intense emotions, supernatural evils and the horrors when each of these worlds collide.
Their writing styles mesh into complete perfection and the reader may be hard pressed to decipher who wrote what, but really that is a mote point, as the story will drag you under its dark wing and keep you up all night. Really there is nothing better then a book you can't put down, now is there?
The story flip-flops back and forth between 1911 and 2011 as Richard a simple hairdresser, who chances on working for the Atlanta police department to help solve a string of murders and Carman a journalist for the Atlanta Constitution who begins to investigate at first the Atlanta Child Murders and finds herself tangled in of web of murders that seemingly pop up throughout Atlanta's Black community going back all the way to 1911.
And at the center of the mystery is Grandma Sable, the fury...and...oh, don't you just want to know...don't ya'?
The writing in this fine book is top notch. Fast paced, well drawn out characters who never speak with weak tinny voices. For the gorehounds who probably buy both these guys books for their detailed escapades into morbidity, there are some stomach churning moments of gore soaking this pages....
"With delicate care, Michael peeled Nona Gates's vagina off in one piece and held it up to the moonlight. He held it to his face and peeked through the orifice that had once led to man's greatest obsession. He dragged his tongue languorously over the silken folds of flesh, tasting her meaty blood, the acrid tang of urine, inhaling the musky earthy aroma of her. Michael shoved this last trophy into his pocket as well."
Seriously...seriously!!!??? GAHHH!!!!
But hey that's why I buy these books...but don't let that one quote throw you off as this novel is much richer in context then a gruesome set piece. There are as I stated above some deep emotions running through this novel, as someone once said..."A white man could never understand racism..." this novel gives an interesting history of some of the deep hatreds and fears that can wallow in a community that is daily living in the midst of racism. If the supernatural trappings where removed from the novel, this would probably be an underrated classic amongst students of urban history, but because of the moniker "horror novel" it'll be relegated to weirdo's like me.
Simply put these two can write...they can write their asses off and drag the reader into a richly detailed world, giving us a beautiful escape from the real horrors of everyday life...If you are one of the lucky 150 people to buy this you'll be pleased. If you've been wondering, hmmm, should I spend almost 50 bucks on a book...damn right you should.
For the others lets hope Sinister Grin or Deadite are gonna release this in paperback for everyone else, since, once again, this is a must read for fans of WJW and JFG.
October 3, 2016
Not my favorite book by either writer. It was interesting but I predicted the outcome of both the 1911 story and the 2011 story early on. It then played out quite predictably.
March 4, 2013
THE KILLINGS is a supernatural, extreme horror story set in both the past and the future. It starts out in Atlanta, GA in 1911, where a string of serial killings terrorizes the city. The killer was never found. Flash forward to the future, a hundred years later where Reporter Carmen Mendoza investigates in a new series of grisly murders and finds a connection to all the homicides that dates back to the turn of the century! It seems that the killer is back, but how?
This novella is intense and one would expect it so coming from WJW and JFG. The two writers are masters of the written word and I can never tell where one ends and the other begins. The Killings has strong racial themes that play thorough the novella, but these themes of racism are handled expertly (so if you are sensitive to such topics, why are you reading a hard core book anyways?) I’m a gore hound, so I love this kind of stuff, and I enjoyed the entire book except the ending, which I will not blow for you (sorry folks, no spoilers here.) The Killings is still worth the price of admission because it is so riveting; I read it in one night. Grab it now, before it’s gone.
This novella is intense and one would expect it so coming from WJW and JFG. The two writers are masters of the written word and I can never tell where one ends and the other begins. The Killings has strong racial themes that play thorough the novella, but these themes of racism are handled expertly (so if you are sensitive to such topics, why are you reading a hard core book anyways?) I’m a gore hound, so I love this kind of stuff, and I enjoyed the entire book except the ending, which I will not blow for you (sorry folks, no spoilers here.) The Killings is still worth the price of admission because it is so riveting; I read it in one night. Grab it now, before it’s gone.
March 7, 2013
A bit disappointed about the storyline, not the gore. Hero was the first time these two collaborted and it was lightening in a bottle, this time, not so much. I am glad I did not shell out 50 for the limited run last year. It was worth the price of the Ebook, but not much more. The gore is there but the story meandered and was riddled with holes. This is the first WJW book that left me unfulfilled.
April 29, 2013
A slave curses a slave owner out of anger and the protection spell she places on her family backfires and curses them with the Fury, a spirit that likes killing. The way in which the victims were killed were a bit repetitive and the pacing kind of meandered along when Carmen, the reporter, was investigating the voodoo lady and the killer. A good surface read. The ending, I could have done without. It left me stumped as I thought the Fury was just a family thing. It doesn't matter either way.
November 18, 2012
This was an excellent collaboration between two of my favorite authors. I loved the two different timelines and the pacing of the book was just brilliant. Great story, great characters and of course plenty of gore. The signed special edition I purchased is absolutely gorgeous and Sinister Press did an amazing job with the quality of the book.
July 14, 2013
Another good read from splatter kings J.F. Gonzalez and Wrath James White. Someone's killing young black women in Atlanta and newspaper reporter Carmen Mendoza stumbles upon similar deaths dating back to the early 1900's. Can the new murders be linked to the Atlanta Ripper killings? Read this book and find out.
June 13, 2013
Two mysteries from across time blended skillfully into a single story. Fairly gore-filled, but not over the top. Well, maybe a little. Still it was a good horror book.
July 28, 2013
Excellent book. Both J.F. Gonzalez & Wrath James White brings what they do best and combine their talents to give this story the right amount of gore drenched violence with heartfelt pain
February 17, 2015
At first it was very interesting. I really wanted to like this book but I just really did not like the ending...at all.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews