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Kill-Off
Would you kill someone -- anyone -- if you knew you could get away with it? Or if your life depended upon it?
David Benning's life is unraveling. Unemployed, running low on cash and with the responsibility of caring for a father struggling with Alzheimer's, he finds himself blackmailed by a shadowy cabal with mysterious and deadly goals. Known only as "The Group," David quickly learns they breed killers. Turning everyday people into accomplished assassins with unusual targets.As he's dragged farther down into this dangerous world of secrets, guns and payoffs, their true motives are slowly, chillingly revealed. With nowhere to run, David can trust no one, not even the woman he's been sent to kill...and has grown to love. Can they work together to free each other from the deadly grip of this lethal game?
Kill-Off is a tough, no-nonsense and inescapable thriller in the vein of Richard Stark's The Hunter or James Cain's The Postman Always Rings Twice.
David Benning's life is unraveling. Unemployed, running low on cash and with the responsibility of caring for a father struggling with Alzheimer's, he finds himself blackmailed by a shadowy cabal with mysterious and deadly goals. Known only as "The Group," David quickly learns they breed killers. Turning everyday people into accomplished assassins with unusual targets.As he's dragged farther down into this dangerous world of secrets, guns and payoffs, their true motives are slowly, chillingly revealed. With nowhere to run, David can trust no one, not even the woman he's been sent to kill...and has grown to love. Can they work together to free each other from the deadly grip of this lethal game?
Kill-Off is a tough, no-nonsense and inescapable thriller in the vein of Richard Stark's The Hunter or James Cain's The Postman Always Rings Twice.
- GenresThriller
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
652 people want to read
About the author
John F.D. Taff
86 books258 followersJohn F.D. Taff is a multi-Bram Stoker Award short-listed dark fiction author with more than 30 years experience, and more than 100 short stories and seven novels in print.
He has appeared in Cemetery Dance, Eldritch Tales, Unnerving, Deathrealm, Big Pulp and One Buck Horror, as well as anthologies such as Hot Blood: Seeds of Fear, Hot Blood: Fear the Fever, Shock Rock II, Lullabies for Suffering, Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories, Behold!, Shadows Over Main Street 2, Horror Library V, Best of Horror Library, Dark Visions Vol. 1, Ominous Realities, Death's Realm, I Can Taste the Blood and Savage Beasts. His work will appear soon in The Seven Deadliest and I Can Hear the Shadows.
His novels include The Bell Witch, Kill-Off and the serialized apocalyptic epic The Fearing. Thunderstorm Books and Grey Matter Press will release a one-volume version of The Fearing in 2021, in limited edition hardcover, soft cover and digital. Short fiction collections include Little Deaths: The Definitive Collection and Little Black Spots, both published by Grey Matter Press.
Taff's novella collection, The End in All Beginnings, was called one of the best novella collections by Jack Ketchum and was a Stoker Award Finalist. His short "A Winter's Tale" was also a Stoker Finalist.
His upcoming anthology Dark Stars, a tribute to that seminal '80s work Dark Forces, will be published by Tor/Nightfire 11/2/21.
His website is at johnfdtaff.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnfdtaff.
He has appeared in Cemetery Dance, Eldritch Tales, Unnerving, Deathrealm, Big Pulp and One Buck Horror, as well as anthologies such as Hot Blood: Seeds of Fear, Hot Blood: Fear the Fever, Shock Rock II, Lullabies for Suffering, Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories, Behold!, Shadows Over Main Street 2, Horror Library V, Best of Horror Library, Dark Visions Vol. 1, Ominous Realities, Death's Realm, I Can Taste the Blood and Savage Beasts. His work will appear soon in The Seven Deadliest and I Can Hear the Shadows.
His novels include The Bell Witch, Kill-Off and the serialized apocalyptic epic The Fearing. Thunderstorm Books and Grey Matter Press will release a one-volume version of The Fearing in 2021, in limited edition hardcover, soft cover and digital. Short fiction collections include Little Deaths: The Definitive Collection and Little Black Spots, both published by Grey Matter Press.
Taff's novella collection, The End in All Beginnings, was called one of the best novella collections by Jack Ketchum and was a Stoker Award Finalist. His short "A Winter's Tale" was also a Stoker Finalist.
His upcoming anthology Dark Stars, a tribute to that seminal '80s work Dark Forces, will be published by Tor/Nightfire 11/2/21.
His website is at johnfdtaff.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnfdtaff.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 1, 2013
John F.D. Taff took this reluctant hitman story in a direction I was not at all expecting. Despite the main character being manipulated by the political machinations of a shadowy guild of assassins, he keeps the story personal and claustrophobic. This ain't Jason Bourne; this is a believable everyman without superpowers who happens to be pretty okay at killing people and has a sufficient motivation to do it. Taff blazes a fresh and innovative trail along familiar thriller territory to craft this nailbiter.
December 11, 2013
Nobody reading this would ever kill someone, right? Of course not. But what if you had to in order to survive? Any chance you could learn to like it? Might you even get good at it?
Kill-Off has its roots so deeply dug in reality that the ensuing contrast to crime, violence, and assassination plots paint a vivid picture. The main character is an everyday person, dealing with the mundane elements of life while taking care of his aging father. When he gets sucked into a twisted game of assassin, the reader is sucked along with him, questioning how they would handle a series of morality choices. And if you don't think you would be able to kill, ask yourself why you are rooting for the main character to be the one to survive while the others are killed. I loved reading this book.
Kill-Off has its roots so deeply dug in reality that the ensuing contrast to crime, violence, and assassination plots paint a vivid picture. The main character is an everyday person, dealing with the mundane elements of life while taking care of his aging father. When he gets sucked into a twisted game of assassin, the reader is sucked along with him, questioning how they would handle a series of morality choices. And if you don't think you would be able to kill, ask yourself why you are rooting for the main character to be the one to survive while the others are killed. I loved reading this book.
December 26, 2013
Kill/Off was yet another pleasure to read from John Taff. After The Bell Witch, I knew I’d pick up another of his books, and this new release did not disappoint. David Benning is a man at his wit’s end, but how far can a person truly be pushed, especially when conscience is a factor? Could he really kill someone knowing he could get away from it?
Kill/Off is a step into the shadows, to a hidden recess where sin and capability collide for many, whether they know it or not. Each twist and turn, sexual encounter and murderous attempt, is riddled with anticipation and sensuality, like a teenage virgin taking a prostitute into a dark, dingy alley. Uncertain of whether the sin will be worth the promise and what the consequences might be, every step David Benning takes leads him darker into that metaphoric alley with death lingering just out of sight.
If you are one of those readers interested in taking a walk on the dark side, exploring how far a normal accountant might go if he could kill someone and get away with it, Kill/Off is the book for you. 5-stars and a great read!
Weston Kincade
http://www.kincadefiction.blogspot.com
http://www.wakeediting.com
Kill/Off is a step into the shadows, to a hidden recess where sin and capability collide for many, whether they know it or not. Each twist and turn, sexual encounter and murderous attempt, is riddled with anticipation and sensuality, like a teenage virgin taking a prostitute into a dark, dingy alley. Uncertain of whether the sin will be worth the promise and what the consequences might be, every step David Benning takes leads him darker into that metaphoric alley with death lingering just out of sight.
If you are one of those readers interested in taking a walk on the dark side, exploring how far a normal accountant might go if he could kill someone and get away with it, Kill/Off is the book for you. 5-stars and a great read!
Weston Kincade
http://www.kincadefiction.blogspot.com
http://www.wakeediting.com
August 4, 2016
I had no idea what to expect from Kill/off after reading the great collection of horror from John FD Taff in his book Little Deaths. I knew he had the ability to deliver great short creepy tales and found Kill/off to be a very well done novel. He hooks you from the start with a woman being followed and how she gets out of a situation that had me on the edge of my seat. The story continues with a man in a bad spot in life trying to do the right things all the wrong ways who becomes a killer. The story has some great twists and turns and a few great gotcha moments that come out of left field. Even the end has one more unexpected turn that caught me by surprise. This is a great read and a great story filled with suspense that will have you turning pages. This is the second book I have read by this author and I am hooked and will be on the lookout for what he has coming next.
August 9, 2016
It's a challenge making hired killers in fiction feel fresh and interesting. Kill/Off accomplishes that, by walking a thin path between realistic, well-drawn, flawed characters, and the kind of gonzo conspiracy tale that serves so well. The read is brisk, the action sharp, and the plot spare, yet in the gaps Taff creates the feel of a much larger world. It's the story of one man's trip to becoming a reluctant assassin, yet it's the shadowy and idealistic Group that will continue to fascinate me.
August 23, 2013
Of course I liked it. I wrote it.
February 4, 2014
I didn't want the kill/off to end! When can we expect the sequel? Great characters. These will be great roles for some lucky actors. When will we get to see the movie?
May 6, 2019
This is my favorite John F.D. Taff book. He is much more than just a master of horror. He is the King of Pain on many levels. Don't miss this one. I
July 6, 2023
A very fun, action story from a fantastic writer.
November 2, 2014
Amy Jenkins (31, aka Lindsey) was off to Cromwell College. She was greeted at the frat party by Carl. Amy was looking for Joel Neuman (20, Jr., economics, minor sociology). He was with Julie who went to get a beer. Joel was naked, bang, bang. Amy was way across the field when she heard Julie’s scream.
As Amy drove down the highway the snow was coming down hard as she pulled into the truck stop.
A car had been following her. Bang, bang, bang, bang the guy who had bought her a drink in a bar was dead.
Alan Benning (87, father) was dying. He also had Alzheimer’s. David James Benning (son, CFO, Creidge & Co., engineering firm) was by his bedside at the nursing home. Janice B. was David’s lover.
David went to the bar & met George. He knew everything about the Benning family. George gave David an ultimatum. A Fed ex package would arrive at his apartment tomorrow.
Alan had a broken arm & the package had arrived.
The next morning David was headed for Country Cleaners in Little Rock, AK. Another day passed David waited in the alley Bang, the little fat man was dead.
George just happened to show up while David was eating at the diner. When the 2 left David was headed back to St. Louis. Bang, bang, bang, bang, George was history.
Back in St. Louis David gets a call & is supposed to meet someone at Zoroaster. Aka Jim was there to congratulate David for a job well done. But then Jim laid down the law. David left very upset.
David was flying to Birmingham, AL. At the Marriott Courtyard Emmalina (A/A, front desk clerk) gave David his very tall birthday present & inside a letter; a window cleaner, Prodigal Insurance Company 2800 N. 3rd Ave, tomorrow.
A woman was in a Dodge Caravan with a gun. Bang, & then the next victim a window washer at Prodigal Insurance Company; Bang, Bang.
Alan let David know a Betty O’Donnell had come to visit him. Another envelope had been left in the dresser top drawer.
Next destination for David is 24567 Manitou Crest Drive Colorado Springs. This time things didn’t go as planned.
Amy Jenkins & David were now on the run. She was supposed to kill him & vice-versa. She had killed 12 PPL. Amy was going to get $12 million for killing David.
Amy & David needed to devise a plan to stay alive. The 2 are off to Nashville to find a certain aka Sorcerer (master assassin).
Bingo; Bob Borden owner of the Old Book Nook. Someone has to win, someone has to lose. How will this murder-for-hire turn out?
Until Chapter 24 it was an excellent story. I was in 8th grade (Jr. HS) in the school cafeteria eating lunch & I still remember that day.
What will the Group do to t Amy & David now?
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written suspense filled, action packed, adventure murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great murder mystery movie, or mini TV series. 1 you won’t want to put down. I will still rate it at 5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Smashwords)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
As Amy drove down the highway the snow was coming down hard as she pulled into the truck stop.
A car had been following her. Bang, bang, bang, bang the guy who had bought her a drink in a bar was dead.
Alan Benning (87, father) was dying. He also had Alzheimer’s. David James Benning (son, CFO, Creidge & Co., engineering firm) was by his bedside at the nursing home. Janice B. was David’s lover.
David went to the bar & met George. He knew everything about the Benning family. George gave David an ultimatum. A Fed ex package would arrive at his apartment tomorrow.
Alan had a broken arm & the package had arrived.
The next morning David was headed for Country Cleaners in Little Rock, AK. Another day passed David waited in the alley Bang, the little fat man was dead.
George just happened to show up while David was eating at the diner. When the 2 left David was headed back to St. Louis. Bang, bang, bang, bang, George was history.
Back in St. Louis David gets a call & is supposed to meet someone at Zoroaster. Aka Jim was there to congratulate David for a job well done. But then Jim laid down the law. David left very upset.
David was flying to Birmingham, AL. At the Marriott Courtyard Emmalina (A/A, front desk clerk) gave David his very tall birthday present & inside a letter; a window cleaner, Prodigal Insurance Company 2800 N. 3rd Ave, tomorrow.
A woman was in a Dodge Caravan with a gun. Bang, & then the next victim a window washer at Prodigal Insurance Company; Bang, Bang.
Alan let David know a Betty O’Donnell had come to visit him. Another envelope had been left in the dresser top drawer.
Next destination for David is 24567 Manitou Crest Drive Colorado Springs. This time things didn’t go as planned.
Amy Jenkins & David were now on the run. She was supposed to kill him & vice-versa. She had killed 12 PPL. Amy was going to get $12 million for killing David.
Amy & David needed to devise a plan to stay alive. The 2 are off to Nashville to find a certain aka Sorcerer (master assassin).
Bingo; Bob Borden owner of the Old Book Nook. Someone has to win, someone has to lose. How will this murder-for-hire turn out?
Until Chapter 24 it was an excellent story. I was in 8th grade (Jr. HS) in the school cafeteria eating lunch & I still remember that day.
What will the Group do to t Amy & David now?
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written suspense filled, action packed, adventure murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great murder mystery movie, or mini TV series. 1 you won’t want to put down. I will still rate it at 5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Smashwords)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews