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Jack's Boys
From #1 internationally bestselling author John Katzenbach
Five serial killers …
Known only to each other
Alpha. Bravo. Charlie. Delta. Easy.
Connected through a secure internet location, encrypted and concealed, a unique chat room they have named Jack’s Special Place in homage to their ultimate model—the one killer they hold in the highest
Whitechapel, London. 1888. The infamous murderer remembered in dark history as Jack the Ripper.
And so, they are Jack’s Boys.
They delight in each other’s crimes. They relish in taunting police around the world with odd clues and deep confusion—the modern version of the Victorian-era killer they emulate. While the original Jack sent letters to Fleet Street papers, they send pictures and online boasts and insults. In this fashion, they feed on each other’s killings, a private community of death. Arrogant. Conceited. Untouchable.
Or so they thought.
Until one day they are hacked.
Two teenagers, lying on their bed at home. Boyfriend and girlfriend. Slightly disaffected, each with their own issues—but deeply in young love and equally fascinated by the world of the dark web, where they accidentally stumble upon Jack’s Boys in their private space …
Whom they immediately mock.
This triggers a landslide of anger and revenge as the killers decide to teach the two teenagers a lesson in humility and respect for their betters. And caught up in this web of death are the teenage boy’s grandmother and grandfather—an ICU nurse and former college admissions counselor with her own, hidden, murderous history, and an ex-Marine, Viet vet, still haunted by his time in that conflict.
Now as the web tightens and five killers all emerge from the shadows, this makeshift band of young and old will have to find a way to expose them, defeat them, and somehow save their own lives.
Five serial killers …
Known only to each other
Alpha. Bravo. Charlie. Delta. Easy.
Connected through a secure internet location, encrypted and concealed, a unique chat room they have named Jack’s Special Place in homage to their ultimate model—the one killer they hold in the highest
Whitechapel, London. 1888. The infamous murderer remembered in dark history as Jack the Ripper.
And so, they are Jack’s Boys.
They delight in each other’s crimes. They relish in taunting police around the world with odd clues and deep confusion—the modern version of the Victorian-era killer they emulate. While the original Jack sent letters to Fleet Street papers, they send pictures and online boasts and insults. In this fashion, they feed on each other’s killings, a private community of death. Arrogant. Conceited. Untouchable.
Or so they thought.
Until one day they are hacked.
Two teenagers, lying on their bed at home. Boyfriend and girlfriend. Slightly disaffected, each with their own issues—but deeply in young love and equally fascinated by the world of the dark web, where they accidentally stumble upon Jack’s Boys in their private space …
Whom they immediately mock.
This triggers a landslide of anger and revenge as the killers decide to teach the two teenagers a lesson in humility and respect for their betters. And caught up in this web of death are the teenage boy’s grandmother and grandfather—an ICU nurse and former college admissions counselor with her own, hidden, murderous history, and an ex-Marine, Viet vet, still haunted by his time in that conflict.
Now as the web tightens and five killers all emerge from the shadows, this makeshift band of young and old will have to find a way to expose them, defeat them, and somehow save their own lives.
540 pages, Hardcover
Published May 28, 2024
72 people are currently reading
5335 people want to read
About the author
John Katzenbach
50 books3,346 followersJohn Katzenbach is a U.S. author of popular fiction. Son of Nicholas Katzenbach, former United States Attorney General, John worked as a criminal court reporter for the Miami Herald and Miami News, and a featured writer for the Herald’s Tropic magazine. He is married to Madeleine Blais and they live in western Massachusetts.
He left the newspaper grind to write books, racking up 12 novels so far, psychological thrillers that have made him an international success. His first, 1982's bestselling *In the Heat of the Summer, became the movie *The Mean Season , filmed partially in The Herald's newsroom ans starring Kurt Russell and MAriel Hemingway.
Two more of his books were made into films in the United States, 1995's *Just Cause and 2002's *Hart's War. A fourth book, *The Wrong Man was recently made into the soon-to-be-released French film Faux Coupable.
He left the newspaper grind to write books, racking up 12 novels so far, psychological thrillers that have made him an international success. His first, 1982's bestselling *In the Heat of the Summer, became the movie *The Mean Season , filmed partially in The Herald's newsroom ans starring Kurt Russell and MAriel Hemingway.
Two more of his books were made into films in the United States, 1995's *Just Cause and 2002's *Hart's War. A fourth book, *The Wrong Man was recently made into the soon-to-be-released French film Faux Coupable.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 28, 2024
Five psychopaths have somehow found each other and formed a private chat room known as Jack’s Special Place and themselves as Jack’s Boys. The names are in honour of the most famous serial killer of all time, Jack the Ripper. Their little meeting place is located on the Dark Web and should be impossible to access if not invited.
Connor and Niki are a couple of teens in love who, for some reason, also like to prowl the Dark Web, exploring forbidden places as a bit of excitement. That’s when Connor stumbles into the Jack’s Boys chat room.
The presence of an intruder who breaks into their conversation, taunting them and disrespecting them creates anger that’s palpable. So much so the group as a collective decide they need to kill this interloper, but before killing him, they would make him suffer to teach him a lesson first.
Jack’s Boys are referred to as Alpha, Beta, Charlie, Delta and Easy and they each have perversions that would make the normal person shudder. And, as we get to know each of them while they plan their attack, we learn more about them and start to understand just how damaged each of them is.
What follows is a full on story involving the hunters and the prey. The five hunters are stalking Connor and his family and they’re not aware of the danger they’re in for a very long time. The suspense is built to almost unbearable levels, particularly as we’re continually fed the sick and twisted thoughts of each of the men doing the hunting.
John Katzenbach doesn’t just get inside the head of one serial killer, he provides us with deep insight into the thoughts and motivations of 5 of them. Each a little different from the others but no less depraved and the scary thing is, they’re all working together, getting their rocks off on the prospect of the next kill. I’ve got to say, it’s not a particularly comfortable place to be, inside the heads of 5 deranged killers, but it sure ramps up the suspense.
An interesting aspect of the story that even the “good guys” are not totally, one hundred percent pure. Connor is harbouring a dark plan for the future, one that he’s talked Niki into backing. His grandfather and grandmother are also dealing with their own ghosts from the past that are constantly affecting their present.
All in all, this is a psychological quagmire that manages to hit you from all sides. You should definitely mentally prepare yourself for a frontal assault on your tolerance to hate, intolerance and narcissistic behaviour.
Jack’s Boys is a chilling thriller that moves with effortless fluidity, just like the hunters stalking their prey. Katzenbach’s ability to take you straight into his character’s minds helps to underline the peril the potential victims are in, ramping up the tension to extreme levels.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for a digital ARC which allowed me to read, enjoy and review this book.
Connor and Niki are a couple of teens in love who, for some reason, also like to prowl the Dark Web, exploring forbidden places as a bit of excitement. That’s when Connor stumbles into the Jack’s Boys chat room.
The presence of an intruder who breaks into their conversation, taunting them and disrespecting them creates anger that’s palpable. So much so the group as a collective decide they need to kill this interloper, but before killing him, they would make him suffer to teach him a lesson first.
Jack’s Boys are referred to as Alpha, Beta, Charlie, Delta and Easy and they each have perversions that would make the normal person shudder. And, as we get to know each of them while they plan their attack, we learn more about them and start to understand just how damaged each of them is.
What follows is a full on story involving the hunters and the prey. The five hunters are stalking Connor and his family and they’re not aware of the danger they’re in for a very long time. The suspense is built to almost unbearable levels, particularly as we’re continually fed the sick and twisted thoughts of each of the men doing the hunting.
John Katzenbach doesn’t just get inside the head of one serial killer, he provides us with deep insight into the thoughts and motivations of 5 of them. Each a little different from the others but no less depraved and the scary thing is, they’re all working together, getting their rocks off on the prospect of the next kill. I’ve got to say, it’s not a particularly comfortable place to be, inside the heads of 5 deranged killers, but it sure ramps up the suspense.
An interesting aspect of the story that even the “good guys” are not totally, one hundred percent pure. Connor is harbouring a dark plan for the future, one that he’s talked Niki into backing. His grandfather and grandmother are also dealing with their own ghosts from the past that are constantly affecting their present.
All in all, this is a psychological quagmire that manages to hit you from all sides. You should definitely mentally prepare yourself for a frontal assault on your tolerance to hate, intolerance and narcissistic behaviour.
Jack’s Boys is a chilling thriller that moves with effortless fluidity, just like the hunters stalking their prey. Katzenbach’s ability to take you straight into his character’s minds helps to underline the peril the potential victims are in, ramping up the tension to extreme levels.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for a digital ARC which allowed me to read, enjoy and review this book.
May 24, 2024
I got this for review on Netgally.
The ebook had a log if pages but it feelt like I read it super quick, it was a real page turner. I found the concept to be rather unique and very entertaining to read as well as being big on suspense at times. Following Jack's Boys was unsettling but an interesting way to showcase the bad guys in a story. With chat rooms, dark Web and their daily life.
The ebook had a log if pages but it feelt like I read it super quick, it was a real page turner. I found the concept to be rather unique and very entertaining to read as well as being big on suspense at times. Following Jack's Boys was unsettling but an interesting way to showcase the bad guys in a story. With chat rooms, dark Web and their daily life.
January 12, 2025
2.5⭐️
Jack’s Boys is a 530-page behemoth of a novel in desperate need of trimming down. It overflows with repetitive prose that doesn’t enhance the plot in any meaningful way, particularly in the first half of the book. But mostly I was just plain skeeved out by how overtly voyeristic the narrative is. The sexual desire that Charlie, one of the serial killers, has for Niki, the teen protagonist, feels exploitive. The sex scenes and rape fantasies of her just gave me the ick. I had the sense I was reading about the writer’s fantasies as opposed to the nefarious intentions of a fictional character.
Jack’s Boys is a 530-page behemoth of a novel in desperate need of trimming down. It overflows with repetitive prose that doesn’t enhance the plot in any meaningful way, particularly in the first half of the book. But mostly I was just plain skeeved out by how overtly voyeristic the narrative is. The sexual desire that Charlie, one of the serial killers, has for Niki, the teen protagonist, feels exploitive. The sex scenes and rape fantasies of her just gave me the ick. I had the sense I was reading about the writer’s fantasies as opposed to the nefarious intentions of a fictional character.
May 16, 2024
Jack’s Boys by John Katzenbach. Thanks to @blackstonepublishing for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jack’s Boys is a small group of killers who have found a home with each other on the dark web. When a teenage boy and his girlfriend stumble upon their chat and mock them, a game of life and death begins.
At first I was a little dumbfounded because Goodread said this was a 280 page book but when I got it it was 608 pages! Big difference and I have a lot of May releases to knock out. However a hundred pages in and it was flying, I realized I was glad that it was so long. Last night when I stayed up way too late to finish it, I wished there were even more pages. This is such a fun cat and mouse thriller; with the cats and mice being a group of serial killers vs. two teens and a set of grandparents. The ending gets so tense it’s hard to stay in your seat. Highly recommend this one and don’t be scared by the number of pages!
“The taste of death for you is awful. Sickening. For us, it’s sweet and intoxicating. And that means you have no chance against us.”
Jack’s Boys comes out 5/28.
Jack’s Boys is a small group of killers who have found a home with each other on the dark web. When a teenage boy and his girlfriend stumble upon their chat and mock them, a game of life and death begins.
At first I was a little dumbfounded because Goodread said this was a 280 page book but when I got it it was 608 pages! Big difference and I have a lot of May releases to knock out. However a hundred pages in and it was flying, I realized I was glad that it was so long. Last night when I stayed up way too late to finish it, I wished there were even more pages. This is such a fun cat and mouse thriller; with the cats and mice being a group of serial killers vs. two teens and a set of grandparents. The ending gets so tense it’s hard to stay in your seat. Highly recommend this one and don’t be scared by the number of pages!
“The taste of death for you is awful. Sickening. For us, it’s sweet and intoxicating. And that means you have no chance against us.”
Jack’s Boys comes out 5/28.
February 7, 2024
An amazing book about how psychopaths can move between normal lives and hidden lives.
This is the fastest book I read in my entire lifetime, until now
This is the fastest book I read in my entire lifetime, until now
June 17, 2024
This was definitely a fun one.
I really liked our teens and one of their families and had a lot of fun as our killers realized that they weren't quite the easy targets they thought they were.
I did think the first part of the book dragged just a bit - our killers weren't quite as interesting as they thought they were - but things soon picked up and it was a race to the finish for me.
I would definitely read the author again!
I really liked our teens and one of their families and had a lot of fun as our killers realized that they weren't quite the easy targets they thought they were.
I did think the first part of the book dragged just a bit - our killers weren't quite as interesting as they thought they were - but things soon picked up and it was a race to the finish for me.
I would definitely read the author again!
March 28, 2025
Soooo long. This was such a struggle to get through. It was so drawn out and boring. Jack’s boys themselves were dull and boring. If it wasn’t for Ross and his family I would have bailed. At least they were a little bit interesting. 2 stars.
July 23, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! It was pretty slow at first but that’s to be expected with the amount of characters introduced. Once it got moving though I didn’t want to put it down!
I maybe wouldn’t introduce this to someone new to the genre but would absolutely recommend to anyone who enjoys mystery and thriller reads
I maybe wouldn’t introduce this to someone new to the genre but would absolutely recommend to anyone who enjoys mystery and thriller reads
February 9, 2025
They found each other online on the dark web. Five serial killers, scattered throughout the United States. They are young, old, educated, blue collar, wealthy and poor. None of that matters. They have found their people. They meet online in a site called Jack's Boys, where they tell each other the details of their crimes and bask in the glow of their approval.
Then the unthinkable happens. A teenager finds his way into Jack's Place and immediately, he starts to make fun of the men there. Connor lives with his grandparents and his girlfriend, Nikki, lives two doors down. Until tonight, his biggest thoughts were the next soccer game and college next year.
Jack's Boys are absolutely outraged. They immediately take down the site and go to the plan B for online they had never thought they would need. They are worried the teens will go to the police but even more, they can't let such humiliation stand. They decide that they will kill both the teens.
Although they try, their first attempt doesn't work. But they aren't going to let that stop their plan. They can wait forever, years if need be, but they will find a time and place to wreak vengeance. Will they succeed next time?
Reading a John Katzenbach novel means suspense. He has written many and they are page turners. Katzenbach was a criminal court reporter for a newspaper and he uses this experience to make his books exciting. My only hesitation with this one was that it seemed unrealistic that five men would all be so outraged because a teenager called them names that they would devote months of preparation to try to kill him and all those he loved. But the pace is so fast that this hesitation went by quickly. This book is recommended for thriller readers.
Then the unthinkable happens. A teenager finds his way into Jack's Place and immediately, he starts to make fun of the men there. Connor lives with his grandparents and his girlfriend, Nikki, lives two doors down. Until tonight, his biggest thoughts were the next soccer game and college next year.
Jack's Boys are absolutely outraged. They immediately take down the site and go to the plan B for online they had never thought they would need. They are worried the teens will go to the police but even more, they can't let such humiliation stand. They decide that they will kill both the teens.
Although they try, their first attempt doesn't work. But they aren't going to let that stop their plan. They can wait forever, years if need be, but they will find a time and place to wreak vengeance. Will they succeed next time?
Reading a John Katzenbach novel means suspense. He has written many and they are page turners. Katzenbach was a criminal court reporter for a newspaper and he uses this experience to make his books exciting. My only hesitation with this one was that it seemed unrealistic that five men would all be so outraged because a teenager called them names that they would devote months of preparation to try to kill him and all those he loved. But the pace is so fast that this hesitation went by quickly. This book is recommended for thriller readers.
April 20, 2025
Conner, a teenager just wants to kill the drunk driver that killed his parents. He doesn't know how. He and his girlfriend Nikki decided to research the internet. They accidentally stumble upon a real killer chat room on the dark web. Conner thinks it is all fun and games and throws them a few insults instead of exiting the chat politely.
5 killers who thrive off each other and the works of Jack the Ripper don't take his insults too kindly
They forge a plan to make Conner and his girlfriend's life a living hell. They Vow to kill Conner and make him pay
But they might get more than they bargained for and perhaps killing a pair of teenagers just may not pan out as easily as they thought it would
5 killers who thrive off each other and the works of Jack the Ripper don't take his insults too kindly
They forge a plan to make Conner and his girlfriend's life a living hell. They Vow to kill Conner and make him pay
But they might get more than they bargained for and perhaps killing a pair of teenagers just may not pan out as easily as they thought it would
July 10, 2024
****A Compelling, Very Entertaining Read With Some Flaws!
I’ve enjoyed many of John Katzenbach’s books but Jack’s Boys is the first I’ve read in many years. Bottom line is that I enjoyed Katzenbach’s latest a lot and would definitely recommend it to thriller/mystery lovers ,,,as long as you keep it in mind that it has some flaws. But these flaws are highly overshadowed by its strengths.
Jack’s Boys strengths are as follows: (1) it has an intriguing, though somewhat dark, plot concept that, for the most part, is well executed throughout most of its 621 pages (in my Kindle edition); (2) Katzenbach deserves credit for intelligently mixing into his plot concept and execution elements of Jack The Ripper history, classic serial killer lore, modern use of the internet and social media to effectively educate readers and arouse their interest, (3) it incorporates a cast of mostly very interesting and strong good and villainous characters that holds your attention throughout, and (4) has an abundance of exciting segments (especially in the last 20% or so) that will result in the pages flying through your fingers.
Now, as to the few flaws mentioned: (1): Katzenbach tendency towards verbosity in his prose made this book, in my opinion, longer than it needed to be, and (2) while the “good” characters of the teens Connor and Niki were likable and exciting, their actions and thought processes tended at times to stretch my limits of credulity.
I’ve enjoyed many of John Katzenbach’s books but Jack’s Boys is the first I’ve read in many years. Bottom line is that I enjoyed Katzenbach’s latest a lot and would definitely recommend it to thriller/mystery lovers ,,,as long as you keep it in mind that it has some flaws. But these flaws are highly overshadowed by its strengths.
Jack’s Boys strengths are as follows: (1) it has an intriguing, though somewhat dark, plot concept that, for the most part, is well executed throughout most of its 621 pages (in my Kindle edition); (2) Katzenbach deserves credit for intelligently mixing into his plot concept and execution elements of Jack The Ripper history, classic serial killer lore, modern use of the internet and social media to effectively educate readers and arouse their interest, (3) it incorporates a cast of mostly very interesting and strong good and villainous characters that holds your attention throughout, and (4) has an abundance of exciting segments (especially in the last 20% or so) that will result in the pages flying through your fingers.
Now, as to the few flaws mentioned: (1): Katzenbach tendency towards verbosity in his prose made this book, in my opinion, longer than it needed to be, and (2) while the “good” characters of the teens Connor and Niki were likable and exciting, their actions and thought processes tended at times to stretch my limits of credulity.
June 5, 2024
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Easy all have something in common. Something that brought them together when they responded to Alpha's manifesto explaining why he kills. They've bonded over their shared love of murder, their admiration for Jack the Ripper, and the belief that they all have greatness inside of them just waiting to be released.
When Connor and Niki stumble into their private chat room and insult Jack's Boys, they will not let it stand. What follows is a campaign of vicious attacks on the teenagers and their families, designed to tear them down before Jack's Boys move in for the kill. But Jack's Boys have never encountered anyone like them before, never encountered anyone not afraid to fight back.
If it's possible to be a fast-paced slow burn, that's exactly what this is. The build-up to those anticipated moments of confrontation is so full of development that you don't realize how quickly you're turning the pages. The in-depth dive into the minds of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Easy is unsettling. They're humanized by little details about the daily lives they lead, making them seem like they could be any coworker, neighbor, or casual friend. Then, the glimpses inside their thoughts show the monsters hiding behind those mundane lives they present to the world.
Connor isn't as innocent as he seems, and Ross has blood on his hands he'll never be able to wash off. Connor's desire for revenge is so understandable that the injustice of his situation feels like it justifies his desire to kill. Ross is a veteran who fought to survive and to avenge a fallen comrade. The two of them really drive home the difference between someone who is capable of murder and a psychopath who does it for enjoyment, which just makes Jack's Boys all the more creepy.
Overall, I recommend this book for anyone who loves a good psychological thriller, especially one that's so realistic that it feels almost like a true crime story.
When Connor and Niki stumble into their private chat room and insult Jack's Boys, they will not let it stand. What follows is a campaign of vicious attacks on the teenagers and their families, designed to tear them down before Jack's Boys move in for the kill. But Jack's Boys have never encountered anyone like them before, never encountered anyone not afraid to fight back.
If it's possible to be a fast-paced slow burn, that's exactly what this is. The build-up to those anticipated moments of confrontation is so full of development that you don't realize how quickly you're turning the pages. The in-depth dive into the minds of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Easy is unsettling. They're humanized by little details about the daily lives they lead, making them seem like they could be any coworker, neighbor, or casual friend. Then, the glimpses inside their thoughts show the monsters hiding behind those mundane lives they present to the world.
Connor isn't as innocent as he seems, and Ross has blood on his hands he'll never be able to wash off. Connor's desire for revenge is so understandable that the injustice of his situation feels like it justifies his desire to kill. Ross is a veteran who fought to survive and to avenge a fallen comrade. The two of them really drive home the difference between someone who is capable of murder and a psychopath who does it for enjoyment, which just makes Jack's Boys all the more creepy.
Overall, I recommend this book for anyone who loves a good psychological thriller, especially one that's so realistic that it feels almost like a true crime story.
August 11, 2024
5.0. I really don't think there's a reason to NOT give this book 5 stars. It was very, very good. I also usually won't go for books that are over 500 pages, but in this case, 530 pages goes fast and is necessary for this story to play out. This was my first book by this author, will definitely not be the last. 100% recommend reading!!
June 3, 2024
Thank you, John Katzenbach and NetGalley, for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!
This was a book completely different from any I've read so far this year. Even so, I had a hard time getting through it. I don't know if it was the writing style or what. It was just a drag in the beginning. Of course, the middle picks up, and just the fact this book has five different killers is truly amazing. They were all completely different from one another, yet their desire to kill was definitely united.
A boy stumbles somewhere he shouldn't in the dark web, angering five different men. Men who are very dangerous and willing to do terrible things. What's going to happen? Will our main character make it out alive? Read and find out.
As much as I wanted to enjoy this book, I had a very hard time getting through it. That's not to say others won't enjoy it.
This was a book completely different from any I've read so far this year. Even so, I had a hard time getting through it. I don't know if it was the writing style or what. It was just a drag in the beginning. Of course, the middle picks up, and just the fact this book has five different killers is truly amazing. They were all completely different from one another, yet their desire to kill was definitely united.
A boy stumbles somewhere he shouldn't in the dark web, angering five different men. Men who are very dangerous and willing to do terrible things. What's going to happen? Will our main character make it out alive? Read and find out.
As much as I wanted to enjoy this book, I had a very hard time getting through it. That's not to say others won't enjoy it.
June 6, 2025
La trama va sobre cinco psicópatas que han formado una sala de chat privada conocida como Jack’s Special Place, llamándose a sí mismos Jack’s Boys. Los nombres son en honor al asesino serial más famoso de todos los tiempos: Jack el Destripador. Su pequeño refugio se encuentra en la deep web y debería ser imposible de acceder sin una invitación.
Connor y Niki son dos adolescentes enamorados que, no vamos a mencionar la razón ya que sería spoiler; también disfrutan explorar los rincones prohibidos del internet. Es entonces cuando Connor tropieza con la sala de chat de los Jack’s Boys.
La presencia de un intruso que irrumpe en su conversación, burlándose y faltándoles el respeto, desata una ira palpable. Tanto así, que el grupo decide, de manera colectiva, que ese intruso debe morir. Pero no sin antes hacerlo sufrir para “darle una lección”.
Lo que sigue es una historia en la que se enfrentan cazadores y presa, donde la tensión se construye hasta niveles casi insoportables.
¿Vieron que hay libros que te atrapan por la historia y otros por los personajes? Bueno, El club de los psicópatas (2021) hace ambas cosas. Lo que más impresiona de esta novela es cómo John Katzenbach se mete, literalmente, en la cabeza de sus personajes. No se queda en la superficie descriptiva de lo que "haría un asesino", sino que se nota que tuvo que estudiar a fondo, o en profundidad al menos, la psicología criminal. En sus personajes hay distintos perfiles, personalidades y modus operandi que caracterizan a cada uno. Cada papel retorcido que existe en las sombras de la sociedad.
Además de haber estudiado la "zona criminal" llamémosle, noté un gran detalle sobre la tecnología y la deep web. No que yo sea una experta tampoco, pero cada cosa que escribía tenía un hilo conductor lógico que nunca me habría planteado por no saber de ese submundo.
Valoro mucho su nivel de detalle, el estudio meticuloso, y en este caso, su habilidad para entrelazar historias. Va saltando de una subtrama a otra de personajes con vidas muy distintas, pero que, poco a poco, van convergiendo. Y cuando llegás al final, todo encaja. Es ese tipo de libro que, cuando lo terminás, te dan ganas de volver al principio para ver todas esas pistas que estaban ahí desde el primer capítulo, pero que solo cobran sentido después. Y decís: “¡Ahhhh, ahora todo cierra!”
Creo que no debe ser cosa fácil poder ir separando las piezas de un rompecabezas, y crear un espacio para que todo cuadre. Y que me encanta cuando los libros empiezan por el final, uno está esperando durante toda la lectura dónde encaja ese engranaje que hace que todo el mecanismo funcione.
Realmente recomiendo este thriller psicológico, porque hasta durante la lectura tuve emociones de angustia y pesar por los desenlaces de la trama. No me imagino lo que debe ser cranear todas esas maldades, plasmarlas en el papel, que se trasluzca que el personaje realmente las disfrutó y que por eso es un psicópata ¿no?
Para quienes disfrutan de autores que rara vez decepcionan, El club de los psicópatas es una lectura más que recomendada. Tal vez no sea tan morboso como Cross de James Patterson, pero cumple, y con creces, para quienes buscan una historia de crímenes que, más que ficción, se siente inquietantemente cercana.
Katzenbach escribe con una modernidad que asusta, porque no solo te mete en la mente de los asesinos, sino que te enfrenta a una verdad peligrosa: hoy en día, toda nuestra vida está expuesta en internet. Lo que compartimos, lo que buscamos, lo que creemos privado... ya no lo es. Este libro no solo entretiene; también advierte. Nos recuerda que allá afuera puede haber alguien observando, alguien que no tiene apuro, que es paciente, metódico, y que no se detendrá hasta conseguir lo que quiere.
Un thriller actual, inteligente, y con una inquietante dosis de realidad.
Pueden ir a mi blog para más reseñas: https://refugiodetintaonline.blogspot...
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The plot revolves around five psychopaths who have formed a private chat room known as Jack’s Special Place, calling themselves the Jack’s Boys. The names are a tribute to the most infamous serial killer of all time: Jack the Ripper. Their little hideout is located in the deep web and should be impossible to access without an invitation.
Connor and Niki are two teenagers in love who—without giving away any spoilers—also enjoy exploring the forbidden corners of the internet. That’s when Connor stumbles upon the Jack’s Boys chat room.
The presence of an intruder who breaks into their conversation, mocking them and showing them blatant disrespect, unleashes a palpable rage. So much so that the group collectively decides that this intruder must die. But not before making him suffer to “teach him a lesson.”
What follows is a gripping story of hunters and prey, where the tension builds up to almost unbearable levels.
You know how some books hook you with the story, and others with the characters? The Madman's Tale (also known as The Psychopath Club) does both. What impressed me most is how deeply John Katzenbach gets into his characters’ minds. He doesn’t just describe what a killer would do — you can tell he really studied, or at least seriously researched, criminal psychology. Each character has a distinct profile, personality, and modus operandi. It’s like he built an entire society hiding in the shadows.
Beyond his deep dive into what I’d call the “criminal zone,” I was really struck by his attention to technology and the deep web. I’m no expert myself, but everything he described had a logical thread, a realism that made me think, “Wow, I never would’ve imagined this existed.” It never felt like filler — it all had a purpose in the story.
I genuinely admire his attention to detail, the thorough research, and especially in this case, his talent for weaving multiple storylines together. He jumps from one subplot to another, from characters living totally different lives, but somehow they all begin to converge. And when you reach the end, everything fits. It’s one of those books that makes you want to flip back to the first chapter just to catch all the hints you missed, and you go, “Aaaaah, now it makes sense!”
I imagine it’s no easy feat to break a story down into so many pieces, and then create just enough space for them to come together perfectly. I love when books start at the end — it gives you that feeling of anticipation the whole way through, waiting to see where that final piece clicks into place to make the whole machine run.
I strongly recommend this psychological thriller — it even made me feel real moments of anxiety and sadness over how things turned out. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to come up with so much darkness, to put it into words in such a way that you actually feel the character enjoyed the cruelty — and that’s exactly why he’s a psychopath, right?
For those who enjoy authors who rarely disappoint, The Psychopath Club is a must-read. It may not be as graphic or gory as Cross by James Patterson, but it absolutely delivers for readers who crave crime stories that feel way too close to real life.
Katzenbach writes with a kind of modern edge that’s almost unsettling. He doesn’t just put you inside the killer’s mind — he confronts you with a chilling truth: these days, our entire lives are online. What we share, what we search for, what we think is private… really isn’t. This book doesn’t just entertain; it warns us. It reminds us there might be someone out there watching — someone patient, methodical, and absolutely determined to get what they want.
A clever, modern thriller with a disturbingly real dose of truth.
You can check on my blog for more reviws: https://refugiodetintaonline.blogspot...
Connor y Niki son dos adolescentes enamorados que, no vamos a mencionar la razón ya que sería spoiler; también disfrutan explorar los rincones prohibidos del internet. Es entonces cuando Connor tropieza con la sala de chat de los Jack’s Boys.
La presencia de un intruso que irrumpe en su conversación, burlándose y faltándoles el respeto, desata una ira palpable. Tanto así, que el grupo decide, de manera colectiva, que ese intruso debe morir. Pero no sin antes hacerlo sufrir para “darle una lección”.
Lo que sigue es una historia en la que se enfrentan cazadores y presa, donde la tensión se construye hasta niveles casi insoportables.
¿Vieron que hay libros que te atrapan por la historia y otros por los personajes? Bueno, El club de los psicópatas (2021) hace ambas cosas. Lo que más impresiona de esta novela es cómo John Katzenbach se mete, literalmente, en la cabeza de sus personajes. No se queda en la superficie descriptiva de lo que "haría un asesino", sino que se nota que tuvo que estudiar a fondo, o en profundidad al menos, la psicología criminal. En sus personajes hay distintos perfiles, personalidades y modus operandi que caracterizan a cada uno. Cada papel retorcido que existe en las sombras de la sociedad.
Además de haber estudiado la "zona criminal" llamémosle, noté un gran detalle sobre la tecnología y la deep web. No que yo sea una experta tampoco, pero cada cosa que escribía tenía un hilo conductor lógico que nunca me habría planteado por no saber de ese submundo.
Valoro mucho su nivel de detalle, el estudio meticuloso, y en este caso, su habilidad para entrelazar historias. Va saltando de una subtrama a otra de personajes con vidas muy distintas, pero que, poco a poco, van convergiendo. Y cuando llegás al final, todo encaja. Es ese tipo de libro que, cuando lo terminás, te dan ganas de volver al principio para ver todas esas pistas que estaban ahí desde el primer capítulo, pero que solo cobran sentido después. Y decís: “¡Ahhhh, ahora todo cierra!”
Creo que no debe ser cosa fácil poder ir separando las piezas de un rompecabezas, y crear un espacio para que todo cuadre. Y que me encanta cuando los libros empiezan por el final, uno está esperando durante toda la lectura dónde encaja ese engranaje que hace que todo el mecanismo funcione.
Realmente recomiendo este thriller psicológico, porque hasta durante la lectura tuve emociones de angustia y pesar por los desenlaces de la trama. No me imagino lo que debe ser cranear todas esas maldades, plasmarlas en el papel, que se trasluzca que el personaje realmente las disfrutó y que por eso es un psicópata ¿no?
Para quienes disfrutan de autores que rara vez decepcionan, El club de los psicópatas es una lectura más que recomendada. Tal vez no sea tan morboso como Cross de James Patterson, pero cumple, y con creces, para quienes buscan una historia de crímenes que, más que ficción, se siente inquietantemente cercana.
Katzenbach escribe con una modernidad que asusta, porque no solo te mete en la mente de los asesinos, sino que te enfrenta a una verdad peligrosa: hoy en día, toda nuestra vida está expuesta en internet. Lo que compartimos, lo que buscamos, lo que creemos privado... ya no lo es. Este libro no solo entretiene; también advierte. Nos recuerda que allá afuera puede haber alguien observando, alguien que no tiene apuro, que es paciente, metódico, y que no se detendrá hasta conseguir lo que quiere.
Un thriller actual, inteligente, y con una inquietante dosis de realidad.
Pueden ir a mi blog para más reseñas: https://refugiodetintaonline.blogspot...
------------------------
The plot revolves around five psychopaths who have formed a private chat room known as Jack’s Special Place, calling themselves the Jack’s Boys. The names are a tribute to the most infamous serial killer of all time: Jack the Ripper. Their little hideout is located in the deep web and should be impossible to access without an invitation.
Connor and Niki are two teenagers in love who—without giving away any spoilers—also enjoy exploring the forbidden corners of the internet. That’s when Connor stumbles upon the Jack’s Boys chat room.
The presence of an intruder who breaks into their conversation, mocking them and showing them blatant disrespect, unleashes a palpable rage. So much so that the group collectively decides that this intruder must die. But not before making him suffer to “teach him a lesson.”
What follows is a gripping story of hunters and prey, where the tension builds up to almost unbearable levels.
You know how some books hook you with the story, and others with the characters? The Madman's Tale (also known as The Psychopath Club) does both. What impressed me most is how deeply John Katzenbach gets into his characters’ minds. He doesn’t just describe what a killer would do — you can tell he really studied, or at least seriously researched, criminal psychology. Each character has a distinct profile, personality, and modus operandi. It’s like he built an entire society hiding in the shadows.
Beyond his deep dive into what I’d call the “criminal zone,” I was really struck by his attention to technology and the deep web. I’m no expert myself, but everything he described had a logical thread, a realism that made me think, “Wow, I never would’ve imagined this existed.” It never felt like filler — it all had a purpose in the story.
I genuinely admire his attention to detail, the thorough research, and especially in this case, his talent for weaving multiple storylines together. He jumps from one subplot to another, from characters living totally different lives, but somehow they all begin to converge. And when you reach the end, everything fits. It’s one of those books that makes you want to flip back to the first chapter just to catch all the hints you missed, and you go, “Aaaaah, now it makes sense!”
I imagine it’s no easy feat to break a story down into so many pieces, and then create just enough space for them to come together perfectly. I love when books start at the end — it gives you that feeling of anticipation the whole way through, waiting to see where that final piece clicks into place to make the whole machine run.
I strongly recommend this psychological thriller — it even made me feel real moments of anxiety and sadness over how things turned out. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to come up with so much darkness, to put it into words in such a way that you actually feel the character enjoyed the cruelty — and that’s exactly why he’s a psychopath, right?
For those who enjoy authors who rarely disappoint, The Psychopath Club is a must-read. It may not be as graphic or gory as Cross by James Patterson, but it absolutely delivers for readers who crave crime stories that feel way too close to real life.
Katzenbach writes with a kind of modern edge that’s almost unsettling. He doesn’t just put you inside the killer’s mind — he confronts you with a chilling truth: these days, our entire lives are online. What we share, what we search for, what we think is private… really isn’t. This book doesn’t just entertain; it warns us. It reminds us there might be someone out there watching — someone patient, methodical, and absolutely determined to get what they want.
A clever, modern thriller with a disturbingly real dose of truth.
You can check on my blog for more reviws: https://refugiodetintaonline.blogspot...
May 29, 2024
“Think of ourselves as five generals on a battlefield, coordinating a multipronged attack.” ~ Alpha
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Easy are five serial killers who have come together on the dark web. Never having met in person, they meet online in an encrypted chat room, “Jack’s Special Place” named after their idol ‘Jack the Ripper.’ Conner and Nikki are a teenage couple who frequent the dark web for their own disturbing reasons. They inadvertently stumble into ‘Jack’s Special Place’ and taunt the killers, thinking they’re just wannabes and say as much. In true psychopathic narcissistic form, the five killers decide socgoal02 (Conner’s user ID) must suffer for his audacity. The vengeance must be swift, tortuous and deadly. No one messes with ‘Jack’s Boys’ and lives. Working together, they formulate and ultimately enact a vicious plan.
When I say I like dark crime fiction, THIS is what I’m talking about. In a clear cut game of cat and mouse, where the prey doesn’t know it’s being hunted, the suspense was nerve wracking and palpable. Along with getting to know Conner and Nikki, Connor’s grandparents are also in the mix. Little do the killers know that these folks all have their own struggles with darkness. As ‘Jack’s Boys’ confer and plan, it’s uncomfortable being in the minds of five different killers, each with their own set of proclivities, signatures and desires. Despite the subject matter and Jack’s Boys routinely drifting off into nasty fantasies, nothing is overly graphic. Still, there IS disturbing content so please check warnings.
JACK’S BOYS is a bit of a beast with 530 pages, yet it never felt like it and I flew through the pages! The length is quite necessary for the complexity. There is a lot of detailed planning that built tension and anxiety in the best way possible and when that action hit?! I could NOT. READ. FAST. ENOUGH! John Katzenbach is a phenomenal storyteller. Character development is off the charts. I felt connected to both teens AND the grandparents. My emotions were all over the place from disgust, amusement and empathy, to excitement and satisfaction. There are some truly heart pounding moments and the ending was perfection!
_______
Thank you Blackstone Publishing for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Scroll down for potential spoiler content warnings.
⚠️Content Warnings: depression, PTSD, Vietnam war flashbacks, suicidal ideation, language, sexual situations, murderous fantasies, stalking, violence, gun violence, death, mention of CSA
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Easy are five serial killers who have come together on the dark web. Never having met in person, they meet online in an encrypted chat room, “Jack’s Special Place” named after their idol ‘Jack the Ripper.’ Conner and Nikki are a teenage couple who frequent the dark web for their own disturbing reasons. They inadvertently stumble into ‘Jack’s Special Place’ and taunt the killers, thinking they’re just wannabes and say as much. In true psychopathic narcissistic form, the five killers decide socgoal02 (Conner’s user ID) must suffer for his audacity. The vengeance must be swift, tortuous and deadly. No one messes with ‘Jack’s Boys’ and lives. Working together, they formulate and ultimately enact a vicious plan.
When I say I like dark crime fiction, THIS is what I’m talking about. In a clear cut game of cat and mouse, where the prey doesn’t know it’s being hunted, the suspense was nerve wracking and palpable. Along with getting to know Conner and Nikki, Connor’s grandparents are also in the mix. Little do the killers know that these folks all have their own struggles with darkness. As ‘Jack’s Boys’ confer and plan, it’s uncomfortable being in the minds of five different killers, each with their own set of proclivities, signatures and desires. Despite the subject matter and Jack’s Boys routinely drifting off into nasty fantasies, nothing is overly graphic. Still, there IS disturbing content so please check warnings.
JACK’S BOYS is a bit of a beast with 530 pages, yet it never felt like it and I flew through the pages! The length is quite necessary for the complexity. There is a lot of detailed planning that built tension and anxiety in the best way possible and when that action hit?! I could NOT. READ. FAST. ENOUGH! John Katzenbach is a phenomenal storyteller. Character development is off the charts. I felt connected to both teens AND the grandparents. My emotions were all over the place from disgust, amusement and empathy, to excitement and satisfaction. There are some truly heart pounding moments and the ending was perfection!
_______
Thank you Blackstone Publishing for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Scroll down for potential spoiler content warnings.
⚠️Content Warnings: depression, PTSD, Vietnam war flashbacks, suicidal ideation, language, sexual situations, murderous fantasies, stalking, violence, gun violence, death, mention of CSA
June 3, 2024
What’s better (for thriller fans) or worse (for intended victims) than a serial killer? How about five serial killers in one novel, all with the same target? That’s the premise of John Katzenbach’s fascinating new thriller, “Jack’s Boys.” The killers, known only as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Easy, don’t hang out in a secluded hideout like the Manson family. Instead, they live all over the United States and never meet each other, except through the Internet chat room where they correspond. The author has delved into the minds of individual serial killers before, but “Jack’s Boys” is his most ambitious novel yet. With the characters’ interior monologues dominating the narrative, the 500+ page novel sometimes drags. Still, the views inside some twisted psyches and well-staged action sequences will lift readers past a few dull moments.
The Jack in “Jack’s Boys” is the infamous Whitechapel Ripper, the hero of the psychotic quintet. Years earlier, Alpha set up a highly encrypted chat room on the dark web called Jack’s Special Place, and the others later found their way to the site. The group formed a mutual admiration and aid society, passing helpful tips on eluding capture and sharing the documentation and enjoyment of their crimes with each other. Their sense of invincibility is shattered when high school senior Connor Mitchell somehow stumbles across the chat room and misinterprets their discussions as the sort of immature braggadocio that frequently shows up on these sites. Using the handle “Socgoal02,” Connor ridicules Jack’s Boys for being silly, childish, lying braggarts. Not surprisingly, Jack’s Boys don’t appreciate the putdown. They soon learn Connor’s identity and start plans for a gruesome revenge against Connor and his girlfriend, Niki.
“Jack’s Boys” has two elaborate action set pieces where Connor eventually encounters Jack’s Boys. But most of the book comprises the inner monologues or online chats of the various Boys. Readers never learn their real names or detailed information about them. However, the author reveals their twisted mental processes in great detail. Sometimes too much detail. The story shifts from one killer’s point of view to another to another, sometimes repeatedly in the same chapter. They reminisce about past killings, which differ in methodology and the choice of victims. However, the author covers only their planned attacks on Connor and his family in detail. Genre fans may develop a morbid fascination with seeing the various shadings of psychopathy that motivate the five individual killers and the warped group dynamic that has developed.
Readers who get further into “Jack’s Boys” will realize the killers are not trained assassins. They are just five outwardly normal-appearing men with a passion for murder who succeed because their intended victims don’t realize how twisted and dangerous they are until it’s too late. They have also learned to plan well and cover their tracks to avoid forensic detection. But while the killers lack special combat skills, at least one of their intended victims doesn’t. Connor has lived with his grandparents for years, ever since his parents died. His grandfather Ross is an ex-Marine with extensive combat experience in Vietnam and a sizable personal arsenal. Connor and Niki are both high school athletes in top physical condition. Their skill sets create suspense for readers about the outcome of their eventual showdown with the killers.
While the author devotes considerable time to exploring the psyche of the killers, he also gives readers insight into Connor, his grandparents, and Niki. They all have their own mental issues. Connor may have found the online location of Jack’s Special Place, but he and Niki still do some typically stupid teenage things later that land them in trouble. Ross is still dealing with trauma arising from his Vietnam service, while Connor hasn’t gotten over the death of his parents. Grandmother Kate is an emergency room nurse, and she encounters bloodshed and death daily. At first, I thought the discussions about Kate were superfluous to the main storyline, but the author brilliantly ties her into the action.
I’ve read many serial killer novels (including one by John Katzenbach) pitting serial killers against surprisingly resourceful would-be victims. But “Jack’s Boys” is the first book I’ve read that turns this cat-and-mouse game into a team sport. It’s the five Boys pitted against Connor’s family, with the outcome in doubt for much of the book. The author skillfully establishes the strengths and weaknesses of both “teams” to keep the action plausible within the confines of this genre. When the action starts, the book becomes incredibly suspenseful.
A 300-page version of “Jack’s Boys” would have been a superb thriller. However, this book is over 500 pages long, an incredible length for this type of story. Despite the author’s skill and extensive research into criminal psychology, the killers’ repeated inner monologues sometimes become tedious. The effect is like watching a documentary about an important football game in which the cameras spend more time covering every similar practice and training session during the week leading up to the game than the game itself.
Although “Jack’s Boys” could have benefitted from more judicious editing, the book has little, if any, poor material. Many of the insights into the Boys’ warped thought processes, such as their adoption of coded language in their chats (like calling all police “gestapo”), are creepily fascinating. In the book’s Acknowledgements, the author credits various psychiatrists he consulted during his research for the book. That effort was worthwhile; the Boys’ bizarre musings seemed authentic… and chilling. Even at its current length, “Jack’s Boys” is a superb suspense thriller. You wouldn’t want to meet any of Jack’s Boys, but you will want to curl up in bed with “Jack’s Boys” and the other colorful characters.
NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.
The Jack in “Jack’s Boys” is the infamous Whitechapel Ripper, the hero of the psychotic quintet. Years earlier, Alpha set up a highly encrypted chat room on the dark web called Jack’s Special Place, and the others later found their way to the site. The group formed a mutual admiration and aid society, passing helpful tips on eluding capture and sharing the documentation and enjoyment of their crimes with each other. Their sense of invincibility is shattered when high school senior Connor Mitchell somehow stumbles across the chat room and misinterprets their discussions as the sort of immature braggadocio that frequently shows up on these sites. Using the handle “Socgoal02,” Connor ridicules Jack’s Boys for being silly, childish, lying braggarts. Not surprisingly, Jack’s Boys don’t appreciate the putdown. They soon learn Connor’s identity and start plans for a gruesome revenge against Connor and his girlfriend, Niki.
“Jack’s Boys” has two elaborate action set pieces where Connor eventually encounters Jack’s Boys. But most of the book comprises the inner monologues or online chats of the various Boys. Readers never learn their real names or detailed information about them. However, the author reveals their twisted mental processes in great detail. Sometimes too much detail. The story shifts from one killer’s point of view to another to another, sometimes repeatedly in the same chapter. They reminisce about past killings, which differ in methodology and the choice of victims. However, the author covers only their planned attacks on Connor and his family in detail. Genre fans may develop a morbid fascination with seeing the various shadings of psychopathy that motivate the five individual killers and the warped group dynamic that has developed.
Readers who get further into “Jack’s Boys” will realize the killers are not trained assassins. They are just five outwardly normal-appearing men with a passion for murder who succeed because their intended victims don’t realize how twisted and dangerous they are until it’s too late. They have also learned to plan well and cover their tracks to avoid forensic detection. But while the killers lack special combat skills, at least one of their intended victims doesn’t. Connor has lived with his grandparents for years, ever since his parents died. His grandfather Ross is an ex-Marine with extensive combat experience in Vietnam and a sizable personal arsenal. Connor and Niki are both high school athletes in top physical condition. Their skill sets create suspense for readers about the outcome of their eventual showdown with the killers.
While the author devotes considerable time to exploring the psyche of the killers, he also gives readers insight into Connor, his grandparents, and Niki. They all have their own mental issues. Connor may have found the online location of Jack’s Special Place, but he and Niki still do some typically stupid teenage things later that land them in trouble. Ross is still dealing with trauma arising from his Vietnam service, while Connor hasn’t gotten over the death of his parents. Grandmother Kate is an emergency room nurse, and she encounters bloodshed and death daily. At first, I thought the discussions about Kate were superfluous to the main storyline, but the author brilliantly ties her into the action.
I’ve read many serial killer novels (including one by John Katzenbach) pitting serial killers against surprisingly resourceful would-be victims. But “Jack’s Boys” is the first book I’ve read that turns this cat-and-mouse game into a team sport. It’s the five Boys pitted against Connor’s family, with the outcome in doubt for much of the book. The author skillfully establishes the strengths and weaknesses of both “teams” to keep the action plausible within the confines of this genre. When the action starts, the book becomes incredibly suspenseful.
A 300-page version of “Jack’s Boys” would have been a superb thriller. However, this book is over 500 pages long, an incredible length for this type of story. Despite the author’s skill and extensive research into criminal psychology, the killers’ repeated inner monologues sometimes become tedious. The effect is like watching a documentary about an important football game in which the cameras spend more time covering every similar practice and training session during the week leading up to the game than the game itself.
Although “Jack’s Boys” could have benefitted from more judicious editing, the book has little, if any, poor material. Many of the insights into the Boys’ warped thought processes, such as their adoption of coded language in their chats (like calling all police “gestapo”), are creepily fascinating. In the book’s Acknowledgements, the author credits various psychiatrists he consulted during his research for the book. That effort was worthwhile; the Boys’ bizarre musings seemed authentic… and chilling. Even at its current length, “Jack’s Boys” is a superb suspense thriller. You wouldn’t want to meet any of Jack’s Boys, but you will want to curl up in bed with “Jack’s Boys” and the other colorful characters.
NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.
June 15, 2024
Award-winning author John Katzenbach has been creating top-rate thrillers for decades. In fact, three of his more popular works were turned into the hit films Just Cause, Hart’s War and The Mean Season. However, he may be a new find to more recent thriller readers. How great it is then that we are treated to what may be his ultimate novel yet --- JACK’S BOYS.
At over 600 pages, this weighty novel does not waste a spare word and will hold you in suspense and terror until the final page is turned. JACK’S BOY accomplishes another rare feat --- outside of maybe Hannibal Lecter, never before will readers find themselves possibly rooting for a serial killer or antagonist. In this novel, there are not one but five serial killers who operate under the moniker of Jack’s Boys.
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Easy have adopted common military names to protect their anonymity and are known only to each other. They meet regularly on a dark chat site called Jack’s Special Place, where they share their exploits and support each other in their individual hunts. Jack’s Boys are scattered across the country and occasionally partner up on special missions which they record for future analysis and enjoyment. In this story, they are seeking revenge against two pesky young people who not only infiltrate their site but also mock them.
Early on, we see a bored police officer somewhere in France horrified when he receives the photo of a mutilated corpse that had obviously been tortured. We soon learn that Jack’s Boys, in one of their more playful moments, secretly hacked into a random law enforcement site to show off one of their collection of trophies. Their name and site are named after the infamous Jack the Ripper who, like each of them, was never caught. Imagine their shock and later anger when an outsider hacks into one of their sessions on Jack’s Special Place!
Using the on-line name of Socgoal02, a high school student named Connor was searching the dark web for information on committing a murder. The only one who knows about this is his girlfriend, Niki. Connor’s mother was killed by a drunk driver and he has sought revenge against the perpetrator, who is already out of jail, ever since. He wants to make him pay. Connor lives with and was raised by his grandparents, Vietnam Veteran Ross and ICU Nurse Kate. While visiting Jack’s Special Place, Connor mocks all five of Jack’s Boys and behaves in a generally insufferable manner, making him and his girlfriend instant targets for their vengeance. I told you that you might root slightly for the Boys!
Jack’s Boys see themselves as modern killers, killers for the new millennium. As such, they combine their skillsets to easily track down Connor and Lexi and begin to plan their revenge. It is decided that Bravo will do the actual killing of the two teens, of course recorded live for the rest of the Boys to enjoy. Charlie really wanted to take down Lexi, as he is a teacher in real life who targets young girls. Easy just wants to be involved and is on-site in Massachusetts where Connor lives to introduce himself to the kill party.
The night of the planned attack comes and, unfortunately for the Boys, goes terribly wrong. Bravo breaks into Niki’s house where she and Connor were naked and alone, and subdues them. He plies Niki with a hard narcotic to knock her out and then plans to start on Connor. Unbeknownst to Bravo, Ross was sitting in his backyard, which is directly next door to Niki’s and watched a figure clad all in black sneak into the home. He shows up, fully armed, and takes down the unexpecting Bravo with three kill shots. Easy takes off before ever entering the fray and the Alpha, Delta and Charlie all jump out of their site and take it down to erase any trace to them.
When Easy returns to his motel, both the local police and FBI meet him --- not because of the attempted murders that almost happened but because he made the foolish mistake of paying for his motel stay with the credit card he still had in his wallet that belonged to a woman he had killed in Florida. Each of Jack’s Boys are well skilled at remaining anonymous, and Easy toys with his captors who are unable to trace his identity or find out his real name. Meanwhile, in one of the best bits in the novel, Alpha shows up to assist the public defender in Easy’s case and to assure he preserves the sanctity of their group. Easy does so by hanging himself in his sell after sending all of his captors on a wild goose chase to track down his lengthy list of kills.
The remainder of the novel is dedicated to the revenge plot of the three surviving members of Jack’s Boys --- Alpha, Charlie, and Delta --- who finally meet up together in person to plot out an airtight revenge plan to make the young wannabe killers Connor and Lexi pay. The attack will come on Christmas Eve and the event is so thrilling and suspenseful that it may be one of the best fight scenes I have ever read. JACK’S BOYS cries out for being made into a streaming series as the mix of classic serial killer lore, Jack the Ripper history, along with the modern use of the internet and social media makes this a can’t miss read and a book no one will ever forget. I can only hope that Katzenbach receives some much-deserved award consideration for what will easily be one of my favorite reads of 2024!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
At over 600 pages, this weighty novel does not waste a spare word and will hold you in suspense and terror until the final page is turned. JACK’S BOY accomplishes another rare feat --- outside of maybe Hannibal Lecter, never before will readers find themselves possibly rooting for a serial killer or antagonist. In this novel, there are not one but five serial killers who operate under the moniker of Jack’s Boys.
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Easy have adopted common military names to protect their anonymity and are known only to each other. They meet regularly on a dark chat site called Jack’s Special Place, where they share their exploits and support each other in their individual hunts. Jack’s Boys are scattered across the country and occasionally partner up on special missions which they record for future analysis and enjoyment. In this story, they are seeking revenge against two pesky young people who not only infiltrate their site but also mock them.
Early on, we see a bored police officer somewhere in France horrified when he receives the photo of a mutilated corpse that had obviously been tortured. We soon learn that Jack’s Boys, in one of their more playful moments, secretly hacked into a random law enforcement site to show off one of their collection of trophies. Their name and site are named after the infamous Jack the Ripper who, like each of them, was never caught. Imagine their shock and later anger when an outsider hacks into one of their sessions on Jack’s Special Place!
Using the on-line name of Socgoal02, a high school student named Connor was searching the dark web for information on committing a murder. The only one who knows about this is his girlfriend, Niki. Connor’s mother was killed by a drunk driver and he has sought revenge against the perpetrator, who is already out of jail, ever since. He wants to make him pay. Connor lives with and was raised by his grandparents, Vietnam Veteran Ross and ICU Nurse Kate. While visiting Jack’s Special Place, Connor mocks all five of Jack’s Boys and behaves in a generally insufferable manner, making him and his girlfriend instant targets for their vengeance. I told you that you might root slightly for the Boys!
Jack’s Boys see themselves as modern killers, killers for the new millennium. As such, they combine their skillsets to easily track down Connor and Lexi and begin to plan their revenge. It is decided that Bravo will do the actual killing of the two teens, of course recorded live for the rest of the Boys to enjoy. Charlie really wanted to take down Lexi, as he is a teacher in real life who targets young girls. Easy just wants to be involved and is on-site in Massachusetts where Connor lives to introduce himself to the kill party.
The night of the planned attack comes and, unfortunately for the Boys, goes terribly wrong. Bravo breaks into Niki’s house where she and Connor were naked and alone, and subdues them. He plies Niki with a hard narcotic to knock her out and then plans to start on Connor. Unbeknownst to Bravo, Ross was sitting in his backyard, which is directly next door to Niki’s and watched a figure clad all in black sneak into the home. He shows up, fully armed, and takes down the unexpecting Bravo with three kill shots. Easy takes off before ever entering the fray and the Alpha, Delta and Charlie all jump out of their site and take it down to erase any trace to them.
When Easy returns to his motel, both the local police and FBI meet him --- not because of the attempted murders that almost happened but because he made the foolish mistake of paying for his motel stay with the credit card he still had in his wallet that belonged to a woman he had killed in Florida. Each of Jack’s Boys are well skilled at remaining anonymous, and Easy toys with his captors who are unable to trace his identity or find out his real name. Meanwhile, in one of the best bits in the novel, Alpha shows up to assist the public defender in Easy’s case and to assure he preserves the sanctity of their group. Easy does so by hanging himself in his sell after sending all of his captors on a wild goose chase to track down his lengthy list of kills.
The remainder of the novel is dedicated to the revenge plot of the three surviving members of Jack’s Boys --- Alpha, Charlie, and Delta --- who finally meet up together in person to plot out an airtight revenge plan to make the young wannabe killers Connor and Lexi pay. The attack will come on Christmas Eve and the event is so thrilling and suspenseful that it may be one of the best fight scenes I have ever read. JACK’S BOYS cries out for being made into a streaming series as the mix of classic serial killer lore, Jack the Ripper history, along with the modern use of the internet and social media makes this a can’t miss read and a book no one will ever forget. I can only hope that Katzenbach receives some much-deserved award consideration for what will easily be one of my favorite reads of 2024!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
June 16, 2024
Award-winning author John Katzenbach has been producing top-rate thrillers for decades. In fact, three of his more popular works were turned into the hit films Just Cause, Hart’s War and The Mean Season. Now we are treated to what may be his most outstanding novel yet. At over 600 pages, JACK’S BOYS does not waste a spare word and will hold you in suspense and terror until the final page is turned.
Here we have not one but five serial killers who operate under the moniker Jack’s Boys. Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Easy have adopted common military names to protect their anonymity and are known only to each other. They meet regularly in a chat room called Jack’s Special Place, where they share their exploits and support each other in their individual hunts. Jack’s Boys are scattered across the country and occasionally partner up on special missions, which they record for future analysis and enjoyment.
Early on, we see a bored police officer somewhere in France horrified when he receives the photo of a mutilated corpse that obviously had been tortured. We soon learn that Jack’s Boys, in one of their more playful moments, secretly hacked into a random law enforcement site to show off one of their many trophies. The group is named after the infamous Jack the Ripper, who, like them, was never caught. So imagine their shock and subsequent anger when an outsider hacks into one of their sessions.
Using the online name socgoal02, a high school student named Connor searches the dark web for information on committing a murder. His mother was killed by a drunk driver, and he wants the perpetrator, who is already out of jail, to pay. Connor is being raised by his grandparents, a Vietnam vet and an ICU nurse. While visiting Jack’s Special Place, Connor mocks Jack’s Boys and behaves in a generally insufferable manner, making him and his girlfriend, Nikki, instant targets for their vengeance.
Jack’s Boys see themselves as killers for the new millennium. As such, they combine their skill sets to easily track down Connor and Nikki. It is decided that Bravo will do the actual killing of the two teens, which, of course, will be recorded live for the rest of the Boys to enjoy. Charlie really wants to take down Nikki as he is a teacher in real life who targets young girls. Easy just wants to be involved and is in Massachusetts where Connor lives to introduce himself to the kill party.
However, it all goes terribly wrong, and it isn’t long before Jack’s Boys loses two of its members. The other three reconvene in person and plan a Christmas Eve attack on Connor and Nikki, which is so thrilling and suspenseful that it may be one of the best fight scenes I have ever read.
JACK’S BOYS needs to be made into a streaming series. The mix of classic serial killer lore, Jack the Ripper history, and modern use of the internet and social media makes it a can’t-miss read that no one will ever forget. I can only hope that Katzenbach receives some much-deserved award consideration for what easily will be one of my favorite books of 2024.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
Here we have not one but five serial killers who operate under the moniker Jack’s Boys. Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Easy have adopted common military names to protect their anonymity and are known only to each other. They meet regularly in a chat room called Jack’s Special Place, where they share their exploits and support each other in their individual hunts. Jack’s Boys are scattered across the country and occasionally partner up on special missions, which they record for future analysis and enjoyment.
Early on, we see a bored police officer somewhere in France horrified when he receives the photo of a mutilated corpse that obviously had been tortured. We soon learn that Jack’s Boys, in one of their more playful moments, secretly hacked into a random law enforcement site to show off one of their many trophies. The group is named after the infamous Jack the Ripper, who, like them, was never caught. So imagine their shock and subsequent anger when an outsider hacks into one of their sessions.
Using the online name socgoal02, a high school student named Connor searches the dark web for information on committing a murder. His mother was killed by a drunk driver, and he wants the perpetrator, who is already out of jail, to pay. Connor is being raised by his grandparents, a Vietnam vet and an ICU nurse. While visiting Jack’s Special Place, Connor mocks Jack’s Boys and behaves in a generally insufferable manner, making him and his girlfriend, Nikki, instant targets for their vengeance.
Jack’s Boys see themselves as killers for the new millennium. As such, they combine their skill sets to easily track down Connor and Nikki. It is decided that Bravo will do the actual killing of the two teens, which, of course, will be recorded live for the rest of the Boys to enjoy. Charlie really wants to take down Nikki as he is a teacher in real life who targets young girls. Easy just wants to be involved and is in Massachusetts where Connor lives to introduce himself to the kill party.
However, it all goes terribly wrong, and it isn’t long before Jack’s Boys loses two of its members. The other three reconvene in person and plan a Christmas Eve attack on Connor and Nikki, which is so thrilling and suspenseful that it may be one of the best fight scenes I have ever read.
JACK’S BOYS needs to be made into a streaming series. The mix of classic serial killer lore, Jack the Ripper history, and modern use of the internet and social media makes it a can’t-miss read that no one will ever forget. I can only hope that Katzenbach receives some much-deserved award consideration for what easily will be one of my favorite books of 2024.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
May 11, 2024
Jack's Boys
by John Katzenbach is an enthralling and chilling thriller that delves into the intricate minds of five serial killers seeking revenge on a teenager who discovers their hidden sanctuary on the dark web.
At the heart of the story are Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Easy, five serial killers known only by their codenames and unique areas of expertise. These individuals have formed a secretive online community known as "Jack's Special Place," where they delight in sharing and discussing their crimes, emulating the notorious Jack the Ripper as their ultimate role model.
The psychological profiles of these killers are deeply unsettling, yet Katzenbach crafts them with a nuanced and insightful touch. The five antagonists exhibit a profound sense of arrogance and conceit, viewing themselves as superior to their victims and the authorities pursuing them. They find immense satisfaction in the chaos and confusion they sow, taking pleasure in taunting the police with cryptic clues and online boasts.
However, their false sense of invincibility shatters when their secure online location is hacked by two teenagers who are equally as fascinated by the dark web as they are. This chance encounter leads to rage and retaliation as Jack's Boys emerge from the shadows to seek revenge on the teenagers who mocked them. All five individuals collaborate to integrate themselves into the lives of Socgoal02 and his girlfriend, with each assigned a role that aligns with their skills and expertise. Alongside the teens are the boy's grandparents, an ICU nurse and a former college admissions counselor with a violent past, who must figure out how to confront and outsmart the killers to survive.
Katzenbach's exceptional storytelling and ability to craft chilling characters will appeal to anyone who enjoys suspense and psychologically thrilling novels. He skillfully presents diverse character perspectives, with a particular highlight on Jack's Boys, who are depicted without bias and with their own unremarkable lives outside of crime. Throughout the novel, Katzenbach seamlessly transitions between murder and civilian narratives, showcasing his mastery as a writer and his experience as a criminal court reporter.
I usually don't gravitate toward psychological thrillers, but I was pleasantly surprised by how captivating, intricate, and richly developed this book is. The author did a fantastic job bringing the characters and storyline to life, creating a sense of realism that makes it seem like the events could happen to anyone, anywhere. If you're looking for a book that will captivate you, keep you hooked, and leave you breathless as you eagerly turn the pages to find out who survives, I suggest reading Jack's Boys .
(Thank you, Blackstone Publishing, for entrusting me with the ARC of Jack's Boys!)
At the heart of the story are Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Easy, five serial killers known only by their codenames and unique areas of expertise. These individuals have formed a secretive online community known as "Jack's Special Place," where they delight in sharing and discussing their crimes, emulating the notorious Jack the Ripper as their ultimate role model.
The psychological profiles of these killers are deeply unsettling, yet Katzenbach crafts them with a nuanced and insightful touch. The five antagonists exhibit a profound sense of arrogance and conceit, viewing themselves as superior to their victims and the authorities pursuing them. They find immense satisfaction in the chaos and confusion they sow, taking pleasure in taunting the police with cryptic clues and online boasts.
However, their false sense of invincibility shatters when their secure online location is hacked by two teenagers who are equally as fascinated by the dark web as they are. This chance encounter leads to rage and retaliation as Jack's Boys emerge from the shadows to seek revenge on the teenagers who mocked them. All five individuals collaborate to integrate themselves into the lives of Socgoal02 and his girlfriend, with each assigned a role that aligns with their skills and expertise. Alongside the teens are the boy's grandparents, an ICU nurse and a former college admissions counselor with a violent past, who must figure out how to confront and outsmart the killers to survive.
Katzenbach's exceptional storytelling and ability to craft chilling characters will appeal to anyone who enjoys suspense and psychologically thrilling novels. He skillfully presents diverse character perspectives, with a particular highlight on Jack's Boys, who are depicted without bias and with their own unremarkable lives outside of crime. Throughout the novel, Katzenbach seamlessly transitions between murder and civilian narratives, showcasing his mastery as a writer and his experience as a criminal court reporter.
I usually don't gravitate toward psychological thrillers, but I was pleasantly surprised by how captivating, intricate, and richly developed this book is. The author did a fantastic job bringing the characters and storyline to life, creating a sense of realism that makes it seem like the events could happen to anyone, anywhere. If you're looking for a book that will captivate you, keep you hooked, and leave you breathless as you eagerly turn the pages to find out who survives, I suggest reading Jack's Boys .
(Thank you, Blackstone Publishing, for entrusting me with the ARC of Jack's Boys!)
May 29, 2024
Thanks to the Blackstone publishing and Netgalley for this exciting and captivating eARC.
In the shadowy corners of the dark web, where anonymity breeds malevolence, a clandestine group thrives. They are Jack’s Boys, five serial killers connected through encrypted channels, their twisted camaraderie fueled by a shared obsession with the infamous Jack the Ripper. In homage to their ultimate model, they convene in a secure chat room, taunting police worldwide with cryptic clues and gruesome boasts.
But their arrogance blinds them. When two unsuspecting teenagers stumble upon their digital lair, mocking their murderous exploits, the game takes a chilling turn. Revenge simmers, and the killers decide to teach the insolent teens a lesson—one that will echo with blood and terror.
Caught in this web of death are the teenage boy’s grandparents: an ICU nurse with her own hidden history of violence and an ex-Marine haunted by the ghosts of Vietnam. As the five killers emerge from the shadows, this unlikely alliance of young and old must find a way to expose them, defeat them, or face their own demise.
John Katzenbach weaves a gripping tale that transcends mere thriller conventions. His prose is a symphony of suspense, each note resonating with tension and intrigue. The characters are vividly drawn, their flaws and secrets adding depth to the narrative. The pacing is relentless, propelling the reader through a labyrinth of twists and revelations.
Katzenbach masterfully constructs a world where darkness seeps through the digital cracks, where killers and innocents collide, and where the past’s echoes reverberate into the present.
Jack’s Boys is a psychological exploration of obsession, morality, and the thin line between predator and prey.
Katzenbach’s prose is a blade that cuts through complacency, leaving readers breathless and questioning their own shadows.
This novel defies conventions, grips your psyche and refuses to let go, leading you to venture into the twisted realm of Jack’s Boys; beware—the darkness here is contagious, and once you step in, there’s no turning back.
This author is a master when it comes to crafting taut and captivating thrillers, and this book is a standout!
In the shadowy corners of the dark web, where anonymity breeds malevolence, a clandestine group thrives. They are Jack’s Boys, five serial killers connected through encrypted channels, their twisted camaraderie fueled by a shared obsession with the infamous Jack the Ripper. In homage to their ultimate model, they convene in a secure chat room, taunting police worldwide with cryptic clues and gruesome boasts.
But their arrogance blinds them. When two unsuspecting teenagers stumble upon their digital lair, mocking their murderous exploits, the game takes a chilling turn. Revenge simmers, and the killers decide to teach the insolent teens a lesson—one that will echo with blood and terror.
Caught in this web of death are the teenage boy’s grandparents: an ICU nurse with her own hidden history of violence and an ex-Marine haunted by the ghosts of Vietnam. As the five killers emerge from the shadows, this unlikely alliance of young and old must find a way to expose them, defeat them, or face their own demise.
John Katzenbach weaves a gripping tale that transcends mere thriller conventions. His prose is a symphony of suspense, each note resonating with tension and intrigue. The characters are vividly drawn, their flaws and secrets adding depth to the narrative. The pacing is relentless, propelling the reader through a labyrinth of twists and revelations.
Katzenbach masterfully constructs a world where darkness seeps through the digital cracks, where killers and innocents collide, and where the past’s echoes reverberate into the present.
Jack’s Boys is a psychological exploration of obsession, morality, and the thin line between predator and prey.
Katzenbach’s prose is a blade that cuts through complacency, leaving readers breathless and questioning their own shadows.
This novel defies conventions, grips your psyche and refuses to let go, leading you to venture into the twisted realm of Jack’s Boys; beware—the darkness here is contagious, and once you step in, there’s no turning back.
This author is a master when it comes to crafting taut and captivating thrillers, and this book is a standout!
July 14, 2024
Qué sopor. Pretende ser espectacular y lleno de acción y lo cierto es que ni lo uno ni lo otro. Además las escenas de acción quedan desmadejadas y hay cosas especialmente ridículas (ese iPad encontrado mágicamente al final). Es tan histriónico que ha habido momentos en que he pensado que al final se iba a descubrir que era todo un sueño febril de un crío.
Es una constante descripción de las motivaciones (por llamarlo de alguna manera) y los preparativos de cinco psicópatas que son bastante lerdos y poco previsores si tenemos en cuenta que fardan continuamente de su amplia y colorida experiencia asesinando.
El objeto de sus desvelos es una pareja de adolescentes que tiene menos personalidad que un lienzo en blanco. Es, de nuevo, una constante descripción de la sed de venganza de Connor y de si Niki sí o Niki no. NikiNikiNikiNiki, HelpNikiHelpNikiHelpNiki. Cansinos, aburridos, más tontos que una piedra, monotemáticos y monofásicos y que le dan al tema como experimentados adultos (16-17 años tienen). Debemos estar de su parte porque son estudiantes brillantes y estupendos deportistas. Vamos, hasta aquí siete personajes aburridos con ganas.
Los abuelos de Connor tienen más gancho pero son unidimensionales (salvo la vuelta una y otra vez al trauma de Ross, aunque sin añadir nada nuevo) y quedan demasiado en segundo plano. El segmento final de Ross es decepcionante y falto de emoción.
No sé si hay un mensaje a favor del control de armas y contra la Segunda enmienda, si hay una crítica al odio visceral en internet y si ha intentado indicar cómo ese odio puede tener consecuencias en la vida real gracias al fácil acceso a las armas. Si lo hay, ese mensaje se ha perdido entre tanto tedio.
He leído uno o dos libros de Katzenbach y me dejaron muy poca huella, debe ser que no es para mí y aquí me bajo.
Es una constante descripción de las motivaciones (por llamarlo de alguna manera) y los preparativos de cinco psicópatas que son bastante lerdos y poco previsores si tenemos en cuenta que fardan continuamente de su amplia y colorida experiencia asesinando.
El objeto de sus desvelos es una pareja de adolescentes que tiene menos personalidad que un lienzo en blanco. Es, de nuevo, una constante descripción de la sed de venganza de Connor y de si Niki sí o Niki no. NikiNikiNikiNiki, HelpNikiHelpNikiHelpNiki. Cansinos, aburridos, más tontos que una piedra, monotemáticos y monofásicos y que le dan al tema como experimentados adultos (16-17 años tienen). Debemos estar de su parte porque son estudiantes brillantes y estupendos deportistas. Vamos, hasta aquí siete personajes aburridos con ganas.
Los abuelos de Connor tienen más gancho pero son unidimensionales (salvo la vuelta una y otra vez al trauma de Ross, aunque sin añadir nada nuevo) y quedan demasiado en segundo plano. El segmento final de Ross es decepcionante y falto de emoción.
No sé si hay un mensaje a favor del control de armas y contra la Segunda enmienda, si hay una crítica al odio visceral en internet y si ha intentado indicar cómo ese odio puede tener consecuencias en la vida real gracias al fácil acceso a las armas. Si lo hay, ese mensaje se ha perdido entre tanto tedio.
He leído uno o dos libros de Katzenbach y me dejaron muy poca huella, debe ser que no es para mí y aquí me bajo.
August 14, 2024
[Snack-Size Review] Jack’s Boys, by John Katzenbach
Quick Bite: Alexa, play “21st Century Digital Boy”
What It’s About: While looking up murder on the Dark Web, high school senior Connor wanders into a secret chatroom. It’s called Jack’s Boys (for the infamous Ripper), and assuming that it’s full of angsty teenage edgelords, Connor spouts off a bunch of typical teenage insults & mockery. However, Jack’s Boys are actual, real serial killers, and now Connor and everyone close to him are their targets.
A Word From The Nerd: There are a lot of great things in this book. First off, the Dark Web is the biggest boogeyman in a lot of people’s minds right now, even though in my humble opinion, there are more FBI agents than actual criminals there. But I digress. There’s a finely woven interplay of tension and technology, with super believable characters. Mr. Katzenbach really shines, however, in the character of Ross, Connor’s grandfather & legal guardian. Ross is a Vietnam Vet, with a bone-deep understanding of the horror of war, whether it’s playing out in a jungle or cyberspace. I just wish there were a few less scenes of characters planning, and more of them actually doing. But you should definitely read this if you want something a little different and a lot of fun.
The Nerd’s Rating: FOUR HAPPY NEURONS (and some of Kate’s fresh-baked cookies.)
Quick Bite: Alexa, play “21st Century Digital Boy”
What It’s About: While looking up murder on the Dark Web, high school senior Connor wanders into a secret chatroom. It’s called Jack’s Boys (for the infamous Ripper), and assuming that it’s full of angsty teenage edgelords, Connor spouts off a bunch of typical teenage insults & mockery. However, Jack’s Boys are actual, real serial killers, and now Connor and everyone close to him are their targets.
A Word From The Nerd: There are a lot of great things in this book. First off, the Dark Web is the biggest boogeyman in a lot of people’s minds right now, even though in my humble opinion, there are more FBI agents than actual criminals there. But I digress. There’s a finely woven interplay of tension and technology, with super believable characters. Mr. Katzenbach really shines, however, in the character of Ross, Connor’s grandfather & legal guardian. Ross is a Vietnam Vet, with a bone-deep understanding of the horror of war, whether it’s playing out in a jungle or cyberspace. I just wish there were a few less scenes of characters planning, and more of them actually doing. But you should definitely read this if you want something a little different and a lot of fun.
The Nerd’s Rating: FOUR HAPPY NEURONS (and some of Kate’s fresh-baked cookies.)
May 31, 2024
Good to have John Katzenbach writing again after many years. He always provides unusual stories with strong plot lines.
I gave it the following SCORE:
Setting: Present day, with most of the action near Boston, Massachusetts
Characters: Connor and Niki, high school senior sweethearts, their interestingly diverse families, a range of police and detectives, and the five despicable Jack’s Boys.
Overview: There is a dark web chat room named Jack’s Special Place where five psychopaths have found each other and share stories of their conquests, in the mode of their idol, Jack the Ripper. Connor, for specific, tragic reasons of his own, stumbles into the chat room, makes the mistake of interacting with Jack’s Boys, and becomes the victim of their revenge. From there, the suspenseful story takes off in several directions with payback the continuing themes.
Recommendation: I rate this book 4 stars
Extras: This book is not for everyone since many of the scenes are very dark, but the plot is intriguing, and the characters stand up throughout the story. Longer than most novels of this type, the story is fast-paced and the pages fly by with anticipation of what’s next.
Thanx to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to provide this candid review
I gave it the following SCORE:
Setting: Present day, with most of the action near Boston, Massachusetts
Characters: Connor and Niki, high school senior sweethearts, their interestingly diverse families, a range of police and detectives, and the five despicable Jack’s Boys.
Overview: There is a dark web chat room named Jack’s Special Place where five psychopaths have found each other and share stories of their conquests, in the mode of their idol, Jack the Ripper. Connor, for specific, tragic reasons of his own, stumbles into the chat room, makes the mistake of interacting with Jack’s Boys, and becomes the victim of their revenge. From there, the suspenseful story takes off in several directions with payback the continuing themes.
Recommendation: I rate this book 4 stars
Extras: This book is not for everyone since many of the scenes are very dark, but the plot is intriguing, and the characters stand up throughout the story. Longer than most novels of this type, the story is fast-paced and the pages fly by with anticipation of what’s next.
Thanx to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to provide this candid review
June 27, 2024
I read through this one fast. In one day. Even though it is 530 pages!
First off, there was no need for the prologue. And it never came back into play. I was really hoping the board police officer was going to come into the storyline and save the day. It was never mentioned again.
Basically, there are a group of serial killers who have found each other on the dark web. Our young hero, Connor and his girlfriend Nikki accidentally come across it and insult them. This pisses them off enough that they want to kill the two.
In their first attempt to do so, Connor’s Vietnam vet grandpa kills one. The second one gets picked up by the police when using another of his victim’s credit card. That leaves three of them.
First, the killer start using the Internet to destroy the young couples’ lives. Grandpa knows it’s never going to end. He knows they’re going to come back to try and kill them. So he gets them ready to fight back.
The remaining three come on Christmas Eve. Grandpa gets killed. Two of the others are killed. The professor gets away.
The two young loves figure out who he is, goes to his office with the police on their way and give him the option of killing himself and having fame. He does.
First off, there was no need for the prologue. And it never came back into play. I was really hoping the board police officer was going to come into the storyline and save the day. It was never mentioned again.
Basically, there are a group of serial killers who have found each other on the dark web. Our young hero, Connor and his girlfriend Nikki accidentally come across it and insult them. This pisses them off enough that they want to kill the two.
In their first attempt to do so, Connor’s Vietnam vet grandpa kills one. The second one gets picked up by the police when using another of his victim’s credit card. That leaves three of them.
First, the killer start using the Internet to destroy the young couples’ lives. Grandpa knows it’s never going to end. He knows they’re going to come back to try and kill them. So he gets them ready to fight back.
The remaining three come on Christmas Eve. Grandpa gets killed. Two of the others are killed. The professor gets away.
The two young loves figure out who he is, goes to his office with the police on their way and give him the option of killing himself and having fame. He does.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
Jack’s Boys was my first thriller, and what an unforgettable introduction to the genre it was. This suspenseful, character-driven story had me completely hooked from start to finish.
Jack’s Boys—Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Easy—aren’t just names; they’re a psychological force. The way they operate is strategic, methodical, and disturbingly brilliant. Every move they make is layered with intention, and you can tell Katzenbach did his research. He doesn’t just create a chilling plot—he builds a world of minds in motion, both victims and perpetrators. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, trying to anticipate their next step.
Katzenbach’s writing pulled me in deeply. While the ending was satisfying in a traditional sense, I personally felt the characters didn’t fully reach the potential that had been building throughout the story. I wanted just a little more from those final moments. Still, that doesn’t take away from how gripping and masterfully written the rest of the novel was.
Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates psychological thrillers with intelligent villains and tight, suspenseful pacing.
Jack’s Boys—Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Easy—aren’t just names; they’re a psychological force. The way they operate is strategic, methodical, and disturbingly brilliant. Every move they make is layered with intention, and you can tell Katzenbach did his research. He doesn’t just create a chilling plot—he builds a world of minds in motion, both victims and perpetrators. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, trying to anticipate their next step.
Katzenbach’s writing pulled me in deeply. While the ending was satisfying in a traditional sense, I personally felt the characters didn’t fully reach the potential that had been building throughout the story. I wanted just a little more from those final moments. Still, that doesn’t take away from how gripping and masterfully written the rest of the novel was.
Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates psychological thrillers with intelligent villains and tight, suspenseful pacing.
August 28, 2024
3.5*, Unnecessarily long read over 600 pages. Good plot, but it's not realistic. I love the premise of a secret online society of killers who share their kills with each other, based on Jack the Ripper, however, their name was the only thing that was similar to the Ripper. The incompetence of the police and the non-existence of Crime reporters, CSI, or anyone else investigating the crimes that took place, make this highly unbelievable. The ignorance of Nikki's parents was inconceivable- no parent would just carry on business as usual and ignore their daughter was almost killed and being stalked. Also incredible was the fact that they knew something was going to take place, however, they completely left themselves vulnerable to the attacks on a holiday (It was obvious that the killers would choose this time of distraction). And last the utter disassembling of the killer's oath to keep themselves anonymous to themselves, not use the words kill or death which they all did at one point or another.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2024
Connor and his girlfriend Nikki are your typical teenagers spending time together...but maybe not quite. While looking on the dark web, finding out the best ways to kill, Connor stumbles on a secret forum that has 5 killers in it, calling themselves Jack's Boys. Connor doesn't know what to think but does what most kids of this day and age would do and belittles and makes fun of them. Jack's Boys take great offense and plan to teach him and all associated with him a lesson. Unfortunately for them, they don't quite know who they are dealing with. Connor's grandfather is a Vietnam veteran and his grandmother is an ICU nurse. What follows is a cat and mouse-like game with high stakes. It was an intriguing enough book and I liked learning about all the different killers and liked all the main characters. Gave only 4 stars because it just seems too unlikely that this all would happen, but overall enjoyed the book otherwise.
May 4, 2025
This book was shockingly good for me. The narrator really brought it to life. Not that I needed. It brought to life, but he did a great job.
This is about mainly about a group of psychopaths who band together online and name themselves after Jack the Ripper. They each have sociopathic tendencies and they all love killing
They have special methods of killing and they remained undercover for years. Every so often they slip out of hiding, remove some people from life and then go right back to hiding.
Couple of teenagers discovered them though and these teenagers actually take them out of the game. The book was very exciting during the period where they were hunting each other. It was even more exciting when they came in contact with each other
This is a very long book. It is worth every minute I invested in it. I hope those of you enjoy reading stuff like this. Also, find it. Interesting & intriguing and are glad that you chose it.
This is about mainly about a group of psychopaths who band together online and name themselves after Jack the Ripper. They each have sociopathic tendencies and they all love killing
They have special methods of killing and they remained undercover for years. Every so often they slip out of hiding, remove some people from life and then go right back to hiding.
Couple of teenagers discovered them though and these teenagers actually take them out of the game. The book was very exciting during the period where they were hunting each other. It was even more exciting when they came in contact with each other
This is a very long book. It is worth every minute I invested in it. I hope those of you enjoy reading stuff like this. Also, find it. Interesting & intriguing and are glad that you chose it.
June 16, 2024
John Katzenbach is one of those rare authors who always hits it out of the ballpark. Jack's Boys is every bit as compelling and original as What Comes Next, The Dead Student, Red 1-2-3 Hart's War and so many others.. Like a lot of his more recent novels, Jack's Boys is quite gruesome. I don't generally like gruesome because it's so often just bloody purple prose, but Katzenbach is spare, precise and terrifying with his.
He can create a cast of the most devious and horrible characters and make them not only believable, but sympathetic. There are no minor characters in this novel: each person is like a musician in an orchestra, with their own story arc and unforeseen ending. The reader has many aha moments, making the novel a perfect symphony of page-turning terror, vengeance, and comeuppance. #Netgalley #BlackstonePublishing 5/5 stars
He can create a cast of the most devious and horrible characters and make them not only believable, but sympathetic. There are no minor characters in this novel: each person is like a musician in an orchestra, with their own story arc and unforeseen ending. The reader has many aha moments, making the novel a perfect symphony of page-turning terror, vengeance, and comeuppance. #Netgalley #BlackstonePublishing 5/5 stars
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