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Letter 26
Psychological horror meets police procedural in this chilling tale about a rare quirk of the funeral industry.
When Abby Carlson’s job as a dietitian comes to mind now, it’s accompanied by a looming threat: the Minneapolis serial killer who's been targeting women based on the first letter of their jobs, and who’s ripe to pick a “D” victim. He follows his gruesome routine—preserving and posing the corpses per their professions, then posting his exploits on social media. But the threat is abstract in a city as big as Minneapolis...until Abby finds herself drugged in the back of a van, the latest potential viral hit.
In response to the kidnapping, Detective Cal Randall is called back early from mandated medical leave. Working with the FBI, he’s been on the trail of the "Profession Killer" since the start. Despite what’s become crippling anxiety he still has to work to control, there’s no choice about where he needs to be. A demented killer must be stopped, and Abby—the last of his remaining letters—must be saved.
When Abby Carlson’s job as a dietitian comes to mind now, it’s accompanied by a looming threat: the Minneapolis serial killer who's been targeting women based on the first letter of their jobs, and who’s ripe to pick a “D” victim. He follows his gruesome routine—preserving and posing the corpses per their professions, then posting his exploits on social media. But the threat is abstract in a city as big as Minneapolis...until Abby finds herself drugged in the back of a van, the latest potential viral hit.
In response to the kidnapping, Detective Cal Randall is called back early from mandated medical leave. Working with the FBI, he’s been on the trail of the "Profession Killer" since the start. Despite what’s become crippling anxiety he still has to work to control, there’s no choice about where he needs to be. A demented killer must be stopped, and Abby—the last of his remaining letters—must be saved.
364 pages, Paperback
Published December 17, 2024
21 people are currently reading
15855 people want to read
About the author
Jacob Moon
3 books158 followersJacob began reading voraciously as a teen, enjoying everything from Stephen King to Agatha Christie to 19th and 20th Century classics. Although he still enjoys many of those authors and books, his taste as an adult has evolved to include literary, historical nonfiction, and contemporary crime authors.
Jacob is also the published author of over thirty short stories, most notably a title that appeared in 'The Saturday Evening Post.' He self-published his three crime novels, all standalones. The most recent, 'Letter 26,' won the 2025 Maxy Award for Best Horror & Suspense Novel.
In his free time Jacob enjoys sports, traveling, and playing guitar. His work-in-progress is a memoir chronicling his many harrowing jail experiences.
Learn more at:
https://www.writerjake.com
https://www.instagram.com/writer_jake...
https://www.tiktok.com/@writer_jake_727
Jacob is also the published author of over thirty short stories, most notably a title that appeared in 'The Saturday Evening Post.' He self-published his three crime novels, all standalones. The most recent, 'Letter 26,' won the 2025 Maxy Award for Best Horror & Suspense Novel.
In his free time Jacob enjoys sports, traveling, and playing guitar. His work-in-progress is a memoir chronicling his many harrowing jail experiences.
Learn more at:
https://www.writerjake.com
https://www.instagram.com/writer_jake...
https://www.tiktok.com/@writer_jake_727
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 14, 2025
4.5/5 ★
WAIT, WHAT? 🤯 I was NOT prepared for that twist!
It’s best to go into this one somewhat blind, like I did. All you need to know is that Letter 26 follows a Minneapolis serial killer that is hunting women based on the first letter of their job title, aiming for one per letter of the alphabet with only two remaining. One of them is “D,” putting dietitian Abby Carlson in terrifying danger and Detective Cal Randall in a race against the clock.
This was a wild ride with a serial killer unlike any other character I have read before, with both their personality and what they were doing to their victims (it’s not what you’d guess). 😱
I was not expecting this to have as many perspectives and timelines as it did, which was a great surprise. The writing flowed perfectly, and I was intrigued the whole time. It felt like an episode of Criminal Minds in book form and included more horror themes than I expected as well.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but all I will say again is… THAT TWIST?!?! With how many mystery/thrillers I read, I thought it was impossible to shock me like that.
I am willing to suspend some disbelief after enjoying nearly everything else about this book.
This is not a full five stars because I would have enjoyed more mystery surrounding who the serial killer was before they were revealed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Jacob Moon for the review copy in exchange for my honest review.
WAIT, WHAT? 🤯 I was NOT prepared for that twist!
It’s best to go into this one somewhat blind, like I did. All you need to know is that Letter 26 follows a Minneapolis serial killer that is hunting women based on the first letter of their job title, aiming for one per letter of the alphabet with only two remaining. One of them is “D,” putting dietitian Abby Carlson in terrifying danger and Detective Cal Randall in a race against the clock.
This was a wild ride with a serial killer unlike any other character I have read before, with both their personality and what they were doing to their victims (it’s not what you’d guess). 😱
I was not expecting this to have as many perspectives and timelines as it did, which was a great surprise. The writing flowed perfectly, and I was intrigued the whole time. It felt like an episode of Criminal Minds in book form and included more horror themes than I expected as well.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but all I will say again is… THAT TWIST?!?! With how many mystery/thrillers I read, I thought it was impossible to shock me like that.
I am willing to suspend some disbelief after enjoying nearly everything else about this book.
This is not a full five stars because I would have enjoyed more mystery surrounding who the serial killer was before they were revealed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Jacob Moon for the review copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 1, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2
To suspend disbelief is to welcome naivety’s bliss. You’re going to need a lot of that while reading this book, and I think that’s ok.
I really enjoyed this overall. It was well written, finely paced, and interestingly plotted. The characters were drawn just vividly enough to allow for connection, and it was easy to root for/against them as the author intended. The horror will make even the most hardened fans bristle, the thriller aspect was sufficiently propulsive, and the police procedural through-line was believable.
But… there was a lot that had to be overlooked to enjoy this book. It felt like it took 24 murders for the cops to be like “ok, now it’s time to buckle down and get serious”… for example. And the ending, while shocking and certainly unexpected, was almost absurd enough to derail my involvement in the book. Almost.
Overall, this one was good and I look forward to more from this author. As long as you put some of your critical thinking on hold for this one, you will enjoy it like I did. I mean, isn’t that the beauty of fiction anyway?
To suspend disbelief is to welcome naivety’s bliss. You’re going to need a lot of that while reading this book, and I think that’s ok.
I really enjoyed this overall. It was well written, finely paced, and interestingly plotted. The characters were drawn just vividly enough to allow for connection, and it was easy to root for/against them as the author intended. The horror will make even the most hardened fans bristle, the thriller aspect was sufficiently propulsive, and the police procedural through-line was believable.
But… there was a lot that had to be overlooked to enjoy this book. It felt like it took 24 murders for the cops to be like “ok, now it’s time to buckle down and get serious”… for example. And the ending, while shocking and certainly unexpected, was almost absurd enough to derail my involvement in the book. Almost.
Overall, this one was good and I look forward to more from this author. As long as you put some of your critical thinking on hold for this one, you will enjoy it like I did. I mean, isn’t that the beauty of fiction anyway?
August 17, 2025
ARC for review. Published December 15, 2024.
4 stars
Enjoy serial killers thrillers? Then I hope you read this review (thanks, if you are.).
Every so often, when I’m on NetGalley checking out what is available I like to make sure I read a self-published or tiny, tiny press title, just to see if there are any gems out there amongst the dross (and I’ll be the first to say there’s some bad stuff out there.) This book, which I’m fairly sure is self-published by Moon, was a pleasant surprise as it is at least as good as anything I’ve read in the genre in while and looks to have (gasp!) actually been edited (which doesn’t always happen with all these books, sadly,) so if this is your thing, maybe consider giving a little guy some love and encouragement (the book has been out since December 2024.)
Abby Carlson is a dietitian (a word I always want to spell incorrectly) in Minneapolis. There’s a serial killer in the city and he’s targeting victims based on the first letter of their jobs. Only “D” and “V” are left, so why Abby isn’t cowering in her closet with a loaded gun pointed at the door is beyond me, but she isn’t, and she’s taken.
Detective Cal Randall returns from a mental health leave to retake his position on the “Profession Killer” task force and he and new partner Kelli Tan are leading the investigation for the MPD (the FBI is involved too, which was a relief. I’ve read too many books where there’s a serial killer out there and there’s one detective working the case, in that, obviously, that isn’t how law enforcement works. Can they find this fiend before it’s too late?
Now, don’t take this review to mean the book is perfect. It isn’t. Other than his backstory Cal is a bit of a cipher, we hardly learn about Kelli at all, and how in the world did this guy get to 24 dead before the cops think of the plan that helps to find him? But I was kept guessing til the end (the end? Well, I had a few questions about it.) and it’s very nicely done. The city of Minneapolis gets lots of love with tons of shout outs to significant locations. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and, again, like to see a less well known author do well, so if this sounds like your thing maybe give it a look?
4 stars
Enjoy serial killers thrillers? Then I hope you read this review (thanks, if you are.).
Every so often, when I’m on NetGalley checking out what is available I like to make sure I read a self-published or tiny, tiny press title, just to see if there are any gems out there amongst the dross (and I’ll be the first to say there’s some bad stuff out there.) This book, which I’m fairly sure is self-published by Moon, was a pleasant surprise as it is at least as good as anything I’ve read in the genre in while and looks to have (gasp!) actually been edited (which doesn’t always happen with all these books, sadly,) so if this is your thing, maybe consider giving a little guy some love and encouragement (the book has been out since December 2024.)
Abby Carlson is a dietitian (a word I always want to spell incorrectly) in Minneapolis. There’s a serial killer in the city and he’s targeting victims based on the first letter of their jobs. Only “D” and “V” are left, so why Abby isn’t cowering in her closet with a loaded gun pointed at the door is beyond me, but she isn’t, and she’s taken.
Detective Cal Randall returns from a mental health leave to retake his position on the “Profession Killer” task force and he and new partner Kelli Tan are leading the investigation for the MPD (the FBI is involved too, which was a relief. I’ve read too many books where there’s a serial killer out there and there’s one detective working the case, in that, obviously, that isn’t how law enforcement works. Can they find this fiend before it’s too late?
Now, don’t take this review to mean the book is perfect. It isn’t. Other than his backstory Cal is a bit of a cipher, we hardly learn about Kelli at all, and how in the world did this guy get to 24 dead before the cops think of the plan that helps to find him? But I was kept guessing til the end (the end? Well, I had a few questions about it.) and it’s very nicely done. The city of Minneapolis gets lots of love with tons of shout outs to significant locations. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and, again, like to see a less well known author do well, so if this sounds like your thing maybe give it a look?
August 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Listen… I wasn’t ready for that twist. I thought I was cruising through a gritty mystery, and then the story hit me like a late-night text from my ex: confusing, dramatic, and kind of brilliant. 😮📨🖤
I read this one fast—the pacing grabs you and doesn’t let go (kind of like the plot holes in my own life). The atmosphere was grim in the best way, and just when I thought I had it figured out? BAM. Plot twist that made me question everything—including my taste in fictional characters. 🕵️♂️🧠⚰️
Would I recommend? Absolutely. Just make sure you’re ready to yell “WHAT?!” into the void at 2 a.m. 🌒📖😵💫
📚 Huge thanks to NetGalley and Jacob Moon Publishing for the ARC of Letter 26 by Jacob Moon! The twist had me side-eyeing everyone in my life 😵💫📨
Listen… I wasn’t ready for that twist. I thought I was cruising through a gritty mystery, and then the story hit me like a late-night text from my ex: confusing, dramatic, and kind of brilliant. 😮📨🖤
I read this one fast—the pacing grabs you and doesn’t let go (kind of like the plot holes in my own life). The atmosphere was grim in the best way, and just when I thought I had it figured out? BAM. Plot twist that made me question everything—including my taste in fictional characters. 🕵️♂️🧠⚰️
Would I recommend? Absolutely. Just make sure you’re ready to yell “WHAT?!” into the void at 2 a.m. 🌒📖😵💫
📚 Huge thanks to NetGalley and Jacob Moon Publishing for the ARC of Letter 26 by Jacob Moon! The twist had me side-eyeing everyone in my life 😵💫📨
July 29, 2025
Letter 26 by Jacob Moon is a great read.
The writing is flows well and is engaging.
The cover art is eye catching and intriguing.
The story is well paced, with a suspenseful plot and well developed characters. The twists are unexpected, adding a thrilling layer to the narrative.
Overall, a compelling read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kacob Moon for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The writing is flows well and is engaging.
The cover art is eye catching and intriguing.
The story is well paced, with a suspenseful plot and well developed characters. The twists are unexpected, adding a thrilling layer to the narrative.
Overall, a compelling read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kacob Moon for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 19, 2025
I have yet to be anything less than delighted by Jacob Moon's books - the thrill ride just never disappoints. Though this one is a little darker than his previous novels, I enjoyed it just as much. Moon seems to have an affinity for putting in little details that you focus on, convinced that they are the final clue that will result in you figuring out the ending before it arrives...but they never do. I will not give specific examples as it would have the potential to spoil the experience for someone who might read this review before the book, but I applaud your writing talents.
August 29, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I came into this one looking for a thriller that pulled out all the stops, and I wasn’t let down. This follows the line of a serial killer who collects women based on their careers, and the police investigation tailing them.
The characters don’t feel as well-developed as they could be, but at the same time, it’s a police procedural, so I kind of understand why. It’s the action that matters in these kinds of books as opposed to anything else, and that’s definitely what we get.
I understand why the rape scenes were featured, but I do feel like they went a bit too hard in some places and pushed the envelope too much. There was no need for some of them to be as violent as they were, and they felt a little out of place on that basis.
I think the twists were solid, if not totally unexpected, and that made for a very middle of the road read for me. It’s definitely well worth it if you’re after a Silence Of The Lambs esque endeavour- so give it a go!
I came into this one looking for a thriller that pulled out all the stops, and I wasn’t let down. This follows the line of a serial killer who collects women based on their careers, and the police investigation tailing them.
The characters don’t feel as well-developed as they could be, but at the same time, it’s a police procedural, so I kind of understand why. It’s the action that matters in these kinds of books as opposed to anything else, and that’s definitely what we get.
I understand why the rape scenes were featured, but I do feel like they went a bit too hard in some places and pushed the envelope too much. There was no need for some of them to be as violent as they were, and they felt a little out of place on that basis.
I think the twists were solid, if not totally unexpected, and that made for a very middle of the road read for me. It’s definitely well worth it if you’re after a Silence Of The Lambs esque endeavour- so give it a go!
December 30, 2025
The Profession Killer angle was horrifying and intriguing.
I wish more time had been spent pre abduction and building more dread. Post abduction, was seriously eerie, but a bit repetitive with Abby and PK.
Personally, I didn’t like the detectives. I could tell the author did put a lot of work into making sure the police work, embalming process, etc were accurate. However, police procedurals can get boring for me in general (I want more thrills and to see what’s happening instead of being told), so this didn’t work for me here either.
Definitely some up and downs in terms of action and surprises, the plateaus between were what did me in and made me lose interest in the outcomes for these characters.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for a copy!
I wish more time had been spent pre abduction and building more dread. Post abduction, was seriously eerie, but a bit repetitive with Abby and PK.
Personally, I didn’t like the detectives. I could tell the author did put a lot of work into making sure the police work, embalming process, etc were accurate. However, police procedurals can get boring for me in general (I want more thrills and to see what’s happening instead of being told), so this didn’t work for me here either.
Definitely some up and downs in terms of action and surprises, the plateaus between were what did me in and made me lose interest in the outcomes for these characters.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for a copy!
October 12, 2025
This book completely pulled me in from the start. The suspense never let up, and the characters felt layered and authentic. I especially loved the detective’s storyline. His PTSD added so much depth and fit perfectly with the darker themes and the other characters’ traumatic pasts.
The writing flows effortlessly and keeps you engaged the whole way through. The pacing is spot on, the twists caught me off guard, and the cover instantly grabs your attention. Overall, it’s a gripping, well written thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end.
The writing flows effortlessly and keeps you engaged the whole way through. The pacing is spot on, the twists caught me off guard, and the cover instantly grabs your attention. Overall, it’s a gripping, well written thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end.
September 1, 2025
Very dark and graphic. The audiobook is very well narrated.
This is unapologetically fast paced, often at the price of coming across as illogical. I found this book quite uneven. It swings between the emotionally gutting memories of child abuse and the absurdity of extreme conveniences.
Overall, not convincing in the least but captivating nevertheless.
This is unapologetically fast paced, often at the price of coming across as illogical. I found this book quite uneven. It swings between the emotionally gutting memories of child abuse and the absurdity of extreme conveniences.
Overall, not convincing in the least but captivating nevertheless.
December 28, 2024
Thank you to author Jacob Moon for this free copy of Letter 26.
My personally signed copy arrived in two days! Very nice.
A long ago friends father ran a business with the home/funeral home combo as depicted in Letter 26. Lots of interesting stories there. But here, we're taken to a whole new level. As serial killer, killing young females, using their profession to match against each of the 26 letters of our alphabet, then embalming them with a special brew in order to pose them in their chosen profession. Living with the killer is an twin brother, who unfortunately gets carried along with his mad brothers destruction. He is powerless to stop his brother and finds he just wants him to finish the task, and so helps protect him along the way because the twins are close. Very close.
Well written with just a handful or so of edit issues. The characters are pretty good and the story moves along at an even pace. A nice, clean cover/jacket that helps set the mood for what's inside. A good read.
My personally signed copy arrived in two days! Very nice.
A long ago friends father ran a business with the home/funeral home combo as depicted in Letter 26. Lots of interesting stories there. But here, we're taken to a whole new level. As serial killer, killing young females, using their profession to match against each of the 26 letters of our alphabet, then embalming them with a special brew in order to pose them in their chosen profession. Living with the killer is an twin brother, who unfortunately gets carried along with his mad brothers destruction. He is powerless to stop his brother and finds he just wants him to finish the task, and so helps protect him along the way because the twins are close. Very close.
Well written with just a handful or so of edit issues. The characters are pretty good and the story moves along at an even pace. A nice, clean cover/jacket that helps set the mood for what's inside. A good read.
April 28, 2025
I listened to this book in a day and can not wait to read Dead Reckoning, also by Jacob Moon. I met the author at a book festival this weekend and bought the paperback of Dead Reckoning, Moon sent Letter 26 on Spotify as an extra perk.
I am so very impressed with Moon's writing! I would have thought I was reading David Baldacci or Harlan Coben! Moon needs to be picked up by a major publisher. His work is that good. I've read many small, local authors, some self-published some with small publishing companies, none compare to his work. Moon is truly talented! I look forward to reading EVERYTHING he puts out there, and when he makes it big, I've got my autographed copy of Dead Reckoning!
Also, the narrator for Letter 26, Mark Garkusha, was fantastic! I'll look for more books he's narrated as well!
I am so very impressed with Moon's writing! I would have thought I was reading David Baldacci or Harlan Coben! Moon needs to be picked up by a major publisher. His work is that good. I've read many small, local authors, some self-published some with small publishing companies, none compare to his work. Moon is truly talented! I look forward to reading EVERYTHING he puts out there, and when he makes it big, I've got my autographed copy of Dead Reckoning!
Also, the narrator for Letter 26, Mark Garkusha, was fantastic! I'll look for more books he's narrated as well!
November 16, 2025
Never in my life have I read read a book with such an intriguing premise that has gone from a solid 3-4 star read to a 1 star in the span of minutes, but here we are.
Because I genuinely enjoyed this story right up until the ending, I want to start with what worked; along with a few neutral points. The concept of a “Profession Killer” was absolutely fascinating. The way he managed to blend in, abduct women from different places, and avoid getting caught for months on end (not to mention the way he was able to preserve them) was chilling in the best way. Added to that, his scenes with Abby were especially unnerving, adding a heavy dose of tension and that creeping sense of hopelessness. I mean, when the man who has abducted you not only shows you his "other girls" but interacts with them as though they are still living, breathing women instead of corpses? You really get the sense that Abby is going to join them, sooner rather than later.
While the police scenes occasionally bordered on tedious, I imagine real police work often feels the same; slow, frustrating, and full of dead ends (especially when there’s a life hanging in the balance). In that regard, I do wish we’d seen more of the full case. A bit more depth there would have made their frustration feel more genuine instead of leaving them somewhat one-dimensional. I should probably add that it didn't help that Detective Randall had some weird compulsion to tie his shoes (even when it wasn't needed). At first it is explained that it somehow happened when his ex-partner died (which caused him to end up on leave before the story starts), but later on we are told it happened because he was learning how to drive a car and he hit a deer (at low speeds) and somehow this low speed collusion killed his cousin (who was teaching him to drive), but it might have been avoided if "his laces didn't get caught in the accelerator"
... I'm sorry what?
It also didn't help that his new "partner" had only been assigned to the team for a week or so. Yes, she pulled her own weight, but I never felt like I got to know her either.
Now, I had clocked who the twins were almost immediately, but that isn't what caused the sudden drop in my rating. What caused the drop was how the book ended.
You see, when I began reading this book, I didn't realize that "extreme embalming" and/or "themed funerals" were a thing. And while that particular rabbit hole is one I'm not sure I'll ever recover from, I'm flabbergasted that the author didn't do the same amount of research into what came next.
First with the "big reveal" that is not only a cheap cop out, but also completely implausible (seriously a quick google search will tell you that that sort of thing is actually impossible). But the book was still sitting at a solid 2.5 stars for me because again, everything leading up to that had been enjoyable. But then we had that epilogue, and what do you mean this is how it ends after everything? It was insulting both to the fictional victims AND to the reader.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Because I genuinely enjoyed this story right up until the ending, I want to start with what worked; along with a few neutral points. The concept of a “Profession Killer” was absolutely fascinating. The way he managed to blend in, abduct women from different places, and avoid getting caught for months on end (not to mention the way he was able to preserve them) was chilling in the best way. Added to that, his scenes with Abby were especially unnerving, adding a heavy dose of tension and that creeping sense of hopelessness. I mean, when the man who has abducted you not only shows you his "other girls" but interacts with them as though they are still living, breathing women instead of corpses? You really get the sense that Abby is going to join them, sooner rather than later.
While the police scenes occasionally bordered on tedious, I imagine real police work often feels the same; slow, frustrating, and full of dead ends (especially when there’s a life hanging in the balance). In that regard, I do wish we’d seen more of the full case. A bit more depth there would have made their frustration feel more genuine instead of leaving them somewhat one-dimensional. I should probably add that it didn't help that Detective Randall had some weird compulsion to tie his shoes (even when it wasn't needed). At first it is explained that it somehow happened when his ex-partner died (which caused him to end up on leave before the story starts), but later on we are told it happened because he was learning how to drive a car and he hit a deer (at low speeds) and somehow this low speed collusion killed his cousin (who was teaching him to drive), but it might have been avoided if "his laces didn't get caught in the accelerator"
... I'm sorry what?
It also didn't help that his new "partner" had only been assigned to the team for a week or so. Yes, she pulled her own weight, but I never felt like I got to know her either.
Now, I had clocked who the twins were almost immediately, but that isn't what caused the sudden drop in my rating. What caused the drop was how the book ended.
You see, when I began reading this book, I didn't realize that "extreme embalming" and/or "themed funerals" were a thing. And while that particular rabbit hole is one I'm not sure I'll ever recover from, I'm flabbergasted that the author didn't do the same amount of research into what came next.
First with the "big reveal" that is not only a cheap cop out, but also completely implausible (seriously a quick google search will tell you that that sort of thing is actually impossible). But the book was still sitting at a solid 2.5 stars for me because again, everything leading up to that had been enjoyable. But then we had that epilogue, and what do you mean this is how it ends after everything? It was insulting both to the fictional victims AND to the reader.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
November 14, 2025
Cal Randall and his new partner are on the tracks of the infamous "PK" - "Profession Killer" - who is after women all over Minneapolis, slowly working his way through the alphabet with their profession's first letters. Abby is a dietitian, at the beginning still joking about being in a boring profession, one that easily gets overlooked - until she's not.
This book was okay - it had good parts and parts that left you questioning why they were necessary (I get it, Abby experienced abuse as a child, I didn't need it on page, especially since it honestly didn't add much, it was just.. There) or how they're possible (without giving anything away - where did all that money come from?). It's a thriller, so gore is to be expected and it's there, what Abby gets to see.. I don't envy her for it.
The plot is alright - there's tension, there's that rush you'd want with a police procedural, there's the connections to all of the different characters, the mystery.. I like how the element of stress was woven into the story, police needs to solve the case quickly because the consequences would mean one more funeral and you really do feel the pressure. I was a little disappointed in the ending though; not the epilogue, but that final action scene. Everything got set up for a grand finale and it barely got any mentions at all, I guess here I would've liked a little bit more of that gore we previously got a lot of. Then there's the epilogue and heh.. What can I say. I appreciate that little final kick but that other scene felt like it needed work and made the whole thing fall a little flat.
The writing is great. Straight up, nothing to add, it's just easy to read, the story is easy to follow, the sentences flow so well, you can't just sit down and read a few pages, no you're going for an hour. And you won't even notice it. This is something very important for me in a book and it was done so well here, I'm actually interested in checking out the author's other works; with those writing skills they can only be great reads!
There's multiple point of views in this book and they're all done so well that it's easy to differentiate between who is who - you don't get an intro telling you who you're with now, no, it's just a few sentences and you see what's going on and how it can only be this person or another. Very well done, especially since the different views are interesting here - you get the best effect out of the respective viewpoint and that way it kind of adds to the story without for example some scenes being overly gore-y.
Overall, an okay read, I had a good time, I felt the action at the end, the rush, the stress on all sides, but there's things that could have been fleshed out better.
Thank you Jacob Moon and NetGalley for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book was okay - it had good parts and parts that left you questioning why they were necessary (I get it, Abby experienced abuse as a child, I didn't need it on page, especially since it honestly didn't add much, it was just.. There) or how they're possible (without giving anything away - where did all that money come from?). It's a thriller, so gore is to be expected and it's there, what Abby gets to see.. I don't envy her for it.
The plot is alright - there's tension, there's that rush you'd want with a police procedural, there's the connections to all of the different characters, the mystery.. I like how the element of stress was woven into the story, police needs to solve the case quickly because the consequences would mean one more funeral and you really do feel the pressure. I was a little disappointed in the ending though; not the epilogue, but that final action scene. Everything got set up for a grand finale and it barely got any mentions at all, I guess here I would've liked a little bit more of that gore we previously got a lot of. Then there's the epilogue and heh.. What can I say. I appreciate that little final kick but that other scene felt like it needed work and made the whole thing fall a little flat.
The writing is great. Straight up, nothing to add, it's just easy to read, the story is easy to follow, the sentences flow so well, you can't just sit down and read a few pages, no you're going for an hour. And you won't even notice it. This is something very important for me in a book and it was done so well here, I'm actually interested in checking out the author's other works; with those writing skills they can only be great reads!
There's multiple point of views in this book and they're all done so well that it's easy to differentiate between who is who - you don't get an intro telling you who you're with now, no, it's just a few sentences and you see what's going on and how it can only be this person or another. Very well done, especially since the different views are interesting here - you get the best effect out of the respective viewpoint and that way it kind of adds to the story without for example some scenes being overly gore-y.
Overall, an okay read, I had a good time, I felt the action at the end, the rush, the stress on all sides, but there's things that could have been fleshed out better.
Thank you Jacob Moon and NetGalley for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
December 14, 2025
Massive thank you to NetGalley, Jacon Moon and the publisher for this reading opportunity.
I enjoyed this. Based on vibes, I knew from very early on this was going to be an intriguing read and I was correct. I personally think it could have been more shock impacting, to not have mentioned that PK (profession killer) was preserving the victims, based on the fact I forgot he was doing that, and it felt like i got hit by a curve ball.
The pacing felt a little inconsistent to me. The beginning was good, then the pacing slowed down in the middle for a bit, then picked back up around when PK found "V". In saying that, it didn't affect the progression or appeal of the story.
The ending was intense. A race against time. I had honestly thought that PK was going to have completed his mission and that the FBI, detectives were too late, waiting for all the legalities to be approved.
The detective investigation and the mortuary process was quite detailed and thorough. I appreciate the time and effort Jason had in researching and reaching out to pick the brains of those in the work fields mentioned in this book.
This isn't quick a full 5 stars read but it doesn't feel right putting it as 4 stars.
Side note: the scene about the coin flip and the probability of winning, was fascinating. Such a short little scene but quite informative and impactful, to me.
#netgalley
I enjoyed this. Based on vibes, I knew from very early on this was going to be an intriguing read and I was correct. I personally think it could have been more shock impacting, to not have mentioned that PK (profession killer) was preserving the victims, based on the fact I forgot he was doing that, and it felt like i got hit by a curve ball.
The pacing felt a little inconsistent to me. The beginning was good, then the pacing slowed down in the middle for a bit, then picked back up around when PK found "V". In saying that, it didn't affect the progression or appeal of the story.
The ending was intense. A race against time. I had honestly thought that PK was going to have completed his mission and that the FBI, detectives were too late, waiting for all the legalities to be approved.
The detective investigation and the mortuary process was quite detailed and thorough. I appreciate the time and effort Jason had in researching and reaching out to pick the brains of those in the work fields mentioned in this book.
This isn't quick a full 5 stars read but it doesn't feel right putting it as 4 stars.
Side note: the scene about the coin flip and the probability of winning, was fascinating. Such a short little scene but quite informative and impactful, to me.
#netgalley
December 15, 2025
Happy publication day to Letter 26!
The Profession Killer—PK for short—kidnaps women based off their jobs, kills them, then poses them for pictures he posts online. He's working to complete the alphabet, and when we join the case, he's down to his last two letters.
I can tell a lot of love and research went into this novel. The gruesome embalming scenes that made me wince were detailed, and the police procedures were arduous and in depth. There were false leads, dead ends, and every step felt like one an actual task force would take in the event of a killer.
Now let's talk about that twist. I applaud the author for writing something like that. The hints and foreshadowing are there, so when the reveal happens, everything does make sense, and nothing comes out of nowhere. It was a unique discovery, and I don't think anyone has ever done it before. I, personally, had a hard time wrapping my head around the logistics, but it really was a fun twist.
Letter 26 is a thrilling, grueling adventure for fans of police procedurals, killers that might make you squeamish, and twists you will never—and I mean never—see coming.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy of Letter 26. All opinions are my own.
The Profession Killer—PK for short—kidnaps women based off their jobs, kills them, then poses them for pictures he posts online. He's working to complete the alphabet, and when we join the case, he's down to his last two letters.
I can tell a lot of love and research went into this novel. The gruesome embalming scenes that made me wince were detailed, and the police procedures were arduous and in depth. There were false leads, dead ends, and every step felt like one an actual task force would take in the event of a killer.
Now let's talk about that twist. I applaud the author for writing something like that. The hints and foreshadowing are there, so when the reveal happens, everything does make sense, and nothing comes out of nowhere. It was a unique discovery, and I don't think anyone has ever done it before. I, personally, had a hard time wrapping my head around the logistics, but it really was a fun twist.
Letter 26 is a thrilling, grueling adventure for fans of police procedurals, killers that might make you squeamish, and twists you will never—and I mean never—see coming.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy of Letter 26. All opinions are my own.
November 30, 2025
Letter 26 by Jacob Moon
No spoilers in my review, only what I thought about the book.
This is a thriller/horror/suspense book.
What’s it about: It’s about a serial killer that is taking women by their professions, and he’s completing the alphabet A-Z with their professions.
What I thought: I loved it! I was impressed with the book. It had many unexpected turns of events, and then the ending has me still thinking about it. I had a feeling of one of the characters being involved, but it changed nothing on me being surprised since there was so much more coming. When I got to the biggest shocks of the book, I actually had to sit the book down and think about everything I’d read with the new information I acquired. I’m telling you this book is so good! Jacob Moon did an outstanding job with his writing of this book. He was very detailed. Sometimes horror books are way out there, but this one was believable and almost frightening.
Rating: I give this book 5 stars easily. If he ever puts out another thriller, I’ll be buying it!
I was given this book to read in exchange for an honest review.
No spoilers in my review, only what I thought about the book.
This is a thriller/horror/suspense book.
What’s it about: It’s about a serial killer that is taking women by their professions, and he’s completing the alphabet A-Z with their professions.
What I thought: I loved it! I was impressed with the book. It had many unexpected turns of events, and then the ending has me still thinking about it. I had a feeling of one of the characters being involved, but it changed nothing on me being surprised since there was so much more coming. When I got to the biggest shocks of the book, I actually had to sit the book down and think about everything I’d read with the new information I acquired. I’m telling you this book is so good! Jacob Moon did an outstanding job with his writing of this book. He was very detailed. Sometimes horror books are way out there, but this one was believable and almost frightening.
Rating: I give this book 5 stars easily. If he ever puts out another thriller, I’ll be buying it!
I was given this book to read in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2025
That ENDING 🤯
Letter 26 by Jacob Moon was one of my favourite thrillers I’ve read this year. Moon should, without a doubt, be traditionally published or at the very least way more hyped as an author.
I had visceral reactions reading this book, it was horrifying, captivating, original, and exceptionally written.
A killer has been abducting and killing women in the city for 7 months. He abducts each girl based on the first letter of her profession, directly from her place of work. And it seems that he will not stop until he has killed one for every letter of the alphabet (hence the book’s title).
We follow multiple POVs in this book. Abby, a dietician, who is abducted by PK. PK himself, and Randall, the detective assigned to the case.
The Abby and PK chapters had me on the edge of my seat, jaw dropping at the vividly horrifying description of PK’s modus operandi.
The Randall chapters were captivating as we followed him trying to track down PK, who is seemingly a ghost.
We have some great twists and turns along the way. And an ending that will leave your jaw on the floor!
It is rare for me to genuinely care about characters in a thriller novel, but I think the author did such a great job with character development. I was so invested in each character, rooting for some, hating others, frustrated with their circumstances.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book, do yourself a favour and pick it up.
Thanks to Jacob Moon and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Letter 26 by Jacob Moon was one of my favourite thrillers I’ve read this year. Moon should, without a doubt, be traditionally published or at the very least way more hyped as an author.
I had visceral reactions reading this book, it was horrifying, captivating, original, and exceptionally written.
A killer has been abducting and killing women in the city for 7 months. He abducts each girl based on the first letter of her profession, directly from her place of work. And it seems that he will not stop until he has killed one for every letter of the alphabet (hence the book’s title).
We follow multiple POVs in this book. Abby, a dietician, who is abducted by PK. PK himself, and Randall, the detective assigned to the case.
The Abby and PK chapters had me on the edge of my seat, jaw dropping at the vividly horrifying description of PK’s modus operandi.
The Randall chapters were captivating as we followed him trying to track down PK, who is seemingly a ghost.
We have some great twists and turns along the way. And an ending that will leave your jaw on the floor!
It is rare for me to genuinely care about characters in a thriller novel, but I think the author did such a great job with character development. I was so invested in each character, rooting for some, hating others, frustrated with their circumstances.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book, do yourself a favour and pick it up.
Thanks to Jacob Moon and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2025
NetGalley review: Letter 26 by Jacob Moon. This was great! Think Silence of the Lambs Buffalo Bill x The Butterfly Garden x more than one American Horror story crossover. This book follows the investigation into a serial kidnapper/k!ller known as PK, the Profession Killer, who targets women based on what they do for a living, one woman for each letter of the alphabet. You don’t want to know what then happens with the bodies 😅🫣😆 (only because it’s a spoiler!) I think less is more with this book so I’d go in blind. Sounds abit bonkers?? It is, but in an entertaining way. I absolutely ripped through this, it really was quite unique. You get an insight into the childhood trauma that created a k!ller, and see through the eyes of one of the last victims.
Thankyou to Jacob Moon and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
3.5/5
Thankyou to Jacob Moon and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
3.5/5
October 7, 2025
In this phycological thriller we follow the case that they call the Pk case, In which women all over town are getting kidnapped. All of thier jobs are forming the entire alphabet s for stripper or R for rapper, When the last letters needed to complete the alphabet of women is D and V detectives are on the hunt for the killer. Abby a dietitian finds herself kidnapped and held with a strange guy with a dark past. All the while detectives are looking for the killer and Abby.
This was such a phenomenal book. It was full of suspense throughout, The characters were really interesting and well thought out, The detective and his backstory was one of the more interesting takes on the whole book, him and his Ptsd fit really well in the story, Along with all of the other characters and their childhood trauma. This was a really fun and engaging story!
This was such a phenomenal book. It was full of suspense throughout, The characters were really interesting and well thought out, The detective and his backstory was one of the more interesting takes on the whole book, him and his Ptsd fit really well in the story, Along with all of the other characters and their childhood trauma. This was a really fun and engaging story!
October 24, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Jacob Moon for the advanced reader copy of Letter 26!
Letter 26 is a gripping, cat-and-mouse detective thriller with a chillingly original premise and an unforgettable serial killer. I devoured this book; it played out like a high-stakes episode of Criminal Minds in my head. The attention to detail in the police procedure felt authentic, and the twist at the end completely blindsided me in the best way.
While I was left with a few lingering questions I wish had been explored further, the tight pacing, sharp writing, and relentless suspense more than made up for it. I genuinely hope Moon turns this into a series. I’d love to see Detectives Randall and Tan tackle their next case.
Letter 26 is a gripping, cat-and-mouse detective thriller with a chillingly original premise and an unforgettable serial killer. I devoured this book; it played out like a high-stakes episode of Criminal Minds in my head. The attention to detail in the police procedure felt authentic, and the twist at the end completely blindsided me in the best way.
While I was left with a few lingering questions I wish had been explored further, the tight pacing, sharp writing, and relentless suspense more than made up for it. I genuinely hope Moon turns this into a series. I’d love to see Detectives Randall and Tan tackle their next case.
August 21, 2025
I have read a lot of serial killer books, watched TV shows and movies and could honestly say it is not possible to shock me anymore. That is until I read this book. What in the name of all that is holy! Wow! I did not see that coming - the enormity of the crime, the horror, the gore and that twist.
It is well written. It is a well paced story with a suspenseful plot and the characters are well fleshed out.
This is supposed to be a police procedural book so I have one question. Would it take 24 murders for the police to go all gung-ho on the killer? Especially when said murders happen in the same city within a 7-month period.
It is well written. It is a well paced story with a suspenseful plot and the characters are well fleshed out.
This is supposed to be a police procedural book so I have one question. Would it take 24 murders for the police to go all gung-ho on the killer? Especially when said murders happen in the same city within a 7-month period.
Read
August 29, 2025I cannot recommend this read enough! A serial killer is murdering women based on their job title and the alphabet. However, he may have met his match with Abby. I loved everything about this character. She is witty with a dash of naivety.
There are a lot of time lines and transitions in this book, but all were easy to follow and really tied everything up. I gave this book 4 solid stars based on some parts feeling a little to "fiction" and I felt like the killer needed a little more personality and depth. It left me wanting to know more about him.
⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for the eArc. ⭐️
There are a lot of time lines and transitions in this book, but all were easy to follow and really tied everything up. I gave this book 4 solid stars based on some parts feeling a little to "fiction" and I felt like the killer needed a little more personality and depth. It left me wanting to know more about him.
⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for the eArc. ⭐️
September 12, 2025
received as a NetGalley arc in exchange for an honest review
Letter 26 is a suspenseful and twisty thriller with lots of promise. The strongest aspect of the story are the parallels drawn between the killer and the primary victim. Each experienced horrible childhoods but developed along diverging paths.
The story reads like a police procedural with its descriptions of the characters. Unfortunately, this is extended to their actions, so they feel somewhat flat.
I did find the language choices the author made interesting. Phrases like "blue jeans" and those used for the motivations of female characters felt a bit 90s-dad to me, despite the modern setting.
Letter 26 is a suspenseful and twisty thriller with lots of promise. The strongest aspect of the story are the parallels drawn between the killer and the primary victim. Each experienced horrible childhoods but developed along diverging paths.
The story reads like a police procedural with its descriptions of the characters. Unfortunately, this is extended to their actions, so they feel somewhat flat.
I did find the language choices the author made interesting. Phrases like "blue jeans" and those used for the motivations of female characters felt a bit 90s-dad to me, despite the modern setting.
January 2, 2025
3.5ish
Received as part of a goodreads giveaway
I really liked and felt the book was probably going to be a 4 star, which is shocking since this kind of thriller/horror isn’t normally my vibe, but it was super fast paced and interesting. i just did not like the plot twist ending at all and did not feel like it fully made sense in tandem with other stuff that had happened.
but it was mostly a fun time!
Received as part of a goodreads giveaway
I really liked and felt the book was probably going to be a 4 star, which is shocking since this kind of thriller/horror isn’t normally my vibe, but it was super fast paced and interesting. i just did not like the plot twist ending at all and did not feel like it fully made sense in tandem with other stuff that had happened.
but it was mostly a fun time!
August 5, 2025
This book was much more horror than psychological thriller. It was quite gruesome and I found it quite shocking and had I known how much so, I would have passed on it. It was a very well written book and had wonderfully developed characters, storyline and the strangest ending I certainly wasn't expecting. If you're into horror and shocking I absolutely recommend this book, you'll greatly enjoy it.
October 20, 2025
Break-neck speed and all the twists and turns any seasoned thriller fan could hope for! It’s been a long time since I’ve read a thriller that I couldn’t figure out before the final act, but this one had me stumped and the final reveal was a doozy! Dark, gruesome, and tense storytelling keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Fans of SA Cosby, Thomas Harris, or Adrian McKinty won’t be disappointed!
Special thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Special thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 6, 2025
Here we follow a serial killer that hurts women based on the first letter of their job title and wants to complete each letter of the alphabet. What a story I absolutely loved this storyline, this book had a crazy twist that I did not have any idea was coming. Suspense, tension. Loved the multiple perspectives and timelines. I read this book so fast and shouted what!! A many a time lol
First book from this author and what a brilliant one to kick it off
Loved it
First book from this author and what a brilliant one to kick it off
Loved it
December 3, 2025
This was definitely an interesting read, although a little bit too long. I loved the concept of the book, taking the women and posing them. I even learned more about funerals than I ever care to know. The twist at the end was unexpected, but not completely. All in all, great imagination. First time I've read this author, but not the last.
Thanks to Net Galley and the author for an advanced copy for an honest review.
Thanks to Net Galley and the author for an advanced copy for an honest review.
December 17, 2025
Police procedural meets horror and psychological horror... umm yes please.
I enjoyed this one. The story is very enjoyable and the Author does a good job weaving a good story which I kept wanting to find out where it was going to end up. Non spoiler... makes sure you read to completion for the win. :)
I enjoyed this one. The story is very enjoyable and the Author does a good job weaving a good story which I kept wanting to find out where it was going to end up. Non spoiler... makes sure you read to completion for the win. :)
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