Y2K is the last thing these passengers should fear!New Year’s Eve, 1999.
Grunge band, Slasher, is headlining a sold-out Bermuda cruise to celebrate the turn of the millennium. The guest list is stacked with rich and famous partygoers from all walks of life eagerly waiting for the clock to strike midnight. Will the New Year arrive, or will the Y2K computer glitch stop the clocks and leave the ship dead in the water?
What the passengers don’t know is that a greater threat lurks aboard the ship, one that stalks the unwary and moves in the darkness. A secret has been following Slasher from venue to venue, leaving a trail of mysterious fatalities in its wake.
Convinced the deaths surrounding the band are more than just bad luck, Supernatural Slayer Bella Morris—accompanied by the ghost of an ’80s rock star—joins the cruise, intent on discovering the truth about Slasher.
Having faced a childhood filled with horrors, Bella is confident she can crack this case. But she’s never encountered a monster like this before.
She’s about to discover that some nightmares are more real than even she ever imagined.
Although working as a baker for many years, writing has been a passion for Chris for some time, starting in high school and reigniting again in 2006, when he first got the inspiration to begin writing 'The Man In Black.' After completing that project eight years later, he took part in NaNoWriMo in November 2014, culminating into a project named 5PM. Deciding to self-publish, 5PM came out in February 2015, and then The Man In Black in August. 2016 saw the release of 7PM, and in that same year, his writing path met with that of Canadian author Kate Reedwood. A mutual respect of each other's work ignited an interest in working together, creating the Legacy Hunter series, the first of which to come out in July 2017. Apart from writing, Chris enjoys travelling, reading, watching movies and all things geeky. He resides in Coffs Harbour with his wife and three children. Chris will be at Nexus Con on July 29 celebrating the release of the first book in his Legacy Hunter series.
Omg!!!!! I give this twenty stars!!! I could not put it down. This was exciting from page one to the last page. I loved the horror, the plot, the characters and the tad bit of a love story. This book has everything. I even added it to my favorites shelf. I can not wait for the next one. This is going to be an amazing series. This is the first book I read by Chris Heinick and Kate Reedwood Definitely won’t be the last and I already bought the mall priest trilogy. This is definitely a must read! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Slasher Cruise is the first book in the new Supernatural Slayers series by cowriters Chris Heinicke and Kate Reedwood, and what a fantastic start! Although it’s a new series, it features some familiar characters from their Mall Priest series and there may be a surprise reveal before the end! Having said that, I think you could easily pick up this series without having read Mall Priest.
Little Bella Morris is all grown up, and along with the spirit of former rock star, Ricky Gibson, is now hunting demons and other nasty paranormal creatures. It’s 1999 and they are headed out in a cruise of the Bermuda Triangle to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Bella and Ricky are in search of a killer who seems to be following Slasher, the band performing on the cruise, and leaving bodies behind after each performance.
From the very first page the authors draw you into the action and it feels like the action never stops. I didn’t start Slasher Cruise until nearly bedtime, and if I hadn’t been fighting to keep my eyes open, I would have finished it in one sitting.
This was such a fun read, with lots of action, a bit of nostalgia, and a mix of new and familiar characters, it was just what I needed to help get me out of my reading slump.
I am not fan of hardcore horror, so if you’re like me, I think you’ll still enjoy Slasher Cruise. The authors have also stated that if you aren’t a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan you may not like it, but I loved it and I’m ambivalent about Buffy, so I think you can enjoy Slasher Cruise regardless.
If you’re looking for a mysterious, fun, nostalgic, suspenseful, action packed horror then pick this one up!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Slasher Cruise, is the first book in The Supernatural Slayer series by Kate Redwood and I must admit I felt at a disadvantage and found it hard to get into the story. For one thing immediately she starts talking to this ghost who is a 80s rockstar there’s a grunge band playing The New Year’s Eve cruise where they’ll celebrate the millennial with a concert by the band slasher. belladonna gets wrapped up and trying to solve murders. I found the way she spoke to Ricky the ghost was odd and I just felt as if I was missing so much of the story only to learn that yes I should’ve read a previous trilogy by the author. I really was looking forward to reading this book I do want to say once it got into all the missing and murdered people and her investigating Found the groove to flow and really enjoyed that part and it had a great ending I just felt as I said not to beat a dead horse, but that I was missing key elements to the story. I do want to say I did like her relationship with Ricky I thought the supernatural elements were great the elements were even better I just feel as if I missed out on something and didn’t know what. #NotGalli, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #KateReedBoard,#SlasherCruise,
Even better, its a ship full of the rich and famous, in this economy? Lets get to slashing.
I cannot express how much I really loved this book, it was everything I love in a messed up murder party, kick ass Bella, Slayer of bad things, and a freaking GHOST BFF and a band with secrets, that might be enough to destroy them and everyone else.
Did I mention that the cruise is heading towards one of my all time favorite weird things to be obsessed with ?
BERMUDA TRIANGLE
Add in the huge Buffy vibes, and this cruise is rocketing towards some hell destination that no one may survive, unless Bella and Ricky can figure this murder mystery out real quick.
I need more of this world and Bella and Ricky stat.
Ahoy, mateys! Reedwood and Heinicke has launched their best work to date with this work; if you're looking for a thrill ride that'll have you clutching your life preserver (or your book, same thing), then "Slasher Cruise" is your ticket to titillating terror! Heinicke and Reedwood have whipped up a nautical nightmare that's equal parts sexy and spectacular. Bella and Ricky are back, and they're bringing the supernatural smackdown to the high seas. Forget shuffleboard and midnight buffets, this cruise is all about chasing killers and dodging demons while rocking out to Slasher's killer tunes. Seriously, who needs sunshine and relaxation when you can have a ghostly rock star and a badass demon hunter solving mysteries?
For fans of the Mall Priest series, Bella and Ricky’s relationship is expanded on and deepened to new levels I didn’t realize I needed! Jumping ahead over a decade from Mall Priest 3, we meet the two in a much different and adult time for Bella and a whole new mix of emotions, and personal growth for them both. The action scenes are vivid, horror scenes have enough blood to appease those wanting that, vicious humor throughout, and some equal parts heartfelt human emotion and the *ahem* physical explorations of those emotions. Added in is a true mystery for Bella & Ricky to solve for the menace behind the mayhem.
The mix of characters is a fun mix of 1990's architypes with two new primary side characters found on the high seas, Vanessa and Savannah, two of which I hope to have expanded roles in the larger Mall Priest universe. Speaking of that, an eye-popping cameo is not to be missed!
This book is like a delicious cocktail of 1999 era nostalgia, suspense, and just the right amount of "oh-my-gosh-what-was-that?" moments. The authors have perfectly blended action and humor, making it impossible to put down. Even if you're not a die-hard horror fan, you'll be hooked. It's like Buffy went on a cruise, but with way more rock 'n' roll. So, grab your sea legs, prepare for some seriously fun scares, and dive into "Slasher Cruise."
"Slasher Cruise" strikes the right balance, making it an enjoyable read for a wide audience. So, grab your sea legs and get ready for a wild, supernatural voyage—you won't be disappointed! No prior Mall Priest reading required to enjoy this.
*Disclaimer I acted as a beta reader for this work and it was my sincere pleasure to assist in some tiny way in getting this out to the world
Slasher Cruise is the latest release from my favorite duo, Kate Reedwood and Chris Heinicke of Mall Priest fame! Kate and Chris were part of my entry into the horror world. I found the first Mall Priest book on the review site BookSirens, and the rest is history! I would recommend reading the Mall Priest trilogy before Slasher Cruise if you can, as there are some spoilers for the series in this one but you can still easily enjoy Slasher Cruise as your first entry into the world. This book picks up with Bella Morris, now an adult, working as a slayer (if that sounds Buffy-esque, you’re on the right track!) and her ghosty bestie tracking down the band Slasher. A series of deaths follows the band, and the supernatural is expected, even though no pattern is apparent. Between Bella’s sensitivities and Ricky being able to snoop undetected (because ya know, ghost!) the two should have an easy case. BUT, that’s not true at all. An ambush leads to a cruise where Slasher is playing, ushering in the new millennium and the Y2K bug. What happens next is anything short of relaxing. Slasher Cruise is a departure from Kate and Chris’s previous works.Set in the 90s, its chock full of references to the time period and culture, and yes, Buffy! It's darker and sexier, which makes sense as the book progresses. I loved the references to their earlier series, and to some not-so famous friends (IYKYK). I might be biased, but the badass reporter character just might be my new favorite. As always, the art is fantastic! The cover, the interior illustrations (if you got the special limited edition hardback), and the swag! It’s all top-notch. Trust me, you’ll hear a random squeal from the universe when my package arrives! Slasher Cruise releases April 11th! The ebook pre-order is up and on sale, along with the Mall priesty trilogy omnibus and It Came From the Pumpkin Patch! You can also order a gorgeous limited edition hardback with special illustrations and swag, and they also have Slasher Cruise t-shirts! Definitely give this book a chance, word on the cruiseliner is this is the start to a new series
Slasher Cruise (Supernatural Slayers #1) by Kate Reedwood is an intriguing supernatural mystery novel that blends elements of horror and suspense aboard a luxurious cruise ship setting.
The book follows Supernatural Slayer Bella Morris as she investigates a series of mysterious deaths that seem to be connected to the headlining grunge band Slasher during their sold-out millennium cruise to Bermuda. Accompanied by the ghost of a deceased '80s rock star, Bella must unravel the dark secrets lurking behind Slasher's string of fatalities at previous venues, convinced there is more than mere coincidence and bad luck at play.
Reedwood crafts a whodunit against the backdrop of a star-studded passenger list eagerly celebrating the turn of the millennium, oblivious to the supernatural dangers that may be lurking in their midst.
Readers who are unfamiliar with the author's previous work, particularly The Mall Priest trilogy, may find themselves at a slight disadvantage when it comes to fully appreciating the nuances of the supernatural elements and character backstories.
Despite this minor drawback, Slasher Cruise manages to deliver a suspenseful and entertaining read that will likely appeal to fans of both mystery and horror genres, as well as those with an affinity for the grunge music era.
When Killer Queen Bella joins a cruise ship with the band Slasher, she's looking for more than just sun, relaxation and good times. She's looking for the reason why, behind every Slasher concert, a trail of bodies follow. Is it just bad luck, or it is it something more supernatural?
I've read the Mall Priest book one and It Came from the Pumpkin Patch, so I was familiar with some characters, but had chunks of time/events missing between this book and the author's previous work. However, this didn't detract at all from the story and, if anything, made me want to go back and read this missing books. They did a good job talking about past events and characters in a way that summed it up nicely without being so in-depth it would detract from people who had read the previous stories.
The story itself was in turns comedic and dark. At the midpoint, I had no idea what was going to happen and I love that in a horror book! The ending was fun and descriptive. I loved the 90s references sprinkled throughout.
Thank you to the authors for an eARC of the story! This did not influence my opinion in any way.
An amazing start to a new series, Chris Heinicke and Kate Reedwood deliver a story that is steeped in mystery, sexual tension and fantastic characters that combine to do what it sets out to do, please Buffy fans everywhere.
The story follows Bella, a character who was just a child in the Mall Priest series, now all grown up and performing her duties as a slayer. Her and her ghostly sidekick Ricky are trying to find out who is behind the killings that trail the rock band Slasher wherever they go and their investigation leads them onto the Slasher Cruise that departs a few days before the turn of the millennium. Here, the investigation ramps up and the mystery deepens. Will they solve the mystery of who is behind the killings before they run out of time? You'll have to read to find out.
Bella and Rick are both fantastic characters and their relationship is complex and definitely unconventional but it delivers both of them growth as the story progresses. They encounter a cast of many other quirky and unforgettable characters, some of which I hope to see popup in the other books in the series.
The story is a joy, the mystery suitably creepy, the action is on point and the character relationships executed to perfection, not to mention the skilful writing and the spot on pacing. What else can I say but get this book now!
When you start your book with the dedication of "For all the Buffy fans everywhere"...you know this book is for you.
𝙁*𝙘𝙠𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩
That's what you're gonna say when you finish this book, it's that good. It also features heavily with our golden girl, Bella. I absolutely love her attitude.
Filled with loads of pop culture references, and 90s references, you won't be ashamed to fall in love with the past on this one.
Bella is a slayer and has been following a rock band onto a cruise to figure out who has been unaliving people at their concerts. Along with her ghost, Ricky Gibson, who has been with her for ten years, they have to uncover the truth before it's too late.
This book is filled with hilarious banter, amazing writing that pulls you into the scenes and makes you not want to put your book down. I absolutely loved the weaving of mythology into modern day mindsets too.
Although not my normal sort of book, Slasher Cruise drew me in with its eye-catching cover and never let me go. Within its pages is a whirlwind of intense horror, intriguing characters, a mysterious monster, and even some romance. Bella Morris and her ghost partner Ricky are tasked with investigating a series of unexplained deaths following the grunge band Slasher. This job takes them onto a cruise, where the band will be playing their final shows of the tour. From the moment they step on board, they begin experiencing terrifying events that get worse with each hour that passes. Bella and Ricky find new, unlikely allies in their hunt to discover whatever is causing this madness. But will this be enough to stop the evil spreading through the ship?
Although I never read the Mall Priest series, I thoroughly enjoyed book number one in the Supernatural Slayers series by Chris Heinicke and Kate Reedwood. The writing was smooth, flowed nicely, and created an amazingly horror-filled atmosphere that gave me goosebumps. I will definitely be reading the next in the series! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Man, do I love Bella! She has got to be the coolest demon slayer ever! I feel that if we were to meet in real life; I would want to be her friend. Why, you ask? First, she can see and talk to ghosts! Second, she took down a demon! And third, she knows what she wants in life and is ready to do whatever she has to do to get it. Plus, she is really kind to people, even the ones who may not deserve kindness. But lookout if you cross her or in this book touch her without consent. Even her love life is; shall we say, wild and crazy. Ricky knows he is a lucky ghost and protects Bella even if that means he has to go against what she wants. I thought the authors did the story justice by having the creature they chose as the villain. There are not many stories about this creature that delve so deep into the mythology of the character. I have always wanted to go on a cruise and now; I will have this book in the back of my mind should I look into a cruise for a vacation. There is a hint about where this story is headed and I cannot wait!
I saw the note that if you're a fan of Buffy, you'll love this, and boy is that true. This really does feel like a love letter to the Buffyverse, keeping with all the good and tossing out the bad (and, let's be real, there was a lot of bad). Bella is an amazing character that I look forward to reading more about, as is Ricky. Their relationship is a tragic one, of course, but they make due with their lot the best they can, and I'm rooting for them. This is actually a sequel series to a set called 'Mall Priest,' which I'm now off to go read as well. It was a little confusing at first to realize this was a sequel series when things were referenced like I *should* know them, but the story itself was easy to follow. The cruise from hell was absolutely wild to read about, and I'm dying to read more in this universe now.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First off, don’t read this unless you’ve read the Mall Priest trilogy. I did not realize they were connected and started to read it when I realized it was technically part of the series. These take place much later than the Mall Priest book as our main character is an adult now, when she was a child in the previous books. But you really need to know the backstory to understand and appreciate the book. It was definitely different than the first series, but I enjoyed it. There is a lot of death, so be prepared for that. Not overly graphic, but still horror, so keep that in mind if you’re not a fan of horror. I’m extremely curious to read the next book. Threes a lot of room for growth and change for both main characters and I’d like to see them do so. I think this could be a really good series once completed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Well, I SMASHED through those last chapters. Another of Kate's and Chris's books where I dreaded the moment I'd need to put it down and return to reality. The story builds at a great pace, until all Hell breaks loose - pun intended - and there was me hiding from the world so I could finish it. I am all in for the Supernatural Slayers series. I won't even need to read the blurbs or know the plot, they'll be a straight up must buy for me. I loved the evolution of Bella's character and her relationship with Ricky. And what I loved more is that the story surprised me. I like to make little predictions as I read, and I'm always happy to be proven wrong and have curve balls thrown my way. Thank you for another amazing read Chris and Kate, and I'll be there on your fan pages nagging you for the next lol
Uncanny and strange to move on from The Mall Priest series where Bella was a shy, traumatised twelve year old, that was just descovering her powers and how to use them, to meet Killer Queen, Bella's new and improved version, a young slasher, set to get the world clear of evil entities. Forever at her side is Ricky Gibson, the rock superstar who also was a main character in the Mall Priest Series. These two have such a strong and powerful relationship, that tests the limits of time, space and even ......, that's for you to discover by reading Slasher Cruise. I can't wait to see what's next.
Loved this, simply loved it. I didn't know that this book had characters were in other books before I read it, and honestly it didn't matter, it has made me want to read the other books they appear in though.
It reminded me of 90's horror movies, a good fun romp, that moves fairly quickly and builds in intensity to one hell of an ending!!
100% for anyone who grew up watching Scooby Doo, then progressed to Buffy, very glad I had chance to read this!
I got a copy of this from BookSirens, and this is my honest review
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was utterly ridiculous in the best way possible. A variety of supernatural beings with an eclectic mix of humans all on a cruise ship together celebrating NYE 1999? What could possibly go wrong?
Chris Heinicke & Kathryn Sherwood wove a super fun read that included humor, terror and much more.
I was a little skeptical that this book idea would work prior to reading it, but now I can't wait for the second in the series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Yup, exactly what k would expect if Buffy ever went on a cruise. Set in the same universe as Mall Priest and It Came from the Pumpkin Patch, Bella Morris is charged with investigated a metal band that death seems to follow. This IS a standalone, you don’t necessarily need to read the others BUT, if you don’t want spoilers to Mall priest I would say hold off till you are done that trilogy. I’m liking the universe this is set it and definitely want to do a deep dive into it!
Special thanks to the authors for a digital advanced copy!
Bella Morris (Mall Priest) is all grown up and wondering why people are dying around the band Slasher. Their next tour stop takes them on a cruise with a bunch of the rich and famous. I absolutely could not put this book down. Part love, story part supernatural horror, and a whole lot of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one. If you're a fan of Buffy definitely pick this up.
Bella Morris has grown up since the events in her past. Now, she hunts supernatural creatures. Bella has a ghostly companion at her side who helps her. Her new assignment takes her on a cruise looking for a killer. People are disappearing. Bella is seeing things no one else does. Will they survive the cruise? Fast-paced amazing characters. Edge of your seat read.
I was never interested in going on a cruise, but I for sure will definitely NOT be going on one now. Heinicke and reedwoods writing blends so seamlessly. Was great to see Ricky and bella again. Just the right amount of gore. I can definitely see the buffy inspiration. Overall loved! Cannot wait for more in the series
I was incredibly excited by the concept of the novel. In practice, it did not disappoint. It was an overall very solid first entry to a promising series. However, it did seem more like an advertisement for The Mall Priest series, as opposed to its own thing.
I understand that the story had to have sexual elements because of what it is. Though, it did seem to toe the line of being straight porn at times. I am looking forward to what happens next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
They had me at the dedication: to Buffy fans everywhere
The book has mystery, intrigue, suspense, and spice. A supernatural mystery horror novel takes place aboard a luxurious cruise ship. Bella a total bad ass vampire slayer she investigates a series of mysterious deaths, that seem to be connected to the headlining grunge band Slasher & Ricky her ghostly partner a 80’s rockstar.
Received an ARC of this and OH MY GOD I love these charaters. Life got in my way a bit and took me a bit longer to read. But damn I am so glad I finished. I love everything this team write together and I will continue to read all tht they put out together.
I was split in two with this book i was reading for a while and kept thinking im missing something somewhere it was then i looked to find this is a follow on from another series The Mall Priest so it was in the back of my mind as I continued to read i now need to go back and read that trilogy!! Once i got my head round it this book was a hit of nostalgia i was a huge Buffy fan back in the day ( i feel so old) and this was a hit of that old slayer action im a bit unsure of the ghost/slayer relationship it all felt a bit strange but overall i now need to know more. The story was interesting ive never come across a creature in this form before. Worth a read!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Demon hunters, ghostly rock-stars, and deadly good vibes. Slasher Cruise is a nostalgia-soaked thrill ride set aboard a cruise ship on New Years Eve 1999. This book is packed with supernatural chills, slasher kills, dark humor, and nonstop fun. I really loved this!
Loved it! Just spent the last few hours reading it. The book gave me the 1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes. Looking forward to the next novel. Thank you for the opportunity to read an Advanced Readers Copy. These thoughts are my own and given freely.