What do you think?
Rate this book
The Campfire Murders #1
The Sharp County Slasher
If you like Dexter, you'll love this! In the quiet backwoods of Sharp County, retired detective Hilrey Higgins has spent years burying his past—both as a lawman and as something far darker. But when a new killer emerges, mimicking the gruesome precision of his own long-buried crimes, Hilrey is forced back into the game.
Partnered with sharp-eyed Detective Dakota Diaz, a big-city cop with no patience for small-town secrets, Hilrey must walk a razor-thin line between catching the copycat and keeping his own sins hidden. As the bodies pile up and suspicion mounts, Hilrey faces a chilling reality—someone out there knows exactly who he used to be.
And they want him to play again. Can you figure it out?
Partnered with sharp-eyed Detective Dakota Diaz, a big-city cop with no patience for small-town secrets, Hilrey must walk a razor-thin line between catching the copycat and keeping his own sins hidden. As the bodies pile up and suspicion mounts, Hilrey faces a chilling reality—someone out there knows exactly who he used to be.
And they want him to play again. Can you figure it out?
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2025
26 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Alman
6 books3 followersI love to read (Thanks, Mom!). I've also always loved to write, though it originated as a scientific-minded approach. Through some odd turn of events, I ended up writing a novel to get my students to read (teaching is my second career). It helped to have them as the characters :).
Now, I write for my wife. She likes crime-based... anything really.
Hopefully, you also like.
Please, leave me a comment or message or however this thing works. I'd love to hear from you.
Or join the mailing list if you just want some updates :) It's posted below.
https://andrewalman.kit.com/81875deb57
Now, I write for my wife. She likes crime-based... anything really.
Hopefully, you also like.
Please, leave me a comment or message or however this thing works. I'd love to hear from you.
Or join the mailing list if you just want some updates :) It's posted below.
https://andrewalman.kit.com/81875deb57
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 23, 2025
Dark, disturbing, mysterious, and intriguing. The Sharp County Slasher is a book where a retired detective, Hilrey Higgins, is also a retired serial killer. What!?! Yes! Hilrey has been called in to help investigate a copycat killer who is mimicking Hilrey's kills with precision! Detective Dakota Diaz has also been called in to investigate and she and Hilrey must work together to catch a killer.
A killer hunting a killer...So the synopsis pretty much tells a lot about the book but.... there is more, much more which is not mentioned. This book is less than 200 pages, and I easily read this book in one day. It wasn't as gripping as I had hoped but the mystery was enough to keep me invested. I will say that this book is not for the faint of heart or the squeamish. This is the first book in what is going to be a series.
The book goes in dark places while the investigators try to shed light on whodunit. This book started strong and lost me a little in the middle and redeemed itself a little with the ending. Overall, this was a solid 3 star read. It was intriguing enough that I would read the next in the series to see where the author takes the characters.
#TheSharpCountySlasher #NetGalley
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
A killer hunting a killer...So the synopsis pretty much tells a lot about the book but.... there is more, much more which is not mentioned. This book is less than 200 pages, and I easily read this book in one day. It wasn't as gripping as I had hoped but the mystery was enough to keep me invested. I will say that this book is not for the faint of heart or the squeamish. This is the first book in what is going to be a series.
The book goes in dark places while the investigators try to shed light on whodunit. This book started strong and lost me a little in the middle and redeemed itself a little with the ending. Overall, this was a solid 3 star read. It was intriguing enough that I would read the next in the series to see where the author takes the characters.
#TheSharpCountySlasher #NetGalley
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
April 12, 2025
I mostly read horror and some thriller at times but they usually include a paranormal element. This story is a detective thriller that follows primarily two characters as series of new murders happen that closely represent murders of the past when detective Higgins was part of the small police unit. He is joined by detective Diaz to help once again try and solve these gruesome murders.
I really enjoyed that interaction and banter between the two main characters and clues surfaced. There was a reveal early on that made me question whether all the murders are good or bad. It was a page turner that kept me interested from the start to final reveal at the end.
If you are a fan of gruesome murder mystery stories that walk you along the path of solving them you will love this one. This was outside my normal genre but I had a good time reading it.
I really enjoyed that interaction and banter between the two main characters and clues surfaced. There was a reveal early on that made me question whether all the murders are good or bad. It was a page turner that kept me interested from the start to final reveal at the end.
If you are a fan of gruesome murder mystery stories that walk you along the path of solving them you will love this one. This was outside my normal genre but I had a good time reading it.
May 12, 2025
** I received an ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review**
I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would! Though it felt more thriller than horror to me. It still was a pretty fast read, only taking me two days to get through. The writing style is pretty casual, which makes for a pleasant reading experience.
While the ending was quite predictable, the book as a whole was very enjoyable! I would definitely read the 2nd book whenever it releases!
I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would! Though it felt more thriller than horror to me. It still was a pretty fast read, only taking me two days to get through. The writing style is pretty casual, which makes for a pleasant reading experience.
While the ending was quite predictable, the book as a whole was very enjoyable! I would definitely read the 2nd book whenever it releases!
Want to read
October 31, 2025ARC received! Yeahhhh, there's absolutely no way that I am walking away from this cover, title and synopsis.
I'm excited to check it out!
I'm excited to check it out!
June 8, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ Very interesting & mysterious read. Imagine investigating your very own copy cat killer! In Shark County, Arkansas detective Hilrey although retired, has been sucked back into an ongoing investigation. A serial k!ller is terrorizing their small town, murdering people in the most gruesome way possible! When Hilrey realized these murders are mimicking his very own handy work, he is truly baffled. I am very interested in book 2 of this series to see how this story continues to unfold.
Overall a solid read that I enjoyed. Thank you Victory Editing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Overall a solid read that I enjoyed. Thank you Victory Editing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
March 20, 2025
Hilrey Higgins, un detective retirado con un oscuro pasado como "el asesino de la fogata", se ve obligado a regresar a su antiguo mundo cuando un asesino imita sus crímenes pasados. Junto a la detective Dakota Diaz, una experta en la investigación de la ciudad, Hilrey deberá enfrentarse a un peligroso adversario que conoce sus secretos más oscuros.
Un detective que mata a violadores, pedófilos y cualquier otra persona que sabe que a cometido crímenes imperdonables. Vendido.
Es un libro corto, pero interesante. Definitivamente leeré los siguientes.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Un detective que mata a violadores, pedófilos y cualquier otra persona que sabe que a cometido crímenes imperdonables. Vendido.
Es un libro corto, pero interesante. Definitivamente leeré los siguientes.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2025
THE SHARP COUNTY SLASHER is a story about a small town serial killer who may or may not be courting an earlier murderer in the same small town. It’s a quick and easy read that moves at breakneck speed, with little to no-filler. You’ll enjoy this novel if you’re a fan of Dexter and I personally advise you to go into it without reading the synopsis because there’s a fun plot-point that I think is better enjoyed if you go into this knowing as little as possible.
A few things to note, I did find some of the twists a little bit predictable and fully guessed the identity of the killer in the first few chapters. The author’s style is also a little simple for my taste and the conversational stylings between characters didn’t work for me.
That being said, what I enjoyed most about THE SHARP COUNTY SLASHER was how gruesome the killers’ crimes were. There are some insane visuals at play here that had me reeling and gagging (even as an avid and well-versed horror fan). The author has some really great ideas that weren’t executed as well as they deserved to be. Still, if you’re a fan of crime and serial killer procedurals and can look behind the simple prose, you’ll find some fun stuff to enjoy in THE SHARP COUNTY SLASHER, which promises to be the first in a new series!
A few things to note, I did find some of the twists a little bit predictable and fully guessed the identity of the killer in the first few chapters. The author’s style is also a little simple for my taste and the conversational stylings between characters didn’t work for me.
That being said, what I enjoyed most about THE SHARP COUNTY SLASHER was how gruesome the killers’ crimes were. There are some insane visuals at play here that had me reeling and gagging (even as an avid and well-versed horror fan). The author has some really great ideas that weren’t executed as well as they deserved to be. Still, if you’re a fan of crime and serial killer procedurals and can look behind the simple prose, you’ll find some fun stuff to enjoy in THE SHARP COUNTY SLASHER, which promises to be the first in a new series!
May 4, 2025
I really enjoy this story kept me on my toes to keep reading wow the characters were very good 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 can’t wait for the sequel 😁👍🏻
April 15, 2025
1.5 ★ – This one wasn’t for me.
I totally misunderstood the synopsis of this book. For whatever reason, I thought this was going to be a cozy mystery, even though the synopsis clearly says that this one is about a retired detective. But in my head, I imagined it as a cozy mystery, and instead, it turned out to be a police procedural. And to be honest, as a general rule of thumb, I completely dislike that kind of story. So, one of the main reasons I didn’t enjoy this book at all is probably just that I’m not the right audience for it.
That said, I also must admit that I struggled with the writing itself… so… much. The writing in this book felt cheesy and cringey. And there are a couple of reasons why: to begin with, I had a hard time believing that the main character was supposed to be 70 years old. He read more like a teenager. The jokes he made, his dialogue… none of it felt authentic or age-appropriate.
There are also so many comments said by most of the characters that made me feel cringey and uncomfortable—it just didn’t work for me. I find it hard to believe that detectives or police officers talk like that or act that judgmental. Their dialogues don’t sound natural or real. I considered most conversations in this story way too far-fetched.
To continue, I was unable to connect with any of the characters—there wasn’t a single one I could root for. Again, the main character came off as immature and juvenile (something that I could maybe see working in a guy in his 20s or 30s, but impossible to believe in a 70-year-old man). He ended up being incredibly annoying. Even Dakota recognizes how immature he is, which makes me think that the whole situation was intentional… but that didn’t make it any less frustrating and annoying.
Now, let’s talk about the serial killer’s POV. Oh my god. Every time we’re inside his head, which happens briefly—maybe a paragraph or two, usually at the beginning of a chapter—it’s just so cringey. He reads like a kid, and the way he thinks and “monologues” feels like something out of a cartoon villain script. It’s over-the-top in a bad way, immature, and honestly gave me serious secondhand embarrassment. It completely killed any suspense or intensity those moments were supposed to bring.
There are moments in the story that should’ve had impact, key revelations and major reveals, but they fall completely flat. The reveal of the murderer, for example, is so anticlimactic. It’s basically, “Oh yeah, I’m the killer,” and that’s it. No tension, no drama. It just made the whole story feel underwhelming.
In the end, this book simply wasn’t for me. I misunderstood what I was getting into, and even beyond that, the writing and characters didn’t do the trick for me.
Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, and to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I totally misunderstood the synopsis of this book. For whatever reason, I thought this was going to be a cozy mystery, even though the synopsis clearly says that this one is about a retired detective. But in my head, I imagined it as a cozy mystery, and instead, it turned out to be a police procedural. And to be honest, as a general rule of thumb, I completely dislike that kind of story. So, one of the main reasons I didn’t enjoy this book at all is probably just that I’m not the right audience for it.
That said, I also must admit that I struggled with the writing itself… so… much. The writing in this book felt cheesy and cringey. And there are a couple of reasons why: to begin with, I had a hard time believing that the main character was supposed to be 70 years old. He read more like a teenager. The jokes he made, his dialogue… none of it felt authentic or age-appropriate.
There are also so many comments said by most of the characters that made me feel cringey and uncomfortable—it just didn’t work for me. I find it hard to believe that detectives or police officers talk like that or act that judgmental. Their dialogues don’t sound natural or real. I considered most conversations in this story way too far-fetched.
To continue, I was unable to connect with any of the characters—there wasn’t a single one I could root for. Again, the main character came off as immature and juvenile (something that I could maybe see working in a guy in his 20s or 30s, but impossible to believe in a 70-year-old man). He ended up being incredibly annoying. Even Dakota recognizes how immature he is, which makes me think that the whole situation was intentional… but that didn’t make it any less frustrating and annoying.
Now, let’s talk about the serial killer’s POV. Oh my god. Every time we’re inside his head, which happens briefly—maybe a paragraph or two, usually at the beginning of a chapter—it’s just so cringey. He reads like a kid, and the way he thinks and “monologues” feels like something out of a cartoon villain script. It’s over-the-top in a bad way, immature, and honestly gave me serious secondhand embarrassment. It completely killed any suspense or intensity those moments were supposed to bring.
There are moments in the story that should’ve had impact, key revelations and major reveals, but they fall completely flat. The reveal of the murderer, for example, is so anticlimactic. It’s basically, “Oh yeah, I’m the killer,” and that’s it. No tension, no drama. It just made the whole story feel underwhelming.
In the end, this book simply wasn’t for me. I misunderstood what I was getting into, and even beyond that, the writing and characters didn’t do the trick for me.
Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, and to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2025
Absolutely loved this. So much wrong with it, but so so much right! :)
The murders are just the goriest thing you'll read, and the dynamic between the two leads is so fresh and funny. I enjoyed the story, the writing, the setting, the twists. Although I guessed the Slasher a mile off, I loved getting to know the whys and hows.
Completely recommended 100%.
The murders are just the goriest thing you'll read, and the dynamic between the two leads is so fresh and funny. I enjoyed the story, the writing, the setting, the twists. Although I guessed the Slasher a mile off, I loved getting to know the whys and hows.
Completely recommended 100%.
March 22, 2025
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
A decent crime thriller/horror book that doesn't waste a lot of time with filling in extraneous details and background, just enough to propel the story forward. For no real fault of its own, I just never found myself that into the story, and I guessed the killer pretty early on, but that's not to say others won't enjoy it more.
A decent crime thriller/horror book that doesn't waste a lot of time with filling in extraneous details and background, just enough to propel the story forward. For no real fault of its own, I just never found myself that into the story, and I guessed the killer pretty early on, but that's not to say others won't enjoy it more.
March 23, 2025
This was a super interesting read. From vigilante cops to copycat serial killers, this book had the most exciting elements of a thriller novel. The MC is a 69 year old retired cop who committed a series of murders (of violent criminals) and comes out of retirement to deal with a copycat. I couldn’t put this book down! The twist of the copycat’s identity and motive was so well done!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2025
This was a solid start to the campfire murders series. The hook was fast paced and kept my attention. It was predictable, but I think that was done on purpose. If you like Dexter, this was a pretty fun nod in its direction.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review by NetGallery. Thank you!
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review by NetGallery. Thank you!
April 11, 2025
3 stars
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy.
This is not what I expected from a book so heavily marketed under the term Slasher. I went into this thinking it was going to be like a classic old-school slasher story, but ended up getting a serial killer novel. Which is fine. It just wasn’t what I expected nor wanted out of this.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy.
This is not what I expected from a book so heavily marketed under the term Slasher. I went into this thinking it was going to be like a classic old-school slasher story, but ended up getting a serial killer novel. Which is fine. It just wasn’t what I expected nor wanted out of this.
May 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to read The Sharp Country Slasher by Andrew Alman.
This gave the right curiosity vibes. I felt there was a connection to the story and the characters. I did guess the twists early. It has great potential to be more later.
This gave the right curiosity vibes. I felt there was a connection to the story and the characters. I did guess the twists early. It has great potential to be more later.
March 28, 2025
If you like detective shows or serial killer shows such as Dexter then this is the book for you. The characters are easy to enjoy and although it contains many gruesome details it was an enjoyable read. It definitely makes you question the line between good and evil.
August 20, 2025
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher, in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.
Overall rating: 4*
Writing skill: 4*
Plot: 4*
Pace: 4*
Characters: 5*
Twist: 2*
Serial killers hunting serial killers is my jam! What a great plot (not original but love it all the same) and a great dynamic duo of main characters. Loved their gradual building relationship, they were fun and quirky. Yes I guessed the killer a mile off (were we actually meant to realise it so soon?) but it didn’t take away my enjoyment of the story as a whole and how it progressed. So happy to see this is a series, I will devour any and all the rest.
Overall rating: 4*
Writing skill: 4*
Plot: 4*
Pace: 4*
Characters: 5*
Twist: 2*
Serial killers hunting serial killers is my jam! What a great plot (not original but love it all the same) and a great dynamic duo of main characters. Loved their gradual building relationship, they were fun and quirky. Yes I guessed the killer a mile off (were we actually meant to realise it so soon?) but it didn’t take away my enjoyment of the story as a whole and how it progressed. So happy to see this is a series, I will devour any and all the rest.
April 15, 2025
This review is for an ARC received through NetGalley!
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Sharp Country Slasher"! It's a magnetic and intriguing novel told from the perspective of Hilrey Higgins, a retired detective and serial killer who finds himself on a twisted path as he helps in investigating HIS copycat, who seems to know a lot about him and is determined to send him a message by leaving behind a trail of clues that draw him deeper into the chilling and dark scheme.
The author does an excellent job of writing vivid, detailed descriptions of the crime scenes, and I was particularly struck by the dark and disturbing nature of the slasher's methods for taking out his victims. To be honest, I didn't feel an ounce of sympathy for the criminals he targeted; they were indeed horrible characters who seemed to enjoy their wrongdoings and have the audacity to do it again because they got away with it the first time! In a way, I thought they got what was coming to them! The mystery unfolds like a classic whodunnit, keeping you guessing throughout. I managed to figure out who the killer was early on. Still, the gripping narrative kept me turning the pages, and I was eager to know the motives behind the killer's actions as well as whether Higgins would ultimately get caught for his previous sins.
That said, there were a couple of things I found a bit off-putting. Despite being under 200 pages, the book felt a bit dragged out in places because of the lengthy conversations and some thrills were cut short, which led me to skim over a few pages. I also think it would have been quite thrilling to include a third-person perspective, perhaps from the killer's point of view, to amp up the suspense further. More "hunting scenes" from the slasher's POV would definitely have added to the excitement! Overall, though, I really enjoyed the read, and I can't wait to read into "The Campfire Murders #2"!
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Sharp Country Slasher"! It's a magnetic and intriguing novel told from the perspective of Hilrey Higgins, a retired detective and serial killer who finds himself on a twisted path as he helps in investigating HIS copycat, who seems to know a lot about him and is determined to send him a message by leaving behind a trail of clues that draw him deeper into the chilling and dark scheme.
The author does an excellent job of writing vivid, detailed descriptions of the crime scenes, and I was particularly struck by the dark and disturbing nature of the slasher's methods for taking out his victims. To be honest, I didn't feel an ounce of sympathy for the criminals he targeted; they were indeed horrible characters who seemed to enjoy their wrongdoings and have the audacity to do it again because they got away with it the first time! In a way, I thought they got what was coming to them! The mystery unfolds like a classic whodunnit, keeping you guessing throughout. I managed to figure out who the killer was early on. Still, the gripping narrative kept me turning the pages, and I was eager to know the motives behind the killer's actions as well as whether Higgins would ultimately get caught for his previous sins.
That said, there were a couple of things I found a bit off-putting. Despite being under 200 pages, the book felt a bit dragged out in places because of the lengthy conversations and some thrills were cut short, which led me to skim over a few pages. I also think it would have been quite thrilling to include a third-person perspective, perhaps from the killer's point of view, to amp up the suspense further. More "hunting scenes" from the slasher's POV would definitely have added to the excitement! Overall, though, I really enjoyed the read, and I can't wait to read into "The Campfire Murders #2"!
April 17, 2025
The sharp county slasher was an enjoyable quick read! I did guess the twist immediately and saw it coming but I still enjoying the book ! At points the dialogue for our main detective/ serial killer Hilrey did feel slightly out of place for his age with some of the phrases and I feel like our main characters I would have loved to have had more depth and history on them, especially on Hilrey. But considering it’s a such a short book , I think that it did well to entice me in ! And I loved alot of the more descriptive detailed elements on the kills and crime scenes, that I felt was really well executed and kept the book interesting. I liked the little subtexts for each chapter of the “copycat killers” inner monologue/ thoughts, I think that was a great addition to the novel and kept the pressure on ! I also loved the dynamic between Hilrey and Dakota, and hope we get to see and learn more about them in more detail in the future. Overall even with some issues with dialogue, this is definitely is a quick fun read , especially if you like shows like Dexter or criminal minds! And i definitely would like to read the next instalment!
also the cover is giving the perfect slasher read perfect for summer !
Thank you to victory editing Netgalley co-op and netgalley for the e-arc for my honest review !!
also the cover is giving the perfect slasher read perfect for summer !
Thank you to victory editing Netgalley co-op and netgalley for the e-arc for my honest review !!
April 17, 2025
A serial killer is at work in a small town, they seem to be copying another unsolved serial killer from the past and has a message for the detective who worked the case.
A retired detective, a detective who just moved from a big city, and an FBI agent tackle the biggest case of their careers.
This was a book that felt rushed and spread too thin. The attempt at sub-plots was there but just felt like filler. The killer was obvious right from the jump, both of them. It felt a bit like it was trying too hard to be the next cop mystery series and it was incredibly unbelievable to me. This is a small town and no one noticed all those people going missing after doing horrible things? My first guess would be a cop in that scenario, every time!
The writing left something to be desired, everyone had the same voice and feel. I did not pick up on a difference in the characters. Detective Diaz was a bit bland, sadly, and was VERY obviously a woman written by a man. Retired detective Higgins was immature, bland, and utterly unbelievable as a 68 year old detective. I could see the potential, I just don’t feel it was met.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A retired detective, a detective who just moved from a big city, and an FBI agent tackle the biggest case of their careers.
This was a book that felt rushed and spread too thin. The attempt at sub-plots was there but just felt like filler. The killer was obvious right from the jump, both of them. It felt a bit like it was trying too hard to be the next cop mystery series and it was incredibly unbelievable to me. This is a small town and no one noticed all those people going missing after doing horrible things? My first guess would be a cop in that scenario, every time!
The writing left something to be desired, everyone had the same voice and feel. I did not pick up on a difference in the characters. Detective Diaz was a bit bland, sadly, and was VERY obviously a woman written by a man. Retired detective Higgins was immature, bland, and utterly unbelievable as a 68 year old detective. I could see the potential, I just don’t feel it was met.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2025
A must for fans of Dexter.
April 18, 2025
If Dexter is your brand of twisted justice, then The Sharp County Slasher will have you hooked from page one. A moody, blood-streaked thriller with a moral compass that spins wildly, this novel blends gritty procedural with psychological suspense in all the right ways.
Set in the shadowy backwoods of Sharp County, the story centers on Hilrey Higgins—a retired detective with a double life. Once a lawman, always a killer… but only the right kind of killer, or so he tells himself. Hilrey’s carefully curated quiet life is shattered when a string of murders begins to mirror his own long-forgotten crimes. Someone knows what he did. Worse, they want him to start again.
Enter Detective Dakota Diaz, a sharp-tongued, no-nonsense cop from the city who doesn’t buy into small-town pleasantries or unexplained holes in Hilrey’s past. The dynamic between these two is electric—tense, wary, and deeply human. Their uneasy alliance becomes the novel’s moral fulcrum, forcing readers to question justice, redemption, and whether some monsters really can change their nature.
Authoritatively paced and dripping with Southern noir atmosphere, The Sharp County Slasher doesn’t just revel in blood—it digs deep into guilt, identity, and the terrifying idea that the past doesn’t just haunt you. It hunts you. As the body count rises and the line between hunter and hunted blurs, you’re left wondering not just whodunnit—but who deserves to get away with it.
Verdict: A tense, morally murky thriller that grips like barbed wire.
Set in the shadowy backwoods of Sharp County, the story centers on Hilrey Higgins—a retired detective with a double life. Once a lawman, always a killer… but only the right kind of killer, or so he tells himself. Hilrey’s carefully curated quiet life is shattered when a string of murders begins to mirror his own long-forgotten crimes. Someone knows what he did. Worse, they want him to start again.
Enter Detective Dakota Diaz, a sharp-tongued, no-nonsense cop from the city who doesn’t buy into small-town pleasantries or unexplained holes in Hilrey’s past. The dynamic between these two is electric—tense, wary, and deeply human. Their uneasy alliance becomes the novel’s moral fulcrum, forcing readers to question justice, redemption, and whether some monsters really can change their nature.
Authoritatively paced and dripping with Southern noir atmosphere, The Sharp County Slasher doesn’t just revel in blood—it digs deep into guilt, identity, and the terrifying idea that the past doesn’t just haunt you. It hunts you. As the body count rises and the line between hunter and hunted blurs, you’re left wondering not just whodunnit—but who deserves to get away with it.
Verdict: A tense, morally murky thriller that grips like barbed wire.
November 4, 2025
The Sharp County Slasher by Andrew Alman is the kind of book that makes you wonder if law enforcement officers should come with background checks longer than a CVS receipt. The premise hooked me right away: murders happening in Sharp County, eerily copying Hilrey’s old killings. The copycat angle is definitely personal, but you don’t see how until the rug is pulled out from under you. (Looking at you, Joel. You sneaky devil.)
Hilrey is the heart of this book, and he’s not your average “serial killer.” He’s more of a Dexter type, knocking off child molesters and rapists, people I’d happily volunteer as tribute. Does that make him a good guy? Well, he thinks so. I think so. Killing bothers him, but he sees it as a duty. And honestly, if you’re definitely guilty, then it’s lights out. Why waste tax dollars feeding a waste of skin?
The rural Arkansas setting makes it perfect: bodies go undiscovered for years, secrets rot in the silence, and the cornfields don’t ask questions. Every character was hiding something, and the reveals kept me flipping pages faster and faster until the end.
If you like dark crime thrillers with a “what would you do?” moral question baked in, this one’s a five-star ride. And yes, if I lived in Sharp County, I’d stay. Because cheap real estate, and nobody wants to murder old ladies.
Hilrey is the heart of this book, and he’s not your average “serial killer.” He’s more of a Dexter type, knocking off child molesters and rapists, people I’d happily volunteer as tribute. Does that make him a good guy? Well, he thinks so. I think so. Killing bothers him, but he sees it as a duty. And honestly, if you’re definitely guilty, then it’s lights out. Why waste tax dollars feeding a waste of skin?
The rural Arkansas setting makes it perfect: bodies go undiscovered for years, secrets rot in the silence, and the cornfields don’t ask questions. Every character was hiding something, and the reveals kept me flipping pages faster and faster until the end.
If you like dark crime thrillers with a “what would you do?” moral question baked in, this one’s a five-star ride. And yes, if I lived in Sharp County, I’d stay. Because cheap real estate, and nobody wants to murder old ladies.
April 5, 2025
The Sharp County Slasher is a fast-paced thriller by Andrew Alman. The story follows retired Hilrey Higgins, a retired small town detective, who harbors a dark secret, and Detective Dakota Diaz, a big city detective who just transferred to the small town in Arkansas . Together they are investigating a string of grisly murders that mimic a series of unsolved murders that Higgins originally investigated. This is a quick (less than 200 pages) mystery that I was able to read in a day. I really enjoyed the Dexter vibes, it made me want to have a Dexter rewatch. I did enjoy reading about the relationship between Higgins and Diaz, but I did wish it was a bit more developed. This book did keep me intrigued, and I would be interested in reading more by the author. Thanks NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2025
I recently read The Sharp County Slasher by Andrew Alman. I received a copy from Victory Editing NGC via Netgalley. This is supposed to be book 1 of The Campfire Murders, and I can't wait to read book 2!
The setting in rural Sharp County is spot on for this story. It is the kind of place where secrets can hide, and the story uses that to full effect. The premise grabbed me immediately, a retired detective with a dark past, a copy-cat killer mimicking his old crimes, and a fierce newcomer detective with no patience for small-town hush-hush.
The characters feel vivid and the tension ramps up continuously, which kept me turning pages. The combination of detective-work and serial-killer was quite entertaining.
Some twists felt a little predictable, but overall it is a fun, engaging read.
4/5 ⭐️
The setting in rural Sharp County is spot on for this story. It is the kind of place where secrets can hide, and the story uses that to full effect. The premise grabbed me immediately, a retired detective with a dark past, a copy-cat killer mimicking his old crimes, and a fierce newcomer detective with no patience for small-town hush-hush.
The characters feel vivid and the tension ramps up continuously, which kept me turning pages. The combination of detective-work and serial-killer was quite entertaining.
Some twists felt a little predictable, but overall it is a fun, engaging read.
4/5 ⭐️
March 25, 2025
The Sharp County Slasher was a solid mystery with a twist I saw coming, but still enjoyed! The kill scenes were creative and reminded me of the TV show Hannibal with their elaborateness.
This novel could've done with a bit more exposition, especially in the first half. I found myself confused in several scenes where there was dialogue without appropriate dialogue tags, especially with three or more people. It was hard keeping track with who was speaking with just walls of dialogue and no clue who was saying what.
I enjoyed the ending and how it sets up for the next novel in the series. At 3/5 stars, I would definitely be interested in continuing to read as the series progresses.
This novel could've done with a bit more exposition, especially in the first half. I found myself confused in several scenes where there was dialogue without appropriate dialogue tags, especially with three or more people. It was hard keeping track with who was speaking with just walls of dialogue and no clue who was saying what.
I enjoyed the ending and how it sets up for the next novel in the series. At 3/5 stars, I would definitely be interested in continuing to read as the series progresses.
June 24, 2025
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this novel when I first started reading it. It began a little slow for me. But the more I read, the more interested in the mystery I got. It's not everyday that you get a POV from this type of character in a book. I started trying to piece together clues myself to figure out who the Sharp County Slasher was! I really enjoyed all of the characters, the reveal, the twist at the end, and the small town setting. The body displays were grotesque, the killer was charming and cunning, and I really liked the dynamic between Hilrey and Dakota. Overall, it was a solid mystery thriller!
November 22, 2025
The Sharp County Slasher is a tense, atmospheric thriller that keeps you guessing from start to finish. The small-town setting feels eerie and real, the characters are flawed in believable ways, and every chapter adds another layer of suspense. The twists are sharp, the pacing is tight, and the final reveal lands perfectly. A gripping, fast read for anyone who loves serial-killer mysteries and dark small-town secrets.
July 8, 2025
I thought this was a children’s book when I opened it lol. The larger print was different, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.
Once the killer mentioned “the father he never had” I knew who he was.
This was a quick and easy read. I’m interested to see if the second book is the same.
Once the killer mentioned “the father he never had” I knew who he was.
This was a quick and easy read. I’m interested to see if the second book is the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2025
This wasn’t my favorite by a long shot, unfortunately. Synopsis stated “Dexter” vibes, but never felt that while reading. It was very predictable, and not atmospheric at all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews