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Victims
Aubrey Whitten is addicted to true crime. Ever since she was a little girl she’s wanted to pursue a career in writing about serial killers and brutal crimes. The summer before her senior year of high school, she unknowingly crosses paths with a psychopath who sets his sadistic sights on the teenage girl with an extensive knowledge of violent killers.
His obsession fuels her addiction, and both are pulled into a vicious showdown that only one of them can survive. Aubrey will either have the subject of a true crime book of her own, or she’ll become another name on a madman’s long list of victims.
His obsession fuels her addiction, and both are pulled into a vicious showdown that only one of them can survive. Aubrey will either have the subject of a true crime book of her own, or she’ll become another name on a madman’s long list of victims.
- GenresHorror
Audible Audio
Published June 25, 2025
8 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Kristopher Rufty
69 books242 followersKristopher Rufty lives in North Carolina with his three children and pets. He’s written over twenty novels, including ALL WILL DIE, THE DEVOURED AND THE DEAD, DESOLATION, THE LURKERS and PILLOWFACE. When he’s not spending time with his family or writing, he’s obsessing over gardening and growing food.
His short story DARLA'S PROBLEM was included in the Splatterpunk Publications anthology FIGHTING BACK, which won the Splatterpunk award for best anthology. THE DEVOURED AND THE DEAD was nominated for a Splatterpunk award.
He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more about Kristopher Rufty, please visit: www.kristopherrufty.com
His short story DARLA'S PROBLEM was included in the Splatterpunk Publications anthology FIGHTING BACK, which won the Splatterpunk award for best anthology. THE DEVOURED AND THE DEAD was nominated for a Splatterpunk award.
He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more about Kristopher Rufty, please visit: www.kristopherrufty.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 10, 2024
My first book by Kristopher Rufty. Very engaging read as I was highly invested in the teen Aubrey and the deranged mind of the serial killer. Not as gory and extreme as I tought it would be but the scenes was intense and the characters where all interesting to read about even those who where terrible.
November 17, 2024
Pretty good writing.
A good thriller for sure, but not as extreme as I wished for. I didn't understand why people said it had tons of plot twist, it's a good book that could definitely get more recognition.
But it's definitely a book everyone can read. Don't expect anything gruesome.
A good thriller for sure, but not as extreme as I wished for. I didn't understand why people said it had tons of plot twist, it's a good book that could definitely get more recognition.
But it's definitely a book everyone can read. Don't expect anything gruesome.
June 30, 2024
True crime, Best friends, Serial killer, Plot Twists, Drive in movie theater, and a teenage girl with an unbreakable spirit and intelligent, quickwitted mind? CHECK!
This book is a fast paced, well rounded, firehouse of a novel that has all the good stuff and packs a punch from beginning to end. You are rooting for Aubrey while hearing from the killers internal dialogue, and then your jaw is dropping while you suddenly round a twisty corner that has you guessing what's next!
Blood, plot, true crime, fiesty teens, an endearing Dad and a killer you simultaneously understand while yelling at- this book has it all. 5/5- Definitely go grab a copy for an entertaining, suck you in, read!
This book is a fast paced, well rounded, firehouse of a novel that has all the good stuff and packs a punch from beginning to end. You are rooting for Aubrey while hearing from the killers internal dialogue, and then your jaw is dropping while you suddenly round a twisty corner that has you guessing what's next!
Blood, plot, true crime, fiesty teens, an endearing Dad and a killer you simultaneously understand while yelling at- this book has it all. 5/5- Definitely go grab a copy for an entertaining, suck you in, read!
December 8, 2024
When the ending makes you curl up into a ball, that’s at least a four star. Kris, you’re a deranged writer. Thanks!
March 11, 2025
A serial killer on the loose of a small NC town and this guy is bad, but as the story continues, it leaves you confused because of the twist and turns that was so unexpected.
July 7, 2025
This is my first time reading a book by Kristopher Rufty. I wasn't quite sure what to anticipate. What a story
It pulled me in from all directions. It was quite the experience. I'll definitely be picking up another one of his books.
It pulled me in from all directions. It was quite the experience. I'll definitely be picking up another one of his books.
November 5, 2025
Jeff Strand said it best: “Kristopher Rufty is the demented reincarnation of Richard Laymon.”
Victims is as “Laymon” as you could get. Such a fun horror book with well developed characters (which is what you should expect with Rufty). The serial killer had an exceptionally fleshed out backstory and the final girl was very easy to root for.
Keep these up, Kristopher Rufty!
Victims is as “Laymon” as you could get. Such a fun horror book with well developed characters (which is what you should expect with Rufty). The serial killer had an exceptionally fleshed out backstory and the final girl was very easy to root for.
Keep these up, Kristopher Rufty!
July 8, 2024
Another masterpiece from Rufty. Killer meets teenage "crime buff investigator." I wouldn't be surprised if we saw this as a movie soon. Another easy 5 stars for me.
December 30, 2025
Light spoilers that won't ruin the book are in this review.
I am a fan of Kristopher Rufty's and have mostly enjoyed what I have read by him, but this book just really did not work for me. It seemed to me that Rufty was going for a Richard Laymonesque twisty turny thrill ride of a serial killer novel, but much like the late Laymon, when Rufty is good, his work is a joy to read, but when he is bad, it is a chore.
The story itself leans way too hard on completely unbelievable coincidences to make for an effective read. It is like a house who's foundation is structurally unsound, anything built on top of it is bound to fail. Beyond that, the pacing of the book really wore on my patience. I knew I was in trouble when the surprise of the first murder in the book was followed by a two page long conversation the killer had with the victim's corpse. Everything is described in such excessive, microscopic detail that it really kills any momentum that Rufty was trying to create here. The movie Jaws is so effective because, BAM, the shark gets someone, fast, and then it moves on. Spielberg didn't need to show 5 minutes of the shark dining on someone's spleen.
The other issue of the pacing is it switches between the extremely disgusting and laborious to get through chronicling of the killer's every move and thought, and the extremely boring and YA level chronicling of the teenage Aubrey and her friends every move and thought.
More ridiculous coincidences and unbelievable reactions are heaved upon the reader one after another until the thing finally lurches to a disgusting, truly tasteless ending. The level of SA that happens to Aubrey is really sickening and not fun to read. And to top it off, Rufty tries to make it "touching" at the very end.
Again, I have enjoyed most of what I've read of Rufty's huge bibliography, and am happy to support an indie author by purchasing many of his books over the years, but this book just plain sucked. If you have never read Rufty's work before, I would say start anywhere but here.
All that said, the cover art is fantastic! Great to see a return to the Fruit n Knife cover trend of the early 80s!
I am a fan of Kristopher Rufty's and have mostly enjoyed what I have read by him, but this book just really did not work for me. It seemed to me that Rufty was going for a Richard Laymonesque twisty turny thrill ride of a serial killer novel, but much like the late Laymon, when Rufty is good, his work is a joy to read, but when he is bad, it is a chore.
The story itself leans way too hard on completely unbelievable coincidences to make for an effective read. It is like a house who's foundation is structurally unsound, anything built on top of it is bound to fail. Beyond that, the pacing of the book really wore on my patience. I knew I was in trouble when the surprise of the first murder in the book was followed by a two page long conversation the killer had with the victim's corpse. Everything is described in such excessive, microscopic detail that it really kills any momentum that Rufty was trying to create here. The movie Jaws is so effective because, BAM, the shark gets someone, fast, and then it moves on. Spielberg didn't need to show 5 minutes of the shark dining on someone's spleen.
The other issue of the pacing is it switches between the extremely disgusting and laborious to get through chronicling of the killer's every move and thought, and the extremely boring and YA level chronicling of the teenage Aubrey and her friends every move and thought.
More ridiculous coincidences and unbelievable reactions are heaved upon the reader one after another until the thing finally lurches to a disgusting, truly tasteless ending. The level of SA that happens to Aubrey is really sickening and not fun to read. And to top it off, Rufty tries to make it "touching" at the very end.
Again, I have enjoyed most of what I've read of Rufty's huge bibliography, and am happy to support an indie author by purchasing many of his books over the years, but this book just plain sucked. If you have never read Rufty's work before, I would say start anywhere but here.
All that said, the cover art is fantastic! Great to see a return to the Fruit n Knife cover trend of the early 80s!
September 18, 2025
Victims had me intrigued from the very beginning- I love stories that give you a peek inside the head of the killer, and what a deplorable piece of work this guy is. This book has that cinematic quality that all of Rusty's writing does- great pacing perfectly balancing action, unexpected twists, icky gory bits and great character development.
Every single character in this one is so uniquely established and developed, I couldn't help but love them all, even the ones I hated. It takes a special kind of writer to make a reader forget that they're in the middle of a twisted horror story and get swept up in the sweetness of a budding romance. Making this my favorite book by this author I've read so far.
Audio Review:
I had the absolute pleasure of listening to the audio of this book as narrated by John Wayne Comunale who was fantastic. There were a few moments of stumbling over words and one female character voice he did that kind of drove me nuts, but ultimately, I think the voice matched the personality of the character. This was my first time listening to this narrator and I will be actively seeking out more.
Every single character in this one is so uniquely established and developed, I couldn't help but love them all, even the ones I hated. It takes a special kind of writer to make a reader forget that they're in the middle of a twisted horror story and get swept up in the sweetness of a budding romance. Making this my favorite book by this author I've read so far.
Audio Review:
I had the absolute pleasure of listening to the audio of this book as narrated by John Wayne Comunale who was fantastic. There were a few moments of stumbling over words and one female character voice he did that kind of drove me nuts, but ultimately, I think the voice matched the personality of the character. This was my first time listening to this narrator and I will be actively seeking out more.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews