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Killer Culture Trilogy #1
The First Incision
Meet Todd. Todd’s interests include rock 'n' roll, tattoos, good books with happy endings and committing murder. Todd is like any regular guy, you see, except for the fact he is a serial killer. Todd is good at what he does and is so very careful because getting caught is not an option. He does his hunting in secret and like any good predator, Todd stalks his prey before attacking.
However, his plans hit a snag when his freshest piece of meat, Matthew, goes missing under mysterious circumstances that have nothing to do with him. Todd sets out to find his meat, determined to have what is rightfully his back in his bloody hands where it belongs. The more Todd looks, the more he peels back the greasy flesh of the city's criminal underbelly to reveal a world far uglier and crueler than even the twisted inside of his head. Before long, Todd finds himself caught between staying himself and becoming someone he never thought he could be. Of all the things he’s seen, that’s the one thing that truly scares him even as it pushes him onward. By the end of his journey Todd will find himself in the most peculiar and creepiest of all places.
However, his plans hit a snag when his freshest piece of meat, Matthew, goes missing under mysterious circumstances that have nothing to do with him. Todd sets out to find his meat, determined to have what is rightfully his back in his bloody hands where it belongs. The more Todd looks, the more he peels back the greasy flesh of the city's criminal underbelly to reveal a world far uglier and crueler than even the twisted inside of his head. Before long, Todd finds himself caught between staying himself and becoming someone he never thought he could be. Of all the things he’s seen, that’s the one thing that truly scares him even as it pushes him onward. By the end of his journey Todd will find himself in the most peculiar and creepiest of all places.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2014
12 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Justine Sebastian
9 books56 followersJustine Sebastian began writing at the age of four. It took her quite a few years longer to realize she might actually be able to make a living doing so. She was born and raised in the south and does indeed have an accent. She does NOT write romance novels.
Readers can contact her via email at: just_sebastian@outlook.com. She promises not to bite unless you ask her to.
Readers can contact her via email at: just_sebastian@outlook.com. She promises not to bite unless you ask her to.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 21, 2015
THIS IS NOT ROMANCE.
Hear me? This is not romance. And it's perfect this way.
The story is very good. The main character is well developed and he's just perfect. For a serial killer, of course.
But the writing... OMG, the writing.
I would have given this book more than 5 stars.
Hear me? This is not romance. And it's perfect this way.
The story is very good. The main character is well developed and he's just perfect. For a serial killer, of course.
But the writing... OMG, the writing.
I would have given this book more than 5 stars.
Did Not Finish
September 7, 2016DNF.
This is ME, and ME alone! I wanted to read this book for a long time, but never had a chance to pick it up. But then a small miracle happened. It was picked for me in a challenge. Imagine my excitement and anticipation of a good story. I turned the first page, and... and... and what is this? What? Is? This?? Noooooo.....! No, no, no, no, no! It's not readable!!!! It's Present Tense!!!! I looaaath Present Tense! :(
There must be a software somewhere out there that converts present tense stories into past tense :( Or someone needs to come up with one soon. Calibre? Anyone?
This is ME, and ME alone! I wanted to read this book for a long time, but never had a chance to pick it up. But then a small miracle happened. It was picked for me in a challenge. Imagine my excitement and anticipation of a good story. I turned the first page, and... and... and what is this? What? Is? This?? Noooooo.....! No, no, no, no, no! It's not readable!!!! It's Present Tense!!!! I looaaath Present Tense! :(
There must be a software somewhere out there that converts present tense stories into past tense :( Or someone needs to come up with one soon. Calibre? Anyone?
Did Not Finish
November 21, 2022Ok. That's it. I cannot with this book. It is not for me.
DNF @ 23%.
The writing style is making me insane. And the "meat" thing was really weird.
DNF @ 23%.
The writing style is making me insane. And the "meat" thing was really weird.
October 14, 2016
Stupid author is stupid and somehow managed to rate her own book one star. Since I don't know how to fix it totally, I rated it five instead since Todd is my darling dear. Jesus, guys, I'm sorry. This is what I get for leaving the house without my helmet on. :|
October 24, 2020
I was hooked from the first damn sentence. I mean "Todd's meat goes missing..." combined with the summary pretty much tells you everything you need to know about what kind of book this is going to be. Which is perfect for me. ALL of the warnings apply. If you are squeamish about anything you should stay away. But for us who are into deeply dark and maybe a little fucked up stuff? Heaven.
Todd is a psychopath. But he's the kind of fictional psychopath you love to root for. He may have been planning to kill Matthew but since he spends the book on a quest to save him you can absolutely be on his side while slaughter himself through the bad people who took him.
I have fallen in author love so hard it's not even funny anymore. That makes it all the more sad that Justine Sebastian has like no social media presence because I want to follow her on all of them and maybe figure out if she hasn't actually been writing fanfic for some of my fandoms because OMG she fits into them like a damn glove.
Off to read everything else she has written!
Todd is a psychopath. But he's the kind of fictional psychopath you love to root for. He may have been planning to kill Matthew but since he spends the book on a quest to save him you can absolutely be on his side while slaughter himself through the bad people who took him.
I have fallen in author love so hard it's not even funny anymore. That makes it all the more sad that Justine Sebastian has like no social media presence because I want to follow her on all of them and maybe figure out if she hasn't actually been writing fanfic for some of my fandoms because OMG she fits into them like a damn glove.
Off to read everything else she has written!
April 30, 2015
The premise of the story from the beginning hooked me because it's just a great idea. Serial killer stalking next intended victim when next intended victim disappears. What does the serial killer do?
He finds him and gets him back, of course.
I love Todd. He's funny as hell. He's a smart-ass, a complete nutcase, and oddly, kind of sweet. As the story develops, Matt (The Meat) gradually changes from a coveted object to a person Todd has genuine feelings for and that the author can do this so flawlessly is really amazing. It's not easy. Todd doesn't take feeling his new feelings as well as the average person either and I really like how that is shown.
There are some seriously disturbing moments, but they're actually not because of the serial killing main character. The sex houses are creepy in so many ways and Todd isn't untouched by the horrible shit he encounters being done by other people, which is ironic. He's not really a psychopath and rather than just tell us this, you can tell.
And I laughed out loud for real when Todd fought off "Boris" in the grocery store parking lot.
It gave me the creeps, made me laugh and was a good, entertaining story. I look forward to the next one.
He finds him and gets him back, of course.
I love Todd. He's funny as hell. He's a smart-ass, a complete nutcase, and oddly, kind of sweet. As the story develops, Matt (The Meat) gradually changes from a coveted object to a person Todd has genuine feelings for and that the author can do this so flawlessly is really amazing. It's not easy. Todd doesn't take feeling his new feelings as well as the average person either and I really like how that is shown.
There are some seriously disturbing moments, but they're actually not because of the serial killing main character. The sex houses are creepy in so many ways and Todd isn't untouched by the horrible shit he encounters being done by other people, which is ironic. He's not really a psychopath and rather than just tell us this, you can tell.
And I laughed out loud for real when Todd fought off "Boris" in the grocery store parking lot.
It gave me the creeps, made me laugh and was a good, entertaining story. I look forward to the next one.
November 17, 2015
Well....hmmm...this was an interesting read for sure. I loved the premise. Not sure how I feel about it over all to be honest. Feels weird to say that I liked Todd, but I kind of did. He was refreshingly self aware. This was a bit of Dexter mixed a bit with a action movie. I am interested in continuing the trilogy, the ending left me a little confused, so I want to read the second book to see what happens.
March 18, 2015
Serial killer operating in Louisiana turned anti-hero taking on a NOLA mafia dealing in sex trafficing all so that he can get his "Meat" back. Hell yeah!
POV was from the serial killer. Be mindful that this story is not glazed over, hard truths and disturbing imagery is presented.
POV was from the serial killer. Be mindful that this story is not glazed over, hard truths and disturbing imagery is presented.
September 30, 2018
Omg, that ending tho! Smh
This book...I just can't even. I was laughing, cringing, shaking my head and then laughing again.
I really needed a book like this. Unabashed, unapologetic bad behavior is cleansing to read (or watch) when you know it's not real. This book is definitely that, and although the hopeless romantic in me was cheering for slightly different ending, the way it did end was perfect, and I'm still smiling and shaking my head while writing this.
In summary, if you liked the movie Taken, Reaver from Fallocaust, and are in favor of using an apple as a murder weapon, then you might just enjoy this book as much as I did.
Happy reading. 😉👍
This book...I just can't even. I was laughing, cringing, shaking my head and then laughing again.
I really needed a book like this. Unabashed, unapologetic bad behavior is cleansing to read (or watch) when you know it's not real. This book is definitely that, and although the hopeless romantic in me was cheering for slightly different ending, the way it did end was perfect, and I'm still smiling and shaking my head while writing this.
In summary, if you liked the movie Taken, Reaver from Fallocaust, and are in favor of using an apple as a murder weapon, then you might just enjoy this book as much as I did.
Happy reading. 😉👍
April 19, 2015
The bad guys took the wrong guy
Not for the faint hearted.
This book is hard to rate as it is so different from anything I have read in a long while. It is dark and at times truly horrifying. Saying I liked it is not the right word, but this one kept me reading waiting to see what would happen at the end.
Todd the main character is a psychopath. A serial killer that has no guilt. He is unfortunately a product of painful instances in his childhood. I wondered during the book of his family knew of what had happened to him as a child and if so, if he received any counselling.
When we meet Todd is is stalking his next victim, Matthew. A guy he likes and is attracted to, but that only makes him a definite victim. But Matthew has a past as well, and his past comes back to haunt him before Todd can complete his killing.
Matthew is abducted and Todd starts searching for him. Todd is not a serial killer with a heart of gold or with a soft spot for Matthew, he is not looking for him because he cares about Matthew, he is looking for him because he was cheated out of killing him. This leads to a trail of broken and bloody bodies as Todd shows that he is scarier than the mob.
You have to feel sorry for Matthew in all of this, as he is that one friend we all have, who constantly seems to pick the wrong guy, and the only person actively getting anywhere in finding him is the serial killer that wants to kill him.
The book is told predominantly through Todd's eyes and as his thoughts unravel it is hard to keep up at times. But the way his mind works is fascinating and quite scary. There are POV changes to the victims that are also tricky to pick up at first.
Solid 4 stars
Not for the faint hearted.
This book is hard to rate as it is so different from anything I have read in a long while. It is dark and at times truly horrifying. Saying I liked it is not the right word, but this one kept me reading waiting to see what would happen at the end.
Todd the main character is a psychopath. A serial killer that has no guilt. He is unfortunately a product of painful instances in his childhood. I wondered during the book of his family knew of what had happened to him as a child and if so, if he received any counselling.
When we meet Todd is is stalking his next victim, Matthew. A guy he likes and is attracted to, but that only makes him a definite victim. But Matthew has a past as well, and his past comes back to haunt him before Todd can complete his killing.
Matthew is abducted and Todd starts searching for him. Todd is not a serial killer with a heart of gold or with a soft spot for Matthew, he is not looking for him because he cares about Matthew, he is looking for him because he was cheated out of killing him. This leads to a trail of broken and bloody bodies as Todd shows that he is scarier than the mob.
You have to feel sorry for Matthew in all of this, as he is that one friend we all have, who constantly seems to pick the wrong guy, and the only person actively getting anywhere in finding him is the serial killer that wants to kill him.
The book is told predominantly through Todd's eyes and as his thoughts unravel it is hard to keep up at times. But the way his mind works is fascinating and quite scary. There are POV changes to the victims that are also tricky to pick up at first.
Solid 4 stars
June 25, 2016
Wow. That was seriously disturbed. But very original. And creepy. Really creepy.
October 27, 2018
In keeping with her darkly themed writing, Sebastian crafts a tale about a serial killer who goes off the rails when his plans are unexpectedly disrupted.
The plot follows the twists and turns of Todd's insane mind as he sets out on his quest in pursuit of the man he loves.
What is remarkable about this book is that it is a completely different take on the gritty interior of a serial killer. Todd is actually a truly likeable anti-heroic figure; he makes no apologies for who he is and what he does, but his dogged determination is admirable. His steadfast refusal to surrender, in spite of seemingly overwhelming odds, has the reader cheering him on.
Sebastian uses the first person narrative point of view to delve into madness, and drags the reader with her through Todd's twisted worldview. The quality of her writing though is lyrical and almost unsettling in its dark, surreal beauty.
The novel is gritty and occasionally gruesome, without resorting to the gratuitously grotesque.
This is definitely worth a read.
The plot follows the twists and turns of Todd's insane mind as he sets out on his quest in pursuit of the man he loves.
What is remarkable about this book is that it is a completely different take on the gritty interior of a serial killer. Todd is actually a truly likeable anti-heroic figure; he makes no apologies for who he is and what he does, but his dogged determination is admirable. His steadfast refusal to surrender, in spite of seemingly overwhelming odds, has the reader cheering him on.
Sebastian uses the first person narrative point of view to delve into madness, and drags the reader with her through Todd's twisted worldview. The quality of her writing though is lyrical and almost unsettling in its dark, surreal beauty.
The novel is gritty and occasionally gruesome, without resorting to the gratuitously grotesque.
This is definitely worth a read.
September 3, 2018
Twisted horrible love
Twisted fuck but endearing is how I would d scribe Todd I hope he killed his uncle. I honestly believe Matthew no matter how much Todd wants to kill him or needs to will never be killed at least not by Todd. Todd will keep killing that is a given but somehow Matthew has too addictive I feel like he will attempt it but his heart won't be in it. I love this book a d I feel there is more to his sister then we know.
Twisted fuck but endearing is how I would d scribe Todd I hope he killed his uncle. I honestly believe Matthew no matter how much Todd wants to kill him or needs to will never be killed at least not by Todd. Todd will keep killing that is a given but somehow Matthew has too addictive I feel like he will attempt it but his heart won't be in it. I love this book a d I feel there is more to his sister then we know.
February 3, 2019
Wow, just wow I could not put it down 😍 this book is so different and keeps you on the edge of your seat, there is action after action and never a boring moment. I absolutely recommend this to anyone who is sick of the typical m/m romance novel. I fell in love with Todd's character, he is so well put together that you feel for him no matter what bad things he does. This author did an amazing job and I look forward to reading more of their books!
August 8, 2024
Given how long ago this was written, my hopes of the remaining books in the trilogy being published are slim, but Justine, if you see this, I beg you! I need Todd and Matthew closure! I LOVED this book. Your writing is exceptionally brilliant. Please give us more.
May 19, 2019
⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️
October 22, 2019
that is dark.
perfect characterization.
perfect characterization.
January 30, 2021
Dark and edgy
A real page turner but dark. This isn’t the one that you can predict an ending to. And the ending was very interesting.
A real page turner but dark. This isn’t the one that you can predict an ending to. And the ending was very interesting.
February 17, 2022
freaky but really good
This book was freaky but it was really good. I could not put it down. It is a bizarre experience to find yourself rooting for the serial killer.
This book was freaky but it was really good. I could not put it down. It is a bizarre experience to find yourself rooting for the serial killer.
April 26, 2022
Loved it! Great story telling and I hope the author will finish the series one day.
March 22, 2024
“Why did you have to be real?”
The manner of writing is completely outside the box. Loosely, it would qualify as third-person omniscient, but the intensity of the rapid-fire POV shifts is incredibly uncommon. The style is jarring at first; as the narrative flows, it becomes entrancing.
This book begins with a quote from Richard Ramirez. That speaks for itself.
The story takes place in and around New Orleans, Louisiana. The author uses this setting skillfully in an action-packed rescue adventure with an extremely unlikely “hero.”
Todd is a 29-year-old electrician. He doesn’t speed, he tips well, he hates thieves, he will never hurt animals, he loves Dr. Pepper…and he’s a serial killer.
Todd’s been stalking Matthew for two months—ever since they first met at the diner Matt works at.
Matt’s been paying on a debt accrued by his (now deceased) ex-boyfriend. But his payments haven’t been coming fast enough. Matthew is abducted, and Todd takes on the role of his savior.
Todd often has a hard time relating to others. His strong dislike of most people leads him to difficulties in perceiving them as actual human beings.
Todd was a great baseball player in high school. But he still suffered from a ton of bullying. Much of that was for being openly gay in high school, but also—ironically—for doing what was right and telling authority figures when his classmates did hurtful and hateful things. His history of being sexually abused by a family member is absolutely gut-wrenching. And the self-harm that ensues, for years, is agonizing.
Todd is a fascinating and exceptional portrayal of ASPD. Excellent character work. An unsettlingly unique perspective. Todd views Matthew in disturbingly objective terms…until he doesn’t. This turn is handled adeptly.
Clovis the junkie, Tiny and Jerome at the trap house, Boris at the grocery store, Glenn the rapist, and more are the highlights of Todd’s crusade to bring Matthew home—alive and well.
The brothels are vile.
This is one the rarest-of-rare occasions when an ambiguous ending works. Personally, the hopeless romantic in me has his own interpretation.
In his dream, Matthew is kissing Todd over and over. In between kisses he is saying, I love you.
The manner of writing is completely outside the box. Loosely, it would qualify as third-person omniscient, but the intensity of the rapid-fire POV shifts is incredibly uncommon. The style is jarring at first; as the narrative flows, it becomes entrancing.
This book begins with a quote from Richard Ramirez. That speaks for itself.
The story takes place in and around New Orleans, Louisiana. The author uses this setting skillfully in an action-packed rescue adventure with an extremely unlikely “hero.”
Todd is a 29-year-old electrician. He doesn’t speed, he tips well, he hates thieves, he will never hurt animals, he loves Dr. Pepper…and he’s a serial killer.
Todd’s been stalking Matthew for two months—ever since they first met at the diner Matt works at.
Matt’s been paying on a debt accrued by his (now deceased) ex-boyfriend. But his payments haven’t been coming fast enough. Matthew is abducted, and Todd takes on the role of his savior.
Todd often has a hard time relating to others. His strong dislike of most people leads him to difficulties in perceiving them as actual human beings.
Todd was a great baseball player in high school. But he still suffered from a ton of bullying. Much of that was for being openly gay in high school, but also—ironically—for doing what was right and telling authority figures when his classmates did hurtful and hateful things. His history of being sexually abused by a family member is absolutely gut-wrenching. And the self-harm that ensues, for years, is agonizing.
Todd is a fascinating and exceptional portrayal of ASPD. Excellent character work. An unsettlingly unique perspective. Todd views Matthew in disturbingly objective terms…until he doesn’t. This turn is handled adeptly.
Clovis the junkie, Tiny and Jerome at the trap house, Boris at the grocery store, Glenn the rapist, and more are the highlights of Todd’s crusade to bring Matthew home—alive and well.
The brothels are vile.
This is one the rarest-of-rare occasions when an ambiguous ending works. Personally, the hopeless romantic in me has his own interpretation.
In his dream, Matthew is kissing Todd over and over. In between kisses he is saying, I love you.
April 13, 2015
4.5 stars
Todd Williams does not need many things to be happy in this life. A small flat, a routine job and his meat for the stalking, that’s what makes Todd happy. But his nice and happy world crumbles when his meat, named Matthew, does not turn up one night to his house. When he finds out he has been abducted and disappeared, Todd feels deprived. Matthew is his for the slaughter, and nobody is going to steal him from Todd…
This is another amazing story by Justine Sebastian. The main character is a psycho killer, who in a most unlikely turn of fate becomes some kind of vigilante, managing to bring down a whole mafia operation in his quest to recover his beloved meat. Todd is a complicated character: On the one hand, he is a handsome man who is well liked and loved by family and friends. Nothing in his appearance gives away his dark side. And there is a dark side, as Todd enjoys his gruesome murders and does not even try to justify himself. But he’s got his own sense of justice (he would never hurt an animal), and feels revolted by what he finds in the brothels he uncovers. That’s why one cannot avoid feeling attracted and repelled by him at the same time. Todd plays the role of righteous one, gets hurt and eventually achieves a HEA… Although it is Todd’s kind of happy end…
Again, Justine does a great job describing the twisted albeit fascinating reality of a non-conventional character. She’s a gifted writer with an ability to recreate morbid realities which I find very interesting. I understand this is the first book of a series. I’m really looking forward to reading the next one in the series. So. Good.
Todd Williams does not need many things to be happy in this life. A small flat, a routine job and his meat for the stalking, that’s what makes Todd happy. But his nice and happy world crumbles when his meat, named Matthew, does not turn up one night to his house. When he finds out he has been abducted and disappeared, Todd feels deprived. Matthew is his for the slaughter, and nobody is going to steal him from Todd…
This is another amazing story by Justine Sebastian. The main character is a psycho killer, who in a most unlikely turn of fate becomes some kind of vigilante, managing to bring down a whole mafia operation in his quest to recover his beloved meat. Todd is a complicated character: On the one hand, he is a handsome man who is well liked and loved by family and friends. Nothing in his appearance gives away his dark side. And there is a dark side, as Todd enjoys his gruesome murders and does not even try to justify himself. But he’s got his own sense of justice (he would never hurt an animal), and feels revolted by what he finds in the brothels he uncovers. That’s why one cannot avoid feeling attracted and repelled by him at the same time. Todd plays the role of righteous one, gets hurt and eventually achieves a HEA… Although it is Todd’s kind of happy end…
Again, Justine does a great job describing the twisted albeit fascinating reality of a non-conventional character. She’s a gifted writer with an ability to recreate morbid realities which I find very interesting. I understand this is the first book of a series. I’m really looking forward to reading the next one in the series. So. Good.
February 11, 2017
It was creepy looking into the mind of a psycho. If you took the movies Taken and American psycho and combined them, this is what you would get.
March 24, 2016
I've been for quite a time wanting to write a review about this book, but still....even now I can't express everything that comes in mind.
Be advised first it is not a book for everyone.
What can I say is I laughed so hard with the narrative and the MC 'quirky twisted' personality, then felt really sorry for him, then got disturbed by his thoughts, then respected his convictions, then laughed again.....
Basically we meet Todd. He is not a psychopath. He says he is not. He only likes his 'meat' and how amazing his last breath would sound. Then one day someone 'steals' it away. what one can do if not get it back?
Todd goes into a long journey and see things that creep even himself, and the question that remains...who is the real monster afterall?
Definitely recommended!!
Be advised first it is not a book for everyone.
What can I say is I laughed so hard with the narrative and the MC 'quirky twisted' personality, then felt really sorry for him, then got disturbed by his thoughts, then respected his convictions, then laughed again.....
Basically we meet Todd. He is not a psychopath. He says he is not. He only likes his 'meat' and how amazing his last breath would sound. Then one day someone 'steals' it away. what one can do if not get it back?
Todd goes into a long journey and see things that creep even himself, and the question that remains...who is the real monster afterall?
Definitely recommended!!
August 16, 2022
This is one of the darkest books I can remember, not really because of specific acts described (though it certainly has those, they are sort of matter of fact and so not really scary) but dark because of the place it takes you mentally to identify with and empathize with such a realistically evil person. This is a very good story but definitely not like a redemption arc.
the book flips the classic ‘the ends justify the means’ idea by telling a story where heroic actions are performed in order to achieve a horrific end. The ending was a really good one, but I can’t help wishing there was an epilogue to say what happens next!
the book flips the classic ‘the ends justify the means’ idea by telling a story where heroic actions are performed in order to achieve a horrific end. The ending was a really good one, but I can’t help wishing there was an epilogue to say what happens next!
Did Not Finish
December 22, 2024This book wasn't bad or boring by any means, it's just that the writing style wasn't for me, but I'm pretty sure I'll come back and continue this story eventually.
April 15, 2017
Half-baked psychopath with the requisite I-got-sexually-molested-when-I-was-a-kid past who ended up breaking up human trafficking and prostitution ring. The story was told from the killer's PoV, and it's long and tedious. I was more disturbed by the human trafficking and prostitution ring rather than by the MC. The ending was enough for me, so I'm not going to read the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2017
I have only two words:
Emotionally devastating.
and I can't even begin to articulate why.
Emotionally devastating.
and I can't even begin to articulate why.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews