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Colony of Whores
When a failed screenwriter inherits a screenplay that may hold the key to both a sensational Hollywood murder and to his own sister's death, he finds himself drawn into the dangerous twilight world that lurks at the edge of the movie business. Aided by a disgraced former journalist and a maverick female filmmaker whose sworn mandate is to destroy the traditional Hollywood hierarchy, he begins a journey of revenge and personal salvation – a journey that will pit him against the owners of one of the most powerful and corrupt film companies in Los Angeles.
Colony of Whores is a high-speed thrill-ride through the glamour and greed that define post-millennium Hollywood.
Colony of Whores is a high-speed thrill-ride through the glamour and greed that define post-millennium Hollywood.
334 pages, Paperback
First published December 10, 2014
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569 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 24, 2016
Review to come.
Thank you to Matthew Stokoe for providing a way for me to acquire this book.
Thank you to Matthew Stokoe for providing a way for me to acquire this book.
Want to read
March 24, 2016This is a clear case of cover/title insta-lust. I must have this!
December 27, 2016
Ok publishers, get off your ass and give this guy a deal!!! Excellent book. Dark, Gritty novel set in Hollywood, has it all! sex, murder and plenty of depravity. Characters you know you wouldnt want to spend any time with, but you find yourself rooting for them all the same....
As far as i can tell from what i find on the internet, this book was a limited release here in the US to get interest built up so Stokoe can get a deal. Well someone needs to do it. Everything ive read from him has been excellent! why is it the publishers out there want to continue to publish the rubish and not want to publish the good books. Glad i dont have to deal with them
As far as i can tell from what i find on the internet, this book was a limited release here in the US to get interest built up so Stokoe can get a deal. Well someone needs to do it. Everything ive read from him has been excellent! why is it the publishers out there want to continue to publish the rubish and not want to publish the good books. Glad i dont have to deal with them
January 3, 2022
Like a lot of readers, my first real exposure to Matthew Stokoe was through "Cows," which is up there with the most disturbing books I have read in my entire life. It's a visceral piss-take of Beastiality and abuse. I don't really know what got me to read it, but despite how controversial it was, I "enjoyed" it. Enjoyed might be the wrong word for something like that, but I wasn't upset I read it.
"Colony Of Whores" might seem to be the more immediately controversial from the title alone, but honestly, it's the exact opposite. Sure, there is a lot of grit, rape, sex, incest, etc in this story, it's very grounded in reality. The title of the book is an obvious attempt to be shocking that really doesn't even capture the depths of "Colony."
Take the seedy depths of Hollywood- the kind of stuff that would make Harvey Weinstein and Jeffery Epstein blush- combine it with some shady reporters and a whodunit, and you pretty much have "Colony of Whores."
It focuses on a wide cast of characters. Firstly, "Chick," a young director who likes to vandalize billboards and was raped ten years before the events of the story. There's Denning, a reporter whose carrier was ruined by the antagonists of the story (they planted a camera in his room and found him having sex with his daughter.) There's Kid, an ex-pornstar/rapist/abductor of illegal immigrants for the hollywood elite to play with turned Anti-hero. There's Tim, a man whose sister (yes, he had sex with her) was murdered, supposedly by said Hollywood Elite. Each one of these characters has a ton of backstory and a lot of moral grey area, which is made impressive by the 324 pages of "Colony of Whores."
It has a few shocking moments, but nothing even close to "Cows." In my opinion, it's like this is a different author completely. Stokoe's style here is rich with metaphors and just the right amount of description. It's an expansive take on the seedy underworld of Hollywood, something to get lost in. If that's this story's greatest strength, it's also its greatest weakness. At times, the overarching subplots and character connections (remember what happened on page 13? well here is a reference to that on page 150) become a bit overwhelming with how tightly they are woven together. It's like Stokoe had a plan for every individual page, which I never thought would gripe with me, but it's so dense, interwoven, and interconnected that it can easily become just a bit overwhelming.
For a book like this, the ending is one of the most important parts, and I can't say it disappointed in the slightest. It's quite unlike "Cows" (but let's be honest, nothing is like Cows,) but as a mystery, it's a pretty solid piece.
"Colony Of Whores" might seem to be the more immediately controversial from the title alone, but honestly, it's the exact opposite. Sure, there is a lot of grit, rape, sex, incest, etc in this story, it's very grounded in reality. The title of the book is an obvious attempt to be shocking that really doesn't even capture the depths of "Colony."
Take the seedy depths of Hollywood- the kind of stuff that would make Harvey Weinstein and Jeffery Epstein blush- combine it with some shady reporters and a whodunit, and you pretty much have "Colony of Whores."
It focuses on a wide cast of characters. Firstly, "Chick," a young director who likes to vandalize billboards and was raped ten years before the events of the story. There's Denning, a reporter whose carrier was ruined by the antagonists of the story (they planted a camera in his room and found him having sex with his daughter.) There's Kid, an ex-pornstar/rapist/abductor of illegal immigrants for the hollywood elite to play with turned Anti-hero. There's Tim, a man whose sister (yes, he had sex with her) was murdered, supposedly by said Hollywood Elite. Each one of these characters has a ton of backstory and a lot of moral grey area, which is made impressive by the 324 pages of "Colony of Whores."
It has a few shocking moments, but nothing even close to "Cows." In my opinion, it's like this is a different author completely. Stokoe's style here is rich with metaphors and just the right amount of description. It's an expansive take on the seedy underworld of Hollywood, something to get lost in. If that's this story's greatest strength, it's also its greatest weakness. At times, the overarching subplots and character connections (remember what happened on page 13? well here is a reference to that on page 150) become a bit overwhelming with how tightly they are woven together. It's like Stokoe had a plan for every individual page, which I never thought would gripe with me, but it's so dense, interwoven, and interconnected that it can easily become just a bit overwhelming.
For a book like this, the ending is one of the most important parts, and I can't say it disappointed in the slightest. It's quite unlike "Cows" (but let's be honest, nothing is like Cows,) but as a mystery, it's a pretty solid piece.
March 26, 2016
Matthew Stokoe is an amazing author who doesn't get the justification he deserves. Every time I pick up this book I loose hours of my day. I've watched his writing evolve from "Cows" to "High Life" to "Empty Mile" and now this in depth, raw, pulp fiction style masterpiece makes me sad to finish this book. I wish there was more he has written. This raunchy noir mystery is like a tangled web that as you read it, you come closer to finding out how it all ties together. They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and this book is a genuine example of why you shouldn't. Once again Matthew Stokoe leave me in awe of his talent.
August 8, 2024
This was a decent Noir mystery centered around Hollywood and a bunch of messed up scenes, and shady characters. It was no High Life, but still worth a read. I feel like it could have been a little bit shorter in length.
June 14, 2015
2015 has been a good year so far and I have already been thinking about my "best of 2015" lists. There are now 3 books that I can say with 100% certainty that will be on my favorites this year and they are Skullcrack City by Jeremy Robert Johnson, Preparation For The Next Life by Atticus Lish, and now Colony Of Whores by Stokoe.
Colony Of Whores seems like Stokoe's most focused work to me. There are a lot of characters and several different story lines that eventually come together to a deadly climax. Stokoe's trademark transgressive style is still there but it doesn't take the forefront like it has in some of his other books, although there is an undercurrent of taboo busting that will still make you uncomfortable. The story itself really shines here. The scenes are set vividly and the dialogue is on point. I think fans of Stokoe's old work will still like this book but I also think the diehard crime/noir fans will like this book as well. If you like anything from Anthony Neil Smith to James Ellroy I recommend you pick up Colony Of Whores. I'm really looking forward to whatever else Stokoe brings to the table in the future because dude can write a hell of a exciting and fucked up story!
Colony Of Whores seems like Stokoe's most focused work to me. There are a lot of characters and several different story lines that eventually come together to a deadly climax. Stokoe's trademark transgressive style is still there but it doesn't take the forefront like it has in some of his other books, although there is an undercurrent of taboo busting that will still make you uncomfortable. The story itself really shines here. The scenes are set vividly and the dialogue is on point. I think fans of Stokoe's old work will still like this book but I also think the diehard crime/noir fans will like this book as well. If you like anything from Anthony Neil Smith to James Ellroy I recommend you pick up Colony Of Whores. I'm really looking forward to whatever else Stokoe brings to the table in the future because dude can write a hell of a exciting and fucked up story!
January 16, 2015
Matthew Stokoe does it again with "Colony of Whores". I have also read his books "Cows" and "High Life" and was a huge fan of both. I could not put this book down I stayed up three hours later than normal to read the last 100 pages tonight/This morning and I don't regret the zombie I'll soon be at work. May this man never stop writing!
July 17, 2015
This book is absolutely incredible. Stokoe is sickeningly underrated and the lack of recognition he is getting is an absolute crime, given his proven abilities and so far largely overlooked literary importance.
This wont last. But, for now, nowhere near enough people are aware of him.
This wont last. But, for now, nowhere near enough people are aware of him.
October 8, 2025
Stokoe has professed his love for Hubert Shelby Jr., Raymond Chandler, Nelson Algren, Brett Easton Ellis and Charles Bukowski, and the influence of each is evident in this scumbag noir novel.
August 11, 2017
My introduction to Matthew Stokoe was "Cows," a particularly diseased horror tale of feces, fucking, and mutilation that was nonetheless one of the most gripping stories I'd ever read. His novel "High Life" was a similarly grotesque yarn about a struggling actor seeking success in Hollywood by any means necessary, leaving no stone of queasy sex, graphic violence, and general amorality unturned. "Empty Mile" was his most accessible work, a tale of family obligation, greed, and the domino effect of poor choices in small-town America (the cover boasts a rave from author Michael Connelly, and it fits that this novel could easily occupy shelf space with the pulpy page-turners of Gillian Flynn, Paula Hawkins, or the late Stieg Larsson). "Colony of Whores" had been sitting on my shelf for years, largely because I wanted to preserve the mystique of it; with a title and a premise that's like a smack in the mouth, memories of the brilliant/horrible writing of "High Life" bubbled to the surface. So, one could argue that I built the book up too much in my mind before ever reading the first page. This tale of junkies, murderous studio heads, ex-porn actors, floundering screenwriters, public sex acts, bereaved fathers, and - erm - unwashed genitalia begins with mystery and intrigue: Tim comes into possession of a screenplay his late sister was working on, but discovers that the events depicted reflect the real-life details of an infamous Tinseltown crime. Along the way, he meets the ambitious, anti-Hollywood-establishment, and perpetually unwashed Chick, and embarks on an investigation with potentially deadly results. "Colony of Whores" is engaging for a while, keeping the ambiguity of the mystery at arm's length; the characters are seedy enough, with nearly everybody a victim of either literal or figurative incest (admittedly a well-worn theme in this type of tale). At its best, it presents some chewy dialog and scenarios that would align well with the Hard Case Crime imprint...but therein lies the problem: the lean plot is stretched beyond plausibility and interest. Curiously, even more so than "Empty Mile," "Colony" feels like Stokoe's appeal to mainstream success - for the most part, it only teases around the edges of its horrors, which would be fine if the characters were developed beyond their physical and psychological scars...but I honestly had trouble keeping track of who was who in this first-name-only panorama. I found my interest flagging at about the midpoint, as I didn't feel overly invested in anybody's conflicts. Worse, the climactic action feels ripped from some generic, sadistic Hollywood blockbuster ("The Rock," maybe?) and the wrap-up is "ironic" in a way we've seen far too many times before. The excesses of this tale lack the passion and - yes - humanity of Stokoe's earlier, more iconic works, and the narrative approaches an unfortunate conventionality as a result. Still, I can't help but think David Fincher could make a helluva movie out of this.
March 3, 2019
Matthew Stokoe writes a great, fairly literate, sleazy novel. Los Angeles and the denizens of the Hollywood Dream Machine populate this story of ambition, greed, perversion and murder. Sound good? Then go for it!
Occasionally a little too self-assured in its lurid detail, perhaps—but great fun in the end. A bit lower in volume than a previous novel by Stokoe, High Life, which I would not recommend for the faint of heart. This book will not disappoint if one is of a mind to take a brief dip into the tarpit of human depravity.
Occasionally a little too self-assured in its lurid detail, perhaps—but great fun in the end. A bit lower in volume than a previous novel by Stokoe, High Life, which I would not recommend for the faint of heart. This book will not disappoint if one is of a mind to take a brief dip into the tarpit of human depravity.
July 30, 2020
This was an excellent read! Much different than the first of Stokoe’s that I read, ‘Cows.’ This is an excellent murder mystery with an added bit of adult content, promiscuity and action!
I’m in agreement with other readers in that Stokoe should be more widely read in the US. I do wish he were on our shelves over here!
I’m in agreement with other readers in that Stokoe should be more widely read in the US. I do wish he were on our shelves over here!
April 8, 2021
Another great piece of work by Matthew Stokoe. A very intertwined character plot that keeps you guessing each page. Much different from his other works.
August 30, 2024
3.75 Stars.
As always the writing was fantastic.
But I did expect something more like, High Life and Cows. I thought it would be more disturbing, explicit.
But it's mostly broken people in L.A having interconnected lives.
I liked to see the characters grows, overcoming their trauma.
Chandler Morrison, American Narcissus was definitely based on this book. (My opinion, not a fact).
As always the writing was fantastic.
But I did expect something more like, High Life and Cows. I thought it would be more disturbing, explicit.
But it's mostly broken people in L.A having interconnected lives.
I liked to see the characters grows, overcoming their trauma.
Chandler Morrison, American Narcissus was definitely based on this book. (My opinion, not a fact).
January 6, 2022
After all the Harvey Weinstein fallout this fictional account of Hollywood'a disgusting financiers and their ilk doesn't seem so far-fetched. Every character, even the "good guys," are broken by being associated with the Hollywood black hole. That is because Hollywood is operated by demons. Money, fame, power, "art" are all offered in exchange for a measly soul.
In the case of COW (Stokoe's first novel was called Cows, coincidence?) the characters are auxiliary or party to a murder. There are "good guys" and there are "bad guys" and there are "middle guys," but only the dead are innocent. (And the guy without a penis. And his Dad.) Emotions get in the way and Stokoe explains them well enough...the most "innocent" of the bad decisions made by the "good guys" are a result of grief. (It was consensual.)
When it is all said and done, the plot is straightforward. Like Breaking Bad, it could only have ended one way. There are no surprises by that, and not really any surprise how, though it is cool. It is the lead up to the 'how' where the book shines. And COW is all about the journey. The web of characters, their auxiliary involvement with one another, and their connection to the cold case murders is what makes it such a compelling read. There were times I was reading when I'd forgotten how two characters met, because the web was so tangled, which I love. (It was like a readable Pynchon.) The plot kept marching onward towards is finale, and I turned page after page to keep up.
I don't read much conspiracy noir but this had me hooked from the first page.
SPOILERS Except for Denning, arguably Tim, every character had sold their souls for money, fame, power and in Chick's case, "art." Someday will she be igniting billboards of her own movies? Movies are useless, pointless, not art. Chick began to see through the facade at the end; I have hope she kills Kid and Denning kills Dolores. END OF SPOILERS
Movies are not art. Even good ones. Fight me.
If you've read any of Stokoe's previous work then prepare your stomach; his gory descriptions will make you wince harder and for longer than any shock movie violence ever will. It is what we cannot see that makes syntax much more visceral, and as such, Colony of Whores is unfilmable. Only book lovers are allowed. I wouldn't want COW to become a movie anyway. Given the repulsive morals of every above the line character I kind of don't want to watch movies ever again. Good thing there are so many books to read....
In the case of COW (Stokoe's first novel was called Cows, coincidence?) the characters are auxiliary or party to a murder. There are "good guys" and there are "bad guys" and there are "middle guys," but only the dead are innocent. (And the guy without a penis. And his Dad.) Emotions get in the way and Stokoe explains them well enough...the most "innocent" of the bad decisions made by the "good guys" are a result of grief. (It was consensual.)
When it is all said and done, the plot is straightforward. Like Breaking Bad, it could only have ended one way. There are no surprises by that, and not really any surprise how, though it is cool. It is the lead up to the 'how' where the book shines. And COW is all about the journey. The web of characters, their auxiliary involvement with one another, and their connection to the cold case murders is what makes it such a compelling read. There were times I was reading when I'd forgotten how two characters met, because the web was so tangled, which I love. (It was like a readable Pynchon.) The plot kept marching onward towards is finale, and I turned page after page to keep up.
I don't read much conspiracy noir but this had me hooked from the first page.
SPOILERS Except for Denning, arguably Tim, every character had sold their souls for money, fame, power and in Chick's case, "art." Someday will she be igniting billboards of her own movies? Movies are useless, pointless, not art. Chick began to see through the facade at the end; I have hope she kills Kid and Denning kills Dolores. END OF SPOILERS
Movies are not art. Even good ones. Fight me.
If you've read any of Stokoe's previous work then prepare your stomach; his gory descriptions will make you wince harder and for longer than any shock movie violence ever will. It is what we cannot see that makes syntax much more visceral, and as such, Colony of Whores is unfilmable. Only book lovers are allowed. I wouldn't want COW to become a movie anyway. Given the repulsive morals of every above the line character I kind of don't want to watch movies ever again. Good thing there are so many books to read....
March 1, 2022
3.5 stars. I knew this was a Matthew Stokoe book when there were two different cases of incest within the first sixty pages. COLONY OF WHORES definitely exposes the seamy underbelly of Hollywood. I had a little bit of trouble keeping track of what was going on but everything wrapped up nicely in the end.
October 10, 2018
Terrible. Started out decent but turned into a straightforward rushed story that was spared the necessary details to make it interesting. Cows was a good book. The writing in this one was not sharp, especially the dialogue. Disappointing.
January 11, 2021
Hideous characters that you somehow end up empathising with. Vile in places. A gripping read. I hated it and I loved it at the same time. Stokoe is one of the most under rated dark noir writers of all time.
June 21, 2020
Please write more books.
March 26, 2021
Wow! What a mess!
July 6, 2021
A masterwork. Not for people who can't handle violence. Very unique voice.
August 8, 2024
Colony of Whores is a neo-noir crime story set in Hollywood. There are a wide range of characters, and they are all connected through a mysterious screenplay that has surfaced.
There are many themes that run through this novel, including loss, incest, and immigration. However, the main theme that is explored is something that haunts every creative person: art vs business.
Hollywood tends to churn out action money spinners at the expense of true art, fuelled by greed, and it was pleasing to read about a character named Chick who takes it upon herself to protest, burning billboards and vandalising the property of those involved in the production of soulless cinema.
Matthew Stokoe clearly holds vast knowledge of the history of Hollywood, and the book is peppered with movie trivia and folklore. Ever heard of Flynn's Flying Fuckers?
I found this to be an enjoyable read, and Stokoe's prose is rather poetic at times. If you're sick of bland commercialism and you're hungry for real art, here it is!
There are many themes that run through this novel, including loss, incest, and immigration. However, the main theme that is explored is something that haunts every creative person: art vs business.
Hollywood tends to churn out action money spinners at the expense of true art, fuelled by greed, and it was pleasing to read about a character named Chick who takes it upon herself to protest, burning billboards and vandalising the property of those involved in the production of soulless cinema.
Matthew Stokoe clearly holds vast knowledge of the history of Hollywood, and the book is peppered with movie trivia and folklore. Ever heard of Flynn's Flying Fuckers?
I found this to be an enjoyable read, and Stokoe's prose is rather poetic at times. If you're sick of bland commercialism and you're hungry for real art, here it is!
December 8, 2023
This was my third Matthew Stokoe novel and it' s a shame that he still has to self-publish. This was an incestuous, pornographic, and violent LA noir novel that surely was inspired by the mighty James Ellroy. Highly recommended for lovers of noir and transgressive literature.
July 1, 2025
LA noir. Amusing convoluted plot. Ridiculous notions of women. Definitely written for the dudes. I might entertain a screenplay of this 🤣 The LAPD and the LA County sheriff's department really didn't pursue crimes that much, did they?🤣 but holy incest, batman! what the hel!!?!?!!
January 15, 2023
Heart pounding, palm sweating goodness.
Twisty as fuck!
Fantastic book.
Twisty as fuck!
Fantastic book.
February 6, 2023
DNFd halfway
December 9, 2023
Almost DNFed it, the idea was good but eveything else was terrible, Confusing, too long, not a single relatable or likable character. So disappointing after reading High Life.
December 28, 2024
Another winner by Stokoe
all his books are different, but all are great page turners. Read all you can of this author. I love how he crafts such great characters.
all his books are different, but all are great page turners. Read all you can of this author. I love how he crafts such great characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews