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Scorn Kills
Scorn Kills
The Devil’s Due Collection - Side Book 1
When a True Crime author embarks on an illicit affair, he figures it should be easy to hide his infidelity. After all, he had been writing about criminal behavior and nefarious deeds for years. He had the ins and outs of crime down pat so hiding a simple dalliance should have been a piece of cake. But Bill Branch forgot about the fidelity contract he signed in blood at his father-in-law’s insistence early in his marriage.
Proof of his foolishness came when he wakes up in another man’s coffin and can hear the crematorium’s furnace firing up. Paralyzed and burdened by the weight of another person’s dead body lying on his, he has plenty of time to reflect on how he ended up locked in a casket, and why his father-in-law has come back from the dead waiving that bloodstained contract. So who put him there? His wife’s furious dead daddy? His meek wife? Or his lover’s pimp?
The Devil’s Due Collection - Side Book 1
When a True Crime author embarks on an illicit affair, he figures it should be easy to hide his infidelity. After all, he had been writing about criminal behavior and nefarious deeds for years. He had the ins and outs of crime down pat so hiding a simple dalliance should have been a piece of cake. But Bill Branch forgot about the fidelity contract he signed in blood at his father-in-law’s insistence early in his marriage.
Proof of his foolishness came when he wakes up in another man’s coffin and can hear the crematorium’s furnace firing up. Paralyzed and burdened by the weight of another person’s dead body lying on his, he has plenty of time to reflect on how he ended up locked in a casket, and why his father-in-law has come back from the dead waiving that bloodstained contract. So who put him there? His wife’s furious dead daddy? His meek wife? Or his lover’s pimp?
86 pages, ebook
First published November 4, 2014
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25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 28, 2015
"Scorn Kills" is a wickedly devilish book that reads with the breeziness of a fiery furnace backdraft. It dramatically opens with a claustrophobic setting; a coffin relentlessly heading toward final conflagration, its living occupant desperate to plead his case. Horror it is not, but author Suzi Albracht's dark humor ensures that "Scorn Kills" is a far more satisfying read. Morality and fidelity are supposedly inscribed in blood, but for our main protagonist, his manly frailty is that well-treaded demon--the temptation of another woman. And for this transgression, alas, there would be no second chances.
The first person telling of this breathless tale is delectable, as it is the sinner that narrates his own fate. What I especially enjoyed about Ms. Albracht's book is that she never burdened me, the reader, with tiresome sermons on the evils of infidelity; instead she expertly grabbed my attention with a vivid story, filled with flawed characters. For me, "Scorn Kills" is well worth the read!
Review by Mark Fine The Zebra Affaire
The first person telling of this breathless tale is delectable, as it is the sinner that narrates his own fate. What I especially enjoyed about Ms. Albracht's book is that she never burdened me, the reader, with tiresome sermons on the evils of infidelity; instead she expertly grabbed my attention with a vivid story, filled with flawed characters. For me, "Scorn Kills" is well worth the read!
Review by Mark Fine The Zebra Affaire
July 12, 2017
In this third book of the series, we find out what happened to Bill and his girlfriend. I never saw that coming! Bianca loves Bill and her father loves her. So before they got married, dad had Bill sign a prenup stating he would always be faithful and never try to take the family business. He even made Bill sign it in blood. All was going well until Bill met Katrina and his fantasies became real. Will the death of Bianca's parents and Anna his daughter change him? Well no. So what does a dead father do to protect his daughter's honor? Or does Bianca get even herself?
Great story well written.
Great story well written.
December 29, 2014
What I liked most about this book is the main character's snappy attitude, outrageous motivation and wacky inner dialog. There were less than a half dozen well-drawn characters, and each character's motivation, problems and actions were easy to follow which made SCORN KILLS a quick, enjoyable read. I don't want to drop any spoilers, but can't resist saying that the main character is a really lovable jerk (and 'jerk' is being polite)! I know this doesn't make sense but it's true. The main character is simply up to no good, but he's telling you the story while he's doing it and his inner thoughts and foibles are often hilarious. He rationalizes his outrageous actions in such a way that I started to like him. Or . . . maybe I didn't really like him but I really enjoyed going along for the ride while he got himself into deeper and deeper trouble. Shakespeare wrote, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" but I don't think Shakespeare meant it as a joke!
March 2, 2015
A Charming Tale of Horror
How can I not like a story that begins with a guy waking up in a coffin…underneath someone else’s body? I mean, this guy has some major concerns, right? And that’s how I got hooked on Albracht’s story about William Branch – a husband, father and writer of true crime novels – who decides to cheat on his wife with a beautiful grade school teacher. The problem is, he can’t keep his hands off her, which is in violation of a blood-contract he once signed with his father-in-law. Yeah, big oops. Albracht does a great job in bringing this story along, step-by-creepy step, to a great ending. I really enjoyed it. Now I have to read her follow-up, The Devil’s Lieutenant.
How can I not like a story that begins with a guy waking up in a coffin…underneath someone else’s body? I mean, this guy has some major concerns, right? And that’s how I got hooked on Albracht’s story about William Branch – a husband, father and writer of true crime novels – who decides to cheat on his wife with a beautiful grade school teacher. The problem is, he can’t keep his hands off her, which is in violation of a blood-contract he once signed with his father-in-law. Yeah, big oops. Albracht does a great job in bringing this story along, step-by-creepy step, to a great ending. I really enjoyed it. Now I have to read her follow-up, The Devil’s Lieutenant.
June 5, 2015
This is a fast-paced and fun read. I was very impressed by how easily and quickly the story and characters draw the reader in, especially given it is a short novel. It takes talent to create so much drama in such a short space of time whilst still keeping it believable. I am really looking forward to reading more of this author's books.
September 16, 2017
Creepy, but two dimensional
The story is about an infidelity and the ... consequences of the act.
The ending redeems this shallow story, the characters are flat and the main character is too much of a caricature to be taken seriously. That being said, the last quarter of the book is super creepy, leading to the ending, which left me wanting more. It's unfortunate the rest of the story was so stiff.
The story is about an infidelity and the ... consequences of the act.
The ending redeems this shallow story, the characters are flat and the main character is too much of a caricature to be taken seriously. That being said, the last quarter of the book is super creepy, leading to the ending, which left me wanting more. It's unfortunate the rest of the story was so stiff.
February 5, 2015
SCORN KILLS - review
Suzi Albracht's Scorn Kills turned out to be quite different from what I had expected. I was forewarned it was a horror, and I had to take a deep breath and tell myself to embrace the challenge, as horrors (apart from my favourite bestselling author) are not really my cup of tea at all. The title itself seemed promising, as the word 'scorn' reminded me of 'corn' and The Children of the Corn, and I do love puns.
However, reading the first chapter made me realize there would be no corn at all, but tons of gripping storytelling. I have to say if the first chapter is meant to grab your attention, this one definitely does. Telling the story in the first person is not always a good choice, but I would definitely commend the author on making that bold decision here, because it emphasizes the impact of the first chapter where (spoiler alert ahead) the main character finds himself confined in a.... box (opting not to divulge too much here), facing his own decisions. The first-person storytelling flows naturally throughout the book, giving it a really believable tone. There are places which even made me chuckle (e.g. checking his teeth when the vixen lady phones him). The first person technique also helps you connect with the character, which might otherwise be difficult, seeing as the hero is a really plausible anti-hero, an average, seemingly successful man, with all the insecurities of his middle-aged aspirations, taking his family for granted and finding excuses for every single stupid, naive, greedy decision he makes. In fact, apart from the occasional glimpses of positivity, mostly in the role of Mikael (the anti-hero's best friend), there is hardly any character there you would be proud to know in real life. And yet, and congrats to the author on this amazing skill, Suzi Albracht manages to entice you to read the story through, whether it is because you want to see the anti-hero redeem himself, or you can't wait to see him punished for all he does.
The initial chapter offers horror, which later on melts into ordinary horrible events of marital and family life, betrayal, death, separation, etc., and the supernatural horror-like events give way to the ugliness of human indifference, nastiness and misery, with only hints of awful things to follow masterfully added by the author, almost in passing, from time to time. She weaves her web of details and waves of treacherous serenity up until the true horror of the final chapters, when all hell breaks loose and, without mercy, as promised and announced, the author punishes all the guilty. Well, almost;)...
Suzi Albracht's Scorn Kills turned out to be quite different from what I had expected. I was forewarned it was a horror, and I had to take a deep breath and tell myself to embrace the challenge, as horrors (apart from my favourite bestselling author) are not really my cup of tea at all. The title itself seemed promising, as the word 'scorn' reminded me of 'corn' and The Children of the Corn, and I do love puns.
However, reading the first chapter made me realize there would be no corn at all, but tons of gripping storytelling. I have to say if the first chapter is meant to grab your attention, this one definitely does. Telling the story in the first person is not always a good choice, but I would definitely commend the author on making that bold decision here, because it emphasizes the impact of the first chapter where (spoiler alert ahead) the main character finds himself confined in a.... box (opting not to divulge too much here), facing his own decisions. The first-person storytelling flows naturally throughout the book, giving it a really believable tone. There are places which even made me chuckle (e.g. checking his teeth when the vixen lady phones him). The first person technique also helps you connect with the character, which might otherwise be difficult, seeing as the hero is a really plausible anti-hero, an average, seemingly successful man, with all the insecurities of his middle-aged aspirations, taking his family for granted and finding excuses for every single stupid, naive, greedy decision he makes. In fact, apart from the occasional glimpses of positivity, mostly in the role of Mikael (the anti-hero's best friend), there is hardly any character there you would be proud to know in real life. And yet, and congrats to the author on this amazing skill, Suzi Albracht manages to entice you to read the story through, whether it is because you want to see the anti-hero redeem himself, or you can't wait to see him punished for all he does.
The initial chapter offers horror, which later on melts into ordinary horrible events of marital and family life, betrayal, death, separation, etc., and the supernatural horror-like events give way to the ugliness of human indifference, nastiness and misery, with only hints of awful things to follow masterfully added by the author, almost in passing, from time to time. She weaves her web of details and waves of treacherous serenity up until the true horror of the final chapters, when all hell breaks loose and, without mercy, as promised and announced, the author punishes all the guilty. Well, almost;)...
February 16, 2015
The main protagonist of Suzi Albracht's Scorn Kills, William Branch, is someone you can't ignore. From the start you are drawn into his story, with the fist person narrative providing the stimuli to the reader to get under his skin. A husband who marries for money, proves to be disloyal again and again and finds himself deep in trouble as a result of his own lies and betrayal, marks for a thrilling read. What consequences the 'contract signed in blood' bears?, this question kept lingering in my head throughout the story and the unexpected ending was a welcoming surprise. Although all my questions will probably be answered in the second book of Suzi's.
The shocking end made me sympathize with Bill's character though I had hated his guts from the start. Bill's moral conscience seems to vanish when he chooses his lover over his wife Bianca, despite his father in laws several warnings. Both women hold terrible secrets and one of them proves to be the end of Bill. I loved the characters sketched by the author and felt more intrigued by Bianca's character. I wanted to know her side of the story as well, but the author has kept that as a secret for now. And because of this mysterious aura of Bianca and her family I will be picking up Suzi's second book soon!
The shocking end made me sympathize with Bill's character though I had hated his guts from the start. Bill's moral conscience seems to vanish when he chooses his lover over his wife Bianca, despite his father in laws several warnings. Both women hold terrible secrets and one of them proves to be the end of Bill. I loved the characters sketched by the author and felt more intrigued by Bianca's character. I wanted to know her side of the story as well, but the author has kept that as a secret for now. And because of this mysterious aura of Bianca and her family I will be picking up Suzi's second book soon!
January 29, 2015
Deliver us from temptation!
Two bodies in a box! How about that as a hook to get you… well, hooked! If you can get your reader to keep reading beyond the first paragraph or so, you have a good chance of landing a commitment. And Suzi Albracht does that quite masterfully in Scorn Kills.
The reader is well rewarded for his or her persistence, since this is a tale skillfully woven around one of the oldest vices known to mankind: greed. Bill’s greed makes him marry for money, and continue a rather humdrum marriage for money. No wonder when temptation comes along, he falls for it. What else is new! Greed again, in the guise of lust.
Tales of marital betrayal are not exactly revolutionary. But here we have a struggle. Lust versus duty. Excitement versus stable routine. And greed again: a desire to have one’s cake and eat it, too. As well as periodic remorse. Against a background of fear, in the form of a rather bizarre pre-nuptual agreement of sorts.
What wins out? I can’t say much more, except that the finale is gripping, but, in the final analysis, just.
I recommend this to all readers who like their stories to have twists and turns.
Two bodies in a box! How about that as a hook to get you… well, hooked! If you can get your reader to keep reading beyond the first paragraph or so, you have a good chance of landing a commitment. And Suzi Albracht does that quite masterfully in Scorn Kills.
The reader is well rewarded for his or her persistence, since this is a tale skillfully woven around one of the oldest vices known to mankind: greed. Bill’s greed makes him marry for money, and continue a rather humdrum marriage for money. No wonder when temptation comes along, he falls for it. What else is new! Greed again, in the guise of lust.
Tales of marital betrayal are not exactly revolutionary. But here we have a struggle. Lust versus duty. Excitement versus stable routine. And greed again: a desire to have one’s cake and eat it, too. As well as periodic remorse. Against a background of fear, in the form of a rather bizarre pre-nuptual agreement of sorts.
What wins out? I can’t say much more, except that the finale is gripping, but, in the final analysis, just.
I recommend this to all readers who like their stories to have twists and turns.
December 23, 2014
“Scorn Kills” by Suzi Albracht grabbed my attention with the first sentence and held it throughout this book. A somewhat tongue in cheek examination of man’s weakness when it comes to women and money (not necessarily in that order) Albracht created a character I wanted to smack in the head. From the beginning Bill Branch is obviously an opportunist. I liked him and almost felt sorry for him when he first became entangled in the web of lies he spun. But as the story unfolded I began to lose patience with good old Bill. Without giving away too much I will say I had very little sympathy for him at the end. He is never satisfied with what he has and always seems to be looking for something better. His well to do wife has secrets of her own that make the story even more compelling. The ending was a surprise I didn’t see coming. If this story has a moral it might be “when you sell your soul to the devil, expect to get burned”.
July 19, 2018
Beware to what you sign with blood, if you're not keen on biblical parables!
As a short novel, this is one of the best crafted I’ve ever read.
Scorn Kills is based on solid, traditional ingredients: the greed for money and, at first opportunity, the uncontrollable lust of a selfish husband, resulting in the betrayal of the innocent and adoring wife, whom he married just for convenience.
Even though built upon an everlasting classic, which somebody might deem an ordinary plot, page after page the novel turns out a rewarding reading. It's carefully designed, with an "incipit" that couldn't be more intriguing, twists that keep you stuck reading, and an ending that hits with the severity of a biblical parable. But what, more than anything else, spurred my curiosity, have been the haunting threats of a dreadful punishment, that the guilty husband seemed receive from someone lurking behind ordinary reality.
As a short novel, this is one of the best crafted I’ve ever read.
Scorn Kills is based on solid, traditional ingredients: the greed for money and, at first opportunity, the uncontrollable lust of a selfish husband, resulting in the betrayal of the innocent and adoring wife, whom he married just for convenience.
Even though built upon an everlasting classic, which somebody might deem an ordinary plot, page after page the novel turns out a rewarding reading. It's carefully designed, with an "incipit" that couldn't be more intriguing, twists that keep you stuck reading, and an ending that hits with the severity of a biblical parable. But what, more than anything else, spurred my curiosity, have been the haunting threats of a dreadful punishment, that the guilty husband seemed receive from someone lurking behind ordinary reality.
January 8, 2015
Pick this up and you'll have a hard time putting it down. The book examines a man's weakness; the inability to control his desires in the face of a "contract" he'd signed to be faithful. And I wondered why there would be a need for a separate contract; wouldn't marrying someone on its own be enough? But the author provides ample justification and the result is a well written ride on a roller coaster of emotions. I found this to be well-paced, and easy to read. If you've ever thought of cheating on your spouse, and I certainly hope that you haven't, you'll definitely think twice after reading this book. I highly recommend it.
February 23, 2015
Scorn Kills was a fast read (90 pages or so) that left you with little time to take a breath. And that’s a good thing given that it is a horror story. I found it Twilight Zone-esque with the unusual twists and turns and the way it gets into the head of the character that has these horrible things happening to him. The reader can decide if he deserved it or not. There are a few unanswered questions, which lends a nice transition, I’m sure, into the next book, the Devil’s Lieutenant. Nicely done.
I recommend this for a quick weekend read.
I recommend this for a quick weekend read.
November 14, 2015
A PACEY AND ENGAGING STORY
A man must pay the price for his infidelity in the most gruesome and haunting way imaginable. The writing is good and the story compelling. The main character is both lovable and flawed, which creates tension and confusion about whether to root for him or not.
The novel isn't too long, and you could probably read it in one or two sittings. It is pacey, engaging and the finale is suitably nauseating.
A Good read.
A man must pay the price for his infidelity in the most gruesome and haunting way imaginable. The writing is good and the story compelling. The main character is both lovable and flawed, which creates tension and confusion about whether to root for him or not.
The novel isn't too long, and you could probably read it in one or two sittings. It is pacey, engaging and the finale is suitably nauseating.
A Good read.
January 30, 2015
Scorn Kills is short, sweet, and chilling. Our guy Bill is a sex loving putz who ticked off the wrong father in law. He has plenty of chances to redeem himself but constantly does the wrong thing. Thrills, suspense, and intrigue follow from start to finish. Hang on, the ride is fast and ends before you know it!
January 8, 2015
Great story! Would make a good movie. Takes you along a suspenseful journey, wondering from the start who is going to get Bill! Or will he escape? Read it to find out!
April 11, 2017
Great, jaw-dropping opening to this story. Bill Branch finds himself incarcerated in a coffin, with the cremation about to begin, and with another body flat on top of him. We hear of his past infidelities, his current lover, his rich, cuckolded wife and her family, in a tale full of a wicked sense of humour, unexpected twists and turns, and the spine-chillingly macabre. Does Bill manage to extricate himself from this situation, and will he ever be able to turn over a new leaf? Or is he doomed? And who's got it in for this oversexed, greedy specimen? Will he pay for his transgressions? Full of surprises, and a stunning ending. Check it out.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews