I Kill in Peace: A Pre-Apocalyptic Novella

by Hunter Shea

Killing gets easier…with practice.

Peter Blades is, in every sense of the word, an ordinary man. Hard worker, father, husband, a man content with small-town life. Except for one small fact—he’s slowly being turned into a ruthless killer.

Compelled by mysterious texts to murder, he’s provided a fiery red Mustang and an ancient sword to carry out an ever-growing hit list. His jerkoff boss is victim number one. You always remember your first.

By the time his sword sings through the air to dispatch a would-be school shooter, taking lives is as easy as breathing. And if the world is going to hell around him, all the better. No one wants to burn alone.

Genres: Horror, Novella

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 2016

About the author

Hunter Shea is the author of over 25 books, with a specialization in cryptozoological horror that includes The Jersey Devil, The Dover Demon, Loch Ness Revenge and many others. As part of the new horror line at Flame Tree Press, his novel Creature has gained critical acclaim. His novel, The Montauk Monster, was named one of the best reads of the summer by Publishers Weekly. A trip to the International Cryptozoology Museum will find several of his cryptid books among the fascinating displays. Living in a true haunted house inspired his Jessica Backman: Death in the Afterlife series (Forest of Shadows, Sinister Entity and Island of the Forbidden). In 2011, he was selected to be a part of the launch of Samhain Publishing’s new horror line alongside legendary author Ramsey Campbell. When he’s not writing thrillers and horror, he also spins tall tales for middle grade readers on Amazon’s highly regarded Rapids reading app.
An avid podcaster, he can be seen and heard on Monster Men, one of the longest running video horror podcasts in the world, and Final Guys, focusing on weekly movie and book reviews. His nostalgic column about the magic of 80s horror, Video Visions, is featured monthly at Cemetery Dance Online. You can find his short stories in a number of anthologies, including Chopping Block Party, The Body Horror Book and Fearful Fathoms II.

A lifetime New Yorker, Hunter is supported by his loving wife and two beautiful daughters. When he’s not studying up on cryptozoology, he’s an avid explorer of the unknown, having spent a night alone on the Queen Mary, searching for the Warren’s famous White Lady of the Union Cemetery and other mysterious places.
You can follow his travails at www.huntershea.com.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is AO and why has Peter to do all those killings? What about that mysterious virus spreading in the USA? Is the red Mustang a reference to one of the Apocalyptic Four Horsemen? Hunter Shea comes up with a really fascinating, brutal and terrifying story getting you in the mood for the final days on earth. The highlight chapter probably was the confession in the church with Father Brendan. Page turning horror mystery with an eerie end of days touch. Highly recommended!

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

"AO: Marcellus is going to call u into his office at 5. He's laying u off." So says the instant message that begins this fast paced, messed up, ultra-violent novella. What fun!

This is a hard story to review without spoilers, but I can say that this is just the first of many mysterious messages and texts Peter receives. At first they just serve to warn him, but then the texts turn into something entirely different-directions that he must follow, no matter the cost.

I had a vague clue as to where this story was going, but the fun here is in reaching the destination. There really is no time to put together a cohesive thought as to what's going to happen because everything is moving so quickly. Instead, I focused on hanging on for the ride, and what a ride it was!

I highly recommend this novella for those of you that are looking for a quick, gory and violent read with a nice little message at the end. Or is it? I guess you'll have to read I Kill in Peace to find out!

*Horror After Dark received a free copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review. This is it.*

[Michael Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the handful of titles I’ve read from Hunter Shea, I Kill In Peace easily stands at the top of the stack as my hands-down favorite. It’s bloody, it’s violent, it’s mysterious, and it’s wickedly entertaining from start to finish as Shea hurtles readers from one crazy kill to another.

A few hours before being fired, marketing analyst Peter gets an instant message from the strange AO warning him of his impending termination. In the hours and days that follow, AO continues contacting Peter via electronic means, ordering him to kill. If Peter refuses, he becomes violently sick and crippled with migraines. Forced to comply, he is given a fiery red Mustang and a scimitar to use in terminating his assigned targets.

Over the course of this novella, both readers and Peter are forced to grapple with whether or not Peter is an insane psychopath or merely a pawn a mysterious manipulator. I Kill In Peace is a quick read told through first-person narration, and how reliable a narrator Peter may actually be is questionable, particularly since he doesn’t even know if he’s afflicted with split-personality. And who, or what, is this AO that continues to mysteriously contact and compel him to tear a bloody swath through Maine?

There’s a third layer to the story, which I won’t go into details about, but Shea provides plenty of tantalizing teases as to what else may be happening around and outside of Peter, all of which congeals into a remarkable finale that left me completely satisfied. The way Shea strips back the layers of his big reveal is completely terrific, and I Kill In Peace may be his most masterful bit of writing to date.

[Note: I received a copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley for review.]

[Kenneth McKinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter gets a strange message at work warning him that he is going to be fired at the end of the day. The message is from someone labeled as AO. He doesn't know anyone by AO and writes it off as a prank and at the end of the day, guess what happens? That's right. His self-righteous prick of a boss calls him into his office and gives him the axe. Who is this AO and how did they know about it? Later on that day, AO sends him another message telling him to get ready to kill his ex-boss and that he'll send a red Mustang for him to use. Peter has no desire to follow through with AO's demand and refuses. As a result, he is greeted with the most excruciating, debilitating pain in his head. Seeing the Mustang pull in at the rendezvous point, Peter stumbles over to it to kick whoever this AO is ass. Whipping the door to the running muscle car open, he finds that there is no one inside and as soon as he sits in the car, the headache is instantly gone. Is Peter going crazy? How is this AO able to communicate with him and provide the means to kill his boss? Will Peter really go through with what AO demands?

I Kill in Peace is a fast paced tale from Hunter Shea that keeps you turning the pages so fast that they almost become a blur as you try to discover what is really happening to Peter. It is a tight story that you should let yourself have fun with. You'll be glad you did.

4 Holy Marys out of 5


** I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.


You can also follow my reviews at the following links:

https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com

http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...

[Mommacat · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated everything from the title to the ending of this novella. Even though it may have been the best written story that Hunter Shea has produced to date, the content left me wishing I had read something else.

The story is a tease and almost enjoyable at first. I hoped for an answer at the end and yes, it's there. I wasn't happy with the final 2/3 of the book.

I recommend this for the supporters of Trump.

[OutlawPoet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Hunter Shea.

I did not really like this book that much. Truth be told, it’s just too heavy on the religious overtones, too heavy on the wholesale slaughter of innocents by our erstwhile hero, and just a little too bizarre. I’m good with splatterpunk and all things graphic, and I love it when bad guys get a little vengeance thrust upon them, but this just left me scratching my head.

I do think this will be fine for fans of more bizarre horror and people who like heavy religion in their horror, but I’m afraid this one left me cold.

I’ll read Shea again in the future, but I’ll stick to his slightly more traditional horror offerings.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley for review purposes.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world is burning and one man goes on a killing spree, compelled to do so by a voice in his head. That's the gist of this terrific horror novella, a revised edition of the author's 2016 book of the same name. But no one-liner can really convey the wonderful complications underlying the story's premise, let alone the jaw-dropping ending noone will be prepared for! What starts as a suspenseful and thought-provoking tale of one man's journey through hell, culminates in the most messed up revelation I've read in years.

Shea pulls no punches when it comes to the fate of his story's protagonist, and unapologetically picks the hardest road, emotionally and morally speaking, to reach his chosen destination. The killings are described with uncanny detail, though the really disturbing aspect of the murders is watching a family man being forced to act against his will and violently terminate a life (with a scimitar and riding a red Mustang!), and then go back to his loving wife and adorable daughter as if nothing has happened - not to mention how unsettling it feels when he actually starts enjoying the mysterious situation he's found himself in. It's not just his world collapsing, though; it's everyone's! So when it's time for the big reveal, a pre-apocalyptic setting has already been established through subtle hints and mentions of horrible news in passing. Perfect timing for the whiplash moment shortly before the story's ending.

Perhaps some people will be triggered by the book's choice to portray vigilante activity slowly slipping into terrorist acts and, ultimately, an act of complete moral bankruptcy. Others may feel alienated by the wider significance of the ending, or the book's apparently troubling understanding of a certain crucial element of contemporary American culture. I'm being evasive here, so as to avoid spoilers. But it's important to remind oneself that this is fiction: an adventure in moral ambiguity and bloody violence, with a flawed hero trying to find his way through life-changes he never planned for; to that extent, the story is meant to challenge established ways of thinking rather than condemn or outright criticize them.

I highly, very highly recommend the book: the writing is top-notch and the story is engrossing and inventive, so better prepare for a uniquely immersive reading experience of the kind so many of us horror fans long for!

[Shane Douglas Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you think of Hunter Shea--if you know Hunter Shea--you think of monsters. It's what you do. Because it's what he does. Hunter writes some of the best damn monster stories you can get your hands on, bar none, and each successive monster, even the ones you think you know, is creepier and more original than the one before it. Sure, he's tackled other subjects to good effect, including ghosts, ghost hunters, apocalypse, etc., and he's done so with the same flare for storytelling that he brings to his monster tales. But monsters are what he does most and what he does, in this reviewer's opinion, best. So what does all this have to do with his new slasher novella, I KILL IN PEACE? Nothing at all. Or does it?

"AO: Are u OK?
I wasn’t sure if I was legally supposed to use my computer, now that I’d been shit-canned. What are they gonna do, fire me twice?
PB: How did you know?
AO: I know a lot. Are u angry?
PB: Of course I am. Being fired is one thing. Being fired by a dumbass I don’t respect is another.
AO: Good.
PB: Why is that good?
AO: Because u won’t feel so bad when u kill him."

That snippet of dialogue in text form closes the first chapter of I KILL IN PEACE and kicks off a wild, violent whirlwind of a ride featuring badass muscle cars, ancient swords, and maybe an uzi or two. As per usual, I won't synopsize this story. Particularly this one because there are so many reveals throughout the book that it would be way too easy to spoil something important. What I'll do instead is tell you what works about this book and why it's such a damn fine piece of entertainment. Again as per usual, what makes this story, and all of Hunter Shea's stories work, is sheer storytelling prowess. Shea has a sure hand with catchy prose and edgy, natural seeming characters that you can really empathize with, not to mention a mastery of the action scene that is literally unmatched in the horror community.

"I brought the scimitar down into the center of his skull. It thunked all the way to his nose. One of his eyeballs rolled across the porch, flopping into an azalea bush. I pulled the scimitar free, flicking the blood off and onto his reddening shirt.

I heard his body hit the floor as I walked down the steps and back to the car. I put the scimitar in its case and started the Mustang. Every nerve and muscle in my body was humming as if I’d stuck a fork in an electrical outlet."

But. Yes, there's a but. As demonstrated above, the number one, most powerful thing about I KILL IN PEACE, the thing that stands above all others and pulls all those other elements together is an incredible grasp of tension and pacing. Shea feeds his tale to you in bite size little chunks of sudden, shocking brutality, and horrific, unexpected reveals all leading toward a destiny of seemingly wanton destruction, murderous cruelty and a staggering conclusion that will leave you reeling when you discover the source of the "monsters" in this unapologetically blood-soaked rocket ride of a story.

No matter what he writes, Hunter doesn't shy away from violence and gore and in I KILL IN PEACE he brings it in spades. But the violence is in no way gratuitous. It serves a purpose as an important element in a story in which the final, stunning divulgence would fall completely flat without it. And when I say stunning, it's no exaggeration. In fact, it may just be the understatement of the year. Trust me when I tell you that this book is like no slasher/serial killer story you've ever read nor are likely to read again. Hunter Shea is a storyteller with a unique outlook and original vision when it comes to the horrors he imagines and I KILL IN PEACE is a fine example of that vision.

As I've said before, here and in other entries, Hunter Shea is a master of the macabre and the monstrous, a deft and practiced virtuoso of visceral, raw fear with an abiding knowledge of the techniques required to take that fear and move it from the page to the reader's psyche. Hunter's stories always scare, they always make you check the doors and windows twice before you go to bed at night, and they always, always entertain. I KILL IN PEACE was a one sitting read for me, a quick hundred or so pages that went by in the time it usually takes me to read a short story. If you haven't read Hunter Shea, you're robbing yourself of an incomparable treat.

[Zakk Madness · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Kill in Peace is a frenzied little tome of horror, the most recent spectacle from Hunter Shea, an author I missed the boat with early on in his career. I've read all of his output for the last couple of years (thanks Erin) and am now playing catch up. I'd definitely say that he is a must read author as he has never failed to entertain me, which I'm sure is a big deal to him, wink wink.

Not only is he a thrilling writer, he is also a pretty rad, interesting, and easily accessible person to talk to. Never taking a question or comment as an opportunity to pitch his wares, unless asked if course, but to weave a conversation. That sure is a big deal to me.

I dug this read, quite a bit. The idea of a man, or woman for that matter, caught up in the trappings and execution of someone else's end-game is usually a fun topic and here it is delivered with a high level of splatter and machismo. The intentions of the mysterious AO are enigmatic and held close to the vest, weaving a enjoyable game of cat and mouse... and overlord.

You can feel the puppet strings being wrapped around Peter as the tasks given to him darken in gravity and expand in scope. With the torment he feels concerning the well being of his family becoming a tangible force.

The character of Peter, the central and featured character, is likeable enough. You feel for him and his plight, hoping for the best outcome. You don't get a great deal of time to connect with him so the personal investment in the story doesn't get time to develop. Which is fine because the spectacle is enough to keep me involved. And what a spectacle it is. I don't want to say too much as your time in this world is short and dance envelops quickly, so jump in and let the narrative lead.

I don't always need the narrative explained to me, the how's and the why's. I'm actually a bit of a fan of the ambiguous ending, where your (the reader's) interpretations of the story are allowed to reign supreme. From the moment that AO's first prediction comes to fruition I was in, compelled, and after the first scene defining Peter's path I was cemented, hoping for a full revelation. I didn't want to guess, I didn't want to theorize. And when that epiphany hit, it hit with a bit of a face-palm moment, an of-course-this-is-what-it's-about moment.

I think it's safe to say that all faiths have a belief in an end of times scenario. I'm not ashamed to say that I don't know for sure. I pulled up a few articles on the particular subject matter of I Kill in Peace before this review, which I don't normally do (so thank you Hunter for inspiring me to do a little research). These belief systems of characters (for lack of a better term) or events ushering in the end of days differ from one faith to the next, it'd be silly not to expect this, as do their interpretations and signs. The only problem that I can see with a story like this, and any book of the same ilk, is that it seems to pull more from, and indirectly lending more credence to, a particular faith. And in general stories with religions or faith based undertones may not strike a cord with everyone. I don't know if Mr. Shea is a man of faith, or if this interpretation falls in line with his belief system. I won't ask because I feel one's faith and belief is personal and should be held as such. I am not a true believer in the biblical sense, not yet anyway (that could all change in the blink of an eye), so I didn't take I Kill in Peace as gospel but as a pretty kick ass good time and a boss interpretation of a story as old as time.

Thanks again for having me on the journey. You'll see me again jumping aboard the Jersey Devil train.

Zakk is a big dumb animal!

**Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher/ publicist on the promise of an honest review. These are my unbiased feelings.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This book was ... odd. Really odd is the only word I can use to describe it. It is an interesting story and I was turning the pages to find out who AO was and what the outcome would be for Peter after committing multiple murders. There were obvious theories in my but what it turned out to be - well I was kind of disappointed.

The story definitely had a creepy vibe and some graphic kill scenes. I'd be interested to see what others thought because there were connections to be made that were not obvious to me but would probably be to others. I won't say what because I don't want to give anything away. If the synopsis interests you I say give this a read and come to your own conclusion.

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kill

Peter's life changes after he loses his job. He hears strange voices and feels pain. He is compelled to do things he never believed he would do. What is happening to him? Amazing tale unexpected ending.

[Josef Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good novella

For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/i-kill... or http://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/ and follow me on Twitter @josenher

[Michelle Stockard Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short little novella tells quite a story. What would you do if someone anonymously started texting you to kill people? Yeah, sure...the murders seem justifiable, if that's how you think, but would you do it? Well, in this case, Peter doesn't have much of a choice. At the very first, I thought I knew where this was leading. A bit later, I started realizing where this was going. The sudden widespread epidemics and everything else going on...I thought "Apocalypse."

I read in someone's review on Goodreads that it was too heavy on the religious overtones. I didn't really get that on my end. I'm not sure what the author's religious leanings are, but I'm not a religious person. I mean, I believe in some type of higher power, but I don't really hold with the Bible and the religious establishment. And the Book of Revelation really pisses me off. In my case, it was because of an experience I had at a church when I was a teen where they're teaching it to us and it scared the shit out of me. My teens years were smack dab in the middle of the threat of nuclear Armageddon so teaching me about the end of the world was not good. I just don't think that's something churches should be teaching kids, or even teens, but that's my opinion. Anyway, my take was that the higher power didn't care whose life is ruined by the "second coming" or if, in the midst of some righteous killing (so to speak), innocents must die as well. The importance is to get the ball rolling, i.e. break the seals, the four horsemen, and all that jazz.

So, yes, I Kill in Peace is a good read because it makes you think. You might interpret things entirely different than I did, but it still packs a lot of meaning in just over 100 pages, whatever that meaning is for each reader.

(I received an eBook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

[Greg at 2 Book Lovers Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

You got me. Hunter Shea, you really got me good. I should have seen it coming, all of the signs were there, I just couldn’t put it all together. What in the devil is wrong with me?!

Hunter Shea has masterfully pieced together an intricately woven story filled with symbolism, heavy subject matter and a killer ending (pun intended). He has done this while putting a smile on my face and giving me a few chuckles along the way.

The story revolves around Peter Blades, and his ever-growing and increasingly shocking list of hits. What made this murderous bastard likable was how he didn’t want to do it; this wasn’t Peter Blades, he was the family man, the nice guy, not some cold-blooded killer who knocked people off because of a text message. I could put myself in his shoes, except for the rampaging murderer part, or maybe on second thought, I could have a couple of beers with him. Hunter Shea has given me a dark hero and the average guy all wrapped up into one.

I Kill in Peace is fast paced and non-stop. It is filled with bad guys who deserve to die, and some colorful ways for it to happen.

I have to give some extra props to the author. He brought so many things together in a small package. And on top of it all, I am still stuck on the fact that I didn’t see that freight train coming. When an author can trick you like that, he deserves some extra credit. The only thing I wanted was more.

*4.5 Stars

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting interpretation...

Peter is a normal guy in this hard-hitting short tale by author Hunter Shea.

As the story starts out, he gets an IM telling him he's going to be laid off from his job. And this message comes from someone he's never even heard of before. And it comes true.

IMs and text messages keep coming and the messages get more bizarre, telling him to kill a growing number of people. He's provided a racy red Mustang and a shiny scimitar to accomplish these deeds.

This is a strange story for Shea...and he's written some other strange books. No character development, a disjointed storyline but there is a method to the author's madness and a message in the telling of the story.

This wasn't my favorite of Shea's books that I've read but it was worth reading.

NOTE: I received this book from Samhain Publishing through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

[Catherine Cavendish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunter Shea knows how to grip, fascinate and entertain. With I Kill In Peace, he also managed to utterly confound me! I simply didn't expect the final denouement - not even for a second. Fabulous. It all starts innocently enough with the sort of uncaring selfish boss many of us will identify with having endured at some point in their lives. Peter Blades' boss lays him off. As casually as tossing an old tee shirt into the waste bin. Peter's reaction? He kills him. Slaughters him actually - but it really isn't as simple as that. Someone - or something - has managed to infiltrate his mind and control his actions. A Mustang is supplied for his murderous activities because this entity is nor going to let him stop at one. Oh no. Peter Blades is on a killing spree he cannot control and doesn't understand. I won't reveal anymore but I will say I thought it was a great and riveting read.

[zackary ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this.

The book is action packed and suspenseful as all get out. I love how the story builds but by bit to its crescendo. It is full of twists and turns and will keep you guessing till Shea brings it all together for you in a superb conclusion.

[Rich D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review
I remember reading Hunter's blog posts about this novella back in February and hearing him describe it as something different and that he was worried certain parts might get the axe. Now, as a horror fan, hearing stuff like that sent my anticipation for I Kill in Peace into overdrive! As for it being different, I wasn't worried about that in the slightest. I know that every time I get my hands on a copy of Hunter's work, no matter what it is about, I am going to going on one hell of an adventure!

Peter Blades is an everyday average family man. He has a beautiful wife and daughter he loves and a steady job. His life seems to be going well until the day he begins getting mysterious messages from a person known only as "AO". The first interaction with AO happens with an instant message from AO warning Peter that he will lose his job at the end of the work day. Peter initially shrugs off the message thinking the message was meant for someone else. However, when AO uses his name and keeps sending him messages, Peter thinks it is a co-worker playing a sick joke on him. However, he is shaken when he is called to Marcellus Hanson's office at the end of the day and laid off. How did this AO know what was going to happen to him well before it actually happened? After being let go, Peter continues receiving messages from AO and they carry a sinister message - ordering him to kill his boss.

Peter tries his best to ignore the messages, but they keep popping up on his phone, his computer and even his iPad. Every time Peter thinks about ignoring AO, he is crippled by intense pain and visions of fire until he surrenders to the will of AO. On his way to his first mission, he is provided a brand new red Mustang and AO is able to speak to him through the car's Bluetooth capabilities. When he arrives at Hanson's house, AO tells Peter to check the backseat and it is there Peter finds his weapon - an ancient sword that gives him a swagger to carry out the killings. Although he is shaken to the core by his first murder, when he gets home, he shares a passionate moment with his wife and momentarily forgets his guilt.

Just when it seems like Peter has escaped AO, the messages start rolling in again and Peter is tasked with carrying out AO's murderous orders. While Peter struggles with the guilt of killing random people at first, Peter quickly finds that he needs to keep killing in order to feel fulfilled. Meanwhile, as Peter keeps getting new missions from AO, there are reports of strange events popping up all over the country. As Peter's life begins spiraling out of control, he begins to question if AO is real or if this is all part of his mind slowly coming unraveled.

I Kill in Peace is a bit of a departure for Shea, but it is an excellent novella that keeps you hooked from the first page. While Hunter has tackled everything from ghosts and cryptids to an apocalyptic scenario, this novella is a very unique take on the slasher genre. Everything about Peter screams normal, he is the last person you would expect to pick up a sword and go on a crazed killing spree. Not only that, it isn't like he harbors some sort of inner darkness or that he uses his appearance as a camouflage. He truly is a harmless person who is driven to commit these brutal acts of vengeance due to the whims of the mysterious AO. He is also unable to confess his crimes or attempt to take any responsibility, which makes this stand out from your standard slasher story. I don't want to give too much away on why he is unable to take responsibility, but it is a pretty clever style choice that helped add another level of mystery to Peter and his relationship to AO.

The other thing that makes this novella interesting is the common thread that links Peter's victims. Each person that AO orders Peter to kill has done horrible things to other people. I don't want to give too much away about what these people have done, but the official synopsis does state that one of them was a would-be school shooter. This makes the novella interesting because of how it toys with the emotions of Peter and the readers. It is horrifying that Peter is able to go from mild-mannered "everyman" to homicidal vigilante almost as soon as he picks up the sword. What makes Peter's predicament interesting is the fact that these people all have a sinister streak in their daily lives that goes unnoticed. Peter feels guilty for committing these murders and he struggles with the decision to confess his crimes and risk losing everything he cares about, but at the same time, he tries to rationalize his actions with the fact that these people have done some truly awful things.

The mystery surrounding AO really drew me into this story and it drove me crazy trying to figure out who it was. AO is seemingly able to predict the future with eerie accuracy when they tell Peter of his firing hours before it happens. That in and of itself could lead to a variety of different possibilities a disgruntled co-worker seeking to cause havoc in Peter's life or his best friend playing a practical joke on him. However, as the novella progresses and the body count begins to stack up, the possibilities of who AO is are endless. I will admit that for a fleeting second, when AO began speaking to Peter through the Bluetooth in the Mustang, I thought it was going to be some sort of murderous version of Kitt from Knight Rider or an homage to Stephen King's Christine.

What makes the mystery of AO's true identity so great is that Shea leaves clues throughout the entire novella. The events of I Kill in Peace are so damn entertaining though, that I blasted right by them. When I got to the end and finally fit all the pieces of the puzzle together, I was kicking myself for not figuring it out sooner, but it made the ending of the novella that much more enjoyable. I also realize that I am probably the only person that will care about this, but I think it is awesome that Peter drives a Chevy Lumina. My very first car was a red '92 Lumina and man did seeing that name bring back some nostalgia for me!

I Kill in Peace delivers a fast-paced narrative that offers copious amounts of blood, mystery and mayhem that will make this a fun read for any horror fan and gets my highest recommendation. Hunter has already released two top-notch novellas for 2016 with They Rise and now I Kill in Peace, so I can't wait to check out The Jersey Devil near the end of the summer!

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

"I Kill in Peace" is a quick novella where Knight Rider meets the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, packed with hate, chaos, and surprising heart.

Global outbreaks and natural disasters form the backdrop of the story. The author carefully executes the panic and disorder in the form I usually prefer with this type of horror: subtly tense. Throughout the chaos, we are introduced to all types of characters, and I was invested in every one of them—both good and bad.

I only knocked off half a star for one reason: the anti-hero, Peter, provides an excessively long narrative about his raging hard-on. But I won't be dickish about a minor setback. "I Kill in Peace" is a worthy read. If you, like me, constantly ask why God, if He exists, would allow tragic occurrences such as mass shootings, then this one is for you.

[Nia Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter is a likable main character, he's an ordinary office worker who loves his family and does everything he can to support them until he's laid off by his morally dubious boss. When he's sent a text message telling him to kill his boss, he obviously ignores it at first ... but then it starts to seem like a good idea.

I thought that this book would end in an enjoyable but predictable way but it went off in a completely different direction and blew my mind! I can't give much away because the surprising twist is something that's threaded throughout the entire book.

The violence in this book isn't too gory, it's mostly 'necessary' and not too disturbing. What is disturbing is the behaviour of a lot of the characters in this book, I will warn you now that there is a scene of child abuse so be warned.

Shea has a gift for story telling, his writing style is simple and had me finishing this book in a single sitting. He knows how to spin a good yarn and hold your attention, as well as building suspense wonderfully.

I would recommend this book for fans of horror, dark fiction and psychological thrillers.
**Thank you to Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

[Andi Rawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Kill in Peace is the first book that I’ve read by Hunter Shea and definitely will not be the last. A fast-paced little novella, it cuts to the chase quickly and doesn’t leave you wanting.

Peter Blades is a normal guy with a normal life. At least until he gets laid off from work and someone who calls himself AO starts sending him messages telling him to kill people, starting with his now former boss. Peter is not a killer. AO convinces him otherwise and with less than subtle methods. When the killings get out of hand (when weren’t they?), can Peter find a way to stop before he gets caught? Before his family finds out?

I did not find this one to be predictable and I never could have guessed how it ended. It definitely was not what I was expecting and in a good way. Hunter Shea can write, knows how to build suspense, and paints a wicked picture of horror. I only wish that I had read his work sooner. Read this and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

I received an e-ARC of this book from Samhain Books and Hook of a Book Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

He was a suburban dad—until the voices came. Now Peter Blades kills to keep the silence.

Peter Blades was just another suburban dad—until the day he snapped. Fired from his job and tormented by cryptic messages that command him to kill, Peter finds himself behind the wheel of a blood-red Mustang with a scimitar in hand and a growing list of targets. From corrupt bosses to predators hiding in plain sight, each kill feels disturbingly righteous…until the line between justice and madness begins to blur. As Peter spirals deeper into a pre-apocalyptic nightmare, one question remains: is he cleansing the world or helping destroy it? Get your copy of I Kill in Peace now and dive into a chilling descent that’s as brutal as it is unforgettable.

• ASIN: B0FKVJ1P59
• Publisher: Dark Wolf Books
• Publication Date: 9/16/2025
• File Size: 3.7 MB
• Print Length: 137 pages
• Genre: US Horror Fiction - Dystopian Fiction - Dystopian Science Fiction

[Angela Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is in no way reflected in my opinion of this novel.

I Kill In Peace is a nasty piece of work! It is easily the most graphic and violent thing I've read by Hunter Shea to date. If you're squeamish or have delicate sensibilities this one isn't for you. However if you're like me you will love this novella. It's sure to please even the most jaded horror fan. Peter is a great character. I found myself feeling bad for him and wondering if he could get out of the mess he was in even as I cringed at the things he was forced to do. Although I do have to admit I was actively cheering him on with the second victim. The action is intense and bloody as this fast paced story drags you along for the ride. The twist ending blew me away, I totally didn't see it coming. I highly recommend this phenomenal 5 star read.

[Catherine Cavendish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunter Shea knows how to grip, fascinate and entertain. With I Kill In Peace, he also managed to utterly confound me! I simply didn't expect the final denouement - not even for a second. Fabulous. It all starts innocently enough with the sort of uncaring, selfish boss with whom many of us will identify, having endured at least one such character at some point in our lives. Peter Blades' boss lays him off as casually as tossing an old T-shirt into the waste bin. Peter's reaction? He kills him. Slaughters him actually - but it really isn't as simple as that. Someone - or something - has managed to infiltrate his mind and control his actions. A Mustang is supplied for his murderous activities because this entity is not going to let him stop at one. Oh no. Peter Blades is on a killing spree he cannot control and doesn't understand, the repercussions of which are...apocalyptic

[Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the compelling story of a man who begins to get messages from a complete stranger At first the messages are scary but when weapons become part of the demands the hero begins to question his involvement,
His
allow him to stop and things begin to fall seriously apart.

This was a very exciting book

[Douglas Castagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced and gory, this novella does not disappoint. From an ominous text to a unbelievably F-ed up conclusion, this one by Shea keeps the thrills coming. Descriptive passages of violence and gore can possible make non genre readers stay awake at night, and some lovers of horror as well. Shea has never failed to entertain in all that he does, this one is no exception. Treat yourself.