What do you think?
Rate this book
The Graffiti Killer
From the
Kirkus Review
of August 2025 (
Kirkus
has been the industry standard for 90 years):
'Readers won't soon forget this dark little novel ... Our Verdict: GET IT.'
The graffiti killer " embarks on a quest to push back against a cultural “tide of trash.” " ... it’s the depth of depraved character development that truly powers this twisted tale. The narrator’s skewed view of the world, as seen through the lens of his frustration and anger, is, unsettlingly, almost understandable ... "
His mind is unhinged on the fulcrum of our age. He's an iconoclast of Americana and Cool Britiannia fun. He's a cultural terrorist in a maniacal rage. He may be outwitted, but he is never outgunned. Synopsis from Kirkus
"... he was “Ghoul 14” in the 1971 Charlton Heston movie The Omega Man and a former band promoter who once worked on Barry Manilow’s U.K. tours. Now, living in Spain with a detestably superficial woman who considers herself an artist—she paints what he describes as “kitsch rubbish”—something inside the man (who deeply loves art and its connection to culture and history) snaps. Armed with a rifle, he sets off on a mission to rid the world of “trasheteers,” those he sees as villains forcing trash culture down upon him. His first victims are a group of graffiti artists who have defiled iconic locations all over Europe that have been featured in famous paintings. (“In Spain you were in the landscapes of Goya, Bustillo Salomón, Velasquez, in France you were in the landscapes of Lorraine, Monet, Cezanne, Lavieille.”) After that, he targets more well-known artists ... " (Of popular culture in all its forms.) "Equal parts unhinged manifesto, thinly veiled social commentary, and serial killer’s meandering travelogue through Europe, this circular narrative is decidedly disturbing ... "
'Readers won't soon forget this dark little novel ... Our Verdict: GET IT.'
The graffiti killer " embarks on a quest to push back against a cultural “tide of trash.” " ... it’s the depth of depraved character development that truly powers this twisted tale. The narrator’s skewed view of the world, as seen through the lens of his frustration and anger, is, unsettlingly, almost understandable ... "
His mind is unhinged on the fulcrum of our age. He's an iconoclast of Americana and Cool Britiannia fun. He's a cultural terrorist in a maniacal rage. He may be outwitted, but he is never outgunned. Synopsis from Kirkus
"... he was “Ghoul 14” in the 1971 Charlton Heston movie The Omega Man and a former band promoter who once worked on Barry Manilow’s U.K. tours. Now, living in Spain with a detestably superficial woman who considers herself an artist—she paints what he describes as “kitsch rubbish”—something inside the man (who deeply loves art and its connection to culture and history) snaps. Armed with a rifle, he sets off on a mission to rid the world of “trasheteers,” those he sees as villains forcing trash culture down upon him. His first victims are a group of graffiti artists who have defiled iconic locations all over Europe that have been featured in famous paintings. (“In Spain you were in the landscapes of Goya, Bustillo Salomón, Velasquez, in France you were in the landscapes of Lorraine, Monet, Cezanne, Lavieille.”) After that, he targets more well-known artists ... " (Of popular culture in all its forms.) "Equal parts unhinged manifesto, thinly veiled social commentary, and serial killer’s meandering travelogue through Europe, this circular narrative is decidedly disturbing ... "
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2025
749 people want to read
About the author
David Milnes
10 books14 followersTHE GRAFFITI KILLER has just won Red Ribbon in the Wishing Shelf Awards - a uniquely non-profit, non BS competition, whose judges come from reading groups in London and Stockholm. Their readers' judgements (unedited) are under Reviews for The Graffiti Killer here on Goodreads. (2.3.2026)
I am the author of seven tragi-comic novels, most of which have proved to be deeply unpopular. No doubt that is good for the soul, in some measure, but I've had quite enough of unpopularity. I'm fed up with it. I know from Amazon reviews, and reviews in Bookmunch, Joseph's Reviews, Zouch Magazine, the TLS, no less, and other places, that there are readers out there who enjoy my books, but they are so hard to find it seems they are being deliberately elusive. Come on out! The game is over! Or nearly over. Why not have a go at one of my books right now? To make it even easier for you, I have turned one of them - The Pathology of Graphology - into an audiobook, and it has just become a FINALIST (26.2.2026) in the Wishing Shelf Awards!
I am the author of seven tragi-comic novels, most of which have proved to be deeply unpopular. No doubt that is good for the soul, in some measure, but I've had quite enough of unpopularity. I'm fed up with it. I know from Amazon reviews, and reviews in Bookmunch, Joseph's Reviews, Zouch Magazine, the TLS, no less, and other places, that there are readers out there who enjoy my books, but they are so hard to find it seems they are being deliberately elusive. Come on out! The game is over! Or nearly over. Why not have a go at one of my books right now? To make it even easier for you, I have turned one of them - The Pathology of Graphology - into an audiobook, and it has just become a FINALIST (26.2.2026) in the Wishing Shelf Awards!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 5, 2026
• ARC Review •
[The Graffiti Killer]
🔥 Release Date: August 31, 2025 🔥
Thank you to WhatTradition Books S.A., David Milnes, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
★★★☆☆
This is the first time the author of a book I'm reviewing has followed me, so hi David! 🫣 Not gonna lie, I’m slightly nervous but excited!
The start of this book is wild.. Like someone just threw you into a tangled journal, notes everywhere and you’re frantically trying to figure out who’s who. It’s nonlinear, messy by design, and that confused feeling? Apparently intentional. Once I got my bearings, I really enjoyed the writing style, and the art references were chef’s kiss. They give the narrative texture and keep you rooted in the killer’s fractured perspective.
The book plays a lot with blurred morality and obsession, which complicates the “why” behind the kills. The obsession with pop culture snippets and the way the protagonist’s mind jumps around adds a weird, almost meta layer that keeps you guessing if you should be amused, disturbed, or both.
Then there’s the ending. It threw me for an honest loop. Not what I expected, but in the context of the chaos and the way information is drip fed, it fits the strange rhythm of the story.
For me personally, I’d rate this 3.5 stars. It’s confusing, fun, weirdly satisfying, and definitely memorable.
[The Graffiti Killer]
🔥 Release Date: August 31, 2025 🔥
Thank you to WhatTradition Books S.A., David Milnes, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
★★★☆☆
This is the first time the author of a book I'm reviewing has followed me, so hi David! 🫣 Not gonna lie, I’m slightly nervous but excited!
The start of this book is wild.. Like someone just threw you into a tangled journal, notes everywhere and you’re frantically trying to figure out who’s who. It’s nonlinear, messy by design, and that confused feeling? Apparently intentional. Once I got my bearings, I really enjoyed the writing style, and the art references were chef’s kiss. They give the narrative texture and keep you rooted in the killer’s fractured perspective.
The book plays a lot with blurred morality and obsession, which complicates the “why” behind the kills. The obsession with pop culture snippets and the way the protagonist’s mind jumps around adds a weird, almost meta layer that keeps you guessing if you should be amused, disturbed, or both.
Then there’s the ending. It threw me for an honest loop. Not what I expected, but in the context of the chaos and the way information is drip fed, it fits the strange rhythm of the story.
For me personally, I’d rate this 3.5 stars. It’s confusing, fun, weirdly satisfying, and definitely memorable.
March 2, 2026
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: The Graffiti Killer
Author: David Milnes
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 2/5
Of the 15 readers:
9 would read another book by this author.
5 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
10 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
12 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
9 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“An interesting and very dark take on ‘the man snaps’ plot. Remember that film with Michael Douglas when he simply lost it. Yes, like that. But darker. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it. But I did enjoy the character development of the (for want of a better word) protagonist.” Male reader, aged 55
“A compelling journey into the mind of a killer. Grim, suspense-filled, never boring. But you need to be in the right mood. Feeling down? Read a comedy. Feeling in the mood for a psychopath on a killing spree, this book is for you.” Female reader, aged 52
“I don’t think I’d want to meet this author down a dark alley. I guess that’s a huge compliment. Never dull.” Female reader, aged 29
“I suspect modern artists won’t enjoy this book! Personally, I did. It’s almost funny in its own f****** up way. A man with a gun in a van murdering anybody he thinks is dumbing down art. A plus for originality. But a bit too sick for me. Horror fans will lap it up.” Female reader, aged 44
“Different. The writing style is succinct; this is not the sort of author who revels in purple prose. Pacing strong, originality is high. Readership – a bit niche possibly. Saying that, American Psycho sold a few!” Male reader, aged 39
To Sum It Up:
“A well-written, character-focused novel that’s dark, gritty, and may keep you up at night. Be warned! A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended.” Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: The Graffiti Killer
Author: David Milnes
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 2/5
Of the 15 readers:
9 would read another book by this author.
5 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
10 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
12 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
9 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“An interesting and very dark take on ‘the man snaps’ plot. Remember that film with Michael Douglas when he simply lost it. Yes, like that. But darker. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it. But I did enjoy the character development of the (for want of a better word) protagonist.” Male reader, aged 55
“A compelling journey into the mind of a killer. Grim, suspense-filled, never boring. But you need to be in the right mood. Feeling down? Read a comedy. Feeling in the mood for a psychopath on a killing spree, this book is for you.” Female reader, aged 52
“I don’t think I’d want to meet this author down a dark alley. I guess that’s a huge compliment. Never dull.” Female reader, aged 29
“I suspect modern artists won’t enjoy this book! Personally, I did. It’s almost funny in its own f****** up way. A man with a gun in a van murdering anybody he thinks is dumbing down art. A plus for originality. But a bit too sick for me. Horror fans will lap it up.” Female reader, aged 44
“Different. The writing style is succinct; this is not the sort of author who revels in purple prose. Pacing strong, originality is high. Readership – a bit niche possibly. Saying that, American Psycho sold a few!” Male reader, aged 39
To Sum It Up:
“A well-written, character-focused novel that’s dark, gritty, and may keep you up at night. Be warned! A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended.” Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Did not finish
December 15, 2025This book wasn’t for me. I did DNF.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews