Wretch: A Novel

by Jeremy Wagner

"If you only read one more horror novel this year, make sure this is it." —Edward Lee

Wretch is a relentless descent into crime, horror, and vengeance. A brutal unflinching thriller for fans of organized crime sagas, dark detective fiction, and monsters born in the shadows of science.

Chicago is choking under the hottest summer on record, but the true heat comes from the blood spilled on its streets. 

Detective Donnie Lynch trails a killer who shouldn't exist. Mob boss Tico "The Meatgrinder" Tortellio has stepped out from the shadows of his empire with a personal vendetta to avenge his daughter—and nothing short of blood will settle the score. Both men are hunting the same man— if "man" is still the right word…

The elusive killer, Derek Hoffman, is a steroid-abusing-sociopath twisted beyond recognition  whose body and mind have been grotesquely transformed after his participation in a clinical trial for an experimental ED-arousal-drug called, LIBIDONAL. Hoffman has become something monstrous, a predator driven by lust, rage, and a thirst for blood.

With the city becoming a killing ground for a new apex predator, Lynch and Tortellio race toward the same target. But who will reach Hoffman first? And when they do, can bullets or brutality be enough to stop him? 

Wretch is a brutal descent into crime, horror, and vengeance. A nightmare version of a city where justice wears many faces, and none of them are merciful. 

Genres: Horror

407 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

“RABID HEART maintains a sharp, persistently moving narrative…an endlessly entertaining zombie tale that checks off genre conventions with style.”
— Kirkus Reviews

"RABID HEART evokes a mix of Misfits lyrics and grainy VHS horror classics. The plot draws parallels to Cormac McCarthy's The Road..."
— Publishers Weekly Author Spotlight

"Zombies and the end of days don't stand a chance against true love. Jeremy Wagner's RABID HEART is good, clean apocalyptic fun."
— Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger

"RABID HEART. This book is sick and sweet, and I say that with respect!"
— Peter Blauner, NY Times bestselling author of The Intruder and Sunrise Highway

"RABID HEART is Wagner’s finest work to date. Exciting and near-addictive. A page-turner that avid horror aficionados will be drawn to with glee.”
— Dead Rhetoric Magazine

“RABID HEART is a next level opus that raises the stakes considerably. And good goddamn, is it a white-knuckle thrill ride.”
— Decibel Magazine

"Wagner debuts with a highly entertaining blend…of heavy metal and hardcore horror…
Electrified by breakneck pacing, a cast of over-the-top characters and memorable lines...this thriller neatly exploits the considerable shared fanbase of apocalyptic fiction and Apocalyptica."
— PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD is like The Da Vinci Code with a heavy-metal soundtrack!”
— Katherine Turman, Co-author of Louder Than Hell

“Combining the world of heavy metal with malevolent supernatural forces Wagner has created quite a fantastic read… a riveting thriller that is sure to keep readers glued to the pages until the very end…
The unique blending of ancient history, religion and heavy metal make this book unlike any others I have read…. if you're a reader of horror or fiction novels or if you're a musician, then THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD will be right up your alley. I know it kept me up turning pages into the wee hours of the morning.”
— PURE GRAIN AUDIO

“THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD is a quick, enjoyable read full of action, violence, hell-spawned (and human) monsters and original variations of scenarios common to end-time thrillers.
— DECIBEL MAGAZINE

“Jeremy is a pretty impressive dude.”
— PETER STRAUB, New York Times Bestselling Author, A Dark Matter, Ghost Story

“Jeremy Wagner is an up-and-coming voice in the realm of horror fiction.
His talent shines through this debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what his next offering will be.
A real page-turner, THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD strikes just the right note!”
— YASMINE GALENORN, New York Times/USA Today Bestselling Author The Otherworld Series

“THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD is a wild phantasmagoric thrill ride that will satisfy lovers of the darkest fantasy fiction and the heaviest of metal."
—PETER BLAUNER, New York Times Bestselling Author, The Intruder, Slipping Into Darkness

In this youth, Wagner would find himself writing several short stories. The hobby grew with him as he combined his love for stories with his songwriting as guitarist in the band Broken Hope.

He found that he enjoyed writing horror lyrics and that this process helped him become a better writer as a whole. Wagner began writing short stories based on his lyrics, and began to have his stories published. In the mid-'90s, Wagner started writing his first unpublished novels. Through the combination of his writing with his knowledge of music, Wagner came up with the basic idea for THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD.

Wagner has written lyrics to more than 70 published songs along with recording six albums, two MTV videos, and touring in 16 countries with his bands, Broken Hope and Lupara. Wagner has been published in RIP, Terrorizer, Metal Edge, Microhorror magazines and works of short stories through Perseus Books, St. Martin's Press, and Ravenous Romance.

Wagner's most recent published works include the short story, Romance Ain't Dead, which appears as the first story in the zombie-romance anthology Hungry For Your Love (St.

Reviews

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book felt like watching a train wreck and being unable to look away, except the train is actually a roided out sociopath who's on so many drugs he becomes an unstoppable force of mayhem and depravity.

Wretch is definitely not for the squeamish or faint of heart. It's gross, it's disgusting, it's gory. It takes place during a hot and humid as hell Summer, so everyone is pissed off and miserable and you know all that gore stinks especially bad.

Massive content warning for sexual violence with this book. Hell, basically need content warnings for most things in here. I'd say that if you're not okay with horror and crime fiction that leans way more than a bit towards the extreme side, you should probably give this one a pass.

Though, as I stated before, I could not look away. (Even though sometimes I definitely wanted to.) The characters are compelling (and a few of them are downright despicable), the premise is completely gonzo, and I feel like I need a scalding hot shower after reading this. A freaky, disgusting, horrific thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dead Sky Publishing for the review copy!

[Peyton Stich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wretch by Jeremy Wagner pushes the limits of fictional horror and thriller to its absolute boundaries. The concept of a Viagra-like erectile dysfunction drug (Libidonal) wrecking absolute mayhem on society is something I'd never thought of before--and will certainly fear in my foreseeable future. Wagner plots a tangled web of characters that are so unlikely to be related together, and it's a difficult craft that he accomplished. From Chicago gangs to police force to experimental drug laboratories to innocent family members and crazy consequences, this novel certainly makes for a wild ride.

However, I will say that the pacing could have been quicker to the middle and end. I felt like the novel could have been shorter (the middle-end didn't grip me as much as the beginning.) I also wish there was more mystery unveiled regarding the Libidonal drug involved. If you're expecting to see revelations about the drug throughout the novel, it's not there. While Derek's actions are proof enough, I wish I knew how long Libidonal stayed in someone's system, and if the Derek's brother wanted to uncover more about the drug and follow his brother around. There's also some repetitive gore scenes, and it made me want to skip some parts of it altogether.

I will say that the perspective of Derek (the main perpetrator) was the most interesting because it was a perspective I haven't seen much in this genre. How Wagner is able to channel the psychotic, testosterone-driven killer is impressive. If you want carnage after carnage, gore, disgust, and horror (without having issues with ANY triggers, since this book hits all of them), then this book is definitely for you. I definitely slapped me hand to my mouth and gasped more times than I can count during my read. I think I had nightmares after one of my reading sessions? Wagner's imagination is unfathomably creative, and he added a great addition to the genre. However, this novel is not for the traumatized or light-hearted. Read your triggers. Be careful. Enjoy the horror of this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dead Sky Publishing for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Harry Jahnke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying that at no point was I ever bored reading this. Also, I got to the end of this story and had no notes. Do I think it's good? Not necessarily. Is it bad? Certainly not. But I absolutely and wholeheartedly recommend that you read this at least once. 


I don't normally include spoilers in my reviews but in this case, I think it's important that readers should know what they're stepping into. This is the story of Detective One-Ball, a hard boiled detective with only one testicle and a habit of mentioning that fact at every opportunity, and Tony Calzoney, an overwhelmingly Italian mob boss to the point where he actually says "fuhgeddaboudit" in the story, and they're relentless hunt for Derek the Boner Monster.


Without giving it all away, Derek is a deeply traumatized individual with anger issues out the wazoo and instead of dealing with his problems, he took enough steroids to become the Hulk. One thing leads to another and he overdoses on experimental Viagra which causes him to turn into the Boner Monster and he begins raping and killing everything in his path.


This book gets full points for creativity, if nothing else. It's also one of the most bizarre things I've ever read. And that's saying something. This book was a ton of fun even if it's not necessarily high literature. I wouldn't classify it as horror per se but I definitely don't regret making it my last book of the year.

[Coffee_Booze_and_Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this early. I was very intrigued by the premise, but was a bit let down. The story is all over the place. While I enjoy stories that swap character perspectives or journey back and forth through time, this story felt very disjointed. It all came together, but it took me awhile to get through it. Has great potential and I'm sure others will love it, but wasn't for me.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars…I'm disturbed but in a way that makes you keep wondering what is going to happen next…a car accident you can't look away from…

Once again, picked it for the cover. I'm not much for detective/cops stuff, nor am I into organized mob stuff in my books. I have always struggled with multiple POVs. Most certainly, I don't care about body building in the slightest. BUT, here we are.

The story centers around three men: detective, mob boss, and musclehead. We also get the POV of the people that are caught in the crosshairs. My biggest compliment is to the multi-POV writing. Each character, even the ones we only got a chapter with, were unique and I could imagine being in their head (save, muscleman, Derek, which I don’t think anyone wants to be in). I can't think of another book that has such depth of multiple characters recently.

I also thought the writing style was very easy to digest (even if I wanted to vomit after the gross sh*t). There was clearly effort in editing and creating a well crafted story AND crazy amounts of gore. That being said, this is not a book for the faint of heart.

The trigger warnings are countless but think in the vein of sexual assault especially. I’m talking, using bodies (alive or dead) for some of the most foul things. Likewise, a lot of toxic masculinity…which tends to trigger me.

My biggest issues are with some of the depictions of characters. Some of them had harmful stereotypes often associated with them. If you read Wagner's Afterwords you can get more insight into those depictions and he does mention his thought process during writing.

However, if you like faulty drug studies that lead to horror, the Sopranos with a healthy dose of True Detective, men becoming monsters, characters who all are terrible people and are picking whether to be worse or better, and knowing that there is only one way for all this to end which is mutual destruction this might be the book for you.

The ending is what got that 0.5 up in stars. I was going to be mad if there was any missing carnage/justice.

[Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings: SA, Extreme Violence, Gore, Drug use, explicit content

Horror fans, you need to brace yourselves for this one. ’Wretch’ is a straight-up descent into the darkest, most unhinged corners of the genre. If you like your horror visceral, gory, and totally disgusting, in the absolute best way possible, then stop what you're doing and pick this up.

The novel weaves together three separate threads: you have a gritty detective, a mob boss named Tico, and a truly feral, drug-fueled bodybuilder named Derek. When Tico’s daughter is killed, his quest for vengeance against Derek kicks off a relentless race against the clock, with Detective Lynch hot on both their tails.

This is not a story for the faint of heart. The ride is packed with gory details, primal deaths, and explicit sexual content. The author doesn't hold back, but honestly, that's what makes it so effective, so naturally visceral that tugs at the primal chord in all of us.

The pace is perfect, it grabs you and doesn't let go till the last page, the writing is enthralling, even in the most disturbing scenes. The characters are real, you’ll care about them, whether you like them or hate them, you’ll most certainly feel something and won’t stay indifferent.

Many, many thanks toJeremy Wagner, Dead Sky Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a voluntary review, reflecting solely my opinion.

[Jensen McCorkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 3.75 Rounded up

Though I do enjoy a well done crime family story, I am not usually one who reads detective/cop novels but the premise for Wretch just pulled me in so I had to give it a read.

The story is fast paced and is a bit all over the place in some places in the story. This made it a bit taxing to keep up with at times but I suspect the chaotic aspect was intentional. It seems to fit with the graphic and frenzied horror the author delivers. For fans of extreme horror Wretch delivers a visceral, unrelenting ride with vivid writing and deeply disturbing scenes. So casual readers of horror beware you have been warned. Wagner delivers a hybrid of crime fiction and extreme horror that is savage, furious and at times shockingly grotesque. In a way that you cannot stop reading but at the same time you are questioning your own morals for continuing. Yet you continue.

There is an underlying message to the story that speaks to the decay of society, the use or abuse of power and control, and the moral lines people are willing to cross to protect their own. Can vengeance truly masquerade as justice?

Bottom line it this story is not for the weak so if your squeamish, check your trigger warnings but its a must-read if you love horror that pushes boundaries and aims to make the reader completely uncomfortable.

[Ellie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy Wagner’s Wretch is BRUTAL in the filthiest of ways – his writing is absolutely visceral. Descriptions of characters & scenes left me feeling as if I was actually there to witness the horrors. Another note - the book is written from multiple perspectives and all are equally as engaging; I loved having the full scope of the situation through these perspectives, from the mob boss to the police to Derek himself or to some random bystander! It all made for a PHENOMENALLY written story. Personally, I do not normally enjoy stories that have any mention of the mob, let alone make it a whole part of the story; however, with Wretch this was not at all the case, I was very pleasantly surprised!

I have never read a book quite like this one... I would 100% read it again & I will also be looking into some more of Wagner's works. Derek is a disgusting monster of a person, yet is so beautifully (grotesquely) written.; his brother Sid is a great introduction at the beginning for everything, too. The story even read as humorous at times due to the sheer ABSURDITY of it all! One note to end on - keep in mind that the kill scenes are described acutely throughout - if you have a weak stomach for gore, I'd be careful reading Wretch!

Thank you so very much to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of Wretch!

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A visceral plunge into the grotesque, Wretch is not for the faint-hearted—but for those who dare, it’s a masterclass in horror’s rawest form. Wagner’s prose is lean and relentless, slicing through the page with surgical precision. There’s no room for comfort here, only the slow, suffocating descent into a world where humanity is stripped bare.

What struck me most wasn’t just the gore (though there’s plenty), but the emotional decay that pulses beneath it. The characters aren’t merely victims of circumstance—they’re complicit, corrupted, and achingly real. Wagner doesn’t just write horror; he anatomizes it, exposing the soft underbelly of fear, guilt, and survival.

The pacing is brutal in the best way: no lull, no reprieve. And yet, amid the carnage, there’s a strange poetry to the madness—a rhythm that lingers long after the final page.

Perfect for fans of Clive Barker and early Stephen King, Wretch is a blood-soaked symphony of dread. Read it with the lights on… and maybe don’t eat beforehand.

Thanks to Jeremy Wagner, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Monica L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The narrative dives deep into the struggles of Detective Lynch, a character grappling with sobriety, regret, and the haunting memories of his past, particularly regarding his estranged wife, Sandy. The author masterfully captures Lynch's internal conflict, showcasing his desire for redemption while navigating the gritty realities of his job.

Lynch is portrayed with raw honesty, making his journey relatable and compelling. The themes of regret and self-discovery are poignantly explored, drawing readers into Lynch's psyche. The portrayal of the city and its challenges adds a vivid backdrop to the personal drama unfolding. At times, the narrative could benefit from tighter pacing to maintain momentum. While Lynch is well-developed, some secondary characters could use more depth to enhance the overall dynamics. Overall, this book offers a gripping exploration of personal demons and the quest for redemption, making it a worthwhile read for fans of character-driven stories.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

E-ARC provided by Netgalley and Dead Sky Publishing.

Lord have mercy, what a wild ride that was!
I finished this mere moments ago and am immediately compelled to leave a review.

This read like a literal movie, the sheer amount of action kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

Wretch follows the undoing of Derek, a 'roided up meat head, through multiple flawless character perspectives, each with their own individual storyline.
Tones of action and splatterpunk give Wretch a solid plot paired with plenty of gore.

The novel presents themes of gender inequality, Mafia culture, cop culture, complex parent/child relationships and physical and psychological trauma.

I absolutely recommend that anyone who's drawn to any of the above give this a read.

[Jemma Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gross, disgusting, disturbing and twisted as hell and I absolutely loved it. This stepped out of the normal comfort zone and was a crazy ride till the very end. I have to think was the author the crazy one for writing it or am I for not only reading but throughly enjoying it
If you are easily offended or have triggers then I'd check first as this book needs a content warning for everything possible lol
Jeremy I salute you 👏

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and ARC of this book. Holy moly, I was not prepared for the level of depravity that this book brought. It was a wild, crazy ride. I enjoyed the cat and mouse game between the detective and Tico...who is going to get to him first? This was a decent book, definitely crude but good for horror lovers, but only if you are fine with gore.

[C.M. Stenquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extreme if you can handle it

[Nerdy Nurse · Rating 5 out of 5]

GUYS. This book is DARK. It introduces three different characters from three seemingly separate narratives. As each story unfolds, they begin to coincide and overlap. There is sex. There is drugs. There is murder. This book literally has EVERYTHING. I highly recommend!

Lynch is a single-testicle detective (yes, you read that right). Derek is a buffed out gym dude full of testosterone and uncontrollable rage. And Tico, aka Meat Grinder, is a mob boss who brings a little bit of Italian flare. I ate this book UP. Truly, a masterpiece.

ABHORRENT - in the best way possible! I’ve never read anything so deranged! The carnage, the bloodshed, the MADNESS. Easily the wildest book I’ve read - EVER!