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Copy Kat
Leo Hudson is living the dream—or so it seems. As the star of a wildly popular TV series, Copy Kat he plays Jack, a chilling serial killer who dishes out poetic, karmic justice by eliminating other killers in the exact ways they murdered their victims, and carefully recreating their gruesome scenes and acts, driven by a twisted sense of justice.
His portrayal is so convincing, so raw, it quickly becomes the talk of Hollywood. But in his pursuit of perfection, Leo delves too deeply into the art of method acting. What starts as intense preparation for his role soon blurs the lines between fiction and reality. He begins stalking random people to try to get into the killer's mindset. As Leo spirals further into madness, the boundaries of who he is and who he plays begin to collapse. Jack isn’t just a character anymore—he’s a force, a dark shadow that haunts Leo’s every move. Soon, Leo finds himself caught in the grip of this destructive obsession, addicted to the power of the character that now controls his every breath.
In Copy Kat, the pursuit of a perfect performance turns into a deadly game of life and death, where acting isn't just a craft—it's a compulsion that threatens to consume everything. Can Leo escape the suffocating grip of his own creation, or will he become the very monster he once portrayed?
His portrayal is so convincing, so raw, it quickly becomes the talk of Hollywood. But in his pursuit of perfection, Leo delves too deeply into the art of method acting. What starts as intense preparation for his role soon blurs the lines between fiction and reality. He begins stalking random people to try to get into the killer's mindset. As Leo spirals further into madness, the boundaries of who he is and who he plays begin to collapse. Jack isn’t just a character anymore—he’s a force, a dark shadow that haunts Leo’s every move. Soon, Leo finds himself caught in the grip of this destructive obsession, addicted to the power of the character that now controls his every breath.
In Copy Kat, the pursuit of a perfect performance turns into a deadly game of life and death, where acting isn't just a craft—it's a compulsion that threatens to consume everything. Can Leo escape the suffocating grip of his own creation, or will he become the very monster he once portrayed?
368 pages, Paperback
Published December 14, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 26, 2025
“Jack was a dark shadow lurking in the corners of my mind. But lately, it felt like he was closer than ever. He was whispering in my ear, guiding my hand.”
Copy Kat was SO CREEPY! Imagine getting so lost in character that you start to blur the lines between what is real and what is acting. Leo is a fresh face in Hollywood hoping to make it big. As he seeks out a mentor he discovers that he is holding himself back, and in order to be the best, he is going to have to dig deeper. Method acting is the route he chooses to take. As a way to let loose, Leo indulges in drugs and women, and in no time at all Jack takes over everything. As crimes start occurring closer and closer to home and bodies start to pile up Leo is left with so many questions that even his psychiatrist can’t answer. This book is FULL of twists, violence, and so many triggers, I couldn’t even put it down. I read it so fast. I’m hoping there will be a second book because I have so many questions about our dear Leo. One thing I do know is that “you can call me Jack”!
Copy Kat was SO CREEPY! Imagine getting so lost in character that you start to blur the lines between what is real and what is acting. Leo is a fresh face in Hollywood hoping to make it big. As he seeks out a mentor he discovers that he is holding himself back, and in order to be the best, he is going to have to dig deeper. Method acting is the route he chooses to take. As a way to let loose, Leo indulges in drugs and women, and in no time at all Jack takes over everything. As crimes start occurring closer and closer to home and bodies start to pile up Leo is left with so many questions that even his psychiatrist can’t answer. This book is FULL of twists, violence, and so many triggers, I couldn’t even put it down. I read it so fast. I’m hoping there will be a second book because I have so many questions about our dear Leo. One thing I do know is that “you can call me Jack”!
January 13, 2026
Leo or Jack? Which one are we getting? This book was creepy, dark, and twisted. When lines blur and you don’t know yourself anymore. I was so pulled in by this book. This book takes you beyond anything you think you’re going to read and tosses you into a wild story. The scare factor was definitely there. Leo’s pursuit of being the best at what he does overtook him in a very dark and twisted way. Even he got lost in who he was. I loved that about this book. I’ve always been fascinated by serial killers and why they do what they do. But to go the switch and see hire a mind can become so easily convoluted. Wow, just loved it. I was so engrossed in this book, I didn’t want to put it down. I really hope there’s a second one soon to follow.
January 8, 2026
This book was fast paced and intense! Leo’s an actor who stars in a TV series. Leo has polite mannerisms and anxiety. The character he plays is Jack. Jack is confident and a serial killer. Leo strives to become the best actor. He needs to become Jack, think like Jack. Or is Jack already a part of him? There was not one part of this book where I felt bored. I was pulled in right from the beginning. This book is sure to be a new favorite for thriller readers everywhere!
December 22, 2025
omg, what a book. this is one of the few 5 star reads that I've had all year. leo/jack has you racking your brain throughout the book wondering if he's sane or a little out there. patiently not so patiently waiting on the next book.
January 16, 2026
Leo? Jack? Who will you get? This was one of those thrillers that I couldn’t put down until completion. This will be a staple for any and all thriller lovers. The twists and turns made me feel like I was seeing the true fight between Leo and Jack. Who knew method acting could be so….. killer?
January 6, 2026
I honestly was unsure of what this book was going to be but my lanta, it had me on edge and loving every page! I love that the book keeps you intrigued and wanting more to see how it pans out. I dont give spoilers but 100% reccomend!
January 21, 2026
Copy Kat will have you questioning everything from page 1. Is Leo for real or is he acting? Who is really in control here? I enjoyed the way the author shed light on mental illness and normalized seeking help without making is a self help book, or making the story revolve around trauma. I enjoyed there were real aspects of life including substance use, death, childhood trauma, and how easy it is to find yourself spiraling or questioning all life choices.
if life didnt get in the way this book would have been devoured in 1 day.
looking forward to the next read.
if life didnt get in the way this book would have been devoured in 1 day.
looking forward to the next read.
January 9, 2026
I have never read a book so fast in my life! Leo is the main character and I didn't know if should feel bad for him or be deathly afraid of him! The pace is just right and I can't tell you how many times I said "What the Heck"! Max Blackfire has moved up to one of my top authors and I am looking forward to his next book!!!
January 9, 2026
The way the main character is written especially when Jack is fronting is incredibly different from most perspectives.
Some of the drug usage references were….. cheesy or overly highlighted for lack of a better phrasing. The rest of the novel has such a casual writing style and I love all of the ‘true to LA imagery’.
Progression seemed natural and evenly timed. Lots of surprises.
Ultimately I do feel as though I’m left with more questions than answers regarding the series of events prior to Leo becoming an actor. Hoping these get answered in the sequel!!
Some of the drug usage references were….. cheesy or overly highlighted for lack of a better phrasing. The rest of the novel has such a casual writing style and I love all of the ‘true to LA imagery’.
Progression seemed natural and evenly timed. Lots of surprises.
Ultimately I do feel as though I’m left with more questions than answers regarding the series of events prior to Leo becoming an actor. Hoping these get answered in the sequel!!
January 2, 2026
The mask we wear eventually becomes our face.”
That line alone tells you exactly what kind of story this is and it delivers.Copy Kat is a dark, psychological thriller that crawls under your skin and refuses to leave. This isn’t just a story about imitation; it’s about identity, obsession, and how far someone will go to become someone else. From the very first chapters, there’s a quiet unease that keeps building like something is wrong, but you can’t quite name it yet.The tension is slow and deliberate, letting paranoia seep in naturally. Every interaction feels layered. Every character feels like they’re hiding something. And just when you think you understand what’s happening, the story twists hard.What really stood out to me was how unsettlingly human the horror feels. There’s no relying on cheap shock value. Instead, it plays with fear we all recognize:
• Losing yourself
• Being watched
• Not knowing who you can trust
• Realizing too late that the person you’re facing isn’t who they say they areThe imagery is haunting, the pacing is sharp, and the psychological descent is chef’s kiss. By the end, you’re left staring at the page, slightly disturbed, questioning how well we really know anyone including ourselves.
If you love dark thrillers, psychological horror, or stories that mess with identity, this one deserves a spot on your shelf.
That line alone tells you exactly what kind of story this is and it delivers.Copy Kat is a dark, psychological thriller that crawls under your skin and refuses to leave. This isn’t just a story about imitation; it’s about identity, obsession, and how far someone will go to become someone else. From the very first chapters, there’s a quiet unease that keeps building like something is wrong, but you can’t quite name it yet.The tension is slow and deliberate, letting paranoia seep in naturally. Every interaction feels layered. Every character feels like they’re hiding something. And just when you think you understand what’s happening, the story twists hard.What really stood out to me was how unsettlingly human the horror feels. There’s no relying on cheap shock value. Instead, it plays with fear we all recognize:
• Losing yourself
• Being watched
• Not knowing who you can trust
• Realizing too late that the person you’re facing isn’t who they say they areThe imagery is haunting, the pacing is sharp, and the psychological descent is chef’s kiss. By the end, you’re left staring at the page, slightly disturbed, questioning how well we really know anyone including ourselves.
If you love dark thrillers, psychological horror, or stories that mess with identity, this one deserves a spot on your shelf.
January 18, 2026
It's a 3.5 star for me!
Copy Kat has an intriguing premise and a strong psychological foundation, but the execution didn’t fully work for me. The idea of an actor method-acting his way into the role of a vigilante killer, and slowly losing the line between character and self is compelling, and the meta angle of fiction bleeding into reality has real potential.
However, the story often felt very matter-of-fact in its delivery, which lessened the emotional weight of scenes that should have been tense or disturbing. The pacing also jumped from zero to one hundred very quickly, with minimal buildup. Major shifts in behavior and stakes happened so fast that I struggled to feel grounded in the progression, and instead of a slow, unsettling descent, it felt more abrupt than earned.
Several plotlines also seemed to veer off in random directions, which made the narrative feel unfocused at times. Because of this, I was left with a lot of unanswered questions about character motivations, consequences, and where certain threads were ultimately meant to lead. Rather than feeling intentionally ambiguous, it often felt like the story moved on before fully developing its ideas.
That said, the atmosphere of Los Angeles is well established, the themes of identity, obsession, and control are clear, and readers who enjoy dark, morally gray protagonists may still find this engaging. Overall, Copy Kat is an interesting concept that would have benefited from stronger buildup, tighter plotting, and more time spent letting the tension breathe. I WOULD however buy the next book because I'm interest to see if it answers any questions.
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21+
It’s about a serial killer....
The trigger warnings are long, most of the book is explicit.
Copy Kat has an intriguing premise and a strong psychological foundation, but the execution didn’t fully work for me. The idea of an actor method-acting his way into the role of a vigilante killer, and slowly losing the line between character and self is compelling, and the meta angle of fiction bleeding into reality has real potential.
However, the story often felt very matter-of-fact in its delivery, which lessened the emotional weight of scenes that should have been tense or disturbing. The pacing also jumped from zero to one hundred very quickly, with minimal buildup. Major shifts in behavior and stakes happened so fast that I struggled to feel grounded in the progression, and instead of a slow, unsettling descent, it felt more abrupt than earned.
Several plotlines also seemed to veer off in random directions, which made the narrative feel unfocused at times. Because of this, I was left with a lot of unanswered questions about character motivations, consequences, and where certain threads were ultimately meant to lead. Rather than feeling intentionally ambiguous, it often felt like the story moved on before fully developing its ideas.
That said, the atmosphere of Los Angeles is well established, the themes of identity, obsession, and control are clear, and readers who enjoy dark, morally gray protagonists may still find this engaging. Overall, Copy Kat is an interesting concept that would have benefited from stronger buildup, tighter plotting, and more time spent letting the tension breathe. I WOULD however buy the next book because I'm interest to see if it answers any questions.
---------------------------------
21+
It’s about a serial killer....
The trigger warnings are long, most of the book is explicit.
January 26, 2026
Edge of the seat kinda thriller suspense book and I love how Max writes as cliche as that may sound but he writes in such a way that you feel everything and see everything clearly in your mind. He really knows how to bring you into this fictional world that he created and make you want to be a part of it. Copy Kat seduces you with every turn of the page and you find yourself on the edge of your seat with anticipation of what Leo/Jack is going to do next. So for those of you who crave a great page turner I highly recommend Copy Kat to you. I promise you will be addicted to this plot and this author.
December 20, 2025
I absolutely loved this book i finished it within 24 hours. It was addicting, intriguing and at some point shocking. It was one of my favorite reads of 2025 and one of my favorite thrillers in general. It is amazing at grabbing your attention from the very first sentence and keeping your attention every page after. There was never a dull or a part that i wished went faster i couldn't put it down it was amazing. I tell everyone i know they should read this book, it's like watching a movie and you can't turn away.
December 25, 2025
Leo is such an interesting character. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story. The concept of digging so deep into the method acting that lines get blurred carries over so well in reading this. The lines were blurred the entire story. I spent the whole read trying to decide between reality and hallucinations. Excellent read and looking forward to the next book!
December 26, 2025
A thriller that will have you turning pages and questioning reality. I read this morning in a single sitting and have zero complaints about that. It kept me hooked, excited and almost dizzy from the twists and turns. A roller coaster of a book that I cannot recommend high enough. Copy Kat was dark, thrilling and well written.
January 10, 2026
This book was so filled with some.many triggers.. but it kept you wanting to read . It had me confused sometimes between the story and reality. It kept me one my toes and there wasn't a dull moment . I can't wait to read more!!!
January 27, 2026
The Rise of Jack. Addicted. Pulls you in from the very first chapter. Twist and turns. Cannot wait for more. Highly recommend Bought a house and read actually in 2 days. Enjoy
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews