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Fat Death
In the throes of the Great Depression, Luisa Centunzi fights to keep her family and business alive. As Madam of the Blue Flower, she is no stranger to getting her hands dirty.
But when the city's ruthless don, Aurelio "Fat Death" Moretti, is found dead in one of her suites, Luisa's world begins to crumble. Before word gets out, Luisa and her sons must find a way to dispose of Moretti's monstrous corpse--no small feat when his bulk is nearly impossible to move, much less hide.
And that's only half of the problem. Because Luisa is harboring a much darker secret: her husband, the man Fat Death ordered to be killed, is alive. Only, he is no longer the man she once knew. He's something else entirely. Something dangerous. Something horrid. Something...hungry.
But when the city's ruthless don, Aurelio "Fat Death" Moretti, is found dead in one of her suites, Luisa's world begins to crumble. Before word gets out, Luisa and her sons must find a way to dispose of Moretti's monstrous corpse--no small feat when his bulk is nearly impossible to move, much less hide.
And that's only half of the problem. Because Luisa is harboring a much darker secret: her husband, the man Fat Death ordered to be killed, is alive. Only, he is no longer the man she once knew. He's something else entirely. Something dangerous. Something horrid. Something...hungry.
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Published May 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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May 5, 2026Fat Death is set to be released sometime in May! This one is quite different from my two previous novels, as in it’s the most straight forward, serious piece of fiction I’ve written thus far. It’s also the most personal…in a very sick, distorted sort of way. As far as influences for this, think Godfather 2 (Vito’s time period) meets Nosferatu meets Night of the Living Dead. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys this one. It was very fun to write.
May 15, 2026
Fat Death is an amazing mix between the world of vampires and the Italian mob. That’s two things you probably never associated together, but Jeremy does an amazing job blending these two distinct kind of themes into one beautiful masterpiece. I’ll honestly tell you that vampires aren’t my jam. Out of all the “monster” type stories, they are probably my least favorite. I really know why, but that’s just how it is. I’ll also honestly tell you that Fat Death is now not only the top of vampire tales I have experienced, but also it sits in my top of monster stories in general. I was so excited to be able to read an ARC of this and can’t wait to see it on the shelf next to his other books. This was horror at its finest. This a must read for any type of horror fan. I never give a perfect score when I review things, but Jeremy really did make me consider changing my stance on that. 4.5/5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Jeremy Crews for a ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Italian Mafia Vampires. Something a little different but it works well.
This story is very well written, but could've been a little longer to be more fleshed out. I would've loved to have been able to spend more time in this version of Italy.
I loved the writing style. The descriptions of food made me want to pick up a suppli from a street vendor and walk through Rome. The characters and atmosphere were so well developed that I felt like I was a part of it.
I loved the gore in this story. Some of it did catch me off guard with its brutality, but I loved every minute.
I highly recommend this new spin on the vampire tale!
Italian Mafia Vampires. Something a little different but it works well.
This story is very well written, but could've been a little longer to be more fleshed out. I would've loved to have been able to spend more time in this version of Italy.
I loved the writing style. The descriptions of food made me want to pick up a suppli from a street vendor and walk through Rome. The characters and atmosphere were so well developed that I felt like I was a part of it.
I loved the gore in this story. Some of it did catch me off guard with its brutality, but I loved every minute.
I highly recommend this new spin on the vampire tale!
Review of advance copy received from Author
WOW, what a super cool vampire story! 5 stars hands down! I was bug-eyed and smiling like a jackass all the way through: this is how you tell a dark vamp tale with strong family drama, a tale that feels original, morally ambiguous, and most of all, real - great pacing, superb characterization, and the ending just blew me away! Crews has outdone himself with "Fat Death". And what about those illustrations? They certainly set the tone right!
Set during the Great Depression, "Fat Death" is the story of the Centunzis, a Sicilian immigrant family running a high class cathouse, and falling upon hard times. Forced to work with the city's mobsters, the father soon finds himself in trouble - and to make a long story short, the family ends up being led by Luisa, the mother, one of the strongest women I've seen lately in horror fiction. When a major (and very bloody) incident upsets the family business, Luisa has to sort it out - but what no one outside the family knows is that the missing father is still around, having been turned into a vicious monster: namely, a blood-thirsty vampire! Crews skillfully combines the two threads - mobsters and vampires - to come up with an exciting (and occasionally quite intimate) feat of storytelling, with plenty rich characters and an explosive climax, the kind of finale which can be both bleak and uplifting!
There's an animal death, mind; there's also gore, and racism (it being a depression era story). For me, these features enhanced the realism of the tale, and made me eager to see how it would all play out. A truly memorable read!
Set during the Great Depression, "Fat Death" is the story of the Centunzis, a Sicilian immigrant family running a high class cathouse, and falling upon hard times. Forced to work with the city's mobsters, the father soon finds himself in trouble - and to make a long story short, the family ends up being led by Luisa, the mother, one of the strongest women I've seen lately in horror fiction. When a major (and very bloody) incident upsets the family business, Luisa has to sort it out - but what no one outside the family knows is that the missing father is still around, having been turned into a vicious monster: namely, a blood-thirsty vampire! Crews skillfully combines the two threads - mobsters and vampires - to come up with an exciting (and occasionally quite intimate) feat of storytelling, with plenty rich characters and an explosive climax, the kind of finale which can be both bleak and uplifting!
There's an animal death, mind; there's also gore, and racism (it being a depression era story). For me, these features enhanced the realism of the tale, and made me eager to see how it would all play out. A truly memorable read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Fat Death
Author: Jeremy Crews @evil.dad.2_author
Release: May 10, 2026
Genre: Horror
Tropes: Mafia, Folklore, Gore, Family, Vampires
This one is perfect for people who like to finish a book in one sitting, it’s a quick read with a bunch of tropes packed into one. I had to think on how to review this one as it is hard not to spoil the great moments. It did feel like it could be longer, if only to provide a bit more context from the middle to end. I felt like I missed something along the way and at the end I went…”wait what?” . This novella could have easily been 1-3 interconnected stories. It bounces between timelines so pay attention or you may get confused. There is certainly an err of mystery as to why or how things are happening (not going to spoil it) Slow it down if you are like me and read fast. There is Italian throughout with the translation provided immediately after. It took some getting used to. The FMC reminded me of my Italian neighbour growing up…she could speak English but if you wanted to talk to her, you better know Italian – there was truth to how the characters were written. The writing was very description from settings, clothing and even the food. You know the gore is well written when I audibly say “gross” and I have no triggers! It will leave you questioning your next party invite!
Sidebar - The cover on this one is beautiful!
Cover: Maciej Kamuda @maciejkamuda_art
Fat Death
Author: Jeremy Crews @evil.dad.2_author
Release: May 10, 2026
Genre: Horror
Tropes: Mafia, Folklore, Gore, Family, Vampires
This one is perfect for people who like to finish a book in one sitting, it’s a quick read with a bunch of tropes packed into one. I had to think on how to review this one as it is hard not to spoil the great moments. It did feel like it could be longer, if only to provide a bit more context from the middle to end. I felt like I missed something along the way and at the end I went…”wait what?” . This novella could have easily been 1-3 interconnected stories. It bounces between timelines so pay attention or you may get confused. There is certainly an err of mystery as to why or how things are happening (not going to spoil it) Slow it down if you are like me and read fast. There is Italian throughout with the translation provided immediately after. It took some getting used to. The FMC reminded me of my Italian neighbour growing up…she could speak English but if you wanted to talk to her, you better know Italian – there was truth to how the characters were written. The writing was very description from settings, clothing and even the food. You know the gore is well written when I audibly say “gross” and I have no triggers! It will leave you questioning your next party invite!
Sidebar - The cover on this one is beautiful!
Cover: Maciej Kamuda @maciejkamuda_art
Review of advance copy received from Author
As a fan of Crews' books this is unlike anything he's written before. It's dark and has an air of dread. Set in 1935, you get Mafia and vampires. My favorite type of vampire are the non human looking vampires that look and smell like death.. And that is exactly the type in this book.
A depression era story about an Italian immigrant and his family.
"... but not having to think about how you're going to feed your blood-craving monster of a father is...swell."
I loved the folklore aspect of the story. I loved how Luisa was one of the strongest female characters I've read. I loved the dynamic between Joe and Vince.
I also want to mention the illustrations. The inclusion of illustrations was a brilliant move and made the story pop!
A depression era story about an Italian immigrant and his family.
"... but not having to think about how you're going to feed your blood-craving monster of a father is...swell."
I loved the folklore aspect of the story. I loved how Luisa was one of the strongest female characters I've read. I loved the dynamic between Joe and Vince.
I also want to mention the illustrations. The inclusion of illustrations was a brilliant move and made the story pop!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved how different this book felt from anything else I’ve read. It starts as this gritty Sicilian mafia family story and slowly unfolds into something darker and creepier. The setting, the tension, and the characters were all so vivid. The vampire element was really cool, and even though there’s some gore, the horror stays more in the background, which actually makes it even more unsettling. It feels less like a typical vampire story and more like a dark family saga with a supernatural edge. Also, the illustrations are amazing!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews