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HE'S WATCHING YOU. RIGHT NOW.
Someone is stalking webcam models.
He lurks in the untouchable recesses of the dark web.
He watches everything. Even what you don't want him to watch.
When watching is no longer enough, he comes calling.
He's the last thing you'll ever see before the blood gets in your eyes.
Chicago Homicide Detective Tom Mankowski (The List, Haunted House) is no stranger to homicidal maniacs. But this one is the worst he's ever chased, with an agenda that will make even the most diehard horror reader turn on all their lights, and switch off all Internet, wifi, computers, and electronic devices.
Konrath reaches down into the depths of depravity and drags the terror novel kicking and cyber-screaming into the 21st century.
WEBCAM by J.A. Konrath
I'm texting you from your closet. Wanna play? :)
If you are a more sensitive (or adventurous) reader, the Konrath scale rates specific categories from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) to give you some idea if this is your kind of book.
WEBCAM
Scary - 8
Violent - 7
Funny - 4
Sexy - 5
Crossovers - Includes characters from the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, the Jack Daniels thrillers, the Codename: Chandler series, and the Timecaster series.
Someone is stalking webcam models.
He lurks in the untouchable recesses of the dark web.
He watches everything. Even what you don't want him to watch.
When watching is no longer enough, he comes calling.
He's the last thing you'll ever see before the blood gets in your eyes.
Chicago Homicide Detective Tom Mankowski (The List, Haunted House) is no stranger to homicidal maniacs. But this one is the worst he's ever chased, with an agenda that will make even the most diehard horror reader turn on all their lights, and switch off all Internet, wifi, computers, and electronic devices.
Konrath reaches down into the depths of depravity and drags the terror novel kicking and cyber-screaming into the 21st century.
WEBCAM by J.A. Konrath
I'm texting you from your closet. Wanna play? :)
If you are a more sensitive (or adventurous) reader, the Konrath scale rates specific categories from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) to give you some idea if this is your kind of book.
WEBCAM
Scary - 8
Violent - 7
Funny - 4
Sexy - 5
Crossovers - Includes characters from the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, the Jack Daniels thrillers, the Codename: Chandler series, and the Timecaster series.
306 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2016
407 people are currently reading
814 people want to read
About the author
Jack Kilborn
38 books847 followersJack Kilborn is pen name for writer J.A. Konrath. The Kilborn name denotes his horror novels; the Konrath name his thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
December 14, 2018
Good, if a little predictable. Worth the effort, though.
So, what do you know about Greek mythology? Have you heard of Erinyes?
Let me save you some Google time.
Erinyes - or The Furies, as they are more commonly known – were female chthonic (whatever the fuck that may mean) deities of vengeance. The wrathful goddess Demeter features in there somewhere, but I’m just not educated enough to understand it. One thing is clear, they know no mercy for anybody, much like James Blunt for the audience at his concerts.
So, the three classic Furies (Alecto, Megaera and Tisiphone) sprang forth, according to legend, from the spilled blood of Uranus when he was castrated by his son, Cronus.
And then there is Pranteus, the god of unfinished things. This is especially important when it comes to people who don’t finish their sentences, eg. “It was, like, and, you know, I was, like, whatever…” Yes, this is the god we call to when we find editing mistakes in novels and…
Yeah, you’re right, I making this last part up. Just checking if I bored you to sleep.
Okay, so the idea of people being able to trace your every move is not a new one – 1984 by George Orwell comes to mind immediately. But what I liked about this story was that Kendal (you’ll find out which one, and no, for fuck sakes, this has got nothing to do with the Kardashians!) has a history of schizophrenia. It makes her, and perhaps some readers, beg the question whether she is making stuff up…can she actually be the bad guy here?
Oh, and don’t forget about the killer calling him/her/itself Erinyes, so that’s why we went that way.
It’s not the best by Konrath/Kilborn, since I did find it predictable to a large degree, but it flows well and is highly enjoyable. Fans of him will not be disappointed.
So, what do you know about Greek mythology? Have you heard of Erinyes?
Let me save you some Google time.
Erinyes - or The Furies, as they are more commonly known – were female chthonic (whatever the fuck that may mean) deities of vengeance. The wrathful goddess Demeter features in there somewhere, but I’m just not educated enough to understand it. One thing is clear, they know no mercy for anybody, much like James Blunt for the audience at his concerts.
So, the three classic Furies (Alecto, Megaera and Tisiphone) sprang forth, according to legend, from the spilled blood of Uranus when he was castrated by his son, Cronus.
And then there is Pranteus, the god of unfinished things. This is especially important when it comes to people who don’t finish their sentences, eg. “It was, like, and, you know, I was, like, whatever…” Yes, this is the god we call to when we find editing mistakes in novels and…
Yeah, you’re right, I making this last part up. Just checking if I bored you to sleep.
Okay, so the idea of people being able to trace your every move is not a new one – 1984 by George Orwell comes to mind immediately. But what I liked about this story was that Kendal (you’ll find out which one, and no, for fuck sakes, this has got nothing to do with the Kardashians!) has a history of schizophrenia. It makes her, and perhaps some readers, beg the question whether she is making stuff up…can she actually be the bad guy here?
Oh, and don’t forget about the killer calling him/her/itself Erinyes, so that’s why we went that way.
It’s not the best by Konrath/Kilborn, since I did find it predictable to a large degree, but it flows well and is highly enjoyable. Fans of him will not be disappointed.
May 18, 2016
Meh. That is all.
June 23, 2021
Well. I'll never look at the internet, my phone or any electronic device with a camera the same way again. Ever. People are watching.
Someone is watching "sinners" in this novel and they don't know it. You could be watched right now as you read this review. The killer has you in his eye. He even finds you when you read your Kindle.
This is a dark horror crime novel about a seriously messed up serial killer who delights in the suffering and the "penance" of the victim before death. There is no mercy. You need to atone for your sins.
I picked up on a slight twist bit to the serial killer part way through the book but couldn't quite place what it was. It was revealed at the end and it was really original and unique.
Young women that perform for webcam sex sites are on the radar of this killer and it seems that eyes are everywhere and there is nowhere to hide. This book tackles those very unsafe aspects of our technology that you don't want to know about. How easy it is to access a remote camera in your phone for example.
I'm worried I'm being watched as I write this review. Super creepy.
This is a great novel with a strong plot from the get-go. We have 2 likeable flawed Detectives and their long suffering partners and we have THE killer. It's game on and believe you me the game gets very personal.
It's gutsy, graphic in places (guts hanging out, eyeballs removed) and somewhat brutal but you will manage it just fine. The plot is interesting and all the characters despite their flaws stood strong. I liked the whole package.
I loved the creativeness of the serial killer and his deluded beliefs of good and evil. His methods are nothing traditional at all.
This is a 4.5 star fast paced recommended read from me to you. I really enjoyed this one a lot. Particularly the ending. Brilliant.
Someone is watching "sinners" in this novel and they don't know it. You could be watched right now as you read this review. The killer has you in his eye. He even finds you when you read your Kindle.
This is a dark horror crime novel about a seriously messed up serial killer who delights in the suffering and the "penance" of the victim before death. There is no mercy. You need to atone for your sins.
I picked up on a slight twist bit to the serial killer part way through the book but couldn't quite place what it was. It was revealed at the end and it was really original and unique.
Young women that perform for webcam sex sites are on the radar of this killer and it seems that eyes are everywhere and there is nowhere to hide. This book tackles those very unsafe aspects of our technology that you don't want to know about. How easy it is to access a remote camera in your phone for example.
I'm worried I'm being watched as I write this review. Super creepy.
This is a great novel with a strong plot from the get-go. We have 2 likeable flawed Detectives and their long suffering partners and we have THE killer. It's game on and believe you me the game gets very personal.
It's gutsy, graphic in places (guts hanging out, eyeballs removed) and somewhat brutal but you will manage it just fine. The plot is interesting and all the characters despite their flaws stood strong. I liked the whole package.
I loved the creativeness of the serial killer and his deluded beliefs of good and evil. His methods are nothing traditional at all.
This is a 4.5 star fast paced recommended read from me to you. I really enjoyed this one a lot. Particularly the ending. Brilliant.
May 18, 2016
May book-of-the-month in my wonderful group here at Goodreads and first buddy read with my equally wonderful friend Janie! Unfortunately, most of the positive stuff ends here.
I knew next to nothing about the author going in, but after checking his website, he seems to have cranked out more books than Stephen King in half as many years. I can only guess that a little less quantity may have improved quality. This story is about a very strange and contradictory psychopath, killing people hideously gruesomely and uniquely. I felt roughly thrown back to the early 90's, when these stories were a dime a dozen. Led by cardboard characters, we are thrust through this cliche-filled and predictable story, through (admittedly a few, but still) typos, strange mistakes (even I know how to spell Miley C's first name for crying out loud) such as forgetting what narrative voice used and switching for a few lines, blatant annoying advertising of other books by text hyperlinks(!) and far too many coincides.
It's not horrible enough to warrant a 1-star (penning close to 100 books you probably pick up some writing skills) but I would not recommend it and I won't be reading any more of this avalanche of unpolished writing.
I knew next to nothing about the author going in, but after checking his website, he seems to have cranked out more books than Stephen King in half as many years. I can only guess that a little less quantity may have improved quality. This story is about a very strange and contradictory psychopath, killing people hideously gruesomely and uniquely. I felt roughly thrown back to the early 90's, when these stories were a dime a dozen. Led by cardboard characters, we are thrust through this cliche-filled and predictable story, through (admittedly a few, but still) typos, strange mistakes (even I know how to spell Miley C's first name for crying out loud) such as forgetting what narrative voice used and switching for a few lines, blatant annoying advertising of other books by text hyperlinks(!) and far too many coincides.
It's not horrible enough to warrant a 1-star (penning close to 100 books you probably pick up some writing skills) but I would not recommend it and I won't be reading any more of this avalanche of unpolished writing.
May 23, 2016
WEBCAM--A Novel of Terror, by Jack Kilborn (J.A. Konrath) is a stand-alone novel that occurs simultaneously with two of the author's other novels--crossing over into at least one of them fully towards the end.
In the beginning, I really had some high hopes for this novel. While I felt the villain was predictable (and figured out the who/why part at about 25% into the book), the scenes were still enough to make you pause, and the gore/violence was sufficient for horror fans. Throughout it all, "Kilborn's" trademark humor in dark situations was in top form.
The few problems I, personally, had with WEBCAM were: the author's linking of his other novels throughout the e-book version (I just felt that was a tacky marketing technique that he's been using as of late); the romance between two characters took up way too much of the novel--taking away from the "terror" that we were supposed to be feeling, and thereby lessening it; multiple editorial errors; the fact that part of the novel repeated some of the EXACT SAME SCENES as another (that I had just read from him last month); and the ultimate ending felt extremely anticlimactic--as if he just threw it together in a few minutes because he had gotten bored with the story, himself.
Why the three stars then? The overall idea behind it was something that made me think "what if...". Also, as mentioned above, Kilborn's dark humor and scenes of torture were still present, making the first half or more of the novel very interesting. Without the repetition of scenes from the other novel, and a stronger ending (that had more to do with the actual villain and characters), I could have seen this as a 3.5 at least.
I hope that Kilborn/Konrath doesn't continue to add links to other books of his in future titles, and abandons the idea of "linked" story timeframes as well.
In the beginning, I really had some high hopes for this novel. While I felt the villain was predictable (and figured out the who/why part at about 25% into the book), the scenes were still enough to make you pause, and the gore/violence was sufficient for horror fans. Throughout it all, "Kilborn's" trademark humor in dark situations was in top form.
The few problems I, personally, had with WEBCAM were: the author's linking of his other novels throughout the e-book version (I just felt that was a tacky marketing technique that he's been using as of late); the romance between two characters took up way too much of the novel--taking away from the "terror" that we were supposed to be feeling, and thereby lessening it; multiple editorial errors; the fact that part of the novel repeated some of the EXACT SAME SCENES as another (that I had just read from him last month); and the ultimate ending felt extremely anticlimactic--as if he just threw it together in a few minutes because he had gotten bored with the story, himself.
Why the three stars then? The overall idea behind it was something that made me think "what if...". Also, as mentioned above, Kilborn's dark humor and scenes of torture were still present, making the first half or more of the novel very interesting. Without the repetition of scenes from the other novel, and a stronger ending (that had more to do with the actual villain and characters), I could have seen this as a 3.5 at least.
I hope that Kilborn/Konrath doesn't continue to add links to other books of his in future titles, and abandons the idea of "linked" story timeframes as well.
June 7, 2020
I read this book four years ago when it came out. I was completely excited... first of all, it was a new Kilborn story and the premise was intriguing.
Somehow I forgot to write a review when I finished. I’m kind of glad that I did because four years in, I can’t remember most of what happened in the novel. That’s telling. All other Kilborn novels have stuck to me... I remember the book scenes and the characters. It’s not that this was a bad book, just not memorable. It certainly is NOT at the level of the other Kilborn stories and that is a shame. I think that is what all fans of Konrath/Kilborn are looking for.
Somehow I forgot to write a review when I finished. I’m kind of glad that I did because four years in, I can’t remember most of what happened in the novel. That’s telling. All other Kilborn novels have stuck to me... I remember the book scenes and the characters. It’s not that this was a bad book, just not memorable. It certainly is NOT at the level of the other Kilborn stories and that is a shame. I think that is what all fans of Konrath/Kilborn are looking for.
September 29, 2018
J. A. Konrath hat bereits erfolgreich die Jack-Daniels-Reihe herausgebracht sowie unter dem Pseudonym Jack Kilborn Horrorromane veröffentlicht. Ich habe die Bücher von Jack Kilborn vor einiger Zeit gelesen und fand sie wirklich gut für ihr Genre, wenn auch gewöhnungsbedürftig. Besonders ‚Das Hotel‘ ist mir extrem im Gedächtnis geblieben und hat mir tatsächlich sehr viel Unbehagen beschert.
Da ich von Konrath stets etwas gewöhnungsbedürftige Thriller gelesen habe, habe ich auch erwartet, dass “Webcam” wieder etwas abseits der Norm ist. Und auch dieses Mal wurde ich nicht enttäuscht. Konrath hat wieder einmal einen Thriller geschaffen, der mich zugleich die Stirn runzeln lässt, mir aber auch Gänsehaut bereitet.
Wir begleiten unseren Ermittler Tom, der eigentlich grad seine freie Zeit mit seiner Freundin verbringen möchte, jedoch nicht die Finger von aktuellen Fall des Morddezernats Chicago lassen kann. Ein Mörder geht um und hat es scheinbar auf “sündige Mädchen” abgesehen, die ihr Geld vor einer Webcam aufbessern möchten. Tom und sein Partner heften sich an die Fersen des Täters, nichtsahnend wie tief die Abgründe in diesem Fall sind…
“Webcam” spielt sehr gekonnt mit dem Thema der Digitalisierung. Sind wir uns überhaupt bewusst, wie viel wir täglich von uns preisgeben? Vermeintliche Sicherheit wird hier ganz schnell ad absurdum geführt, denn unser Täter scheint jederzeit alles sehen zu können. Es entwickelt sich ein beklemmendes Gefühl, und würde ich nicht seit jeher zu den Menschen gehören, die ihre integrierte Webcam am Laptop abkleben, hätte ich es spätestens nach diesem Buch getan. Man möchte sich gar nicht vorstellen auf welche Ideen manche Menschen kommen.
Wie so oft bei Konraths Büchern, sollte man die Story nicht so ernst nehmen. Konraths Bücher sind nicht jedermanns Geschmack. Entweder mag man sie oder man findet sie wirklich schlecht. Viele Szenen sind absurd und fast schon lachhaft, aber ich finde genau diesen Stil des Autors sehr unterhaltsam. Wer aber z.B. auch nichts mit Richard Laymon anfangen kann, der wird hier wohl auch nicht glücklich. Im Gegensatz zu Laymon, gibt es bei Konrath aber etwas weniger Blut und mehr Action. Der Humor ist flach und oftmals triefend schwarz. Es wird so ziemlich jede Gruppe mal auf die Schippe genommen und garantiert achtet hier niemand auf politische Korrektheit. Manche Szenen wirken so blöd, dass man schon wieder lachen muss. Wer jetzt noch nicht abgeschreckt ist, kann quasi nichts verkehrt machen, zumal es seine Bücher auch bei Kindle Unlimited gibt. Insgesamt kam ich wirklich gut durch die gut 300 Seiten. Die Story wird nicht unnötig aufgebläht und ist mal etwas nettes, erfrischendes für Zwischendurch.
Da ich von Konrath stets etwas gewöhnungsbedürftige Thriller gelesen habe, habe ich auch erwartet, dass “Webcam” wieder etwas abseits der Norm ist. Und auch dieses Mal wurde ich nicht enttäuscht. Konrath hat wieder einmal einen Thriller geschaffen, der mich zugleich die Stirn runzeln lässt, mir aber auch Gänsehaut bereitet.
Wir begleiten unseren Ermittler Tom, der eigentlich grad seine freie Zeit mit seiner Freundin verbringen möchte, jedoch nicht die Finger von aktuellen Fall des Morddezernats Chicago lassen kann. Ein Mörder geht um und hat es scheinbar auf “sündige Mädchen” abgesehen, die ihr Geld vor einer Webcam aufbessern möchten. Tom und sein Partner heften sich an die Fersen des Täters, nichtsahnend wie tief die Abgründe in diesem Fall sind…
“Webcam” spielt sehr gekonnt mit dem Thema der Digitalisierung. Sind wir uns überhaupt bewusst, wie viel wir täglich von uns preisgeben? Vermeintliche Sicherheit wird hier ganz schnell ad absurdum geführt, denn unser Täter scheint jederzeit alles sehen zu können. Es entwickelt sich ein beklemmendes Gefühl, und würde ich nicht seit jeher zu den Menschen gehören, die ihre integrierte Webcam am Laptop abkleben, hätte ich es spätestens nach diesem Buch getan. Man möchte sich gar nicht vorstellen auf welche Ideen manche Menschen kommen.
Wie so oft bei Konraths Büchern, sollte man die Story nicht so ernst nehmen. Konraths Bücher sind nicht jedermanns Geschmack. Entweder mag man sie oder man findet sie wirklich schlecht. Viele Szenen sind absurd und fast schon lachhaft, aber ich finde genau diesen Stil des Autors sehr unterhaltsam. Wer aber z.B. auch nichts mit Richard Laymon anfangen kann, der wird hier wohl auch nicht glücklich. Im Gegensatz zu Laymon, gibt es bei Konrath aber etwas weniger Blut und mehr Action. Der Humor ist flach und oftmals triefend schwarz. Es wird so ziemlich jede Gruppe mal auf die Schippe genommen und garantiert achtet hier niemand auf politische Korrektheit. Manche Szenen wirken so blöd, dass man schon wieder lachen muss. Wer jetzt noch nicht abgeschreckt ist, kann quasi nichts verkehrt machen, zumal es seine Bücher auch bei Kindle Unlimited gibt. Insgesamt kam ich wirklich gut durch die gut 300 Seiten. Die Story wird nicht unnötig aufgebläht und ist mal etwas nettes, erfrischendes für Zwischendurch.
March 5, 2017
I gave up on konrath awhile ago but this one was free with an audible upgrade for 1.99 so I decided to give him another shot. It was worth the price but not much more. I wish he would write something like his first 3 kilborn novels that where all 5 star reads but I guess it's not going to happen.
October 19, 2020
Dies war mein erstes Buch von J.A. Konrath und er hat es geschafft, mich von Anfang an mit einem super spannenden Plot in Atem zu halten.
Die kurzen Kapitel haben mich immer weiter und weiter lesen lassen wollen und ich wollte unbedingt wissen, was es mit dem mysteriösen Killer auf sich hat.
Da hier auch aus der Sicht seiner Opfer geschrieben wurde, konnte man die Angst, die durch Webcamchats geschürt wurde, richtig spüren - ich kann nur sagen, dass einem da erstmal gehörig die Lust vergeht, eine Webcam, ein Handy oder sogar seinen E-Book-Reader zu benutzen.
Den Ermittler Tom Mankowski fand ich okay. Er war mir etwas zu glatt. Er hatte einen harten Tag? Na klar macht er noch Fitness. Generell war er, abgesehen von seinem Job, der perfekte Mann, der all seine Fehler sofort erkannt hat.
Seine Freundin Joan hingegen fand ich ziemlich nervig. Sie motzte permanent über Toms Job, stellte es im nächsten Moment aber so hin, als wäre sie nicht so eine Zicke und alles wäre okay. Das war ein unstetes Hin und Her, das mich irgendwann ziemlich mit den Augen hat rollen lassen. Da ist das Frauenbild des Autoren wohl nicht sehr modern.
Den Fall an sich fand ich aber echt abgefahren. Wie hier mit dem Thema Rache umgegangen wurde, war auf jeden Fall mal was anderes. Allerdings hatte ich auf den letzten Seiten das Gefühl, dem Autoren ging die Zeit zum Abgabetermin aus. Das Ende hätte noch mindestens 50 Seiten, wenn nicht gar 100 Seiten mehr gebraucht. Es kam so überstürzt, dass sich nicht einmal Zeit genommen wurde, die Auflösung nochmal aufzuarbeiten oder näher zu beleuchten. Schade, denn sonst fand ich die Geschichte echt gut.
Auch wurde am Ende beim Verhalten des Killers geschlampt. Jemand, der so bewusst und geplant vorgeht, würde sich einfach nicht so verhalten wie beschrieben.
Ich werde auf jeden Fall noch ein weiteres Buch des Autoren lesen, um rauszufinden, ob er seine Enden generell so hinschmettert oder ob das ein Ausrutscher war.
Die kurzen Kapitel haben mich immer weiter und weiter lesen lassen wollen und ich wollte unbedingt wissen, was es mit dem mysteriösen Killer auf sich hat.
Da hier auch aus der Sicht seiner Opfer geschrieben wurde, konnte man die Angst, die durch Webcamchats geschürt wurde, richtig spüren - ich kann nur sagen, dass einem da erstmal gehörig die Lust vergeht, eine Webcam, ein Handy oder sogar seinen E-Book-Reader zu benutzen.
Den Ermittler Tom Mankowski fand ich okay. Er war mir etwas zu glatt. Er hatte einen harten Tag? Na klar macht er noch Fitness. Generell war er, abgesehen von seinem Job, der perfekte Mann, der all seine Fehler sofort erkannt hat.
Seine Freundin Joan hingegen fand ich ziemlich nervig. Sie motzte permanent über Toms Job, stellte es im nächsten Moment aber so hin, als wäre sie nicht so eine Zicke und alles wäre okay. Das war ein unstetes Hin und Her, das mich irgendwann ziemlich mit den Augen hat rollen lassen. Da ist das Frauenbild des Autoren wohl nicht sehr modern.
Den Fall an sich fand ich aber echt abgefahren. Wie hier mit dem Thema Rache umgegangen wurde, war auf jeden Fall mal was anderes. Allerdings hatte ich auf den letzten Seiten das Gefühl, dem Autoren ging die Zeit zum Abgabetermin aus. Das Ende hätte noch mindestens 50 Seiten, wenn nicht gar 100 Seiten mehr gebraucht. Es kam so überstürzt, dass sich nicht einmal Zeit genommen wurde, die Auflösung nochmal aufzuarbeiten oder näher zu beleuchten. Schade, denn sonst fand ich die Geschichte echt gut.
Auch wurde am Ende beim Verhalten des Killers geschlampt. Jemand, der so bewusst und geplant vorgeht, würde sich einfach nicht so verhalten wie beschrieben.
Ich werde auf jeden Fall noch ein weiteres Buch des Autoren lesen, um rauszufinden, ob er seine Enden generell so hinschmettert oder ob das ein Ausrutscher war.
February 23, 2017
I loved this. Of course, I'm a die hard Kilborn fan, so may be biased lol
If you haven't read any of his horror, please do. You'll be so glad you did. Serial was one of my favorites.
If you haven't read any of his horror, please do. You'll be so glad you did. Serial was one of my favorites.
June 23, 2019
Mein Jahres Highlight !!! Die Spannung lässt einfach nicht nach !!!
April 19, 2016
Let me get this out of the way first – I liked WEBCAM, even if I did find myself ultimately disappointed. It’s a far from perfect read for me, but I don’t feel like my time was completely wasted. Hence, the three-star rating. To explain why I was disappointed will take some doing, so here goes.
Jack Kilborn is JA Konrath’s go-to pseudonym for horror books, and they’re usually billed as “A Novel Of Terror.” Such books have included Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, and (I think) a few others. For me, Afraid has stood at the top of these offerings and is the pinnacle of Kilborn’s efforts. The sequence listed above also carries with it a certain staple that I expect in a Kilborn book – primarily intense, squirm-inducing violence that is graphically rendered, and a whole bucketfuls of spilled blood, guts, and gore. The villains are bat-shit crazy psychotics, occasionally of the inbred variety, and the good guys are normal people caught up in unexpected horrors that are way, way, way over their heads.
In WEBCAM, a nutjob is killing webcam models. Given the endless stream of horror that pretty much is the Internet these days, this seems like perfect fodder for some Kilborn scares. Unfortunately, much of what I dug in previous Kilborn books are sorely lacking here. I didn’t find myself squirming uncomfortably as I did back in the days when Afraid and Trapped hit my Kindle, and it seems like more than a little stretch of the imagination to call this a Novel Of Terror since there’s not actually much real terror in it. At least not for my tastes.
What WEBCAM is, though, is a fairly standard but mostly well-delivered serial killer police procedural that feels more like a high-tech, watered-down retread of the movie Seven than a straight-up fright fest. Things run smoothly for the most part, although I found the relationship between lead character Detective Tom Mankowski and his visiting long-distance girlfriend grew weary rather quickly. And the finale is more concerned with shoehorning in Konrath’s long-running series staple, Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels, and adding in a few unnecessary layers to the story’s end all in the name of developing a cross-over with a few other newly released Konrath titles. The climax is rushed to an abrupt and unsatisfying finish, as if the author grew bored with the material or was running up against a hard, self-imposed deadline.
On the bright side, WEBCAM is certainly a decent time-killer, and it does have a few cat-and-mouse thrills in it, along with a few chuckles here and there. And that cover design is absolutely brilliant!
April 17, 2016
I'm torn here. This was really a 4 star book, but I had to deduct a star because 1) there were unnecessary spoilers about the Jack Daniels series and 2) I caught at least 4 typos.
The story was good but the ending felt rushed (everything wrapped up within a few pages).
The story was good but the ending felt rushed (everything wrapped up within a few pages).
June 7, 2016
Liked this one but I still prefer Afraid, Endurance and Trapped to his newer stuff. This was a good story and a few familiar faces show up from his works as Konrath.
July 6, 2016
"Anything that links to the Internet can be compromised. Modern computer security isn't about keeping people out. It's about detecting them quickly once they get in."
I'm fully aware that as I am writing this review, the tiny inconspicuous camera at the top of my laptop is staring right at me. The camera is always off. (At least I think it is.) With today's technology, any person anywhere in the world can turn on my webcam and enter my life, and I wouldn't even know it. It's a scary thought, and it just goes to show, it doesn't matter how careful you try to be on the internet, there are always ways around your protection. I will continue to be amazed and baffled by the amount of personal information people put online. Especially after reading this book.
I have come to expect the macabre, twisted psychopaths that Kilborn dreams up. And The Snipper killer is defiantly up there with his most colourful creations. You're probably wondering why this maniac is called The Snipper. It's because this maniac has an affinity for eyelids. Or lack there of. With bodies stacked to the ceiling - or stuffed into barrels - and fear mounting in the city of Chicago, lovelorn homicide detective Tom Mankowski and his partner Roy are on the case. That is if their girlfriends aren't busy whinging about their long hours and moaning about the lack of alone time. Honestly, I was rooting for those two to be killed. Especially Joan, she had it coming.
The killer is targeting webcam models. Specifically girls named Kendal. Not their screen names. Their real names. Again with the frightening Skynet style computer hacking, The Snipper worms his way into each girls life and gets knife-happy. The girls deserve Penance. They are sinners. And the only way to atone for their sins is through pain. I know, fucked up right. Sorority girl Kendal Smith is next on The Snipper's list, but with her paranoid delusions and OCD counting habits, she doesn't know if she's in danger of a killer or of losing her mind.
This is a thrill ride from start to finish. I can't tell you how much I've missed the gore-fest that is a Kilborn novel. And with an open (terrifying) ending, the door is open to more Snipper fun. Because there are so many more sinners in the world. All waiting for Penance.
By the way, I have covered my webcam with masking tape so if any crazy killers have any ideas, find another hobby.
I'm fully aware that as I am writing this review, the tiny inconspicuous camera at the top of my laptop is staring right at me. The camera is always off. (At least I think it is.) With today's technology, any person anywhere in the world can turn on my webcam and enter my life, and I wouldn't even know it. It's a scary thought, and it just goes to show, it doesn't matter how careful you try to be on the internet, there are always ways around your protection. I will continue to be amazed and baffled by the amount of personal information people put online. Especially after reading this book.
I have come to expect the macabre, twisted psychopaths that Kilborn dreams up. And The Snipper killer is defiantly up there with his most colourful creations. You're probably wondering why this maniac is called The Snipper. It's because this maniac has an affinity for eyelids. Or lack there of. With bodies stacked to the ceiling - or stuffed into barrels - and fear mounting in the city of Chicago, lovelorn homicide detective Tom Mankowski and his partner Roy are on the case. That is if their girlfriends aren't busy whinging about their long hours and moaning about the lack of alone time. Honestly, I was rooting for those two to be killed. Especially Joan, she had it coming.
The killer is targeting webcam models. Specifically girls named Kendal. Not their screen names. Their real names. Again with the frightening Skynet style computer hacking, The Snipper worms his way into each girls life and gets knife-happy. The girls deserve Penance. They are sinners. And the only way to atone for their sins is through pain. I know, fucked up right. Sorority girl Kendal Smith is next on The Snipper's list, but with her paranoid delusions and OCD counting habits, she doesn't know if she's in danger of a killer or of losing her mind.
This is a thrill ride from start to finish. I can't tell you how much I've missed the gore-fest that is a Kilborn novel. And with an open (terrifying) ending, the door is open to more Snipper fun. Because there are so many more sinners in the world. All waiting for Penance.
By the way, I have covered my webcam with masking tape so if any crazy killers have any ideas, find another hobby.
April 18, 2016
Someone is stalking and killing webcam models, but their online activities are not the only thing they have in common. The killer is targeting women named Kendal, and anyone else who gets in the way is fair game too. The body count rises. Detective Tom Mankowski is on the trail but will he catch Erinyes before one of his loved ones is added to that scoresheet? There is a brief tie-in with Joe Konrath's (aka Jack Kilborn) recent novel Rum Runner and with Ann Voss Peterson's recent novella Watched Too Long, but knowing their stories is not necessary to enjoy WEBCAM.
May 2, 2016
VERY disappointed. Seriously pissed I wasted my April Kindle Lending Library loan on this story! All setup with an extremely anticlimactic, unsatisfying ending.
1. deus ex machina
2. Info dump dialog explaining
3. No horror
4. Typos
Both books that I have read, in this author 'experiment,' have been failures. All setup to link to other books, lesser quality writing, and unsatisfying endings that just end overly simplistic with no effort by hero.
I'll wait for library to get the rest of these books.
1. deus ex machina
2. Info dump dialog explaining
3. No horror
4. Typos
Both books that I have read, in this author 'experiment,' have been failures. All setup to link to other books, lesser quality writing, and unsatisfying endings that just end overly simplistic with no effort by hero.
I'll wait for library to get the rest of these books.
March 29, 2017
Scary and suspenseful!
I always love these two authors and this was no exception. I got the audio book on purpose because scary books keep me awake on my ridiculously long commute, then I had to read it at home to find out the end because it was so good. I will definitely read more from them!
I always love these two authors and this was no exception. I got the audio book on purpose because scary books keep me awake on my ridiculously long commute, then I had to read it at home to find out the end because it was so good. I will definitely read more from them!
March 18, 2017
The writing was inspiring to my own personal novel writing. I will definitely be taking some pointers from the style. It was a bit graphic but it intensified the story. I will definitely be reading the entirety of the collective!
July 8, 2019
I liked the premise of a serial killer being able to stalk/hunt his victims through technology. Big Brother was watching, and it makes you think about how connected we are to our devices, and how easily it would be for someone to watch us. Although this is part of his horror collection, it's probably closer in style to the JD series.
I also read this at the perfect time, albeit unknowingly. I recently read Konrath's Jack Daniel series 1-8, and was knocking out some of his other books before starting back up with #9. Webcam takes place between 8 and 9 and characters from the JD series make a cameo near the end. This is a stand alone so reading the other books are not necessary.
I also read this at the perfect time, albeit unknowingly. I recently read Konrath's Jack Daniel series 1-8, and was knocking out some of his other books before starting back up with #9. Webcam takes place between 8 and 9 and characters from the JD series make a cameo near the end. This is a stand alone so reading the other books are not necessary.
August 8, 2018
A psychopath on a killing spree and a talent for using the electronic devices of the victims against them? It's a clever concept for a novel. The relationship drama of the main characters is a little undercooked but aside from that, the characters are compelling. The book also has a compelling crossover tie-in with Rum Runner, also by Konrath. That was interesting and amusing for anyone who read Rum Runner. It was a quick read and worth the time.
October 22, 2019
Jack Kilborn has done it again. He really is the master of suspense and horror. The book was so creepy and it freaked me out while reading it at night. I had to put it down until daylight and it was REALLY hard to do that because I couldn't wait to find out what happened. Awesome book!
October 25, 2021
Wieder sehr interessant, eigentlich hat Kontath durch das Vorwort selber gespoilert,von daher ist relativ schnell klar, worum es geht. Aber jede Person ist super interessant und die Randgeschichten fast noch spannender.
April 14, 2020
Disturbingly deadly
A truly dark and disturb read. How authors come up with stories like this, that completely suck you in, while being so disturbing, really blows my mind.
A truly dark and disturb read. How authors come up with stories like this, that completely suck you in, while being so disturbing, really blows my mind.
March 1, 2021
An interesting but quite disturbing story
I enjoyed reading this book but found the psychological implications of this type of story to be disheartening and hard to believe even though I know stuff like this happens. I am not sure I would be able to read story after story like this one.
I enjoyed reading this book but found the psychological implications of this type of story to be disheartening and hard to believe even though I know stuff like this happens. I am not sure I would be able to read story after story like this one.
November 17, 2019
Quite a disturbing psychological thriller. I would say that it's fun to read through except that it isn't. It's harrowing, which is exactly what it needed to be.
Liked it. I'll give it a 'psycho killer' out of 8.
Liked it. I'll give it a 'psycho killer' out of 8.
September 24, 2019
Keeps you reading...
Great storyline and characters. This was my first book by this author and I am definitely going to have to dig deeper into their works as if they are anything like this one I must check them out.
Great storyline and characters. This was my first book by this author and I am definitely going to have to dig deeper into their works as if they are anything like this one I must check them out.
July 13, 2017
As warned.
I was not comfortable reading this horror story. A bit too violent dramatic at the beginning. It's a novel of horror, yes, I was warned. Interesting medical terminology but a bit to dark for me.
I was not comfortable reading this horror story. A bit too violent dramatic at the beginning. It's a novel of horror, yes, I was warned. Interesting medical terminology but a bit to dark for me.
June 28, 2019
Like I've said before in my reviews. I'm not a professional reviewer, all I know comes from gut instinct telling me when somethings good. And webcam is good, 5 stars good. The story is so well written that it wraps you up in spiders webs, and you can't get free, until the last word in the last sentence in the book. He is a natural born storyteller. So all I can really say is do yourself a favor, read it, you'll feel better about your self. J a konrath is now in my horror writers hall of fame, along side, Hunter Shea, Jeff strand, Jason parent, Owl goingback, Iain Rob wright, to name a few. This one's a homer. That's my review and I'm sticking to it. Like the band Cinderella says, if you don't like it I don't care. Ps, Your gonna need a bigger boat.
January 13, 2017
Webcam by Jack Kilborn brings the return of Chicago Homicide Detective Tom Mankowski. Tom has appeared in a couple other books in the Konrath/Kilborn Collective, and has become one of my favorite characters. This time around, Tom is investigating the case of women being murdered by a webcam stalker. This book was a fast-paced techno thriller that left me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
What I loved most about this novel was the character development. Tom and his parter Roy have been in other books, so I feel as if I really know them as characters. Another oldie but goodie is Tom's girlfriend Joan. She's a Hollywood producer, and was helping Tom in The List. What I enjoyed the most was seeing how they are as a couple now that they've been together for a while. Even though there was a maniac killing innocent women, unlike some of Kilborn's other novels, this one is purely character driven. Not only were the main characters well-developed, but so was the villain.
The villain was very complex, and kept me guessing his motive. He was very different from the drug addled or scientifically altered villains in Kilborn's other novels. After reading eight of his books back-to-back, I found this difference to be quite refreshing. Hopefully, Kilborn will continue to come up with complex villains in his future novels. Aside from Kilborn's regulars and refreshing villain, he also included some characters from another one of his series that left me wanting to read that next.
Like Kilborn's other novels, Webcam is written as a standalone novel, however I would advice that you at least read The List beforehand. That novel has nothing to this one, but reading it will provide more insight to the characters and their relationships. From the way that this ends, and the end of The List, I'm hopeful that I'll see Tom, Roy, and Joan again. Hopefully in a sequel to The List, but I'll take them anyway they come. These three are his best characters, and I really enjoy their adventures.This review was originally posted on I Was Angelized_1st
What I loved most about this novel was the character development. Tom and his parter Roy have been in other books, so I feel as if I really know them as characters. Another oldie but goodie is Tom's girlfriend Joan. She's a Hollywood producer, and was helping Tom in The List. What I enjoyed the most was seeing how they are as a couple now that they've been together for a while. Even though there was a maniac killing innocent women, unlike some of Kilborn's other novels, this one is purely character driven. Not only were the main characters well-developed, but so was the villain.
The villain was very complex, and kept me guessing his motive. He was very different from the drug addled or scientifically altered villains in Kilborn's other novels. After reading eight of his books back-to-back, I found this difference to be quite refreshing. Hopefully, Kilborn will continue to come up with complex villains in his future novels. Aside from Kilborn's regulars and refreshing villain, he also included some characters from another one of his series that left me wanting to read that next.
Like Kilborn's other novels, Webcam is written as a standalone novel, however I would advice that you at least read The List beforehand. That novel has nothing to this one, but reading it will provide more insight to the characters and their relationships. From the way that this ends, and the end of The List, I'm hopeful that I'll see Tom, Roy, and Joan again. Hopefully in a sequel to The List, but I'll take them anyway they come. These three are his best characters, and I really enjoy their adventures.This review was originally posted on I Was Angelized_1st
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