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Alex Chapa #1
Killing Red
Fifteen years ago, Cuban-American newspaper reporter Alex Chapa made a name for himself when he broke the story of Kenny Lee Grubb’s capture, after police were led to the serial killer’s house by ten-year-old Annie Sykes.
Now, less than a week before Grubb is scheduled to be executed, Chapa is summoned to the prison for a final interview. But instead of engaging in the usual death row topics of remorse and religious conversion, the killer boasts that his work continues. Not only is someone retracing his deadly steps, but Grubb assures Chapa that Annie Sykes, now a woman in her mid-twenties, will be the copycat’s final tribute.
This sends Chapa on a quest to find Grubb's last victim, the one that got away, to save the young woman from a fate the killer planned for her fifteen years earlier. But Chapa isn't the only one searching for the elusive Annie Sykes. And Annie isn't the only one whose life needs to be saved...
Set on the mean streets of Chicago and in the deceptively dangerous towns that surround the city, Killing Red is a stunning debut thriller by former newspaper reporter Henry Perez.
Now, less than a week before Grubb is scheduled to be executed, Chapa is summoned to the prison for a final interview. But instead of engaging in the usual death row topics of remorse and religious conversion, the killer boasts that his work continues. Not only is someone retracing his deadly steps, but Grubb assures Chapa that Annie Sykes, now a woman in her mid-twenties, will be the copycat’s final tribute.
This sends Chapa on a quest to find Grubb's last victim, the one that got away, to save the young woman from a fate the killer planned for her fifteen years earlier. But Chapa isn't the only one searching for the elusive Annie Sykes. And Annie isn't the only one whose life needs to be saved...
Set on the mean streets of Chicago and in the deceptively dangerous towns that surround the city, Killing Red is a stunning debut thriller by former newspaper reporter Henry Perez.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2009
20 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Henry Pérez
16 books12 followersHenry Pérez has worked as a newspaper reporter for more than a decade. Born in Cuba, he immigrated to the U.S. at a young age, and lives in the Chicago area with his wife and children.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 24, 2018
We discovered Henry Pérez’ investigative newspaper reporter Alex Chapa in a 2009 ebook novella he co-authored with JA Konrath, in which he and Konrath’s police Lt. (Ms.) Jack Daniels collaborated in an interesting story entitled “Floaters”. The two authors repeated that feat in 2012 with the ebook novella “Burners”. Finally, Pérez wrote his debut novel starring just native Cuban Chapa later in 2012 – and for a first novel it’s pretty good.
Chapa made his chops as a fledgling reporter when he scooped the arrest of serial killer Kenny Lee Grubb, who had slain nine children before a tenth victim escaped and led the police to him. After nearly two decades, Grubb’s execution is just days away when he asks for Chapa to come interview him and write an update. During their chat, he tells Chapa more killings have occurred and that the girl that escaped earlier is on the hit list. Naturally Chapa goes into high gear trying to locate the girl, nicknamed “Red” (hence the book title), along with working with an FBI buddy regarding the other names Grubb supplied.
Unfortunately that interesting premise bogged down considerably in mid-book, almost to the point of boring, as Chapa drives all over creation trying to find Red and other various people that might shed light on these new circumstances. Though the suspense about Red is fairly well maintained, the “private-eye”-type hijinks by Chapa strain just about all credulity – especially the scene with him out on a window ledge.
Edit some of the more incredible action herein, and cut half of the middle, and we might have something here – but otherwise, relatively mundane.
Chapa made his chops as a fledgling reporter when he scooped the arrest of serial killer Kenny Lee Grubb, who had slain nine children before a tenth victim escaped and led the police to him. After nearly two decades, Grubb’s execution is just days away when he asks for Chapa to come interview him and write an update. During their chat, he tells Chapa more killings have occurred and that the girl that escaped earlier is on the hit list. Naturally Chapa goes into high gear trying to locate the girl, nicknamed “Red” (hence the book title), along with working with an FBI buddy regarding the other names Grubb supplied.
Unfortunately that interesting premise bogged down considerably in mid-book, almost to the point of boring, as Chapa drives all over creation trying to find Red and other various people that might shed light on these new circumstances. Though the suspense about Red is fairly well maintained, the “private-eye”-type hijinks by Chapa strain just about all credulity – especially the scene with him out on a window ledge.
Edit some of the more incredible action herein, and cut half of the middle, and we might have something here – but otherwise, relatively mundane.
March 10, 2018
You can read my review at http://world-of-sleuths.blogspot.com/....
January 7, 2020
Absolutely FANTASTIC read! I've read Perez tied in with other authors works, but never on his own. Especially considering this to be the first published book, I was amazed. This is exceptional and a truly phenomenal read.
The book doesn't leave you on a cliffhanger but you WILL not want to put the book down because there are enough "what the..." that happen throughout that you're not likely to drop this one to pick up something else.
Highly recommend!
The book doesn't leave you on a cliffhanger but you WILL not want to put the book down because there are enough "what the..." that happen throughout that you're not likely to drop this one to pick up something else.
Highly recommend!
February 23, 2024
Set in Chicago. 416 pp. Thrilling! It kept me guessing the whole way through. And I did not see that ending coming!
Killing Red (Alex Chapa, #1) by Henry Pérez
Killing Red (Alex Chapa, #1) by Henry Pérez
September 8, 2021
The premise drew me in. From the synopsis, I was expecting more about the copycat killer(s) while also finding Annie. An interesting read for the payoff in the last few chapters.
September 7, 2024
Serial Killers have always been the interesting theme in crime fiction. "Killing Red" by Henry Perez is using this popular theme. Kenny Lee Grubb is awaiting his execution in Death Row for killing several young children, bur he has had one survivor, Annie Sykes and he has been fixated on her for the last fifteen years.
Alex Chapa is the reporter who has first covered the saga of Annie Skyes at that time and he is still feeling a little bit guilty about the way he portrayed her in his first big-hit story as a young reporter. He thinks he has attached too much attention to Annie at that time. Although the whereabouts of Annie is not known Alex has a surprise when the serialkiller Grubb wants to talk to him and informs him about his biggest dream being realised: He tells Alex that Annie will finally be found and the incomplete task be completed. He also gives the appalled reporter names of some recently killed people. There is obviously a copycat in action and Annie might be in danger. Alex tries to contact Annie to warn her, at the same time he is dragged into events such that everyone in contact with him is now in danger.
It is an easy-flowing book. Although it may not have too much of a fresh look into the serial killer genre, it is still a decent example of a serial killer novel. So, not a masterpiece but an enjoyable crime story.
Alex Chapa is the reporter who has first covered the saga of Annie Skyes at that time and he is still feeling a little bit guilty about the way he portrayed her in his first big-hit story as a young reporter. He thinks he has attached too much attention to Annie at that time. Although the whereabouts of Annie is not known Alex has a surprise when the serialkiller Grubb wants to talk to him and informs him about his biggest dream being realised: He tells Alex that Annie will finally be found and the incomplete task be completed. He also gives the appalled reporter names of some recently killed people. There is obviously a copycat in action and Annie might be in danger. Alex tries to contact Annie to warn her, at the same time he is dragged into events such that everyone in contact with him is now in danger.
It is an easy-flowing book. Although it may not have too much of a fresh look into the serial killer genre, it is still a decent example of a serial killer novel. So, not a masterpiece but an enjoyable crime story.
July 22, 2015
This had the makings of a brilliant book, but didn't really live up to it.
The beginning is great. Alex Chapa is asked to conduct an interview with child killer Kenny Grubbs days before his execution. After the interview Alex begins to wonder ( as do the rest of us) what the role of Annie was? Why is Grubbs so insistent she has to die?
Answer you never find out.
During the course of the book and Alex's search for Annie, the characters become very dull and stereotypical.
The last few pages did bring back some of the earlier promise of the book, but by then I had gotten a bit bored by it.
But why oh why did the author not address the whole subplot that had me totally intrigued concerning the level of influence a death row prisoner should not have. Who was helping him? How were they helping him? Why were they helping him?
None of that was addressed and the end while better than the middle of the book, was predictable.
The beginning is great. Alex Chapa is asked to conduct an interview with child killer Kenny Grubbs days before his execution. After the interview Alex begins to wonder ( as do the rest of us) what the role of Annie was? Why is Grubbs so insistent she has to die?
Answer you never find out.
During the course of the book and Alex's search for Annie, the characters become very dull and stereotypical.
The last few pages did bring back some of the earlier promise of the book, but by then I had gotten a bit bored by it.
But why oh why did the author not address the whole subplot that had me totally intrigued concerning the level of influence a death row prisoner should not have. Who was helping him? How were they helping him? Why were they helping him?
None of that was addressed and the end while better than the middle of the book, was predictable.
December 28, 2014
Pretty good first book by this author. It was a bit slow to start, but that was more, I think, him building up to a good ending. Some repetitive stuff, but overall good writing. Curious to see what he comes up with next.
Loved the FBI character. Great relationship between the lead character and the fed.
Some curse words, but over all not too bad.
Loved the FBI character. Great relationship between the lead character and the fed.
Some curse words, but over all not too bad.
August 26, 2015
Intense mystery/thriller. This book was intense! It's a great mystery/thriller. It has really good characters and an interesting plot. It keeps your attention throughout the book with what's going to happen next and a surprise ending. I wasn't expecting that ending. I would recommend this book for sure.
January 8, 2016
I found this to be an interesting read. The characters were believable and I felt as if I knew the main characters. I was also surprised at the identity of the antagonist...didn't see that one coming! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense and to anyone who enjoys a really good story.
August 29, 2010
Good writing. Keeps you guessing right until the end. I really was beginning to wonder if "Red" was involved with the murders. I could see that being a possibility after what had happened to her as a child.
September 7, 2010
What a great first novel! I enjoyed the story and the characters. Sure there were a few times when you really had to suspend belief (would someone REALLY do that?), but I enjoyed it, and look forward to more by this author.
May 19, 2011
Not bad. I've been in a reading slump all week and honestly if this story hadn't been as good as it was I'd of never finished. Liked the story, loved the main character and the FBI agent. I'll be reading more of this author.
November 15, 2011
I found it slow. I was interested in reading about serial killers, not down on their luck reporters. I found none of the characters engaging or interesting. It took me forever to finish this as I couldn't get into it.
July 21, 2009
Great book. Just released. Received advanced copy from book giveaway. Debut for author. Defininately will look forward to reading more from this author.
August 9, 2009
Killing Red is a very good book. Tight writing, but not too tight. You really get to know the main characters. Great plot - great writing. I really enjoyed Killing Red.
April 25, 2011
Maybe3.5 I was ready for a mystery/thriller. This book was good but slow in places. But til the end I thought that Red still had a play in murders...not.
March 3, 2014
This book was kind of ho-hum for the first
bit. But boy did it get good. I read it
awfully quick. Will be looking to Perez'
next offering!
bit. But boy did it get good. I read it
awfully quick. Will be looking to Perez'
next offering!
September 14, 2013
I couldn't get into this book.
Read
March 15, 2017couldn't get into it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2010
AWESOME BOOK!!!!
Read
July 19, 2013little drawn out but all in all a very good book it keeps you pinned to the the end
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews