I am a monster. I am evil. I've done things that would shock the toughest cops. I've done things that will send me straight to hell and put Satan to shame. I've done things that I shouldn't have enjoyed, but relished. I've loved every single second of it. I don't know the meaning of the word regret. Why reget doing what needs to be done? They had to die.
I am a monster. I am evil. I am unstoppable. I am Helltown's worst nightmare. This is who I truly am.
She started writing in 2005 but never published anything until 2015 when she decided to bite the bullet and just do it. She's grateful for all the amazing people she got to meet through her passion for writing.
The 'Last Hangman MC Series' is the one that made people find out about her but since then she released a contemporary series - Love At Firsts - and a dark gory thriller trilogy - The Reaper Trilogy - which people have compared to Stephen King on crack — thing she's rather proud of.
Some of her favourite things include snowy days, live music, horror movies, ghost stories, travelling and of course, a cosy day spent with a good book.
Feel free to keep in touch with Muriel, she loves to hear from her readers.
OK... This is a book that screws with your mind!!! There is pure evil lurking in this book.... the details will blind you... soooooo insanely detailed that I am now officially scared of the author! And I have met Muriel Garcia... omg.. sweetness and sugar...
BUT... I am afraid of her now.... seriously... the victims suffer in the most horrendously detailed way.. that I had to close my eyes and breath threw it...
If you like your stories gory then this is the one for you! There are a lot of murders throughout, and they seem to become more ambitious and bloody as the story goes on. The details will have you cringing, even if you are a huge fan of horror like me. The author has done a brilliant job of getting inside the head of a serial killer and putting it into words.
Recommended for fans of blood and guts, serial killers and horror. Definitely not for the feint hearted.
This is one of those books that leaves me conflicted when it is over. Let me state upfront that Victims2 is not a romance novel it is strictly a whodunit, thriller. For me, that isn’t a negative because I love a good murder mystery. There are a lot of positives with only a few negatives in my opinion. The story compares favorably to a good Criminal Minds episode. There is a sick serial murderer. We get in his mind, not from the behavioral profile team but from the murder’s thoughts and revelations.
The book is well written. Muriel Garcia does an excellent job of peeling off the many layers of sickness in the mind of “The Helltown Reaper” as the news dubs him. For most of the book, my stomach rolls, and my heart beat faster, in anticipation of what happens next.
The new partners of Detective Barnes, the senior member of the team, and Detective McKenzie the junior member are figuring out how to work together. There are issues they need to resolve from the beginning because Detective Barnes is paired with McKenzie after his longtime partner is killed in the line of duty. He is grieving. Also, McKenzie is a female and the long hours together, searching for a serial killer is hard enough on a relationship but throw in a female partner sharing those hours has the potential for the green monster to appear.
Some very fascinating twists make me shudder. This is a dark, gritty, criminal and his actions are sick. He believes he is making his victims pay for wrongs that they escaped punishment in the past. The author does a good job convincing me the procedures that the detectives, lab techs, ME, etc. follow are believable and necessary to catch the sicko. Now we get to the point where I’m conflicted. There are several places that I had to do the hand wave because the situation is a little far-fetched, but it isn’t enough of a leap to take away for the story.
I went into this story realizing it is a series. I didn’t understand, in this series, the culprit doesn’t get caught. I’m not a cliffhanger fan, as most know. I get that many of my favorite TV shows have serial murderers that take a season or more to wrap-up. I don’t have a problem with that because I know from the start that I can DVR those shows and watch them consecutively, or more often, I know it is only a week, or three months until my next fix. Getting to the end of this book made me angry. I have never read a procedural that left me hanging. For this reason, and this reason alone I deducted a star immediately.
In the end, I can say that Muriel Garcia has an interesting mind. She weaves a gripping story with Victims2 that holds the reader’s attention from the beginning to end. I look forward to reading more from her, and I will be aware that she doesn’t have a problem leaving the reader hanging. Good job!
I have a longstanding, twisted love affair with murder mysteries and thrillers. I love when an author is able to keep me on the edge of my seat and I'm left guessing and obsessing over the tiniest details as I lie awake in bed each night, struggling not to return to a story. I love when I have to cover the bottom of the page with my hand I'm on so I don't "cheat read" and skip ahead, my brain hoping to sneak that one word that will blow the whole story wide open two lines further down the page. However, once you read enough, that part starts to fade and plot twists aren't quite as exciting anymore. Until you find something new. This was my something new. I loved this book. I sat on the edge of my seat reading this book. I lied awake pondering motives while reading this book. I stared at my kindle, forcing myself to sleep wanting to finish this book. I wanted so badly to "cheat read" this book. And then it was over and all I want in my whole life right now is to get my hands on book two. This book is awesome, but I must warn you, it's nothing like Garcia's other work. If you're looking for hearts and flowers, read one of her other titles. The late night promises this book has to offer are not the kind you're used to from this author, *wink wink* That being said, if you want a book that will keep you guessing and make you question the sanity of the person who penned it, this is the book for you. Five big creeptastic stars!
This is the first book I have read from this author and it was a long book. The details of the serial killer's murders are very graphic and disturbing, and most times difficult to read through and not because the story telling isn't excellent, but because the details are so colorful you can see and feel it as it is being played out. The interpersonal relationships of the victims, detectives and killer are all interwoven and keep you guessing until the very end how they will all crash together.
This book is for those who read graphic horror, serial killer mystery and other forms of Murderotica. This one definitely pushed my boundaries, but at the same time was articulately crafted and had an old-fashioned who-dunnit feel.
We have two detectives trying to solve a series of murders by The Helltown's Reaper that mimic a serial killer of the past. The Drownsman. The current killer speaks to the reader in the first person. If you were to take away the letter "i" from this story you would lose a significant word count. He's the type of evil villain that loves to monologue. The head detective also shares his thoughts with the reader frequently throughout the story. "If you take the time to think about life and death, You’ll realize that we’re all slowly dying. From the moment we’re born, Our lives are merely spent occupying ourselves Whilst trying to delay or avoid the inevitable: Death. We’re all heading to the same destination We just take different paths that will all lead us To the Reaper. What if I am the reaper? Would you welcome me? Would you run from me? Would you fear me?" The story is very melodramatic in its delivery. The murders are detailed step by step and nothing is left to the reader's imagination. This is one of the reasons why the story is a bit campy and not scary or truly suspenseful. This book could be a lot of fun for lovers of camp. The silent killer in this tale for me was boredom. Sometimes things can be spelled out just a little too much. In this case an attempt to be mysterious is instead transparent. I often found myself frustrated while reading this story. There is a real disconnect. The story just did not come to life for me in the ways I was hoping for. Reviewed for HeadTripping Books by A. Bookhooker!
Meet Detective Simon Barnes who has been a police officer for 15 years. He had a fiancé, a solid job and a recently changed partner at work.
The bond between him and Harper (new partner) is brilliant actually. I felt like I grew with their relationship and loved the bond that they shared despite their short time at working with one another. Who says death doesn't bring people closer together?!
But with a serial killer on the loose and some of the most stomach churning, seriously twisted and graphic beyond words scenes I swear you need to have a strong stomach for this book!
Every chapter had a new scene more perverse than the others and having only read a romance from this author I was blown away at the authors ability to write so completely differently from what I thought about her work.
Needless to say as the murders progress and the body count increases, so does the pressure for them to find their murdered. But what is they are missing?
Excerpt: I'm not a dangerous person. I'm just a normal man with a normal life who happens to finish things that were supposed to be completed a long time ago. I don't see anything wrong with that....
Bloody brilliant, stomach turning, horror filled book I think I've ever read. When I gave my feedback to the author I specially told her it was like Stephen King on drugs LOL. Takes dark to a whole new level! Highly recommended to those of you dark and horror lovers.
I love a good thriller and this book fits the bill. Victims2 is not a romance novel it is strictly a whodunit, thriller. The book is well written with many layers and good procedurals.
Victims 2 is well written. Muriel Garcia does an excellent job of peeling off the many layers of sickness in the mind of “The Helltown Reaper” as the news dubs him. For most of the book, my stomach rolls, and my heart beat faster, in anticipation of what happens next. There are fascinating twists that made my heart clench and my stomach roil.
I went into this story realizing it is a series. I didn’t understand, in this series, the culprit doesn’t get caught. I’m not a cliffhanger fan and not catching a killer keeps the nightmares churning. That said, Muriel Garcia has an interesting mind. She weaves a gripping story with Victims2 that holds the reader’s attention from the beginning to end. I look forward to reading more from her, and I will be aware that she doesn’t have a problem leaving the reader hanging. Good job!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Crazy Cajun Book Addicts for an honest review.
Right I'm not entirely sure where to start with this review. Victims by Muriel Garcia is a dark, gritty and suspenseful thriller that will hold your attention until the very end, and then some.
It follows the story of a killer who believes that by choosing and killing his victims he is finishing a job that had already been started as each victim has already escaped death at some time in their lives.
Detective's Barnes and McKenzie are given the task of trying to bring the killer to justice but he seems to be one step ahead everytime evading them at every stop.
Some parts I found were a little difficult read but this is the first thriller I have read in a long time and it definitely lived up to its name it's brilliantly written and you could tell that a lot of research has gone in to this book. Muriel Garcia has written a book that will stay with me for a long time to come and it's a definite 5 Stars from me.
I'm not sure where to start because for once I'm actually speechless. Muriel has pulled something out of the bag that not many people can pull off, but she did.
It was stomach turning, mysterious, intriguing and gross all at the same time. Where you're all engrossed in the story but can't look away even when your stomach is rolling around.
I have to say, Muriel Garcia is the next Stephen King. No book has ever made me feel so sick before but this one did but I loved every second of it.
The mystery and suspense carried the whole way through the book and even then you're left wanting more.
I'm gobsmacked at the ending and even thinking how was it even possible, it makes you want to read it again to see if you missed any of the signs.
Some places were a little shaky but can easily be overlooked, and it didn't effect the storyline too much. Some of it was a bit unrealistic; lack of cameras, lack of people etc etc but I guess it depends how rural Helltown really is.
I can't wait for the next book, though I think my stomach can!
I love Muriel Garcia's books and have read a lot of them, but this, this book is something different. This book was raw, it was gritty, it was a little demented to tell you the truth. Suspense, twists and turns that you would not expect. Danger around every corner. Deception in every emotion and word given. Yeah this book is one to bunker down to and get ready to sweat it out of you. And the ending? Yeah that one will leave you speechless! Simon is the cop hunting down a murderer. Amber is his fiance, the woman he saved from a gruesome death. McKensie is his partner a woman that he is partnered with after the death of Ben his original partner. Okay I really can't give more detail without giving to much away. But I can say that the suspense and clues in this book are riveting. A book that will have your heart pounding due to both heat and fear. I can't wait to see how the trilogy unravels having the rug pulled from right under me with this book! I need to know how Simon continues on his journey.
Wow, what a dark and twisted story is revealed within these pages. The story line is excellent, although I found the main characters story telling simplistic compared to the normal crime thrillers I'm used to reading.
The detail in this story is graphic, I'm sat cringing whilst I'm fervently turning the page to see what other grotesque death the author has delivered.
It's a very refreshing twist on a serial killer book, it had me guessing and mis-guessing throughout. For me to say I didn't see that coming is the sign of a story I thoroughly enjoyed.
I was so tired whilst I was reading this book after a busy week that I kept falling asleep, very begrudgingly as I so wanted to finish it in one sitting. Every time I had to put the book down it was at a good bit, and I couldn't wait to return to it.
As I say it's a deliciously dark and twisted read.
This book left me thinking WTF? From the very beginning I was kept intrigued as to what would happen next and to figure out who is that dark, twisted and absolutely sadistic pyscho. I can't believe that these poor victims were not only tortured once and still trying to get their lives back on track in whatever way they deem possible but then for them to be stalked and tortured again. Wow! Not only did the victims suffer the first time but their families and friends did as well and for this psycho to go after them is just unbelievable.
I recommend you read this book if you like the dark, serial killer , and really twisted type books. This is not for the weak that is for sure. Must read if you are!
Received a copy of this book for an honest review. If you are squeamish this book is not for you! It has very detailed scenes of violence that gave me chills. This book is so much more than I expected. A serial killer is on the loose and is evading law enforcement. He leaves no clues and has the officers running in circles. The killer is righting the wrongs and making sure that the past plays out as it should have. This review is one that is hard to write because honestly I am afraid of giving away details inadvertently that may give away the plot. This storyline has multiple and shocking twists. The writing is descriptive and thoroughly addictive. I could not put this book down. If you love a thrilling suspense then this is definitely a book you have to grab.
OMG. Muriel Garcia has got twisted down to a 'T'. I was hooked from the first page and as I went along I was jaw droppingly gobsmacked at the many ways that Muriel Garcia twisted the story. From the sick and twisted murders to the twists in the story. There were times I wanted to put my kindle down because I didn't think I could stomach it but at the same time I was so engrossed!
This book is very different to other Muriel Garcia books I've read but she has nailed it perfectly.
Thank you for writing such a twisted and gruesome read and I hope you write a lot more like this.
What a suspenseful dark psychological thriller M Garcia penned! From the very beginning she keeps the reader guessing about the identity of the Helltown Reaper. The Reaper seeks out victims’ that have survived horrendous attacks and rights what he considers as a wrong. Edge of your seat, nail biting, and OMG moments make this a great story. Everyone in town is looking over their shoulder and wondering if the person next to them is the Reaper. The ending will catch you by surprise. Grab this if you like surprises and twists.
This book took me by surprise but holy moly it was just up my street. If you don't like dark books with alot of violence then this is not the book for you. I however LOVED it.
Small town serial killer with a need to"finish the job" what a fabulous plot. The details that went into this book were amazing....I can only but imagine what the search history must have looked like.
I loved this book....every single word of it and i would recommend it to anyone that isn't afraid of their own shadow or of gore!
***i received an arc in return for an honest true and unbiased review***
Where to start? Well first of this is not my normal genre of book I read, but I must say I loved it! This is the first in the reaper trilogy and it's so dark! There's two detectives running around like headless chickens trying to solve ALOT of gruesome murders. While the serial killer laughs and taunts them. It's amazingly written with many twists and turns in the plots and I'm eagerly awaiting book 2!
WOW what a thriller this book will have you accusing everyone. If you are faint of heart this will put you over the edge, this is pure evil and written to perfection!