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Serial K
It was the perfect spot for his first kill.
So begins Craig Breedlove's descent into darkness.
The diabolical sociopath undertakes a journey to become the most famous serial killer of all-time. Most young boys idolize sports superstars, but Breedlove's heroes are Jack the Ripper and the Zodiac. He begins emulating the deeds of Gacy, Dahmer and Gein, first ballot inductees into his imaginary serial killer hall of fame, and quickly vaults to the top of the FBI's Most Wanted List.
FBI Special Agent Ryan O'Callahan leads the investigation, and teams with his ex-wife, FBI Profiler Lea Pucci. Unbridled passion defines their relationship, both positive and negative.
As the search continues, the body count rises and the lunatic shifts his target to the FBI. Fear grips the public. Many will die, but who survives?
Brian Gallagher, author of award winning Vatican Protocol, delves into the mind of a serial killer with the release of Serial K.
So begins Craig Breedlove's descent into darkness.
The diabolical sociopath undertakes a journey to become the most famous serial killer of all-time. Most young boys idolize sports superstars, but Breedlove's heroes are Jack the Ripper and the Zodiac. He begins emulating the deeds of Gacy, Dahmer and Gein, first ballot inductees into his imaginary serial killer hall of fame, and quickly vaults to the top of the FBI's Most Wanted List.
FBI Special Agent Ryan O'Callahan leads the investigation, and teams with his ex-wife, FBI Profiler Lea Pucci. Unbridled passion defines their relationship, both positive and negative.
As the search continues, the body count rises and the lunatic shifts his target to the FBI. Fear grips the public. Many will die, but who survives?
Brian Gallagher, author of award winning Vatican Protocol, delves into the mind of a serial killer with the release of Serial K.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2017
4 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Brian Gallagher
4 books7 followersBrian Gallagher’s first novel was the award-winning historical conspiracy thriller, Vatican Protocol. Gallagher's novel has been sold in more than twenty-five countries and is available in print, Kindle and as an audio book.
His latest novels, Serial K, Serial K Returns and Real Monsters represent a departure from the religious conspiracy theme of the Vatican Protocol. Serial K, Serial K Returns and Real Monsters are psychological thrillers that delve into the mind of a serial killer. This trilogy features recurring characters on an evolving journey. Serial K and Serial K Returns are both award winning thrillers with Serial K Returns named as 2017's top thriller by Readers Choice Awards. Real Monsters was released in late 2018.
The son of parents who met in art school, Gallagher discovered Ian Fleming's James Bond in high school. He was later fascinated by Robert Ludlum's stories of conspiracies between religious factions, governments and clandestine groups and is a strong influence on his writing today.
He is a graduate of Milton College, where he studied history, political science and religion. Gallagher's long career as a software executive led to extensive and frequent travel throughout Europe. The combination of his education and European travel created the foundation for his historical and psychological thrillers
Gallagher's style encompasses the following:
*Thorough research of his subject matter leading to a historically accurate narrative
* Expose little known facts that will shock the reader
* Include rumor, legend, superstition and purported facts into a plausible story line
*Provide factual detail for hotels, locations and as granular as restaurant menus
*Unmask institutional and governmental hypocrisy when appropriate
*Create multiple plot lines that builds suspense and allows for a fast-paced tale
*Leave the readers questioning if the story could be true
*Provide an outlet for social commentary
Gallagher released both Serial K and Serial K Returns in the first quarter of 2017 and Real Monsters in late 2018. Serial K Returns was named “Thriller of the Year” by Reader’s Choice International Awards in 2017.
All titles are currently available on Kindle and in print through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, selected book stores and over thirty online sites. His fourth novel, named Real Monsters, was released in October of 2018.
Gallagher’s email: gallo6072@aol.com
Representation: Catherine Bain 480-703-7147
His latest novels, Serial K, Serial K Returns and Real Monsters represent a departure from the religious conspiracy theme of the Vatican Protocol. Serial K, Serial K Returns and Real Monsters are psychological thrillers that delve into the mind of a serial killer. This trilogy features recurring characters on an evolving journey. Serial K and Serial K Returns are both award winning thrillers with Serial K Returns named as 2017's top thriller by Readers Choice Awards. Real Monsters was released in late 2018.
The son of parents who met in art school, Gallagher discovered Ian Fleming's James Bond in high school. He was later fascinated by Robert Ludlum's stories of conspiracies between religious factions, governments and clandestine groups and is a strong influence on his writing today.
He is a graduate of Milton College, where he studied history, political science and religion. Gallagher's long career as a software executive led to extensive and frequent travel throughout Europe. The combination of his education and European travel created the foundation for his historical and psychological thrillers
Gallagher's style encompasses the following:
*Thorough research of his subject matter leading to a historically accurate narrative
* Expose little known facts that will shock the reader
* Include rumor, legend, superstition and purported facts into a plausible story line
*Provide factual detail for hotels, locations and as granular as restaurant menus
*Unmask institutional and governmental hypocrisy when appropriate
*Create multiple plot lines that builds suspense and allows for a fast-paced tale
*Leave the readers questioning if the story could be true
*Provide an outlet for social commentary
Gallagher released both Serial K and Serial K Returns in the first quarter of 2017 and Real Monsters in late 2018. Serial K Returns was named “Thriller of the Year” by Reader’s Choice International Awards in 2017.
All titles are currently available on Kindle and in print through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, selected book stores and over thirty online sites. His fourth novel, named Real Monsters, was released in October of 2018.
Gallagher’s email: gallo6072@aol.com
Representation: Catherine Bain 480-703-7147
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 12, 2017
Once again, Gallagher pens a story that grabs you from the beginning and will not let you go. All you can do is hang on for dear life as the roller coaster ride twists and turns and the bottom drops out from underneath you, unexpectedly.
Craig Breedlove is about to go on a killing spree... with zealous glee! He is a sick, psycho freak on a mission to become known as THE top sick, psycho freak of all time. He relishes the thrill of the kill and the glow of the limelight. They intoxicate him like nothing else. To gain the notoriety and fame he fervently seeks, Breedlove will pay homage to some of the most well known, and hated, serial killers that ever lived, by emulating the signature details of their kills... while adding in a bloody and brutal signature of his own.
Trying to stop him are FBI profiler Lea Pucci and FBI Special Agent Ryan O'Callahan. And, they just happen to have once been married! While they are hot on the trail of a demented serial killer, things begin to heat back up between them. The question is: Will both make it out alive and, if so, will their relationship be worth saving?
If you are a psychological thriller junkie, like I am, you are going to be riveted to your Kindle, until the last page has been swiped! Along the way, keep an eye out for an old friend from Gallagher's first novel Vatican Protocol!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
Craig Breedlove is about to go on a killing spree... with zealous glee! He is a sick, psycho freak on a mission to become known as THE top sick, psycho freak of all time. He relishes the thrill of the kill and the glow of the limelight. They intoxicate him like nothing else. To gain the notoriety and fame he fervently seeks, Breedlove will pay homage to some of the most well known, and hated, serial killers that ever lived, by emulating the signature details of their kills... while adding in a bloody and brutal signature of his own.
Trying to stop him are FBI profiler Lea Pucci and FBI Special Agent Ryan O'Callahan. And, they just happen to have once been married! While they are hot on the trail of a demented serial killer, things begin to heat back up between them. The question is: Will both make it out alive and, if so, will their relationship be worth saving?
If you are a psychological thriller junkie, like I am, you are going to be riveted to your Kindle, until the last page has been swiped! Along the way, keep an eye out for an old friend from Gallagher's first novel Vatican Protocol!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
November 22, 2017
What drew me into this story was wanting to understand the mind of an unstable person. What drives the decisions they make? What makes some vindictive while others are left in a state of depression? So, the idea of a character who desires to be the most famous killer obviously had some issues growing up and I wanted to know these issues. The author gives some insight into Breedlove’s disturbing and unsettling childhood and his diagnosis. However, it was a bit less than I hoped for. I actually wished that there were more childhood/growing up flashbacks throughout the read than some of the FBI scenes.
I did find Breedlove’s character very interesting, but again I wanted more of his motives. Though I can see some of the negative experiences Breedlove had as a child contributing to the state he is in as an adult, I wanted more of a lead up to the conclusion of desiring to become a serial killer. He has such a sick mind and an eerily detached feeling toward people when he commits murder. It becomes something he feels he has to do and has no qualms over anything. Some of the scenes were depicted so well that it made my stomach churned, which I applaud the author for.
Since this was told in both the killer’s and the opposing side’s views, there really wasn’t too many surprises and some of the intense scenes were brought down fairly quickly when the perspective was changed. I had the most challenge in enjoying the scenes where O’Callahan was present because I didn’t feel he contributed anything to the plot and didn’t seem to be that bright. Lea, his ex-wife, brought more, as the profiler, but she was mainly brought into the scenes when O’Callahan was present. Which, by the way, whenever these two were together, I would say at least 75% of their conversation and time together was about food. Where they were eating, what they were eating, what type of cuisine they should be eating, etc. It got to a point that the food was just thrown in for really no reason and it became less about the real story – Breedlove wanting to be the most famous serial killer and finding him.
One of my favorite parts of the novel was the ending. I thought it was logically sequenced and exciting. The author did a nice job wrapping up loose ends and yet leaves the reader in a cliffhanger that nicely leads to the next book.
Overall, there were parts I wasn’t a fan of, but others that I really enjoyed. Though there were some errors throughout, the book was still entertaining for the most part.
As a warning, there are several explicit gory scenes that can make some squeamish and uncomfortable.
I would recommend this to those who enjoy a thriller and don’t mind some gory scenes.
https://bookloverblogs.com/2017/11/22...
*This was part of the OnlineBookClub.org Book of the Day Program*
I did find Breedlove’s character very interesting, but again I wanted more of his motives. Though I can see some of the negative experiences Breedlove had as a child contributing to the state he is in as an adult, I wanted more of a lead up to the conclusion of desiring to become a serial killer. He has such a sick mind and an eerily detached feeling toward people when he commits murder. It becomes something he feels he has to do and has no qualms over anything. Some of the scenes were depicted so well that it made my stomach churned, which I applaud the author for.
Since this was told in both the killer’s and the opposing side’s views, there really wasn’t too many surprises and some of the intense scenes were brought down fairly quickly when the perspective was changed. I had the most challenge in enjoying the scenes where O’Callahan was present because I didn’t feel he contributed anything to the plot and didn’t seem to be that bright. Lea, his ex-wife, brought more, as the profiler, but she was mainly brought into the scenes when O’Callahan was present. Which, by the way, whenever these two were together, I would say at least 75% of their conversation and time together was about food. Where they were eating, what they were eating, what type of cuisine they should be eating, etc. It got to a point that the food was just thrown in for really no reason and it became less about the real story – Breedlove wanting to be the most famous serial killer and finding him.
One of my favorite parts of the novel was the ending. I thought it was logically sequenced and exciting. The author did a nice job wrapping up loose ends and yet leaves the reader in a cliffhanger that nicely leads to the next book.
Overall, there were parts I wasn’t a fan of, but others that I really enjoyed. Though there were some errors throughout, the book was still entertaining for the most part.
As a warning, there are several explicit gory scenes that can make some squeamish and uncomfortable.
I would recommend this to those who enjoy a thriller and don’t mind some gory scenes.
https://bookloverblogs.com/2017/11/22...
*This was part of the OnlineBookClub.org Book of the Day Program*
November 29, 2017
My mother is a big fan of the true crime genre, and I've always read everything I could get my hands on, so I've read plenty of books about serial killers both real and fictional. Serial K by Brian Gallagher is an intriguing addition to the genre; a fictional tale of a serial killer whose 'signature' is copycat killings based on the work of other infamous serial killers.
The story is told from the alternating viewpoints of the killer himself and the two principal FBI agents trying to catch him. Ryan O'Callahan and Lea Pucci are a former husband and wife team, separated by their careers geographically but never really making the emotional break. As a consequence, they work well together, with none of the awkwardness or holding back which might come from agents who are not as close. Pucci, the profiler, has a good handle on the killer from the beginning; the problem being that the profile could fit many thousands of different people.
The story heats up as the killer moves around America, killing more and more frequently and leaving homages to his heroes and taunting notes to the FBI on the bodies of his victims. The conclusion of the story is a clever hook which definitely leaves me intrigued for book 2... perhaps it's a slight spoiler that the FBI don't catch the killer by the end of this book.
While I really enjoyed the story - and learned about some serial killers even I had never heard of - I think it needed a decent editor to go over it. Spelling and grammar mistakes and incorrect words were present, though relatively few and far between, and the dialogue and language felt stilted at times. With the reader privy to all of the killer's thoughts and plans, the build-up of suspense was regularly destroyed as we immediately found out what he was going to do next, and were reduced to reading about the horrified reactions of the investigating agents.
I did enjoy the read and I'd be happy to read more of Brian Gallagher's work, but I'd strongly recommend the author engage a editor to go over this and any future books to give them a more professional polish.
I give Serial K 4 out of 5 stars.
Serial K was an OnlineBookClub.org Book of the Day and you can read more about it at the Online Book Club's Bookshelves entry for the book.
The story is told from the alternating viewpoints of the killer himself and the two principal FBI agents trying to catch him. Ryan O'Callahan and Lea Pucci are a former husband and wife team, separated by their careers geographically but never really making the emotional break. As a consequence, they work well together, with none of the awkwardness or holding back which might come from agents who are not as close. Pucci, the profiler, has a good handle on the killer from the beginning; the problem being that the profile could fit many thousands of different people.
The story heats up as the killer moves around America, killing more and more frequently and leaving homages to his heroes and taunting notes to the FBI on the bodies of his victims. The conclusion of the story is a clever hook which definitely leaves me intrigued for book 2... perhaps it's a slight spoiler that the FBI don't catch the killer by the end of this book.
While I really enjoyed the story - and learned about some serial killers even I had never heard of - I think it needed a decent editor to go over it. Spelling and grammar mistakes and incorrect words were present, though relatively few and far between, and the dialogue and language felt stilted at times. With the reader privy to all of the killer's thoughts and plans, the build-up of suspense was regularly destroyed as we immediately found out what he was going to do next, and were reduced to reading about the horrified reactions of the investigating agents.
I did enjoy the read and I'd be happy to read more of Brian Gallagher's work, but I'd strongly recommend the author engage a editor to go over this and any future books to give them a more professional polish.
I give Serial K 4 out of 5 stars.
Serial K was an OnlineBookClub.org Book of the Day and you can read more about it at the Online Book Club's Bookshelves entry for the book.
July 14, 2018
Serial K is a book about Craig Breedlove a wealthy sociopath, and he is a serial killer. He idolizes the most well know serial killers like Gacy and Dahmer and wants to be like them but better. He plans to kill several people and then disappear into the night. Breedlove claims he will never be caught. He thinks the police are not working fast enough to connect the murders, so he informs the media.
Ryan O’Callahan is the FBI Special Agent and he wants on the serial killer investigation. He has written some novels on serial killers and in doing so had to do a lot of research. He convinces his boss to get him assigned to investigate the case and to bring in his ex-wife Lea Pucci FBI Profiler. They get the “go ahead” and team up to stop this serial killer. They have a plan to find him, but he will have to commit another murder before they can execute their plan.
I liked this book because the readers know who the killer is from the beginning. The author puts the reader in the mind of a serial killer which allows them to understand his reason for choosing the people he kills, how they will be killed, and the place to leave the body. The author also puts the reader in the minds of the FBI team and learn their approach for catching a sociopath.
Serial K is comparable to a couple book series I have read. The whole time I was reading this book I was reminded of the To Die series by Lisa Jackson. The books are not alike but the serial killer reminded me of the one in this series maybe it was the way the women were left to be found by passersby. The other series of book was Janet Evonovich’s Stephanie Plum series. The antics for Stephanie and Lula resembled two of the characters in Serial K.
My rating for this book is 4 out of 5 stars. My reason for giving this rating is only because of the typos. I feel like the author tells his story well and some of the descriptions are vivid. This book would be great for people who like crime fiction. There are some gory parts, so it would not be good for people with a weak stomach. There were other sections that had me laughing aloud.
Ryan O’Callahan is the FBI Special Agent and he wants on the serial killer investigation. He has written some novels on serial killers and in doing so had to do a lot of research. He convinces his boss to get him assigned to investigate the case and to bring in his ex-wife Lea Pucci FBI Profiler. They get the “go ahead” and team up to stop this serial killer. They have a plan to find him, but he will have to commit another murder before they can execute their plan.
I liked this book because the readers know who the killer is from the beginning. The author puts the reader in the mind of a serial killer which allows them to understand his reason for choosing the people he kills, how they will be killed, and the place to leave the body. The author also puts the reader in the minds of the FBI team and learn their approach for catching a sociopath.
Serial K is comparable to a couple book series I have read. The whole time I was reading this book I was reminded of the To Die series by Lisa Jackson. The books are not alike but the serial killer reminded me of the one in this series maybe it was the way the women were left to be found by passersby. The other series of book was Janet Evonovich’s Stephanie Plum series. The antics for Stephanie and Lula resembled two of the characters in Serial K.
My rating for this book is 4 out of 5 stars. My reason for giving this rating is only because of the typos. I feel like the author tells his story well and some of the descriptions are vivid. This book would be great for people who like crime fiction. There are some gory parts, so it would not be good for people with a weak stomach. There were other sections that had me laughing aloud.
June 8, 2017
Reviewer: Danielle Urban
Urban Lit Magazine
Serial K by Brian Gallagher is the latest novel by this talented writer. His new book took me by surprise. This is completely different from his first novel and a whole lot more complex. The tale reveals a serial killer set on copying his "heroes" who just happened to be the worst and most famous serial killers of their time. The plot moves quickly as the numbers of dead bodies pile up...and the FBI feels the pressure. Imagine a serial killer being smart enough to create doubt in the collective FBI mind...that kind of power sent chills down my spine. The murders occur in a bone chilling realistic way. I felt like I was dragged into the darkest CSI crime episode of all time. The killer is a sociopath who feels nothing yet responds when he’s ridiculed. His anger and childhood traumas define how he came to be what he is...and while the FBI thinks they’ve solved the crime, they’re wrong...because this serial killer isn't done. Especially, after a reporter with the Arizona Republic mocks him.
Brian Gallagher brought out the darkest yet most haunting tale to readers everywhere. I learned facts and details that actually describe serial killers, their motives and why they do what they do. Being inside a serial killer's mind is frightening. Yet, here I was deeply engrossed in the plot. Fast, well-written, and engaging. I was constantly held in suspense. The beginning caught my attention and from there I was pulled into this novel. The scenes were deadly and gruesome, but believable yet entertaining. Brian Gallagher has once again lured me into his brilliant world of fiction. His work never ceases to amaze me. I loved reading this new title, and I can't wait to see his next book. I highly recommend reading the Serial K to readers worldwide. Gritty, edgy, and the most thrilling chase readers will read.
Urban Lit Magazine
Serial K by Brian Gallagher is the latest novel by this talented writer. His new book took me by surprise. This is completely different from his first novel and a whole lot more complex. The tale reveals a serial killer set on copying his "heroes" who just happened to be the worst and most famous serial killers of their time. The plot moves quickly as the numbers of dead bodies pile up...and the FBI feels the pressure. Imagine a serial killer being smart enough to create doubt in the collective FBI mind...that kind of power sent chills down my spine. The murders occur in a bone chilling realistic way. I felt like I was dragged into the darkest CSI crime episode of all time. The killer is a sociopath who feels nothing yet responds when he’s ridiculed. His anger and childhood traumas define how he came to be what he is...and while the FBI thinks they’ve solved the crime, they’re wrong...because this serial killer isn't done. Especially, after a reporter with the Arizona Republic mocks him.
Brian Gallagher brought out the darkest yet most haunting tale to readers everywhere. I learned facts and details that actually describe serial killers, their motives and why they do what they do. Being inside a serial killer's mind is frightening. Yet, here I was deeply engrossed in the plot. Fast, well-written, and engaging. I was constantly held in suspense. The beginning caught my attention and from there I was pulled into this novel. The scenes were deadly and gruesome, but believable yet entertaining. Brian Gallagher has once again lured me into his brilliant world of fiction. His work never ceases to amaze me. I loved reading this new title, and I can't wait to see his next book. I highly recommend reading the Serial K to readers worldwide. Gritty, edgy, and the most thrilling chase readers will read.
August 26, 2017
Since this is both a stand alone novel and the first in a series, I will not say a lot about the story. I will say I like the two principal characters, an FBI agent and an FBI profiler, a lot. One aspect of the book I found less enjoyable was the repetitive sexual contacts of the two principals, at least it was not to my liking that it was repetitive in some graphic intent if not detail. To me it did not add to the story though it established the relationship of the two FBI types clearly. Just my bent. The story was good. The weaving of the thoughts of the serial killer into the story, an idea I used in one of my books, makes an interesting and sometimes disgusting comparison to those who are seeking him. All in all I found the book very enjoyable.
April 30, 2020
I had taken a break from reading psychological suspense thrillers but, was finishing a long list of lighter spiritual books. I just happened to have "Serial K" on my bookshelf and I am glad I picked it up to read. Brian Gallagher drew my attention with every sense of the word. It was easy to relate to the characters and the book was hard to put down. I had to pace myself so that I wouldn't finish it too fast. Now I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Read
June 25, 2022DNF @ 3%. I couldn’t make it through the first chapter. The writing is that bad.
April 21, 2017
Serial K was an exciting book to read, but if I wasn't already a fan of crime stories I don't think I would have liked it that much. It has some plot weakness, mostly due to the fact that O'Callahan and Lea, our two heroes, barely do anything throughout the book. My full review can be read here.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews