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Serial K Returns
His hunger returned.
Craig Breedlove, the serial killer who survives in Serial K, is back at it. This time he has a new target. In fact, two new targets.
A victim of priest molestation at age seven, he puts his sights on abusive priests who were never brought to justice.
The FBI team of Agents Lea Pucci and Ryan O'Callahan, now divorced but current lovers, are back on the trail.
As they close in, the killer turns his sights on his pursuers.
As the chase continues, the body count rises. Fear grips the public. Many will die, but who survives?
Craig Breedlove, the serial killer who survives in Serial K, is back at it. This time he has a new target. In fact, two new targets.
A victim of priest molestation at age seven, he puts his sights on abusive priests who were never brought to justice.
The FBI team of Agents Lea Pucci and Ryan O'Callahan, now divorced but current lovers, are back on the trail.
As they close in, the killer turns his sights on his pursuers.
As the chase continues, the body count rises. Fear grips the public. Many will die, but who survives?
276 pages, Paperback
Published April 5, 2017
7 people are currently reading
30 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 27, 2018
Having reviewed Serial K in my capacity as a professional reviewer for Online Book Club, I was interested enough in tearing the sequel to pick this up during a free promotion. Serial K was a book ripe with potential; a serial killer whose ‘signature’ is killings in homage to other famous serials was a fascinating premise for a villain and the ex-husband and wife FBI team in pursuit had a great dynamic.
However, I also stated that Serial K was in serious need of an editor, due to excessive wordiness, occasional illogical leaps and the author’s tendency to deceive in loving detail every morsel of food consumed by any of the major characters. In picking up Serial K Returns, I hoped to find that the author has taken my considered opinion as a professional reviewer into account and engaged an editor to improve a good concept into a great book.
Sadly, I have to report that he has not. Serial K Returns is more of the same; a potentially excellent book let down by a lack of professional editing.
As an indie author, if you want your book to be competitive in the marketplace and appealing to readers, you MUST treat your work professionally, and that means paying for professional editing. Should Brian Gallagher elect to have this book edited and release an updated edition, he may contact me for a re-read and an updated review. Until then, I cannot give it any more than two stars.
However, I also stated that Serial K was in serious need of an editor, due to excessive wordiness, occasional illogical leaps and the author’s tendency to deceive in loving detail every morsel of food consumed by any of the major characters. In picking up Serial K Returns, I hoped to find that the author has taken my considered opinion as a professional reviewer into account and engaged an editor to improve a good concept into a great book.
Sadly, I have to report that he has not. Serial K Returns is more of the same; a potentially excellent book let down by a lack of professional editing.
As an indie author, if you want your book to be competitive in the marketplace and appealing to readers, you MUST treat your work professionally, and that means paying for professional editing. Should Brian Gallagher elect to have this book edited and release an updated edition, he may contact me for a re-read and an updated review. Until then, I cannot give it any more than two stars.
February 6, 2019
Serial K (#1) ended with FBI profiler Lea Pucci feeling, deep in her gut, that the serial killer, Craig Breedlove, was not dead. She vehemently believes that he is still alive and free to continue perpetrating his heinous, bloody slaughters on innocent, unsuspecting people. And, she would be right!
But now, Breedlove has a new agenda and new targets to focus his butchery upon. Assuming a new identity, Breedlove decides to visit some vigilante justice on the priests that raped, molested and tormented him for years. He joins a victim support group and culls a select group of men from their members, men who were also molested and raped by priests of the Catholic church, when they were young children. With his new army of avengers, he sets out to bring these priests to THEIR knees, for a change, and ensure that they never get back up off of those bloody knees. Breedlove thinks that taking his M.O. in a totally different direction from his previous killings will keep him off of Lea's radar. But, he is wrong!
Just as Ryan and Lea are settling into their second chance at love together, Lea finds herself hunted by the Mexican Mafia, as she also barrels down the bloody trail of bodies that Breedlove and his crew are leaving behind. And this time, she'd better be extra careful, because Breedlove's taken a liking to her and wants her for his own, private sex slave!
Joined, once again, by some of your favorite characters from Vatican Protocol, Ryan will rush to beat the clock and save Lea from the machinations of the increasingly unstable serial killer and his demented desires.
*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.
But now, Breedlove has a new agenda and new targets to focus his butchery upon. Assuming a new identity, Breedlove decides to visit some vigilante justice on the priests that raped, molested and tormented him for years. He joins a victim support group and culls a select group of men from their members, men who were also molested and raped by priests of the Catholic church, when they were young children. With his new army of avengers, he sets out to bring these priests to THEIR knees, for a change, and ensure that they never get back up off of those bloody knees. Breedlove thinks that taking his M.O. in a totally different direction from his previous killings will keep him off of Lea's radar. But, he is wrong!
Just as Ryan and Lea are settling into their second chance at love together, Lea finds herself hunted by the Mexican Mafia, as she also barrels down the bloody trail of bodies that Breedlove and his crew are leaving behind. And this time, she'd better be extra careful, because Breedlove's taken a liking to her and wants her for his own, private sex slave!
Joined, once again, by some of your favorite characters from Vatican Protocol, Ryan will rush to beat the clock and save Lea from the machinations of the increasingly unstable serial killer and his demented desires.
*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.
December 20, 2017
Serial K Returns, by Brian Gallagher, delves into the mind of a serial killer who, at times, seems to actually have a conscience. Craig Breedlove, the book’s main character, has begun to feel the urge to kill--and to, in his own warped way, make right a long list of wrongs. Breedlove, assuming a new identity, engages the interest of a select but rather volatile group of men who assist him with his mission to eradicate a long list of priests who ruined the lives of countless young boys in Wisconsin. Paralleling this journey of bloodshed is the search for answers headed up by Ryan O’Callahan and Lea Pucci--two of the FBI’s finest.
Craig Breedlove, known to his new cohort as Milo Van Dolah, is quite the main character. As badly as he wants to accomplish his mission to eliminate the abusive priests on the list he and his partners have created, he feels threatened at times by the overzealousness of some of his band of assassins, and things go haywire. For all his planning, explicit instructions, and constant reviewing of the group’s strategies, Breedlove finds himself, time and again, miffed by his inability to make himself clear. The best laid plans of serial killers and their sidekicks go awry…
This novel, definitely not for the squeamish or faint of heart, builds upon the idea that the priests must be punished--and at the hands of their victims. Gallagher incorporates a great deal of symbolism in Breedlove’s planned killings. Perhaps one of the most unsettling aspects of Gallagher’s writing is the utter shamelessness with which the priests respond the questioning of their assassins. The author, in no uncertain terms, drives home the fact that the priests are depraved and despicable. No amount of gore penned by the author can beat the disgust and raw emotion evoked by their smirks and openness.
Gallagher is more than adept at writing humor in the face of darkness. Ted, a man who, quite literally, would not know to come in out of the rain, provides an element of comic relief even if it is tainted with sadness. His complete lack of understanding in the most basic of situations leaves the reader almost dumbfounded at times, making it easy to empathize with O’Callahan and Pucci’s frustration.
Serial K Returns is steeped in suspense from the first chapter to its conclusion. Gallagher incorporates perfectly-timed revelations as the story unfolds. The plotline surrounding Breedlove’s organization of his own wayward crime family provides ample opportunities for the reader to try to outguess the author.
I give Serial K Returns 4 out of 5 stars. Gallagher has written a piece rivaling any other crime novel out there. The profanity-laced conversations between characters are the main reason I am not awarding a full 5 stars to this novel. Profanity is not something I feel added to the excellent writing and plot of this piece. Aside from that drawback, I found Gallagher’s writing to be engaging, suspenseful, and recommend to any fan of crime fiction. In addition to the intense scenes involving the victims, the author has interwoven bits of true crime events into his plot--always a plus for fans of dramatic crime novels.
Craig Breedlove, known to his new cohort as Milo Van Dolah, is quite the main character. As badly as he wants to accomplish his mission to eliminate the abusive priests on the list he and his partners have created, he feels threatened at times by the overzealousness of some of his band of assassins, and things go haywire. For all his planning, explicit instructions, and constant reviewing of the group’s strategies, Breedlove finds himself, time and again, miffed by his inability to make himself clear. The best laid plans of serial killers and their sidekicks go awry…
This novel, definitely not for the squeamish or faint of heart, builds upon the idea that the priests must be punished--and at the hands of their victims. Gallagher incorporates a great deal of symbolism in Breedlove’s planned killings. Perhaps one of the most unsettling aspects of Gallagher’s writing is the utter shamelessness with which the priests respond the questioning of their assassins. The author, in no uncertain terms, drives home the fact that the priests are depraved and despicable. No amount of gore penned by the author can beat the disgust and raw emotion evoked by their smirks and openness.
Gallagher is more than adept at writing humor in the face of darkness. Ted, a man who, quite literally, would not know to come in out of the rain, provides an element of comic relief even if it is tainted with sadness. His complete lack of understanding in the most basic of situations leaves the reader almost dumbfounded at times, making it easy to empathize with O’Callahan and Pucci’s frustration.
Serial K Returns is steeped in suspense from the first chapter to its conclusion. Gallagher incorporates perfectly-timed revelations as the story unfolds. The plotline surrounding Breedlove’s organization of his own wayward crime family provides ample opportunities for the reader to try to outguess the author.
I give Serial K Returns 4 out of 5 stars. Gallagher has written a piece rivaling any other crime novel out there. The profanity-laced conversations between characters are the main reason I am not awarding a full 5 stars to this novel. Profanity is not something I feel added to the excellent writing and plot of this piece. Aside from that drawback, I found Gallagher’s writing to be engaging, suspenseful, and recommend to any fan of crime fiction. In addition to the intense scenes involving the victims, the author has interwoven bits of true crime events into his plot--always a plus for fans of dramatic crime novels.
December 3, 2017
No one likes to turn on the news or read the newspaper and learn about any bad events that have occurred, especially when there’s a serial killer on the loose. We all know the world isn’t entirely safe, but we can’t allow that to cloud us of our happiness to get out there and enjoy living. In “Serial K Returns”, author Brian Gallagher introduces his readers to a serial killer by the name of Craig Breedlove a.k.a. the “Ripper”, who considers killing people a creative craft of his and does his very best to make his crime scenes headline masterpieces. Of course, FBI and the local Police Departments have been on his trail and tries to figure out his next moves, luckily they have very talented team members, Lea Pucci a famous criminal profiler and her partner in crime Ryan O’Callahan, a semi-retired FBI agent. With these two working together there’s a higher possibility that they can catch whoever is the creator of these crimes. What’s fascinating is that the “Ripper” has a new M.O. up his sleeve, one that hits closer to home and makes him feel he’s serving justice in comparison to his usual homicides.
Even someone as mentally unstable as Craig can change their way of thinking, in terms of serving justice from his childhood traumas. Switching his entire M.O. from presentable pieces of psychotic art to becoming an Avenger for all the innocent children within grown men suffering from child molestation from priests of the church. It’s a terrible experience these group of men has gone through as a child, then to grow up and meet Craig a.k.a. Milo Van Dolah, who enlightens them to seek vengeance for themselves and others currently suffering. Although, anyone who’s perfectly sane wouldn’t deem this at all appropriate behavior, while on the other hand witnessing the repercussions these fathers of the church get for their wrong-doings. These group of men feel liberated and no longer alone in their timid ways because they are the “Avengers” making sure priests pay for their mental and emotional scars.
It takes a true level of empathy to understand why some people do the things they do. It all starts from the root of the problem, usually a traumatic childhood and one might want to seek revenge in their adulthood. Unfortunately, none of us know what type of families or experiences one has been through, but we can do our best to ensure that they aren’t alone. The author’s writing style skillfully maintained my interest in wanting to know what else would occur in the book, it’s a real page-turner. I’ve read and came to an understanding about the priesthood, what many have done to children under their guidance and I sympathize with those children. I even gained some historical knowledge about certain parts of Wisconsin and local hang out spots for gangsters in the 30’s, such as the infamous Al Capone. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is open-minded and willing to grasp the understanding of traumatic childhoods that can spark havoc in their lives as adults.
Even someone as mentally unstable as Craig can change their way of thinking, in terms of serving justice from his childhood traumas. Switching his entire M.O. from presentable pieces of psychotic art to becoming an Avenger for all the innocent children within grown men suffering from child molestation from priests of the church. It’s a terrible experience these group of men has gone through as a child, then to grow up and meet Craig a.k.a. Milo Van Dolah, who enlightens them to seek vengeance for themselves and others currently suffering. Although, anyone who’s perfectly sane wouldn’t deem this at all appropriate behavior, while on the other hand witnessing the repercussions these fathers of the church get for their wrong-doings. These group of men feel liberated and no longer alone in their timid ways because they are the “Avengers” making sure priests pay for their mental and emotional scars.
It takes a true level of empathy to understand why some people do the things they do. It all starts from the root of the problem, usually a traumatic childhood and one might want to seek revenge in their adulthood. Unfortunately, none of us know what type of families or experiences one has been through, but we can do our best to ensure that they aren’t alone. The author’s writing style skillfully maintained my interest in wanting to know what else would occur in the book, it’s a real page-turner. I’ve read and came to an understanding about the priesthood, what many have done to children under their guidance and I sympathize with those children. I even gained some historical knowledge about certain parts of Wisconsin and local hang out spots for gangsters in the 30’s, such as the infamous Al Capone. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is open-minded and willing to grasp the understanding of traumatic childhoods that can spark havoc in their lives as adults.
December 8, 2017
“Serial K Returns” Book Review
Finding the correct book that grabs my immediate attention from the first to the last word without disengaging the meat and potatoes is often a tall order, however, when I began reading “Serial K Returns” the sequel to “Serial K”, both written by “Brian Gallagher I found it preposterous that I could dive into a sequel bypassing its predecessor and still find myself heavily induced in a reading trance. I was stunned at how profound of an image it presented me with.
Craig Breedlove, aka The Ripper, begins his shooting spree when he feels a surge of anger towards a reporter who claims the ripper was a loser, at this point I would have liked to have had a deeper understanding of what bothered him so gravely as to being called a loser. The trigger is set at which he decides he must seek revenge on the priests that sexually abused him at seven. But first, he must recruit members whom he locates from a group of sexual abuse victims from SNAP. They call themselves “The Avengers”. After they’re successful in reducing many of their abusers, Craig finds himself going head to head with two specific FBI agents; Lea Pucci and Ryan O’Callahan who find themselves intrigued with one another’s sexual presence and become intertwined romantically.
I’ve always enjoyed homicide novels, and this was no exception to the rule. Nonetheless, I would have been allowed to savor it more if the author had included flashbacks to Craig’s childhood to give a larger viewing window into why he was driven so fast to these crime scenes he molds.
“Serial K Returns” wastes no time holding back the devastation molestation/rape imprints on its victim's mind and reveals the true consequences.
Although the book portrays an excellent thriller, I would have preferred the book to expound upon a more emotional side as it does in the last few chapters to showcase his human side radiating off a close touch to home as it may do for some readers. This would have allowed the reader to get to know Craig Breedlove’s character on a more personal level; as many readers may have experienced many of the operations that drove Craig’s character from normality to insanity.
As the story exceeded through the chapters, I felt refreshed and enlightened as it began to pick up after chapter twenty-five and display more remorse for the character. I loved how it took twists and turns. I would have loved to see more twists and turns at an earlier stage to keep the suspense, as it may become slightly predictable if so many chapters are spent upon the killings of the priests.
It would have been of interest if instead of the Avengers always succeeding at murdering their abusers, to have seen resistance from the priests and physical conflict.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a crime thriller. I give this book a five-star rating!
Review by Amerige Gouger
Finding the correct book that grabs my immediate attention from the first to the last word without disengaging the meat and potatoes is often a tall order, however, when I began reading “Serial K Returns” the sequel to “Serial K”, both written by “Brian Gallagher I found it preposterous that I could dive into a sequel bypassing its predecessor and still find myself heavily induced in a reading trance. I was stunned at how profound of an image it presented me with.
Craig Breedlove, aka The Ripper, begins his shooting spree when he feels a surge of anger towards a reporter who claims the ripper was a loser, at this point I would have liked to have had a deeper understanding of what bothered him so gravely as to being called a loser. The trigger is set at which he decides he must seek revenge on the priests that sexually abused him at seven. But first, he must recruit members whom he locates from a group of sexual abuse victims from SNAP. They call themselves “The Avengers”. After they’re successful in reducing many of their abusers, Craig finds himself going head to head with two specific FBI agents; Lea Pucci and Ryan O’Callahan who find themselves intrigued with one another’s sexual presence and become intertwined romantically.
I’ve always enjoyed homicide novels, and this was no exception to the rule. Nonetheless, I would have been allowed to savor it more if the author had included flashbacks to Craig’s childhood to give a larger viewing window into why he was driven so fast to these crime scenes he molds.
“Serial K Returns” wastes no time holding back the devastation molestation/rape imprints on its victim's mind and reveals the true consequences.
Although the book portrays an excellent thriller, I would have preferred the book to expound upon a more emotional side as it does in the last few chapters to showcase his human side radiating off a close touch to home as it may do for some readers. This would have allowed the reader to get to know Craig Breedlove’s character on a more personal level; as many readers may have experienced many of the operations that drove Craig’s character from normality to insanity.
As the story exceeded through the chapters, I felt refreshed and enlightened as it began to pick up after chapter twenty-five and display more remorse for the character. I loved how it took twists and turns. I would have loved to see more twists and turns at an earlier stage to keep the suspense, as it may become slightly predictable if so many chapters are spent upon the killings of the priests.
It would have been of interest if instead of the Avengers always succeeding at murdering their abusers, to have seen resistance from the priests and physical conflict.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a crime thriller. I give this book a five-star rating!
Review by Amerige Gouger
December 3, 2017
Serial K Returns by Brian Gallagher
Craig Breedlove went through tremendous childhood trauma. His parents forced him into the church and therein he met his tormentor. After laying low for a few months and re-emerging with a more urgent thirst, he decides to focus his efforts on ridding the earth of scumbags who molest children. Pure scum of the earth who wears robes and leads churches. Craig, or more aptly Milo Van Dolah, assembles a small army of critically disturbed individuals who are to engage with him on the new endeavor. The group consists of an idiot moron, crazy psychopath and other winning personalities. Craig is killing for a noble purpose at first but it soon becomes frantic killing to tie up loose ends and self preservation. Who will survive the wrath of Milo/Craig? Is there a chance for rehabilitation after receiving a little bit of genuine care and concern from lovely but tough Lea Pucci?
Lea Pucci and Ryan O’Callahan were married and then they divorced but now they are at it again. They are both with the FBI but Ryan retires at the beginning of the book. His retirement is not devoid of action. It only lasts as long as he has to travel down to his new town. Will their rekindled love survive the stress of the multiple ordeals?
Serial K Returns by Brian Gallagher is a gripping thriller about a serial killer who survives a previous FBI investigation by framing former partners. The book has a natural flow. Descriptions in this book are vivid. If the reader closes their eyes, they can smell pine on Big Crooked Lake Lane. The story is well crafted and tantalizing to the reader. Every page literally forces the reader to turn to the next one and the next one after that. The author does a good job of showing a different facet of Craig. He is the villain but the reader gets to understand his reasons for being the way he is. Empathy for the villain brings a little discomfort and that only goes to enhance the narrative. The dialogue especially those between Lea and Ryan are easy and natural. This quality gives the characters in the book relatability.
It is a little disconcerting how Lea is always right on the money with her deductions. Maybe it is possible for a profiler to be that good but even the best get it wrong once or twice. This made the story a little hard to believe. Another thing is how Deagan always showed up right on time. Is anyone really that lucky to be saved in the nick of time by the same person?
This book gets 4.0 out of five. It is a great story with great characters written in simple language. The intense action and thrilling progression make for a great literary experience. It has everything from murder to action to romance. Brian Gallagher has done a very good job on this one.
Craig Breedlove went through tremendous childhood trauma. His parents forced him into the church and therein he met his tormentor. After laying low for a few months and re-emerging with a more urgent thirst, he decides to focus his efforts on ridding the earth of scumbags who molest children. Pure scum of the earth who wears robes and leads churches. Craig, or more aptly Milo Van Dolah, assembles a small army of critically disturbed individuals who are to engage with him on the new endeavor. The group consists of an idiot moron, crazy psychopath and other winning personalities. Craig is killing for a noble purpose at first but it soon becomes frantic killing to tie up loose ends and self preservation. Who will survive the wrath of Milo/Craig? Is there a chance for rehabilitation after receiving a little bit of genuine care and concern from lovely but tough Lea Pucci?
Lea Pucci and Ryan O’Callahan were married and then they divorced but now they are at it again. They are both with the FBI but Ryan retires at the beginning of the book. His retirement is not devoid of action. It only lasts as long as he has to travel down to his new town. Will their rekindled love survive the stress of the multiple ordeals?
Serial K Returns by Brian Gallagher is a gripping thriller about a serial killer who survives a previous FBI investigation by framing former partners. The book has a natural flow. Descriptions in this book are vivid. If the reader closes their eyes, they can smell pine on Big Crooked Lake Lane. The story is well crafted and tantalizing to the reader. Every page literally forces the reader to turn to the next one and the next one after that. The author does a good job of showing a different facet of Craig. He is the villain but the reader gets to understand his reasons for being the way he is. Empathy for the villain brings a little discomfort and that only goes to enhance the narrative. The dialogue especially those between Lea and Ryan are easy and natural. This quality gives the characters in the book relatability.
It is a little disconcerting how Lea is always right on the money with her deductions. Maybe it is possible for a profiler to be that good but even the best get it wrong once or twice. This made the story a little hard to believe. Another thing is how Deagan always showed up right on time. Is anyone really that lucky to be saved in the nick of time by the same person?
This book gets 4.0 out of five. It is a great story with great characters written in simple language. The intense action and thrilling progression make for a great literary experience. It has everything from murder to action to romance. Brian Gallagher has done a very good job on this one.
July 9, 2018
Serial K returns is the second in a series but can be read as a standalone novel.
Craig Breedlove is back and this time he has his sights set on those who have been abused by priests, as he was during his childhood. His Ripper days are behind him, but he still has the urge to end lives as he sees fit. Agents O’ Callaghan and Lucci are back together again but are meant to be taking it easy in a semi-retirement. Lucci has the unfortunate luck of landing in a situation with the Mexican cartel and her actions launch a retaliation vendetta. Fortunately, her neighbours pack a lot of heat and are quite willing to help out. Breedlove’s plans collide with theirs when he forms a group of people willing to take matters into their own hands and deal out their own brand of justice to the priests. As the pair comes closer to finding Breedlove, he finds a way to change his plan and now has his sights set on Lucci. With both parties willing to go all the way, who will be the victor?
The story brings up an interesting moral dilemma where the reader feels empathy for the abused, and as the killings start are almost rooting for them to get away with it due to the fact that the priests feel no remorse. With the killings there is quite a bit of violence and descriptions of gore etc, but nothing too over the top. With the focus on the story of a serial killer and law enforcement that are out to get him, I found it quite strange that the author concentrated so much on what the characters ate and drank. The extra info on the arms and ammo as well as the boats was still in the understandable range, but the amounts of bottles of wine and their labels as what was eaten in restaurants were unnecessary. There were some editing mistakes, but nothing that detracted from the story.
I enjoyed the pace and writing of the story and found it very interesting being in the conflicted mind of this serial killer. The ending is quite interesting as a couple of things can be read into it and it’s up to the reader (or book 3) to decide how they believe it ended.
A quick but “enjoyable” read.
Craig Breedlove is back and this time he has his sights set on those who have been abused by priests, as he was during his childhood. His Ripper days are behind him, but he still has the urge to end lives as he sees fit. Agents O’ Callaghan and Lucci are back together again but are meant to be taking it easy in a semi-retirement. Lucci has the unfortunate luck of landing in a situation with the Mexican cartel and her actions launch a retaliation vendetta. Fortunately, her neighbours pack a lot of heat and are quite willing to help out. Breedlove’s plans collide with theirs when he forms a group of people willing to take matters into their own hands and deal out their own brand of justice to the priests. As the pair comes closer to finding Breedlove, he finds a way to change his plan and now has his sights set on Lucci. With both parties willing to go all the way, who will be the victor?
The story brings up an interesting moral dilemma where the reader feels empathy for the abused, and as the killings start are almost rooting for them to get away with it due to the fact that the priests feel no remorse. With the killings there is quite a bit of violence and descriptions of gore etc, but nothing too over the top. With the focus on the story of a serial killer and law enforcement that are out to get him, I found it quite strange that the author concentrated so much on what the characters ate and drank. The extra info on the arms and ammo as well as the boats was still in the understandable range, but the amounts of bottles of wine and their labels as what was eaten in restaurants were unnecessary. There were some editing mistakes, but nothing that detracted from the story.
I enjoyed the pace and writing of the story and found it very interesting being in the conflicted mind of this serial killer. The ending is quite interesting as a couple of things can be read into it and it’s up to the reader (or book 3) to decide how they believe it ended.
A quick but “enjoyable” read.
December 10, 2018
I really enjoyed reading the first book Serial K, but sadly I can't say the same for this one. Here are the main reasons why I disliked it:
It almost feels like the author wanted to write a completely different story but then just put Breedlove's name on it. He even goes by a completely different name for most of the book, and his motivations are different as well. Now he wants to kill abusive priests? Why didn't he start doing that in the first book rather than become a copycat?
The author didn't do any research. He apparently thinks the Catholic age of reason has to do with the age of consent even though it took me seconds of googling to find out it's not.
In the book's world, all the good characters are attractive. If you see a character described as fat and ugly you can bet he will be an antagonist.
Our good guys O’Callahan and Lea spend more time eating and having sex than solving crimes. And when they are finally doing their job the author decided the best way to make Lea seem brilliant was to make everyone else dumb as a boot. Apparently, regular cops would never figure out that someone who killed an abusive priest could be an abuse victim. But what I found the worst about them was how they treated a character that was clearly mentally disabled with insults and derision.
Add to all that the many spelling errors that made the book seem very unprofessional and the story became unreadable.
It almost feels like the author wanted to write a completely different story but then just put Breedlove's name on it. He even goes by a completely different name for most of the book, and his motivations are different as well. Now he wants to kill abusive priests? Why didn't he start doing that in the first book rather than become a copycat?
The author didn't do any research. He apparently thinks the Catholic age of reason has to do with the age of consent even though it took me seconds of googling to find out it's not.
In the book's world, all the good characters are attractive. If you see a character described as fat and ugly you can bet he will be an antagonist.
Our good guys O’Callahan and Lea spend more time eating and having sex than solving crimes. And when they are finally doing their job the author decided the best way to make Lea seem brilliant was to make everyone else dumb as a boot. Apparently, regular cops would never figure out that someone who killed an abusive priest could be an abuse victim. But what I found the worst about them was how they treated a character that was clearly mentally disabled with insults and derision.
Add to all that the many spelling errors that made the book seem very unprofessional and the story became unreadable.
June 22, 2018
Thriller Couldn't put it down. Great follow up novel
June 27, 2018
Great read!
This book tells in five stars for being an attention gutter. It keeps the readers attention with moving action and a bit of romance. It is a fast paced must read!
This book tells in five stars for being an attention gutter. It keeps the readers attention with moving action and a bit of romance. It is a fast paced must read!
July 8, 2018
Good strong characters, excellent plot, and a nice twist at the for a follow up book
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