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Morris Brick #2
Crazed
"A dark and different serial killer novel that will haunt the reader long after the book is closed." -John Lutz on Deranged
L.A. detective Morris Brick has seen the face of evil. He has witnessed the grisly handiwork of a deranged sadist known as SCK-the Skull Cracker Killer. But Brick isn't the only one watching. A crazed lunatic's interest in the case has turned into a deadly obsession. This sicko vows to outdo SCK and reach new heights of macabre mayhem. The mounting body count is a personal challenge to Brick. But as he lays his trap, he can hardly imagine the evil he is about to face . . .
Praise for Deranged, the first Morris Brick thriller
"A fascinating and exciting blend of misdirection, topsy-turvy, and violence." -Reed Farrel Coleman
"Grisly fun. It's James Ellroy meets Alfred Hitchcock on the psychotic side of the street." -Paul Levine
"Compelling, thrilling, and frightening."-Vincent Zandri
L.A. detective Morris Brick has seen the face of evil. He has witnessed the grisly handiwork of a deranged sadist known as SCK-the Skull Cracker Killer. But Brick isn't the only one watching. A crazed lunatic's interest in the case has turned into a deadly obsession. This sicko vows to outdo SCK and reach new heights of macabre mayhem. The mounting body count is a personal challenge to Brick. But as he lays his trap, he can hardly imagine the evil he is about to face . . .
Praise for Deranged, the first Morris Brick thriller
"A fascinating and exciting blend of misdirection, topsy-turvy, and violence." -Reed Farrel Coleman
"Grisly fun. It's James Ellroy meets Alfred Hitchcock on the psychotic side of the street." -Paul Levine
"Compelling, thrilling, and frightening."-Vincent Zandri
- GenresThriller
292 pages, Paperback
Published September 5, 2017
73 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
Jacob Stone
5 books108 followersJacob Stone is the byline chosen by award-winning author Dave Zeltserman for his new Morris Brick series of serial-killer thrillers. His crime, mystery and horror fiction have won awards and top praise and has been translated into six languages. His novels Small Crimes and Pariah were both named by the Washington Post as best books of the year. Small Crimes topped National Public Radio's list of best crime and mystery novels of 2008 and has been made into a feature film starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Molly Parker that is now available on Netflix. Dave lives in the Boston area. His website is davezeltserman.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 29, 2017
This ARC was provided complements of NetGalley. Gratitude sent to Kensington Publishing Corporation for allowing this pre-release to be made available.
Con man. Manipulator. Sociopath. All the fine qualities that go onto the resume of a serial killer. The author convinced me how easily we allow themselves to be duped by a seemingly good-natured, smooth-talking stranger. I'm as guilty as the rest. That's just human nature. In the sad case of meeting up with a serial killer - wrong place wrong time. Jacob Stone produced a thrilling narrative that brought me down to the depths of a twisted, deranged mind. The action of the scenes didn't quit, yet built upon themselves culminating with an unexpected daring ending. It was worth the wait.
Griffin was just twelve years old when he was consumed with an overwhelming, inescapable urge to murder. A schoolmate and friend, Craig Myers, had been the first unfortunate victim of a long train to follow. Craig, also twelve had come to trust in his new friend. It had been an unusually cold winter. The ground was covered with ice and snow. Griffin led the boy to a pond beyond the woods. Walking distance. There, he forced the boy onto the pond. It was covered with a thin layer of ice. As predicted, the ice wouldn't hold the boy's weight. He crashed through and drowned. Debut of a serial killer.
The years had gone by. Griffin, now a depraved adult had made his evil presence known as one of the worst serial killers in the history of our nation. Dozens had been brutally slaughtered. Their bodies horribly mutilated. His dream come true. Somehow, he had successfully eluded capture victim after victim. Partly, he was just plain lucky. Inevitably, It had been like trying to catch a ghost. A killing machine!
Former cop, Morris Brick, PI was recruited by the LAPD as lead investigator. Hunter. To his credit, he had extensive experience profiling serial killers. He was the one to call. After a string of grisly murders, It was discovered that the killer had been preparing to target Morris's clients and family. His office had been broken into. Apparently, the killer gained access to his confidential files.
He and all law enforcement working the case were up against a deadline. They knew the longer it would take them to track down the killer, the longer would be the relentless chain of victims. Any delay whatsoever was intolerable. Deadly. The murdering spree needed to be stopped. At the top of the hit list was his wife and daughter. Would he be able to stop Griffin in time?
Con man. Manipulator. Sociopath. All the fine qualities that go onto the resume of a serial killer. The author convinced me how easily we allow themselves to be duped by a seemingly good-natured, smooth-talking stranger. I'm as guilty as the rest. That's just human nature. In the sad case of meeting up with a serial killer - wrong place wrong time. Jacob Stone produced a thrilling narrative that brought me down to the depths of a twisted, deranged mind. The action of the scenes didn't quit, yet built upon themselves culminating with an unexpected daring ending. It was worth the wait.
Griffin was just twelve years old when he was consumed with an overwhelming, inescapable urge to murder. A schoolmate and friend, Craig Myers, had been the first unfortunate victim of a long train to follow. Craig, also twelve had come to trust in his new friend. It had been an unusually cold winter. The ground was covered with ice and snow. Griffin led the boy to a pond beyond the woods. Walking distance. There, he forced the boy onto the pond. It was covered with a thin layer of ice. As predicted, the ice wouldn't hold the boy's weight. He crashed through and drowned. Debut of a serial killer.
The years had gone by. Griffin, now a depraved adult had made his evil presence known as one of the worst serial killers in the history of our nation. Dozens had been brutally slaughtered. Their bodies horribly mutilated. His dream come true. Somehow, he had successfully eluded capture victim after victim. Partly, he was just plain lucky. Inevitably, It had been like trying to catch a ghost. A killing machine!
Former cop, Morris Brick, PI was recruited by the LAPD as lead investigator. Hunter. To his credit, he had extensive experience profiling serial killers. He was the one to call. After a string of grisly murders, It was discovered that the killer had been preparing to target Morris's clients and family. His office had been broken into. Apparently, the killer gained access to his confidential files.
He and all law enforcement working the case were up against a deadline. They knew the longer it would take them to track down the killer, the longer would be the relentless chain of victims. Any delay whatsoever was intolerable. Deadly. The murdering spree needed to be stopped. At the top of the hit list was his wife and daughter. Would he be able to stop Griffin in time?
August 13, 2017
Serial killers galore abound in this private investigator Morris Brick thrilling novel by Jacob Stone which is a pseudo name for author Dan Zeltserman. You can find out more about this author on his web page https://www.davezeltserman.com/. Lately, I have wondered why I find a serial killer, thriller and horror books or movies so interesting. Could it be that I have a latent monster inside me? Nah, I think it is that I am the opposite, in fact, too much of a humanist.
Could the reason I find them so entertaining be because I cannot fathom how anyone except someone who is so truly evil could commit such atrocities to another living being? But what is evil? Is it caused by the Devil, a brain imbalance, or has society created people who are so evil that they think of other humans as prey? How can we protect ourselves from those who think about only inflicting pain on others in a tortuous manner? While this book does not have these answers it did have some insights into what a serial killer thinks when the beast within them rises to their demented minds. If you like a tale that makes you quiver with revulsion about what horrors another human being is capable upon another that this book is for you.
Could the reason I find them so entertaining be because I cannot fathom how anyone except someone who is so truly evil could commit such atrocities to another living being? But what is evil? Is it caused by the Devil, a brain imbalance, or has society created people who are so evil that they think of other humans as prey? How can we protect ourselves from those who think about only inflicting pain on others in a tortuous manner? While this book does not have these answers it did have some insights into what a serial killer thinks when the beast within them rises to their demented minds. If you like a tale that makes you quiver with revulsion about what horrors another human being is capable upon another that this book is for you.
September 5, 2017
Second thriller in new series about L.A. serial killers
The first book in the Morris Brick series was DEPRAVED and it was gruesome but this second book outdoes it.
Morris Brick is a retired L.A. homicide detective who has since started up an investigative company that the City of L.A. keeps turning to in its serial killer cases. One reason for this is that when Brick started his own company, he poached a good portion of the best of the City's homicide detectives to work for him.
Half of the Skull Cracker Killer team wasn't prosecuted (from DEPRAVED) and when another serial killer hears about this, he cuts a bloody path from Seattle to L.A. to get rid of this notorious woman that he thinks got away with multiple gory murders yet got all kinds of publicity. Instead, things work out differently and there's a new team going after people with connections to Morris Brick.
This was another good addition to this series. I especially like Brick and his bull terrier, Parker. They make a good crime fighting duo.
This series is written by Dave Zeltserman writing as Jacob Stone. I haven't read anything written by him as Zeltserman but I might have to remedy that soon.
I received this book from Kensington Books through Net Galley in exchange for my unbiased review.
The first book in the Morris Brick series was DEPRAVED and it was gruesome but this second book outdoes it.
Morris Brick is a retired L.A. homicide detective who has since started up an investigative company that the City of L.A. keeps turning to in its serial killer cases. One reason for this is that when Brick started his own company, he poached a good portion of the best of the City's homicide detectives to work for him.
Half of the Skull Cracker Killer team wasn't prosecuted (from DEPRAVED) and when another serial killer hears about this, he cuts a bloody path from Seattle to L.A. to get rid of this notorious woman that he thinks got away with multiple gory murders yet got all kinds of publicity. Instead, things work out differently and there's a new team going after people with connections to Morris Brick.
This was another good addition to this series. I especially like Brick and his bull terrier, Parker. They make a good crime fighting duo.
This series is written by Dave Zeltserman writing as Jacob Stone. I haven't read anything written by him as Zeltserman but I might have to remedy that soon.
I received this book from Kensington Books through Net Galley in exchange for my unbiased review.
October 25, 2017
Morris Brick was homicide detective that became famous after finding the Skull Cracker Killer. Morris has now created his own private investigation company MBI. As hard as Morris tries to stay away from any serial killer/ homicide activity, he inadvertedly gets dragged into things again, when a new even more brutal serial killer surfaces, determined to outdo their predecessor. This novel was great and told from several different perspectives. The only issue I would have with 'Crazed' is the constant updating us of what Morris' dog was eating and his snorting to let us know he was hungry. Plus should dogs even eat all that junk? Just my thoughts!
That and the fact I felt it was wrapped up really quickly! Maybe that's just to lead us into book 3?
I read this without having read the first book.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
That and the fact I felt it was wrapped up really quickly! Maybe that's just to lead us into book 3?
I read this without having read the first book.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2017
NOTE: The author graciously gave me a copy of this book and asked me to write a review.
A number of mystery writers have come up with stories pitting the world’s most infamous serial killer, Jack the Ripper, against the world’s greatest consulting detective Sherlock Holmes. Author Dave Zeltserman (writing under the pseudonym of Jacob Stone) has taken that premise and put a 21st century spin on it in Crazed, the second in a series of novels featuring retired Los Angeles detective turned private investigator Morris Brick.
When he was a cop, Brick took down a number of serial killers, and now, he and his detective agency still find themselves on the trail of a variety of deranged psychopaths. The killer in Crazed has been so clever at covering his tracks that no one suspects that the same person has killed about 40 people over the years all over the country in a variety of often gruesome manners. But when he reads an article about the killer from Brick’s earlier case (recounted in the first novel in the series), he heads from Seattle to Los Angeles, where he decides to begin killing people in very grisly and very conspicuous ways, sure to gather attention from the police and the media. The body count starts ricing precipitously, and Brick soon finds himself personally involved since one of the killer’s first Los Angeles victims is the daughter of one of Brick’s clients.
Author Zeltserman has written a wide variety of mysteries over the last decade or so, and his hardboiled crime stories are among his best. He has a knack for getting inside the head of troubled characters, and the characters in Crazed are about as troubled as they come. The author tells the story from multiple points of view, so readers are inside the killer’s head as he plans the various killings and reveals his rather twisted thought processes. But the killer (whom Zeltserman calls Griffin) isn’t the only disturbed character in Crazed. There are several others who wind up getting involved, and the result is quite a twisted thriller with a finale that has its share of surprising reversals. Not all the colorful characters are bad guys however; one of the more interesting characters is an A-list actor who is a friend of Brick’s and plays a key role in the events in Crazed.
With such colorful and compelling supporting characters, Brick himself and his fellow investigators get relatively short shrift in the book. Brick is good at running an investigation and a nice guy, but is otherwise a rather nondescript character, especially in comparison with the loonies and creeps he has to deal with. One refreshing touch in Crazed is that the author intentionally makes Brick somewhat fallible when the detective allows his emotions to get the better of him in pursuing the wrong suspect initially. If Brick is nondescript, the others on his team make even less of an impression; the only thing I remember about any of them is that one enjoyed cracking jokes that were in quite poor taste during police briefings. Indeed, the most memorable member of Brick’s “team” is his pet bull terrier named Parker, who accompanies him on many of his investigations and, surprisingly, often plays a key role in interrogations.
However, the case that the detectives work on, or more precisely, cases, make up for the rather sketchy characterizations of Brick and his investigators. Because the killer doesn’t actually arrive in Los Angeles until well into Crazed, the author has Brick and his agency work on another case earlier in the book, checking into the background of a man who might be a con artist after a wealthy woman’s money. This isn’t filler material by any means; instead, it’s a case that could easily have been expanded into a good book on its own. As it is, however, it whets reader interest for the eventual showdown between Brick and Griffin, who is leaving a fresh trail of bodies as he makes his way down to Los Angeles.
Crazed is not for everyone; the killings and mutilations in the book are described in rather graphic detail at times. But author Zeltserman manages to ratchet up the suspense quickly and keep the plot moving in this lean, fast moving novel. His only real slipup is inserting a couple of unnecessary chapters that offer flashbacks into Griffin’s childhood but break the narrative flow simply to offer additional examples of the killer’s twisted behavior. Other than that, however, Crazed is a well-plotted thriller that picks up steam as it goes along, offering a roller coaster ride through the nightmarish depravity of some memorably twisted individuals.
A number of mystery writers have come up with stories pitting the world’s most infamous serial killer, Jack the Ripper, against the world’s greatest consulting detective Sherlock Holmes. Author Dave Zeltserman (writing under the pseudonym of Jacob Stone) has taken that premise and put a 21st century spin on it in Crazed, the second in a series of novels featuring retired Los Angeles detective turned private investigator Morris Brick.
When he was a cop, Brick took down a number of serial killers, and now, he and his detective agency still find themselves on the trail of a variety of deranged psychopaths. The killer in Crazed has been so clever at covering his tracks that no one suspects that the same person has killed about 40 people over the years all over the country in a variety of often gruesome manners. But when he reads an article about the killer from Brick’s earlier case (recounted in the first novel in the series), he heads from Seattle to Los Angeles, where he decides to begin killing people in very grisly and very conspicuous ways, sure to gather attention from the police and the media. The body count starts ricing precipitously, and Brick soon finds himself personally involved since one of the killer’s first Los Angeles victims is the daughter of one of Brick’s clients.
Author Zeltserman has written a wide variety of mysteries over the last decade or so, and his hardboiled crime stories are among his best. He has a knack for getting inside the head of troubled characters, and the characters in Crazed are about as troubled as they come. The author tells the story from multiple points of view, so readers are inside the killer’s head as he plans the various killings and reveals his rather twisted thought processes. But the killer (whom Zeltserman calls Griffin) isn’t the only disturbed character in Crazed. There are several others who wind up getting involved, and the result is quite a twisted thriller with a finale that has its share of surprising reversals. Not all the colorful characters are bad guys however; one of the more interesting characters is an A-list actor who is a friend of Brick’s and plays a key role in the events in Crazed.
With such colorful and compelling supporting characters, Brick himself and his fellow investigators get relatively short shrift in the book. Brick is good at running an investigation and a nice guy, but is otherwise a rather nondescript character, especially in comparison with the loonies and creeps he has to deal with. One refreshing touch in Crazed is that the author intentionally makes Brick somewhat fallible when the detective allows his emotions to get the better of him in pursuing the wrong suspect initially. If Brick is nondescript, the others on his team make even less of an impression; the only thing I remember about any of them is that one enjoyed cracking jokes that were in quite poor taste during police briefings. Indeed, the most memorable member of Brick’s “team” is his pet bull terrier named Parker, who accompanies him on many of his investigations and, surprisingly, often plays a key role in interrogations.
However, the case that the detectives work on, or more precisely, cases, make up for the rather sketchy characterizations of Brick and his investigators. Because the killer doesn’t actually arrive in Los Angeles until well into Crazed, the author has Brick and his agency work on another case earlier in the book, checking into the background of a man who might be a con artist after a wealthy woman’s money. This isn’t filler material by any means; instead, it’s a case that could easily have been expanded into a good book on its own. As it is, however, it whets reader interest for the eventual showdown between Brick and Griffin, who is leaving a fresh trail of bodies as he makes his way down to Los Angeles.
Crazed is not for everyone; the killings and mutilations in the book are described in rather graphic detail at times. But author Zeltserman manages to ratchet up the suspense quickly and keep the plot moving in this lean, fast moving novel. His only real slipup is inserting a couple of unnecessary chapters that offer flashbacks into Griffin’s childhood but break the narrative flow simply to offer additional examples of the killer’s twisted behavior. Other than that, however, Crazed is a well-plotted thriller that picks up steam as it goes along, offering a roller coaster ride through the nightmarish depravity of some memorably twisted individuals.
July 19, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for an advance copy of Crazed, the second novel to feature ex LAPD homicide detective turned PI Morris Brick.
Griffin Bolling is in Seattle when he reads that Sheila Proops will not face charges in the Skull Cracker case (see the first novel, Deranged). He decides to exact justice by going to LA and killing her but things do not exactly go as planned.
I thoroughly enjoyed Crazed which is a fun read and not to be taken too seriously. It has an easy, readable tone with some natural sounding banter and while Bolling's crimes are extremely violent the author doesn't linger in his descriptions.
The plot is fascinating, initially Morris's reluctant but hurried hunt (he has a holiday booked) for the man dubbed The Malibu Butcher it develops some very neat twists as it continues. It has 3 distinct narrative voices, Morris, Bolling and desperate, wannabe script writer Alan Perlmutter (you'll have to read the novel to see how he fits in). I love the quirky ending and am intrigued by, not a cliffhanger as Morris successfully resolves his case, but the hints of what is to come in the next novel.
Crazed is a fun read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Griffin Bolling is in Seattle when he reads that Sheila Proops will not face charges in the Skull Cracker case (see the first novel, Deranged). He decides to exact justice by going to LA and killing her but things do not exactly go as planned.
I thoroughly enjoyed Crazed which is a fun read and not to be taken too seriously. It has an easy, readable tone with some natural sounding banter and while Bolling's crimes are extremely violent the author doesn't linger in his descriptions.
The plot is fascinating, initially Morris's reluctant but hurried hunt (he has a holiday booked) for the man dubbed The Malibu Butcher it develops some very neat twists as it continues. It has 3 distinct narrative voices, Morris, Bolling and desperate, wannabe script writer Alan Perlmutter (you'll have to read the novel to see how he fits in). I love the quirky ending and am intrigued by, not a cliffhanger as Morris successfully resolves his case, but the hints of what is to come in the next novel.
Crazed is a fun read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
August 15, 2017
Morris Brick is a detective that investigated the Scull Cracker Killer (SCK). Brick discovers that the SCK has someone that wants to make a bigger splash than the SCK and is obsessed with doing so. Brick makes an extraordinary thriller hero. He has an excellent sense of calm even in the midst of the most gruesome of situations.
All of the characters in this book have depth. My favorite character is Philip Stonehedge. At first it appears that Stonehedge would be conceited because he is a highly attractive actor. As the book continues the reader witnesses how much depth and values Stonehedge has a person.
I have never been much a fan of flashbacks within books. This book has changed my opinion. Stone placed flashbacks within the story that maintained the intrinsic plot of the book. The flashbacks added even more compelling elements to the book. I found myself eager to read more flashbacks.
This is the second book of the Morris Brick thrillers. Prior to reading Crazed, I did not know it was part of a series. The first book is titled Deranged (I'm excited to read it). This is excellent literary crime writing, an authentic thriller. The anticipated publishing date for Crazed is September 5, 2017. This book is definitely 5 out of 5 stars.
All of the characters in this book have depth. My favorite character is Philip Stonehedge. At first it appears that Stonehedge would be conceited because he is a highly attractive actor. As the book continues the reader witnesses how much depth and values Stonehedge has a person.
I have never been much a fan of flashbacks within books. This book has changed my opinion. Stone placed flashbacks within the story that maintained the intrinsic plot of the book. The flashbacks added even more compelling elements to the book. I found myself eager to read more flashbacks.
This is the second book of the Morris Brick thrillers. Prior to reading Crazed, I did not know it was part of a series. The first book is titled Deranged (I'm excited to read it). This is excellent literary crime writing, an authentic thriller. The anticipated publishing date for Crazed is September 5, 2017. This book is definitely 5 out of 5 stars.
March 1, 2021
WOW......Bloody Wow.
This book was awesome, it was even better than the first book.
I liked that Sheila was in this book and her big surprise at the end....never saw that coming. Hopefully I will read more about her in the future.
I kinda liked the Killer even though he was a psychopath. The one thing I found unbelievable was what the script writer had done to him. The eye lids, eye balls and his limbs......and he was awake and talking the next day?? NOW that I thought was very very far fetched, beyond unbelievable even unrealistic. Still...I did enjoy this book immensely and I’m loving Morris and Parker.
This book was awesome, it was even better than the first book.
I liked that Sheila was in this book and her big surprise at the end....never saw that coming. Hopefully I will read more about her in the future.
I kinda liked the Killer even though he was a psychopath. The one thing I found unbelievable was what the script writer had done to him. The eye lids, eye balls and his limbs......and he was awake and talking the next day?? NOW that I thought was very very far fetched, beyond unbelievable even unrealistic. Still...I did enjoy this book immensely and I’m loving Morris and Parker.
February 19, 2021
Enjoyed this book as a second in the series. More growth of characters and not a copy cat of the first one. Even the bad gal from book 1 made an appearance and joins a new bad guy, and is now still alive so who knows what will happen in three?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2021
Warning - This was the most gruesome book I have ever read. One serial killer teams up with the most famous serial killer in California history to create horrific murders hoping to become even more famous.
September 5, 2017
I received this arc from Netgalley.
A good read. Killers aplenty in this highly entertaining book. It will definitely hold your attention and shock you with the ending. Enjoyed it.
A good read. Killers aplenty in this highly entertaining book. It will definitely hold your attention and shock you with the ending. Enjoyed it.
November 3, 2017
Author was reaching to continue on with series plot. Did not enjoy this book as I did book 1. Will not bother with 3rd book in this series. 3 stars
Want to read
August 9, 2017I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. It is a Kindle book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews