What do you think?
Rate this book
Killer Chronicles
True crime blogger, Christina Cunningham, craves legitimacy. She works hard and travels often to make sure her website, Killer Chronicles, has quality content. When she finds herself in her home state of West Virginia writing about two odd and gruesome murders, she thinks it is business as usual.
That is, until she meets the murderer and things take several turns for the weird and worse. Christina’s ambition will battle with her instinct to live as she tries to match wits with the strange and inhuman murderer. Is her life, or the lives of her loved ones worth a good story?
That is, until she meets the murderer and things take several turns for the weird and worse. Christina’s ambition will battle with her instinct to live as she tries to match wits with the strange and inhuman murderer. Is her life, or the lives of her loved ones worth a good story?
191 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2017
2 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Somer Canon
33 books76 followersSomer Canon lives in Eastern PA with her husband, two sons, and three cats. She loves to read and write and although she is polyamorous when it comes to genres, horror always seems to be her favorite. Please feel free to contact her!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 6, 2022
This would absolutely happen to me if I ever started blogging about true crime. I attract the weird and unbelievable situations. I don't know why Christina was so upset with the real murderer. She was only killing perverts. Taking out the trash is what I call it. Sure, okay she is not of this world, needs to brush her teeth, and learn people skills, but she has a pretty cool lake. A good, short horror read.
**This review is brought to you by Nummy Nellie**
😺😺😺
**This review is brought to you by Nummy Nellie**
😺😺😺
Want to read
October 19, 2017This hardcover is signed by Somer Canan.
March 28, 2019
Review copy
Kutztown University journalism graduates, Anais Del Valle and Christina Cunningham run the website Killer Chronicles.
"The two use their journalism degrees to research, interview and compile information in order to create what their site refers to as 'files' on the murders they feature. So far they have 31 files on their site."
On the surface, a completely believable premise. Somer's characters are relatable and well-conceived. The story moves at a brisk pace and is fun in all the right ways.
The latest murder to become fodder for their website very is different and exceptionally dark. Once we learn who is responsible, the reader will need to set aside their disbelief, but if you're a fan of the macabre, that shouldn't be much of a problem.
“'The face was probably the part that upset us all the most,' Stanley continued. 'See, I’m one of only two cleaning specialists with a permit to clean places contaminated with biohazardous waste in this area. And I’ve seen some stuff. But the way that man’s face was ripped off of his head, God, his eyelids were still intact. His beard scruff, his eyebrows and eyelashes, even his ears, they were all perfectly intact and just spread out pretty as can be on the dashboard of that there truck. Even the part of the skin that had the tattoo. You could fool yourself into seeing those pieces as something other than what they were, but that face sitting there all half rotted and slimy staring up at me…I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.'”
By now, you probably know I read horror for fun. Not much disturbs me, but let me tell you, Canon managed to push my buttons, more than once.
"You never think of yourself as the type of person that would whimper if you saw something scary, but then something scary is staring at you nose-to-nose and there you go. You’re a whimperer and have little inclination at the time to give a damn."
It's hard to believe this is Somer Canon's first novella. I'm so looking forward to reading more of her work. It's exciting to be there at the beginning of a career with such potential.
Recommended.
Published by Bloodshot Books, Killer Chronicles is available in both paperback and Kindle formats. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge. Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.
From the author's bio - Somer Canon is a minivan-revving suburban mother who avoids her neighbors for fear of being found out as a weirdo. When she’s not peering out of her windows, she’s consuming books, movies, and video games that sate her need for blood, gore, and things that disturb her mother.
Kutztown University journalism graduates, Anais Del Valle and Christina Cunningham run the website Killer Chronicles.
"The two use their journalism degrees to research, interview and compile information in order to create what their site refers to as 'files' on the murders they feature. So far they have 31 files on their site."
On the surface, a completely believable premise. Somer's characters are relatable and well-conceived. The story moves at a brisk pace and is fun in all the right ways.
The latest murder to become fodder for their website very is different and exceptionally dark. Once we learn who is responsible, the reader will need to set aside their disbelief, but if you're a fan of the macabre, that shouldn't be much of a problem.
“'The face was probably the part that upset us all the most,' Stanley continued. 'See, I’m one of only two cleaning specialists with a permit to clean places contaminated with biohazardous waste in this area. And I’ve seen some stuff. But the way that man’s face was ripped off of his head, God, his eyelids were still intact. His beard scruff, his eyebrows and eyelashes, even his ears, they were all perfectly intact and just spread out pretty as can be on the dashboard of that there truck. Even the part of the skin that had the tattoo. You could fool yourself into seeing those pieces as something other than what they were, but that face sitting there all half rotted and slimy staring up at me…I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.'”
By now, you probably know I read horror for fun. Not much disturbs me, but let me tell you, Canon managed to push my buttons, more than once.
"You never think of yourself as the type of person that would whimper if you saw something scary, but then something scary is staring at you nose-to-nose and there you go. You’re a whimperer and have little inclination at the time to give a damn."
It's hard to believe this is Somer Canon's first novella. I'm so looking forward to reading more of her work. It's exciting to be there at the beginning of a career with such potential.
Recommended.
Published by Bloodshot Books, Killer Chronicles is available in both paperback and Kindle formats. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge. Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.
From the author's bio - Somer Canon is a minivan-revving suburban mother who avoids her neighbors for fear of being found out as a weirdo. When she’s not peering out of her windows, she’s consuming books, movies, and video games that sate her need for blood, gore, and things that disturb her mother.
April 19, 2025
This is a very good horror short novel; the first third seems like a straight-forward crime investigation, and then it takes a turn into the weird, then weirder, and finally takes a bow with a quick and mean ending. The story follows Christina Cunningham, who's the co-runner of a website devoted to violent crimes. She follows a lead to Micksburg, West Virginia, which is quite close to her childhood hometown, and encounters a whole lot more than she could have anticipated, on a variety of levels. The depiction of the area seems spot-on, the characterization is quite convincing, and the pacing is captivating. There were a couple of rough edges, but I enjoyed the story... I'll cheat and conclude my comments by quoting the cover blurb from Brian Keene: "Sexy and violent and funny...deliciously quirky."
December 2, 2018
I've been a fan of Somer Canon since I read her wonderful novella "Vicky Beautiful" and was eager for her follow up.
Killer Chronicles is not only a worthy follow up but should also be remembered as an important work in her career.
Chris is blogger/reporter for true crime website named Killer Chronicles. When a pair of unusual murders occur not far from her hometown, Chris goes looking for her next story.
Somer takes the story in an unexpected direction that caught me off guard and changed my expectations completely.
Gory, nasty and compelling, this is a must read.
Killer Chronicles is not only a worthy follow up but should also be remembered as an important work in her career.
Chris is blogger/reporter for true crime website named Killer Chronicles. When a pair of unusual murders occur not far from her hometown, Chris goes looking for her next story.
Somer takes the story in an unexpected direction that caught me off guard and changed my expectations completely.
Gory, nasty and compelling, this is a must read.
August 6, 2019
A bizarre and bloody tale wrapped up in a shroud of true-crime journalism, with a snarky protagonist and a chilling villain who gives Little Debbie a run for her money. I enjoyed this one quite a bit.
December 30, 2018
Somer Canon has a knack of creating the most gory, scary, violent story, injecting it with the blackest of humour worthy of David Lynch at his finest and delivering a scarily satisfying, full bodied horror novel that stands out from the crowd. She did it with Vicki Beautiful and with Killer Chronicles, she achieves it again. A unique talent. Within these pages we meet Christina who, with partner and friend, Anais runs a blog called Killer Chronicles - a blog aimed at showcasing famous and not so famous murders. Attracted by two particularly gruesome murders, Christine travels the 600 miles from her home in reading, Pennsylvania, to investigate and interview the people who have been caught up in them.
Then she encounters an ancient spirit - a fairy, but this is no Tinkerbell. Grenadine is hungry and latches onto Christina who is drawn inexorably into the fairy's machinations. Where will it end? And what of the rival print journalist, Stephanie who seems hell bent on stealing Christina's story?
Christina is no saint but now she must decide how much she is prepared to sacrifice when, not only her friends' but her own life is in danger and a reward hangs tantalisingly in the balance.
The author brings all the challenging strands of this story together with a deftness that ensures the ending is worthy of all that has gone before.
Then she encounters an ancient spirit - a fairy, but this is no Tinkerbell. Grenadine is hungry and latches onto Christina who is drawn inexorably into the fairy's machinations. Where will it end? And what of the rival print journalist, Stephanie who seems hell bent on stealing Christina's story?
Christina is no saint but now she must decide how much she is prepared to sacrifice when, not only her friends' but her own life is in danger and a reward hangs tantalisingly in the balance.
The author brings all the challenging strands of this story together with a deftness that ensures the ending is worthy of all that has gone before.
December 7, 2018
An engaging tale with a delightful main character. Canon knows how to entertain and brings a welcome sense of whimsy to the horror genre.
August 28, 2025
Killer Chronicles by Somer Canon is a horror story that blends true crime with a fairy tale. The book begins with a tone that resembles a true crime thriller, featuring a lone blogger who investigates the crime of serial killings. However, this novel is not about a serial killer; it is about an ancient entity that can assume various forms and wreak havoc. The creature requires a gift. Once it has the gift or offering, it judges the person. Based on how the observation goes, it either gives the person a gift or it kills them in a way that fits that person's choices. Like one person was so filthy that the creature made soap out of the victim's body fat. The creature is a real piece of work. Even when the creature gives a gift, it still tortures the person in many ways. The book has two themes: what makes a person good, and you get what's coming to you. What makes a person good takes an interesting angle when the creature starts making its judgment. You like helping people, but you can't visit and help your mother? I like that the creature is like you're kind of good. You get what is coming to you, you reap what you sow; this is used for both the gifts and punishments for the creature. The book is not all that gory, but it has one scene that is extreme and ultra gory. We only witness one murder by the creature; the rest of the time, we see the aftermath. But the one time we see the murder, it is from the perspective of a character who wants to look away but cannot, and it is very effective. Killer Chronicles by Somer Canon was first published on October 10, 2017.
Why Did I Read Killer Chronicles? Somer Canon was not on my radar at all. I think I had listened to her being interviewed on The Horror Show with Brian Keene. Anyway, Somer was going to be at the book signing for The End of the World as We Know It, in which she has a story in the anthology. I wanted to read a book from each author in attendance. I researched, and Killer Chronicles kept coming up. I was able to finish it before the signing and enjoyed it. She signed it and added the phrase Be careful what you wish for! This fits this book very well.
Plot Summary: Matt is a pedophile on the run. He stops on the side of the road to use the bathroom and finds this hidden lake that is crystal clear. He pees in it, delighting at the gift he gave the crystal blue water. He goes to town and meets a young girl who is shy and strange. The next time anyone sees Mark is in the form of skin pieces. The body is never found, just skin. This case would have scared others away, but it excites the two girls, Christina and Anais, who run Killer Chronicles. Killer Chronicles is a popular online database on serial killers. They interview victims' families, eyewitnesses to crimes, and research locations where killings happened. The killer chronicles website has been growing steadily. Chris finds out about the crime by the lake and another crime where no body was found, just a soap made out of the victim's body fat. Christina goes into the town alone, where she meets a pushy local reporter, a cute police secretary, and a strange, deadly creature that can shapeshift.
What I Liked: I liked how good a journalist Christina is. When she interviews people, there is no clumsiness. I'm just an internet journalist. Some hard, thoughtful questions are asked. I liked the way the murder happened because it was through Christina's eyes. This is a murder she does not think is justified and doesn't want to see. The way Canon wrote it was like peaking through fingers that do a bad job of covering your eyes. That scene was brutal but written very well. I liked the odd, quirky humor from the creature who is still figuring out the world it is now in. I like that the character of Chris was so vulnerable with anxiety and weight. But she had so much inner strength and was honest with herself. The true crime angle and the way the murders were described were great. The introduction to Killer Chronicles by Mary SanGiovanni was incredible. I was very impressed and bought two books from her because of it.
What I Disliked: I wanted more of the questioning of whether Christina was a good person or not. I felt that conversation had more to discuss. Terry's character bothered me a little, he was too much of a romantic for being as hot as he was described. I felt that, being that hot as he was described, he would have grown out of that phase of his life. Anais and Christina were too similar. In the first scene with them together, it was hard to tell them apart. Thankfully, it is just one scene of them being together.
Recommendations: Killer Chronicles is a weird, strange ride. The true crime angle works very well. I'm not a fan of true crime, but I enjoyed Canon's approach to the story. I think readers who enjoy True Crime will get a lot more out of Killer Chronicle than I did. When the book turns to a horror Fairy Tale, it is great and a little scary. I recommend Killer Chronicles to my followers, but there is a big trigger warning for a rape scene. I have read a couple of Rape scenes before in My Dark Vanessa and Lovely Bones, but this scene is intense. I don't think I have ever been put in the headspace that Killer Chronicles had me in. So if that trigger warning doesn't keep you away from this book, the story, the questions it asks, the weird humor, and honest writing are great.
Rating: Killer Chronicles by Somer Canon, I rated 3.9 out of 5.
Why Did I Read Killer Chronicles? Somer Canon was not on my radar at all. I think I had listened to her being interviewed on The Horror Show with Brian Keene. Anyway, Somer was going to be at the book signing for The End of the World as We Know It, in which she has a story in the anthology. I wanted to read a book from each author in attendance. I researched, and Killer Chronicles kept coming up. I was able to finish it before the signing and enjoyed it. She signed it and added the phrase Be careful what you wish for! This fits this book very well.
Plot Summary: Matt is a pedophile on the run. He stops on the side of the road to use the bathroom and finds this hidden lake that is crystal clear. He pees in it, delighting at the gift he gave the crystal blue water. He goes to town and meets a young girl who is shy and strange. The next time anyone sees Mark is in the form of skin pieces. The body is never found, just skin. This case would have scared others away, but it excites the two girls, Christina and Anais, who run Killer Chronicles. Killer Chronicles is a popular online database on serial killers. They interview victims' families, eyewitnesses to crimes, and research locations where killings happened. The killer chronicles website has been growing steadily. Chris finds out about the crime by the lake and another crime where no body was found, just a soap made out of the victim's body fat. Christina goes into the town alone, where she meets a pushy local reporter, a cute police secretary, and a strange, deadly creature that can shapeshift.
What I Liked: I liked how good a journalist Christina is. When she interviews people, there is no clumsiness. I'm just an internet journalist. Some hard, thoughtful questions are asked. I liked the way the murder happened because it was through Christina's eyes. This is a murder she does not think is justified and doesn't want to see. The way Canon wrote it was like peaking through fingers that do a bad job of covering your eyes. That scene was brutal but written very well. I liked the odd, quirky humor from the creature who is still figuring out the world it is now in. I like that the character of Chris was so vulnerable with anxiety and weight. But she had so much inner strength and was honest with herself. The true crime angle and the way the murders were described were great. The introduction to Killer Chronicles by Mary SanGiovanni was incredible. I was very impressed and bought two books from her because of it.
What I Disliked: I wanted more of the questioning of whether Christina was a good person or not. I felt that conversation had more to discuss. Terry's character bothered me a little, he was too much of a romantic for being as hot as he was described. I felt that, being that hot as he was described, he would have grown out of that phase of his life. Anais and Christina were too similar. In the first scene with them together, it was hard to tell them apart. Thankfully, it is just one scene of them being together.
Recommendations: Killer Chronicles is a weird, strange ride. The true crime angle works very well. I'm not a fan of true crime, but I enjoyed Canon's approach to the story. I think readers who enjoy True Crime will get a lot more out of Killer Chronicle than I did. When the book turns to a horror Fairy Tale, it is great and a little scary. I recommend Killer Chronicles to my followers, but there is a big trigger warning for a rape scene. I have read a couple of Rape scenes before in My Dark Vanessa and Lovely Bones, but this scene is intense. I don't think I have ever been put in the headspace that Killer Chronicles had me in. So if that trigger warning doesn't keep you away from this book, the story, the questions it asks, the weird humor, and honest writing are great.
Rating: Killer Chronicles by Somer Canon, I rated 3.9 out of 5.
May 10, 2020
Killer Chronicles by Somer Canon is a tale that begins with a prologue about a very troublesome situation that will make your stomach churn. But it’s not long before we get a glimpse at a being that has been disturbed, and is now out looking for a meal.
Centered around two horrendous murders and a beautiful pond that is home to that being who really enjoys Nummy Nellie Stripey Cakes… We see everything play out from the perspective of a website writer that is determined to get to the bottom of what is going on.
Pick this one up on a day off! Once I started reading I couldn’t stop!
Trigger warnings for mention of Pedophelia and sexual assault.
When we jump into the first chapter, we meet two friends from college (Christina and Anais) that have created a website called the Killer Chronicles. This website serves as a database of those that commit horrible acts. When a case arises just a six hour drive from them, one of the girls, Christina, heads out to get the scoop.
When she arrives in town, she meets with the original reporter that gives her a hard time at first, but then ends up giving Christina her source’s information. When Christina meets with that source, she is a bit dismayed to find that he is very attractive. As Christina tries to keep her head clear in order to do her work, she also finds that a little something extra on the side can’t hurt… or can it?
Christina is off on a path that she could have never predicted, in more ways than one. But just how far is she willing to stick it out in order to get her story?
My goodness. When this story first began, I was so pumped to learn more about their website! I’m definitely a fan of anything True Crime, so that drew me in immediately. I loved learning how these two were aware of how their website could be misconstrued, and how they wanted to keep it informational while also having empathy for the victims.
I was immediately drawn to the main character. I loved how quirky she was and how she was open about her anxiety right from the start in a way that totally normalized it rather than making it a big deal.
I also loved that the author grappled with the good and evil within people, and how sometimes that line is a bit blurred.
Like I said at the start, once I started reading this one, I was hooked! The writing flowed so wonderfully. The pacing as well as the sense of suspense and dread were perfect. I loved the characters so much and I needed to see what was going to happen next!
But that ending… I didn’t see that coming! This is an ending that I was hoping was going to go in another direction. I have to admit, it really made me mad that it didn’t turn our as I had hoped, but I LOVED it! What an ending!
My Favorite Passages
People are quick to blame something other than human wrath and madness on some of the horrors they themselves created.
Predictability is an anxious person’s favorite teddy bear.
If it didn’t storm every now and then, how could you really appreciate a sunny day?
My Final Thoughts
This was such a fun read! The characters were what really drove the story for me as I wanted to see everything turn out okay for all of them. But don’t let the term “fun” confuse you. This was also a dark, brutal, and bizarre read with a sprinkle of sex here and there. It certainly didn’t hold back any punches when describing the crime scenes or violence!
I highly recommend checking this one out! While it was my first read from Somer Canon, I think it was a wonderful place to start and I will definitely be checking out more of her work very soon!
Centered around two horrendous murders and a beautiful pond that is home to that being who really enjoys Nummy Nellie Stripey Cakes… We see everything play out from the perspective of a website writer that is determined to get to the bottom of what is going on.
Pick this one up on a day off! Once I started reading I couldn’t stop!
Trigger warnings for mention of Pedophelia and sexual assault.
When we jump into the first chapter, we meet two friends from college (Christina and Anais) that have created a website called the Killer Chronicles. This website serves as a database of those that commit horrible acts. When a case arises just a six hour drive from them, one of the girls, Christina, heads out to get the scoop.
When she arrives in town, she meets with the original reporter that gives her a hard time at first, but then ends up giving Christina her source’s information. When Christina meets with that source, she is a bit dismayed to find that he is very attractive. As Christina tries to keep her head clear in order to do her work, she also finds that a little something extra on the side can’t hurt… or can it?
Christina is off on a path that she could have never predicted, in more ways than one. But just how far is she willing to stick it out in order to get her story?
My goodness. When this story first began, I was so pumped to learn more about their website! I’m definitely a fan of anything True Crime, so that drew me in immediately. I loved learning how these two were aware of how their website could be misconstrued, and how they wanted to keep it informational while also having empathy for the victims.
I was immediately drawn to the main character. I loved how quirky she was and how she was open about her anxiety right from the start in a way that totally normalized it rather than making it a big deal.
I also loved that the author grappled with the good and evil within people, and how sometimes that line is a bit blurred.
Like I said at the start, once I started reading this one, I was hooked! The writing flowed so wonderfully. The pacing as well as the sense of suspense and dread were perfect. I loved the characters so much and I needed to see what was going to happen next!
But that ending… I didn’t see that coming! This is an ending that I was hoping was going to go in another direction. I have to admit, it really made me mad that it didn’t turn our as I had hoped, but I LOVED it! What an ending!
My Favorite Passages
People are quick to blame something other than human wrath and madness on some of the horrors they themselves created.
Predictability is an anxious person’s favorite teddy bear.
If it didn’t storm every now and then, how could you really appreciate a sunny day?
My Final Thoughts
This was such a fun read! The characters were what really drove the story for me as I wanted to see everything turn out okay for all of them. But don’t let the term “fun” confuse you. This was also a dark, brutal, and bizarre read with a sprinkle of sex here and there. It certainly didn’t hold back any punches when describing the crime scenes or violence!
I highly recommend checking this one out! While it was my first read from Somer Canon, I think it was a wonderful place to start and I will definitely be checking out more of her work very soon!
March 18, 2019
This book took me by surprise, in a number of ways. As much as I’ve been loving my journey through the hidden riches of modern fantasy and horror in the small-press/New Pulp scene, it’s rare (anywhere in modern literature, really) to see an author at work with such a finely honed, methodically, deliberately implemented grasp of the craft of storytelling. Somer Canon is one such author, as she demonstrates to head-spinning effect in her recent short horror novel KILLER CHRONICLES.
Christina and her best friend Anais run the True Crime website Killer Chronicles, which is exactly what it sounds like. When a series of gruesome deaths in a small West Virginia town catches Christina’s eye, she goes on a road trip to do some up-close investigative journalism…which quickly becomes too up-close. The killer turns out to be something other than human, an ancient, many-faced trickster fairy calling herself Grenadine, who takes a special interest in Christina. This being fixates on Christina with something one might call a twisted form of affection, claiming to want to help her, except Grenadine’s idea of being helpful quickly turns out to be the worst thing possible, for Christina and everyone around her.
It’s hard to talk about what makes this book work so well without spoiling any of the surprises, yet this book comes with a lot to unpack, so I’ll keep the spoilers vague as possible. Where Canon most effectively subverted my expectations was in repeatedly lulling me into a false sense of security about just what kind of book I was reading here. Canon establishes her ability to make the reader’s skin crawl in just the first few pages of the prologue, while subtly cluing us in that there’s something supernatural afoot. We’re then introduced to Christina’s daily life and prepare to follow her through some paranormal sleuthing. Christina can come off as grating and petty at times, but she narrates the tale with such a laid-back, snarky, effortlessly real voice that the reader can’t help but like her. Canon’s depiction of making one’s living as an independent journalist also feels real and fascinating, exploring the process of gathering information, navigating the suspicion and hostility of potential sources while tackling a hot-button subject matter with a controversial approach. Even once Grenadine shows up and starts making (increasingly gruesome, often darkly funny) trouble, I at first felt like I wasn’t reading the Extreme Horror novel this book is marketed as, but rather more of a somewhat darker-and-tenser-than-usual Urban Fantasy tale.
The fascinating thing about Grenadine is that while she’s a mythical, ageless being with priorities and a moral compos that are other than human, there’s a recognizably humanized quality to the creature as well…specifically of an all too real sort of narcissistic, manipulative, emotionally abusive personality-type who’d play havoc with your life and mind if you get sucked in too close. This leads to the book’s most jolting, redefining turn, where the creature orchestrates a nightmarish situation between the human characters, leading not only to an all-too-human act of horrific violence, but an unflinching depiction of the traumatic aftermath for everyone involved*. From here, Canon foregoes the expected run-of-the-mill climactic final act, instead steering the focus away from the supernatural, into places far more psychologically disturbing, morally/ethically ambiguous. We see the perils of “Be careful what you wish for” taken to a nightmarish extreme, with a dose of scathing satire on modern online media culture. In the end, we’re trapped like flies on the wall, watching things play out to a conclusion that’s both inevitable and almost a non-ending, albeit in a fittingly ironic way, with a closing sentence that’s nothing short of a sardonic masterstroke.
Christina and her best friend Anais run the True Crime website Killer Chronicles, which is exactly what it sounds like. When a series of gruesome deaths in a small West Virginia town catches Christina’s eye, she goes on a road trip to do some up-close investigative journalism…which quickly becomes too up-close. The killer turns out to be something other than human, an ancient, many-faced trickster fairy calling herself Grenadine, who takes a special interest in Christina. This being fixates on Christina with something one might call a twisted form of affection, claiming to want to help her, except Grenadine’s idea of being helpful quickly turns out to be the worst thing possible, for Christina and everyone around her.
It’s hard to talk about what makes this book work so well without spoiling any of the surprises, yet this book comes with a lot to unpack, so I’ll keep the spoilers vague as possible. Where Canon most effectively subverted my expectations was in repeatedly lulling me into a false sense of security about just what kind of book I was reading here. Canon establishes her ability to make the reader’s skin crawl in just the first few pages of the prologue, while subtly cluing us in that there’s something supernatural afoot. We’re then introduced to Christina’s daily life and prepare to follow her through some paranormal sleuthing. Christina can come off as grating and petty at times, but she narrates the tale with such a laid-back, snarky, effortlessly real voice that the reader can’t help but like her. Canon’s depiction of making one’s living as an independent journalist also feels real and fascinating, exploring the process of gathering information, navigating the suspicion and hostility of potential sources while tackling a hot-button subject matter with a controversial approach. Even once Grenadine shows up and starts making (increasingly gruesome, often darkly funny) trouble, I at first felt like I wasn’t reading the Extreme Horror novel this book is marketed as, but rather more of a somewhat darker-and-tenser-than-usual Urban Fantasy tale.
The fascinating thing about Grenadine is that while she’s a mythical, ageless being with priorities and a moral compos that are other than human, there’s a recognizably humanized quality to the creature as well…specifically of an all too real sort of narcissistic, manipulative, emotionally abusive personality-type who’d play havoc with your life and mind if you get sucked in too close. This leads to the book’s most jolting, redefining turn, where the creature orchestrates a nightmarish situation between the human characters, leading not only to an all-too-human act of horrific violence, but an unflinching depiction of the traumatic aftermath for everyone involved*. From here, Canon foregoes the expected run-of-the-mill climactic final act, instead steering the focus away from the supernatural, into places far more psychologically disturbing, morally/ethically ambiguous. We see the perils of “Be careful what you wish for” taken to a nightmarish extreme, with a dose of scathing satire on modern online media culture. In the end, we’re trapped like flies on the wall, watching things play out to a conclusion that’s both inevitable and almost a non-ending, albeit in a fittingly ironic way, with a closing sentence that’s nothing short of a sardonic masterstroke.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2019
Killer Chronicles is a killer book! I pretty much read it from cover to cover, and now have another author whose books I will instantly want to add to my collection as soon as I possibly can.
The characterisation is spot on. Blood flows, and body parts are dismembered in this short novel, which does not pull any punches. Thankfully, it does not descend into the realms of a medical journal.
Ask yourself, how far would you go to achieve your goals? Recommended.
The characterisation is spot on. Blood flows, and body parts are dismembered in this short novel, which does not pull any punches. Thankfully, it does not descend into the realms of a medical journal.
Ask yourself, how far would you go to achieve your goals? Recommended.
March 18, 2024
I don’t know, I didn’t enjoy this book, but I don’t know if it was really bad. I didn’t like any of the characters except Grenadine. Grenadine also needed much more exploration, so many questions unanswered for her, and she just disappears? I get the point of the story but doesn’t mean I enjoyed it… finished it as quick as possible to get done with it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2019
Just finished reading Killer Chronicles by Somer Canon and holy hell it was a great read! Original, fast-paced, fantastic characters, and a superb voice. This story packs a punch. One of the best books I've read this year, and I can't wait to see what Somer does next!
September 20, 2023
Enjoyed this one from Somer Canon. It felt a little short though, abbreviated. I would have preferred the story a little more fleshed out. Seems like there could be more to tell. Interesting depiction of a fairy, though.
November 18, 2019
I enjoyed this one. A dark and twisted tale.
February 23, 2021
A great horror story with a twist at the end.
“How bad do you want it ?”
“How bad do you want it ?”
June 9, 2021
Such a crazy story! Wasn't sure at first as it felt a little slow but it gets moving once it gets weird! Graphic, gory, and a little nutty but worth a read.
April 29, 2022
Really like almost every thing about this book - the writing, the characters, Grenadine - but the ending kind of took it down a notch for me. Still, overall, really enjoyed it.
August 18, 2022
This was a fun, quick read. I wasn’t expecting it to be as dark as it is. Definitely satisfying to a horror maniac.
December 31, 2019
A really enjoyable read. I read it over the course of around a week shortly after its release.
What I liked best about it was that the plot continued to offer surprises, but they all felt fair and consistent with what had gone before. The writing is great too - gory, but it never felt like it was tasteless.
What I liked best about it was that the plot continued to offer surprises, but they all felt fair and consistent with what had gone before. The writing is great too - gory, but it never felt like it was tasteless.
September 21, 2019
Review to follow
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews