What do you think?
Rate this book
Crosskiller
Filled with rage, a man scrawls anti-Semitic graffiti on a synagogue wall in Los Angeles' affluent West Side--and signs his handiwork with two dripping red crosses. But when the self-proclaimed Aryan begins to act out his murderous fantasies, the city is gripped by fear of "The Crosskiller!"
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
5 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 20, 2024
Radicalized paperboy terrorizes the Jewish population of LA. Alcoholic, jazz loving police officer and his soft-core porn star sidekick set out to stop him,
OR
An excellent police thriller about a man, driven over the edge by radical propaganda, who terrorizes the Jewish community in Los Angeles. It’s the job of a seriously flawed police officer called Jack Gold (with the help of a young Eric Estrada 😉) to hunt him down before things escalate out of control.
Gritty and violent with well flushed out characters and plenty of sub-plots that are all nicely tied up at the end. But what really works for me is the dialogue which is sharp, and at times, laugh out loud funny. Considering this was published in 1988, you could easily plonk it right down in 2024, the only things that would change are the cars and the tech.
This was Marcel Montecino’s first novel. The only wrote 4 more before he died in the late 90s. Definitely going to search the others out.
OR
An excellent police thriller about a man, driven over the edge by radical propaganda, who terrorizes the Jewish community in Los Angeles. It’s the job of a seriously flawed police officer called Jack Gold (with the help of a young Eric Estrada 😉) to hunt him down before things escalate out of control.
Gritty and violent with well flushed out characters and plenty of sub-plots that are all nicely tied up at the end. But what really works for me is the dialogue which is sharp, and at times, laugh out loud funny. Considering this was published in 1988, you could easily plonk it right down in 2024, the only things that would change are the cars and the tech.
This was Marcel Montecino’s first novel. The only wrote 4 more before he died in the late 90s. Definitely going to search the others out.
March 21, 2012
This book deserves at least 10 stars: gritty, no-holds-barred police procedural that gets down in the dirt, rolls around in it, and then parades down the street with all its tender parts exposed. The author only wrote two other novels, but this one was good enough to have me searching for them.
June 6, 2017
This was a great read. The characters were well developed, beautifully flawed and believable.
The three main protagonists couldn't be more different but Gold, Esther and Walker come together in a dramatic and violent showdown.
Gold is a policeman who is disillusioned with life. He is rough around the edges and plays to his own rules. He is fiercely loyal to his adult daughter and will do whatever it takes to make sure she is safe.
Esther is a hard working mother trying to do her best for her young son while her husband is in prison. She is hoping her husband will turn his life around once he is released and they will be able to provide a better life for their son.
Walker is a psychopathic, racist murderer.
Fast paced, well written and interesting. One of my favourite books so far this year.
The three main protagonists couldn't be more different but Gold, Esther and Walker come together in a dramatic and violent showdown.
Gold is a policeman who is disillusioned with life. He is rough around the edges and plays to his own rules. He is fiercely loyal to his adult daughter and will do whatever it takes to make sure she is safe.
Esther is a hard working mother trying to do her best for her young son while her husband is in prison. She is hoping her husband will turn his life around once he is released and they will be able to provide a better life for their son.
Walker is a psychopathic, racist murderer.
Fast paced, well written and interesting. One of my favourite books so far this year.
May 12, 2022
4.5 Stars ⭐️ Trifecta Award
With books I always adopt the cliche about the journey rather than destination. The number of "great/entertaining" pages in a book is more important than a great ending, to me. Basically: the % of time I spend immersed and captivated in a book is paramount. This is why I love authors such as Elmore Leonard and Peter Abrahams: Every page is a delight, even if their endings are ordinary. And this is why writers like Thomas Harris are the winning trifecta of writing, which I explain later.
I also deduct points for not writing in the third-person. Because I can. First-person is a copout imo and I detest it. My preference, my review, my rules.
Getting to this book: It's is an oldie and hard to come by--you'll probably need to dig around in your local secondhand bookstore--but it's worth a read if you stumble across it.
And this is why it gets the Trifecta Award:
• It's written in third-person, and with memorable and distinguishable characters.
• Every page is a delight
• And it has a solid character-driven story nicely wrapped in a thematic bow (racism, hatred, serial killer)
The only downside? This author is dead... and only wrote the 3 novels. I'll be reading the other 2, if they'll just turn up at a secondhand bookstore near me.
With books I always adopt the cliche about the journey rather than destination. The number of "great/entertaining" pages in a book is more important than a great ending, to me. Basically: the % of time I spend immersed and captivated in a book is paramount. This is why I love authors such as Elmore Leonard and Peter Abrahams: Every page is a delight, even if their endings are ordinary. And this is why writers like Thomas Harris are the winning trifecta of writing, which I explain later.
I also deduct points for not writing in the third-person. Because I can. First-person is a copout imo and I detest it. My preference, my review, my rules.
Getting to this book: It's is an oldie and hard to come by--you'll probably need to dig around in your local secondhand bookstore--but it's worth a read if you stumble across it.
And this is why it gets the Trifecta Award:
• It's written in third-person, and with memorable and distinguishable characters.
• Every page is a delight
• And it has a solid character-driven story nicely wrapped in a thematic bow (racism, hatred, serial killer)
The only downside? This author is dead... and only wrote the 3 novels. I'll be reading the other 2, if they'll just turn up at a secondhand bookstore near me.
July 6, 2018
What a brilliant book this is. For a debut novel, this is magnificent with high re-readability.
April 3, 2021
esther is such a badass and this would make a great movie
March 10, 2020
Wow, no sabría como explicar los sentimientos encontrados con este libro.
Lo empece con sospecha, al tener un inicio demasiado claro y bien explicado. Pero me encantó el final de este libro, es justo lo que necesitaba para este thriller. La historia está super bien planteada, los tres protagonistas me robaron toda la atención. El asesino hizo que mis huesitos temblaran de miedo, asco y horror, el agente me hizo sentir mal con su historia, pero a la vez enojada por sus decisiones y la señora que contaba su vida tan imperfecta. WOW, es un libro tan bien en todos los sentidos.
Uno nunca sabe lo que una persona puede esconder en su mirada seria, postura incomoda y sonrisas forzadas. UN ASESINO EN SERIE, ESO ESCONDEEE.
Lo siento, terminé el libro traumada.
Lo empece con sospecha, al tener un inicio demasiado claro y bien explicado. Pero me encantó el final de este libro, es justo lo que necesitaba para este thriller. La historia está super bien planteada, los tres protagonistas me robaron toda la atención. El asesino hizo que mis huesitos temblaran de miedo, asco y horror, el agente me hizo sentir mal con su historia, pero a la vez enojada por sus decisiones y la señora que contaba su vida tan imperfecta. WOW, es un libro tan bien en todos los sentidos.
Uno nunca sabe lo que una persona puede esconder en su mirada seria, postura incomoda y sonrisas forzadas. UN ASESINO EN SERIE, ESO ESCONDEEE.
Lo siento, terminé el libro traumada.
December 20, 2018
I don’t think there’s another author out there that packs so much into a novel and still leaves you wanting. The stories are so engaging and complex and the characters fascinating, raw and lovable. He writes with incredible pace - you never get lost in descriptive prose but rather ‘in your face, this is how it is, no fluffing around’. And it works so brilliantly. In this book we have Jack Gold. He’s a Jewish cop whose been around the block too many times and doesn’t mess around. Despite his hard outer shell you can’t help feel for this guy. I just loved him. We are soon introduced to Sean Zamora, the pretty boy cop/model/actor. It’s a nice match providing some comic relief (so welcome amidst the political/religious ugliness). I loved him too. And so well done is how Marcel introduces multiple characters and carefully links them together toward the climax. Marcel was a master and it’s so sad he isn’t with us anymore and still writing such amazing novels. This is a must read and so is Big Time. I would love to see these books back in circulation as they are ridiculously expensive to buy. Fortunately my husband purchased Crosskiller and Big Time when they were still in print. If you can get your hands on a copy it is well worth the effort.
March 6, 2021
Interesting crime thriller. The villain is a psychotic racist out to kill Jews, blacks, and any other non-whites. The hero is a Jewish cop with numerous character flaws (including be-ing a multiple murderer). The plot is complex and clips along well, but the characterization and dialogue are a bit shaky, though Montecino does try hard and manages to make the people interesting, if a tad cardboard. Very good for a first novel; I'll have to look for others.
July 3, 2011
I like this book it would make a great movie
January 10, 2022
“No juegues a los soldaditos conmigo, hijo. Podrías hacerte daño.”—Jack Gold.
Creí que nunca terminaría este libro, el inicio me costó bastante y estuve meses leyéndolo intermitente, pero todo es que llegara a la página 200 para no querer soltarlo. La forma en la que se desarrolló todo, las facetas de los diversos personajes y la manera en que todas estas vidas llegan a cruzarse en algún momento.
Mis personajes favoritos son Gold y Zamora, la pareja de policías que al final tienen el caso del asesino en sus manos. El cinismo de Gold y la vibra despreocupada de Zamora simplemente me encantó. Zamora aparecía y yo ya estaba sonriendo e incluso riendo por montones con todo lo que decía. Fue un personaje tan fresco— en medio de tanta desgracia—, para mí le dio vida a la historia con su encanto. Gold, en cuestión de humor, es muy diferente a él, pero de alguna forma resultan ser imperfectamente perfectos como equipo. Yo disfruté con cada altanería (o ilegalidades) que Gold realizaba, simplemente lo justifico y tiene mi respeto por las agallas que se carga, aparte de que este hombre tiene contactos por todos lados, me encanta. Aún así, todos los personajes tienen sus altos y bajos, sus aciertos y errores. Logré sentir algo (bueno o malo) por todos ellos.
El asesino no es un secreto para el lector en ningún momento, pero fue muy interesante entrar en la cabeza de él, conocer su forma de pensar y sentir me hizo sentir muy incómoda, en un momento me di cuenta de que no podía llamarlo “loco” porque él sabe muy bien lo que hace y sus creencias, por más crueles y violentas que sean para mí, eran muy fuertes para él. Creía ciegamente en todo este asunto de la discriminación. Para él, solo estaba defendiendo a su nación de las personas que querían destruirla, y que, según él, ya lo estaban haciendo. El problema es que estas personas son las que no encajan en su ideal de “norteamericano blanco cristiano” Los latinos, judíos y negros somos el enemigo directo y él está dispuesto a limpiarnos de su país para que este vuelva a tener su grandeza.
Religión, política, discriminación, xenofobia, asesinatos, violaciones, drogas, corrupción, injusticias, una cacería interminable a los extranjeros, especialmente a latinos, judíos y negros. Todo eso encontrarás en este libro. Pero aún con todos los pronósticos de tragedia en cada capítulo, siempre hay al menos una situación de humor genuino (probablemente de Zamora, es una dulzura, lo amo) y también está el humor negro y ácido de Gold (también lo amo).
El final fue simple, en parte me alegra que le dieran una muerte rápida a ese sujeto, pero el ambiente en el que muere... me imaginé la escena y tenía un nudo en la garganta. Pero considero que fue un buen final.
Creí que nunca terminaría este libro, el inicio me costó bastante y estuve meses leyéndolo intermitente, pero todo es que llegara a la página 200 para no querer soltarlo. La forma en la que se desarrolló todo, las facetas de los diversos personajes y la manera en que todas estas vidas llegan a cruzarse en algún momento.
Mis personajes favoritos son Gold y Zamora, la pareja de policías que al final tienen el caso del asesino en sus manos. El cinismo de Gold y la vibra despreocupada de Zamora simplemente me encantó. Zamora aparecía y yo ya estaba sonriendo e incluso riendo por montones con todo lo que decía. Fue un personaje tan fresco— en medio de tanta desgracia—, para mí le dio vida a la historia con su encanto. Gold, en cuestión de humor, es muy diferente a él, pero de alguna forma resultan ser imperfectamente perfectos como equipo. Yo disfruté con cada altanería (o ilegalidades) que Gold realizaba, simplemente lo justifico y tiene mi respeto por las agallas que se carga, aparte de que este hombre tiene contactos por todos lados, me encanta. Aún así, todos los personajes tienen sus altos y bajos, sus aciertos y errores. Logré sentir algo (bueno o malo) por todos ellos.
El asesino no es un secreto para el lector en ningún momento, pero fue muy interesante entrar en la cabeza de él, conocer su forma de pensar y sentir me hizo sentir muy incómoda, en un momento me di cuenta de que no podía llamarlo “loco” porque él sabe muy bien lo que hace y sus creencias, por más crueles y violentas que sean para mí, eran muy fuertes para él. Creía ciegamente en todo este asunto de la discriminación. Para él, solo estaba defendiendo a su nación de las personas que querían destruirla, y que, según él, ya lo estaban haciendo. El problema es que estas personas son las que no encajan en su ideal de “norteamericano blanco cristiano” Los latinos, judíos y negros somos el enemigo directo y él está dispuesto a limpiarnos de su país para que este vuelva a tener su grandeza.
Religión, política, discriminación, xenofobia, asesinatos, violaciones, drogas, corrupción, injusticias, una cacería interminable a los extranjeros, especialmente a latinos, judíos y negros. Todo eso encontrarás en este libro. Pero aún con todos los pronósticos de tragedia en cada capítulo, siempre hay al menos una situación de humor genuino (probablemente de Zamora, es una dulzura, lo amo) y también está el humor negro y ácido de Gold (también lo amo).
El final fue simple, en parte me alegra que le dieran una muerte rápida a ese sujeto, pero el ambiente en el que muere... me imaginé la escena y tenía un nudo en la garganta. Pero considero que fue un buen final.
December 15, 2020
Read in 1990. A twisted killer and the veteran police officer who relentlessly hunts him.
January 11, 2024
A police thriller set in gritty Los Angeles that well-drawn characters and a fast-paced story lifted above average.
October 30, 2011
It's obvious to see why this protagonist might split people's views - he is after all, in some ways, a total tool. But there's no denying he has a good cause, and in that sense you're with him all the way. In any case, it makes for a slam-bang, highly energetic and very readable book.
November 15, 2014
Definitely worth a read. I bought this book around twenty years ago in a second hand book shop, only because I couldn't leave without a purchase. I took it with me when I went overseas, alone and read it four times in two months!
I will definitely read it again....one day
I will definitely read it again....one day
August 1, 2015
I quite enjoyed the book; very good storyline but very graphic but if you enjoys mysteries and crime novels this shouldn't be a problem but if unsure about that maybe avoid the book. I would non the less recommend it highly.
April 18, 2024
Me ha gustado mucho. Es un libro lleno de detalles, todos importantes para la trama y que ponen la piel de gallina.
Es un libro en el que por una parte seguimos a las víctimas y por otra al asesino, del cual sabemos todos los pasos. Una novela escalofriante y muy buena.
Es un libro en el que por una parte seguimos a las víctimas y por otra al asesino, del cual sabemos todos los pasos. Una novela escalofriante y muy buena.
Read
October 6, 2012Strange book, I am not sure I like it or the protagonist yet but I find it hard not to finish books so...
I couldn't finish this. God I hated the main character. This was truly awful.
I couldn't finish this. God I hated the main character. This was truly awful.
July 2, 2012
Couldn't put it down. A blast of a read. One of the best books I've read all year. Jack Gold is a legendary character!
September 8, 2013
Only picked this book up because it had a rating from Stephen King on the cover. Thrilling read about a serial-killer that had me scared to turn the pages.
January 10, 2014
Superb writer. I wish he wrote more books.
October 31, 2014
Este libro no es fácil de leer, desde que empiezas no podrás dejar de leerlo hasta el final.
May 17, 2016
This book was tremendous. I wish he kept Jack going. What a great character.
August 10, 2021
nicht mehr viel Erinnerung
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews