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The Heartless Heart-Ripper #2
A Fistful of Guts
William Keller, known as the Traveling Surgeon, is terrorizing the streets of Florida with two accomplices. They capture their victims, then they 'operate' on them. When they’re finished, they steal their victims’ large intestines and leave a bloodbath behind them. Unable to capture them, Homicide Detective Jamie Mills requests assistance from a peer—Homicide Detective Harvey Skinner. Together, they continue Harvey’s experimental program.
Sam Lee, the Heartless Heart-Ripper, is released from death row once again and asked to do what he does best: capture, torture, release.
Jon Athan brings you the highly-anticipated sequel to The Good, the Bad, and the Sadistic in this gruesome story of questionable ethics, violent vengeance, and human horror.
WARNING: This novel contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
Sam Lee, the Heartless Heart-Ripper, is released from death row once again and asked to do what he does best: capture, torture, release.
Jon Athan brings you the highly-anticipated sequel to The Good, the Bad, and the Sadistic in this gruesome story of questionable ethics, violent vengeance, and human horror.
WARNING: This novel contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
- GenresHorrorSplatterpunk
199 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2019
75 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 19, 2020
This Goes To 11!
Wow! Where to start… well, Jon Athan has yet to disappoint! I absolutely love his bloody and visceral work! If you are looking for an author that can write books that make you cringe, squirm, and at times leave your mouth a gape you need to check out Jon Athan!
About the first entry: First things first, if you have not yet read any of Jon’s novels, stop what you are doing and snag one right now! Second, A Fistful of Guts is a sequel to the freaking amazing book The Good, The Bad, and The Sadistic. The first book is gleefully gruesome following a pair of serial killers Clayton Carter and Chastity Harrison. The killer couple set out on a murdering spree all along Southern California. What they don’t know, well, it will hurt them!
As Clayton and Chastity, very reminiscent of Natural Born Killers, continue to wreak havoc homicide Detective Harvey Skinner implements a rather unethical, yet effective, “program”. Harvey and his partner Eric Andrews get in touch with the warden of San Quentin himself to bring the program to life!
Harvey’s plan is to release notorious serial killer Sam Lee, AKA The Heartless Heart Ripper, loose to capture, torture, release, and eventually kill Clayton and Chastity. What ensues is completely brutal carnage!
Onto the sequel! As amazing as The Good, The Bad, and The Sadistic is, A Fistful of Guts takes the game up a notch! You could say as Nigel Tufnel states in This is Spinal Tap “these go to eleven”. A Fistful of Guts definitely does go all the way to eleven!
Well, Sam is back in action! Why? There are more serial killers that Detective Harvey needs to have dispatched! Harvey is just about to the point of disbanding the “program” when some very severe serial killers pop up in Florida. Two Florida detectives have failed at every turn to catch The Traveling Surgeon and his two accomplices. They have caught rumors of Harvey’s “program”, and reach out for help.
After Harvey hears about this trio of terrors heinous acts he, Eric, and the Warden agree to be of assistance. Sam has his work cut out for him though! The bloodbath that floods the pages is remarkable, and completely original!
As you read through this novel the stakes just keep being raised! Blood is shed everywhere, and no one is safe! In this terrifying, grotesque, macabre, and over the top Splatterpunk book your bowels will contract and turn to ice!
Can The Traveling Surgeon and his compadres next stopped by Sam Lee? Or has Sam met his match? Well it is a hell of a ride, and one that will not disappoint! I couldn’t put this book down! I just had to know the outcome. All I can say is I thought I had it figured out, and Jon threw a complete curveball that I didn’t see coming! Absolutely astonishing work, action packed, gory, and addicting!
Overall I give A Fistful of Guts five stars out of five stars. I cannot find anything to nitpick with this novel! I feel that Jon Athan surpassed himself with this second entry! I contend any day that he writes with such ferocity, intelligence, and passion that he ranks in the big league Splatterpunk legends level! All in all my final word to describe this book….. FLAWLESS!
Wow! Where to start… well, Jon Athan has yet to disappoint! I absolutely love his bloody and visceral work! If you are looking for an author that can write books that make you cringe, squirm, and at times leave your mouth a gape you need to check out Jon Athan!
About the first entry: First things first, if you have not yet read any of Jon’s novels, stop what you are doing and snag one right now! Second, A Fistful of Guts is a sequel to the freaking amazing book The Good, The Bad, and The Sadistic. The first book is gleefully gruesome following a pair of serial killers Clayton Carter and Chastity Harrison. The killer couple set out on a murdering spree all along Southern California. What they don’t know, well, it will hurt them!
As Clayton and Chastity, very reminiscent of Natural Born Killers, continue to wreak havoc homicide Detective Harvey Skinner implements a rather unethical, yet effective, “program”. Harvey and his partner Eric Andrews get in touch with the warden of San Quentin himself to bring the program to life!
Harvey’s plan is to release notorious serial killer Sam Lee, AKA The Heartless Heart Ripper, loose to capture, torture, release, and eventually kill Clayton and Chastity. What ensues is completely brutal carnage!
Onto the sequel! As amazing as The Good, The Bad, and The Sadistic is, A Fistful of Guts takes the game up a notch! You could say as Nigel Tufnel states in This is Spinal Tap “these go to eleven”. A Fistful of Guts definitely does go all the way to eleven!
Well, Sam is back in action! Why? There are more serial killers that Detective Harvey needs to have dispatched! Harvey is just about to the point of disbanding the “program” when some very severe serial killers pop up in Florida. Two Florida detectives have failed at every turn to catch The Traveling Surgeon and his two accomplices. They have caught rumors of Harvey’s “program”, and reach out for help.
After Harvey hears about this trio of terrors heinous acts he, Eric, and the Warden agree to be of assistance. Sam has his work cut out for him though! The bloodbath that floods the pages is remarkable, and completely original!
As you read through this novel the stakes just keep being raised! Blood is shed everywhere, and no one is safe! In this terrifying, grotesque, macabre, and over the top Splatterpunk book your bowels will contract and turn to ice!
Can The Traveling Surgeon and his compadres next stopped by Sam Lee? Or has Sam met his match? Well it is a hell of a ride, and one that will not disappoint! I couldn’t put this book down! I just had to know the outcome. All I can say is I thought I had it figured out, and Jon threw a complete curveball that I didn’t see coming! Absolutely astonishing work, action packed, gory, and addicting!
Overall I give A Fistful of Guts five stars out of five stars. I cannot find anything to nitpick with this novel! I feel that Jon Athan surpassed himself with this second entry! I contend any day that he writes with such ferocity, intelligence, and passion that he ranks in the big league Splatterpunk legends level! All in all my final word to describe this book….. FLAWLESS!
January 7, 2020
True to form
Exactly as.It states a brutal violent book full of extreme horror and not for the easily offended. This books has you gripped but squirming at parts where violence is as extreme as It can be. A brilliantly written book that has you at the end of your seat grasping for that next page not wanting to waste a second not reading what is going to happen next. I wasn't sure which way it was going to go at the end but that keeps it exciting. A definite extreme horrors read one that is a must for any extreme horror fans library.
Exactly as.It states a brutal violent book full of extreme horror and not for the easily offended. This books has you gripped but squirming at parts where violence is as extreme as It can be. A brilliantly written book that has you at the end of your seat grasping for that next page not wanting to waste a second not reading what is going to happen next. I wasn't sure which way it was going to go at the end but that keeps it exciting. A definite extreme horrors read one that is a must for any extreme horror fans library.
May 15, 2025
Vengeful, and not for the faint of heart. There are scenes like the toddler scene that made my stomach scurn. These are the kinda books that make my heart wanting more. more Athan, More Athan! Sad to note this story ended on a cliffhanger and it was written in 2019. As for a part 3, IDK there is no reference. I hope there will be a part 3 soon. I would like to read more on Sam Lee. I would also love a prequel on Sam Lee and his reign of terror before his incarceration.
December 12, 2019
Wow! Jon Athan is rapidly becoming one of my top ten favorite authors. For a while, that was based on his ability to tell a fun story but the writing was pretty lacking. I feel like he personally knew all of my previous complaints and omitted all of them from A Fistful of Guts, easily my favorite of his so far. This is perfectly paced and yet might be his longest book at, what I would guess to be, 85,000 words or so. I love that his books are getting longer. I don’t mind the shorter ones, but this and Into the Wolf’s Den have a lot more memorability to them because I invested more time into the characters. This was brutal, hard to read at times, and just pure fun as a whole. I absolutely can’t wait for his next release in January and will spend that time finishing up his bibliography. I have read 95% Athan since October after all.
April 18, 2020
Hell yeah! This was my fourth Jon Athan book and I can say with confidence that Athan is now my new favorite extreme horror author. And I can't wait for more from the Heartless Heart-Ripper! Next up..Athans 'Rotten Apples'
January 13, 2020
Extreme
A serial killer killing serial killers. Lots of sadistic bloody violence. Loved it, couldn't put it down. Extreme horror at its finest!
A serial killer killing serial killers. Lots of sadistic bloody violence. Loved it, couldn't put it down. Extreme horror at its finest!
December 24, 2020
‘If you won’t help me, then I’ll do it on my own. Then I’ll deal with the rest of you.’
Falling into yet another twisted tale in the lives of Homicide a Detective Harvey Skinner and Notorious murderer Sam Lee, the readers take another plunge into gore and violence as another set of spree killers is taking wind. Located far from their California bases, Detectives Jamie Mills and Silvia Lopez, safely nestled in Florida, contacted him with a plea to help spare further bloodshed and violence in their cities. The Traveling Surgeon and his Nurses are finding ways to craft people “beautiful”, and in ways that’s are sure to make even the most hardened person’s stomach churn. Using sickened and sadistic torture methods, they mutilated the bodies through freak amputations and surgical “enhancements” to completely change them. Horrible disfigured by the moment torture ends hours upon hours later, to become their victim is a malicious and draw out death. With their death toll continuing to rise into double digits, nobody was safe from their scalpels. From woman to children, man to unborn, elderly to the very young and vulnerable, these killers showed little emotions in their grisly murders.
Was it worth it? Was it worth it, motherfucker?! Was it worth it?!”
Living on a sickening, tripping high, the dynamic family element of this group was both sickening and beautiful. William Keller, an older man with lustful, loving eyes towards Haley Davis (24 years old) took her and younger brother Dalton (18 years old) under his wings after they met on an online murder forum almost three years prior. A failed surgeon with a passion and dream to perfect his craft, and a sickening fascination with death following their parents bloody, blazing car crash it was a horrible twist of fate the three would cross a shared path. With the videos and countless photos of grisly murders on Dalton’s beloved laptop, they would sell the films to the highest bidder into the thousands of dollars on the dark web. Showcasing themselves in their best of lights, murder gave them a high nothing else could ever compare to.
“Do not make this man into some sort of martyr. He did not care about his victims or our community. He had no respect for human life. We believe he killed because he wanted to kill. He wasn’t making a statement, he wasn’t haunted by voices in his head. He was evil. Pure evil.”
Turned loose by the very people sworn to keep him incarcerated, Sam Lee (The Heartless Heart Ripper) once more is released form his shackles and bonds and set into the world to play his role once again. Stalking his prey, tormenting them with brutal beatings and attacks, he released them countless times to build their terror and suspense. As the beatings began to escalate and the abrasions and concussions were sending the killers into a debilitating stare, the desires to turn themselves in and face the police was becoming a possibility. Yet for Harvey Skinner that was never going to become an option. Fearing being backed into a corner they couldn’t escape from without death, they met with Megan Freeman, a reporter looking to crack into Skinner and Chuck’s little experiment with Sam Lee, and as she nears closer to the truth she’s offered the scoop of the lifetime. An interview with the Traveling Surgeon and one of his helpers. With Dalton’a death weighing heavily on their minds, (following a brutal attack before his skull was crushed in by a car), they murdered Megan and strung her up with her small intestines to warn the police of their brutality blooming. Turning their eyes now towards Eric’s family (Sierra (wife) and Desmond (2 year old son), he was willing to cross any line to avenge his slaughtered family. With their capture looking closer every second, they pleaded for death with a final showing between Skinner and Lee in an abandoned apartment complex. Lured by the promises of death to three young high school girls, they fought the duo tooth and nail. With his jaw obliterated with a gunshot to the face, Haley was shot in the side and fighting with a painful concussion before Sam Lee takes a rat and crams it into her mouth. Gleeful as it squirmed and wiggled it’s way into her stomach, he turns towards the basement to one final confrontation with William Keller, where he would rip his still beating heart out. Sparing the life of the detective hat initially locked him up and granted limited freedoms today, he spared his life and sits excited in the ICU waiting for the programs revival.
His death warrant was signed with a scalpel and he was executed with a steel-toe boot.
Falling into yet another twisted tale in the lives of Homicide a Detective Harvey Skinner and Notorious murderer Sam Lee, the readers take another plunge into gore and violence as another set of spree killers is taking wind. Located far from their California bases, Detectives Jamie Mills and Silvia Lopez, safely nestled in Florida, contacted him with a plea to help spare further bloodshed and violence in their cities. The Traveling Surgeon and his Nurses are finding ways to craft people “beautiful”, and in ways that’s are sure to make even the most hardened person’s stomach churn. Using sickened and sadistic torture methods, they mutilated the bodies through freak amputations and surgical “enhancements” to completely change them. Horrible disfigured by the moment torture ends hours upon hours later, to become their victim is a malicious and draw out death. With their death toll continuing to rise into double digits, nobody was safe from their scalpels. From woman to children, man to unborn, elderly to the very young and vulnerable, these killers showed little emotions in their grisly murders.
Was it worth it? Was it worth it, motherfucker?! Was it worth it?!”
Living on a sickening, tripping high, the dynamic family element of this group was both sickening and beautiful. William Keller, an older man with lustful, loving eyes towards Haley Davis (24 years old) took her and younger brother Dalton (18 years old) under his wings after they met on an online murder forum almost three years prior. A failed surgeon with a passion and dream to perfect his craft, and a sickening fascination with death following their parents bloody, blazing car crash it was a horrible twist of fate the three would cross a shared path. With the videos and countless photos of grisly murders on Dalton’s beloved laptop, they would sell the films to the highest bidder into the thousands of dollars on the dark web. Showcasing themselves in their best of lights, murder gave them a high nothing else could ever compare to.
“Do not make this man into some sort of martyr. He did not care about his victims or our community. He had no respect for human life. We believe he killed because he wanted to kill. He wasn’t making a statement, he wasn’t haunted by voices in his head. He was evil. Pure evil.”
Turned loose by the very people sworn to keep him incarcerated, Sam Lee (The Heartless Heart Ripper) once more is released form his shackles and bonds and set into the world to play his role once again. Stalking his prey, tormenting them with brutal beatings and attacks, he released them countless times to build their terror and suspense. As the beatings began to escalate and the abrasions and concussions were sending the killers into a debilitating stare, the desires to turn themselves in and face the police was becoming a possibility. Yet for Harvey Skinner that was never going to become an option. Fearing being backed into a corner they couldn’t escape from without death, they met with Megan Freeman, a reporter looking to crack into Skinner and Chuck’s little experiment with Sam Lee, and as she nears closer to the truth she’s offered the scoop of the lifetime. An interview with the Traveling Surgeon and one of his helpers. With Dalton’a death weighing heavily on their minds, (following a brutal attack before his skull was crushed in by a car), they murdered Megan and strung her up with her small intestines to warn the police of their brutality blooming. Turning their eyes now towards Eric’s family (Sierra (wife) and Desmond (2 year old son), he was willing to cross any line to avenge his slaughtered family. With their capture looking closer every second, they pleaded for death with a final showing between Skinner and Lee in an abandoned apartment complex. Lured by the promises of death to three young high school girls, they fought the duo tooth and nail. With his jaw obliterated with a gunshot to the face, Haley was shot in the side and fighting with a painful concussion before Sam Lee takes a rat and crams it into her mouth. Gleeful as it squirmed and wiggled it’s way into her stomach, he turns towards the basement to one final confrontation with William Keller, where he would rip his still beating heart out. Sparing the life of the detective hat initially locked him up and granted limited freedoms today, he spared his life and sits excited in the ICU waiting for the programs revival.
His death warrant was signed with a scalpel and he was executed with a steel-toe boot.
September 3, 2025
This is the sequel to The Good, The Bad, and the Sadistic. Sam and Harvey return, this time hunting down a deranged family. But the chase is tougher, and the violence is even more gut-wrenching! 🤭
I was literally pacing while reading because I wanted to jump right into the chase with them. 😂 These guys gave Sam a harder time than usual, which made me even more anxious.
There was one scene that genuinely made me sad (don’t judge, I get big feelings when I read 🥺). But the ending was savage and perfect. The gruesome unaliving scenes were turned up a notch in this one, and I loved every bit of the gore! 🫣
Also, I swear Sam Lee is basically a robot, and finding out the author actually drew inspiration from the Terminator for him had me laughing out loud.
I loved this one just as much as the first! The tension stayed high, the action was relentless, and the savagery was killer! 😆
I was literally pacing while reading because I wanted to jump right into the chase with them. 😂 These guys gave Sam a harder time than usual, which made me even more anxious.
There was one scene that genuinely made me sad (don’t judge, I get big feelings when I read 🥺). But the ending was savage and perfect. The gruesome unaliving scenes were turned up a notch in this one, and I loved every bit of the gore! 🫣
Also, I swear Sam Lee is basically a robot, and finding out the author actually drew inspiration from the Terminator for him had me laughing out loud.
I loved this one just as much as the first! The tension stayed high, the action was relentless, and the savagery was killer! 😆
May 19, 2020
A fitting title and exciting book
I hope you continue the series of Sam and Skinner. SLIGHT SPOILER: didn't like the killers beating the living daylights out of Sam and Skinner. I felt Sam could have done more damage to the surgeon in previous attacks. Disappointed the Surgeon got the better of them, damaged them A LOT. I've felt sad for other fictional serial killers and how they became that way, but this is the first time i was rooting for the serial killer. This is my fave genre so i will be adding more to my reading list.
I hope you continue the series of Sam and Skinner. SLIGHT SPOILER: didn't like the killers beating the living daylights out of Sam and Skinner. I felt Sam could have done more damage to the surgeon in previous attacks. Disappointed the Surgeon got the better of them, damaged them A LOT. I've felt sad for other fictional serial killers and how they became that way, but this is the first time i was rooting for the serial killer. This is my fave genre so i will be adding more to my reading list.
June 26, 2020
Loved the second installment of this series. Jon Athan has been a favorite of mine for a while now. This one was exceptionally brutal. I love the concept of the whole series. I felt a little cheated at the end that the surgeon and Haley didn’t get what I felt they deserved. Nonetheless, the satisfaction was still there. I’m stoked that the story will continue and look forward to what Harvey and Sam brew up next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2023
Nah, the fact skinner survives is bs. Even if Sam didn’t rip his heart out he should have bleed to death. Or the fact Sam stayed to help instead of going free when they both went their separate ways. Absolutely stupid to think his loyalty was to the man who arrested him. Nope! You can tell the author isn’t an actual felon. This had potential to be a 5 star like the first book the ending brought it down to 1. Great story telling back to 2. Really mad about the ending.
March 4, 2022
More books please !
It's hard to pick a favourite Jon Athan book but the two Heartless Heart-Ripper are definitely up there. Please please please can we get another sequel (the story is set up perfectly) and please please can we get a prequel about the Sam West/Harvey Skinner story too. Absolutely loved the two books, Jon Athan at his bloody, gore filled, awesome best !
It's hard to pick a favourite Jon Athan book but the two Heartless Heart-Ripper are definitely up there. Please please please can we get another sequel (the story is set up perfectly) and please please can we get a prequel about the Sam West/Harvey Skinner story too. Absolutely loved the two books, Jon Athan at his bloody, gore filled, awesome best !
February 29, 2024
cannot wait for the next one!!!
Although this books verbiage was pretty repetitive from the first book I thought this one was even better then the first one. I cannot wait to see how Harvey And Sam’s relationship or lack there of develops or disintegrates? Also cannot wait to see what happened with Eric and who the next set of serial killers will be!
Although this books verbiage was pretty repetitive from the first book I thought this one was even better then the first one. I cannot wait to see how Harvey And Sam’s relationship or lack there of develops or disintegrates? Also cannot wait to see what happened with Eric and who the next set of serial killers will be!
August 18, 2025
Hi ! I really enjoyed this series ! I stated with our dead girlfriend which was the first book of yours that I read. It was so memorable and to find out that there was a sequel was amazing! I devoured both of these books in 2 days . I really want to know if there is a sequel to a fistful of guts because the ending had me in a chokehold! Keep up the good work 👏
April 24, 2020
Can’t wait for the next one!
Definitely take the warning seriously, I am a fan of extreme horror and I loved the way this book was presented. This is the second in the series and I am anxiously awaiting the third. I hope that the author does write a prequel about Sam Lee as well.
Definitely take the warning seriously, I am a fan of extreme horror and I loved the way this book was presented. This is the second in the series and I am anxiously awaiting the third. I hope that the author does write a prequel about Sam Lee as well.
January 9, 2022
I like many of Jon Athan's books
January 19, 2023
This is their MO. They ‘operate’ on their victims, they dissect them, then they hang ‘em with their small intestines and steal their large intestines.”
August 25, 2023
Jon Athan has yet to disappoint!
February 15, 2024
Love it!
I read in the authors note that you are thinking of a prequel and to be honest I'd love one, but before that I'd really like to see what Harvey has planned for Eric.
I read in the authors note that you are thinking of a prequel and to be honest I'd love one, but before that I'd really like to see what Harvey has planned for Eric.
March 12, 2022
Good book.
Its ironic to see that Sam Lee has begun practicing restraint, while Eric Andrews has gone insane and wishes to become like the murderers Harvey hunts. I look forward to see how Harvey and Sam tackle their former ally, who is now an enemy.
Who could be Cronus? I'm going to assume that he is one of the villains of the third book. I hope Harvey and Sam take him down.
I can't help but dislike Megan Freeman. She considers Harvey evil, overlooking the fact that America's justice system is quite flawed and his actions, though questionable, protect the public from ruthless killers. Megan didn't deserve to die, but I think her death was ironic. She had argued on behalf of the rights of killers, but in the end she was brutally murdered by two of the people she sought to protect. And seriously who goes to meet two murderous psychopaths alone without back up? And did she even consider the fact that exposing Harvey would allow many murderers to kill innocent people for a long time? Of course she didn't. She only cared about her own benefit and her stupidity led to her death as well as the demise of Eric's family and Eric's descend into depravity.
Eric had lost faith in Harvey's program, forgetting the fact that the program protects the public somewhat more efficiently than the legal system and the ruthless murderers Sam hunts, tortures and kills are difficult to catch and keep killing civilians until they are stopped. The same goes for Silvia. At least, Jamie seems to have understanding for Harvey's program, despite his negative reaction over a civilian's unintended death, which greatly bothered Harvey too. Detective Skinner's reaction to the civilian casualties unintentionally caused by his program, made me glad. That showed that he is not evil, unlike what Eric and Silvia may think. Good to see that Sam is developing self-control over his bloodlust, now the program can continue, but first Eric needs to be stopped. I hate to say it but his betrayal was the indirect reason behind his family's demise. Seriously, what was he thinking? He should've known that his treachery would tip off the serial killers and gangs of USA about the greatest threat to their existence. Was he just scared or did he just not like breaking the law for the greater good? I hope Harvey and Sam take him down.
Unlike what others may think, William Keller and Haley Davis were not on par with Sam. The Heartless Heart-Ripper could've killed them any time he wanted. It was because of luck that they nearly won. Got to admit though, the Travelling Surgeon did prove to be a somewhat good opponent against the Heartless Heart-Ripper.
Good to see Sam would now possesses a better disguise. That should help Harvey avoid the attention of the public and the media. Hopefully, Megan's brutal murder will dissuade other journalists from getting in Skinner's way.
Jon Athan should pit Sam Lee against Micah Wakefield, Eugene Hodges and Chase Bowen. Those three may provide a good challenge.
One last thing. Harvey needs to change his strategy a bit. He should order Sam to brutally kill the murderers he hunts as soon as possible. That should prevent a lot of problems.
Its ironic to see that Sam Lee has begun practicing restraint, while Eric Andrews has gone insane and wishes to become like the murderers Harvey hunts. I look forward to see how Harvey and Sam tackle their former ally, who is now an enemy.
Who could be Cronus? I'm going to assume that he is one of the villains of the third book. I hope Harvey and Sam take him down.
I can't help but dislike Megan Freeman. She considers Harvey evil, overlooking the fact that America's justice system is quite flawed and his actions, though questionable, protect the public from ruthless killers. Megan didn't deserve to die, but I think her death was ironic. She had argued on behalf of the rights of killers, but in the end she was brutally murdered by two of the people she sought to protect. And seriously who goes to meet two murderous psychopaths alone without back up? And did she even consider the fact that exposing Harvey would allow many murderers to kill innocent people for a long time? Of course she didn't. She only cared about her own benefit and her stupidity led to her death as well as the demise of Eric's family and Eric's descend into depravity.
Eric had lost faith in Harvey's program, forgetting the fact that the program protects the public somewhat more efficiently than the legal system and the ruthless murderers Sam hunts, tortures and kills are difficult to catch and keep killing civilians until they are stopped. The same goes for Silvia. At least, Jamie seems to have understanding for Harvey's program, despite his negative reaction over a civilian's unintended death, which greatly bothered Harvey too. Detective Skinner's reaction to the civilian casualties unintentionally caused by his program, made me glad. That showed that he is not evil, unlike what Eric and Silvia may think. Good to see that Sam is developing self-control over his bloodlust, now the program can continue, but first Eric needs to be stopped. I hate to say it but his betrayal was the indirect reason behind his family's demise. Seriously, what was he thinking? He should've known that his treachery would tip off the serial killers and gangs of USA about the greatest threat to their existence. Was he just scared or did he just not like breaking the law for the greater good? I hope Harvey and Sam take him down.
Unlike what others may think, William Keller and Haley Davis were not on par with Sam. The Heartless Heart-Ripper could've killed them any time he wanted. It was because of luck that they nearly won. Got to admit though, the Travelling Surgeon did prove to be a somewhat good opponent against the Heartless Heart-Ripper.
Good to see Sam would now possesses a better disguise. That should help Harvey avoid the attention of the public and the media. Hopefully, Megan's brutal murder will dissuade other journalists from getting in Skinner's way.
Jon Athan should pit Sam Lee against Micah Wakefield, Eugene Hodges and Chase Bowen. Those three may provide a good challenge.
One last thing. Harvey needs to change his strategy a bit. He should order Sam to brutally kill the murderers he hunts as soon as possible. That should prevent a lot of problems.
February 27, 2020
Fabulously gory, beautifully disturbing
I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It was truly disturbing, and I loved it! Don’t judge me! You wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t enjoy extreme horror. Was it better than the first book? I can’t say it was better or worse. I’m looking forward to more stories with Sam. I’d like to get a little more into his head, but unless Jon Athan interviews real killers, it would all be speculation and assumptions which could possibly ruin the mystery of Sam.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It was truly disturbing, and I loved it! Don’t judge me! You wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t enjoy extreme horror. Was it better than the first book? I can’t say it was better or worse. I’m looking forward to more stories with Sam. I’d like to get a little more into his head, but unless Jon Athan interviews real killers, it would all be speculation and assumptions which could possibly ruin the mystery of Sam.
December 21, 2019
He just keeps getting better!
I won't bog down the review being all squishy, but the author's letter's at the end of his books usually lead me to that. I've been a hard fan since the begining, and I really mean it when I say that his writing just keeps getting better!
I like how meaty this one is. The characters motivations, the ache of those who are skating the razors edge between good and evil, and, of course, the brutality. I could talk for an hour about the characters, but I'll save it for a no-spoiler blog.
I'm excited to know that the next book is in the works, (omg, Eric! Right?!), but even more excited to know that there is a chance for ‘The Heartless Heart-Ripper' - a pre-quel! THAT is going to be amazing, I already know it. I'm also glad I'm not alone in "The House That Jack Built".
I won't bog down the review being all squishy, but the author's letter's at the end of his books usually lead me to that. I've been a hard fan since the begining, and I really mean it when I say that his writing just keeps getting better!
I like how meaty this one is. The characters motivations, the ache of those who are skating the razors edge between good and evil, and, of course, the brutality. I could talk for an hour about the characters, but I'll save it for a no-spoiler blog.
I'm excited to know that the next book is in the works, (omg, Eric! Right?!), but even more excited to know that there is a chance for ‘The Heartless Heart-Ripper' - a pre-quel! THAT is going to be amazing, I already know it. I'm also glad I'm not alone in "The House That Jack Built".
December 22, 2019
This second book in the Heartless Heart Ripper series is awesome. Jon Athan wrote another great story. This one is even more thrilling than the first one and we learn a little more about the characters. If you want to read a Crime Thriller that doesn't shy away from violence (this one is super brutal) then pick up this book.
Jon Athan is also working on a 3rd book in this series and maybe even a prequel. I've read a few of his books and everyone of them has been great.
Jon Athan is also working on a 3rd book in this series and maybe even a prequel. I've read a few of his books and everyone of them has been great.
January 26, 2020
Does it again
Another fantastic book/ sequel. If you like your crime novels on the sadistic side this is for you. The pace is breakneck, and the concept is awesome. Send a killer to catch another killer. There isn’t a dull moment in this book. I found myself rooting for Sam in a twisted way. Jon just gets better each book. I hold him right next to my other favorite authors Matt Shaw, and Wade Garret. I can’t wait until the next one. Keep up the fantastic work.
Another fantastic book/ sequel. If you like your crime novels on the sadistic side this is for you. The pace is breakneck, and the concept is awesome. Send a killer to catch another killer. There isn’t a dull moment in this book. I found myself rooting for Sam in a twisted way. Jon just gets better each book. I hold him right next to my other favorite authors Matt Shaw, and Wade Garret. I can’t wait until the next one. Keep up the fantastic work.
January 31, 2020
LOVED IT!
I enjoyed every page; it pulls you in. The scenes were intense and unpredictable- I can't wait for part 3 to drop.
I enjoyed every page; it pulls you in. The scenes were intense and unpredictable- I can't wait for part 3 to drop.
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