What do you think?
Rate this book
Hell's Kitchen
"Cool, snarly, and hilarious, Hell’s Kitchen turns Manhattan over like a rock and let’s its phonies, wannabies, conmen, and killers come crawling out. Vicious, funny stuff."
—Andrew Klavan, author of Hunting Down Amanda
Cyrus is a millionaire recluse. Oh, and a serial killer who preys upon apartment hunters in New York City. Armstead Maupin meets Carl Hiaasen in a brilliant black comedy that traces the paths of disparate characters floating through New York, about to collide in a treacherous story that will make you think twice about ever answering a classified ad.
Chris Niles was born in New Zealand, and currently resides in New York. She is the author of a series of mysteries featuring radio reporter Sam Spike It, Run Time and Crossing Live .
—Andrew Klavan, author of Hunting Down Amanda
Cyrus is a millionaire recluse. Oh, and a serial killer who preys upon apartment hunters in New York City. Armstead Maupin meets Carl Hiaasen in a brilliant black comedy that traces the paths of disparate characters floating through New York, about to collide in a treacherous story that will make you think twice about ever answering a classified ad.
Chris Niles was born in New Zealand, and currently resides in New York. She is the author of a series of mysteries featuring radio reporter Sam Spike It, Run Time and Crossing Live .
- GenresFiction
325 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
4 people are currently reading
59 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 25, 2011
A dark, situation comedy "populated" by a mix of interesting, funny and well-written characters. The intriguing premise of the book, combined with its fresh (multi- narrative) and fast- paced approach, captivated my interest from the very first page and had me reading late into the night -eager to see where the ride would end...A real good effort by Chris Niles -and one which makes me happy to, already, have another one of her books ("Vanished"- 2004) on my bookshelf and TBR list ;)
January 2, 2008
Cyrus is a young millionaire living in New York City. He has never found his ambition in life. One day, he finds a self-help book that speaks to him, and he begins his life as a serial killer. This dark book is also quite humorous, with the odd moments that make you smile quietly imbeded in the gruesome parts. With his money, Cyrus rents an apartment, crossing paths with desperate people hoping to rent or sub-let from him.
It takes a mature reader to read this book, and one must pay very careful attention-the book jumps from character to character, and it can be difficult to keep track of them all.
It takes a mature reader to read this book, and one must pay very careful attention-the book jumps from character to character, and it can be difficult to keep track of them all.
November 8, 2008
This book was a lot different than what I was expecting. While the book is about a serial killer (a rather inept one, who is really only a wanna be serial killer) the book is more about the relationships of about a half dozen different characters and how their lives intertwine throughout the book.
It was an okay read. I got a few chuckles out of it. I enjoyed some of the characters and how the culmination of the book brought everyone who we had met throughout the story together for the climax. An interesting read, but for me, not a really great one.
It was an okay read. I got a few chuckles out of it. I enjoyed some of the characters and how the culmination of the book brought everyone who we had met throughout the story together for the climax. An interesting read, but for me, not a really great one.
January 1, 2009
Excellent creepy thriller, black humor, along the lines of "Dexter" (nice guy CSI tech by day, serial killer by night)
Read prior to 2008
Read prior to 2008
April 14, 2020
Waste of time. Too Obvious story line. Seems to be Amateur work. Do not recommend to read. Was very boring, was a torture getting through it.
August 5, 2024
Bom thriller mas não achei muito humorístico como promete.
December 26, 2014
Black comedy that reminded me of Joe Orton; odd and quirky, humorous and deranged In a word, enjoyable.
The plot is dark situation comedy that revolves around finding a Manhattan apartment to sublet at reasonable cost and a homicidal maniac who entices his victims to his Greenwich Village apartment through newspaper classifieds.
The plot is dark situation comedy that revolves around finding a Manhattan apartment to sublet at reasonable cost and a homicidal maniac who entices his victims to his Greenwich Village apartment through newspaper classifieds.
July 14, 2015
Really loved this book.
Hell's Kitchen is a great black comedy. The characters are all spot on for this kind of comedy: wickedly funny and pathetic at the same time.
The only drawback is the really fast succession of multiple points of view that can be confusing.
Hell's Kitchen is a great black comedy. The characters are all spot on for this kind of comedy: wickedly funny and pathetic at the same time.
The only drawback is the really fast succession of multiple points of view that can be confusing.
February 6, 2008
this book was just a lot of fun
May 9, 2008
Ehh...kinda funny. Kinda scary. Kinda jumpy. Kinda liked it.
May 7, 2013
Whew, always a relief when a book written by a friend of yours is good. Well done, Chris.
April 11, 2016
This book is really funny, in a dark way, of course. In case the cover isn't explicit enough, it's about a serial killer, and I do believe some people get put in the fridge, if my memory serves.
Read
August 26, 2012Made me loose a bit of sleep and get a bit afraid of the dark. Exciting and fine.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews