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Fifteen Times a Killer
“Not for the faint hearted!”This book contains scenes of graphic violence.When journalist Jess Duffey gets the first chapters of a bad serial-killer novel, she dismisses it as a prank, a ploy for publicity. Until she follows the writer’s directions to the grave and stumbles head-first into an FBI investigation of a grisly cold case.The manuscript is not fiction. It’s true crime.The anonymous chapters keep coming, leading Jess and the police to more horrifying discoveries of brutal murders committed years earlier. The killer wants Jess to publish his account, word for word, and doing so is the only way Jess and FBI Agent Corrina Stone can find the killer before he completes his evil to kill Fifteen Times.Fifteen Times a Killer is the latest blockbuster from million-copy bestseller Alan McDermott."A gripping, dark and haunting voyage into the mind of a murderer. Not for the faint hearted." Alex Shaw, bestselling author of the Jake Tate thriller series."A heart-pounding, nail-biting read that keeps you guessing until the end." —Vivian Barz, bestselling author of FORGOTTEN BONES
- GenresThriller
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2021
68 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Alan McDermott
31 books773 followersAlan McDermott is a full time author from the south of England, married with beautiful twin daughters. He used to write critical applications for the NHS, but now he spends his days writing action thrillers.
His debut novel, Gray Justice, has been very well received and earned him membership of http://independentauthorsinternationa.... He was subsequently picked up by Thomas & Mercer, who published his first 10 books.
Alan's 7th novel Trojan was shortlisted for an ITW thriller award.
In March 2020 he release a new standalone called Motive, and the 7th Tom Gray will be released on June 4th 2020.
The reading order of Alan's books can be found at www.alanmcdermottbooks.co.uk
You can follow Alan on Twitter through his @Jambalian account and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GrayJustice
His debut novel, Gray Justice, has been very well received and earned him membership of http://independentauthorsinternationa.... He was subsequently picked up by Thomas & Mercer, who published his first 10 books.
Alan's 7th novel Trojan was shortlisted for an ITW thriller award.
In March 2020 he release a new standalone called Motive, and the 7th Tom Gray will be released on June 4th 2020.
The reading order of Alan's books can be found at www.alanmcdermottbooks.co.uk
You can follow Alan on Twitter through his @Jambalian account and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GrayJustice
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 28, 2021
This was an interesting listen and totally engrossing, I really needed to know how it would resolve. The different timelines and chapters really meant that I had to concentrate which is not a bad thing. The concept was interesting and I really wasnt sure how it would end.
My only issue was the interpretation of female voices, it took me a while to get used to them.
I was give a free copy by the author via the book club- audible listeners but the review is entirely my own.
My only issue was the interpretation of female voices, it took me a while to get used to them.
I was give a free copy by the author via the book club- audible listeners but the review is entirely my own.
March 11, 2021
Gritty and gruesome
If you don't mind the gory and gruesome descriptions throughout the book then you will find this a very entertaining story with plenty of thought provoking moral issues.
Whilst no one could condone what the 'villain' does I did find myself totally agreeing with their moral views regarding greed and corruption and his targets (at least the ones he ultimately wants to make suffer, rather than the actual victims) are the real villains.
In real life of course those many such villains will never change and will continue to destroy the planet, destroy society and destroy peoples lives. It would be nice if certain 'activists' would target people and companies like them because they are a much bigger threat to life than any amount of so-called 'climate change' which is just smoke and mirrors.
As you can tell from my 'rant'? this story, although mainly fiction, does make you think about real world problems long after you've finished reading.
If you care about anything, aren't one of the corrupt 'elite', or just want an entertaining read then this is highly recommended.
If you don't mind the gory and gruesome descriptions throughout the book then you will find this a very entertaining story with plenty of thought provoking moral issues.
Whilst no one could condone what the 'villain' does I did find myself totally agreeing with their moral views regarding greed and corruption and his targets (at least the ones he ultimately wants to make suffer, rather than the actual victims) are the real villains.
In real life of course those many such villains will never change and will continue to destroy the planet, destroy society and destroy peoples lives. It would be nice if certain 'activists' would target people and companies like them because they are a much bigger threat to life than any amount of so-called 'climate change' which is just smoke and mirrors.
As you can tell from my 'rant'? this story, although mainly fiction, does make you think about real world problems long after you've finished reading.
If you care about anything, aren't one of the corrupt 'elite', or just want an entertaining read then this is highly recommended.
January 26, 2022
Wow, I am not sure if I should be saying that I enjoyed listening to this story, bearing in mind the (at times) gruesome content, but I did!
I listened to the audio version of this book, and really enjoyed Tim Shafer's narration. The story weaves you through the mind of a serial killer, who (in his view) has a perfectly valid reason for his kills. His written descriptions of how he killed his victims are definitely not for the faint-hearted, however I found the story bringing me further into his life, as well as the lives of Jess the reporter and the FBI agent in charge.
I was on a roller coaster of a ride as the story progressed, and found myself wanting to know more details. I loved the suspense of trying to and eventually finding out the reasons behind their seemingly not related deaths and the story being told from the different perspectives. This audio book and story are well paced with solid believable characters, if you like your books on the dark side you are in for a treat!
When an unknown serial killer dubbed "Fifteen X" sends the beginning chapters of his manuscript to the journalist Jess Duffey, little did she know that she would become part of a team that discovers the bodies of a serial killer. Initially thinking she has received a prank gift, her curiosity gets the better of her as she follows the coordinates of where he claims to have buried his first victim. Jess finds herself working alongside the FBI and part of an investigative team to track down Fifteen X, one grisly chapter at a time.
I listened to the audio version of this book, and really enjoyed Tim Shafer's narration. The story weaves you through the mind of a serial killer, who (in his view) has a perfectly valid reason for his kills. His written descriptions of how he killed his victims are definitely not for the faint-hearted, however I found the story bringing me further into his life, as well as the lives of Jess the reporter and the FBI agent in charge.
I was on a roller coaster of a ride as the story progressed, and found myself wanting to know more details. I loved the suspense of trying to and eventually finding out the reasons behind their seemingly not related deaths and the story being told from the different perspectives. This audio book and story are well paced with solid believable characters, if you like your books on the dark side you are in for a treat!
When an unknown serial killer dubbed "Fifteen X" sends the beginning chapters of his manuscript to the journalist Jess Duffey, little did she know that she would become part of a team that discovers the bodies of a serial killer. Initially thinking she has received a prank gift, her curiosity gets the better of her as she follows the coordinates of where he claims to have buried his first victim. Jess finds herself working alongside the FBI and part of an investigative team to track down Fifteen X, one grisly chapter at a time.
January 25, 2022
I listened to the audiobook. I want to return it, but at the same time, I feel like I shouldn't because it was self-published and it doesn't seem right to?
I thought it was middle of the road. I didn't really enjoy it, but it was no worse than similar types of mysteries from big name publishing houses. This read like a grocery store paperback, which isn't a bad thing, I just...
It was the way he wrote his female lead and how he wrote about her love life. It was so cheesy and over-the-top, just awful and completely unbelievable. It made me wince.
Also, the crimes didn't make a lot of sense to me. The killer was trying to make a statement, but the method of killing didn't seem to fit his MO. It was gruesome just for the sake of being gruesome, fan-service, almost. I like a shockingly awful muder as much as the next person, but only when it's important to the plot. Here, it felt forced.
Oh, and there were large sections that were just the killer rambling on. Like, I know the confession letter was a big part of the plot, but I wasn't expecting a straight-up manifesto. (I'm all about life before profit, but good grief, it was tedious to hear him repeat himself again and again.)
I did like the concept, and the mystery wasn't bad.
Again, it was fine. It wasn't any worse than what you /would/ find next to the greeting cards at the grocery store. I just didn't really like it.
I thought it was middle of the road. I didn't really enjoy it, but it was no worse than similar types of mysteries from big name publishing houses. This read like a grocery store paperback, which isn't a bad thing, I just...
It was the way he wrote his female lead and how he wrote about her love life. It was so cheesy and over-the-top, just awful and completely unbelievable. It made me wince.
Also, the crimes didn't make a lot of sense to me. The killer was trying to make a statement, but the method of killing didn't seem to fit his MO. It was gruesome just for the sake of being gruesome, fan-service, almost. I like a shockingly awful muder as much as the next person, but only when it's important to the plot. Here, it felt forced.
Oh, and there were large sections that were just the killer rambling on. Like, I know the confession letter was a big part of the plot, but I wasn't expecting a straight-up manifesto. (I'm all about life before profit, but good grief, it was tedious to hear him repeat himself again and again.)
I did like the concept, and the mystery wasn't bad.
Again, it was fine. It wasn't any worse than what you /would/ find next to the greeting cards at the grocery store. I just didn't really like it.
February 27, 2021
"I hoped to take her through the night, but she passed away just before ten. Cause of death; every thing I could think of."
This one combined two of my favorites - a great crime thriller and deliciously gory, detailed killing scenes. No, I'm not a serial killer, but I do appreciate an author that doesn't hold back with the gruesome details. I want to be reading silently, and have my husband ask me why my face looks like that - an "oh, my God that's gross" kind of look.
This was a great thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and glued to my Kindle. As the killer's motives became clear through out the story, his misguided belief that he was doing what was right was both terrifying and sad at the same time. The events that broke this killer were nothing many of us haven't experienced too, but he took his desire to hurt those that contributed or caused it too far.
And that ending? Well, let's just say I can't wait for more!
P.S: "This little piggy....."
This one combined two of my favorites - a great crime thriller and deliciously gory, detailed killing scenes. No, I'm not a serial killer, but I do appreciate an author that doesn't hold back with the gruesome details. I want to be reading silently, and have my husband ask me why my face looks like that - an "oh, my God that's gross" kind of look.
This was a great thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and glued to my Kindle. As the killer's motives became clear through out the story, his misguided belief that he was doing what was right was both terrifying and sad at the same time. The events that broke this killer were nothing many of us haven't experienced too, but he took his desire to hurt those that contributed or caused it too far.
And that ending? Well, let's just say I can't wait for more!
P.S: "This little piggy....."
February 10, 2021
If you love a serial killer story, if you love something gruesome, you’ll love this. If, as I am, you’re already a huge fan of the author’s work, you’ll not be disappointed. I think he’s excelled himself. A serial killer torturing victims to death, a police officer, an FBI agent, and an ambitious journalist are pitted against one another to stop the man and bring him to justice. Some of the cases are almost a decade old, but some are still happening. It’s a tense puzzle of a story and very exciting. McDermott has pulled a real belter out of the bag. I hope it’s the start of a series.
February 16, 2021
Love Alan McDermott books, always packed with action and pace but for me this was a bit too graphic. The story line is excellent punishing those who have escaped the justice system. Both the police and FBI are involved in solving the problem of old cases dating back more than 10 years but when the deaths and disappearances start to happen more frequently, time is running out.
Next time Alan let’s see the return of Tom Gray, please!
Next time Alan let’s see the return of Tom Gray, please!
January 11, 2022
AUDIOBOOK
Wow this is really a dark and disturbing audio about a serial killer who is taunting the press and the FBI with graphic descriptions of his murders and leading them to the body’s but not leaving any clues. This is not an audio for the feint hearted as it’s very graphic and the narrator on this book had a really great tone for this kind of story. I can’t believe it ended how it did either but I’m not spoiling anything
Wow this is really a dark and disturbing audio about a serial killer who is taunting the press and the FBI with graphic descriptions of his murders and leading them to the body’s but not leaving any clues. This is not an audio for the feint hearted as it’s very graphic and the narrator on this book had a really great tone for this kind of story. I can’t believe it ended how it did either but I’m not spoiling anything
January 20, 2022
I listened to the audio book of this book, and what a book it was. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, with graphic details of how the killer tormented his victims until their death, but the story kept you wanting more. Who would be the next victim and what would be the reasons behind their death. Posing some interesting moral questions along the way, it interwove these with the serial killer's story as well as following the chase to catch him by the FBI and a reporter. If you want a story that keeps you engaged through the book, with pace and good characters this is for you.
January 26, 2022
This is an intense, fast paced thriller with an intriguing storyline which makes you think about what is happening in the world. It is certainly not for the faint hearted because there are lots of prolonged, very gruesome torture scenes. Although I enjoyed the book, I felt that there were just too many torture scenes. I'm not squeamish, so that didn't bother me, but for me they just became boring towards the end of the book.
The narration by Tim Shafer was excellent.
The narration by Tim Shafer was excellent.
February 26, 2021
Thrilling!
I read this book because the author is friends with one of my author friends. I was not disappointed and did the one more chapter thing into practically the next day. I'm glad I'm not the type of person who has nightmares because this book would certainly give them to me. I can't wait for the next one!
I read this book because the author is friends with one of my author friends. I was not disappointed and did the one more chapter thing into practically the next day. I'm glad I'm not the type of person who has nightmares because this book would certainly give them to me. I can't wait for the next one!
April 13, 2021
A bit gory, a bit gruesome but undoubtedly an excellent read.
Alan Mc Dermott has changed his game plan a bit here. That hasn’t upset his skill of navigating his
Way through a good storyline, dedicated characters and creating a page turning addiction, that comes from readers wanting to know what happens next, what will I learn when I turn the page!
Alan Mc Dermott has changed his game plan a bit here. That hasn’t upset his skill of navigating his
Way through a good storyline, dedicated characters and creating a page turning addiction, that comes from readers wanting to know what happens next, what will I learn when I turn the page!
April 17, 2021
Fifteen X is A Page Turner
Not for the squeamish! Fans of Alan McDermott’s will find that this is totally different from anything that’s he’s written before. Gruesome details of each killing are not easy to read but keeps you wanting to turn the pages to the very end to see how they eventually find this killer.
Not for the squeamish! Fans of Alan McDermott’s will find that this is totally different from anything that’s he’s written before. Gruesome details of each killing are not easy to read but keeps you wanting to turn the pages to the very end to see how they eventually find this killer.
February 16, 2021
Dreadful novel worst I've read, empty character's, poor storyline and gratuitous graphic violence
Horrible story don't bother reading this junk it's revolting and disgusting and not worthy of a writer that I've read everything by
Horrible story don't bother reading this junk it's revolting and disgusting and not worthy of a writer that I've read everything by
February 25, 2021
Fifteen times a killer...
Fifteen reasons why.....all thought provoking and horrific in the way they are justified.
Did I really feel sympathy for this killer? I guess that’s the question Mr Ryan wants to leave us with.
Fifteen reasons why.....all thought provoking and horrific in the way they are justified.
Did I really feel sympathy for this killer? I guess that’s the question Mr Ryan wants to leave us with.
March 5, 2021
Superb
I have read all of Alan books and this, as a one off (possibly he said in hope!) Is one of the best. Great storyline, great characters and a couple of twists. You will not be disappointed.......
I have read all of Alan books and this, as a one off (possibly he said in hope!) Is one of the best. Great storyline, great characters and a couple of twists. You will not be disappointed.......
March 11, 2021
Intense thriller with several characters who combine to create an exceptional novel. Usually once you know who the perpetrator is the story ends, but not in Fifteen Times A Killer. The suspense escalates with each page turned. Don't miss out on an outstanding read.
April 16, 2021
I've read all of Alan McDermott's books and love them, Fifteen Times a Killer is gruesome but phenomenal! The storyline is fantastic with twists I couldn't see coming. I couldn't put it down, I just needed to know what happens next. I really hope this is the start of another incredible series.
June 22, 2021
From first page to last it was a rollercoaster of a book, I could not put it down but at the same time I was hesitant as to what would happen.
This is the 5th book of Allen’s I have read and all of them were just as good. Can’t wait for the next one
This is the 5th book of Allen’s I have read and all of them were just as good. Can’t wait for the next one
August 5, 2021
Grizzly
Decent story and characters, as expected from Alan. I often read at night to relax before bed. Some of the gruesome details were a bit too dark just before trying to sleep. If you can cope, it’s a worthy read.
Decent story and characters, as expected from Alan. I often read at night to relax before bed. Some of the gruesome details were a bit too dark just before trying to sleep. If you can cope, it’s a worthy read.
April 18, 2023
Fast pacing and violent but a great read!
This is a fast pacing novel, very violent in places but in the context of the story. Corrina and Jess paying an ultimate price, but also winning through the killer’s warped mind set. Very interesting and gripping.
This is a fast pacing novel, very violent in places but in the context of the story. Corrina and Jess paying an ultimate price, but also winning through the killer’s warped mind set. Very interesting and gripping.
April 27, 2025
A great thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat especially whenever the killer Fifteen-X sends out his gory chapters. Not for the faint hearted!
My heart goes out to Jess, she didn’t deserve what happened to her and all for Claire to regain her popularity back argh!!! ｡°(°.◜ᯅ◝°)°｡
My heart goes out to Jess, she didn’t deserve what happened to her and all for Claire to regain her popularity back argh!!! ｡°(°.◜ᯅ◝°)°｡
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2021
Gripping
I quite enjoyed reading this book, a bit too descriptive at times, however I feel that it was required to be that way so that the story flowed. A slight twist in the end.
I quite enjoyed reading this book, a bit too descriptive at times, however I feel that it was required to be that way so that the story flowed. A slight twist in the end.
March 6, 2021
Hi
Great read had trouble putting it down. Hope there will be more in the series with same people featured in it
Great read had trouble putting it down. Hope there will be more in the series with same people featured in it
June 21, 2021
Great book. Parts are a bit gruesome, but like some of McDermott’s other novels, some very strong takes on today’s societies, which found me sympathising with the Serial Killer on the why.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews