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The Kitten
Sexual crimes against children are a unique type of brutality. They condemn the victim to a lifetime of hell with repercussions that reach far beyond the life of the abuser. We hear about these atrocities all the time and feel powerless to stop them. But what if you could do something? If you could spare even one child the loss of their innocence in such a cruel manner, would you?
The Kitten tells the story of Chelle McCall, a sexual abuse survivor who dedicates her life to hunting pedophiles. As a child, she was assaulted by her grandfather for several years. The trauma of her experience was devastating, but instead of letting it destroy her, she chose to fight back. Now a young woman in her twenties, Chelle is a smart-ass, caffeine-addicted, classic rock-loving serial killer of pedophiles. She works for the Riverside County Sheriff’s department in their Crime Statistics Division and uses this position to identify her targets. Together with her best friend, Parker, a gay mortician from Palm Springs, they track, kill, and dispose of these predators.
Battling the constant anxiety brought on by the pain of her experiences, Chelle puts on her big girl panties and seeks therapy, proving to herself and the criminals she targets that she is strong enough to protect the children who come behind her.
The Kitten tells the story of Chelle McCall, a sexual abuse survivor who dedicates her life to hunting pedophiles. As a child, she was assaulted by her grandfather for several years. The trauma of her experience was devastating, but instead of letting it destroy her, she chose to fight back. Now a young woman in her twenties, Chelle is a smart-ass, caffeine-addicted, classic rock-loving serial killer of pedophiles. She works for the Riverside County Sheriff’s department in their Crime Statistics Division and uses this position to identify her targets. Together with her best friend, Parker, a gay mortician from Palm Springs, they track, kill, and dispose of these predators.
Battling the constant anxiety brought on by the pain of her experiences, Chelle puts on her big girl panties and seeks therapy, proving to herself and the criminals she targets that she is strong enough to protect the children who come behind her.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2021
4 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Jameson
2 books9 followersWhile freely admitting she is a book addict, it is not an admission of guilt, but more a badge she proudly displays for all the world to see. One can never have too many book cases and decorating with books is pure genius. She does admit to judging potential friends based upon the number of books displayed in their home, or the lack thereof.
The Waystation, won the Illumination Awards 2019 Gold Medal for best Christian fiction in the Enduring Light category. That's fiction published between the years 2000-2019! 2018 eLit Award, Silver Medal for Religious Fiction.
The Kitten, is about a young woman who was victimized as a child and grows up to be a serial killer or pedophiles. 2021 Winner of NY Big Book Award, Distinguished Favorite, 2021 indieBRAG Award. 2023 Winner of Speak Up Talk Radio, Firebird Book Award for Best Revenge Novel.
Her third, Violet's Violin, published under the pen name of Jameson-Sims, is a civil war ghost story told through the diary entries of a young woman between 1860 and 1864. Winner of Best Historical Fiction, and Best Southern Fiction from Speak Up Talk Radio, 2024 Firebird Book Awards.
The Waystation, won the Illumination Awards 2019 Gold Medal for best Christian fiction in the Enduring Light category. That's fiction published between the years 2000-2019! 2018 eLit Award, Silver Medal for Religious Fiction.
The Kitten, is about a young woman who was victimized as a child and grows up to be a serial killer or pedophiles. 2021 Winner of NY Big Book Award, Distinguished Favorite, 2021 indieBRAG Award. 2023 Winner of Speak Up Talk Radio, Firebird Book Award for Best Revenge Novel.
Her third, Violet's Violin, published under the pen name of Jameson-Sims, is a civil war ghost story told through the diary entries of a young woman between 1860 and 1864. Winner of Best Historical Fiction, and Best Southern Fiction from Speak Up Talk Radio, 2024 Firebird Book Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 16, 2021
Chelle is a serial killer you can't help but like. A story of revenge that will draw you in.
April 1, 2021
Compelling and Intriguing Read
This is a story you’ve never read before! The Kitten is a somewhat dark tale, full of surprises, and served up with a bit of humor. Laurie Jameson writes in a way that really makes me think. I’m going to be thinking about this one for a long time. She is fast becoming a favorite author and I can’t wait to read more from her!
This is a story you’ve never read before! The Kitten is a somewhat dark tale, full of surprises, and served up with a bit of humor. Laurie Jameson writes in a way that really makes me think. I’m going to be thinking about this one for a long time. She is fast becoming a favorite author and I can’t wait to read more from her!
September 13, 2021
Sacha's Book Reviews Blog
This was my thirteenth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. I was intrigued by the preview and also in the mood for a short thrill of a read. This review also appears on Reedsy.
If you're interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid "tips" to review books!) check it out here.
The Premise
After surviving traumatic abuse by her grandfather as a child, Chelle is now in her twenties and working in the Sheriff’s Department in the Crime Statistics Division — the perfect spot to monitor nearby pedophiles. With the help of her best friend Parker the mortician, she tracks, kills and disposes of predators that have eluded justice. She considers herself to be doing a public service, and it all goes well — until she comes across the wrong pedophile.
The Pros & Cons
This was a unique vigilante women’s fiction thriller with a twist of dark comedy.
As a survivor, Chelle knows that unfortunately, far too many of these sadistic criminals never get to see the full brunt of justice. Using her access at her job, she makes it her mission to follow up on those that slip through the cracks, and wipe them off the face of the earth — literally. Luckily, she has the wits and the means, thanks to her partner in crime Parker, who runs a mortuary and has a handy cremator she can use.
The novel’s writing style swings from a whimsically comedic image of Chelle belting out rock songs post-kill, to a low-swinging gut-punch of a reality check when she sees a pedophile’s shrine:
I grieve for each freckled and rosy-cheeked innocent face. These girls will never be the same. Their futures have been irrevocably changed, and their spirits often damaged beyond repair… I imagine the power of their nightmares and mourn for them.
The plot is filled with memorable characters that compel you to keep reading. I enjoyed Chelle’s interaction with her kidnapper, and her cunning methods to outsmart him. Despite the grave subject matter, there is a good balance of humour and entertainment, interlaced with a constant reminder that she is not a bloodlust killer, but imbued with purpose and mission:
I am not a crazed, homicidal maniac. I’m not some sicko looking to rack up a long list of kills. I don’t save trophies. I get no pleasure from what I do. I simply do what needs to be done. I’m a protector; a defender of the innocent.
My only qualm with the novel is that it has some non-linear moments and some cutaways that distracted me from the plot. For instance, we learn the kidnapper’s motives before Chelle actually does (though she is the narrator), which was a bit disappointing for me personally as I would’ve liked to see that moment unfold in real-time. The novel also felt a bit short, and I would have liked more, but I could see it being developed into a longer series.
Conclusion
Overall, there seemed to be a tenuous precariousness between “must entertain readers” and “must provide assistance” — and I think the author achieved a fair balance of the two. I appreciated that resources for reporting and coping with abuse were provided, and that therapy was included as a plot device. Even as we smile and breathe a sigh of relief at Chelle’s close calls, at no point do we forget that child abuse is a very real and pervasive issue in society.
Chelle was an engaging protagonist, and there was enough suspense interlaced with the humour and the drama to propel the novel forward to its satisfying climax. If you like TV shows like “Dexter” with a women’s fiction twist like the dark comedy of “Dead To Me”, this would be a good pick.
___________
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April 21, 2022
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: The Kitten
Author: Laurie Jameson
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 3/5
Of the 15 readers:
11 would read another book by this author.
10 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
11 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
13 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
11 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I have seen several vigilante films, but never read a vigilante novel. Although the message is uncomfortable for me – killing is never right – this is a compelling novel. I do think the author needs to work on the speech between the characters. But, if you are looking for a vigilante-type book, you´ll probably enjoy this.” Female reader, aged 45
“Fast-paced, plenty happening, lots of twists. This is a fab vigilante novel. And, let´s face it, we all love watching vigilante films where the bad guys get what´s coming to them. Yes, it´s probably wrong, but it feels good anyway.” Male reader, aged 64
“Although this is a grim topic, the author throws in a little humour here and there, which I liked. I also thought the protagonist, Chelle, was interesting, well-developed as a character, and fun to follow. This is dark stuff, but it will appeal to many readers who enjoy strong-minded female characters taking control. I would never recommend Chelle´s lifestyle of hunting down sex predicators, but it´s a good read!” Female reader, aged 43
“Loved the cover, loved the premise, liked the writing style. Punchy, funny, a little twisted. The only problem for me was the novel was way too short. I was just getting into it, and it was all over.” Male reader. Aged 33
To Sum It Up:
‘A fast-paced vigilante-style novel with a strong, female protagonist. A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: The Kitten
Author: Laurie Jameson
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 3/5
Of the 15 readers:
11 would read another book by this author.
10 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
11 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
13 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
11 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I have seen several vigilante films, but never read a vigilante novel. Although the message is uncomfortable for me – killing is never right – this is a compelling novel. I do think the author needs to work on the speech between the characters. But, if you are looking for a vigilante-type book, you´ll probably enjoy this.” Female reader, aged 45
“Fast-paced, plenty happening, lots of twists. This is a fab vigilante novel. And, let´s face it, we all love watching vigilante films where the bad guys get what´s coming to them. Yes, it´s probably wrong, but it feels good anyway.” Male reader, aged 64
“Although this is a grim topic, the author throws in a little humour here and there, which I liked. I also thought the protagonist, Chelle, was interesting, well-developed as a character, and fun to follow. This is dark stuff, but it will appeal to many readers who enjoy strong-minded female characters taking control. I would never recommend Chelle´s lifestyle of hunting down sex predicators, but it´s a good read!” Female reader, aged 43
“Loved the cover, loved the premise, liked the writing style. Punchy, funny, a little twisted. The only problem for me was the novel was way too short. I was just getting into it, and it was all over.” Male reader. Aged 33
To Sum It Up:
‘A fast-paced vigilante-style novel with a strong, female protagonist. A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
October 13, 2021
We are proud to announce that KITTEN by Laurie Jameson has been honored with the B.R.A.G.Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.
March 17, 2025
This was an interesting read. I was searching for a title that started with "K," and nothing captured my attention. Then, based on some recent reads of dark romance and suspense/thriller books, this appeared on Storygraph. The AI description captured my attention. The beginning of the book made me queasy, and I was not entirely sure I could read it as it had similar vibes to the start of the book "Room." But I'm glad I continued. The vigilante Female Main Character, her best friend, male queer sidekick, and quirky aunt made for an interesting trio. I enjoyed the character development and walkthrough of searching for the perfect predator to the end of their untimely death at the hands of our FMC. It had some adventure in the middle that could have been built on its own, but ended in a humorous plot twist. I enjoyed the book, but I don't recommend it eagerly to others. It had a little of everything: murder, suspense, captivity, and humor. I strongly encourage readers to check the trigger warnings.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews