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Swine
As the last person left the room, Swinton saw the pig. His throat closed up and he gagged as the air was knocked out of his stomach.
“Holy shit,” was all he managed to think at first glance. Sure, Swinton was used to gruesome scenes, but not like this.
Set in a fictional town in Montana, Swine follows serial killer Jack Webster, who turns each victim into a work of macabre art. Each display has special meaning, and two detectives must figure them out in order to catch him. But when Howard Swinton, a sore team player, alienates Wesley Harris for being a rookie, Harris is drawn into a relationship with Jack. As his convictions develop, Harris must determine whose side he’s really on, while struggling with the question not just of how to catch the killer, but whether he wants the killer to be caught in the first place.
“Holy shit,” was all he managed to think at first glance. Sure, Swinton was used to gruesome scenes, but not like this.
Set in a fictional town in Montana, Swine follows serial killer Jack Webster, who turns each victim into a work of macabre art. Each display has special meaning, and two detectives must figure them out in order to catch him. But when Howard Swinton, a sore team player, alienates Wesley Harris for being a rookie, Harris is drawn into a relationship with Jack. As his convictions develop, Harris must determine whose side he’s really on, while struggling with the question not just of how to catch the killer, but whether he wants the killer to be caught in the first place.
- GenresHorror
340 pages, Paperback
Published August 24, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 22, 2021
SWINE by Monica Vogel is a fun story about a twisted serial killer focused on bringing our own hypocrisies to light. The deaths are works of art and are meant to make a bold statement. I kept getting both Dexter and Se7en vibes while reading in all the best ways. The cat and mouse game is fun and there are so many twists and turns to keep you focused and engaged. The opening chapter is so in your face that you can't help but tear through this book cover to cover. It had a few too many police/procedural scenes for my taste, but that it just me and does not take away from how I think others can enjoy this. There are cool photos/art in the book as well that help show what is being laid out on the pages. I think this book has some super creepy scenes and has quite a message for society today. Interested in more from this author already and will keep my eyes peeled!
November 24, 2021
Okay, so it's definitely been a while since I've read a crime novel. I can't remember the last one I read. I was somewhat worried that I would struggle to read this seeing as my brain is geared for more toward cosmic horror than serial killers...
But I need not have worried. This is a fantastic novel, with an engaging plot, fascinating characters, and no shortage of moral quandaries. Despite work, tiredness, and low moods, I made good time with reading this book and was always looking forward to reading more.
Vogel has a way of exploring complex psychological and philosophical topics in a manner that makes them accessible to the layman, inviting readers to question society and themselves. There is a relateability to Jack Webster that makes him a truly fascinating villain (or, in some ways maybe, an anti-hero?).
It's hard to explain my thoughts without going into spoiler territory. To an extent I really don't know how to sum up my thoughts. I'm pretty awful at reviews anyway.
Suffice to say, my loyalties were divided throughout the story, split between wanting to see the police succeed and wanting to see the killer escape. They were all likeable in their way, despite their flaws; and if not likeable, definitely interesting.
The writing was well-polished, dialogue realistic, and deep topics were introduced without feeling like lectures. The descriptions of the murders were vivid without anything gratuitous, and the illustrations were superb (shout-out to Kean Yin).
I don't know what more to say. All I know is I loved this book and you should read it. I think it will appeal to horror fans, and it's one many may find themselves connecting to in interesting ways.
But I need not have worried. This is a fantastic novel, with an engaging plot, fascinating characters, and no shortage of moral quandaries. Despite work, tiredness, and low moods, I made good time with reading this book and was always looking forward to reading more.
Vogel has a way of exploring complex psychological and philosophical topics in a manner that makes them accessible to the layman, inviting readers to question society and themselves. There is a relateability to Jack Webster that makes him a truly fascinating villain (or, in some ways maybe, an anti-hero?).
It's hard to explain my thoughts without going into spoiler territory. To an extent I really don't know how to sum up my thoughts. I'm pretty awful at reviews anyway.
Suffice to say, my loyalties were divided throughout the story, split between wanting to see the police succeed and wanting to see the killer escape. They were all likeable in their way, despite their flaws; and if not likeable, definitely interesting.
The writing was well-polished, dialogue realistic, and deep topics were introduced without feeling like lectures. The descriptions of the murders were vivid without anything gratuitous, and the illustrations were superb (shout-out to Kean Yin).
I don't know what more to say. All I know is I loved this book and you should read it. I think it will appeal to horror fans, and it's one many may find themselves connecting to in interesting ways.
August 27, 2021
Honestly, I'm quite scared guys! Monica has created such a complex serial killer -- I can see how a genius could become fed up and lash out.
Let's just say this serial killer takes your virtues and repurposes them, to gift back to society. So watch out, he's past the point of discussing the hypocrisy in which you reek.
So you may ask: What spawned this artsy, intellectual killer? Well, his early years were full of beatings from a dad who was a pastor and whose virtues changed to match his personal desires. His mom was full of excuses for her husband. I won't spoil when/how Jack starts his murderous journey, but it is a doozy.
And even though we know who the serial killer is, it is the complexity of Jack, the way he wins over a cop assigned his murders, the artful techniques, and the opposite philosophical views he holds that chillingly make sense. It will have you questioning a lot.
I will say I was saddened more at one killing in particular than the others, because I had built up a fondness for him, but the author told me "he had to go"!
If any of this intrigues you, do yourself a favor and preorder a copy. Release date is August 31st!
Also the ending leaves it open for a sequel!
Let's just say this serial killer takes your virtues and repurposes them, to gift back to society. So watch out, he's past the point of discussing the hypocrisy in which you reek.
So you may ask: What spawned this artsy, intellectual killer? Well, his early years were full of beatings from a dad who was a pastor and whose virtues changed to match his personal desires. His mom was full of excuses for her husband. I won't spoil when/how Jack starts his murderous journey, but it is a doozy.
And even though we know who the serial killer is, it is the complexity of Jack, the way he wins over a cop assigned his murders, the artful techniques, and the opposite philosophical views he holds that chillingly make sense. It will have you questioning a lot.
I will say I was saddened more at one killing in particular than the others, because I had built up a fondness for him, but the author told me "he had to go"!
If any of this intrigues you, do yourself a favor and preorder a copy. Release date is August 31st!
Also the ending leaves it open for a sequel!
August 27, 2021
There’s a motivated serial killer at work within the pages of Swine — a methodical, surgical sociopath whose distaste for society’s hypocrisy has reached a fever pitch, leaving law enforcement puzzled at crimes scenes while pondering motives and meaning behind disturbing, artistic murder displays such as human organs stuffed inside a gutted pig. It’s all the handiwork of Jack Webster, who has a bone or two to pick with the world.
“Besides, it wasn’t as if he didn’t care about anyone, which would have made it insurmountably difficult to pretend; he simply didn’t care about the people he was going to murder. No, they were the epitome of what drew mankind into the oblivion of stupidity, plagued with hypocrisy, dragging the earth behind it without a care in the world.”
While the murders are dubbed the Pig Killings for the first two appalling discoveries, the butchering artist of death doesn’t discriminate against using other animals in his work, for victim number three is found with as much darkly dramatic flair, mounted in a hunting shop amidst other taxidermy displays.
“There was no head . . . Well, correction: there was no human head. On top of the body, whose arms ended in stumps around the middle of where the forearm should have been and whose legs ended in stumps around the middle of the calf, sat a mounted impala head.”
The owner of that shop — as well as other hunting and taxidermy stores — is Susan McNeer, who becomes more than a little involved in the murder investigation. Her close involvement in the case is far from customary (despite her business interests in play), courtesy of a far-from-customary cop by the name of Howard Swinton, who is known to wander off the beaten path when it comes to solving cases. But given the officer’s track record, his leash is intentionally left loose.
While Swinton is unhappy about being assigned to the case under the lead of inexperienced and much-younger Wesley Harris, the seasoned officer has no qualms about undermining his “superior,” as well as standard procedures, for he discusses all the crime scene details with Susan, who — by the way — just might be sleeping with the Pig Killer.
This novel makes you think in unexpected ways. Thoughts are provoked on the surface by creative and often cringy plot elements, and questions take root far below the surface — on a lingering level — that can grow enough to bloom into full-blown internal arguments. There’s timely references to Orwell’s Animal Farm, coupled with compelling conversation on survivalism that strongly knocks on Darwin’s door — and all of which seems to serve as admissible evidence in the case of Jack Webster vs. The World.
“Gradually, he began to fancy seeing himself as an intricate artist painting over the diseased ugliness of the world.”
Jack is an intriguing cat. He is nimble, he is quick, with a mind that many will consider sick. He sees himself as an apex predator in a world filled with intellectual inferiors. He’s calculated, purpose-driven, educated, and sophisticated in ways that juxtapose his insidious M.O. Well-versed in classic orchestral music, Jack prefers listening to the soothing strings while performing surgery on his cadavers, seeking the right mood to carve out the right cuts for his cannibalistic appetite. After all, in his words, it’s pure hypocrisy to think that humans should be allowed to consume other animals while not also eating their own kind.
Which brings us to the driving force behind the killings, if not the underlying theme of the novel. And while Randy from Scream tells us that motives became incidental with the millennium, the Swine murders are unmistakably motive-driven, fueled by disgust for — and an indictment of — society’s hypocrisy.
“‘I want society to be angry at itself, and I want it to know that I am angry at it.’”
Because of the inventive nature of the murders along with the organ harvesting vibes, at times it felt like wandering into a butcher shop of the macabre, where a grinning Dexter Morgan greets you at the door and quietly closes it behind you, while inside Hannibal Lecter stares at you from behind a lethal array of surgical instruments, and much to your dismay, your name is written boldly on the menu board.
Where Swine differs from your traditional whodunnit is that the reader knows exactly who did it almost immediately, and because the killer is so close to all the major players — including investigators — there’s this satisfying sense of being in the know of some grand dark secret, especially while watching Jack interact with those out of the know, and seeing how he teases them with subtle hints and clever wordplay.
Ms. Vogel is a skilled writer who is capable of conveying profound insights through poetry, vivid imagery, as well as dark metaphor. The narrative reads smoothly and is rather humorous at times — in spite of the grisly context — for most of the Author’s wording breathes with a singular scent of sarcasm.
Funneling to the finale, Swine is a strong, thought-provoking debut novel, replete with compelling concepts, pulsing with profound meaning between the lines. But perhaps most importantly, this book is a bold first statement made by a well-educated young Author, showcasing scary potential for what should be a promising career for years to come.
“Besides, it wasn’t as if he didn’t care about anyone, which would have made it insurmountably difficult to pretend; he simply didn’t care about the people he was going to murder. No, they were the epitome of what drew mankind into the oblivion of stupidity, plagued with hypocrisy, dragging the earth behind it without a care in the world.”
While the murders are dubbed the Pig Killings for the first two appalling discoveries, the butchering artist of death doesn’t discriminate against using other animals in his work, for victim number three is found with as much darkly dramatic flair, mounted in a hunting shop amidst other taxidermy displays.
“There was no head . . . Well, correction: there was no human head. On top of the body, whose arms ended in stumps around the middle of where the forearm should have been and whose legs ended in stumps around the middle of the calf, sat a mounted impala head.”
The owner of that shop — as well as other hunting and taxidermy stores — is Susan McNeer, who becomes more than a little involved in the murder investigation. Her close involvement in the case is far from customary (despite her business interests in play), courtesy of a far-from-customary cop by the name of Howard Swinton, who is known to wander off the beaten path when it comes to solving cases. But given the officer’s track record, his leash is intentionally left loose.
While Swinton is unhappy about being assigned to the case under the lead of inexperienced and much-younger Wesley Harris, the seasoned officer has no qualms about undermining his “superior,” as well as standard procedures, for he discusses all the crime scene details with Susan, who — by the way — just might be sleeping with the Pig Killer.
This novel makes you think in unexpected ways. Thoughts are provoked on the surface by creative and often cringy plot elements, and questions take root far below the surface — on a lingering level — that can grow enough to bloom into full-blown internal arguments. There’s timely references to Orwell’s Animal Farm, coupled with compelling conversation on survivalism that strongly knocks on Darwin’s door — and all of which seems to serve as admissible evidence in the case of Jack Webster vs. The World.
“Gradually, he began to fancy seeing himself as an intricate artist painting over the diseased ugliness of the world.”
Jack is an intriguing cat. He is nimble, he is quick, with a mind that many will consider sick. He sees himself as an apex predator in a world filled with intellectual inferiors. He’s calculated, purpose-driven, educated, and sophisticated in ways that juxtapose his insidious M.O. Well-versed in classic orchestral music, Jack prefers listening to the soothing strings while performing surgery on his cadavers, seeking the right mood to carve out the right cuts for his cannibalistic appetite. After all, in his words, it’s pure hypocrisy to think that humans should be allowed to consume other animals while not also eating their own kind.
Which brings us to the driving force behind the killings, if not the underlying theme of the novel. And while Randy from Scream tells us that motives became incidental with the millennium, the Swine murders are unmistakably motive-driven, fueled by disgust for — and an indictment of — society’s hypocrisy.
“‘I want society to be angry at itself, and I want it to know that I am angry at it.’”
Because of the inventive nature of the murders along with the organ harvesting vibes, at times it felt like wandering into a butcher shop of the macabre, where a grinning Dexter Morgan greets you at the door and quietly closes it behind you, while inside Hannibal Lecter stares at you from behind a lethal array of surgical instruments, and much to your dismay, your name is written boldly on the menu board.
Where Swine differs from your traditional whodunnit is that the reader knows exactly who did it almost immediately, and because the killer is so close to all the major players — including investigators — there’s this satisfying sense of being in the know of some grand dark secret, especially while watching Jack interact with those out of the know, and seeing how he teases them with subtle hints and clever wordplay.
Ms. Vogel is a skilled writer who is capable of conveying profound insights through poetry, vivid imagery, as well as dark metaphor. The narrative reads smoothly and is rather humorous at times — in spite of the grisly context — for most of the Author’s wording breathes with a singular scent of sarcasm.
Funneling to the finale, Swine is a strong, thought-provoking debut novel, replete with compelling concepts, pulsing with profound meaning between the lines. But perhaps most importantly, this book is a bold first statement made by a well-educated young Author, showcasing scary potential for what should be a promising career for years to come.
August 26, 2021
Swine addresses religion, hypocrisy, morals, and intellect in a way that could make even the most devout believer ponder over religious and societal norms.
Jack is fed up with the people who easily fall prey to ideals that don’t line up with his own, so he takes matters into his own hands by making creatively macabre examples of his victims.
Detectives Swinton and Harris follow the artistically driven trail of a serial killer, in obvious hope of nabbing him and bringing the uniquely bloody ride to an end.
In piecing this gory puzzle together, one detective finds he’s not quite at odds with the message being served. Society is blinded by tradition and cooperation, and perhaps this killer makes a solid point, albeit in a gruesome and excessive manner.
On which side will the conflicted detective land? You’ll have to read to find out!
This was an excellent and thought-provoking read. It held my attention with all the bloody twists and turns. It inspired me to dig deeper into my beliefs and really contemplate the ideals that have been served up on a silver platter. Are these the ideals I’ll hold tight to, or do I find fault in some of the concepts I’ve been fed my whole life?
Fair warning: Christians like myself, either uber religious or divinely inspired may find parts of this story to be a tad hurtful. That being said, any jabs at Christianity were thoroughly explained via the characters’ back stories. They served a purpose and Monica did an excellent job at illustrating those characters’ feelings and beliefs.
An excellent read with many musical references, slight Dexter vibes, and impressive prose. I highly recommend this book to those who love a good serial killer slasher.
Well done, Monica. I’ll be waiting for book two with bated breath. 💀
Jack is fed up with the people who easily fall prey to ideals that don’t line up with his own, so he takes matters into his own hands by making creatively macabre examples of his victims.
Detectives Swinton and Harris follow the artistically driven trail of a serial killer, in obvious hope of nabbing him and bringing the uniquely bloody ride to an end.
In piecing this gory puzzle together, one detective finds he’s not quite at odds with the message being served. Society is blinded by tradition and cooperation, and perhaps this killer makes a solid point, albeit in a gruesome and excessive manner.
On which side will the conflicted detective land? You’ll have to read to find out!
This was an excellent and thought-provoking read. It held my attention with all the bloody twists and turns. It inspired me to dig deeper into my beliefs and really contemplate the ideals that have been served up on a silver platter. Are these the ideals I’ll hold tight to, or do I find fault in some of the concepts I’ve been fed my whole life?
Fair warning: Christians like myself, either uber religious or divinely inspired may find parts of this story to be a tad hurtful. That being said, any jabs at Christianity were thoroughly explained via the characters’ back stories. They served a purpose and Monica did an excellent job at illustrating those characters’ feelings and beliefs.
An excellent read with many musical references, slight Dexter vibes, and impressive prose. I highly recommend this book to those who love a good serial killer slasher.
Well done, Monica. I’ll be waiting for book two with bated breath. 💀
March 14, 2022
Swine is a mystery novel in the vein of Silence of the Lambs.
And honestly it's kind of only tangentially related, because I don't have that much experience within crime/detective/serial killer novels outside of true crime events as narrated by an author who is all facts no emotions.
As a book on its own though it delivers very much on the mystery/crime aspect. Following the twists and turns had me enamored. Vogel excels when it comes to the precision of the crime scenes, of deconstructing a mystery to follow and let the readers find their way through it with the leads.
Between the fun illustrations and the analytical eye to each of the unique crime scenes, the messages left to decipher, I do think this was the strongest part of the story.
That isn't to say everything else was weak.
However, I did personally find the three leads falling into tropes. The lone wolf cop, the timid but smart newbie, and the civilian who has no reason to be involved but keeps fucking putting her foot in. And the reason I score this as a negative is that for a good chunk of the way through, perhaps 3/4ths(,) of the way, the tropes and cliches of how they worked and spoke was a tad bit irritating.
And I'll be honest, partway through I'd just kind of became blind to these characters as a means to an end. I had to follow them to see how the entire book played out.
THEN
Monica Vogel decides to turn the last fourths into a curve ball that really built some interesting dynamics, with some very unexpected twists.
A lot of these portions are bogged down by philosophical rants/explanations. They do a good job of pushing the story forwards, and to its point, but there's moments where it gets to be a bit too much, especially while the characters are in that state of "shut up and get me to the mystery" state.
Those negatives aside, as I said above, Vogel is able to get you on board with these moments as the plot drives off road and delivers a rather bleak and terrifying ending in its own right.
And honestly it's kind of only tangentially related, because I don't have that much experience within crime/detective/serial killer novels outside of true crime events as narrated by an author who is all facts no emotions.
As a book on its own though it delivers very much on the mystery/crime aspect. Following the twists and turns had me enamored. Vogel excels when it comes to the precision of the crime scenes, of deconstructing a mystery to follow and let the readers find their way through it with the leads.
Between the fun illustrations and the analytical eye to each of the unique crime scenes, the messages left to decipher, I do think this was the strongest part of the story.
That isn't to say everything else was weak.
However, I did personally find the three leads falling into tropes. The lone wolf cop, the timid but smart newbie, and the civilian who has no reason to be involved but keeps fucking putting her foot in. And the reason I score this as a negative is that for a good chunk of the way through, perhaps 3/4ths(,) of the way, the tropes and cliches of how they worked and spoke was a tad bit irritating.
And I'll be honest, partway through I'd just kind of became blind to these characters as a means to an end. I had to follow them to see how the entire book played out.
THEN
Monica Vogel decides to turn the last fourths into a curve ball that really built some interesting dynamics, with some very unexpected twists.
A lot of these portions are bogged down by philosophical rants/explanations. They do a good job of pushing the story forwards, and to its point, but there's moments where it gets to be a bit too much, especially while the characters are in that state of "shut up and get me to the mystery" state.
Those negatives aside, as I said above, Vogel is able to get you on board with these moments as the plot drives off road and delivers a rather bleak and terrifying ending in its own right.
October 9, 2021
Written with the depth of an "old school author!"
This debut novel was for me:
1.Thought Provoking
2. Mind Manipulating
3. Intelligent
4. Intense
5. Created Empathetic Tendencies
This fictional novel about a serial killer is so unique that we find out who the killer is right from the get go. No guessing who the killer is in this! As a result of this the character development of Jack will totally immerse you.....and get ready for this....you will feel empathy towards him. First time I have ever "felt sorry" for a serial killer!
"Empathy is often defined as understanding another person's experience by imagining oneself in that other persons situation"
Yes Monica I totally agree with you.....humans are mammals and I am sorry you went through that but grateful it was a catalyst for this book!
In conclusion Monica Vogel is an author to put on your radar and you will never look at pigs the same again after reading the book Swine.
This debut novel was for me:
1.Thought Provoking
2. Mind Manipulating
3. Intelligent
4. Intense
5. Created Empathetic Tendencies
This fictional novel about a serial killer is so unique that we find out who the killer is right from the get go. No guessing who the killer is in this! As a result of this the character development of Jack will totally immerse you.....and get ready for this....you will feel empathy towards him. First time I have ever "felt sorry" for a serial killer!
"Empathy is often defined as understanding another person's experience by imagining oneself in that other persons situation"
Yes Monica I totally agree with you.....humans are mammals and I am sorry you went through that but grateful it was a catalyst for this book!
In conclusion Monica Vogel is an author to put on your radar and you will never look at pigs the same again after reading the book Swine.
November 30, 2021
Also reviewed on www.curiosityboughtthebook.com
First of all, the cover and interior work of Swine is amazing, and so is the premise of the book itself. It’s quite unique to be able to read a book from the POV of the killer and the detectives chasing him; that was a completely new experience for me. The author has a good way with words and knows how to set a scene.
What I didn’t enjoy so much was the cliche of the grumpy old detective and his new partner. I’ve just seen it one too many times. Also, the character of Susan was really annoying, and I had trouble relating to any of the others in general.
A big thanks to the author for the review copy!
First of all, the cover and interior work of Swine is amazing, and so is the premise of the book itself. It’s quite unique to be able to read a book from the POV of the killer and the detectives chasing him; that was a completely new experience for me. The author has a good way with words and knows how to set a scene.
What I didn’t enjoy so much was the cliche of the grumpy old detective and his new partner. I’ve just seen it one too many times. Also, the character of Susan was really annoying, and I had trouble relating to any of the others in general.
A big thanks to the author for the review copy!
October 12, 2021
Swine introduces us to quite the character in Jack, an intellectual serial killer fed up with social hypocrisy. Can one really blame him? He’s got some valid points. So wrapped up in an interesting serial killer case with a detective that is struggling to fit in, you have a book that get’s the conversation going on all those topics which we try to avoid during awkward family dinners. Religion, the moral code and who decides societal “norms”. I really enjoyed this one. It had some good gory parts, a touch of humour and made you think. And who can resist that cover?!?!
March 28, 2023
Morbid, philosophical, and self-aware book about a serial killer
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews