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Conversations with Dead Serial Killers
“A clown can get away with murder.”
John Wayne Gacy, the killer clown.
Derek Turner makes his living as a psychic. But, when he makes his first genuine contact with the spirit world, it is an encounter that starts him on a pathway to holding conversations with dead serial killers.
Someone is recreating the most infamous crimes of the world’s sickest serial killers: including Jack the Ripper, BTK, Charles Albright and Ed Gein. Derek learns that it’s within his power to either profit from this situation or bring it to a needed conclusion and prevent further unnecessary deaths.
But profit can be a compelling argument.
Blending the reports from true crime stories with the lies from a professional psychic, Conversations with Dead Serial Killers explores the danger and obscenity that comes from glamourising murderers.
John Wayne Gacy, the killer clown.
Derek Turner makes his living as a psychic. But, when he makes his first genuine contact with the spirit world, it is an encounter that starts him on a pathway to holding conversations with dead serial killers.
Someone is recreating the most infamous crimes of the world’s sickest serial killers: including Jack the Ripper, BTK, Charles Albright and Ed Gein. Derek learns that it’s within his power to either profit from this situation or bring it to a needed conclusion and prevent further unnecessary deaths.
But profit can be a compelling argument.
Blending the reports from true crime stories with the lies from a professional psychic, Conversations with Dead Serial Killers explores the danger and obscenity that comes from glamourising murderers.
162 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2022
21 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Lister
60 books42 followersThis author is also published under the pen name Ashley R. Lister.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 1, 2022
Over the last few years, I’ve dove into Lister’s ‘Tales…’ series, which were all enjoyable, but at times felt tied to the overall narrative. That you knew certain things would ultimately loop back around to the world they were living in.
So, it was with great excitement, I dove into his next release ‘Conversations with Dead Serial Killers’ knowing this was a stand-alone novel and wouldn’t feature any of those other characters.
The story follows two brothers, one a fraudster, a fake-psychic who professes to speak with deceased loved ones. The other is a lover of all things serial-killer; writing and releasing books on them and ultimately taking his love of these lunatics even a step further.
What I liked: Lister does a great job of making the brothers a tight-knit unit while also giving them the usual sibling disgruntledness that any of us with brothers or sisters will recognize.
I really enjoyed seeing how we had this charlatan who wants nothing more than to ascend to celebrity levels of fame while stealing from his audience and those hiring him to help them, end up dealing with something he’d never expected to actually exist and who gives him the gears around the clock.
Lister does a fine job of also adding in a great police investigation element and it’s through that storyline things ultimately will unravel everything. It was a fun and tension-filled subplot.
What I didn’t like: This one was a blast from start to finish, but there was a key part at the ending of one of the brother’s storylines where things seemed to leap a bit from A-C instead of A-B-C to get there and it felt incredibly rushed.
Why you should buy this: I had a really fun time with this one and it was another great release from Lister. The brothers were great characters and it was filled with some really dark moments as well as dark humor, which worked perfectly to showcase their separate personalities. Tons of fun, with some really gruesome gore, if you’re looking for a quick, weekend read, look no further.
So, it was with great excitement, I dove into his next release ‘Conversations with Dead Serial Killers’ knowing this was a stand-alone novel and wouldn’t feature any of those other characters.
The story follows two brothers, one a fraudster, a fake-psychic who professes to speak with deceased loved ones. The other is a lover of all things serial-killer; writing and releasing books on them and ultimately taking his love of these lunatics even a step further.
What I liked: Lister does a great job of making the brothers a tight-knit unit while also giving them the usual sibling disgruntledness that any of us with brothers or sisters will recognize.
I really enjoyed seeing how we had this charlatan who wants nothing more than to ascend to celebrity levels of fame while stealing from his audience and those hiring him to help them, end up dealing with something he’d never expected to actually exist and who gives him the gears around the clock.
Lister does a fine job of also adding in a great police investigation element and it’s through that storyline things ultimately will unravel everything. It was a fun and tension-filled subplot.
What I didn’t like: This one was a blast from start to finish, but there was a key part at the ending of one of the brother’s storylines where things seemed to leap a bit from A-C instead of A-B-C to get there and it felt incredibly rushed.
Why you should buy this: I had a really fun time with this one and it was another great release from Lister. The brothers were great characters and it was filled with some really dark moments as well as dark humor, which worked perfectly to showcase their separate personalities. Tons of fun, with some really gruesome gore, if you’re looking for a quick, weekend read, look no further.
February 3, 2022
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and it was a fantastic read!! 🖤
The concept was brilliant, the "Thrill Kill" website was a brilliant idea, the way Clive researches famous serial killers to enable him to write the best biographies of them, is brilliant, all the great and grisly serial killer facts thrown in throughout, are brilliant, the humor is brilliant, the storyline is brilliant, the twists are brilliant and the characters are brilliant! My fave character was Sam, she was the real hero of the story for me 😉 her wit and sarcasm had me chuckling to myself the whole time!
The story itself was really well written, it was an easy, fluid read that was very hard to put down! An all round great, fun, gory, brutal, clever story! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am left more than satisfied!
The concept was brilliant, the "Thrill Kill" website was a brilliant idea, the way Clive researches famous serial killers to enable him to write the best biographies of them, is brilliant, all the great and grisly serial killer facts thrown in throughout, are brilliant, the humor is brilliant, the storyline is brilliant, the twists are brilliant and the characters are brilliant! My fave character was Sam, she was the real hero of the story for me 😉 her wit and sarcasm had me chuckling to myself the whole time!
The story itself was really well written, it was an easy, fluid read that was very hard to put down! An all round great, fun, gory, brutal, clever story! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am left more than satisfied!
March 1, 2022
I like the cover, but it was the title, Conversations With Dead Serial Killers, that reeled me in. I found the blend of fact and fiction interesting. I have read my share of nonfiction books about serial killers and lots of fictional ones, so to see an author bring them together in the same story had me curious how he would handle it.
Do you believe in psychics? Derek Turner proclaims to be a psychic, manipulates people into handing over money. His life changes when Sam comes into it. She will not leave him alone, dogging his every step, wanting him to do the right thing.
The more I see Sam, the more I like her.
Clive, his brother, helps with the readings. But, he has his own agenda.
The twists are not exposed until the end, and that is always a good thing. I didn’t see the total picture. Whether Derek knew or wanted things to go down the way they did, I don’t know. I think he just wanted to make money and didn’t care too much about the cost.
I think all too often people do glamorize serial killers. I find them fascinating, but ‘regular’ people are just as interesting. I enjoy delving into people’s minds, wanting to know the why of things.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Conversations With Dead Serial Killers by Ashley Lister.
See more at fundimental
Do you believe in psychics? Derek Turner proclaims to be a psychic, manipulates people into handing over money. His life changes when Sam comes into it. She will not leave him alone, dogging his every step, wanting him to do the right thing.
The more I see Sam, the more I like her.
Clive, his brother, helps with the readings. But, he has his own agenda.
The twists are not exposed until the end, and that is always a good thing. I didn’t see the total picture. Whether Derek knew or wanted things to go down the way they did, I don’t know. I think he just wanted to make money and didn’t care too much about the cost.
I think all too often people do glamorize serial killers. I find them fascinating, but ‘regular’ people are just as interesting. I enjoy delving into people’s minds, wanting to know the why of things.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Conversations With Dead Serial Killers by Ashley Lister.
See more at fundimental
March 31, 2024
Derek is a fake psychic but when he makes a real contact with the spirit world he begins to hold conversations with serial killers. As a killer starts recreating famous serial killers Derek realise he can help to solve these new crimes or profit from them, what path does he take! Meanwhile , his brother, Clive is obsessed with serial killers and takes his passion too far whilst helping his brother with his psychic show.
A really original take on infamous crimes with the best opening line I’ve read in a book for a long time, I laughed out loud and to be fair it is factually correct! This explores our obsession with true crime and the dangers of over glamourising the criminals who commit these horrific murders.
The brothers have a close but antagonistic relationship. This is laced with the darkest humour, gruesome gore and is a fast fun read.
A really original take on infamous crimes with the best opening line I’ve read in a book for a long time, I laughed out loud and to be fair it is factually correct! This explores our obsession with true crime and the dangers of over glamourising the criminals who commit these horrific murders.
The brothers have a close but antagonistic relationship. This is laced with the darkest humour, gruesome gore and is a fast fun read.
May 1, 2022
I have to say this book will go into my top 10 reads of this year. Absolutely amazing story. There were two storylines, but they run parallel to each other until the end of the book where it comes together seamlessly.
The amount of research that must have been done on serial killers to include so many different ones of staggering. I applaud the author on bringing together a ghost story and a serial killer story perfectly.
The amount of research that must have been done on serial killers to include so many different ones of staggering. I applaud the author on bringing together a ghost story and a serial killer story perfectly.
February 6, 2022
This novel is absolutely brillant. The title of the series was quite captivating and caught my attention right off. Derek Turner makes his living as a psychic. His psychic connections have not quite been on the up and up. But then one day he makes his first genuine contact with the spirit world, it is an encounter that starts him on a pathway to holding conversations with dead serial killers .As you read it will be up to you to put the pieces together! This is a unbelievable read! It pulled me in from beginning and held me to the end. Occasionally I would have to tell myself to breathe! The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well-developed characters and an ingenious story line that keeps you turning the pages. I recommend this novel and would read more novels by this author. I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the novel from the author.
March 23, 2024
This is the first book I've read by Ashley Lister and it won't be the last. It starts off innocently enough with a man with a podcast about serial killers. However, it turns dark really quickly as Derek makes contact with an actual spirit. The story is brutal and crazy, in a good way of course.
The characters are well developed and the ending is not what I expected. All I can say is, feel free to glorify serial killers at your own risk. It might not be worth it when it's all set and done. It was a clever plot to mix the world of serial killers with the spirit world, a fresh take in the genre.
This was a winner for me. Well done, Ashley.
The characters are well developed and the ending is not what I expected. All I can say is, feel free to glorify serial killers at your own risk. It might not be worth it when it's all set and done. It was a clever plot to mix the world of serial killers with the spirit world, a fresh take in the genre.
This was a winner for me. Well done, Ashley.
February 21, 2022
A definite MUST-READ!!!! This is the first book I have read by Ashley Lister, and I will
be reading more. Right from the beginning I found myself very invested in the story, which I started the night before working 3, 12 hour shifts. Shhhhhh… I’m currently in my 3rd 12 hour shift and just finished the book!
I just can’t say enough about this one...the storyline was fricking fantastic, and has some awesome brutal, gory kills. This was a really fun and exceptional page-turning thrill ride.
be reading more. Right from the beginning I found myself very invested in the story, which I started the night before working 3, 12 hour shifts. Shhhhhh… I’m currently in my 3rd 12 hour shift and just finished the book!
I just can’t say enough about this one...the storyline was fricking fantastic, and has some awesome brutal, gory kills. This was a really fun and exceptional page-turning thrill ride.
February 7, 2022
Conversations with Dead Serial Killers Review
By Ashley Lister
Published by Chorkie Press February 2022
Holy crap, this book was everything I wanted and so much more. Ashley did a fantastic job with this gripping tale about two brothers. One brother tricks and lies to get money from unsuspecting victims, desperate to hear from dead loved ones. Derek pretends to commute with the deceased with the help of his brother Clive. Who hacks into details and researchers for him before each show to create a believable experience for their marks to buy into. That soon changes when Derek meets a real ghost named Sam, who shows up in her rawest form. In short naked. Clive's character development is so cool to watch, how his attitude towards Sam changes as the story continues and the revelation of his brother. Clive's personality is also one that keeps you on the edge of your seat; I mean, the research alone is impressive as hell. I learnt so much about various serial killers, some I was aware of, others utterly new to me. So it was also significant in the aspect of learning about the past. It also gives you a first-hand account of the making of a very different serial killer. Clive is ruthless in his pursuit, his ambition purely to show homage to each of his favourite serial killers and the progress to the stage of murder without any prompting from the website. It's fascinating to read; the atmosphere Ashley creates for each kill scene is spot on. The blood and gory details are just perfect, and there's no overkill. It is just enough to pull you in both visually and mentally, grabbing you and pulling you into each chapter. I felt like I was in the audience at the theatre or watching Steph and Todd looking for clues at the crime scene. There are so many good characters in this story; I loved Steph. She was fearless, and her relationship with Todd and the rest of the team. But hey had a bit of a soft spot for Derek; what can I say? My taste in men is flawed. But oh my God, the ending I had no idea that was coming for both Clive and Derek but damn, I know you guys will love it.
By Ashley Lister
Published by Chorkie Press February 2022
Holy crap, this book was everything I wanted and so much more. Ashley did a fantastic job with this gripping tale about two brothers. One brother tricks and lies to get money from unsuspecting victims, desperate to hear from dead loved ones. Derek pretends to commute with the deceased with the help of his brother Clive. Who hacks into details and researchers for him before each show to create a believable experience for their marks to buy into. That soon changes when Derek meets a real ghost named Sam, who shows up in her rawest form. In short naked. Clive's character development is so cool to watch, how his attitude towards Sam changes as the story continues and the revelation of his brother. Clive's personality is also one that keeps you on the edge of your seat; I mean, the research alone is impressive as hell. I learnt so much about various serial killers, some I was aware of, others utterly new to me. So it was also significant in the aspect of learning about the past. It also gives you a first-hand account of the making of a very different serial killer. Clive is ruthless in his pursuit, his ambition purely to show homage to each of his favourite serial killers and the progress to the stage of murder without any prompting from the website. It's fascinating to read; the atmosphere Ashley creates for each kill scene is spot on. The blood and gory details are just perfect, and there's no overkill. It is just enough to pull you in both visually and mentally, grabbing you and pulling you into each chapter. I felt like I was in the audience at the theatre or watching Steph and Todd looking for clues at the crime scene. There are so many good characters in this story; I loved Steph. She was fearless, and her relationship with Todd and the rest of the team. But hey had a bit of a soft spot for Derek; what can I say? My taste in men is flawed. But oh my God, the ending I had no idea that was coming for both Clive and Derek but damn, I know you guys will love it.
October 31, 2022
I just finished Ashley R. Lister’s novel, Conversations With Dead Serial Killers, and I don’t believe I could have read this book at a more relevant time. The internet is rife with controversy over the recent Dahmer series. In the newly released horror movie, Terrifier 2, there’s a dinner table conversation in which the sister scolds her brother for dressing as a real-life murderer for Halloween. Every year at this time, as we embrace the “spooky season” vibe, we also ponder that fine line between tragedy and entertainment. Our Halloween traditions are a balancing act between honoring the dead and celebrating the monsters who hunt and kill them.
In Ashley Lister’s horror novel, Conversations With Dead Serial Killers, this same moral struggle is presented as we follow two con-artist brothers who exploit the deceased for profit. Derek and Clive Turner are not the most likeable guys, but a dastardly duo who’ll keep those pages turning! While Derek feigns psychic abilities and pretends to communicate with the dead, pocketing undeserved money from their surviving loved ones, Clive’s obsession with serial killers escalates to fatal proportions. This book is unique in that we’re not rooting for the main characters to overcome adversity or rise above. We are rooting for their demise. Even as antiheroes go, these siblings are a couple of bad apples who don’t inspire much empathy on the part of the reader. That’s not to say this book isn’t inspiring. It is a thought-provoking concept; the pace was 100% perfect for me, personally, and Lister understands how to use blood and gore without losing the plot to it.
There are a handful of interesting characters who play a lesser role in this depraved downward spiral of a plot, and honestly, they felt pretty real. That tells me they were written well, no matter how small their individual parts. My favorite was Sam (and I imagine a fan favorite as well), a ghost who’s come back from the dead to haunt these assholes and set them straight!
Conversations with Dead Serial Killers is sprinkled with so many fun facts about serial killers that even if you think you know it all, you’ll find a brand new nugget of trivia somewhere in these pages. Most importantly, though, it tries hard to remind us that these murderers and their victims were fact, not fiction. It makes the reader question why we put these scuzzbuckets in the limelight… while simultaneously putting them in the limelight. Seriously… horror fam, true crime fam, what is wrong with us? Lol.
I really enjoyed reading Conversations With Dead Serial Killers. I would recommend it to any horror fan.
In Ashley Lister’s horror novel, Conversations With Dead Serial Killers, this same moral struggle is presented as we follow two con-artist brothers who exploit the deceased for profit. Derek and Clive Turner are not the most likeable guys, but a dastardly duo who’ll keep those pages turning! While Derek feigns psychic abilities and pretends to communicate with the dead, pocketing undeserved money from their surviving loved ones, Clive’s obsession with serial killers escalates to fatal proportions. This book is unique in that we’re not rooting for the main characters to overcome adversity or rise above. We are rooting for their demise. Even as antiheroes go, these siblings are a couple of bad apples who don’t inspire much empathy on the part of the reader. That’s not to say this book isn’t inspiring. It is a thought-provoking concept; the pace was 100% perfect for me, personally, and Lister understands how to use blood and gore without losing the plot to it.
There are a handful of interesting characters who play a lesser role in this depraved downward spiral of a plot, and honestly, they felt pretty real. That tells me they were written well, no matter how small their individual parts. My favorite was Sam (and I imagine a fan favorite as well), a ghost who’s come back from the dead to haunt these assholes and set them straight!
Conversations with Dead Serial Killers is sprinkled with so many fun facts about serial killers that even if you think you know it all, you’ll find a brand new nugget of trivia somewhere in these pages. Most importantly, though, it tries hard to remind us that these murderers and their victims were fact, not fiction. It makes the reader question why we put these scuzzbuckets in the limelight… while simultaneously putting them in the limelight. Seriously… horror fam, true crime fam, what is wrong with us? Lol.
I really enjoyed reading Conversations With Dead Serial Killers. I would recommend it to any horror fan.
July 29, 2024
Conversations with Dead Serial Killers
Ashley Lister
This was my first read from Lister but it definitely will not be my last.this one combined elements of some of my favorite things. Serial killers ✅️, Ghosts ✅️, Conmen getting what's coming to them ✅️. This story was really just fun and it flowed so easily more than once I had to remind myself to put the book away and sleep.
Ashley Lister
This was my first read from Lister but it definitely will not be my last.this one combined elements of some of my favorite things. Serial killers ✅️, Ghosts ✅️, Conmen getting what's coming to them ✅️. This story was really just fun and it flowed so easily more than once I had to remind myself to put the book away and sleep.
March 3, 2023
Hooked immediately from the first sentence! Definitely recommend this book. It has it all! Love her writing style. Towards the end of the book, I did start to get annoyed with Sam and felt the story could have been better with less of her. Look forward to reading more from this author!
February 8, 2024
Really enjoyed this and the different characters' perspectives. Was very difficult to put down, quickest read this year so far.
February 15, 2024
Quick and interesting read. I always had a morbid interest toward serial killers and this was an innovative and refreshing approach.
April 19, 2022
I reall I believe that some books are just not for some people and this one just wasn't for me. It's has a very interesting premise but I just didn't connect with any of the characters.
February 6, 2024
My only complaints about this book is the table of contents and not knowing what page I was on other than that I enjoyed this book! It kept me begging for more.
September 14, 2022
very interesting story of a serial killer, and his brother, a conman psychic who actually sees a ghost
February 10, 2022
The opening line is one the greatest opening lines of all time, in my opinion (It’s in the synopsis on Amazon if you want a peek at it. It’s brilliant). Then, seventeen pages in, I realized there was way more to this story than I had expected, more than the synopsis alluded to. The unexpected had already glove-slapped me 5 times, and I was hooked.
Conversations with Dead Serial Killers by Ashley Lister is a complex, fast-paced, and brutal tale about serial killers, stage psychics, and people’s fetish for glamorizing acts of evil and brutality. The synopsis specifies it’s about glamorizing serial killers, but I think the story’s message could and does encompass villain worship in general as it has come to be.
Lister’s integration of serial killer history is done smoothly and only adds to how riveting this story is. And the story itself is quite riveting. The tension is maddening from both suspense and the I-know-what’s-coming-next feeling one gets from Lister’s superior foreshadowing. But … there are also the deviations from the expected that rock your socks and make you exclaim out loud. There is not a dull moment to be found here.
I will say one of the unexpected aspects of this story is how it differs in content, theme, and style from Lister’s Tales From Innsmouth series. This story has a different flow, a level of the brash and brutal I did not know Lister could produce. And let us not ignore the dark humor that accompanies the supernatural element of the story; it’s what draws you in and captures your mind before it shows you the horrors of glamorizing villains.
A smart, entertaining, and brutal read, Conversations with Dead Serial Killers is a shelf-worthy must-read and must-have.
P.S. There is a teaser for Blackstone Towers in the back of this book. I’m off to buy that one now!
Conversations with Dead Serial Killers by Ashley Lister is a complex, fast-paced, and brutal tale about serial killers, stage psychics, and people’s fetish for glamorizing acts of evil and brutality. The synopsis specifies it’s about glamorizing serial killers, but I think the story’s message could and does encompass villain worship in general as it has come to be.
Lister’s integration of serial killer history is done smoothly and only adds to how riveting this story is. And the story itself is quite riveting. The tension is maddening from both suspense and the I-know-what’s-coming-next feeling one gets from Lister’s superior foreshadowing. But … there are also the deviations from the expected that rock your socks and make you exclaim out loud. There is not a dull moment to be found here.
I will say one of the unexpected aspects of this story is how it differs in content, theme, and style from Lister’s Tales From Innsmouth series. This story has a different flow, a level of the brash and brutal I did not know Lister could produce. And let us not ignore the dark humor that accompanies the supernatural element of the story; it’s what draws you in and captures your mind before it shows you the horrors of glamorizing villains.
A smart, entertaining, and brutal read, Conversations with Dead Serial Killers is a shelf-worthy must-read and must-have.
P.S. There is a teaser for Blackstone Towers in the back of this book. I’m off to buy that one now!
August 1, 2022
Thrill-Kills
What do you do if writing about serial killers just doesn’t cut it anymore? What do you do if you’re a “psychic” con artist who starts to unwillingly channel an angry ghost? Find out in Conversations with Dead Serial Killers 😬
What do you do if writing about serial killers just doesn’t cut it anymore? What do you do if you’re a “psychic” con artist who starts to unwillingly channel an angry ghost? Find out in Conversations with Dead Serial Killers 😬
June 3, 2023
This is the 2nd book I have read by this author and the fact I have stayed awake all night to finish it, and am writing this review at 5.50am should speak for itself.
Is it the best book I've ever read? No, but it was an enjoyable and compelling read, that had some serious research hours put in to be able to give us so many facts about the various serial killers.
I didn't see the twist coming at the end and I liked it, but I wasn't keen on the delivery of it. It felt like it was a rush to get it over with, which was a shame after the work that was clearly put into the rest of the story.
Definitely a decent read and I'm delving straight back into the bag of books I have, written by this author.
Is it the best book I've ever read? No, but it was an enjoyable and compelling read, that had some serious research hours put in to be able to give us so many facts about the various serial killers.
I didn't see the twist coming at the end and I liked it, but I wasn't keen on the delivery of it. It felt like it was a rush to get it over with, which was a shame after the work that was clearly put into the rest of the story.
Definitely a decent read and I'm delving straight back into the bag of books I have, written by this author.
February 12, 2022
REVIEW:
Warning - there are some scenes that deal with sensitive and possibly triggering topics so proceed with caution. While some scenes might be triggering nothing is graphic so even the scenes that should repulse are woven as part of the navigable actions of the characters.
Darkling’s, I could not put it down! Just plain fun & I wish it were longer. This story is tight: the pace, plot, research, vocabulary, character development...a must for those true crime fans. Nothing is superfluous or out of place and every part flows. It's incredibly artistic.
CWDSK has a plethora of choice: unlikable characters, serial killers...
Go to uncomfortablydark.com for complete review!
Warning - there are some scenes that deal with sensitive and possibly triggering topics so proceed with caution. While some scenes might be triggering nothing is graphic so even the scenes that should repulse are woven as part of the navigable actions of the characters.
Darkling’s, I could not put it down! Just plain fun & I wish it were longer. This story is tight: the pace, plot, research, vocabulary, character development...a must for those true crime fans. Nothing is superfluous or out of place and every part flows. It's incredibly artistic.
CWDSK has a plethora of choice: unlikable characters, serial killers...
Go to uncomfortablydark.com for complete review!
March 6, 2022
This has to be one of the best books I’ve read on kindle.
I was approached for a review. I hummmed, haaahed, but said, nope I wanna read this one. I liked the title, premise, being the author of a certain well loved serial killer *ahem*
Well this was my cup of syrigey black tea.
The level of skilll, pure talent, is actually overwhelming. Humour, research, I’m straight up a new fangirl. Ashley is not a star in the making, just one who sits humbly on the side… watching, crafting, teaching and giving. He’s already one.
Gimme more!!!! Longbottom demands it xxx
I was approached for a review. I hummmed, haaahed, but said, nope I wanna read this one. I liked the title, premise, being the author of a certain well loved serial killer *ahem*
Well this was my cup of syrigey black tea.
The level of skilll, pure talent, is actually overwhelming. Humour, research, I’m straight up a new fangirl. Ashley is not a star in the making, just one who sits humbly on the side… watching, crafting, teaching and giving. He’s already one.
Gimme more!!!! Longbottom demands it xxx
December 27, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, there’s something about Ashley’s twisted sense of humour that prevails through both of the books I’ve read now. It’s supernatural, pretty violent with graphic descriptions of his brothers handiwork, but immensely entertaining and very well written. Thank you, love your work Mr Lister :-)
June 29, 2025
Conversations with Dead Serial Killers
By Mr. Ashley Lister
ASIN: B09P7HB6JM
Publication date: February 14, 2022
164 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💀💀💀
Trigger Warnings: Graphic murder scenes, necro-nightmares, glorification of serial killers, morally questionable humor, bone-chilling banter
What Did I Just Walk Into?
A fake psychic, a very real ghost, and enough true crime references to send your search history into FBI watchlist territory.
Here’s What Slapped:
🧠 Genre-blending chaos that somehow works—part ghost story, part true crime roast, part conman karma tale.
👻 Sam, the ghost, is a feral, unfiltered queen with one mission: emotionally annihilate Derek, and we love her for it.
📖 Mr. Lister doesn’t just dip a toe into the dark side—he swan-dives in, wearing a nipple belt and quoting Grey’s Anatomy like scripture.
✍️ The writing? Sharp. The humor? Jet-black. The commentary? Hilariously bleak.
🪦 There’s serious thought beneath the gore—how we glamorize monsters and turn trauma into entertainment.
What Could’ve Been Better (But I’m Still Here For It):
This book is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. If you can’t handle murder museums and sassy phantoms, turn back now. For everyone else: buckle up.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
📖 Ghosts who dish it out harder than they did in life
📖 Dark satire and true crime trivia
📖 Morally messy protagonists and con-artist chaos
📖 Books that make you laugh, wince, and question your taste in reading
📖 Dialogue so sharp it could cut through human skin (and probably does)
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
By Mr. Ashley Lister
ASIN: B09P7HB6JM
Publication date: February 14, 2022
164 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💀💀💀
Trigger Warnings: Graphic murder scenes, necro-nightmares, glorification of serial killers, morally questionable humor, bone-chilling banter
What Did I Just Walk Into?
A fake psychic, a very real ghost, and enough true crime references to send your search history into FBI watchlist territory.
Here’s What Slapped:
🧠 Genre-blending chaos that somehow works—part ghost story, part true crime roast, part conman karma tale.
👻 Sam, the ghost, is a feral, unfiltered queen with one mission: emotionally annihilate Derek, and we love her for it.
📖 Mr. Lister doesn’t just dip a toe into the dark side—he swan-dives in, wearing a nipple belt and quoting Grey’s Anatomy like scripture.
✍️ The writing? Sharp. The humor? Jet-black. The commentary? Hilariously bleak.
🪦 There’s serious thought beneath the gore—how we glamorize monsters and turn trauma into entertainment.
What Could’ve Been Better (But I’m Still Here For It):
This book is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. If you can’t handle murder museums and sassy phantoms, turn back now. For everyone else: buckle up.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
📖 Ghosts who dish it out harder than they did in life
📖 Dark satire and true crime trivia
📖 Morally messy protagonists and con-artist chaos
📖 Books that make you laugh, wince, and question your taste in reading
📖 Dialogue so sharp it could cut through human skin (and probably does)
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
February 12, 2023
Conversations with Dead Serial Killers
The book should be accompanied with a very strong warning as to its contents. It is not an easy read rather it is very disturbing in its depiction and description of brutally savage murders and sexual depravity.
This is an extremely graphic dive deep into the mythos of the glorification of serial killers and honestly I wouldn’t recommend this to to anyone of a sensitive or nervous disposition.
Derek is a self proclaimed psychic who plays on the fear and loss of the bereaved and the reader is shown how easy it is to manipulate the minds of gullible people for financial gain. Clive, his younger brother, is the author of several books on the subject of serial killers an expert on his subject and is himself a serial killer who emulates his heroes as The Copycat Killer.
Matters quickly escalate when Derek is confronted by the ghost of one of his brother’s victims, Sam (Samantha) who viciously berates him for his phoniness in deceiving his ‘clients’ and when Derek refuses to give in to her demands or confront Clive about his crimes.
Sam does have the best dialogue of any of the characters, acerbic, sarcastic and vitriolic. The depictions of the nightmares she inflicts upon Derek especially the visions of the various levels of hell as portrayed in Dante’s Inferno are vivid, extreme and potentially highly disturbing.
In many ways it is an examination of psychosis and a high polemic against the glorification of serial killers and does need to be read with a very open mind and a strong stomach.
The book should be accompanied with a very strong warning as to its contents. It is not an easy read rather it is very disturbing in its depiction and description of brutally savage murders and sexual depravity.
This is an extremely graphic dive deep into the mythos of the glorification of serial killers and honestly I wouldn’t recommend this to to anyone of a sensitive or nervous disposition.
Derek is a self proclaimed psychic who plays on the fear and loss of the bereaved and the reader is shown how easy it is to manipulate the minds of gullible people for financial gain. Clive, his younger brother, is the author of several books on the subject of serial killers an expert on his subject and is himself a serial killer who emulates his heroes as The Copycat Killer.
Matters quickly escalate when Derek is confronted by the ghost of one of his brother’s victims, Sam (Samantha) who viciously berates him for his phoniness in deceiving his ‘clients’ and when Derek refuses to give in to her demands or confront Clive about his crimes.
Sam does have the best dialogue of any of the characters, acerbic, sarcastic and vitriolic. The depictions of the nightmares she inflicts upon Derek especially the visions of the various levels of hell as portrayed in Dante’s Inferno are vivid, extreme and potentially highly disturbing.
In many ways it is an examination of psychosis and a high polemic against the glorification of serial killers and does need to be read with a very open mind and a strong stomach.
June 30, 2023
This is an interesting and extremely disturbing novella about serial killers and a fake psychic, a ghost, and the morality of extorting money from grieving people.
Derek is a scam artist, proclaiming to be a medium. His younger brother reads and writes about serial killers and these are his personal "heroes". Separately they have no real moral compass but together, things go from bad to horribly worse.
A spirit attaches herself to Derek, twisting his dreams and invading his mind. Clive, the younger brother, takes his love of serial killers too far and it's apparent that he has some sick twisted desires.
While these two have different story arcs, they are all connected to this ghostly woman and choices will have to be made. None of them good.
Although the main narrative focuses on our two antagonists, Sam (the spirit) is a very effective protagonist. She demands certain things from Derek and she's willing to do whatever she can to make those things happen.
The real life details of well known serial killers gives this book an extra creepy vibe. That mixture of real world atrocities and the fictional parts of it work great together to send some shivers up your spine. I thought it was greatly effective. I definitely recommend you pick this up!
This review is voluntary and is my own opinion.
Derek is a scam artist, proclaiming to be a medium. His younger brother reads and writes about serial killers and these are his personal "heroes". Separately they have no real moral compass but together, things go from bad to horribly worse.
A spirit attaches herself to Derek, twisting his dreams and invading his mind. Clive, the younger brother, takes his love of serial killers too far and it's apparent that he has some sick twisted desires.
While these two have different story arcs, they are all connected to this ghostly woman and choices will have to be made. None of them good.
Although the main narrative focuses on our two antagonists, Sam (the spirit) is a very effective protagonist. She demands certain things from Derek and she's willing to do whatever she can to make those things happen.
The real life details of well known serial killers gives this book an extra creepy vibe. That mixture of real world atrocities and the fictional parts of it work great together to send some shivers up your spine. I thought it was greatly effective. I definitely recommend you pick this up!
This review is voluntary and is my own opinion.
March 4, 2025
It was interesting how the author blended facts about infamous serial killers with a fictional view to make the stories fascinating. He used a creative mind when writing about the two main characters who were brothers, with an eye for profit. However one of the brothers had a macabre interest in researching serial killers while the other pursued his psychic abilities. Between them a disturbing picture built up and climaxed with an unexpected twist. I think for it's storyline and writing style the book deserves a high 3 or low 4. I opted to value it with a score of 4.
April 10, 2024
Two brothers.....ones a con man and the other a serial killer. One of the killers victims comes to haunt the con man and will not stop until the con convinces the killer to turn himself in.
Great book! I have a weird interest in true crime so incorporating so many serial killers into the book was interesting. I loved the ending because it was a total surprise however once a con man always a con man.
Great book! I have a weird interest in true crime so incorporating so many serial killers into the book was interesting. I loved the ending because it was a total surprise however once a con man always a con man.
February 26, 2024
*thank you to the Author for the Arc copy*
Medium's Conversating with the dead, has always Been a miss for me.
This book actually hit in more areas than it missed..
So i was really happily suprised..
This book shows how far some are willing to go, for fame or exploring oneself...
I love dark minds and human behaviour, so serial killers and how their mind works, facinate me so...
Making this books integration of real life facts and the authors mind a wonderful concoction, you jusy couldnt help but swallow...
My only gripe, is that some medium section dragged, but thats more on me for finding them snakeoil salesmen..
Good reads cant do half stars, so giving it 4, as i cant decide on 3 or 3 and a half of 5.
Medium's Conversating with the dead, has always Been a miss for me.
This book actually hit in more areas than it missed..
So i was really happily suprised..
This book shows how far some are willing to go, for fame or exploring oneself...
I love dark minds and human behaviour, so serial killers and how their mind works, facinate me so...
Making this books integration of real life facts and the authors mind a wonderful concoction, you jusy couldnt help but swallow...
My only gripe, is that some medium section dragged, but thats more on me for finding them snakeoil salesmen..
Good reads cant do half stars, so giving it 4, as i cant decide on 3 or 3 and a half of 5.
March 3, 2024
Humorous and deliciously wicked. Thoroughly enjoyable as is all the books I have read by this author.
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