Killing Karma

by Michael Poeltl

Had Peter imagined he'd be considered a serial killer, he'd have chosen differently.

Have you ever felt karmic retribution in your own life? What the characters in Killing Karma come to realize is that no karmic debt ever goes unpaid. In Killing Karma, this sentiment is taken to the nth degree, where crime fiction intersects with karmic reckoning to produce Detroit’s most bizarre string of homicides Detective Harlow has ever worked.

What do a book store, Peter Banks, Theresa Clement, Clare Hastings, and Detective Harlow have in common? Karma – oh, and a serial killer.

Solving homicides is seldom easy work, but Detective Harlow fears the latest evil gripping Detroit may prove to be a perfect crime. To catch this killer, Harlow will have to put aside his feelings of inadequacy and overcome seemingly impossible obstacles to find the third victim before the serial killer disappears forever.

Get caught up in a surreal mystery as Killing Karma takes you on a unique and unforgettable thrill ride into the world of past lives, homicides, and the price karma commands of everyone.

The veteran - The detective – The therapist – The young executive - The serial killer - The karma

Across Detroit and outlying areas, a string of murders and an abduction sharing the same calling card bring the players together in the most serendipitous way. The homicides share no commonality, save the ambiguous note left at each scene, while the abduction strikes Harlow as uncharacteristic for his serial killer.

Peter, a VET, moved to Detroit to escape his past, start a new life managing an obscure bookstore, and pursue treatment for his PTSD. Theresa, a regression therapist with a complicated history of her own, accepts Peter as her client, wondering if karma hasn’t just paid her a visit.

When Peter’s new girlfriend disappears and the serial killer’s note is discovered in her penthouse, unexpected twists complicate Harlow’s investigation. Meanwhile, Theresa struggles to understand what Peter’s past lives are trying to tell him.

Harlow will have to overcome his feelings of inferiority over past mistakes. He must use every tool available to him paired with his vast experience to connect the dots to these seemingly random, yet premeditated murders. Will Harlow be able to piece together the scant evidence before the abducted woman becomes his killers’ third victim?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 26, 2022

About the author

Do you listen for the things that stir in the dark? Do you dream of time unspooled, of minds that touch across distance, of lives once lived and still remembered? Then you are kin to my kind. Somewhere in my backlist, a story waits—one that knows your name.

Why read my books? If you're like me and read across multiple genres but appreciate a story that draws you into the narrative, the characters, and the emotions, then take a look at my library, find the genre that best suits your mood, and pick it up on Amazon or Kobo for a song. Then, should you want more, my back library will serve you well.

By the end of 2025, I’ll have published 16 books, spanning various genres, including two trilogies, a series, and numerous standalone titles. It has been my absolute joy to revel in those childhood freedoms where you can do anything and be anyone (with the proper training and discipline). It has also been fun getting to know my audience when readers approach me (or I them), and we have meaningful conversations about books in general. I'm a big reader, too, and I'd love to hear what others are reading to help me fill out my 'to be read' pile. So don't be a stranger!

The Haunting of Grosvenor House, 2025: Loosely based on a true story. It is the haunting exploration of loss, connection, and the thin line between the living and the dead—where silence may be the most dangerous sound of all.

Cleo McCarthy Time Travel and Other Impossible Things, 2023: The first time Cleo feared for her life was when she was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s at 23.
The second time is when she discovered she could travel back in time at 24.

Cleo Reviews:
FIVE STARS "I don’t want to spoil anything but trust me. It will give you laughs and will make you think and feel. I am going to buy my paperback copy because having it on my Kindle is not enough." Shirtny from Goodreads
FIVE STARS: "This story did not disappoint, introducing an approach to time travel I'd not seen before, an approach the principal character strives to learn about and understand as the story progresses." Tom from Goodreads
FIVE STARS: "The pacing of the novel is skillfully executed, with a balance between heart-pounding moments and introspective reflection. The gradual revelation of the fragmented message and the subsequent race against time add a layer of suspense that keeps readers eagerly turning pages." Rose from Goodreads

Killing Karma Reviews:
FIVE STARS "Loved it! Was immersed from the very beginning and couldn’t wait to see how it would play out." Rita from Goodreads
FIVE STARS "From the opening paragraph to the last sentence, I was captivated; at times, I found myself holding my breath…" David from Goodreads
FOUR STARS "A highly gripping tale that builds a believable world full of unexpected twists and turns." Madame from Goodreads
FOUR STARS "Such an interesting and fresh take on serial killers... absolutely loved the way the author intertwined the whole concept of past lives into the main plot. Every detail really added more to the story." Chanelle from Goodreads

The Blind Affect launched on June 22nd, 2021 to some great advanced reviews:
FIVE STARS “... a sometimes disturbing but always profound look at three characters whose lives take haunting courses... 'The Blind Affect' will leave you with a lot to think about.”
FOUR STARS “[Poeltl] doesn’t tell us, he shows us the lives of these characters. He shows readers what trauma looks like and what is healing. It’s a timely story...”

Other book reviews:
"A well-built fantasy world with likable characters." - A.I. Insurrection - The General's War - Goodreads
"The characters are 3-dimensional and realistic, with believable flaws, motivations and goals, doubts and beliefs.." - A.I. Insurrection - The General's War - Goodreads
"A great read for anyone who enjoys extensively built worlds." - A.I. Insurrection - The General's War - Goodreads
"The immense interest provided by the world, technology,

Reviews

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character is Peter, a veteran dealing with PTSD who now runs a bookstore. It is interesting to see how his life gets entangled with Theresa, a regression therapist and how both of them stumble upon detective Harlow. There's a serial killer on the loose and there are more questions than answers as to his/ her identity. The three of them get involved in the search and it is intriguing to see where it leads them.

I liked the mental health representation. This book puts to light the effects that war can have on those fighting at the battlefield and how sometimes, even therapy is ineffective. The story is filled with twists and turns and kept me hooked. The language is simple and easy to understand. Recommended for beginners.

[Bibliophileverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original and Twisted.........................

Killing Karma by Michael Poeltl is a crime psychological thriller. The plot moves slowly at first but gains speed eventually. The story gives you twist after twist and ends with a loud bang. So, you can expect a high voltage drama with many plot twists and amazing characters. My personal favorite characters are Peter and Theresa. Their characters have contributed amazingly throughout the plot. The climax was really not what I expected. A bang on psychological thriller for book lovers.

Definitely, 5 stars for the book. Thanks to the author, Michael Poeltl for providing me an opportunity to read and review the book.

Read more on bibliophileverse.blogspot.com

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

A guy suffering from PTSD meets a girl, who refers him to a past life specialist. Meanwhile, there's a serial killer. I felt there was no real sense of danger, and the mystery was solved a little too easily.

I think I would have made different creative choices, and that may affect my take.

[Aliesha Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give it a 3.5 if I could

After years of entering giveaways on Goodreads I finally won one! I won this book but nevertheless my review is an honest one.

I feel meh about this one, it certainly isn't terrible but it isn't great either. This is a crime fiction book which is my preferred genre so it gets big points there. I also found the past life regression aspect of the story interesting and enjoyable. I can't say I've read another story with this aspect to it so it was refreshing.

About halfway through I found myself guessing the killer but also wanting the author to pick up the pace and start putting things together as it was feeling like he was never going to put all of the, seemingly unrelated, aspects of the story together. He did not disappoint as right around that time the pace picked up and my interest was captured again.

Throughout the story I felt myself wanting more, I wanted to know more about the characters; it wasn't until the end we find out what one of them does for a living. I felt all of the information on the characters was very surface level, if that makes sense. We find out one person is not around much for his family but never know why. We find out one engages in (trigger warning) self-harm that seems related to his ex but at the end seems maybe to be not just about that. It seems one character stayed single but we don't ever know why, was it by choice or because she just hadn't found the right one? These may seem like unimportant bits of information but for me it allows me to get to know the characters more, to have more of an interest or a bond with them, making the book more interesting to me.

Overall, this one was a pretty quick and easy read and was enjoyable, just not enjoyable enough.

[Mallori · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received this book as a giveaway on goodreads. These are my own opinions.

I am so excited that this ended up being my first giveaway win!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and enjoyed the setting of Detroit. This story follows Peter (and Clare), Theresa, and Detective Harlow. Peter is working through some PTSD and Clare stumbles into his bookshop and they briefly discuss regression therapy. The book then goes through Peter’s past lives and how he is to deal with them and his PTSD in the present, Theresa’s current life, and Detective Harlow’s murder investigation into the killings that are surrounding Detroit.

I thought this was a well thought out story, well written, and just enough of a twist that I personally second guessed who I thought was the killer! Definitely check it out if you like thrillers :)

One thing is I did notice a few typos-Clare was changed to Clair at one point. But I’m super picky about things like this.

[Michele Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through the Goodreads Giveaway and I am so happy I did.

A great storyline, that makes you wonder is there such a thing as a past life, do we relive our pasts, fates and interactions with the same individuals over and over? It pulled me in and I couldn't stop reading.

The premise of the story is Peter, a veteran, is suffering from PTSD as a result of what happened while on duty. He found working as a bookstore manager fits his current lifestyle while he learns to manage through his PTSD. When he is referred, by a customer, to Theresa a regression therapist, he finds a commonality between his past and present. As Theresa tries to find out what Peter's past means, a local detective, Harlow, may not only have the answers Theresa and Peter seek, but the identity of the serial killer he is looking for.

[Chanelle Gruca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an E book copy of this in a Goodreads giveaway.

Such an interesting and fresh take on serial killers! It was a slow burn to start with, but quickly picked up pace. I absolutely loved the way the author intertwined the whole concept of past lives into the main plot. Every detail really added more to the story.

My only complaint is when reading the over view, and towards the end of the book, I lost count of how many times the word karma was used. It honestly made it slightly hard to focus and overkill.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Was immersed from the very beginning and couldn’t wait to see how it would play out. The story revolves around a vet suffering from PTSD, learning to cope while dealing with events as they unfold. Very likable characters, very interesting story, very well written.

[Susie Helme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last year, Peter was a witness to and participant in the nightmarish pull-out of US forces from Kandahar in 2021. Now, managing a bookshop in Detroit, he struggles with PTSD, avoiding anything that might provide a trigger. Counselling helps, but not enough. At night, he’s right back there on the tarmac at Kandahar.
One day a woman named Clare orders a book about past lives. She invites him to try regression hypnosis, recommending therapist Theresa.
Peter begins his hypnosis therapy with Theresa. Twice, he’s experienced dissociative fugue, he tells her, a sense of time loss. Theresa immediately senses his pain. ‘Am I going through this for a reason?’ he asks, wringing his hands. Probably misplaced guilt, she thinks.
In trance, he’s an African American boy in Georgia named Martin, about to be hung. He recognises the officer putting a nose around his head. Theresa says Peter is being led to understand those responsible for the trauma causing his PTSD.
Clare walks back in to the shop, and she asks Peter out.
A bitter divorce has led Detective William Harlow to self-harming. He attends a death, an apparent suicide. The preliminary autopsy shows Harlow’s case is a murder.
Peter’s date with Clare is a success, and they return to the subject of past lives.
Theresa goes out for a meal with Nyra, to the same place that Peter and Clare had gone to. They are there on their second date, and Theresa is happy to see romance budding between two of her clients.
A robbery occurs at the book store which Clare and Peter must witness, the shared trauma of which causes problems in their relationship.
Harlow attends another crime scene; a small-time criminal is murdered in the street, his head severed. The body carries a card with a similar message to that accompanying the body in the previous case. Harlow suspects Peter.
Theresa considers her potentially unprofessional feelings about Peter.
Harlow attends a missing person case. A note was left, with the same message. Karma has a Champion. They deserved it. Signed: The Karma Killer. The missing person is Clare. Now, Harlow suspects Peter even more.
After a blow to the head, Clare is abducted. Theresa comforts Peter. Peter tells Harlow he’s been seeing a regression therapist, Theresa Clement; Harlow recognises the surname.
As the perpetrator reveals their hand and Harlow solves the case, we learn that everyone’s fate is a payback for some past life’s crime.
This is two stories—the first, a romance, the progress of which is affected by the couple’s past lives, and the second, a detective story about a serial killer who is motivated by events in past lives. The interconnection between these two elements makes for an excellent plot.
I really love the Concept of crimes being motivated by karma left over from past lives. However, I considered the karmic avenger a basic plot flaw, without a fuller understanding of the killer’s past lives. A karmic vigilante would have worked if they had a stream of different clients they enacted revenge for.

[BookStruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I would have known about this book if not for having read the sample in the author's last book. I LOVED the last book (Cleo McCarthy Time Travel and Other Impossible Things) and the sample for this book took off like a firestorm so I had to know. I'm not a huge crime fiction reader, but I like them alright. I loved that this one included past lives and how the serial killer drew from their own past lives to reap vengeance on others. Such a unique story line. I love indie authors for this reason. They write for themselves rather than for the masses and this is where you find truly original ideas.
Highly recommend!

[Laurin Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanted more

I really would do a 4.5 for this book. The reason I wouldn’t give it a 5 is because I felt it was rushed in the middle. I wanted more. Killing Karma is a thought provoking book in the mysteries and unknown of this world. We are connected and drawn to certain individuals, is that because of an unseen connection?

[David K Kasiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the opening paragraph to the last sentence I was captivated; at times I found myself holding my breath… I recommend “Killing Karma” to any reader who enjoys turning pages while wanting to know what is going to come next. Yes, definitely 5 stars!!!

[Carolyn Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly gripping tale that builds a believable world full of unexpected twists and turns. The shadows cast ensnares the characters as well as the reader. An easy to read, engrossing whodunit and why is crafted skillfully here.

[Mary Quain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story, but writing needs work

As crime fiction, the story would rate three stars. But the writing style lacks creativity and imagination, often restates the already obvious, and is flat as a string of paper dolls.

The book might be a much better read if the author were to rewrite it after studying the works of accomplished authors such as Elizabeth Strout, Pearl S. Buck, Edgar Allen Poe, John Meacham, Ken Follett, Margaret Atwood, etc.

[Joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

interesting topic

While I liked the story line I found the writing and editing poor. The sentences weren’t complex enough and there were too many unedited errors. The author uses “they“ and “them” as pronouns for yet to be identified characters. While I understand this may be a nod to today’s social norms, I found it distracting.