In the chilling world of eighteen-year-old Zachary Williams, demons lurk in the shadows, tormenting his very existence. For years, he endured unspeakable physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his parents, a malevolent upbringing that transformed an innocent soul into a sadistic killer. But the Williams family holds more than just sinister secrets; they possess an insidious mastery of darkness. This is Zachary's harrowing tale, recounted in his own words to court-appointed criminal psychologist Dr. Allen Creed. As Dr. Creed delves deeper into Zachary's fractured psyche, he unwittingly steps into an intricate and terrifying web of murder. As the doctor's own sanity teeters on the precipice, he finds himself ensnared by a demon, not of this world, one that hungers for his destruction. In this spine-tingling horror novel, prepare to enter a realm where the line between good and evil blurs, and the true horrors lie hidden within the human mind. Can Dr. Creed untangle the twisted strands of Zachary's darkness before it consumes them both? The nightmare awaits, and the clock is ticking...
First, I want to thank the author for a copy of his audiobook. There was no expectation for a review.
This story is FREAKY!!!! A boy, Zach, lives with a couple after the death of his parents and brother. They are evil, brutal killers and probably the worst parents to walk the face of the earth. They do not treat the boy well.
There is a Dr Creed that tries to help him but, can any one really help Zach? Dr Creed finds himself caught up in a creepy, diabolical situation.
The ending made me shudder. This story shook me up a little. I swear I’m hearing noises in my house now.
I Absolutely recommend this to my horror lovers!! The grotesque and grimy characters could be anyone down the road which makes this book downright creepy! The scenes were vividly realistic. I thoroughly enjoyed how the paranormal aspect was written with such realism that it was believable! I look forward to more books from this author and would love to read more about any of these characters!
Dr. Allen Creed specializes in assessments and testimony for psychotic defendants. Through patient referral, Dr. Creed assess Zackary; who is charged with the murder of his parents and possibly over 20 more people. Zack walks the good doctor through his abhorrent childhood and what led to his parent’s murders.
I gave this 3 stars but It is a high three star, on the cusp of four.
Confessions of a Psychopath was well written, but there where aspects I did not enjoy. Not going to include any of the spoilers just aspects to the story and telling I didn't vibe with. The telling of this story changes perspectives multiple times. I don't mind that happening in a book when it breaks up each different view point as separate chapters. However, Michael Kidwell switched back and forth multiple times within the same chapters, sometimes even the same page, in this book. I found it a bit annoying, and truthfully it sorta came across as we wanted to tell further parts of the story to make it more uncomfortable (which I understand) but it didn't seem to be well thought out.
I very much was intrigued by the story and the though process of the main character. There where times though that it just felt like it was a bit too drawn out. Part of me thinks it would have been better with a bit less back story, but at the same time I see where a lot of that was necessary to the emotional impact of the story. Certainly it could have still been a good creepy story without dragging out the back story so much it just would not have been as emotional.
The biggest problem I have with this book is the last quarter of the book. I just really did not enjoy where it went and it really did not feel wrapped up at the end. Now that the book is over I have more questions then I did before the last turn of events. The end felt rushed. Like Kidwell had an idea about how to turn the story but he didn't know how to execute it so he just put down what he had in his head and didn't bother to really flesh it out. I would have liked it a lot better if this book had ended with Zachary's story and then had a follow up book from Dr. Creed's perspective and about his events.
Also, a slight continuity problem for me that I will state with a bit of a vail to avoid any sort of risk of spoilers, the family is described as ignorant and illiterate. They have no phone or television in the house. They don't hang out or socialize with outsiders at all. Most of the furniture is described as antique. Even a comment about how the house has been decorated like that for over a hundred years. But the boy has a lamp in his room of a "pop culture" fictional film character??? One that would not even have been from his childhood, though is technically still common. But that damn lamp gets mentioned 3 times and it really just felt so fucking jarring all three goddamn times. It just doesn't belong in that setting. It just felt like the authors trying to push his own nerd interest into the book, whether it belonged or not, to prove that he is a nerd. That actually irritated me slightly.
I heard mixed things about this book before I read it. I have seen people who love this book and people who hate it. Overall I am very middle of the road about this book. I don't regret reading it. I did enjoy a large part of the story. I also have no interest in reading it again.
Loved how in Zackarys life they try to normalize the bloodbath they create in murdering the so called “pigs”. Only leaving Zackary to question the things they do to essentially embracing it in his own way.
I really ended up loving this book! I even had moments where I was a little creeped out, and that's hard to do for me! Most scary books are, at best, good stories, not really scary.