Wretch: A Novel

by Jeremy Wagner

"If you only read one more horror novel this year, make sure this is it.” —Edward Lee

Wretch is a relentless descent into crime, horror, and vengeance. A brutal unflinching thriller for fans of organized crime sagas, dark detective fiction, and monsters born in the shadows of science.

Chicago is choking under the hottest summer on record, but the true heat comes from the blood spilled on its streets.

Detective Donnie Lynch trails a killer who shouldn’t exist. Mob boss Tico “The Meatgrinder” Tortellio has stepped out from the shadows of his empire with a personal vendetta to avenge his daughter—and nothing short of blood will settle the score. Both men are hunting the same man— if “man” is still the right word…

The elusive killer, Derek Hoffman, is a steroid-abusing-sociopath twisted beyond recognition whose body and mind have been grotesquely transformed after his participation in a clinical trial for an experimental ED-arousal-drug called, LIBIDONAL. Hoffman has become something monstrous, a predator driven by lust, rage, and a thirst for blood.

With the city becoming a killing ground for a new apex predator, Lynch and Tortellio race toward the same target. But who will reach Hoffman first? And when they do, can bullets or brutality be enough to stop him?

Genres: Horror, Adult

376 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

“RABID HEART maintains a sharp, persistently moving narrative…an endlessly entertaining zombie tale that checks off genre conventions with style.”
— Kirkus Reviews

"RABID HEART evokes a mix of Misfits lyrics and grainy VHS horror classics. The plot draws parallels to Cormac McCarthy's The Road..."
— Publishers Weekly Author Spotlight

"Zombies and the end of days don't stand a chance against true love. Jeremy Wagner's RABID HEART is good, clean apocalyptic fun."
— Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger

"RABID HEART. This book is sick and sweet, and I say that with respect!"
— Peter Blauner, NY Times bestselling author of The Intruder and Sunrise Highway

"RABID HEART is Wagner’s finest work to date. Exciting and near-addictive. A page-turner that avid horror aficionados will be drawn to with glee.”
— Dead Rhetoric Magazine

“RABID HEART is a next level opus that raises the stakes considerably. And good goddamn, is it a white-knuckle thrill ride.”
— Decibel Magazine

"Wagner debuts with a highly entertaining blend…of heavy metal and hardcore horror…
Electrified by breakneck pacing, a cast of over-the-top characters and memorable lines...this thriller neatly exploits the considerable shared fanbase of apocalyptic fiction and Apocalyptica."
— PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD is like The Da Vinci Code with a heavy-metal soundtrack!”
— Katherine Turman, Co-author of Louder Than Hell

“Combining the world of heavy metal with malevolent supernatural forces Wagner has created quite a fantastic read… a riveting thriller that is sure to keep readers glued to the pages until the very end…
The unique blending of ancient history, religion and heavy metal make this book unlike any others I have read…. if you're a reader of horror or fiction novels or if you're a musician, then THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD will be right up your alley. I know it kept me up turning pages into the wee hours of the morning.”
— PURE GRAIN AUDIO

“THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD is a quick, enjoyable read full of action, violence, hell-spawned (and human) monsters and original variations of scenarios common to end-time thrillers.
— DECIBEL MAGAZINE

“Jeremy is a pretty impressive dude.”
— PETER STRAUB, New York Times Bestselling Author, A Dark Matter, Ghost Story

“Jeremy Wagner is an up-and-coming voice in the realm of horror fiction.
His talent shines through this debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what his next offering will be.
A real page-turner, THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD strikes just the right note!”
— YASMINE GALENORN, New York Times/USA Today Bestselling Author The Otherworld Series

“THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD is a wild phantasmagoric thrill ride that will satisfy lovers of the darkest fantasy fiction and the heaviest of metal."
—PETER BLAUNER, New York Times Bestselling Author, The Intruder, Slipping Into Darkness

In this youth, Wagner would find himself writing several short stories. The hobby grew with him as he combined his love for stories with his songwriting as guitarist in the band Broken Hope.

He found that he enjoyed writing horror lyrics and that this process helped him become a better writer as a whole. Wagner began writing short stories based on his lyrics, and began to have his stories published. In the mid-'90s, Wagner started writing his first unpublished novels. Through the combination of his writing with his knowledge of music, Wagner came up with the basic idea for THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD.

Wagner has written lyrics to more than 70 published songs along with recording six albums, two MTV videos, and touring in 16 countries with his bands, Broken Hope and Lupara. Wagner has been published in RIP, Terrorizer, Metal Edge, Microhorror magazines and works of short stories through Perseus Books, St. Martin's Press, and Ravenous Romance.

Wagner's most recent published works include the short story, Romance Ain't Dead, which appears as the first story in the zombie-romance anthology Hungry For Your Love (St.

Reviews

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book felt like watching a train wreck and being unable to look away, except the train is actually a roided out sociopath who's on so many drugs he becomes an unstoppable force of mayhem and depravity.

Wretch is definitely not for the squeamish or faint of heart. It's gross, it's disgusting, it's gory. It takes place during a hot and humid as hell Summer, so everyone is pissed off and miserable and you know all that gore stinks especially bad.

Massive content warning for sexual violence with this book. Hell, basically need content warnings for most things in here. I'd say that if you're not okay with horror and crime fiction that leans way more than a bit towards the extreme side, you should probably give this one a pass.

Though, as I stated before, I could not look away. (Even though sometimes I definitely wanted to.) The characters are compelling (and a few of them are downright despicable), the premise is completely gonzo, and I feel like I need a scalding hot shower after reading this. A freaky, disgusting, horrific thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dead Sky Publishing for the review copy!

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A violent, roided, lust filled psychopath goes on a drug fuelled rampage. He's out for blood and ASS, nothing will stop the God of Fuck

Derek is honestly one of the worst characters I've read about, on multiple occasions I found myself wishing I could jump into the book and kill him myself. He has no regard for others and truly is a monster, not sparing anyone from his wrath

I was either strongly rooting for or against most of the characters, all the povs were interesting and compelling, the writing was great, and the cover is gorgeous. I did think the book was a little too long and some of the dialogue was cliche, but I wasnt all that bothered by it

Definitely recommend if youre into DARK crime/mystery novels, don't need ultra realism and can handle a crude story

[Harry Jahnke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying that at no point was I ever bored reading this. Also, I got to the end of this story and had no notes. Do I think it's good? Not necessarily. Is it bad? Certainly not. But I absolutely and wholeheartedly recommend that you read this at least once. 


I don't normally include spoilers in my reviews but in this case, I think it's important that readers should know what they're stepping into. This is the story of Detective One-Ball, a hard boiled detective with only one testicle and a habit of mentioning that fact at every opportunity, and Tony Calzoney, an overwhelmingly Italian mob boss to the point where he actually says "fuhgeddaboudit" in the story, and they're relentless hunt for Derek the Boner Monster.


Without giving it all away, Derek is a deeply traumatized individual with anger issues out the wazoo and instead of dealing with his problems, he took enough steroids to become the Hulk. One thing leads to another and he overdoses on experimental Viagra which causes him to turn into the Boner Monster and he begins raping and killing everything in his path.


This book gets full points for creativity, if nothing else. It's also one of the most bizarre things I've ever read. And that's saying something. This book was a ton of fun even if it's not necessarily high literature. I wouldn't classify it as horror per se but I definitely don't regret making it my last book of the year.

[Peyton Stich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wretch by Jeremy Wagner pushes the limits of fictional horror and thriller to its absolute boundaries. The concept of a Viagra-like erectile dysfunction drug (Libidonal) wrecking absolute mayhem on society is something I'd never thought of before--and will certainly fear in my foreseeable future. Wagner plots a tangled web of characters that are so unlikely to be related together, and it's a difficult craft that he accomplished. From Chicago gangs to police force to experimental drug laboratories to innocent family members and crazy consequences, this novel certainly makes for a wild ride.

However, I will say that the pacing could have been quicker to the middle and end. I felt like the novel could have been shorter (the middle-end didn't grip me as much as the beginning.) I also wish there was more mystery unveiled regarding the Libidonal drug involved. If you're expecting to see revelations about the drug throughout the novel, it's not there. While Derek's actions are proof enough, I wish I knew how long Libidonal stayed in someone's system, and if the Derek's brother wanted to uncover more about the drug and follow his brother around. There's also some repetitive gore scenes, and it made me want to skip some parts of it altogether.

I will say that the perspective of Derek (the main perpetrator) was the most interesting because it was a perspective I haven't seen much in this genre. How Wagner is able to channel the psychotic, testosterone-driven killer is impressive. If you want carnage after carnage, gore, disgust, and horror (without having issues with ANY triggers, since this book hits all of them), then this book is definitely for you. I definitely slapped me hand to my mouth and gasped more times than I can count during my read. I think I had nightmares after one of my reading sessions? Wagner's imagination is unfathomably creative, and he added a great addition to the genre. However, this novel is not for the traumatized or light-hearted. Read your triggers. Be careful. Enjoy the horror of this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dead Sky Publishing for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Coffee_Booze_and_Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this early. I was very intrigued by the premise, but was a bit let down. The story is all over the place. While I enjoy stories that swap character perspectives or journey back and forth through time, this story felt very disjointed. It all came together, but it took me awhile to get through it. Has great potential and I'm sure others will love it, but wasn't for me.

[Scoundrel J. LaRelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most important factor for me when reviewing a novel, short story, anthology, film, streaming series, etc. is ultimately, “Was I entertained?”

That said…take this 2 cent grain of salt as an “I wouldn’t hit you if I didn’t care!” borderline-abusive bit of tough love directed at the author…
Despite possible repetitive/redundantly heavy-handed beating-me-over-the-head-with-intended-message(s) and/or points an author wants to convey…a few less-than-well-rounded characters…a little (but thankfully not much) telling instead of showing…occasional soap-boxing…overuse of tropes…caricatures in place of (more) believable characters/stereotypes instead of archetypes…mild virtue-signaling and/or pandering to the ‘modern audience’ (instead of winning them over by virtue of story strength & fully fleshed out, multidimensional, memorable characters)…several instances of ‘forced’ dialogue that distracted my suspension of disbelief…or any of the myriad mistakes a writer can make that may unintentionally cause eye-rolling, or induce cringing, wincing, or second-hand shame… (ok, now I’m just getting mean…not my intent, so disregard that last bit).

If an author succeeds at keeping me entertained, I’m very forgiving of faults…and…

Entertained, I absof#€%inglutely was!!!

Which is why I say this with love; because while guilty of each disorderly persons or indictable writing offenses listed above —on one or more occasion(s)— this particular story has the potential (if gone over with *one* more draft pass & extra coat of polish) of being one of the better splatterpunk novels I’ve read in a while…AND a potential contender for 2026 awards (zero exaggeration).

Which is why said sins burn my ⩜⃝$$…It’s SO damned CLOSE to “there” that I wish I were editing it personally, to trim down the more overt, unnatural/unnecessary dialogue (& internal monologue) choices; trim the forced-feeling fat, with the key advisement being, “Trust that your readers will get it the first time - subtlety will elevate both the story and your strength as a writer, especially given the premise…cut back on overselling the authenticity of both the cop -Lynch- & ‘outfit’ boss -Tico- they’re MORE than fine without the repetitive (bordering on excessive) preaching (i.e. Lynch’s progressivism as a Chicago cop) & oversaturation of olive oil & Italian dressing (see: South Side Soprano Tico; he’s The Meatgrinder, not a ‘Gøddamn Kids These Days’ Whiner!)

With a villain as morbidly fun & extreme as (let’s call him ‘Super Steroider’ to avoid spoilers), less is definitely more re: the amount of verbal paint used to illustrate those particular two aforementioned POV leads.

Enough with my tough love —& apologies if it comes off as abusive; not my intent! If my honesty’s a tad brutal, it’s because I really want to see this book $ucceed & shine! Jeremy Wagner hit the mark in truly entertaining me.

Well-earned/deserved praise:
I love how unafraid to ‘go there’ he is with the gloriously repugnant ultraviolence!
Bonus points for the commitment (& caring enough) to have put in the sheer amount of time, legwork, & having subjected himself to (I can only \imagine/ the hours of ear-bending by those who undoubtedly relish in the nostalgia of recounting their misbehavior & boasting of transgressions-past).
Mr. Wagner put himself in potential danger to get things right in achieving the authenticity he undoubtedly sought to inject into this diamond in the rough/hopefully not TOO hidden gem of a damned good read. If only for having gotten “outfit” correct - it was worth it, & I respect his commitment,
& appreciate him having properly entertained me in the telling of the tale deliciously disgusting, delightfully disturbing tale.

I’m rating this ARC (thanks NetGalley & Dead Sky Publishing!) as if none of my overly critical nitpicking were worth mentioning.
WRETCH is SO close to an ‘A’ or 5th star it pisses me off…
I wish my unsolicited suggested tweaks carried the weight of a ‘somebody’ in horror so they’d be taken into serious consideration before publishing.
Not because there’s anything lacking in this novel — I t’s easily a 3.5-4.5, imo — it’s because this bloody brilliant book deserves as many eyes on it as it can get.

I wish Jeremy Wagner & Dead Sky the best of luck (& I shall be checking out both of your bands, good sir).

Edward Lee ain’t lying in his advance praise — I agree, & encourage all who enjoy their horror extra spicy & M for Mature to give this a shot — it’s well worth your time.

[Thanks Again to NetGalley & Dead Sky Publishing for the ARC - it was a hell of a satisfying read!!!]

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars…I'm disturbed but in a way that makes you keep wondering what is going to happen next…a car accident you can't look away from…

Once again, picked it for the cover. I'm not much for detective/cops stuff, nor am I into organized mob stuff in my books. I have always struggled with multiple POVs. Most certainly, I don't care about body building in the slightest. BUT, here we are.

The story centers around three men: detective, mob boss, and musclehead. We also get the POV of the people that are caught in the crosshairs. My biggest compliment is to the multi-POV writing. Each character, even the ones we only got a chapter with, were unique and I could imagine being in their head (save, muscleman, Derek, which I don’t think anyone wants to be in). I can't think of another book that has such depth of multiple characters recently.

I also thought the writing style was very easy to digest (even if I wanted to vomit after the gross sh*t). There was clearly effort in editing and creating a well crafted story AND crazy amounts of gore. That being said, this is not a book for the faint of heart.

The trigger warnings are countless but think in the vein of sexual assault especially. I’m talking, using bodies (alive or dead) for some of the most foul things. Likewise, a lot of toxic masculinity…which tends to trigger me.

My biggest issues are with some of the depictions of characters. Some of them had harmful stereotypes often associated with them. If you read Wagner's Afterwords you can get more insight into those depictions and he does mention his thought process during writing.

However, if you like faulty drug studies that lead to horror, the Sopranos with a healthy dose of True Detective, men becoming monsters, characters who all are terrible people and are picking whether to be worse or better, and knowing that there is only one way for all this to end which is mutual destruction this might be the book for you.

The ending is what got that 0.5 up in stars. I was going to be mad if there was any missing carnage/justice.

[Milt Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a recommendation by Ed Lee, it was impossible for me not to pick this up for review. Though unevenly paced and occasionally too introspective and wordy, Wagner's "Wretch" reads like a horror hymn to the city of Chicago, touching on an astonishing range of themes, from cop life and Big Pharma to the local drug scene and the mob. Many years in the making and branded as extreme horror, the book does include certain situations which might unsettle some (brutal sexual assault, horrific killings, child abuse, extreme male toxicity), but there's a significant lack of detail, and the story leans more toward crime thriller or horror comedy or even splatterpunk rather than outright horror: extreme horror veterans won't find much to write home about, and the horror is mostly body horror than extreme horror as such. Its strengths lie definitely in the portrayal of Chicago life, the political and social commentary, the detailed depiction of the characters' moral complexities, and the wry displays of the vileness of psychopathy and revolting toxicity.

The first two thirds are a slow burn, the last third goes quite fast and the last few pages are merely descriptive, more akin to an overview providing closure rather than a detailed ending. As the story progressed, I became more interested, more intrigued, more involved, though I never felt fully invested in the story. The villain (a mod boss) is unlikeable, cruel, selfish, and morally weak, almost what one might expect a villain to be; the good guy (a cop) is self-critical, patronizing, and always reasonable and well-grounded; the monster (a jacked up man exploding with roid rage under the influence of an experimental sex drug) has no redeeming features and is annoyingly lurid and brutish any chance he gets - even to the point of absurdity.

The atmosphere is close to cop movies of the 90s, and the horror is more grotesque than scary. I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys good storytelling, urban noir, and splatterpunk.

[Rochatra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wretch delivers a fast-paced descend into the violent case of a drugged killer on the run. Due to the influence of a special drug, the already violent and aggressive Derek goes on a hunt to test out that new prescription he got from his brother. Meanwhile, a mob boss is angry at Derek for causing a lot of trouble on his turf, and detective Lynch is right on Derek's trail to put and end to all the violence.

I wished this story went a bit deeper with the drug, maybe tells us more about it, and the background of Derek's brother. The description made me expect a more grotesque transformation happening with Derek, more body horror perhaps, so I must admit that left me wanting, though this is partly on me too. I would have also preferred Tortellio and Derek to get more character development, because this exact point brings me to the praise I want to give this book...

...and that is detective Lynch. Despite my issues with the book, I loved Lynch. In all the extreme horror books I've read, he stood out, not because of his job or appearance. Lynch acted human, something I feel lots of main characters in the subgenre are missing. He genuinely cared for people and was understanding towards others. These little moments made the madness in this story more balanced. His POV was always fun to read. The pacing was also great, there is no boring chapter in this book.

Wretch is a book that I only recommend to those who are ready for all the triggers and brutality found in the extreme horror genre. One scene of sexual assault was especially cruel, so take this as a warning before diving into this book. If you like the genre and this book caught your interest, you should give it a try for the detective and hopefully have fun with the chaos found within.

Thank you for the ARC from Netgalley. This review is purely my own opinion. I also want to wish the author much success with this book, since I love seeing indie books on the rise.

[Rhiannon Boyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I see why some might say this is extreme horror, and it is! But I thought it was more of a body horror posing as a commentary on horror in ultra-masculinity. Although the violence is incredibly brutal and absolutely ramps into the extreme category, it was also more grounded in gritty reality than mere shock value when compared to traditional extreme or splatterpunk.

The first third is spent setting up the distinct main characters – we have a cop, a mafioso boss, a scientist testing new drugs and an already supremely angry, roided out dude who gets amped to the nth degree by those experimental drugs and is now running loose through the mean streets of Chicago. The characters are all pretty much men with the female roles seemingly secondary and are mentioned tangentially or as victims of the violence inflicted. It feels like this was a deliberate choice made by the author?

Despite this, I thought Wagner’s setup of the main cast was well thought out and gave me enough to be interested in them and how they would all come together in the plot. There’s a lot of commentary on male masculine behaviour and traits, with some developing or ruminating in interesting ways and others maybe not so much?

This will sound odd, but it was almost like reading a classic Greek epic through the lens of our action-packed, ultra-violent modern time. In fact, the main villain of the piece frequently refers to himself as a god. This is also emphasized by the choice of Roberto Ferri’s excellent “Ecate” as the cover. Vengeance and hubris, extreme violence and tragedy abound in both the classical Greek era and our own current age.

An entertaining, fast-moving novel that kept me hooked right to the end.

My thanks to NetGalley and Dead Sky Publishing for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

[Lena Reads Everything · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a sweltering Chicago, Detective Donnie Lynch and mob boss Tico “The Meatgrinder” Tortellio are hunting the same elusive killer. Derek Hoffman, warped by a failed clinical trial for an experimental drug called LIBIDONAL, has become something monstrous - an apex predator driven by lust, rage, and bloodlust. As the city turns into his hunting ground, Lynch and Tortellio race to find him first, unsure whether bullets or brutality will be enough to stop what he’s become.

What a ride! Knowing Wagner has a background in television writing makes so much sense as the pacing is razor-sharp, balancing breathless action with perfectly timed moments of reflection and tension.

The sexual violence is super confronting (massive trigger warnings for this), absolutely gory, monstrous and bat shit crazy. There were a lot of moments I was sickened by the actions of Derek but it was like watching a slow-motion train wreck, unable to look away, not wondering if he’ll be caught but how far the destruction will go before it happens.

While organised crime isn’t usually my go-to, the mafia thread genuinely elevated the story, adding grit and emotional stakes to what could have been solely a science-gone-wrong thriller (which is typically more my lane). That said, I would have loved more detail around the drug itself, its manufacturing, extended testing, and the repercussions that followed, as that element felt ripe for deeper exploration.

There are a few books where you know you’ll not recommend lightly, but it was a fantastic read that you know it will live in your head for a long time (example, Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter and The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum). This is one of them. A grotesque, suspenseful and stomach churning read. 4/5

Thanks to Dead Sky Publishing and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Available from the 24th February 2026.

[Ege]

I can not thank Dead Sky Publishing and NetGalley enough for this ARC!

Wretch is a dark, uncomfortable read that doesn’t pull any punches. Jeremy Wagner leans fully into psychological horror, exploring obsession, shame, and the ways pain can twist a person over time.

I went into this completely blind, and honestly, that made everything better. The only thing I`ll say from the blurb is:
Wretch is a relentless descent into crime, horror, and vengeance. A brutal unflinching thriller for fans of organized crime sagas, dark detective fiction, and monsters born in the shadows of science.

This is everything i want from a psychological horror.

The story follows three different characters: the head of an organized crime family, a detective, and a man named Derek. Each of them is dealing with their own kind of suffering, and what worked best for me was how human the horror felt. The fear isn’t just about what’s happening on the surface — it`s rooted in what’s happening internally. The characters feel raw and exposed, and the book isn’t interested in making them likable or easy to understand.

The plot weaves together organized crime, law enforcement, and personal obsession as three perspectives spiral toward violence, shifting the tension from mystery to something far more brutal.

The atmosphere is tense and oppressive throughout, and the story keeps pushing you deeper into that discomfort.

This isn’t a book you read for relief or hope. It’s intense, unsettling, and emotionally draining — but extremely effective at what it sets to do. Wretch sticks with you because it forces you to sit with the darker parts of people and doesn’t offer an easy way out.

This could easily be one of the best psychological horror novels I`ve read :)

[Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings: SA, Extreme Violence, Gore, Drug use, explicit content

Horror fans, you need to brace yourselves for this one. ’Wretch’ is a straight-up descent into the darkest, most unhinged corners of the genre. If you like your horror visceral, gory, and totally disgusting, in the absolute best way possible, then stop what you're doing and pick this up.

The novel weaves together three separate threads: you have a gritty detective, a mob boss named Tico, and a truly feral, drug-fueled bodybuilder named Derek. When Tico’s daughter is killed, his quest for vengeance against Derek kicks off a relentless race against the clock, with Detective Lynch hot on both their tails.

This is not a story for the faint of heart. The ride is packed with gory details, primal deaths, and explicit sexual content. The author doesn't hold back, but honestly, that's what makes it so effective, so naturally visceral that tugs at the primal chord in all of us.

The pace is perfect, it grabs you and doesn't let go till the last page, the writing is enthralling, even in the most disturbing scenes. The characters are real, you’ll care about them, whether you like them or hate them, you’ll most certainly feel something and won’t stay indifferent.

Many, many thanks toJeremy Wagner, Dead Sky Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a voluntary review, reflecting solely my opinion.

[Jensen McCorkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 3.75 Rounded up

Though I do enjoy a well done crime family story, I am not usually one who reads detective/cop novels but the premise for Wretch just pulled me in so I had to give it a read.

The story is fast paced and is a bit all over the place in some places in the story. This made it a bit taxing to keep up with at times but I suspect the chaotic aspect was intentional. It seems to fit with the graphic and frenzied horror the author delivers. For fans of extreme horror Wretch delivers a visceral, unrelenting ride with vivid writing and deeply disturbing scenes. So casual readers of horror beware you have been warned. Wagner delivers a hybrid of crime fiction and extreme horror that is savage, furious and at times shockingly grotesque. In a way that you cannot stop reading but at the same time you are questioning your own morals for continuing. Yet you continue.

There is an underlying message to the story that speaks to the decay of society, the use or abuse of power and control, and the moral lines people are willing to cross to protect their own. Can vengeance truly masquerade as justice?

Bottom line it this story is not for the weak so if your squeamish, check your trigger warnings but its a must-read if you love horror that pushes boundaries and aims to make the reader completely uncomfortable.

[Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC

I’d like to thank Dead Sky Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to give “Wretch” an early read in return for an honest review.

In all honesty, I didn’t think that this novel was going to be for me. About 30% of the way through it, I thought about throwing in the towel; the plot was moving pretty slow, taking a lot of time to establish the cast of characters and lead up to the point where the novel becomes explosive, which is where the novel comes alive. Getting the three storylines made for a frustrating read at times, since it broke up many scenes that I wanted to continue, but I’m glad to have had that separation, since it made me appreciate just how much fun this was. It gets pretty bonkers, but I enjoyed every second of it. There naturally are ebbs and flows to the story, with the lows feeling a little too low at times, but overall, I thought Wagner’s writing was solid and his sense of tension made for a story I wanted to continue to read. Despite the slower sections, I actually really enjoyed this read, it just took me a while to really sink my teeth into the story.

Be sure to check “Wretch” out when it is published on February 24, 2026!

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A visceral plunge into the grotesque, Wretch is not for the faint-hearted—but for those who dare, it’s a masterclass in horror’s rawest form. Wagner’s prose is lean and relentless, slicing through the page with surgical precision. There’s no room for comfort here, only the slow, suffocating descent into a world where humanity is stripped bare.

What struck me most wasn’t just the gore (though there’s plenty), but the emotional decay that pulses beneath it. The characters aren’t merely victims of circumstance—they’re complicit, corrupted, and achingly real. Wagner doesn’t just write horror; he anatomizes it, exposing the soft underbelly of fear, guilt, and survival.

The pacing is brutal in the best way: no lull, no reprieve. And yet, amid the carnage, there’s a strange poetry to the madness—a rhythm that lingers long after the final page.

Perfect for fans of Clive Barker and early Stephen King, Wretch is a blood-soaked symphony of dread. Read it with the lights on… and maybe don’t eat beforehand.

Thanks to Jeremy Wagner, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Monica L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The narrative dives deep into the struggles of Detective Lynch, a character grappling with sobriety, regret, and the haunting memories of his past, particularly regarding his estranged wife, Sandy. The author masterfully captures Lynch's internal conflict, showcasing his desire for redemption while navigating the gritty realities of his job.

Lynch is portrayed with raw honesty, making his journey relatable and compelling. The themes of regret and self-discovery are poignantly explored, drawing readers into Lynch's psyche. The portrayal of the city and its challenges adds a vivid backdrop to the personal drama unfolding. At times, the narrative could benefit from tighter pacing to maintain momentum. While Lynch is well-developed, some secondary characters could use more depth to enhance the overall dynamics. Overall, this book offers a gripping exploration of personal demons and the quest for redemption, making it a worthwhile read for fans of character-driven stories.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a book! This is my first Jeremy Wagner book it was like a movie in paper form. Very well written and gripping.

I wasnt sure at the beginning as each chapter introduced new characters and i kept thinking as i read on thought this was a horror where the horror but I kept reading but soon came together. Soon as it started coming together i was hooked and then the carnage that followed i was going omg no, oh jeez

This has child abuse/ trauma, mafia, rape, drugs and murder/ massacre plus one big drugged up demi god of a lunatic

You have 3 main characters a detective, mob boss and roid taking meathead you get to know there back story and how they all come together. If i go into detail of how they come together i would basically give it away but i can say it is gory maybe graphic for some people as its one big blood bath!

[♡Lala · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley. Thank you to Dead Sky Publishing for the advanced copy!

Wretch is... chaotic, but not in a good way. Derek gets this new experimental drug, Libidonal, and goes full-on madman, and Detective Lynch, who only has one testicle and is understandably bitter about it, is basically the only halfway grounded character. I wanted to hear more about the drug itself. There really wasn’t much depth to any of the characters, which made it hard to care about what was happening. The marketing was misleading in my opinion, and the content wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. Also some of the writing was very cringe. It also definitely needs way better trigger warnings.

So since they didn't.. Fair warning: this is splatterpunk/extreme horror. It’s brutal, gory, and one scene is especially rough. If that’s your thing, maybe check it out.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

E-ARC provided by Netgalley and Dead Sky Publishing.

Lord have mercy, what a wild ride that was!
I finished this mere moments ago and am immediately compelled to leave a review.

This read like a literal movie, the sheer amount of action kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

Wretch follows the undoing of Derek, a 'roided up meat head, through multiple flawless character perspectives, each with their own individual storyline.
Tones of action and splatterpunk give Wretch a solid plot paired with plenty of gore.

The novel presents themes of gender inequality, Mafia culture, cop culture, complex parent/child relationships and physical and psychological trauma.

I absolutely recommend that anyone who's drawn to any of the above give this a read.

[Ellie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy Wagner’s Wretch is BRUTAL in the filthiest of ways – his writing is absolutely visceral. Descriptions of characters & scenes left me feeling as if I was actually there to witness the horrors. Another note - the book is written from multiple perspectives and all are equally as engaging; I loved having the full scope of the situation through these perspectives, from the mob boss to the police to Derek himself or to some random bystander! It all made for a PHENOMENALLY written story. Personally, I do not normally enjoy stories that have any mention of the mob, let alone make it a whole part of the story; however, with Wretch this was not at all the case, I was very pleasantly surprised!

I have never read a book quite like this one... I would 100% read it again & I will also be looking into some more of Wagner's works. Derek is a disgusting monster of a person, yet is so beautifully (grotesquely) written.; his brother Sid is a great introduction at the beginning for everything, too. The story even read as humorous at times due to the sheer ABSURDITY of it all! One note to end on - keep in mind that the kill scenes are described acutely throughout - if you have a weak stomach for gore, I'd be careful reading Wretch!

Thank you so very much to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of Wretch!

[GJO AND PUPS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely adored the writing, the pace and the development of this book!
The slower start really sets the scene and thats something I really like in books and movies.

The layers of characters in this thriller really worked well and I was absorbed into what was happening, both mafia and scientific elements. Different to what I have read before personally , but what I really adore in a story.

Its graphic, The trigger warns are needed, it is a heavy read but it kept me reading and that's all I need from an author. I want my attention captured and this certainly did

[JXR · Rating 4 out of 5]

super intense horror/thriller about the detectives and the mafia both racing to track down and stop a guy horribly mutated by a clinical trial and on a murdery spree. this one is absolutely very intense and i feel went a little far for no reason at points, but other than that was great. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

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[Jemma Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gross, disgusting, disturbing and twisted as hell and I absolutely loved it. This stepped out of the normal comfort zone and was a crazy ride till the very end. I have to think was the author the crazy one for writing it or am I for not only reading but throughly enjoying it
If you are easily offended or have triggers then I'd check first as this book needs a content warning for everything possible lol
Jeremy I salute you 👏

[Hannah Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is insane. It is a rollercoaster of gore, and I am here for it. I did not expect this book to be both masterful and horrifying. Definitely not for everyone. BUT the writing is exquisite.

I did receive an ARC of this book through a Goodreads giveaway (and I feel so lucky to have been chosen).

If you can handle the horror, pick up a copy.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and ARC of this book. Holy moly, I was not prepared for the level of depravity that this book brought. It was a wild, crazy ride. I enjoyed the cat and mouse game between the detective and Tico...who is going to get to him first? This was a decent book, definitely crude but good for horror lovers, but only if you are fine with gore.

[C.M. Stenquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extreme if you can handle it

[Nerdy Nurse · Rating 5 out of 5]

GUYS. This book is DARK. It introduces three different characters from three seemingly separate narratives. As each story unfolds, they begin to coincide and overlap. There is sex. There is drugs. There is murder. This book literally has EVERYTHING. I highly recommend!

Lynch is a single-testicle detective (yes, you read that right). Derek is a buffed out gym dude full of testosterone and uncontrollable rage. And Tico, aka Meat Grinder, is a mob boss who brings a little bit of Italian flare. I ate this book UP. Truly, a masterpiece.

ABHORRENT - in the best way possible! I’ve never read anything so deranged! The carnage, the bloodshed, the MADNESS. Easily the wildest book I’ve read - EVER!