9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun, Quick Read, May 18, 2008
This review is from: Kill Whitey (Hardcover)
Okay, this one takes a great deal of suspended belief, but if you put that aside, it's a great way to spend a couple of evenings. The Publisher's Weekly review pretty much provides the synopsis and lets slip Whitey's secret, but even so, it's a must read for Keene fans and fans of the Thriller/Horror genres. While Keene does not yet possess the ability to get you to buy the fantastic elements of the story the way King can, Keene can nonetheless write. His style is extremely visual and cinematic and his dialogue is always clear and true. Not sure if it was Keene's intent or not, but this work was very Koontz-like in its pacing and execution. That is to say: Koontz in his prime; not Koontz of late. Think CHASE, COLD FIRE, or any of the Leigh Nichol's books. What I also enjoyed was the extra layer Keene added with references to his othe works. I always look forward to each new offerning by Mr. Keene and KILL WHITEY was no exception. Recommended. Can't wait for GHOST WALK!
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun stuff!!, January 22, 2012
This was the first of Keene's books I had ever read. Though it had been out for awhile it wasn't till Deadite gave the world a cheaper release that I snagged a copy. Of course once again, that damn cover art.
This one was a fast read, chugged back faster then a six pack on a hot day. Fast, easy and bubbly with frothy blood.
I don't want to ruin this story by getting into it to deeply, but basically... a group of friends who frequent a strip club, one character falls in love with the sight of a stripper, who is "owned" by a Russian gangster named Whitey. She escapes with his help and no matter what they throw at this Whitey fellow, well, he just won't stay down.
A great fun, horror novel! Full of gore, violence and human struggles to overcome the evils they release.
My only qualm..."True that" is said a few times by one character and I wanted to strangle him every time he said that at critically moments in the story. Lucky for me he is brutally dispatched.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Fast, pusle pounding, out-of control mayhem...I loved every minute of it., December 22, 2011
Brian Keene may very well be one of horror's best authors. Hell, he may be one of fiction's best authors, period. Think about it. Somewhere between the 25 books he has written, Keene has resurrected (no pun intended) the zombie genre with
The Rising [RISING] [Mass Market Paperback],
City of the Dead and the fantastic
Dead Sea. He's taken on giant worms in
The Conqueror Worms [CONQUEROR WORMS] [Mass Market Paperback] and helped co-author the 2nd and 3rd installment in the "Clickers Trilogy". And yes, his horror is great, but it's his thrillers that really make him stand out to be an incredible author.
Like the bank-robbery of
Terminal and the rapture that takes place in
Take the Long Way Home, there is a supernatural element to "Kill Whitey". Even though Whitey is (SPOILER ALERT!!!!) basically indestructible, it does nothing to take away from the story but instead adds to the relentless tension and pacing of the story.
That is where "Kill Whitey" really succeeds and stands high and above it's literary co-partners. This book is a true powerhouse when it comes to the thriller genre. I feel like the Stefan character from Saturday Night Live when I say this book has everything: strippers, car chases, shootouts, Russian mobsters, beautiful women, explosions, bloody entrails, impaled bodies, bats to the face, overall gratuitous amounts of violence, and action that never, ever, seems to let up. Think of the bloodiest film you've seen, couple that with the throat clutching suspense of of an action film like "Commando" or "Rambo", add in a plot that is a truly original take on an old rumor and for a little more fun mix in the skills of Keene's writing and you have one of the best novels of Keene's illustrious career.
Seriously, "Kill Whitey" is pure literary gold and a big thanks goes out to Deadite Press and Keene himself for re-releasing this usually hard to find novel. Some of Keene's more recent novels (
Clickers III: Dagon Rising,
Castaways,
Urban Gothic) have been a bit on the disappointing side but the older republished works like this is the proof as to why Mr. Keene has been so successful.
If the thought of blood and guts and over the top violence written in glorious potential for a splatter-fest summer blockbuster, is something that appeals to you, then take my word for it when I strongly recommend you read this book, and read it now. Like drop everything you're doing, purchase this novel and read it, RIGHT NOW. Of course for those of you repulsed by this kind of thing, you can always read a Nicholas Sparks lovey-dovey, unrealistic, sappy, cheesy, love story...
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