Killing Red [Kindle Edition]

Henry Perez (Author)

Book Description

He's Been Waiting. . .

On death row, serial killer Kenneth Lee Grubb has six days to live. His last request? An interview with reporter Alex Chapa. What begins as a dream story soon turns into a nightmare for Alex. For amidst Grubb's taunts and boasts lies the horrific claim that someone is carefully repeating his past crimes. . .

For The Moment. . .

When nine people suddenly turn up dead, Alex realizes Grubb is telling the truth. Now the copycat killer is ready to pay his ultimate tribute to his idol. He's set his sights on Annie Sykes--or "Red" as Grubb calls her--the only survivor of his bloodlust fifteen years ago. . .

To Commit The Perfect Murder. . .

In a desperate race against time, Alex must find Annie and rescue her from the same fate she escaped a decade earlier. But what Alex doesn't know is that "Red" isn't the only one whose life is in danger. . .

"A riveting thriller. Killing Red demands to be read in one sitting." --James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author

"Fascinating! Dark and disturbing, Killing Red is not for the faint of heart. It kept me turning pages long into the night." --Lisa Jackson, New York Times bestselling author

"Killing Red heralds a meteoric debut! Compulsively readable, crafted with surgical skill, Henry Perez's first novel tells a decade-spanning story of how evil can plant its seeds in the most mundane of all places and then spread like kudzu. Not since Thomas Harris burst onto the scene with Black Sunday has a debut thriller come along that sinks its hooks this deep into a reader from page one. Here's a public service message to all thriller lovers: Do not start this book at night if you want to get any sleep, because you will be up until you cross the finish line – pulse racing, skin sweaty – but happy as hell you decided to go on this magnificent thrill ride. Highest recommendation!" --Jay Bonansinga, National Bestselling Author of Perfect Victim

"Taut, provocative, and unforgettable. Henry Perez's Killing Red is the one debut novel you need to read this year." --Tasha Alexander, author of A Fatal Waltz

"Killing Red is an intense, smart read, and Alex Chapa is a character of flesh and blood. A terrific debut--bravo!" --Marcus Sakey, author of The Blade Itself

Product Details

• File Size: 522 KB
• Print Length: 416 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0786020326
• Publisher: Pinnacle Books (June 1, 2009)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B002BTT0OK
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,270 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars action-packed riveting thriller June 6, 2009

By Harriet Klausner #1 HALL OF FAME

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Kenneth Lee Grubb kidnapped and killed nine children he believed were demons and also sanctioned by God's blessing needed to send back to hell. Only Annie Sykes escaped his execution; she gave the police his description and directions to his home. He was caught, tried and convicted to die.

Reporter Alex Chapa covered the gruesome story for the Tri-Cities Bulletin fifteen years ago. That story gave him recognition that led to his current position with the more prestigious Chicago Record. Six days before the State executes him, Grubb calls Chapa inviting him to interview him. In between his boasts of being a weapon for the good of mankind, he informs him that a copy cat serial killer is repeating his murders; only this predator plans to finish the job he failed to complete, killing "Red" as he calls Sykes. Alex quickly learns there are nine people dead as homage by someone to Grubb. Chapa vows to find and keep Annie safe not fully understanding the devilish scheme of Grubb's "protégé".

Readers will enjoy Henry Perez's strong first tale because the key characters come across as real. Grubb especially is a fascinating antagonist in a macabre sense as he invokes the need to be rid of demons for killing the children. Alex is a solid reporter, but proves he is made of the right stuff as he follows up on Grubb's rant risking his life to keep a woman he does not know outside of her childhood testimony safe. Fast-paced from the onset, readers will enjoy this action-packed riveting thriller as murder is done in the name of getting rid of demons that look like children.

Harriet Klausner

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Three cheers for the Fourth Estate June 15, 2009

By John Sandrolini

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This book grabbed me by the throat. I devoured its 400 pages in four readings, which is a new indoor record for me. Killing Red has, shall I say, the bones of a great thriller: troubled hero, damsel in distress, black-hearted central villain and a cast of characters every bit as colorful as "The Usual Suspects."

Henry Perez adds to this mix great pacing and true suspense. I didn't see the last turn coming but it's a good one. This book surprised throughout with its humanism, humor and whodunit twists.

Beyond that, Perez's treatment of his protagonist is first-rate. I really care about this guy and his all-too-real human weaknesses. Reporter Alex Chapa may have been born in Cuba but his willingness to take on his own dark past in his search for redemption makes him as 100% American as Rick Blaine.

Somebody wants to kill Red but you just have the sense that ain't gonna happen on Alex Chapa's watch, even if he has no idea how he'll stop them. He's smart, resourceful and relentless, his brain and his heart his best weapons against the array of dark forces around him.

I am definitely looking forward to another round of drinks at Prather's while I read Alex's next adventure. Hope it's soon.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars 3 1/2 Stars August 1, 2009

By Lynn ODell

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Liked:

I enjoyed the plot and the writing style was very good.

Chapa is an interesting protagonist. I've always enjoyed books where the 'hero' has his own faults and is not invincible.

The ending was fascinating and unpredictable.

Disliked:

In the first quarter of the book, there is a lot of repetition with switiching of viewpoints, much of which I felt was unnecessary to the storyline.

The middle of the book dragged quite a bit, bogging the reader down with unnecessary scenes.

Overall:

An interesting read which mystery/thriller readers will enjoy.

Length: Full Novel

Rating: PG-13 for mild violence. (The author did a great job of not trying to 'shock' readers with blood and gore.)

More About the Author

Henry Perez was born in Havana, Cuba at the height of the Cold War. He immigrated with his family from Cuba to the U.S. at a young age. He has been writing stories as long as he can remember. In early 2008 Henry signed a two book deal with Kensington. Mourn the Living was released in 2010 and quickly became a Kindle bestseller. His debut thriller, Killing Red, was published in 2009 to outstanding reviews.

He co-authored with J.A. Konrath the novella Floaters, which features Alex Chapa and Chicago Police Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels.

Henry has worked as a television and video producer, a tv news cameraman, and a newspaper reporter. His short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife and daughters, where he is currently at work on his next novel.