Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
Kindle Price: $3.99

Save $11.01 (73%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Carl Vonderau
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Murderabilia: A Crime Thriller Kindle Edition

by Carl Vonderau (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 44 ratings
See all formats and editions
A DARK SECRET..
No one was supposed to know that banker William McNary is a serial killer's son.
Until one night... the phone rang.

*** Left Coast Crime Award for Best Debut Novel
*** San Diego Book Award for Best Mystery/Suspense
*** Kops-Fetherling Gold Phoenix Award for Best New Voice: Fiction

William MacNary’s father stamped his picturesque post-murder photos onto the nation’s horrified consciousness.
He was eight years old when his father went to prison.

Since then, William has carefully built a life as a family man and private banker for the very wealthy. He tries to forget that his father murdered, dismembered, and photographed thirteen women. Those exquisitely composed black and white photos of severed hands, heads and feet won him the moniker, The Preying Hands, and launched the “murderabilia” art market.

William has not spoken to his father for thirty-one years. No one at his tony bank knows whose son he is. His secret remains safe until he receives an anonymous call from someone claiming to be his brother... and his wife’s colleague is murdered and displayed in the style of The Preying Hands.

All the evidence points to William.

Arrested and thrown in jail, he’s terrified that his family will be attacked and his children’s lives shattered.

Only one person can understand the copycat killer... the monster William hasn’t seen since he was a child.

William must persuade his father to help before the killer strikes again and harms his family.
But to do that, he has to reconcile with his own dark past.

Read Murderabilia to slice open the sins of the father today!

GET YOUR COPY!

What Readers are Saying:

"...a story that will lay a cold finger of dread on the back of your neck." ~Karin Slaughter, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Daughter

"Murderabilia explores the dark corners of the soul in a riveting story sure to grab your attention and keep you reading till the final page. This is a superb debut from a striking new voice." ~William Bernhardt, author of The Last Chance Lawyers

"...a dark, tense, sophisticated story about just how deep and far the sins of the father can reach into the innocent lives of his children. Carl Vonderau is a new (and very scary) voice." ~Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of The Ocean

"...offers a rare insider's view into the mysterious world of private banking. International landscapes, deep family secrets, and religious overtones create the perfect backdrop for a brilliant debut. Vonderau's fresh prose and heart-stopping twists promise that he is a writer to watch!" ~K.J. Howe, internationally bestselling author of The Freedom Broker and Skyjack
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    349 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    October 14, 2021
  5. File size
    3557 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
Next slide of product details

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Murderabilia is a dark, tense, sophisticated story about just how deep and far the sins of the father can reach into the innocent lives of his children. Carl Vonderau is a new (and very scary) voice." ~Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of The Ocean

"...offers a rare insider's view into the mysterious world of private banking. International landscapes, deep family secrets, and religious overtones create the perfect backdrop for a brilliant debut. Vonderau's fresh prose and heart-stopping twists promise that he is a writer to watch!" ~K.J. Howe, internationally bestselling author of The Freedom Broker and Skyjack

"...a story that will lay a cold finger of dread on the back of your neck." ~Karin Slaughter, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Daughter

"Murderabilia explores the dark corners of the soul in a riveting story sure to grab your attention and keep you reading till the final page. This is a superb debut from a striking new voice." ~William Bernhardt, author of The Last Chance Lawyers

From the Inside Flap

My career — my life — was carefully constructed to appear normal. Until two years ago.

That's when a simple cell phone call unraveled the layers of my facade. When I answered, I was standing beneath the glass cupola in our bank's main hallway.

A voice distorted beyond recognition said, "William McNary. That's not your real name, is it, Tex?"

I pushed my palm against the wall to steady myself. "Tex" was my childhood nickname when we lived in Illinois. The name my father gave me.

"Do you ever think about hands? He thought about hands a lot, your daddy did. Right, Tex? You there?"

An electronic warble could have been a laugh.

"Who... who is this?" I asked.

"Your brother. The only one who really knows you."

The line went dead.

I don't have a brother.

I stumbled down the hallway toward the bank's reception area. I could go down the elevators and get some air. But instead I turned and lurched the other direction, toward the fake French doors that led into the banking department. Passing the rows of offices inside, I was aware of Ambrose Hines pitching on the phone, her index finger jabbing each benefit in the air. Everyone else was out seeing clients. I ducked into the cover of my own office. With my door shut, I sank my head into my hands.

The whole country knew of Harvey Dean Kogan, but no one suspected that I was his son. My boss and clients would be shocked. Why didn't you tell us? What about the bank's reputation?

But worst of all was what this might do to my kids. No child should grow up knowing that monster was part of their family.

~ William McNary
Banker, Son of a Serial Killer

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09JL99H51
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 14, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3557 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 349 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B09K21SR3G
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 44 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Carl Vonderau

Carl Vonderau

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Carl Vonderau writes domestic suspense and thrillers. His first novel, MURDERABILIA, won the Left Coast Crime award in 2020 for Best Debut Novel, the San Diego Book award for Best Mystery, and the Kops-Fetherling Gold Phoenix award. Carl's next novel, SAVING MYLES, was published on August 15, 2023 and won the American the BookFest and the PenCraft awards in Mystery/Suspense. He was also designated as the highlighted March author by the San Diego Central Library.

A former banker, he worked in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and North Africa. He now writes and helps nonprofits through Social Venture Partners.

Carl lives with his wife in San Diego. His two grown sons are close by and wonder how he knows so much about serial killers and banking crimes.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
44 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the pacing incredible, fast, and interesting. They also appreciate the excellent dialogue and character development. Readers describe the writing quality as well-written and beautiful.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
PacingCharacter developmentWriting quality
6 customers mention "Pacing"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book incredible, fast, and chilling. They also describe the book as a psychological read with a fascinating look at the soul of a person none of us want to encounter.

"...the subsequent generations made the book interesting and a psychological read. Looking forward to more from this author." Read more

"...Excellent pacing!" Read more

"...I enjoyed this fast-paced story and highly recommend it." Read more

"...Why didn't I see it coming? Great characters and a chilling portrayal of William's deeply disturbed family...." Read more

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the character development excellent.

"...but Murderabilia was a page-turner with excellent dialogue and character development that kept me reading until the finish...." Read more

"...Vonderau did an amazing job developing characters who were the family members of a serial killer, each with a different take on their father/husband...." Read more

"...Why didn't I see it coming? Great characters and a chilling portrayal of William's deeply disturbed family...." Read more

"...Beautifully written and characters are all persuasive...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book well-written and skillfully takes them deep into the mind of a depraved person. They describe the book as a great read and an excellent debut novel.

"...I devoured this book. It's a great read." Read more

"This well written thriller kept me glued to the page...." Read more

"This is a well-written novel that skillfully takes the reader deep into the mind of a depraved killer, the panic of a father who is watching his..." Read more

"Murderabilia is a fantastic read! It kept me up late, eager to see if William could save himself and his family from a vicious killer...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

kybookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
That’s the best word I can think of to express how I feel about this book! I did not want to put it down to do things I had to do, but I also didn’t want to see it end. I’ve always thought how awful it would be to have a family member who committed a horrible crime, especially something like serial murder, and I really think this author did a great job of imagining it. A child of someone like that is bound to have feelings of love and loss mixed in with the feelings of revulsion. William, the main character of this book, deals with those feelings, and at the same time he has to deal with the very real threat of being accused of being like his father and the threat of he and his family being targeted by another serial killer. To summarize, this book has it all!
Helpful
 Report
Christine
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2022
Verified Purchase
I generally don’t read grisly whodunnits but Murderabilia was a page-turner with excellent dialogue and character development that kept me reading until the finish. Delving into the family of a serial killer and all the ways parenting impacts the subsequent generations made the book interesting and a psychological read. Looking forward to more from this author.
Helpful
 Report
Jennifer Silva Redmond
4.0 out of 5 stars A real page-turner
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
Set in San Diego, this gripping novel digs into the reality under the sunny setting, showing what can happen to an innocent man when he's accused of a horrific crime. Fair warning, it gets a little grisly at times. And it may keep you up at night. It did me.
Helpful
 Report
M. Lang
5.0 out of 5 stars This book belongs at the top of the genre
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
I'd sworn off serial killer mysteries, but there are always a few really good mystery-suspense writers that draw me back into this particular human horror, and Carl Vonderau is one of them. This story focuses on the son of a serial killer and all the torments that implies. He's built a sane and loving family life for himself, but the terror refuses to die, and he gets a mysterious phone call, slamming him with the past. Both the mystery and the psychological complexities kept me turning pages. If you're a reader who has to munch on something during the scary parts, you'll need the equivalent of about four bags of chips. I devoured this book. It's a great read.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Pat Stoltey
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping!
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a gripping novel of a man and his family who are haunted by their father's crimes. As a serial killer, he ruined the lives of his wife and kids because it seems there's no escape from his influence. Excellent pacing!
Helpful
 Report
Margaret Mizushima
5.0 out of 5 stars Kept Me on the Edge of my Seat
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
This well written thriller kept me glued to the page. Vonderau did an amazing job developing characters who were the family members of a serial killer, each with a different take on their father/husband. I enjoyed this fast-paced story and highly recommend it.
Helpful
 Report
carl brookins
4.0 out of 5 stars Copy Cat Killer Drives Twisting Emotional Novel
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2020
A dark, intense story of murder and family destruction, this novel, after a slow start, will engage readers in a way that will leave them in thoughtful contemplation of family relationships.
Will McNary has a successful career as a private banker who works with individual clients on their financial investments and other monetary activities. He’s married with two young children and living in San Diego. His life is generally calm and ordinary, although he’s feeling a little heat in the form of competition from other officers of the bank. His sister Polly and their aging mother share an unsettling secret.
When Will was a child of only eight, his father was sent to prison for murdering and butchering several women. He compounded his heinous crime by posing and photographing the women, pictures that were circulated and sold on the underground market. McNary’s father was convicted and when the novel opens, has been in prison for more than thirty years. Now, a copy-cat killer linked to Will’s father has emerged, one who appears to be targeting Will and his family.
The story follows Will along a sordid twisting trail as he attempts to protect his loved ones, help law enforcement find the vicious copy-cat, and plumb the emotional depths of the knowledge that he is the son of an incredibly twisted killer.
The novel is well-written and once moving along its trail, enthralling. I hesitate to call it a page turner, however, for those readers attracted to the truly dark side of humanity in several of its manifestations, this carefully crafted story is insistently engaging.
Helpful
 Report
Robert Weinberg
5.0 out of 5 stars Best murder mystery I've read in years!
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2022
Verified Purchase
Carl Vonderau has written the best murder mystery I've read in YEARS! Obviously well-researched, it made me really care about the characters and kept me on the edge of my seat.

DON'T MISS THIS BOOK!
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

dawngoodall4
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
I loved everything about this book. The story moves at a brisk pace from the very beginning, the characters are well described and this makes the reader invested in what happens to them. I'd recommend this book to any reader who loves a well thought out, well written murder story. I can't wait to read more books by this author.
Report
Ron McMillan
4.0 out of 5 stars A unique slant on the serial killer theme, brilliantly crafted
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
No blurb or spoilers here, but when a respectable banker with a dark secret in his past finds his family and associates under attack from a killer who clearly knows a lot about his the banker's father's foul crimes, he has to take things into his own hands if the killer is ever going to be identified. Excellent, thrilling crime fiction. I will be very surprised if it is not destined for Netflix or the big screen.
Report
Lagoon
4.0 out of 5 stars Contemporary and intense.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
A banker is set up for murder. With the banker’s father being a notorious serial killer, you can understand why the police aren’t falling over themselves to believe the banker’s protestations of innocence. Examining the relationship between father and son, the prison scenes in particular have that ring of authenticity.

As the story plays out, you are reminded of the thrall in which so many in society hold serial killers. More than just a chilling novel, this is a reflection of the damaged social landscape that we have created. Religion also features heavily and shows how we can insulate ourselves from evil but also carry out the most hideous acts whilst holding fast to the same set of beliefs.

I missed having a lead from the police or the FBI as a central character but that’s probably just something I’ve come to expect in crime novels.
Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report