Killer Chronicles by Somer Canon is a horror story that blends true crime with a fairy tale. The book begins with a tone that resembles a true crime thriller, featuring a lone blogger who investigates the crime of serial killings. However, this novel is not about a serial killer; it is about an ancient entity that can assume various forms and wreak havoc. The creature requires a gift. Once it has the gift or offering, it judges the person. Based on how the observation goes, it either gives the person a gift or it kills them in a way that fits that person’s choices. Like one person was so filthy that the creature made soap out of the victim’s body fat. The creature is a real piece of work. Even when the creature gives a gift, it still tortures the person in many ways. The book has two themes: what makes a person good, and you get what’s coming to you. What makes a person good takes an interesting angle when the creature starts making its judgment. You like helping people, but you can’t visit and help your mother? I like that the creature is like you’re kind of good. You get what is coming to you, you reap what you sow; this is used for both the gifts and punishments for the creature. The book is not all that gory, but it has one scene that is extreme and ultra gory. We only witness one murder by the creature; the rest of the time, we see the aftermath. But the one time we see the murder, it is from the perspective of a character who wants to look away but cannot, and it is very effective. Killer Chronicles by Somer Canon was first published on October 10, 2017.

Why Did I Read Killer Chronicles? Somer Canon was not on my radar at all. I think I had listened to her being interviewed on The Horror Show with Brian Keene. Anyway, Somer was going to be at the book signing for The End of the World as We Know It. She has a story in the anthology. I wanted to read a book from each author in attendance. I researched, and Killer Chronicles kept coming up. I was able to finish it before the signing and enjoyed it. She signed it and added the phrase Be careful what you wish for! This fits this book very well.

Plot Summary: Matt is a pedophile on the run. He stops on the side of the road to use the bathroom and finds this hidden lake that is crystal clear. He pees in it, delighting at the gift he gave the crystal blue water. He goes to town and meets a young girl who is shy and strange. The next time anyone sees Mark is in the form of skin pieces. The body is never found, just skin. This case would have scared others away, but it excites the two girls, Christina and Anais, who run Killer Chronicles. Killer Chronicles is a popular online database on serial killers. They interview victims’ families, eyewitnesses to crimes, and research locations where killings happened. The killer chronicles website has been growing steadily. Chris finds out about the crime by the lake and another crime where no body was found, just a soap made out of the victim’s body fat. Christina goes into the town alone, where she meets a pushy local reporter, a cute police secretary, and a strange, deadly creature that can shapeshift.

What I Liked: I liked how good a journalist Christina is. When she interviews people, there is no clumsiness. I’m just an internet journalist. Some hard, thoughtful questions are asked. I liked the way the murder happened because it was through Christina’s eyes. This is a murder she does not think is justified and doesn’t want to see. The way Canon wrote it was like peaking through fingers that do a bad job of covering your eyes. That scene was brutal but written very well. I liked the odd, quirky humor from the creature who is still figuring out the world it is now in. I like that the character of Chris was so vulnerable with anxiety and weight. But she had so much inner strength and was honest with herself. The true crime angle and the way the murders were described were great. The introduction to Killer Chronicles by Mary SanGiovanni was incredible. I was very impressed and bought two books from her because of it.

What I Disliked: I wanted more of the questioning of whether Christina was a good person or not. I felt that conversation had more to discuss. Terry’s character bothered me a little. He was too much of a romantic for being as hot as he was described. I thought he was described as very hot. Because of this, I felt he would have grown out of that phase of his life. Anais and Christina were too similar. In the first scene with them together, it was hard to tell them apart. Thankfully, it is just one scene of them being together.

Recommendations: Killer Chronicles is a weird, strange ride. The true crime angle works very well. I’m not a fan of true crime, but I enjoyed Canon’s approach to the story. I think readers who enjoy True Crime will get a lot more out of Killer Chronicle than I did. When the book turns to a horror Fairy Tale, it is great and a little scary. I recommend Killer Chronicles to my followers, but there is a big trigger warning for a rape scene. I have read a couple of Rape scenes before in My Dark Vanessa and Lovely Bones, but this scene is intense. I don’t think I have ever been put in the headspace that Killer Chronicles had me in. So if that trigger warning doesn’t keep you away from this book, the story, the questions it asks, the weird humor, and honest writing are great.

Rating: Killer Chronicles by Somer Canon, I rated 3.9 out of 5.