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40th out of 228 books
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315 voters
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add to my books
The Kult
by
Shaun Jeffrey (Goodreads Author)
People are predictable. That’s what makes them easy to kill.
Detective Chief Inspector Prosper Snow is in charge of an investigation into a serial killer called The Oracle who turns his victims into macabre works of art. But Prosper harbours a dark secret of his own. He and his old school friends were members of a group called The Kult who made a pact to dish ou...more
Detective Chief Inspector Prosper Snow is in charge of an investigation into a serial killer called The Oracle who turns his victims into macabre works of art. But Prosper harbours a dark secret of his own. He and his old school friends were members of a group called The Kult who made a pact to dish ou...more
Paperback, 328 pages
Published
May 25th 2009
by Leucrota Press
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I had better like it - I wrote it!
view all 3 comments
Read this review at Smash Attack Reads! http://www.smashattackreads.com/2011/05/...
The Kult is my first taste of horror in a long while, and boy, have I missed it. This book was pretty awesome in all its gory, thrilling, sadistic glory. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and use of phrasing and foreshadowing. And, he’s a really good story teller! The story keeps you on your toes as you try and figure out who the serial killer is, and cunning misdirection by the author ensures...more
The Kult is my first taste of horror in a long while, and boy, have I missed it. This book was pretty awesome in all its gory, thrilling, sadistic glory. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and use of phrasing and foreshadowing. And, he’s a really good story teller! The story keeps you on your toes as you try and figure out who the serial killer is, and cunning misdirection by the author ensures...more
I have to admit through different sets off circumstances I took a long while to really get into this book but once I got into it I managed to finish it in one night (waiting on Santa!)
I absolutely loved it! The whole last half of the book felt completely full of action and I physically couldn't put it down!
I was even more happy that I called it. I have no idea how because the twist was truly OUT OF THE BLUE but I definitely called it.
I even said to my Mother before...more
I absolutely loved it! The whole last half of the book felt completely full of action and I physically couldn't put it down!
I was even more happy that I called it. I have no idea how because the twist was truly OUT OF THE BLUE but I definitely called it.
I even said to my Mother before...more
I was put off reading this book for a long time because I had the impression it was horror in a sort "Freddy" kind of style - how wrong I was...
Although The Kult has a fair bit of blood and guts it didn't feel out of place. In other words the violence, although dammed scary, is not gratuitous. The plot is solid as we watch poor Prosper's life disintegrating around him while he attempts to solve the crimes of The Oracle.
No kidding - I read this book in a day, onc...more
Although The Kult has a fair bit of blood and guts it didn't feel out of place. In other words the violence, although dammed scary, is not gratuitous. The plot is solid as we watch poor Prosper's life disintegrating around him while he attempts to solve the crimes of The Oracle.
No kidding - I read this book in a day, onc...more
Article first published as Book Review: The Kult by Shaun Jeffrey on Blogcritics.
Often as children, we build clubs and belong to one or more groups of friends that we remain close to for the rest of our lives. What would happen if a group of children that were bullied by those bigger and stronger formed a new club? Then what would happen if the purpose of that club were to extract revenge?
In The Kult by Shaun Jeffrey, we enter the world of a psychopathic killer, known as ...more
Often as children, we build clubs and belong to one or more groups of friends that we remain close to for the rest of our lives. What would happen if a group of children that were bullied by those bigger and stronger formed a new club? Then what would happen if the purpose of that club were to extract revenge?
In The Kult by Shaun Jeffrey, we enter the world of a psychopathic killer, known as ...more
If you made a pact with your friends when you were children, would you honor it today?
Prosper, Paris, Wolfe, Ty and Jerel made a pact as kids to protect each other. They would punish who ever hurt one of their group. Through the years they would meet and beat up whoever the group needed revenge against. This is one of the secrets that Inspector Prosper Snow is hiding. Hiding from his wife, son and his fellow officers. Jerel sends out an email to the other members of The Kult th...more
Prosper, Paris, Wolfe, Ty and Jerel made a pact as kids to protect each other. They would punish who ever hurt one of their group. Through the years they would meet and beat up whoever the group needed revenge against. This is one of the secrets that Inspector Prosper Snow is hiding. Hiding from his wife, son and his fellow officers. Jerel sends out an email to the other members of The Kult th...more
Book Chick City
rated it
Reviewed by Jo for Book Chick City. 9/10 on the blog.
I have read a lot of horror novels, especially ones involving a Detective vs. Serial Killer, with slightly pretentious ‘Look how clever I am!’ twisty plots. I really thought I was going to be reading another one. I was SO wrong. I was pulled into this novel, and I could not escape until I had finished the last page.
The Kult starts out through the eyes of the novel’s serial killer, self-named The Oracle. He believes, in one ...more
I have read a lot of horror novels, especially ones involving a Detective vs. Serial Killer, with slightly pretentious ‘Look how clever I am!’ twisty plots. I really thought I was going to be reading another one. I was SO wrong. I was pulled into this novel, and I could not escape until I had finished the last page.
The Kult starts out through the eyes of the novel’s serial killer, self-named The Oracle. He believes, in one ...more
The Kult has some pretty exciting moments and Shaun Jeffrey has a real gift for narrative. However, I found myself suspending disbelief a few times too often to really love this novel. It's an interesting idea regarding a serial killer who displays his victims as art with clues to his motives. Meanwhile, the detective who is investigating the murders becomes involved in a copy cat killing to help his friends. I think you can probably see the problem. It is too much of a leap of faith for me to b...more
The Kult starts off from the eyes of a serial killer, fittingly given the name, The Oracle. He believes that all people are predictable, and that that's what makes them so easy to kill. After The Oracle kills a person, he sends in a picture to the police of the body with pictures of various other serial killers surrounding the body.
Detective Chief Inspector Prosper Snow is heading the case of The Oracle and is at a loss to what the significance of the surrounding pictures within thes...more
Detective Chief Inspector Prosper Snow is heading the case of The Oracle and is at a loss to what the significance of the surrounding pictures within thes...more
Here's a book that really does live up to those often used phrases for book reviews 'a page tuner of the highest order'... 'a white hot read'... 'sizzling'.
When I first started reading The Kult I was expecting another novel from the school of kooky detective vs sadistic serial killer... thankfully Shaun's novel shattered these expectations and after the initial 70 odd pages I was well and truly hooked.
Two nights later and I'm racing towards the climax of the novel, eager ...more
When I first started reading The Kult I was expecting another novel from the school of kooky detective vs sadistic serial killer... thankfully Shaun's novel shattered these expectations and after the initial 70 odd pages I was well and truly hooked.
Two nights later and I'm racing towards the climax of the novel, eager ...more
After I read Shaun's book Dead Man's Eye I did two things: bought his other books and made a cup of tea. What can I say, I like tea.
Shaun is what you expect from an indie author; he writes books that entertain him first, pouring a lot of energy and enthusiasm into his stories. I enjoyed The Kult, not just because of that, but because Shaun has also turned out a fine thriller.
Actually, calling this book a horror is probably underplaying the thriller aspects of the novel. T...more
Shaun is what you expect from an indie author; he writes books that entertain him first, pouring a lot of energy and enthusiasm into his stories. I enjoyed The Kult, not just because of that, but because Shaun has also turned out a fine thriller.
Actually, calling this book a horror is probably underplaying the thriller aspects of the novel. T...more
This isn't a review so much as an explanation as to why I enjoyed this book so much. What I liked about "The Kult" was the sneaky way Jeffrey has in keeping the reader guessing as to what's going on. I also loved the characters, as each one of them had a life and personality of their own and never really deviate from that.
What I liked the most, however, is what I imagine it would feel like to the average Joe, like me, if one were to unwillingly commit murder. I think that ...more
What I liked the most, however, is what I imagine it would feel like to the average Joe, like me, if one were to unwillingly commit murder. I think that ...more
I received this pre-publication copy thru Goodreads. It took about a month to get here, but was worth the wait. The publishers caution that there are some typographical errors, etc. but they didn't detract from the enjoyment.
Not everyone enjoys reading books with violence and gore, so this is a cautionary statement for them. The Kult refers to a band in which the now mature men once played, not some form of offbeat religion, or does it?
The setting is Great Britain, th...more
Not everyone enjoys reading books with violence and gore, so this is a cautionary statement for them. The Kult refers to a band in which the now mature men once played, not some form of offbeat religion, or does it?
The setting is Great Britain, th...more
"The Kult" is an exceptional mystery thriller that keeps you guessing right until the end. Packed with action and excitement, you'll find yourself unable to put it down.
It follows the character Prosper Snow, who is thoroughly relatable police detective, but like all good sleuths, somewhat flawed. A little misguided loyalty towards his friends spirals out of control and he finds himself caught up in the middle of a very dark deed indeed.
In a twist on the regular whod...more
It follows the character Prosper Snow, who is thoroughly relatable police detective, but like all good sleuths, somewhat flawed. A little misguided loyalty towards his friends spirals out of control and he finds himself caught up in the middle of a very dark deed indeed.
In a twist on the regular whod...more
"People are predictable. That's what makes them easy to kill."
"Look out, look out, there's a monster about."
And a quote I'm totally ripping off from a friend, but fits this book so perfectly: "The scariest monsters have human faces".
This book was scary. The beginning was pure horror. 10% into the book, and I was afraid to leave the house. At one point near the beginning, I almost put the book down saying "no more"...more
"Look out, look out, there's a monster about."
And a quote I'm totally ripping off from a friend, but fits this book so perfectly: "The scariest monsters have human faces".
This book was scary. The beginning was pure horror. 10% into the book, and I was afraid to leave the house. At one point near the beginning, I almost put the book down saying "no more"...more
The premise, that the protagonist Prosper Snow gets pushed into helping with a copycat killing, seems hard to believe when reading it in the description. However, the author sets this up in such a way that buying into the premise isn’t as difficult as you might expect. What follows from that decision is a horrific nightmare. A murder mystery that at times reads like a police procedural and is spiced with more than a touch of horror, "The Kult" isn’t your typical book.
What w...more
What w...more
If you seek cheap thrills, then please, keep on searching. The Kult is a book that will draw your time away from until you realize you're up in the wee hours of the morning (after all, time flies when you're having fun)! I can definitely attest to that previous claim. I only started reading the book a day and a half ago, and finished it earlier today! Not many books can capture my attention like The Kult did, so Shaun Jeffrey, major kudos to you!
The book delivers an enthralling adventu...more
The book delivers an enthralling adventu...more
First published in 2009, Shaun Jeffrey’s sadistically dark serial killer thriller entitled ‘The Kult’ is his second full length novel to be published.
The tale follows the lead character of Detective Chief Inspector Prosper Snow as a series of disturbing murders begin to take place. The first victim to the psychotic serial killer self-named ‘The Oracle’, is the young and facially disfigured girl Jane Numan. The first that Snow and the rest of the force hear about the murder is when ...more
The tale follows the lead character of Detective Chief Inspector Prosper Snow as a series of disturbing murders begin to take place. The first victim to the psychotic serial killer self-named ‘The Oracle’, is the young and facially disfigured girl Jane Numan. The first that Snow and the rest of the force hear about the murder is when ...more
Having read the book I can honestly say that the story was interesting, well thought out, imaginative and crafted so that the reader followed it eagerly to the ending.
I am an avid reader of many books of varying genres and my tastes run from horror, crime fiction to comedy.
I have read one of Shaun Jeffrey's previous books "Evilution" and enjoyed that immensely so I eagerly awaited his latest novel.
I would describe The Kult as a crime thriller whic...more
I am an avid reader of many books of varying genres and my tastes run from horror, crime fiction to comedy.
I have read one of Shaun Jeffrey's previous books "Evilution" and enjoyed that immensely so I eagerly awaited his latest novel.
I would describe The Kult as a crime thriller whic...more
This was a great book. Really fast paced and packed full of twists and turns that kept you guessing right to the end.
It was pretty gory but I like that sort of thing.
I kept thinking it was set in America and not the UK, mainly because of the character's names...they seemed a bit unusual to be British. But this didn't take anything away from the story.
I enjoyed this book so much that I have now bought Shaun's other books and I'm really looking forward to reading them.
It was pretty gory but I like that sort of thing.
I kept thinking it was set in America and not the UK, mainly because of the character's names...they seemed a bit unusual to be British. But this didn't take anything away from the story.
I enjoyed this book so much that I have now bought Shaun's other books and I'm really looking forward to reading them.
I received this ebook from the Librarything Giveaway program a few weeks ago and I just got around to really reading it. I love serial killer stories, although I don’t read too many thrillers.
This is a good book, not the most original I’ve ever come across, but it certainly keeps you turning the pages. There are some beautiful descriptive passages that made me smile, even through a slight twitch at the gore. Sometimes you just need some guts spilling. Ok, maybe it’s just me.
...more
This is a good book, not the most original I’ve ever come across, but it certainly keeps you turning the pages. There are some beautiful descriptive passages that made me smile, even through a slight twitch at the gore. Sometimes you just need some guts spilling. Ok, maybe it’s just me.
...more
Susan
rated it
Recommends it for:
Readers who enjoy macabre mysteries
Recommended to Susan by:
Stephen White - Alan Gregory group
3 1/2 stars.
It's a pretty sure bet that I won't be eating any tapioca pudding for awhile.
Prosper Snow is a British police detective investigating the work of an especially violent serial killer who is nicknamed the Oracle, and the killings get a little too close to home. Snow is also a member of a group of friends who were all bullied in school for one reason or another and have vowed to always stand up for each other, calling their group The Kult after a band they had...more
It's a pretty sure bet that I won't be eating any tapioca pudding for awhile.
Prosper Snow is a British police detective investigating the work of an especially violent serial killer who is nicknamed the Oracle, and the killings get a little too close to home. Snow is also a member of a group of friends who were all bullied in school for one reason or another and have vowed to always stand up for each other, calling their group The Kult after a band they had...more
I finished the Advanced Reading Copy of Shaun's book, The Kult, tonight. I have to say that the little teaser on the back of the book doesn't do the intensity of the story justice. It starts off grabbing your throat and doesn't let go. Shaun has a way of building the suspense and not letting up. The quality of the book, from http://leucrotapress.com
is wonderful. It has a tough binding and a nice cover. They're a newer press with a quality product.
The Kult's protagonist, Prospe...more
is wonderful. It has a tough binding and a nice cover. They're a newer press with a quality product.
The Kult's protagonist, Prospe...more
Barely having finished another book by Shaun Jeffrey, "Deadfall" to be exact, I simply had to grab another one by him as my next read. And this one drew me in even more than the first one, mainly because I love good suspenseful books a wee bit more than horror.
The story of childhood friends helping each other out in every possible (and murderous) way and the hunt for a serial killer culminate in a shocking connection in the person of Prosper Snow. The amazing cast of characters an...more
The story of childhood friends helping each other out in every possible (and murderous) way and the hunt for a serial killer culminate in a shocking connection in the person of Prosper Snow. The amazing cast of characters an...more
People are predictable. That’s what makes them easy to kill.
Detective Chief Inspector Prosper Snow is in charge of an investigation into a serial killer called The Oracle who turns his victims into macabre works of art. But Prosper harbours a dark secret of his own. He and his old school friends were members of a group called The Kult, who made a pact to dish out their own form of vengeance on bullies. Now a member of the group puts their friendship to the test when he makes a far...more
Advance reader's copy review.
Leucrota Press did a nice job on the presentation.
It’s quite a few years since I read any British books that came anywhere near to fitting into this sort of genre. Perhaps it was a Shaun Hutson, when he was trying to pull free from all the supernatural/mutated nature elements that were common in his more saleable works to get back to straight gorefest bad situation thrillers. Unfortunately it was the supernatural elements that first attracted me, pe...more
Leucrota Press did a nice job on the presentation.
It’s quite a few years since I read any British books that came anywhere near to fitting into this sort of genre. Perhaps it was a Shaun Hutson, when he was trying to pull free from all the supernatural/mutated nature elements that were common in his more saleable works to get back to straight gorefest bad situation thrillers. Unfortunately it was the supernatural elements that first attracted me, pe...more
When Prosper Snow and his friends were kids, they made a pact to stick up for each other should any one of them get bullied. It helped them get through school with little trouble.
Flash forward to today: Prosper is now a police officer whose town is being stalked by a vicious serial killer; this nutjob takes photos of his mutliated victims, sends them to the police, and along with his partner Jill, Prosper begins to find clues in the morbid pictures. Things get challenging when one ...more
Flash forward to today: Prosper is now a police officer whose town is being stalked by a vicious serial killer; this nutjob takes photos of his mutliated victims, sends them to the police, and along with his partner Jill, Prosper begins to find clues in the morbid pictures. Things get challenging when one ...more
Harlan Corben, Simon Kernick and even Dean Koontz. What have they got in common? Gripping thriller writers? Yes. But also a little bit...pretentious in their writing. As in 'look how clever and twisty and turny this book is...'
The Kult is just as gripping, just as clever, but all smugness is thrown out the window. It reads like a novel version of films like Se7en, or even SAW. Nasty, vicious...and still intelligent.
I read this over a couple of days as the damn book refused to...more
The Kult is just as gripping, just as clever, but all smugness is thrown out the window. It reads like a novel version of films like Se7en, or even SAW. Nasty, vicious...and still intelligent.
I read this over a couple of days as the damn book refused to...more
"People are predictable. That's what makes them easy to kill."
I must say it's a smashing opening line, which got me interested in the book (probably because I am a total routine freak and therefore am obviously an easy prey!). It's what got me to buy the book (along with hints that it was going to be rather gory and hearing a lot of praises from fellow readers), and what got me totally into the story within the first few pages.
I won't spoil it for anyone, so I'l...more
I must say it's a smashing opening line, which got me interested in the book (probably because I am a total routine freak and therefore am obviously an easy prey!). It's what got me to buy the book (along with hints that it was going to be rather gory and hearing a lot of praises from fellow readers), and what got me totally into the story within the first few pages.
I won't spoil it for anyone, so I'l...more
Leana
rated it
Recommends it for:
friends or fans of Stephen King
Recommended to Leana by:
first reads win
Shelves:
first-reads,
thrillers
If you are looking for a quick read with plenty of twists and turns, this is your book. It is a good mystery from beginning to ending.
As much as I liked the book, it was not a masterpiece. I felt the characterization was a little weak; I didn't end up getting invovled with the characters as much as I usually would like.
I thought that some of the descriptions were a little overdone and cheesy. A thesaurus is a great tool. But who uses the word "funereal" twice ...more
As much as I liked the book, it was not a masterpiece. I felt the characterization was a little weak; I didn't end up getting invovled with the characters as much as I usually would like.
I thought that some of the descriptions were a little overdone and cheesy. A thesaurus is a great tool. But who uses the word "funereal" twice ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Editio Self-Publi...: From book to film. | 4 | 8 | Sep 19, 2011 04:18pm | |
| Kult optioned for film | 2 | 11 | Apr 02, 2010 04:06am | |
| Crack the code and win. | 4 | 17 | Oct 06, 2009 03:13pm | |
| Intro Description | 1 | 19 | Apr 13, 2009 04:57pm |
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Shaun Jeffrey was brought up in a house in a cemetery, so it was only natural for his prose to stray towards the dark side when he started writing. He has had five novels published, The Kult, Killers, Evilution, Fangtooth and Deadfall, and one collection of short stories, Voyeurs of Death. He has also had over 40 short stories published in places such as Dark Discoveries and Cemetery Dance. His no...more
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“His whole life was a sham, a fairy tale. The truth hidden behind a wall of lies, each lie another brick in the wall until he probably couldn't see the truth anymore.”
—
13 people liked it
“Life was such a precious thing, easily broken.”
—
9 people liked it
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