What do you think?
Rate this book
No Guilt of Bloodshed
"If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him." --
1859 Malechai ben Pallache, a Ukranian-Jew and soldier of fortune who has made his way through the world fueled by blood and pain has been enlisted to hunt down Dragan, the bastard priest who kicked off the pogroms before fleeing to California. But the profane holy man has more than blood on his hands, he has also stolen a box that holds terrible evil. Brodie is infested with hungry demons and dangerous men, gold and vice drawing in the worst that humanity or demonkind have to offer, all standing between Malechai and the priest. But, he does not travel alone. Joined by a succubus of terrible power and the silent golem Mishpat, Malechai will stop at nothing to find Dragan and bring his twisted reign to an end. What follows is a blood-drowned, hatred-fueled battle of wills, bullets, and mutilation that will forever stain the ground of Brodie California.
1859 Malechai ben Pallache, a Ukranian-Jew and soldier of fortune who has made his way through the world fueled by blood and pain has been enlisted to hunt down Dragan, the bastard priest who kicked off the pogroms before fleeing to California. But the profane holy man has more than blood on his hands, he has also stolen a box that holds terrible evil. Brodie is infested with hungry demons and dangerous men, gold and vice drawing in the worst that humanity or demonkind have to offer, all standing between Malechai and the priest. But, he does not travel alone. Joined by a succubus of terrible power and the silent golem Mishpat, Malechai will stop at nothing to find Dragan and bring his twisted reign to an end. What follows is a blood-drowned, hatred-fueled battle of wills, bullets, and mutilation that will forever stain the ground of Brodie California.
166 pages, Paperback
First published August 22, 2023
115 people want to read
About the author
John Baltisberger
56 books135 followersJohn Baltisberger is an author of speculative and genre fiction that often focuses on Jewish Elements. Through his writing, he has explored themes of mysticism, faith, sin, and personal responsibility. He lives in Austin, TX with his wife and his daughter.
Though mostly known for his bizarre blend of Jewish mysticism and splatter, John defies being labeled under any one genre. His work has spanned extreme horror, urban fantasy, science fiction, cosmic horror, epic verse, and he has even written a guide for mindful meditation.
While relatively new to the writing community, (his first book was published in 2018) John has become known for his work in verse, having worked in both extremely short works and massive novella-length poetic epics. He continues to work to push himself to explore new avenues of expression and horror literature.
Though mostly known for his bizarre blend of Jewish mysticism and splatter, John defies being labeled under any one genre. His work has spanned extreme horror, urban fantasy, science fiction, cosmic horror, epic verse, and he has even written a guide for mindful meditation.
While relatively new to the writing community, (his first book was published in 2018) John has become known for his work in verse, having worked in both extremely short works and massive novella-length poetic epics. He continues to work to push himself to explore new avenues of expression and horror literature.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 19, 2023
This is my review. Don't forget that as you read this, it's my opinion. But you being a normal adult , you take your own thoughts on the book after reading the novel.
So I am going against the vast majority, if not all of this reviews.
The book is gory, no doubt about it. It's full of splatterpunk gore and mayhem but I notice here a couple of stuff that make me cringe a lot... You know I can compare Malechai with Captain Marvel and to me that's what wrong with fiction today. I like gore and grimdark but I don't like characters who are so overpowerful that no matter what you throw at them it's barely an inconvenience and that's what I felt every time , in every page. Since page one you know that this guy won't suffer fuck and I can't connect with him at all.
Don't get me wrong, the book is good in terms of gory and sexy scenes but when you can't really linked to the character (and I love evil characters) it's rather boring. That was my main problem. THe other one was the hate towards white people. This book is really fruit of his time. It's a time when hate towards against white (christians) is not only okay but rather acceptable. You are a good human being if you hate your own skin/religion (if white). Here the portrayal is just that... every other race is good, acceptable , white christians? Let's kill them all. Man, in page 40 or so, he even has the audacity to say to white christian "You think because you follow a certain religion that the rules of decency don't apply o you. Your dead god gave you permission to be an asshole..." bla bla. But he, a Jew is even worse than him.
Man, I am not even Christian. But this book was a just a vent towards white Christians. This is a book for you if are Leftist, Anti-White person. Yeah, I don't care.
BUT if you love gore and can ignore the times we are reading, or reading this in 2035 then probably this good splatterpunk
So I am going against the vast majority, if not all of this reviews.
The book is gory, no doubt about it. It's full of splatterpunk gore and mayhem but I notice here a couple of stuff that make me cringe a lot... You know I can compare Malechai with Captain Marvel and to me that's what wrong with fiction today. I like gore and grimdark but I don't like characters who are so overpowerful that no matter what you throw at them it's barely an inconvenience and that's what I felt every time , in every page. Since page one you know that this guy won't suffer fuck and I can't connect with him at all.
Don't get me wrong, the book is good in terms of gory and sexy scenes but when you can't really linked to the character (and I love evil characters) it's rather boring. That was my main problem. THe other one was the hate towards white people. This book is really fruit of his time. It's a time when hate towards against white (christians) is not only okay but rather acceptable. You are a good human being if you hate your own skin/religion (if white). Here the portrayal is just that... every other race is good, acceptable , white christians? Let's kill them all. Man, in page 40 or so, he even has the audacity to say to white christian "You think because you follow a certain religion that the rules of decency don't apply o you. Your dead god gave you permission to be an asshole..." bla bla. But he, a Jew is even worse than him.
Man, I am not even Christian. But this book was a just a vent towards white Christians. This is a book for you if are Leftist, Anti-White person. Yeah, I don't care.
BUT if you love gore and can ignore the times we are reading, or reading this in 2035 then probably this good splatterpunk
September 25, 2023
Baltisberger… I tell you what, this guy consistently rocks my socks off. How he etches each line in the words of hate into every one of his stories leaves me in awe. You feel everything and NGFB is no different.
Mal and his trusty golem dog Misphat are out to right some wrongs and collect a bad guy penis or two. (Trust me, it makes sense when you read the story.) As Mal and Misphat are encouraged to perform side quests to get to collect the treasures (penises) to battle the final boss, the reader is taken on a bloodbath that just well… rocks.
Baltisberger shocked me with some of the on page kills. I gasped, said, “Holy shit!” more than once, and found myself rooting for Mal even though he refuses to apologize for the blood and carnage left in his wake. This one ranks in the Top 5 of the Splatterwesterns from DHP for me. A HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend 10/5.
Mal and his trusty golem dog Misphat are out to right some wrongs and collect a bad guy penis or two. (Trust me, it makes sense when you read the story.) As Mal and Misphat are encouraged to perform side quests to get to collect the treasures (penises) to battle the final boss, the reader is taken on a bloodbath that just well… rocks.
Baltisberger shocked me with some of the on page kills. I gasped, said, “Holy shit!” more than once, and found myself rooting for Mal even though he refuses to apologize for the blood and carnage left in his wake. This one ranks in the Top 5 of the Splatterwesterns from DHP for me. A HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend 10/5.
October 1, 2023
A Horror Bookworm Recommendation
No Guilt Of Bloodshed by John Baltisberger
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
The year is 1879, a stranger arrives in the small town of Brodie, California. Equipped with revolver, sabre and a loyal beast of a hound as his companion. The man’s journey west entails a mission to hunt down a deranged priest responsible for killing his brother and his people. Avenging these deaths is not his only committed undertaking. He must also recover a mysterious box surrounded by magic wards.
SplatterPulp author John Baltisberger has thrown his Bowler hat into the Splatter Western Series ring. Death’s Head Press and of course master artist Justin T. Coons contributes to this novel entitled No Guilt Of Bloodshed. Guided with whiskey, women and coin, this “stranger in a strange land” tale of malice emanates a trail of misery and death. The American West, where fear is a tangible currency and benevolent angels together with malevolent demons deal diabolical exotic pains and pleasures. Baltisberger allows the reader to explore his untamed land.
An excerpt from the novel…“Her bruises and smeared makeup made her look a mess, a beautiful mess, like the sunrise over a battlefield.” Now that’s Splatterpunk Poetry at its finest. If you’re a seasoned fan of the Splatter Western Series or just a curious bystander, saddle up and prepare for one heck of a demon-killin’ good time. By the way, the conclusion to this hardcore western was exciting and unusual. The only reason I bring it up is because it kinda blew my mind. Damn you Baltisberger! Damn you and your talented ways all to hell!
And so it went…that collecting severed penises in a burlap sack has never been so gruesomely entertaining. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horrror Bookworm Recommendation.
No Guilt Of Bloodshed by John Baltisberger
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
The year is 1879, a stranger arrives in the small town of Brodie, California. Equipped with revolver, sabre and a loyal beast of a hound as his companion. The man’s journey west entails a mission to hunt down a deranged priest responsible for killing his brother and his people. Avenging these deaths is not his only committed undertaking. He must also recover a mysterious box surrounded by magic wards.
SplatterPulp author John Baltisberger has thrown his Bowler hat into the Splatter Western Series ring. Death’s Head Press and of course master artist Justin T. Coons contributes to this novel entitled No Guilt Of Bloodshed. Guided with whiskey, women and coin, this “stranger in a strange land” tale of malice emanates a trail of misery and death. The American West, where fear is a tangible currency and benevolent angels together with malevolent demons deal diabolical exotic pains and pleasures. Baltisberger allows the reader to explore his untamed land.
An excerpt from the novel…“Her bruises and smeared makeup made her look a mess, a beautiful mess, like the sunrise over a battlefield.” Now that’s Splatterpunk Poetry at its finest. If you’re a seasoned fan of the Splatter Western Series or just a curious bystander, saddle up and prepare for one heck of a demon-killin’ good time. By the way, the conclusion to this hardcore western was exciting and unusual. The only reason I bring it up is because it kinda blew my mind. Damn you Baltisberger! Damn you and your talented ways all to hell!
And so it went…that collecting severed penises in a burlap sack has never been so gruesomely entertaining. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horrror Bookworm Recommendation.
August 29, 2023
Malachi is part of a Jewish family who also happen to be a family of assassins. He has been a mercenary to many armies in the old world, but finds out a sworn enemy has fled with a “Pandora’s Box” of evil to the new world.
Brodie, California is a mining town much like the others that have popped up all over the Wild West. Malachi travels there with his trusty friend, Mishpat to take care of business. Malachi has no boundaries to how business is dispatched, just that it’s done. Will he succeed in a town with Demons, Indians, a golem, and an irresistible female’s insatiable lust? Whew! It’s hot in here!
This is Splatterpunk! Malachi is a take no prisoners kinda guy who is willing to chop people up to ensure they meet their maker. Mishpat had me cracking up in some scenes. I loved him. This story is gory, defiling, sexy, and will get you hot under the collar with some of those love scenes. There’s so much story and action in just 160 pages! There are some surprises in there! Hint: Pay attention to the title pages.
Baltisberger just keeps getting better and better in his writing. The flow is phenomenal and action packed. The characters are all great, even the bad guys. I hope Malachi has more adventures that get put to paper for us to enjoy just as much as I enjoyed this story.
Coming from Death’s Head Press on September 19th!
Brodie, California is a mining town much like the others that have popped up all over the Wild West. Malachi travels there with his trusty friend, Mishpat to take care of business. Malachi has no boundaries to how business is dispatched, just that it’s done. Will he succeed in a town with Demons, Indians, a golem, and an irresistible female’s insatiable lust? Whew! It’s hot in here!
This is Splatterpunk! Malachi is a take no prisoners kinda guy who is willing to chop people up to ensure they meet their maker. Mishpat had me cracking up in some scenes. I loved him. This story is gory, defiling, sexy, and will get you hot under the collar with some of those love scenes. There’s so much story and action in just 160 pages! There are some surprises in there! Hint: Pay attention to the title pages.
Baltisberger just keeps getting better and better in his writing. The flow is phenomenal and action packed. The characters are all great, even the bad guys. I hope Malachi has more adventures that get put to paper for us to enjoy just as much as I enjoyed this story.
Coming from Death’s Head Press on September 19th!
October 7, 2024
Picked this up on a complete whim knowing exactly nothing about it. The author. The story. Nothing. “Splatter Western”? Never heard of it, but my interest was definitely peeked. Plus, the cover art is fantastic (I have a BFA degree. Covers matter).
This book fit squarely in my sights as a “guilty pleasure” to read during some planned time off I had coming up at the time and it delivered like the best kept handgun any shooter ever drew from their holster.
Fantastic genre mashup.
Fantastic characters.
Fantastic settings.
Fantastic writing.
(Fantastic cover!)
Will be adding Mister Baltisberger’s writing to my ‘must’ list, and I will be not-so-patiently waiting for the return of Malechai, Agrat if he chooses, and Mishpat for sure.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book fit squarely in my sights as a “guilty pleasure” to read during some planned time off I had coming up at the time and it delivered like the best kept handgun any shooter ever drew from their holster.
Fantastic genre mashup.
Fantastic characters.
Fantastic settings.
Fantastic writing.
(Fantastic cover!)
Will be adding Mister Baltisberger’s writing to my ‘must’ list, and I will be not-so-patiently waiting for the return of Malechai, Agrat if he chooses, and Mishpat for sure.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 4, 2025
What a fun book! I know it’s probably weird to call a book that contains a guy shooting off another man’s jaw and then pulling him out of the way by his tongue “fun”, but hey…it’s fun. I’ve been a big fan of the Splatter Western series for a while now, and this is definitely one of the better ones. Also super cool to see a story like this told from the perspective of a Jew back then, that’s not really something you ever see. Def check this one out!
Oh, and if you’re one of those knobs who constantly whine about “woke nonsense”, probably avoid this one since it dares (gasp! pearl clutch!) to not sugarcoat the atrocities that white Christians have done over the years.
Oh, and if you’re one of those knobs who constantly whine about “woke nonsense”, probably avoid this one since it dares (gasp! pearl clutch!) to not sugarcoat the atrocities that white Christians have done over the years.
June 28, 2024
No Guilt of Bloodshed is packed full of action, blood, and demons. As Malechai hunts down evil, the tension continues to build until the very end. I really enjoy how the author keeps you guessing. You never know what to expect from one page to the next. Baltisberger did an excellent job with the characters as well as bringing the town of Brodie to life with his very descriptive writing. Highly recommend it to fans of splatter westerns!
“You walk towards death, arms outstretched, bathing in the blood. But those who walk in blood answer in it as well.”
“You walk towards death, arms outstretched, bathing in the blood. But those who walk in blood answer in it as well.”
January 22, 2024
A Ukrainian jew sent to California to kill an evil priest with help from his golem or hellhound and a woman succubus who wants 100 severed dicks in exchange.
June 7, 2024
2.5 ⭐
October 2, 2023
Bibliophilia Templum Review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2023/10/02/no-guilt-of-bloodshed/
No Guilt of Bloodshed is a hardcore Splatter Western by John Baltisberger and the next installment in the Splatter Western books from Death’s Head Press. Jewish lore meets the bloody old West in this brutal story of demons, violence, sex, and severed body parts.
But the extreme content and graphic presentation are an integral part of an engrossing and solid story. Baltisberger takes you on an action-packed and gut-clenching ride as antihero Malechai chases down evil with some unlikely companions you gotta love in spite of it all. The characters are vibrant, the dialogue is clever, the sex is steamy, and the action brutal. You never know what is going to happen next here. The unpredictability keeps the tension high, your insides tight, and your fingers turning the page.
Baltisberger’s wordsmithing is poignant and compelling. No Guilt of Bloodshed is extreme horror at its finest and everything a Splatter Western should be. And seriously, that cover is amazing. This is a highly recommended read for discerning extreme horror aficionados.
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2023/10/02/no-guilt-of-bloodshed/
No Guilt of Bloodshed is a hardcore Splatter Western by John Baltisberger and the next installment in the Splatter Western books from Death’s Head Press. Jewish lore meets the bloody old West in this brutal story of demons, violence, sex, and severed body parts.
But the extreme content and graphic presentation are an integral part of an engrossing and solid story. Baltisberger takes you on an action-packed and gut-clenching ride as antihero Malechai chases down evil with some unlikely companions you gotta love in spite of it all. The characters are vibrant, the dialogue is clever, the sex is steamy, and the action brutal. You never know what is going to happen next here. The unpredictability keeps the tension high, your insides tight, and your fingers turning the page.
Baltisberger’s wordsmithing is poignant and compelling. No Guilt of Bloodshed is extreme horror at its finest and everything a Splatter Western should be. And seriously, that cover is amazing. This is a highly recommended read for discerning extreme horror aficionados.
December 9, 2024
Excellent story with a few surprise appearances!
May 17, 2025
An excellent western with a shroud of spirituality and an insane amount of grotesque gore. I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews