All the Dead Things

by Bear Lee

Biblically accurate spree killer.

Twenty years ago, sixteen-year-old Walker James Peck donned his mask and claimed thirteen lives as the Button Eyes Bastard. After ten days of brutality, he turned himself in, covered in his mother's blood, with his boyfriend's corpse in the passenger seat.

Now, weeks before his lethal injection date, true crime podcaster Lydia Krause, self-proclaimed "hostess with the rigor mostest" sits down with him to uncover the truth of the man behind the massacre. Walker wants to finally tell his story, but Lydia is more interested in how many sponsorships she'll get.

As Walker struggles to recount his killings and grapples with a warped view of religion forced onto him by his upbringing, Lydia is dazzled by her newfound stardom and emboldened to make the most inappropriate jokes possible in the name of clout. Lydia's years-long fascination with the case only grows as Walker dives deeper into his story, realizing that what she'd seen in the poorly researched film adaptation wasn't all true. She becomes more impassioned as she tries to balance her true feelings over the case with her ditzy Internet persona, while Walker barrels toward the big reveal with guns, handsaws, and bleach jugs a-blazing.

Genres: Horror, Queer

Unknown Binding

Published October 18, 2023

Reviews

[Bear Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have stared at this book for so many hours that it alone should have completed my Goodreads challenge for the year.

[aphrodite]

I hear ethel cain inspired and I’m there

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to beta read this absolutely thrilling slasher novel, and wow, you are all in for a treat. There are tons of Easter Eggs for horror fans, moments of comedy, but ultimately a story steeped in religious trauma. The author has listed trigger warnings, so be sure to check those out, as things definitely get graphic.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

the way that i devoured this book in four hours is insane - for this to be a debut novel, i found it to be poetically written. from the first page, my attention was captured and as i got further into the book, it was impossible to put it down. it was so immersive and captivating, each plot twist would end with me gasping.

i loved every minute of it, even the heartbreaking ones 🥺 definitely one of my favorite indie reads of the year.

[Ness (Vynexa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️

oh, how I wish this novel had an audiobook companion. it’s the perfect story to listen to in one sitting on a rainy day.

Lee did a great job of creating unlikable characters while feeling sympathetic toward the one who killed so many.

I wish that the novel parts would’ve been written in 1st person verses 3rd person to feel a bit closer to Walker, though I understand the tactic of writing his flashback moments in the way they were.

hoping that in the future, there is an audiobook recorded. manifesting it hard!

[Grace House · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be raving about this book for YEARS!
When I read religious trauma in the trigger warning, I wasn’t expecting the portrayal that Bear Lee poetically executed through each page. It truly added another layer of depth into what religious trauma could really entail for some individuals.
Bear Lee perfectly captures the small religious town and the varying mindsets of the community. The mixture of franticness to find the killer while also wanting to go about your lives as normal. The placing of blame on newcomers or the outcasted in the community. This is very much something I could see happening within my own small community and I think that’s the part which kept my eyes glued to the pages.
There’s so much more to say but my thoughts are fighting for first place and I cannot coherently explain them. I believe this would be a phenomenal movie if it were given the opportunity.
Bear Lee, you are a phenomenal author. I cannot wait to see what you plan on doing next.

[Jamie Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend of the author recommended this book in a Facebook group, and I figured why not check it out. I am so glad I did. Walker is being interviewed by Lydia, a podcast host, while he's on death row for the murders of his friends. The author, Bear Lee, did an amazing job capturing the essence of Morbid/My Favorite Murder-type true crime podcast hosts in Lydia. God, she was insufferable, and the ads were amazing!

Walker's revelation towards the end was absolutely heartbreaking, but the ending was perfect. If you're a macabre muffin and enjoy true crime podcasts, this is the book for you!

[Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Becky Albertalli blurbs a book, it's almost certainly going to be good. But when she absolutely raves about a book that isn't a YA romcom, least of all a slasher? You damn well know that book has to be something special. The only reason I didn't devour this beautifully twisted and often funny book in one sitting is because for whatever stupid reason I read it before bed knowing I had to get up at 5:45 in the morning for work.

[Brooke Gilliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely give books 5 stars, but this book 100% deserves it! The characters in this book were portrayed so beautifully, they felt so real!

As someone who is not typically a fan of “horror” or “gore”, I would still recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of true crime podcasts, small town murders, or just anyone who wants to be enraptured by an entertaining book.

Thank you, Bear, for writing such a wonderful book that made me cry.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An explosive, must-read debut. From its cutting observations of true crime podcasts to its emotional discussion of what it is to be queer in the Deep South, All the Dead Things sticks to you like hot tar and forces you to carry its scars. Unputdownable. Unstoppable. Bear Lee is an author to watch!!

Lydia is my enemy and I can't wait to fist fight her in hell.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible, riveting read that you won’t be able to put down! From the imagery to the characters, the writing is phenomenal and the way Bear is able to weave humor into the darkness is amazing. This book evokes such a range of emotions in the most impressive way and I look forward to reading everything Bear publishes in the future!

[Weezie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eternally twisted, you'll be surprised who you love and who you hate and who you love to hate.

TW for microwaved potato salad with raisins... I would have survived this story simply because I would know that's the offering of a serial killer. It wouldn't happen to me.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

haven’t read a book this fast in at least a decade. did not see the twist coming at all. from the first chapter, you won’t want to put it down