What do you think?
Rate this book
Sadie the Sadist: X-tremely Black Humor/Horror
Like many people, Sadie feels undervalued and frustrated. Employed by a supermarket, she plots to murder coworkers—or lure them into the employee bathroom for a quickie. Sick of being treated like a robot, she taps into a powerful (and deranged) alter-ego and transforms into Sadie the Sadist. READER BEWARE: This book contains graphic violence, psycho/sexual incidents, and Sadie’s favorite recipes. X-tremely Black Humor.
"You have never read anything like Sadie the Sadist -- a pitch black satire that is not only deeply disturbing but funny as hell." –Blake Crouch, Author, Wayward Pines
“A brilliant, bloody read. Bone chilling. Dark. Funny. Sadie makes Hannibal Lector look like dating material. My heart quickened as I braced for Sadie the Sadist’s next step down that slippery slope called sanity. Highly recommended.” –Barbara Silkstone, Author of the Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider series
"You have never read anything like Sadie the Sadist -- a pitch black satire that is not only deeply disturbing but funny as hell." –Blake Crouch, Author, Wayward Pines
“A brilliant, bloody read. Bone chilling. Dark. Funny. Sadie makes Hannibal Lector look like dating material. My heart quickened as I braced for Sadie the Sadist’s next step down that slippery slope called sanity. Highly recommended.” –Barbara Silkstone, Author of the Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider series
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2014
52 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Zané Sachs
7 books25 followersZané has worked for several large corporations (including a supermarket), and those situations have, in part, inspired her debut novel, Sadie the Sadist. Sadly, she has found, that the current work environment in the U.S. often treats workers as expendable units, comparable to robots. More and more, automated systems and machines are replacing human workers every day. Zané expects to be replaced by robots any minute.
Perhaps, one day soon, the perfect novel will be written by artificial intelligence. Until then, Zané offers you her flawed perspective and hopes you find it entertaining. READER BEWARE: Sadie the Sadist is X-tremely Black Humor/Horror. It contains psycho/sexual incidents, graphic violence, and Sadie’s favorite recipes.
Zané is currently writing a novel of psychological suspense called Jayne Just Watches. Jayne happens to be Sadie’s neighbor.
Perhaps, one day soon, the perfect novel will be written by artificial intelligence. Until then, Zané offers you her flawed perspective and hopes you find it entertaining. READER BEWARE: Sadie the Sadist is X-tremely Black Humor/Horror. It contains psycho/sexual incidents, graphic violence, and Sadie’s favorite recipes.
Zané is currently writing a novel of psychological suspense called Jayne Just Watches. Jayne happens to be Sadie’s neighbor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
August 27, 2021
Story 4/5
Narration 5/5
Sadie’s adventures were fun!😆
Narration 5/5
Sadie’s adventures were fun!😆
December 8, 2021
Sadie, employed by a supermarket, is sick of shucking corn all day. She decides to create an alter ego, Sadie the Sadist. Powerful and maniac Sadie the Sadist doesn't take no crap from anyone. She has zero problems cutting you up with whatever items are on hand. Sadie's adventures are awesome. I hope we have more of Sadie in the future.
🐱🐱🐱🐱
🐱🐱🐱🐱
January 19, 2017
4 1/2 Stars
Sadie despises her job. And you can’t really blame her. Her Assistant Manager is a Type A personality (the A in this case stands for ass) who forces her to shuck corn until her hands are numb in a cold, dreary basement that resides in the bowels of a supermarket. Sadie has just about reached her breaking point when this evil little tale begins and what follows might shock and offend you if you go in all innocent and unawares. Though if you’re picking up a title called “Sadie the Sadist” thinking you’re in for a sweet treat, well then I guess there’s no helping you.
Sadie starts out relatable and relatively sane. I get her. She’s snarky and she has some very dark thoughts. But don’t we all? No? Just me, then? So, very early on Sadie gives us a gentle teaser of things to come when she thinks this about a jerky customer:
"The man barks, "Your job is to serve me."
Broiled on a bed of lettuce?"
Can you see where this might be leading? Things get graphic but there’s always an undercurrent of the blackest humor your soul can imagine. I found it as amusing as I did revolting. As the book moves along, Sadie swiftly begins to unravel. Here’s a little teaser if you’re still wondering what's in store for you if pick this up.
"Barefoot, I pad to the kitchen, stand in front of the refrigerator examining the contents. Half a container of expired almond milk, a shriveled peach, a plastic container that used to hold Chia seeds and now holds what appears to be a penis. Nothing I feel like eating."
Is it real? Is it a case of too many prescription drugs? Who am I to say? I only know that I couldn’t put this book down once I started it and enjoyed all of the often over the top extreme fun and highly recommend it if you have a taste for this sort of humor. What I don’t recommend is trying out any of Sadie’s included recipes (as delish as they may sound) because they might land you in the slammer if you attempt to source the secret ingredients. Don't skip over them though because they contain a wealth of knowledge and sure are entertaining to read.
“Mushrooms add earthy flavor and depth to a dish, and if you administer the right ones to aggravating people, mushrooms can rid your life of problems."
Sadie despises her job. And you can’t really blame her. Her Assistant Manager is a Type A personality (the A in this case stands for ass) who forces her to shuck corn until her hands are numb in a cold, dreary basement that resides in the bowels of a supermarket. Sadie has just about reached her breaking point when this evil little tale begins and what follows might shock and offend you if you go in all innocent and unawares. Though if you’re picking up a title called “Sadie the Sadist” thinking you’re in for a sweet treat, well then I guess there’s no helping you.
Sadie starts out relatable and relatively sane. I get her. She’s snarky and she has some very dark thoughts. But don’t we all? No? Just me, then? So, very early on Sadie gives us a gentle teaser of things to come when she thinks this about a jerky customer:
"The man barks, "Your job is to serve me."
Broiled on a bed of lettuce?"
Can you see where this might be leading? Things get graphic but there’s always an undercurrent of the blackest humor your soul can imagine. I found it as amusing as I did revolting. As the book moves along, Sadie swiftly begins to unravel. Here’s a little teaser if you’re still wondering what's in store for you if pick this up.
"Barefoot, I pad to the kitchen, stand in front of the refrigerator examining the contents. Half a container of expired almond milk, a shriveled peach, a plastic container that used to hold Chia seeds and now holds what appears to be a penis. Nothing I feel like eating."
Is it real? Is it a case of too many prescription drugs? Who am I to say? I only know that I couldn’t put this book down once I started it and enjoyed all of the often over the top extreme fun and highly recommend it if you have a taste for this sort of humor. What I don’t recommend is trying out any of Sadie’s included recipes (as delish as they may sound) because they might land you in the slammer if you attempt to source the secret ingredients. Don't skip over them though because they contain a wealth of knowledge and sure are entertaining to read.
“Mushrooms add earthy flavor and depth to a dish, and if you administer the right ones to aggravating people, mushrooms can rid your life of problems."
August 21, 2021
This was a super fun read! It had all the ingredients for the perfect horror. The recipes were a delicious bonus! Sadie was awesome and her black humour made my twisted soul sing. However I’ll never look at a corn cob quite the same way again. 😆
October 19, 2014
What has been read cannot be unread!
This book was really, really awful. Looking back on it, I truly cannot explain why I picked it up. The cover looked intriguing and I picked it up for basically nothing.
Sadie the Sadist is a very, very dark book. It is about a young woman (30ish) who is working at a dead end job in a grocery store. Like most of us who have had to toil away in a service industry job with a crappy boss, there are moments that she fantasizes about offing her boss. When he actually turns up dead, Sadie wonders if she might have had a hand in it. Or part of her did. Sadie has a split personality. There is Sadie - long suffering left handed Sadie - and then there is Sadie - the strong willed, confident right handed woman who has a very dark streak.
So far, so good. I was actually intrigued. The author painted an interesting story. I was thinking that the story would go from here - Sadie battling her inner demon and trying to figure out what was going on with her. Unfortunately the story took a very, very bad turn.
Where the death of Justus, her manager, had merely been hinted at, Sadie soon takes into a blood drenched turn. There is rape, forced sodomy, and other really nasty stuff. Not my thing. At all. And I think violence can be accommodated in fiction very well. (Think Glotka the Inquisitor in the First Law series). This was just violence for the shock value. Call me old fashioned, but sometimes the hint or suggestion of something is much more effective than the actual thing.
One star out of five. I think the author missed an opportunity here. The way the book started was actually pretty darn good. It then went down a very dark path.
This book was really, really awful. Looking back on it, I truly cannot explain why I picked it up. The cover looked intriguing and I picked it up for basically nothing.
Sadie the Sadist is a very, very dark book. It is about a young woman (30ish) who is working at a dead end job in a grocery store. Like most of us who have had to toil away in a service industry job with a crappy boss, there are moments that she fantasizes about offing her boss. When he actually turns up dead, Sadie wonders if she might have had a hand in it. Or part of her did. Sadie has a split personality. There is Sadie - long suffering left handed Sadie - and then there is Sadie - the strong willed, confident right handed woman who has a very dark streak.
So far, so good. I was actually intrigued. The author painted an interesting story. I was thinking that the story would go from here - Sadie battling her inner demon and trying to figure out what was going on with her. Unfortunately the story took a very, very bad turn.
Where the death of Justus, her manager, had merely been hinted at, Sadie soon takes into a blood drenched turn. There is rape, forced sodomy, and other really nasty stuff. Not my thing. At all. And I think violence can be accommodated in fiction very well. (Think Glotka the Inquisitor in the First Law series). This was just violence for the shock value. Call me old fashioned, but sometimes the hint or suggestion of something is much more effective than the actual thing.
One star out of five. I think the author missed an opportunity here. The way the book started was actually pretty darn good. It then went down a very dark path.
August 24, 2021
‘Psycho Sadie takes control’
Characters - Sadie the Sadist and her steady stream of victims.
Settings - Supermarket departments and Sadie’s private apartment block (lair).
Plot - Likeable Sadie needs to change her boring life and switch from passive to active - with the help of a broken mind, regular drug abuse and a various assortment of killing utensils/ storage facilities.
Conflict - the world owes Sadie big time, and she aims to collect.
Resolution - mutilation death and destruction = freedom and a sense of well-being.
Athough rather ‘corny’ at times, Sadie’s sad and twisted story proved to be a refreshingly good fun adventure. The plot was well crafted and moved briskly and smoothly from scene to scene and scenario to scenario building up to a truly final ginormous psychotic mental breakdown. However, although the ending was appropriate it was also slightly confusing but ultimately left me wondering if this was actually deliberately done by the author in order to showcase Sadie’s alarming and desperately confused final state of mind.
Plenty of gore, sex, shocks and splatter to satisfy the most ardent of horror fans including succulent recipes to entice the likes of Dr Hannibal Lecter and friends. Mmmm - so appetising!
Alas, the corn season closes, but perhaps a new chapter begins.
Good fun and well worth a read - enjoy!
Rating: 4.5 Special stars of wholesome, supermarket goodness.
Characters - Sadie the Sadist and her steady stream of victims.
Settings - Supermarket departments and Sadie’s private apartment block (lair).
Plot - Likeable Sadie needs to change her boring life and switch from passive to active - with the help of a broken mind, regular drug abuse and a various assortment of killing utensils/ storage facilities.
Conflict - the world owes Sadie big time, and she aims to collect.
Resolution - mutilation death and destruction = freedom and a sense of well-being.
Athough rather ‘corny’ at times, Sadie’s sad and twisted story proved to be a refreshingly good fun adventure. The plot was well crafted and moved briskly and smoothly from scene to scene and scenario to scenario building up to a truly final ginormous psychotic mental breakdown. However, although the ending was appropriate it was also slightly confusing but ultimately left me wondering if this was actually deliberately done by the author in order to showcase Sadie’s alarming and desperately confused final state of mind.
Plenty of gore, sex, shocks and splatter to satisfy the most ardent of horror fans including succulent recipes to entice the likes of Dr Hannibal Lecter and friends. Mmmm - so appetising!
Alas, the corn season closes, but perhaps a new chapter begins.
Good fun and well worth a read - enjoy!
Rating: 4.5 Special stars of wholesome, supermarket goodness.
July 10, 2014
I'm not sure what it says about me that I enjoyed this book so much.... SADIE, THE SADIST is about a store clerk that gets so down-trodden by her situation and the treatment/lack of respect from others that she developed an alter-ego: "Sadie, the Sadist". The new Sadie is into fascinating activities such as murder,dismemberment, sexual gratification (in unique ways!), and cooking.
The dark humor in the writing style is what really makes this book stand out! Sadie, the Sadist, is so matter-of-fact about her thoughts and activities, that you can't help but laugh at the casual way she operates. Zane Sachs has a unique style that I look forward to reading more of.
Recommended for fans of really dark humor, who are not easily offended! :D
The dark humor in the writing style is what really makes this book stand out! Sadie, the Sadist, is so matter-of-fact about her thoughts and activities, that you can't help but laugh at the casual way she operates. Zane Sachs has a unique style that I look forward to reading more of.
Recommended for fans of really dark humor, who are not easily offended! :D
May 18, 2014
Sadie works at the supermarket, hates her job, wants to kill her boss and interspersed with various recipes we embark on a darkly funny journey where we see the world through Sadie’s eyes and the eyes of her alter-ego Sadie the sadist.
Told in first person, life’s certainly a lot more interesting and gruesome when Sadie the Sadist is behind the wheel, murder, sex and eating her victims are a normal part of the day, along with the intense clean-up operations and buying a chain saw & freezer to aid both disposal and storage of body parts.
This is an intriguing and disturbing look at a woman’s fragile sanity as she plummets to a complete mental breakdown amidst some wickedly graphic descriptions of sex & violence integrated into seemingly normal day to day life, except there’s nothing normal about Sadie.
If you like darkly humorous, twisted stories this could be just what you’re looking for.
A 3.5 Rating.
Told in first person, life’s certainly a lot more interesting and gruesome when Sadie the Sadist is behind the wheel, murder, sex and eating her victims are a normal part of the day, along with the intense clean-up operations and buying a chain saw & freezer to aid both disposal and storage of body parts.
This is an intriguing and disturbing look at a woman’s fragile sanity as she plummets to a complete mental breakdown amidst some wickedly graphic descriptions of sex & violence integrated into seemingly normal day to day life, except there’s nothing normal about Sadie.
If you like darkly humorous, twisted stories this could be just what you’re looking for.
A 3.5 Rating.
June 20, 2014
So much deliciously dark fun, early on Sadie is like my own inner monologue writ large and more murderous, but thankfully I've not spiraled as far as keeping 'choice cuts' in my freezer.
A quick read unlike anything I've read before, I'm looking forward to sampling more writing by Zané Sachs.
A quick read unlike anything I've read before, I'm looking forward to sampling more writing by Zané Sachs.
August 3, 2016
Disclosure: I received this book as part of a giveaway on LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.
Short review: Interesting initially, but fell below expectations.
Long review: This book reminded me of the narrator from Fight Club and the ultra-violence from A Clockwork Orange. After reading the first few chapters, I was quite intrigued and was interested to see how this story would unfold. I got vibes from the book that made me feel like I was an observer watching a play unfold in a small world. There are only a few set pieces, a few actors, and several scenes. But the main draw would come from the dialogue, both outside Sadie and within her, and how she'd deal with the world and the world would deal with her. The book does fine on the former, but I wasn't happy with the way things panned out for the latter.
One thing that bugged me was the mixing of violence, sex and food. Violence, I was ready for. Explicit sex, I was ready for. Mixing those two, I can understand and ok... But mix those with food, and I'm like WTF?! I got seriously grossed out a few times and one time was disturbed by a description of just sex.
So, anyway, I'm seeing this interesting build up and anticipating how the story would play out.
Anticipating, anticipating, anticipating.
Waiting, waiting, waiting.
Reading, reading, reading.
And then I get to a certain part of the book and understanding dawns upon me. Slow but steady, I finally come to understand what I've just read. And then after some time the end comes. From the initial feel of the book and past experience with other books, I was expecting something more but didn't get it. Hence 2 stars. I'm someone who really goes in for a plot, so I need that, otherwise I'm not quite so happy unless the book absolutely amazed me in some other way.
For those who want to read this to see the world through Sadie the Sadist's eyes and see how she does things, I don't think you'd be disappointed. For those who want a story that builds and grows into something large and meaningful, I think you would be disappointed.
Short review: Interesting initially, but fell below expectations.
Long review: This book reminded me of the narrator from Fight Club and the ultra-violence from A Clockwork Orange. After reading the first few chapters, I was quite intrigued and was interested to see how this story would unfold. I got vibes from the book that made me feel like I was an observer watching a play unfold in a small world. There are only a few set pieces, a few actors, and several scenes. But the main draw would come from the dialogue, both outside Sadie and within her, and how she'd deal with the world and the world would deal with her. The book does fine on the former, but I wasn't happy with the way things panned out for the latter.
One thing that bugged me was the mixing of violence, sex and food. Violence, I was ready for. Explicit sex, I was ready for. Mixing those two, I can understand and ok... But mix those with food, and I'm like WTF?! I got seriously grossed out a few times and one time was disturbed by a description of just sex.
So, anyway, I'm seeing this interesting build up and anticipating how the story would play out.
Anticipating, anticipating, anticipating.
Waiting, waiting, waiting.
Reading, reading, reading.
And then I get to a certain part of the book and understanding dawns upon me. Slow but steady, I finally come to understand what I've just read. And then after some time the end comes. From the initial feel of the book and past experience with other books, I was expecting something more but didn't get it. Hence 2 stars. I'm someone who really goes in for a plot, so I need that, otherwise I'm not quite so happy unless the book absolutely amazed me in some other way.
For those who want to read this to see the world through Sadie the Sadist's eyes and see how she does things, I don't think you'd be disappointed. For those who want a story that builds and grows into something large and meaningful, I think you would be disappointed.
December 16, 2016
Playing out like a second-rate American Psycho - complete with unreliable narration, chapters broken up by attention to a character's obsession (in this case cooking), and an overall fever-dream type sensibility - Sadie the Sadist lacks the gut-punch power of Bret Easton Ellis' novel, somehow makes Sadie even less likeable than Patrick Bateman, and ends on an unsatisfying note. Technically, the writing is very accomplished, however, making it an easy-to-read, not-enjoyable book.
In other words, Sadie the Sadist was definitely not my cup of tea, but it appears mine is the minority opinion, so if you're not the type of person to be put off by a book with "sadist" in the title, then I would encourage you to give it a shot anyway.
2 Corn-Based Assaults for Sadie the Sadist.
In other words, Sadie the Sadist was definitely not my cup of tea, but it appears mine is the minority opinion, so if you're not the type of person to be put off by a book with "sadist" in the title, then I would encourage you to give it a shot anyway.
2 Corn-Based Assaults for Sadie the Sadist.
September 8, 2014
Honestly... I thought, "How am I ever going to get these disturbing images out of my head?".
This coming from a child who would openly read True Crime novels by the truckload, and without thought choose Law & Order over the Power Rangers.
I was so excited to read this book when I read all of the rave reviews, but no one ever mentions just how twisted this book gets.
Perhaps I misinterpreted the true meaning of "Dark Comedy" or perhaps I've gone soft in my 25 years of life- who knows?
The only thing I'll tell you is, nothing can prepare you for this shit.. and truly if you find that much humor in it, or find yourself joyfully partaking in Corn on the Cob after you're through.. You might want to seriously consider seeking out professional help.
Because chances are - you're a sociopath.
This coming from a child who would openly read True Crime novels by the truckload, and without thought choose Law & Order over the Power Rangers.
I was so excited to read this book when I read all of the rave reviews, but no one ever mentions just how twisted this book gets.
Perhaps I misinterpreted the true meaning of "Dark Comedy" or perhaps I've gone soft in my 25 years of life- who knows?
The only thing I'll tell you is, nothing can prepare you for this shit.. and truly if you find that much humor in it, or find yourself joyfully partaking in Corn on the Cob after you're through.. You might want to seriously consider seeking out professional help.
Because chances are - you're a sociopath.
July 26, 2014
Not a bad story, though there where some lengthy parts that did nothing except explain supermarket protocol that felt more like job training than entertainment. The author managed to make those parts readable if not entertaining by sneaking in some sex and murder jokes though. My only real complaint was the mindfuck of an ending.
April 30, 2014
What can be more horrific than working in retail? Of this I do not know, but I do know that Sadie deals with working at a supermarket in a fun and interesting way. She loses her mind. Simply put she offs others, and while there isn't a person I can think of who has not thought about it at least once in their life, Sadie acts on these fantasies. And in new and inventive ways. There are some great observational moments as well as a topicality that works well and keeps the reader in the moment and along with Sadie for the entire ride. Highly entertaining.
May 7, 2014
I think I liked it. I'm definitely disturbed by it. I can't stop thinking about it... But I was entertained by it, and that's what makes for a successful read! Well done, Zane Sachs!
June 2, 2014
Patrick Bateman eat your heart out, this is a truly sick woman. Loved it all and read it in one sitting. Not for the feint of heart.
July 22, 2014
Sadie is my new hero, and every time I get that little psychotic itch at work – (or anywhere), I can live vicariously through her!
I love dark humor, and Sadie is a genius. (I literally snorted within the first few pages – she reads a sign posted at her work, and her internal dialog caught me off guard!)
Suzanne read this before I did, and in her words… “Sadie is the female Peter – you’ll love her!” (I know exactly who Suzanne means, but in case you’re new here… Peter is my favorite literary serial killer – Peter Jenkins, from Matt Shaw‘s HAPPY EVER AFTER series.)
She’ll kill ‘em, or fuck ‘em… depends on her mood, (she is equally creative in both activities). If she’s feeling especially froggy – she’ll do BOTH!
The book includes recipes that sound delicious, and I’m going to sneak a few in to my secret recipe box – including Sadie’s Cooking Tips! (You should be productive while waiting for the dish to cook. You could vacuum. Or, masturbate.)
If you honestly enjoy the same books that I do, then Sadie the Sadist is one that you cannot miss. I was sad when I finished, but I learned that there is a Sadie prequel in the works, and Zané is writing novel of psychological suspense called Jayne Just Watches. Jayne believes that she is dead, and she happens to be Sadie’s neighbor.
Yay!!
Full review on BBB
I love dark humor, and Sadie is a genius. (I literally snorted within the first few pages – she reads a sign posted at her work, and her internal dialog caught me off guard!)
Suzanne read this before I did, and in her words… “Sadie is the female Peter – you’ll love her!” (I know exactly who Suzanne means, but in case you’re new here… Peter is my favorite literary serial killer – Peter Jenkins, from Matt Shaw‘s HAPPY EVER AFTER series.)
She’ll kill ‘em, or fuck ‘em… depends on her mood, (she is equally creative in both activities). If she’s feeling especially froggy – she’ll do BOTH!
The book includes recipes that sound delicious, and I’m going to sneak a few in to my secret recipe box – including Sadie’s Cooking Tips! (You should be productive while waiting for the dish to cook. You could vacuum. Or, masturbate.)
If you honestly enjoy the same books that I do, then Sadie the Sadist is one that you cannot miss. I was sad when I finished, but I learned that there is a Sadie prequel in the works, and Zané is writing novel of psychological suspense called Jayne Just Watches. Jayne believes that she is dead, and she happens to be Sadie’s neighbor.
Yay!!
Full review on BBB
September 9, 2014
Where to even began.....let me start with toes! That was where I had to draw the line. Can you say ewwweeeeee! Yes I know, after everything that happens in this book you would think that toes would not have been my ick factor.....but come on feet are just gross! Especially men feet! Anywho, I still have no idea what I just read. Have no clue what was real, what wasn't, etc. Also, there was just WAY too much info about the supermarket. It was boring and unnecassary. I could probably go get a job at a market and know people's jobs better than the people that have been working there for ten years after reading this. The humor was...well...not so funny. Lot's of really gross stuff in here and after pushing through it all, the ending was horrible! It felt really rushed and things really needed to be wrapped up together better, so I the reader know what the hell I've been reading! On a positive note the story was written very well, and the story held my interest. 2.5 stars since I hated the ending and don't know what really happened.
August 3, 2017
I bought this book for my kindle as I was exploring the horror section on here and it had a number of good reviews.
It also struck a chord with me because I have read American Psycho, which this book has been compared to, and I have worked in retail.
The detail about working in a supermarket was spot on, which I could identify with. I also liked Sadie's recipes that were between chapters, which reminded me of American Psycho.
The book takes a dark turn as Sadie begins to unravel. What is hinted at becomes real (or does it?). There is plenty of graphic sexual scenes and gory horror. The title of the book says it all.
The book raises the question of what is actually real and what is happening in Sadie's mind. Sadie is split in two and her nasty, brutal side takes over.
A good extreme horror read!
It also struck a chord with me because I have read American Psycho, which this book has been compared to, and I have worked in retail.
The detail about working in a supermarket was spot on, which I could identify with. I also liked Sadie's recipes that were between chapters, which reminded me of American Psycho.
The book takes a dark turn as Sadie begins to unravel. What is hinted at becomes real (or does it?). There is plenty of graphic sexual scenes and gory horror. The title of the book says it all.
The book raises the question of what is actually real and what is happening in Sadie's mind. Sadie is split in two and her nasty, brutal side takes over.
A good extreme horror read!
November 6, 2016
As a former produce clerk myself, this story struck a particularly personal chord with me. I was thrilled by the spot-on descriptions of work life in a grocery store. At times it was as if I was back in the produce cooler once again, chopping fruit while my gloved fingers went numb.
The mix of humor and gore here is truly wonderful. The mood of the novel reminds me a lot of Office Killer, a horror-comedy film that I totally love. There were surprising elements and weird characters, and the whole ending was kind of vague. I definitely recommend this one for lovers of dark horror-comedies.
The mix of humor and gore here is truly wonderful. The mood of the novel reminds me a lot of Office Killer, a horror-comedy film that I totally love. There were surprising elements and weird characters, and the whole ending was kind of vague. I definitely recommend this one for lovers of dark horror-comedies.
March 24, 2019
I loved it!
I worked in a very popular supermarket for 9 years. This book, I believe, was written for me! Though I have never wanted to kill anybody, I sure have wanted to stick my foot out and trip a few people! This book to me was dark humor and horror. Loved it!
I worked in a very popular supermarket for 9 years. This book, I believe, was written for me! Though I have never wanted to kill anybody, I sure have wanted to stick my foot out and trip a few people! This book to me was dark humor and horror. Loved it!
May 17, 2025
Sadie The Sadist was a dark but hilarious ride. I enjoyed getting to know Sadie and relating to her experiences in the retail/customer service industry. If you're a horror fan and can handle gore and violence this one is for you.
March 21, 2025
Not much to this book except its shock appeal really. After that wears thin it's just kinda boring. I stuck it through to the end, but there was nothing there really...
January 6, 2018
Is it Sadie or Patrick?
This was an enjoyable read and quite well written but it draws way to many comparisons with Brett Easton Ellis's American Psycho.
This was an enjoyable read and quite well written but it draws way to many comparisons with Brett Easton Ellis's American Psycho.
February 8, 2020
Think American Psycho, but book has female character that works a supermarket . book was so so for me.
March 21, 2017
So-so
Fun to read but the end disappointed. It felt cut short. I did, however, enjoy the story up until the last bit.
Fun to read but the end disappointed. It felt cut short. I did, however, enjoy the story up until the last bit.
October 25, 2021
SPOILERS. This review will spoil plot and appetite in some places. This book is not for all readers. Enough said.
Do you see the corn in the cover art? Keep it in mind. Corn plays a big part in this book, though I will only mention it twice.
Sadie the Sadist was a completely fucked up book with a seemingly lackluster, yet surprisingly satisfying ending after I let it marinate for a bit.. Would I recommend this to others to read? no? Maybe..? I am not sure. Much like when I read American Psycho, I have to question my judgement at times. This was very well written though, and I find myself hard pressed to put down a book that can make me want to vomit, but keeps me interested. This is the same way I made it through Poppy Brite's Exquisite Corpse which is one of the most beautiful books i would never suggest to people.
Sadie started out pretty mellow. A snarky, likable every girl works at a grocery store where she is overworked and emotionally pooped on by management. New Seasons in PDX? whole Foods? Take your pick of upscale foo foo stores. She dreams the same things we all occasionally dream, of killing a couple ass-hats and hiding the corpses. This goes off the rails with in 2-ish chapters after Sadie learns that the assistant douchlord manager at her work has been confirmed dead on the bicycle trail outside her apartment complex.
Sadie is chronicled here as she begins her downward spiral. With numb hands from shucking corn, she starts blacking out, and beginning to view herself as two people. One who puts up, and one that cuts up. Sadie begins offing people in various unusual ways. Every couple chapters includes a recipe interlude which slowly climbs the cannibal ladder, till you are hanging out in the club house munching a gourmet recipe body part potentially tenderizing in Sadie's own female ejaculate.
At one point, early in the book, Sadie exacts revenge on a coworker by raping herself with a buttered corncob then rapes him and feeds the evidence to the unconscious male victim. Afterwards, while the man is being prosecuted, I had to stop and look up the author's face. I wanted to look in the eyes of the person who could craft this terrible vision. I was surprised to find that Zane was a woman herself. Fuck. Surprised.. Never considered Zane a unisex name, expectations off kilter. OK, back to the book. Even when too disgusted to continue I was pulled back in by circumstance.
In the end, the book wasn't bad. It was dark as hell and gross and like a good car wreck, i kept peeking through my fingers. I have to admit I was sorely disappointed by the ending though. It grew in me as i though about it, but initial though was " are you kidding?". Extra Spoiler- as the book completed, there was a whirlwind scene which left it unclear if Sadie had imagined it all.There was no evidence, yet it was clear she expected evidence and she didn't hide it. People are alive that were thought dead. Sadie flips out and attacks police violently, still ending up prosecuted and in jail. I want to know what was going on and was really freaking frustrated by this ending.
In reviewing the authors site, it appears there is another book coming out, based around Sadie's neighbor who watches the world. I have to question what answers will be included. Did she dispose of evidence which proves Sadie's story? Or does she see a crazed woman carrying out fictional crimes.. Damn it.
If you hated the movie or book Amer Psycho, skip this book. Otherwise, pretty good. Just don't tell your grandma the name of the book as you will have to uncomfortably side step the plot description.
$2.99 on kindle, sometimes free on promo.
---
This book has nothing to do with http://www.maryreidkelley.com/theater... Sadie the Saddest Sadist is a completely separate kind of fucked.
Click the link and watch the video, but not until after you've downloaded this kindle book or splurged for the paperback.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2015
91. SADIE THE SADIST, BY ZANÉ SACHS
Recommended by my bestie, Eliane. They say good friendships are based on shared inappropriate humor and twisted common interests; how true is that in our case. This book is very heavy and gory, though, even if it is presented in the most delightful black humor form, so trigger warning for all kinds of stuff (murder, gore, rape, sex, kink, golden shower, poison, disgusting stuff, weird food, etc.)
Synopsis: Sadie is a minimum-wage worker at a supermarket. Tired of all the shit that comes with her job description, she taps into her alter-ego, Sadie the Sadist, and starts venting her frustration.
Overall enjoyment: I liked American Psycho when I first read it (and so did Eliane, btw), although I have to admit that some of this was due to my eagerness to impress other people at the time (I was 14). It’s pretty much impossible not to compare this book with it, so that’s probably what I’ll be doing throughout this review (I believe that was what she was going for, anyway; she even describes Sadie’s running shoes in a suspiciously familiar way sometimes). Starting now, I’d say I liked it a lot more. It’s much more well-rounded, and does not entirely rely on shock value (but there is a lot of it). Sadie is a much better character, and a lot more likable/relatable than Patrick ever was.
Plot: It is quite well constructed, and a lot more complex than American Psycho. And it’s actually foreshadowed, as opposed to But she doesn’t give it away; you discover it piece by piece, and you’re still left with some questions after the ending. And Sadie has very clear motivation (it’s always good to make it clear: there is no excuse for murder, but it’s still nice for the characters to have some motive).
Characters: Sadie is amazing. She’s so complex and well written. I kept having chills while I was reading, she felt incredibly real. She would have been a great character on her own right, but when you compare her to the privileged ax-wielding blank space that is Patrick (from American Psycho, in case you couldn’t tell), she positively shines.
World/setting: Working in retail sucks. Working in large-scale retail sucks even worse. Sadie works in a huge supermarket, and she’s at the very bottom of the chain. The atmosphere of frustration and exploitation is oppressive throughout the story, perfectly constructed and delivered.
Writing style: Such sarcasm and black humor it will make you giggle and feel guilty for it afterwards. She even gives you fucking recipes, man. I can’t get over this book.
Representation: The only true character here is Sadie, everyone else are basically puppets that come in and out of play when required.
Political correctness: This is an interesting category. Given the overall theme of the book, it is exactly what most people would call “politically incorrect”. But, thinking about it, I actually have to disagree. There is a lot of very black humor, yes, and lots of gore, and some very heavy subjects being treated in a very weird way, but, unless you’re triggered by those in themselves, it’s actually not offensive. Sadie is a superbly complex character, and it’s clear you’re seeing everything through her eyes.
Up next: Who Fears Death, by Nnedi Okorafor
Recommended by my bestie, Eliane. They say good friendships are based on shared inappropriate humor and twisted common interests; how true is that in our case. This book is very heavy and gory, though, even if it is presented in the most delightful black humor form, so trigger warning for all kinds of stuff (murder, gore, rape, sex, kink, golden shower, poison, disgusting stuff, weird food, etc.)
Synopsis: Sadie is a minimum-wage worker at a supermarket. Tired of all the shit that comes with her job description, she taps into her alter-ego, Sadie the Sadist, and starts venting her frustration.
Overall enjoyment: I liked American Psycho when I first read it (and so did Eliane, btw), although I have to admit that some of this was due to my eagerness to impress other people at the time (I was 14). It’s pretty much impossible not to compare this book with it, so that’s probably what I’ll be doing throughout this review (I believe that was what she was going for, anyway; she even describes Sadie’s running shoes in a suspiciously familiar way sometimes). Starting now, I’d say I liked it a lot more. It’s much more well-rounded, and does not entirely rely on shock value (but there is a lot of it). Sadie is a much better character, and a lot more likable/relatable than Patrick ever was.
Plot: It is quite well constructed, and a lot more complex than American Psycho. And it’s actually foreshadowed, as opposed to But she doesn’t give it away; you discover it piece by piece, and you’re still left with some questions after the ending. And Sadie has very clear motivation (it’s always good to make it clear: there is no excuse for murder, but it’s still nice for the characters to have some motive).
Characters: Sadie is amazing. She’s so complex and well written. I kept having chills while I was reading, she felt incredibly real. She would have been a great character on her own right, but when you compare her to the privileged ax-wielding blank space that is Patrick (from American Psycho, in case you couldn’t tell), she positively shines.
World/setting: Working in retail sucks. Working in large-scale retail sucks even worse. Sadie works in a huge supermarket, and she’s at the very bottom of the chain. The atmosphere of frustration and exploitation is oppressive throughout the story, perfectly constructed and delivered.
Writing style: Such sarcasm and black humor it will make you giggle and feel guilty for it afterwards. She even gives you fucking recipes, man. I can’t get over this book.
Representation: The only true character here is Sadie, everyone else are basically puppets that come in and out of play when required.
Political correctness: This is an interesting category. Given the overall theme of the book, it is exactly what most people would call “politically incorrect”. But, thinking about it, I actually have to disagree. There is a lot of very black humor, yes, and lots of gore, and some very heavy subjects being treated in a very weird way, but, unless you’re triggered by those in themselves, it’s actually not offensive. Sadie is a superbly complex character, and it’s clear you’re seeing everything through her eyes.
Up next: Who Fears Death, by Nnedi Okorafor
dnf
March 17, 2023Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author, via LibraryThing, in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts: I can be quite anal/OCD/however you want to word it, about finishing books. I hate not finishing a book. Even when I'm bored I usually just suffer through in order to finish it. I look at it as one of my many bookish quirks. Having said that, this review for Sadie the Sadist is a DNF (did not finish).
The writing was very good. It set a good pace and was very detailed. Unfortunately for me, it made my imagination run a little too wild and I started to feel sick while reading. It was too disturbing for me (which means I finally found a limit on what I can handle reading).
The main character, Sadie, was interesting (on a psychological level). I learned a lot about sadism, more than I wanted to know if I'm being completely honest. Some of Sadie the Sadist gave me nightmares and they were so bad that I was sleep-walking (an embarrassing admission, but nonetheless true).
I've never considered myself a squeamish person, when reading. I also seem to have a much higher tolerance level for disturbing things when I'm reading about them versus seeing them on TV or in movies. I couldn't stomach finishing Sadie the Sadist. Frankly, writing this review is making me think about scenes from the book and it's causing me feel sick again.
My advice is that you take the READER BEWARE warning in the overview seriously. I didn't and wish I had. So, I wouldn't recommend Sadie the Sadist, but I didn't finish it.
For more reviews, check out Reviews in a Pinch today!
My Thoughts: I can be quite anal/OCD/however you want to word it, about finishing books. I hate not finishing a book. Even when I'm bored I usually just suffer through in order to finish it. I look at it as one of my many bookish quirks. Having said that, this review for Sadie the Sadist is a DNF (did not finish).
The writing was very good. It set a good pace and was very detailed. Unfortunately for me, it made my imagination run a little too wild and I started to feel sick while reading. It was too disturbing for me (which means I finally found a limit on what I can handle reading).
The main character, Sadie, was interesting (on a psychological level). I learned a lot about sadism, more than I wanted to know if I'm being completely honest. Some of Sadie the Sadist gave me nightmares and they were so bad that I was sleep-walking (an embarrassing admission, but nonetheless true).
I've never considered myself a squeamish person, when reading. I also seem to have a much higher tolerance level for disturbing things when I'm reading about them versus seeing them on TV or in movies. I couldn't stomach finishing Sadie the Sadist. Frankly, writing this review is making me think about scenes from the book and it's causing me feel sick again.
My advice is that you take the READER BEWARE warning in the overview seriously. I didn't and wish I had. So, I wouldn't recommend Sadie the Sadist, but I didn't finish it.
For more reviews, check out Reviews in a Pinch today!
April 21, 2014
Before I started reading this book, I read the warning "READER BEWARE: This book contains graphic violence, psycho/sexual incidents, and Sadie’s favorite recipes. X-tremely Black Humor/Horror." and sure enough, it contained all that stuff and it really was not to my liking. But I got a free copy from the author for an honest review so I felt compelled to finish reading the whole book , even though I really wanted to put it down and not finish reading it.
If you do not want to know what the book is about so stop reading now...
Sadie is a sadist ( in my eyes a sadist is a person who likes to make others hurt, cause pain), but she is apparently also a killer who cuts up her victims and a cannibal who cooks meals and offers the meals to friends and neighbors. She rape her victims, drugs them, scalp them etc. ... very nasty things that only escalates the further into the book you came.
This dark humor was not really my thing and I felt mostly uncomfortable when I read the book and do not really know how to rate it. Was it well written ? Yes for the most part. Contained the " juicy " parts . Yes. Did it make me feel uncomfortable ? Yes!
If you are sensitive and do not like the detailed ( and I mean very detailed ) descriptions of the cutting and the rape of men so this book is not for you.
If you do not want to know what the book is about so stop reading now...
Sadie is a sadist ( in my eyes a sadist is a person who likes to make others hurt, cause pain), but she is apparently also a killer who cuts up her victims and a cannibal who cooks meals and offers the meals to friends and neighbors. She rape her victims, drugs them, scalp them etc. ... very nasty things that only escalates the further into the book you came.
This dark humor was not really my thing and I felt mostly uncomfortable when I read the book and do not really know how to rate it. Was it well written ? Yes for the most part. Contained the " juicy " parts . Yes. Did it make me feel uncomfortable ? Yes!
If you are sensitive and do not like the detailed ( and I mean very detailed ) descriptions of the cutting and the rape of men so this book is not for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews