". . .delivers gore, scares, pathos, and even some laughs in a bloody bundle that is much greater than the sum of its parts." -David Dubrow, Gingernuts of Horror
“This was genuinely the best read I've had in a long time and I cannot wait for more from Joe Coffin!” -Alli, Amazon review.
Get ready. Joe Coffin is on his way. And he's mad as hell.
Joe Coffin is fresh out of jail, but going straight is the last thing on his mind. The sickos who murdered his wife and child are still out there, and he’s going to get revenge. The problem is, Joe Coffin is in much deeper than he realises, and his wife might not be as dead as he believes.
Violent, gory, profane and explicit, Joe Coffin is for mature readers only.
Interview with the author:
Q - So, what makes the Joe Coffin series special?
A - A few different things, really. I love vampires but I’m not interested in the sparkly romantic types crowding the bookshelves at the moment. In writing Joe Coffin I wanted to go back to the idea that a vampire novel should be full of gory horror, and that the vampires would be nasty and almost indestructible. But I also love British crime movies, and I thought why not pit my vampires against a British gang and throw in a gutsy female journalist as well, with a sprinkling of humour amongst the brutal action.
So yes, the Joe Coffin books are a mix of genres. The other thing to bear in mind is that they are written in episodic format, much like a TV series. That way they remain tightly plotted and fast paced.
Overall, the Joe Coffin series is written to keep you turning the pages - and I've made sure there's never a dull moment.
Q - What’s with this Season One in the title?
A - Again, it’s the TV series format. I love Netflix and Amazon Video, and I binge watch my TV shows now, instead of how I used to watch them, one episode a week. I wanted to reflect that idea in the books, and I hope you will want to binge read all four episodes in each season of Joe Coffin.
Q - What order should I read the books in?
A - You need to start with Season One and work your way through. If you don’t start at the beginning you won’t have a clue what’s happening in the later books, as the story is tightly tied in together and progresses as you read on.
Q - So, why should readers give these books a try?
A - If you like modern horror, or vampire novels, I think you will like this series of books. Even if you’re on the fence about the horror aspect, but enjoy violent crime fiction, I think you may well love these books. And they are lightning fast, with smart dialogue and great characters, and a hero you will love in mob henchman Joe Coffin.
Thanks for reading!
Joe Coffin Vampire Suspense and Gory Horror Series eBook Categories:
Ken Preston is the author of the Joe Coffin series of books, best described as gangsters versus vampires in Birmingham UK. He is also the author of zombie/cowboy mash-up Population:DEAD!, Satan meets Blackbeard pirate novel, The Devil and Edward Teach, and Speaking in Tongues, a short story about death, sex, rock n roll and God. He has also had several short stories published in magazines and anthologies, and writes romance under the name of MJ Jackson. Ken is also a creative writing teacher for children in years 5 and 6 and also children in years 7 to12, as well as adults. He spends far too much time in his cellar, making stuff up, whilst his two cats prowl over his desk and computer keyboard, adding their own little additions to his stories. Ken lives just a few doors down from the house where Jack the Ripper was born. (Allegedly.) If you have read any of his books, or even if you haven’t, but just want a chat, Ken can be reached at kenpreston@kenpreston.co.uk
Wow! This is a totally kick-arse introduction to the author's Joe Coffin series and is one of the most interesting mix of genres I have read. You have the gritty violence of the mob married with psychotic vampires, and yes a little humour thrown in as well. It was a roller coaster ride of thrills that I literally could not put down. Do yourself a huge favour and sink your teeth into this story - you won't be disappointed. I have already downloaded the rest of Season 1 of the series. It would make an entrancing tv series.
A quick moving story with many side plot that all relate to the main plot. The bad guys were very unlikable and the story tended to be a bit gory. If you are squirmish this might not be the best choice.
What was with so many characters not liking children though? Just my curiosity... it did not take away from the story.
This was written in episodes and I recommend a person reads it in order. Overall, an enjoyable read.
First paragraph: Jacob Mills’ best friend, Peter Marsden, had been begging him for months to break into No. 99 Forde Road with him. He said maybe they would find a dead body in there, or maybe they would meet a ghost, or get chased by a zombie.
I do believe I've found a new favorite author and series to read, brought to you courtesy of the badass British mobster, Joe Coffin. I got this bloody little doozy free from InstaFreebie, and was immediately drawn to the cover and the author's Q&A, which describes this book as episodic carnage a la Dexter or Breaking Bad. There are British mobsters, prostitutes, snoopy reporters, psychopathic vampires, betraying wives, antiheroes, young kids, good mothers, everything under God's green earth that the twisted mind of author Preston can come up with. And they are rendered both sympathetically and realistically and damn, I need to read this next book in Season One.
So, I took the author's advice and joined his mailing club and received the rest of Season One in my email. And double damn, tonight is going to be like binge-watching Dexter on Netflix. Joe Coffin is the man, as they say. And, kudos to the author!
Wow, I really enjoyed this introduction to the Joe Coffin series. It is a nice pairing of mob and horror. I found the main character, Joe Coffin, a member of the Slaughterhouse Mob, to be surprisingly sympathetic. Now it is on to read the rest of Season One because I am hooked.
Nice little hardboiled tale of vampires and gangsters
This one was a very entertaining quick read - I picked it up on a whim since it was in my Kindle recommendations list, and the premise seemed to be a bit unique: vamps vs. the UK underworld. Joe Coffin is a British gangster just out of the big house, and while he was inside, someone murdered his wife and son in an extremely brutal fashion. Coffin uses his connections to track down and execute the men responsible...or so he thinks. But it quickly becomes evident that these murders are something else entirely, and there are worse things stalking the night than the regular criminals with whom he's used to dealing.
Pros: a very fast, action-packed read with good characters and tight plotting. Joe Coffin is a great anti-hero protagonist, because even though he's a remorseless killer and gangster, Preston does a good job of showing that Coffin still has some sort of moral code and a bit of a heart underneath, and his grief and anger at the loss of his family are very relatable. Plus, at the very least he's human, so you can't help rooting for him against the monsters that he eventually faces.
And Preston also does a solid job of avoiding the exposition dumps and "telling rather than showing" that plagues so many of the books available on Kindle Unlimited (and a whole bunch of non-KU authors' works as well). I can't stand a book that constantly tries to explain everything to the reader - let me figure things out, please - and Preston's prose is pretty good in this regard.
Cons: Because of the short length, the book did feel a bit rushed to me - I'm hopeful that future installments take a little more time fleshing out Joe's world a bit more. I also think that although the characters worked well and were well written, they do tend to hit some stock notes (intrepid female reporter, little kids exploring where they shouldn't and getting into trouble, etc) that some readers might quibble about, but I didn't mind: the story was entertaining and unique enough overall to the point that minor stuff like that was easy to overlook.
So I'll be purchasing the next Joe Coffin book for sure, and probably the whole series if they're all as good as Book 1. Nice job Mr. Preston! I'm looking forward to reading more of your work.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was an expected turn for an author writing a book about vampires. There were/are several dark parts of the book that draw the reader in because as a reader, you're trying to see how the parts fit. There are several very different characters with very very different personalities that have you wondering what the he'll happened and what's going on. The characters are very well written with their own agency's and plans. The author also leaves some of those plans a mystery by only giving you a hint as to what's going on. The conclusion of the story also doesn't follow pre conceived ideas as to how it will or should end. A very good start to what appears to be a successful series.
I remember listening to stories and live theater on the radio as a kid. Yes this shows my age. The ability to form a story, provide a interesting delema and developed character description in an hour has been lost in the age of C.G. effects. The good stories only contain enough information to frame the picture, the keep it simple rule. Ken Preston has narrowed this to a masterful 5 minute mystery. Just the facts no unnecessary dialog on who's to blame for life style problems. Here are the people and this is how they deal with the situation before them. Great start to a refreshing murder mystery.
This book grips you from start to finish. Yet another fantastic opportunity to be introduced to a new author. I received a free copy of this book from the author via 'Voracious Readers'. I haven't read a good horror book in such a long time. This book wasn't good it was great. I loved the combination of blood thirsty horror and modern day mob shenanigans. Joe Coffin is the ultimate anti-hero that you cannot help rooting for. The good news is that there are three more seasons to 'sink your teeth into'. I will definitely read more and add Ken Preston's name to my favourite authors list.
My new favorite unlikely hero! Excellent fast=paced read with all the elements of the underworld crashing with the gore and elicit themes of adult horror. Eagerly looking forward to Season 2...
Could not put this book down, kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen Had all the elements I love in a great story, suspense, entwined relationships, murder and mayhem Very well written, story was easy to follow, and the descriptions made you feel like you could picture what what happening. Highly recommend
Although I was entertained with this book, I had trouble keeping the story together. This was because the book would jump from one scene to another . I also thought it had a poor ending, not really segue into the next chapter
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers and I can honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this Book. I can't wait for the next Episode so I can read what happens next....
I love stories about vampires and this book does not disappoint! So well written you can see and feel what the characters do. Can not wait to read more from this author, just don't read it all alone in a dark house.
This series is fantastic, I love the characters, feels like I’m right beside them . Mr.Preston please let’s get Joe and Emma and all the rest to tv or the big screen. I’m very excited that I stumbled across your books. Keep them coming Ken:))
Forgot to leave a review after I had read this, so here it is. A fun book about blood thirsty vampires. Well worth the read and so are the, as of yet, two sequels.
I like the story and surprisingly to me I also liked Joe Coffin. I'm not sure if I will continue reading because it was a bit too bloody for me but I did enjoy the story once I got over it!
Well written and action-packed from start to finish. Descriptions are realistic, gory and intense with some humour. Definitely one to read. Be prepared to be hooked and left wanting to read more.
After reading Joe Coffin: Season One,it is going to be hard to go back to my normal reading habit of "normal" blood and guts detectives. This is a fast-paced book . I couldn't put it down for long.
Not Kindle Unlimited, think the guy has 'issues' with his home country, but at least he's not whinging on but entertaining with it.
Project Wormhole (Planet of the Dinosaurs Book 1) Joe Coffin Season One Episode One (A Vampire Suspense and Gory Horror Series: Episode 1 Book 0) Not sure if this is was prequel or mislabeled} Joe Coffin, Season One (A Vampire Suspense and British Gangster Series Book 1) Joe Coffin, Season Two (A Vampire Suspense and British Gangster Series Book 2) Joe Coffin Season Three (A Vampire Suspense and British Gangster Series Book 3)
Population:DEAD! -- How To Eat A Car, The Man Who Murdered Himself, Population:DEAD!
Anyone who comes from a small town knows the place I speak of....the SCARY , DREARY HOUSE that sits back just dareing youngsters to come into its darkness. Most can't resist, especially young boys. Most enter, scare each other and talk of it the rest of their lives. This book is about the time two boys entered A house and DID NOT COME OUT. All EVIL THINGS are not content to stay in SCARY HOUSES however.This evil is now killing townies . JOE COFFIN a man many look at as a MONSTER himself has to put a stop to this , as the EVIL has taken two of his LOVED ONES and he is going to get them back. Can he do this or will JOE COFFIN JOIN THE DEAD. This SCARY, BLOODY, HORROR TALE HAS ME HOOKED. GOT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS....I RECOMMEND.
Loved, loved, LOVED IT! This book was fantastic, lots of action, suspense and adventure. I couldn't put it down. Ken is a wonderful writer. He does such a descripted story, that it's like a movie in your head! Joe is my new favorite character. A killer with a heart. I did so much gasping out loud and shouting " Kill him Joe!" that my husband had to find out what I was reading. Now you know an author is good when that happens. I have already recommended this book to my friends, and now I recommend it to you.
This is a helluva read for mature readers ! I haven’t had this much fun reading in a long time ! Joe Coffin is a huge bruiser of man who wants revenge for the murder of his family. What he soon gets involved in is so bizarre he really struggles with it. If you’re into vampires, murder, mayhem and criminal activity then this is the book for you ! Just enough turns and twists to keep your head spinning while you try to decide what could possibly happen next !
A great book by Ken Preston. Vampires, blood, gore, death, and a city wide manhunt. This book has all that and so much more. Non stop action, revenge. Possibly an undead wife. Follow Joe Coffin as he tries to seek revenge and save a city. This book had my heart racing and had me holding my breath. If into vampires, you will love this book.
can't remember if this was free in exchange for a review or not I don't normally read vampire stories anymore however I did read this all the way thru and could read more not a lot of hunting and drinking blood in fact it's more of a mystery/thriller type of book happy reading all!