Combustible Punch

by Paul Michael Peters

Rick Philips isn’t a fighter – but he is a survivor

Haunted by memories of a high school shooting, not even the bottle can wash away the gnawing guilt and creeping feelings of inadequacy that batter Rick’s conscience daily.

His life has been a mess of broken marriages, writer’s block, terrible choices, and the morbid pity of others.

When he meets Harriet at a writer’s conference, the record doesn’t scratch as he falls back – only this time, he may not get up.

Harriet Bristol Wheeler is a dark temptress – and self-confessed serial killer

Harriet has no problem killing – and even fewer issues blending back into the background after the act with the cool, calculating eye of a practiced social chameleon.

Manipulative, unpredictable, and exceptionally intelligent, she’s Rick’s worst nightmare – and the ideal subject for his next book.

A book that they are both desperate to write.

Time is running out – but the sadness will last forever

Rick has no choice but to enter the cracked twilight of Harriet’s world and confront the history of her murderous choices up close.

As Rick starts to gather the evidence for his long-anticipated book, he finds himself looking into answers that put him in even more danger than before – but this time, he may not survive at all.

In the vein of Stieg Larsson and Thomas Harris, Combustible Punch is a memorable novel that captivates readers and lingers long after the last page.

#thriller #suspense #paulmichaelpeters #bestseller #bestsellerauthor #serialkiller #psychologicalthriller #psychologicalthrillers

Genres: Thriller, Contemporary, Psychological Thriller, Fiction

293 pages, ebook

First published May 19, 2019

About the author

Paul Michael Peters is a storyteller with an original voice who thrives at the edge of the human condition, blending humor and darkness with keen insight. His tales navigate the intricate dance between the mundane and the profound, capturing the ephemeral moments that define our lives with passion. His work invites readers into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, exploring life's shadowy corners with narratives that resonate with authenticity and imaginative daring.

Dive into the work of Paul Michael Peters and discover stories that echo the complexities of life: Right Hand of the Resistance, Mist and Moonbeams: Stories from the Great Lakes Edge, Broken Objects, Combustible Punch, The Symmetry of Snowflakes, Insensible Loss, and several beloved short stories like Mr. Memory and Other Stories of Wonder.

Reviews

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Combustible Punch is a thriller by Paul Michael Peters that opens up with one wow-ing chapter.

When you open up to a woman introducing herself as a serial killer after a romp with our main character in a hotel, it is quite jarring and intriguing. I haven't found many first chapters that have me raising my eyebrows and intrigued for more as good as this one has. It's the kind of wow factor I was forced to make back in my high school English classes - write the best opening line or paragraphs you can... And this one is the ultimate winner. The story continues on to let us know she wants our lead, Rick, to write her story. Scary, thrilling and fantastic opening. A+ for effort.

Rick feels very real, and you can emphasize with him. The loneliness, the fear and the loss this man has faced made me have so much empathy for him. The way Paul wrote our lead, in just the first 40 pages, made me really wish he could have had a better life with a better outcome and a better family. The trauma and struggle Rick went through is unbearable and hard to imagine (sadly, it seems to be more and more common in the U.S.A. though...). A man who has dealt with so much suffering shouldn't have to deal with more. Yet among all of the suffering, he still makes some of the world's worst decisions: Sleeping with a woman in full view of a conference with the windows open, starting up some kind of relationship with a graduate student when he's faculty, and that's just the start.

The best quote of the whole novel that had my mind reeling and spinning was "Better to be Cain than Abel." It's a really powerful quote, and I'm honestly surprised I don't see more marketing of this book with it. It's a solid line that explains a lot about our serial killing lady friend, and the opposite of Rick. If I had to summarize the entire novel, that quote does it. You could analyze this book like an old English paper, and our main characters are the two sides of that coin. One is using her pain and struggle to try to stop the bad and horrible things in the world, but with grave consequences. The other is using his pain and suffering as a form of work, yet isn't changing the world too much... Yet, in the end, we see the consequences of their actions.

Are these characters the most likeable people? Absolutely not. But you can have a lot of empathy for a man who went through a vicious set of circumstances. Would you turn out the same? This book had me reflect on a lot of the struggles we face, and how we end up choosing to deal with them.

I honestly felt like this book was written for me as a reader. It was impactful, it was fast paced, it had thrills and an ounce of mystery in it. There's definitely a fantastical twist to it, with our murderer having quite the back story, but that's all in the fun of the novel.

I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it. It's my cup of tea, as they say. This complex thrill ride of a book left me binging it rather quickly, and jumping back in to see if I could pick up the clues again. What an absolutely marvellous novel.

Five out of five stars.

I received this book for free from the author, Paul Michael Peters, in exchange of an honest review.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rick Philips was the only survivor of a high school shooting. Though severely injured, he recovered and published the story of that fateful day. His book, SHELTER IN PLACE, became a bestseller and Rick achieved a measure of fame and fortune along with a job teaching at DuPont University. He's still tortured by nightmares, failed marriages and has no further success at writing. Nearly broke and an alcoholic, he attends a writer's conference and meets a most unusual woman, Harriet Bristol Wheeler. She has a proposition for him -- write her story. Harriet reveals a secret to Rick: she's a serial killer. She says she will tell all and he will write the book. She even offers him something he's not sure he can refuse -- she will commit a final murder and he can name the victim. NO SPOILERS.

This was interesting but the quirky writing style made the narrative quite confusing. Harriet is a chameleon and Rick a drunk so it's hard to know sometimes what is real and what is not. Neither of the characters was likeable and their motivations were hard to believe or empathize with despite the fact that I really wanted to do so. Most of it required me to have the capacity to suspend disbelief. I'm not sure of the facts about serial killers are correct but it's true, female serials are not as common as male ones. I think I was wanting more detail than was given about Harriet, her victims and the truth. After all the meandering about finding evidence to prove to Rick that Harriet was honest about what she had done, the conclusion came rather abruptly and there seemed to be a sense that the ending was too pat and unfinished. Would I read another book by this author? I don't know.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this e-book ARC to read and review.

[Connie Lasita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rainy Sunday Fast Read

Really liked this book... it held my attention and I couldn’t put it down. Stayed up until 3 am on a rainy Sunday during the COVID quarantine to finish this book.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was fantastic. The plot was refreshing and creative, with lots of suspenseful and creative twists. The main character, Rick, gets sucked into the world of a psychopathic serial killer when she tricks him into cooperating with her plan to write her memoir before she dies of a brain lesion. Rick was the survivor of a school shooting that leaves him an alcoholic who makes poor decisions in life. His new association with the serial killer may be another of his bad decisions. This book has many unique plot twists, including a female serial killer who appears to have many personas, who manipulates Rick into accepting her story of multiple killings. She is dying soon and has nothing to lose. Rick starts to investigate the impact that a brain lesion may have on personality and behavior. But he is also concerned that she may be setting him up to be the suspect in her evil deeds. Rick's haunted past with the school shooting also preys on his mind. He finally has a positive experience when he starts a relationship with his neighbor, but that becomes complicated too. I found the book, which is well narrated in Audible, to be intriguing, complex and very interesting. It is a little slow at first as the author establishes how down and out Rick is with his luck, which is important for the reader to understand how he is sucked into the killer's life. The author gave me a complimentary copy of the book and this is my voluntary review.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page turner ... but to be honest he had me at female serial killer !

I got this book from Goodreads and honestly it just got lost on my growing kindle list ...I started reading this New Years Eve and seriously just wanted to sit and read it straight through I just wanted and NEEDED to know who the killer was and what it was she had done ! Yes SHE!!! I love the change in characters and focus, though evil I love the power and intelligence given to the female lead! The story keeps you caught up I do still think there were some gaps for me like why he never addresses some of the things she did and we never really fully know what he said to her or why she drugged him and let’s just say I have some questions but even with that the story was great I just loved being thrown into the mind of a female killer!

If you like books about murder and serial killers this is a great book for you.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

glad i won this read, i believe it was from a Goodreads giveaway? so fun! thankful! love the cover ... edge of your seat kind of read ... i appreciate that style or genre!! such a new fan. can be read through KU, if u have that service. look forward to more from Paul soon enough!! ( ;

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 1 out of 5]

While the premise of COMBUSTIBLE PUNCH seemed intriguing, a school shooting survivor meets a professed serial killed to write her story, the execution bores me. Between sophomoric writing and unsympathetic, unlikable characters, I found myself skimming most of the story.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rick Phillips is the sole survivor of a horrific high school shooting who is still haunted by that event. Although he has written a book about the event, he hasn't done much since except endure two failed marriages and become an alcoholic. Although he is teaching at DuPont University, he is mostly getting by on the remainders of his fame as a survivor.

When he a wild sexual encounter with a beautiful woman, Harriet Bristol Wheeler, his life is sent into a tailspin. Harriet claims to be a serial killer and wants Rick to write her story. Rick demands evidence and soon finds himself being dragged around the country by this mysterious woman. He starts trying to figure out her motivation: is she crazy, delusional, or just evil? Claiming to have killed twelve people because of their evil aura, she wants Rick to pick number 13 before it's too late.

The book was fast paced and interesting, but I didn't really care for any of the characters, not even Rick (who you would think would be a more sympathetic person). At times, it was hard to follow the jumps in the story and this was especially true with an audiobook. I felt a little let down by the conclusion, to be honest. I would have liked to know more about Harriet and her exploits (maybe in the form of the book Rick might possibly write?).

The narrator did a good job with his pacing and voices and kept my interest throughout the book. I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by the author and chose to review it.

[Sharon Thurnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from a goodreads giveaway. Thank you
I loved the premises of this book. That really got my attention. Little did I know, I would be up half the night, several nights in a row, reading.. ......Just One More Chapter! Oh the chapters are short.... just one more.
Well, well, well the usual questions of who, what, where, when and why are all mixed up in the wonderful, creepy read We know we have a serial killer. We know she has killed, as it turns out, quite a few people. But, who, why, where are the bodies, who is nest, and will there be a next?
Is she really a killer or is she full of S&*t
In the first few pages I was sucked in for a wild ride that I did not want to end. I finished the book and turned to my sleeping husband, at 4am, and yelled MORE. I am not done yet. He is currently reading the book
This is the first work by Paul Michael Peters that I have read. I like the way he writes and I plan on hunting down more of his work.
Give this one a read, but do it on a weekend when you do not have to work in the morning

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with this book, it starts out with the description of an alcohol infused night of raunchy sex with a stranger picked up in a hotel & goes downhill. The book is the memoir of an alcoholic writer turned college instructor who engages in the juvenile like behavior of the students he teaches.

I got tired of the same basically poor decisions made by the main character & the constant referral to an unquestionably traumatic incident from his childhood as an excuse for his inability to grow up & live & act like the adult he supposedly was. I could not finish the book & do not plan to pick up again.

[Diogenes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not just written in the first person , but by an.obnoxious, narcissistic narrator. I tried to like this book, but it just wouldn’t let me.

Almost more annoying were the author/self-publisher’s intrusive emails, touting his tome, begging a good review of my of the advanced copy.

[paulette sarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good serial killer story

This book was a little bizarre. It was kind of enlightening and also confusing. The main character was really screwed up.

[Paul Michael Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I invite you to delve into the thrilling world of my novel, "Combustible Punch." This book is a journey tailor-made for enthusiasts of suspense and psychological intrigue, crafted to captivate and challenge your perceptions of morality and survival.

In "Combustible Punch," you'll meet Rick Philips, a man whose life is a mosaic of tragedies and missteps. He's a survivor, haunted by a past high school shooting and a string of personal failures that linger like shadows. Rick's story is one of raw humanity, an exploration of a man grappling with guilt, inadequacy, and the relentless demons of his conscience.

The narrative takes a gripping turn with the introduction of Harriet Bristol Wheeler, a character who redefines the archetype of a femme fatale. Harriet, a self-professed serial killer, is a masterful blend of cold calculation and murderous impulse. Her encounter with Rick is a descent into a psychological abyss that tests the limits of our understanding of right and wrong.

This novel is inspired by greats of the thriller genre, evoking the tension and depth of Stieg Larsson and Thomas Harris. "Combustible Punch" is more than a story about a man and a killer; it's a narrative that dances on the razor's edge of psychological depth and moral ambiguity. It's a book that doesn't just tell a story; it invites you to question the very nature of redemption and retribution.

Thank you to all early readers. Your response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many captivated by the book's intense and jarring opening, and the complex, layered development of both Rick and Harriet. Their journey is not just a series of events, but a mirror reflecting our own inner struggles with pain, regret, and the choices that define us.

If you're a lover of thrillers and suspense, "Combustible Punch" promises an experience that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally resonant. It's a novel that enthralls with its narrative twists, but more importantly, it lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned. Join me in this dark, thrilling voyage into the human psyche, and discover why "Combustible Punch" is a standout addition to the thriller genre.

[Randi Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was more psychological than thriller. The plot was an interesting premise and both main characters, though flawed, were well developed. Rick, a survivor of a school shooting at 17 and an author of a book about it, is a college professor and an alcoholic who needs to write another book if he wants to keep his job. He seemed very immature and just going through the motions of living. At a book conference he meets Harriet, a seductive and manipulative self-confessed serial killer who want Rick to write a book about her. He wants proof so they travel around while she shows him evidence of her crimes. The book does have several surprising twists and an ending I was not quite expecting. I received a copy of the audiobook from the author. The narrator did a good job and it was a compulsive listen.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling killer read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and LibraryThing to read and review.

Combustible Punch was a ride through post-trauma and the coping of dealing with it, with a side of bad choices. There were so many questions about the woman who claimed to be a serial killer, and more about the man she had under her spell. I was enthralled while racing to the finish, because I had to know what was true and what was a twist by a manipulative woman who wanted her name known without having to pay for the crimes she claimed to have committed. I was never bored with the story, and look forward to reading more from Paul Michael Peters!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve had this book on my TBR for quite sometime and was finally in the headspace to read it.

First of all, I didn’t finish it. Let me explain to you why. There’s only 2 reasons:

1: The writing is quite dry.

2: This is written as if the author’s favorite movie is James Woods’ and Brian Dennehy’s Best Seller. There’s just enough different to not be completely exact.

If you’ve never seen the movie, you may love this book. I’m giving it 3 stars for the simple fact he had the nerve to write this book and publish it.

[Wendy Del Toro · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot of this book was intriguing, but I found the actual storytelling very dry. Bottom line, it took me forever to plod through it. I kept reading other books in between. Boring actually. I wanted Harriet to jump off the page, I wanted to fear her; but everything about this story I found really bland.

[Kimber · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning was a little slow and it took me to about 10% to really get into the book, but then it really took off! This was such a fun and twisty story. As much as you know Harriet is a murderer, you can't help but like her. I love that the author tied science into it and did a good job explaining what authors go through when writing a book.

[Ciayrra The Scorpion Flower]

I almost gave up on this book because it was good at first, but then it started to get boring, and a little towards the end. It got good again. Just because I gave it this review it doesn’t mean it’s not a good story, it’s just hard to get into at first. I really wanted to know the end because the plot is pretty good.

[Jackie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read with an interesting twist ending. Especially good as a Kindle freebie.

[Michael Thurnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A unique premise and interesting characters. The writers style keeped my interest. I cant wait to read more from this author.

[Maureen]

What a well done, slow burn of anticipation!
I found myself reading late into the night, not wanting to put this story down. What a great read!

[Richard JF Gallick · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my first ventures into audible books. I enjoyed it being read, I look forward to more books by this author.

[Kathy Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

I was not sure how this book would end. The ending was different than I expected. Number 13 was poetic justice.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of your seat

I enjoyed the edge of your seat feeling I got from reading this story. I kept trying to guess what was going to happen.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the edge of your seat feeling I got from reading this story. I kept trying to guess what was going to happen.

[Cathy Greenwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Very original. Mesmerizing. I will be reading Paul Michael Peters again and again.

[GeorgeMonck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set-in modern-day America (2010s it appears), is a story with an interesting premise where Rick Phillips, the sole survivor of a high school shooting, ends up entwined with a devious, cold and calculating serial killer Harriet Bristol Wheeler.

Neither of the main characters scores highly on the likability scale. Rick Phillips is a barely functioning alcoholic at Dupont University with a solitary book about his survival of the high school shooting to his name. Pressure from his superiors, to write another book, is getting to him as his bank balance plummets to below zero. An encounter at a convention leads to Phillips being caught up with Harriet Wheeler.

As the story continues, we learn more about Phillips and the chameleon-like Wheeler. There is an almost disjointed feel to the pace of the narrative as the unlikable characters exhibit few, if any, redeeming features. Wheeler tells Phillips about those individuals that she has killed and why with Phillips to compile these murders in the next book to bear his name.

Paul Michael Peters manages to cast a continuous, unremitting, unpleasant atmosphere. There are a few plot twists but overall the novel felt somewhat shallow.

Would I read a story by this author again? Possibly.

Thank you, Net Galley, for an ARC.

[Robin Wartella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique storyline

Interesting read with a unique plot. The characters are well developed. I especially found the main character compelling in his quest to overcome his weaknesses by delving into the mind of a serial killer.

[Barbara Sulik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I really did. A female serial killer who reaches out to an alcoholic writer to document her story was a different storyline than I’ve seen before. Unfortunately the main characters were unlikeable. It’s never good when you don’t mind if the serial killer knocks off the main character in the hopes that the story will end!