Killing Red

Readers will enjoy Henry Perez's strong first tale because the key characters come across as real

Kenneth Lee Grubb kidnapped and killed nine children he believed were demons and also sanctioned by God's blessing needed to send back to hell. Only Annie Sykes escaped his execution; she gave the police his description and directions to his home. He was caught, tried and convicted to die.----------

Reporter Alex Chapa covered the gruesome story for the Tri-Cities Bulletin fifteen years ago. That story gave him recognition that led to his current position with the more prestigious Chicago Record. Six days before the State executes him, Grubb calls Chapa inviting him to interview him. In between his boasts of being a weapon for the good of mankind, he informs him that a copy cat serial killer is repeating his murders; only this predator plans to finish the job he failed to complete, killing "Red" as he calls Sykes. Alex quickly learns there are nine people dead as homage by someone to Grubb. Chapa vows to find and keep Annie safe not fully understanding the devilish scheme of Grubb's "protégé".-------------

Readers will enjoy Henry Perez's strong first tale because the key characters come across as real. Grubb especially is a fascinating antagonist in a macabre sense as he invokes the need to be rid of demons for killing the children. Alex is a solid reporter, but proves he is made of the right stuff as he follows up on Grubb's rant risking his life to keep a woman he does not know outside of her childhood testimony safe. Fast-paced from the onset, readers will enjoy this action-packed riveting thriller as murder is done in the name of getting rid of demons that look like children.---------

Harriet Klausner

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

A STUNNING DEBUT THRILLER!

This book grabbed me by the throat. I devoured its 400 pages in four readings, which is a new indoor record for me. Killing Red has, shall I say, the bones of a great thriller: troubled hero, damsel in distress, black-hearted central villain and a cast of characters every bit as colorful as "The Usual Suspects."

Henry Perez adds to this mix great pacing and true suspense. I didn't see the last turn coming but it's a good one. This book surprised throughout with its humanism, humor and whodunit twists.

Beyond that, Perez's treatment of his protagonist is first-rate. I really care about this guy and his all-too-real human weaknesses. Reporter Alex Chapa may have been born in Cuba but his willingness to take on his own dark past in his search for redemption makes him as 100% American as Rick Blaine.

Somebody wants to kill Red but you just have the sense that ain't gonna happen on Alex Chapa's watch, even if he has no idea how he'll stop them. He's smart, resourceful and relentless, his brain and his heart his best weapons against the array of dark forces around him.

I am definitely looking forward to another round of drinks at Prather's while I read Alex's next adventure. Hope it's soon.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

An Outstanding Debut

Killing Red is apparently the author's first book, but it reads like the work of someone who has been doing this a long time.

Henry Perez uses multiple points of view to get inside the heads of both hero and villain. At the same time, the plotting is tight as a drum, and along the way he displays moments of wit and insight that cause this novel to exceed expectations. He has created a fictional world and an intriguing protagonist in Alex Chapa.

Here's hoping Perez gives us more.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A Brilliant, Thrill Ride of a Debut

Years from now, when Henry Perez is a familiar name to thriller and crime fiction lovers everywhere, readers will look back at KILLING RED as the brilliant debut that started it all.

This one has everything you could ask for: An original protagonist who is compelling, credible, and easy to root for, a scary villain who will haunt you long after the book is finished, and a rollercoaster ride of a plot that is unlike any I've ever read before.

KILLING RED is the story of Alex Chapa, a reporter whose professional life is as successful, as his personal life is a train wreck. Chapa has less than a week to track down a woman who survived a terrible ordeal as a child, before a copycat killer finds her.

But KILLING RED is far from the typical serial killer novel. It contains more twists and turns and cliffhangers than most authors would ever dare put into a single book. As an author, Perez is a risk taker. He's a storyteller who warns his readers to expect the unexpected, then delivers on that threat.

This is more than a brilliant debut. It's a reading experience that will stay with you for a long time, and an introduction to what promises to be a great career.

Highest recommendation!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

An Instant Favorite!

I loved this book from start to finish, and I went from one to the other with hardly a break in between. I didn't realize when I bought the book that it was the author's first, and I must say I'm impressed. Killing Red reminded me of James Patterson's early novels, with a bit of Jeffrey Deaver mixed in. It's a really exciting find! Picked this up to keep me company on a long trip. When I reached my destination I bought three more copies to give away. I can't wait for the author's next effort.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

You can tell Perez is a new author.

I found the book a little slow. The main character development was good, but the story overall wasn't that good. I also read his most recent book, but didn't like that much either. There are also a lot of typo's in it.

Fantastic thriller!!

I loved this book! It is fast paced, thrilling and a very exciting read. I connected with the main character, Alex Chapa, from the very beginning and found myself rooting for him all the way to the end. Chapa's strained relationship with his daughter tugs at the heart strings and his comical banter with his detective friend is funny and real. His determination to wrong a prior mistake and save a victim of a killer's rampage makes this a page turner that is hard to put down. It's a great debut for what appears to be an author who knows how to capture an audience. Hope the next installment of Chapa is not too far behind!

Engaging, Gripping, Couldn't put it down

Killing Red was an amazing book. I was enaged immediately. So much happened within the first few pages that I wondered where the storyline is going to go. Henry Perez really develops the plot and the storyline flows. The character development puts the reader right into the storyline. Each page was captivating and gripping. I also love how Perez constructs the analogies he uses.

I'm hooked on Henry Perez and can't wait for his next book. Keep writing!

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