Serial killers are a morbid curiosity for many people. The most often asked question is, “Why are they the way they are?”
Ted Bundy, one of America’s most infamous serial killers, was asked this question by Dr. Robert D. Keppel, the man who took his confession, and by Anne Rule, the true crime author who knew Bundy personally.
His answer, “It’s just the way I am. It is what I do,” only raises more questions. There are no real answers to be had.
Obsessed, by Rick R. Reed, is the story of serial killer Joe MacAree.
Like a lot of psychopaths, Joe has a successful job, is happily married, and is well-respected and liked by many. No one would suspect the twisted, dark compulsion that drives him to kill again and again. Everyone has heard the comment, “He was such a nice guy, I never would have believed it.”
He wants to stop. Each kill puts him at risk of being caught. His fear of exposure is well founded.
When Randy Mazursky discovers his pregnant wife’s mutilated body, he disconnects from reality and becomes consumed with vengeance. If he can figure out the connection between the killer and evidence that was left behind, there will be no mercy.
Bad luck or Karma comes calling on Joe. It was only a matter of time. His wife knows something is wrong and begins to question his absences.
Then there’s Pat Young. Wheelchair bound and a recluse, Pat lives across the street from Joe’s latest victim and witnesses his exit from the crime scene. She now knows who he is and puts the screws to him. Now he is no longer in control.
Joe starts to unravel. He can no longer govern his evil urges.
At risk of losing his job, his wife, his freedom and his sanity, if he ever really was sane, Joe starts to lose it. He is not in control of his sick, driven needs any more. The noose is tightening around his neck and he begins to crack under the pressure.
Obsessed is psychological horror at it’s best. Told from the killer’s point of view, I sometimes found myself feeling sorry for Joe as this pressure-cooker builds and builds and finally boils over. I felt his desperation. Several times I thought to myself, “Wait a minute, this is a sadistic serial killer we’re talking about!” The author had me so caught up in Joe’s plight, I had to stop and remind myself of just what he was, the bad guy.
If that was the author’s intent, it was very successful.
Read Obsessed, meet Joe, and see into the dark, convoluted mind of a serial killer. Experience his hideous past and discover what drives him to kill.
An excellent, brilliantly executed thriller.
Rick R. Reed is the author of dozens of published novels, novellas and short stories ranging from suspense/mystery to thrillers, horror, paranormal, romance and gay/lesbian. He is a two-time EPIC e-book Award winner (for Orientation and Blue Moon Cafe). Lambda Literary Review has called him, ” a writer that doesn’t disappoint.”
For more about Rick and his books:
http://rickreddreality.blogspot.com
A few of Rick’s many books, just click on the images to purchase them.
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