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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
I do not normally read books that have strong themes of sexual violence and abuse. I’m sensitive to them and find them hard to read. However, there was something so captivating about True Crime. It was hard to put down, even during the moments I had to take a moment, the book never closed. It’s a novella so it is an easy read but the content is quite difficult. Samantha Kolesnik pulls off the fine line between gratuitous violence and the necessary amount to continue the story. It is incredibly well written and leaves an impact. I’m finding it difficult to write out my thoughts perfectly so bear with me.
Suzy, our main character, is deeply troubled and surviving from immense abuse and trauma at the hands of her mother. She has a deep fascination with murder that her older brother, Lim, helps out with. Readers are able to empathize with Suzy and understand where her impulses stem from, but the narrative does not choose to negate that their murderous path is brutal and disgusting.
There is a repeated question throughout this novella that basically asks if people are naturally inclined to heinous acts or is it dependent on the environment they live and grow in? Are they friend or foe? A Builder or a Creator? We may never know the true reason why people do the things that they do, but we will always be fascinated enough to try and figure it out.
True Crime is a tough, brutal read that will stay with you for a while. Samantha Kolesnik created such a great debut novella with beautiful prose. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
*Thank you so much to the author and Grindhouse Press for providing me a copy for review.*
Suzy, our main character, is deeply troubled and surviving from immense abuse and trauma at the hands of her mother. She has a deep fascination with murder that her older brother, Lim, helps out with. Readers are able to empathize with Suzy and understand where her impulses stem from, but the narrative does not choose to negate that their murderous path is brutal and disgusting.
There is a repeated question throughout this novella that basically asks if people are naturally inclined to heinous acts or is it dependent on the environment they live and grow in? Are they friend or foe? A Builder or a Creator? We may never know the true reason why people do the things that they do, but we will always be fascinated enough to try and figure it out.
True Crime is a tough, brutal read that will stay with you for a while. Samantha Kolesnik created such a great debut novella with beautiful prose. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
*Thank you so much to the author and Grindhouse Press for providing me a copy for review.*
I read this novella in one sitting. Suzy and Lim are on the run after getting rid of their abusive mother. They reminded me a little of brother and sister Natural Born Killers. My stomach was churning during the first chapter and it didn't let up. There are many horrific things that happen in this little book and I really enjoyed the ride even though it left me a little nauseated but in a really good way.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Suzy and Lim are a brother and sister duo that live an abusive life at the hands of their mother. Every person has a limit and when Suzy finds hers, nobody is safe. After finally escaping their mother's grasp and leaving their old life behind, they embark on a murderous escapade that bodes unwell for everyone and anyone that crosses them.
What an amazing novella. This was the most heartwrenching and bleak stories I have ever or likely will ever read. Forget blood, sweat and tears. Samantha Kolesnik spilled her guts out on to the pages. It wasn't so much about the protagonist because she was void a most all common emotional responses, it was the world around her and the vile personalities that seek out vulnerable people. This is what afflicted me the most. Readers get a first hand look at the transformation that takes place in the mind of the abused. You get to see what envelopes those that witness true horror. The writing had this interesting effect as well that made this such a compelling read. It was the lack of tension that made this so good. For normal folks, the scenes within these pages would be tense and appalling but it wasn't for the main character which is what made her so terrifying. I'm finding it difficult to recover from some what I read here and the author should definitely be proud of that. True Crime is proof that horror knows no bounds
True Crime is an incredibly bleak and riveting tale about what happens to those who suffer at the hands of abuse and the mental anguish that ensues. Samantha Kolesnik wrote an emotionally charged debut novel that was deeply captivating. This is an author that will remain on my radar simply because you can tell that she pours her soul into her writting. This reader anxiously awaits the authors next book and the emotional trauma that awaits when it comes.
TRUE CRIME by Samantha Kolesnik
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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What an amazing novella. This was the most heartwrenching and bleak stories I have ever or likely will ever read. Forget blood, sweat and tears. Samantha Kolesnik spilled her guts out on to the pages. It wasn't so much about the protagonist because she was void a most all common emotional responses, it was the world around her and the vile personalities that seek out vulnerable people. This is what afflicted me the most. Readers get a first hand look at the transformation that takes place in the mind of the abused. You get to see what envelopes those that witness true horror. The writing had this interesting effect as well that made this such a compelling read. It was the lack of tension that made this so good. For normal folks, the scenes within these pages would be tense and appalling but it wasn't for the main character which is what made her so terrifying. I'm finding it difficult to recover from some what I read here and the author should definitely be proud of that. True Crime is proof that horror knows no bounds
True Crime is an incredibly bleak and riveting tale about what happens to those who suffer at the hands of abuse and the mental anguish that ensues. Samantha Kolesnik wrote an emotionally charged debut novel that was deeply captivating. This is an author that will remain on my radar simply because you can tell that she pours her soul into her writting. This reader anxiously awaits the authors next book and the emotional trauma that awaits when it comes.
TRUE CRIME by Samantha Kolesnik
⭐⭐⭐⭐
FOLLOW ME
Www.twitter.com/thebookdad
Www.instagram.com/The_BookDad
Www.goodreads.com/andrewfowlow
I can’t truly imagine enjoying this book or giving it reviews in the way that it has been reviewed. Beyond the typos and grammatical errors, there are some serious issues with characterization, particularly of the brother who lacks screen time and, yet, seems to be a conflicting, contradictory character in his personality. Further, while I’m all for gore in books, the violence served no purpose to further the story or make it better for the reader. Still, I’m giving this book two stars instead of one because the book has shining moments that are incredibly quotable and lighten up some of the books monotony. Though this book isn’t for me, if you’re into mindless novellas with light characterization and action-packed scenes, you may enjoy this one. I simply can’t recommend it for people like myself.
“I want the society in which I live to be clear about the reality of our families; to know all the ways in which we avoid the issues of violence, abuse, and societal contempt; and to see survivors as more than victims. If we know more about what it means to survive abuse, we will be better able to help those still caught in the whole shameful secret world of physical and sexual violence.” - Dorothy Allison (Author of Bastard Out of Carolina)
True Crime by Samantha Kolesnik is an unflinching, brave story about identity. A fictional account of siblings raised by human monsters, enduring physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of the most violent kind. Readers will have to bear witness to some horrific accounts but almost more troubling is the lasting effects/consequences trauma has on the human psyche-especially in the formative years. This is a novella, so thankfully, the story doesn't focus on actual scenes of the parent/child abuse for too long. **(A Sadie sidenote/trigger warning you can skip: torture of the helpless like children or animals is too much for me. I won't endure it for the sake of entertainment. Despite the amazing storytelling/writing, I tapped out on reading THE GIRL NEXT DOOR by Jack Ketchum because the primary emphasis of the climax was the torture and abuse of a young girl. My mind refused it. This book is brutal at first and I felt that breaking point but very quickly the emphasis shifted and I could move past it. If I can finish this one, I'm pretty sure anyone could AND it's worth it. Big payoffs)**
Once Lim and Samantha venture out on their own, the author does a brilliant job portraying the different ways victimhood manifests itself. Suzy is our first-person narrator so the reader gets an intimate look inside the chaos of her damaged mind. Suzy's brother, Lim, displays all the external signs of his internal turmoil but it's really Suzy that the author hones in on and it's some of the most powerful storytelling I have ever read.
The crisis of identity Suzy experiences with all her conflicting feelings and behaviors is fascinating and compulsive. Actions sequences keep the story moving along but really, the magic of this book is what's happening to Suzy psychologically. I must use an appropriate illustration here of The Dog You Feed:
“It is like two dogs fighting inside of us,” a chief told the young warriors. “There is one good dog who wants to do right and the other dog always wants to do wrong. Sometimes the good dog seems stronger and is winning the fight. But sometimes the bad dog is stronger and wrong is winning the fight.”
“Who is going to win in the end?” a young warrior asks.
The chief answered “The one you feed.”
Waging war inside Suzy is what we would call a product of nature vs. nurture. Will Suzy become like the monsters who abused her? Can Suzy be redeemed with enough time away from the violence? If her body can heal-- what about her mind, heart, and soul? Can love make a person whole again after being broken time and time again?
Samantha Kolesnik wrote some scenes of dazzling beauty that stood out like a beacon of light in the pitch black. Most memorable for me were the "Creators" and the "Builders" that come along Suzy in an attempt to help her on her journey towards recovery. These scenes were like little treasures that made all the ugliness in this story worth the pain of enduring. I can't and I won't tell you what happens to Suzy in the end. You really must read this one for yourself. I promise it's worth the struggle. What a remarkable debut novel.
Mother Horror Book Blurb:
"Samantha Kolesnik's debut hurts like unrelenting thumb pressure on a fresh bruise. An ugly, dark account of severe victimhood informing a young girl's lasting identity. Readers will endure much tragedy. Watching light & love trying to break through are the big payoffs here. Brilliant."
True Crime by Samantha Kolesnik is an unflinching, brave story about identity. A fictional account of siblings raised by human monsters, enduring physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of the most violent kind. Readers will have to bear witness to some horrific accounts but almost more troubling is the lasting effects/consequences trauma has on the human psyche-especially in the formative years. This is a novella, so thankfully, the story doesn't focus on actual scenes of the parent/child abuse for too long. **(A Sadie sidenote/trigger warning you can skip: torture of the helpless like children or animals is too much for me. I won't endure it for the sake of entertainment. Despite the amazing storytelling/writing, I tapped out on reading THE GIRL NEXT DOOR by Jack Ketchum because the primary emphasis of the climax was the torture and abuse of a young girl. My mind refused it. This book is brutal at first and I felt that breaking point but very quickly the emphasis shifted and I could move past it. If I can finish this one, I'm pretty sure anyone could AND it's worth it. Big payoffs)**
Once Lim and Samantha venture out on their own, the author does a brilliant job portraying the different ways victimhood manifests itself. Suzy is our first-person narrator so the reader gets an intimate look inside the chaos of her damaged mind. Suzy's brother, Lim, displays all the external signs of his internal turmoil but it's really Suzy that the author hones in on and it's some of the most powerful storytelling I have ever read.
The crisis of identity Suzy experiences with all her conflicting feelings and behaviors is fascinating and compulsive. Actions sequences keep the story moving along but really, the magic of this book is what's happening to Suzy psychologically. I must use an appropriate illustration here of The Dog You Feed:
“It is like two dogs fighting inside of us,” a chief told the young warriors. “There is one good dog who wants to do right and the other dog always wants to do wrong. Sometimes the good dog seems stronger and is winning the fight. But sometimes the bad dog is stronger and wrong is winning the fight.”
“Who is going to win in the end?” a young warrior asks.
The chief answered “The one you feed.”
Waging war inside Suzy is what we would call a product of nature vs. nurture. Will Suzy become like the monsters who abused her? Can Suzy be redeemed with enough time away from the violence? If her body can heal-- what about her mind, heart, and soul? Can love make a person whole again after being broken time and time again?
Samantha Kolesnik wrote some scenes of dazzling beauty that stood out like a beacon of light in the pitch black. Most memorable for me were the "Creators" and the "Builders" that come along Suzy in an attempt to help her on her journey towards recovery. These scenes were like little treasures that made all the ugliness in this story worth the pain of enduring. I can't and I won't tell you what happens to Suzy in the end. You really must read this one for yourself. I promise it's worth the struggle. What a remarkable debut novel.
Mother Horror Book Blurb:
"Samantha Kolesnik's debut hurts like unrelenting thumb pressure on a fresh bruise. An ugly, dark account of severe victimhood informing a young girl's lasting identity. Readers will endure much tragedy. Watching light & love trying to break through are the big payoffs here. Brilliant."
I had a few false starts with this book. Don't get me wrong it's amazingly written, short and to the point. I read half way through and I just couldn't finish it. It is the mark of a great writer when the story makes you feel so many things. It's just that it brought up a lot of stuff. I just couldn't keep going. Since I started the book, I haven't felt like myself. So I had to put it down.
It is raw,and original. I don't think I have ever read anything like it.
It is raw,and original. I don't think I have ever read anything like it.
“Deceit is really the true crime of humanity”
This book wrecked me in the best way! It was devastating, horrifying and a lot of parts were hard to read, but I found myself not pulling away! Samantha did a great job with this debut novella!
I gotta share a spoiler-
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-
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Dogs die.
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I think it’s funny, I enjoy reading horror. I’m used to reading about rape, murder, etc etc. I always come back for more.
A dog dies though and I lose my mind. Normally that makes me DNF. but Samantha had me so emotionally involved I couldn’t give up. I had to see it through. I’m soooo glad i did!
This book wrecked me in the best way! It was devastating, horrifying and a lot of parts were hard to read, but I found myself not pulling away! Samantha did a great job with this debut novella!
I gotta share a spoiler-
-
-
-
Dogs die.
-
-
I think it’s funny, I enjoy reading horror. I’m used to reading about rape, murder, etc etc. I always come back for more.
A dog dies though and I lose my mind. Normally that makes me DNF. but Samantha had me so emotionally involved I couldn’t give up. I had to see it through. I’m soooo glad i did!
True Crime by Samantha Kolesnik is a dark and ugly tale that centers around a victim of horrible abuses. But in the darkness, there is always a bit of light. As difficult as it was to read, this novella was equally difficult to put down.
There are many trigger warnings for this one; rape and sexual assault, emotional and sexual abuse, child abuse/pedophilia, animal cruelty and animal death, self-injurious behavior, incest, kidnapping, death, murder… Take care of yourselves, friends <3
Like I mentioned above, this tale is a novella. So while there is a lot of darkness, it doesn’t focus on the details of any one thing too much. There’s also a healthy mix of happier elements like love, kindness, and second chances.
True Crime is a tale about a young girl that is just trying to get by while growing up with a monster. When she finally snaps, her life takes a new path. But had the darkness that hovered around her soul already settled in?
I have to admit, when I first started reading this, I almost had to put it down. The first three chapters were so uncomfortable to read due to the horrific subject matter. I can’t say it that got much easier to read, but for me the first three chapters were the most difficult. Once I got past them, I couldn’t stop reading!
I really enjoyed that this story grappled with the whole nature vs. nurture debate. It wasn’t spelled out for the reader in the text, but the things that happened definitely made me question how everything would turn out.
Another element that was really interesting was the psychological aspect. As we followed the perspective of the main character that went through all of this, we also got to see how she grappled with it. Many things weren’t black or white situations to her, there was plenty of gray.
It was so powerful to see how the main character progressed over the course of the story. I won’t give any more detail there, as it will give away too much…
While this covered some really tough subjects, it was also beautifully written. Check out some of my favorite passages below.
My Favorite Passages:
I started to see my life as a finite series of moments and I tried to catch each one as it passed. It was like trying to catch fireflies. Every time I thought I snagged one, I opened my hand to look at the pretty light and it disappeared.
We stood in line for tickets. All around us ran children and families. Fathers shouted after sons and mothers twirled their daughters’ hair. In their midst were at least two murderers, though they were none the wiser.
I wondered how the world made its villains and why it never apologized for making them.
But there was something about me which made people hesitate. I was the black sheep, the sheep with teeth, the sheep even the wolf wouldn’t eat.
To come in as a murderer and to murder is one thing. To come in as a friend, but to be a foe is another. Deceit is really the true crime of humanity.
My Final Thoughts:
This story is brutal. It’s heavy. But it’s also beautifully written. I can’t remember the last time I read a tale that was this uncomfortable, but also this absorbing…
A must read for horror fans. This one will demand your attention the minute you begin reading.
There are many trigger warnings for this one; rape and sexual assault, emotional and sexual abuse, child abuse/pedophilia, animal cruelty and animal death, self-injurious behavior, incest, kidnapping, death, murder… Take care of yourselves, friends <3
Like I mentioned above, this tale is a novella. So while there is a lot of darkness, it doesn’t focus on the details of any one thing too much. There’s also a healthy mix of happier elements like love, kindness, and second chances.
True Crime is a tale about a young girl that is just trying to get by while growing up with a monster. When she finally snaps, her life takes a new path. But had the darkness that hovered around her soul already settled in?
I have to admit, when I first started reading this, I almost had to put it down. The first three chapters were so uncomfortable to read due to the horrific subject matter. I can’t say it that got much easier to read, but for me the first three chapters were the most difficult. Once I got past them, I couldn’t stop reading!
I really enjoyed that this story grappled with the whole nature vs. nurture debate. It wasn’t spelled out for the reader in the text, but the things that happened definitely made me question how everything would turn out.
Another element that was really interesting was the psychological aspect. As we followed the perspective of the main character that went through all of this, we also got to see how she grappled with it. Many things weren’t black or white situations to her, there was plenty of gray.
It was so powerful to see how the main character progressed over the course of the story. I won’t give any more detail there, as it will give away too much…
While this covered some really tough subjects, it was also beautifully written. Check out some of my favorite passages below.
My Favorite Passages:
I started to see my life as a finite series of moments and I tried to catch each one as it passed. It was like trying to catch fireflies. Every time I thought I snagged one, I opened my hand to look at the pretty light and it disappeared.
We stood in line for tickets. All around us ran children and families. Fathers shouted after sons and mothers twirled their daughters’ hair. In their midst were at least two murderers, though they were none the wiser.
I wondered how the world made its villains and why it never apologized for making them.
But there was something about me which made people hesitate. I was the black sheep, the sheep with teeth, the sheep even the wolf wouldn’t eat.
To come in as a murderer and to murder is one thing. To come in as a friend, but to be a foe is another. Deceit is really the true crime of humanity.
My Final Thoughts:
This story is brutal. It’s heavy. But it’s also beautifully written. I can’t remember the last time I read a tale that was this uncomfortable, but also this absorbing…
A must read for horror fans. This one will demand your attention the minute you begin reading.