The Serial Killers Club: Funnier than it Sounds

I've recently began reading a book called The Serial Killers Club by Jeff Povey. This novel is a black comedy, no not like Norbit, more of a satire involving a club of well...serial killers and one man's journey of trying to be accepted, and just having a sense of belonging. Our protagonist is a Dougie who's accidentally joined this club and his having a hard time staying in, since members keep finding out he's not a "Skiller". Even though he claims to be a good person and not a dirty "skiller" like all the others, our narrator fits the profile like a bloody glove. He is withdrawn and has a desperate need for acceptance with some obsessive-compulsive tendencies and is quite self-conscious about his height. Normally, these qualities wouldn't equate to violent behavior, but in the right environment and the right circumstances, you never know.


This novel is extremely funny yet disturbing at times since it lets you into the psyche of serial killers and how they operate. There are clever ironies through out. The author does an excellent job in describing the various "Skillers" and their different personalities and styles. This is Jeff Povey's first novel and he is prominently known from his writing on the British sitcom Eastenders. This novel moves along like a movie, and a good movie at that: it's graphic, witty and funny. There's no way this book won't make it quickly to the screen and it's good to read it before it gets cast. As I read it I've laughed out loud many times, not as much as Ant Farm, but still quite a bit. There are disturbing parts that make you question your own psyche but thats neither here or there....(haha)

From the back cover:

When our unlikely hero stumbles into the path of a serial killer, he has no choice but to defend himself-and ends up killing the killer. Shocked by his own strength, he then goes through the dead man's wallet and finds the damnedest thing: a personal ad inviting the killer to join a party hosted by Errol Flynn. Errol Flynn? Isn't he dead?

What begins with passing curiosity soon becomes uncontrollable obsession, forcing our hero to fly to Chicago to join the party. From the moment he steps into Grillers and meets eighteen "skillers"-serial killers, to the uninitiated-his life is never the same. Their name: the Serial Killers Club. Their game: to share the thrill of the hunt and to make sure no two members target the same victims. With the monikers of old Hollywood stars masking the skillers' identities, their ranks include "William Holden," "Tallulah Bankhead," "Richard Burton," and before long, "Douglas Fairbanks Jr.," our hero himself.

But "Dougie" has no intention of wasting innocent victims. Instead, with a government special agent on his tail, he devises a perfect plan to knock off the members of the club one by one. But what will happen when they notice their numbers dropping? Dougie doesn't have an MO and he's not really a bloodthirsty killer. Or is he?

Introducing a brilliant, witty new voice to the world of thrillers, THE SERIAL KILLERS CLUB is fresh, frightening, and darkly funny

So far I've had trouble putting it down, it is that good. I recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy and entertaining read and is interested in crime based novels.


I'm out

peace!