I was so excited to come to Goodreads and leave a review about this amazing horror book I just finished, only to be surprised by the overall lower rating. Those who read this as an arc may not have been the right demographic!

Do NOT read this if you need a perfect story with the ending tying everything together with a pink bow and legit explanation.

Do not read this story if you can’t handle senseless violence.

Do not read this story if you are opposed to potential possession, ghosts, or ideas of the like.

Do not read this story if you cannot suspend belief between the covers of this book.

DO read if you like horror, suspense, thrillers, supernatural possession.

DO read this story if you want to escape realities of real life.

Do read this story if you want something that’ll blow your socks off!

I’m not typically a horror fan and I ate this shit up! I like my suspense and thrillers, some occasional darker books, but holy shit, this one was off the charts.

Please be advised: this review will be a little different and a little more crass than my usual reviews, as this book was a little different than my usual reads!

Holy shit you guys! This book had me in fill fight or flight mode! It sucked me in immediately, the bread crumbs of what’s to come lingering in the background as the author introduces the first main character. You can’t help but love Jaff as he represents the working class living the American dream, right? Until he seemingly loses his mind one night and takes multiple comedians and a few others hostage in his comedy club after hours. It’s not that simple- but you get the gist.

The writing? Fucking amazing. The fluidity and pacing? Perfect! The way the author changes perspective/characters while minimally overlapping was such a refreshing idea. The guts and the gore explained in such detail that you can see it popping off the pages? Phenomenal! Where do these ideas come from? This is the story I will recommend when people ask for a book that will keep them up at night afraid to turn the lights off. Like Mike, you alright? Do you need a therapist?
This will be a hard one to beat and will probably spend eternity in my top 5 favorites. For the love of all that is holy, please make this a movie- I know the book will be better, but I can literally visualize the scenes from this and would have horror fans on the edge of their seats. This one gets all the fucking stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Datura Books for this ARC- I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to experience this book. I literally want to have amnesia so I can read this again for the first time.

Mike Bockoven’s Killing It delivers a gripping, adrenaline-fueled horror experience that grabs you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. From the unsettling presence of disembodied voices to the relentless pace of action and death, this novel is a chilling rollercoaster that will keep readers guessing—and thoroughly creeped out.

Bockoven crafts a narrative that is both intense and unpredictable. The sense of dread builds steadily, and just when you think you know what’s coming, the story takes another sharp turn. The element of psychological horror—especially the eerie voices—adds a deeply disturbing layer that lingers long after the book is finished.

Killing It stands out with its smart pacing, brutal stakes, and a storyline that keeps you on your toes. Fans of fast-paced horror with psychological depth and plenty of shocking moments will find this a truly satisfying—and terrifying—read.

Bockoven expertly weaves together social commentary with a edge-of-your seat classic-style slasher story as a group of comedians find themselves in a comedy club in New York that brings a whole new meaning to the term "killing it".

I really enjoyed the nuance with which this story handled some difficult conversations whilst never feeling as though it was giving the worst characters a pass in their actions. I particularly liked the examination of the relationship that people can have with art and the way they may need to renegotiate this when the cold, hard realities of the artist come to light. I also felt like all of the characters were fully-realised with both flaws and things that made you really root for them.

This is a book that doesn't shy away from the graphic, giving the reader a healthy dose of gore and horror as one-by-one characters are injured and killed. There was a real sense that this story wasn't heading towards a happy ending and I never felt as though I either knew what was going to happen or who the final survivor might be - assuming that we would have a final survivor at all.

I am eager to read more from Bockoven after picking up this book that was both gripping and thoughtful.

Killing It is a darkly hilarious, blood-soaked rollercoaster of horror and humor, delivering a wildly original premise that only Mike Bockoven could pull off. Known for his cult hit Fantasticland, Bockoven once again proves he has a talent for blending terror with razor-sharp wit, this time setting his sights on the cutthroat (literally) world of underground comedy.

The story revolves around The Square, an iconic alt-comedy club in New York that’s hosted decades of rising stars and cultural misfits. But its roots run deeper—and darker—than anyone realizes. When four comics take the stage and unintentionally awaken something malevolent from the club’s sinister past, the night quickly turns into a violent, supernatural showdown. The punchlines may land, but so do the knives.

Bockoven’s voice is as smart and savage as ever, mixing the brutal realism of struggling performers with the absurdity of an all-out ghostly massacre. Think Shaun of the Dead meets The Comedy Store—an ensemble cast of comics, each with their own neuroses and backstories, facing horrors both personal and paranormal. The book skewers everything from cancel culture to creative ego, all while amping up the stakes with possession, gore, and some truly inventive kills.

Underneath the carnage and killer one-liners is a surprisingly sharp commentary on what it means to dedicate your life to making people laugh, especially when your own demons are louder than the audience. Bockoven balances horror and heart with finesse, giving readers characters they’ll root for—even as they’re literally fighting for their lives.

Killing It is a fresh, frenetic horror-comedy that feels like an instant cult classic. If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if stand-up met supernatural slaughter, this is your answer. It’s fast, funny, and freaky in all the right ways. Just don’t read it before your next open mic.

"After all, this place wasn't just going to be his work. It was his goddamn calling, even if it did currently stink of decay."

Mike Bockoven's book is about a popular club in New York for the alt-comedy scene. However it's also a dark place where evil lingers, waiting for a chance to spill blood. After a night of killing on stage, four comics find themselves in a desperate situation as the spirits of the past come out to play, and a fight for laughs becomes a fight for survival in the most unlikely of places.

This one was a creepy story in an unusual setting that will leaves its readers unnerved. There is an insane amount of tension between the characters that adds to the horror that is unleashed. By adding humour it makes it all the more unsettling.

The author does not shy away from gore so there is plenty of it. This felt like an action packed gore fulled horror that will appeal to many fans of this author.

If you can make it past the first chapter this is absolutely worth the read. The first chapter is just very long without much of a break and you kind of grow to hate the narrator. But after the first chapter and the perspectives start to change the book really picks up and is very much worth the read. If you have ever been to a comedy club or velar you will be able to envision yourself in the setting and will this cast of characters.

Wow, this came out of no where. This book was weirdly violent. I feel like the motive for the killings came from no where, and it made me want to cringe.

It’s the end of an era at The Square comedy club and it will be going out with a bang. The owner and the ominous presence dwelling in the building will be killing it. (If you’re unfamiliar with comedy, that means you did a great job #wordplay.)

This was a tense slasher that evoked the frustration of white women in horror movies (though not displayed by white women). Bad choices and bad luck lead to bloodshed and fights. The violence is graphic and the descriptions of the body horror made me squirm. Bockoven did his job there. This book was hard to put down.

What was unexpected for a slasher novel was how insightful and interesting all of the discussion of stand-up comedy was. Success, failure, crowd work, how anyone who does that job is in someway damaged. I’m very curious about because I feel like I could have the wit but I’m not sure if I have everything else it takes.

Bockoven also gives us enough of an answer to the mysterious evil that kicks everything off. I had a very good time with this one. 4/5

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

I’m a fan of Mike Bockoven’s writing and I love creepy stories, but I’m still unsure what to make of Killing It. The juxtaposition of horrific events occurring inside a location typically associated as a fun place (hello FantasticLand) contributed to the surreal feeling of ‘this can’t be happening’ that built as the story progressed. The ghost story element fell a little short for me though, I thought this part could use a little more heft.
Overall a decent read. I’m still a fan and appreciate the way the author subtlety (or not so) weaves themes of mental health, social norms, and morality into his work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Datura for the opportunity to read this book!

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

As a huge fan of FantasticLand I had high expectations for Killing It but unfortunately it didn't hit the mark.

Killing It sees the owner of a comedy club lose his mind and unleash a night of terror on the unfortunate comedians left in the building after an open mic night.

There was plenty of gore but where it fell flat for me was I didn't really like the characters so there wasn't anyone to root for.

Just like FantasticLand there was a mix of transcripts from the comedians sets but the placements were odd and thrown in randomly after some of the horror occured.

I didn't dislike the book I just didn't love it either.

Killing It by Mike Bockoven is a darkly entertaining thriller that blends crime, satire, and sharp humor into a fast-paced, unpredictable ride. From the start, Bockoven’s writing pulls readers into a world of hired killers, moral dilemmas, and unexpected twists, all delivered with a clever edge. The mix of action and dark comedy keeps the story engaging and fresh.

The characters are well-drawn, particularly the protagonist, whose journey through the chaotic underworld is both gripping and laced with wit. Bockoven balances tension and humor effectively, though some moments lean more into style than substance. Still, the dialogue crackles, and the plot moves at a brisk pace, keeping the pages turning.

The story builds to a strong and satisfying conclusion, even if a few plot points feel slightly predictable. Killing It is a sharp, fun, and action-packed thriller—an easy 4-star read for fans of crime fiction with a darkly comedic twist.

Release: April 15, 2025
Author: Mike Bockoven
Publisher: Datura

Rating: 3.5★ 

Killing It by Mike Bockoven is a darkly entertaining blend of horror and satire set in the world of stand-up comedy.

The story revolves around The Square, a legendary New York comedy club that has been a staple of the alt-comedy scene since the late 1980s. But long before it was filled with laughter, the venue had a much darker history—one that refuses to stay buried. When a comedian takes the stage and turns a night of jokes into a bloodbath, four comics find themselves trapped in a nightmare, fighting to survive as the ghosts of the past make their presence known.

The book leans into the absurd, playing with the idea of comedy and horror intersecting in unexpected ways. While it delivers solid pacing and compelling action, the humor is hit-or-miss. The inclusion of full stand-up transcripts—meant to showcase the talent of the club’s performers—falls flat, lacking the punch expected from characters portrayed as major comedy draws. That said, the story itself maintains an engaging momentum, balancing gruesome horror with moments of dark amusement.

Killing It is an offbeat, genre-blending thriller that doesn’t take itself too seriously. While it may not land every joke, it delivers enough tension, chaos, and satirical bite to keep readers hooked until the final curtain falls.

Favorite Quote:
"life's a series of random events strung together by the choices we make, and sometimes, the choices are made for us."

Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy. I mostly liked this book. It had a simple, not super-original plot. Guy buys a haunted property that he turns into a comedy club, and years later, the ghost turns him into a homicidal maniac. Pretty standard ghost-story stuff. It wasn't a particularly scary ghost story, and that's fine too. I found the action compelling enough to pull me through the story pretty effortlessly. My main issue is with the actual "comedy" parts. The author includes "transcripts" of the stand-up sets featured in the story. The problem is, they just aren't funny. While the rest of the book had moments that elicited a chuckle or two, the actual comedy bits did not. Some of these folks were supposed to be pretty big comedy draws. And zero laughs. The book would have been better without those portions. I'd have just left them out. Otherwise, I found it a fairly enjoyable book.

I gave this four stars. I did read it and as a book I would say 3.5 stars but I think as an audiobook it would be a 4 star experience. The story follows murders that happen at a comedy club, and while some of the experiences are a little off the wall and seem to be leaning into the satire and joke of murder/psychosis mysteries.. I do believe this is a scenario where the audiobook would’ve been more enjoyable over the physical book. That being said it was a very creative plot that I hadn’t seen before!

I enjoyed reading the faux lore about the comedy club and the main characters. Those parts read like an expose article and were genuinely interesting, and I feel like an expert now in the unfortunately fake New York '80s and '90s comedy scene.

The rest of the novel couldn't quite deliver, however, with the stand-up scenes completely unfunny and the kill-kill-kill scenes just... gratuitous and somehow boring.