Jack's Boys
by John Katzenbach
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date May 28 2024 | Archive Date Jun 11 2024
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Description
From #1 internationally bestselling author John Katzenbach
Five serial killers …
Known only to each other as:
Alpha. Bravo. Charlie. Delta. Easy.
Connected through a secure internet location, encrypted and concealed, a unique chat room they have named Jack’s Special Place in homage to their ultimate model—the one killer they hold in the highest esteem:
Whitechapel, London. 1888. The infamous murderer remembered in dark history as Jack the Ripper.
And so, they are Jack’s Boys.
They delight in each other’s crimes. They relish in taunting police around the world with odd clues and deep confusion—the modern version of the Victorian-era killer they emulate. While the original Jack sent letters to Fleet Street papers, they send pictures and online boasts and insults. In this fashion, they feed on each other’s killings, a private community of death. Arrogant. Conceited. Untouchable.
Or so they thought.
Until one day they are hacked.
Two teenagers, lying on their bed at home. Boyfriend and girlfriend. Slightly disaffected, each with their own issues—but deeply in young love and equally fascinated by the world of the dark web, where they accidentally stumble upon Jack’s Boys in their private space . . .
Whom they immediately mock.
This triggers a landslide of anger and revenge as the killers decide to teach the two teenagers a lesson in humility and respect for their betters. And caught up in this web of death are the teenage boy’s grandmother and grandfather—an ICU nurse and a former college admissions counselor with his own hidden, murderous history, an ex-Marine, Viet vet, still haunted by his time in that conflict.
When the five killers emerge from their shadows, this odd band of young and old will have to find a way to expose them. Or defeat them. Or save their own lives.
A Note From the Publisher
Marketing Plan
- New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award–nominated author of thirteen novels, three of which have been made into major motion pictures
- National and regional coverage, reviews, and interviews
- National publicity campaign
- Digital ARCs available upon request from Edelweiss and NetGalley
- Bookseller and library trade show marketing
- Social media campaign
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9798200894079 |
| PRICE | $26.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 280 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Stacy S, Reviewer
Jack’s Boys is a small group of killers who have found a home with each other on the dark web. When a teenage boy and his girlfriend stumble upon their chat and mock them, a game of life and death begins.
At first I was a little dumbfounded because Goodread said this was a 280 page book but when I got it it was 608 pages! Big difference and I have a lot of May releases to knock out. However a hundred pages in and it was flying, I realized I was glad that it was so long. Last night when I stayed up way too late to finish it, I wished there were even more pages. This is such a fun cat and mouse thriller; with the cats and mice being a group of serial killers vs. two teens and a set of grandparents. The ending gets so tense it’s hard to stay in your seat. Highly recommend this one and don’t be scared by the number of pages!
“The taste of death for you is awful. Sickening. For us, it’s sweet and intoxicating. And that means you have no chance against us.”
Jack’s Boys comes out 5/28.
Debbie B, Reviewer
Whoa! This book was kind of disturbing and a bit messed up lol but it was an enjoyable read! It had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, a bit disturbing and a few crazy twists and turns! The storyline was crazy but interesting! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!
Five serial killers … Known only to each other as:, Alpha. Bravo. Charlie. Delta. Easy., Connected through a secure internet location, encrypted and concealed, a unique chat room they have named Jack’s Special Place in homage to their ultimate model, the one killer they hold in the highest esteem:!
Leo B, Reviewer
I got this for review on Netgally.
The ebook had a log if pages but it feelt like I read it super quick, it was a real page turner. I found the concept to be rather unique and very entertaining to read as well as being big on suspense at times. Following Jack's Boys was unsettling but an interesting way to showcase the bad guys in a story. With chat rooms, dark Web and their daily life
Damien G, Reviewer
Five psychopaths have somehow found each other and formed a private chat room known as Jack’s Special Place and themselves as Jack’s Boys. The names are in honour of the most famous serial killer of all time, Jack the Ripper. Their little meeting place is located on the Dark Web and should be impossible to access if not invited.
Connor and Nikki are a couple of teens in love who, for some reason, also like to prowl the Dark Web, exploring forbidden places as a bit of excitement. That’s when Connor stumbles into the Jack’s Boys chat room.
The presence of an intruder who breaks into their conversation, taunting them and disrespecting them creates anger that’s palpable. So much so the group as a collective decide they need to kill this interloper, but before killing him, they would make him suffer to teach him a lesson first.
Jack’s Boys are referred to as Alpha, Beta, Charlie, Delta and Easy and they each have perversions that would make the normal person shudder. And, as we get to know each of them while they plan their attack, we learn more about them and start to understand just how damaged each of them is.
What follows is a full on story involving the hunters and the prey. The five hunters are stalking Connor and his family and they’re not aware of the danger they’re in for a very long time. The suspense is built to almost unbearable levels, particularly as we’re continually fed the sick and twisted thoughts of each of the men doing the hunting.
John Katzenbach doesn’t just get inside the head of one serial killer, he provides us with deep insight into the thoughts and motivations of 5 of them. Each a little different from the others but no less depraved and the scary thing is, they’re all working together, getting their rocks off on the prospect of the next kill. I’ve got to say, it’s not a particularly comfortable place to be, inside the heads of 5 deranged killers, but it sure ramps up the suspense.
An interesting aspect of the story that even the “good guys” are not totally, one hundred percent pure. Connor is harbouring a dark plan for the future, one that he’s talked Nikki into backing. His grandfather and grandmother are also dealing with their own ghosts from the past that are constantly affecting their present.
All in all, this is a psychological quagmire that manages to hit you from all sides. You should definitely mentally prepare yourself for a frontal assault on your tolerance to hate, intolerance and narcissistic behaviour.
Jack’s Boys is a chilling thriller that moves with effortless fluidity, just like the hunters stalking their prey. Katzenbach’s ability to take you straight into his character’s minds helps to underline the peril the potential victims are in, ramping up the tension to extreme levels.
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