The Santa Claus Killer (FBI Serial Killer Task Force) Paperback – Large Print, May 15, 2013

When I got this book, I was a little concerned I might not like it as it mentioned "horror" as part of the genre. To me "horror" is zombies and weird looking things that attack and can't be stopped (until the very end, of course). That is NOT this book. This is a well written, well plotted book. There are lots of characters to remember, many of whom die along the way. One of the characters the Santa Claus Killer intends to kill is his own son - and the son knows the Killer is his father. That was telegraphed early in the story and I wondered what else might be coming as a surprise. I am notoriously difficult to fool with whodunits. So, RJ Smith did a great job with a nicely hidden twist at the end. It's so well done, I'm not going to spoil the story for anyone thinking about the book. Just believe - it's worth the read. I kept wondering where the "horror" aspects of this story were. Then I realized, for lots of people graphic descriptions of crime scenes, dead bodies and how they were dismembered, etc. is horror. Fortunately, that doesn't bother me. Without it, the book would not be nearly as compelling.And, in case you need more encouragement to check this out, this book was just nominated for a Bram Stoker Award.Read it. You'll enjoy it.

At first, you want to put the book down and go onto another, as it is a wee bit, shall we say, strangefor the first 125 or so pages.And yes, I did put it down, and read another book,before I came back, and tried again.Don't forget, this is a HORROR tale, and is writtenin that........strange, odd, not of the "normal", mind set.Yes it is written in a different way, and to people thatlike their books, written in a straight down the line, noabnormal patterns, they will not like it....But again.......this is a HORROR story, set in New Yorkabout a Santa Claus killer, why would you think, anythingwould be NORMAL.

This book is very strange. I am about 25% into it, and haven't even gotten a little bit nervous about the suspense or action. I'm not sure if the other reviewers are reading the same book as me??

R.J. Smith has set the standard high with this first novel. I do not generally read horror, so I cannot make any comparisons with the current market, but I am impressed with this book. The cover depicts the plot well. A killer dressed in the seasonal Santa Claus costume.Excellent characterization weaved throughout the surprise twists and turns of the plot kept me steadily reading. As a country girl that hasn't visited Manhattan, I could identify with the early Midwestern tourist mother and her twins. The peripheral characters, even the protagonists' have personality flaws bringing the tale alive countering the expected graphic gore.I thoroughly enjoyed the author's unique style and short chapters. Excellent rhythm and flow with addition of sensory pauses of sound.While not for the faint hearted, or easily offended, Mr. Smith has inserted American societal current events from tragedy, literature, movies, and politics in a well-balanced scattering throughout the tale, while enhancing the psychological thriller plot. While seasonal on the appearance, I think this could easily be read year-round.I recommend this totally gripping tale and am looking forward to his next release.

[[ASIN:0989675327 The Santa Claus Killer (FBI Serial Killer Task Force) (Volume 1) by RJ SmithA Scary Demon Drop of a Ride...is what I felt when I was reading "The Santa Claus Killer" (FBI Serial Killer Task Force) (Volume 1) (e-book) by author, RJ Smith. This awesomely well written novel kept me at the edge of my seat and I was magnetized into reading on, I could not put it down. I felt what the characters felt. I could feel the words coming alive on the screen inside my head when the demented Schizophrenic in a Santa suit went after his victims. From the third chapter on I started glancing over my shoulder and listening for a knock at my front door. I give Mr. Smith two thumbs up and gladly give him five stars on this novel. Mr. Smith...YOU HAVE REACHED THE TOP! I cannot wait to follow this author to his next novel, Cataclysm. I am hooked on Smith's incredible work. Congratulations.It is a hair raising, spine chilling, heart pounding, unable to sleep unless you finish reading book......

I finished RJ Smith excellent crime thriller The Santa Claus Killer. With the busy school week, I was only able to read a few chapters before drifting off for my nightly 6 hours of dreamless. Today, I burned through the final 40% of the electronic text. As for the book, it was superb and exceeded any expectations I had for a first time book. Now, folks whose preference is Austen or Bellow should not rush to read the book but if you are a crime thriller fan - I am - this is a 4 star page turner. One small example: In the story there were two disparate characters who night terror parallelism built throughout the book. The denouement of that situation should have revealed itself to me earlier but I was truly bowled over when I learned the reason and thought, why didn't I realize this earlier! Thanks RJ for the great read and much success with this book and the upcoming Cataclysm.

Santa is brutal! I had no idea! Wow! RJ Smith has a unique writing style that blends the most gruesome acts with some very dark humor. The Santa Killer reads like a slasher "film." The gore galore stays locked in your mind's eye!There are plot twists that you don't see coming. Plus he certainly knows his New York ... state of mind!