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.