CHRIS HOLM

I'm elated, stunned, and not just a little confused to report that THE KILLING KIND is an Editors' Choice in this week's New York Times Book Review . As some of you know, this book nearly failed to see the light of day , so I'm incredibly grateful for all the support it's received, and all the help it's gotten along the way .

The current issue of Mystery Scene Magazine features a terrific review of THE KILLING KIND , courtesy of Jordan Foster. It's print-only, but here's a taste: "Chris Holm's whip-smart tale of a different kind of professional killer moves as fast as the bullets fired by his hero, Special Forces vet Michael Hendricks, and with wit as dry as the Afghani desert where Hendricks allegedly died." Many thanks to Jordan and Mystery Scene both!

There are moments in my writing career I'll carry with me forever. This review is destined to be one of them. Here's a taste (click through to read the rest): "Chris Holm's THE KILLING KIND is my favorite thriller of the fall lineup. Here's a solid gold premise: an assassin who only kills other assassins... The cat-and-mouse game that follows is pure joy...This novel is so fast-moving, so expertly arranged, every piece fitting together with a well-oiled snap, that it feels weaponized. Read it. Or else." The review is scheduled to appear in this Sunday's print edition of The New York Times Book Review. And I'm told THE KILLING KIND will also be an Editors' Choice in the October 25th edition!

I'm not gonna lie to you: as a New Englander, just getting to type that post title gave me a charge. So imagine how thrilled I am that the review is an unqualified rave! Here's a glimpse: "...an ultra-strategic cat-and-mouse game of mind-blowing proportions... Holm, an award-winning short-story writer and author of the fantasy-pulp fiction trilogy 'The Collector,' is terrific at rendering characters with empathy and humor... As the second half careers along with roller coaster speed and twists, meting out some seriously emotionally wrenching moments and showing that Hendricks is more than a match for MacGyver, you’ll want to go along for the ride—but keep that seat belt fastened." Many thanks to Daneet Steffens for the lovely review.