This Is How You Die: A Thriller

Written by David Jester

Narrated by Curt Bonnem

The violent, dark, and twisted journey of an emotionless, hate-filled, obsessive young man who becomes a clinical and prolific serial killer. Herman isn’t like other teens his age. He isn’t like the academic elite, the geeky students who get all the grades and are adored by their teachers. He isn’t like the extroverts, the socially adept and popular kids who never want for anything and always have a shoulder to cry on. And he isn’t like the bullies, the ones who taunt and beat him on a daily basis. Herman isn’t like any of his peers, or indeed anyone he knows. The person Herman identifies with the most, the person he idolizes and yearns to be, is The Butcher, a brutal and prolific serial killer. Following yet another beating by the kids he despises at a school he hates, Herman returns home to his inconspicuous existence with his solitary, silent, and coldhearted father. But life for Herman is about to change. The shackles that have held him to mediocrity and anonymity are about to be broken. Not only does Herman discover his father has died, but on further examination, he also discovers his dad was The Butcher, the very man whom everyone had feared and whom he had worshipped. Life had been cruel to his father and death had been cruel to his legend, but Herman decides that he will carry on his father’s work. He may not have his father’s experience, but with a little practice, Herman knows he can become the man in the shadows, the thing that everyone fears. Now, if only Homicide Detective Lester Keats would just leave him be. . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Productions
• Release date: Aug 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094425818

David Jester

David Jester works as a freelance writer, that is, when he’s not busy penning his next novel or short story. He has been writing for as long as he can remember, with his first short story published when he was eighteen and his first novel published a decade later. He’s also the author of Forever After and This Is How You Die. He lives in Newcastle, England, with his wife and their pets.

Reviews for This Is How You Die

[Amanda Streetman · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The plot holes were insane. I just can’t even take it seriously.

[Cody Rabida · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While the writing isn't bad, it is quite clear the author has no idea what it's like to be 16. His description of the lives of "average" high schoolers around our main character is composed of as many cliché and stereotypical ideals one might cram into such a setting. It completely took me out of the story, listening to the author describe our main character getting a hangover after drinking his father's whiskey. What teenager gets a hangover from drinking? And the party invite, what highschool party includes hand written physical invites, no matter whatever year this book takes place? And does the author seriously think that a boy could get beaten to teeth cracking damage repeatedly for years and there's just nothing that would be done about it? Ok, his dad doesn't care. You're telling me every single teacher and faculty member doesn't care? Alright, sure, for the sake of argument let's pretend that's possible. Out of every single police officer, neighbor, hell even random passers by, not a single person would ever try to help this poor guy getting brutalized even once? It just sounds like a book written by an alien, who had nothing to go on for human life but whatever info he could gather from watching The Breakfast Bunch and American Psycho.

[Rachel Johnson · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Very cringe and the author has no idea how high school kids behave.

[sue keel · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked the storyline which ultimately is the most important thing. The narrators ability to pull off an English accent is rubbish the pronunciation of many words were askew - but oddly it unintentionally created a level of weird that suited the serial killer POV.
The author should research the English better though, we don’t use phrases like cops for police, hoods for car bonnets and so on.
Overall, a good storyline, heavy on descriptives especially during murder scenes.

[Eedge Eeva · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was... Brutal... Crazy chance to look in murders mind and police who trying to solve the problems. Nothing was easy in this book! Some bits was intense! I was surprised how different can murders mind work. It's not like I thought it's working the same but was interesting to see the difference ?

[Nicole Hattingh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Its good, but not at all like the usually serial killer books. Need to get used to the difference in the book.

[Kara Owens · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Worst narrator I've listened to but oddly enough it's fitting. It's exactly what the main character would sound like. It's POV serial killer who hates everyone equally. Kinda boring actually.

[Kandace Simpson · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Meh - I really am not sure what to think.

[Becca Carherine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a hilarious and also equally disturbing book on so many levels! I really enjoyed it and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time what a surprising gem of a book this.

[Vicki Chaney · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

What a waste of time listening to this audiobook! I spent time on it that I will never get back. It is a crude story evidently written by a sick person. Don't waste your time.

[Reagan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome book!! Funny , grim , gory!! Narrator is incredible!!

[Charlotte Lee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A disturbingly laugh-out-loud story that had me hooked from start to finish

[Wanda Schaefer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The first person accounts from each of the two main characters was very unique. It brought each of them to life!

[RichardKevinWilson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

He makes Ed Gein, Leatherface, and Jeffrey Dahmer look like Snow White! Just read this ultra graphic and disturbing horror/crime thriller! I LOVED it!

[Angel White · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved the narrator with this one. It made for a very enjoyable listen.

As for the story, I enjoyed that as well. Not sure why I see reviews stating this is just a slasher read full of gore. It does have some small moments of this yes, but that is definitely not the entirety of the book.

I think this one is more so a psychological look into the mind of Herman and his counterpart, Lester. Crazed murderer vs. tormented cop. It makes for a great cat and mouse game which will eventually lead to them coming face-to-face. Not a spoiler as you can tell from the story this is where it is heading.

This is a slow read, but overall a unique and interesting one as we mostly see things from the serial killer's perspective.

[caytlain hewitt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good narrator great story. Very well done I hope there is a part 2.

[Catherine Taylor · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Set in England but contains Americanisms throughout not used in England.
Hood for car bonnet
Sub-Division. Our towns are not comprised of sub-divisions. I don’t even know how it translates correctly to English
Bucks and Dollars. British people price goods and think in terms of pounds.
Spring break - our schools have Spring half-term and Easter holidays.
110 pound would be expressed as eight stone or 50kg.

This and many more examples gave the whole text a stilted unrealistic feeling.

The narrator is not familiar with English idioms and should not have attempted to sound English as he failed completely.

All these considerations spoiled the book for me.

[Brenda Shealey Steele · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lots of twists and surprises! Was so shocked to learn if Lester’s fate. I hope Irene comes after Herman……

[Real Facade · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Good start that ends very quickly. So implausible I couldn't finish.

[Noelle · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The story is full of plot holes with boring/cringe writing.

[Ross Dye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What fun! A more narcissistic, British Dexter. This would be a three or four star review but I noticed one review loved it but gave zero stars and I just wanted to help bring up the average.

[Wendy Davis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loved the twist and turns. What children live through does change them.

[Emma Smith · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I have no idea what the story was like as five minutes of that awful narration put me off. I might buy a hard copy because the premise does sound quite good.

[Karol Klakken May · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I think it would have been better with less gore and more psychology.

[Caroline Wood · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Insight to humanity.
I didn’t want to stop reading.

[Joe Maggio · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An excellent thriller with an amazing use of adjectives from the author! I throughly enjoyed this book!

[Danniele S. · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

All blood and no guts. It’s obvious that there’s a sequel but I feel like way too much was left unsaid in this book. If it was meant to be a slasher book (just like a slasher movie) it definitely succeeds.

[TheCptfrag · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Funny, gruesome and compelling. Highly recommended for whom blood and comedy go well together.