The Christians

By: Jim Yoakum

Narrated by: Alex Zonn

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Set during the Great Depression, The Christians tells the story of two psychopathic Bible salesmen who murder in the name of God. Hot on their trail is a former Texas Ranger, and US Bureau of Investigation (pre-FBI) agent, John Stoddard Pyle, a man who knows no mercy, and who does not know exactly whom he is chasing, as there is no apparent motive, and virtually no clues.

©2014 Jim Yoakum (P)2016 Jim Yoakum

Not my typical genre, very good book.

This kind of book is not what I usually read, but I wanted to change up my audiobook collection and try something new for once. I had a lot of fun with this book: a few unexpected twists, some comedy, mix in some religious crazies, and viola, you've got a solid, well written book. I've already recommended it to a few friends.

Serial killers during the Great Depression

The premise seems interesting enough, two serial killer Bible salesmen who believe that the people they saved need to go to heaven as soon as possible so they murder them. I feel the book would be much more interesting if there is a larger portion that focused on the law enforcement chasing them. But overall I enjoyed it. I listened to it in a single day because it gripped me.

Truly fascinating and chilling

I really liked this book. I found it truly chilling to be shown the inner workings of a disturbed mind. I found the characters fascinating, and the pacing of the story is slow, but intense and works well. This was the first book I have ever read by Jim Yoakum, but after reading this one, I don't think it will be the only one for long. I can't wait to read more by him. I listened to the Audible audio version of this book narrated by Alex Zonn (the first time listening to him), and his narration was INCREDIBLE. I really want to check out more stuff that he has done, too. His voice transports you to the era of the book, and he does a great job of giving everyone a unique voice. I highly recommend this book.

I enjoyed this book.

I thought this book was a great little story. Narrative was a little weird at first but after it got started I was captivated. Loved all the scriptures in it 😀. Would recommend.

Psychotic bible salesmen

Set in the Great Depression era this story gives you a real feel of that time. From door to door salesmen, to gangsters, preachers and the start of the FBI; it is a small taste of history wrapped up in a tale of murder and displaced Christian values. The deep baritone of the narrator seemed to epitomize the era and the intonation he used for the characters voices suited them to a tee. Even though there was lots of people murdered in this story, I found the action was a little slow, I would have liked to have seen more intrigue and more of the Pyle's pursuit of psychotic salesmen. Having said that, I enjoyed this book, especially the somewhat different conclusion to the story. I received the audiobook at no cost and in exchange for an honest review.

A fantastic insight to the disturbed mind.

Taking place in the time of prohibition, this story follows a pair of self righteously justified serial killers who belive they are doing the greater good by killing those who have recently cleaned their figurative slate with the Lord.
The story is fantastically written with a slow, but nonetheless fiery burn and puts you right along side of these two men going cross country on their new found purpose and the lawman determined to bring a stop to their bloody crimes.

Alex Zonn does a fantastic job emersing our mind in the setting and time of this bloody tale of retribution.

I've read many of the "best" books out there and quite a few don't even come close to how good this book was. I recommend it as highly as possible.