Sadistic

By: Patrick Reuman

Narrated by: Matt Godfrey

Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

When an accidental killing leaves Cyrus with blood on his hands, the last thing he expects is to want to do it again. But that's exactly where he finds himself once again, at the edge of a blade ready to take a life. A darkness has begun to grow inside, consuming him and making him hunger for more. The town had become his until Detective Walter Hughes caught on to his trail. Now, he must escape the relentless pursuit of a detective hell-bent on catching him while balancing his family life and his new sadistic addiction.

©2016 Patrick Reuman (P)2020 Fireside Horror

Finally available on audio!

First, let me preface this review with a bit about myself. While Stephen King has been my favorite author for over forty years, I am not a big fan of the "horror genre." Honestly, the only reason I bought this book is because a few years ago I somehow began following the author, Patrick Reuman, on social media and, in that strange way that observing one's 'life' on FB for a time, we feel that we know that person,. So when Sadistic popped up on Audible's recommendations of titles I might like, much like some of the actions of the MC in this book, I just felt the need to go for it. It was well past time for me to finally check out my 'friend's' work. Oh, one other thing - I've been an avid reader since I was a 'kid' back in the late 70s, but in the last several years I've almost exclusively been listening to audio books (over 600 titles and a years worth of listening time logged on Audible), so I was waiting for one of Patrick's books to come out in the audio format.

Cyrus Barkley is a classic anti-hero. An average guy with an average family and an average, if not incredibly boring job, who 'snaps' one night and kills a man - and he likes it. So begins Cyrus' reign of terror. Cyrus does some horrible things and yet, as I listened to the story, I found myself rooting for him, rather than the "good guy," Detective Walter Huges, who is the lead investigator on the killings. I give kudos to Reuman for telling the tale in a way that made me hope that the "sadistic" serial killer would outsmart the cops and get away with his crimes - to the point where I was yelling back at the narration when Cyrus would do something stupid while committing murder, which, in classic anti-hero fashion he did occasionally, because I didn't want Hughes to find any evidence against Cyrus.
My only criticism of the book was in the narration - as I said above, I listen to LOTS of audio books and over the years I have become very picky about narrators (to the point that I cannot listen to my favorite author, King himself, narrating his own books...) and while Matt Godfrey did an OK job - his 'character voices' were well done - there was just something a bit monotonous about his performance.
For Reuman's first novel, I've got to say I'm impressed! If you're looking for a good story with plenty of twists and turns, you might want to give Sadistic a try. And now I'm patiently waiting for his latest book, A Place So Wicked, to be released on Audible...

Pretty darn good

My preferred listen is also more creature/ghost/paranormal horror vs. human on human atrocity. But this was a good, unique story and I listened pretty compulsively. There are a couple unanswered questions I have at the end and some of the characters reactions to various scenarios weren’t what I thought would be ‘normal’. Matt Godfrey is an amazing narrator. Knowing he would be reading played a big part in my decision to give this one a shot. I recommend this story. I appreciate knowing about any animal torture, abuse, or killing in a story. This one had mention of a childhood incident involving a squirrel, but it was not elaborated on and was not terribly disturbing for me.

A sick, deadly addiction

Received as an audio review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. Narrated beautifully by Matt Godfrey, Sadistic is a harrowing dive into how Cyrus, an average man with a boring job at city hall becomes a haunting murderer within in his home town. His first kill and accident that it first makes Cyrus believes something as wrong with him; but from second kill on, Cyrus comes to enjoy silencing everyone from jerks to unfortunate souls that just happened to become target of a murderous mind. At the same time Detective Hughes knows it's Cyrus behind the slaughter is desperate to convince his colleagues of what's her knows and stop it all as Cyrus take pleasure in taunting Hughes as the game of cat and mouse is on. When a mysterious man tells Cyrus he'll kill and blame it upon him, Cyrus could never imagine a friend could kill senselessly just to burn him; but Cyrus will do whatever it takes to keep his freedom and this addiction alive.


Highly recommended.

good listen

This book was like no other book I've ever read/listened to.
The evil, justified by the main character was horrifying and understandable at the same time.
The book is so well written that I felt like in a rollercoaster - not sure what I was supposed to feel at any moment.
The narrator did a great job bringing the story to life.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Thrilling horror. Fireside is creating an amazing collection

So first let me say that I like my horror of the paranormal, alien, creepy crawly genre. I’m not normally a fan of horror in the form of man (I see too much of that in the news) that being said, I gave this a try because of the publishing company attached to it. While new, fireside horror will soon be a staple in the library of any fan that likes horror. They are compiling a library and stable of author And narrators that will be great. So with that out of the way I must say this one kept me on the edge of my seat. The easy way the MC commits his heinous crimes and the police’s attempts at catching him are riveting. The book comes to a fast paced head and will leave you shaking as it finishes. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher