Don’t you just love a good serial killer thriller. And Murderabilia was a very good one, indeed. Not just dark and twisted as it ought to be, but also one offering an original premise and a clever dramatic narrative. The author chose the high road, putting guts and gore aside (though don’t worry genre fans, not avoiding it all together), to craft a story about a serial killer’s family, the people that formed him and the people left in the wake of his crimes. For me that makes for an infinitely more interesting and compelling story that a straight forward procedural or something like that. Vonderau really delves into the dark side of the mind, even his depiction of the murderers themselves is nuanced, although the bulk of the novel belong to Will, the son of the notorious serial killer, who finds himself haunted and hunted by his father’s horrific past 31 years later. Will was merely 8 years old when his father was arrested, which creates for a complex dual perspective wherein he still recalls affectionately his dad, while having had to live consciously as an adult under the dark shadow his father’s cast over his life. And now there’s someone claiming to be his brother, someone who follows in the bloody footsteps his father left, someone who threatens Will’s life, family and sanity. Let the games begin. A thriller that’s actually thrilling, finally. Suspense maintained throughout. An ending you won’t be able to predict. Complex, well developed, engaging characters. This book checks all the right boxes, it genuinely excites. I enjoyed it very much, it was a lovely (read dark and demented) vacation from all the female driven the killer is your friend/spouse/neighbor sort of thrillers dominating the genre currently. A delight for genre fans. You’ll be thoroughly entertained, but give yourself some time, this one is tough to put down. Very dynamic, fun read. Thanks Netgalley.