After reading Messenger of the Reaper by Jimmy and Angelyn Straley, I can say it’s one heck of a ride. The story follows a hitman, James Crum, who isn’t just your average contract killer. He’s a smooth-talking, knife-wielding professional who struck a deal with Death himself. He delivers more than just murder. He delivers souls to the Reaper. The book opens with a murder so visceral you can almost hear the bones snap. From there, it unfolds into a gritty, violent, often darkly humorous account of life as a hired killer, one with a troubled past and a growing list of enemies. As James gets tangled deeper into politics, betrayal, and morality, we’re pulled along with him across state lines, across memories, and closer to a reaper who is slowly starting to take an interest in the man who’s fed him for decades.

Now, about the writing. It’s raw, sometimes rough around the edges, and unapologetically blunt. That’s not a knock. It’s actually kind of refreshing. There’s no flowery language or polished, over-edited prose here. It feels like a conversation with a grizzled old man at a bar who’s seen more than his fair share and isn’t afraid to say exactly what’s on his mind. There were a few moments where the grammar or punctuation might’ve tripped up a more literary-minded reader, but I found the voice consistent and surprisingly compelling. The emotional scenes, particularly those involving James’s ex-wife and kids, hit harder because of the contrast with all the blood and bullets. There’s something uniquely sad about a killer who regrets what he had to give up just to survive.

What stuck with me the most were the moments of introspection. Like when James stares into the mirror and doesn’t quite recognize the man he sees, or when he wonders if he’s already dead and just doesn’t know it yet. Those moments lift the book above just another hitman story. It’s not just about violence or revenge. It’s about a man at the end of his rope, trying to find purpose in a life built on silence and shadows. The authors managed to make a character like James, who should by all rights be a villain, someone I found myself rooting for. Not because he’s good, but because he’s honest. And honestly, I kind of loved that.

If you like crime stories with a supernatural twist, or gritty thrillers that don’t sugarcoat anything, this book might be for you. Fans of noir, or even Quentin Tarantino-style storytelling, would probably have a blast. It’s not for the faint of heart. There’s blood, swearing, and moral ambiguity by the truckload. But if you’re okay with that, and you want something with both edge and emotion, Messenger of the Reaper is worth your time. It’s fast-paced, grimy, and strangely thoughtful.

Pages: 191 | ASIN : B09LTJCFVM