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The Konrath Dark Thriller Collective #11
Second Coming
GUESS WHO'S BACK?
In 1906, a demon was unearthed in Panama, and confined to a secret government testing facility.
A hundred years later, Satan escaped.
As a rash of strange and horrible deaths plague the United States, only a few key people know what's really happening. But do they know enough to prevent the coming apocalypse?
Join the surviving characters from the Konrath Dark Thriller series as they band together to stop hell on earth.
Literally.
SECOND COMING by JA Konrath
Shout at the devil...
If you are a more sensitive (or adventurous) reader, the Konrath scale rates specific categories from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) to give you some idea if this is your kind of book.
SECOND COMING
Scary - 6
Violent - 9
Funny - 5
Sexy - 4
Crossovers - Includes characters from the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, the Jack Daniels thrillers, the Codename: Chandler series, and the Timecaster series.
In 1906, a demon was unearthed in Panama, and confined to a secret government testing facility.
A hundred years later, Satan escaped.
As a rash of strange and horrible deaths plague the United States, only a few key people know what's really happening. But do they know enough to prevent the coming apocalypse?
Join the surviving characters from the Konrath Dark Thriller series as they band together to stop hell on earth.
Literally.
SECOND COMING by JA Konrath
Shout at the devil...
If you are a more sensitive (or adventurous) reader, the Konrath scale rates specific categories from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) to give you some idea if this is your kind of book.
SECOND COMING
Scary - 6
Violent - 9
Funny - 5
Sexy - 4
Crossovers - Includes characters from the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, the Jack Daniels thrillers, the Codename: Chandler series, and the Timecaster series.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2022
192 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Konrath
198 books3,017 followersJoe Konrath has written over twenty novels in the Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels thriller series. They do not have to be read chronologically to be enjoyed, but the order is: Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, Rusty Nail, Dirty Martini, Shot of Tequila, Fuzzy Navel, Cherry Bomb, Dead On My Feet, Serial Killers Uncut (with Blake Crouch), Shaken, Stirred (with Blake Crouch), Dying Breath, Everybody Dies, Rum Runner, Last Call, White Russian, Shot Girl, Chaser, Old Fashioned, Bite Force, and Witch Brew. More coming soon.
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 2, 2022
This is not the book I waited years to read, that being said it wasn't bad. Was it the book that we would of gotten if it had been released at the time it was first announced, probably not. This book reads like masturbatory fan fiction and the third person omniscient narration from Harry McGlade really was getting on my nerves at times, especially in the first half when the chapters are short.
Once you get into the heart of the second act the story does pick up and becomes a rather fun book, unfortunately it does wrap up too fast and rather conveniently at the end. 4 stars, really for the characters it's always fun to have McGlade back the stuff that Konrath comes up with for McGlade speaks to my sense of humor (don't judge me) and I really enjoy Fabler so it's good to see him back.
If you're a fan of Konrath's books then ultimately I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Once you get into the heart of the second act the story does pick up and becomes a rather fun book, unfortunately it does wrap up too fast and rather conveniently at the end. 4 stars, really for the characters it's always fun to have McGlade back the stuff that Konrath comes up with for McGlade speaks to my sense of humor (don't judge me) and I really enjoy Fabler so it's good to see him back.
If you're a fan of Konrath's books then ultimately I don't think you'll be disappointed.
June 22, 2022
Another WWE Smackdown
I read absolutely everything that JA Konrath writes because I always have a blast! However, this was just one too many books about the same thing. This felt like the lesser version of “The Nine”. It lacks an exciting storyline and was more driven by characters (albeit creative characters). Although I have enjoyed most of Konrath’s latest expanded universe tales, I am starting to really miss the type of stories he started with like “Serial Killers”, “Afraid”, “Trapped”, etc.
I read absolutely everything that JA Konrath writes because I always have a blast! However, this was just one too many books about the same thing. This felt like the lesser version of “The Nine”. It lacks an exciting storyline and was more driven by characters (albeit creative characters). Although I have enjoyed most of Konrath’s latest expanded universe tales, I am starting to really miss the type of stories he started with like “Serial Killers”, “Afraid”, “Trapped”, etc.
July 17, 2023
I loved the first book in this series, well developed characters, thought out storyline, so I was excited that there was a part two. Apparently, since I have not read all of the author's other books I was not familiar with several of the characters re-introduced in this book. It made it far less enjoyable since the characters were not introduced in a clear way, their back stories glossed over, basically I did not give a shit about most of the characters except for the ones from the first book.
So much of this story focused on the new/re-introduced characters that it made this book far less enjoyable than the first one which I have read several times. Maybe I will revisit this once I finish the author's entire catalog but I'm only halfway through it. Still one of my favorite authors but not one of my favorite books from him
Also, Harry McGlade's constant sex puns are not funny and getting very old. If this character is killed off anytime soon I will be ecstatic.
So much of this story focused on the new/re-introduced characters that it made this book far less enjoyable than the first one which I have read several times. Maybe I will revisit this once I finish the author's entire catalog but I'm only halfway through it. Still one of my favorite authors but not one of my favorite books from him
Also, Harry McGlade's constant sex puns are not funny and getting very old. If this character is killed off anytime soon I will be ecstatic.
June 11, 2022
Konrath's Second Coming is an enjoyable, competent novel, if not a somewhat anticlimactic finale to the Bub narrative that he's been building since the early Aughts. The tone is a bit too comedic and metaphysical, focusing more on talking bananas and superintelligent AI than the horrors or grounded thrills that made some of his older novels like Afraid or Origin so brilliant. This all said, the characters are mostly likable, even if the writing is purposely on-the-nose [there's even a Greek Chorus at play via a particular protagonist's narration], and the adventure is fun in the way of a beach read.
Readers should be warned, however, that the book is more of a sequel to What Happened to Lori and The Nine than it is a sequel to Origin proper, and that if you've not read those books, you'll be a bit lost with certain characters and plot elements left somewhat unexplained.
Readers should be warned, however, that the book is more of a sequel to What Happened to Lori and The Nine than it is a sequel to Origin proper, and that if you've not read those books, you'll be a bit lost with certain characters and plot elements left somewhat unexplained.
June 27, 2022
Like this author's books and the interconnection between them.
The last couple seem to be going off the rails...too many jokes, POV references, overview voice, all gets a bit tedious and annoying.
Its as if the author forgets we are not all gonna love his characters and much as he does...don't need to threaten reader with their impending doom or twist of fate, let the story tell itself.
The last couple seem to be going off the rails...too many jokes, POV references, overview voice, all gets a bit tedious and annoying.
Its as if the author forgets we are not all gonna love his characters and much as he does...don't need to threaten reader with their impending doom or twist of fate, let the story tell itself.
April 11, 2024
A truly awful book. The author has officially given up any attempt to write a thoughtful thriller. His early work had a nice balance of tone. It’s like tuning into an episode of Seinfeld and everyone is now Kramer. No nuance just dumb jokes. Zero suspense. Every character talks like Harry now. Even previously stoic characters like Leo are a dad joke a minute goof ball. A mess of a book I couldn’t finish cause there was no AI to take the headache away it induced I won’t even read his books for free anymore
March 6, 2023
Full disclosure, I'm not sure if I'll finish this one. I LOVE, love love the Dark Thriller series- like it's my go-to for relistening (not sure what that says about me) and all of the books of Konrath/Killborne's that I've read I've enjoyed... but this is the other side of his writing that I wasn't sure I'd be fully interested in. If your taste runs towards Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House and the "prequel" to this book, Origin- just know that this is really different. Similarly violent, but... I dunno. I just wish that there had been more of the thriller and less puns.
I like the puns, but this went a little overboard in my taste.
Also, could have done without the greek chorus.
Update: I finished it, but I don't even recall how it ended. But I restarted Origin to cleanse my palate and now I'm feeling much better
I like the puns, but this went a little overboard in my taste.
Also, could have done without the greek chorus.
Update: I finished it, but I don't even recall how it ended. But I restarted Origin to cleanse my palate and now I'm feeling much better
June 7, 2022
Konrath delivers
Typical fun and crazy ride from Konrath. If you like bloody good horror and insanely black comedy you'll love the book. If you haven't liked previous Konrath books you probably won't like this one either. His books are all connected and are just fun pulpy horror that I can devour and anticipate his next release.
Typical fun and crazy ride from Konrath. If you like bloody good horror and insanely black comedy you'll love the book. If you haven't liked previous Konrath books you probably won't like this one either. His books are all connected and are just fun pulpy horror that I can devour and anticipate his next release.
August 6, 2022
Uber violent! And full of puns, at times too many for a supposedly serious thriller! But I have read most of the Dark thrillers by Konrath, so I was committed to this. Will continue to read him. My very first book that I bought and read on my Kindle Paperwhite with keyboard back in 2010 was "Afraid" by J.A. Konrath. Looking for a prequel to "Afraid". And I am sure " Bub" will return as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2024
The ultimate show down with Bub. McGlade is narrating at the start of each chapter in the crimebago and the whole gang is there. Outrageous fight scenes, a long boring cellular and nanobot talk with Mu who still resides in Fabler. Gore, gross out humor, and edge of your seat thrills. Looking forward to the next book!
June 2, 2022
hold on for the ride of your life!
Great great just great! Absolute gory thriller! Don’t want to spoil the read, so you’re just going to have to get the book and read it! Only downside is we have to wait a. WHOLE YEAR for book 12? Really!
Great great just great! Absolute gory thriller! Don’t want to spoil the read, so you’re just going to have to get the book and read it! Only downside is we have to wait a. WHOLE YEAR for book 12? Really!
dnf
September 9, 2022This was awful! If you're a fan of Konrath's other books then you'll probably love this one...but I have not desire to read any of his other series (they seem too mainstream) and this book connect them all, or at least most of them. Bub is officially dead to me.
January 31, 2023
Great story
I really enjoyed this book and will read it again sometime. If not for the comedy you would think the world was going to end. A great story and a great cast of characters. I recommend reading this book.
I really enjoyed this book and will read it again sometime. If not for the comedy you would think the world was going to end. A great story and a great cast of characters. I recommend reading this book.
April 5, 2023
It was better than the nine. I wished the encounters with Bub were better like origin and holes in the ground. Entertaining read. I hold origin and holes in the ground as the best books in this series and this one doesn’t reach that height. Still, just an average story in the series.
June 9, 2022
Harry, Mu, and Bub. What could possibly go wrong?
June 18, 2022
Exactly what I've come to expect from Konrath's horror/thriller novels. A fun read that went by quickly as I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of gory details!
October 3, 2023
Aaaaaand Bub is dead. Or is he??
That epilogue???? GAG.
That epilogue???? GAG.
February 17, 2024
Dark Thriller Collective - it was a collective but not dark or a thriller, just stupid. I wish Konrath would stop putting McGlade in every book.
December 10, 2025
Another great thrill!
March 19, 2024
The hits keep on coming, but we're ready!! Bring it on.
March 26, 2024
This was a big disappointment for me (and I'm a hardcore Konrath fan). After the amazing ORIGIN and the excellent HOLES IN THE GROUND (written with Iain Rob Wright), I consider the author was lazy this time... imagine a successful chef with a restaurant that has already several famous dishes - one day he decides to make a dinner special and the only thing he does is throwing every previous dish and all the ingredient of his pantry on a bucket (eggs on top!). The result? A complete mess!
The story is simple, the twists forced and there are so many characters (with a lousy narrator) that even if you're familiar with Konrath's universe you'll be confused at some point - this book doesn't represent the author! Ok, a fan like me will enjoy it, or at least laugh out loud with Harry McGlade goofiness and disgusting comments, but if this is your first book of "The Konrath Dark Thriller Collective", do yourself a favor, put it down right now and start with ORIGIN!
The story is simple, the twists forced and there are so many characters (with a lousy narrator) that even if you're familiar with Konrath's universe you'll be confused at some point - this book doesn't represent the author! Ok, a fan like me will enjoy it, or at least laugh out loud with Harry McGlade goofiness and disgusting comments, but if this is your first book of "The Konrath Dark Thriller Collective", do yourself a favor, put it down right now and start with ORIGIN!
October 26, 2023
I've read the Konrath books that had all these characters in them and still had a hard time keeping everyone straight. I find McGlade kinda funny (yeah, I'm weird that way) and to me, his character was the one who saved the book from being way too splatterpunk.
Not sorry I read this but not one of Konrath's best.
Not sorry I read this but not one of Konrath's best.
December 3, 2025
J.A. Konrath is one of my all time favorites and I have read his books two or three times; that is how capitivated I get. To say I am obsessed would be an understatement!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews