Combustible Punch

What would you do if you met someone claiming to be a serial killer? What if you were an author and the killer wanted you to write their biography? That is the heart of Combustible Punch by Paul Michael Peter.

Combustible Punch by Paul Peters
Rick Philips is an award-winning author who has been struggling to publish something new. His first book was a true story recounting how he survived a school shooting. That book catapulted him to fame and a job being a college writing professor.

Stuck in a slump Rick lives paycheck to paycheck while drinking himself to oblivion. Until he meets Harriet Bristol Wheeler, who claims to be a serial killer. Female serial killers are rare, telling the story of a killer before they are caught has never happened before. Rick needs to take the job she is offering.

Before he will start writng Rick wants proof. As they travel to provide him the needed proof Rick starts to get excited and have reservations. Should he call the police? Can he stop her from killing again? Might he be the next victim? Is she for real or is this just some game?

The book made for an interesting read. It had a page-turning plot and a perfect amount of humor. A topic like this can get dark, so having a bit of humor keeps it from becoming too bleak.

Author Paul Michael Peters seems to have done some homework about killers and investigations. When Harriet gives parts of her backstory and how she was not caught it all reads believably.

If you are in the market for an original story idea with a well thought out plot pick up Combustible Punch by Paul Michael Peters. It will release on August 13 so preorder it now.

A free review copy was provided via NetGalley for this unbiased review.

At first glance, the premise of this novel seems unlikely, almost ludicrous. An adult, survivor of a high school shooting several years ago, "coincidentally" encounters a serial killer--a female serial killer, a sort of self-styled "avenging angel." What are the odds?!


But as I read on, the unfolding of these two unlikely adversaries made more and more sense. Rick Phillips, adjunct professor of writing at a prestigious Virginia university, author of one highly acclaimed book, eleven years ago. Harriet Bristol Wheeler, cold-eyed and cold-hearted, exhibitionist, always planning, 4 or 5 steps ahead of the opposition. Rick, feckless hero that he is, comes to see Harriet and the biography she demands he write, as his sole light in the darkness. This book will redeem him.


Their "acquaintance" bears all the hallmarks of an imminent train wreck. I can hear the brakes squeal, metal clamping against metal, whistle shrieking warning, passengers screaming. Yes, lucky Rick Phillips survived the angry predations of the shooter at his high school, but will he survive the machinations of the Machiavellian, Black-Widowish Harriet Bristol Wheeler?

COMBUSTIBLE PUNCH REVIEW

The story idea behind Paul Michael Peters’ quirky novel, “Combustible Punch,” is innovative and engrossing. A failing author, Rick Phillips, is struggling to create a book to match his first, a best seller. He’s heaving his last gasp when he meets a strange woman, Harriet Bristol Wheeler, at a writer’s conference. She tells him she is a serial murderer, convinces him to tell her story, and offers to provide proof that her claim is valid.

Many strange things transpire. According to her, twelve people have met their end at her hands but she has never been suspected. They all had it coming, she says, because they were bad people. She’s never had a plan, never took precautions to avoid being detected, and despite her cold and vicious nature, comes across as charming. Unfortunately, her attempts at truthfulness seem to change daily. She also has an inoperable brain tumor that interferes with Rick’s mindset as he tries to determine her honesty.

Peters has developed an intriguing storyline that he shows great prowess in presenting. His knowledge of serial killers displays extensive research. His writing skills are impressive. The dialogue is convincing and well presented. I found myself captured by his story and was an eager audience.

I recommend this book as a great read and entertaining adventure for those who appreciate a good, suspense story.

Schuyler T Wallace
Author of TIN LIZARD TALES

Rick Philips was the only survivor of a high school shooting. Though severely injured, he recovered and published the story of that fateful day. His book, SHELTER IN PLACE, became a bestseller and Rick achieved a measure of fame and fortune along with a job teaching at DuPont University. He's still tortured by nightmares, failed marriages and has no further success at writing. Nearly broke and an alcoholic, he attends a writer's conference and meets a most unusual woman, Harriet Bristol Wheeler. She has a proposition for him -- write her story. Harriet reveals a secret to Rick: she's a serial killer. She says she will tell all and he will write the book. She even offers him something he's not sure he can refuse -- she will commit a final murder and he can name the victim. NO SPOILERS.

This was interesting but the quirky writing style made the narrative quite confusing. Harriet is a chameleon and Rick a drunk so it's hard to know sometimes what is real and what is not. Neither of the characters was likeable and their motivations were hard to believe or empathize with despite the fact that I really wanted to do so. Most of it required me to have the capacity to suspend disbelief. I'm not sure of the facts about serial killers are correct but it's true, female serials are not as common as male ones. I think I was wanting more detail than was given about Harriet, her victims and the truth. After all the meandering about finding evidence to prove to Rick that Harriet was honest about what she had done, the conclusion came rather abruptly and there seemed to be a sense that the ending was too pat and unfinished. Would I read another book by this author? I don't know.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this e-book ARC to read and review.

Combustible Punch opens with a sit up and take notice scene that had me in high hopes for a gripping thriller. Unfortunately, the pacing slowed down considerably after that. Here's where I add that when you promise an 'enthralling and unnerving" story alongside the title of a book, it better darn well deliver because that's what is expected. Yes, Harriet is a serial killer and the telling of her story had so much potential, but the reality wasn't nearly as thrilling as it could have been. I felt like I was led around from revelation to revelation with no need to guess about anything. The only twist lay in connection of Harriet to another person. That said, the story does have its positive points. The premise is intriguing, and our narrator, Rick, has his share of issues from his past. Those issues don't keep him from being narcissistic and making some highly questionable decisions. In the end, this one wasn't what I was hoping for, but it was worth the read.

Rick Phillips never fully recovered from a high school shooting. Though he lived through it, the emotional and physical scars remained with him.  After a couple of failed marriages and a lot of built-up anger, he finds himself continually making poor decisions.


After publishing a successful book based on his ordeal, he landed a position as an adjunct professor. Currently experiencing writer’s block, he’s been notified that he’s going to lose his job unless he publishes something soon.

Enter Harriet Bristol Wheeler who seduces him at a writer’s conference. After their sordid one-night stand, she tells him what she really wants. That is for him to write her biography, and that is one of a serial killer.

Could that give him the break he needs or is she lying? As she begins to show him proof of her crimes, he realizes that he could be in danger. Is she trying to frame him for one of her offences, or could he be her next victim?

As we read this riveting story, we learn more about Rick, his past and his secrets. Through this journey, he also discovers more about himself.

Combustible Punch takes us on a fast-paced ride with unexpected twists that kept me glued to each page. Because of this, I was anticipating a masterful conclusion. Unfortunately, that was the big disappointment. The ending was illogical while also being formulaic.

This review was posted on www.underratedreads.com

I’m often angered when this happens, feeling that my time was wasted. That was not the case here. I still enjoyed Combustible Punch in spite of this. The interesting characters and captivating plot were well worth my time.

What a ride! I enjoyed this book and the twists and turns.
Many thanks to the author and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.