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Bleeding Hearts

   (3 reviews)
A red ink cloud with a single heart-shaped flower in the center with the words Bleeding Hearts, A Killian Kendall Mystery by Josh Aterovis

Killian Kendall is used to being overlooked, even at home. That's about to change with the arrival of a new kid at school. Seth is openly gay and, for reasons he can't really understand, Killian finds himself drawn to him. When the boy is killed in a brutal attack, and Killian is injured in the process, he begins to questions everything. The police are eager to label the attack as a random mugging, but Killian was there. He knows better. With the help of the murdered boy's father and his friends, Killian starts his own investigation, but his search turns up hatred in small town America.

Originally published in 2001, this story has been updated a few times over the years. It was most recently published in 2017, but is now out of print after that publisher went out of business. This is currently the only place you can read this story legally. Some day, I hope the themes of this story are no longer relevant.

Bleeding Hearts is a murder mystery so there are deaths in the story, sometimes described graphically. This story also includes themes of abuse and violence.
Copyright © 2024 Josh Aterovis; All Rights Reserved.

Story Recommendations (17 members)

  • Action Packed 17
  • Addictive/Pacing 16
  • Characters 17
  • Chills 13
  • Cliffhanger 14
  • Compelling 16
  • Feel-Good 9
  • Humor 7
  • Smoldering 8
  • Tearjerker 15
  • Unique 14
  • World Building 9

Select Chapter
Table of Contents
  • P. Prologue
    • 243 Words
    • 1,538 Views
    • 16 Comments
  • 1. Chapter 1
    • 3,488 Words
    • 2,232 Views
    • 6 Comments
  • 2. Chapter 2
    • 4,267 Words
    • 1,105 Views
    • 16 Comments
  • 3. Chapter 3
    • 8,218 Words
    • 988 Views
    • 8 Comments
  • 4. Chapter 4
    • 4,836 Words
    • 931 Views
    • 9 Comments
  • 5. Chapter 5
    • 2,892 Words
    • 853 Views
    • 7 Comments
  • 6. Chapter 6
    • 6,677 Words
    • 868 Views
    • 9 Comments
  • 7. Chapter 7
    • 2,778 Words
    • 698 Views
    • 6 Comments
  • 8. Chapter 8
    • 4,576 Words
    • 822 Views
    • 8 Comments
  • 9. Chapter 9
    • 7,229 Words
    • 830 Views
    • 11 Comments
  • 10. Chapter 10
    • 5,446 Words
    • 1,037 Views
    • 23 Comments
  • 11. Chapter 11
    • 4,335 Words
    • 758 Views
    • 9 Comments
  • 12. Chapter 12
    • 6,899 Words
    • 796 Views
    • 8 Comments
  • 13. Chapter 13
    • 6,417 Words
    • 795 Views
    • 6 Comments
  • 14. Chapter 14
    • 5,080 Words
    • 805 Views
    • 13 Comments
  • 15. Chapter 15
    • 5,784 Words
    • 722 Views
    • 7 Comments
  • 16. Chapter 16
    • 6,150 Words
    • 915 Views
    • 12 Comments
  • 17. Chapter 17
    • 6,367 Words
    • 795 Views
    • 9 Comments
  • 18. Chapter 18
    • 4,691 Words
    • 698 Views
    • 5 Comments
  • 19. Chapter 19
    • 6,620 Words
    • 748 Views
    • 7 Comments
  • 20. Chapter 20
    • 8,899 Words
    • 726 Views
    • 6 Comments
  • 21. Chapter 21
    • 5,340 Words
    • 767 Views
    • 11 Comments
  • 22. Chapter 22
    • 8,771 Words
    • 766 Views
    • 15 Comments
  • 23. Chapter 23
    • 5,547 Words
    • 1,081 Views
    • 42 Comments

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empath

· Edited by empath

   2 of 2 members found this review helpful 2 / 2 members

I'm glad I started this after it was completely published, or I would have been constantly on edge waiting for the next chapter.  This is an engaging story, more of a "Who's doing it" rather than a "Who done it."

I'd recommend trying to skip over the trigger warnings if you are feeling comfortable with the content you've already read as they do foreshadow events (as they are intended to do).  This is an often suspenseful murder mystery with adult content and themes.  I found the mature content very tastefully done, no more difficult to read than it needed to be, but graphic enough to hold me in the edge.

I very much look forward to reading more about Killian and the crew as he both comes of age and presumably explores the 'gifts' he's been given.

Thank you @Josh Aterovis, for sharing this engaging tale.  You've gained a fan!

Response from the author:

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the story and like Killian as much as I do! LOL

  • Love 2
KKirk

   2 of 2 members found this review helpful 2 / 2 members

Bleeding Hearts is a really beautiful story.  It seems to have almost everything in 131,550 words.  Killian is a teenager who befriends the new kid in school who turns out to be openly gay and gets bullied and abused and ultimately murdered for it.  But Killian finds out he is (and has been) gay and is torn between his old friend Asher and a new friend Jake.  And then there is Gilly, who is Asher's ex and Jake's sister.  And it is chaos as all this coming of age and teenaged angst and who's doing who craziness happens.  All in the shadow of an unsolved murder with a murderer the police don't seem to want to find but who keeps trying to get Killian alone.  Add to this an abusive father and husband, a family you'll swear are cousins to the Munsters, a psychic who seems pretty "right-on", a ghost who visits Killian in his dreams, a murderous Halloween party, and .....  Yes, it is a very full story.  And it has wonderful characters, many of whom you will love instantly, some it takes a while to grow to love, and some you will dislike immediately while some will become increasingly unpleasant.  Who did it?  The journey to the answer is a "long and winding road" that you will find spell-binding, I-can't-put-it-down intriguing, and full of the warmth of true love and true family whether its a family of origin or a family of choice.  @empath has given us a story full of greatly drawn characters, plot twists and turns reminiscent of a roller coaster, and surrounding it all, a world in which love is sorely tested by hate but is not defeated.  I can't wait to read the other stories in this series.  You owe it to yourself to take this fun and exciting journey with Killian and his friends.  Be sure you take your heart medication and grab a box of tissues before you start!

Response from the author:

You are so kind. Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed. More to come!

  • Like 2
  • Love 2
Geron Kees

   2 of 2 members found this review helpful 2 / 2 members

A tale of becoming, wrapped in a mystery. Of becoming aware, of becoming accepting, and of becoming the person you were meant to be. An exceptional cast of characters, both lovable and frightening, navigate their way through this outwardly straightforward tale that hides multiple layers of meaning beneath, with a climax that will leave you gasping for more. 

Hmm. Maybe I should have said that a little differently? :)

A great tale, well-told, that should go on the 'to read' list of anyone who enjoys mysteries with a heart and a soul. I can't recommend this one more highly.

 

 

Response from the author:

Thank you so much! I'm honored.

  • Like 3
  • Love 2
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