Lunch Time Live Stream Book Launch!

I am THRILLED that my story, Hallowed Killer, is going to be in print, published by Blood Rites Horror! Yes!

Help me celebrate! One week from today, join me for a lunchtime special live stream.

I promise you readings (that will prickle your spine), time to ask your questions (whatever you want, little demons), and a toast to celebrate my horror writing success (it’s always five ‘o clock somewhere, right?).

The live stream will go directly to my author page. You can also follow along as the details of the unleashing are fleshed out!

See you soon….

Scariest Serial Killers – Episode 3

Welcome, fellow demons, to episode three of the Scariest Serial Killers.

Today, we take a look at Charles Ng. There’s a lot to know about Charles, and you can read all about his run ins with the law (automatic weapons, explosives, etc.) I am going to focus on the most disturbing tidbits that I came across.

First off – he was hiding in Fish Creek Park in Calgary, AB, Canada. Yes. Fish Creek Park. I said it. Since I am born and raised in Calgary, there is sure to be at least one other person that will read this and be shocked. He was hiding in a lean to in one of the most beautiful nature parks in our lovely city. Oh yes. You could have been out for a nature stroll and walked right by him, thinking to yourself he was just a poor, unfortunate homeless guy who found a place to rest.

Screen Shot 2020-09-22 at 10.52.26 AM

You think that’s scary? Get this. He was only caught because of an urge to steal something. Due to his condition – Kleptomania – he could not resist this burning desire. He went into a store, stole a can of salmon, got caught in the act, and shot a security guard. Once captured, they figured out who he was. Over a can of salmon. Clearly it was the sickness of needing to steel and not the item itself.

The mere fact that he made his way across the border and this far up north, then hid for months unnoticed while families frolicked near by is enough to send a chill up my spine.

But, it gets darker. Of course it does. I’m writing this, so, it gets darker.

Continue reading

Scariest Serial Killers – Episode 2

Welcome, little demons, to episode two of the Scariest Serial Killers.

This feature will take you on a deep dive into some of the evilest minds lurching in the shadows. Serial killers are indeed a unique brand of killer. The extensive research I have done to fuel my old school detective versus serial killer series resulted in a clear identification of a set of traits, or components, that make up the breed of serial killer that I strive to capture.

This month, I’ve chosen a less talked about, yet horrifically sadistic killer — Robert Pickton, the pig farmer that lived in British Columbia. Through the lens of what composes a true serial killer, we will focus on his extensive repertoire, his ability to slip through the cracks, and his sick, twisted doings in his most sadistic fantasy.

Extensive Repertoire

Pickton became the suspect in the largest serial killer investigation in Canada. The total accounts of murder he was charged with kept creeping up, reaching twenty-seven, with another twelve later added. He later admitted to forty-nine accounts to an under-cover police officer. He complained about wanting to make it an even fifty, but he got sloppy and got caught.

Slipping Through the Cracks Continue reading

Scariest Serial Killers – Episode One

Welcome, my little demons, to the NEW monthly feature at Killers And Demons. This feature will take you on a deep dive into some of the evilest minds to have scoured the earth. Serial killers are indeed a unique brand of killer. It was my desire to capture the horrifying nature of such a beast in each of my novels. I wanted to write a book that would capture the complexity of the serial killer and display the depth of such a character. Thus, I dug into the real and the terrifying. Inspired by such books and shows as MindHunter, Criminal Minds, and True Detective, I wanted to weave a tale that would have the reader immersed in a homicide investigation driven to examine more than just the clues. I wanted to take the reader on a journey into the psyche and behaviour of the monster behind the murders. After researching dozens of serial killers, it became apparent to me that these creatures all have a similar set of traits, or components. Thus, our first serial killer feature takes a look at Edmund Kemper. Edmund is a main focus on the first season of MindHunter. I watched this first season twice. Both times I was hypnotized by the words coming out of fictional Edmund’s mouth and the way in which he spoke. After digging into the facts of Edmund, I was horrified and stunned at the realization that he did in fact do everything they showed on the TV series version of him, and more. Edmund is one of the scariest serial killers. Why? Today we talk about his fantasy, his ability to blend in, his tortured child hood, and his ability to obtain a clean slate. His fantasy was extremely clear and vivid. He knew exactly what his end goal was as he practiced the act of murder on a series of victims. In the end, the main thorn in his heel was his mother. Locking him up on multiple occasions with the excuse that she thought he would molest his sisters, and reinforcing her brutal opinion that her son was worthless on countless occasions with verbal attacks. He simply wanted to shut her up, and shut her up he did. In the end, she was his final kill. At least that we know of. He beheaded her, sexually violated her head, and tossed her vocal chords in the garburator. He lived out the fantasy he’d been practicing for. He was a sneaky bugger. Pulled over for a tail light issue, he was so charming and relaxed, the police officer sent him happily on his way. Despite the two bodies that were hidden in his trunk. We may never know how many times he slipped under the radar. He blended in so well, he was a favourite amongst the cops down at the neighbourhood pub. They claimed he was a friendly and likeable guy. Yes, blend in he did.Edmund was tortured early on in his life. The physical and verbal abuse aside, he was tortured internally. He loved to play ominous games having his sister help him to pretend to the was being sent to the gas chamber. Cats couldn’t go around him without a horrifying end. When he was sent to live with his grandparents, he killed them. He started with his grandmother, later claiming that he wanted to know what it felt like to kill a person. His grandfather saw the end when Edmund decided he didn’t want grandpa to live without grandma. Was that the truth? Or did he like the kill so much he wanted another? Either way, he ended up calling in dear old mom for help. Despite the admittance, he was only fifteen, and thus he was institutionalized for a time, then released with a clean slate. It could have been his ability to sway the psychological assessments he underwent in the way he wanted them to go. Or at least it appears so. Why would his slate be clean? He was deemed to he the perfect example of rehabilitation. And why would he later be allowed to assist with the assessment of other inmates and the development of tests for fellow criminals? It’s all rather shocking. If this doesn’t chill your bones, then I don’t know what would. Please come back for next month’s feature on the scariest serial killer. If there is a serial killer you would like featured, pop your suggestions in the comments below.

Killers AND Demons? Why is Your Creation so Ghastly?

Killers AND demons. Why, Julie, why? Why did you create such a ghastly sounding website?

I’ll tell you why.

96763842_256418275410180_7177428360694333440_n

The killers part comes from my obsession with serial killers. I’m absolutely fascinated with such dark, twisted minds, and have been for a long time. I’ve been watching Criminal Minds for years, and I squeal with delight when an endless stream of re-runs appears on TV allowing me a full day of binging on murder while the rain pelts against the window. When I’m cooking dinner or my latest French pastry creation, I love to put Forensic Files on in the background and pick up tidbits of gruesome acts and how DNA, fibres, or stupidly left paper trails lead the authorities to the killer.

Dusting For Fingerprints On WhiteI love to problem solve. I love investigations, and poking holes in the fictitious, or real ones, that I watch with eagerness. As for the killers, well, it scares me to death what real people are capable of. This particular type of killer – the serial killer – the kind of person who cannot be completely and accurately psychologically diagnosed, and who becomes so obsessed with a dark fantasy that he or she must play it out over and over – like some sort of horror flick – until it is perfect, fascinates the part of my brain that can’t look away. I can’t help wanting to figure out why someone can murder dozens of people and do unspeakable things to the bodies. I can’t help wanting to understand why it happens and why it’s so difficult to stop, to prevent, to nip in the bud. It’s terrifying. Just like you, I have my favourite genres of movies and books – and scary shit just happens to be right on top.

Continue reading