The Groomer by Jon Athan Book Review!
Jon Athan’s “The Groomer” is one of the most brutal, savage, hard to read books that I have ever encountered. The plot involves child snuff films and the organized crime behind this horrible phenomenon, fed by deviates lusting after the brutalization of children. It is a brutal revenge story, as the main character Andrew McCarthy goes on a violent crime spree in search of his daughter, who was abducted for sex trafficking purposes. This book really nails the whole underground violent pedophilia scheme and we learn some of the most disturbing techniques used to exploit and blackmail young women into committing horrible deeds against their will — actions that often lead to suicide. The villains in this book commit murder by forcing these kids into such terrible positions that suicide seems the only viable option.
Of course we root for McCarthy as he loses his mind and begins his revenge scheme. He is going to get his daughter back if that’s still possible, and if not, he’s going to make everyone involved pay with their lives. And McCarthy is desperate and out of time, leading him to commit incredibly violent acts to get closer to the truth about his daughter, prepared for the worst possible news. It’s like The Searchers, with John Wayne on an epic quest and we’re never quite sure if he wants to save his daughter or kill her. Andrew also has a wife and son, and we see how the abduction tears up the family. The fact that these are based on real crimes committed by real perverts makes the book even darker.
There is definitely a lesson in The Groomer, which is to beware of strangers and avoid people in power who seem to have an unhealthy attraction to children.
There was one scene in particular that was difficult to read. A young boy is abducted, and his abductor tortures then murders a baby in front of him. As soon as the kid sees this, we know he is doomed, that there is no way out and that he will not be saved. There is a feeling of desperation and hopelessness that actually had me crying.
Another heart-breaking scene involved a young girl who is blackmailed and ends up committing suicide, realizing that she had no options. The abductors were clever enough to lead her on for a long time and wait for her to make one mistake. Once she makes that mistake, life is over for her. There is no way out. She is ordered to commit acts that become more and more heinous, always being told that if she refused or went to the authorities the compromising pictures will be sent to everyone she knows, and the humiliation is unbearable. If that were me in that position, I don’t know what I would do, but suicide would seem like a rational choice. People commit these cruel and horrific acts for profit, for fun, and for sexual gratification. The Groomer’s description of evil is chilling and a major head-fuck.
One thing that makes The Groomer interesting is that it gets into the whole online network of child pornography. We know that child pornography and child sex trafficking are real, and this book takes a harsh reality and turns it into a story. Along the way we learn how these sex offenders meet up, discuss, and commit crimes. We see where the money goes, and where the kids go. In short, if you have never heard of “hurtcore” you will learn some new and absolutely unthinkably evil crimes and evil people. The demons in this story though, don’t have fangs or hockey masks. They are real, and they could be your next-door neighbor, a co-worker, even a relative. They are a large group who commit horrible crimes on a daily basis. Of course, I am not saying this is a “how to” book as it doesn’t teach you how to do these things, it just educates you as to the nature of what is really going on in this world. Hurtcore videos are videos involving the rape, torture, mutilation, and humiliation of young children for sexual gratification. The videos are sold online via the dark net. Obviously, many people will want to avoid this book, and I can understand that. However, it is an important book as it makes its readers aware of the reality of child sex trafficking and some of the methods used by the predators to ensnare their victims. Committing more and more heinous acts, always filmed, always used as blackmail material. The criminal genius of this is just chilling, and this book truly disturbed me. Maybe its because I am a parent, but I think any humane person in the world would be outraged by what these sick evil predators are capable of doing.
One final note — I read this right before I read Jonathan Butcher’s “What Good Girls Do” which explores similar themes but in a very different light. I will be reviewing that shortly but if you do read “The Groomer” by Jon Athan and you enjoy it please try Butcher’s book it is also chilling and disturbing and horrific.
Books that disturb me this much don’t come out very often, so I was pleasantly surprised to read a book that truly gave me the chills. The evil is so real, and so terrifying, that the experience of reading this book may be a traumatic one for certain readers. So, I will end this review with a warning which is to not read this book if you can’t handle such intense and negative subject matter and people.
Book: The Groomer
Edited by: Jon Atlan
Written by: Jon Atlan
Year: 2020
Published by: jon-athan.com
The Groomer by Jon Athan
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