Any asshole can tell a story. True. It's how you get the reader to become invested in said story that becomes a writer's main objective. Does Angel Luis Colon achieve this? With ease, without a doubt, and the pig within the pages of HELL CHOSE ME, well, the poor bastard probably never saw it coming. That being said, I could go on and bring up Bryan Walsh himself, our narrator slash protagonist, and his struggle, but I don't think I will. I think instead I'll bring up how Colon worked some magic

First off, the cover: That thing is a beaut and one of the best I've seen, be it indie publisher, big 5, whichever. Kudos to the author and design team on that one. So this book was on my list from the get go and it just took me a while to get to it. But glad I did. This is a layered, nuanced hit man tale. Bryan is the hired killer you haven't read before and same with many of the twists coming your way should you choose to follow tour guide Angel Luis Colon into the Bronx night. And I would rec...

Hell Chose Me, Angel Luis Colón's debut novella, is a thoroughly enjoyable, interesting and unique read. The main character, hitman Bryan Walsh, is fascinating and despite his unsavoury job description you can't help but root for him; he's a killer with a conscience if you will. A lot of attention is paid to developing him layer by layer, and it's exquisitely done. The minor characters such as Bryan's family and his victims are also complex and well drawn. Not only is Walsh multilayered, the plo...

I truly loved two thirds of this book and whether it was my disjointed reading in the latter part dealing with a sick child or not, I didn't feel the same connection with the latter third of the book. It seemed to get too slow and a bit too introspective with the protagonist compared to earlier in the book where we skip between the present and filling in the character's backstory.Bryan Walsh is an aging hitman with extensive hospital bills to pay with his brother in a vegetative state. On top of...

This is a strange take on what makes us the person we are today. Written from the first person perspective Bryan Walsh. His life is one of failure. Overwhelmed by strained relationships, guilt that his brother lies in a comma and not enough money to pay for his medical care.The present reality is shared with historical memories how he got into this mess and lost his way.The biggest influence on his life was his Grandpa and when he died unexpectedly in a motor car accident Bryan lost his way. He

3.5*

Hell wants YOU to check out this book!Angel is all voice and violence in Hell Chose Me. What sets this book apart from other noir tales, are the different ghosts in various states of death, taunting the main character, Bryan. Despite Bryan being less than saintly, you can't help but like the guy and all his ghosts. We all have those things we can't let go of, those things that remind ourselves that we can be pretty shitty individuals.I have to say, I enjoyed the story so much I will even let it

Good grief, this was insane and I loved it. Right from the opening, you know you're dealing with a bad person, an anti-hero, and yet you can't help but root for the guy (a sign of a truly skilled author). Fast-paced, violent, equally witty as it is profane, don't let the cute cover fool you. This story is also profound and achingly human. I couldn't flip the pages fast enough to find out if Bryan and his family would survive. More please, Mr. Colón, give us more.

This was excellent, super fun crime storytelling at its best. Colon has a unique and compelling authorial voice, and has created a great character in narrator Brian Walsh. Throw in the ghosts of Brian's past, and you have the recipe for flawless enjoyment.

“We all suffer, fight, and scratch for our last moments in any existence to be an echo.”*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Bryan Walsh barely makes a living as hit man. All his cash goes into paying his brother’s mounting medical bills. Each time Bryan slays a mark, he’s haunted by guilt in the form of the person’s ghost, transforming his emotional baggage into an otherworldly entourage. One of his jobs goes sideways and he must

Excellent crime novel with a unique protagonist. Highly recommend!

Bryan Walsh is haunted-literally-by those he has eliminated in his capacity as a hired enforcer, first for his uncle in the IRA and then for an organized crime syndicate in the Bronx. Angel Luis Colon’s novel Hell Chose Me is narrated by this mercenary whose conscience is manifested in the shadows that follow him as reminders of his wrongdoings. A wanted man and a deserter from the Marines, Bryan rationalizes his actions since he needs to financially support the care of his brother, who is in a

Hell Chose Me features a manic killer for hire haunted by the spirits of his victims. And he's really haunted cause they could turn up in the passenger's seat or in the shower or just about anywhere else. Think of Bryan Walsh's world as some kind of twisted Sixth Sense where the ghosts are just as real as flesh and blood. But, it's a bit more distracting talking to ghosts when you are a killer for hire who has to be alert and on guard at all times. The street smart narrative voice makes this sho...

Those who’ve followed Angel Luis Colón’s writing over the years know he’s not afraid to roll up his authorial sleeves and explore some dark territory. His short stories and novellas have earned him both a loyal following as well as numerous major award nominations, including the Derringer and the Anthony, and for good reason. In Hell Chose Me, his first full-length novel, Colón invites readers to buckle up and trust him for another, more extensive ride. And man is it worth it.Using a framework t...

What a trippy crime novel. Colon took familiar elements and blended them into a dark little gem of a story. I dug the hell out of this. Right up my alley.

“We all suffer, fight, and scratch for our last moments in any existence to be an echo” (8).“You’ll end up in a place where you have a choice and the best one isn’t always the right one” (33).This book is something else. While about 90% of my reads are within the horror genre, I find myself looking for a great crime/noir read every so often. I saw a few other bookish friends who also enjoy a great noir mention this one and I decided to give it a ago. Man, am I glad I did. HELL CHOSE ME is a grit...

Hitman stories might be plentiful, but from Angel's past work, I knew he would bring something new and entertaining to the genre and I was not disappointed. In Bryan Walsh, a hitman who is literally haunted by his past actions, Angel crafts a character who I was never fully comfortable in rooting for. Angel also uses Bryan to comment on family, the bonds of brotherhood, and feeling like an Other. Hell Chose Me also ties together some of Angel's previous work with the appearance of a certain char...