Winner of the 2024 New York City Big Book Award for Horror.
Finalist in the 2024 American Legacy Book Awards.
Reader Views said: "This is high-functioning fiction, not designed for those who just want a quick, light read. JZ Murdock's "Death of Heaven" lured me in with a sense of poignancy as childhood friends James and Jimmy played treasure hunters in the suburban yard. It seemed like such a sweet tale. Until I turned the page and discovered abject horror. This novel is unrelentingly unique, defying the norms of the classic horror genre. JZ Murdock doesn't think outside the box: he IS outside the box. Expect nothing "normal" here."
Dive into the unsettling world of Death of Heaven (as printed on the cover, Death of heaven), where childhood innocence collides with the darkest corners of reality. Following the harrowing experiences of two broken boys, James and Jimmy, this gripping novel unravels their tales of friendship and survival when they are reacquainted as adults, set against the backdrop of an ongoing and horrific revelation that will forever change them, and the entire world.
Death of Heaven is not your typical horror novel; it's a complex tapestry of interconnected stories, akin to a "Frankenstein" piece, and it refuses to conform to conventional genre norms. Its pace may be unpredictable, but the journey is both mesmerizing and thought-provoking. For those willing to embrace its darkness, Murdock offers an enthralling experience that mirrors the artistic chaos of a Jackson Pollock painting.
Anticipate an immersive and polarizing read that will either captivate you or challenge your perceptions. If you appreciate avant-garde literature that shatters genres and conventions, Death of Heaven is your gateway into a haunting world that questions the very fabric of reality.
"The book has a 'Books of Blood' vibe... the author's writing ability shines with a lovely turn of phrase that is almost poetic in its beauty." — reviewer Michael Brookes
"JZ Murdock has written a horror story that had me completely transfixed!" — reviewer Lynn Worton
"The story itself is very strong, lulling the reader into a false sense of security before morphing into a violent and sometimes disturbing tale." — WILDSound Writing Festival First Chapter review