Two thoughtful, excellent reviews of The Graffiti Killer from Netgalley, August 2026.
James Childe - Reviewer
Last updated on Aug 3 2026
4 stars
Readers of 'The Graffiti Killer' should not begin with the expectation of a conventional serial killer thriller. David Milnes has instead produced a mental portrait of obsession and an unsettling take on societal collapse, via a bitter art lover who narrates the mutation of his hatred of modern culture into violence against those he believes represent it.
This book is not for everyone. It conveys morbid ideas through a playfully unreliable but disturbing voice, and will disappoint those hoping for a brisk plot. What I enjoyed most about this story, however, is what makes it distinct: the risk it takes unfolding its narrative as a psychological study. For me, this pays off.
While limited in its niche appeal, if grey areas, dark humour, and social satire push you off the fence, I would strongly recommend landing on this.
Victoria Wilson-Head - Reviewer
Last updated on Aug 11 2026
4 stars
I need to preface this by saying that I am someone who enjoys having my head cracked open by a book. I love a book that plays with structure, expectation, form, language, cultural references and reality/clarity. The Graffiti Killer does just that. I don’t think it’s a book for everyone, and frankly I don’t think it’s meant to be.
I loved the succinct brutality of the prose, the darkness of the character’s psyche, the violence and propulsion and interiority of the book. At times it became a little overwhelming but I personally didn’t find it gratuitous. I felt it served the story and the characterisation. I’d love to read more by Milnes.
The Times Literary Supplement described David Milnes' writing as "bleak but impressive": here are the bleakest and most impressive dark comedies and cultural satires you will read this year.
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