Crimechurch

Praise for Crimechurch

“A brutal novel full of horrible people doing horrible things, leaving themselves no obvious path forward or out, Crimechurch isn"t going to be to everyone"s taste. So dark, so populated by downtrodden, desperate people I"m not even sure you could call this noir - there"s something breathtaking, relentless, unapologetic […] It"s a wild wild wild ride, and this reader found it utterly fascinating despite the confrontation, brutality, and dysfunction.”

Crimechurch– Karen Chisholm, Australia & NZ Crime Fiction Reviews

– Karen Chisholm, Australia & NZ Crime Fiction Reviews“Botur has claimed for himself a piece of literary territory occupied by the desperate, downtrodden and damned.”

– Paul Little

–Paul Little“I’m exhausted and overwhelmed reading this harsh tale of gang life in Christchurch, NZ, and I feel as if I have just emerged from a freakish carnival roller coaster ride. Moments of intense graphic violence, relieved sporadically when I uttered a laugh at unexpected, but totally appropriate, humour.

The book is populated by inhumane and psychopathic gang leaders, and those who would do their bidding, who occasionally show a glimpse of sentiment. A bungee-cord ride from start to finish. Gritty, raw, and bleak don’t even begin to describe the general tone of this remarkable account given life by the author. […] This is not a book I will easily forget. Marty, Winston et al will lodge in my brain for a long time.”

– Jamie’s Reviews

– Jamie’s Reviews“If I had to sum up this novel in a few words, I’d say, “intense from start to finish.” Yes, there are a few darkly comical moments, but they only allow us to catch our breath. Author Michael Botur minces no words, respecting no boundaries of subject matter, no niceties of language in telling his tale of youthful rebellion in modern day Christchurch, New Zealand. From page one, the author dives below the peaceful and picturesque surface of the city into a rebellious nether world of alcohol, drugs, thievery and destructive—often self-destructive— violence. […] Overall, Crimechurch is a fast-paced page-turner, full of the kind of twists and turns—and surprise outcomes—readers of modern crime fiction relish.”

Crimechurch– John Timms

– John Timms“Reading Michael Botur’s books brings you face-to-face with characters you are unlikely to find anywhere else in contemporary NZ fiction. Fiction rooted in the world of multicultural Kiwi scuzbuckets and hobnockers. The lowlife crim’ element, if you’re struggling with those terms. Crimechurch is a story of redemption, though. The book is a vivid, wild piece of imagination – or is it? It’s so convincingly written that you can’t help but wonder – maybe Mr Botur was born with a criminal mind and should probably be behind bars, along with these Punks, runaways, bikers, and losers. […] Botur doesn’t waste a sentence. The reader is swept along, moment-by-moment – with fantastic, graphic descriptions of highly charged scenes, as the arc of the time-shifting story plays out, and all the characters meet Mr. Fate.”

Crimechurch– Jeremy Roberts, Award-winning NZ poet

– Jeremy Roberts, Award-winning NZ poet"Crimechurch can be brutal, nasty, with moments of humour and some clever use of language. I read this book in one sitting, not daring to interrupt the flow or decrease the story’s speed by lifting my eyes from the page. No matter where you come from, or where you’re planning to end up, this book will have you thinking thoughts you never thought possible, and finding empathy with characters you’ll probably never want to meet.”

Crimechurch”– Paul Brooks, Wanganui Midweek

– Paul Brooks, Wanganui Midweek“A fascinating book… the nearest thing you could compare it to would be Pulp Fiction. Michael is a very powerful author. He’s the type of guy that rolls up his sleeves and puts his heart and soul into it. He’s so involved in what he wants to say. … An excellent book…. He doesn’t conform to nobody for nothing.”

Pulp Fiction– In Brief Book & Film Reviews

– In Brief Book & Film Reviews“Gritty, violent and captivating. A tense story of life on the seedier side of Christchurch. Botur writes with authority and humour.”

– Anna Willett, Author

– Anna Willett, AuthorTHE DEVIL TOOK HER: TALES OF HORROR“Probably the most terrifying collection of chilling fiction I"ve read in 2022.”

– Pan Book Reviews, on The Devil Took Her: Tales of Horror

– Pan Book Reviews, on The Devil Took Her: Tales of HorrorThe Devil Took Her: Tales of Horror“Botur is the last beacon of darkness in the modern Kiwi cultural landscape.”

– Luka Tomic, Director

– Luka Tomic, Director"With The Devil Took Her, Michael Botur has created a series of wonderfully unsettling stories that fill the reader with ill-ease. Settle in for some energetic, evocative, jump-off-the-page writing and stories that do what all good horror should do - repulse and intrigue."

The Devil Took Her– Kathryn Burnett - Award-winning Screenwriter/Playwright

– Kathryn Burnett - Award-winning Screenwriter/Playwright“It’s rare to read an author that puts it all out there, straying well and truly outside the boundaries of today’s PC societal views. Botur invites backlash in, and I respect that. There are so many great tales in here, all written with panache and a street cred that can only be garnered, I feel, from experience, which makes me like this guy even more. He trades grammar convention for a stream of consciousness that pulls you into each story, a roller coaster with a fresh destination Botur hides in each telling with aplomb.”

– Scott Butler, Screenwriter, Shortland Street

– Scott Butler, Screenwriter, Shortland Street“Botur’s energetic prose and clever and compelling storytelling deserves recognition and a wider audience. […] Botur is definitely a new New Zealand talent to keep an eyeball out for.”

– Linda Niccol, Award-winning screenwriter/director

– Linda Niccol, Award-winning screenwriter/director“Michael Botur’s work grabs you by the throat and won’t let you go. His stories throb with what feel like real people, real conversations, real moments of pain and hope, misunderstanding and reconciliation, remorse and surprise.”

– Maggie Trapp, New Zealand Listener, on True? (2019)

– Maggie Trapp, New Zealand Listener, on True? (2019)True?“Written in unvarnished street language about the rougher side of life - drugs, jail and death, the book shows rare bravery and honesty […] The thing about Michael Botur is his voice is very much a street voice. His language is street language: it’s raw, it’s coarse, it’s

obscene. It’s tough and it’s confronting […] There are gems s– some of them are absolutely great.”

– Ian Telfer, Radio New Zealand on True? (2019)

– Ian Telfer, Radio New Zealand on True? (2019)True?“One of the most original story writers of his generation in New Zealand.

– Patricia Prime, Takahē 86, on Spitshine (2016)

– Patricia Prime, Takahē 86, on Spitshine (2016)Spitshine“As a former journalist he has perfected the skill of telling a story and evoking emotion. Botur is a clever writer. He has mastered the art of leaving things unsaid.”

– Rebekah Fraser, New Zealand Book Lovers

– Rebekah Fraser, New Zealand Book Lovers