NO GUILT OF BLOODSHED, A New Novel from John Baltisberger

“If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him.” –Exodus 22:2

1859 Malechai ben Pallache, a Ukranian-Jew and soldier of fortune who has made his way through the world fueled by blood and pain has been enlisted to hunt down Dragan, the bastard priest who kicked off the pogroms before fleeing to California. But the profane holy man has more than blood on his hands, he has also stolen a box that holds terrible evil. Brodie is infested with hungry demons and dangerous men, gold and vice drawing in the worst that humanity or demonkind have to offer, all standing between Malechai and the priest. But, he does not travel alone. Joined by a succubus of terrible power and the silent golem Mishpat, Malechai will stop at nothing to find Dragan and bring his twisted reign to an end. What follows is a blood-drowned, hatred-fueled battle of wills, bullets, and mutilation that will forever stain the ground of Brodie California.

“Baltisberger explores the visceral dark. He probes the underbelly of the demon, breathes in the acrid odor of fear, and regurgitates it.”
—Angela Yurkio Smith, Publisher at Space & Time Magazine

“[Baltisberger] is genuinely the backbone of modern Jewish horror”
—Jewish Horror Review

John Baltisberger is an award-winning author of speculative and genre fiction that focuses on themes of body-horror, ultra-violence, and Jewish mythology. Though mostly known for his unique blend of Jewish mysticism and splatter, John defies being labeled under any one genre. His work has spanned extreme horror, urban fantasy, science fiction, cosmic horror, epic verse, and bizarro.

Beyond his writing career, John is the Publishing Editor of Madness Heart Press, a press focused on transgressive and experimental horror. He also runs the Jewish Speculative Fiction press Aggadah Try It, and the game company Madness Heart Games, where he works as the Creative Director. He lives in Austin, TX with his wife and his daughter.

NO GUILT OF BLOODSHED is available now.