Customer Reviews

In Dreams (Jove Horror)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

IN DREAMS could have been a far better book had Shane Christopher decided early on whether he wanted it to be a suspense thriller or a horror story. As things stand, it has the makings of a good thriller with a few silly horror trappings thrown in, most notably a very brief piece of nonsense about "gamma rays" that's apparently meant to explain everything but in fact explains nothing; it has the feel of an editorial note telling the author he needs some sort of explanation for the characters' actions. Other than the mysterious Evil Ray -- which really only affects one character, and possibly causes the others to have interconnected dreams -- we never get any idea of why the villain committed his crimes or even precisely who he was.

Aside from this cipher-villain, the characters are vividly drawn and believable, if a bit sketchy (the novel clocks in at a short-feeling 281 pages). Christopher has talent, and I'd buy another of his books -- but not a third, unless the next is considerably better than this one.

One last quibble: While I'm neither a sado-voyeur nor the type to tell an author how he should have written his story, it does seem a bit of a cheat to go on and on about how the victims were hideously, unspeakably tortured ... and then give virtually no hint as to what was actually done to them. If you're going to shy away from the gory details, why provide the setup in the first place?

As the title of my review state, this book was a huge dissappointment. As an avid reader of horror, I am frequently let down, but this was the worst kind of let down.

The characters of this novel were very well thought out and developed despite the fact that this book is rather short. The story line, however, is severely lacking.

I could not put this book down and was intrigued by the story line of grisley murders and how dreams connected them, but the auther NEVER mentioned the actual deaths, or how they were even connected. The ending felt rushed and thrown together as if the author tired of it and decided to just end it.

If you are looking for a fulfilling, haunting novel, then skip this one.

Way too many characters for a 281 paged book! The chapters should have been better placed. It was almost like someone randomly flipped the pages and said "Okay, this page will be the start of chapter 21.". Even within the chapters, the author did some major character jumping. Everything just seemed so sporadic!
CHAPTER 29?!? The author actually gets to chapter 29 and writes directly to his readers! That's like taking a jog and getting squashed by a freight train! You do not stop mid-way through a book to give a quick history lesson to your readers! I was very irked by that!
The only enjoyable part of the book was the end. I'm not being sarcastic by saying that. The ending did pick-up.

What do all five of the murdered strangers have in common?

Detective David Rodriguez is trying to find the evil mastermind behind a torture scene unlike any he has ever seen in his career. Now, paired with a partner, James Corcoran, David is willing to explore any lead he has- even if it leads him to the nightmares each victim had prior to their death. Meanwhile, reporter Mari Kinsella is also trying to uncover the story. David and Mari begin working together. But what exactly happened to the victims... IN DREAMS?

Shane Christopher is the pseudonym for horror mastermind, Matthew Costello. IN DREAMS is a deviously clever suspense thriller that thrives more on the tension building than the gore. The intricate details create an eerie atmosphere that will have readers looking over their shoulders and shuddering at the mere thought of having any dreams or nightmares!

IN DREAMS shifts back and forth between the various viewpoints of the characters. While the main focus is on the parallel investigations being conducted by David and Mari, the author cleverly uses the other characters to weave this fascinating tapestry of horror. IN DREAMS is a book that horror aficionados must read as Shane Christopher is truly a master of this genre!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Once I started reading "In Dreams," it was hard to put down. But even when life called me away to do things like eat and work, I was so caught up in the novel that I still kept thinking about it even when I wasn't actually reading. The bizarre murder of these five seemingly unrelated victims was quite intriguing to me.

My particular fascination with dreams left me completely engrossed in the text, which switched back and forth between different characters and between waking and dreaming mentalities. The casual conversational style allowed the story to flow smoothly.

It's not the kind of book where the suspense is ruined because you have to put it down and go look up words in the dictionary. It is the kind of book where you get so involved with the characters and story, you forget about everything except the world created by the author.

Leslie Halpern, author of Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science and Reel Romance: The Lovers' Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies.

There are five victims in a grotesque butchering and all of them do not seem to know each other. The murder is nothing like anyone has ever seen before all people were tortured in multiple ways. All were brought to the basement by visions of danger of another victim.

Detective Rodriguez has no clues and doesn't understand what connects these victims. Teaming up with a journalist they find that all these victims were having disturbing visions of the torture of another victim. Now the killer is setting up another set of deaths and his goal is not yet accomplished there is something much bigger in store.

Warning- this book is set up coming from points of views so may be confusing the first couple chapters but really makes the book in the end. The author does a great job of luring a reader into the book with this unorthodox style of writing. From this angle, you can't help but be captured by all points of view. But you may have to be careful in your reading the end can be a little complex to follow.

Shane Christopher's, In Dreams is one of the best suspense and horror reads of the year. It is guaranteed to send shivers down your spine and leave you with nightmares. Not many horror novels can jolt you the way this one does. A definite must read.

Reviewed by Joyce

Courtesy of C2Ks Kwips and Kritiques