Customer Reviews

The Mouse That Roared

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Mouse That Roared by Dwayne Murray, Sr. is an intensely gritty and raw tale. All Sandra Lyte ever wanted was to be loved and cherished. She wanted her strict, Pentecostal parents to express their love via positive encouragement and to support her and her dreams. When she enters a beauty pageant, against their wishes, they turn their backs against her and disown her. With nothing keeping her in the small town of Richmond, Virginia, Sandra decides to strike out and seek new opportunities in the city of dreams and fame-The Big Apple, New York City. Attractive, young, inexperienced, naive and alone in a big city, Sandra is easy bait for those who prey on women. Enters Doug Gunner who spells fresh meat and quickly swoops in for his next target.

Doug dresses the part of an investment banker and exporter, but underneath the exterior is a cruel, brutal thug, drug dealer and murderer. Sandra will soon learn the truth but when she does Doug will have claimed her and their twin son and daughter as one of his possessions and will not allow them to leave. Doug preys on Sandra's low esteem and confidence and for seven years he tortures her physically and emotionally while using their children in this deadly game of cat and mouse. Because Doug was never shown love by his parents, he did not understand Sandra's love for their children nor that she would go through any means necessary to protect them or die trying. When tragedy occurs, Sandra finds the inner strength she needs to face the demons that control her life and to remove their hold on her future.

Plot-driven, fast paced, action packed, filled with multiple twists and turns, The Mouse that Roared will appeal to urban/erotic readers as well as fans of Noire. Not since G from G-Spot have I encountered a male character as mean and vicious as Doug. Lacking any redeeming qualities, he is a character that readers will love to hate and unfortunately be too memorable to forget. As I read, it seemed as though the Mouse That Roared had been written for the big screen. As for what the storyline lacked in characterization, it more than made up for with plot. I was not surprised when I got to the end and saw that the author had already imagined The Mouse That Roared as a big-screen production and had sketched out who would play each of the characters. The Mouse that Roared is an urban fiction novel with a moving storyline and good writing. However, before reading the book, I recommend you heed the following note.
DISCLAIMER: Violence, graphic language, explicit sexual scenes move this raw and gritty tale along and keeps the reader anxiously reading until the last page. APOOO rating: 3.5 stars

Reviewed by Yasmin
APOOO BookClub
www.apooo.org

Let me say first off that i have read over 500 books in the urban genre. some i have really enjoyed (harlem girl lost, coldest winter ever and Dutch I&II) just to name a few. A friend of mine in Compton kept telling me about this book for three weeks until i said ok let me cop this. In a Nutshell Mr. Dwayne Murray i have never heard of you before until this book which i assume is your first. Brother my Brother You did your damn thing!!! First off your writing style is very unique because it felt to me that i was watching a movie and not reading a book. Your description to detail is off the hook and the way you established your characters in dealing with good vs evil just blew me away. I rooted for sandra lyte from the mnute she left viginia and hated doug gunner as soon as he turned 13!!! Thats how you keep a readers attention my brother. I wont tell much about the story but i will say this, anybody and i mean anybody who wants to read a sure nuff book on fire GET THIS!!! Finally Mr. Murray please do me a favor and keep on writing ok? Dont stop creating my man because my word is my bond you have a fan in the Bandit!! Oh my last thing, i didn't miss the fact that not once did you use the N word in your book RESPECT my brother. EVERYBODY get the MOUSE!!!

The Mouse That Roared is one of the best novels I have ever read. It will keep you turning page after page. I recommend this novel to anyone who likes drama, and suspense. This is no ordinary book that you will find in the bookstore. The drama keeps coming, and coming. You will never get bored with this novel, believe me. One of the things I like best about this novel is Sandra. She is the main character in this book. She is so full of determination that you would probably want to meet her in reality. I started reading this book on Sunday, and didn't finish until Monday night. I couldn't put the book down, and trust me you won't either.

Dwayne Murray Sr. has hit the ground running with his debut novel "The Mouse That Roared". The intriguing cover demanded my attention and when opened, I was delighted to find a cleverly written story to back it up. Each character was clearly thought out and brought to life through this suspenseful tale. Struggle, defeat, revenge and karma all make an appearance, but some characters get bigger servings than others do!
When reading "The Mouse..." put aside any pre-conceived notions - you wouldn't wanna shock yourself! Mr. Murray depicts each scene with such flair; he gives some veteran authors a run for their money.

Overall, "The Mouse That Roared" is definitely a must-read. I would recommend it to book clubs looking to get away from the same overdone storyline. This one brings something new to the table. There are many aspects to discuss. I personally wanted more insight on characters Rose and Pamela - I feel they had a bigger story to tell. The story could have bit sharper to show off Mr. Murray's maximum potential; although I have a strong feeling we'll get a heavy dose of it in his next release. Readers: Keep your eyes peeled...

Englishruler
ARC Book Club Inc.
Star Rating: 4.0

This book was like watching a movie... I would recommend this book to all new readers. It starts alittle slow but give it a chance.

This was a very good book it started off kind of slow but the end made up for the beginning. As I was reading the end of the book I felt like I was watching a movie.

The book begins with Sandra Lyte and her parents. Sandra's dad is a prominent minister in his community and he expects his family to live by his standards and nothing else. This is not the case with Sandra. She's young and wants to live her life heer way. Unfortunately, her way causes problems with her family and she must flee the life that she knows.

Sandra goes to New York with big ideas and dreams only to be brought back to reality very quickly. While in New York she meets Doug Gunner. Doug appears to be Sandra's knight in shining armor until he presents himself for the person he truly is. Doug brings Sandra through living hell and back again.

This was a very good book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read.

I only want to ask the author why did he keep mentioning Sandra being thick over and over again. Then he gives her weight and the weight and the height do not sound like a woman I would consider thick.

Buy it you won't regret it.

Fleeing the oppression of her parents' home, young Sandra Lyte looks to the big city lights of New York for hope and a new beginning. A new beginning she does find in Doug Gunner, a flourishing hustler. Agreeing to be his lady, little does Sandra know she's left one bad situation for another; in essence jumping from the skillet to the fire. Sandra's circumstances grow in intensity like that fire as she experiences pains and trials like no other; experiences that will forever change her. Her spirit is broken and her body worn. Can she muster enough inner strength to battle her own demons and better her situation?

The Mouse That Roared starts off slow for me and did not pick up a steady momentum until I was about one-third of the way in. Once over the initial hump, The Mouse That Roared is indeed a gut-wrenching drama. Murray effectively incorporates thriller elements, suspense, murder, revenge, and self preservation. The ending however, fell victim to being drawn out and somewhat unbelievable. The beginning and the ending weigh down what has the potential of being a truly good story. The potential was there, but the author missed the mark by a few inches. With that said, The Mouse That Roared is a solid debut effort. Murray is a budding talent and I would like see what he has in store for readers next.

Reviewed by: Toni
3.5 stars

Sandra Lyte is the type of character that you will find yourself rooting for as she goes through obstacle after obstacle, yet despite it all she not only finds herself but also the courage to set herself free. Despite strong objections from her parents, she enters a beauty contest and winds up kicked out the house and on her own, then she meets up with the ruthless Doug Gunner (a man hoping for his father's love) who turns out to be her worst nightmare inflicting physical and emotional abuse. This sets into motion an chain of events that will forever change the lives of Doug and Sandra but will ultimately set her free. "The Mouse that Roared" is one of those books that will have you thinking long after you put it down, it captures your attention and doesn't let go. You find yourself rooting for Sandra as she embarks on a journey to not only find her peace of mind but also herself. I wish to say I enjoyed this book very much; I loved what the story was based on. Sandra deserved to come out on top just the way she did. I hope you will continue with your writing. You have a fan for life.I give this book 5 stars.
Reviewed by JL Carter of PeoplewhoLoveGoodBooks

In The Mouse That Roared protagonist Sandra Lyte is forced to deal with many issues. First there's her Holy roller father that kicks her out of his Virginia home for entering a beauty contest. Relocating to New York City the so-called city of dreams Sandra falls for Doug Gunner the most ruthless male character found in a book since Mister in The Color Purple. Doug quickly turns Sandra's life into a hellish nightmare.

Doug Gunner is a heartless S.O.B who inflicts not only physical and emotional abuse upon Sandra but also emotional abuse upon his twin children that he fathered with Sandra. After seven long years of abuse Sandra gets up the courage to try and finally escape Doug's diabolical grasp. But as with everything else in Sandra Lyte's life escaping Doug will not be easy.

When Doug commits a heinous act Sandra decides that the only way she could be truly free would be by ending Doug's life. After witnessing the abuse endured by Sandra readers will root for her and her plans of ending Doug's miserable existence. The Mouse That Roared is a captivating tale that ask readers, just how much abuse can one person endure before finally striking back?

The Mouse That Roared is a thought provoking novel with an amazing storyline. Im proud to say i read the book in one day. It will have you on an emotional roller coaster. Dwayne Murray got skills.