My Soul to Keep (Dylan Foster Series #3) [Paperback]

Melanie Wells (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 2008

As nasty as I knew Peter Terry to be, I never expected him to start kidnapping kids. Much less a sweet, funny little boy with nothing to protect him but a few knock-kneed women, two rabbits, and a staple gun…

It’s psychology professor Dylan Foster’s favorite day of the academic year–graduation day. A day of pomp, circumstance, and celebration. And after all the mortar boards are thrown, Dylan and some of her best friends will gather around a strawberry cake to celebrate Christine Zocci’s sixth birthday. But the joyful summer afternoon goes south when a little boy is snatched from a neighborhood park, setting off a chain of events that seem to lead exactly nowhere.

Police are baffled, but Christine’s eerie connection with the kidnapped child sends Dylan on a chilling investigation of her own. Is the pasty, elusive stranger Peter Terry to blame? Exploding light bulbs, the deadly buzz of a Texas rattlesnake, and the vivid, disturbing dreams of a little girl are just pieces in a long trail of tantalizing clues leading Dylan in her dogged search for the truth.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her third installment of the Dylan Foster series, Wells crafts a dark Christian supernatural thriller with lighter romance notes. Southern Methodist University psychology professor Dylan Foster fears that Peter Terry, the demon who stalks her, is on the move again. Nicholas, her friend Maria Chavez's five-year-old son (conceived after Maria was brutally raped in an earlier book), is snatched at a birthday party in a park near Dallas. Five-year-old birthday girl Christine Zocci, who witnesses the abduction and is hyperattuned to the supernatural, ends up in the emergency room after she mysteriously goes into cardiac arrest. Her clues about Nicholas's kidnapper may enable Dylan to find him—unless time runs out. Wells does a fine job developing Dylan's character, but is less successful showing the terror of the kidnapping and Maria's response, which seems far too calm. The suspense builds nicely, however, and the demon's use of a rattlesnake (real or unreal? Dylan isn't sure) will give ophiophobic readers appropriate chills. When the Day of Evil Comes and The Soul Hunter should be read first to follow the plot line; as a stand-alone this may be confusing. Christian readers who like their suspense with a heavy dollop of the supernatural should find this series to their taste. (Feb.)
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Review

"My Soul to Keep, the third and best Dylan Foster thriller, again demonstrates Melanie Wells’s wit, intelligence, and knack for telling a swiftly paced, complex story. Through a wonderful network of plots and subplots–and the ruminations of the ever-complicated Dr. Foster–the novel reveals the helplessness and fierce love at the heart of parenting, as well as the way that each of us is responsible for children, our own and others. Wells takes kids seriously–their fears, their vulnerabilities, their spiritual wisdom and resiliency. Written with passion, a good dose of humor and, dare I say it, soul, this novel reminds us that we all, with grace and good fortune, bumble our way toward salvation.”
- K. L. Cook, author of Last Call and The Girl from Charnelle

“My Soul to Keep is a rich and meaningful story. Like water rising to a boil, its suspense sneaks up on you–before you know, you’re in the thick of a frightening drama. This is a story painful to witness, but a pleasure to read. Superbly crafted.”
- Robert Liparulo, author of Deadfall, Germ, and Comes a Horseman


“My Soul to Keep is a great example of gritty reality colliding with spiritual questions. Melanie Wells proves to be one of the most consistent writers around, threading mystery and supernatural intrigue around memorable characters. I’m a huge fan.”
- Eric Wilson, author of A Shred of Truth and the novelization of Facing the Giants

“My Soul to Keep is a marvelous book.  Lyrical and moving, the story and characters will stay with you long after you turn the last page.  I can’t wait for Melanie Wells’s next novel.”
- Harry Hunsicker, Shamus Award-nominated author of Crosshairs

“In My Soul to Keep, Melanie Wells delivers tightly-woven mystery and profound drama with nail-biting intensity and a light touch. The struggles and triumphs of the wry and delightfully-flawed Dylan Foster allow us a glimpse of God’s mercy at our worst and His best. My Soul to Keep is Melanie Wells’s best book yet and one not to be missed. I can’t wait for the next one.”
- Kathryn Mackel, author of Vanished

“One moment, My Soul to Keep will have you laughing out loud, and the next you’ll be under the covers with a flashlight, questioning unseen things, and hoping the ride never ends. Melanie Wells has one of the freshest, most uniquely readable voices in fiction. A few pages will have you hooked.”
- Creston Mapes, author of Nobody

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Waterbrook/Multnomah, a division of Random House (February 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590524284
• ISBN-13: 978-1590524282
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.9 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #945,907 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Melanie Wells began her writing career by telling lies on the playground. An accomplished fiddle player (she went to SMU on a music scholarship), she is the author of the critically acclaimed Dylan Foster series: When the Day of Evil Comes, The Soul Hunter, and My Soul to Keep (Waterbrook/Multnomah, a Division of Random House). Melanie holds two masters degrees and is a licensed psychotherapist and licensed marriage and family therapist. She is the founder and director of The LifeWorks Group, P.A., a collaborative, creative community of psychotherapists (www.wefixbrains.com), with offices in Dallas and Ft. Worth. She lives in Dallas with her dog, Gunner, who wishes she would not spend so much time at her computer. Fun fact: Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen have both signed her fiddle case.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you miss this series, you're a dork =), March 4, 2008

By 

Betsy Ann St. Amant "I write for the same rea... (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Soul to Keep (Dylan Foster Series #3) (Paperback)

Harsh, but true. I am now officially passing judgment on anyone who chooses not to read Melanie Well's "Day of Evil" series. There is simply no excuse. It's one of the best suspense/thriller series I've ever read, and for those of you who like "edgy" in CBA - look no further. Melanie somehow got away with all the things us fledgling authors want to write about but can't because we haven't made our name yet =) I love it, and I'm so proud of her!

I owe Melanie a lot (but would love her even if I didn't) She was my first interview on my first blog, when her book #1 came out (When the Day of Evil Comes) and her connections began a spiraly wonder web that got me started in a zillion author interviews, not to mention friendships, encouragement from various writers, and eventually a dream-come-true chat session with one of my favorite authors ever. Long story, but the bottom line is - Melanie rocks, and so do her books. Enough said!

Well, I'm a writer, there's really never ENOUGH said. But anyway...

To my understanding, these books in the series were Melanie's first attempt at writing. She had an idea and a name (that still makes me shiver! Read the book, you'll understand) and went with the story blooming in her head. She's a musician, writer, and pyschologist, with a heart of gold and some of the quickest wit I've ever come across, that shines through in her heroine, Dylan Foster. (who, now that I think about it, probably has a lot in common with Melanie herself! haha)

Here's the excerpt for her newest release "My Soul To Keep" :

As nasty as I knew Peter Terry to be, I never expected him to start kidnapping kids. Much less a sweet, funny little boy with nothing to protect him but a few knock-kneed women, two rabbits, and a staple gun... It's psychology professor Dylan Foster's favorite day of the academic year-graduation day. A day of pomp, circumstance, and celebration. And after all the mortar boards are thrown, Dylan and some of her best friends will gather around a strawberry cake to celebrate Christine Zocci's sixth birthday. But the joyful summer afternoon goes south when a little boy is snatched from a neighborhood park, setting off a chain of events that seem to lead exactly nowhere. Police are baffled, but Christine's eerie connection with the kidnapped child sends Dylan on a chilling investigation of her own. Is the pasty, elusive stranger Peter Terry to blame? Exploding light bulbs, the deadly buzz of a Texas rattlesnake, and the vivid, disturbing dreams of a little girl are just pieces in a long trail of tantalizing clues leading Dylan in her dogged search for the truth.

Me again - I've never been this impressed with a debut author, and now that Melanie's series has taken off, I hope she does more. In fact, I'm planning on emailing her now and begging her to make a #4 in the series. Even if its just for me =P

One word of advice - PLEASE read her books in order. Though they stand alone, its really best that way - you'll get so much more from them! They are truly amazing. This seris has taught me a lot as a fellow writer, about plot twists and threading small things throughout that eventually lead the reader to that cool "awe" factor, where they lower the book and go "oooohhhhhh" as everything clicks into place. Priceless =)

Keep 'em coming, Melanie! (and you - reader - click that order button!)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wells is a True Master of Suspense, February 5, 2008

By 

Jake Chism (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Soul to Keep (Dylan Foster Series #3) (Paperback)

Psychology professor Dylan Foster is looking forward to her summer vacation and a well deserved break. Her own personal demon named Peter Terry has made her life a living nightmare and the pain he has caused her and those she loves is more than she can bear. Unfortunately for Dylan, Peter Terry is back and this time he has gone too far.

Dylan gathers with her closest friends at a park near her Dallas home to celebrate six year old Christine Zocci's birthday. As Christine and her friend Nicholas are playing, out of nowhere a man snatches the boy and disappears. Now Dylan suddenly finds herself in a race against time to locate Nicholas, despite warnings from the authorities to stay off the case. Armed only with her own faith and Christine's unique spiritual insight, Dylan fights her greatest struggle yet. As she gets closer to the truth, she is faced once again with the frightening reality that Peter Terry is indeed back.

Melanie Wells has continually proven herself to be a true master of suspense and My Soul to Keep is certainly no exception. Once again we are treated to a well balanced plot that unfurls at a just the right pace, never lagging or losing steam in any way. What I love most about Wells' writing is that you never know where the story is leading you. When you finally arrive it is not only unexpected, but well worth the wait. Dylan Foster is a strong, loveable character that will draw readers in with her humility, imperfections, and comical outlook on life. Dylan's personal spiritual struggles are relevant and her quest for truth is infectious and even inspiring. The excellent use of first person from Dylan's perspective adds another unique layer to an already rich story. Nowhere will you see the first person voice used more effectively.

My Soul to Keep is the third book in Well's Dylan Foster Series. Her hardcore fans will be pleased with some questions that are finally answered and the series mysteries that are brought to light. While this book can certainly be enjoyed without reading the previous novels (When the Day of Evil Comes and The Soul Hunter), I would highly recommend going back and starting from the beginning. You will certainly enjoy every moment of this series.

Melanie Wells simply gets better and better with each new installment, and it's a shame more people aren't noticing. All three of the books in this series are an absolute joyride that fans of suspense and mystery will love. If you are a fan of Melanie Wells than you already know what a treat you are in for with this one. For those who are late to the game, there is no better time to start than now.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 3rd book in series another thriller, April 18, 2008

By 

Christina Lockstein "Christy's Book Blog" (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: My Soul to Keep (Dylan Foster Series #3) (Paperback)

My Soul to Keep by Melanie Wells is the third book in the Dylan Foster series. It's another suspense filled novel filled with demons and hauntings by Peter Terry. Dylan's good friend's son is kidnapped, and her goddaughter Christine seems to have a psychic connection with the boy. Dylan's sarcastic, cynical outlook both serves and hurts her as she hunts down the kidnapper and tries to find out what her personal demon Peter Terry is up to. This is not a book to pick up if you haven't read the rest of the series, so find When the Day of Evil Comes and start there. Dylan is all too human as she waxes and wanes in her relationship with God, always trying to push forward on her own strength rather than trust or rely on the Lord. Sometimes I wanted to strangle her as she rushed headlong into trouble, but the writing is always entertaining and impossible to put down. Wells has created a character that is relatable and enjoyable to read. The ending brings some resolution but leaves several storylines up in the air, so I can't wait for Dylan's next adventure.