Customer Reviews

Rape of the Soul

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I have read thousands of books, most of which are quickly forgotten. This one I will never forget. For me, it ranks with Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Gone With the Wind, Rebecca, and others I will not forget. The mysteriously evil Malcolm is a twisted, perhaps supernaturally vile Heathcliffe. The gentle but psychologically tortured Vicar Elliott is the Ashley Wilkes of another time. Jean and Mary are the ultimate victims, one raped and driven mad, the other driven to explosive desperation in a climax that leaves the reader emotionally drained and really, really sad the book cannot go on forever. As for Colin, a typical Gothic hero whose maltreatment in childhood embitters an agonized man into degrading his body, abandoning his soul, and alienating his friends; yet, somehow the abused little boy is always peering from the
rejecting eyes. There are indeed stock figures of little complexity: the
harsh but tender doctor, the lonely Sir John, the tarts who warm Colin's bed, the good housekeeper, the noble stablemaster; the whole creates a tale that matches the wild Cornish landscape, and an ambience part Hell and part Heaven

Present Day: Jean Fowler Maitland travels from Maine, USA, to Cornwall, England, in hope of learning whatever happened to her grandfather's sister, Jean Fowler Chapin. The Fowler family believed the woman had married Malcolm Chapin, in 1885, and fled with him to the Cragmoor Estate in Cornwall even though she had just been notified her father had died and the funeral was imminent. The Fowler family turned their back on Jean Chapin and never knew the truth. But Jean Maitland is determined to find out if her namesake had really been so horrid. To this end, she locates the owner of Cragmoor at St. Michael's church. His name is Vicar "Edward" Marshall, Esq. The vicar still has the journals of his great-grandfather, Vicar "Elliot" Marshall, in his possession. Elliot dutifully kept his journal up-to-date. However, the ending to the tragic tale the lady has come to learn is still unknown. Elliot died before he could put pen to paper. Edward decides the American has the right to know what is written within the journals. Jean Maitland would spend the next twenty-four hours as his guest and hear the tale.

London, 1863: Reverend Elliot Marshall's trap overturns on the lawn of Ramsey House, the resident of the magistrate, Sir John Chapin. Elliot remains with Sir John until his collarbone hears from three breaks. During this time he two become friends. Elliot learns about Sir John's nineteen-year-old daughter, Mary (his pride and joy), as well as the fifteen-year-old son, Colin (to whom he cannot tolerate because his wife died giving birth to the boy). Recently Sir John has received word from Amy Croft, the housekeeper at Cragmoor that Mary is dabbling with the occult and gypsies. The end result is that Sir John would build St. Michael's Church in Cornwall, near Cragmoor, and Elliot would be its first vicar. While the church is under construction, Elliot would reside at Cragmoor with Mary and Colin (when the boy was not away at school) to straighten Mary out by any means necessary.

Elliot falls in love with Mary on sight, but she has become a witch in all but name. As for Colin, Elliot sees something of himself within the teen. Since Sir John refuses to be a father to Colin, Elliot becomes one in his stead. Mary dies giving birth to Malcolm, the result of a violent assault. From this first breath, Malcolm seems evil. Malcolm's birth kills more than one person at Cragmoor that night and Colin becomes master of the estate before he is ready.

***** I can neither write a short review of the book, due to the length, nor give a full synopsis without ruining the story for you. The birth of Malcolm is where the real start of the gothic tragedy begins. I now stress to you that this novel was written over twenty years ago. Back then books, especially those with a gothic flavor, did not always have "happily-ever-after" endings and violence was not always glossed over. If you cannot deal with reading some scenes of cruelty, then this novel of suspense is not for you. Enough said on the matter. You have been warned.

For those of us bold enough to read it, this story is non-stop drama. There are a few typos, but seldom have I read a book without any. The paperback version is oversized (6X9) and the font is smaller than most books. Therefore, you will find this a long novel. (More for your money.) Most of the characters are well developed. "Present Day" characters are not seen often, so even though I know WHO they are in relation to the historical characters, I never came to care for them. On the plus side, not seeing the "Present Day" characters often also means the historical story is not interrupted at pivotal moments. I suspect there will be mixed feelings on the ending and can say no more bout it without ruining it.

In case there are people reading this review who like to collect rare items, let me say that this title is the very first in the new Highland Press Legacy line. These will be books in which the publisher believes will still be talked about many years from now.

All-in-all, this is a very haunting story that I doubt I will ever forget. Very memorable. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I didn't know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. I read this book at night before falling asleep. That's perhaps not a good idea, if you're afraid of the dark. Dawn describes everything in such detail, you can almost feel the gloomy weather, hear the wind howling, be afraid of Malcolm, feel sorry for the characters who have to suffer his evil wrath. Perhaps there is too much detail at times, but then the writing style was totally different 20 odd years ago, when this novel was written.

Dawn somehow managed to make this an easy read, although one could think it might drag along. One knows how the story ends, yet it reads like a thriller and one just wants to read more, to find out, how and why and who.

It is sad that Dawn never saw this book in print. I can give it 5 stars, not because Dawn was a dear friend, but because this is a brilliant story.

Mystery, murder, lies, and evil all lie within the Cragmoor mansion. Jane Maitland was searching for the truth of her ancestory, and when she met the good vicar Marshall, she was about to discover more than she bargained for.

Colin Chapin was a young forgotten child when his father sent the vicar Elliott Marshall to stay with he and his sister while a new chapel was being built. Elliott witnessed much more than his heart could take while staying at Cragmoor and watching Colin and his sister Mary grow. Elliott was enamored with Mary although she practiced witchcraft, and for the rest of his life he would regret not telling her of his feelings.

One evening Mary was accosted and raped, leaving her mind unsettled as well as with child. The child Malcolm, was the devil himself. From the day of his birth he was doomed to darkness and as he grew, so did his hatred for his Uncle Colin and the good vicar as well as anyone else that got in his way. A number of unspeakable acts alongside of setting a chapel on fire were only the tip of the cliff when it came to Malcolm's darkness. When he returns after being sent to the states, he would bring with him something that will bring devastation and death to all.

There are still mysteries and secrets hidden inside of Cragmoor mansion, and with Jane and the vicar Marshall some truth long ago buried is about to resurface. Would Colin really sign that document that could seal his fate? What was Malcolm's dirty plan once he discovered the child growing in his wife's womb?

Dawn Thompson's Rape of the Soul is a historical suspense that will make you sit on the edge of your seat, you are enthralled in the story and once you start reading it is impossible to stop. This story was written over 20 years ago, and was thought to never be published, well world... HERE IT IS, GO AND GET IT!! I swear this was a page turner that I will Never forget! Ms. Thompson may no longer be with us, but with her written word, she will always be here in spirit. 5 Hearts

Purchase Info: Highland Press
Isbn: 978-0-9815573-2-8

This book is just wonderful. Who knew Dawn Thompson could write something like Stephen King & Anne Rice. This book is an on the edge of the sit read. Dark, scary. Unforgettable. A fitting tribute to Thompson's memory. I hope it is made in to a Movie for it would be a hit. Dawn Thompson was and is an out of this world writer. I love all her books and I am so happy that her family is doing all they can to let us her Fans have her final books. I thank you Diane 'Candy' Thompson (got your name from your review) for making it so and keeping your sister's name alive.

I can only compare this author to Barbara Michaels; whose books all have some type of unknown and terrify mystery without being an actual mystery. I downloaded this to my Kindle. There were some issues with this version but it did little to detract from the fabulous story. I started reading this Friday night and finished it on Sunday-the 4th of July weekend!!I was ignoring friends and slipping away to read a few pages, going to bed early to read some more!! It was epic, suspenseful with a touch of terror. Extremely well done and very detailed. A story that is engrossing and completely captivating. Recommended!!!!

If you are a gothic fan this this book is a must, if you are not a gothic fan then this book is also a must. You will become involved in each of the characters, especially Colin and Elliot, the torment that binds them and the true heart rendering friendship that spans 21 years.
If you are a "peeper" do not read the ending. I can understand why the author refused to allow this book to be condensed. Although she died last February 2008, her books are still being brought to the market by her sister. Thank you sister. Dawn also wrote under the name Dawn Mactavish. Check out her books. The Brotherhood" series and the Waterlord by Dawn Thompson are some of my favorite.

I agree with the previous reviewers concerning the story. It is a spellbinding trip back in time with overtones of evil. The Kindle edition, however, is distracting. Many words run together without spacing make the story more an exercise in translation rather than enjoyment. Misspellings add to the frustration. Buy the book instead.