Customer Reviews

Scream: A Novel

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Mike Dellosso introduced me to Christian suspense/horror with his previous novel, "The Hunted." It wasn't what I normally read at the time, but it opened up a new genre. As I began to explore it, I learned that Dellosso is one of its leading writers.

As much as I enjoyed "The Hunted," I enjoyed "Scream" even more, and it is one wild suspenseful ride of a novel. Its hero, Mark Stone, is an auto mechanic with a failing marriage, struggling to come to grips with how he betrayed his wife. While talking on his cell phone with a close friend, they both hear what sounds like the screams of hell. Moments later, the friend is dead. Then the same thing happens again. And then again. And yet again.

Juxtaposed against Mark's struggles is a man, simply called Judge, who is kidnapping young women, one by one, and holding them in a barn, for a reason that only gradually unfolds. The lives of Judge and Mark move inevitably toward a fatal intersection.

Dellosso avoids what could have been stereotypes. He skillfully draws his hero as all too human, showing his human flaws and frailties as he almost stumbles toward faith. And in Judge he creates a villain who is far more complex, and even more sympathetic, that might be expected for a serial kidnapper. As the two move toward confrontation, the reader knows what Judge is planning, and that knowledge sharply heightens the suspense. The final chapters propel the reader forward to a conclusion that may or may not be what's expected.

One regret -- I wish I'd found Dellosso's books with his fourth or fifth novel, instead of his first or second. I'd have more to read.

The whole time I was reading Mike Dellosso's, Scream, I felt like I was watching a movie. It's actually hard to turn the pages without taking your fingernails out of the arms of the chair!!!! If another book doesn't come out soon, I think he could use me as the subject of his next book because I'm gonna go crazy!!!!!

I'm a guy who never really gave Christian fiction a chance, but being a Christian for the better part of 20 years I decided to give guys like Peretti and Dekker a chance. I loved Peretti and the Dekker's that weren't part of some crazy series were wonderful, but I quickly ran out of material. After reading the three Steven James' and checking out a few Randy Singer's I ran across Dellosso and saw who he was getting compared to (premature to be sure). So I got 'Scream' and 'The Hunted' and WOW what a difference these two books are.

REVIEW
Scream begs for more character development and unfortunately Dellosso creates a story where that's just not possible. The story is really over before it even begins and the 'plot twist' is predictable from the 4th or 5th chapter. Besides their names we learn very very little from the characters (all 5 of them?) and no one develops or changes in the least. If the book was about 75 pages less it'd be a perfect first half or even third of a novel, but to try and stand alone it simply does not work.

Needless to say I was pretty disappointed. This was definitely a miss for Dellosso, but after reading 'The Hunted' I have every bit of faith that Mike will rebound with a new and exciting story for us all.

Plot/Storyline: 2 1/4 Stars

I do enjoy Christian Fiction, on occassion. Ted Dekker is one of my favorite authors of the genre, so, obviously, I especially enjoy Christian Suspense and Thrillers. One thing I absolutely abhor in any thriller is any sort of divine, or other, interference that makes the book completely unbelievable. This book has that in its ending. It was completely unnecessary, as the same outcome could have been accomplished, albeit somewhat more painfully, with faith. Divine intervention was completely unnecessary and, in my mind, gave a false message to both Christians and non-Christians alike.

The basic premise for the novel involved a man seeking revenge for a past event from his childhood. That's quite often the motivation for serial killers in books. However, in this one, the past event was so unbelievable as to be laughable. I just couldn't begin to imagine the scenario. There were just too many options that could have `saved the day' that were unexplored. This created a major plot hole for me.

The saving grace of the plot was that I was surprised at the identity of the killer.

Character Development: 3 Stars

The development of the main character, Mark, was very good. I felt like I really got to know him well. Also, his progression and growth, both as a man and a Christian, were completely believable.

The female characters were extremely weak. While each had a unique personality, their motivations were never fully revealed. Also, none of them really grew in the novel at all.

The interactions between the police officers were so out of character for the occupation that it was laughable. I could not imagine a male supervisor constantly digging into a female officer's personal life in such a manner. However, even if that were possible, the nonsequitors would have pushed it over the edge of realism.

Writing Style: 4 Stars

The writing style was good enough to make me want to try this author again. The sentence formations were very good and gave the novel a nice, smooth flow. The descriptions were tight. The dialogue was somewhat forced in places, but otherwise okay. There was a little too much repetition of ideas, and the flashbacks were not well integrated.

Mark Stone never thought one phone call would turn his world upside down. While driving home one night he receives a call from his friend that is interrupted by a series of horrendous and piercing screams. Immediately after the screams his friend dies in a horrible car accident. As Mark searches for answers, he unwittingly finds himself involved in more similar incidents that lead to more horrible deaths. Things become even more personal when his wife is kidnapped by a madman and the same eerie screams are heard over her desperate phone call for help. Now Mark is in a race against time and evil as he desperately tries to find his wife before he loses her once and for all.

Mike Dellosso has once again brought us an engaging thriller full of gut-wrenching suspense and strong spiritual truth. In his impressive debut, The Hunted, Dellosso stormed onto the scene proving he has what it takes to scare the wits out of his audience while at the same time delivering a challenging and relevant message. Scream ups the ante on all levels bringing us even more terror, more suspense, and ultimately more heart.

Mark Stone is a fallible, yet endearing character that you can't help but pull for from the opening chapter. His resilient search for truth and meaning provides the perfect backdrop for this incredibly creepy premise. Mark's struggles as a husband are also effectively explored throughout and help to bring more depth to this intense thrill ride.

There is much controversy surrounding the mix of the horror genre with inspirational fiction. I'm thrilled to see that authors like Mike Dellosso are consistently churning out novels that prove how powerful this type of storytelling can be. Indeed, Scream will have you breathlessly flying through the pages and closely examining your heart at the same time. Mike Dellosso is a bright new talent that demands to be noticed.

You start out on this book thinking, here is another spooky crime story. You couldn't be more wrong. This book has an amazing story but more importantly to me is the message that it brings to all of us. It is with 100% certainty that we are all going to die. Are we ready?
I highly recommend this book, in fact, I would like to see every church have a study course with this book at the center of the discussion.
Thank you for the wonderful experience.

In his sophomore novel, Mike Dellosso has created an intriguing, spiritually rich story involving rips in the fabric between Hell and earth. Mark Stone, a man with a broken marriage and a cynical outlook on all things religious, hears an otherworldly scream one night while talking to his friend. Moments later that friend is dead. After a couple more random conversations where he hears the same horrific squeals he puts the details together and contacts a minister who explains the likely scenario.

The creepy and multi-layered plot involves a serial killer, whom I correctly guessed a third of the way in, and the abduction and captivity of women. Along with the Hellish screaming this makes the plot a bit intense. Dog lovers may want to use a bit of caution as there are some disturbing dog moments. Chickens and dog lovers take note of the warning, and those who are offended by Jesus and the discussion of where one goes after death may find offensive material as well.

Well-written and solidly spooky story that may satisfy thriller lovers. The Christian thread is woven throughout and may be just what you're looking for if you want a strong Christian message with some thrills and chills.

He heard the screams, and within minutes heard his friend's death. He heard the screams again, and a business associate died. Again and another death. Are the screams phone interference or a wake up call for Mark Stone? A man seeking justice is kidnapping women and holding them in an abandoned barn. He feeds them, provides for them, and is obviously trying to keep them alive. Why though? What is his purpose and can he be stopped before he executes his final judgment?

The two plots of Scream were excellent. On the one hand, we have Mark Stone and mysterious gut-wrenching screams. On the other hand, we follow the mind of a mad-man out for misguided justice. Two seemingly different plots that take some time to come together, but once combined create a haunting tale.

Scream is a dark story, centered around misguided justice and disturbing paranormal events. The kidnapper was an interesting character. The background for his `justice' was wonderfully written. I looked forward to the flashbacks and they were quite helpful in better understanding his motives. He wasn't pure evil, instead he was conflicted and it made for an enjoyable dynamic character.

We also have the gut wrenching screams. I love what Dellosso did with this part of the story. I've read quite a few Christian fiction novels and one theme I've always wanted explored a bit more was hell and the finality of death. It's a topic that's not the most fun or uplifting, but certainly one that doesn't need to be left out. I like that Dellosso tackled it head on and placed the choice before the reader.

I did feel towards the end that the book was a little preachy. Normally I'd deduct some points for that, but I'm going to let it go this time. :-) The reason why I'm willing to let it slide is the point that Dellosso made with Mark's father. I'm not going to spoil it for you, you'll have to read it, but it makes a pretty powerful statement for every reader.

This novel caught me on page on. I'm a big fan of mysteries and this is one of the best I've read.

Scream is fast-moving, twisted, believable and full of thrills novel. The main character, Mark Stone, hears screams and then seconds later his friend is killed in an accident. As Mark continues to hear screams, each time they are followed by a death. When he finds out his wife has been abducted he begins his frantic search to find her before it's too late. How does his lack of faith grow stronger and help him on this journey?

Order your copy now to find out!

Mike Dellosso's new novel, "Scream", is exactly that. This thrilling novel is "keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat" suspenseful, yet doesn't forget its purpose: to show the importance of choosing a relationship with Christ. This story weaves between two seemingly unrelated tales of suspense each surrounding a lonely man who has lost at love: one, the story of a man who hears otherworldly screams while talking on the telephone only to learn that the person he was talking to has died; the second, the story of a very different man who is preying upon women to atone for his own love lost.

I was gripped immediately by the characters and the story. Mr. Dellosso left me breathless with a new cliffhanger at the end of each chapter that kept me turning pages until well past my bedtime. Mike Dellosso has become my new favorite Christian thriller author!