Tap, Tap [Mass Market Paperback]

David Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1996

What if your best friend started killing your worst enemies? For Roscoe Bird, this nightmare becomes a reality when an old childhood friend comes knocking at his door.

Peter Tummelier talks about past hurts and old enemies as if time has stood still. But when bodies start turning up, murdered in horrifying ways, suspicion is placed on Roscoe. And Roscoe knows the one person-the only person-who could have committed these deeds.

But the question is why? How can he reach into the twisted depths of Peter's mind to understand his diabolical motives? And how can Roscoe clear his name as the prime suspect of the murders? But most of all, how can Roscoe avoid becoming Peter's next victim-the victim Peter has been waiting for...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A man becomes a murder suspect after an old childhood friend begins killing off his enemies.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In this BOMC alternate by the author of Lie to Me ( LJ 6/1/90), a "violent, psychologically acute, grossly logical thriller," vampire Peter Tummerlier is killing all the enemies of his childhood friend, Roscoe Bird.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; Reprint edition (September 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312958358
• ISBN-13: 978-0312958350
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,187,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting!, December 6, 2000

By 

mellion108 (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Tap, Tap (Mass Market Paperback)

Roscoe Bird (Martin has some of the greatest character names) is living a nice, peaceful suburban life until his wealthy childhood friend, Peter, shows up on his doorstep. Peter Tummelier was always an odd, dark character, and Roscoe befriended him because he was also an outsider on the exclusive island where they both grew up. Now after several years, Peter shows up again to ask Roscoe and his wife to sail around the world with him. But Peter also has a major revelation to disclose to Roscoe; he's not the same Peter from their childhood. Peter has now developed a unique appetite and needs someone to help be his daytime look-out as he sails from port to port.
Now this all sounds typical enough; in fact, it doesn't sound so much different than hundreds of horror novels weighing down the shelves. BUT Martin adds his wry sense of humor, his dark characters and his incredible writing to create a truly disturbing little novel. His story never fully answers any questions until the very end, and his attention to detail makes the novel even more believable despite the incredible situations presented here. Peter is outlandishly diabolical and dashing, and poor Roscoe is the hapless victim trying to save his good name before Peter totally pulls him into his web. This novel is just incredible! It's so rare that I run across a book that totally captivates me and has me guessing until the very end. Tap, Tap is delightfully wicked and utterly dark; it's a great read and will have you begging for more of Martin's works.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and dark, well written and sick., September 26, 1998

By 

LWood "LWood" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tap, Tap (Mass Market Paperback)

David Martin is a creative story-teller with a soulful and a sick, vivid imagination. He's got a way with words and has come up with another unpredictable storyline. A master of suspense, he opens the story with an intruder in the house and let's you know the married couple are doomed in the first couple of pages. Yet, the chapter is filled with suspense. Afterwards, everytime a chapter ends or starts with "Tap Tap," the reader holds on tight, knowing something horrible is about to happen. But you read on. You have to! Hollywood, instead of filming re-makes, should turn this book -- and others by Martin -- into movies ASAP.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tingly fun, despite a few "oh, come on" moments, January 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tap, Tap (Mass Market Paperback)

The subject, characterizations, and plot were all full and intriguing. However, by the end,when loose ends were beginning to tie together, I found myself becoming a bit frustrated. In order to create tension and suspense, the author made certain authorities behave in uncharacteristic ways, and made situations arise that I found to be a bit implausible. However, this is a small criticism in a book I found hard to put down. A fast, solid, creepy read. "Tap Tap" will satisfy.