The Mouse That Roared (Paperback)

~ Dwayne Murray Sr. (Author) "It is the summer in the Gunner's muggy Bronx apartment and a nine-year-old, chubby-cheeked boy named Doug is quietly looking through his parent's slightly opened..." (more)
Key Phrases: bully club, crunch ice cream, dinette table, New York, Sandra Lyte, Minister Lyte (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Master Story From A Master Storyteller, Iceberg Slim, Chester Himes, and now Dwayne Murray, Sr.: in the annals of literary greatness, a new name must now be placed... The Mouse That Roared is an absolute masterpiece of quality urban fiction. Murray's electrifying tale of the grim realities of street life is all at once gritty, refined, and slick. He masterfully weaves such diverse issues as domestic violence, child abuse, and police corruption into an eclectic tapestry that leaves you breathlessly turning page after page, feening to see how the full picture ultimately unfolds. The chief protagonist of Mouse, Sandra Lyte, is the quintessential heroine: disowned by her ultra-conservative, quasi-demagogue father and mother, she sets out for the city that never sleeps, seeking only to fulfill her greatest hopes of making it big in the Big Apple when left with no other paths in life to follow. Not wanting to lose the old-fashioned kindness of her core, though, she soon finds it increasingly difficult to maneuver through cold New York streets where even colder hearts constantly seek to take advantage of - and even destroy - her for purely selfish gain. Enter Doug Gunner: big-time drug player on the rise and seeming knight in shining armor. Whisking all Sandra's cares away with lavish gifts, romantic nights, and a life free from worry or stress, Doug appears to be the cure for all that ails the pretty young lady's heart. Seduced by his charm, power, and potential, Sandra unwittingly allows herself to sink deeper into Doug's dark world of deception, cruelty, and violence - never realizing until it's too late that once she's in, there's no way out (alive). You may expect that what follows in Mouse is the typical story of girl-done-wrong, boy-gets-away-with-murder, girl-finally-gets-revenge, and that appears to be the case - until Murray throws in incredibly clever plot twists and changes of direction that incorporate rich characters and nonstop action leading to climax after satisfying climax. The all-encompassing series of events in Mouse flesh out the story in full, giving it an even, well-balanced approach to telling the true stories of the streets: those that appear to be bad guys surprise you with their redemptive qualities, and those that appear to be good guys show the depths of their true repugnance. In the end, Sandra shows just what a naïve, country girl from the South is really made of, and her courage and conviction in overcoming the most heinous of injustices gives true credence to the title of Murray's tale. This is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in the urban fiction genre, whether just starting out or a seasoned fan. Dwayne Murray, Sr., is a name that will surely be cited by posterity for having perfected the honored craft of street storytelling. --By Apex Reviews (Durham, USA)

THE MOUSE THAT ROARED by Dwayne Murray, Sr. is a stunning look at two individuals from dysfunctional homes. Sandra Lyte, raised by a minister who acted as if he didn't like her, was going through life thinking she was dumb and worthless and Doug Gunner, the son of a mean drunk, was also making his life's journey convinced he was stupid and useless. Each handled their dysfunctional family life in very different ways. Sandra ran away from her family and Doug began hustling at an early age to prove to his father he was worth something. After getting on her feet in New York City, Sandra hooked up with Doug who was behaving exactly as his father had and Sandra, a kind and loving person, stayed with him in spite of his abusive ways. They had two children together whom Sandra loved beyond reason. Meanwhile, Doug continued his hustler's life of drugs, threats, women and murder. Something really bad happened and as a result, Sandra realized she couldn't change Doug as she had hoped and she had to get out while she could. Was it too late for her to escape Doug who controlled her every move? Would he hunt her and the children down and drag them back to his lair? Would he hurt them? The action in this book is non-stop, starting from the beginning when Sandra's parents toss her into the mean streets of New York because she defied them and entered a beauty contest, which she won. Doug spent his life attempting to prove his worth to his father. Sandra is a character you can relate to as she hits obstacle after obstacle but digs down deep within herself and finds the strength to keep going. Mr. Murray frequently shows us Doug's weaknesses and in spite of him being such an odious character, you find yourself feeling his deep-rooted pain. Included in the story were Sandra's friends who were fleshed out into characters who you could understand and relate to also. Each time I thought that one particularly horrible action must signify the end, another more hideous, frightening event would occur. I couldn't put the book down. I applaud Dwayne Murray's fantastic imagination. --The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com)

This book grabs you at the beginning and doesn't let go until the last word is read. It begins with a young boy, Doug Gunner, finding his father in bed with someone other than his mother. It also introduces you to Sandra Lyte, a beautiful young lady entering her first beauty pageant. Their two stories will intertwine until the very end of the novel. Doug grows up to be a drug dealer and an abuser with whom Sandra falls in love and has two children. Sandra, knowing what Doug is, believes, as many women do, that she can change him and life will be wonderful. When she finally realizes that she needs to leave to save her life and the lives of her children, it's too late. Doug will do anything to make sure they do not leave alive. After everything Doug puts Sandra and her friends through, she never gives up. Her words to her children at the end sum it all up, "You will never leave my heart or my soul simply because we are one and no one will ever separate us." Some might say this story is about Sandra Lyte, but it isn't. It's about everyone she meets. The author is very adept at creating the histories of these magnificently beautiful people and bringing them to light. You will not find a character in this book whose motivation you do not understand "The Mouse That Roared" is a rich story that will hold onto you long after the pages are closed. It is a surprise to find that this wonderfully crafted novel is written by a very talented first-time novelist, Dwayne Murray, Sr. Let's hope he is busy working on his second book because once you finish this one you will be eagerly awaiting the next. --Reader Views ; (Austin, Texas) --This text refers to the Perfect Paperback edition.

Product Description

Urban thriller involving a young woman named Sandra Lyte from Richmond Virginia who leaves her hometown to find her dreams in New York City. To her disappointment and sorrow though she only finds betrayal and terror as her life is torn apart. Through courage and determination Sandra finds the will to bring those responsible for her pain and suffering to justice. A first rate thriller that will keep the reader turning pages.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Madbo Publishing; 1 edition (November 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976985500
• ISBN-13: 978-0976985501
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,462,003 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Raw, Gritty and In Your Face!, May 16, 2006

By	Yasmin Coleman (PENNSYLVANIA, USA) - See all my reviews

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

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Off The Hook!!!!! Book Bandit (Los Angeles, CA), May 24, 2006

A Kid's Review

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!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars full of drama, intrigue, suspense, February 17, 2006

By	BookReview.com (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

What causes the meek to make a stand? At what point does a person who is pushed to the ground time and time again, refuse to stay down? When does the mouse roar like a lion? In Dwayne Murray Sr.'s novel "The Mouse That Roared," that time has come.
Sandra Lyte defies her prestigious, religious father's wishes. In doing so she embarks on a journey that takes her far from Virginia to New York City, and farther from herself, as she becomes a person struggling to survive. The pattern is set then, to stop standing up to the men in her life, and dealing with what happens.

Only when that becomes something her soul can no longer bear does she begin to understand exactly what she must do, no matter what. The fact that what she must do involves a large drug organization, a mafia leader, the largest and most highly esteemed police force in the nation, as well as her closest friends, only gives her greater strength to roar out loud. Can one woman's revenge be the fire that burns New York City to the ground?

This fast paced book is full of drama, intrigue, suspense and heart wrenching crime. The author's attention to detail in the plot leaves it all too realistic and believable. His treatment of his characters has readers cheering for Sandra while abhorring her foes and crying for her friends. The storyline is an intense ride that is very well written. In execution there were a number of times when I felt a proofreader could have cleaned up the book a bit, but this minor detail in no way detracted from the compelling call to turn the pages.

I very much enjoyed "The Mouse That Roared" and highly recommend it. I hope to hear more of Dwayne Murray, Sr. in the future.
Review by Heather Froeschl.