Malevolence

Nancy Mehl is heartless when it comes to murdering characters, but she sure keeps you guessing while reading her mysteries. Just when you think you have this book figured out and think you know where it's going, you get thrown for a loop with another shocking murder and all your theories get tossed out the window. Icy Curtis is a completely believable heroine, even while she's figuring out clues before the cops. Her self-deprecating humor is delightful, and her emotional struggles bond her to readers because they're pretty much the same things we all go through. I'm so glad her adorably crusty new buddy, Det. Milt Barbarino, is determined to keep her involved in crime solving so I'll get to read more of her adventures, and I can't wait for the next one!

Malevolence - Review The 276-page novel, Malevolence, could be classified as a mystery-paranormal fiction with elements of horror, action and murder. Multiple murders, including her husband and very dear friend, send Icy on an action packed race to save her son. She discovers a past so disturbing that it is difficult for her to accept. She is thrown into a world of the supernatural when she discovers that she has been targeted by demons. Spirits haunt her and her only strength comes from the instinctual desire to protect her teenaged boy. Her sanity is tested time and again - and it is only through the aid of a priest and a detective who are willing to risk all to protect her, that Icy finds a way to face the challenge. I truly enjoyed reading Malevolence, by Nancy Mehl. The author applied an excellent start to the book with an intriguing character set-up. ISBN#: 1-55410-280-4 Author: Nancy Mehl Publisher: Zumaya Publications ~ Book Reviewer: Lillian Brummet - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment - Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry. (http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)

I found it hard to put this book down. When I did, I couldn't wait to get back to it. The characters are very real, very likable. That's what makes it so chilling -- the reader knows these characters, they are the people down the street, the folks next door, the folks we live with day in and day out. Yet, evil stalks them. MALEVOLENCE was one of the most satisfying reads I've had in quite a while. I don't usually get caught up in series books, but I can't wait to read the next book in the Icy Curtis Mystery series.

Nancy Mehl's mystery chillers are always top notch. This first in the Icy Curtis series is no exception. Isabel "Icy" Curtis and her son Danny have moved from Chicago to Wichita KS after the murder of her husband David. To ease the shock of widowhood, Icy volunteers at a shelter for battered women. When the shelter owner, Helen Brimmer, fails to show up for work, Icy investigates. What she finds is a nightmarish scene. Helen has been horribly murdered in her home. Written on the wall in blood above Helen's head is scrawled one word: Malevolence. Following Helen's murder they meet Det. Milt Barbarino. When a second body turns up, then a third, Milt's concern for Icy and her son increases. He fears for their lives. A creeping, unseen evil has followed Icy to Wichita and won't rest until she's dead. The clues are buried in her past and continue to haunt her present in the form of frightening dreams. Despite her vulnerability and fear, Icy is courageous and intelligent. Milt is a devoted and powerful ally. Together they take on a demonic predator living in familiar and trusted human form. The predator could be anyone. Malevolence gave me chills. I suspected everyone except Icy, her mother, and Danny. It will be interesting to see what Nancy Mehl devises to scare the bejabbers out of me in the second in this series. For readers who like scary mysteries, this one is highly recommended.