Scream

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!

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!!!!!

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.

Once again Mike Dellosso has scored with this book. I didn't think he could top "The Hunted," but he has. Readers who like good, spine-thrilling fiction without profanity and sex will love this! Get it now...and make sure your lights are on as you read!

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.