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Testing the Prisoner
Daniel Masenda thought he had made peace with his dark past when he left his home for a better life fourteen years ago. As the mayor of a small, tranquil town along Virginia's Eastern Shore, Daniel has everything he ever wanted - until a series of haunting visions, coupled with the death of his estranged mother, pits him against two ghostly entities at war with one another. Each has its own agenda as they force Daniel to relive moments from his violent youth and push him to the edge of insanity. As his idyllic life begins to unravel, will he be able to decipher the message behind the hauntings before they destroy not only him, but the soul of someone he left behind?
- GenresParanormal
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2009
3 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
Phil Giunta
23 books33 followersPhil Giunta’s novels include the paranormal mysteries Testing the Prisoner, By Your Side, and Like Mother, Like Daughters. His short stories appear in two dozen anthologies of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and more.
He is a multiple award-winning author and member of the Horror Writers Association, the National Federation of Press Women, and the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group.
Phil is currently working on his fourth paranormal mystery novel while plotting his triumphant escape from the pressures of corporate America where he has been imprisoned for thirty years. Visit Phil’s website at www.philgiunta.com.
Find him on Facebook: @writerphilgiunta, Instagram: @phil_giunta71, and BlueSky: pgiunta.bsky.social
He is a multiple award-winning author and member of the Horror Writers Association, the National Federation of Press Women, and the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group.
Phil is currently working on his fourth paranormal mystery novel while plotting his triumphant escape from the pressures of corporate America where he has been imprisoned for thirty years. Visit Phil’s website at www.philgiunta.com.
Find him on Facebook: @writerphilgiunta, Instagram: @phil_giunta71, and BlueSky: pgiunta.bsky.social
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 29, 2019
It is a great book!. **No Spoilers**
1.- A book about redemption and letting the past stay in the past
2.- Crafted with care. There are no loose ends. All the situations are covered in a logical and natural way. You are not left thinking "well, he should have... she could have..."
3.- Positive view of things and how you can always have the two choices, build from the bad experiences or go down the dark spiral.
4.- In audio form, it is well read and with a nice voice. Little glitches here and there form the editing, but nothing that will take you out off the story.
Phil, if you ever read this comment: Wonderful job! Details and several revisions and corrections to the writing are evident. Feels like you took good care that everything was in place and coherent. Continuity was spotless (super soaker at the end may be the only item that I would criticize, but very small detail and passable).
5 Stars for me, no question.
1.- A book about redemption and letting the past stay in the past
2.- Crafted with care. There are no loose ends. All the situations are covered in a logical and natural way. You are not left thinking "well, he should have... she could have..."
3.- Positive view of things and how you can always have the two choices, build from the bad experiences or go down the dark spiral.
4.- In audio form, it is well read and with a nice voice. Little glitches here and there form the editing, but nothing that will take you out off the story.
Phil, if you ever read this comment: Wonderful job! Details and several revisions and corrections to the writing are evident. Feels like you took good care that everything was in place and coherent. Continuity was spotless (super soaker at the end may be the only item that I would criticize, but very small detail and passable).
5 Stars for me, no question.
November 7, 2023
I purchased this book at the Easton Book Festival 2023 from the author and later learned it was named as a finalist in the American Book Fest Best Book Awards in Horror. I know the author from a local writers group and know this book is a second edition.
The writing is meticulous, and the complexity of the story is impressive. The character development on the protagonist grows throughout the story, and the author works hard to try and give the antagonists a back story that makes them forgivable and relatable.
The greater work of the book is to highlight the psychological turmoil our traumas take on us, specifically to bring awareness to child abuse. But if you have any trauma in your background, it may be difficult to read.
But I love his point that we can't let our traumas eat us alive.
So, if you like dark, paranormal tales with a powerful lesson, you need to check this book out.
The writing is meticulous, and the complexity of the story is impressive. The character development on the protagonist grows throughout the story, and the author works hard to try and give the antagonists a back story that makes them forgivable and relatable.
The greater work of the book is to highlight the psychological turmoil our traumas take on us, specifically to bring awareness to child abuse. But if you have any trauma in your background, it may be difficult to read.
But I love his point that we can't let our traumas eat us alive.
So, if you like dark, paranormal tales with a powerful lesson, you need to check this book out.
February 4, 2025
FYI Trigger warnings for this book: verbal and physical abuse, gore, violence
Hauntingly thought provoking.
I loved the positive messaging of forgiveness and not allowing one’s past to, quite literally, haunt them.
The writing allowed for ease of imagination. I already avoid looking into mirrors when the lights are off, this made me scared to look into them in general. Spooky.
Daniel is stronger than me. I don’t think I’d be able to forgive Theresa.
Hauntingly thought provoking.
I loved the positive messaging of forgiveness and not allowing one’s past to, quite literally, haunt them.
The writing allowed for ease of imagination. I already avoid looking into mirrors when the lights are off, this made me scared to look into them in general. Spooky.
Daniel is stronger than me. I don’t think I’d be able to forgive Theresa.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2019
I thought testing the prisoner by Jason Giunta what a wonderful book. It starts with Danny who has been kidnapped by his daddy but quickly gets taken back home. After all he was only taken so his dad wouldn’t have to pay child support. When he finally gets back with his mother instead of being overjoyed to see him she is more interested in cursing out his daddy and taking pictures of his disheveled look.
After surviving his abusive childhood he goes to college and gain success as the mayor of a small town in Maryland. But soon he starts seeing a dead boy everywhere he looks and then he sees a ghastly vision every time he looks in the mirror. Then he finds out that his mom has died at the years of not speaking to her he decides to go to thefuneral.
It only gets stranger from there. I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to read more from this author. I was even happy to find out after I bought the e-book but he has it on audio on LibriVox. I gave this book 5 stars as it kept my attention and even after I put it down to go to bed, when I woke up I am mediately started reading it. I just had to know what happen next. This is a great book!
I definitely recommend it to those who like situational fiction with a little paranormal thrown in this is for you or should I say for us. There are no warnings or triggers that need to be given with the exception for those who cannot take child abuse. I have that trigger and as I read the book wanted to punch his mom and dad in the face more than once with a baseball bat. Other than than that book is fine. Again I love it! Or did I say that already!
After surviving his abusive childhood he goes to college and gain success as the mayor of a small town in Maryland. But soon he starts seeing a dead boy everywhere he looks and then he sees a ghastly vision every time he looks in the mirror. Then he finds out that his mom has died at the years of not speaking to her he decides to go to thefuneral.
It only gets stranger from there. I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to read more from this author. I was even happy to find out after I bought the e-book but he has it on audio on LibriVox. I gave this book 5 stars as it kept my attention and even after I put it down to go to bed, when I woke up I am mediately started reading it. I just had to know what happen next. This is a great book!
I definitely recommend it to those who like situational fiction with a little paranormal thrown in this is for you or should I say for us. There are no warnings or triggers that need to be given with the exception for those who cannot take child abuse. I have that trigger and as I read the book wanted to punch his mom and dad in the face more than once with a baseball bat. Other than than that book is fine. Again I love it! Or did I say that already!
June 30, 2015
Quite simply, this book was amazing! It's a mysterious, paranormal thriller that I could not put down. I read this book in 2 days and then reread it again. Everyone has a past that cannot be changed. Heartbreaking as it was to go through Daniel's pain with him, it makes you remember your inner struggles. As a child that went through a bitter divorce, many of the scenes left my heart pounding with tears in my eyes. This book is so much more than a standard thriller. It is a book with deep meaning about overcoming the past, learning to forgive, and remembering that people fight every single day to find courage to live life. I often think about what happens to the bullies, neglectful parents, murderers of this world....is there a judgment day for them? This book was filled with raw emotion. Don't plan on doing anything else once you start reading it. Highly recommend!
Read
July 28, 2011Phil Giunta's debut novel, Testing the Prisoner, could have been a conventional, albeit compelling, novel in the Jodi Picoult or Pat Conroy vein about a small-town mayor reflecting on his abusive childhood. Instead, the demons of his past are manifest in the real world. At times, I wondered how much was real and how much was just in the protagonist's head (cf. the film Frailty). But, aside from being a compelling thriller with very relatable characters, Testing the Prisoner is an important lesson about raising oneself out of the past, forgiveness of oneself and forgiveness of those who were themselves victims. I highly recommend this and look forward to Mr. Giunta's other works.
November 24, 2015
I downloaded this as a podcast to my ipod thinking this was something totally different, not realizing this was an audio book. I did get into the story and did enjoy it. It was a bit out of my comfort zone but found the story interesting, not something I would normally pick up and read. Sometimes those stories fall in your lap and you surprise yourself and find a new genre of story you like. This book was about a dark past that Daniel dealt with as a child and haunted him as his adult life unfolded. The demons from the past could only be forgotten if he learned how to forgive and face them head on. Not a story I would highly recommend, but not one I regret. Everyone has issues, but his were about a bad childhood about abuse and living with a single parent. It was pretty messed up.
March 9, 2013
A journey into the depths of tortured souls. It is a darker (much darker) version of the novel "What Dreams May Come". Hope and redemption are encountered, but not until the bitter end. It is a first novel and does have its imperfections regarding peripheral characters, but when it comes to the protagonist, Daniel, you will not be disappointed in his journey. Watch out for two scenes: one involving Daniel on a railroad bridge and another involving the beach. I read this book appx 2 years ago and I can still vividly remember those scenes. I try not to think of them at night.
Read
May 8, 2014I loved this book by Phil Giunta. Paranormal not being my favorite genre, I wasn't sure that I would be anything but creeped out by the concept. But Phil put so much human compassion, empathy and relationship into the characters, that I kept turning those pages until I reached the very satisfying end. Yes, there were ghosts and people with special gifts. But in the context of rich character and compelling plot, this worked for me as well as my favorite chick-lit novels.
Brenda Havens
Brenda Havens
April 5, 2013
Do not read this book alone! Its a story that haunts you and makes you double check your doors and windows are closed and locked. Ghost whisper meets James Patterson.
October 11, 2018
Wonderful book it taught importance of forgiveness for our mind in interesting way it tell us we can't be free and happy until we don't forgive those who did sin against us.
November 1, 2023
Testing The Prisoner by Phil Giunta
Danny had an abusive and traumatice childhood. He becomes Mayor of a small town and is heading on a good life. When his past meets the present he is faced with his demons (at times quite literally). He now must do what ever it takes to face these demons, overcome obsticles to live the life he deseerves.
A fantastic (original) story with a likable protagaonist, true to life diolog and compelling plot. The paranormal (theme) adds intrigue in this (Already) fascitinag story. I wanted to see Danny suceed in every life goal he has.
Overall I greatly enjoyed Testing The Prisoner. I look forward to more from Phil Giunta he is an Author to follow. A good read, I highly recommend to all.
Danny had an abusive and traumatice childhood. He becomes Mayor of a small town and is heading on a good life. When his past meets the present he is faced with his demons (at times quite literally). He now must do what ever it takes to face these demons, overcome obsticles to live the life he deseerves.
A fantastic (original) story with a likable protagaonist, true to life diolog and compelling plot. The paranormal (theme) adds intrigue in this (Already) fascitinag story. I wanted to see Danny suceed in every life goal he has.
Overall I greatly enjoyed Testing The Prisoner. I look forward to more from Phil Giunta he is an Author to follow. A good read, I highly recommend to all.
February 23, 2024
Phil Giunta's paranormal mystery is an incredible story of a man, Daniel Masenda, haunted by his past--more specifically, his tortured childhood. His youth was dominated by an abusive mother and a missing father, and the pain of that miserable existence extended into his adulthood. When he begins seeing a phantom of a small boy and experiencing an evil presence in his life, he begins a slide into insanity and hatred.
A friend from his childhood, Miranda Lorensen, returns and, with her psychic abilities, helps him confront his personal demons. Giunta nails the emotional aspects of his tale, and the novel is highly recommended for readers facing their own personal demons.
A friend from his childhood, Miranda Lorensen, returns and, with her psychic abilities, helps him confront his personal demons. Giunta nails the emotional aspects of his tale, and the novel is highly recommended for readers facing their own personal demons.
November 4, 2023
A paranormal mystery -well written - takes you on the inside of the characters "thinking" - involved family issues and the reasons to solve - a page turner - a good mystery with ghost but not over the top of understanding - all is answered .
November 25, 2024
This author and novel deserve all the accolades they're being given. I felt so bad for the protagonist after just the first 25 pages. His trauma was unveiled further until ... You'll have to read it to find out. I highly recommend it.
April 14, 2024
This book was a page turner. You just to keep going to find out what is happening next.
This a wonderful book that has some great characters (even if you do see yourself in them…)
Highly recommend!
This a wonderful book that has some great characters (even if you do see yourself in them…)
Highly recommend!
April 30, 2013
My Review / Thoughts:
My review is going to be a different kind of review on this book. Instead of writing my thoughts on the book, I am going to write a more personal take on the book. I really feel I was supposed to read this book the very moment I did.
One thing I will say about this book is that if you had an abusive, violent childhood, some of scenes in the book are triggers. The scenes with young "Danny" were so strongly written, I found myself in a state of panic reading each onset of abuse. I know it's a book. I know it's a story. I just could not separate my childhood from how the author described each scene. It was so close to reality, it was down right scary. The horrible things Danny's mother said to him echoed verbatim things said to me. I relate 100% to Danny/Daniel and the choices that lead him to become estranged to his mother, much like I am with mine today.
The book really brought to light the choices we make as humans. The choices that leave us here, tethered to humanity even in our afterlife. Abandoned and stuck for eternity to live out the horror we put others through. This book goes deeper than a just a great supernatural story.
Anyone who has come from that past, eventually has a crossroads they reach. Anyone from that past has decisions to make.
Anyone from that past, who has children today, fight EVERY SINGLE DAY, not to become that person.. that inner struggle.. good/bad/light/dark.
I will say though, the scenes of abuse are so richly, honestly, harshly poetic. From the physical pain to the emotional anguish, it really has triggered a lot of memories. It was hard to read. However, it's beautiful to read at the same time. It's cathartic. Truly.
Overall Feeling:
They say when you watch a movie and you walk away hating a character so much it leaves an impression on you about them, that's outstanding acting...right?
Well, if you read a book and you walk away reflecting your own life and how you approach certain people in your life, then it's PHENOMENAL WRITING! Phil Giunta does such a stellar job at writing out this book, I literally took the time to focus on certain areas of my life that I have been trying to avoid...
If you come from an abusive past, and are easily triggered, this book is bound to have you reliving a lot of your past. That would be my only warning.
My review is going to be a different kind of review on this book. Instead of writing my thoughts on the book, I am going to write a more personal take on the book. I really feel I was supposed to read this book the very moment I did.
One thing I will say about this book is that if you had an abusive, violent childhood, some of scenes in the book are triggers. The scenes with young "Danny" were so strongly written, I found myself in a state of panic reading each onset of abuse. I know it's a book. I know it's a story. I just could not separate my childhood from how the author described each scene. It was so close to reality, it was down right scary. The horrible things Danny's mother said to him echoed verbatim things said to me. I relate 100% to Danny/Daniel and the choices that lead him to become estranged to his mother, much like I am with mine today.
The book really brought to light the choices we make as humans. The choices that leave us here, tethered to humanity even in our afterlife. Abandoned and stuck for eternity to live out the horror we put others through. This book goes deeper than a just a great supernatural story.
Anyone who has come from that past, eventually has a crossroads they reach. Anyone from that past has decisions to make.
Anyone from that past, who has children today, fight EVERY SINGLE DAY, not to become that person.. that inner struggle.. good/bad/light/dark.
I will say though, the scenes of abuse are so richly, honestly, harshly poetic. From the physical pain to the emotional anguish, it really has triggered a lot of memories. It was hard to read. However, it's beautiful to read at the same time. It's cathartic. Truly.
Overall Feeling:
They say when you watch a movie and you walk away hating a character so much it leaves an impression on you about them, that's outstanding acting...right?
Well, if you read a book and you walk away reflecting your own life and how you approach certain people in your life, then it's PHENOMENAL WRITING! Phil Giunta does such a stellar job at writing out this book, I literally took the time to focus on certain areas of my life that I have been trying to avoid...
If you come from an abusive past, and are easily triggered, this book is bound to have you reliving a lot of your past. That would be my only warning.
October 25, 2023
My review is going to be a different kind of review on this book. Instead of writing my thoughts on the book, I am going to write a more personal take on the book. I really feel I was supposed to read this book the very moment I did.
One thing I will say about this book is that if you had an abusive, violent childhood, some of scenes in the book are triggers. The scenes with young "Danny" were so strongly written, I found myself in a state of panic reading each onset of abuse. I know it's a book. I know it's a story. I just could not separate my childhood from how the author described each scene. It was so close to reality, it was down right scary. The horrible things Danny's mother said to him echoed verbatim things said to me. I relate 100% to Danny/Daniel and the choices that lead him to become estranged to his mother, much like I am with mine today.
The book really brought to light the choices we make as humans. The choices that leave us here, tethered to humanity even in our afterlife. Abandoned and stuck for eternity to live out the horror we put others through. This book goes deeper than a just a great supernatural story.
Anyone who has come from that past, eventually has a crossroads they reach. Anyone from that past has decisions to make.
Anyone from that past, who has children today, fight EVERY SINGLE DAY, not to become that person.. that inner struggle.. good/bad/light/dark.
I will say though, the scenes of abuse are so richly, honestly, harshly poetic. From the physical pain to the emotional anguish, it really has triggered a lot of memories. It was hard to read. However, it's beautiful to read at the same time. It's cathartic. Truly.
Overall Feeling:
They say when you watch a movie and you walk away hating a character so much it leaves an impression on you about them, that's outstanding acting...right?
Well, if you read a book and you walk away reflecting your own life and how you approach certain people in your life, then it's PHENOMENAL WRITING! Phil Giunta does such a stellar job at writing out this book, I literally took the time to focus on certain areas of my life that I have been trying to avoid...
If you come from an abusive past, and are easily triggered, this book is bound to have you reliving a lot of your past. That would be my only warning.
One thing I will say about this book is that if you had an abusive, violent childhood, some of scenes in the book are triggers. The scenes with young "Danny" were so strongly written, I found myself in a state of panic reading each onset of abuse. I know it's a book. I know it's a story. I just could not separate my childhood from how the author described each scene. It was so close to reality, it was down right scary. The horrible things Danny's mother said to him echoed verbatim things said to me. I relate 100% to Danny/Daniel and the choices that lead him to become estranged to his mother, much like I am with mine today.
The book really brought to light the choices we make as humans. The choices that leave us here, tethered to humanity even in our afterlife. Abandoned and stuck for eternity to live out the horror we put others through. This book goes deeper than a just a great supernatural story.
Anyone who has come from that past, eventually has a crossroads they reach. Anyone from that past has decisions to make.
Anyone from that past, who has children today, fight EVERY SINGLE DAY, not to become that person.. that inner struggle.. good/bad/light/dark.
I will say though, the scenes of abuse are so richly, honestly, harshly poetic. From the physical pain to the emotional anguish, it really has triggered a lot of memories. It was hard to read. However, it's beautiful to read at the same time. It's cathartic. Truly.
Overall Feeling:
They say when you watch a movie and you walk away hating a character so much it leaves an impression on you about them, that's outstanding acting...right?
Well, if you read a book and you walk away reflecting your own life and how you approach certain people in your life, then it's PHENOMENAL WRITING! Phil Giunta does such a stellar job at writing out this book, I literally took the time to focus on certain areas of my life that I have been trying to avoid...
If you come from an abusive past, and are easily triggered, this book is bound to have you reliving a lot of your past. That would be my only warning.
August 27, 2023
PROMISING FIRST NOVEL...
A darkly personal supernatural psycho-thriller about a small-town mayor who finds himself fighting to save his own soul from the demons spawned during his abusive childhood and now unleashed after the death of his estranged mother.
Author Phil Giunta confronts the blurred border between love and hate hidden within the human heart in this promising, ultimately hopeful first novel. (He's gone on to write several other books and short stories for anthologies since this one, with a special affinity for the supernatural and paranormal.)
A darkly personal supernatural psycho-thriller about a small-town mayor who finds himself fighting to save his own soul from the demons spawned during his abusive childhood and now unleashed after the death of his estranged mother.
Author Phil Giunta confronts the blurred border between love and hate hidden within the human heart in this promising, ultimately hopeful first novel. (He's gone on to write several other books and short stories for anthologies since this one, with a special affinity for the supernatural and paranormal.)
December 12, 2016
I read this book when it first came out and believe me when I say it didn't take long to breeze right through it! I loved it from the beginning straight through to the end. I've also bought and read the next book, which was even better then the first. Phil Guinta has a wonderful career ahead of him with his writing abilities. I look forward to seeing more of his work, especially if he keeps the Testing the Prisoner story going!! This is a definite must read!
September 7, 2023
This is one of those books that once you start it.....you can't put it down. Mr. Guinta has a flair for the paranormal and certainly knows how to use it!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the first word to the last one. I w0oud highly recommend this book to any avid reader of the paranormal. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Guinta's books in the future. The man has a gift for sure!
September 13, 2023
Repost from April 2010 edition
This book explores the dynamic nature of inner demons battling against each other within the confines of a distressed man's mind. Testing the Prisoner is a fantastic, macabre read with highly developed characters and a twisted plot. I am highly anticipating a second book from this author.
This book explores the dynamic nature of inner demons battling against each other within the confines of a distressed man's mind. Testing the Prisoner is a fantastic, macabre read with highly developed characters and a twisted plot. I am highly anticipating a second book from this author.
March 2, 2016
This was one hell of a read. Very intense.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews