The Devil's Peak

Devil's Deep #2

by Michael Wallace

Only one person knows that Walter Fitzroy is trapped in the living prison of his own paralyzed body and she is a psychopath. Jealous to hide her boyfriend, Darlene Trost makes sure that nobody realizes he suffers from near total paralysis, victim of a crime that left him with only the ability to blink his eyes. If necessary, she will kill to keep her secret.

When medical investigator Becca Gull approaches the private medical facility of Vanderzee Springs in search of sufferers of locked-in syndrome, people alive within their own brains but vegetables to the outside world, she quickly learns that administration intends to stonewall her investigation. To confirm her suspicions about a missing patient, she must go undercover and join the army of aides who care for the sick and mentally ill of some of the country's wealthiest families. But as she digs deeper, she learns that nobody is safe when the wealthy and powerful wish to bury their past.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Psychological Thriller

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 30, 2011

About the author

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Michael also welcomes email from readers at m.wallace23(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Reviews

[Gwendolyn Dabney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil's Peak is a must read for anyone who read Michael Wallace's Devil's Deep. I enjoyed being reunited with Wes & Becca, and going on yet another one of their thrilling adventures. The twists and turns in this book is what made it a page turner for me. I look forward reading anything by this author.

[Pastor McKeiver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Michael Wallace tells these stories. I'm a nurse and I've never heard of Locked In Syndrome. It makes me wonder, how many people are actually suffering from this syndrome, while being labeled "PVS". If there are people in the world really doing the work that Becca, Wes, Davis and the foundation are doing, I pray their strength and God's riches blessings on them. That has got to be a calling from God.

Diving into the "Devil's Cauldron" now.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought I had done a review of The Devil’s Deep, but I don’t see it. So it was the first of a trilogy dealing with patients in nursing homes that are in a vegetative state and thought to be brain dead but are not. They can only communicate with eye movement or blinks if only someone would notice them trying.

The second book is The Devil’s Peak and picks the lead characters of the first book who have formed a group that actively tries to locate PVS patients who may be trapped in their heads and trying but unable to communicate. Both books have a story line pitting unsavory DRs or Administrators in the homes and family members who are quite happy to see the patients kept quiet.

I have one more vol of the trilogy to go. They are grouped together in one Kindle download and decent reads.

[Wendy Cantu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Follow up to "The Devil's Deep." He did a great job at creating a new story based on the same theme (locked in syndrome) as the first book, but I think there were some parts that fell flat. For example, I kept expecting the characters mentioned in the first paragraph or their actions to have some sort of significance in the story, but they were merely mentioned towards the end and didn't really have anything to do with the plot.

I do give it kudos for the crazy girlfriend, though. She was incredibly twisted, messed up, psycho and ridiculously entertaining. I wish the author would've gone into more detail about her little secrets. She seemed like she had the makings of an interesting story. Maybe a sequel (or, I guess, a prequel?)

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS SERIES AND MICHAEL WALLACE IS INCREDIBLE.

The Devil's Peak, the second book in this series, was just as gripping, original, and 5-star-worthy as the first book. I'm totally in love with the theme of this series and Wallace's ability to consistently deliver such a powerful and suspenseful plot. Recommending the whole series to anyone who likes a good, thrilling mystery story!!

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving this book four stars rather than three, due to the subject content. The Devil's Peak refers to a mountain for skiers, where Walter Fitzroy meets with a beating and ends up mute, with multiple injuries, in a nearby rehabilatative hospital, where he is terrorized by the psychopath, Darlene. How can he escape her ministrations, and let people know that his mind is okay? It would seem to me to make an interesting screenplay.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my fourth Michael Wallace book and I can honestly say that I love his books. They have a nice pace and at times you'll sit there scratching your head wondering who the heck did it. He's an indie author so his books are very reasonable and you couldn't go wrong picking one up and diving right in.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Devil's Peak was my least favorite of the series. There is an added focus in this book: the psychotic mind. Not only did feature a man locked in his own mind, but it also veered into the mind of the mentally ill. In a way, it reminded me of Misery (Stephen King) mixed with One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. It sounded good on Book Bub so I thought I'd try it. The suspense is good, and keeps the reader on edge as it moves quickly along. I was wondering how it was all going to fit together, but it had a satisfying ending.

[Adrienne Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second novel in this series by Michael Wallace. Good, solid writing and interesting enough to keep me coming back for more. This book was a bit darker and had its share of nail biting/creepy characters and plot twists. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little difficult to get in to

The first third was back ground and I think could have been accomplished quicker and shorter. The ending then seemed like the author was tired of it and summarized it in a few pages.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same main characters as The Devil's Deep, although the focus was more on Becca. A few more improbable incidents, but overall still a satisfying story.

[MaryJude Schmitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in series about locked in syndrome. I like the characters Becca and Wes a lot bug I think the first book in this series was a better story. I still enjoyed the book, though.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me turning the pages and I enjoyed it more than the first in this trilogy.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series. Cannot wait to start Book 3.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one isn't exactly up to the same standard as Devil's Deep but still a very good book.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3.5 stars.

[Marie_eve_78 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but after reading two other of his "the devil's..." Series, I feel it's a little redundant.

[Toni L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again the book started slow but once it took off
it was good. On to book three.

[Lin · Rating 1 out of 5]

A drawn out story thar had a promisng start and obvious end.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great thriller. Fast paced. I jumped in at book 2 but would go for book 1/3.

[Elaine]

second in the series