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Messages
James Smith is receiving messages.
Fired from his job, his girlfriend on the verge of leaving him, barely keeping his life in order, James’ unyielding insistence on following the signs and putting together the clues brings him to the answer…and it changes everything.
Hindered by flashbacks to a barely remembered babyhood at the hands of a criminally insane mother, James forges ahead, committing acts he’d never have thought himself capable, from shadowing a local teen, to kidnapping, to a murderous confrontation–all over the object of his desire.
When he partners with a mysterious cop named Riddel, James is certain he will not only bring everything out into the open, but also convince his girlfriend Lacey that she is central to his quest. And she is, but in a way they are all unable to foresee.
Fired from his job, his girlfriend on the verge of leaving him, barely keeping his life in order, James’ unyielding insistence on following the signs and putting together the clues brings him to the answer…and it changes everything.
Hindered by flashbacks to a barely remembered babyhood at the hands of a criminally insane mother, James forges ahead, committing acts he’d never have thought himself capable, from shadowing a local teen, to kidnapping, to a murderous confrontation–all over the object of his desire.
When he partners with a mysterious cop named Riddel, James is certain he will not only bring everything out into the open, but also convince his girlfriend Lacey that she is central to his quest. And she is, but in a way they are all unable to foresee.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2011
74 people are currently reading
565 people want to read
About the author
Christine Dougherty
26 books51 followersChris Dougherty writes from a secluded haven in southern New Jersey at the edge of the Pine Barrens.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 2, 2017
'Messages' was quite a thriller. The story line was full of intriguing scenarios. The way it played out kept me glued to the pages. The intricacies of James' mind was like a puzzle. Once I figured one part out, the rest fell into place. The web created by James was full of actions that fell like dominoes. I enjoyed the layout of the story. Lacey was a great character. She is such a strong woman, even when she doesn't believe it herself. Arch and Henry are questionable at first. But as the story played out, I understood why. A great add to your tbr list.
March 4, 2013
I loved his book. It makes you think about mental illness and why some people become who they are. I also loved that this book didn't finish at the supposed climax, like so many books do and they leave you wondering about the characters. This book finished and answered those questions, which I appreciate. Also, as a Jersey girl its always cool to see town names you know in a book and the author must be from NJ because the preview of next book also mentions the Pine
Barrens. I will probably read here other book after the other five or so that are high on my list.
Barrens. I will probably read here other book after the other five or so that are high on my list.
August 19, 2013
This book was really good. The fact that James's mental illness traces back to an abusive babyhood by an insane mother fits really well with what he has turned into and what he does during the entire book. The last plot twist caught me by surprise and led to the perfect ending for the book.
May 11, 2017
Initially, I didn't think I would like this book. The point of view was irritating because you are going from head to head. You are listening to all these people and it happens from one paragraph to the next. It was insane for a bit. Technically, it is considered bad writing to do that but.... for this book it was probably a brilliant choice.
I think it is this choice of POV that gives the frenetic pace to the story. There is a sense from the beginning that the main character is having some major mental problems. Something is just off kilter in his behavior and it only worsens. I found myself sympathizing with everyone he came in contact with, even the most reprehensible characters in the story, and I was scared he was going to kill any one of them. Because I just knew the main character was going to hurt someone. The action escalates pretty quickly and after a few chapters, I was hooked and on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down but had to in order to give my nerves a break.
I was relieved when I finished the book but not disappointed. Just when I thought it was over, there was a twist in the finally I didn't see coming but which I found satisfying.
I think it is this choice of POV that gives the frenetic pace to the story. There is a sense from the beginning that the main character is having some major mental problems. Something is just off kilter in his behavior and it only worsens. I found myself sympathizing with everyone he came in contact with, even the most reprehensible characters in the story, and I was scared he was going to kill any one of them. Because I just knew the main character was going to hurt someone. The action escalates pretty quickly and after a few chapters, I was hooked and on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down but had to in order to give my nerves a break.
I was relieved when I finished the book but not disappointed. Just when I thought it was over, there was a twist in the finally I didn't see coming but which I found satisfying.
May 23, 2024
DNF- I had a really hard time reading this. Following along with the 'messages' and then the actions the character takes. I just could not bring myself to continue reading it and was not interested in the storyline at all.
June 3, 2013
I did really enjoy this book. It was interesting to see what was happening through the view of multiple people. There were a lot of memories though that didn't really add much to the story. That and the very end where .
July 16, 2013
More like 3.5 stars though.
A good psychological thriller. Totally creepy the way James Smith loses his mind, seeing messages in everything around him, signs only he sees. It started off amazing, the build-up was awesome but lost momentum toward the middle and at the end but still good, just not as amazing.
A good psychological thriller. Totally creepy the way James Smith loses his mind, seeing messages in everything around him, signs only he sees. It started off amazing, the build-up was awesome but lost momentum toward the middle and at the end but still good, just not as amazing.
September 20, 2012
A psychological thriller worth reading...
Christine is an excellent writer. She does a good job of drawing you into the lives of the characters.
There are punctuation and spelling errors; however, it did not distract me from the story.
Christine is an excellent writer. She does a good job of drawing you into the lives of the characters.
There are punctuation and spelling errors; however, it did not distract me from the story.
May 11, 2016
The beginning of the book was very interesting, seeing thru the eyes of someone slipping into a unstable state of mind/insanity. The story line was fine, the end of the book was predictable. Fast read.
February 27, 2013
I'm not a big fan of guts and gore and there's plenty of that in this book, book I really enjoyed the way the characters are developed and how the story unfolds. It wasn't until I'd read more than half the book that I started to have any idea how it might end - it's a real page turner!
September 17, 2012
Interesting.
December 7, 2012
Good tale of a man's downward spiral - and the upward spiral of another. The ending was sort of an epilogue - I felt it could have been left off, but it did show closure.
January 7, 2013
Creepy mystery.
May 16, 2013
It was very interesting to follow the line of thinking of a disturbed person.
June 13, 2013
I liked this book as it was different from any book I've read - your seeing how someone truly crazy thinks. I'll be reading more from this author :)
June 1, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Great insight on the characters. Well written. Highly recommend it.
August 25, 2013
This was a different kind of mystery which made it better. None of the "knowing what will happen" because of that it is well written & I enjoyed reading it.
October 15, 2013
Beginning was difficult to get into but picked up quickly. You really get a sense of James' madness.
December 20, 2013
It took me awhile to get into this one but when it took off it really took off and I couldn't put it down.
January 31, 2014
A great book but you gotta love blood and guts to enjoy it!
July 23, 2014
Going to compromise on my rating. Found the story engaging and wanted to keep reading, but there were numerous grammatical errors and switches in verb tense. Cleaned up this would be a 4-5.
June 2, 2013
This was a free book from BookBub. I really enjoyed it. Much more than I expected to.
March 27, 2017
Good book
I wish you would just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so.Shelley MA
I wish you would just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so.Shelley MA
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews