HUSH

by Mark Nykanen

Amazon.com Review
“Hush is almost impossible to put down.”
Hush opens with the gruesome murder of 7-year-old Davy Boyce's mother by his stepfather, Chet. Chet kills the woman with a straight razor after she confronts him about his abusive behavior towards Davy. We soon find that Chet has married Davy's mother only to be close to Davy, who he molests throughout the book. Once she's dead, Chet packs up the trailer and takes Davy to the remote, Oregon lumber town of Bentman. That's when Hush really takes off.

Chet's plan to have Davy all to himself is quickly derailed when Davy becomes both an elective mute and a biter. He is taken out of school and placed in the Bentman Children's Center where he meets 38-year-old Celia Griswold, the art therapist assigned to his case. Celia has her own problems. Her cheating husband, childless marriage, and uncooperative boss drive her to develop a bond with Davy, and the boy's sinister artwork leads her to suspect Chet of the crimes he's committed. Chet does not plan to give up "his boy," and launches an assault on Celia to ensure that he doesn't have to.

Edgar- and Emmy-award-winning journalist Mark Nykanen has written a debut thriller that is sure to chill even the most weathered mystery fan. Davy, Chet, and Celia hold the story together as both fascinating and believable characters. There are moments in the story that are difficult to believe, but despite its few weak spots, Hush is almost impossible to put down. --Mara Friedman

“Chet Boyce is a terrific creation, a dangerously insane fellow who...is drawn with such precision that he seems not only real but chillingly familiar.”—Booklist

“Emmy and Edgar-winning journalist Nykanen uncovers his characters’ psyches with wit, complexity, and originality...Nykanen’s attractively unpredictable characters will keep a stubborn hold on readers’ attention.”--Publishers Weekly

“A well-crafted and sophisticated psychological thriller that captures in frightening detail the fevered inner life of a psychopath. Elegant and darkly powerful.”
--Vincent Bugliosi, author of Helter Skelter and Outrage.

“A taut wire of a thriller.”--Seattle Post-Intelligencer

“A striking debut...Nykanen’s writing style, skill at characterization and sense of irony make HUSH [a] first-rate story.”--Portland Oregonian

“The pace is pulsing and the terror of a woman fighting for her life is so real that it is impossible to put this book down...This well-written novel is highly recommended.”--Library Journal

“I found myself unable to put the book down...Several times, I even skimmed paragraphs, anxious over what was going to happen next...Like a modern-day Wait Until Dark, it takes its time getting to its white-knuckled setpiece, but once it gets there, it takes no prisoners.” --Bentley Little, Bram Stoker award-winning author.
“Nykanen’s first novel, HUSH, is a blood-drenched, compelling variation on Thomas Harris’ The Silence of the Lambs.”--New Times L.A.

“HUSH is a unique, tremendous characterization study that dives into the guts of a psychopath and the fearful relationships he causes with the people he directly and indirectly affects.”--Harriet Klausner for BookBrowser

“[Chet Boyce] makes Hannibal Lector seems like a nice guy with an eating disorder.”--St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“HUSH is profound and ingenious and still a thriller that would keep Stephen King up nights.”--King Features

“Meet Boyce, the most despicable (and most realistic) villain to appear in a thriller in many years....

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Abuse

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 1998

Reviews

[Katie Dickerson (DeMaio) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5) to date, this is the most disturbing book I've read; so gory, gruesome, unsettling, & just plain scary; some moments had me literally on the edge of my seat & audibly gasping; only downfall is the drawn out parts of the story that were completely unnecessary for the plot & reading experience; very memorable overall tho

[Melynda Yesenia · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is one of those that, even though it left a mark, i can't really say i liked. it involves rampant child abuse and emotional scarring, a horrific murder, a terrible father figure and at least one scene of sickening animal abuse. no, torture.

why did i read this book?

even though my stomach turns when i think of it, Hush stayed with me. i had to have read this when i was just out of high school, many years ago, and i can still remember the feeling i had when reading it. it's gruesome for the sake of being gruesome and i usually hate that kind of sensationalistic writing but i have to admit it made an impact.

[Lolita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I predicted the ending to the point about half way into the book. It was slightly windy in the way of story telling and a bit too graphic in details but I enjoyed the book. It built suspense and after everything, the ending was really deserved.

[haddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

while this book was very predictable, it broke my heart. i don't think i've ever cried so much reading a book before this. the drawings of batman with the hole in the crotch absolutely killed me i had to put the book down for a few minutes to recover.

warning this book has VERY detailed scenes of animal abuse / torture especially near the end it was probably one of the worst sequences i've ever read in my life. i also had to put the book down and step away for a few minutes during that scene. i think anyone who has read this book knows what i'm talking about when i say "THAT" scene.

do not read this book if you're sensitive. it contains graphic child abuse. I thought this book was amazingly written although predictable and it will stick with me for a long time.

[Peggy Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very graphic in terms of violence and sex. If that is not your thing, then I would avoid it. I thought the book was pretty good, although there were some parts that I could clearly predict and it doesn't have a big plot twist like so many books do these days. It was published in 1998, so that dates it a good bit. Still an interesting story that makes you identify with the characters...especially Davy. His is a story that sadly goes on all too often.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Next to his book, Search Angel, probably in the top 20 of twisted books I have read! This is just good writing. It is not for the faint of heart though. Also, there is graphic violence against women, so if your not into it, don't read it and then give it a negative review!

[Jessica Gettel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Truly awful. 100 pages too long. So much unnecessary detail. I actually threw this book away because I don't want to pass it on.

[Lindsey Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was def a thriller but wayyyyy to graphic and long winded.

[Dew · Rating 3 out of 5]

man it took me a long time to get through this one, not because it’s “disturbing” but because it was just not something that caught my attention. last 1/4 of the book was great but trying to drudge through the entire build up was a snooze fest for me. was expecting something so much more depraved than what i got from this one. it’s aight

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a break a few chapters in and took me a few months to pick it up again. Once I got into it, I finished it in 3 days tops. Entertaining read and the imagery of the last few chapters was great, I could picture what was happening in my head like a movie, and almost wish it had been turned into a movie.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not often I am shocked by the violence or gore described in a book but the end of this one shocked me. It's very twisted from the start and I definitely didn't see it ending the way it did entirely. I enjoyed the book.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think 3 stars is generous. The last 5-8 chapters were a chore to get through. The ending of the villain was stupid. I skimmed most of that, just to be rid of the book. I do not recommend.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously you know there's going to be child abuse going in. However there is also some nondescriptive deaths of dogs and a really horrific described in detail death of a cat.

[Guiselle Mundo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely love the concept of an art therapist in a horror book

[Melissa Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a warning that the cat dies graphically, that’s always rough. But I did read it twice so it was good enough

[Blair Savage · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was extremely graphic. good moments but a hard read. also wtf was the point of the shepherd?

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven-year-old Davey Boyce tells his mother that his stepfather, Chet, has been hurting him "down there". When she confronts Chet, he responds with pleasure, "I married you . . . for the boy," and slices her throat with a razor.
If that's not enough to grab you, there's more . . .

Chet moves Davey to the timberland town of Bentman, Oregon in his trailer. Since his mother's brutal death, Davey hasn't spoken a word; he's become an elective mute. After seriously biting a fellow student and teacher, he is kicked out of school and sent to the Bentman Children's Center for Psychological study. Here he's evaluated by 38-year-old Celia Griswold and placed in her Art Therapy class. Celia works closely with Davey and gets pretty attached to him but also has troubles of her own: dealing with her own abusive childhood and trying to have a child with her husband who, little does she know, it having a torrid affair with a woman at his insurance agency. Through Davey's drawings, Celia sees something dark, horrifying and confronts Chet about her suspicions. First rule of survival: NEVER confront Chet about anything! Now he's going to do whatever's necessary to prevent her from finding out the truth.

Certainly a page-tuner, this is a debut novel of thrilling terror by award-winning journalist Mark Nykanen. Well-written with good character development. Chet, the villain, was less developed than I'd hoped, but we do see a bit into his past, his childhood, and definitely get inside his head. The boy, Davey, was so clear to me. This is quite an accomplishment for a character without dialogue. I saw him and cringed for him. Celia was a very well-written character as well. A strong woman, though she wouldn't see herself that way. There were a couple of parts that were pretty gruesome. I wanted to look away, but quickly realized that this is a book, not a movie, although the picture in my head was vivid. Cruelty to animals is also a sub theme throughout. One reviewer mentions the famous scene in "The Shining" where Jack Nicholson breaks a hole in the bathroom door just large enough for his face to poke through and terrify his screaming wife. Yup, I certainly saw that scene repeated here. My favorite parts of the book dealt with the Art Therapy. I found it so fascinating and feel I could evaluate a child's drawing myself. This definitely didn't seem like a debut novel to me. Well-done!

[Brigid · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure authors must get tired of readers telling them how they "should" have written the book, and I'm going to add to the list. I was intrigued by the cover and jacket blurb, so I checked it out. It's a fast-paced psychological drama with a damaged but caring woman and damaged, silent little boy at the center. I love a happy ending, and this has it, so I guess I shouldn't complain; but, of course I'm going to to just that.
Husband--let him be with Helen; they deserve each other.
Ethan--keep him single from the get-go.
Celia--take some time to let us know how she worked through (though she can't ever be totally through) with her own abused childhood.
The shepherd? I know, he was a good distraction for us from what was going to happen, but why introduce him at all if he isn't the instrument of Chet's destruction? It's a satisfying destruction for readers, but after I read about the deranged shepherd, I thought for sure he would mistake the maniacal Chet for the husband and extract his retribution. And finally, overuse of the "not dead yet" theme; 'nuf said.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!

This book starts out with a bang. Little 7 year old Davey is being sexually abused by his step-father and when he dares to tell his mother, she is murdered right in front of him, and he is told that it is all his fault. He becomes what is referred to as a selective mute and when his step-father takes him to a new town and a new school, he does not get along. He is placed into a specialized Center for disturbed kids where he comes into contact with Cecilia, and art therapist. Through his drawings Celia comes to the horrifying realization that Davey is in terrible danger. When Chet, Davey's step-father feels threatened by Cecilia he comes after her. The last 100 pages of the book are a non-stop thrill ride and the ending is heart wrenching. Overall a great read and I plan to pick up other books by this author soon.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Davy Boyce is referred to a childrens' center in rural Oregon because he is mute and becomes a violent biter when annoyed. Celia Griswold is an art therapist at the center. Her new boss is not a big proponent of art therapy. As Davy slowly responds to the art therapy his drawings get more and more bizarre, leading Celia to suspect the very worse of situations. She suspects abuse and very severe emotional trauma. Can she get anyone else to see her suspicions?

Celia has her own problems. Her husband is becoming more and more remote and just at a time when she wants to start a family. Celia and her husband live in a remote although beautiful area but a scary shepard had moved his herd into the area causing Celia some concern.

Then there is Chet, Davy's stepfather, the most scariest of men. What he has planned for Celia and Davy is the sickiest and grizzliest of scenarios.

[Jackie Thalman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

There were things i really liked about this book & things that just made this book "ok". Like other reviewers, though, i read this book in just 4 days, so its a fast read. I really enjoyed the 1st 150 pages. There is a lot going on in this book, with multiple subplots told by multiple characters' perspectives. The multiple plot lines were intriguing & kept me reading.

Then the last 100 pages turned into a completely different book for me. It's not that I didn't like the book at that point, but the book did a 180 in its direction & became this slasher-horror flick. At times it was very gruesome, but the book was dedicated to that slasher flick genre, so if you're into that then it works.

overall a fast read & entertaining enough, but i wouldn't necessarily go recommending it to my friends.

[KWAIN-AKA-MAJIX · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a few years ago,this book is not for the weak, but If you like suspense/thrillers and horror, than you will like this book. The author doesn't bore you in the leased, and the story captures you from start to finish. The author limits the need for imagination through it's graphic detail.(I wrote a school paper on this book and I got a b- but check this, my teacher wrote on the paper "this book was very graphic and disturbing, you should read something else") LOL :)

['Nathan Burgoine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good - the only real fault I could point out would be the villain's somewhat cardboard nature as a sociopath with little to no real background or development, but the other characters - an art therapist, and the silent child she is treating (who is in the care of said sociopath), and her husband (and his lady on the side) - are all done with such wonderful depth.

The thrill ride in this one is very tense and fast-paced. Really got me sweating for the characters.

[Brooke Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a scary and thrilling story. The author did a good job of capturing my attention and I didn't want to book the book down because I had to find out what was going to happen next. Near the end of the book I was so captured and scared by the story I was reading I actually locked my own bedroom door because the author did a good job of really painting the picture of the scene with words. The emotions felt intense and real.

[Kay Eissler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a psychopath that kills a mother and takes her child with him. He continually molests this young boy. They move frequently and on this last move, the boy bites a student and a teacher quite badly. He is moved to a special school, where the boy meets an Art Therapist that helps him draw his feelings on paper since he has not spoken since his mother's death.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was in high school. The cover is what caught my eye really. After the first chapter I wanted to cry, and scream so naturally I continued reading. I was fascinated by the Davy, and his selective mutism. It really gave me a push into the direction of psychology as a profession. Definitely not for the light hearted.

[krin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the plot was a bit formulaic at times, the intensity of the action and the predicament of the characters kept my interest throughout. I especially liked getting the different viewpoints from the characters such as Chet, Davy and Celia.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so expliciting gruesome that I just CANNOT give it 5 stars....however, I really haven't had a book hold my attention like this one did in a VERY long time. If you have the stomach it is worth the read.

[Denise MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an action packed thriller. Instead of telling the reader what is happening, the author takes the reader along with him on a roller coaster of an emotional ride.
There is a lot of violence and sexuality in this story. It may be difficult to read for some people.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 STARS

"An art therapist in Oregon becomes suspicious of weird drawings by a pupil. So begins the story of a serial killer who marries single mothers in order to abuse their children." (From Amazon)

An interesting psychological thriller.