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Mouse
It’s the summer of 1976 and Vince Moody is a quiet and unassuming projectionist at the run-down Empire cinema in the small town of Langbridge in the middle of the Somerset Levels.
His life is a drudge, and he’s going nowhere; the only female attention he gets is a stream of cruel jokes and jibes from the Empire’s cleaners, and especially from the obnoxious Monica Andrews. But his life is about to change dramatically when he sees and falls secretly in love with Laura Leach.
Laura lives all alone in an 18th Century folly known as Devereux Towers; a brooding old building sitting alone in its field a few miles from Langbridge. Recently returned to the area to bury her father and having inherited Devereux Towers, Laura is something of a recluse. The local children call Laura the ‘Witch of Devereux Towers’; some people call her ‘damaged goods’. She too is lonely and unassuming, a desperately troubled woman haunted by her dark, secret past. Haunted by what lies behind the blue-painted door in Devereux Towers which Laura lets no one enter…
Then Laura Leach meets Casper Younge. He’s handsome, well-spoken, gentle and loving, and Laura falls head-over-heels in love with him. Vince Moody is devastated to have lost the woman of his dreams, but he soon discovers that Casper Younge is not all he first appears. He’s blackmailing the Empire’s manager, Martin Caldwell, for one thing; and who is the attractive woman Vince sees Casper meeting in Glastonbury? What plans are they hatching?
Martin Caldwell is having serious troubles of his own, aside from managing the failing Empire cinema – his affair with Monica Andrews the cleaner has gone horribly wrong. His world is falling apart, and the last thing he wants is a visit from Casper Younge dredging up a murky past he thought he’d left behind.
Then both Casper and Monica go missing; the longer they are gone, the more the thoughts turn to their possible deaths. But if they are dead, who is responsible for killing them?
Soon, everyone is caught up in a dangerous spiral of events that draws them inexorably into a world of jealousy, deceit, passion, blackmail and murder, where the hunter becomes the hunted, the mice turn on the cats.
Set against the impressive yet claustrophobic landscape of the Somerset Levels, Mouse is a chilling exploration of the corrupt depths people will sink to in the name of revenge, power, greed and love and is D. M. Mitchell at his imaginative best.
His life is a drudge, and he’s going nowhere; the only female attention he gets is a stream of cruel jokes and jibes from the Empire’s cleaners, and especially from the obnoxious Monica Andrews. But his life is about to change dramatically when he sees and falls secretly in love with Laura Leach.
Laura lives all alone in an 18th Century folly known as Devereux Towers; a brooding old building sitting alone in its field a few miles from Langbridge. Recently returned to the area to bury her father and having inherited Devereux Towers, Laura is something of a recluse. The local children call Laura the ‘Witch of Devereux Towers’; some people call her ‘damaged goods’. She too is lonely and unassuming, a desperately troubled woman haunted by her dark, secret past. Haunted by what lies behind the blue-painted door in Devereux Towers which Laura lets no one enter…
Then Laura Leach meets Casper Younge. He’s handsome, well-spoken, gentle and loving, and Laura falls head-over-heels in love with him. Vince Moody is devastated to have lost the woman of his dreams, but he soon discovers that Casper Younge is not all he first appears. He’s blackmailing the Empire’s manager, Martin Caldwell, for one thing; and who is the attractive woman Vince sees Casper meeting in Glastonbury? What plans are they hatching?
Martin Caldwell is having serious troubles of his own, aside from managing the failing Empire cinema – his affair with Monica Andrews the cleaner has gone horribly wrong. His world is falling apart, and the last thing he wants is a visit from Casper Younge dredging up a murky past he thought he’d left behind.
Then both Casper and Monica go missing; the longer they are gone, the more the thoughts turn to their possible deaths. But if they are dead, who is responsible for killing them?
Soon, everyone is caught up in a dangerous spiral of events that draws them inexorably into a world of jealousy, deceit, passion, blackmail and murder, where the hunter becomes the hunted, the mice turn on the cats.
Set against the impressive yet claustrophobic landscape of the Somerset Levels, Mouse is a chilling exploration of the corrupt depths people will sink to in the name of revenge, power, greed and love and is D. M. Mitchell at his imaginative best.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
82 people are currently reading
591 people want to read
About the author
D.M. Mitchell
23 books52 followersD. M. Mitchell has been compared to Ruth Rendell, Martina Cole, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Linwood Barclay, Dickens and even the Bronte sisters! This wide array of writing styles is appropriate - though Mitchell is known for his psychological thrillers, he is determined that each of them will be different, so they might be set in different eras, may be straightforward thrillers or have a supernatural or horror twist, and he avoids like the plague the standard and unimaginative serial killer format! You'll find he uses different styles of writing to suit different types of books - it also keeps him from getting bored...
D. M. Mitchell was born into a small mining community in Yorkshire, England. His career advisor said he had two options - go down the mines or become a policeman. Being scared of the dark and never having much meat on his bones, he declined both and in his early years bounced like a pinball from job to job - warehouses, cinema projectionist, market trader, salesman - you get the picture. He sort of made a success of himself and now lives in a money-pit of a cottage in a tiny village in the cream tea heart of the South West of England.
His first remembered attempt at pushing the boundaries of creative writing was during a school lesson at the age of nine. Titled simply 'Rain' his proud masterpiece began with 'It started to rain' then there followed eight pages of nothing but the words 'pitter-patter', concluding with 'and then it stopped'. It was handed over and duly reviewed by his brick wall of a teacher, whose eyebrows flickered up and down ominously, his cheeks flushing bright red, before declaring it total rubbish. He tore it up into ribbons, showered him with his first, and no doubt only tickertape ceremony, and gave him a meaty slap around the head (they could do that sort of thing in 1967). He made him write 'I will not write stupid things for eight pages' for eight pages. Thus he learnt a number of valuable early lessons - the meaning of irony, writing is very subjective, everyone's a critic, and no-one likes a smart-arse.
He persevered, his first novel appearing in 1986 and disappearing into the attic the same year. It's still up there. Many manuscripts later he used to save the piles of rejection slips to paper his bare walls. So the adage is, keep at it, in these times of economic depression you'll soon have the house fully redecorated. Nowadays, writing is the one thing he feels totally comfortable with, except perhaps for a cup of Horlicks on a cold winter's night when the rain goes pitter-patter against the window panes (there it is again...).
Characterisation is an important and noticeable aspect of all Mitchell's novels. It allows him to be whoever he wants to be when he gets fed up of being himself, which is quite often. So too is a sense of mystery and the exploration of the darker side to humanity. There are always strong elements of a complex puzzle to be solved in a D M Mitchell novel, many disparate parts ultimately coming together, tragedy and comedy sitting side by side. As in life, nothing is as it first seems. He takes a keen interest in history, a thread which runs through his writing, whether it's the 1960s or 1970s, as in 'Max' and 'Pressure Cooker', or the Victorian 1880s, as in 'The House of the Wicked'.
His favourite novelists include Barry Unsworth, Thomas Hardy, John Steinbeck and Graham Swift. Top two favourite historical books: Culloden, by John Prebble and The Face of Battle by John Keegan. He also collects first edition novels and takes a keen interest in anything old, tatty and in need of love and restoration. His wife says he needs to get out more.
He has three grown children and also enjoys photography, painting and walking the Blackdown Hills with his wife and an overly excitable Border Terrier - or is that an overly-excitable wife and a Border Terrier... One of the two.
He'd like to thank his growing legion of fans for allowing him to practice being
D. M. Mitchell was born into a small mining community in Yorkshire, England. His career advisor said he had two options - go down the mines or become a policeman. Being scared of the dark and never having much meat on his bones, he declined both and in his early years bounced like a pinball from job to job - warehouses, cinema projectionist, market trader, salesman - you get the picture. He sort of made a success of himself and now lives in a money-pit of a cottage in a tiny village in the cream tea heart of the South West of England.
His first remembered attempt at pushing the boundaries of creative writing was during a school lesson at the age of nine. Titled simply 'Rain' his proud masterpiece began with 'It started to rain' then there followed eight pages of nothing but the words 'pitter-patter', concluding with 'and then it stopped'. It was handed over and duly reviewed by his brick wall of a teacher, whose eyebrows flickered up and down ominously, his cheeks flushing bright red, before declaring it total rubbish. He tore it up into ribbons, showered him with his first, and no doubt only tickertape ceremony, and gave him a meaty slap around the head (they could do that sort of thing in 1967). He made him write 'I will not write stupid things for eight pages' for eight pages. Thus he learnt a number of valuable early lessons - the meaning of irony, writing is very subjective, everyone's a critic, and no-one likes a smart-arse.
He persevered, his first novel appearing in 1986 and disappearing into the attic the same year. It's still up there. Many manuscripts later he used to save the piles of rejection slips to paper his bare walls. So the adage is, keep at it, in these times of economic depression you'll soon have the house fully redecorated. Nowadays, writing is the one thing he feels totally comfortable with, except perhaps for a cup of Horlicks on a cold winter's night when the rain goes pitter-patter against the window panes (there it is again...).
Characterisation is an important and noticeable aspect of all Mitchell's novels. It allows him to be whoever he wants to be when he gets fed up of being himself, which is quite often. So too is a sense of mystery and the exploration of the darker side to humanity. There are always strong elements of a complex puzzle to be solved in a D M Mitchell novel, many disparate parts ultimately coming together, tragedy and comedy sitting side by side. As in life, nothing is as it first seems. He takes a keen interest in history, a thread which runs through his writing, whether it's the 1960s or 1970s, as in 'Max' and 'Pressure Cooker', or the Victorian 1880s, as in 'The House of the Wicked'.
His favourite novelists include Barry Unsworth, Thomas Hardy, John Steinbeck and Graham Swift. Top two favourite historical books: Culloden, by John Prebble and The Face of Battle by John Keegan. He also collects first edition novels and takes a keen interest in anything old, tatty and in need of love and restoration. His wife says he needs to get out more.
He has three grown children and also enjoys photography, painting and walking the Blackdown Hills with his wife and an overly excitable Border Terrier - or is that an overly-excitable wife and a Border Terrier... One of the two.
He'd like to thank his growing legion of fans for allowing him to practice being
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 19, 2014
Mouse by D.M. Mitchell is a 2012 Amazon publication. This book was my June Kindle Lending Library pick.
This was one dark and twisted tale you don't want to pass up, especially if you like trying to stay one step ahead of the game. You probably won't make it in this situation, but you will have a blast trying to figure out the puzzle.
First off it's important to note that the story is set during the 1970's. Even the smallest of towns in the US and UK had a movie house or theatre. By the 1970's these building were starting to show their age and lose their glamor. If you were watching a movie alone in there is was a little creepy. There are all sorts of off beat and vile characters to try an figure out. The main character is Vince. He's not the most ambitious of men but he enjoys his job as projectionist at the Empire movie theatre. He doesn't get paid a lot or have a lot of time off but he gets a few perks, like being able to watch great movies and get a few free passes to make up for it. All is pretty calm until a new flashy manager shows up.
The add to an already gloomy atmosphere is the story of Laura. Laura has returned to the huge manor home she was raised in. She has money and will never have to work, but she chooses to live a quiet life while rumors circulate about her mental health. Vince thinks she is just wonderful though and is has an obsession with her.
Enter various other players into the mix, all of whom has his or her own agenda and you have an unforgettable tale of murder, madness, lust, greed, sin and maybe a little poetic justice, depending on how you look at things.
Who is sane, who is criminal, who is the good guy, who is an innocent bystander? Is anyone as they appear to be on the surface? This book reminded me of those old movies made in the 70's that really gave you a sense of foreboding. Very understated in some regards and over the top in others. Super edgy and suspenseful. It also has a touch of dark humor and occasionally has a satirical tone. If you like a good whodunit, a dark psychological thriller, and suspenseful page turning thrills, then you will really like this one. Thanks Kindle for once more introducing me to a new author . 4.5 stars rounded to 5.
This was one dark and twisted tale you don't want to pass up, especially if you like trying to stay one step ahead of the game. You probably won't make it in this situation, but you will have a blast trying to figure out the puzzle.
First off it's important to note that the story is set during the 1970's. Even the smallest of towns in the US and UK had a movie house or theatre. By the 1970's these building were starting to show their age and lose their glamor. If you were watching a movie alone in there is was a little creepy. There are all sorts of off beat and vile characters to try an figure out. The main character is Vince. He's not the most ambitious of men but he enjoys his job as projectionist at the Empire movie theatre. He doesn't get paid a lot or have a lot of time off but he gets a few perks, like being able to watch great movies and get a few free passes to make up for it. All is pretty calm until a new flashy manager shows up.
The add to an already gloomy atmosphere is the story of Laura. Laura has returned to the huge manor home she was raised in. She has money and will never have to work, but she chooses to live a quiet life while rumors circulate about her mental health. Vince thinks she is just wonderful though and is has an obsession with her.
Enter various other players into the mix, all of whom has his or her own agenda and you have an unforgettable tale of murder, madness, lust, greed, sin and maybe a little poetic justice, depending on how you look at things.
Who is sane, who is criminal, who is the good guy, who is an innocent bystander? Is anyone as they appear to be on the surface? This book reminded me of those old movies made in the 70's that really gave you a sense of foreboding. Very understated in some regards and over the top in others. Super edgy and suspenseful. It also has a touch of dark humor and occasionally has a satirical tone. If you like a good whodunit, a dark psychological thriller, and suspenseful page turning thrills, then you will really like this one. Thanks Kindle for once more introducing me to a new author . 4.5 stars rounded to 5.
June 22, 2014
This book is MESSED UP. I mean SERIOUSLY messed up. I had to read more of his books after I loved "Flinder's Field" so much, so I picked this one because it had a bloody mousetrap on the cover, and I hoped I'd like it even though it was set in the not-so-distant past (1976 isn't THAT long ago, but some people must have grown up thinking history was boring so they think books set in the past have to be boring too, and they write accordingly). This book wasn't boring, but like "Flinder's Field," it has a slow build. It's playing a long game, and every character we ,meet is a little off-kilter, so I kept guessing who would turn out to be the killer, and I changed my mind a million times. Even though I had the twist figured out pretty early, I still wasn't entirely sure about who was the killer until right when the secret is revealed, and I think that's one charming bonus of this book. It's messed up enough to keep me guessing even when I'm pretty sure I'm right. All told, this is a nasty little story, mean spirited and twisted (and I mean that in the best way possible) and it makes me want to binge read all the author's other books like NOW.
April 9, 2013
Deliciously dark, this book reminded me of 'Gothic-Noir', although set in the 1970's.
The protagonist is a projectionist at a Cinema and the characters are a mixture of the comedic and the downright bonkers! I really enjoyed reading this and to say much more would spoil the story for others. I'll be looking out for more titles by this author.
The protagonist is a projectionist at a Cinema and the characters are a mixture of the comedic and the downright bonkers! I really enjoyed reading this and to say much more would spoil the story for others. I'll be looking out for more titles by this author.
October 16, 2018
A spine tingling finale
Full of intrigue and mystery. Loved the characters and really visualized their beings. I got lost a little when the story jumped but after reading on the light was back on and I was on the right track again. I did not see that ending coming. I had so many notions as to who did it and I was so wrong. I honestly have to say that this goes into my top twenty reads. Book clubs this is one for you all
Full of intrigue and mystery. Loved the characters and really visualized their beings. I got lost a little when the story jumped but after reading on the light was back on and I was on the right track again. I did not see that ending coming. I had so many notions as to who did it and I was so wrong. I honestly have to say that this goes into my top twenty reads. Book clubs this is one for you all
October 13, 2017
A good read.
This took a little while to get into but when I did, I found it to be a surprisingly good murder mystery. It has plenty of twists and turns and a rather unexpected ending. An easy and enjoyable novel, similar in style to Agatha Christy style, but with more blood and gore x
This took a little while to get into but when I did, I found it to be a surprisingly good murder mystery. It has plenty of twists and turns and a rather unexpected ending. An easy and enjoyable novel, similar in style to Agatha Christy style, but with more blood and gore x
June 7, 2020
Wow! I absolutely loved this book.
The character development was played like a symphony. We learn what she did to get sent to the asylum. We learn who did it. We learn who the child is. It all fits, but we're wiped off our feet when we learn these thing.
This story was fantastic. It's one of the best stories I have ever read.
The character development was played like a symphony. We learn what she did to get sent to the asylum. We learn who did it. We learn who the child is. It all fits, but we're wiped off our feet when we learn these thing.
This story was fantastic. It's one of the best stories I have ever read.
December 9, 2018
a good twist in this
March 19, 2019
Great Read
Loved everything about it. This is just the kind of book I like. Lots of twists and turns. No detective or investigation, just all about the evil each one is doing.
Loved everything about it. This is just the kind of book I like. Lots of twists and turns. No detective or investigation, just all about the evil each one is doing.
January 15, 2020
Suspenseful
Very well written, I could hardly put the book down,and it concluded with an unpredictable ending
I recommend it without reservation
Very well written, I could hardly put the book down,and it concluded with an unpredictable ending
I recommend it without reservation
October 4, 2021
This novel, set in a small Somerset town in the 1970s, has a clever and convoluted plot which slowly builds to a denouement, however it is somewhat let down by some stereotyped characters.
December 28, 2023
I couldn’t put this book down. I loved it
December 12, 2013
This book could have done with another thorough edit, there were far too many superfluous words that just added padding and slowed the action down. I couldn't understand why the author named so many products, like Ever Ready and Pledge, it just wasn't needed and if it was there to date the story it failed. There were a handful of spelling mistakes and punctuation issues, but on the whole the errors were fewer than many other self-published novels. I hated the use of the word 'gotten' as it doesn't exist apart from in school-yard slang, the word 'got' is correct and should have been used in the instance that the author wrote 'gotten'.
This was a good idea that would have benefited from another re-draft, some of the characters were stereotypes and the second half was littered with clichés and at times I thought the use of some words stemmed from over-use of a thesaurus. On the whole the storyline was good and in honesty was engaging, apart from the final chapter which came after the first denouement only to contradict it. The final chapter was completely out of character with the rest of the book and was in my opinion tagged on for good measure with the main protagonist (Vince) acting completely out of character, he'd never have had the courage to do what he did in the final paragraphs.
I hope D.M. Mitchell continues to write, but pays more attention to the flow of the narrative and steers clear of stereotypes. There was no need to introduce characters at the start just to kill them off before the end of the chapter, they bore no relevance to the story.
I'd have very much liked it if Laura had experienced a different ending as it was too predictable, this said, I think the idea behind the story was well thought out, the plotting worked well as did the sub-plots and the character of Martin was perfectly vile.
This was a good idea that would have benefited from another re-draft, some of the characters were stereotypes and the second half was littered with clichés and at times I thought the use of some words stemmed from over-use of a thesaurus. On the whole the storyline was good and in honesty was engaging, apart from the final chapter which came after the first denouement only to contradict it. The final chapter was completely out of character with the rest of the book and was in my opinion tagged on for good measure with the main protagonist (Vince) acting completely out of character, he'd never have had the courage to do what he did in the final paragraphs.
I hope D.M. Mitchell continues to write, but pays more attention to the flow of the narrative and steers clear of stereotypes. There was no need to introduce characters at the start just to kill them off before the end of the chapter, they bore no relevance to the story.
I'd have very much liked it if Laura had experienced a different ending as it was too predictable, this said, I think the idea behind the story was well thought out, the plotting worked well as did the sub-plots and the character of Martin was perfectly vile.
August 16, 2016
This wasn't a patch on Flinder's Field for me. It seemed to be a story sort of made up of other stories I've read before so nothing particularly strange or startling.
I even made a note 35% in that I was ready to jack it in as I was a little fed up and there were a few too many mistakes throughout for my liking......and mostly stupid ones like writing him mum's as opposed to his mum's....really ?? Malboro is not spelt as Malborough and he used enflamed instead of inflamed. Then the A-Team is mentioned, bearing in mind this is 1976 and they were an 80s creation. There were missing fullstops, speechmarks and commas here 'n' there and the odd missing word like the and twice he used scarce and not scarcely. Then writing Leach and not leach and was not were. THIS line had 2 howlers as well-"Woman, it seems, are very careless-something to do with special awareness..." whereas it should read Women and spatial !!
I enjoyed the mentions of things from the mid-seventies. I smiled at Falcon hairspray as I remember my dad bought that.....once and ITT teles along with Wednesday half-day closings. There were some very funny lines here and there as well. I laughed aloud at the line-"Don't dunk, dear, it's so working-class" !! However, I was a little annoyed when one character mentions "because of what happened to me" and the person she was speaking to never asked her to elaborate, like you wouldn't !!
My favourite characters were Vince and Edith. I liked them both a lot and it was interesting reading about the projectionist stuff, which I see the author did himself in a previous incarnation. There were also a couple of jaw-hits-the-floor moments so I'm glad I stuck with it.
I even made a note 35% in that I was ready to jack it in as I was a little fed up and there were a few too many mistakes throughout for my liking......and mostly stupid ones like writing him mum's as opposed to his mum's....really ?? Malboro is not spelt as Malborough and he used enflamed instead of inflamed. Then the A-Team is mentioned, bearing in mind this is 1976 and they were an 80s creation. There were missing fullstops, speechmarks and commas here 'n' there and the odd missing word like the and twice he used scarce and not scarcely. Then writing Leach and not leach and was not were. THIS line had 2 howlers as well-"Woman, it seems, are very careless-something to do with special awareness..." whereas it should read Women and spatial !!
I enjoyed the mentions of things from the mid-seventies. I smiled at Falcon hairspray as I remember my dad bought that.....once and ITT teles along with Wednesday half-day closings. There were some very funny lines here and there as well. I laughed aloud at the line-"Don't dunk, dear, it's so working-class" !! However, I was a little annoyed when one character mentions "because of what happened to me" and the person she was speaking to never asked her to elaborate, like you wouldn't !!
My favourite characters were Vince and Edith. I liked them both a lot and it was interesting reading about the projectionist stuff, which I see the author did himself in a previous incarnation. There were also a couple of jaw-hits-the-floor moments so I'm glad I stuck with it.
November 12, 2014
Picked this up for free in a flash after reading D M Mitchell's short story The Pen Of Manderby Pincher. I was expecting more of the same but didn't really get it.
This story is set in a Somerset village Langbridge in 1976. It centres on a run down cinema in the village The Empire. Vince is the projectionist. Martin is the manager. Vince isn't the sharpest tool in the box and Martin has a very shady past. Vince falls in love with Laura who goes to the cinema on a regular basis. Unlucky for him she has fallen for Casper. As the romance blossoms between Laura and Casper, Vince discovers an alternative side to Casper, a secret side that he feels Laura should know about. And how is Casper connected to Martin? From here on in it is a series of twists and turns, murder and corruption showing no one in Langbridge should be trusted.
The story was good. It as well written and certainly gave you a great atmospheric feeling of the era the story as set in. It is full of twists nd turns that are superb in confusing you. You think the story is going one way and it goes the completely opposite direction. Then when when you think it's all done and coming to an end the twist of all twists comes to the fore.
However it left me feeling a bit flat. There as no great excitement in it. Nothing driving it forward and keeping me glued to the book and desperate to finish the story. This brings my score down I'm afraid. I have a few more of Mr Mitchell's books to read. I know they will be good stories to read but I hope they grab me a bit more.
3 stars.
This story is set in a Somerset village Langbridge in 1976. It centres on a run down cinema in the village The Empire. Vince is the projectionist. Martin is the manager. Vince isn't the sharpest tool in the box and Martin has a very shady past. Vince falls in love with Laura who goes to the cinema on a regular basis. Unlucky for him she has fallen for Casper. As the romance blossoms between Laura and Casper, Vince discovers an alternative side to Casper, a secret side that he feels Laura should know about. And how is Casper connected to Martin? From here on in it is a series of twists and turns, murder and corruption showing no one in Langbridge should be trusted.
The story was good. It as well written and certainly gave you a great atmospheric feeling of the era the story as set in. It is full of twists nd turns that are superb in confusing you. You think the story is going one way and it goes the completely opposite direction. Then when when you think it's all done and coming to an end the twist of all twists comes to the fore.
However it left me feeling a bit flat. There as no great excitement in it. Nothing driving it forward and keeping me glued to the book and desperate to finish the story. This brings my score down I'm afraid. I have a few more of Mr Mitchell's books to read. I know they will be good stories to read but I hope they grab me a bit more.
3 stars.
June 29, 2014
This was a great read from start to finish, kept me in suspense all the way through, one part I thought it was X then later on I changed my mind to think it was XX but I was totally wrong and it was someone who never entered my mind.
Lots of characters intertwining with each other through out the plot which keeps you on your toes (so to speak).
It was a well written plot which made me not want to put it down hence reading it within 2 days.
The story tells you of the early beginnings of Laura Leach’s family then goes on to lay out the rest of the characters mainly Vince who works as a projectionist at the Empire cinema who is the 2nd main character in the book.
From early you on you’re lead to believe that Laura is a nut case after spending time away in an asylum for most of her life but it isn’t until later on in the book that you find out why and start to feel sympathy for her.
Lots of characters intertwining with each other through out the plot which keeps you on your toes (so to speak).
It was a well written plot which made me not want to put it down hence reading it within 2 days.
The story tells you of the early beginnings of Laura Leach’s family then goes on to lay out the rest of the characters mainly Vince who works as a projectionist at the Empire cinema who is the 2nd main character in the book.
From early you on you’re lead to believe that Laura is a nut case after spending time away in an asylum for most of her life but it isn’t until later on in the book that you find out why and start to feel sympathy for her.
June 12, 2014
A genuine whodunit!
Another great novel by D. M. Mitchell. Entertaining through every page. Then just when everything seems so neat and tidy. . . Bam! The ending takes you by surprise. Some authors write so similar one novel from the next that storylines begin to blur, characters seemingly related to others. While Mitchell writes similar stories each storyline, each character and every event are so different from the others. They are psychological thrillers however Mitchell must have a psychological diagnosed manual at hand. Every character suffers from different neuroses, different mental and emotional issues that it keeps you guessing who is the least sane. Be sure to read all of Mitchell's works as they will keep you guessing and looking forward to turning the page.
Another great novel by D. M. Mitchell. Entertaining through every page. Then just when everything seems so neat and tidy. . . Bam! The ending takes you by surprise. Some authors write so similar one novel from the next that storylines begin to blur, characters seemingly related to others. While Mitchell writes similar stories each storyline, each character and every event are so different from the others. They are psychological thrillers however Mitchell must have a psychological diagnosed manual at hand. Every character suffers from different neuroses, different mental and emotional issues that it keeps you guessing who is the least sane. Be sure to read all of Mitchell's works as they will keep you guessing and looking forward to turning the page.
August 9, 2016
This author takes you for quite the ride through the twists in this tale. You really feel for the young woman who is the focus of the story. She has lived a harrowing adventure of a life, having been institutionalized in a mental hospital for many years. Just wait until you learn the reason why! It is a sad commentary on the times in which she lived. There is a whole laundry list of additional characters that you will meet and try to understand. I enjoyed the descriptions that abound in the book, but sometimes the language can be a bit difficult to follow with the local colloquialisms. Overall I believe it is a book worth reading.
December 1, 2014
Grreat
I am very anxious to get on with Mr Mitchell's next book! This one was a total surprise as well! His characters are captivating and very colorful! I continue to be mesmerized by the twists and turns of his plots! Not often that I find myself so engrossed with a book that I cannot put it down, but, so far this author is four for four! A comparison to other authors would truly be difficult . Someone suggested a comparison to Kontz or King, however , I must say , Mr. Mitchell stands on his own! Try just one book. I guarantee, you'll become a follower!
I am very anxious to get on with Mr Mitchell's next book! This one was a total surprise as well! His characters are captivating and very colorful! I continue to be mesmerized by the twists and turns of his plots! Not often that I find myself so engrossed with a book that I cannot put it down, but, so far this author is four for four! A comparison to other authors would truly be difficult . Someone suggested a comparison to Kontz or King, however , I must say , Mr. Mitchell stands on his own! Try just one book. I guarantee, you'll become a follower!
December 15, 2014
This book is one of those that grab you and keep you locked to its pages until the very end. Every page is suspenseful and it is impossible to figure this one out until the very end because so many people look guilty while others appear to be the innocent possible victims that makes you feel concerned for their safety. Just when you think you are about to figure it out--WHAM--a new surprise is waiting on the next page. Love it and highly recommend it to anyone who loves real psychological thrillers.
September 15, 2014
A great read
this is a well written story. Finally, a really original murder mystery, thriller, and suspense story rolled into one. The twists were believable,smoothly segued from one to the other. A most enjoyable read. A well thought out plot, interesting characters, and, wonderful grammar and verbiage with a certain lean making me want to read any and all written by this author.
this is a well written story. Finally, a really original murder mystery, thriller, and suspense story rolled into one. The twists were believable,smoothly segued from one to the other. A most enjoyable read. A well thought out plot, interesting characters, and, wonderful grammar and verbiage with a certain lean making me want to read any and all written by this author.
April 15, 2016
Another thoroughly enjoyable Gothic noir thriller by D.M. Mitchell. Nothing revolutionary or different, just pure curling up on the sofa type entertainment.
I do wish the author could have given us more insight into how poor Laura suffered through what she was put through by her father. Her back story was far too interesting to be summarily dismissed in the way it was, leaving her as a very two dimensional character. She deserved better than that.
I do wish the author could have given us more insight into how poor Laura suffered through what she was put through by her father. Her back story was far too interesting to be summarily dismissed in the way it was, leaving her as a very two dimensional character. She deserved better than that.
December 30, 2012
I have to admit to thoroughly enjoying this book, the characters were believable, and the plot line was good. It was one of those books that I was reluctant to put down, the storyline had captured my attention that much. If someone asked me to recommend a book to them I would have no hesitation about including this book in the list.
December 21, 2014
NOT A THRILLER MORE OF A DETECTIVE STORY
You have to get to chapter 13 before the book gets interesting. First 12 chapters are really boring. The rest of THE book is somewhat interesting. The ending is a real twist. The book is more of a story women might be interested in, but being male I really didn't care for it.
You have to get to chapter 13 before the book gets interesting. First 12 chapters are really boring. The rest of THE book is somewhat interesting. The ending is a real twist. The book is more of a story women might be interested in, but being male I really didn't care for it.
June 7, 2015
Interesting Story
People are so quick to judge others by their looks alone. Laura was judged and it was all a lie. I felt bad for her in the end. So many twists to this plot I was kept in wonder as to who did what to whom. The story started off slow but it soon developed into a tail of cat and mouse. This was a good read.
People are so quick to judge others by their looks alone. Laura was judged and it was all a lie. I felt bad for her in the end. So many twists to this plot I was kept in wonder as to who did what to whom. The story started off slow but it soon developed into a tail of cat and mouse. This was a good read.
May 10, 2016
Wonderful, wouldn't change one word.
Loved this book. Characters were quirky enough for my tastes, plot had endless twists ... a surprise ending, that even I,
an avid Mystery devotee, did not see coming ... Plus: humor, charm, great dialog ... Everything a wonderful book could possibly have. Loved this book! I will be seeking out more work by D.M. Mitchell, excellent book!
Loved this book. Characters were quirky enough for my tastes, plot had endless twists ... a surprise ending, that even I,
an avid Mystery devotee, did not see coming ... Plus: humor, charm, great dialog ... Everything a wonderful book could possibly have. Loved this book! I will be seeking out more work by D.M. Mitchell, excellent book!
July 8, 2013
This was a solid creepy psychological thriller, with some interesting plot twists. The characters were unusual and fairly well-developed. It bogged down a little in the middle, but I may try another of his books because of the unpredictable events. This was a free Kindle book.
January 11, 2014
Slow start, worth the time
The first chapter or two didn't grip me, but I'm so glad I stuck around. Just a few short chapters later I was dying to solve the mystery - kept me guessing until the very last page!
The first chapter or two didn't grip me, but I'm so glad I stuck around. Just a few short chapters later I was dying to solve the mystery - kept me guessing until the very last page!
January 18, 2014
Slow start but interesting
The story started off very slow but with enough patience I was happy that I kept reading. There were a lot twist and turns in this story. It kept me guessing right up until the end and I was still surprised by the ending!
The story started off very slow but with enough patience I was happy that I kept reading. There were a lot twist and turns in this story. It kept me guessing right up until the end and I was still surprised by the ending!
October 20, 2014
Wow!
This story was riveting and kept me reading until I was done, couldn't put it down. When I thought I knew who did it, I was surprised to find I was wrong. Well written, and creative.
Thank you.
This story was riveting and kept me reading until I was done, couldn't put it down. When I thought I knew who did it, I was surprised to find I was wrong. Well written, and creative.
Thank you.
May 5, 2015
Delightful!
What a wicked web we weave....! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Entertaining and easy to read, I easily fell into the rhythm of the plot which flowed easily. If you read for pleasure you will enjoy this book.
What a wicked web we weave....! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Entertaining and easy to read, I easily fell into the rhythm of the plot which flowed easily. If you read for pleasure you will enjoy this book.
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