Frantic

by Mike Dellosso

Can a deranged serial killer be stopped before it’s too late? For gas station attendant Marny Toogood it’s just another day on the job when an urgent message from a young girl in the backseat of a car draws him into a daring rescue attempt. Now on the run with the girl and her brother, Marny begins to realize he must conquer his own past and surrender all to Christ. As they face kidnapping, underground cults, and other evils, can Marny trust the simple faith of a child and stand his ground against a power so twisted?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2012

About the author

Mike Dellosso is the author of numerous novels of suspense, including Kill Devil, Centralia, Darkness Follows, Darlington Woods, and Scream. Mike is a popular conference and workshop teacher and an adjunct professor of creative writing. He lives in Hanover, PA, with his wife and five daughters. Mike is also a healthcare worker and survivor of colon cancer.

Reviews

[Brian McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheesy, repetitive, and somewhat preach at times - Frantic did not disappoint, kept me turning the pages, and had me hooked from beginning to end.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally sucked into this book as I have been with all of the others this fantastic author has written.
The author has a profound imagination. The genre is Christian Suspense, but to me its Christian horror. As I had stated in my updates on this book, just because it is labeled Christian, it should not throw anyone off because of that. These are some of the best horror books Ive read. There is nothing gentle, or preachy or kind about them. They are straight up in your face, blood, cold reality with a total fear factor. Yes, I am a Christian. Yes, I absolutely love horror. Im weird like that.

In this story-line, three kids end up on the run from a maniac, who is only after one of them. An 11 year old boy with Cerebral Palsey. The boy has a gift, it is one of the most powerful gifts a human can possess. Its called Faith. Faith that God can and will do anything for any of us at anytime if its His will. What happens within the pages is an incredible story, a book you cant put down.

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves horror. Non-Christians will enjoy this authors works as well.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Proud Book Nerd:

Where do I start? I guess at the beginning, and for this book that would be the cover. LOVE it. Each element on that cover I can place in the story. It is creepy and so artful. I love it. It’s probably one of the best covers for a thriller I’ve seen in a long, long time! I would go so far as to say that it is just beautiful! It really is. And the lower portion gives me chills. Huge props to the designer. S/he did a fantastic job!

Mike Dellosso is a talented writer. He has a way with words. Some of his descriptions are just amazing, and I found myself quite impressed by how beautiful the writing is at times. He tells a story very well, and just dives on into the action from the very start. There’s no lead-in, no slow buildup. Make sure you have a block of time and some snacks nearby, because you won’t want to stop reading. Frantic is the perfect title for this book, as the pace is just that. Dellosso hits the ground running, and doesn’t stop until the end.

I love that faith in God is encouraged, but not overly so. Frantic doesn’t ever read like a sermon, getting lost in the God talk and forgetting the plot. The references to faith are frequent, but natural to the story. The Christianity isn’t forced, nor does it feel fake. It’s perfectly sprinkled throughout the novel – from the character struggling with his faith to the characters buoyed by their faith and even the character who believes he’s chosen to protect someone sent by God himself.

In all, Frantic is action-packed and keeps the reader guessing. There were some plot twists I could see coming, but plenty that I didn’t. This story very creepy, and I’m glad I didn’t read this one into the wee hours! ;-) The title is perfect, as the book itself, really, is set at a Frantic pace, keeping the reader engrossed from the beginning. If you’re a fan of Frank Peretti or Travis Thrasher, you’ll love Frantic as well.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Where do I begin? I’ve read a couple of Mike Dellosso’s books before and I was a fan with the first one I read, which was Darlington Woods. I was sufficiently freaked out and I was extremely satisfied with the Christian message that came through. Mike’s next book, Darkness Follows, again freaked me out and delivered an excellent message. So, when Frantic came along, I wanted the same type of reading experience. That was largely what I got, but on a slightly different level.

There was a certain portion of this book that really got my heart pumping, so much so, I had to put the book down for the night because the physical anxiety got to be too much for me. How many authors can write like that? Not many, and I read a lot! Now, I don’t want my experience to sound like a negative thing because it wasn’t, at all. It was awesome, actually. I didn’t have any nightmares, nor did I lose any sleep, it was just heart-pounding suspense at its best. I love any book that causes me to feel like I am really there. In this case I felt like I was the one being chased and it totally freaked me out. I say any book that can evoke an emotional AND a physical response is one that deserves some special recognition because it takes a special gift to write that way. Mike Dellosso has that gift and he uses it well.

A brief word of warning, there is violence and some disturbing imagery in Frantic, but I wasn’t troubled by it because it is important for the reader to truly experience the evil that the characters were contending with. I felt that Mike handled the violence with a tremendous level of respect and he certainly didn’t glamorize it. So, if you are looking for a book to really get your heart pounding and deliver a powerful Christian message, read Frantic. I truly enjoyed my experience with this book and it left me feeling uplifted and hopeful, not at all freaked out. It just goes to show how in life sometimes we have to go through some serious trials and fear to find our way to God and His grace. Love, love, loved this book!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book review of 2012, and I am honored to review the newest book by one of my favorite authors, Mike Dellosso. The book is titled Frantic, and though I say this about each book he writes, I think it is his best yet.

Awesome s a word that gets overused, but it is a word that describes this book perfectly. Awesome. The story revolves around a young boy of eleven years of age, William. He has a special gift that seems almost magical, yet it is one we could all have: faith. Real faith. He believes, and it happens.

This book is fast-paced. I had a hard time finding a good stopping place when I needed to put the book down. It has a lot of action, a lot of running and chasing, and a lot of people die. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I will try not to give out too much that happens in the book.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Mike's books, but I really liked his characters in this book. First off, is William. Sure, he is a fictional character in a fictional story, but he is what Jesus promised all of us. If we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Yes, it is only a story, but it made me hunger and wish for that kind of faith. Praying and really believing it would happen. Not just hoping it would happen.

Next up, Marnin, or "Marny." A young man who sees the bad in life, and feels he is basically an unlucky charm to anyone he comes into contact with. I identified a lot with him. No, I haven't had a lot of people die around me, nor had an abusive step-father, but I have tended to focus too much on the negative and hang back, afraid to step out on faith.

And then there is Esther. She is the older sibling of William, who she protects with her life.

The book has its villains also, but these three characters from the mind and pen (or maybe keyboard) of Mike Dellosso are not just characters in a Christian fiction novel. They are a lesson and example. I came away from the book feeling convicted for my lack of faith, for my ease in letting the negative things in life cloud my life and hold me back. I also came away with the desire for true faith.

There are some who look down on Christian fiction. They call it shallow. And some may be. This book, however, is not shallow. It is entertaining, gripping, and a terrific read that is hard to put down, but it has a message we all need to hear and take to heart. Actually more than one message. If we have faith - true faith, we can move mountains and more. Second, God can work anything out for the best, even when horribly evil men have nothing but bad planned for us. And lastly, no matter how negative our outlook is on life, no matter how far from God we may be, He can change anyone. At least that is what I got out of the book. :-)

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted here: http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...

My Rating




I had a feeling before I even started Frantic, that I would enjoy it - I just didn't know how much! As you can see, it's one of my favorite books now and I absolutely loved it! From the opening scene when Marny Toogood reads the note left by Esther, and then attempts to rescue her and her brother, I was drawn into the story.

Frantic had non-stop suspense and so many twists. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, something totally unexpected occurred! It definitely kept me "on-the-edge" of my seat!

Marny Toogood was probably my favorite character from Frantic. I loved seeing his character grow and I really hope there will be a sequel with him and the other main characters.

While Frantic is the first book I've read by Mike Dellosso, I now plan on reading his other books (especially Scream).

Anybody who loves suspense and/or thrillers has to read Frantic - it was great and I highly recommend it!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via FIRST for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First posted on my blog, Legacy of a Writer.

The first chapter of Frantic opens with a bang(I mean, it isn’t every day that you set off to rescue a young woman from a crazy, violent man!). From there, Mike Dellosso does not let up the suspense, tension, or stakes. I’d been introduced to Mike and his work in his previous release, Darkness Follows. That book captured my attention and I wasso excited to be able to read his next book, Frantic! What a wild adventure! Throughout the whole book, the tension continues to build up to a very climatic, and satisfying, ending.

Marny is an easy character to cheer for, as he suddenly finds himself rescuing Esther and her eleven-year-old brother William from their crazy uncle. Marny was just a normal, everyday guy who—when he rescues the girl who gave him the quickly-scrawled message HE'S GOING TO KILL ME—suddenly finds himself in the middle of something far bigger then he’d ever imagined. And stakes that are even higher. As much as Marny wants to, he doesn’t back down to the challenge.

Mike’s writing really brings the characters and surroundings to life. He reminds me of Ted Dekker in the way he tackles and includes the supernatural things into his writing. If you at all enjoy any of Dekker’s work, then Dellosso’s books are a must for your reading pile!

From start to finish, I found it very difficult to put down Frantic. Marny, Esther, and William seemed to get out of one near-death experience, only to fall into another. First they are running from a deranged kidnapper, and then from a serial killer. Danger stalks their every step! Definitely a book that will keep you up all night! :-)

I reviewed this book as an influencer in Mike Dellosso’s Darlington Society. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frantic is a fabulous read, filled with beautiful writing complemented by pulse-pounding scenes and non-stop action. I was barely into the beginning pages when I first suspected that this would be a book difficult to put down - and I was right! The scenes are painted with vivid imagery, and I found my pulse racing as I was immersed ever deeper into the story, fraught with tension and supernatural mystique.


Marny Toogood is a hero who is easy to relate to, with his difficulty believing in God and faith, his often negative outlook, his insecurities. And yet he's also one to admire, someone who doesn't just stay on the sidelines but actually acts. He perfectly exemplifies "putting faith into action", as the Bible prompts us to do. I found myself wondering more than once, "what would I do if I were in his shoes?". Esther and William Rose, the ones he is on the run with, are equally fascinating, especially William with his child-like faith in God. And the moment when I really knew Dellosso is a good writer was when I found myself feeling sympathetic for the psychotic killer...


Dellosso's pacing is chillingly perfect, and the skill with which he writes will have you devouring the pages - and wishing you weren't reading his book late at night (at least if you're anything like me!). If you are looking for a book that will hold you captive while making you examine your own faith at the same time, then look no further. Get this book. You won't be disappointed.


I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

...Jeremy....

[Abigail Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that is hard to put down.

[Sah]

Nope nope nope!!

I hated h0w the story unfolds. I haven't reached the middle of the story and yet |I want to vomit on the idioticy that the story portrays. 'You don't have any idea of what he was capable to do' really Esther after Marny witnessing the death of his friend Mr. Condon and their neighbor Mr. Tuttle you still say that? Really? Damn you b****!

And from the fact that they have returned to the land safely without Gary, they still prefer to do this alone without the cops? Really? They are that dumb? Surely there were phones at their disposal because Marny was able to search for William and Esther's father, a phone wouldn't be a problem right?

I hated this story! Sorry for those who see this as a religiously related story, for me, it's just dumb.

[Travis Nacke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the writing style of this book. It gets too far fetched for me at the end but the book was enjoyable.

[Elizabeth Dellosso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and writing style, even though my Dad wrote it, i do not feel ashamed to say I loved it

[Jena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Christian Rohrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great fast paced read

This book is a great read. Fast paced but still a book about faith and love. I couldn’t recommend it enough and enjoyed it immensely!

[Gary Bradshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fast paced and overall easy read. Probably give it 7 out of 10. Not a bad read but not my genre.

[Adam Blumer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every year for five years now, Mike Dellosso has delivered a treat for us readers of suspense. I’ve been following Mike from the beginning and have always been astounded by his pace, his exemplary work ethic, and his consistent quality. He works a full-time job and juggles family life too. I know what goes into writing these types of novels, and the task is no small feat, especially in a market that is tough to break into and draw enough sales to keep a publisher happy. God has gifted Mike in an amazing way and opened doors for him to keep producing and reaching readers. Congratulations, Mike!

Frantic is another quality addition to his ever-growing collection. With this offering, I felt that Mike ventured into some new territory by delivering a more literary flavor. He spent more time developing his characters (Marny’s sense that he’s “cursed”) and their backstories. The result made the motivations deeper and the characters the true drivers of the plot. He masterfully wove in backstory via flashbacks to give the present story even more urgency and importance.

This adventure/suspense/fantasy novel begins when gas station attendant and unlikely hero Marny Toogood finds an urgent message from a woman in a car. She says the man driving the vehicle is going to kill her. Marny does the right thing and follows the car to an old house deep in the woods. After a daring rescue, Marny, Esther (the woman), and her gifted brother, William, find themselves on the run from Gary, a driven and twisted character who will overcome any obstacle—and kill anyone standing in his way—to get William back. William has mysterious supernatural powers, and Gary considers himself the boy’s divinely appointed protector. In his eyes, Marny is the bad guy. But Marny is just an average, insecure guy who wants to do the right thing.

What follows is a cat-and-mouse trek—and Gary’s killing spree—that takes the trio to several unexpected destinations and puts them square in the middle of multiple nail-biting escapes. As in several of his other novels, Mike likes to use the innocence of children to make evil seem even darker when contrasted against the innocence and light of childhood and faith. In this case, we find a child, William, with a unique gift of faith. He can start a fire, for example, when matches don’t work. I especially liked how his supernatural gift couldn’t be manipulated whenever the characters were in trouble. God decided when the gift would be most useful. Isn’t that so much like life according to God’s leading? God always pulls through when we’re desperate for help, but we can’t manipulate Him when we want a quick fix. And William isn’t there just to pull the rabbit out of the hat at just the right time.

I know Mike likes to write without an outline, and I think that technique really shines for a novel like this one. I couldn’t predict where their journey would take them next (maybe he couldn’t either), so the twists and turns kept me on my toes. As in a few of his other novels, the body count is high, but the violence is tastefully restrained—a quality I really appreciate. And there’s no bad language or crude references in a market that seems to be getting “edgier” all the time—again, thank you, Mike. About halfway through the novel, when I thought I had the story’s direction figured out, a big plot twist about knocked me off my chair. What we think is a cat-and-mouse hunt is really so much more.

In the end this was a fun and highly suspenseful read that kept the pages turning. I’ve always enjoyed tales of good guys on the run from bad guys, so this plot resonated with me right from the opening pages. The plot was engaging with just enough thrills to create a nice pace and just enough chills to provide the right tone of creepiness without stepping into gratuitous violence and outright horror. The story touches on some nice spiritual themes as well. Some folks call Mike’s novels Christian horror. I personally think of them as creepy suspense. This is definitely one worth reading.

Special thanks to First Wild Card Tours and Realms Publishing for my review copy.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frantic is a light speed paced, exquisite journey of how faith can forever change us and the world around us. The beautifully crafted characters in this story reveal how fragile and tender our hearts really are. It doesn’t take much hurt, pain, and suffering to break, shatter, and destroy a person’s heart. The key ingredient in that deadly concoction is that we must care about the person who is hurting us or the person who gets caught in the middle of the struggle and pain. This is what we see happen to the main characters in this story – Marny, Esther, and William. While Marny experiences this firsthand, Esther and William are the ones caught in this middle of their parent’s mistakes.

This story grabs you by the throat and takes you on a high stakes journey exploring the power and the impact that faith truly has on our lives. You see the daring rescue of Esther and her younger brother William by Marny from their crazed uncle Gary. Then they miraculously survive a high speed chase with Gary only to be trapped in another hell with Esther and William’s father. The intensity of this story never lets up, and just when you think you have this story straight in your head, Mike Dellosso pushes you down the rabbit hole into Wonderland where you are falling helplessly face down a seemingly never ending hole filled with darkness and the knowledge that you are not alone.

This story reveals a deeply touching and painfully honest look at the human heart and how it can be so easily changed by the forces we allow to influence us. While we can’t choose what will try to influence us or by whom, we ultimately have the choice of how to respond to it. The question then becomes one of faith and of what matters the most to you. If pain and suffering is rained down upon you, how would you respond? Who would you run to or run away from? Would you deal with it gracefully while leaning completely on God, or will you fold in on yourself after finding that you are not strong enough to endure this trial on your own?

While we may feel like we are just aimlessly and helplessly walking around this world on our own with no one or nothing taking any notice of us that is so far from the truth. Our steps are guided by the boundless and unimaginable love and grace of our majestic Creator. He knows what we go through. He hurts when he sees us hurting and He laughs when we are happy. While we may not have physical contact with Him, if we are quiet and still in our heart, we can hear Him speaking to us through a soothing whisper or through those around us that touch our lives or through the intricate beauty and breath-taking care with which He cares for even the lowliest creatures of our world. Our part in this is to trust Him and to have faith that He will see us safely to our journey’s end.

I absolutely loved this book, and I would highly recommend it to all who seek not only a thrilling ride but also the knowledge of someone who loves you unimaginably and recklessly and who wants only the best for you. Mike Dellosso is a cunning and artful writer who will deliver massive twists and turns to keep even the most seasoned reader intrigued and engaged until the last page. You will not be disappointed in the least after reading this book. In fact, I know you will be heading over to Amazon.com to find your next Dellosso book because you will be hooked.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marnin (Marny) Toogood has had a curse on his life since he was born, according to his Grandpa. Unfortunately, Marny has believed this lie and the guilt of all the subsequent circumstances in his life. The beginning of this batch of curses started with a lazy day at the filling station, playing checkers with his boss, Mr. Condon. It was a full-serve station (remember those?), and a new car arrived with a male driver and a young girl in the back seat that he’d never seen before. Small town, Marny recognizes every car that comes through.

After Marny filled the car up, he found a dropped message that put him on the heels of salvation for Esther Rose, and subsequently, her brother, William, from their “uncle” Gary. William had a deformity, but also had a ‘special gift’ according to Gary. Thus it was his job to care for and ‘save’ William. Upon Gary’s capture of the three young people, the three worked to get away that night. Succeeding, they drove to Esther’s estranged Dad. He was no better, and captured Esther and ran.

From the moment Marny saw the car at the station, to the end of the book, is a literal frantic passage of circumstances that one is hard put to understand. A nightmare! About the time you figure the young people had escaped a horrible trap, in rushes another. This repeats itself in rapid succession in totally new ways that keeps you reading well into the night. Yes, it’s a fast read, but it’s packed with scenarios that come out of the twilight zone–thus the title of my blog, “frantic nightmares…of reality” for everyone involved.

Mike is able to satisfy both your mind and soul. The wretchedness of men, who are caught up in the occult, childhood calamities, and revenge versus the faith of William as he encourages the others to pray. The characterizations are complete, though some are uncomfortable and horrific. The dialogue fits into the wretched scenarios. Your heart is touched by the all that the young people have endured, both before and during this chain of events. Your mind is on overdrive trying to figure out who, why and how in every situation. Your adrenaline is pumped!

FRANTIC ramps up to be the best thriller by Mike to date! If you love a great thriller, this is one book you will not want to miss! Start to finish, you’re hooked. Test yourself to figure out the reasons behind the bizarre behaviors before you are done reading. Is there a solution? A reconciliation? A restoration? It’s there for the asking. Will anyone ask?

This book was provided by the author, Mike Dellosso, as part of The Darlington Society, in exchange for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was exchanged.

[Nikole Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little while ago I reviewed Mike Dellosso’s book, Darkness Follows. When I had the chance to apply to become a part of his newly formed The Darlington Society, I didn’t waste any time thinking about it and recently joined. Dellosso sent me his manuscript, “Frantic,” for an early review. I’m not sure whether to call Dellosso’s novel, Frantic, Christian Horror or Christian Supernatural, but like Darkness Follows, Frantic goes at a frantic pace.

“When I set out to write Frantic I knew I wanted a story that literally moved along at a frantic pace (pun intended). I wanted readers to keep turning pages, to feel breathless as they zoomed through the story.” says Mike Dellosso in his email to the society.

The story is about Marnin, a man born with a curse. Everyone around him dies from some awful incident and so he isolates himself as a gas station attendant run by a man almost father-like to him. Marnin’s life changes on a dime when a car drives up to get gas and he notices the strangeness of the setting. A woman sits in the backseat and looks troubled. He tries to do his job, but he keeps looking at the girl and asking the man in the drivers seat questions. The frantic pace begins as the car drives away and Marnin sees the crumpled note in it’s wake. On it, the woman had written, “He’s going to kill me.” What a way to begin the story!

Interspersed between story paces, Dellosso shares pieces of Marnin’s life. We also learn about the amazing little brother of the woman in distress. There’s darkness spreading like blood the deeper you get into the story until you reach the climax. Your breathe catches; your heart nearly bursts out of its cavity; and you are gripping the pages of the manuscript, compelled to read it to the very end no matter the lateness of the evening; or how much your husband yells from the bedroom, “It’s a work night. Come to bed.”

*Book given by Charisma House and The Darlington Society to review. As a member this in no way influences my review.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many great elements to this thriller from Mike Dellosso.

1. It's starts with a bang and never lets up.
2. Marny, the central character is easy to cheer on and you want him to escape his past and save the girl. Esther and William, the two who Marny elects to help, are two excellent characters as well.
3. The evil is really evil and in a very human depraved way. Mike is very clever using two maniacs whose purposes collide with Marny, Esther and William caught in the middle of this collision. These two maniacs are great bad guys.
4. The spiritual element is strong using the power of faith to overcome fanatical religion that abuses in its self-serving madness. William's faith for a little boy is amazing and manages to demonstrate the power of single-minded belief in Jesus in such a crazy mixed and very frightening world that he is thrown into.

There are a couple of aspects to the novel I found difficult. There are some "supernatural" scenes that I don't think quite hang together and even though I admired William's faith, I kind of felt he was a bit creepy in a "not of this world"-type of way. He was just too perfect in his faith which I think only Jesus can be. Yes, we need to aspire to the faith he actively lives but I felt at times he was too calm and in control for such a young boy with limited life experience.

Highly recommend this one. Having read most of Mike's novels, they're getting better each time.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have reviewed Frantic as a member of Mike Dellosso's Darlington Society. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story Description:

Will Marny Toogood be able to stop a deranged kidnapper and a serial killer before it’s too late? Gas station attendant Marny Toogood thinks it’s just another ordinary day on the job until an urgent message from a young girl in the backseat of a car draws him into a daring rescue attempt. Now he is on the run with Esther and William Rose from their insane uncle who thinks it is his mission from God to protect William, a boy with incredible faith that gives him supernatural powers. They flee to Esther and William’s estranged father, Harold Rose, only to find him also out for murder. Later their nightmare gets worse when Harold kidnaps Esther and takes her to an underground lair where he is part of a grisly occult group who is stealing the blood of their victims and infusing themselves with it. In the end, William’s gift saves them all. Have you ever had one of those nightmares where you’re being chased by something and no matter what you do or how fast you run, you just can’t seem to get away, can’t seem to put distance between you and them? That’s the feeling this story evokes.

My Review:

I was totally enraptured with this story when I began its first pages. I was turning the pages rapidly, trying to read faster and faster it was so captivating. Suddenly, the story began to downslide into a silly, unbelievable fantasy world that just ruined the entire book for me. I did finish it only because I’d already invested my time and didn’t have anything else left to read so I pushed on. What really annoyed me was that the beginning was so good and this could have been an absolutely exciting novel had the author re-thought the path he was going down and sticking to more of a realistic type theme.

If I had the chance to choose this book all over again, I’d leave it on the shelf.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frantic – Edge of Your Seat Read!

Marny Toogood’s life is about to change. Marny works as a gas station attendant at the Gas ‘n Go.

It was on a hot Saturday morning in Maine when a faded blue 1990’s Ford Taurus pulled up to the pumps for gas. The driver neither smiled nor looked at Marny when he said, “Fill it up. Regular.” Marny noticed a woman in the backseat who appeared to be in her early twenties. He watched the woman as he pumped the gas. When their eyes met he noticed that sadness and doom shone in them. After the car drove away Marny noticed a crumpled piece of paper on the ground where the Taurus had been parked. He picked it up and smoothed it out. Written in all capital letters was a message: HE’S GOING TO KILL ME.

Frantic is a book that once you begin reading it you literally can’t put it down. It draws you in for the need to know what happens next. This book will fill you with terror for the good characters. You are on edge as each scene of horror unfolds and relief when each scene of horror for the time being is over. The problem is this goes on through out the entire book. Evil is real and it is out to get Marny and anyone else that he is involved with.

The author’s characters are real to the reader and the majority of the characters in this book are plain evil to their very core. Will good win out over evil? Will Marny have the faith, hope, and trust that he so desperately needs? Will he let go and let God?

This is the first book that I have read by this author. It won’t be the last. I have the book Scream and I am looking forward to reading it. Coming out in October 2012 is “A Thousand Sleepless Nights.” That book is going on my TBR list!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Frantic” a portal to another world

“HE’S GOING TO KILL ME” was hastily written on a crumpled piece of paper and dropped out of a car window. From the second Marny Toogood looked into Esther’s haunting eyes, their paths were intertwined. Was it destiny or happenstance?

The path of courage is as varied and wide as it is deep and long. Some people are born with the courage to be the people God created them to be. For others, it takes a miracle and a prayer. Such is the case with Marny who has been told all of his life that he is living under a curse. As Marny frantically tries to save Esther and her brother, William, he comes face to face with fear and death and confronts them in ways he never dreamed possible.

Grab a soda, make some popcorn, sit down in your recliner and be prepared to read frantically from the first sentence to the last with barely enough air in your lungs to breathe. Once again Mike Dellosso proves he is the master of his own genre. “Frantic,” due to be released in February 2012, is by far his best yet. If it ever rains axheads and hammer handles, don’t call the other guy—go straight to the Source because God is the only One who can bring hope and joy into a world filled with violence and death.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Realms, a division of Charisma House Book Group, and as a member of The Darlington Society. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

"[He] then understood that trust required selfless surrender; faith was about doing God's will, not his own." (p. 258)

A man seeks to protect a boy at any cost – taking life violently and randomly when he perceives that the protection he offers is jeopardized. Another man seeks vengeance for a personal betrayal in the dark persona of a maniacal serial killer. Yet another seeks to outrun what he perceives to be a lifelong curse upon his every relationship. In the midst of all of the darkness and depravity there is a child who exercises a faith that seems almost mystical. The truth of that faith is revealed through a series of fiery trials that causes the main characters to face their own mortality time and time again. When one man submits his will in total surrender to the One who has the entire situation in His hands – that’s when things begin to change!

Mike Delloso has written a powerful thriller that will keep the reader glued to the pages! The characters – even the bad guys – are so well-developed that their struggles are very real and personal. The reader is never certain who will survive the tale, and there are so many twists and turns in the plot that you feel almost dizzy trying to read fast enough to find out what happens next!

Delloso has touched the deepest recesses of the human soul in this story, and everyone who reads it will have to step away and examine their own faith in the midst of whatever trial they face. He stays true to his passion for a well-told story and his faith that places every written word on the page. God has honored his obedience with a great thriller tale, and Frantic will reach into your heart and mind in a fresh new way

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

No curse can withstand the power of true faith



Prepare for a white-knuckle ride as the forces of good and evil battle each other and the winner is anyone's guess!



Frantic is one man's story of redemption through courage and sacrifice.



Marny Toogood is plagued by a curse. He can never get too close to anyone without bad things happening. But Marny's self imposed exile is shattered when a young woman's life is on the line and he's the only hope she has.



Will he help her escape the grip of a madman who'll stop at nothing to get what he wants, or will he keep his distance? After all, nothing good has ever come from Marny Toogood's life.



The die is cast when Marny decides to help, and things will never be the same as he risks everything to save a life that he believes his curse will only ruin in the end.



So begins a wild ride into Frantic, where evil takes what it wants and the only hope to stop it is the power of faith through love.



"Frantic has more twists than a cherry Twizzler! It grabbed me with the first sentence and wouldn't let me go until I devoured the final syllables from the last page. It's that good!"



Five stars for Mike Dellosso's Frantic. You gotta read it!

[Melinda Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frantic is filled with heart-pounding action from the first page through the last. Marny Toogood was a man plagued by death and tragedy from birth, and the ‘curse’ shaped his entire life. He feared for anyone he came across, sure their close proximity to him would end badly for them. But a crumpled note thrown out of a car window and the pleading blue eyes of Esther drew him to her, curse or not.

‘Frantic’ draws the reader into non-stop, on the edge of your seat action from the moment the story begins until the last page. Marny tries his hardest to keep Esther and her young brother, William, safe from the madman who kept them prisoner, but they barely manage to stay a step ahead in an endless pursuit with nowhere safe to go.

‘Frantic’ not only delivers on the action, it’s also filled with the deep truth that nothing is more powerful than faith in almighty God. With a beautifully blended story of heartache, fear, faith, and grace, Mike Dellosso once again pulls the heartstrings, intrigues the mind, and takes the reader on a thrill ride that is sure to entertain and enlighten.

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read everyone of Mike Dellosso's books and never read a word I didn't like. He is a superb author and one thing I love about him is that he is not afraid to boldly take a stand for Christ in his books.
Frantic is aptly named. The reader is swept away almost from the opening of the book onto a roller coaster ride that refuses to stop!
Marny Toogood has been told all his life that he's cursed and he believes that. Everything bad that happens around him, everyone that dies, Marny believes it's the result of the curse. Then one day a car pulls into the gas station where he works. As the car pulls away, the woman in the back seat holds up a sign reading: "He's going to kill me." Marny's life will never be the same when he decides to step out of his comfort zone and try to help this unknown woman.
The characters are real and every place vividly described. I felt as if I was there, part of the action.
There is redemption, forgiveness and faith in this book. Mike Dellosso has written another winner!

[Daphne Self · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love thrillers. I love horror. I like the heart thumping reaction to reading the battle between good and evil.

This is an in-your-face type of story. Think Stephen King and Rose Red, think Dean Koontz and his supernatural stories, or how about House on Haunted Hill?
Those don't compare to the darkness that this book forces the reader to face.
One twist after another kept the pages turning. One breath stealing scene to another kept me glued to the words unfolding before me.

This isn't your run of the mill Christian fiction or Christian thriller. It is straight up horror for the adrenaline junkies. And like most all horror stories, good overcomes evil; evil never prevails; and in this story, God is in control of it all.

This is just one of many books by Mike Dellosso that proves to me that he is beyond a doubt a master storyteller. If I want a book that wears me out, forces me to keep the lights on, and causes me to triple check my locks, then he is my go-to guy.

[Rick Bavera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike Dellosso has written a winner. His talents as a writer (this is his fifth book) and as a professor are showcased very well in this book.

The story is one of mystery, thrills and faith all rolled into one. The "hero" of the tale, Marny Toogood, has a history of an unhappy childhood, as do the sister and brother he ends up helping: Esther and William Rose.

Along the way to helping them, there are chases through the deep Maine woods, tunnels, car chases, murders (current and past), and a mysterious cult-like group.

The writing style and story had me sitting on the edge of my seat, not wanting to put the book down until I had it finished.

The Christian message in the books is well done, and does not beat you over the head with the message. And since the writing is so well done, it helps to get that message across with grace and subtlety.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frantic is Fantastic!

All the clichés fit this one; page-turner, edge-of-your-seat suspense, action/adventure thriller. But the real gem of this book is relationships. Yes, the characters and their relationships are endearing and believable. But you don’t just read this story, you live it. I couldn’t and didn’t put this book down. This is Mr. Dellosso’s best work yet.

Marny is a simple guy with a simple life until the beauty of a sad, mysterious girl draws him into an adventure that will change his life, and yours, forever. Mike Dellosso’s masterfully crafted story touches all the emotions. And it shows the true power of faith. If you’ve ever doubted that even the most hopeless situation can end well, you need to read this book.