Man of Wax

Man of Wax Trilogy #1

by Robert Swartwood

Ben Anderson goes to bed Sunday night, lying next to his wife in the comfort and safety of their Pennsylvania family home, to wake up the next day in a rundown motel in California -- alone.

He doesn't know how he got there, he doesn't know where his family is, and written in dried blood on the bathroom door are the words LET THE GAME BEGIN.

Soon Ben is contacted by Simon. Simon knows all there is to know about Ben, more than he cares to remember himself.

If Ben wants to save himself and his family, he will have to do everything Simon says.

As the game begins -- with stakes much higher than either man can imagine -- no one knows where it will lead or how it will end.

Only one thing is for certain: this time the game will change everything.

Praise for Man of Wax:
"Man of Wax grabs you by the throat in the first chapter and never lets go. A suspense-filled thrill ride with plenty of shocks along the way. Read it!"
-- F. Paul Wilson, author of the Repairman Jack novels

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

ebook

First published October 21, 2011

About the author

USA Today bestselling and ITW Thriller Award–winning author of The Serial Killer's Wife, The Killing Room, Man of Wax, and several other novels. He created the term "hint fiction" and edited Hint Fiction: An Anthology of Stories in 25 Words or Fewer.

Reviews

[DAISY READS HORROR · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!!!!! I can't wait until April of 2012 when the second book in the trilogy comes out! Very suspensful at every turn of the page! It had me on my toes, even when I thought I figured out what was going on, another surprise came into the story! This book was a cross of 2 movies: Saw and Hostel...... I loved the story-line and I liked the characters in it. Swartwood really makes the reader guess what is going to happen at the end and if Ben will ever see his wife and daughter again. I also kept wondering who the heck Simon was and how Ben got into this whole mess. Although some of my questions were answered I know I will have to read the next book to have more questions answered. I simply devoured this book. It was a fast read not only because of it having such few pages, but because it was very suspensful. If you liked trying to figure out the puzzles from the Saw movies and you liked the gore in the Hostel movies then this book is for you!!! Mr. Robert Swartwood I am a fan now!

[Doreena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is a nail biter! It will have you hooked from the beginning, and doesn't let up. I could not put it down. I had to seee what would happen next. I can't wait for the second book to come out.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you be capable of to save your family?
This start of a trilogy explores that very question.
Though this starts slow, the action is almost non-stop once it starts.
I liked the insights into the main character's thought processes throughout.
I have the other two of this trilogy on my TBR shelf.

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings on this book. I did enjoy the story but thought that taking over 60% to get to the real action and story of this book was its overall downfall. It had the potential to be far more gripping than it really was. The plot itself was brilliant but somewhat lacking in areas and the action could have been far more descriptive and graphic which would have possibly made up for all the drivel at the beginning. I'm not sure many readers want to stick out all the driving here there and everywhere before this plot thickened and got a tad exciting. It was also very predicatable in ways and I had rightly guessed who the instigator/hirer of the villains was long before it was confirmed. That said it was my first free Kindle book I ever downloaded from Amazon and is part of a trilogy so I will have to download the next one because even though this isn't in my top books ever read I still need closure to this story.

[Alisa Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine a Reality Show and a Simon Says game from hell. The goal is to survive, but the odds are not in your favor and your loved ones will die, too. Well written, fast paced and unfortunately believable. With this book Robert Swartwood is rapidly becoming one of my “go to” authors for a good read. He also keeps getting me in trouble at work. I will be reading during my lunch or break and he keeps me so enthralled I don’t want to stop. So, you might want to set aside a weekend when you can just sit down and read this. Need to keep my job so that I can buy the next book (due April 2012).

[Kaysi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to BookBub for finding me another good author to follow! I was in the mood for a thriller, but didn't have any candidates on my list. I perused the books I added to my library and decided to give this gem a try. The story starts in complete mystery as you meet the protagonist and the fact he has no idea where he is or how he got there. A classic thriller writing style is to chapter current events and a chapter of memories to help dive into back stories and further set the scene. I think Smartwood does a fantastic job of this! The writing and the story captivated me and kept me coming back for more! The ending sets the series up well for the sequel and I look forward to picking it up next.

I definitely recommend this book for a very solid mystery to psychological thriller that is written in an easy-to-read structure, but is not juvenile. A quick page turner that satisfies the thriller-lover's palette. I very much look forward to further read this series

[Anita Gardner acebo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my normal read...

I so enjoyed the Holly Lin series that I immediately downloaded the Man of Wax prequel and series. The description of the books is not something I would normally choose to read. The plot was good but I felt took a long time to develop but, near the end, I could not put the book down. What would you do to save your family? This book follows Ben and how far he will go to do that. Mr. Swartwood is an excellent writer and I am hoping he also continues on with the Holly Lin series. I will definitely be following this author and reading all of his books.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Race Charged and Intense

I had read the prequel to the Man of Wax....please do so to fully immerse yourself in this so called game that makes you an observer but be grateful you are not a player. Time is an enemy and so are people unknown. This is a fast read because you cant put it down.

[Jan Butchart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! !!!

Another excellent novel by my new favorite author. How this man comes up with his originality of storylines amazes me but he keeps them coming. The premise is horrifying, the plot just thickens and the characters get bolder and larger than life. Bravo!!! Robert, on another excellent series! 10 thumbs-up and here I eagerly go again...book 2

[Diana Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent thriller

Enjoyed fast paced book. Intriguing synopsis—instead of playing I-spy with people trapped in a house watched by internet subscribers—follow one person and blackmail them into entertaining the viewers. Definitely reading the 2nd in the series.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting from start to finish! I’m so glad I picked up this book and got out of my reading slump. Swartwood’s prose is so engaging that it was so hard to put the book down. Of course I’m gonna read the 2nd installment!! I’m so excited!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. Definitely kept me wanting to read on for most of the book.

I’d have preferred the ending be a bit different though.

Not sure it is making me want to rush to read the two other books, but it was definitely easy to read and was suspenseful.

[Keith Withers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horrifically real

An utterly devastating story of evil and one man's tragically changed life because of a vendetta of evil men determined to beat him mentally whilst forcing him to play 'Simon says' with a deranged psychopath.

[Jackie D Necaise · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not like

I would not recommend this book because of the language! I could not even get past the first few pages. Why do you think foul language has to be in a story? So I really have no idea how good the storyline was!

[Larry Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary premise

A good book. The characters are not all that detailed but this does not detract from the story.. The plot is very good, just twisty enough without seeming forced. I'll read more by this author.

[Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big let down from the prequel, Legion. 2.5

[Chantelle J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @bookbub this book was enlightening from the beginning to the cliffhanger close of book one. New reader to this series and now a fan will look forward to book two.

[Garrett Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for the storyline of the way it was printed.

I chose the poor rating because I didn't care for the storyline of the say if was written and presented.



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[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a ride and a real nail biter. Great book!

[Dwight Burgess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dark and very disturbing.

So disturbing, I skimmed most of the book and then quit. Did not want to read what happens. No more.

[valerie webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary

Once I got into the story which took a while longer than I usually like it was a proper page Turner. Glad I kept going it was well worth it. Got to read the second one now.

[Marilyn Ruttan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was good

Really enjoyed reading this book all though I was a bit disappointed that they were responsible for killing the little boy 👦

[Sandy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series.

I refreshing my memory rereading these three books to finally read the 4th. Really great suspenseful action series. Highly recommend.

[Rebecca O’Dell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conspiracies and intrigue. A great fast paced book, first of the trilogy. Well written and edge of your seat thrills.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free as a Goodreads First Read. And WOW. I had to give myself some time to mull it over, since I finished it in the wee hours of this morning. This is the kind of creepy thriller story that gets under my skin - that one day, for whatever reason (or no reason at all) someone you don't know can just decide that your life doesn't matter. Your decisions, your actions, don't belong to you anymore. There is no supernatural "big bad" that drives this plot, just the seedier side of humanity.

Everyday guy Ben Anderson spends a day with his family and goes to bed as usual, only to wake up in an unfamiliar motel across the country. Questions begin to pile up: How did Ben get here? Where is his family? WHAT DOES THIS CRYPTIC BLOODY MESSAGE WRITTEN ON THE BATHROOM DOOR MEAN? "LET THE GAME BEGIN." Soon enough, Ben embarks on a game of Simon Says that pushes him to find the limits of just what he will do for his wife and child.

There's a definite "ick factor to some of what Ben is directed to do, and even when you don't know what's in the trunk/box/briefcase/bedroom, you kind of do know and really don't want to find out for sure. This is a sick and violent game, and while there's the dangling carrot of hope there's always a sense that this cannot end well for anyone. Maybe this time, the game runners have picked up the wrong player. Excellent writing here, it never veers off into the "uncomfortable" zone of gory, despite a number of chances. There's significant action to be found, and a great twist as Ben finds that he may have been chosen for a specific reason... I likened this to a few movies with similar plot elements - The Game, Eagle Eye, and even a bit of Saw. Fans of tense psychological thrillers will likely enjoy this book.

[Renee Mihld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I had read Robert Swartwoods books Legion and The Serial Killers Wife, I knew I wouldn’t go wrong trying another.

Man of Wax is truly a thriller that kept me nervous, anxious and reading as fast as I could. Ben Anderson wakes up in a strange bed, in an unfamiliar hotel room and has no clue how he got there. Blood on the back of the bathroom door says, LET THE GAME BEGIN. Well what a sick and twisted game this is. He starts getting phone calls from Simon – yes, “Simon Says,” and Simon gives him a car, some money and a destination with the promise that he can rescue his kidnapped family if he completes these tasks in time. This is a very elaborate and evil game. The game is fueled by the dark underground internet. Ben is unaware of the cameras on him at all times, and also a camera in his glasses. People are paying Simon to be able to watch the game online. Ben’s tasks are evil, but he feels forced to make difficult choices to keep his wife and daughter alive and safe. Thankfully good comes in to fight the evil. Carver Ellison is aware of the game, the people involved and the connections they have. He attempts to rescue Ben from the game, but ends up paying a huge price. Who are the evil men behind the game? Ben has secrets from his past and present and the game exposes all of it and breaks him down. Carver and his team, and the hope of finding his wife and daughter alive are the only things that can keep Ben together and moving forward.

The book has violence, mild language and subject matter that may be offensive. Robert Swartwood has an easy to read writing style that gets you pulled in to the story and characters right away. I’m anxious to read The Inner Circle Book 2 and find out what happens next. Ben’s journey will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Andrew Griffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book starts off great and will hook you, but as you get into the book it just falls off. The writing is... well, not that great. It almost feels like the author wrote parts of it in a random order then stuck them all together. One issue I have, is that first the book is in present tense, and then half way into the book it is like the main character is telling you a story in past tense. WTF? And it does this back and forth thing throughout the book at random times. I didn't really find the main character that likable either. At first you feel for him, but later on I just didn't care. He just seems like a complete loser, which maybe was the intention, but I like characters that I can get behind and root for. And the supporting characters all seemed one dimensional. Even the main bad guy just fell flat. Also, I only have a vague understanding as to why it is called "Man of Wax". Which is a bit annoying.

So overall, not that great. The book ends on a cliff hanger too and I'm guessing the sequel will answer all the questions that were left hanging open at the end, but I just don't think I can bring myself to read it. My major issue was the writing. I just didn't think it was that good.

[Faith Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me with its original story line and, I had a hard time putting it down once I started to read it. Upfront I’ll warn you, it’s not a book for everyone but I do believe there are a lot of readers who will enjoy this story.

Here’s the premise: imagine you’re married with a child. One day you wake up but, instead of being in your own bed, you’re in a seedy hotel in another state and you have no idea how you got there. You try to call your spouse but you have no luck connecting. The action ramps up when you discover a message written in blood: LET THE GAME BEGIN.

And then you discover this game is a variation of one of our childhood favorites, “Simon Says!”

As I mentioned above, this book is not for everyone. It takes the premise behind reality television to a new dimension, a back story that includes prostitution and child pornography is ever there, and in a way, the players become “slaves” to a “master”.

But it is a new slant on an old story line and I think some readers will love it. Like I said above, once I started it I couldn’t put it down.

I hope Mr. Swartwood is able to get Hollywood interested in this story because I think it would make a great movie.

[Jerry Grahs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is currently selling for 99 cents on Amazon.

Ben Anderson wakes up in a motel room 3000 miles from home. He has been abducted, separated from his wife and daughter to become part of a 'reality' game. His director is, Simon, who sets him up with cash, a car and cell phone. Simon calls Ben to constantly tell him where to drive to and what to do once he is there. To get Ben to cooperate Simon threatens the lives of his family and to prove that he has his family close by sends an item to Ben that proves this is real.

As a page turner this book succeeds. Swartwood also does an excellent job of depicting Anderson and the details in his past that make the reader question whether he will follow Simon's lead without question or if he'll look for an opening and fight back. I disagree with those who found the set up of the story too long and uneventful. To me the first half of the book shines. It is the second half and the winding down to the end when other characters are introduced that the quality of writing and detail wavers. That said, I am intrigued enough to purchased the 2nd part of the trilogy.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huh. Not sure what to make of this book; it's not the sort of book I usually read, falling pretty squarely in the "thriller" category, with a touch of "mystery" thrown in, I guess. I did enjoy it, because the premise was good and the writing wasn't bad, but it was predictable at times and at other times, too far-fetched for me to really get behind it 100%. And that might just be because I'm out of touch with the feel of thrillers and so had a hard time suspending disbelief. Based on my own reading experience, this book struck me as a mix between The Running Man and something like The Firm (which I remember reading long ago, when it first came out).

This book is the first in a series, so don't start it expecting it to wrap up neatly at the end, because it doesn't.

All that being said, I did like it and would recommend it to anyone who likes that genre of somewhat far-fetched thrillers.

(read this because I am trying to make it through my backlog of free kindle books that I obsessively get everytime I get my pixelofink email....)