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Night Terrors
How do you hide from a psychic serial killer?
Tara Simmons has always had psychic abilities as long as she can remember. And she's suffered from night terrors where a shadowy man pursues her. The Shadow Man found her once before when she was sixteen years old and slaughtered her parents. And now, nine years later, he's found her again.
The Shadow Man is killing people as he works his way closer to Tara. She can see the murders through his eyes, the clues left behind, and he wants it that way. He takes things from each victim: blood, skin, and other items he needs for his bizarre ritual. But it's all leading up to the most important and central piece of the ritual - Tara.
Tara wants to run. She wants to hide - it's what she's always done. But she makes a decision to fight back, to stop the Shadow Man before he kills again.
Tara Simmons has always had psychic abilities as long as she can remember. And she's suffered from night terrors where a shadowy man pursues her. The Shadow Man found her once before when she was sixteen years old and slaughtered her parents. And now, nine years later, he's found her again.
The Shadow Man is killing people as he works his way closer to Tara. She can see the murders through his eyes, the clues left behind, and he wants it that way. He takes things from each victim: blood, skin, and other items he needs for his bizarre ritual. But it's all leading up to the most important and central piece of the ritual - Tara.
Tara wants to run. She wants to hide - it's what she's always done. But she makes a decision to fight back, to stop the Shadow Man before he kills again.
- GenresHorrorMystery Thriller
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2014
112 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 18, 2025
This was a pretty good psychological thriller. I have to admit that I figured out who the killer was rather early, so that did take away from some of the remaining story. The author dropped one too many breadcrumbs. But there were some decent twists and pivots that kept my interest. Tara is a pretty versatile character who more than handily carried the story. I’m not sure if she could carry sequels, which was strongly insinuated at the end, but this book was fine. My biggest critique was the ultimate demise of the antagonist. It just felt weak, especially after spending 260 pages building up his strength and abilities. Almost like how Bane died at the end of The Dark Knight Rises. Beyond that, the romance between Tara and Woods felt a bit forced and unnecessary. But don’t let either of those things detract from a strong showing by a very talented writer in Mark Lukens.
October 29, 2020
Such a beautiful twisted mind
This author just blows me away. I love his books. His villains are pure evil. Real evil. And their crimes are gory and very very bad. This is not for the faint of heart. I loved Tara in this book. She has psychic ability and night terrors so extreme that she sees other crimes and draws pictures of them. There is a twisted killer out there who is linked to Tara and he haunts her every night really. He is coming for her and gathering his vile trophies to sacrifice Tara. There are 2 new men in Tara's life but who can she trust. Great story and I hope he writes a sequel. Love this author.
This author just blows me away. I love his books. His villains are pure evil. Real evil. And their crimes are gory and very very bad. This is not for the faint of heart. I loved Tara in this book. She has psychic ability and night terrors so extreme that she sees other crimes and draws pictures of them. There is a twisted killer out there who is linked to Tara and he haunts her every night really. He is coming for her and gathering his vile trophies to sacrifice Tara. There are 2 new men in Tara's life but who can she trust. Great story and I hope he writes a sequel. Love this author.
July 27, 2017
2.5 stars.
NIGHT TERRORS, by Mark Lukens is a novel that I felt started out strongly. We have our main character, Tara, who survived the murder of her parents because of a Night Terror that left her sleepwalking that evening. She's always had psychic abilities, and apparently they are tuned into the killer's agenda.
"The Shadow Man I've seen in my dreams . . . "
Years later, she "feels" that he is honing in on her again... ". . . if the Shadow Man ever found her again. . . finally came to finish the job and kill her. . . "
The premise was interesting enough for the first 40% or so. At that point, I had pretty much figured out who the killer was, and sadly, the rest of the book just felt like "filler" up to the inevitable conclusion. I've read another book by this author, and felt that his characterization was much stronger there. In this one, I barely got a "feel" for the main character, and honestly couldn't care less about the majority of secondary characters. Even the background given wasn't enough for me to see them as "real" people, and that--combined with my early deductions--had me losing interest in the book all too early. I did finish, but wasn't surprised by anything in the end.
Overall, I do feel that the author has a good writing style, but this particular book just wasn't for me. The first novel of Lukens that I read, THE EXORCIST'S APPRENTICE, had much better characterization and a more "unique" plot line. I would recommend that one to those starting on the author's work.
NIGHT TERRORS, by Mark Lukens is a novel that I felt started out strongly. We have our main character, Tara, who survived the murder of her parents because of a Night Terror that left her sleepwalking that evening. She's always had psychic abilities, and apparently they are tuned into the killer's agenda.
"The Shadow Man I've seen in my dreams . . . "
Years later, she "feels" that he is honing in on her again... ". . . if the Shadow Man ever found her again. . . finally came to finish the job and kill her. . . "
The premise was interesting enough for the first 40% or so. At that point, I had pretty much figured out who the killer was, and sadly, the rest of the book just felt like "filler" up to the inevitable conclusion. I've read another book by this author, and felt that his characterization was much stronger there. In this one, I barely got a "feel" for the main character, and honestly couldn't care less about the majority of secondary characters. Even the background given wasn't enough for me to see them as "real" people, and that--combined with my early deductions--had me losing interest in the book all too early. I did finish, but wasn't surprised by anything in the end.
Overall, I do feel that the author has a good writing style, but this particular book just wasn't for me. The first novel of Lukens that I read, THE EXORCIST'S APPRENTICE, had much better characterization and a more "unique" plot line. I would recommend that one to those starting on the author's work.
June 20, 2016
I'm going have to agree with a few of the other reviews I have come across & I too hope we see more of Tara in future books. There was not a dull or slow moment in this book. I have read other books by Mark Lukens & will most definitely read more of them.
May 25, 2016
Night Terror by Mark Lukens, was a spine tingling book because a psycho killer who can hear the main character (Tara Simmons) thoughts picks her to know his victims through her dreams including her parents. Tara's life has the total element of fear, she's constantly on edge thinking she's the killers next victim. The last element was containment, Tara had to make sure she would never come face to face with the killer, hiding weapons around her home she was prepared to make sure if she ever did she could prevent her death.
October 29, 2019
Astounding!
Tara has suffered from night terrors her whole life. Her parents took her to a child psychologist who could do nothing for her. When her parents were murdered, her Aunt Katie took her in and they constantly moved. That was Katie's way of protecting Tara.
Now Tara is an adult still suffering from night terrors. She's made a good friend Lorie. She's told Lorie all about her night terrors and Lorie has stuck right by her side, never once judging her.
When the Shadow Man keeps appearing in her dreams Tara knows that he's coming for her!
This book is full of twists and turns that will keep you up all night long turning the pages, and going deeper and deeper into the author Mark Lukens scary imagination! This is a must read!!!
Tara has suffered from night terrors her whole life. Her parents took her to a child psychologist who could do nothing for her. When her parents were murdered, her Aunt Katie took her in and they constantly moved. That was Katie's way of protecting Tara.
Now Tara is an adult still suffering from night terrors. She's made a good friend Lorie. She's told Lorie all about her night terrors and Lorie has stuck right by her side, never once judging her.
When the Shadow Man keeps appearing in her dreams Tara knows that he's coming for her!
This book is full of twists and turns that will keep you up all night long turning the pages, and going deeper and deeper into the author Mark Lukens scary imagination! This is a must read!!!
November 7, 2022
Excellent Thriller
Mark Lukens is a new author to me. I've read several of his books. They have all been really good. This book was a thriller. I really got into it. I'm glad I'm not alone or I would only be able to read due the daytime. If you like to be scared, intrigued and solve puzzles, read this book. Happy Reading!!
Mark Lukens is a new author to me. I've read several of his books. They have all been really good. This book was a thriller. I really got into it. I'm glad I'm not alone or I would only be able to read due the daytime. If you like to be scared, intrigued and solve puzzles, read this book. Happy Reading!!
July 23, 2017
Awesome book
This story was awesome! I read the whole book in one day. It has great character's, that i rooted for. It also had suspense and it kept me on my toes. I loved it, im now going to go read all of his books.
This story was awesome! I read the whole book in one day. It has great character's, that i rooted for. It also had suspense and it kept me on my toes. I loved it, im now going to go read all of his books.
June 21, 2020
Everything from this author is good
This book/story finished more quickly than I would have liked but this author always keeps me turning the page and looking forward to reading his stories once I start. This guy is completely under rated and extremely entertaining.
This book/story finished more quickly than I would have liked but this author always keeps me turning the page and looking forward to reading his stories once I start. This guy is completely under rated and extremely entertaining.
January 9, 2018
MUST READ
I really enjoyed this book and had no idea who the villain was. The ending seems like there could be a sequel to this book, I sure hope so.
I really enjoyed this book and had no idea who the villain was. The ending seems like there could be a sequel to this book, I sure hope so.
July 14, 2022
amazing read
If you love thrillers, mysteries or horror this is the book and the author for you! I couldn’t put the book down; there are no boring parts that make you lose interest. It keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat.
If you love thrillers, mysteries or horror this is the book and the author for you! I couldn’t put the book down; there are no boring parts that make you lose interest. It keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat.
February 14, 2017
Mark Lukens does it again!
This is the fifth consecutive book by Mark Likens that I've read! This is another work of art from one of my new favorite authors. Great characters, plot twists, and storyline makes this one a "can't put it down" read for suspense/thriller fans.
This is the fifth consecutive book by Mark Likens that I've read! This is another work of art from one of my new favorite authors. Great characters, plot twists, and storyline makes this one a "can't put it down" read for suspense/thriller fans.
May 30, 2015
Well that was pretty damn good, more like a thriller than a horror novel in a bunch of ways which is outside what I normally read, but I'm definitely considering moving more in that direction if there are others with this level of excitement to keep me turning the pages. Definitely recommend, and yes I am going back to Lukens again. I'd previously read a collection of his short stories and if anything this managed to keep my interest even more than those.
February 13, 2016
Kept my interest
What I most liked about this book was that there were no parts of the story that dragged. It kept my interest from start to finish. I had read a book of short stories by Mr. Lumens so decided to give his novel a go. Glad I did! I will be reading more from him I hope.
What I most liked about this book was that there were no parts of the story that dragged. It kept my interest from start to finish. I had read a book of short stories by Mr. Lumens so decided to give his novel a go. Glad I did! I will be reading more from him I hope.
June 9, 2015
I never read thrillers, but because it was from Mark Lukens I thought I'll give it a try.
I liked all his other books, and this one was also fantastic !!
I would not read this book at night ... in the dark ... and alone in the house ...
I liked all his other books, and this one was also fantastic !!
I would not read this book at night ... in the dark ... and alone in the house ...
July 14, 2015
I loved Night Terrors
I don't review every book I read but this book is worth reading. I was engaged through the whole thrilling ride. Characters well written, great editing, great story. I hope to read more of Tara. I was addicted to the end. Wish it were longer.
I don't review every book I read but this book is worth reading. I was engaged through the whole thrilling ride. Characters well written, great editing, great story. I hope to read more of Tara. I was addicted to the end. Wish it were longer.
May 29, 2015
Really loved this!
One of the better suspense/ thriller books I've read lately. Great characters & storyline. I'm hoping for future books with the same characters!
One of the better suspense/ thriller books I've read lately. Great characters & storyline. I'm hoping for future books with the same characters!
September 15, 2015
Decent plot. Good guys win. Nothing earthshaking but a few twists kept the pages turning.
April 20, 2017
Good one!
Another good book by Mark Lukens! He has become one of my favorite horror writers. Always an exciting read from him!
Another good book by Mark Lukens! He has become one of my favorite horror writers. Always an exciting read from him!
April 29, 2017
Wow
I really enjoyed this book it was so good and keeps you reading to find out more I really think you will really enjoy it too
I really enjoyed this book it was so good and keeps you reading to find out more I really think you will really enjoy it too
Read
September 24, 2017Review to come.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews