Murmur

by Patrick Freivald

Violinist Davis MacArthur bound the demon Murmur to himself to keep it from escaping into the world.

Despite being plagued by hellish visions, he's beaten back mental illness and alcoholism to become a world-renowned virtuoso, until an encounter with an alluring stranger plunges him into a twisted, sexual game of cat-and-mouse filled with madness and murder.

Desperate to save his soul, he risks damnation to protect the people he loves.

Audible Audio

Published July 29, 2021

About the author

Please visit me on my website, http://patrick.freivald.com

Reviews

[Thomas Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Davis MacArthur is a world-renowned violinist who seems to have it all; talent, good looks, wealth, a stunning girlfriend, Alisha. But his past is tainted by a battle with depression and psychological problems which led his overbearing mother to have him committed and have herself named as his legal proxy, meaning she controlled his access to the family fortune and could pry into his psychological care. What his mother, girlfriend and everyone else fails to realise is that Davis’s affliction is seeing the world as it truly is, inhabited by all manner of demons. And Davis has his very own, called Murmur, trapped in his medication bottle and bound to him. Thus begins a steamy and bloody trip through Davis’s nightmarish reality as he unwittingly attracts the attention of the sensual and mysterious Chantal, whose demon, unlike Murmur, is tremendously huge. Despite Murmur’s diminutive size, Chantal still covets his power, and torments Davis throughout the book in a desperate attempt to steal him. The wealthy violinist’s world is turned upside down when people connected to him begin dying in horrifically gruesome and violent ways, and soon the eyes of the NYPD are upon him. Unable to confide in anyone about the true nature of the crimes without sounding crazy, he is forced to take desperate measures to fend off the attention of both Chantal and the police. But what will it do to his own mental state?

With Davis MacArthur, Freivald has created an extremely flawed protagonist. Even before he summoned Murmur, he fought with the demon of alcoholism. The introduction of a literal demon, and Davis’s unhealthy attachment to it, serves as a good analogy for his penchant for addiction. His struggles aren’t helped by the playboy lifestyle he has adopted, or his girlfriend’s drug habit. Freivald pays great attention to detail while showing us how the other half live, painting a lavish picture which he juxtaposes perfectly with the graphic gore of Davis’s horrific visions. Eroticism and horror do not often easy bedfellows make, but Freivald accepts the role of matchmaker here with ease and skill.

The story moves along at a steady pace, never lingering too long on exposition, always flowing nicely between scenes. The depth of Davis is explored while he is tortured by the actions of the sinister Chantal, and the visions he is forced to witness. But his unwavering love for his girlfriend offers him a lifeline while he unravels and spirals out of control. And the scenes between the two lovers show the bond they have, and offer respite from the often-stomach-churning scenes of extreme horror (apart from one memorable scene that manages to combine the two; not something easily done, yet Freivald handles it very well).

It is clear to see that Patrick Freivald has developed a strong sense of his own literary style. Maintaining a dark and gritty atmosphere for a whole book while managing to develop a romance between two strong characters and allowing it to flourish is no mean feat. And he doesn’t pull his punches when it comes to describing the body horror. Every organ, every sinew is laid out for the reader to see in glorious ultra-high definition. Throw in a strong supporting cast and it makes for one sexy, intriguing, and bloody tale.

[Brice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like that amazing cover, Patrick Freivald's MURMUR is a beautifully-written novel with unbelievably dark passges.
The tale focuses on a young, famous violinist living in New York City. The issue? He has a small demon he keeps in a pill bottle. The demon, from which the book takes its title, has been bound to the bottle by the musician. Add to that the fact the world is filled with demons and imps which hide just behind the veil so only some humans can see them and you've got a tale of seduction, murder, lust, sex and music. All packaged up for readers to keep second guessing what's happeing, whether the demon woman trying to seduce our hero is really as bad as we thing and... well.... too much said will ruin the story.
Freivald writes with a beauty and finesse few authors could pull off. His vocabulary is impressive, his details are spot-on and his characters are not only believable but, for the most part, likable.
MURMUR's gorgeous on all fronts and a lover of horror and mystery would do well to spend time in its pages.

[Solomon Forse · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Murmur, Patrick Freivald offers a refreshingly original horror story with its mashup of Greek tragedy, demonology, and eroticism while following the downfall of David MacArthur—a violinist rockstar whose life is pulled in multiple directions, whether by his exhausting music career, overbearing mother, unstable relationship, or the dangerous demon who's taken a personal interest in the only piece of his life that remains. While the number of sexual encounters might be a bit excessive for the average horror fan, they hardly take away from Freivald's masterful prose. Every scene churns with sulfuric imagery and hellish details that complement a compelling and convincing depiction of New York City: not only the urban landscape but the complex human beings who walk its streets—and the demons who tempt them at every turn.

[Zombie Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Freivald can turn a phrase, the writing in Murmur is as complex and linguistically skilled as one would expect from a Stoker award winning author. Unfortunately, the tale here is an incel fantasy of a very important, successful, reclusive and misunderstood man. His career as a concert violinist has somehow made him a celebrity. Beautiful women throw themselves at him, even as he derides them and anyone else who falls short of his high ideals. He secretly sneers at common music fans who compliment him on the street. The twist is that he has also become the object of a demon's interest, who now follows him around; alternatively doing his bidding and committing heinous acts against him, while it attempts to entrap him. It all comes back to the theme of him being very important and sought after. The tale itself is annoying and predictable, with its only saving factor being that the words themselves are strung together well.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Review copy received from publisher for review consideration)

Having read Freivald’s work for years, I consider Murmur one of my favorites of the works he has produced. Highly recommended.

[Marianne Halbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is beautifully written. Full of demons, lust and steamy encounters, hellish scenescapes, love and sin. The protagonist, Davis, was complex, flawed, talented, and tormented. I highly recommend this book.

[Craig Caustic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark, depressing, and horny descent into madness as told by the most unreliable narrator ever. As much as I didn't want to stop reading it, neither did I want it to end.

[J. T. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one has been an emotional, disturbing, ride filled with twists and turns. And I was second guessing myself during the entire book.... truly wondering if the main character was mentally disturbed or not. It grabs you from the first page to the last with its unapologetic and graphic display of sex, horror and a quest of redemption while trying to save his true love.