Anonymous

by Christine Benedict

Debra Hamilton confronts the fear of inheriting mental illness when her husband moves her into a hundred-year-old farmhouse on fifty-three acres of blacklisted real estate property. Floorboards creak when she's alone. Objects appear and disappear. Neighbors insinuate the house is haunted but memories of her mother's schizophrenia make her wonder. Julie, a neighbor who befriends Debra, faces her own fears when a stalker starts sending perverted anonymous letters that cause a rift in Julie's unstable marriage. Their plots merge as their friendship grows to create a rich and satisfying story. "Intelligence, as well as emotion, drives this novel. A taut thriller rich with lurid details yet also an evocation of vividly real and compelling characters." --Mark Spencer, author of A Haunted Love Story, The Weary Motel, The Masked Demon, and Trespassers.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 9, 2013

About the author

Christine studied creative writing at Cleveland State University and Baldwin Wallace College, and has worked with NYT Bestselling Authors Caroline Leavitt and Karen Joy Fowler, and Tom Jenks of Narrative Magazine. Her stories and essays have been published in The Saturday Evening Post, Better After 50 Magazine, The Cleveland Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine, and The Vindicator.

Her short stories have been finalists for Perigee Publication for the Arts and The Fish Short Story Prize, and a Glimmer Tain Press honorable mention.

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A twisted tale of a house, a stalker, a murder in the past, a present day murder and two women, each battling their own demons, both real and imaginary. They say Debra’s recently purchased old house is haunted, but are those noises ghosts, rodents or something far worse? Is Debra going to succumb to the mental illness that has plagued her mother?

Julie is Debra’s neighbor and she has her own ghosts who have haunted her emotionally for years. When she becomes the target of a stalker with a twisted sense of romantic entreaties, her abusive husband may take justice into his own hands.

The past and the present come together in a tale that is sure to keep you up late reading, and possibly listening for those sounds that go bump in the night. Anonymous by Christine Benedict is the perfect twisted psychological suspense thriller filled with moments that will both cause your heart to race and your skin to crawl. Is there a ghost in Debra’s house? Who is the stalker who wants Julie? What connection is there to the tale that a man died in Debra’s house and still haunts the place and a unique necklace buried long ago? Can the living even be trusted?

Do you like that feeling that everything is out of control, even as life goes on? Do you love watching the author bring it all together in a dramatic climax, leaving your head spinning? Do you mind sleeping with the lights on for a few nights until you can untangle your nerves? Christine Benedict knows how to make a house come to life, fear to feel real and desperation to ooze through the very pores of her characters! An excellent read, perfect for reading on a dark and stormy night.

I received this copy from Christine Benedict in exchange for my honest review.

Publisher: Loconeal Select; 2 edition (June 25, 2014)
Publication Date: June 25, 2014
Genre: Adult Thriller | Suspense
Print Length: 304 pages
Available from: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

["Avonna]

DNF. I do not rate or review books I do not finish.

This book has won several awards, but on two attempts I just could not get into the story or the characters. Others feel differently and you may, too.

[Sue Len · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've read this year. Christine Benedict kept me on the edge of my chair till the very end. Vivid writing. Twists and turns. An excellent mystery thriller with an unpredictable ending. I highly recommend.

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had to sum up in one sentence my thoughts on this book: This book scared me to death!



I love thrillers, especially set in rural settings. There’s something frightening about an old farmhouse and someone trying to kill you; there’s nowhere to run and no one to hear your screams.



Debra and her husband, Greg, have just moved into a broken-down farmhouse. Everything is in need of repair and it’s rumored to be haunted. Greg doesn’t seem to care but Debra is paralyzed with fear. Debra’s afraid she’s inherited her mother’s schizophrenia. Tormented by childhood memories that won’t leave her alone, Debra looks to Greg for support.



After they’ve settled in, Debra becomes friends with her nearest neighbor, Julie. Julie is a seasoned farmwife and helps Debra settle in to being on a farm and so forth. Even though Julie is much older than young Debra, their views on life, husbands and family are similar.



One day, Julie shares a letter she’s received from an anonymous admirer with Debra. Julie’s uncomfortable and Debra understands how she feels. But when the letters keep coming, Julie’s husband (Kyle) vows to kill the stalker. All is not as it seems and soon everyone involved will be forced to deal with the consequences of the Anonymous letters.



This thriller is one of the scariest I’ve ever read. Filled with complex and well-developed characters, Anonymous will keep you guessing until the very end. Christine Benedict is a master of building suspense with nuances of the mentally unstable. She grabs ahold of the reader like literary best-sellers James Patterson and Harlan Coben and keeps you guessing until the very end.



For me, what made this one of the very best thrillers I’ve read are the characters and the scenery. She manages to evoke emotional attachment for each of the characters. This is a great feat because several of the characters I despised. But by the time the story ends, you see the characters for who they are and how their environment shaped them. Christine also describes in clear depiction how desolate and lonely it can be on a farm.



It’s no surprise to me that this book has won a lot of awards. If I had an award to give for the very best thriller that scared me senseless (had to read in the daytime with music playing), I would give it to Anonymous. Yes, it’s that good!



Favorite Character:

Debra. When we first meet Debra, she’s shy and frightened of her surroundings. But as time goes by and she shares more of herself (and her background) to Julie, she blossoms into a strong, confident woman who defends her friends and family to the death, if needs be. I loved her reaction to the bull.

Favorite Quote:

“Out of nowhere, a shape materialized on the living room wall. Luminous, its twisted silhouette etched in shadows, it inched its way along the wall. The heaviness of her heart, thumping, pulsing, jarred her every limb.”



My Rating: 5+ stars


This review first appeared: https://princessofthelight.wordpress.com

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

i meet christine in dave's cosmic subs, we started talking about my nut allergy. somehow we got on the subject about books and she asked if i liked mysteries. well i love mysteries and she told me she was an author and was telling me about her book. of course i was curious and went to her stand and bought it. she told me she guaranteed i would like this book. i was in the middle of reading two other books so i had just finished one and curiosity of anonymous made me pick it up and read it before the other one i am in the middle of. boy it sure was a great book.it kept me on edge from page one. i couldn't put it down. it was creepy, suspenseful, and kept going. i really enjoyed the book and so glad i picked it up that day i meet christine. i really hope she is in the works of another book, can't wait to read her next one!

[Nancy Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I could not put the book down until it was finished. This author is a great storyteller, I felt as if I was physically in every scene of the book.

[Vera mallard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awards: Six Awards For Anonymous

1.Winner of the 2016 Wishing Shelves Book Bronze Award
2.Winner of the 2015 Clue Award (Chanticleer Reviews)
3.Winner of the 2015 Eric Hoffer Book Award
4.Nominated for the 2015 First Horizon Book Award
5.Nominated for the 2015 IAN Book Of The Year
6.Nominated for the 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Award

STORY-LINE ANONYMOUS:

Author Christine Benedict has created a spine tingling mystery thriller in her novel, Anonymous. Set in 1984, a young couple will come face to face with the evil of humanity, the paranormal, and their own mortality. Furthermore, they live to tell the tale. Do ghost exist? Ask the real people who know this circa 1875 farmhouse. Yes, it does exist and Ms. Benedict's based Anonymous on this house and personal experience with a stalker. The Monroe Falls Paranormal Society investigated this house and produced a documentary; link can found at bottom of page.

In 1984, Debra and Greg move into a run down circa 1875 farmhouse. Containing 14 rooms, In need of extensive repairs, and far scarier than Debra could have ever imagined. Birthed in a family of insanity, abused both mental and physical, Debra fights thoughts of following in her mother's insane path. Things are happening in this old house; frightening things. Finding herself alone with her thoughts, she befriends her neighbors. Julie appears to have it all. Yes she does, including a mysterious insane stalker. Between Julie's stalker, Julie's violent husband Kyle, and a house trying to drive her crazy, Debra is hanging on by a thread. Things appear and disappear, floors creak, footsteps heard, and much more. However, sometimes, we find people are scarier than ghost.

Grab your favorite beverage, take seat, grab this book, and always leave all the lights on . A fast paced insane ride. Come along with Debra and company as they experience life at its best and worst.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

Before anything else, I must say how much I enjoyed this book. With a story-line taken from anywhere USA, Anonymous swept me into the world of Debra and Greg. A world in which Greg will support and love Debra through thick and thin, sane or insane.

The writing style of Ms. Benedict is clear, clean and easy to read. She infused this story with emotion; from the scariest elements to Debra's mental anguish, the reader can feel it all. The hair on my arms raised at times during my journey through this book. Everyone loves to be frightened whether by ghost stories, scary movies, or books. Ms. Benedict added all the correct elements to her story to entertain and frighten. However, the thought of an insane stalker following your every move is beyond scary. Filled with mystery, thrills, and drama, I read this book straight through.

Author Christine Benedict added twists and turns in this book which will keep you glued to the pages. I thought I had ferreted out the answers. However, I found the plot twisted from my conclusions. This is a fun, scary, and entertaining book with a fast pace, good character development and solid story-line. I loved the strength of character Debra gained by the end of the book. You realize by the last page, the house, stalkers, abusive neighbors, nor insanity will never conquer Debra.

ANONYMOUS, RECOMMENDATION: STARS 5

I did not hesitate to give Anonymous 5 well deserved stars. A fast paced roller coaster ride of mystery, chills, and thrills, Anonymous will provide entertainment at its best. Due to subject matter, I recommend this book for young adults and adults.

In addition: I received an ARC from the author and have chosen to review the book. Books reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, book reviews on line under my name are my opinion.

[Gayle Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always thinking, Debra fears she will be like her mother, insane. It only gets worse when her husband, Greg moves her into a hundred year old farmhouse that the neighbors talk of being haunted. This is hard on Deb. She hears things bang, footsteps, shadows and she even thinks of a possible ghost. Is this just an old house settling through the years? or is it haunted? I guess that all depends on what you believe. She makes friends with Julie, her neighbor. Julie begins receiving letters from some man she doesn't know. The letters are about his fantasies of being with her. Julie's marriage is not a good one and her husband plans to take matters into his own hands. Does he?

Then we are introduced to a really off the wall game warden who begins to watch Debra. As I read the book, I became a part of Debra's life. It was as though reality had set in. The suspense the reader encounters is so powerful that there is not a moment to put the book down. If you're alone when you're reading this, you begin to wonder if you heard something. Is it in your mind, or did you really hear something? Debra lives in a sense of terror every day. Just doing the normal everyday chores are so very fearful for her. The reader can almost reach out and open the door to the farmhouse or go down the dark, creaky steps into the dank cellar to do the laundry . Every day, Debra begins to wonder if she is sinking into insanity, just as her mother did. Debra is a strong character, even though she is portrayed sometimes as being weak. The weakness comes from growing up in such a volatile, dysfunctional family. We have another strong female character and that is Julie. Julie came from a dysfunctional family also. They became such good friends that they lean on each other for support. Where are the men in their lives when they need them? They don't seem to be around. It has been a long time since I have read a book that I absolutely couldn't put down until it was finished. The bad thing was, I wanted more, much more. Debra and Julie lived in fear everyday and yet, there were moments of sweet peace. Short lived, but it did break the tension they felt at least for a while.

I've only said once I would like to give a book 10 Stars but this is one more. This is one of the best books I've read in quite some time. The author is an extremely good writer. She has developed characters that the reader can relate to. The story is faced paced but not so that you get lost on what's going on. You're part of the fear and suspense that Debra and Julie are living through. The suspense at times will take your breathe and make the heart pound a little harder. Your emotions will take hold and won't let go. The author gives a story that could be true to life with all the twists and turns to make the reader keep reading. You get the suspense, the possible ghost?, murder, the dysfunction of growing up in a family that has some definite problems, and so much more. You get it all. Makes you wonder as you're reading, is Debra actually becoming insane or is there a ghost in the rickety old farmhouse? What happens to Julie's stalker? Does he become a victim of Julie's husband's revenge? Don't miss out on this thrilling, suspense story. Grab a copy and live day to day with Debra and Julie and, of course, their fears.

I received a complimentary copy of ANONYMOUS from the author, Christine Benedict for my unbiased review. No other compensation took place.

[Caz C Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young couple Debra and Greg have bought the 14 rooms big old farmhouse, lying in 50 acres of ground. It has been thoroughly neglected and where Greg is enthusiastic, to Debra the house feels like a “haunted-looking monstrosity”. Everywhere there is a floorboard that creaks and Debra is scared to death, she feels there is a chill in the air that cannot be explained by just the lack of heating in the house.

To understand Debras apprehensiveness we have to go back to her youth – her mentally ill mother who had killed her father with a shotgun. Debra knows the mental illness is hereditary and she dreads ending up like her mother. Still she fears the basement, it is creeping her out. Is it her imagination or the mental illness slowly catching up on her? Or is there really a ghost in the house? Debra can see Greg watching her sometimes – he must be wondering if she’s lost her mind just like her mother.

But not all is bad, there are the neighbours Julie and Kyle. Julie and Debra hit it off, they go jogging together and Julie lets Debra in on a secret: she’s receiving anonymous letters from an admirer, making Julie terrified, Kyle is more and more aggravated and accuses her of intentionally seeking the advances of the anonymous admirer.

Julie’s problems help Debra keep her mind occupied. It somehow forms a balance to her own miserable upbringing, the creepy house and the stories that it consists. Debra finds out that the previous owner was electrocuted in the basement, a young man in his early twenties. Now she thinks she understands who the ghost is, but why does he keep hanging on and scare the life out of her? And why is that creep Bruce, who is supposed to take the many stray cats to the asylum, having pleasure killing them one by one?

We feel the suspense looking into the creep’s mind and see how violent and threatening he can be. Meanwhile Kyle is so furious that he is getting both secretive and violent. As the thrilling events start to unroll we wonder if the shadows of both Debra's and Julie's past will finally overcome them as the threatening danger is lurking everywhere.

This is an exciting thriller, a mix of suspense, of coming to terms with the past, of haunting houses, but also of human kindness versus plain evil. Sometimes the words are intentionally given a double meaning and we only learn afterwards which interpretation was the correct one. There are a few inconsistencies, but that in no way detracts from the captivating plot and the entertaining style in which the novel is written.

Read the full review on my website: http://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/anonymo...

[Igor Eliseev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is an extremely well written book. It’s not an easy subject matter, and I didn’t find it easy to read at times because it was so unpredictable and mysterious. I felt extremely anxious from time to time like I felt like I wanted to hide away from Anonymous world full of terrible secrets and completely isolate myself.
I’m also glad that there was no gratuitous violence it was a more psychological approach, and that was very scary. As you continue to read you start to feel your heart pick up on the change you’re thrown into a spin and a battle with your own emotions. I was totally taken by surprise with this book as this book was more psychological abuse there was a line that was stepped over.
Christine Benedict, the author of Anonymous has created the most haunted place I have ever “seen”. She is clever, sharp and manipulative beyond measure. I’m not giving anything away but this is a page turner and you will want to read it as fast as you can to find out what happens.
I really don’t want to give any further clues of the plot away but you will need to set time aside to read as this is a very good work – a stunning women’s fiction psychological novel. I haven’t read one as good as this little gem for a while.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book for a honest review.
I wasn't really sure what to expect but it sounded like a good book from the description. well I was not disappointed. it's a very well written book. well rounded. your dealing with a spirt, a stalker, a women who thinks she's become sycophantic. this is quite the read. once I picked it up I was glad I did.
you have a physiological thriller here and much more.
it kept me reading wanting bbc to know more. you easily rate to characters and fall right in. theirs the neighbor trying to rationalize things then then very supportive husband who you can't help but love then if course the main character who's going threw all the craziness.
just give this book a try you'll love it.
ill be reading more ok f Christine's books. she's a very good writer . if a book can keep me captivated and not drop off at any time to that boring mode for a few chapters I'm happy. this book doesn't do that it just keeps on going and pulling you along with it. looking forward to reading more books from this author.
also my apologies, it took me forever to get to reading this book and reviewing.
it's well worth the time and i highly recommend it

[Kathi Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very good book was listed as a thriller and it certainly has those elements. To me, it is more about the two women who were dealt some bad cards in life as children. They didnt wallow in self pity. Instead they sought personal growth and happiness dispite set-backs and pain. This book has everything: love, friendship, terror, and even touches on the supernatural! Its an easy read and its very enjoyable. Great flawed, strong female heroines!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, thrilling read! Hard to put down, and every time I read it I was sucked in. Having lived in different areas of Northeast Ohio for almost ten years now, it was neat reading a book where I recognize a lot of the places and landmarks mentioned. I hope Christine Benedict writes some more novels, I am hooked! :)

[Laura Furuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome. Defiantly a must read that need to be on everyone's list. The story is so well written and kept my attention and curiosity from the first chapter to the last page. The characters are wonderful and you really feel for them. There are some tough issues that the characters deal with. I highly recommend this book. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[R.C. Durkee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is creepy and suspenseful with a psychological bent that challenges the reader to question if the incidents haunting the main character are real or imagined. I can see this novel turned into a Lifetime movie.

[Candy Nemeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is absolutely a page turner. Took it with me on vacation to read on the plane. What a great companion.
The plane ride was over before I knew it. I've loaned it to a couple friends and I've got more friends waiting to borrow it. Can't wait to read Christine's next book!

[Vicki Tulesome · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. A new twist around every corner. The ending caught me by surprise. Highly recommend.

[Mary Gibbens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Highly recommend if you like books with unpredictable endings. It was even more suspenseful knowing the letters in the book were actually from the author's stalker.

[Glenda Bixler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spooky, great paranormal! See pics, excerpts and more...

http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadershea...

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

With an intriguing premise of a young woman with a history of abuse and hereditary claim to mental illness the expectation is that of a slick thriller that has you questioning what is real and what is the onslaught of the disease.

Unfortunately, the book suffers from:

- unclear characters. The women especially all sound the same. Their pov/ the voice are the same lacking personal definition. This is turn creates a problem with both - identifying with them and establishing a rapport. Which is a darn shame bc there were wonderful hints of ideaes. These characters should be on the cusp of their new idenitites, for better or ill, and instead are fused into one dull character that doesn't fully examine their own issues. The most real character is Sam the Alzheimer's patient who fades in and out of lucidity over the course of maybe 3 scenes, everyone else is hamfisted, overly expository or a stereotype.

- some of these events are true events. Benedict mentioned that she received the stalker letters. And while a good writer pulls from these moments to help ground an audience into the emotional turmoil and sense of exposure, Benedict instead writes as if the book was a self help story recounted for a therapist. It's detached. It's a recount. A tale told from across a great distance. And worse it's Benedict's tale- not Julies or Deb's. Once again Julie and Deb's own voice are not defined bc the author kept getting in the way.

- local fixation. I'm all for home town love. But I'm not going to care about Medina or North Olmsted without some sort of contextual clues. Why name drop if the drop means as much as Smithville or Burgerjoint or Genericopollis. Seeing my city would make me happy, but so would your professional take on it to. How would you distill the essence of the home of the Medina Bees or the Olmsted eagles? What is the culture and more importantly how do these spaces feed into the theme of the book?

- Pacing was off. In the middle of dramatic fight scenes where verbs are flying and being brandied about, Benedict would pause and add items that halts the action. It was again detached commentary that created unnecessary pauses that didn't fit the scene or the particular protagonist's pattern

- and the mid 80s as a setting. With mantras and jogging as a normal accepted thing you did in the country? In Ohio? In the 80s?

Benedict over complicated and underdeveloped her story. Was the message 'girls are strong independent women" a commentary on perspective a call for better mental health checks? I don't know. I've read fanfiction that was better written.

That said... Despite a fixation on causing sexual harm, thank you for showing us a gal pal team up.

[LadyErynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this story was interesting. Debra and Julie are well-rounded characters who seem to mesh well throughout the story. The supporting characters were just dynamic enough to stand out without overpowering the story, and the settings were descriptive and scenic.

However, the plot had a lot going on. There were maybe seven different plotlines that were all demanding our attention, which made the overall plot feel messy and disconnected. The different plotlines did come together at the end, but it didn't feel like a proper closure.

The book also had some issues with its format. Incomplete sentences and punctuation errors made the book feel choppy at first, but it seemed to smooth out a bit by the time you got to the end.

[CDWB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haunted House?

An intricate story of a young married woman, an older unhappy married woman and the ancient, enormous house that brought them together. Debra thinks the house is haunted, Julie her friend is trying to understand her and the house is driving her insane. I enjoyed the book very much. The plot was interesting and the characters believable. I would recommend this book.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story with enough twists to keep me guessing. The ending was a bit quick and could’ve used a bit more explanation. My biggest problem was being a Cleveland native the author mixes streets, towns, and other places that are no where near each other. I don’t know if it was intended to create a fictional place but as someone who lives here it threw me off.

[Trinitee Mitchell-Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free from a Goodreads giveaway to read for an honest review. I loved this book. Seriously loved it. Couldn't put it down!!!

[Carol Moore Kollar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 100 year old farmhouse, strange noises and occurrences make Debra think the house is haunted. A friendship develops with a neighbor when she receives strange courting letters and stalking.

[Kim Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book really kept me going.

[Mary Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I can see why it has won awards.

[Maggie Milburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed the read. Sadly, a bit predictable at times but with some good twists that will keep you glued to your chair!

[Rola G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anonymous was one of the few books I read for hours without realizing just how much time had passed by. I would literally just sit down and read page after page until I just have to stop and take a deep breath, and continue. Even if there wasn't a lot of action going on, just reading the characters' thoughts and reactions was very amusing to me.

Nonetheless, the book has quite a unique and well thought out plot. The main character, Debra, was at risk of inheriting a mental illness which makes the reader question whether the character was reliable or not. It kept the reader thinking and made them develop theories as they read. Were there actually unexplainable squeaks and footsteps at the most unlikely hours, or was she just imagining them? You'll have to read it to find out.

Moving on to the characters. The two main characters in Anonymous, Debra and Julie, had their own personalities and quirks that set them apart from each other and really accented their friendship. In certain situations the characters are put in, the reader just knows which character would punch her way through or threaten her way through. That being said, I do wish that the other characters had a little more dimension characteristics that made them different or at least made me have some sort of emotion towards them.

Also, considering the amount of trouble the characters had to deal with, they just did not develop as much as I thought they would have. I expected them to grow and learn new things and find new reasons to live. But they did not. There was the occasional burst of new found determination, but that usually faded away.They got over their problems with the characteristics they already possessed for most of their lives; and depending on how you look at it, that may even be a good thing.

One of the things that brought me closer to Debra and Julie, however, was that they both had tragic backstories that made their characters a bit more round than the others. Every once in a while, there would be flashbacks explaining the characters actions which really comforted me as a reader. These flashbacks played big roles in the story, it wasn't just something of the past for the characters. It really gave me a perspective as to why they thought certain things or acted certain ways. It also made me understand and comprehend Debra's potential insanity.

As I mentioned previously, this book is written in third person point of view. What I didn't say was: who's story is it following? Debra's or Julie's? The answer is both. It was really interesting to me because these two characters interacted a lot, so not only would the reader get insight on what the character in question thought of herself, but also what others would think about her. I would always found myself a little surprised at how a Debra thought of Julie or vice versa because I was already used to thinking of them the way they thought of themselves. I just thought of the the characteristics the the character limits themselves to as their only characteristics. That is up till the point where the other ones come along. If I were to read it again, I feel like I would still be surprised because it was written in a way that was so convincing, as if you were the character herself.

One of Anonymous's strong points was the amount of imagery it had. Imagery is a really important factor, especially since this is a mystery thriller. As I was reading, I was imaging the scenery with so much detail, it was as if it was right in front of me.

Another major pro to Anonymous, in my opinion, that really made look forward to what would happen next: the main characters were women who took care of themselves and each other most of the time. They did not wait for their husbands to solve their problems that required physical work, they did it themselves. I truly think the author deserves an applaud for that, the imagery, the main characters' detailed and convincing personality, and the wonderful plot.

Anonymous had a closed ending. But it wasn't closed so tight that there wasn't any room for continuation, which I personally think is really great. I could imagine a second book explaining what had happened in the end and going more into the story of Ed (no spoilers, read the book).

Anonymous written by Christine Benedict succeeded in spooking and amusing me at just the right times. I love the simplicity in which the book was written and I love how the words were not over exaggerated or under exaggerated; there was just the right words at the right times. I could definitely imagine this story as a movie. In fact, I am all for it.

I recommend this book if you like unique mystery plots with the perfect amounts of humor,tension, light heartedness, suspension, and imagery that makes you feel like your living the story. I really look forward to reading Christine Benedict's short stories.

[Alexandra Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neither Debra or Julie have lived easy lives. So when Debra and her husband move into the decrepit house down the road from Julie and her husband's place, their friendship may be the one thing that can keep them sane - especially since strange things are beginning to happen to both of them. Debra is seeing things that may not truly be there - or at least, can't be proven. With her mother already in a mental ward, Debra is scared that she'll end up going the same way. Julie has begun to receive letters from an anonymous man, declaring his love for her. The intensity of the letters is frightening, and Julie is worried that the man may act upon his desires. When the women's lives are turned upside down, they turn to each other for strength. But will their friendship be enough to save them both?

By the time I'd finished this book, I found that I'd enjoyed it. However, it did take me a while to really get into it. This was partially due to the number of errors in the writing. That is not to say that the writing wasn't good, because it was; rather, it just really needed to be edited. There were several cases of misplaced semi-colons, using the incorrect homonym, and some sentences that at first didn't make sense, and had to be read over very carefully several times to be sure of the intended meaning. Lack of editing drives me crazy when I'm reading, because I always notice every mistake, which then takes me out of the story and places me back into the real world. If this book had been edited more carefully, I would likely have finished it much more quickly.

As I already mentioned, the writing itself isn't bad; despite this, I had to read at least a third of the novel before I found that I was actually interested in continuing to read, and probably half before I wanted to finish it. The beginning of the novel wasn't dry, exactly, because there were events occurring; rather, it just wasn't interesting. I was hoping for a scary story, but the only part that I found got my pulse up in the least was at the very end, when the big finale action was happening. I didn't really find myself connecting with any of the main characters, either. I could understand what was happening, why it was happening, and why the characters were reacting in the ways that they did, but there was some missing element. Until the point where I was actually invested in finishing the story, I truly didn't care about what happened to the characters.

There were a lot of characters, and each had their own storyline. Sometimes their stories would overlap, but I still found that there were so many that it did sometimes become confusing. Debra and Julie were the two main characters; however, the story also sometimes switched between Julie's adoptive parents, and the main antagonist. One chapter also went back in time, then for the next chapter the reader had to infer that we were now back in the present. There were several other characters who were interacted with whose backstories the readers were also to learn and remember. I just found that the number of events, past and present, that we were to remember, was too high. I think that the only reason I managed was because I took longer than I usually do to read a book, so the information had more time to soak in. Even so, I had some difficulty keeping everything in place, and remembering who was connected to what was connected to whom.

Overall, this really wasn't a bad book. The issues I had with it were easy enough to overcome, although annoying. I would give it a rating of three stars, because the middle and ending were enjoyable, even though the beginning wasn't. With proper editing, I would have enjoyed it even more. I don't think I would read anything else by Christine Benedict in the future, but I am happy that I read this novel. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys mysteries, real-life drama, and possibly-haunted houses.