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The Ben Whittle Investigations #1
The Revelation Room
Ben Whittle’s father, a private investigator, has been taken captive by a cult whilst investigating the case of a missing girl. When Ben receives a desperate call from his father asking for help he is drawn into a dark underground world.
As Ben retraces the last known steps of the missing girl he discovers his only option left is to join the cult and rescue his father from the inside.
The leader of the cult, Edward Ebb, is a psychopathic egocentric who uses his position to control his small group of followers in The Sons and Daughters of Salvation. When he initiates Ben into the group it soon becomes apparent how sick and twisted Ebb is.
Ben must find his father and the missing girl, but the odds are stacked against him and time is running out.
Can Ben rescue his father and the girl and escape with his life?
And what is the gruesome secret concealed in the Revelation Room?
The Revelation Room is the first in a new series of psychological mystery thrillers.
As Ben retraces the last known steps of the missing girl he discovers his only option left is to join the cult and rescue his father from the inside.
The leader of the cult, Edward Ebb, is a psychopathic egocentric who uses his position to control his small group of followers in The Sons and Daughters of Salvation. When he initiates Ben into the group it soon becomes apparent how sick and twisted Ebb is.
Ben must find his father and the missing girl, but the odds are stacked against him and time is running out.
Can Ben rescue his father and the girl and escape with his life?
And what is the gruesome secret concealed in the Revelation Room?
The Revelation Room is the first in a new series of psychological mystery thrillers.
442 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2015
476 people are currently reading
633 people want to read
About the author
Mark Tilbury
27 books279 followersMark lives in a small village in the lovely county of Cumbria, although his books are set in Oxfordshire where he was born and raised.
He's always had a keen interest in writing and after being widowed and raising his two daughters, Mark finally took the plunge and began self-publishing. Mark's writing has earned him the name #TwistedTilbury due to the dark and twisted nature of his books. He's published 12 thrillers, and his 13th novel, A Womb With A View, will be published Jan 19th 2023.
When he's not writing, Mark can be found playing guitar, reading and walking.
Did you know that you can follow authors on Amazon? If you hit the 'follow' button on my author page, you'll be kept updated of any price reductions and new publications.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mark-Tilbury...
Thank you!
He's always had a keen interest in writing and after being widowed and raising his two daughters, Mark finally took the plunge and began self-publishing. Mark's writing has earned him the name #TwistedTilbury due to the dark and twisted nature of his books. He's published 12 thrillers, and his 13th novel, A Womb With A View, will be published Jan 19th 2023.
When he's not writing, Mark can be found playing guitar, reading and walking.
Did you know that you can follow authors on Amazon? If you hit the 'follow' button on my author page, you'll be kept updated of any price reductions and new publications.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mark-Tilbury...
Thank you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
December 26, 2015
This book was a complete surprise package for me and nothing quite what I was expecting but it was actually so much better. How do you take a serious storyline like a cult holding a man against his will and being led by a loud, charismatic but totally off the wall man who calls himself the Father and inject dark humour into it? You might think there is no chance of that blending well, but by golly Mark Tilbury has done it and it's what made this book really stand out from a lot I have read.
A dark plot, dangerous deranged people, but smatterings of witty one liners that had me snorting and giggling. It just really worked. I was very impressed. It had me feeling like a very happy reader very early on.
Ben Whittle’s father is a private investigator. He’s been taken captive by a cult whilst investigating a missing girl. Close to death, he makes a desperate call to Ben for help. He tells Ben that he must not call the police because “everyone will die”. Ben retraces the last known steps of the missing girl with his friend Maddie. The only option left open to them is to join the cult and rescue Ben’s father from the inside.
The leader of the cult, Edward Ebb, is a psychopathic egocentric who uses his position to control his small group of followers in The Sons and Daughters of Salvation. When he initiates Ben and Maddie into the group it soon becomes apparent how sick and twisted Ebb is. He tricks and coerces his followers into believing they have no choice other than to follow his barbaric regime.
We get a slow background (but not boring) build-up of Ben and Maddie, getting to know them, their families, their lifestyles and their relationship to each other. These foundations are important for the overall story. With not wanting to involve the police they take it upon themselves to go and find this cult where they believe Ben's father is being held, possibly dead already.
Ben as a character is a shy guy who used to be given grief over a stutter, he lacks on self-confidence and self-belief and is really meandering through his life quite empty and aimless. He knows Maddie, her Father is the Pastor of the church that they are both involved in on some level. For Ben that might just involve helping with youth club table tennis, he is not exactly a devout believer. Maddie is a ball of spinning energy, oodles of confidence, personality and with the gift of the gab. They are a complimentary mix when they team up.
The more we learn of the cult and it's bizarre ways and beliefs and hear the stories of the different brothers and sisters who now belong there (not leaving soon or ever) we soon know that this is going to have some really interesting angles.
Mark Tilbury was lulling me along with snippets of wit and humour that fitted really well in certain scenes in the book then BAM! I was hit with some graphic, brutal hard hitting scene that just blew me away, that was then I began to think this may not end well. Very clever imagery and story telling put me right where they were watching the horror unfold. What is wrong with these people? A lot.
Ben is just hoping to find his dad, bracing himself for his death if it has occurred. The plot is unique and flows really well, it takes the reader not only on a journey but into the minds of different characters at times. Ebb is a stand out character and I felt Mark wrote him really well with all his quirks and strangeness, evil, unstable and just plain weird. It was fascinating to watch him change constantly. Light and shade. He is also the character that gave me the most laughs, the most evil by sure but there are some brilliant humorous moments that just works against the serious plot of this mystery thriller.
As the momentum picks up the book has some great reveals and eye-opening scenes, some of which you don't know whether to be disgusted by or laugh at. Mark writes with a fine line there sometimes and it's very tricky stuff. I felt it worked so well and if it's all through this series then count me in. So readers will get a nice mix of interesting things on offer from this novel. This is Mark's first novel and in light of that the writing is very good and he plot unique and dynamic.
I enjoyed the dark moments in this book and the heavy scenes, however I also loved the wit and the laugh out loud moments a lot. This debut novel from British Author Mark Tilbury gets 4.5 paw prints from me, rounded to 4 for Goodreads but will be rounded up to 5 for Amazon. I highly recommend this book to just about anyone, those that like murder mysteries, books that tackle dark human nature will love this book.
I have to mention that a very special character in this book has the same name as me, that was very cool. I now eagerly await the second book in The Ben Whittle Investigations which I suspect will get better.
Want more? Come and like my Facebook page for reviews, author chat, book giveaways and competitions:
https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
You can also find me on Twitter: @promotethatbook
I received a copy of this book after asking the author as I really wanted to read and review it, thanks Mark for trusting your first book into my hands.
A dark plot, dangerous deranged people, but smatterings of witty one liners that had me snorting and giggling. It just really worked. I was very impressed. It had me feeling like a very happy reader very early on.
Ben Whittle’s father is a private investigator. He’s been taken captive by a cult whilst investigating a missing girl. Close to death, he makes a desperate call to Ben for help. He tells Ben that he must not call the police because “everyone will die”. Ben retraces the last known steps of the missing girl with his friend Maddie. The only option left open to them is to join the cult and rescue Ben’s father from the inside.
The leader of the cult, Edward Ebb, is a psychopathic egocentric who uses his position to control his small group of followers in The Sons and Daughters of Salvation. When he initiates Ben and Maddie into the group it soon becomes apparent how sick and twisted Ebb is. He tricks and coerces his followers into believing they have no choice other than to follow his barbaric regime.
We get a slow background (but not boring) build-up of Ben and Maddie, getting to know them, their families, their lifestyles and their relationship to each other. These foundations are important for the overall story. With not wanting to involve the police they take it upon themselves to go and find this cult where they believe Ben's father is being held, possibly dead already.
Ben as a character is a shy guy who used to be given grief over a stutter, he lacks on self-confidence and self-belief and is really meandering through his life quite empty and aimless. He knows Maddie, her Father is the Pastor of the church that they are both involved in on some level. For Ben that might just involve helping with youth club table tennis, he is not exactly a devout believer. Maddie is a ball of spinning energy, oodles of confidence, personality and with the gift of the gab. They are a complimentary mix when they team up.
The more we learn of the cult and it's bizarre ways and beliefs and hear the stories of the different brothers and sisters who now belong there (not leaving soon or ever) we soon know that this is going to have some really interesting angles.
Mark Tilbury was lulling me along with snippets of wit and humour that fitted really well in certain scenes in the book then BAM! I was hit with some graphic, brutal hard hitting scene that just blew me away, that was then I began to think this may not end well. Very clever imagery and story telling put me right where they were watching the horror unfold. What is wrong with these people? A lot.
Ben is just hoping to find his dad, bracing himself for his death if it has occurred. The plot is unique and flows really well, it takes the reader not only on a journey but into the minds of different characters at times. Ebb is a stand out character and I felt Mark wrote him really well with all his quirks and strangeness, evil, unstable and just plain weird. It was fascinating to watch him change constantly. Light and shade. He is also the character that gave me the most laughs, the most evil by sure but there are some brilliant humorous moments that just works against the serious plot of this mystery thriller.
As the momentum picks up the book has some great reveals and eye-opening scenes, some of which you don't know whether to be disgusted by or laugh at. Mark writes with a fine line there sometimes and it's very tricky stuff. I felt it worked so well and if it's all through this series then count me in. So readers will get a nice mix of interesting things on offer from this novel. This is Mark's first novel and in light of that the writing is very good and he plot unique and dynamic.
I enjoyed the dark moments in this book and the heavy scenes, however I also loved the wit and the laugh out loud moments a lot. This debut novel from British Author Mark Tilbury gets 4.5 paw prints from me, rounded to 4 for Goodreads but will be rounded up to 5 for Amazon. I highly recommend this book to just about anyone, those that like murder mysteries, books that tackle dark human nature will love this book.
I have to mention that a very special character in this book has the same name as me, that was very cool. I now eagerly await the second book in The Ben Whittle Investigations which I suspect will get better.
Want more? Come and like my Facebook page for reviews, author chat, book giveaways and competitions:
https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
You can also find me on Twitter: @promotethatbook
I received a copy of this book after asking the author as I really wanted to read and review it, thanks Mark for trusting your first book into my hands.
June 27, 2018
Nice surprise
This was a new author for me, and a great surprise. I admit I bought it when it was on an offer, and I don't particularly remember looking to, much at its plot at the time.
But it was a very nice surprise. Unusual storyline about a cult and the most unlikely detectives ever. Somehow it works and works extremely well with some great one liners.
I will definitely read more of this author.
This was a new author for me, and a great surprise. I admit I bought it when it was on an offer, and I don't particularly remember looking to, much at its plot at the time.
But it was a very nice surprise. Unusual storyline about a cult and the most unlikely detectives ever. Somehow it works and works extremely well with some great one liners.
I will definitely read more of this author.
May 25, 2017
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
I have a somewhat sick fascination with the idea of cults, they just intrigue me so when I read the blurb for this one, I just knew I had to read it. Having previously loved Tilbury’s The Abbatoir of Dreams I was eager to read some more of his work and this book had some of the great qualities that I enjoyed the first time around.
Ben is a reluctant PI, his father Geoff is the one who does the real investigating and he normally just helps him around the office. When Geoff gets captured by a cult, the only way to save him is to join himself, but thankfully for Ben, his friend Maddie insists on joining with him. These two are pretty opposite as far as personalities are concerned, but somehow they work well together. He lacks self confidence and is terrified at the prospect of infiltrating the cult, while Maddie is more outgoing and confident, she’s ready for anything. Poor Ben really tugged at my heart strings, he has a stutter and was just the sweetest kid, I wanted to hug him and keep him safe.
The leader of the cult, Ebb was the personification of evil, Tilbury sure knows how to craft some sadistic characters. How he managed to manipulate the members of The Sons and Daughters of Salvation is beyond me, but the things he says and does are both delusional and horrifying. There are definitely some gruesome and gory scenes, but there’s also plenty of witty black humor to lighten the mood. This was a quick read with steady pacing and a good flow along with great characterization and an interesting storyline.
I have a somewhat sick fascination with the idea of cults, they just intrigue me so when I read the blurb for this one, I just knew I had to read it. Having previously loved Tilbury’s The Abbatoir of Dreams I was eager to read some more of his work and this book had some of the great qualities that I enjoyed the first time around.
Ben is a reluctant PI, his father Geoff is the one who does the real investigating and he normally just helps him around the office. When Geoff gets captured by a cult, the only way to save him is to join himself, but thankfully for Ben, his friend Maddie insists on joining with him. These two are pretty opposite as far as personalities are concerned, but somehow they work well together. He lacks self confidence and is terrified at the prospect of infiltrating the cult, while Maddie is more outgoing and confident, she’s ready for anything. Poor Ben really tugged at my heart strings, he has a stutter and was just the sweetest kid, I wanted to hug him and keep him safe.
The leader of the cult, Ebb was the personification of evil, Tilbury sure knows how to craft some sadistic characters. How he managed to manipulate the members of The Sons and Daughters of Salvation is beyond me, but the things he says and does are both delusional and horrifying. There are definitely some gruesome and gory scenes, but there’s also plenty of witty black humor to lighten the mood. This was a quick read with steady pacing and a good flow along with great characterization and an interesting storyline.
May 26, 2017
This is the first novel I have read by this author and having read this one I will certainly be reading more.
Ben is very much the underdog in the story. After his dad goes missing, it is up to him to save the day. Right from the start you can see what a sensitive soul Ben is and I really didn’t know how he was going to cope going into such a dangerous situation. Though obviously he doesn’t know that at the time.
Maddie to a certain extent felt like Ben’s safety blanket. It’s obvious the pair like each other but having Maddie there by his side, makes Ben that bit more braver and she helps to push him on into discovering what has happened to his dad and the case he was working on.
The cult has to be one of the strangest I’ve ever come across. Reading of the goings on at the farm where the cult is based made the hairs on my arms stand up. It really creeped me out and Ebb especially is one sick and twisted individual but boy does it make for some gripping reading.
The Revelation Room is a highly enjoyable and entertaining read. It has lots of elements going on and I thought it was a great start to a brand new series. Very much look forward to reading more.
Ben is very much the underdog in the story. After his dad goes missing, it is up to him to save the day. Right from the start you can see what a sensitive soul Ben is and I really didn’t know how he was going to cope going into such a dangerous situation. Though obviously he doesn’t know that at the time.
Maddie to a certain extent felt like Ben’s safety blanket. It’s obvious the pair like each other but having Maddie there by his side, makes Ben that bit more braver and she helps to push him on into discovering what has happened to his dad and the case he was working on.
The cult has to be one of the strangest I’ve ever come across. Reading of the goings on at the farm where the cult is based made the hairs on my arms stand up. It really creeped me out and Ebb especially is one sick and twisted individual but boy does it make for some gripping reading.
The Revelation Room is a highly enjoyable and entertaining read. It has lots of elements going on and I thought it was a great start to a brand new series. Very much look forward to reading more.
October 2, 2015
A tremendous psychological thriller from talented writer Mark Tilbury. It's a definite 5 star book for me.
May 29, 2017
Dark intent? Check. Religious irreverence, bordering on satire? Check. The blackest of humour tinged with biting dialogue? Check. I’m all in for the revelation Room.
Told in third person-past tense throughout, Tilbury’s Revelation Room is a hugely enjoyable slash across the veneer of decent society, exposing some of the grimmest and most graphic insights into the depths of the human soul and capacity for denial, cruelty and for goodness.
Our main protagonists, undercover in a cult, are beautifully-rendered, fully fleshed-out leads possessed of solid motivations and are the perfect creations to guide the reader through Tilbury’s tantalising and tightly plotted story.
In the Revelation Room, we find a writer who is absolutely on-point with his use of dialogue to expose intent and characterisation. Tilbury’s use of short, snappy sentences contrasted by longer monologues, succeeds in conveying the emotion or urgency of the particular scene. Excellent structure. The characterisation is a particularly strong element in this work.
At times the novel feels surreal, occasionally dangerous and often cutting in its darkly humorous moments and cutting observations.
A confident, swaggering, unapologetic fiend of a novel from a writer to watch.
Told in third person-past tense throughout, Tilbury’s Revelation Room is a hugely enjoyable slash across the veneer of decent society, exposing some of the grimmest and most graphic insights into the depths of the human soul and capacity for denial, cruelty and for goodness.
Our main protagonists, undercover in a cult, are beautifully-rendered, fully fleshed-out leads possessed of solid motivations and are the perfect creations to guide the reader through Tilbury’s tantalising and tightly plotted story.
In the Revelation Room, we find a writer who is absolutely on-point with his use of dialogue to expose intent and characterisation. Tilbury’s use of short, snappy sentences contrasted by longer monologues, succeeds in conveying the emotion or urgency of the particular scene. Excellent structure. The characterisation is a particularly strong element in this work.
At times the novel feels surreal, occasionally dangerous and often cutting in its darkly humorous moments and cutting observations.
A confident, swaggering, unapologetic fiend of a novel from a writer to watch.
September 4, 2015
I have to admit I wanted to read this since I read the first excerpt, and it didn’t disappoint. The story begins a little slow, but that’s to flesh out the two main characters and set the stage for their relationship. For me, it was well worth the wait. Because of that, I developed a strong attachment to Maddie and resented any time she was put into danger. Lol
The other characters were just as well done, and you either feel sympathy or loathe them. The latter was reserved for Edward Ebb while I fought the urge to reach into the story to shake Ben a few times despite feeling for him.
Overall, I felt the story was well done and made me want to keep reading. The gore was well-placed to augment the proper scenes while tongue-in-cheek humor kept the characters grounded in important scenes.
Besides being well-paced, I think it’s a cool contrast between the two opposite ends of the religious spectrum from loving and caring to sociopathic domination. Both of those properties are shown perfectly in Father Tom and Edward as they battled for Ben, Maddie, and the other’s souls.
Overall, I loved this book! This is easily one of the best thriller/suspense/horror stories I’ve read the author has become one of my favorite Indies. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
The other characters were just as well done, and you either feel sympathy or loathe them. The latter was reserved for Edward Ebb while I fought the urge to reach into the story to shake Ben a few times despite feeling for him.
Overall, I felt the story was well done and made me want to keep reading. The gore was well-placed to augment the proper scenes while tongue-in-cheek humor kept the characters grounded in important scenes.
Besides being well-paced, I think it’s a cool contrast between the two opposite ends of the religious spectrum from loving and caring to sociopathic domination. Both of those properties are shown perfectly in Father Tom and Edward as they battled for Ben, Maddie, and the other’s souls.
Overall, I loved this book! This is easily one of the best thriller/suspense/horror stories I’ve read the author has become one of my favorite Indies. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
August 5, 2015
Private investigator Geoff Whittle takes on the case of a missing girl who he suspects has joined a cult. He makes a terrifying call to his son Ben, as he takes, what sounds to be, his dying breath. In order to track down his father and the missing girl, Ben enlists the help of Maddie, but they soon get embroiled in the workings of a crazy cult.
Great characterisation and a story that takes you on a horrifying adventure that will leave the reader gasping out loud at times.
Can't wait to read more from this excellent writer.
June 17, 2017
Interesting start, believable but soon went down hill for me it also had old-fashioned language making it feel aged in a not so good way, the god talk got a bit too much, characters spiralled out of character rather quickly and ending felt daft, rushed and safe. Won't be reading the rest of this series.
May 30, 2017
We open with Geoff staring into the muzzle of a gun, stuck in a tree with his camera and refusing to admit why he's really up there. "Shoot him," we hear a man say and his somewhat dimwitted sidekick does just that. He falls out of the tree and then is dragged to The Revelation Room where they have determined he is The Imposter and they must drive the devil out of him. He finds one window of opportunity and calls his son, Ben, on his watch phone and barely has time to tell him he needs help when the phone dies. Now it's up to Ben to find his way into this cult and bring his father back. Trekking off with his friend, Maddie, he does the one thing he can think of to make this happen - go undercover and join the cult. But the initiation process turns out to be more than he ever expected or deserved.
Cult life has always been a fascinating culture to read about. Hive mentality, extreme religion, one crazy leader who has somehow mesmerized everyone around him that his word is God.... preying on those who have had a hard life and convincing them they have been saved. It's a treacherous, unhealthy and vile arrangement that is all too common in the world. The author does a fantastic job of showing the crazy that goes on within the compound of The Sons and Daughters of Salvation. Ebb is the sadomasochistic leader who keeps his members to a small, manageable number - proving to them the hold the Devil can take on people in the outside world by using holy water (acid)... along with a variety of other dastardly deeds. Amongst the delusional and sadistic scenes, the author brings about some black humor to keep a good balance. "Mark my words, half the evil in the world is spread by Burger King and McDonald's." You know, not sure I completely disagree with you here, Mr. Tilbury!
This is a fast and entertaining read if, like me, you like to read about the cult life and the mindset behind the scenes. While this one escalates quickly, it's done in a humorous, yet crazy, way that makes it less gruesome, more entertaining and you end up empathizing with some of the crazies. Get on in here - if this book is any indication of how this series will go, you're going to want to start NOW.
Cult life has always been a fascinating culture to read about. Hive mentality, extreme religion, one crazy leader who has somehow mesmerized everyone around him that his word is God.... preying on those who have had a hard life and convincing them they have been saved. It's a treacherous, unhealthy and vile arrangement that is all too common in the world. The author does a fantastic job of showing the crazy that goes on within the compound of The Sons and Daughters of Salvation. Ebb is the sadomasochistic leader who keeps his members to a small, manageable number - proving to them the hold the Devil can take on people in the outside world by using holy water (acid)... along with a variety of other dastardly deeds. Amongst the delusional and sadistic scenes, the author brings about some black humor to keep a good balance. "Mark my words, half the evil in the world is spread by Burger King and McDonald's." You know, not sure I completely disagree with you here, Mr. Tilbury!
This is a fast and entertaining read if, like me, you like to read about the cult life and the mindset behind the scenes. While this one escalates quickly, it's done in a humorous, yet crazy, way that makes it less gruesome, more entertaining and you end up empathizing with some of the crazies. Get on in here - if this book is any indication of how this series will go, you're going to want to start NOW.
October 7, 2015
The Revelation Room is a great read, and impressive for a first novel. I enjoyed its dark humour whilst enjoying the story of Ben Whittle’s search for his missing father, who has been taken prisoner by a religious cult. The novel ends nicely with a lead into the next in the series. I’m interested in reading more of Ben Whittle’s adventures and to explore his relationship with Maddie.
June 12, 2017
This was my very first Mark Tilbury book and it absolutely won't be my last! It was well written and it had me on the edge of my seat for the entire time I was reading it, I just couldn't put it down.
Ben Whittle is just living his life - he is a young man with a bit of a crush on a girl and his life is pretty normal for someone of his age. Until he gets a call from his father who has been taken by a cult. Suddenly Ben finds himself in the middle of all the action, and the cult leader is not someone to mess with, not even a bit. This is a rather harrowing story and even though it was very well written, if you have a weak stomach, you have been warned!
This book was a heck of a read and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
A recommended read from me, 4.5 stars.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. Thank you to Bloodhound Books.
Ben Whittle is just living his life - he is a young man with a bit of a crush on a girl and his life is pretty normal for someone of his age. Until he gets a call from his father who has been taken by a cult. Suddenly Ben finds himself in the middle of all the action, and the cult leader is not someone to mess with, not even a bit. This is a rather harrowing story and even though it was very well written, if you have a weak stomach, you have been warned!
This book was a heck of a read and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
A recommended read from me, 4.5 stars.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. Thank you to Bloodhound Books.
June 12, 2016
This story begins centered around Ben Whittle. To say Ben lacks confidence is an understatement. He’s awkward, unsure, and touches on annoying but the young man finds the courage to try and help his father. Ben’s father is a private detective who has gone missing while trying to help a girl who joined a bazaar cult.
In his last conversation with his son, Ben’s father told him not to involve the police. Ben doesn’t understand it, but he knows his father wouldn’t have said this without a reason.
Ben gathers his courage and with the assistance of the preacher’s daughter, Maggie, sets out to find his missing father.
The to find a twisted, obsessed religious fanatic that has the charisma to obtain followers who follow him like sheep—they believe his ridiculous stories and are sucked into the cult.
The leader of this crazed cult, Edward Ebb, is much like the past cult leaders that have sucked their victims into their delusions and performed inexplicable unspeakable acts. Some that come to mind are Matthew F. Hale, Wayne Bent, and Carl Drew, to name a few. Each one of these men enacted despicable acts of rape, violence, and even murder. Tilbury has added his fiction character, Edward Ebb, to this list. This literary fiction is a straight shooter from a brilliant storyteller. Tilbury's has created a strong story and delightful characters the reader can relate too. But it’s the character development that makes this story interesting and keeps the readers nose to the book. The author has taken his time to develop his character in such a way they have “realism,” making the reader see them as people with morals, qualms, flaws, and even frightening trait. Reader’s are going to love this story. I would recommend it to anyone look for a read to get the blood pumping thriller into their day.
In his last conversation with his son, Ben’s father told him not to involve the police. Ben doesn’t understand it, but he knows his father wouldn’t have said this without a reason.
Ben gathers his courage and with the assistance of the preacher’s daughter, Maggie, sets out to find his missing father.
The to find a twisted, obsessed religious fanatic that has the charisma to obtain followers who follow him like sheep—they believe his ridiculous stories and are sucked into the cult.
The leader of this crazed cult, Edward Ebb, is much like the past cult leaders that have sucked their victims into their delusions and performed inexplicable unspeakable acts. Some that come to mind are Matthew F. Hale, Wayne Bent, and Carl Drew, to name a few. Each one of these men enacted despicable acts of rape, violence, and even murder. Tilbury has added his fiction character, Edward Ebb, to this list. This literary fiction is a straight shooter from a brilliant storyteller. Tilbury's has created a strong story and delightful characters the reader can relate too. But it’s the character development that makes this story interesting and keeps the readers nose to the book. The author has taken his time to develop his character in such a way they have “realism,” making the reader see them as people with morals, qualms, flaws, and even frightening trait. Reader’s are going to love this story. I would recommend it to anyone look for a read to get the blood pumping thriller into their day.
May 25, 2017
The Revelation Room is the first book in the Ben Whittle Investigation series and is being relaunched by Bloodhound Books. After having read and loved The Abattoir of Dreams a while ago, I was really excited about discovering some of this author’s earlier work and I was not disappointed.
When Ben’s father, a private investigator, goes missing while working on a case of a missing girl, it’s up to Ben to rescue him. There’s just one little problem. Ben isn’t exactly the most confident guy you’ll ever meet. Together with Maddie, the daughter of the local vicar, he discovers his only option is to join the cult his father was investigating.
The leader of the cult is, there’s only one word for it, insane. Completely off his head bonkers! He uses his position to control the weak and easily manipulated followers of The Sons and Daughters of Salvation and will not hesitate to remove anyone who doesn’t fall in line.
Mark Tilbury has the uncanny ability to come up with the most psychotic, evil characters and Edward Ebb, the cult leader, is no exception. I was soon immersed in the dark and disturbing world of cult life and some of the events at the farm, where the cult lives, made the hairs on my arms stand up but it made for one incredibly gripping ride. And it’s not all doom and bloom as there are some wonderfully humorous lines, which somehow shouldn’t work but it does!
Geeky Ben, the unlikely hero, and his delightful little crush on Maddie stole my heart from the very beginning. I warmed to him immediately and was rooting for him all the way as you tend to do with an underdog.
This was a highly enjoyable and entertaining psychological mystery and I’m very much looking forward to reading more of this series as the conclusion of this first book sets the next one up perfectly.
When Ben’s father, a private investigator, goes missing while working on a case of a missing girl, it’s up to Ben to rescue him. There’s just one little problem. Ben isn’t exactly the most confident guy you’ll ever meet. Together with Maddie, the daughter of the local vicar, he discovers his only option is to join the cult his father was investigating.
The leader of the cult is, there’s only one word for it, insane. Completely off his head bonkers! He uses his position to control the weak and easily manipulated followers of The Sons and Daughters of Salvation and will not hesitate to remove anyone who doesn’t fall in line.
Mark Tilbury has the uncanny ability to come up with the most psychotic, evil characters and Edward Ebb, the cult leader, is no exception. I was soon immersed in the dark and disturbing world of cult life and some of the events at the farm, where the cult lives, made the hairs on my arms stand up but it made for one incredibly gripping ride. And it’s not all doom and bloom as there are some wonderfully humorous lines, which somehow shouldn’t work but it does!
Geeky Ben, the unlikely hero, and his delightful little crush on Maddie stole my heart from the very beginning. I warmed to him immediately and was rooting for him all the way as you tend to do with an underdog.
This was a highly enjoyable and entertaining psychological mystery and I’m very much looking forward to reading more of this series as the conclusion of this first book sets the next one up perfectly.
August 10, 2017
If you find yourself as confused as I was at the start of this book - don't stop reading. It had great reviews but I thought I'd stumbled onto some YA christian fiction initially and nearly gave up.
It soon turned into a normal but horrific story about a cult gone insane. Ben Whittle and his girlfriend Maddie infiltrate the Sons and Daughters of Salvation to try and find out what happened to Ben's father as he was investigating the cult to find a missing girl. The guy running the show, Father Ebb, is a completely sadistic nutcase who allows no dissension within the ranks.
Ben and Maddie soon find out, to their horror, that no-one is allowed to leave and the initiation into the cult is pretty challenging (read horrific).
I won't say any more except to warn potential readers that it is very dark and quite disturbing. I did like the dialogue from Ebb, not that I agreed with it, but I'm sure I've heard similar phrases from people (politicians, preachers, even bosses) trying to justify their actions - shudder. Very manipulative stuff. A compulsive read.
It soon turned into a normal but horrific story about a cult gone insane. Ben Whittle and his girlfriend Maddie infiltrate the Sons and Daughters of Salvation to try and find out what happened to Ben's father as he was investigating the cult to find a missing girl. The guy running the show, Father Ebb, is a completely sadistic nutcase who allows no dissension within the ranks.
Ben and Maddie soon find out, to their horror, that no-one is allowed to leave and the initiation into the cult is pretty challenging (read horrific).
I won't say any more except to warn potential readers that it is very dark and quite disturbing. I did like the dialogue from Ebb, not that I agreed with it, but I'm sure I've heard similar phrases from people (politicians, preachers, even bosses) trying to justify their actions - shudder. Very manipulative stuff. A compulsive read.
May 21, 2016
Thanks to Mark Tilbury and THE Book Club for the chance to read and review this book.
Ben Whittle's father goes missing whilst investigating the disappearance of a girl who has joined a strange religious cult. Urged on by his friend Maddie, he reluctantly agree to go in search of him. Maddie is sure that the way to find the girl and Ben's father is for the pair of them to join to. They had little idea of what they were letting themselves in for.
I found the character of Ben very irritating at times although I really liked Maddie. The villains in the story are truly awful especially Fathr Ebb.
In many ways this was a very absorbing read & I certainly had to find out how it ended. I would give it 3.5 stars.
Ben Whittle's father goes missing whilst investigating the disappearance of a girl who has joined a strange religious cult. Urged on by his friend Maddie, he reluctantly agree to go in search of him. Maddie is sure that the way to find the girl and Ben's father is for the pair of them to join to. They had little idea of what they were letting themselves in for.
I found the character of Ben very irritating at times although I really liked Maddie. The villains in the story are truly awful especially Fathr Ebb.
In many ways this was a very absorbing read & I certainly had to find out how it ended. I would give it 3.5 stars.
June 25, 2017
Loved this, I recommend you read it! What a twisted individual Ebb is x
Want to read
October 30, 2017FREE on Amazon today (10/30/2017)!
June 2, 2017
Enjoyed reading this book, some great characters that are completely nuts
May 29, 2017
thrillers
I have read a few books that are linked to cults and I have a fascination with them, how can you bring someone into your group and make them believe and if not believe have enough fear to keep them where they are.
The revelation room has it all going on, I managed to read this in an afternoon/evening. It really was a just one more chapter read, with the ease of being sucked in from the start.
Ben and Maddie undertake to help carry on where Ben's dad couldn't.... and soon find themselves in the hands of Ebb,
Ebb really is one sick individual and an absolute great character to read about. The Son's and Daughters of the sisterhood really is a cleverly concealed way to bring people together for his own gains.
I thoroughly enjoyed this psychological thriller, which had a hint of horror to it.
Highly recommend and am looking forward to more in the series.
I have read a few books that are linked to cults and I have a fascination with them, how can you bring someone into your group and make them believe and if not believe have enough fear to keep them where they are.
The revelation room has it all going on, I managed to read this in an afternoon/evening. It really was a just one more chapter read, with the ease of being sucked in from the start.
Ben and Maddie undertake to help carry on where Ben's dad couldn't.... and soon find themselves in the hands of Ebb,
Ebb really is one sick individual and an absolute great character to read about. The Son's and Daughters of the sisterhood really is a cleverly concealed way to bring people together for his own gains.
I thoroughly enjoyed this psychological thriller, which had a hint of horror to it.
Highly recommend and am looking forward to more in the series.
September 28, 2015
“Mark Tilbury’s debut novel is everything I hope for in a gripping psychological thriller and had me turning those pages anxiously throughout the night. I simply couldn’t put it down!”
The story opens with a disturbing telephone call to Ben from his father who has just been captured by members of a religious cult, who go by the name of, ´The Sons and daughters of Salvation´ Ben’s father was initially hired to investigate the disappearance of a young woman by the name of Emily, as her parents are in desperate need for answers on their missing daughters whereabouts. However, when Ben’s father is captured against his will and close to death, Ben is forced on a deadly mission to step in to try and find his father ASAP, by re-tracing the missing girls last known steps. Ben recruits his best friend, Maddie to help him on his mission, as he is convinced he is too mild and meek to do it alone and is petrified with the fact that the only way to find his father and the missing girl is to go undercover and join the cult. In order to join the cult Ben and Maddie have to gain Marcuse’s (A cult member) trust. They make up good cover stories, hoping they will be accepted. Unaware and unprepared that life as they know it will become a fading memory and their chances of survival on this remote farm, where the chain of command is to worship an evil sociopath are inevitably stacked against them. They are soon forced to take refuge in a gruesome chamber of horrors (The Revelation Room) which hosts some terrifying discoveries and sinister secrets that may help them or hinder them on their mission to escape as the body count increases and time is running out.
Despite the conflicts, dangers and twists in the story the characters’ are my most favourite part of the novel as they are all uniquely flawed because they all struggle with their own issues and find a way to deal with all the changes around them. One example of this is with the main protagonist, Ben, who lacks self-confidence and is haunted by his childhood accident at the hands of bullies, as he is nicknamed, ´Stutter-Buck´
Tilbury has taken a young insecure man and slowly transformed him into a brave hero that the reader can get behind and root for and I look forward to reading more of Ben’s adventures in the near future. Well done Mr Tilbury for giving us a hero both gritty and moving, and a clever psychological plot that works well to the dramatic end.
My Ranking: 5 Stars
My Review Sites:
http://walkerputsche.wordpress.com/
http://catherineroseputsche.webs.com/
http://t.co/G0ExZgmlwc
https://twitter.com/Putsche73
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/...
The story opens with a disturbing telephone call to Ben from his father who has just been captured by members of a religious cult, who go by the name of, ´The Sons and daughters of Salvation´ Ben’s father was initially hired to investigate the disappearance of a young woman by the name of Emily, as her parents are in desperate need for answers on their missing daughters whereabouts. However, when Ben’s father is captured against his will and close to death, Ben is forced on a deadly mission to step in to try and find his father ASAP, by re-tracing the missing girls last known steps. Ben recruits his best friend, Maddie to help him on his mission, as he is convinced he is too mild and meek to do it alone and is petrified with the fact that the only way to find his father and the missing girl is to go undercover and join the cult. In order to join the cult Ben and Maddie have to gain Marcuse’s (A cult member) trust. They make up good cover stories, hoping they will be accepted. Unaware and unprepared that life as they know it will become a fading memory and their chances of survival on this remote farm, where the chain of command is to worship an evil sociopath are inevitably stacked against them. They are soon forced to take refuge in a gruesome chamber of horrors (The Revelation Room) which hosts some terrifying discoveries and sinister secrets that may help them or hinder them on their mission to escape as the body count increases and time is running out.
Despite the conflicts, dangers and twists in the story the characters’ are my most favourite part of the novel as they are all uniquely flawed because they all struggle with their own issues and find a way to deal with all the changes around them. One example of this is with the main protagonist, Ben, who lacks self-confidence and is haunted by his childhood accident at the hands of bullies, as he is nicknamed, ´Stutter-Buck´
Tilbury has taken a young insecure man and slowly transformed him into a brave hero that the reader can get behind and root for and I look forward to reading more of Ben’s adventures in the near future. Well done Mr Tilbury for giving us a hero both gritty and moving, and a clever psychological plot that works well to the dramatic end.
My Ranking: 5 Stars
My Review Sites:
http://walkerputsche.wordpress.com/
http://catherineroseputsche.webs.com/
http://t.co/G0ExZgmlwc
https://twitter.com/Putsche73
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/...
July 12, 2015
The Revelation Room by Mark Tilbury is a book a found out about on Twitter. Curious about it, I connected with the author and discovered that he is a former submarine sailor (although British and from diesel boats instead of nuclear powered boats) like me. I decided to give it a shot.
Synopsis (from the author): Ben Whittle’s father is a private investigator who has been taken captive by a cult whilst investigating a missing girl. Close to death, he makes a desperate call to Ben for help. He tells Ben that he must not call the police because “everyone will die”. With the help of his friend Maddie, Ben retraces the last known steps of the missing girl. The only option open to them is to join the cult and rescue Ben’s father from the inside.
But this is no band of hapless hippies worshipping the moon and drinking chicken blood. They are a group of dangerously brainwashed followers who are under the spell of psychopathic cult leader, Edward Ebb. When Ben and Maddie are initiated into the group, they pass into a world where only two choices exist: compliance or death.
Ben and Maddie must find Ben’s father and the missing girl, but the odds are impossibly stacked against them and time is fast running out. And they will soon discover the gruesome secret concealed in the Revelation Room.
What I liked: Mark Tilbury did an excellent job of blending dark humor with a very chilling storyline. I liked the way he skillfully intertwined the religious role of Maddie’s father with the seeming lack of faith Ben possessed. The cult leader, Edward Ebb, was as wacky as one would expect and the other members of the cult were similarly disturbed in their own ways - which only made the more believable as characters. There was enough action and suspense to keep me entertained, but nothing terribly graphic, which was refreshing. It will be interesting to see how the relationship between Ben and Maddie develops.
What I didn’t like: For a paranoid character like Edward Ebb was, the ease with which Ben and Maddie infiltrated the group was a little difficult to believe. Likewise, the lack of rebellion by the more sane members of the group was a bit tough to understand, too. However, none of that took away from the story or the writing, and it was a good read.
Overall impression: The Revelation Room was a well-written story. I liked the heroes, Ben and Maddie, and the overall story, though dark and grim in places, showed the triumph of family and friendship. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a chilling thriller!
My rating: 4.5 Stars (rounded to 5)
Synopsis (from the author): Ben Whittle’s father is a private investigator who has been taken captive by a cult whilst investigating a missing girl. Close to death, he makes a desperate call to Ben for help. He tells Ben that he must not call the police because “everyone will die”. With the help of his friend Maddie, Ben retraces the last known steps of the missing girl. The only option open to them is to join the cult and rescue Ben’s father from the inside.
But this is no band of hapless hippies worshipping the moon and drinking chicken blood. They are a group of dangerously brainwashed followers who are under the spell of psychopathic cult leader, Edward Ebb. When Ben and Maddie are initiated into the group, they pass into a world where only two choices exist: compliance or death.
Ben and Maddie must find Ben’s father and the missing girl, but the odds are impossibly stacked against them and time is fast running out. And they will soon discover the gruesome secret concealed in the Revelation Room.
What I liked: Mark Tilbury did an excellent job of blending dark humor with a very chilling storyline. I liked the way he skillfully intertwined the religious role of Maddie’s father with the seeming lack of faith Ben possessed. The cult leader, Edward Ebb, was as wacky as one would expect and the other members of the cult were similarly disturbed in their own ways - which only made the more believable as characters. There was enough action and suspense to keep me entertained, but nothing terribly graphic, which was refreshing. It will be interesting to see how the relationship between Ben and Maddie develops.
What I didn’t like: For a paranoid character like Edward Ebb was, the ease with which Ben and Maddie infiltrated the group was a little difficult to believe. Likewise, the lack of rebellion by the more sane members of the group was a bit tough to understand, too. However, none of that took away from the story or the writing, and it was a good read.
Overall impression: The Revelation Room was a well-written story. I liked the heroes, Ben and Maddie, and the overall story, though dark and grim in places, showed the triumph of family and friendship. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a chilling thriller!
My rating: 4.5 Stars (rounded to 5)
May 27, 2017
I originally read this book back on 1st January 2016 and loving it just as much this time round now published under Bloodhound Books. This is the first book in the Ben Whittle series by Mark Tilbury.
Well I think this novel had just about everything. It made me read with just one eye open at times, laugh and it had a little romance blossoming too. When shy and insecure Ben receives a desperate phone call from his P.I. dad Geoff, saying he is in grave danger from a cult he is investigating, he knows that he is his dad's only hope. Ben and his friend Maddie, that he secretly has a crush on, go on a rescue mission and weave their way into The Sons and Daughters of Salvation.
There are some pretty disturbing characters in this novel that has its eye candy come and join us street soldiers to the disturbed souls that fall for it just because no one else gives a damn. There seems to be two very distinctive types of leaders of cults. One that is run like a business to fleece all of its worshipers from everything they own to the psychopath that really believes he should be worshiped above everything else. Ebb is one you won’t forget in a hurray. He is one scary guy.
Ben is a character that you just want to get in front of to protect because he is really such a lovely lad. This shy and unassuming young man pushes himself to the limits and beyond in this story and finds that he does have a purpose in life which isn’t to be walked over. The poor lad has to face his worse fears and make a choice, fight or flight.
I really enjoyed Mark Tilbury's debut novel that took me into the very dark and disturbing world of being in this cult. He totally captures the vulnerability of people in our society and how easy it is to manipulate them.
The author doesn't over complicate the story and it flows brilliantly, making it a really great book. The humour delivered in one liners is the icing on the cake.
Well I think this novel had just about everything. It made me read with just one eye open at times, laugh and it had a little romance blossoming too. When shy and insecure Ben receives a desperate phone call from his P.I. dad Geoff, saying he is in grave danger from a cult he is investigating, he knows that he is his dad's only hope. Ben and his friend Maddie, that he secretly has a crush on, go on a rescue mission and weave their way into The Sons and Daughters of Salvation.
There are some pretty disturbing characters in this novel that has its eye candy come and join us street soldiers to the disturbed souls that fall for it just because no one else gives a damn. There seems to be two very distinctive types of leaders of cults. One that is run like a business to fleece all of its worshipers from everything they own to the psychopath that really believes he should be worshiped above everything else. Ebb is one you won’t forget in a hurray. He is one scary guy.
Ben is a character that you just want to get in front of to protect because he is really such a lovely lad. This shy and unassuming young man pushes himself to the limits and beyond in this story and finds that he does have a purpose in life which isn’t to be walked over. The poor lad has to face his worse fears and make a choice, fight or flight.
I really enjoyed Mark Tilbury's debut novel that took me into the very dark and disturbing world of being in this cult. He totally captures the vulnerability of people in our society and how easy it is to manipulate them.
The author doesn't over complicate the story and it flows brilliantly, making it a really great book. The humour delivered in one liners is the icing on the cake.
June 6, 2015
Explicit Chilling Storytelling at Its Best!
The Revelation Room begins in humble innocence before all hell breaks loose with the cast of characters penned by author Mark Tilbury in his debut novel.
Tilbury is masterful as he develops his story characters through 331 pages of cascading psychological suspense. The novel is precision-paced as the twisted drama builds and unfolds thrill by thrill. As the characters reveal, in their own dodgy way, underlying motivations and rationalizations for their behavior, tension mounts. This helps the reader formulate and classify the forces of good and evil as the classic match-up and struggle begins. As the story deepens the reader will have plenty of guesswork and speculation ahead until the last page is turned. Giving the reader an inside look at the characters’ thought processes is a revelation within itself. Tilbury executes that writing process with skill.
The author has no mercy as he willingly turns his characters loose on the page and in The Revelation Room. Yes, there is a revelation room, but I don’t dare tell you what waits inside. Your curiosity is in control here. But you’ve been warned.
For me, as a reader, the intriguing element of Tilbury’s debut novel is how an ordinary day, in The Revelation Room novel, transforms into extraordinary horror and terror. One that will leave future readers taking deep breaths as final pages are turned.
In the midst of the characters’ angst, the author leaves room for a bit of shadowed humor which is a welcomed relief along the way. Tilbury has a good handle on balancing story elements.
The Revelation Room made one thing crystal clear: Mark Tilbury knows how to deliver a riveting psychological thriller! Five Stars, Mr. Tilbury. We’re waiting for your next novel!
The Revelation Room begins in humble innocence before all hell breaks loose with the cast of characters penned by author Mark Tilbury in his debut novel.
Tilbury is masterful as he develops his story characters through 331 pages of cascading psychological suspense. The novel is precision-paced as the twisted drama builds and unfolds thrill by thrill. As the characters reveal, in their own dodgy way, underlying motivations and rationalizations for their behavior, tension mounts. This helps the reader formulate and classify the forces of good and evil as the classic match-up and struggle begins. As the story deepens the reader will have plenty of guesswork and speculation ahead until the last page is turned. Giving the reader an inside look at the characters’ thought processes is a revelation within itself. Tilbury executes that writing process with skill.
The author has no mercy as he willingly turns his characters loose on the page and in The Revelation Room. Yes, there is a revelation room, but I don’t dare tell you what waits inside. Your curiosity is in control here. But you’ve been warned.
For me, as a reader, the intriguing element of Tilbury’s debut novel is how an ordinary day, in The Revelation Room novel, transforms into extraordinary horror and terror. One that will leave future readers taking deep breaths as final pages are turned.
In the midst of the characters’ angst, the author leaves room for a bit of shadowed humor which is a welcomed relief along the way. Tilbury has a good handle on balancing story elements.
The Revelation Room made one thing crystal clear: Mark Tilbury knows how to deliver a riveting psychological thriller! Five Stars, Mr. Tilbury. We’re waiting for your next novel!
March 6, 2017
The Revelation Room is the first book in the Ben Whittle Investigation series. Being a massive fan of psychological thrillers I couldn't wait to get stuck in.Then this book ended up sitting on my TBR pile for way to long. Well what can I say but wow I am impressed, I actually wished I had read it sooner.
So in the story we meet Ben, who is asked for help by his father Geoff After being kidnapped by a dangerous cult and finding himself close to death. Ben is told not to ring the police because everyone one will die. Ben and his friend Maddie track down one of the cult members. Their only option to rescue George is to join the cult!
But the Sons and Daughters of Salvation are a group of unhinged, brainwashed people living under the spell of evil psychopath, Edward Ebb. When Ben and Maddie are initiated into the group, they pass into a world where only two choices exist: compliance or death. The odds are impossibly stacked against them. The question is, what the gruesome secret locked away in the Revelation Room?
I was gripped from the start to the very last page. I must admit I have a thing about stories with a church theme.This story is dark and warped with some added dark humor absolutely perfect if I do say so myself.
I love the fact that there isnt to many characters and there is plenty of character background. So we get to know the characters well and I am looking forward to reading more in the series. By the way Ed the cult leader is certainly one disturbing character.
If your looking for something dark and twisted this is the book for you, which I highly recommend giving it 4 stars.
So in the story we meet Ben, who is asked for help by his father Geoff After being kidnapped by a dangerous cult and finding himself close to death. Ben is told not to ring the police because everyone one will die. Ben and his friend Maddie track down one of the cult members. Their only option to rescue George is to join the cult!
But the Sons and Daughters of Salvation are a group of unhinged, brainwashed people living under the spell of evil psychopath, Edward Ebb. When Ben and Maddie are initiated into the group, they pass into a world where only two choices exist: compliance or death. The odds are impossibly stacked against them. The question is, what the gruesome secret locked away in the Revelation Room?
I was gripped from the start to the very last page. I must admit I have a thing about stories with a church theme.This story is dark and warped with some added dark humor absolutely perfect if I do say so myself.
I love the fact that there isnt to many characters and there is plenty of character background. So we get to know the characters well and I am looking forward to reading more in the series. By the way Ed the cult leader is certainly one disturbing character.
If your looking for something dark and twisted this is the book for you, which I highly recommend giving it 4 stars.
February 13, 2016
When Ben Whittle’s dad, Geoff, goes missing while investigating the cult, Sons and Daughters of Salvation, Ben knows that he has no other choice but to try and save him without the help of the authorities. Although Ben hadn’t been out in the field with his PI dad before, he’s anxious to get to his dad before the unthinkable can happen. Luckily, his friend Maddie is ready to go along. Finding the cult isn’t the hard part; surviving the cult initiation at the hands of the insane leader, Edward Ebbs, will be a fight for their lives.
I felt the first third of the book dragged, though I’m used to reading books that start off with a killing within the first few pages. This book, however, used that time to build up the characters backgrounds and give the reader a good feel for each one of them. The writing was good and I was rewarded by the rest of the book, which was an intense psychological thriller. With the insane cult leader of Edward Ebbs, it was hard to tell what would happen next. It was the inside world of a cult that one would only imagine in their nightmares. The pages flew by as I raced with Ben and Maddie to see if they would be able to find Ben’s dad get themselves out of their predicament alive and mentally intact.
I would definitely recommend this book to people, encouraging them to enjoy the story in the first part and to be ready to hang on for the crazy ride that follows in the rest of the book.
I felt the first third of the book dragged, though I’m used to reading books that start off with a killing within the first few pages. This book, however, used that time to build up the characters backgrounds and give the reader a good feel for each one of them. The writing was good and I was rewarded by the rest of the book, which was an intense psychological thriller. With the insane cult leader of Edward Ebbs, it was hard to tell what would happen next. It was the inside world of a cult that one would only imagine in their nightmares. The pages flew by as I raced with Ben and Maddie to see if they would be able to find Ben’s dad get themselves out of their predicament alive and mentally intact.
I would definitely recommend this book to people, encouraging them to enjoy the story in the first part and to be ready to hang on for the crazy ride that follows in the rest of the book.
May 31, 2017
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The book is very well written with a realistic story and very unique, realistic characters. The story begins with a PI looking for a girl who has run away to join a religious cult. He is discovered and this sets in motion a sequence of events with tragic consequences.
Ben is the main character and Mark has expertly written this book so that the development and growth of Ben’s character is what makes the book. It is written in a very unique way and it works brilliantly.
Ben is thrown in at the deep end when his father asks for help. He is a sensitive man with little self-confidence and is placed well outside his comfort zone. The reader is rooting for him as he struggles to make the right decisions and take action. He is supported by Maddie who he secretly loves and the relationship between Ben and Maddie plays an important part in the book.
On the other side we have Ebb who is the leader of the Cult. He is another brilliantly put together character a man who is evil but believes he is working for God and is able to convince others to follow him. I would like to think he is a little far-fetched but I am realistic enough the know that isnt true people like him do exist among us.
The book starts with suspense at the beginning and keeps delivering as the reader keeps turning page after page until it ends with an action packed finale. I can’t wait to read book 2.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for a free copy of this book
The book is very well written with a realistic story and very unique, realistic characters. The story begins with a PI looking for a girl who has run away to join a religious cult. He is discovered and this sets in motion a sequence of events with tragic consequences.
Ben is the main character and Mark has expertly written this book so that the development and growth of Ben’s character is what makes the book. It is written in a very unique way and it works brilliantly.
Ben is thrown in at the deep end when his father asks for help. He is a sensitive man with little self-confidence and is placed well outside his comfort zone. The reader is rooting for him as he struggles to make the right decisions and take action. He is supported by Maddie who he secretly loves and the relationship between Ben and Maddie plays an important part in the book.
On the other side we have Ebb who is the leader of the Cult. He is another brilliantly put together character a man who is evil but believes he is working for God and is able to convince others to follow him. I would like to think he is a little far-fetched but I am realistic enough the know that isnt true people like him do exist among us.
The book starts with suspense at the beginning and keeps delivering as the reader keeps turning page after page until it ends with an action packed finale. I can’t wait to read book 2.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for a free copy of this book
October 31, 2015
THE REVELATION ROOM by Mark Tilbury is a gritty, nail-biting, thrill ride of a read! When Ben Whittle, an insecure young man who has little confidence in himself, sets out to rescue his ex-police officer father from the clutches of a brutal cult, he and the girl he loves face a danger more terrifying and insidious than anything they could ever have imagined. Overpowered, badly injured, isolated, fearing his girlfriend dead, Ben thinks himself tragically ill-equipped to be a hero. But there is a chance, a very small chance, that he just may be mistaken.
As I'm quite squeamish, I don't normally read thrillers as visceral and violent as THE REVELATION ROOM, but the concept was so intriguing and the story so compelling that I dove into it anyway. I might have had to read a few chapters while peeking nervously through my fingers, but the characters were so well drawn, the hero and heroine so appealing, and the story so powerfully suspenseful that I couldn't put it down.
Due to scenes of explicit violence and extreme jeopardy, this is not a novel for the faint of heart. But if you're looking for a gripping, gut-wrenching thriller with strong themes of heroism, faith, sacrifice, and redemption, don't miss THE REVELATION ROOM!
As I'm quite squeamish, I don't normally read thrillers as visceral and violent as THE REVELATION ROOM, but the concept was so intriguing and the story so compelling that I dove into it anyway. I might have had to read a few chapters while peeking nervously through my fingers, but the characters were so well drawn, the hero and heroine so appealing, and the story so powerfully suspenseful that I couldn't put it down.
Due to scenes of explicit violence and extreme jeopardy, this is not a novel for the faint of heart. But if you're looking for a gripping, gut-wrenching thriller with strong themes of heroism, faith, sacrifice, and redemption, don't miss THE REVELATION ROOM!
June 5, 2015
The Revelation Room is one heck of a psychological thriller for debut author Mark Tilbury. In the story Ben and Maddie team up to search for Ben’s missing father. Their trail leads them to Edward Ebb and a cult The Sons and Daughters of Salvation. In order to find and save Ben’s father the two join the cult.
Tilbury gives the reader a glimpse into the minds of each character. Amongst the disturbing terror I found myself laughing at Ben and Maddie’s inner thoughts. It’s a glimpse many authors don’t afford when writing from a third person point of view but Tilbury does it well. He breathes life into each character through their inner thoughts, dialogue and imperfections or weaknesses.
I enjoyed his dark humor, witty descriptions of each terror filled page. A book worthy or reading again – before book 2 comes out!
Tilbury gives the reader a glimpse into the minds of each character. Amongst the disturbing terror I found myself laughing at Ben and Maddie’s inner thoughts. It’s a glimpse many authors don’t afford when writing from a third person point of view but Tilbury does it well. He breathes life into each character through their inner thoughts, dialogue and imperfections or weaknesses.
I enjoyed his dark humor, witty descriptions of each terror filled page. A book worthy or reading again – before book 2 comes out!
May 30, 2015
Geoff Whittle is a private investigator who has been asked to look for a missing girl who might be held captive in a cult. When Geoff's son, Ben Whittle, receives a terrifying call from his dad who is in danger, Ben and a friend, Maddie, or headed off on an adventure that will take them to the Penghilly Farm where some crazy and horrific things are happening, all caused by the leader of the sons and daughter of salvation, Ebb. This is a twisted story that takes the reader on an amazing ride. Not only is the suspenseful story a great read, but the author did a magnificent job in his character development, as the reader learns the backgrounds of the character's you can't help but root for your favorite, while hoping the good will be able to fight and overcome the evil. To find out if they will, grab this well - written must have story.
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