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Scabland
SCABLAND placed as a Finalist in the 2018 IAN Award for Oustanding Suspense/Thriller of the year.
When Melissa Cohen was 18 a cruel attack ruined her dream of becoming a psychiatrist. Ever since, she’s been unable to commit to any relationship or career. She’s been a soldier in the Israeli army, an Israeli federal agent, a Miami police officer and a forensic photographer. Now 38, she’s a successful paparazzi photographer.
For 20 years Melissa assumed her attackers didn’t know her identity. But one does. Dying from the mysterious Burning-Heart Virus that’s ravaging the nation, he confesses to her. He doesn’t tell the other rapists who she is, but he tells them she knows who they are now—except for one, a sadist he only knows as Spider. When Spider starts killing off anyone who can identify him, Melissa is forced into a deadly race to discover his identity before he discovers hers. All the skills Melissa learned at her former jobs fall into place as if she’d been unconsciously training for this hunt all along. But Melissa isn’t out to kill. This would-be psychiatrist has had a long time to think about rape, and she has a cure. And now she has the perfect test subject in her sights.
When Melissa Cohen was 18 a cruel attack ruined her dream of becoming a psychiatrist. Ever since, she’s been unable to commit to any relationship or career. She’s been a soldier in the Israeli army, an Israeli federal agent, a Miami police officer and a forensic photographer. Now 38, she’s a successful paparazzi photographer.
For 20 years Melissa assumed her attackers didn’t know her identity. But one does. Dying from the mysterious Burning-Heart Virus that’s ravaging the nation, he confesses to her. He doesn’t tell the other rapists who she is, but he tells them she knows who they are now—except for one, a sadist he only knows as Spider. When Spider starts killing off anyone who can identify him, Melissa is forced into a deadly race to discover his identity before he discovers hers. All the skills Melissa learned at her former jobs fall into place as if she’d been unconsciously training for this hunt all along. But Melissa isn’t out to kill. This would-be psychiatrist has had a long time to think about rape, and she has a cure. And now she has the perfect test subject in her sights.
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About the author
Adam Smith
3 books15 followersAdam Smith is a graduate cum laude of the University of Arizona. Born and raised in New England, he lives on Cape Cod. Though he is an award-winning writer, he regards being handpicked by Dennis Lehane for his novel-writing workshop at Writers In Paradise as a prized writing honor.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 3, 2018
In Adam Smith’s "Scabland", Melissa Cohen’s teenage dream of becoming a psychiatrist was shattered when she was subjected to a horrendous attack by a group of vile individuals led by a psychopath with the self-styled appellation of Spider. Her life would never be the same again. In the intervening years before we catch up with her at age 38, she has been a solider in the Israeli Defence Force, an Israeli federal agent, a Miami cop and a forensic photographer. Now, she is a highly successful paparazzi photographer. But her success is overshadowed by her past and she finds it impossible to have any kind of meaningful relationship. Melissa has always assumed her attackers did not know her identity but after 20 years she discovers that one does. He is dying from a mysterious virus that threatens to reach plague proportions. As this man has a limited time to live, he confesses to her. He doesn’t tell the other attackers her identity but he does say that she knows who they are — except for Spider. Her arch nemesis begins killing off anyone, including his fellow attackers, who can identify him and Melissa is forced into a desperate race to discover his identity before he finds out hers. Despite skills learnt in the IDF and as a Miami cop, Melissa’s revenge is not what you would think. What she has in mind she considers a cure. And it is a most surprising one at that.
It is not every day you come across a novel that you are convinced is exceptionally well written after reading just the first few lines; a novel that is so gripping, you can’t wait to get to the dénouement to see where this wild ride is going to take you; the characters so well depicted you feel you know them. Adam Smith’s Scabland appears to be self-published. It must surely have been professionally edited because I couldn’t find a single error — a rarity these days, especially with independently published novels. Excellent prose completes the package. Readers of "Scabland" will be hooked from the outset. The pace is around Mach 2, the story itself intriguing and unique. To top it off, Adam Smith writes in the first person — as a woman, not an easy thing for a man to do, especially given Melissa’s circumstances. And he does so in a credible way. A word of warning though, this story is not for the faint hearted; some of the scenes are highly visual and you may not want to go there. But if you’re game, get yourself a pair of heat resistant gloves and be careful how you turn the white hot pages.
It is not every day you come across a novel that you are convinced is exceptionally well written after reading just the first few lines; a novel that is so gripping, you can’t wait to get to the dénouement to see where this wild ride is going to take you; the characters so well depicted you feel you know them. Adam Smith’s Scabland appears to be self-published. It must surely have been professionally edited because I couldn’t find a single error — a rarity these days, especially with independently published novels. Excellent prose completes the package. Readers of "Scabland" will be hooked from the outset. The pace is around Mach 2, the story itself intriguing and unique. To top it off, Adam Smith writes in the first person — as a woman, not an easy thing for a man to do, especially given Melissa’s circumstances. And he does so in a credible way. A word of warning though, this story is not for the faint hearted; some of the scenes are highly visual and you may not want to go there. But if you’re game, get yourself a pair of heat resistant gloves and be careful how you turn the white hot pages.
October 18, 2017
A thrilling must read
Melissa Cohen has been many things, a solider in the Israeli army, a police officer, a forensic photographer, and even a paparazzi, but she never became what she really wanted to be, a psychiatrist. That dream was taken from her when she was only 18 by a man who drugged, raped, and kidnapped her. Since then, Melissa has bounced around from job to job, unable to commit to anything. It is after her most recent paparazzi steak out that she comes face to face with a part of her past she longed to forget.
In the folder in front of her, Melissa is given not only a confession, but the pictures and identities of her rapists. The man who tracked her down, Andy Kissper, was one of them. Now a Christian and faced with his ultimate death from "The Sickness", Kissper believes it's time to come clean. Melissa though, isn't concerned with Kissper or any of the other men in the pictures. In fact, she is only interested in one man, Spider, the man who ruined her life. From that moment on, Melissa begins a journey to seek out each of them men on the list and to finally find Spider and give him what he deserves, a cure.
Scabland wasn't what I expected it to be, it is even better! With so many twits, turns, and surprises, I found myself unable to put the book down. The thrilling turn of events as Melissa progresses through her journey just kept getting better, leading up to an ending that was a surprise itself. Scabland will definitely keep you guessing.
Other than a few editorial mistakes, this is a very well written book that I highly recommend. Not only is this book what I'd consider a thriller, but it also has humor and a little bit of romance thrown in that makes this a great book for a wider audience. The sensitive subject of rape is throughout the book, and so it is not suited for a younger audience, but a reader who can handle the more mature aspects. It is not gruesome in detail, but facts are discussed in past tense. I truly enjoyed Scabland and for those who love a good thrilling tale, this is a MUST read! Happy Reading!
Melissa Cohen has been many things, a solider in the Israeli army, a police officer, a forensic photographer, and even a paparazzi, but she never became what she really wanted to be, a psychiatrist. That dream was taken from her when she was only 18 by a man who drugged, raped, and kidnapped her. Since then, Melissa has bounced around from job to job, unable to commit to anything. It is after her most recent paparazzi steak out that she comes face to face with a part of her past she longed to forget.
In the folder in front of her, Melissa is given not only a confession, but the pictures and identities of her rapists. The man who tracked her down, Andy Kissper, was one of them. Now a Christian and faced with his ultimate death from "The Sickness", Kissper believes it's time to come clean. Melissa though, isn't concerned with Kissper or any of the other men in the pictures. In fact, she is only interested in one man, Spider, the man who ruined her life. From that moment on, Melissa begins a journey to seek out each of them men on the list and to finally find Spider and give him what he deserves, a cure.
Scabland wasn't what I expected it to be, it is even better! With so many twits, turns, and surprises, I found myself unable to put the book down. The thrilling turn of events as Melissa progresses through her journey just kept getting better, leading up to an ending that was a surprise itself. Scabland will definitely keep you guessing.
Other than a few editorial mistakes, this is a very well written book that I highly recommend. Not only is this book what I'd consider a thriller, but it also has humor and a little bit of romance thrown in that makes this a great book for a wider audience. The sensitive subject of rape is throughout the book, and so it is not suited for a younger audience, but a reader who can handle the more mature aspects. It is not gruesome in detail, but facts are discussed in past tense. I truly enjoyed Scabland and for those who love a good thrilling tale, this is a MUST read! Happy Reading!
November 25, 2018
Scabland is a novel that will make the reader cringe at the multitude of offenses towards Melissa Cohen, while the author, Adam Smith captivates his audience until this nightmare ends. It tosses Melissa about for 20 years because she is too unsettled from the terrible acts against her. She knows she can have no rest until Spider is cured of his craving to dominate women and it haunts her knowing he is out there. After one man confesses to her, she finds the clues she needed to track down the man who kidnapped her and scarred her for life. Melissa doesn’t know who she can trust, and those she trusts are in danger of being the next victim.
I found Scabland flawless when writing about a sensitive subject. Adam Smith revealed how revolting this serial rapist was and addressed how many of these cases are handled poorly in court. Often victims don’t want their name drug through the mud while they set the guilty free anyway, which was the case for the main character. Adam Smith explored the emotional aftermath targeted women often feel as there can be a bond between them and their kidnapper, which is a common physiological response. This book is intense with great characters, with unique twists as it uncovers more foes. While you may struggle to read about this offensive subject, rape, the author hits if from an angle that seeks justice for those offended. Witty, full of scandal and deceit, I would highly recommend this to those who savor criminal justice and suspense.
Review written by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite.
I found Scabland flawless when writing about a sensitive subject. Adam Smith revealed how revolting this serial rapist was and addressed how many of these cases are handled poorly in court. Often victims don’t want their name drug through the mud while they set the guilty free anyway, which was the case for the main character. Adam Smith explored the emotional aftermath targeted women often feel as there can be a bond between them and their kidnapper, which is a common physiological response. This book is intense with great characters, with unique twists as it uncovers more foes. While you may struggle to read about this offensive subject, rape, the author hits if from an angle that seeks justice for those offended. Witty, full of scandal and deceit, I would highly recommend this to those who savor criminal justice and suspense.
Review written by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite.
November 8, 2017
I won this book on Goodreads. Melissa Cohen was gang raped 20 years ago. She has no idea who the men were who attacked her or what they looked like since she was drugged. Now a man named Charlie tells her he was one of the men and he apologizes. He indicates he has spoken to the other men involved and told them what he was doing. However, Melissa is worried that the one who staged the rape, going by the name of Spider is out to harm her and her family. He might even plan to kill her so she doesn't go to the police. None of these men know her name, and she begins to investigate to try to find him before he finds her. Thought the subject matter was very disturbing to say the least, the book was very well written, and was a real page turner. I had trouble putting it down.
February 11, 2019
Excellent read, was chilling in some ways, had not read his books before so will look forward to more in the future. The protagonist was a strong person in spite of her problems.
November 2, 2021
The first I have read from this author, Scabland is about an eighteen-year old's cruel attack that destroyed her dreams of becoming a psychiatrist. She has kept many roles from agent to photographer.
Now, twenty years later she finds out one of those attackers knows of her identity. Melissa is now forced into figuring out who is he before he learns that she is still out there alive.
The stakes are higher, and nothing is as it seems. A riveting story you must read.
Now, twenty years later she finds out one of those attackers knows of her identity. Melissa is now forced into figuring out who is he before he learns that she is still out there alive.
The stakes are higher, and nothing is as it seems. A riveting story you must read.
October 20, 2017
I never heard of this author so they are new to me.
Scabland is an okay book. When people just disappear they want to stay
missing and not found and they want to forget their past life and not remember
what they had gone though. It's scary when someone finds them out then the only
things that can come to mind is that they could end up being killed or even
being held as hostages.
Scabland is an okay book. When people just disappear they want to stay
missing and not found and they want to forget their past life and not remember
what they had gone though. It's scary when someone finds them out then the only
things that can come to mind is that they could end up being killed or even
being held as hostages.
July 26, 2018
There were so many plot twists in this book. I liked how interesting the plot was.
October 26, 2019
Excellent
Excellent book. On par with Patricia Cornwell. I loved how the details kept me guessing and I never saw the ending coming.
Excellent book. On par with Patricia Cornwell. I loved how the details kept me guessing and I never saw the ending coming.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews