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Neuphobes #3
Mind of a Madman
Steve Coleman returns home after having been missing for over ten years. He has no recollection of where he’s been or of ever having a family. Yet while his nightly dreams replay his whereabouts, and are written down by him during sleep, he awakens remembering none of them.
Doctors and family all try and return his memory, but to no avail. Steve further suffers a mental collapse, which sends him out onto the open highways, spilling him out into an apocalyptic world. When a chance meeting goes awry he is subsequently arrested and institutionalized, yet continues to believe he is still out driving the open road. His visiting wife’s discovery of something sinister thereafter careens events off into an even more ominous direction.
As a day in the life novel, this one deviously weaves excerpts from my earlier works into and throughout the plotline. In reading, you’ll not be able to “un-see” what ultimately happens to Steve and his family. After all, in the Mind of a Madman, things are not always what they appear.
Doctors and family all try and return his memory, but to no avail. Steve further suffers a mental collapse, which sends him out onto the open highways, spilling him out into an apocalyptic world. When a chance meeting goes awry he is subsequently arrested and institutionalized, yet continues to believe he is still out driving the open road. His visiting wife’s discovery of something sinister thereafter careens events off into an even more ominous direction.
As a day in the life novel, this one deviously weaves excerpts from my earlier works into and throughout the plotline. In reading, you’ll not be able to “un-see” what ultimately happens to Steve and his family. After all, in the Mind of a Madman, things are not always what they appear.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2019
15 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Zman
16 books57 followers Having completed over a dozen novels—some having been ahead of their time in their speculative nature—the world of publishing has taught me a great deal. The years have tempered my once seemingly endless flow of creativity; some would even argue that it has fully run its course now that today’s acknowledged sciences have caught up to yesterday’s science fiction. With world governments pulling back the curtain of secrecy, it shall remain to be seen if my stories will one day be a reference to Earth’s hidden past and humanity’s interaction with extraterrestrials. (Just kidding)
Painting pictures with words has forever been my passion, and now I feel I have taken my colorful imaginings as far as I can. Therefore, I have decided to switch from the genre that has been good to me all these years and change it, ultimately challenging my ability to paint pictures in a more diverse and family-oriented manner.
Going forward, my new stories will become mainstream and more inclusive. I will look to include themes spanning generations and take into consideration family dynamics, bringing to light just how and why people do what they do and why everything must change.
Yes, I feel it is time for me to change my perspective. To seek out a genre where I can further connect with readers, though on a far more personable level. I will now hone my writings to that, which will hopefully leave my readers feeling all warm and fuzzy inside and without a care as to what's really going on in the world around them.
Painting pictures with words has forever been my passion, and now I feel I have taken my colorful imaginings as far as I can. Therefore, I have decided to switch from the genre that has been good to me all these years and change it, ultimately challenging my ability to paint pictures in a more diverse and family-oriented manner.
Going forward, my new stories will become mainstream and more inclusive. I will look to include themes spanning generations and take into consideration family dynamics, bringing to light just how and why people do what they do and why everything must change.
Yes, I feel it is time for me to change my perspective. To seek out a genre where I can further connect with readers, though on a far more personable level. I will now hone my writings to that, which will hopefully leave my readers feeling all warm and fuzzy inside and without a care as to what's really going on in the world around them.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 28, 2019
A number of years ago, my wife told me that "Preppers" had moved the next house over from her girlfriend. At the time, I asked her if she meant hoarders, but she said no. Preppers, she went on to explain are people who are preparing for the end of the world and how they are going to survive. "Great," I responded and didn't give it much thought since then. If you think you are going to survive a nuclear war all the power to you.
"Mind of a Madman," is many things, but one of the dominant themes in this well crafted novel deals with Preppers. All the signs of the end of the world, the Apocalypse, is right there. An earthquake has hit California and the state is now an island, fire is running rampart, climate change and the polar caps are melting, and the weather is more severe than ever.
Steve Coleman (Max) has been missing for ten years and then suddenly shows up at his family's home in Nevada. An air force pilot believed to have been killed, he has no recollection of the last ten years. Jeannie (Traci) the wife, is a former prostitute and is now running a brothel. David (Connor) the son is stoned all the time, and the daughter Sandy, 17 years old, has run away with her boyfriend and apparently is travelling east according to David. The family tries their best to help their father remember, but to no avail.
Jeannie, addicted to the internet and drinking too much, is downtrodden because the internet is down because of all the catastrophes, the TV only broadcasts bad news, and Steve, who loves Google maps has memorized the road he shall take to get his daughter back. Cell service is only intermittent, and David is helping himself to his father's meds, when he is not buying them illegally.
Steve takes off in his truck to find Sandy, and unbeknown to him, Jeannie and David hide in the back trunk because they are scared of what he might do. If the story seems a little out there, it really isn't. Mr. Zman has woven multiple stories into one cohesive, riveting narrative. The story is told by four people, in first person narrative, and the author in third person. That is not easy to do, but what is even more fascinating is that he is telling multiple stores side by side, getting into psychotic character of Steve while presenting a more normal story about Steve.
Like Mr. Zman's other works, he mixes brilliant science fiction with the real world and what is currently happening to our planet and how we are destroying it. There are layers and layers of astute observations in this book and I was very impressed. I might not have thought of preppers much before reading this book, but I will after having read this amazing novel and where our world is heading if changes aren't made. Highly, highly, recommend.
"Mind of a Madman," is many things, but one of the dominant themes in this well crafted novel deals with Preppers. All the signs of the end of the world, the Apocalypse, is right there. An earthquake has hit California and the state is now an island, fire is running rampart, climate change and the polar caps are melting, and the weather is more severe than ever.
Steve Coleman (Max) has been missing for ten years and then suddenly shows up at his family's home in Nevada. An air force pilot believed to have been killed, he has no recollection of the last ten years. Jeannie (Traci) the wife, is a former prostitute and is now running a brothel. David (Connor) the son is stoned all the time, and the daughter Sandy, 17 years old, has run away with her boyfriend and apparently is travelling east according to David. The family tries their best to help their father remember, but to no avail.
Jeannie, addicted to the internet and drinking too much, is downtrodden because the internet is down because of all the catastrophes, the TV only broadcasts bad news, and Steve, who loves Google maps has memorized the road he shall take to get his daughter back. Cell service is only intermittent, and David is helping himself to his father's meds, when he is not buying them illegally.
Steve takes off in his truck to find Sandy, and unbeknown to him, Jeannie and David hide in the back trunk because they are scared of what he might do. If the story seems a little out there, it really isn't. Mr. Zman has woven multiple stories into one cohesive, riveting narrative. The story is told by four people, in first person narrative, and the author in third person. That is not easy to do, but what is even more fascinating is that he is telling multiple stores side by side, getting into psychotic character of Steve while presenting a more normal story about Steve.
Like Mr. Zman's other works, he mixes brilliant science fiction with the real world and what is currently happening to our planet and how we are destroying it. There are layers and layers of astute observations in this book and I was very impressed. I might not have thought of preppers much before reading this book, but I will after having read this amazing novel and where our world is heading if changes aren't made. Highly, highly, recommend.
November 5, 2019
His best work so far, I couldn’t put it down.
This latest offering by Thomas Zman appears, at first, to be a fascinating departure from his previous work. He seems to have strayed from religious science fiction and into a new genre of madness and horror. The story is set in a world disrupted by a devastating California earthquake. The main character, Steve Coleman, appears at the family home after an unexplained absence of ten years, dishevelled and out of touch with reality. The ‘Madman’ fantasises about catastrophic world event and atrocities. Zman’s ability to get inside the head of a psychotic and describe what he finds there is frighteningly convincing, but he skilfully uses the voices and points of view of other characters to draw the reader into the story and keep them on track. No spoilers here, but the shocking revelations as the story progresses are quite mind blowing. This is definitely Zman’s best work so far and convincingly ties together his three other Neuphobes books. I thoroughly recommend it.
This latest offering by Thomas Zman appears, at first, to be a fascinating departure from his previous work. He seems to have strayed from religious science fiction and into a new genre of madness and horror. The story is set in a world disrupted by a devastating California earthquake. The main character, Steve Coleman, appears at the family home after an unexplained absence of ten years, dishevelled and out of touch with reality. The ‘Madman’ fantasises about catastrophic world event and atrocities. Zman’s ability to get inside the head of a psychotic and describe what he finds there is frighteningly convincing, but he skilfully uses the voices and points of view of other characters to draw the reader into the story and keep them on track. No spoilers here, but the shocking revelations as the story progresses are quite mind blowing. This is definitely Zman’s best work so far and convincingly ties together his three other Neuphobes books. I thoroughly recommend it.
December 4, 2019
Mind of a Madman by Thomas Zman is the fourth in his Neuphobes series, and may well be the best. Lieutenant Steve Coleman went missing over the ocean while on a mission. Ten years later he shows up outside Vegas with no memory of his past. The military doctors strive to help his remember, but to no avail. When Steve is reunited with his wife Jean and kids, Sandy and David, his mind is still closed and they are strangers to him. Steve's bizarre behavior and night drawings are putting a strain on all his relationships.
Thomas Zman pulled out all stops with Mind of Madman. With the coming of an apocalypse, Steve Coleman returns. I love how this novel starts out written from the mind of a madman (and his family), and then it digs into serious science fiction. At times I was wonder who exactly was being misled or suffering from mental disorders. There were so many twists as Steve and Jean understand the depth of Steve's memory loss and the length of his disappearance. This novel would make an excellent science fiction movie.
Thomas Zman pulled out all stops with Mind of Madman. With the coming of an apocalypse, Steve Coleman returns. I love how this novel starts out written from the mind of a madman (and his family), and then it digs into serious science fiction. At times I was wonder who exactly was being misled or suffering from mental disorders. There were so many twists as Steve and Jean understand the depth of Steve's memory loss and the length of his disappearance. This novel would make an excellent science fiction movie.
February 1, 2020
I couldn’t stop turning the page
I rarely give out 5 stars but this one well exceeded my expectations. I wasn’t too crazy about the cover, but something pressed me to give it a try anyway. Great twists, and considerable amount of MADNESS
I rarely give out 5 stars but this one well exceeded my expectations. I wasn’t too crazy about the cover, but something pressed me to give it a try anyway. Great twists, and considerable amount of MADNESS
July 19, 2020
Man, what a trip! Literally, I truly felt like I was on an LSD trip whilst reading this. So out there, so entertaining, so unputdownable. This isn't my normal genre of choice, but it held my interest all the way through, even though there were parts that were a bit beyond my comprehension - kind of like a fever dream of incoherency in the best form possible. Great read!!
November 16, 2019
A mind trip
First, I had not read the previous books, and although the story stands well alone, by the end I felt I was missing something and think having the background context would have been helpful. This book amazingly captures mental illness- the chaos, confusion and absolute certainty of delusions and hallucinations. It's rollercoaster ride always leaving you with the question...is this really happening?
First, I had not read the previous books, and although the story stands well alone, by the end I felt I was missing something and think having the background context would have been helpful. This book amazingly captures mental illness- the chaos, confusion and absolute certainty of delusions and hallucinations. It's rollercoaster ride always leaving you with the question...is this really happening?
August 19, 2022
What is reality ?
Third book the Author Thomas Zman totally freaked me out.
There is absolutely no such thing as freedom of choice, that for sure.
This book shows how easy it is to take over people minds with strong psychedelic medications it’s scary just thinking about it but then again what is reality ?
This one is hard to review, one thing for sure is that it’s an awesome series but only when I finish it I’ll be able to give a true review !
Narration by John McLoughlin like the first two is ok on this one to.
Recommended !!!
Oded Ostfeld.
Third book the Author Thomas Zman totally freaked me out.
There is absolutely no such thing as freedom of choice, that for sure.
This book shows how easy it is to take over people minds with strong psychedelic medications it’s scary just thinking about it but then again what is reality ?
This one is hard to review, one thing for sure is that it’s an awesome series but only when I finish it I’ll be able to give a true review !
Narration by John McLoughlin like the first two is ok on this one to.
Recommended !!!
Oded Ostfeld.
May 2, 2020
Interesting
This book was an interesting story that did seem like ramblings of a madman. Steve seems to constantly go from one mad world to another. As the story unfolds you find out that he was actually being controlled by others who !are him out to see like he was mentally ill. During the story you get small snippets of his family's point of view on how his story unfolds.
This book was an interesting story that did seem like ramblings of a madman. Steve seems to constantly go from one mad world to another. As the story unfolds you find out that he was actually being controlled by others who !are him out to see like he was mentally ill. During the story you get small snippets of his family's point of view on how his story unfolds.
June 3, 2020
From the beginning you figure out the main character has been exposed/inhabited by extraterrestrials. The running threads of the story start out being confusing, but then just turn stupid. What he is "made" to do is senseless and evil. What the scientists do to his mind is cruel.
This could have been somewhat OK, but was a debacle. I love sci-fi, but this was not well thought out.
This could have been somewhat OK, but was a debacle. I love sci-fi, but this was not well thought out.
May 10, 2023
Sci fi read, with many unexpected twists
So, what to say? This book conatins some incredible and vivid descriptions, and it was an engaging read from the very first page and from cover to cover!
So, what to say? This book conatins some incredible and vivid descriptions, and it was an engaging read from the very first page and from cover to cover!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews