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Someone Savage

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A gripping, fast-paced thriller for fans of Harlan Coben, Karin Slaughter, and Rachel Abbott.

Last night two children knocked at his door. Someone is looking for them…

Nicholas Hooper wanted to be left alone. Looking to escape his past and his unfortunate present, the best-selling author rented a luxury house in the Poconos to finish what very well could be his very last book. But his plans change when one night he opens his front door to find two frightened children.

A young girl and boy all alone.They refuse to speak. Looking for help.

Hooper takes them into town to see if the local police can help uncover the mystery of what has happened to these children. But what happens next is something Hooper never saw coming. The children are escaping their past too and their present is far worse than anything Hooper could have ever imagined. Can Hooper battle his own personal demons and protect these innocent children?

Someone Savage is a page-turning thriller packed with shocking twists and heart-stopping suspense. If you like Harlan Coben, Karin Slaughter, and Rachel Abbott then you’ll love best-selling author Mike McCrary’s gripping tale.

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2022

921 people are currently reading
812 people want to read

About the author

Mike McCrary

28 books78 followers

Mike McCrary is the bestselling author of Someone Savage, Relentless, and the Remo Cobb series. He's been a waiter, a dishwasher, investment analyst, and an unpaid Hollywood intern. He's quit corporate America, come back, been fired, been promoted, been fired again. Currently, he writes stories about questionable people who make questionable decisions. Keep up with Mike at www.mikemccrary.com.

"Mike McCrary is definitely a writer to watch." - John Rector, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of The Ridge, Already Gone, and The Cold Kiss.

"It's almost inhuman how frequently and effectively this book ups the ante on the reader." - Rob Hart, author of The Warehouse

“… a Hollywood action film in print form.” – Austin Statesman

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5 stars
943 (51%)
4 stars
542 (29%)
3 stars
251 (13%)
2 stars
58 (3%)
1 star
25 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
Profile Image for Kathi Defranc.
1,182 reviews500 followers
December 22, 2021
WOW!! This author Amazes me with his writing Every book of his I open! The story flows so easily, with characters you feel you Know really well, action in glorious scenes you see play out right in front of you. Nicholas Hooper is an author, with a scary new diagnosis and just wants to be alone to finish his last book. He rents a big house out in the Poconos with only nature as his neighbor. Until he opens his door one night to find two young children there, cold, fearful, alone... They do not speak, a boy and a girl, and his idea of quiet and writing goes out the window!
A family of four are relaxing in their home, when men arrive at a wrong address, and terror takes over their night. The two children are taken by one of the men, who is ordered to get rid of them. But he doesn't do that. And when the kids get away, all hell breaks loose for everyone involved.
A story that You have to read, told by an expert. It will draw you in immediately, you are running through the woods with the kids, jumping at every noise. And praying this Hooper guy can keep his own life long enough to help the boy and girl.
I received an ARC from the author and offer You my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
Profile Image for LISA.
201 reviews4 followers
September 4, 2024
Great read! Fast paced, thriller with well developed characters. Good guys were good and also a bit flawed, which made them all the more realistic; bad guys were bad, with an intriguing streak of kindness in one that was a shock.
In was my first McCrary read, but will definitely not be my last! I tore through it in a few hours, as I couldn’t put it down, well done!
Profile Image for Kai.
372 reviews17 followers
October 25, 2025
This book was so so good! Mystery-thriller at it's finest! The things these two kids go through is horrendous n horrifying. How they handle themselves, at ages 7 & 8, is just incredible. The woods are scary enough as it is but then to have these vicious, psycho killers on the hunt well that just ups the ante a trillion fold. Thank Heavens for Hooper and his sister! I love their relationship and how they connect with one another with jokes n jabs! Reminds me of my relationship with my brother. This story is also high in suspense which made it fun and exciting! I was completely enthralled with this book!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Profile Image for Diane 🌻 Williams.
79 reviews3 followers
June 12, 2024
3.5/5

Very strange book. Opened with a very violent storyline. Switched to a compelling storyline about a famous author going through a personal crisis. Storylines alternate for a few chapters before they VERY violently collide. Then the book ends with a Happily Ever After.

The only reason I gave it such a high rating was that I really liked Hooper and his storyline with his sister. If that had been the basis of the whole book I would have been very happy. Plus, I think the children were written really well which is often not the case.

The 2 storylines felt, imho, like they were written by two different people and it was very off putting. Hard to recommend this book as it didn’t really feel like it fit together for me.
Profile Image for Anita Rodgers.
Author 19 books56 followers
August 14, 2024
At first, I didn't like this story. I thought it was going to be another graphic maniacal killer story. So, I set it aside. But a few weeks later, in need of something to read, I picked it back up again.

Turned out to be a good yarn (although I could have done with less internal dialogue from the MC) that I really enjoyed.

The ending especially got me in the feels.

Good read.
8 reviews
August 24, 2024
Awesome read

Great book to get into. Awesome story line with unexpected twists and turns. Would recommend this book to all types of people...just beware once you start you don't want to put it down.
Profile Image for Macjest.
1,347 reviews10 followers
July 14, 2024
This was just…okay. A famous author who has some unknown (eventually fatal) medical ailment moves out to the boonies to work on his last book and possibly end his life. Not long after he gets there two little kids show up on his doorstep. Turns out they are all that is left of their family and are very skittish. Sounds interesting? Too much time is spent inside the author’s head and not enough on what is going on.
Profile Image for Teresa Collins.
1,132 reviews21 followers
January 8, 2022
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion. This is one more intense thriller. Mr. McCrary always keeps me on my toes with his writing, but he has surpassed himself with this one, in my opinion. It is a tense, heart-pounding, suspenseful, scary, breath-holding story that grabs the reader at the first page and doesn't let go until the end. I'd love to see this turned into a series because the characters are so realistic and believable. And the "bad guys" are so bad the reader has no rouble hating them. This is one of those books that I couldn't stop reading once I started. I highly recommend it.
446 reviews1 follower
December 14, 2021
I read this book after receiving it as a free advanced copy to check for errors and provide an honest review.
As I have stated in reviews of other books by this author, I do not normally read action/adventure type stories, especially violent ones. But, again, Mike McCray drew me in with great storytelling. I will admit that by the end of the first chapter I was concerned I might not finish the book. However, by the end of the third chapter I wasn't sure if I was going to sleep before finishing it.
The story centers around some very evil men, an author of cop and spy stories living out his last few months, a little boy who doesn't speak, and a little girl who won't speak more than a word or two. I cannot do it justice to try and explain more. That is the author's job and he is very good at his work.
Profile Image for Kim.
193 reviews1 follower
October 26, 2024
If you can suspend reality, the story isn't bad. I cannot...I need it to feel mostly realistic for the characters to feel real. What knocked this down to 2 stars for me was the main character. His inner dialog is nothing but his quirky thinking and (unnamed) deadly diagnosis. Many times you're pulled out of the story by the same inner dialog over and over and over. If the book would have been any longer, I wouldn't have finished it.
703 reviews3 followers
January 24, 2023
I do not like pathetic protagonist. At one point, McCrary writes that readers don't like that type of protagonist, but creates one himself. Loved the premise, but McCrary wasted it.
Profile Image for BARBARA FORTMAN.
4 reviews
July 2, 2024
Dumb writing

This could have been a very good book but the writing was extremely stupid. Don't waste time with any of his other books. I hate wasting my reading time
Profile Image for Mark Lucas-Taylor.
552 reviews
June 14, 2023
Someone Savage

WARNING may contain possible spoilers.
This is a masterfully written story that starts with two young children, a boy and a girl kept captive and hidden by the man who was supposed to kill them when their parents were killed in a seemingly random attack at their home.
Taking an unexpected opportunity they escape into the woods fleeing but with no idea of where they are running to.
Nicholas Hooper is a highly successful thriller author with a terminal illness who has recently retreated to an isolated house telling himself that this is where he will write his final novel but also where he has come to die. When the children suddenly arrive at his doorway his seclusion is shattered as the elder of the siblings utters one word “Help”.
Hooper can see that they are severely traumatised by whatever has happened to them and struggles to earn even a modicum of trust. Aided by his sister, Alison who is also his business partner and manager they endeavour to try to help the children and to keep them safe whilst discovering who they are and what has happened to them especially as the children are terrified of the police becoming involved.
What follows is a gripping and intense story that moves at a more and more rapid pace. Mike McCrary has written an electrifying story that will probably stay with the reader long after the story is finished. Mike writes with great depth and insight into characters gradually building them up as you come to know them deeper.
The beauty of the location sharply contrasts with the darkness hidden in its seemingly idyllic surroundings and within several of the antagonists we come to meet.
1,503 reviews30 followers
September 25, 2022
Someone Savage - I am used to being surprised, amazed, shocked, etc., and definitely entertained by this author but this book runs ahead of his other books. McCrary has written some excellent stories. The gamut of emotions range immensely, as in his other works. The characters whether good or evil are realistic and the reader is emotionally drawn into the pages. If you saw Die Hard in a theater, you understand what I mean by participating. No, I did not scream and engage in Krav Magua but mentally I was involved in the action and dialogue, as always the storylines were well thought out and intriguing. The relationship between the older siblings was fun and heartwarming. Alison is a hoot. having Hooper facing demons of his own added a lot of depth to the story. The good characters showed that what it takes to survive still exists and that quitting and self-pitying is not part of survival. The profanity wasn't immensely used for those of us who can form sentences without "bad words". Cannot wait for the next book. 5*

For You - I got the criminal wrong because I disregarded some of the characters and I was immersed in the book. Well written and well thought out, but the talented Mr. McCrary always does well with his books. Strong characters and good story lines made this another McCrary book difficult to put down until the last page was read. There is violence and blood but not exaggerated gore. I really liked the ending, it couldn't happen to a nicer person. 5*
83 reviews
June 16, 2023
Fairly quick read but one that is very hard to put down

Harlan Coben is my favorite author. I received a notice that Mr Coben recommended this book so I obtained a copy. Initially I was nervous because the first couple chapters describe scenes with some really bad people and two small children. I wasn’t sure if I could continue to read the book if bad things keep happening to the young children. However, true to the books description, the kids escape and show up at the door of a writer who has rented a nearby house in order to write a book. From there this book just flies. I couldn’t hardly put it down and it certainly messed with me getting a good nights sleep! This is a five star book with the only negative thing is that the main protagonist gets caught up in his own head a little too much. However, there’s a good reason for his slightly erratic behavior, as you will find out. This is a fairly quick read. It does become a bit predictable but the journey to the end, even if you suspect the ending, is still a wild ride.
127 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2024
Best selling author Nicholas Hooper rented a massive house in the woods, ostensibly to write his final novel. But as we come to realize, it is really to spend his last “12 to 15 months” in luxury. But his plan is interrupted by two disheveled children at his door, saying nothing but “Help.” The brother and sister ran away from the hovel where they were kept captive by a hulking man named Frakes and his chain-smoking mama. Traumatized by their memories of bad men breaking into their house and killing their parents, they bravely take advantage of a moment to run, and found Hooper’s house. Hooper’s sister Allison digs up the possible identities of the kids, and do their best to protect them. Hooper’s illness leaves him weakened and fainting at inopportune times, and when finally the bad men approach, we don’t know if he will be up to the challenge. The story is exciting and vividly told. The bad guys are indeed savage, and the “probably good” guys are braver than we might have expected.
91 reviews
February 3, 2022
I kept hoping

I tried really hard to like this book. I dislike leaving negative reviews. I kept hoping that this book was going to get better but it never really did. There were a few redeeming passages, but most of this book focused on one man's symptoms of an unnamed terminal illness and his inability to cope with two children who wandered out of the forest and ask for help.

Other than the main character, Hooper, the characters were never really formed. They just pop up out of nowhere. Often times the introduction is several paragraphs in after the character's part is being told. If you don't like it to begin with save yourself some time, as much of it is just rambling as I've metioned above.
Profile Image for Debbie Mathis PA.
146 reviews14 followers
July 1, 2022
I have been getting into reading a lot more thrillers lately and someone savage didn’t disappoint me. This is about Nicholas Hooper who is an author and ill. He rents this huge house in a secluded area where he says he is going to write his final novel. Shortly after arriving and unpacking there’s a knock on the door and when he opens the door he finds two young children a boy and a girl who are absolutely filthy and scared to death. He lets them in and tries to find out what has happened but neither will talk. Hooper with the help of his sister Allison start on a mission to help find out what has happened to these children and help them.

This book had me on the edge of my seat from page one. I could not put it down. If you enjoy thrillers, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Profile Image for Sharon.
339 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2023
Needs less navel-gazing

Overall this a good suspenseful story, if somewhat violent. Too much time is spent on navel-gazing by one of the characters, Nicholas Hooper. Can’t explain it without giving away too much of the story. I would have preferred to read more about Allison, his sister.

One more thing: The first sentence in Chapter Four has a bad typo. “Your positive this is enough house?” Someone should have caught this and changed it to “You’re”.

I’ve read other books by Mike McCrary because his characters are generally both intense and funny. I especially liked the Remo series. I’m likely to read other books from him.
121 reviews
July 16, 2023
Incredible story telling

I read a great deal of books in a month that I purchase or get free from Kindle. I quickly learned many years ago not all writing is equal. I have read the Masters, literary genius’s and the attempts of new writers wanting to hone their craft. I have never read a book by Mike McCrary until now. This book was worth the time it took to read it. Extremely well created characters and plot. I couldn’t wait to find those few hours in my night to pick it up and start reading where I had stopped the time before.

I will definitely be looking to purchase books from this author in the future.
203 reviews3 followers
July 10, 2024
Edge of Seat

What a great story. Two children witness the brutal murder of their parents by a monster. A monster who was to kill everyone but instead kidnaps them and keeps them in a shed. Only bringing thpem into the garbage invested house when the monster's mom feeds them.
One morning they are coming into the house when an unwelcome visitor shows up giving them the opportunity to escape. Running through the woods they stumble upon a house with lights on. Terrified but taking a chance they knock on the door.
The door opens and the gentleman that answers is an author with his own problems and definitely does not need the intrusion.
Profile Image for Judy Johnson.
840 reviews2 followers
January 14, 2022
If you're looking for a real page-turner, this one is for you. Edge of your seat suspense and drama keep you riveted to the point where it's just hard to find a good place to stop, so you just keep on going, just one more page, just one more page! The reader is gripped and drawn into the action and characters' personalities, those you love to love and definitely those you love to hate. A good story that you'll be glad you took a chance on. I love all of this author's books and this is no exception...don't hesitate, I highly recommend this book (and his others) one-click now!
786 reviews16 followers
November 22, 2023
This is my first book by this author and I will definitely be reading more. I thought the plot was incidental to the story (if that makes sense). For me it was a very character driven story with the writing being the more exquisite and compelling character for me. Such great use of language! I loved Hooper and he and the secondary characters really jumped off the page. It has great visual storytelling with no wasted passages. It's very tight. The villain(s) were cliched and so pulpy, I loved to fear and hate them. Hooper is a character to root for!
Profile Image for Nicole Zanna.
73 reviews
July 20, 2024
4.1 ⭐️s

This one was alright- fast paced book that made me want to know more and more, but I wouldn’t classify it as “thrilling.” No jaw dropping moments. I definitely wanted to know how it would end which is why I read it so quickly.

I feel like a lot happened during this book but also not much really happened at all (?) I can’t explain it. No wild plot twists.

Decent book. First time reading this author. I can definitely see the Harlan Coben style with the humor / sarcasm of the older brother & sister relationship.

3 reviews
January 9, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have read numerous others from this author and find them always interesting in terms of character building and plotting. At the start, you had no idea how these characters and sub-plots were interacted, but once it becomes clear, you are already submerged and refuse to stop reading until you learn how it comes out. The ending is delightful and plausible, in my opinion. As always, I look forward to Mike's next book.
47 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2022
Read This Book

I spent good money to read a book by a Best Selling award wing author flogging a new book on TV…it sucked…this Kindle Book however rocks..it grips your from first word until last..the pace is perfect the timing like a dance..it didn’t needlessly drag on the writer cut to the chase crafted his characters who you immediate could imagine in your minds eye. The emotion palpable…intense edge of seat-emotion tear jerking adrenaline running excellent read..
Profile Image for Kris Calvin.
Author 5 books76 followers
April 3, 2022
An extraordinarily well-written and engaging crime fiction thriller. The setting, the characters and the plot are all top-notch, resulting in a powerful and compelling book. But be forewarned: you have to be able to stomach the violence. That said, the gore is not gratuitous; it's employed in service of a story that is ultimately much more about the good in people than it is about the bad. 5 Stars. Highly-recommended!
Profile Image for Donna.
1,560 reviews37 followers
August 19, 2023
Loved this story!

Could hardly put it down, excitement all the way. Hooper is a celebrated author, finds out he has cancer, moves to a huge house to write his last book and die. But two little kids knock on his door one day looking bedraggled and the girl can say one word,”Help.”
His world changes and his sister visits him and they attempt to unravel the mystery behind the children’s obvious trauma. Just read it.
Profile Image for Jane Ellyson.
Author 10 books18 followers
July 4, 2024
Dramatic start to Someone Savage. A story in two parts; of two brothers and sisters.

The premise of two children, largely mute, turning up on the doorstep of a man with serious troubles of his own. What does he do with them when they aren’t telling him what’s happened?
The conversations, while often one-sided, are delightful and the story races along.

I like small-town thrillers, and this one set in the Pocono Mountains, was a page turner.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews

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