Scream Test

by Mark Gillespie

The starlet and the starmaker. It’s an age-old story in Hollywood and one that’s been told many times.

Now the story’s about to be rewritten.

In blood.

Ellie Ferguson, 23, is a young actress who’s just arrived in LA with nothing but a suitcase and a head full of dreams. Against all odds, Ellie’s scored a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with Grady Klein, CEO of Klein Productions. A starmaker. A notorious rapist.

Now it’s on.

What happens when the beautiful actress and the big-shot producer are left alone in a notorious hotel with a long history of scandal, death and debauchery?

The horrors of the past will be revisited. Buried secrets dug up. And as the door to Room 59 closes over, the chilling truth behind Ellie Ferguson’s trip to Hollywood will be revealed.

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 17, 2021

About the author

These days, Mark Gillespie writes psychological thrillers, suspense and horror. Previously, between the years 2016-2020, he wrote a lot of apocalyptic/dystopian fiction.

Mark is a former professional musician from Glasgow, Scotland, who nowadays lives in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife Íde and a small menagerie of four-legged rescue creatures.

Favourite books: I am Legend, The Razor's Edge, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Body (Stephen King), I'll Be Gone in the Dark, Trainspotting...

Favourite films: Jaws, Ikiru, The Invitation, Vertigo, The Thing, Eyes Without a Face, Seven Samurai, The Wicker Man...

You can find him on Facebook as Mark Gillespie's Writing Stuff. He's also on Twitter as MarkG_Author.

Website: www.markgillespieauthor.com

Reviews

[Barbara Behring · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is full of twists and turns and is a fascinating read. I can't wait to read more from this author.

[DeeDeeWReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well... I have read some CRAZY things before, but Scream Test had me wanting to scream at the end! So many twists and turns. Ellie is on a mission tho, it almost goes sideways, but she doesn't give up. Wow.. What a book, I couldn't stop reading.

This book is for the one that isn't afraid to be afraid, knows how to 'read between the lines' and even if you can't, I think you'll love it. I definitely don't recommend letting anyone under 16 read it, some scenes are not for the growing brain.

Read it in a nice bright room, earlier in the day, we must keep the nightmares away..... Or maybe not....

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Mark, what have you done? Well, you know you put together one hell of a tale, with two young characters who were hard not to identify with living lives that to many people endure every day. Man, you had my emotions going crazy last night. I couldn’t go to bed until I was done and then I was left with that nagging question- did that original crime actually occur. WOW, well done!!!!!

Thanks for messing with my head😂😂😂.

[Michael Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve all heard stories of the Hollywood casting couch – this story presents a scary twist to that process. The story starts with Ellie and Cassandra, young teenage girls growing up in separate abusive households in a suburb of Ottawa, clinging to each other to keep their sanity. They dream of running away to Hollywood to become actresses, but they need to wait for several years to get out on their own. They become obsessed by a decades-old unsolved ‘missing persons’ case, wherein Nicole West, a rising starlet and her mother stood up to a Hollywood mogul (the Shadow Man), were supposedly kidnapped and brought to a nearby area in Canada, where the trail went cold. Were they murdered, or did they just vanish without a trace? The girls’ obsession earned them widespread derision and they were ostracized by classmates. Ellie became a loner and deeply focused on Nicole; she felt that Nicole was urging her to seek revenge for her disappearance. She worked out a plan to get an interview with a current mogul, who would hopefully lead her to the Shadow Man.

Mark skillfully established the toxic environment in which Ellie and Cassandra grew up unbalanced, then left Ellie alone to face the dark, twisted tale that followed. By presenting the story in an alternating past and present format, he was able to explain what transpired and to build the suspense to keep the reader turning pages to try to guess what would happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed this strange journey. I was not a fan of horror movies and stories, until I found Mark’s books – now I can’t wait for his next one! I received an ARC – this review is my honest opinion, and I bought a copy to support this great author.

[Tam Sesto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellie and her friend Cassie came from abusive homes. The girls obsess about the disappearance of Nicole West and her mother. As their friendship evolves, they both long for the day they can escape to Los Angeles. This is Scream Test by Mark Gillespie.

The characters were average, the book had an interesting plot even though I figured out quickly where the author was going with the story, and there was a good flow to the authors writing. The story reminded me of the “b” side of a 45 record.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are my own.

[Shannon Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the originality of the book! I found the ending to be a little jumbled and confusing. Was Ellie imagining Cassandra her whole life? How did Nicole come to “posses” her? Will there be a follow up book to let us know what happened to Ellie after she left Dallas’ house?

[Tai Syvongsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I always really enjoy reading books from Mark Gillespie lots of twisty plots and great characters!

******** possible spoiler********
Ellie/ Nicole was a total bad as5 and I loved how she handled the bad guys

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. Two friends Ellie and Cassandra are fourteen and have their hearts set on going to LA when they are sixteen. They are obsessed with an actress who disappeared over 50 years ago, Nicole West along with her Mother. Both girls have less than stellar parents and are looking forward to escaping. One day changed everything. This story deals with teen angst, abuse and has a surprise ending. If you enjoy revenge stories, you will love Scream Test. I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Jacqueline Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read by this author, I wasn't sure what to expect but was completely surprised. The storyline was filled with secrets from the past, twists and turns I didn't expect. This was well written and kept me turning the pages.

Merged review:

This was the first book I've read by this author, I wasn't sure what to expect but was completely surprised. The storyline was filled with secrets from the past, twists and turns I didn't expect. This was well written and kept me turning the pages.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this suspenseful thriller. This is my first book by this author which I look forward to seeing what is next for them. This is a well written story that has twists and turns that left me sitting on the edge of my seat. The characters are strong, great, creative and bring the story to life on each page. I found this book to be fast paced and full of action. This is a story about buried secrets and a past that comes crashing to the present. I really enjoyed the growth of the plot as well as the growth of the characters. This is a great story that I highly recommend.

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** No Spoilers ***

This isn't the first book by this author I've read and it certainly won't be the last. "Psychological thriller" doesn't really do it justice. This was an honest to goodness, couldn't put it down, read in one sitting book. The author did a great job with the characters he created, flawed though they needed to be for this tale. An intricate plot, carefully woven. A backstory completely plausible and like the TV episodes say "This story was not based on real people or any actual events." Which is for legal cover, not because it is true. You'll know what I mean when you read it. Twists, turns, and an ending that wasn't what I expected.

This was a great read. I can see it easily as a film production. With parts in Black and White.

I give it five stars because I thought it was that good - I think you'll agree.

*** NO SPOILERS ***

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I think I have a new favorite author! From page 1 this had my imagination going and I wasn't even close! This novel.is definitely one that once you start you won't want to put it down until you've read to the very surprising end, clear an afternoon.

Ellie and Cassandra, Grady Klein, casting couch, screen test, and revenge......it's even scarier than you can imagine. I don't want to give away spoilers so I better stop with that one line. I gave this a 5/5 and can't wait to see what Mr. Gillespie comes up with next!

Thank you to Mr. Gillespie for an advanced copy of this novel for my unbiased opinion.

[Sentinelle23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

💙😱 UNIQUE AND STRIKING

June 2018, Hollywood :

Ellie Ferguson is sitting outside a motel. It’s hot outside and she’s hungry.

Too tired from her bus trip, she couldn’t even remember if she had slept or not... Everything was so blurry.

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A unique and striking reading that combines the paranormal and horror.

An absolutely captivating story of realism, with a moving main character (Ellie).

I didn’t see the pages scroll ! I am speechless...

I recommend to lovers of the genre.💙😱

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading highly!!!!

[Manfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about two girls growing up in Toronto. Both with parents who fight day in day out. And that leaves more than one mark on the teenagers who both dream of becoming actresses in Hollywood. Like the young one who one day, over 50 years ago, disappeared after her success in Hollywood. And their minds play tricks on them and the reader does experience those as well. A fast read for a day and a true psychological horror one.

[Kathryn Laing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another Mark Gillespie winner. He never disappoints in his writing and this one has just enough action and intrigue to keep you reading into the wee hours.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly disturbing tale! I think I enjoyed this as I absolutely devoured it in no time at all! A horrible scary tale, very well written, sends chills down your spine! Read it if you dare!