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The Red Scream (Molly Cates #1)
Texas-based crime reporter Molly Cates has justpublished her first book, describing theblood-curdling exploits of serial killer Louie Bronk. Now ondeath row, Louie's sentence is about to be carriedout. Molly will be there as a witness, and shewants to write about itthe final coda to Louie'sstory. But suddenly, she's being stronglydiscouraged by her boss at the Lone StarMo...more
Hardcover, 324 pages
Published
July 1st 1994
by Doubleday
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Reporter Molly Cates has spent eleven years following the case of serial killer Louie Bronk who is about to be executed by the state of Texas. She's just published a book all about him and is ready for the final chapter in the story.
Nothing is that simple in fiction though. The title of this excellent book refers to the phenomenom of death row prisoners having a "red scream" in their final days where they protest their innocence. I don't want to give away too much of the plot here because Louie
...more
Molly Cates just had her bestselling true crime book published. She plans to cover the execution of its subject, seriel killer Louie Bronk. Then, a copycat killer (or is it the original killer) strikes again- hitting the same family a second time. Molly begins to investigate as Louie tells her that he did the other murders, but the one he is being invetigated for he is not guilty of.. He provides her clues and leads that may prove his innocence.
Molly struggles with the moral upheaval she feels....more
Molly struggles with the moral upheaval she feels....more
I very much agree with Nikki that this is a well-written book: the author has a gift for creating real characters (at least the main ones) who behave like real people. She also has a fine ability to render impressions and thoughts in a believable way, while raising serious moral and ethical questions and giving a fair hearing to multiple sides. But I couldn't help feeling that this was a serious mainstream novel trapped uncomfortably inside a "thriller" body. It had all the earmarks of a thrille...more
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Reading all the Edgar Best Novels has introduced me to a number of authors whose works I had either avoided or been unaware of -- which was part of the reason I decided to do it. Mary Willis Walker, who sadly for me has only written a few books so far, is one of those. Maybe it was the three names, which I associate with old-school types like Doris Miles Disney and Mary Roberts Rinehart, but I'd never considered picking up one of Willis Walker's books before.
Protagonist Molly Cates is a crime r...more
Protagonist Molly Cates is a crime r...more
Dec 05, 2008
Elizabeth Hasty
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone
The Red Scream is about a investigative reporter named Molly Cates. It is based on the mass murderer Louis Bronk, murdered and scalped over 30 women in the 1970s -1980s. Just when it looks like the murder of an upper class wife and mother is put to rest it is brought back up with the thought that Bronk might not of acutally killed her. This causes many suspitions and problems for Molly. While all this is happening she is getting threatening poems saying that if she continues with the investigat...more
In my own tradition, another book read while visiting its setting (in this case, Austin). The plot here has momentum; the main character, a middle-aged crime writer embroiled in the resurrection of a serial killer case she wrote the book on, finds her stubborn independent streak and tenaciousness (as is often the case) both her greatest asset and worst liability. The writing is decent with a few very nice turns of phrase, touches in places on the ethics of the death penalty, and goes a bit farth...more
Considering this was only the author's second book, it was really good. There were some redundencies that I would have removed. There were also a few uses of the "n" word that were completely unnecessary. That same section seemed a bit racist to me, too.
Overall, though, I liked the protagonist, and I liked how the author took a definite stand against the death penalty.
For some reason, though, this author quit publishing after her third book came out, which is a real shame for readers.
Overall, though, I liked the protagonist, and I liked how the author took a definite stand against the death penalty.
For some reason, though, this author quit publishing after her third book came out, which is a real shame for readers.
This is not a book I would normally pick up to read, and in fact I started it because it was the only book around, but I am so glad I did. I'd forgotten how much I love a good thriller/mystery. The characterization was okay, a little thin in the case of Molly, and I didn't understand her motive to get back together with her ex-husband, except because he was there. That said, she did take to the time to give Louie Bronk some incredibly creepy and well written poems which began each chapter with a...more
I have no idea where this book came from. It was in a drawer in my night stand. I guess this is the first time I've read something like this by a female author. Too much time describing emotional connections between characters and when menopause was mentioned, I knew this just wasn't my cup of tea.
It's been a long time since I read this, but it was a wonderful book. It was suspenseful, with well-rounded characters. I love Mary Willis Walker. I wish she would publish more books.
Very Good; Continuing character: crime reporter Molly Cates (first in series); in her first case, Cates attempts to determine if man on death row or someone else killed rich Texas woman.
Love this book. It's so well written and atmospheric. Transports you with a very strong voice and sense of suspense. Intricit story with engaging characters.
Enjoyed this book, partly because of its setting in the Austin area. I am looking forward to reading Under the Beetles Cellar, by Walker, next.
read and enjoyed. Main character is a Crime Writer. Set in Austin and plays true--author lives here and really knows Austin. Good Story.
Decent story with a weak ending
THE RED SCREAM - Ex
Walker, Mary Willis - 1st in Mollie Cates series
In a macabre gesture, Louis Bronk, a.k.a. the Texas Scalper, has invited journalist for Lone Star Monthly, Molly Cates, to his lasts days on Earth. Molly gets pressure to back off the story. Then comes a chilling message and another dead body. And Molly has to face the fact that Bronk may be executed for the wrong reason--and she may be the next victim.
1995 Top Read - This was EXCELLENT!
Walker, Mary Willis - 1st in Mollie Cates series
In a macabre gesture, Louis Bronk, a.k.a. the Texas Scalper, has invited journalist for Lone Star Monthly, Molly Cates, to his lasts days on Earth. Molly gets pressure to back off the story. Then comes a chilling message and another dead body. And Molly has to face the fact that Bronk may be executed for the wrong reason--and she may be the next victim.
1995 Top Read - This was EXCELLENT!
Okay
This is one of the most suspensful books I have ever read. It kept me on the edge of my seat.
so far pretty darn good!
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Mary Willis Walker is the author of Zero at the Bone, which won both the Agatha and Macavity awards and was nominated for an Edgar; The Red Scream, winner of the Edgar Award; and Under the Beetle's Cellar, recipient of the Hammett Prize, the Anthony Award, and the Macavity Award. She lives in Austin, Texas, where she is now at work on her fifth novel.
More about Mary Willis Walker...
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