Wrong Number

by Dave Dykema

It was the right person, but the wrong number to call.

Brad Mullen finds a phone number scrawled on a cocktail napkin outside a “meat market” bar. On a whim he dials the number, connecting him in ways he could never have imagined with a woman named Julie.

Things move fast, culminating in sex at a local park. Trying to slow down the breakneck pace, Brad eases off a bit, but Julie doesn’t like that at all. She burrows into all factions of Brad’s life, invading his work and telling him to stay away from other women and even his best friend.

Julie’s suffocating Brad. But that’s nothing compared to when the handcuffs, knife, and tire iron come out. She wants to possess him in every way—even if he’s dead.

Genres: Thriller

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2009

Reviews

[Christopher Prew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting premise, but a very poorly written novel. Started promisingly, then went downhill and, in the end, got to what I felt was an extremely unrealistic ending. Just glad it was a freebie for the kindle and I didn't waste any money on it!!!

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooh this was a good one!
Wasn’t sure where it was heading, but definitely did not expect the outcome. I liked the characters and will look out for more from this author.

[Trish Lamoree · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characterization of the main character is a wonderfully honest interpretation of what many men feel while facing the meat market of the dating scene. The relationship between the main character and his best friend is also very enjoyable to read. I think this author has a bright, fresh, and uncensored male perspective and the ability to warp a simple desperate choice into a complex series of choices that are each more desperate than the last.

My advice: Read the first few pages and if you can take the blunt portrayal of maleness, you'll sympathize with the rest of the story. I found it hilarious until the sad, lonely truth hits. What can happen when a nice lonely guy dials the wrong number for the wrong reasons and how really bad it can get?

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I write this review, I still haven't decided if this book was meant to be humorous or meant to be scarey. It's a "Fatal Attraction" type story, but some of the things that happen to this guy are almost like slapstick comedy, only they were serious! I picked this book after seeing a review of it on Red Adept's reviews, and I'm glad I bought it. I read it in one day, it sure held my interest and kept me reading to the very end. If you want a fun, light read, this is it.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brad finds a piece of paper in a bar from Julie to Brad asking him to call her. As he has the same name and is single, he calls and they meet up.
This is not a sweet boy meets girl novel though. Julie is a somewhat psychotic character and in reality I don't think they'd have lasted beyond the first date, but I suspended reality and rather enjoyed the book.
Not a pleasant read in parts, but well written and suspenseful

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parts of this book were crass especially in the sex scenes and talk and I thought it was over the top toward the ending. My first thoughts of Brad were 'loser.'

After moving beyond the desperateness in the first chapters, events starting drawing me in. I wanted to see what psycho girl would do. Brad's lust for her never ceased. It appeared he had figured out what she was up to but then he seemed clueless. Okay so maybe the 'loser' label only dimmed.

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one night - never done that before! I could not put this down

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this as especially as the tension built.
The ending did seem a little rushed though.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but freaky.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy and disturbing, but you just want to keep reading it!

[Michele Reise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was creepy and good but I just disliked the main character so much that I couldn't give it more than three stars. I was hoping he'd die throughout the book.