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Darkness Follows

4.17 of 5 stars 4.17 · rating details · 54 ratings · 14 reviews

Sam Travis lives in a Civil War era farmhouse in Gettysburg, PA, where he awakens one morning to find an old journal with an entry by a Union soldier, Lt. Whiting…written in Sam’s own handwriting. When this happens several more times, both at night and during waking “trances,” Sam begins to question his own sanity while becoming obsessed with Lt. Whiting and his bone-chill...more

Paperback, 304 pages

Published May 3rd 2011 by Realms (first published May 2011)

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Apr 19, 2012 Tammy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is not a book that I would normally read since I'm basically a scaredy cat at heart but a friend told me I might enjoy the way Mike Dellosso writes.
Well, this book is definitely not for the faint of heart. When Sam after going stir crazy at home while recuperating, travels to Gettysburg, PA. One night when he can't sleep, he gets up and Boom! something comes through the front window and shatters the night and Sam's life. Sam sees nothing...this is where my neck hairs, well all my hairs jus...more

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Jun 08, 2011 Nora St Laurent rated it 4 of 5 stars

I don’t normally read books like this one but after I read Darlington Woods for book club I discovered that his books weren’t as scary as I thought they were. I’m a chicken at heart and don’t read books that make me sleep with the light on at night. Mike Delloso showed me through his last book that he can bring a depth and understanding to his characters and their situations that didn’t frighten me. It made reading the book more enlightening. So, I was anxious to receive a review copy of Mike’s...more I don’t normally read books like this one but after I read Darlington Woods for book club I discovered that his books weren’t as scary as I thought they were. I’m a chicken at heart and don’t read books that make me sleep with the light on at night. Mike Delloso showed me through his last book that he can bring a depth and understanding to his characters and their situations that didn’t frighten me. It made reading the book more enlightening. So, I was anxious to receive a review copy of Mike’s new book.

Sam Travis lives in Gettysburg, PA and was recuperating from a serious injury he had received on the job. He’s been going a little stir crazy at home and got up often at night because he couldn’t sleep. One night he hears his brother calling him downstairs. He goes down there and sees nothing. Suddenly the glass window to his house shatters and wakes up the whole house. This is the beginning of a complex, compelling story that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and gripped my emotions as I read each page.

The police investigate, and find no clues. No bullets and no notes. Sam and his wife are stumped as to who would do such a thing. The reader is too! Later Sam discovers a story inside his little girl’s notebook written in his handwriting. He reads it. A soldier named Samuel has written about a battle in the Civil War and how he has to do something about Abraham Lincoln to stop the violence.

Sam had no recollection of writing the story he found in his office. He’s not a history buff and can’t quite figure out what Samuel(the author of the letter) is talking about in the note. How could he have written it? This was the beginning of some really bizarre events. Mike Delloso has you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what’s real, what’s not and afraid of what might happen next.

Sam Travis starts to have flashbacks from his tragic childhood. There is a soldier character named Samuel who wants to end the war and keeps appearing to Sam through these notes, then there’s Jacob, his little girl Eva’s imaginary friend, who looks like he glows with glitter and finally a man who’s on a killing spree-why-how does this fit in? How do all these pieces and characters fit together? Sam and his wife didn’t know what to make of it and either does the reader until the end. Mike weaves a fascinating, intricate, intriguing story line I found captivating.

I liked how Mike wove real historical events into this story with Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War and a story about the first Minnesota battle. I also like how Sam learned along with the reader about history, Sam says, “Why did these men do such a thing in Minnesota? They had to have known they were embarking on their last charge, their last stand. What was in for them? They would never kiss their wives again, never hold their children. What made a man willingly do such a think? Bravery? Fear? Insanity? Dumb Obedience?” He wondered.

Mike tackled several pretty serious and sensitive issues like mental illness in his book. I had just watched a show about a family who was afraid to live with their middle school aged child and what they did about it. Some parents have done nothing, and couldn’t wait to release their child into society to fend for themselves. It’s a scary thing! Because I saw this show the matter was more real and made the events in this book even scarier! Yikes!

I like the author’s notes at the end that helped tie up a few things for me. I adored Sam’s little daughter Eva and her faith in God and love for her Daddy. I also enjoyed getting to know more about the Civil War and what men went through at that time. Once again I was memorized and gripped by this authors enthralling tale. You will be too!

Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
Finding Hope Through Fiction www.psalm516.blogspot.com
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May 10, 2011 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars

After suffering a closed-head injury, which left Sam Travis disabled, he's feeling worthless as a provider for his family, wife Molly and daughter Eva.

One night Sam's awakened by the sounds of a Civil War raging outside his Gettysburg home, but he knows the summer reenactments are over, so he gets up to see what's happening. Checking outside, he hears and finds nothing, and goes to sleep on the couch.

The next morning he finds a notebook about 1863 Civil War days written by a certain Captain Samu...more After suffering a closed-head injury, which left Sam Travis disabled, he's feeling worthless as a provider for his family, wife Molly and daughter Eva.

One night Sam's awakened by the sounds of a Civil War raging outside his Gettysburg home, but he knows the summer reenactments are over, so he gets up to see what's happening. Checking outside, he hears and finds nothing, and goes to sleep on the couch.

The next morning he finds a notebook about 1863 Civil War days written by a certain Captain Samuel Whiting. Only problem is, it's written in Sam Travis's handwriting. This is only the beginning of his `writings' that take place at night and during daytime `fugues.' He checks outside once more before waking his family. He hears a gunshot and the front window explodes, waking both Molly and Eva. Police are called and nothing is resolved.

About this same time, Eva begins to have dreams of her daddy's safety. She also has a `friend,' Jacob, who warns little Eva about her daddy and stresses that she must let him know that she loves him and so does Jesus.

Unbeknownst to Sam, a serial killer is stalking his family, particularly his daughter, for an unconscionable reason. In studying the writings, Sam finds a hidden connection to the writings and his life, leading him to disappear-leaving his family unprotected.

If you've read any of Mike's books before, you know you are in for the ride of your life. Eerie, unexplainable, evil things happen that make no sense in the real world. Mystifying messages, innocent lives being taken, the haunting voice of an older, dead brother, and the eventual abduction of a little girl.

The action switches back and forth at a rapid pace, challenging you to keep abreast of the circumstances, yet feels real enough to hold your attention. The actions of Symon and Sam have similar trappings, only in the reverse. One doesn't know who he is and wants to know, while the other knows who he is and gets lost in otherworldly evil.

The unwavering, strong love of little Eva for her daddy's safety, all the while that Molly keeps reassuring her that he knows of her love and that he will be safe, tugs at your very heartstrings, and is the impetus to bring her daddy to God's love.

This story is written based on real writings, some of which you read in this book, that were written in the same manner as this story. This is one of Mike's strongest books that displays the presence of good versus evil. And if you don't believe in the supernatural, both good and evil, you will before the end of this book! A powerful story of the power of love!

Special thanks to Anna Coelho Silva | Publicity Coordinator, Charisma House | Charisma Media for sending me a review copy.(less)

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Jan 26, 2013 Justin Sherman rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book by Mr. Dellosso that I’ve read, and it definitely won’t be the last. I am quickly becoming a fan of Christian suspense fiction—good suspense fiction, that is. The pacing is fantastic. There are no slow parts and the action is always propelling the story forward. The tension increased throughout in a satisfying way, as well. Mr. Dellosso knows how to create an excellent antagonist. The antagonist is a killer on a mission, and the interesting thing is that we think he is on...more This is the first book by Mr. Dellosso that I’ve read, and it definitely won’t be the last. I am quickly becoming a fan of Christian suspense fiction—good suspense fiction, that is. The pacing is fantastic. There are no slow parts and the action is always propelling the story forward. The tension increased throughout in a satisfying way, as well. Mr. Dellosso knows how to create an excellent antagonist. The antagonist is a killer on a mission, and the interesting thing is that we think he is on a mission to kill Travis, the protagonist. We find that his actual mission is much more horrible, indeed. Travis is well written with respect to the fact that he is troubled and weak of character at first. We are introduced to him as he is recuperating after a fall that has left his brain traumatized. An evil compulsion has overtaken him, using a troubled past during which he killed his psychotic brother who attacked the family when he was in his teens, to compel him to likewise use his special shooting skills to kill an up-and-coming presidential candidate. Mr. Dellosso uses an interesting device by having Travis write about the likewise evil thoughts from a little known Civil War Union soldier that feels compelled to take President Abraham Lincoln’s life. This part of the story, in fact, was what hooked me to pick up the book in the first place. The author’s ability to tell a fast paced, intriguing story is what kept me hooked and turning pages for the satisfying conclusion.

Some thoughts about the conclusion: I’d like to congratulate Mr. Dellosso on actually wrapping up most of the details in a very satisfying way. Most stories of this type would end when the main action is wrapped up. But, what of real life? In real life, one who would make an attempt on a presidential hopeful would be tried in the courts and locked away. The author doesn’t forget this fact, and definitely gives the reader a taste of the consequences of his actions. Travis is a good person at heart, of course, trapped by the evil. But even so there are consequences to his choices, and the author does not let us forget this. Also, we get to witness Travis reconciling with his sweet family, as well. Of interest, we also find out that the antagonist is not just an evil boogyman. He had a family himself before the evilness took over. The best antagonist has his own motivations, twisted though they may be, that seem like the “right choices” to him. Thus, the murderer becomes more human at the end through Mr. Dellosso’s revelations about his past. This made me sympathize with him the tiniest bit, and the result is that the antagonist becomes even more scary because the reader can identify with him!
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Jun 26, 2011 Nikole Hahn rated it 4 of 5 stars

The sounds of a Civil War battle rages outside his home. He’s writing pages in his daughter’s notebook—a journal dated back to the 1800s. His mind is not his own after the fall on the job. His marriage is fractured. His daughter has an invisible friend named, Jacob, who wants him to know that Jesus loves him. Meanwhile, darkness begins to creep into his life, engulfing it, and he wonders if he is going insane.

Sam let the notebook fall from his hands onto his lap. He was going nuts, that’s what...more The sounds of a Civil War battle rages outside his home. He’s writing pages in his daughter’s notebook—a journal dated back to the 1800s. His mind is not his own after the fall on the job. His marriage is fractured. His daughter has an invisible friend named, Jacob, who wants him to know that Jesus loves him. Meanwhile, darkness begins to creep into his life, engulfing it, and he wonders if he is going insane.

Sam let the notebook fall from his hands onto his lap. He was going nuts, that’s what it meant. He was sure of it. What kind of a person wrote this stuff and didn’t remember it? Was he scribbling it in his sleep? He wasn’t even a Civil War buff. He didn’t even know some of the terminology he’d written with his own hand, with his own pen. Wiping a palm across his forehead, he noticed he’d broken out in a cold sweat. – Pg. 41

Meanwhile, a man named Symon is killing civilians. Like the stuff you see on Criminal Minds, he asks, “What is my name?” He can’t remember much of the past and he is sent on a mission to kidnap Sam’s daughter.

He thought it odd that he felt no emotion about his mission. Nor about what he’d just done to the Moellers here. He was sure they were nice people, probably parents and grandparents, model neighbors and exemplary citizens. He doubted they ever paid their taxes late and could not imagine either Edward or Glady’s mouthing off to a cop. There was no sadness over their loss. No regret or even joy. Nothing. It was as if his emotional palette had been wiped clean, with nothing there to draw from. – Pg. 66

The book had a nice flow to it. The story was well written with a nice surprise in the end (of which I won’t tell). However, the point of view of Ned, the state trooper, led you to believe that he would have some sort of stake in the story. It didn’t make much sense to me to kill him off. As a writer, I would have eliminated his point of view. However, that was the only negative in the story. Some parts are difficult to read because of their graphic nature. I had to look away when, in a memory, Sam recalls that his brother Tommy began mutilating animals. It is necessary to the plot to show Tommy’s deviate nature. Still, I winced and at times glanced away unable to get that picture out of my mind. That testifies to the quality of the writing. He also has an interesting introduction. That will post Tuesday. So stay tuned.

You can visit Mike Dellosso’s website here. In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. Blog tour starts today and ends Wednesday, June 22. Leave a comment during these days and be put in a drawing to have a chance to win a free copy.(less)

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May 10, 2011 Clockstein Lockstein rated it 5 of 5 stars

Darkness Follows by Mike Dellosso is a haunting novel of a father's love. Samuel Travis is recovering from a brain injury that has kept him confined in his home for the last several months and took away his job. Sam is frustrated with his loss of ability and independence and wife Molly and seven-year-old daughter Eva have to bear up under his mood swings. Sam's recovery takes a dark turn when he suddenly starts hearing the voice of his brother Tommy who has been dead for two decades and then fin...more

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Jul 16, 2011 Candy rated it 5 of 5 stars

It takes a lot to make me start the review of a book with the word “Wow!” That is reserved for the books I find the best. Well, let me just go ahead and say it WOW! “Darkness Follows” by Mike Dellosso is right up there with the best books I have ever read. Whenever I like a book, I automatically think of one thing that sums the whole thing up, whether it is a quote or a song or whatever. In this case it was “Love covers a multitude of sins.” However you should not go into this book thinking it...more It takes a lot to make me start the review of a book with the word “Wow!” That is reserved for the books I find the best. Well, let me just go ahead and say it WOW! “Darkness Follows” by Mike Dellosso is right up there with the best books I have ever read. Whenever I like a book, I automatically think of one thing that sums the whole thing up, whether it is a quote or a song or whatever. In this case it was “Love covers a multitude of sins.” However you should not go into this book thinking it is a love story in the typical sense.

Sam Travis is a self-employed carpenter who lives in Gettysburg, PA with his wife, Molly, and seven year old daughter, Eva. Six months prior to the beginning of the story Sam has an accident on the job and suffers a brain injury that leaves him in a coma for four weeks. When we are introduced to Sam, he is waking up from a nightmare about his dead brother and when he gets up to try to shake off the nightmare, he hears not only his brother calling his name, but also the sounds of battle. Judging from the sounds, Sam decides it is the civil war he is hearing. From that night on, Sam becomes a man tormented. Not only does he hear Tommy's voice calling his name, but Sam is writing journal entries from the civil war as though he were there himself. He knows nothing about the civil war, yet these entries he is writing are very detailed and bear the name Samuel Whiting. These journal entries start a downward spiral of darkness, of depression and anger, which alienates Sam from his family. But Eva is determined she will not lose her father, and makes sure he knows he is loved, even when he pushes her away.

“Darkness Follows” is a thriller that is deliciously creepy and suspenseful. Mr. Dellosso has crafted a beautiful story of unconditional love within the context of a story that demands not to be put down until you have finished. I found myself not wanting to go to work, just so I could read this book! I cared intensely for the characters, and when they hurt so did I. Anyone who loves a good thriller with the supernatural woven in should not miss this latest book from Mike Dellosso.(less)

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Aug 03, 2011 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars

This story jerks you into this fast-paced suspense thriller from the very first pages and does not let up. I was completely wrapped up in this book. From the get-go, when Sam awakes in the middle of the night to the sounds of a battle somewhere nearby and hearing his long-departed brother calling his name. Believing he is going insane, Sam is at the end of his rope as he tries to reassure his wife and daughter. What a compelling beginning—I can’t imagine what I would think if I thought I was los...more This story jerks you into this fast-paced suspense thriller from the very first pages and does not let up. I was completely wrapped up in this book. From the get-go, when Sam awakes in the middle of the night to the sounds of a battle somewhere nearby and hearing his long-departed brother calling his name. Believing he is going insane, Sam is at the end of his rope as he tries to reassure his wife and daughter. What a compelling beginning—I can’t imagine what I would think if I thought I was losing my mind. Scary!

All of the characters in Darkness Follows are extremely well developed and believable. From the mysterious Symon to the desperate Sam, these people leave you with a great impression. Sam’s daughter, Eva, was very endearing and I instantly liked her undying and unconditional love that she showered on her father, no matter if he acknowledged her or not. Sam’s wife, Molly, was also easy to sympathize with as she tries to keep the family together and help her husband. My favorite would have to be the emotionless Symon. I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him as he blindly commits his crimes, all the while wondering who he is. Each character in this book is wonderful and their feelings vivid and deep.

This is the first book I have read by Mike Dellosso, so I wasn’t sure what kind of thriller writer he was going to be. Well, it was awesome. The writing was superb, the characters realistic (as I’ve already said), and the plot unique and intricate. I felt as if I was literally “IN” this adventure, the writing just grabbed my attention and put me there with Sam, Symon, Molly, or Eva. What else can you ask for, right?!

So, in short, I really enjoyed this awesome suspense. I am a new fan of Mike Dellosso and will keep my eye out for his books in the future! If you enjoy a good suspense novel that will keep you on the edge of your sear, I would highly recommend Darkness Follows. He reminded me of a Ted Dekker or Frank Peretti. And since those two are my all-time top-favorite suspense writers, that’s saying a lot. :-)(less)

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Apr 24, 2012 Jessica Thomas rated it 3 of 5 stars

Darkness Follows is about making a choice. Will you align yourself with darkness or with God? It’s an important choice, as Dellosso’s book effectively underscores.

This one earns 3 1/2 stars from me.

See full review here: http://jessicathomasink.com/blog/revi...

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Jun 27, 2012 Jess Hanna rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is a really solid thriller with complex character development and an underlying supernatural current. I wish there would have been a bit more of the supernatural element (I like to see the monster), but Mike has done it again!!

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Jul 20, 2012 Lynn Chandler-willis rated it 4 of 5 stars

The three main characters, Sam, Molly, and Eva, were very well developed. The POV changes from chapter to chapter flowed smoothly, giving the reader the opportunity to experience the thoughts and emotions of all characters, even the bad guy. All in all, a very good read.

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May 09, 2011 Proud Book Nerd rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tours, faith-based-fiction, first, suspense

I enjoyed this book, but wasn't awed by it. It held my interest, but didn't have me rushing to finish. Will I read it again? Probably not, but ... I will definitely get my hands of more of Dellosso's books.

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May 11, 2011 Michelle Vasquez rated it 4 of 5 stars

A wonderful suspense thriller with a Christian message. Read my full review here:

http://lifeinreviewblog.wordpress.com...

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Jun 01, 2011 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, christian-fiction, suspense

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About Mike Dellosso

Mike Dellosso, writing also under the pen name Michael King, is the author of numerous novels of suspense, including Darkness Follows, Darlington Woods, and Scream. Mike is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and is a popular conference and workshop teacher. He earned his BA degree from Messiah College and his MBS from Master's International School of Divinity. He lives in Hanover,...more

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