Messages, A Psychological Thriller

by Christine Dougherty

James Smith is receiving messages. Fired from his job, his girlfriend on the verge of leaving him, barely keeping his life in order, James’ unyielding insistence on following the signs and putting together the clues brings him to the answer…and it changes everything. Hindered by flashbacks to a barely remembered babyhood at the hands of a criminally insane mother, James forges ahead, committing acts he’d never have thought himself capable, from shadowing a local teen, to kidnapping, to a murderous confrontation–all over the object of his desire.When he partners with a mysterious cop named Riddel, James is certain he will not only bring everything out into the open, but also convince his girlfriend Lacey that she is central to his quest. And she is, but in a way they are all unable to foresee.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Ebooks, Fiction, Horror, Amazon, Psychological Thriller

299 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 22, 2011

About the author

Chris Dougherty writes from a secluded haven in southern New Jersey at the edge of the Pine Barrens.

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Messages' was quite a thriller. The story line was full of intriguing scenarios. The way it played out kept me glued to the pages. The intricacies of James' mind was like a puzzle. Once I figured one part out, the rest fell into place. The web created by James was full of actions that fell like dominoes. I enjoyed the layout of the story. Lacey was a great character. She is such a strong woman, even when she doesn't believe it herself. Arch and Henry are questionable at first. But as the story played out, I understood why. A great add to your tbr list.

[Leese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved his book. It makes you think about mental illness and why some people become who they are. I also loved that this book didn't finish at the supposed climax, like so many books do and they leave you wondering about the characters. This book finished and answered those questions, which I appreciate. Also, as a Jersey girl its always cool to see town names you know in a book and the author must be from NJ because the preview of next book also mentions the Pine
Barrens. I will probably read here other book after the other five or so that are high on my list.

[Gabby Tancredi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. The fact that James's mental illness traces back to an abusive babyhood by an insane mother fits really well with what he has turned into and what he does during the entire book. The last plot twist caught me by surprise and led to the perfect ending for the book.

[Cynthia Maddox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially, I didn't think I would like this book. The point of view was irritating because you are going from head to head. You are listening to all these people and it happens from one paragraph to the next. It was insane for a bit. Technically, it is considered bad writing to do that but.... for this book it was probably a brilliant choice.

I think it is this choice of POV that gives the frenetic pace to the story. There is a sense from the beginning that the main character is having some major mental problems. Something is just off kilter in his behavior and it only worsens. I found myself sympathizing with everyone he came in contact with, even the most reprehensible characters in the story, and I was scared he was going to kill any one of them. Because I just knew the main character was going to hurt someone. The action escalates pretty quickly and after a few chapters, I was hooked and on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down but had to in order to give my nerves a break.

I was relieved when I finished the book but not disappointed. Just when I thought it was over, there was a twist in the finally I didn't see coming but which I found satisfying.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF- I had a really hard time reading this. Following along with the 'messages' and then the actions the character takes. I just could not bring myself to continue reading it and was not interested in the storyline at all.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did really enjoy this book. It was interesting to see what was happening through the view of multiple people. There were a lot of memories though that didn't really add much to the story. That and the very end where the mom comes and knocks Lacey out and tries to suffocate James to save him was a bit much. I liked the fact that it was going to tie everything up - show what happened to the people, but the mom being able to do all that after being mostly comatose forever was just a bit much. I didn't like it and it dropped my rating down some.

[Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 3.5 stars though.

A good psychological thriller. Totally creepy the way James Smith loses his mind, seeing messages in everything around him, signs only he sees. It started off amazing, the build-up was awesome but lost momentum toward the middle and at the end but still good, just not as amazing.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A psychological thriller worth reading...

Christine is an excellent writer. She does a good job of drawing you into the lives of the characters.

There are punctuation and spelling errors; however, it did not distract me from the story.

[Blue Weasel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning of the book was very interesting, seeing thru the eyes of someone slipping into a unstable state of mind/insanity. The story line was fine, the end of the book was predictable. Fast read.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of guts and gore and there's plenty of that in this book, book I really enjoyed the way the characters are developed and how the story unfolds. It wasn't until I'd read more than half the book that I started to have any idea how it might end - it's a real page turner!

[Russ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Marguerite Czajka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good tale of a man's downward spiral - and the upward spiral of another. The ending was sort of an epilogue - I felt it could have been left off, but it did show closure.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy mystery.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very interesting to follow the line of thinking of a disturbed person.

[Yvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book as it was different from any book I've read - your seeing how someone truly crazy thinks. I'll be reading more from this author :)

[Kimmi Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Great insight on the characters. Well written. Highly recommend it.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different kind of mystery which made it better. None of the "knowing what will happen" because of that it is well written & I enjoyed reading it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning was difficult to get into but picked up quickly. You really get a sense of James' madness.

[Janell Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me awhile to get into this one but when it took off it really took off and I couldn't put it down.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book but you gotta love blood and guts to enjoy it!

[Charity Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going to compromise on my rating. Found the story engaging and wanted to keep reading, but there were numerous grammatical errors and switches in verb tense. Cleaned up this would be a 4-5.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a free book from BookBub. I really enjoyed it. Much more than I expected to.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book

I wish you would just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so.Shelley MA