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A Door Unlocked
Vanessa Fitzgerald wishes she had never heard of Bobby Ray Ledbetter, a released convict who murdered her husband and abducted the couple’s eight-year-old daughter after brutally beating and raping the young mother.
While in a medically induced coma, Vanessa receives messages from her husband’s grave—vital clues in an otherwise cold case. But after recovering, the communications cease. Under the guidance of renowned parapsychologist, Dr. Sebastian Dietrich, the transmissions resume, providing valuable leads into her daughter’s location—and Bobby Ray’s accomplices. Buoyed by his success, Dietrich longs to harness eternity’s knowledge and power by bridging the divide between the living and the dead. He accepts a guided tour into the afterlife from Vanessa’s deceased husband. But will his journey lead to the rescue of the Fitzgeralds’ daughter? And what about the others involved in the web of corruption? Only Vanessa holds the key to A DOOR UNLOCKED.
While in a medically induced coma, Vanessa receives messages from her husband’s grave—vital clues in an otherwise cold case. But after recovering, the communications cease. Under the guidance of renowned parapsychologist, Dr. Sebastian Dietrich, the transmissions resume, providing valuable leads into her daughter’s location—and Bobby Ray’s accomplices. Buoyed by his success, Dietrich longs to harness eternity’s knowledge and power by bridging the divide between the living and the dead. He accepts a guided tour into the afterlife from Vanessa’s deceased husband. But will his journey lead to the rescue of the Fitzgeralds’ daughter? And what about the others involved in the web of corruption? Only Vanessa holds the key to A DOOR UNLOCKED.
265 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2013
8 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
About the author
Calvin Dean
5 books52 followersCalvin Dean is the author of two best selling novels: “The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff” and "A Door Unlocked". "Curses", a humorous paranormal mystery, and "Geriatric Delinquents", a cozy southern parody are available on Amazon and other book sellers.
Calvin started working in the creative field at age 15. As a young radio disc jockey he wrote advertising for local retailers -- even won a state-wide award at age 18.
From there he worked for an in-house advertising agency for a large department store, hired by a former copywriter for the famed Macy's in New York.
Next came television promotions and production. Calvin's promotional campaign for the news department took the station's ratings from a poor #2 to #1.
Calvin spent much of his professional career in video production, and was fortunate enough to work with creative types who's resumes include ZZ Top, The Beatles Yellow Submarine animations, and sound engineering for Bob Dylan.
Today, Calvin enjoys spring breaks on the Redneck Riviera, summers on the baseball diamond, and winters sipping a frothy cappuccino. In fact, when Calvin isn't reading or writing, he's behind home plate umpiring USSSA, Perfect Game, or Dizzy Dean baseball. Calvin lives with his family in the suburbs of Memphis, Tennessee. Follow him on Twitter @jcalvindean, or like him on Facebook at Calvin Dean-Author.
Calvin started working in the creative field at age 15. As a young radio disc jockey he wrote advertising for local retailers -- even won a state-wide award at age 18.
From there he worked for an in-house advertising agency for a large department store, hired by a former copywriter for the famed Macy's in New York.
Next came television promotions and production. Calvin's promotional campaign for the news department took the station's ratings from a poor #2 to #1.
Calvin spent much of his professional career in video production, and was fortunate enough to work with creative types who's resumes include ZZ Top, The Beatles Yellow Submarine animations, and sound engineering for Bob Dylan.
Today, Calvin enjoys spring breaks on the Redneck Riviera, summers on the baseball diamond, and winters sipping a frothy cappuccino. In fact, when Calvin isn't reading or writing, he's behind home plate umpiring USSSA, Perfect Game, or Dizzy Dean baseball. Calvin lives with his family in the suburbs of Memphis, Tennessee. Follow him on Twitter @jcalvindean, or like him on Facebook at Calvin Dean-Author.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 23, 2013
A TENSE PARANORMAL STORY TO FIND A LITTLE GIRL WHOM BENT ADUCTICE BEFORE IT TO LATE A GOOD WELL WRITTEN BOOK
January 29, 2014
When I reviewed Calvin Dean's The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff, I said he had a wonderful way with words and made me feel like I was right there watching his characters. That hasn't changed. Read my review at http://wp.me/p2NuCe-8W.
Telling a reader how the mother of a kidnapped daughter feels is one thing, but actually getting the reader to experience that emotion requires talent and this book was a turmoil of emotion for me. I felt Vanessa's anger, frustration, worry, helplessness, and determination throughout the story. The author didn't delve into a lot of detail of the rape scene, something for which I was grateful, but gave enough information that the reader knew exactly what had happened.
I love books that have a paranormal angle and Lydia's father, despite not being alive, was a very believable character for me. What father wouldn't fight to do everything he could to find his kidnapped daughter - including reaching out from beyond the grave? His motivation was perfectly understandable. Although only 8-years-old, Lydia was a strong and intelligent character and had me rooting for her immediately.
The suspense of finding out this wasn't just some random kidnapping, but actually a "web of corruption" added depth to the plot and compelled me to keep reading, even into the wee hours of the morning (I finished the book in 2 days).
If you haven't discovered Calvin Dean's books yet, you're missing out on a talent to watch.
Telling a reader how the mother of a kidnapped daughter feels is one thing, but actually getting the reader to experience that emotion requires talent and this book was a turmoil of emotion for me. I felt Vanessa's anger, frustration, worry, helplessness, and determination throughout the story. The author didn't delve into a lot of detail of the rape scene, something for which I was grateful, but gave enough information that the reader knew exactly what had happened.
I love books that have a paranormal angle and Lydia's father, despite not being alive, was a very believable character for me. What father wouldn't fight to do everything he could to find his kidnapped daughter - including reaching out from beyond the grave? His motivation was perfectly understandable. Although only 8-years-old, Lydia was a strong and intelligent character and had me rooting for her immediately.
The suspense of finding out this wasn't just some random kidnapping, but actually a "web of corruption" added depth to the plot and compelled me to keep reading, even into the wee hours of the morning (I finished the book in 2 days).
If you haven't discovered Calvin Dean's books yet, you're missing out on a talent to watch.
October 21, 2013
There are many great first lines in the history of literature and in future when people compile those lists they will include the first line of “A Door Unlocked” by Calvin Dean. “Bobby Ray’s attitude burned as hot as a Mississippi summer.” What this first line tells a reader is that Bobby Ray is the driving force of the novel and he is extremely bad news. He kills without compunction and abuses with no regard for age. Bobby Ray rapes Vanessa and sexually abuses her daughter and while those scenes (thankfully) are more overview they are buoyed by this authors set up of the character and talent for saying a lot without saying much at all. After the assault on little Lydia, the child wishes for death. Her parents are gone and this man who said that he would not hurt her has done so in a way worse than she could have imagined. That handful of lines in the aftermath of Lydia’s abduction just kills me as a reader but stands as a testament to the talent of the author.
For readers who shy away from the paranormal, the connection between Vanessa and her husband is important to the story but not an overriding theme. From beginning to end “A Door Unlocked” is aimed toward rescuing an 8-year-old before she becomes too inconvenient to keep around. It is tense and we learn that Dean isn’t afraid to kill people.
“A Door Unlocked” is a fabulous five star read from author Calvin Dean.
For readers who shy away from the paranormal, the connection between Vanessa and her husband is important to the story but not an overriding theme. From beginning to end “A Door Unlocked” is aimed toward rescuing an 8-year-old before she becomes too inconvenient to keep around. It is tense and we learn that Dean isn’t afraid to kill people.
“A Door Unlocked” is a fabulous five star read from author Calvin Dean.
December 4, 2014
Good suspense novel, makes you think
A couple of parts were a bit difficult to get into, but that very well could have been due to the amount of time it took me to finish the book. With my work schedule as it is, finding a regular reading schedule is not easy.
As for the book, it has been a while since I have read anything in this genre. Honestly, I'm reminded a little of Ted Dekker's work. I'm not going to spoil it, but if you're a fan of suspense or of novels that kind of make you question things a bit, you'll like A Door Unlocked.
A couple of parts were a bit difficult to get into, but that very well could have been due to the amount of time it took me to finish the book. With my work schedule as it is, finding a regular reading schedule is not easy.
As for the book, it has been a while since I have read anything in this genre. Honestly, I'm reminded a little of Ted Dekker's work. I'm not going to spoil it, but if you're a fan of suspense or of novels that kind of make you question things a bit, you'll like A Door Unlocked.
December 29, 2017
Totally awesome!!
This book captivated me from the start. Fast pace and great storyline made it hard to put down! Highly recommend!
This book captivated me from the start. Fast pace and great storyline made it hard to put down! Highly recommend!
February 11, 2014
This review is courtesy of topoftheheapreviews.com
Calvin Dean’s strong points really shine through in this supernatural suspense novel. His biggest strength is creating characters that you can connect with, and then creating that human connection between the reader and the page. From the plight of a widow or the strength of a little girl fighting her abductor, you genuinely feel for these characters.
The pages fly by, and I don’t think I’m out of line comparing his writing style to a Dean Koontz. I wouldn’t classify it as horror, but some scenes are in fact horrific. Thankfully Calvin Dean gives these things the weight they deserve, while not going into details. After all, your own imagination is probably much worse than anything he could write. These come across in quotes like this from Lydia:
I’m sorry, Momma. I didn’t wantto do it. When he was through, he handed me my pajamas. I put the gown on. Now I smell like him.
It not only derives a ton of sympathy for the daughter, it creates so much loathing and hatred into Bobby Ray’s character at the same time, you wish him serious harm.
On the flip side of the fantastic characters is the plot line. While the plot is engaging, and this being a supernatural type of story, you do have to suspend your disbelief some, I found a lot of the actions of the characters just completely un-realistic. From reporters to cops, things just didn’t add up, and they didn’t act in very realistic fashions. It served the purpose of moving the story along, but there are times where I just had to put the book down and kind of roll my eyes.
The other issue I had, and is another reason I compare this to a Dean Koontz book, is the ending. You have all of these events in place, the kidnapping of the daughter where they don’t know where she is, Eric contacting his wife from beyond the grave, and the unraveling of the corruption from a Senator all trying to be tied up. They way the book ended, it was impossible to be written into a corner. No matter what happened, it could, and did all become resolved via a sort of Deus Ex Machina. In my opinion, this knocked the book down quite a bit. The build up was fantastic, the characters, were absolutely fantastic, and I think the characters deserved a better ending.
The Bottom Line: An extremely strong setup and well rounded characters were tainted by a very sub-par ending in my opinion. While the book could rank right up there with some of Dean Koontz’s works from the early 2000′s, I felt let down. It was aiken to a strong story, with the twist of “and he woke up, it was all a dream.” I still look forward to any other novel Calvin Dean writes, because he knows how to write strong characters, I just hope that the ending of the next one will be a bit tighter.
Calvin Dean’s strong points really shine through in this supernatural suspense novel. His biggest strength is creating characters that you can connect with, and then creating that human connection between the reader and the page. From the plight of a widow or the strength of a little girl fighting her abductor, you genuinely feel for these characters.
The pages fly by, and I don’t think I’m out of line comparing his writing style to a Dean Koontz. I wouldn’t classify it as horror, but some scenes are in fact horrific. Thankfully Calvin Dean gives these things the weight they deserve, while not going into details. After all, your own imagination is probably much worse than anything he could write. These come across in quotes like this from Lydia:
I’m sorry, Momma. I didn’t wantto do it. When he was through, he handed me my pajamas. I put the gown on. Now I smell like him.
It not only derives a ton of sympathy for the daughter, it creates so much loathing and hatred into Bobby Ray’s character at the same time, you wish him serious harm.
On the flip side of the fantastic characters is the plot line. While the plot is engaging, and this being a supernatural type of story, you do have to suspend your disbelief some, I found a lot of the actions of the characters just completely un-realistic. From reporters to cops, things just didn’t add up, and they didn’t act in very realistic fashions. It served the purpose of moving the story along, but there are times where I just had to put the book down and kind of roll my eyes.
The other issue I had, and is another reason I compare this to a Dean Koontz book, is the ending. You have all of these events in place, the kidnapping of the daughter where they don’t know where she is, Eric contacting his wife from beyond the grave, and the unraveling of the corruption from a Senator all trying to be tied up. They way the book ended, it was impossible to be written into a corner. No matter what happened, it could, and did all become resolved via a sort of Deus Ex Machina. In my opinion, this knocked the book down quite a bit. The build up was fantastic, the characters, were absolutely fantastic, and I think the characters deserved a better ending.
The Bottom Line: An extremely strong setup and well rounded characters were tainted by a very sub-par ending in my opinion. While the book could rank right up there with some of Dean Koontz’s works from the early 2000′s, I felt let down. It was aiken to a strong story, with the twist of “and he woke up, it was all a dream.” I still look forward to any other novel Calvin Dean writes, because he knows how to write strong characters, I just hope that the ending of the next one will be a bit tighter.
December 20, 2014
Supernatural crime thriller.
There are a handfull of authors that I will read everything they write. Calvin Dean is one of them.
A great read.
There are a handfull of authors that I will read everything they write. Calvin Dean is one of them.
A great read.
October 3, 2014
Interesting read. I liked it though.
December 20, 2014
This was a great story that was sad in so many ways but kept you hopeful as it went on. The ending brought it full circle and brought with it a smile.
December 16, 2014
A supernatural crime thriller with a twist. Worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews