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Deliver Me from Evil
Longing to break free from her dead-end marriage, Christine Thurman, who has escaped her upbringing on the wrong side of the tracks, is drawn back into her old life when she has a torrid affair with a bad boy from her past, which puts everything on the line.
- GenresFiction
281 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2007
71 people are currently reading
936 people want to read
About the author
Mary Monroe
63 books2,766 followersI am the third child of Alabama sharecroppers and the first and only member of my family to finish high school. I never attended college or any writing classes. I taught myself how to write and started writing short stories around age four. I spent the first part of my life in Alabama and Ohio and moved to Richmond, California in 1973. I have lived in Oakland since 1984.
My first novel THE UPPER ROOM was published by St. Martin's Press in 1985 and was widely reviewed throughout the U.S. and in Great Britain. An excerpt is included in Terry McMillan's anthology BREAKING ICE. I endured fifteen years and hundreds of more rejection letters before I landed a contract for my second novel, GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. It was published in October 2000 by Kensington Books. GOD DON'T PLAY is my seventh novel to be published, and it landed me a spot on the prestigious New York Times Bestsellers list for the first time! My eighth novel, "BORROW TROUBLE," was released December 2006. My ninth novel, DELIVER ME FROM EVIL, was released September 2007 and my tenth novel, SHE HAD IT COMING, was released in September 2008, and my eleventh novel THE COMPANY WE KEEP, will be released March 2009.
I won the Oakland Pen Award for Best Fiction of the Year in 2001 for GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. I won the Best Southern Author Award for GONNA LAY DOWN MY BURDENS, in 2004.
I am divorced, I love to travel, I love to mingle with other authors, and I love to read anything by Ernest Gaines, Stephen King, Alice Walker, and James Patterson. I still write seven days a week and I get most of my ideas from current events, the people around me, but most of my material is autobiographical.
My first novel THE UPPER ROOM was published by St. Martin's Press in 1985 and was widely reviewed throughout the U.S. and in Great Britain. An excerpt is included in Terry McMillan's anthology BREAKING ICE. I endured fifteen years and hundreds of more rejection letters before I landed a contract for my second novel, GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. It was published in October 2000 by Kensington Books. GOD DON'T PLAY is my seventh novel to be published, and it landed me a spot on the prestigious New York Times Bestsellers list for the first time! My eighth novel, "BORROW TROUBLE," was released December 2006. My ninth novel, DELIVER ME FROM EVIL, was released September 2007 and my tenth novel, SHE HAD IT COMING, was released in September 2008, and my eleventh novel THE COMPANY WE KEEP, will be released March 2009.
I won the Oakland Pen Award for Best Fiction of the Year in 2001 for GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. I won the Best Southern Author Award for GONNA LAY DOWN MY BURDENS, in 2004.
I am divorced, I love to travel, I love to mingle with other authors, and I love to read anything by Ernest Gaines, Stephen King, Alice Walker, and James Patterson. I still write seven days a week and I get most of my ideas from current events, the people around me, but most of my material is autobiographical.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
December 22, 2025
It took a short while for me to get used to the short chapters and fuzzy flashback style of this book, but after the first 50 pages I was hooked. It was truly entertaining and unfortunately relate-able the empathy of watching Christine make one bad decision after another.
The only thing I felt this story lacked was a realistic sense of maturity. Teenage Christine and Adult Christine were so alike that sometimes it got difficult to decipher which story line we were in.
Overall, I would recommend this book to others. It is a quick read, but the story was not void in detail.
The only thing I felt this story lacked was a realistic sense of maturity. Teenage Christine and Adult Christine were so alike that sometimes it got difficult to decipher which story line we were in.
Overall, I would recommend this book to others. It is a quick read, but the story was not void in detail.
July 21, 2017
amazing author u already know!
August 31, 2016
Surprisingly, this is the first novel that I have read by Mary Monroe and I must say that I really enjoyed it. This novel has all the juicy stuff of past love that hangs around, neglected present love, family jealously, scandal, lies, deceit, double cross and the list goes on.
Christine Thurman’s life hasn’t always been easy. Growing up she was ignored by her parents who left her to do whatever she wanted and she wasted no time taking full advantage of it. She ran with a rough crowd, stole clothes, electronics and cars, did drugs and had sex with countless and nameless boys. But the only person she kept going back to time and time again was Wade Eddie Fisher, who looked like a “low-income Lenny Kravitz.” Wade had big dreams to make it in Hollywood and Christine couldn’t get enough of him. But when Wade ignored her after she chased after him to Hollywood, it was time for her to make a change in her life.
Fast forward a few years later, Christine has met and married Jesse Ray “J.R.” Thurman, a successful businessman/owner/manager of a few video stores. Her life has changed: new friends, designer clothes, dining out at fancy restaurants, fabulous vacations, big house, etc. However, all this is cut short when she becomes the full time caretaker of J.R.’s live in ailing mother and becomes even more exacerbated when his sister and her family move in with them. Christine is beyond her wits. She gets no support from J.R. and feels trapped.
Christine had signed a prenuptial agreement that would leave her next to nothing. So, she decides to fake a kidnapping with the help of Wade (broke and back in town) to get a half a million dollars from J.R. The rest of the story is a series of twists and turns that will keep you wanting more.
Monroe’s descriptions were spot on. The dialogue was realistic and the characters were very well developed. In addition, Monroe handled the past and present scenes flawlessly giving readers the full history of Christine’s and Wade’s relationship. Let’s just say that some folks who don’t mean you any good should be left in the rearview mirror and Wade’s one of those folks.
However, the only thing left unanswered was the reason why J.R. was spending so much time at work. He would leave several hours early before the video store opened and stayed several hours later when it closed. Christine’s friends thought maybe he had another woman but that speculation was never proven. Nevertheless, it was a good and entertaining read!
Some of my favorite lines:
Between sips from a can of Coors Light, he puffed on a thick blunt. A strong haze swirled around his head like a halo. It was some pretty good shit, too. I welcomed the immediate buzz I got from inhaling the secondhand smoke. I hadn’t smelled weed this strong and sweet since I was a teenager, more than ten years ago. But within seconds that halo around his head turned into a dark cloud and was moving in my direction.
I swallowed a huge lump that was threatening to block my throat. Then I held my breath as he dialed the number to the video store that my husband owned and managed.
“Hello…Yes!” Wade said in a loud and gruff voice as soon as he got a response on the other end. It sounded like he had a huge lump in his throat, too. He coughed and cleared his throat, altering his voice this time. I need to speak to Jesse Ray Thurman.” He talked with the blunt dangling from the corner of his lips. “Put him on the phone. Put him on the phone right now,” he ordered, a grimace on his face. “Dude, I ain’t playing. He even sounded like Lenny Kravitz.
Christine Thurman’s life hasn’t always been easy. Growing up she was ignored by her parents who left her to do whatever she wanted and she wasted no time taking full advantage of it. She ran with a rough crowd, stole clothes, electronics and cars, did drugs and had sex with countless and nameless boys. But the only person she kept going back to time and time again was Wade Eddie Fisher, who looked like a “low-income Lenny Kravitz.” Wade had big dreams to make it in Hollywood and Christine couldn’t get enough of him. But when Wade ignored her after she chased after him to Hollywood, it was time for her to make a change in her life.
Fast forward a few years later, Christine has met and married Jesse Ray “J.R.” Thurman, a successful businessman/owner/manager of a few video stores. Her life has changed: new friends, designer clothes, dining out at fancy restaurants, fabulous vacations, big house, etc. However, all this is cut short when she becomes the full time caretaker of J.R.’s live in ailing mother and becomes even more exacerbated when his sister and her family move in with them. Christine is beyond her wits. She gets no support from J.R. and feels trapped.
Christine had signed a prenuptial agreement that would leave her next to nothing. So, she decides to fake a kidnapping with the help of Wade (broke and back in town) to get a half a million dollars from J.R. The rest of the story is a series of twists and turns that will keep you wanting more.
Monroe’s descriptions were spot on. The dialogue was realistic and the characters were very well developed. In addition, Monroe handled the past and present scenes flawlessly giving readers the full history of Christine’s and Wade’s relationship. Let’s just say that some folks who don’t mean you any good should be left in the rearview mirror and Wade’s one of those folks.
However, the only thing left unanswered was the reason why J.R. was spending so much time at work. He would leave several hours early before the video store opened and stayed several hours later when it closed. Christine’s friends thought maybe he had another woman but that speculation was never proven. Nevertheless, it was a good and entertaining read!
Some of my favorite lines:
Between sips from a can of Coors Light, he puffed on a thick blunt. A strong haze swirled around his head like a halo. It was some pretty good shit, too. I welcomed the immediate buzz I got from inhaling the secondhand smoke. I hadn’t smelled weed this strong and sweet since I was a teenager, more than ten years ago. But within seconds that halo around his head turned into a dark cloud and was moving in my direction.
I swallowed a huge lump that was threatening to block my throat. Then I held my breath as he dialed the number to the video store that my husband owned and managed.
“Hello…Yes!” Wade said in a loud and gruff voice as soon as he got a response on the other end. It sounded like he had a huge lump in his throat, too. He coughed and cleared his throat, altering his voice this time. I need to speak to Jesse Ray Thurman.” He talked with the blunt dangling from the corner of his lips. “Put him on the phone. Put him on the phone right now,” he ordered, a grimace on his face. “Dude, I ain’t playing. He even sounded like Lenny Kravitz.
May 10, 2018
Christine is married to J.R. who runs a successful chain of video stores.Yet she cheats on him with Wade,a guy newly released from prison and comes up with a scheme of being kidnapped to get half a million dollars from her husband where the money will be split between her and wade.but when has anything ever gone as planned?catherine and wade had known each other all through high school...but is it true that people you are friends with wont betray you if money is concerned?and also.....what is the consequences of such lies and deception to a marriage?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2013
The crap that Christine put up with from JR and her in-laws was enough to drive anyone to the brink of desperation but the plan and execution obviously needed more work .
Christine was raised by a strange set of parents who let her run amock and didn't question her actions. Seeking attention from anywhere she cld get it lead to a period of sex with anyone who asked along with drug and alcohol use. She gave her virginity and heart to the most unworthy individual imagined. Wade couldn't have given Christine the type of affection she craved if he wanted to and believe me he didn't even try. Great sex was all they shared even though she always convinced herself she didn't know where she stood with Wade. The relationships she had with her mother-in-law and the older neighbor across the hall tells you that she was capable of loving JR despite her sketchy beginnings. Good read.
Nothing turned out the way any of them expected
Christine was raised by a strange set of parents who let her run amock and didn't question her actions. Seeking attention from anywhere she cld get it lead to a period of sex with anyone who asked along with drug and alcohol use. She gave her virginity and heart to the most unworthy individual imagined. Wade couldn't have given Christine the type of affection she craved if he wanted to and believe me he didn't even try. Great sex was all they shared even though she always convinced herself she didn't know where she stood with Wade. The relationships she had with her mother-in-law and the older neighbor across the hall tells you that she was capable of loving JR despite her sketchy beginnings. Good read.
Nothing turned out the way any of them expected
November 7, 2007
DISCLAIMER: I don't read mainstream fiction as a rule, regardless of who writes it. (Unless you count Harry Potter...but does it count?)
Completely predictable from start to finish (see below). The jumps between backstory and present story were annoying as hell (particularly when we're talking about 100+ pages of backstory right in the middle of the present story), as were the short chapters whose division made little to no sense. The main character just got more and more annoying as the book went on and I was hoping that the last few pages would give me something to make this worth my while, to really imprint these characters and this story into my memory, but alas, it didn't. The only major thing I'm left with after this experience is gratitude that a Web site called Half.com exists.
Completely predictable from start to finish (see below). The jumps between backstory and present story were annoying as hell (particularly when we're talking about 100+ pages of backstory right in the middle of the present story), as were the short chapters whose division made little to no sense. The main character just got more and more annoying as the book went on and I was hoping that the last few pages would give me something to make this worth my while, to really imprint these characters and this story into my memory, but alas, it didn't. The only major thing I'm left with after this experience is gratitude that a Web site called Half.com exists.
September 10, 2016
The main story is about a woman who gets her friend to help her fake her own kidnapping so that they can split the ransom money from her husband. Since this main story is too short to fill a novel-sized book, there are flashbacks that tell the woman's life story, beginning at age 13. The main story, that is, the one about the kidnapping is more interesting than her life story. But, alas, the life story takes up the bulk of the book. There is some cleverness and humor in the book, but mostly it is longwinded and uninspiring.
June 12, 2008
Trashy and full of Drama. I can't believe I read this entire book, actually listened to this gabbage. The main character Christine redeemed her trashy ways by the last chapter of the book. But, I think the author could have done much better with the content/details of the story.
September 25, 2008
I am loving this book. I am a total fan. Escapism at it's best. These folks face every possible stereotypical trial/travail known to modern man. Mary Monroe can certainly churn them out.
November 2, 2008
Great read. I was able to get this book autographed by the author at walmart. That was a real treat.
November 6, 2019
This book just didn't engage me and is not really a favorite of mine.
August 15, 2018
Well it came as no surprise that her plan failed. Both men were also greedy so there demises were imminent. Of course it's clear that they had changed the ending a long time ago but had never expected to be killed. It figures that Momma found the money and started spending it up. I'm glad that Jesse finally put his foot down. However I just knew that he was going to find out what had really happened. Hopefully all of Christine's relationships can start fresh and become what she has been looking for. Took some time to get into this book should've been completed
April 18, 2017
A quick read with a truly humorous story about family life and unique experiences. I would expect nothing less from Mary Monroe's writing style. These characters are all quirky yet still remain lovable. A favorite was Miss Odessa with Christine and the parent's relationship towards each other. I would recommend this book with the 4**** star rating.
April 30, 2010
I borrowed this book from the library in an audio format. I like Mary Monroe's story line twists but this book was just okay. I think that I am just not that into women who make off the wall choices in their life.
February 7, 2013
This is thw worst book I have ever read by Mary Monroe. Readingthis book for me was like working a job you don't like. I have always read and enjoyed her work. Hopefuly this is the only bad book she's written. I know we all have an off day. LoL.
December 11, 2019
I am a huge fan of Mary Monroe. In fact, she is the first author I started reading when I received my very first kindle. I love her books!!! So no matter what she writes, I will read. My number one author!!!!!
February 15, 2009
I was somewhat disappointed w/ this. Mary normally does better. I saw the plot practically from ther first page and I was not ok w/ the ending, too easy...
July 26, 2011
took me a few Trys to get into the book...and I didn't like the way she kept flipping back and forth between her childhood and adulthood!! was an okay book...I've read better!!!
April 30, 2012
slow read. i cant seem to get into the book
September 18, 2014
Boring. I couldn't make it beyond chapter 2.
January 2, 2025
This book was sitting on my shelf for a little over a year & I decided to give it a spin. I was completely oblivious to what it was about. When I realized it was an urban fiction novel with a wild plot and even wilder characters, I had to see how this moving train was going to crash.
To keep this review as short as possible, I want to admit that I didn’t find any of the characters likeable (Christine; FMC, J.R., and Wade; antagonist), but I do have empathy towards Christine and her intense experience with abuse & neglect. The decisions she made from age 11 to her 30s didn’t improve until the end when she realized time is limited in life. She no longer wanted to miss out on important experiences with the people she deeply cared for.
J.R., her husband, provided stability, safety, and intimacy. Wade, the ex-fling, provided ecstasy and thrill. The thing that both men could not provide to Christine adequately was love & support. They always left her in the dark when she needed them the most.
I understand why Christine made certain decisions regarding her marriage given the extreme physical & psychological circumstances she was placed under, but I wouldn’t have thought of the “dangerous scheme” that she came up with to escape, especially not with a broke & hungry bum like Wade. She didn’t deserve what happened to her, but if you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes. Going through all of that just to end up where you started seemed like such a waste of time!
She should have saved the money she was being provided by J.R. and kept Wade around to scratch that itch every now and then. There were too many variables left out of consideration in her makeshift plan.
To end it here, I do have a few gripes about the writing— the long & extensive flashbacks to her past that although provided great context, dragged the story & slightly confused the “present” timeline. There were some moments that hooked me and others that broke my heart for Christine, specifically the stories from her rough childhood in Berkeley.
The ending was a bit underwhelming, but I’m happy it ended the way it did. It gave me a bit of hope for Christine & her future. I’d recommend this book to people who need a little drama & ridiculousness in their life, but it may not go in my “best book ever” list. I appreciate this book for getting me back into reading novels. A gentle, yet insane transition from manga.
To keep this review as short as possible, I want to admit that I didn’t find any of the characters likeable (Christine; FMC, J.R., and Wade; antagonist), but I do have empathy towards Christine and her intense experience with abuse & neglect. The decisions she made from age 11 to her 30s didn’t improve until the end when she realized time is limited in life. She no longer wanted to miss out on important experiences with the people she deeply cared for.
J.R., her husband, provided stability, safety, and intimacy. Wade, the ex-fling, provided ecstasy and thrill. The thing that both men could not provide to Christine adequately was love & support. They always left her in the dark when she needed them the most.
I understand why Christine made certain decisions regarding her marriage given the extreme physical & psychological circumstances she was placed under, but I wouldn’t have thought of the “dangerous scheme” that she came up with to escape, especially not with a broke & hungry bum like Wade. She didn’t deserve what happened to her, but if you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes. Going through all of that just to end up where you started seemed like such a waste of time!
She should have saved the money she was being provided by J.R. and kept Wade around to scratch that itch every now and then. There were too many variables left out of consideration in her makeshift plan.
To end it here, I do have a few gripes about the writing— the long & extensive flashbacks to her past that although provided great context, dragged the story & slightly confused the “present” timeline. There were some moments that hooked me and others that broke my heart for Christine, specifically the stories from her rough childhood in Berkeley.
The ending was a bit underwhelming, but I’m happy it ended the way it did. It gave me a bit of hope for Christine & her future. I’d recommend this book to people who need a little drama & ridiculousness in their life, but it may not go in my “best book ever” list. I appreciate this book for getting me back into reading novels. A gentle, yet insane transition from manga.
October 28, 2021
Wow
Wow. You just have to read this to come up with something more suitable. I loved the way this story was presented, in the present, and reverting to details from the past. It helped me become more sympathetic to the main character, Christine. She had a hard life, basically raising herself. It's a wonder she lived so long considering the choices she made. What I didn't get was why JR couldn't realize what his family was doing to his marriage. Or why he spent so much time at work. In the end, he and Christine both paid for his negligence. At times, this book was humorous, and then so sad it was depressing. But together, it made for one awesome read.
Wow. You just have to read this to come up with something more suitable. I loved the way this story was presented, in the present, and reverting to details from the past. It helped me become more sympathetic to the main character, Christine. She had a hard life, basically raising herself. It's a wonder she lived so long considering the choices she made. What I didn't get was why JR couldn't realize what his family was doing to his marriage. Or why he spent so much time at work. In the end, he and Christine both paid for his negligence. At times, this book was humorous, and then so sad it was depressing. But together, it made for one awesome read.
September 11, 2023
Engaging writing. That's the only positive.
The main character was annoying from start to finish, and the entire story was too predictable. Would have rathered this been a <100 page novella and the entire story still would've come across perfectly, and probably would've been put together much better. 90% of the book was just the main character's childhood, and though that could've been interesting (especially if it would've all come together in the end), it was overly-lengthy, drawn out to bits, and uncomfortable at times. Plus, none of it was really necessary in the end.
This writer may have potential, but this book did not show any of it.
The main character was annoying from start to finish, and the entire story was too predictable. Would have rathered this been a <100 page novella and the entire story still would've come across perfectly, and probably would've been put together much better. 90% of the book was just the main character's childhood, and though that could've been interesting (especially if it would've all come together in the end), it was overly-lengthy, drawn out to bits, and uncomfortable at times. Plus, none of it was really necessary in the end.
This writer may have potential, but this book did not show any of it.
January 6, 2021
Wow...
That is the only word that I can say. I enjoy this author's writing and stories. This book was hard to read because it was so sad. Until the ending everything was clear about no love. Cannot imagine the pain that everyone had to endure. I ended rereading "Family of Lies" during my break from this book because the sadness was too painful.
That is the only word that I can say. I enjoy this author's writing and stories. This book was hard to read because it was so sad. Until the ending everything was clear about no love. Cannot imagine the pain that everyone had to endure. I ended rereading "Family of Lies" during my break from this book because the sadness was too painful.
April 28, 2022
Love the book. I also learned that there are black Guatemalan people, but not at all surprised. The story line reminded me of the couple not long ago in the news. I was happy that there was a good end to the story.
February 15, 2024
Solid 4 stars. Mary is one of my favorite authors. I love her writing style. There’s alot of roast, shade, and context to her characters. I enjoyed this story; like many of her books i got some good laughs in and was very entertained.
April 26, 2020
Not bad. I give it 4 stars it kept me entertained and wanting to read more
October 12, 2021
Also a good read but I didn't like the ending
January 30, 2022
This wasn't your typical Mary Monroe book. I was kinda of shocked at all the sex and profanity but it was still a good listen while I was driving to and from work.
October 11, 2022
It took me awhile to finish this book it just wasn't that interesting. And just when it picked up the ending was very unrealistic and left me disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews