The Sound of a Scream

by John Manning

In his third riveting thriller, the author of "All the Pretty Dead Girls" focuses on a woman haunted by her past--facing a killer hiding in plain site. Original.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Fiction

380 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

John Manning lives in Boston and Los Angeles and several points in between. A connoisseur of horror films, he especially loves the great made-for-television movies of the 1970s, where the devil always seemed to be lurking around the corner of a college dormitory or a suburban mansion.

Reviews

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book. At times it was even hard to put down. Very similar read to his other books, but my fear of clowns had me way more spooked. One night I kept reading until morning because I was afraid to go back to sleep while it was dark! If you know how to enjoy a good storyline and can look past any spelling, writing, or grammatical errors (there aren't many, but I have seen people focus on them in other reviews) it's a good read. I recommend this book to anyone that lives to get a little creeped out with a scary book.

[Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book! It keeps you on the edge of your seat for sure. Like others have said in their reviews, there are a good many typos in this book. The way I look at that though is like a good friend, someone that may not be perfect, but deep inside is still a great friend! So you should look past the typos and read this great book that is by far very much worth your time!

[Clay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in 2019 and I have yet to read a book that I like more than this one. I found it thrilling and sometimes I wouldn't go to sleep until early in the morning because I just could not put it down. It is so spooky and interesting and I highly recommend it.

[S. Policar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at my local Dollar General for $3 and figured why not, I like a good murder mystery. I wasn't expecting a murder mystery with such strong horror elements; it was a pleasant surprise!
This book mixes your typical murder mystery with the gore of horror and hints of the paranormal that make it really hard to put down.
There are some small issues with the editing, but nothing drastic enough to impede reading speed, or that distract more than just minimally.
I think I'll definitely look for more from this author, if his other works are filled with as many twists and turns as this one was.
I give this book 4 of 5 Paws.

[Marianne Stehr · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review needs to start with I do not read ghost stories. This is the number one reason I did not like this book. The second reason is everyone has lost common sense in this book. It is as if I am watching a bad 1980’s horror flick oh there is a killer let’s lock ourselves in the basement and wait for him. I read it all but I have no idea why. Not. For. Me.

[Anna Frey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book would def read more of his books great twist and turns

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really more a romance novel than a true thriller. A young woman raised in a convent decides to take a job as a governess in a small town. When she disenbarks from the train, noone is there to meet her and a storm is looming. She accepts a ride to a local pub where she makes a phone call to a taxi. Before the taxi arrives, she discovers a waitress dead in the bathroom stall. She is traumatized. She sees someone dressed as a clown sitting in a booth at the back of the restaurant but noone else sees him. The house where she is employed is huge and she discovers the owner's grandfather was a serial killer years before. He dressed as a clown persuading young children to follow him before he murdered them. It seems a copycat killer has returned. It was fairly easy to figure out who the murderer was before the end of the book. The main character was portrayed as very unworldly and too shallow for my liking.

[Lori Schiele · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sound of a Scream was a fast-paced and enjoyable combination of horror, mystery and psychological thriller.
A young woman, born an orphan and raised by nuns, is hired to be the governess to the child of a reclusive rich family in Point Woebegone, Maine (a fitting name). But, the first day she arrives, she discovers the body of a murdered woman. It is the first dead body Daphne May has seen, but is most certainly not the last.
As she seeks the mystery of her childhood, Daphne must also help identify the killer before everyone living in the manor house is murdered.

I give the author kudos for attempting to offer clues so that the reader is constantly wondering who the murderer is; however, to me, the identity of the killer was quite obvious not even 1/3 of the way done! That was disappointing and rather than provide an "Ah ha!" moment, it caused an "I thought so" feeling.

[Katie C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is overall an easy-to-read and fast-paced novel that will spook you at the end of just about every chapter. It was hard for me to put it down, especially every time I get to the end of a chapter! I guessed who the killer was when I was about a third of the way into the book, but that didn't stop me from finishing it. I wanted to make sure I was right (hahaha). I was still surprised in the end. The twist in the ending was unexpected for me.


Two cons:
1. There were quite some grammatical errors, but they didn't bother me enough to make me want to stop reading.
2. The main character's thoughts became a little too repetitive for me. But these events were to happen in real life, one would have the same thoughts over and over as well.

Recommended!

[Melanie Chabrol- · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can we say FANTASTIC! Point Woebegone in Maine is a little small town, and a job brought Daphne May to the town. IMMEDIATELY she is warned to not to to Witherspoon residence, from a complete stranger and a cab driver.
Although she is going to be treaching the troublemaker Christopher the prankster. On her first day there she goes to a bar to have a coffee and goes to the ladies room and bam, sees a dead body in the ladies room. What else is Daphne's fate? She lived in a church and was brought up with nuns, will she ever learn to live the other life and is there really fate at the residence find out in THE SOUND OF A SCREAM. This is also the first book i have read of John Manning

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling book. Kept me on edge the whole entire time I was reading it. I must admit the twist of finding out who the copycat killer and the accomplice were was extremely unnerving and unexpected to this reader. I was guessing about everybody in the book could be the copycat killer as the author never gave any details until near the twist as to who the copycat killer was. The accomplice was never given away until late in the book by a simple slip of the tongue. Just a masterful piece of writing. I recommend it for everyone as it will keep you on the edge of your seats and you won't want to put it down.

[Marnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so this book is about a coopycat serial killer, that seeks revenge on the family of the original murder. This book was highly predictable, and because of this, I was a bit disappointed. The thing that kept me going was my fear of clowns after reading "It". Which the killer has to dress up like. So of course, this is the whole part that spooked me. Overall, ok read.

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOSH!!!! SUCH A GOOD BOOK!!! HAD ME ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT WONDERING IF MR PETER WITHERSPOON, SR's GHOST HAD COME BACK FROM THE GRAVE 20+ YEARS LATER TO FINISH HIS MURDEROUS RAMPAGE OR IF THERE WAS A COPY CAT KILLER AROUND!!!!

A MUST READ BOOK!!!

[John D Ottini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful mystery, with all of the charm, atmosphere (and of course, murder) of a Poe novel. Lots of twists and turns. false flags and interesting eccentric characters will keep you turning the pages trying to figure out who done it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book. Loved the story line. Kept me in suspence.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some critics put his writing on a level with Dean Koontz. Not even close. Ok, but writing style is rather immature.

[Gevera Piedmont · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very modern gothic. Governess, history of murders, isolated house on a cliff full of rich eccentrics and a psycho child. Add in a crazy clown and "pop goes the weasel."

[Aubrianna Heaps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fantastic book love it!!!!

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, I picked out the killer mid book. Was a dry run first few chapters but was able to quickly read the rest with ease. Would I recommend it.. sure, its got thriller, love, and family drama.

[Daniel Stapleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gift from my daughter. I liked it, especially condsiderimg it came from her :) I think it's a decent read.