From a Whisper to a Scream - Charles de Lint Book Review

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Review Summaries

" Tor, Jan 2003, 14.95, 320 pp. ISBN: 0765304341 In 1988 Newford police officer Thomas Morningstar chases after a speeder only to have the other driver pull a gun on him forcing the cop to fire and kill the man. The follow up investigation exonerates Thomas, but also shows the victim is pediophile Teddy Bird, who had three dead little kids in his trunk and several others in his apartment. Thomas eliminated a monster. Two years later, Thomas believes a new serial killer targeting teenage prostitutes displays a similar MO to Bird. Since he personally saw Bird buried, Thomas wonders what is going on, but turns to his Native American heritage for the answer. Jumping off of conclusions drawn by a reporter, Thomas believes that Bird's malignant spirit is chasing after someone named Niki, but not sure why. Having stopped Bird when he was human, Thomas feels it is his responsibility to halt Teddy now that that he is as deadly as ever as a spirit. This is a reprint of an early much darker Newford novel written under the pen name Samuel M. Key. The story line contains all the de Lint magic that makes him a fan favorite as the author in this case uses a malevolent essence as a form of symbolism to display the uglier side of modern society. The paranormal serial killer investigation is intriguing as Mr. de Lint provides his audience with a deep mystical thriller with an even deeper message. Harriet Klausner "
Harriet Klausner, Resident Charles de Lint Scholar

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Overall Review

Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 60%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%

Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy story on current Earth
Spying & Investigations Yes
What is main char. doing? - finding a killer (criminal)
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Horror story? Yes
Horror plotlets - the ghost chased me!

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - police/lawman
Age: - 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - magical being
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Setting
Earth setting: - 20th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript

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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).

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